001. [Action for New Bark/Video]

[preybeforemeals]

[ACTION]

[It would be very, very easy to have some sort of meltdown over this.

Really, if anything he'd think it would be warranted; he's not supposed to be here, he has no clue who this woman was earlier but she most definitely is not his mother, and the fact that she'd responded to his questioning by trying to sit him down and make him lunch (which he had immediately refused, but he had accepted the coffee, and she made startlingly good coffee) had done exactly nothing to assuage the sense that something is horrifically wrong here. However, it seemed that the field in which Mom grows her fucks is utterly barren, and he'd ended up locked outside before too long.

At least she'd let him keep the coffee.

So there was that, and there had been a brief moment of rage at the door before he'd settled himself, running his free hand back through his hair and muttering something under his breath; come on, Tsukiyama, you've handled worse than this. Calm down. Don't react to it. Be cool.

The rest of the day had been given to the locals; they were surprisingly helpful if you asked the right questions, even if what they'd told him had been completely inane. They seemed rather interested in assisting him in preparing for this...journey he was supposed to be on, even if no one really knew why he was supposed to be on it; asking about that had just gotten a lot of "well, that's just what we do."

It seemed this place was a little backwards.

So. Panicking was going to get him nowhere, this journey would presumably get him...somewhere, logically there was really only one thing to do with that knowledge.

Late afternoon would find him sitting on a low wall outside of one of the incredibly few buildings in town; he's got the bag he'd received from Mom sitting at his feet, and he has the Trainer Handbook out across his lap. He's a bit hard to miss given his, uh, attire, but he seems to have pulled a pen from somewhere and he's apparently contenting himself with making notes in the margins of that book he's going through.

Sure, he's gripping that pen a bit too hard and those notes are getting downright ugly with the force with which he's writing them, but he's perfectly fine, thank you very much. One of the few respectable people to arrive today, from the look of it. Totally calm. Completely calm. He's fine.

...yeahno he's wound tightly enough to jump approximately half a mile if he's approached, but at least he's putting an effort in.]



[VIDEO]

[Some time that evening, however, he actually finds the general coherency required to address the network; it takes him a while to work out whether he really wants to attach his physical appearance to the message - old habits die hard, after all, and he runs in several societal circles where keeping your appearance to yourself is literally a matter of whether you're fond of staying alive or not - but after a while...well, if there's someone else here that he actually wants to know about, this would probably be the fastest way to get their attention. So. Video it is.]

Ah, hello there! It's a pleasure to meet you all, even if it's not in person - it seems that several of us are in the same...distressing situation. I mean, the locals don't seem very fazed by it, they were very kind to me, but I still found it a bit unsettling that they don't seem bothered by what looks like a mass kidnapping to me. Am I to understand that this is just a misunderstanding, or...?

[...]

...But we don't have to discuss that if you don't want to! I'd just like to hear a bit more about the other people who have found themselves here. It's been a very long day, you see, and I'd like having someone to talk to; I'd ask if any of my friends are here, but I'm positive they would have contacted me already if they were.

[ugh, he can only handle doing so much more of this chirpy bullshit before he makes himself positively sick; normally it's not a problem at all, but given the circumstances he is really not here for this today -

He glances offscreen somewhere before he continues speaking; he doesn't seem to be focusing on anything in particular, it seems he's just trying to find something to look at.]

So tell me about yourselves, if you don't mind! Where you came from, what sorts of things you can do there. I've heard that some people have gone through some charming transformations lately...is that something we're supposed to blindly accept as well...?

I've heard some interesting stories, and read many more; this place is almost like a storybook itself, really. But it's just poor writing to expect this much suspension of disbelief from one's audience, captive or not.

Comments

video;

[ossifragant]

[This is one of those times where Greed should probably ignore the network. He's started to get into the habit of it lately, only really paying attention to something if it catches his eye, and really he must admit, this really catches his eye because good lord man what did fashion ever do to you?

Even so, the cheerfulness is a bit much for him, and he can't exactly find a way to match the enthusiasm so he opts for a neutral tone.]

Believe me, if it's a kidnapping, they're doing a poor job of it. People here look at you funny if you carry around a butter knife.

[And if Tsukiyama is paying careful enough attention, he'll pick up on the shark teeth. Even after all his time here Greed hasn't bothered to hide certain things about himself and this is one of them. Not that he really can hide the teeth, not really.]

