victory_road | level 2 • video

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rainer michelle (the adventure zone)

level 2 • video

cw: child abduction

[ Rainer appears on screen looking a little harried. The reason why is sitting in her lap: a crying child who can't be more than two or three years old. ]

Um... Does anyone know how to return a lost child to their parents? My Drifloon disappeared this morning and just floated back with-- What's your name, sweetie? [ The little girl pauses in her crying to sniffle and mutter something up to Rainer's ear. Rainer nods and continues. ] Plum Pudding all of a sudden floated back with little Naomi hanging on! Naomi says she thought the Pokemon was a baloon, and then she got carried away, and she doesn't know how to get back home to her moms...

[ Just the sound of the word "mom" is enough to set Naomi off crying again.

Rainer winces. ]

Any help would be appreciated! Time is of the essence. Thank you!

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[Aw, fuck, here we go again.]

Does she happen to know where she lives? 'Cause I might be able to get her back there, ain't like I'm doing anything of importance. [And it might make her look good in public, hell yeah?]

[ A pause while Rainer relays the question to the little girl. ]

She says she lives near Ken's house.

[ As helpful as that may be. ]

By the park!

[ Okay, that's... Slightly more helpful... Now they just have to figure out which park in Ecruteak she's talking about. ]

And, uh. You sure your Pokemon didn't, like, go to the next town over or something? These creatures can cover some damn distance if they want to...

[God, send help. Why do these Pokemon exist that kidnap kids.]

I don't know. It's not like I have any sort of tracking spell on her. I've just been letting her roam as she pleases, when we're not training. Nothing like this has ever happened before.

[ Maybe she should swap out Plum Pudding for one of her other Pokemon... ]

[Well, shit. Ghost Pokemon are a weird bag in general and she knows it...]

... I guess in that case, if you want to try and figure out if it is Ecruteak or not, that might help. If it's not, I can... probably get out there in a bit between flying and teleporting.

Something something, Aurora League cred to not kidnap a child something something, I guess.

Someone else suggested taking her to the Jennies, so I think I'm going to head in that direction. But if you still want to come help canvass the area to try to find her parents, I wouldn't turn you away!

I thought that was just a myth...

[Listen, there is so much weird stuff in the Pokedex, Armin had simply assumed that the whole 'prone to child abduction' thing was another one of those. Turns out not.

He looks appropriately concerned!]

Have you considered taking her to the Jennies? They probably have ways to deal with lost children. And, uh, I guess if I was a parent and my kid was stolen by a pokemon, that is probably the first place I'd go to.

Jennies... They're like, the city guard or something, right? I could try taking her to them.

[ Unless...? ]

They're not going to try to arrest me, are they? Since it was my Drifloon that did it?

I'd think that going to them would speak in your favour. Your pokemon made a mistake, but you didn't plan anything malicious. I'm sure you would be able to explain that to them.

The longer you wait to contact them, the more it might seem like you did actually plan this. Not saying you did! I just feel that the Jennies might get that impression otherwise.

[ ..... He makes a good point. Deliberately delaying in alerting the authorities would be something a villain would do.

Rainer should know, she was in school to become one. ]

Yeah, that tracks. It sounds like going to the Jennies would be the thing to do.

As far as police forces go, they are pretty dependable. I'm not sure what they are like in your world, but here at least, you shouldn't worry too much about going to the Jennies with a problem.

[They can't always fix it, and sometimes (many times) you gotta kick Rocket butt yourself, but at least they aren't corrupt.]

I guess that's good to hear. City guards are kind of hit or miss in Nua, depending on where you go. Most of the time they just leave stuff to the heroes to sort out.

[ Or, they did, back before the Heroic Oversight Guild pretty much exploded. ]

Is there a place to return lost children?

Someone else suggested bringing her to the Jennies, who are like the city guard.

That may be sufficient. Her caretakers may have gone there to find her, as well. It is what I would do.

Sounds like that's the place to go, then.

I sure hope nobody's too mad about it... From what I can tell, Drifloon are known to do this sort of thing, so maybe they won'e be too upset that it happened under my watch.

Perhaps. There is only one way to be certain, and that is to return the child.

If I can! I'm sure her moms are worried sick right about now.

Yes. That seems likely.

Uhhhhhh...

[Emporio opens up the screen, and at the same time his dragonite squashes in beside him to peer through. Naomi look~ A friendly dragonite~

Anyway.] Your drifloon did that..!? That's...really amazing actually. The pokedex said that most drifloon are too weak to lift people...

[They. Definitely TRY, but well. They don't really succeed.] That's kind of how I met mine...she just sort of kept tugging...

Well, I think it doesn't hurt that Naomi is so little and light.

[ To demonstrate, Rainer bounces the little girl on her knees a bit, to which Naomi starts giggling. ]

She does seem small...

