[01] video / action - route 29 + cherrygrove

[lightningfang]

[video - route 29, backdated to 1/4. action responses welcome too!]

[The video clicks on to the darkened, zoomed in face of a Bunnelby. It sniffs at the PokeGear and its sudden light and noises, then quickly loses interest. As it moves on, daylight filters in and illuminates the contents of a bag, all being jostled as the Pokemon rummages around.

This goes on for a minute or two before the bag sags, revealing some of the surrounding forest and... a giant Eevee?

No, actually... It's a person wearing an Eevee kigurumi over the outside of their clothes, like an animal skin. The kid is silent and stern-faced, in the stalking stance of a predator as he gets closer and closer... and finally, after crouching, he pounces.

Quite a few things happen in the next span of two seconds. The Gear gets thrown out into the snow as the boy lands, and the Bunnelby screams in surprise. The bark of a Rockruff sounds off furiously in tandem. There's the loud, wet splat of a Mud-Slap hitting true, and a pained grunt from the victim.

Upside down, the camera still films the Bunnelby sprinting back off into the trees, and the boy now caked in mud heaves a sigh as he starts to scrape the dirt from his eyes and mouth.]


[action - cherrygrove, forward-dated to 1/6]

[After nightfall, it may be considered wise for most humans in Cherrygrove to be indoors and bundled up. After all, the combination of snow and ocean air only serves to exacerbate the cold.

It seems, though, that isn't the case for one person. A skinny teenaged boy in tattered clothing and his Rockruff shadow slink through the quiet town, avoiding streetlamps, windows, and doorways. When things catch his attention -- an odd machine, a distant noise -- he pauses to stare and listen and sniff, but ultimately keeps moving. When he stays still, the chill really sets in, and he can't afford to get much colder.

Like a stray dog, he follows his nose to the back entrances of what few restaurants there are and starts picking through the trash. His face is curious, seemingly ignorant to the fact that it's... you know. Trash.]

Comments

[fortuna_tenax]

[ It's easy to tell what he's looking for. ]

We can't see or feel the connections, because they're not meant for us. But they're there.

[ Still, she does smile a little at his request, even if it was preceded by a little wince at the mud. She gives him back his Gear and takes out her own, if only so he can follow by example. Keeping her temper even in these times was... difficult, but she was determined not to snap at someone helping her, or to punish a desire to learn. ]

So, this glass piece is basically it's eye, like I said earlier. So if we push this button- [ And she's careful to show him exactly where she means the entire time. ] it shows us what the Gear is seeing.

[ And with a switch, her own Gear does come to life! ... Metaphorically! Jinx then moves the gear so what's on the screen changes to show Razor... and then she clicks a button again, causing a flash, and the screen freezes, lingering on some barren and frosted over trees. ]

So this is a picture. We could send it to someone, or something, but I don't really know anybody. If you hold the button a little longer, however, that turns on the video- which means people will be able to see and hear us as we talk, instead of a frozen image like this.

[lightningfang]

[He supposes he can accept that. After all, the Electro Archon didn't exactly descend to physically hand Razor his Vision; it simply appeared. Maybe this brick uses similar godly power to connect with others.

Following along in silence, Razor focuses intently on learning the brick's ins and outs. Seeing himself briefly is surprising, as is the flash -- for a moment, he expects some sort of elemental force to strike him.

When that doesn't happen, he fumbles with his own Gear and causes such flashes to occur in quick succession. Maybe he isn't learning the vocabulary quite as quickly, but it seems he's getting the hang of the tactile side of it.]

Then... if we get lost, we can talk?

[fortuna_tenax]

Yeah. I figure that's more useful to you?

[ It's phrased as question, but it's more of an affirmation, given his dismissal of the informational aspects. She can't help but chuckle at the other's own responses to the camera and its flashing though. ]

I haven't really figured out what else it can do, but I'm sure there's more.

[lightningfang]

[He nods, looking at the machine with a newfound wonder, and at Jinx with gratitude.]

It is very good. This way, we can not worry so much. Thank you!

[fortuna_tenax]

[ Huh. He's... a very sincere person, underneath the stoicism, isn't he? It's almost refreshing. She can't help but smile for a moment. ]

Not a problem. But yeah, it'll probably be pretty handy.

... I'm pretty sure that people got to see your hunting attempt though-

[lightningfang]

[His feelings about this device sure are mixed.

Oh, well. It isn't the machine's fault.]

... Not every hunt succeeds. [Razor still feels silly, though. Like a stumbling puppy.]

[fortuna_tenax]

Very true.

[ And finally she turns her gear off again, and tucks it into her bag. ... How does she fit so much into it? We just don't know. ]

You're still adjusting to this place, though. Give yourself time.

[lightningfang]

[It feels like his life of late is nothing but constant adjustments. In his heart, Razor longs for simpler times, but he can't let that weigh him down when he has friends right in front of him. He looks rather like an even younger child, clutching his Gear and looking up at Jinx.]

What about you?

[fortuna_tenax]

I'm used to this kind of technology, and I was a sorceress before this place took my magic. I can't cast anymore, but these animals can. It's... not entirely different.

[ She chews her lip for a moment before sighing. Might as well be honest. ]

It's less that I need to adjust, and more that I'm just scared. But there's nothing to be gained cowering like a child, so I'll just have to carry on. ... I'll be okay.

[lightningfang]

Magic? Like Visions? What kind? [Hearing about others' powers is oddly comforting to Razor, despite sharing his distress at losing them.

He leans his body towards Jinx slightly on instinct, expression softening.]

We are lupical -- a pack. A family. Together, the pack has nothing to fear.

THE L WORD!!!!

[fortuna_tenax]

I- ah. I caused bad luck, or hex people. It was almost like lightning sometimes, but not always. It was good for fights, but... not much else. But it was mine.

[ And she was so lost in her own thoughts for a brief moment that she didn't realize how much closer or kinder he looked until he spoke--

and how long had it been since she felt such an earnest devotion from someone else? This boy was Ride or Die personified, wasn't he? ... But so was she, in a way. So even though the declaration shocked her- and it was a lot... Jinx nods after a moment. ]

... Okay.

[lightningfang]

[While the act itself of smiling is something Razor is still learning and practicing, he attempts it. It's small and awkward, but genuine.]

I bite with lightning, too. We are the same!

[fortuna_tenax]

[ Not quite, but in a sense. Yes. She can't help but chuckle at his enthusiasm. ]

I'd say our meeting was in the cards, then.

[ Still, there is some more... pressing matters, and she's sure it's what he was trying to hunt for. ]

Let's see if we can find anything we can use for tomorrow before we set up shelter. It's bad enough we're only going to have a tent in a blizzard. We only have so much right now.

[lightningfang]

[Razor nods in agreement, starting to mentally prepare a list of what to look for in the surrounding woods.]

We will be fine. Work now, while sun is up. Meet back soon!

[Yeah, he doesn't wait for the okay. He just scampers off to find some wood and moss.]

end point !

[fortuna_tenax]

[ And while Razor goes off, Jinx begins to set up the tent. It'll be rather annoying to make two small bento boxes last and trail mix last long enough to get the town. But they're two resourceful survivors.

They'll make it work. ]