bookslap | 1st page; video/action for new bark town

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1st page; video/action for new bark town

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{Hello Route. Nanao's sitting at a picnic table in New Bark Town, hands folded neatly on the table. One hand's knuckles are wrapped in a handkerchief, but she stares levelly at the camera, eyes utterly serious.}

Hello. I would be grateful if someone out there was able to provide an answer to my questions. Don't worry, I only have two. {She looks away for a moment, swallowing.}

How were we brought here, and does anyone know why? I think I understand where we are, even if the premise is absurd, but it is the how and why that yet eludes me.

{A Pidgey chirps somewhere off camera, and Nanao's fingers clench and uncurl.}

A precis on what happened might be nice as well, considering that this town looks like it's been ravaged by a storm.

{That said, she reaches out and clicks off the feed. She'll be wandering around New Bark for a while at least, so feel free to approach her if you see her!}

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[France perks up upon seeing Nanao on the network again but deflates rather quickly. Ah, it's that then, one of the many little ways this world is very cruel. His response comes a bit later, after he's finished work and cleaned up. Make a good impression and vanity and all that.]

Bonsoir. No one yet knows how or why we of other worlds come here. It's a question I've been asking for more than three years now. It wasn't quite a question, but we have had a bit more than a regular storm in the past few days. You're lucky to have missed it.

[Flying sharks might have been a shock.]

I'd be happy to answer any of your questions, mademoiselle, if you have more.

{That is a very handsome man. And apparently French, too.}

Mm, so I've been told. {She thinks for a moment.} I do have one question - there wouldn't happen to be some kind of bus to the next town, would there?

[Very handsome and very French.]

[France grimaces and shakes his head.]

Unfortunately, no. This place is a bit odd about transportation. We have a highspeed rail that connects the two -

[Well, Johto and Kanto aren't what France would call countries. He makes an dissatisfied gesture.]

Well, the two places that pass as separate states here. There is ostensibly a cruise line but no public transportation otherwise.

[He tries to look reassuring.]

It's a very easy walk to the next town. I do suggest trying yourself and your starter against some of the wild pokemon you meet along the way. It's a good bonding exercise.

[France is conveniently forgetting his own not exactly smooth journey along Route 29.]

That seems a little odd for such a large... region. {It's not like she's unfit, but it does seem weird.}

But, I shall keep my fingers crossed and hope that I don't take a tumble down a ledge. I've heard those can be - difficult to traverse.

It is very strange, especially since the technology exists.

[Then again, this place doesn't really seem to have a form of government besides some sort of free enterprise system, gyms, and the Elite Four.]

It's generally advisable to say away from the ledges. Also, don't be surprised if you come across any odd looking trees that seem to conveniently block your path.

[France pauses, an expression of uncertainty coming over his face.]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this yet, but are you aware that you've been here before?

{Oh boy she can't wait to find out about the gyms.}

... I'll make a note about the trees. {oh the joys of sudowoodo}

{She nods, expression somber.} I have. A man named Envy was... somewhat surprised to see me.

{If by surprised you mean shoved through the emotional wringer.}

[France's expression does something complicated. He looks at once sympathetic, sad, and strained.]

I thought so. Envy and the you who was here previously were close. You and I also knew each other, and we had a good relationship.

[He breathes in. His expression smooths out a bit, and light comes back to his eyes.]

I'd very much like to be your friend again.

{She still can't figure out who she was to Envy - just friends? A mother figure? A lover? She pushes those suggestions down, and focuses on France.}

I- {Breathe in, Nanao.} I would not mind that, sir. I could do with a friend in this place.

[France is pretty sure the two of you weren't lovers, but if Nanao ever wants to talk about it, France is probably the only person would be able to give her insight now that Tulio and Miguel are gone.]

[France smiles, a softer one than his habitual one. It's still friendly but a great deal more honest.]

I'm glad. You're a deeply insightful and genuine person.

[France inclines his head in a smaller and much more personal version of his usual flourishing bow.]

I am the Republic of France. The nation itself, although it might be hard to believe. In my world, all nation-states have human-like forms.

What.

{It's a blank statement, and she just stares into the device.}

Not again - first, Cu Chulainn, then this? Who's next, Alexander the Great?

{She rubs at her brow, and forces a smile back onto her face.}

I'm sorry, the concept is a little hard for me to wrap my head around. That said ... I can try.

[France laughs merrily.]

Don't worry: I've come to understand after almost four years here that my mode of existence is rather odd. We did actually have an Alexander the Great, but he wasn't exactly the figure that I knew.

{Nanao is thoroughly unimpressed.}

I wish I could say something along the lines of "you're joking", but you're completely serious, so...

{She exhales, and runs a hand through her hair.} I guess I can deal with it, no matter how strange it seems.

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1st page; video/action for new bark town

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