victory_road | 01 ; Video + Action

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01 ; Video + Action

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. ]

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[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.

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.

Edited 2021-01-14 19:53 (UTC)

[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?]

[ 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...?

[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.

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.

[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?

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. ]

[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.

[ 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". ]

[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.]

[ 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.

[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.

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. ]

[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.

[ 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. ]

[Delighted to have such an important duty, Pup gently scruffs the Bounsweet and finds a nice spot to lay in the sun, curling up and placing the frigid thing in her fluffy, warm fur. She even lays her head across it, for maximum body heat.

Razor, while he ventures to the nice spot, looks to Jinx and waits for instructions. He certainly has no experience with such manmade objects.]

[ Thankfully, the task ultimately isn't too arduous- despite it's size and convenience, it must be meant for beginners. Eventually it's up, the few stakes are in, and the stove is connected to a chimney. With the remaining daylight, they'd be able to set up a bit more and try and get some supplies, but Jinx is keeping one eye on the weather as she props the cot up- it's small, but even with a tent she's pretty sure sleeping on the ground in a blizzard is... how do you say. Bad. ]

There's this at least... ... Now what?

[It's really kind of jarring to look at the setup and realize he had any part in it -- uncomfortable, almost. It's so human.

Razor doesn't have much time to stress over that, though, with the weather coming in. He looks to Pup as his stomach growls, but she seems happy as can be with her charge. Plus, she's been sniffing out berries and eating well.]

Food, maybe... But I have no meat. Maybe we just wait now.

I'm not about to send anyone out like this. In that bag you were given, there should be something that woman who sent us out here made for lunch, and a snack, so we just need to make it last...

[ Which might be difficult with the two of them plus pokémon, but Pup had been taking care of herself... With a sigh, Jinx mentally goes over everything one last time, before finally releasing Amalthea from her pokéball for some fresh air- did she need fresh air?- and... just to not be a liar.

The tiny unicorn seems immune to the cold, instead being distracted by the new scenery and friends, and frankly Jinx is jealous. ]

I ate already.

[Aaand maybe that involved throwing away half of it, because... vegetables.

Oops.

ANYWAY, Razor is quick to turn to Amalthea, smelling the air and holding his hand out so she can do the same. He always thought horses were as big as Andrius, so being faced with such a small one is a surprising relief.]

She is very pretty.

[ Bruh. ]

... Well, okay then. Tonight's probably going to suck.

[ Still, at least Amalthea's happy. But the moment the blizzard dies down, Jinx is outta here. She watches as the little unicorn gently headbutts Razor, mindful of her horn, before she goes off to play a bit. ]

She is, isn't she? Especially for a baby.

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01 ; Video + Action

u are SO valid

sometimes u just gotta let the girl ramble

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dun dun dun

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and here we call this "i dunno how to tent either"

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