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

[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.

[lightningfang]

[Even though his curiosity is piqued, Razor nods in understanding. Not every creature is suited for this weather.]

I will be happy, too.

[Razor's relationship with winter, on the other hand, is complicated. Of course he respects that it's a harsh, difficult time, but he and the wolves have always stuck together and made it through, sharing food and warmth... and the snow and ice has a special place in his heart. It makes him feel like a pup again.]

Don't worry for me. Winter is good for wolves.

[fortuna_tenax]

[ He's been kind enough to help her out, so she bites back a 'buddy, you're a people too' type of comment. If it's out of gratitude or out of pragmatism she would rather not say, even to herself. Instead, she shrugs it off. ]

If you say so.

[ The question is though: do they keep pushing forward, woefully unprepared, or do they even risk breaks in this weather with the same lack of preparations? ]

[lightningfang]

[Razor would be perfectly content in pushing on without thinking too much of the next few days; the farthest ahead a wolf thinks is of its next meal. But he can sense that Jinx is having doubts and finds the weather threatening.]

Can you build shelter? Good shelter keeps snow and rain and cold out. I can show you.

[fortuna_tenax]

Someone I spoke to sent me a tent and a portable stove, though I haven't checked how big it is. [ Oh, it's definitely big enough for them all. ] If that doesn't work out though... I. Don't.

Still, we shouldn't have to worry about that for some time- I just don't like the cold. I can handle it though.

[ children do either of you even have coats stop being tough for five minutes please ]

[lightningfang]

[He's familiar, but certainly doesn't know how to set up either of those things. It's for the better, though, if they'll make the journey easier for his new friend.

Technically Razor doesn't have a coat, but he does have a fur. He rummages around in his bag as he walks, and offers that decently thick Eevee kigu.]

Take this. I don't mind the cold.

stubborn kids being stubborn

[fortuna_tenax]

[ She blinks, taken aback at the offer- people didn't just do that, if you were in a bad situation it was your fault and you had to deal with it- ...but. This world was kinder than her own. Wasn't it? So she accepts it, though wearing it properly would be difficult at this point, so instead she simply wraps it around her shoulders, not unlike a blanket. ]

I- thank you. Just let me know when you do need it, I won't have you freezing because of me.

so heckin stubborn

[lightningfang]

[Being unnecessarily cruel, or hoarding things that could help the group, simply don't cross Razor's mind. If one member of the pack is weakened, it affects the strength of the group.

That, and he just doesn't like to see living things suffer. So he actually offers Jinx a smile once she's got it wrapped around herself.]

I am fine. It's better now?

kids, what can you do? u _ u (whoops this got prosey sorry)

[fortuna_tenax]

It is.

[ And she almost thanks him again, but she literally just did that- is she that unused to this sort of thing? What a sad and very true thought that she's going to ignore forever now.

Admittedly, were it not for the cold, she'd be more confident. (This is what happens when you pluck a girl from California and drop her into the snow.) But now that it's starting to sink in that Razor and Pup are sticking around, she lets herself relax just a bit, and listens to the sounds around them. It's not a lot, and certainly not as noisy as the city, but it's still... a bit of existence she's never heard before.

Birds and the crunching of snow and it's just so much different surrounded by trees and more trees rather than concrete and asphalt. It's no surprise she doesn't see much of anything between the trees- what had that scientist said- oh right! ]

I heard from a man in town that in taller grass, more Pokemon may approach us openly- most likely for a fight, though he said that they're nonlethal. He encouraged it, even. But I'd hate to be taken off guard too much.

u are SO valid

[lightningfang]

[Razor nods, as if that set off a lightbulb in his head. It makes plenty of sense, given both his understanding of predators, and what he's already experienced.]

Be careful. Pup tried to fight, but I tried instead. [His face grows dark for a second, ashamed, almost.] I am not so strong here. We ran away.

sometimes u just gotta let the girl ramble

[fortuna_tenax]

He tried because he's supposed to be the one who does- we're caretakers for the pokemon, but they are the fighters. ... I, ah, tried to find out more about this place before leaving.

[ And she makes a face, here. The idea of sending Amalthea out to fight is uncomfortable, but that could just be because of her size. Even her clumsiness was quickly fading. ]

I hate it, but you've already seen what's happened if you try yourself.

[lightningfang]

[It seems they feel the same way, although when Razor looks at Pup with concern, she seems as carefree as any time. Even when she'd offered to fight, there was a playfulness about it.]

If we must run away always, then we will.

[That, in fact, makes Pup cock her head and droop her tail. Surely Razor will understand some day?]

