001. Video

[leaveyourstarburning]

...destroyed it entirely, did it...

[The words are muttered quietly over a mostly-dark feed; from the sound of it, the person speaking doesn't even seem to have realized they've managed to turn the Gear on - he sounds distracted, clearly speaking to himself rather than to any audience, and there's a good amount of jittercam action before he seems to realize that it's broadcasting.

The speaker is male, dark-haired and deathly pale; he's smiling a bit, but the expression doesn't reach his eyes at all. The look there isn't cruel, however; just rather lost.]

Is this how this works?

[His speech is a bit odd; it's in the common language spoken by all in Johto, but there's something there - a strangeness in pronunciation that indicates that he would have a hell of an accent in whatever world he just came from, as though he didn't grow up speaking whatever it is he's trying to utilize now. The statement is still oddly blank, though, as though he's addressing himself more than an audience; at least he doesn't seem to be expecting an answer - he simply checks something on the Gear before moving on.]

I understand that there are more survivors out there; from the look of it, there are many of you. I come to you seeking information - I mean you no harm, nor do I expect anything of you. [His gaze darts offscreen, focusing downward for a moment before he continues speaking.] This isn't anything like what I was told the Motherland would be; some of the machinery involved in transporting us may have taken some severe damage.

["May have." He uses the term lightly. He definitely knows it took damage of some sort; he broke the thing. He just doesn't know how severely he broke it; given that he's currently...nowhere near where he's supposed to be, he's assuming he broke it pretty spectacularly. He's a bit uncomfortable with the half-truth, though.

...that said, Zulf has seriously just informed all of Johto that he does, in fact, come in peace. There are some things that you just don't blatantly say...

However, he isn't dwelling on it; his gaze is darting downward again. Clearly there's something fascinating down there; he pauses for a moment before tilting the camera downward - there is a Chinchou rubbing against the lower half of his clothes, which appears to be a...very ugly skirt, if we're going to be honest.

Whatever it is, the Pokémon seems determined to love all over it; Zulf's tone has actually lightened a bit when he speaks, seeming much more comfortable now that he's not being focused on.]

Although, Motherland or not...it's good to see these creatures being so trusting. We've done enough to the rest of them.

[...someone please inform the guy that he's not in Kansas anymore.]

Comments

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Zulf is quiet for a long moment, though his expression has definitely shifted - there's something very distinctive across his features, dark and angry; this isn't going to stand. He can do nothing about it now, and the thought agitates him further; despite the glaring, however, he isn't going to verbally lash out at Archer - shooting the messenger will get him nowhere.]

I understand. I'll be sure to watch for them, then.

[determinator]

[Archer lifts an eyebrow at that; he understands that the idea alone is irritating, but Zulf doesn't know the people who were attacked. He wasn't attacked. Why is he so angry?]

Good. I would hate to see you attacked.

[And that much is true. Archer's not entirely sure what to do with that; he doesn't know this kid at all. He has no reason to like this kid (besides the fact that they look alike), so why does he? Archer ignores it for now.]

It's alright. They haven't done anything lately. You don't need to get so worked up.

[leaveyourstarburning]

[He closes his eyes for a moment; his expression is no less agitated, but he's at least attempting to calm himself.]

Attacks on the innocent aren't acceptable.

[determinator]

Of course they aren't. There's nothing you can do about the attacks right now. There's no reason to rush into this without preparing yourself.

[leaveyourstarburning]

I never said I was going to. Not at the moment.

[He'll just be looking at the camera after that, however.]

That doesn't mean that I can't find these attacks terrible by nature, however.

[determinator]

True, but getting upset over something you can't do anything about seems rather pointless.

[...Now where has he heard that before...]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Somewhere in those caves, for a reason he's not entirely sure of, Kimblee was suddenly struck with the tremendous urge to facepalm.]

I've fought against others and their ideals without using weapons before. It's what I do. And there's no proof that nothing can be done about this - that's just the assumption.

Don't worry too much about me. I'll be fine.

[determinator]

[Shut it, Kimblee, he'll deal with you later!]

If you say so. I haven't heard anything about attacks on breeders or those who have just arrived, thankfully. You should be safe until you can make it to Goldenrod. That's where everyone congregates for the most part. It's the largest city in Johto.

[He's really not sure what to do with your little speech there, so he'll ignore it! You don't mind, right?]

[leaveyourstarburning]

Again, I'm not worried about my own safety.

[He hesitates briefly; even he can hear how snappish that sounded.]

Thank you for your concern, though. Again, it's good of you.

[determinator]

You should look out for yourself. You won't be doing any good if you're injured.

[You won't die here, but there's no need to mention that! It might make you even more reckless.]

Don't mention it. There's no reason for you to get hurt.

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Are you still...oh.]

...with all due respect, my people are militaristic as a culture. I know how to defend myself, should it come to that.

[determinator]

As are my people. I wasn't prepared for what this world contained when I arrived, and unless your world is remarkably similar, I doubt you are either.

[That's said evenly; Archer isn't upset by Zulf's statement. He's merely warning him. Besides, he's a kid, he can't possibly know how to take care of himself!]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[......

>kid
>peace ambassador
>lol oh you]

With hostile groups of people willing to initiate attacks on the innocent, and the talk of wild creatures springing up at you from out of the tall grass, it sounds more similar than you would think.

[determinator]

[Oh come on, look at Edward! He's a kid and he's serving his country! Your country must just have bb!peace ambassadors for some reason!]

Well I suppose it must. The latter certainly didn't happen in my world.

[leaveyourstarburning]

I've traveled across expanses of hostile land before, in order to bring the message of tolerance to others in another territory - the hostility wasn't just due to those others, but also the nature of the Wilds themselves. The journey was difficult; several months, at least.

So believe me, I've fended for myself before in unfamiliar territory.

[determinator]

...And they let a child do this?

[Head... tilt...?]

[leaveyourstarburning]

...what? I...well, I suppose if a child wanted to do it, they could and they wouldn't be stopped, but it's not exactly advocated...?

[determinator]

[...Okay, hang on, we're not in the same library anymore.]

How old are you?

[leaveyourstarburning]

...I'm not a child, if that's what you're implying; there was a period of time when I didn't keep track, but I'm over thirty years old. Around thirty-two or thirty-three, give or take.

[determinator]

...No you're not.

[Hang on, that's a bit rude even for him.]

You can't possibly be in your thirties. I'm thirty-seven.

[And just look at you in comparison! You're so... bitty!]

[leaveyourstarburning]

You don't seem it.

[...wow okay everyone is suddenly being rude in here, whoops]

I mean...I assumed -

[NOPE HE'S JUST GOING TO QUIT WHILE HE'S AHEAD OKAY]

[determinator]

[THAT'S PROBABLY FOR THE BEST]

Yes, yes, I know what you assumed.

[He knows he looks way older, shut up.]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[TO YOUR CREDIT

YOU DON'T LOOK, LIKE...RUCKS-LEVEL OF OLD

...ADMITTEDLY THAT JUST MEANS YOU DON'T LOOK LIKE YOU'RE SIXTY-SOMEODD BUT YOU KNOW...]

...ah...my apologies, then...

[determinator]

[THAT'S NOT SAYING MUCH!]

It's fine. Does everyone look that young where you're from?

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Headtilting a little at that.]

It isn't something I really think about. How old were you assuming I am?