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

[Video]

[bookslap]

{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.}

[Video]

[francia]

[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.

[Video]

[bookslap]

{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.

[Video]

[francia]

[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.

[Video]

[bookslap]

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.

[Video]

[francia]

[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.

[Video]

[bookslap]

{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.