Which way did they fly in from anyway?

[Slowly, slowly, in the background, a massive balloon starts rising into view. Speaking of the former Drifloon, someone is Curious.]

From... The south? I think? I don't know Ecruteak that well, so it's hard to tell which way they came from.

[ Rainer peers at the balloon Pokemon in the background. ]

Is that what your Drifloon grew up into?

[ Someone isn't too used to the whole concept of Pokemon evolution yet. ]

Violet? She was just south of Ecruteak, yeah...so that's probably not a bad guess?

I guess the best way to find out is to just ask the Jennies now though...

Yeah... Sounds like we're taking a trip down to the station.

[ She gently pats the little girl's hair as she speaks to her in a calm, quiet voice. ]

Are you going to be a good little girl for Auntie Rainer, Naomi? We're going to go find someone who can get you back home.

At least they work fast?

Well, mostly fast, I've talked to them a few times, but only after everything I need them for is over... [He admits.] But for something like this, that can't really happen I don't think...

Your Pocket-Man took a child?!

[Holy shit, what the fuck?? They can do that? Ochako is shocked and a little bit alarmed. I mean, it'd make sense these creatures can be dangerous, given the size and power of some of them, but that one there looks like a cute little balloon (no one tell her it's...a ghost...)?? Ochako tilts her head to one side a moment then shakes her head so hard her hair whips back and forth. Right!! Hero Mode...activate!]

First thing's first - is the child hurt at all? If not, try to get her to remember where she's from - even a general area. Landmarks, places that are well-known. Ask about a gym if there's one in the city she's in. [Since that could actually get the best results.] If you can narrow it down, try to get her there. If it's farther than you can travel easily, Rainer-san, contact the local law enforcement right away. They should be able to cross reference the girl's information, and if a report was placed for a missing child, and have better facilities to hold her and get her home safely.

[ Even though there really isn't anything funny about child endangerment, Rainer can't help but chuckle at Ochako's super serious response. ]

Wow, you are a professional hero, aren't you? You're really good at it, I bet you're gonna make your kingdom lots of money!

[ But anyway, back to the point. Rainer clears her throat. ]

I asked her if she could describe where her home is, but she only knows that it's a white house, near her friend Ken's house which is blue, and it's also near a park that her moms take her to. I have to assume it's either in Ecruteak or at least nearby Ecruteak... I can't imagine Plum Pudding flew that far.

Ah, eh?? Eehh...n-n-no!! J-Just a Hero trainee!! I'm not a P-Pro, yet! [But wow?? That sure one heck of a compliment regardless, and Ochako is blushing and waving it off with a bit of a nervous flourish. She's just doing what she was taught!] Hahaha, I hope to, though...I-I mean. Heroes back home are given a really good government pay, and...I-I want to make a lot of money for my mama and papa. So they can live an easy life.

[Her smile becomes a little bit sad, wistful. Will she ever see her parents again? Will she be older when that happens? How old? Will they even...recognize her? How does that work? If time stops back home, but she keeps aging here, and goes back... Ochako takes a deep breath, in and out. Don't think about it. Don't think about it.]

Anyway! A park... [Ochako is turning on the map function of her Gear, scoping out the region for parks and the City Rainer indicated. Teamwork makes the dream work, after all!] There is a place on the map called the Johto National Park! And it's actually right to the west of Ecr...Extra....that place you said!

[Nailed it.] Apparently they hold bug catching contests there, according to the map and travel guide! Naomi-chan, did your mamas ever take you to see the bug catching contest?

That's an enviable goal! I was studying to become a villain for similar reasons, actually... So that my dad the Lich King could eventually have a nice, kush retirement.

[ Of course, that plan's all thrown to shambles now that the Heroic Oversight Guild's hero/villain system has been toppled. Rainer will have to find another way to make money with her necromancy skills.

Naomi peers at the camera, held in the hands of Rainer's ever faithful Dusclops cameraman. The little girl nods, her eyes lighting up. ]

I catched a Ledyba! Mama helped me!

[Hrggk. There it is again, the ever-present reminder that Rainer was..is(???) a villain. Ochako is trying desperately hard to keep a level head about it - maybe it's something totally different in her world, maybe it's not as bad there, m-maybe... Haha. So many things she really, really needs to ask this woman about sometime, but it's always during a pressing situation that she just. Has to push all that to the side. Of course.

But hey, look at that!! They've already solved the problem of where this small child came from...more or less. It's a point in the right direction, anyway. Ochako coos, clapping her hands together lightly at the tiny girl's accomplishment. Gotta make sure she stays calm.]