As for your second question, I have no idea what you're talking about so you're going to have to be a bit more specific.

video;

[preybeforemeals]

[Oh, hello. That's interesting, if nothing else, and he doesn't seem overly bothered by the lack of matching enthusiasm; if anything, it seems to relax him a bit. He's still rather upbeat, don't misunderstand, but he's a bit less...that.]

Isn't that what any proper kidnappers would want? If it were me, I wouldn't want my captives owning any weapons that I didn't specifically want them to have.

[Granted, this doesn't exactly explain the three-metre venomous knifetailed anaconda, but hey.]

As for the question, monsieur, it's a matter of paying attention to this network we've been given access to - it seems some have seen fit to complain about bodies that aren't theirs. A metamorphosis of sorts, so to speak.

video;

[ossifragant]

This world is inhabited by people who see fit to let their ten year olds roam the wilderness with lizards that spit fire. Believe me, you don't need weapons here.

[...and after letting that hang there for a minute...

...Maybe he should be paying attention more because yep he goes to check and that sure is a thing that happened. His default reaction is "weird kid", but actually he knows the explanation for that.]

Oh. That.

[...]

Yeah, that happens sometimes.

[preybeforemeals]

[...sir.]

And everyone is perfectly fine with this...?

[video]

[fauxtographs]

[Emmy is admittedly not in the habit of replying to newcomer videos all that much, since she's still trying to find her feet; however, there's something about this one that sparks her interest. She's not sure if it's the man's appearance (which is...certainly something...) or his general demeanor that draws her in, but it's enough to make her pause in her grocery shopping to respond. Might as well, after all - it can't hurt to be helpful.

When she comes into view, she appears to be resting the camera on something (or someone, as it were). The top half of her body is in the frame, with the view of a Pokemon Center in the background. It's impossible to tell just which city she's in, which most definitely wasn't intentional!]

Hello there. If you're feeling lost, I might be able to assist!

[She may not be working for the Professor any more, but she can still use the skills she gained during her time as his Assistant Number One!]

I've spent a lot of time in Johto, after being brought here from London. Believe me, the locals are just the tip of the iceberg. But it's not all bad! Really, it's quite the adventure! I've got plenty of time to spare at the moment, so feel free to ask anything you like.

[It feels rather good to be so benevolent, really!]

[preybeforemeals]

[Ah, this one is cute. And helpful! Cute and helpful is a wonderful combination, really.]

London...? How lovely - granted, I've never been, but I've heard good things. Is it as charming as it's always made to sound?

[Let's discuss that for a moment; it's a distraction from the...everything that this world has chosen to be, really.]

[fauxtographs]

[...oh goodness, someone who knows what London is? She knew talking to you was a good decision!]

Ah, yes! London is a wonderful place! It's one of those cities with a bit of everything, you know? And yet, no matter where you go, there's still plenty of English charm to be found! You can spend the entire day just driving around the streets, taking everything in!

[...she's only been gone a few weeks and she already misses it terribly, alright. They just don't know how to do fish and chips, here in Johto...]

Are you from the UK?

[You don't seem to have an appropriate accent, but it can't hurt to ask.]

[preybeforemeals]

[...is this woman real

she gets cuter every time she opens her mouth

he has found the singularity and it is adorable]

Oh, no, no - Tokyo, actually. It's quite a long way, so unfortunately the most I've seen of it is through the eyes of one author or another. Perhaps I'll get to experience it for myself someday, but until then I'll just have to live vicariously.

[VIDEO]

[deaftly]

[Well, this definitely is Naki looking really deadpan, um.]

Who are you and what did you do with the American.

[It's not a question. It's also not obvious whether this is Naki attempting to be humorous or Naki being stupid.]

[preybeforemeals]

[...what -

At the very least, that message is more than enough to get whatever hideous amount of cheerfulness he'd been providing to drop almost immediately; he doesn't seem outright annoyed, but there's a definite hint of irritation behind his words, his expression tightening a little as he replies.]

Gourmet. Gourmet, how many times must I tell you -

[...wait.]

You're here as well? Why on earth...

[deaftly]

Don't give me that Americano crap!

[Naki settles down after that's out there though and he shrugs at Tsukiyama's question.]

Yeah, I'm here too. I haven't seen anyone else who's even remotely familiar. And no, I don't have any more of an idea how we got here than you do.

[preybeforemeals]

[...right. That first bit gets him to bristle again, but it's quickly assuaged by the second; good boy, you actually did a useful thing for once. Several useful things, from the sound of it.]

