01 ; Video + Action

[fortuna_tenax]

VIDEO : NEW BARK TOWN, THE NIGHT OF JANUARY 3RD

[ She's not looking at the camera at first, instead glancing away while she tries to steel herself. It's not that this is a big deal or anything, just... announcing her presence to the world over the internet. Hah. It doesn't last for long though before she looks almost bored at her invisible audience, chin in hand as she leans on the table. ]

I suppose you could say this is one way to start the new year. Or somebody decided I need to take "new year, new me" for more seriously than I ever have. Who knows?
[ A sentiment she's sure others here definitely share, but does it truly matter? ]

... So does everyone get a tiny unicorn- [ And it's here that a little Galarian ponyta manages to get her head on screen, peeking up curiously- ] or what?

[ Not what she actually intended on asking, but she actually does know the answer: No, people have different creatures from what she's seen in her arrival. This is just a wide net to find out what more to expect, really. Besides, if they want 'vulnerability', they'll have to pay her money. ]




ACTION : ROUTE 29, MORNING OF JANUARY 4TH

[ It's very quickly occurred to her to change into the heavier of the dresses packed, but the cold still bites. Her purple shawl draped over it does little to help, but it makes her feel better at least? Amalthea is in her pokéball, attached at her hip. Her bag is full. The map is in a pocket (and holy shit this dress has POCKETS!!) and the PokéGear in the other. As much as she hates the cold, the idea of staying in this stagnant little town feels even worse to be honest.

So she goes, a splash of pink against the white snow and dark brown bark. Definitely not going to be getting much attention like this! Internally she's already debating on whether she should risk pushing through the night to the town or not. Maybe some company will make this bitter start a bit better. Maybe not. ]

Comments

[video]

[captainash]

The tiny unicorn is only one option among hundreds, ranging from fish to rocks to dragons. But it's an uncommon one, so congratulations.

[Or rather a relatively new one, as far as he knows.]

Too bad you didn't get the regular, non-unicorn version. Having a burning horse would have made dealing with winter much easier. Not to say that this one won't be a wonderful partner, of course.

Re: [video]

[fortuna_tenax]

Fire would be convenient, but have you considered that unicorns are wonderful?

[ Is it a bit childish? Yes. But she's 15, so... what can you expect? Still, hearing that she's apparently got a rarity is incredibly pleasing. She already loved Amalthea, don't get me wrong, but Jinx is a girl of fine tastes and eccentricities alike. The delight shows in the affectionate pet she gives to the unicorn, gentle and loving alike. ]

So what did you get then? Unless that's like. Super rude? I have no idea.

[video]

[captainash]

That's also an extremely valid point of view! Some people end up with starters they dislike, so I'm glad to hear that's not the case here.

[Like those poor trainers who had to survive route 29 with a Magikarp. And those poor Magikarps who had to deal with trainers who didn't respect them after going through route 29 together.]

I started out with a Houndour. Little Fire/Dark-type hellhound, excellent if you need to grill meat on the road. Very cute, as long as you like skulls and bones.

Re: [video]

[fortuna_tenax]

Yikes. Poor things...

[ Even she can sympathize with the pokémon there. Or maybe it's easier to do so? Though the mentions of a dog does make her wince just a... tiny bit. Only for a moment. ]

I mean. Skulls and bones are cute. I know, I'm a girl of incredible range. [ I swear she's not being a tad bratty on purpose, she's just like this. ] Hm... I didn't even think about extra provisions. I'll have to look into things...

[video]

[captainash]

Hopefully your incredible range also applies to what you'll eat, because until you reach Cherrygrove and its grocery stores you don't get much choice. Or many opportunities to get extra, for that matter. Restaurants don't deliver to routes, either.

[Which is honestly a terribly wasted business opportunity, even if newcomers don't have much money to start with.]

Re: [video]

[fortuna_tenax]

[ She has her limits. But 'low option grocery stores' doesn't meet that limit, so she's not... too concerned. And she's having fun with this, so that's good I suppose? ]

You don't have to worry about that. But I suppose I'll have to head out eventually- [ No, she's not putting it off because of the cold, what are you talking about? ] -so what exactly should I look into? Just... in general. This is all incredibly new to me.

