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.

video; mostly just a place holder for now oof!

[heartdive]

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]

[ --?!

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. ]

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.

[bylight]

They all have personalities of their own.

[Like the large tiger puppy peering over Lightning's shoulder who seems super happy to see this new lady.]

Yes. Don't eat them yourself. The side effects are less than pleasant.

[shotlocking]

Well, I'd hope so! She does seem very aware of herself and her surroundings--she may be a little less lost than I am.

[ ... oh no, that's cute. ]

So I've heard--Riku told me. I'll keep to human food, in that case.

[bylight]

My first one didn't. If I wasn't paying attention, I'd lose her.

[Light has to fight the Arcanine, who wanted to lick the screen. Puppy looks sad when the screen moves too far out of reach, now showing that Lightning was on a beach, other creatures behind her.]

Some of them enjoy human food, but it's healthier to stick to foods made of berries for them.

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]

[ ... 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"?

[shotlocking]

[ Oh, wow. ]

You've been here for quite some time. [ It's not a question; rather, just an observation. ]

Oh, so you can cook with the berries! [ She has so many ideas already. ] I'll have to gather quite a few, in that case.

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--?

[bylight]

Yes. I'm part of the 'elite' club of being here a year or more.

[She nods at that. There's a sudden shudder from the pink haired woman as she drops the gear. The culprits seems to be a gooey creature trying to get her attention.]

C-Cid! Knock it off!

[seasaltkey]

[Aqua's reaction confuses him. He doesn't know her. His memories from Sora never showed this woman, so why was she so emotional?

The name does tip him off.]

Oh! No, I'm not Ven. My name is Roxas.

[A moment later.]

I keep being told I look just like him. I've never met him, so I wouldn't know.

[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.

[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.

[shotlocking]

I'll be sure to, then. I'd rather not start my time here with ailments like that.

[ .... oh. Whatever she was expecting, it's... not that. His reply manages to silence her, and for a while, she doesn't say anything. Her lips purse, and she busies herself with patting her Azurill's head. ]

I didn't expect it to be such a long time. Fifteen or sixteen years...

[ ... Has she been gone that long? ]

[shotlocking]

[ ... She just keeps running into surprises. ]

If there's a club, I imagine there are a lot of you.

[ ... uh. An alarmed look crosses Aqua's face. ]

--Are you alright?

[shotlocking]

[ Oh. Her face falls at that--but it's subtle enough that he may not be able to see it. This boy... he looks exactly like Ventus, so much so that it... it hurts. Aqua takes a deep breath, composing herself. ]

I'm sorry. It's just--you do look so much like him.

It's nice to meet you, Roxas.

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?

[bylight]

Some as long as five years.

[It's with a sigh that she takes the creature off of her. Is that a trail of slime on her leg...? Someone else seems to be controlling the camera now as it floats up.]

I'm fine. When you get to the point of having as many Pokémon as I do, you're bound to get some that act like little brats.

[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?

[seasaltkey]

It's okay! Twilight Sparkle, Sora, and Riku thought the same thing when I got here.

[The small mouse squeaks in a reassuring way as Roxas tries to lighten the mood by smiling.]

It's nice to meet you, too!

[paladinlost]

[Cecil nods.]

There are nine, each more unpleasant than the last. Luckily, between the supplies you received and the assistance of everyone on the network, you are unlikely to ever eat them accidentally.

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.