001. Action for Goldenrod City/Video

[ardent]

[ACTION FOR GOLDENROD CITY]

[Well, if you're on the streets this evening in the general vicinity of the Radio Tower, you will likely come across a figure in what looks like a cross between a white gakuran and a military uniform (no, seriously, those boots cannot be school issue, can they?); he's got his arms folded tightly across his chest, almost as though he's cold despite being nothing of the sort, and he's staring rather intently upward.

Not at anything in particular. Just looking up at the sky.

However, if you're close enough (and you're probably close enough because he is pretty much the opposite of subtle), it'll be fairly obvious that he's probably not seeing much of anything despite the intensity of his gaze, given that he's got an impressive amount of tears going on. Like, "that should probably not be coming out of human eyes" levels of impressive. Holy shit. Tears. All over. Like he's seen the face of God or something.

Someone might want to poke him or make sure his brain hasn't just shorted out or something, he'll be here all night otherwise.]


[VIDEO]

[Hello, Johto! Sometime this evening you are being treated to some serious jittercam, courtesy of one of your newer arrivals (after he's come out of whatever trance he was in earlier because good lord almighty there is sky out here). It's not quite enough to make you seasick, but more than enough to make you wonder exactly how it is your life has come to this and who gave the complete amateur a camera before everything seems to even out. The video eventually seems to settle on a rather...uh, severe-looking kid with short, dark hair, red eyes and eyebrows that go forever, and whatever he's doing, he seems deeply annoyed with it, goodness. Who invited the spawn of Satan to the Poképarty...

And then he seems to figure out that he is, in fact, filming, and his response is so immediately joyful it'll give you whiplash if you are not properly strapped in. His grin is open and incredibly genuine, the expression entirely unguarded; he sets the device down on a table in front of him, as he appears to be outside still, and he immediately starts waving at it a bit - both through utter glee and trying to see if it actually is tracking properly.]

Ha ha ha - so it does work! This is excellent news, excellent! Now, if I can get it to -

[His voice is a bit odd - it's loud and enthusiastic, but it's strangely blunted, as though he hasn't...quite worked out how voice inflection works but dammit, he's trying. He reaches out while he talks, the conversation dissolving into rather pleased muttering to himself as he tries to turn off the 'Gear and promptly...uh, sends the video, good job.]


[VIDEO, TWO MINUTES AFTER THE FIRST]

[Well, Captain Eyebrows here seems to have gotten himself under a bit more control, though the amount of volume is still going to make people why he even bothered with a video - surely he can be heard in Kanto by now. He's clearly trying to sound authoritative; the effect is just...horribly shouty.]

My name is Ishimaru Kiyotaka, a student of the 78th annual class at Hope's Peak Academy! It's excellent to have a way to contact all of you, even if the situation that's brought it about is very weird indeed!

Whoever is responsible for this turn of events, I would like to both thank you for your generosity regarding the situation, and yet express my general confusion at what it is you expect me to do here! It would be appreciated if I could thank you in person - or...speak to you properly or knew who you were...hm.

[He...seems to have lost himself for a moment, hang on - ]

At any rate - if I've learned anything in my studies of others, it's that cooperation is the best way to ensure success! If you could introduce yourselves and tell me where it is you come from, I would be very grateful - let's make the most of this weird situation by working hard and working together!

[End feed!

...Ishimaru, please...]

Comments

Action

[strongestoftheturks]

[OK, Rude's seen his share of...eccentric people, but that expression really isn't normal. He's approaching this guy cautiously; he might be insane and dangerous. Best to get him off the streets before he does something stupid.]

You OK?

1/2

[ardent]

[It takes him a moment to realize that he's the one being addressed; once he does, he flinches rather hard, clearly startled because wow, he just kind of zoned hard there, didn't he?]

Ah...!

2/2

[ardent]

[He recovers almost immediately, however, and those tears disappear in short order - or, at the very least, they stop flowing quite so intensely, his skin is still streaked with them. His posture tightens quite a bit, almost like he's snapping to attention but not quite getting there, and he's quick to grin, waving his arms in a rather obvious "no, no, no" pattern as he does so.]

It's just...it's a magnificent night tonight, I couldn't help but admire it...! There's no need for concern, however, everything is fine!

[ACTION]

[diamondo]

[The base is the last place Mondo wants to be for any amount of time. It's too sterile, too cold, and way too much like that fucking school. He's quick to leave whenever he can, preferring to spend his time outdoors where he can actually see the sun. It isn't long before he makes his way outside and glances around at the numerous people in the area. He likes Goldenrod; it's a bit crowded, but it's a nice city from what he's seen of it.

That's about when he notices a very familiar white uniform and an incredibly happy grin appears on his face.]

Aniki!

