Video/Action: Ecruteak City

[brokencode]

[[Art by purramedic]]

[The video opens to the above image, of the girl and her new pokemon, apparently unaware of the fact that she was being filmed. Off-screen, the two gazed at a mirror, with Angel gazing at both herself and the new form her beloved Adorababy had taken. It had been a long time since she had really looked at her reflection.]

[It had been four months since she had arrived in Johto. Her hair had grown out, hiding the metal plates still fused to her head (while also giving her a somewhat shaggy sort of look). Her skin had lost the last of the purple tinge to it, and she no longer seemed to have massive bags under her eyes.

[But most importantly, to her, after years of suffering, she'd managed to find a home, family, and friends. She was alive, and she was happy.]

[Angel buried her face against the top of the Sylveon's head, attempting to hide the tears that began to pour from her eyes. She'd spent many a year scared of what would follow. Now, even with Jack still present in her life, Angel found herself looking forward. No longer did she have to agonize over the coming torments.]

[The video shifted, lolling to the side as the hand holding it moved. The entity behind the camera moved forward and wrapped its arms around the young woman. As the camera focused again, it showed the mirror in plain view, as well as the Riolu clutching at the girl. The creature held the 'gear in her hand, then dropped it as she focused on offering the trainer a more effective embrace. What remained visible was only the top of Angel's head.]

[After a handful a minute or two, Angel finally seemed to take notice of the camera. She turned her head, looking down at the video and then to the Riolu.]

Skagbait... [Despite her best efforts, Angel couldn't maintain the scolding tone in her voice for more than a syllable. She plucked up the 'gear and lifted it up. The camera took a moment, but eventually focused on the girl and her pokemon.] I guess B was trying to show you guys something.

[She lifted a hand up, brushing away her remaining tears. The smile she offered the camera after she finished was wobbly, but genuine.]

Since you're here, I suppose I should say a few words. Thank you would... probably be the best place to start. [She let out a breath of a laugh.] I don't know if you'll understand but... the people of this world have made my life so much better.

From my understanding, it is a new year. I look forward to seeing what adventures we all have together.

[Angel embraced both her Pokemon one last time, before clicking the video off.]

Comments

[11121_assumption]

[ Walter paused, then decided to answer. He loaded up his screen with his Pokemon on the frame. Assumption is in his lap, in a red sweater. Chaos is lying beside him and on his other side, Darkness is perched on his shoulder.

He hadn't made the same progress Angel had. His mental scars and blocks need more time to heal. But...there is a backpack by his side. ]

You look well. [ He would've said 'pretty' or 'better' but that would be bad. He can only offer a very meek, shy smile. But his Pokemon agree enthusiastically. ]

[brokencode]

[For all her greetings, Angel was a little startled and a lot embarrassed to see that someone had been paying attention to her feed. For a moment she was speechless, her gaze averted. It was Adorababy who made the first move, nosing at the camera and letting out a delighted whistle at the sight. One of his feelers brushed at Angel's face, urging her to say something.]

[The siren was powerless in his wake.]


Oh. Well... Thank you. [She glanced up at him, then away once more.] You look... [Embarrassment clamped down on her tongue.] It's good to see you.

[11121_assumption]

[ Walter didn't mind her not finishing that. He preferred she didn't say anything she didn't mean, or say something like 'handsome but filthy'. ]

Have you traveled much? I've been told it's a good thing to do, to see more of this world. I'm intending to start tomorrow. [ Assumption cheered in his lap as Darkness bobbed his head eagerly. Chaos' eyes gleamed and she gave a toothy grin. ]

[brokencode]

[Angel's eyes lit up. She leaned forward, gazing at Walter with wide, eager eyes.]

Where will you go? My friends and I will be leaving here eventually and continuing on, but not for awhile. Are there any Pokemon you hope to catch?

