Video 001 | New Bark Town

[dangerousidol]

[The video feed turns on to show a little fox cat like creature looking expectantly upwards. Its tail swishes back and forth like how a puppy would wag its tail when happy. This earns the little creature a soft giggle from the person behind the camera.]

You're so cute, Himiko!

[Himiko chirps in response, and the camera is panned around to show a young girl now with curly brown pigtails.]

Hey there~! If anyone is watching this, I'm Rise Kujikawa!

[The camera is put down and the girl sits down on the ground, Himiko climbing into her lap. She looks less happy now. Her backdrop is the small town of New Bark.]

So, what is this place, really? I woke up in a strange house, and a crazy lady who called herself my mom shoved a bag in my hand and told me 'Good luck!'. She didn't even let me ask any questions!

[She now pats Himiko's head, and the small creature enjoys this immensely.]

This old man gave me what he called a Pokéball, goes on and on about this 'world of Pokémon', calls me a trainer, and then sends me off. The trainer manual is confusing, and this whole thing seems like some little kids video game or TV show! I know that Himiko is an Eevee because this really loud voice from my Gear told me what she is. It's called a PokéDex, right? Can I go home when I catch them all?

[She's pouting now. Himiko does the same. She seems to enjoy copying her trainer.]

Oh! And this music is really annoying. How do you turn it off?!

Comments

[dangerousidol]

[Rise is actually surprised this guy was easy to manipulate. Must be one of those 'proper gentlemen' type. She goes from a pout to looking near tears.]

It's okay... I wasn't expecting much to be honest. I just want to know why I have to be here!

[She sniffles and gives him a very soft smile.]

But I'm really happy that someone as nice as you is being so kind to me!

[capitald]

[It's a good question. Why are they here? How are they here? It's both a relief and troubling to know that others have found their way into this world-- people he'd never encountered on Luxendarc.

Well, the least he can do for her is offer a smile in return.]

Think nothing of it, my dear. If there's anything you need, you need only ask, and I'll do my best to accommodate you.

[After all, they are in the same boat. It's only fair.]

At any rate, have you checked through your bag? Perhaps there's a note tucked away in one of the pockets.

[Or perhaps a map, though it looks like this device already has a map built in... and a radio, even. Will wonders never cease?]

[dangerousidol]

[Was this guy seriously like this 24/7. She really can't see how someone could be so chivalrous all the time. Unless it's normal from here's from. She's going to have a relieved smile now.]

I'd really appreciate that! Thank you~!

[She shakes her head.]

No note. But I did find a trainers manual and a map! My PokéGear is a lot more useful.

[capitald]

Well, then perhaps there's a silver lining after all. These devices and the guide should at least offer some sort of direction, however vague.

[The manual he received was a very different sort, and that's... troubling. Troubling enough that his smile briefly falters before he forces it back into place. He'll have to investigate on his own time.]

I'm Ringabel, by the way, and it's a pleasure to meet you.

[dangerousidol]

As long as I don't have to camp out very often, I should be fine!

[She doesn't want to camp out. No showers on the road, and she needs a hairbrush. She'll hit up the stores in town before leaving.]

It's nice to meet you, too, Ringabel-san~

[capitald]

It's a shame we had to arrive during such dreary weather. I wouldn't mind camping if it weren't for the rain.

[But, alas, they'll just have to make do. Ringabel at least has a roof over his head, but Rise doesn't seem quite as fortunate.]

By the way, what exactly do you mean by "san"?

[Is it a cultural quirk? Perhaps the equivalent of saying "Mister"?]

[dangerousidol]

I didn't even get a tent! I'm going to get soaked!

[She's not happy about this at all. She's at least had an umbrella for rainy days.]

Eh? You don't use honorifics? Uhm... It's like using Mister or Missus, I guess. There's also -kun, which is used for boys. -chan is usually for girls. And then there's -sama! That's a really formal one!

[Is this why he called her miss?]

[capitald]

Have you thought about seeking shelter? There must be somewhere you can rest for the night...

