skirtchases | ♦ 001 ; video / action for new bark

♦ 001 ; video / action for new bark

[The feed turns on to show a…really confused blond. It’s not like being in a weird place is that strange for him – but just unexpected after everything that had happened.]

…So I guess I have a few questions.

One, where am I? [He looks around, as if waiting for things to make sense. But it doesn’t.] Two, what’s this thing? [And the feed points down to a grinning Aipom, the mischievous face taking up most of the screen.]

Three…where did my tail go?

[It was kind of disorienting, moving without a tail.]

I mean, it doesn’t seem that bad. But uh…this isn’t really what I was expecting either. Anyway, If anyone has any answers, I’d be happy to hear them. If I got this communication thing, that means there’s gotta be someone out there, right?

[Zidane shakes his head after a moment, and smiles into the feed.]

Thanks in advance!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

There are indeed.

[And at least one he doesn't know that knows him anyway.]

Has anyone told you the basics?

Uh...someone said that I'm in Johto and I have something called an Aipom. Anything else that you need to tell me?

[Please, ease his confusion.]

Your Aipom is your partner; you must battle the local wild monsters together, and hopefully catch a few with the red and white balls you'll find in your bag. Your tail is gone and so are your powers, and there is nothing you can do to get them back. It's in the middle of the winter and you'll freeze to death if you try to reach the next city, but I can come pick you up in less than a day if you do not stray too far from the town. Any questions?

[...He says this with the most upbeat voice in the universe, really, you'd think he was advertising a sunny beach.]

...Uh--

[YEAH OKAY that was definitely a lot more to take in than he thought.]

Alright then, I might not be going anywhere. [He's not making any promises though - sometimes he isn't the brightest.] Wait, where are you, then?

[And that's not even half of it.]

At the moment? Goldenrod. It's the big city in the middle of the map.

[Yes, let's break his brain even more later.]

...Right. That seems straight-forward, I guess.

So, you said I shouldn't be going anywhere. When's the weather going to clear up?

[He doesn't want to stay in this forever, after all.]

...I have no idea. I've not caught the weather forecast recently. But the local weather tends to be strange at best.

Well either I'm going headfirst into the freezing cold, or I'm outta luck.

[Welp.]

...How far away is the next town?

...Three days by foot, since your Aipom is not large enough to ride.

That's not too bad. Wanna bet I can do it?

...I warn you, I have no pity for people who catch colds. Dagger is not here to nurse you back to health, this time.

[. . .

Yeah okay Cecil that's all fine and good but you really pinged him just now.]

Wait. What do you mean, Dagger's not here to nurse me back to health this time? Does that mean she was here too?

...You mean no one had told you yet?

[Why does he always have to explain the fun parts?]

She was, for some time. In fact, you caught that cold while fetching her.

[Such a romantic gesture.]

No, they haven't.

[...Oh. Well then.]

Yeah, sounds like me. [He rubs the back of his head, a little sad now.] So Dagger was here, huh?

[No. No, he's not going to think like that. So he shakes his head, shaking off all those thoughts.]

Well I came back, right? Maybe she will too.

I'd not be surprised, considering the two of you left at the same time.

[...And then Zidane came back and left again, but that's a minor detail.]

I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for her, then.

[Forever hopeful!]

Anything else I need to know?

[Thinking, thinking...]

You also missed Firion, Cloud, Tidus, Squall and the Warrior of Light. You can find work easily enough, but you can be arrested if you work less than five days. There is a manual in your bag; read it. Do not eat the berries.

[...Priorities, Cecil. Priorities.]

I did? Man, that stinks.

[Arrested, huh? Heh.]

Manual that I probably won't read...got it. [He's gotta be truthful!] And I'll keep that in mind about the berries.

Please do. With our powers lost, we've no way to cast Esuna on you.

I'll keep that in mind too. Good thing I don't get sick a lot, huh?

It is. Otherwise, we might have to leave you to the mercy of the nurses.

...Are they cute nurses?

Pretty enough, but also all alarmingly identical. Every single one of them.

Guess they're closely related, then.

[Which he doesn't mind.]

Hey, as long as they're easy on the eyes, I don't mind at all.

We'll see if you still believe that after witnessing the identical eyelashes.

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