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

[determinator]

[Lies. No one is that pale!]

...Of course.

[No really, what the hell is your world. Other than polytheistic, obviously.]

Where I'm from there's only one god. I'm assuming the gods where you're from are very important?

[leaveyourstarburning]

[...what...what kind of question is that...]

Very much so; they would hardly be gods if they weren't important in some way.

[determinator]

That is a good point.

[...Trying not to headtilt. Kind of succeeding!]

Where I'm from our god isn't quite as important. I personally don't believe in any deities.

[leaveyourstarburning]

[...definitely not an Ura. Nowhere near.]

Might I ask why?

I'm not questioning you, exactly; it's a personal choice. But I'm curious.

[determinator]

Ah, I have a difficult time believing in something I don't have proof of.

[This really isn't an argument he wants to get into; it inevitably ends with both sides frustrated and assuming the other is a complete idiot for not understanding.]

[...Sort of like how all Archer's arguments go, to be honest.]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Zulf doesn't seem bothered by that, actually, simply nodding a bit in acknowledgment.]

I understand. Even where I'm from, there are those who don't believe in the gods - or if they do, it isn't in the way that they used to.

[He doesn't seem inclined to elaborate.]

Again, it's a matter of personal choice.

[determinator]

[That catches Archer off-guard. You're... quite the understanding kid, aren't you?]

I see. Yes, it is.

[.......]

Ah, my name is Frank Archer. It's a pleasure to meet you.

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Ah, he smiles at that, actually.]

My name is Zulf; the pleasure is mine.

[determinator]

[So he's not the same person, then. That would be a shame if he were actually similar to Archer--]

...What?

[No, seriously, what? Your name is Zolf?]

[JOHTO THAT IS NOT FUNNY, STOP IT!]

Zolf? That's... a very unique name.

[leaveyourstarburning]

...Zulf, yes.

[Perhaps Archer just has an accent, perhaps he's having a hard time following Zulf's own; either way, he doesn't push, and he doesn't seem bothered by Archer's reactio, either.]

It wasn't very common back in my own world, either, but not to the point where it was commented on.

[determinator]

[Zulf, Zolf, same thing right?]

I see. I knew someone with that name back home. It was unique there too.

[He's not really sure what to make of the fact that this kid who looks like him has Kimbley's name. It's creepy. Still, this kid certainly doesn't seem to have any of their personality traits, which offsets the creepy a little bit. It just makes him fascinating.]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Zulf mulls that over for a moment; well, that certainly explains the mispronunciation, if Archer knew someone named something similar back home. Old habits die hard.]

Is it a good association for you, then?

[determinator]

Yes, it is.

[Archer relaxes at that; it is a good association. He misses Kimbley and he doesn't intend to replace him, but at the same time it's nice to have some reminder that isn't the pocketwatch or the cat.]

[leaveyourstarburning]

That's good.

[He can tell that Archer's relaxing some, even over the small screen on the Gear; he isn't consciously aware of it, but some of the tension leaves him as well.

Maybe things will work out.]

This world doesn't seem so terrible; are most people in a hurry to return to their own?

[determinator]

Yes, of course. Not very many people want to stay here. There are those who have family and friends back home and those who don't have other business to attend to.

[Why is it so easy to talk to this kid anyway? The name is the only thing similar to Kimbley, and even that's not a perfect match. That doesn't matter though; he is relaxed around Zulf and it... actually feels nice?]

[leaveyourstarburning]

And I imagine it's the same for you.

[The comment is blunt, but casual; he's not fishing for details or being coy, just making a statement.]

You've been incredibly helpful, by the way. It's good of you.

[determinator]

[Again Archer is caught off-guard; Zulf is incredibly blunt, it's a bit startling.]

I do what I can. I see no reason to keep you in the dark about what's going on in this world. There were those who helped me when I arrived; I can at least return the favor.

[That's bullshit, but there's no reason to say "well I only contacted you because you look like a younger version of me..."]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Ah, but what was said pleases him, though!]

I can understand that; I've been there before myself. I'll do the same if I can.

[determinator]

[What does he even do with you? You're being downright adorable.]

Of course. You've only just arrived here, correct? What creature were you given?

[Let's just... change the topic then! Because this is awkward. orz]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[He glances down at something on the ground, well out of the shot; he sets the 'Gear down on something unseen, the camera jittering a bit as he does so before coming back into focus, and he bends down to pick up that creature that's been loving on his leg pretty much this entire time.

The Chinchou looks at the camera curiously, the small bulbs on the end of her antennae blinking as she does so.]

This is what I was given; did you receive one from that woman as well?

[His expression tightens a bit at the vague mention of "Mom", but he doesn't dwell on it; his attention is on the Chinchou.

...either she's particularly huge or he's particularly short, um.]

[determinator]

[Oh what in the sweet fuck is that?]

[Johto certainly has an interesting selection of weird shit, doesn't it?]

[Archer has no idea how big those things are supposed to be - it looks small, but the Gear isn't the most reliable. He tips his head slightly at that.]

I've never seen one of those before. No, I received a bat when I arrived here.

[That's not technically a lie! He just didn't mention that he didn't get it from "Mom" and instead ended up in Mahogany Town! No big deal!]

What... is it? Have you tried battling with it yet?

[leaveyourstarburning]

It's called a Chinchou, according to the device.

[More blinking from those antennae; clearly she recognizes her species name, if nothing else.]

And no, I haven't battled with it - why would I...?

[From the sound of it, he's less accusing and more confused by the question; his first thought upon receiving it wasn't exactly "Oh, you're cute, let's go make you attack something," after all.]

[determinator]

Ah, no one's explained the purpose of these creatures yet?

[Oh boy...]

These creatures are called Pokémon. They are used to fight in this world; the strongest Pokémon trainers have power here. You can challenge the Gym Leaders with your Pokémon; you must defeat them and the Elite Four to return home. Having your Pokémon battle will obviously be very beneficial here.

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Well, that's...certainly something, isn't it.]

And are these challenges required? I understand that this is how one returns home, but outside of that - is it required by some law of this world?

[determinator]

You have no interest in returning home?

[Well that's... certainly something, isn't it. Archer nods after a moment though; if Zulf wants to go into detail about it, he will. Otherwise there's no sense trying to pressure him for details.]

No, it isn't. There are people here who don't battle with their Pokémon and instead keep them as pets. There are those who breed Pokémon as well.

[...What else do you non-Rockets do anyway? It seems really boring.]