video/action | new bark town

[shotlocking]

[ Hello, Johto, you've received another new face! ... Er, one that looks pretty bewildered and more concerned than anything. She's not even aware that the Azurill she'd received is filming her, but Aqua does what Aqua does best: She gets information. Aqua makes her way around the town, doing her best to gather information. All the while, the Azurill is filming her... though, honestly, the camera's a little shaky. Um. More than "a little" shaky, because she's holding the camera with her feet.

... That sure is a thing that's happening. But she's trying, and that's what matters.

Several minutes pass before Aqua realizes her Azurill is filming her. ]

Oh! [ She kneels down next to the little one, smiling fondly (somehow, she notes to herself, because she's still getting used to the whole "not being trapped in the realm of darkness" thing). It's hard not to be in good spirits with such a cute critter, after all. ]

Can everyone see this? I've never encountered a device like this, but it doesn't seem too difficult to work.

Hello. My name is Aqua, and I've just arrived. [ ... ] I don't suppose I could easily find some sort of food for my friend, here. She does seem very hungry.

[ And sure enough, yup, that's the sound of the Azurill's tummy growling. At least she looks embarrassed about it. ]

Comments

video

[islandshore]

[!

Aqua, behold the wide-eyed look of the resident Riku, who soon tries to mask his shock between a calm expression, complete with a lazy smile. It's... adequately effective?]

You'll get the hang of it Aqua. Just gotta mess around and see what sticks.

[A pause.]

Anyway, you should have some food packed already-- try to hold onto that. If you want to feed your Pokémon, I'd grab some berries off the nearby routes. ...Just don't eat them yourself.

permathat

[shotlocking]

[ --?!

It's not hard to figure out who he is. He's older, much older, that's for sure, but it's impossible to mistake him for anyone else. For a while, she's not sure how to reply... She'd been so worried about everything and everyone that it's a shock. It's a good sort of shock, though... and Aqua takes a deep breath to steady herself.

Seeing someone she actually knows... it makes things a little easier. ]

I take it they're dangerous for humans?

[ She pauses--Aqua's not done speaking yet, she just... has to find the words. ]

Riku... You've really grown up.

[ There's a hint of pride there. ]

[islandshore]

Not deadly, but unless you like hallucinations and nausea, I'd steer clear.

[It's said with a light, joking tone and a casual shrug. That being said, wow... He was not expecting her to recognize him so fast! It makes him pause for a moment, rubbing his neck.

Heh...]

And yeah, guess I have. It's been, what? Fifteen, sixteen years since you came to the islands? Man, time flies.

video; mostly just a place holder for now oof!

[heartdive]

Welcome back!

permathat!

[shotlocking]

[ ... Just like with Riku, she's shocked to see him. He's grown up, too, just like his friend, and Aqua takes a moment before she can even formulate a reply. She knows Sora's been hard at work.... hard at work, and a Keyblade wielder.

--? ]

I'm happy to see you, Sora, but I'm a bit confused. "Welcome back"?

video;

[bylight]

[It's rare to see an adult appear in New Bark lately. This young lady would definitely fit into Light's own world.]

Your little Azurill is skilled if it can hold the gear with its little feet. There should be some food in your bag, though I recommend saving that for the road. Your friend can eat the berries you find along Route 29.

permathat

[shotlocking]

[ Hey, an adult! ]

I didn't expect her to be so precocious. It's impressive.

[ She nods here. ]

All the berries are safe, correct? For them, I mean.

Video

[seasaltkey]

[It's a new person and a Azurill. Roxas has wanted one of those for a while. There's a tiny little mouse peeking out from his shirt as he smiles at Aqua.

Doesn't he look very familiar?]

If you're a breeder, there might be some berries in your bag for her!

permathat

[shotlocking]

[ ... if seeing Riku and Sora was a shock, it's nothing compared to seeing him. Aqua's speechless, her eyes wide. She brings a hand up to her mouth--her hand's trembling, and he doesn't have to look too closely to see that. He'd been-- asleep, his heart had been shattered, she'd seen him asleep and she'd been so unsure about whether or not he'd ever wake up...

... Excuse her for a moment, she's trying not to cry here. ]

Ven--?