Video;

[schachmeister]

[Armin understands. It's that understanding you have when you also come from a pretty shitty world. It makes it very easy to be appreciative of everything there is in this world.]

It really is a wonderful world, isn't it? I've been here for a few months, but time seems to fly by in this place.

[It's the constant travelling and discovering new and exciting things behind every turn of the path and every new city they get to. Not constantly being terrified of dying also helps.]

[brokencode]

[Wonderful could barely begin to describe it. Compared to the bloodshed, cannibalism and torture that served as the hallmarks of her home, Johto was paradise. Even the somewhat irritating background music was welcome -- it beat screams and gunfire.]

You can say that again. [Angel let out a pleasant sigh.] Sometimes I feel as if I could forget what happened to me back home.

[She doubted that she actually could, but it was still a pleasant thought to have. At the very least, the slowly healing mental scars might effectively be erased one day. That is, if she managed to stay in Johto.]

[She didn't want to think about what she would be or where she would wind up if she did get sent back.]

I don't think we've met before. My name is Angel.

[schachmeister]

[Armin isn't certain if he wants to forget what had happened back home. It had made him into who he was, and he does still feel they have somewhat of a duty to go home some day and finish what they started. Still, he can understand feeling like that too.

Her name though has his eyes widening, his brows rising slightly. Maybe it is just a common name but on the other hand...]

Are you... by any case the Angel Krieg keeps mentioning?

[He'll tell her his own name in just a moment, but right now he wants to know if this is the crazy person that can somehow tame Krieg.]

video;

[notvaljean]

Do you usually celebrate the new year in your old world?

[It's something of a new idea to Jean, this ringing in the new year stuff, and he's curious that someone else might not have similar customs.]

It's a new thing for me. That and Christmas and Halloween. We didn't have any of those back home.

[brokencode]

Well...

[The "bandits" back home had talked about holidays like Mercenary Day and the like. In comparison, Halloween and Christmas were altogether foreign and entirely demure. It had been a welcome change.]

[But then, aside from the violence that plagued literally everything in her universe, she didn't really know anything about the aforementioned holidays.]

I... never personally celebrated anything. My upbringing was -- [Abusive? Awful?] Sheltered.

[notvaljean]

So your world was probably something like mine then.

[In a word: shitty.]

I like your tattoos.

[And for once he's going to show tact and not ask about how someone with a sheltered upbringing ended up with sweet ink like that.]

[video]

[beastofasister]

Um...

[Manaka waffles, her mannerisms to all appearances uncertain. The truth is, she had thought over what she intended to say before answering, but their first conversation had ended on what some might call an awkward note. It would be odd not to acknowledge that.]

For New Years, I've been making charms for people. For things like good luck and good health. Would you like one?

[A peace offering? Maybe...]

[brokencode]

[Despite how their conversation had ended, Angel was nothing short of exuberant as she greeted Manaka. As far as the former siren was concerned, the girl had taken heed of her words.]

That would be wonderful. Although I'm afraid I don't have much to offer in kind.

[Angel already considered herself lucky, but even with all her recovery, she would be the first to admit that she wasn't in that great of health. And even if she was wealthy in both of those senses, she'd have accepted anyway.]

[As far as Angel was concerned, it was a peace offering.]

[beastofasister]

It's a gift. [Manaka's lips lift in a smile, though her eyebrows remain drawn.] I'm not expecting anything back!

[There's a moment of fidgeting, and then, abruptly, Manaka blurts out:]

Um! Your Sylveon is really cute... Do you like colors like that?

[Video]

[agent3]

What kinda Pokemon's that? Th'pink one?

[The girl responding to Angel's video has a frown on her face - she'd noticed the girl's tears, but if she knew anything, it was that bringing up that someone looked sad was not a good conversation starter. Instead, it was better to ask about something to make the other person smile, and what would make someone smile more than a Pokemon?]

[brokencode]

[Angel blinked, while 'Dora peeked over at the girl on the screen. A ribbon-like feeler reached out, prodding at the screen. After a second, he let out a confused whistle.]

