1st page; video/action for new bark town

[bookslap]

video

{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!}

Comments

[Audio]

[bookslap]

...define "crazy shit". {Those sure were air quotes.} I'm sorry to say I haven't had much experience with Pokemon before.

[Audio]

[foolishwren]

Shoot jets of water hard enough to punch holes in brick, for one thing.

[Audio]

[bookslap]

--?! {That was a muffled noise of shock.} And we're meant to train these things?

[Audio]

[foolishwren]

Yep.

Welcome to Johto.

[Audio]

[bookslap]

Somehow, something tells me that this place is going to be the opposite of boring.

[Audio]

[foolishwren]

Yeah, that's a pretty good way of summing it up.

I've been here four years and I don't think I've been bored even once.

_{[Probably not true, boredom can strike anywhere, but you know.]}

[Audio]

[bookslap]

{Four years - that's a heck of a long time.}

Hopefully I'll manage to stay out the way of anything like flying sharks, though. I have a feeling that a situation like that wouldn't end well.

[Audio]

[foolishwren]

Well, fortunately I can tell you that that was pretty much some kinda freak weather phenomenon. That doesn't exactly happen on a daily basis.

_{[Thank god.]}

[Audio]

[bookslap]

I'd hope not! It'd make getting around pretty darn difficult.

{Rain and sleet are not her idea of fun.}

[Audio]

[foolishwren]

Just be glad you got here in the summer.

I always feel bad for the poor suckers who show up in the middle of winter.

_{[That three-day-or-so trek between New Bark and Cherrygrove is a fairly pleasant hike when the weather's good. In the snow? Heather doesn't even wanna think about it. She usually weathers out the winter in a city.]}

[Audio]

[bookslap]

{Nanao makes a displeased noise.}

Well, that's one way to improve your survival skills.

[Audio]

[foolishwren]

Yeah, if nothing else, it's kinda like being dumped in the water and learning to swim that way.

[Audio]

[bookslap]

What if you can't swim?

{Nanao don't derail this...}

[Audio]

[foolishwren]

_{[SHE'S JUST ASSUMING NANAO DIDN'T MEAN THAT LITERALLY.]}

I dunno.

I've never heard of anybody who can't hack that trip. It's pretty easy even if it's probably kind of a wake-up call.

[Audio]

[bookslap]

Well, thanks for the information.

I'm Nanao Ise, my apologies for not introducing myself before.

[Audio]

[foolishwren]

_{[She has to fight the urge to say 'I know'.]}

Heather Mason.

[Audio]

[bookslap]

A pleasure, Miss Mason. You've been helpful.

...maybe I should invest in a reinforced umbrella for the next time it rains sharks.