[video]

[paladinlost]

Hello, Aqua. Welcome to New Bark Town. I hope your stay will be pleasant.

[With that part out of the way...]

Until you reach Cherrygrove or take the boat to Pallet, you'll have to make do with the packed lunch in your bag, and the plants and berries you'll forage on the road. Hunting or purchasing additional food is not an option when we start our journey.

permathat!

[shotlocking]

Thank you. I imagine it will--everyone seems to be so friendly, at the very least.

[ It's refreshing, because she hasn't been around people in so long... ]

I've heard about the berries, yes. I imagine there are numerous different types?

[Video]

[monge]

Oh, so you're water, zura! [That's what "Aqua" means, right? Water? Well, that makes sense, if water were to ever become a person, why not a girl?] I have a whole bunch of questions for you, zura.

[But first things first.]

Did anyone tell you about the food in your bag yet, zura? You can feed that to your baby and— Oh...then I guess you wouldn't have anything... Why are the first days always so hard, zura?

permathat

[shotlocking]

[ oh honey no ]

No, no--my name is Aqua, but it doesn't mean I'm water. I'm very much human.

[ ... ]

But I can try to answer your questions.

[ She nods. ]

And the berries, too. [ The little Azurill is bouncing up and down in the background, yep. ] I'll be alright, once I get my feet on the ground.

audio;

[crimsonchin]

You're in luck. From what I've gathered, New Bark Town is where the regional headquarters for the Pokepuff Manufacturing facility is located, so you should be able to buy a 6-pack of them, assuming you have the money to spare. If you don't, well, you have other options. I imagine you've been told about the stuff in your bag and the berries on the road...

permathat

[shotlocking]

I haven't heard about Pokepuffs just yet--are they some sort of sweet?

[ Because in that case, a six-pack will last for a while. ]

Yes, everyone's been very helpful in that regard.

[Video]

[hashtagafreakingghost]

[This feed's...well, Ashley's against a tree, somewhere, though that's all that can be gleaned from the view; it's rather close. Her first comment doesn't seem directed to Aqua, however, instead just an aside, glancing off somewhere...]

Looks like a lot of them like to film when their trainers aren't looking... [Wick! What sounds like a protest, off somewhere. Oh well.] Has someone mentioned berries to you already? Or- there's some information in the handbook, too. ...I know most people don't really read that at first but- well, it's helpful, starting out.

permathat

[shotlocking]

[ Aqua withdraws it from her pack, looking it over. ]

Oh, you're right! I hadn't quite gotten the chance to look through all of the items in my bag. Thank you.

[ ... She has a feeling she's luckier than most who arrive here. ]

[video]

[charcoalfeather]

That's okay!

[Rakka is... somewhere. She's indoors at least, sitting on a bed in what might appear to be an inn room if Aqua's familiar. The quiet chatter of a television can just be made out in the background. Seems she was in the middle of something but her pokemon had decided to pass her the pokegear.]

Aqua... [she caught that part at least.] You should try looking for berries! Or... if there's some people around, you could try asking for something to eat?

permathat

[shotlocking]

[ She considers that, one hand on her chin. ]

As long as I can compensate them, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask.

[video]

[defyingfrigidity]

[Elsa's sure a bunch of other people here have helped her out on the food front, so let's see...]

These devices are... very strange, yes. There was nothing like them where I come from, but I was able to get a hang of it quickly enough.

permathat

[shotlocking]

It's a bit reassuring that I'm not the only one unfamiliar with them, then. [ A slight smile. ] Though, I have to ask if you have any tips or tricks about them?

[video]

[styxiedust]

...Oh, I can send some stuff over from the shop for you and your Pokemon if you'd like, Miss Aqua.

[She just casually says that like it's not a big deal.]

Though I don't advise staying in New Bark for long, they expect you to start traveling immediately.

permathat

[shotlocking]

[ ... So many helpful people...!! ]

That's very kind of you--but only if it doesn't burden you. What sort of shop do you run?

[ ... That said. ]

"They"?

text;

[ladywithnovoice]

Have you found the answers that satisfy you?

[Red isn't one for wasting anyone's time, after all.]

permathat

[shotlocking]

I have, actually. I hadn't expected the answers to come so quickly, though.