leaveyourstarburning

Entry tags:

001. Video

...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.]

Threaded | Flat

I...

[She hesitates, as though uncertain of herself. She had hoped to find more people of Ivalice, or at least to tell her what was going on, but alas, nothing.]

I do not know if I can be of much assistance to you, Milord, as I am a stranger in this place as you are. But...

I...

[More hesitation. Has she said too much already?]

Forgive my rudeness, but I know not what you mean by 'Motherland'.

[Archer hasn't been keeping track of the posts on the network for the most part. They've been lost in this cave for weeks (okay, it's been more like days, but same thing right?) and he's exhausted. He knows he doesn't look anywhere near presentable, but this particular post has caught his attention enough to get him to respond.]

[There's something different about this new arrival, and it doesn't have anything to do with the circus tent he's wearing. It's not even the message - which is admittedly a bit strange; it seems like this one isn't asking where he is, but rather informing everyone else that he means them no harm. Odd. That's not what caught Archer's attention first though - it was the appearance.]

[It was like looking in some mirror at a younger version of himself. Minus the dents. It was creepy.]

[...So clearly he must engage it!]

What have you done to the creatures back home?

[...A better explanation is in order, isn't it?]

This is Johto, not the "Motherland." The majority of the people here have been pulled from their homeworlds for no discernible reason.

[[As the new video flashes up on the feed, Kariya turns towards it with mild interest. He finds a little bit of enjoyment in watching the people on the video; they seem so...carefree. Their lives are so uncomplicated. It's....nice. He hasn't felt this relaxed in...well, years.]]

...they are wonderful creatures indeed.

[[He's not sure what prompted him to reply to this video in particular, but the words are out of his mouth before he can stop them. It could be because his Sewaddle has just popped out of his jacket and is nuzzling against his face. Maybe.

He's still got his hood covering the damage to his eye and cheek, but he's smiling. It's such a strange feeling, smiling. He should do more of it.]]

[A boy pops up in the video feed with a Pikachu sitting on his shoulder - Ash Ketchum style. He smiles cheerfully at the stranger. New arrivals were always fun to talk to.]

It trusts you so much because it's your Pokemon.

[He pauses.]

What's the "Motherland"?

... um, Mister? I don't know if anyone's broken it to you yet, but I get the feeling you're one of those "post-apocalyptic wasteland" types and I will happily inform you that we have yet to experience the end of days here!

*Oh, well, actually--*

Aside from a few region wide disasters that have blown over by now, of course.

Threaded | Flat

Voice | Teta doesn't remember how she did Video, so she does this instead.

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