[video]

[captainash]

First of all, check if anyone else just popped up in New Bark Town. If you can travel with someone who owns a Fire- or Water-type, the next few days will be much easier. And keep an eye out for any wild Pokémon you might want to catch. The ones in the area tend to be easy to train, and it's a nice spot for future fliers, which will greatly shorten journeys once you get that HM.

[The presence of so many Normal-types on the early routes is just a bonus, as far as he's concerned.]

Video

[fortuna_tenax]

[ Huh? Fire makes sense with the cold, but why water... Oh. Duh. Clean water source, probably. God, she was not prepared for hiking. Still, Jinx does listen carefully. ]

I haven't seen anyone like... us so far, but I'll keep an eye out for them.

[ In truth, she'd barely considered catching more Pokemon as well- she, uh. Look, keeping a 7 year old who won't eat his vegetables alive and keeping animals alive is completely different, and she's stressed!!! ]

Wait- uh. What's an HM?

Video

[captainash]

They're little disks that can teach certain moves to mmultiple Pokémon. Most of those are related to travel, like Fly or Surf, and they're necessary if you want to ride Pokémon in the air or over bodies of water.

[And then, because he knows that's the obvious follow-up question-]

Don't ask me why a sufficiently large bird needs a disk to learn how to let someone climb on its back, because I have no idea.

VIDEO

[standless]

Oh!

You've got a ponyta! [Jonathan is of course immediately answering with considerable zeal.]

While the precise creature one arrives with varies greatly, everyone does indeed awaken here with something of the sort. What you have in particular is a wonderful pokemon though! A Galaran Ponyta! They're capable of healing with the touch of their horn!

Re: VIDEO

[fortuna_tenax]

[ His enthusiasm is disarming, honestly, and she blinks in surprise before glancing back down at Amalthea. ... Is it bad that she immediately wanted to test that? Jinx, honey, no. Still, she smiles sweetly at her pokémon. ]

You hear that, Amalthea? You're wonderful. Even this nice stranger sees it.

[ She giggles just a tiny bit, and she's making a bit of a joke, but it's a sweet joke. ]

I... take it you've been around a bit, then? Since you knew all that right off the bat.

[standless]

Oh! Goodness, I should have introduced myself yes.

Jonathan Joestar, [the man thus follows, before continuing on.] And I've been here for very nearly a full year- however, this particular pokemon is also one that I have in my possession! I raised them from birth in fact!

[Otherwise known as Hatching, but if they get to that they get to that!] When they grow stronger and older, they're more properly the size of a horse- and very much capable of fulfilling the role as well.

[fortuna_tenax]

[ It didn't even occur to her that these animals, so unlike what she's used to, had to come from somewhere. It's such a simple little thing, and so incredibly obvious too, and yet it seems to hit like a truck. She ignores it. ]

... I'm Jinx. I only just got here. I... figured it would be better to know what I'm getting into before venturing into the woods in the middle of winter.

[ Or out into the winter in general. She's never liked the cold, and 'Mom' didn't exactly give her a coat. ]

[standless]

A pleasure to meet you then Jinx!

...Oh yes this is one of the worst possible moments of the year to be arriving...

...Truthfully there are woefully few options- any local settlements equipped with proper camping supplies are a few days walking distance from where you likely are.

[fortuna_tenax]

Yeah, no kidding.

[ Ooh. Cranky. ]

That seems poorly thought out, if 'new arrivals' are so consistent and constant as it seems to be. And it's especially stupid because I'm pretty dang sure it was spring back home!

[standless]

I don't imagine much is planned at all! Though one would think that those within New Bark would have begun to set up some sort of resource for such situations by now.

Perhaps someone ought set up shelters along the routes ahead...

[It sounds like he's seriously considering doing that!]

Regardless, perhaps I could lend you a proper tent for the time being. Items are far easier to send across to others in this place compared to the manner in my homeland, and a tent fitted with a wood stove would certainly do one well in this weather I suspect!

video

[fortuna_tenax]

I'm starting to realize that. I guess I thought with how prevalent this... scenario seems to be, it'd be more... structured?