[An Inn? They were common on Luxendarc, but perhaps this world plays by different rules.]

I can't say I've encountered that sort of honorifics before. On Luxendarc, we typically use titles such as "Mister," "Missues," "Lady" and "Lord."

[But judging by his tone, he's more intrigued than insulted. Cultural differences are fascinating, after all.]

[dangerousidol]

I'll find something! There should be some people with kind hearts around here.

[She hasn't seen an inn. She was hoping there'd be at least a hotel or something.]

Sama would be like lord of lady depending on the person! There's fancier terms, too. But those aren't really used. Then you get foreigners who use things like Madam, Monsieur and Mademoiselle!

[capitald]

And if not, you can rest easy knowing that there are at least some gentlemen in this world, however far they may be.

[Though, really, he hopes she does find someone charitable enough to offer shelter. It'd be a shame to travel in such miserable weather.

Ah well. Best to focus on cheerier matters for now.]

Hmm... those last three sound delightful. Romantic, even!

[They almost sound like the sort of words Profiteur would have used, if he weren't such a scheming scumbag.]

[dangerousidol]

Even if it's not a gentleman who helps me out, it'll still be appreciated!

[She nods. French was supposed to be the language of romance after all!]

There's all sort of ways to say mister or missus where I'm from! There's so many languages~

[capitald]

Your world sounds very diverse. Meanwhile, Luxendarc has but one common language, though the Crystal Adventists of ancient times possessed their own distinct language and texts.

[Of which it seems only the most devout Crystalists understand, like Agnès.

Really, you'd think that more languages would exist, yet from Caldisla to Florem, they all share the same tongue.]

[dangerousidol]

You'd have fun in my world, then! It's huge, and there's so much to do and see!

[She's excited now, and Himiko chirps happily as she picks up her trainers mood.]

I'm from Japan. I love it there~

[capitald]

Well, should we ever uncover the means to travel between worlds, I'll have to pay a visit. Of course, it'll probably have to wait until we've ensured Luxendarc's safety.

[They might have cleansed the crystals, but is that really the end of it? Just what is the Holy Pillar?

It really boggles the mind.]

[dangerousidol]

Luxendarc sounds like a really fancy name... almost French! Or... wait! It sounds like that one country in Europe!

[Now she's trying to think. What was that country called again. She should have paid more attention in class.]

[capitald]

But which one? I'm afraid I've no experience with this "Europe," so I can't quite connect the dots.

[Though, if nothing else, he could probably ask around. Perhaps there's a similar root word.]

[dangerousidol]

Ooh! If only I'd paid more attention in class!

[She feels like an idiot, and looks visibly distressed.]

[capitald]

Not one for long lectures?

[He laughs, though it's gentle, far from mocking.]

[dangerousidol]

The teachers in Inaba are so boring and weird... It's not my fault!

[She's taking it the wrong way. She's ready to cry.]

[capitald]

[His eyes widen, and he waves both his hands.]

Ah, wait! It's not your fault. If a lesson's boring, then they should find ways to make the curriculum more memorable.

[Hopefully this'll ease her worries.]

[dangerousidol]

[Sorry, Ringabel, she's crying. She can't hear you. Himiko pops up on the screen and growls at him.]

[capitald]

Please, don't cry! I didn't mean to upset you. It really isn't your fault...

[It's one thing to anger a girl, but tears? This is uncharted, upsetting territory for him.]

[dangerousidol]

[Himiko does a better job of calming Rise down than Ringabel, nuzzling her trainer. All this stress of being in a new place has caught up with Rise. She would have broken down eventually.]

H-Himiko...

[capitald]

...I'm sorry.

[Sigh. He'd no idea she'd take the teasing so poorly. He'll have to mind his tongue in the future.]

If it's any consolation, I had absolutely no intention to insult you.

[dangerousidol]

[Rise sniffles and wipes he eyes before shaking her head.]

N-No... I think I'm just tired. This is all too much! I want to go home...