first crescent beam ♀ video/action for new bark town!

[outloving]

[ What happens when you're a newbie stranded in New Bark Town with nothing else to do? You manage to figure out how to use the PokéGear, and that is certainly what Minako has done after several frustrating attempts. It is hard being from the 1990s where pagers were what was all the rage, and there wasn't this new technology. Either way, there's a new face on the feed - a blonde-haired girl with blue eyes currently perched against a tree with a Luvdisc at her side. On her other side is the bento lunch that all the newcomers get, opened and halfway eaten as she continues to stuff her face with the food, looking a little miffed. ]

'kay, gotta be honest here, this whole journey thing kinda sucks. I mean, "Mom" made it seem like it was gonna be exciting, y'know? I was expecting to go on this huge adventure and maybe even meet some hotties while I'm at it! But nooooo. Instead, me and Aimi are stuck here in New Bark Town because of this elephant thing that's deciding to tear up everything on the route ahead.

[ Minako gives a huge sigh, complete with a slump of her shoulders. Usually she is a lot chipper than this, but she's boooored. And when she's bored, she's super whiny. ]

There's nothing to do here. Ugh, this is worse than studying for entrance exams...

[ ...Actually, no, studying for entrance exams is worse. Never mind. ]

No, I mustn't act like this...! Chin up, Minako! It's like what they say, there's no use in drinking spoiled milk!

[ Except literally nobody has said that ever... ]

Anyways, you guys should totally come talk to me! Don't be a stranger! I'll probaaaably be here for a while, so any and all company is welcomed. I'll even introduce myself to break the ice! [ She clears her throat and gives a bright smile. ] Introducing...Minako Aino! I'm sixteen years old and a first year high school student. My birthday's October 22nd, which is coming up pretty soon, so you should totally buy me presents! My favorite colors are red and orange, if you need any gift inspiration. [ It's June, and she's speaking as though her birthday is next week... ] I really like curry and ramen, but I hate shiitake mushrooms. What else is there...well, I guess you could say my hobby is idol-chasing, but I also really like watching TV, playing video games, and reading manga. Oh, and how could I forget...?! My most ultimate, most favorite thing to do of all time! Meeting cute boys!

[ She winks suggestively, as if trying to drop a hint for boys to come talk to her, which...of course she is. It's Minako. ]

So, yeah, you guys should tell me all about yourselves! In times like these, it's nice to make new friends, right?

Comments

[outloving]

[ It does indeed sound pissed, Minako will admit, but she can’t help but feel as though this rampage wasn’t brought on because of them. After all, it had been happening prior to their arrival, right? There had to be some other underlying reason, but what it was in particular, she had no clue. For a moment, she considers looking behind her to see if she could tell what was wrong, but she decides against it, thinking it would be better for them to catch their balance at the top of the hill than risk their footing. ] No, I can’t! Dammit!

[ In the midst of her stumbling towards the top of the hill, she quietly curses this place for taking away her powers. It would be a lot easier for her to go and investigate and perhaps even subdue this raging elephant as Sailor Venus...but without her powers, there was little that she could do. She was just as much at risk as Mafuyu was, and she couldn’t help but scold herself for bringing the girl into this situation in the first place. She hopes that she's made the right call. Despite having just met this girl, Minako can't help but feel an obligation towards keeping her safe, and if anything happened to her on her watch, she wouldn't be able to live with herself.

No. Nothing would happen to her, not as long as Minako was here. She'd make sure this girl stayed safe. With this new resolve, she feels more motivation to keep going, so despite the rigorous shaking from the elephant's rampage, she continues on. ] Hang on! It's just a little bit further to the top!

[dashdash]

[The top... What meets them at the top is a cliff side, the ledge looming overhead showering down rocks loosened by the tremors and discouraging anybody from scaling the face to get away. From up here, she can see the Pokemon, thrashing around at the trees and bushes and whatever smaller Pokemon was unfortunate enough to get caught along the way. It hasn't geared up to charge straight for them yet, but as the two of them stand out the most out here in the wilderness, it won't be long.] We need to decide, fast. Our options... Ideally, if we can get around it without engaging... But that won't solve the problem. [She went into this thinking they'd catch the Pokemon and be on their merry way to a life of cake and ramen, but it doesn't look that simple.] We can turn back. Or we can fight. [Against such a large Pokemon, her fists and kicks stand no chance. But they have the power of four against one, so she wastes no time to release her Snubbull in case they need the extra help.] What do you think? What can your partner do?

[outloving]

[ Now that she's at the top, it's a lot easier to think than while she was staggering to make her way. The situation is still dire and she's pressed for time, so whatever decision she comes to has to count. What should they do? The stubborn side of her suggests that they should stay and fight, but her practical side tells her that this fight isn't something that they could handle right now. Taking on this raging elephant would be a costly mistake. As much as the spirit inside of Minako wants to fight, she knows when to fall back as well; her duties as a soldier have taught her that much.

