1st blade [Video & Action for New Bark Town]

[stitchedupbodyguard]

[Veronica's gaze was stern as she looked at the screen. There was an air of dignity around her, despite how young she looked, but that could have to do with the many scars on her face and neck, the most notable ones being the two lines that intersected across her face, making an "X". She stares down at her Pokegear with what looked to be a mixture of confusion and annoyance. This goes on for a few seconds until she finally opens her mouth to speak.]

Ah-

Mukrow!

[And that's all that's heard from her, because immediately after, the Pokegear is yanked away from her and the world becomes a blur. It's like that for a good minute or so before everything finally settles. The Pokegear is now, evidently, high up in a tree, the tiny town of New Bark sitting in the background. It's actually kind of scenic, until Veronica appeared, having climbed up quickly to retrieve her device.

She swats at the Murkrow that took it, leading to a brief scuffle before the bird Pokémon takes flight, letting her finally get the Pokegear back. She is notably less dignified than before as she finally starts talking.]

...This is ridiculous, all of it. [Annoyance in her tone barely contained.] Why do I have to go on this journey? Why is this even happening?

[The Murkrow from before caws loudly in the background, getting a flinch out of Veronica. She glances back, letting out a sigh and finally killing the feed.]

Comments

[artificialrose]

I wish I could give you a good enough answer but... To be honest, it doesn't seem like anyone knows.

[stitchedupbodyguard]

No one?

[Dammit. If that's true, this doesn't bode well at all. Still, Veronica was going to remain skeptical of everything around her because dammit she was not here before.]

Are you sure?

[artificialrose]

I'm fairly certain. If they do, then I can't imagine they're anyone else who's been brought here.

I asked the same question when I arrived. Some people have been here for years.

[stitchedupbodyguard]

Y-years?!

[Wow, genuine surprise out of Veronica so soon! She's at a loss for words.]

...How long have you been here?

[artificialrose]

Not nearly as long, ha! Let's see... It's August, and I've only been here since March or so.

video;

[suncrushed]

[...Oh dear. That's certainly one way to start a video.]

Um... I don't necessarily think there is a reason, other than for someone's personal entertainment...

[And whoever that person is, Juniper has no idea.]

video;

[stitchedupbodyguard]

[Someone's personal entertainment... That draws her attention and gets her to think. Why would she wake up in some different place, with no idea of how she got here? Why else would she even be there in the first place.

She nods, her thoughts coming together.]

So, I've been kidnapped.

[She'd suspected, but now that it was out in the open, she couldn't deny her instincts.]

But, how did they managed to get to me... I would have seen them coming.

video;

[suncrushed]

[...Veronica, please. Juniper simply gives a shrug - or rather, the best attempt at one considering she's holding the camera.]

I don't think anyone could have seen them coming, really. None of us have any idea as to why we're here, so it's something that happened suddenly. In any case, I...don't really think that you should blame yourself for this.

video;

[stitchedupbodyguard]

[She's in too deep, Juniper. You never know when Government agents will jump you, especially when you're inside your heavily guarded estate in the middle of nowhere.

They're always out there...]

You don't...? [That makes her pause, and now she's focusing more on Juniper.] You've all just... been taken? And, you don't know why?

video;

[nostabbing]

That's a Murkrow. They like to steal stuff.

[Thanks, Parker, the girl probably noticed that.]

...Especially shiny stuff.

video;

[stitchedupbodyguard]

Ah, a Murkrow...?

[Caw! The Pokémon continues to make noise, much to Veronica's frustration. Why did she have to be given this animal? And why wont it leave her alone?]

Is a Murkrow different from a Crow?

video;

[nostabbing]

Different like how? I mean, they both have wings. And beaks. And feathery stuff.

video;

[stitchedupbodyguard]

But... you called it a "Murkrow" instead of a "Crow".

[There has to be some sort of difference. You see what she's getting at here, yes?]

text;

[ossifragant]

It's not like anyone is forcing you to go on a journey. You could always decide to live in one of the cities and stay there.

text;

[stitchedupbodyguard]

[....]

Oh. really?

[That was a relief, sort of. Actually, it made things more confusing.]

text;

[ossifragant]

Traveling isn't so bad, though. It's not like there's a rulebook that says you need to do this huge list of things. The handbook you were given tells you things you can do, but it's not like it's set in stone.

I'm on the road right now, but before that I had been staying put for a couple months.

text;

[stitchedupbodyguard]

I guess that makes sense. Not everyone wants to do the same thing.

I'm not sure what I want to do though.

[video]

[awesmazings]

[Jimmy's trying not to laugh, he really is, but even as he answers Veronica's video he has to stifle a chuckle with his fist.]

Looks like your partner there likes you!

[What was your first clue, Jimmy?]

And I dunno, I wasn't too sure about it at first either, but it's really fun, trust me! Just going on a journey is only the beginning of it!

[video]

[stitchedupbodyguard]

[Veronica's expression says that she's not that impressed with it before she even replies.]

It does? Are you sure?

[She's not feeling the love right now. She's not sure what she's feeling.]

But, I can't stay here. I have duties I need to do.

[video]

[awesmazings]

Positive! I mean there's so much to do! There's Pokemon everywhere, and gyms to challenge, and-

[..Oh wait. Duties you say?]

Well...nobody really knows exactly how to get home once they get here.

[video]

[stitchedupbodyguard]

[Yes, Jimmy. Duties. Some people have things they need to be doing back home.]

I've heard that. Everyone is saying that.

[She doesn't like it one bit.]

I... [She sighs. What is she even supposed to do?]

[video]

[ajustcaws]

Are you kidding?

[AND... there's this kid...]

Come on, where's your spirit of adventure? You've even got a great crow buddy!

[video]

[stitchedupbodyguard]

She's not really my buddy...

[Acquaintance, maybe.]

I'm okay with adventure, but I have stuff I need to be doing back home. Important stuff.

[Grump grump]

[video]

[ajustcaws]

She could be your buddy! I mean, that's what they're here for.

And you don't have fancy powers or weapons because this world's weird about that? So you have to work as a team. But nyway, I think everything stops while you're here, so think of it as a consequence-free vacation.

[video]

[stitchedupbodyguard]

She doesn't have to be. I let her out of her ball so she could leave. But she doesn't want to leave me alone.

[Truth be told, she's still sitting on Veronica's head, right now. It's kind of a comical sight actually.]

Wait, my weapons... [She rummages through her cloak for a moment, seemingly doing a very through search. The worried look on her face only got worse.] All my weapons! They're gone too!