Uwaah, that's amazing!! Do you have your friend with you right now? I'm sure they could help spot your mama from pretty high up, when we get you back to the park. [And the park should have, well...a help desk or security office to report a lost child. Somewhere secure to hold Naomi until her mom finds her. And, if the girl is a Trainer, and has a Trainer card and ID number...! Hah!! It'd be perfect! They could look up the records and find her info lickety split! Hopefully that stuff is like the quirk database back in Musutafu...] Are you a Trainer, Naomi-chan? You must be a really big girl!!

[ It's definitely a conversation they should have at some point, when there aren't more pressing matters at hand. Ochako is the only person Rainer has run into that has some sort of hero/villain system in their home world. She'd be interested in hearing about the ways in which they're similar... Or maybe not so similar. ]

I'm free!

[ Rainer looks confused for a moment, until the little girl holds up three careful fingers. ]

Ohh, she means she's three. Wow, you're a really good trainer for being so young!

[There certainly will be similarities between them, but perhaps less in common than one may believe. Villains in her world are, well...villains. They're not exactly seen in a great light, even if the less crazed ones (petty thieves and crooks) are at least given less strict punishments. It's a bit of a very, erm...biased system, ingrained into society for years. Being a 'Hero' is a good thing, and being a 'Villain' is a bad thing.

But oh, this child...she is an angel. Ochako grips her heart and maybe makes a bit of an ugly face because...hhhhhh...c-cutie!!]

Mm, and I bet Naomi-chan is going to be really, really strong one day when she grows up, too! First thing's first, though...we have to get you back to your mama. Rainer-san, do you want me to try and contact the park to let them know you're coming? I don't mind.

[And she probably has a better rapport with law enforcement and security workers.]

Oh, yeah, that'd be a big help! Thanks, Ochako. Tell them I'll have Buzz zoom me over there as fast as they can.

[ She reaches around to pull out a Pokéball from the bag slung over the back of her wheelchair, presses the release button, and her faithful Rotom, Buzz, materializes into existence. Rainer is slowly getting used to that whole technology, but given that it's somewhat like something she's used to (a bag of holding), it's not too too hard to wrap her head around. Other elements of this world... Not so easy to comprehend. ]

Buzz, you think you can get me and Naomi here to the National Park?

[ The Rotom bobs and weaves in a manner that seems to indicate, "yes I can." Rainer shifts Naomi on her lap as the Rotom phases into Rainer's wheelchair and begins to power it. ]

You ready, Naomi-chan? You'd better hold on tight!

[ She gently takes the Gear away from her Dusclops who had been holding it, and sends him off to let her friends know she'll be right back. Er... As well as a Pokemon can convey a message like that. ]

Alright, Ochako... I'd better be going. I'll call you once we get there and let you know everything's alright!

[Ochako gives a thumbs up to the Gear's camera to indicate that's a big ol' 10-4. In fact, she's already looking up the number to the National Park's main office right now on her gear as Rainer gets her Pokemon out. Teamwork!! Which, thankfully, means she's a bit too preoccupied to see the little Rotom zip itself into Rainer's wheelchair and control it. She'd probably think it's cool as hell, but...that'd lead to learning it was a ghost and whimpering like the massive weenie that she is, SOOO--]

Right!! I'll reach out to the park's rangers or staff there right when we hang up. Naomi-chan, you be good, okay? Make sure to listen to Rainer and hold on tight and don't wiggle in your seat too much!!

[Truly, she just gets that Big Sis vibe sometimes. Ochako loves kids, was an only child herself, and while she's definitely fine with that (more time with her mom and dad, who she adores), it's nice to sometimes think about having a younger sibling sometimes.

Regardless, once she waves goodbye to her friend, Ochako is indeed contacting the National Park and speaks with the receptionist there to inform them (and the security staff) that a, erm...mishap happened with a rowdy Drifloon. The child is safe and will be brought back shortly by the Trainer in question. The receptionist actually sort of snickers a bit before getting her professional voice on and taking down Ochako's contact information as well as anything else they'd need to reach her. She also gives a description of Naomi and Rainer as well and declines Ochako's offer to contact the Jenny's. They'll have their Rangers do that once the child is in custody and can be identified as a possible Missing Person. In perhaps ten or so minutes, all is sorted out and the National Park has a watchman outside the entrance gates, waiting for Rainer.]

[ So Kirishima can see a lot of people have already given some really helpful responses, including his friend who has just as much rescue training as he does to divulge. So he's going to offer a different angle. ]

Aw man... this is exactly why I gotta always watch my Palossand if I let her out. Is this like a Ghost thing?

I don't think so... None of my other ghosts have tried to steal a child.

Though, Sweet Potato might have tried to possess that barista that one time...

On second thought, maybe you're right. Maybe it is a ghost thing.

Maybe we oughta make some sorta support group for our ghosts makin' mischief.

[ He gives a soft chuckle. ]

Did you find her parents yet?

I've got a few leads to try. I'm going to retrace Plum Pudding's steps and try to let the Jennies know what happened.

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