[fortuna_tenax]

[ Oh, Jinx sees that disappointment. Something tells her that attitude will be sorted out sooner rather than later. Which isn't to say she doesn't get it- her heart freezes whenever Amalthea slips in the snow, after all. But the little unicorn has proven that she'll always get back up again, and... well. This isn't underground dog fighting. This world is different. It'd do well for her to remember that.

She just needs to internalize it. ]

If you say so.

[ She's not up for arguing it right now, so instead they keep walking. Occasionally she sees something moving in the trees, and the size would be concerning if she hadn't seen some particularly large baby birds- it's still concerning, but she's got her pride- and then she hears a whimper. ]

Hey, did you hear that...?

[lightningfang]

[Razor and Pup go rigid at the same moment Jinx speaks, both then turning toward the sudden sound. Between the two of them, Pup is far less hesitant, and seems to want to run off toward the noise immediately, though she waits for Razor's command.

It doesn't come, exactly. Razor only gives both her and Jinx a wary look.]

Careful. Wounded animal is a dangerous one.

[fortuna_tenax]

I know.

[ And she does, but she also thinks about... well. No one had helped her. So even though she does know, and she knows Razor might stop her, she does slowly walk towards where she heard the whimper. With the same pace she pushes some of the grass and foliage aside, ready to dodge or duck at a moment's notice. ... A wiggly fruit with a face shivering and off-color was not what she expected to find, however. ]

Ah, shit.

[lightningfang]

[On the contrary, he doesn't stop Jinx, but slinks around to another side. If something does attack, he needs to be ready to help. Pup obediently stays at his heel, and...

... she seems marginally less surprised than Razor to see a sentient fruit.]

It -- is alive?

[fortuna_tenax]

I think so. Given that it looks like a fruit, I bet it's plant-based. This cold must be awful for it.

[ She remembers feeling like this. It's why she can't stand the cold so much. So really, it isn't surprising that without a second thought, Jinx gently, oh-so carefully scoops it up with whispered comforts, cradling it close. The cold will still be there, yes, but it's easier to endure if you're not alone. This is a simple truth. ]

[lightningfang]

[Well, it's good that the creature is in no position to attack. Razor watches on as Pup leans up, front paws on Jinx's leg, to sniff at the wild Pokemon and chuff softly, tail wagging once.]

She wants to help. Fur is very warm.

[fortuna_tenax]

[ Jinx shifts to let herself be more open to the little dog- she's not keen on staying crouched in the snow, but trying to carry a large berry... thing and a puppy would be rather cumbersome. Still, it's more important to get the thing to respond a bit more- and hopefully when it does, it will be not angry.

She doesn't need to add "has been attacked by a mangosteen" to her list of life accomplishments". ]

[lightningfang]

[That's good enough for Pup! She stretches her little fuzzy head up to sniff at the Bounsweet, then gives it a tentative lick. And, finding it to her liking, somehow, she whines and rubs her face against it, careful to avoid cutting it with the hard rocks on her neck.]

dun dun dun

[fortuna_tenax]

[ Jinx only watches while Pup does... her thing, she guesses? Before the cold starts to agitate her. ]

We should keep moving. Once we set up camp we can probably do more for it, though.

[ And with that, she gently pushes Pup back, just a bit, so that she can stand up without disturbing the dog. As she does, however, Jinx takes note of the sky, and the winds. With a sinking feeling, she checks her gear and... yeah. That's a snow storm warning. ]

Ah, fuck. A blizzard's coming.

[lightningfang]

[Pup is... well, a puppy, so she's a little heartbroken to be pushed away, but she forgets all about it when Razor pats her head. She is the bestest, most sweetest girl.

Afterward, Razor closes the distance to Jinx and the frozen Pokemon, hovering almost too close for human convention.]

Stay together. Find cover. Only way to keep warm.

[fortuna_tenax]

There's figuring out the tent... it won't be much, but it'll be the start of something.

[ ... Turns out, she, uh. Doesn't even notice. She can still check what she needs to, so it's fine? I guess?? Thankfully the tent looked pretty easy to set up when she'd gotten it. ]

[lightningfang]

[In agreement, he nods and glances around for a decent area. Tree cover will protect their camp even more, and bushes and rocks on the sides will break some of the wind.

After he thinks he's located a decent enough spot for a den, he gestures.]

Over here.

[fortuna_tenax]

[ Given that her survival experience was still within city limits, Jinx figures it's best to listen to the wolf kid who can clearly back up what he knows. Just... seems like a good idea. Can't imagine why.

At his declaration, Jinx crouches beside Pup, holding out the bounsweet. ]

Do you think you can keep it safe while we do this?

[ And once she gets her answer, she slides the backpack off and brings out the package she'd received the other night. ... Thank. God. Within is a large tent, and a wooden stove and fuel. Perfect! Now she just... had to figure out how to set it up. ]