Oh, is that so? You wouldn't lie to me about something like that, now, would you?

[He's not going to specify exactly what he's referring to; the reaction matters more than the specifics, really.]

a-a-a-action;

[occultigen]

[It's early in the afternoon when a terrified shriek rings out through the typically-quiet streets (or, well. "streets") of New Bark, immediately followed by heavily thudding footsteps and some kind of unholy...rustling.

If investigated, curious parties will quickly discover that the aforementioned shriek has come from a remarkably shaken girl standing in the midst of a grassy stretch of lawn, who also happens to be wearing a most unusual outfit for the day and, er. Time period.

A more careful eye will turn up finer details: her hair, which is falling around shoulder-length, is choppy and looks more like it's been hacked off than properly trimmed; she's gripping the length and handle of what is unmistakably a gentleman's cane in both hands like it's a talisman to ward away danger; a bag nearly identical to the one Tsukiyama's been given is lying fallen on the ground, its contents scattered haphazardly around — and, curiously, there's a red-and-white ball lying open in the grass a short distance away.

...Oh, right, and then there's the six-foot bananasaur advancing on the young lady in question. There's that too.

BOY, THAT SURE IS A THING, ALL RIGHT.]

[preybeforemeals]

[Well, he's not exactly unfamiliar with the concepts of shrieks ringing out through the formerly quiet streets of wherever-the-hell-we-are-now; while normally that's a sign to avoid whatever's happening in that area unless he's positive whatever fight is happening over there is one that he can win, this place is about as far removed from the 20th Ward as one can get. Screams might actually be a good thing here - then again, they might not, but there's only one way to find out, so. Off to check out the lawn he goes!

...

And that was not what he was expecting, what the hell. All right, let's assess the situation.

1. That sure is a six-foot bananasaur.
2. I mean there's also a damsel in distress, but if she gets mauled by the six-foot bananasaur that is not precisely Tsukiyama's problem...
2a. ...he thinks. Standing here doesn't make him an accessory or something, does it?
3. ...Anyway. While the damsel getting eaten by the bananasaur is not precisely Tsukiyama's problem, the bananasaur may then actually become his problem, assuming it is not satisfied with whatever it is about to do with the damsel.
4. ...the damsel may actually solve several of Tsukiyama's problems at once now that he thinks about it right okay daring rescue is go

by which we mean jumping into the same general vicinity in an attempt to make it plain that the stupid thing is going to be fighting two people, though he's not exactly shielding he is rather clearly here to do something

...he is designed to out-tank things and he has a healing factor back home, this woman is the best goddamn candidate for dinner he's seen all day, also that dinosaur is ridiculous and made partially of fucking bananas

there is no way this is going to go badly]

Are you all right, mademoiselle?

[woman don't you dare complicate things by hitting him with that stick]

[occultigen]

[You know, there are probably classier reasons to rush to someone's rescue than "you look good enough to eat", but when actively being advanced upon by a six-foot bananasaur, this particular damsel is not about to start complaining.]

Oh!

[Alas, the mighty backwards shuffle she's doing is regrettably made complicated by 1) fright and 2) the general infeasibility of doing so in a skirt like that, and she does end up taking a spill (rather elegantly, admittedly) to the ground; even so, it gives her a moment to take slightly better stock of both her current situation and her brightly-colored dandy of a rescuer

and let's be real if that bananasaur were actually hostile somebody would be mauled by now.

As it is, the aforementioned bananasaur has paused in its advance, and is now looking quizzically at this oddly-colored secondary human that has just appeared on the scene, and who while not precisely antagonistic in stance is still threatening to get between her and her precious daughterperson, who has just fallen down and may be injured and somebody really needs to attend to that, please desist, sir.]

It just— it came out of nowhere, what is that?!

[..."It" is patiently minding its own business craning its long banana-adorned neck trying to figure out if you hurt yourself taking a swan dive into the grass, dear.]

[preybeforemeals]

I don't know, I haven't seen anything like it be-

[...fore...

Okay, so the bananasaur is getting all up in her business but it doesn't seem to be trying to maim her, but at the same time this is kind of

honey, are your survival instincts just completely dead or what]

...You...are aware that you have a weapon in hand if you want it to stop doing that...?

[Let's just encourage her to hit a dinosaur in the face with a stick because that is just joining the quickly-lengthening list of things that cannot possibly turn into a problem, shall we?]

[video]

[enjoymyatelier]

[Kayneth takes a moment to decide whether he should respond or not, given that... that outfit, but... well, why not introduce himself to the new person.