[ She's incredibly unsure as to why she ever thought something like that, aside from her own desire for control and structure. But she's quickly overtaken by shock at the idea- ]

You can do that? I thought magic was gone--

1/4

[lightningfang]

[Unlike Jinx, Razor was quick to get out of New Bark; even a small settlement like that is still too human for him. As such, he'd had all day and all night to explore out on the route. The best part was realizing he'd come to a dead end -- that all his years in the forest couldn't get him through these particular woods and that no amount of jumping or scrambling would get him up the rocky ledges.

Luckily for Jinx, when he's on his way back, he sees her near the break in the ledges. If he couldn't save himself from the night in the cold, at least he can save someone else. He jogs up, Rockruff in tow, and slows to a stop at a reasonable distance. Wouldn't want to frighten her.]

Don't go this way. Brush too thick, rocks too steep. [Sure it looks like smoother sailing, but... just trust him.]

Re: 1/4

[fortuna_tenax]

[ With the crunch of the snow, she hears them coming. And she's pretty sure it's not a regular 'challenge' like she read about... So instead, Jinx listens. ... Oh, hell. She's going to blame the weather, personally. With a frustrated huff, Jinx crosses her arms- though it's also to keep warm. ]

Did you see another way at all? I only just left town.

[ The idea of just reaching the town as soon as possible is starting to feel... hm. Not likely. Isn't that just her luck? Still, if this kid's been out here longer, he. Prooooobably has some idea as to what to do. God, she misses having a nice secure place in the city already. ]

[lightningfang]

[Just to double check, he takes a wide look around, surveying their surroundings. Once he's certain he has his bearings, he nods and faces north.]

This way. No path where I was before. Come, follow me.

[He doesn't exactly wait around for her before setting off to the upper half of the route. At least he's going at a reasonable pace?

His Rockruff waits behind him for a moment, cocking her head at Jinx and giving her a friendly bark.]

[fortuna_tenax]

[ ... He was damn lucky she was basically a ninja witch. ... Well. No 'witch' any more. Although she levels a rather unimpressed glance at his back as he goes on ahead, she follows with little struggle. It's easy enough to catch up, aside from the cold. She never handled it well, not since she was a child.

But he is helping, so she supposes she should be grateful. ]

Thank you. [ She doesn't speak until she's only a few paces behind him. ] I'm Jinx.

[lightningfang]

Razor. [He doesn't seem much for talking.

Rockruff is here too! Barking as she circles them, she bounds through the snow in leaps, leaving big puppy-shaped holes rather than paw prints. It makes Razor smile, finally.] That is Pup.

[Slowing for just a few paces, enough to let her catch up, Razor glances expectantly at Jinx. Everyone else he's seen -- even if it's been at a distance -- had some sort of creature following them.]

[fortuna_tenax]

[ Jinx just nods- not everyone wants to talk, and she can respect that. ... Though he's very on the nose with names, she notices. At least the dog's pretty cute.

And then he looks at her like- OH. Right. Everyone has a. Pokémon. It must be weird that hers isn't out. ]

I have a young horse- she keeps tripping in the snow, and I don't want her to get hurt, so she's in one of the Pokéballs. Her name is Amalthea. She'll be happy to meet you once we stop.

[lightningfang]

Horse? [That catches his attention. He tilts his head the way a curious dog would, then tucks his chin down in contemplation.] Heard of it, never seen one.

[For a moment, he watches Pup slow down and settle into happily plodding along beside them at a comfortable pace. He thinks on how hardy wolves are, and how fragile humans are.]

If you need rest, tell me. I can run all night. [It's... very clearly day, though.]

[fortuna_tenax]

You don't really see them where I'm from either. But when we take a break, I can introduce her. She'll be happy to see new faces.

[ Granted, she's not sure when they'll need to rest. Admittedly, she's still not sure what being in a new world has done to her- her magic is gone, that much is clear with the hollow feeling in her heart and also the lack of disasters happening in her wake. But what else is different? ]

Right. But don't you push yourself too. The woods in the winter is a rotten place to wear yourself out.