It's okay, darling. [Angel finally turned her attention back to the gear.] He's a Sylveon, evolved from an eevee!

[agent3]

Ooh. Moves his ribbons, too. 'S cool.

[She shifts, revealing a bit more of her surroundings. It's the lounge in the Ecruteak City Pokemon Center, and next to her on the couch, a Luxray is calmly licking a stuffed Dedenne like he's grooming it.]

Which type's he?

video

[chainbroke]

[ Ah... isn't that something Naminé understands on an incredibly intimate level. She remembers feeling the way Angel had, a few months after her arrival. She still does, though.

She offers her friend a smile. ]

I'm glad you were able to come here, Angel. It really is wonderful, isn't it?

[brokencode]

It is...

[Angel's voice was soft, barely above a whisper. Realizing her mistake, she offered the blonde an apologetic smile. They'd only just met recently -- it felt wrong to spew her emotions so early on in their friendship.]

I am sorry you have to see me like this. I really didn't realize that B had decided to record. She's a silly thing.

[chainbroke]

[ Naminé doesn't look affronted at all; rather, she's still smiling as she shakes her head. ]

It's okay--you don't have to apologize. I think everyone you've spoken to here is happy to know how much of a positive effect they've had on you.

I know I am... even if we've talked only once before.

[action!]

[fuelthefire]

[At some early-morning time on any unspecified day, a long, brown face might nose open the door of Angel's room to peek in, stare for a moment or so, and then ease the rest of itself inside to join Angel and her 'mons in whatever it is they might be doing. Cuddle piles are Mud Pony's favorite, because that usually means a good opportunity to nap, but what Angel's up to at any given time is always guaranteed to be far more chill than what Krieg is up to, and so on days Mud Pony needs a break, he seeks out the sanctum of her room.

The enormous difference between Krieg's energy level and the Mudbray's means Mud Pony visits Angel a lot.]

[brokencode]

[Angel had just begun to clean herself up from her emotional outburst when Mud Pony found his way in. She should have expected his visit, his appearance being as clockwork as it was. Nevertheless, she was momentarily surprised to see him in her room.]

[Wiping at her eyes (as if the creature would ever judge), she gave him a wobbly smile.]

At it again, is he? [Angel had managed to piece two and two together. The mudbray's more relaxed nature was a stark contrast to Krieg's boundless energy, and by after only a few days, she figured out just why he enjoyed spending so much time in her room.]

[Thankfully, at this point she could use a break. With a soft voice, Angel encouraged her gathered creatures to make for the bed, which Angel clambered onto as well.]

Come on, Mud Pony. Join the club.

[fuelthefire]

[Mud Pony lets out a quiet, pleased whicker and trots over to join in on the forming cuddle pile. He settles in quickly and easily and with a minimum of fuss, though he does look hopefully to Angel in case there are any forthcoming head pats or ear strokes.

It's a few minutes before his trainer shows up, but show up he eventually does. Stopping outside Angel's door to knock or talk loudly through it has finally become a good, solid habit - no more surprise psychos bursting unannounced into Angel's room! Is Janey proud of him, yet??? Today it's Krieg's grumbly voice on the other side of the door.]

I've lost the pony! Has anyone seen it?

Video

[a_sin_for_him]

The changing of the year is always an emotional one. That's why I went on holiday!

[Don't mind tipsy Lust, she's been living the island life for the last week. Complete with plenty of island drinks.]

You'll do fine in the coming year.

Re: Video

[brokencode]

A vacation sounds nice, I must admit. [Angel offered Lust a pleasant, albeit slightly teary, smile.] I'm glad you think so. I trust you will be around to help make sure of that, though?

Video

[a_sin_for_him]

Then take one. There are dozens of places to go.

Oh, sweetling, that's not a promise anyone can make. We can only hope our time here is long.