Why not.]

If the locals ever were fazed by the whole thing, they've likely grown somewhat used to it. Granted, as far as we know, there's no real evidence that anyone in particular is behind the our appearances here as much as we just happen.

...and yes, any alterations that may have happened to you would be something we're supposed to blindly accept, though I haven't done so in the two years I've been here. The creatures we've been given are something of a substitute --- or at least, I think they're intended to be. Honestly, I find them fascinating in their own right, but they're not really a suitable replacement for some things.

[preybeforemeals]

[...Oh, that's practically begging him to ask, isn't it.]

Might I ask what sort of alterations you're talking about, monsieur? I wouldn't exactly know myself, but I've heard a few meltdowns over it today; I can't help but be a bit curious.

[enjoymyatelier]

Well, depending on what, exactly, you've heard thus far about other worlds, you may have heard that magic exists in some of them, yes? That would be it. Typically, I'm a practitioner of magic, but I suppose you'll just have to take my word on that. I can't give a demonstration, after all.

[...Pokemon are weirder, anyway.]

action!

[pinnedbangs]

[Really, the last thing Rin wanted was to end up back in New Bark Town. He'd lament over how he had finally gotten so far and earned so many new badges and pokemon but it would really be a waste of his time...

..Even if it does grate on his nerves more than a little bit. Nevermind, it really bugs him a lot, but at least he still had Poochy. However just a little ways away from him was someone who was probably even more upset than he was - and most likely for completely different reasons - definitely a new guy. . . . Definitely an irritated and weirdly dressed new guy. Seriously, did he think that suit was cool? (Maybe it was popular for old people to wear clothes like that).]

Hey! Takin' notes won't do you much good. D'you need help? [The guy might just say no, but Rin figured he may as well ask... especially since he could help out.]

[preybeforemeals]

[wow excuse you, 21 is hardly old -

ahem

right.

That said, he does flinch a little at suddenly being pulled out of his thoughts, and his brow furrows a bit as he tries to work out exactly how much help he thinks he'll get; he relaxes easily, however, and he's quick to run one of his hands though his hair as he replies.]

If you're willing to offer, I can hardly justify saying no, can I?

[This doesn't...seem like one of the locals, if for no better reason than he's offering to do something helpful, but...hm.]

Am I to assume you've been here for a while?

[pinnedbangs]

[Whoa, calm it down Fancy Man.

(Old people are so sensitive my gosh)

Rin's already having second thoughts about this idea. There was something about this guy that reminded him of Mephisto. Rin wasn't too fond of his older brother care taker.]

...Right. [Maybe this guy just liked to talk Fancy.] Yeah, I've "been here a while". What'd you wanna know? [Since Fancy is taking notes, he must already have a bunch of questions.]

[video]

[ortion]

[Well would you look at that outfit. The newcomer's attire is more than loud enough to catch Dist's attention, and the fact that he's been given an opening to talk about himself is a huge plus...

Okay, maybe he'll humor this kid while he's here.

Tsukiyama is actually going to get to see the stupid flower collar too, because Dist happens to be wearing it today.]

I don't see why anyone would outright accept the transformations forced upon them. It's more a matter of dealing with it because they simply don't have a choice.

[With a flick of his wrist,] Naturally, I am speaking from experience. I've been here several years, and the reason for our lack of abilities, or original bodies in some cases, remains unknown.

[preybeforemeals]

[That collar goes splendidly with your hair, though, and it's not like it's inherently unflattering overall - it's a bit unusual, but you know what, if people are going to stare you might as well make it worth their while, and that is certainly going to oh dear god never let these idiots discuss fashion, it'll be like the abyss staring directly into itself.]

You're taking it rather well, you know, almost admirably so; I've witnessed a few breakdowns over it and I've only been here for less than a day. Although I imagine such a length of time spent here might help...which is it for you, if you don't mind? A lack of abilities, or a complete physical change?

[ortion]

[...so that means it needs to happen now, right?]

It's a lack of abilities for me, which should tell you why I don't seem as distressed about it as I could be. Of course, it was distressing at first, not being able to use my artes, but I've found that the creatures here make a decent enough replacement for the time being.

To be completely honest, the most distressing part about it was no longer having the technology I am so used to. [He shifts a little in the chair he's sitting in. It's a huge chair; way bigger than it needs to be for a man with a smaller frame like Dist.] But thanks to my genius intellect, I was able to replicate it.