She does consider Mafuyu's suggestion about their Pokémon - fighting was one of the reasons they were gifted them. However, their own Pokémon are lower-leveled, and they have no idea what level this elephant is. Were these any normal circumstances, she would assume that it would be lower-leveled as well to be on one of the early routes, but she can deduce that this Pokémon doesn't belong here if it's rampaging this much. She looks up towards the ledge overhead, taking care to avoid the crumbling debris, and draws an assumption that the elephant perhaps might be from there instead. That would definitely explain why it seemed so provoked, so with those facts in mind, Minako states her decision. ]

I think it'd be wiser if we draw back. [ Her voice is firm, no trace of hesitation whatsoever. Even if she wasn't able to actually transform, she was still Sailor Venus deep down, and that side of her always showed in dangerous situations. ] I'm assuming that the elephant came from the ledge above us, which means that it must be from one of the routes we'll encounter later. If that's the case, it's incredibly strong...and even with our Pokémon, I don't think we'll be able to take it on without getting them or ourselves hurt in the process. It'll be a hard journey back, but we should take the time it's giving us right now to retreat before something bad happens.

[ Inside, she can't help but feel that she's making the right call here. Being a leader isn't easy, especially when lives are at risk, and she occasionally doubts her capability of giving the right commands; however, this time is different - she doesn't feel that uncertainty right now. ]

[dashdash]

[Mafuyu glances up at the ledge Minako mentions, shielding her eyes from sun glare and dust. She can tell her Pokemon is weak just by the way it skirts around her ankles with a growl rumbling in its stomach the same way a cat's purr calms itself down, but she has little reason to believe that wild Pokemon are positioned in order of strength-- where she's from, the strong envelop the weak, protect them and control over them as a single unified territory. And this isn't a video game, after all, it's real life. Nevertheless, she nods after some hesitation, backing up quietly from where she stands towards the downward slope.] ...Nn. I got it. [She has every reason to pick a fight right now. She wants to fight! She's itching to get out there and do something. But when she glances over at Minako, standing so resolute in her decision, Mafuyu can't help but think her reasons childish in comparison. So she crouches down in front of her Snubbull, speaking to it in hushed tones.] Remember how the town smelled? Mom's cooking, and something like the ocean? Take us back. [The Snubbull nods and turns to run. They can trust in Snubbull's nose to lead them to New Bark the fastest and shortest way there.]

[outloving]

[ Minako wastes no time in hurrying after the Snubbull after it sets off, but she's mindful of her steps as she comes down the hill so that she doesn't trip or hurt herself in the process. She still feels as though she made the right decision in retreating, but she wasn't oblivious to Mafuyu's reluctance. After all, when they first set off on this journey, the girl was in good spirits, thinking that they'd tame the beast in a matter of seconds and happily go on their way to enjoy some ramen. Minako can't really blame her for feeling disappointed that they're returning so soon without fulfilling either of those expectations, so on the way back, she glances over at Mafuyu with an apologetic smile. ]

...Hey. Sorry about dragging you all the way out here, only for us to have to turn back.

[dashdash]

It's fine, it's fine~ [Mafuyu waves the apology off instead of accepting it, but she means it when she says it's fine.]

I got to talk to a pretty girl and everything, so I can't imagine a better way to spend my time. Besides... That just means we gotta go back, right? It means we get to meet again, and do fun things again. So of course it's okay.

sorry for the late tag; feel free to drop!

[outloving]

[ Minako can't help but feel her own spirit return at the other's optimistic words, and she flashes a grin. ]

Yeah, you're right! That just means we'll have plenty of time to do fun stuff together!

[ Or as fun as one can manage in New Bark, anyways. But that reminds her... ]

Oh! I forgot to introduce myself to you, right? I'm Minako Aino, it's nice to meet you!

it's never too late to learn names :D

[dashdash]

Same here! My name's Kurosaki Mafuyu!

[Names Mafuyu can instantly commit to memory, doubly so if it's someone she likes or wants to get to know better. If she ever sees Minako on the field or on the other side of her screen, she'll be sure to hit her up.]

\o/!!!

[outloving]

[ Likewise! Anyone's who had the (mis)fortune of meeting Minako is basically stuck with her at this point, so she'll definitely keep in touch. ]

Mind if I call you Mafuyu-chan?

[ Skipping the formalities and going straight to first names. ]

[dashdash]

[ZOOM HEART EYES] Yeah!! That's okay! That's more than okay! Please call me Mafuyu-chan!!! [because hardly anybody ever used to use her first name, and practically nobody ever used -chan. This is proof of their friendship, the bonds forged through rampaging elephants and the love of ramen, Mafuyu will never forget.] Then, then...! You're Minako-chan...!!

[outloving]

[ This girl...seemed really excited about the nickname that Minako couldn't help but empathize with her. She gave a faint giggle and smiled brightly at her. ]

Then, from this day forward, we're friends, Mafuyu-chan! I won't let you back out of it now!