[With that one word shouted, he changes directions to approach Ishimaru, slapping him on the back when he gets there.]

Shit, I was wondering if I was gonna see anyone else here! I wasn't expecting to find you so quickly though--

[...And then he notices the tears.]

Wh-- Hey, hey! There's no need to cry!!

[ardent]

[That first word catches his attention immediately, but it takes him a moment to react to it; there's surely no way -

And then Mondo is there and slapping him on the back and he's...admittedly nearly falling over because that came out of nowhere and goodness lord he isn't even going to address the tears because...lbr they're going to be a moot point anyway in about two seconds.]

Aniki! It's good to know that I didn't keep you waiting - tardiness is still unacceptable, even here!

[...it's a bit hard to tell if that's joking or entirely serious.]

Even if I still don't know where "here" is...

1/2

[superordinary]

[ When Naegi is checking the new posts on the PokéGear and comes across Ishimaru's video, it's like he discovered those chickens in the garden all over again. Except this time Ishimaru is the metaphorical chicken he just found and he has no idea whether he should believe his own eyes or not.

He can't keep his hands from shaking when he plays the video again from the beginning just to make sure it's actually right there on the PokéGear and not something his mind just made up.

For the next five minutes or so, the only thing Naegi manages to do is to stare at the recording. ]

video; 2/2

[superordinary]

[ Oh, right, he should probably actually respond instead of just watching the same thing over and over again. To accurately describe what he's feeling and every thought he's thinking would take a few hours. He's a little nervous but happy all the same, because if it's real then it's nothing short of a miracle. A miracle in the shape of the loudest hall monitor in all of Johto but he sure as hell isn't complaining. ]

I-Ishimaru-kun?

video;

[timelymaid]

Ah, no one is sure who is responsible for being here! But welcome all the same!

I'm Aradia Megido, and originally I came from Alternia, although that isn't where I was last. And I have a guide you may find useful! Some others put it together a while ago, and I'm trying to make a habit of passing it around.

I'll just attach it as a text file.
_____________
ATTACH: beginnersmanual.doc

video forever!

[ardent]

Have people been here for that long...?

[Well, he doesn't turn off the video feed as he flicks through that attachment; it's obvious that it's pleased him greatly, however, judging by how much his expression brightens as he looks it over.]

Ah, as completely not-promising as it seems to know that no one knows why we're here, this is very helpful! And so well-organized... Thank you, Megido-kun, for both this and the welcome - it's greatly appreciated!

[video]

[soundmind]

[...Kind of reminds her of Ox Ford, really.]

Maka Albarn, two star Scythe Meister at the DWMA in Death City, Nevada.

Right now I'm in Route 29, though. I'm training Bolt here. [Indicating the Emolga on her head.]

...Where's your partner?

[video] 1/2

[ardent]

Partner...?

[Registering...registering...]

[video]

[ardent]

Ah! If you mean the creature that I was given, he's currently in his container until I can figure out the best way to get him to stop biting everything, as he likes to do that - it's both not proper conduct and tends to set things on fire!

video;

[ghostytrainer]

[Well this guy is certainly...spirited. Yeah, we'll go with that.]

I don't know that there's any particular person that's responsible for bringing us here. It just kind of happens. You are basically free to do whatever you want though, so it's not like there are really an expectations of you. You can get the badges or you can not. You can breed Pokémon or you can just kinda travel and chill. It's whatever you want to do, really.

But, it's nice to meet you, Ishimaru. Or would that be...Kiyotaka? Sorry, American over here, I have a little trouble with the whole first name-last name-reverse-order-not-trying-to-offend-you thing. My name is John Egbert, I am from Washington state originally.

video forever! 1/2

[ardent]

[That is probably the politest way you could have put that, not gonna lie.]

"Ishimaru" would be preferred - no offense has been taken, and it's nice to meet you, too! And as for your own name, I'll remember that! It's a good, strong name - you should be thankful to your parents!

2/2

[ardent]

[Uh. Well, now that introductions are out of the way, let him mull the rest of that over for a moment, all right.]

You say there are no expectations...there's no goal that we're striving toward? We're just set down here and allowed to do whatever we please, am I understanding this right?

action because i can :|

[ragnarok_strike]

[...Hey. Hey. Laguna was about to fly to Ecruteak to get himself another badge when he saw... this guy. You know, it's good to wander a bit before you win stuff, after all!
Wow. What happened? He's got his green Munna floating slightly behind him, tilting her head. Would he be nummy?
Laguna, though, just holds a hand to the guy.]
Hey, uh - did something happen?

you rock that thing bb :| [1/2]

[ardent]

[Well, the motion catches his attention before anything else; he still seems a bit alarmed at suddenly being approached (by which I mean he flinches something fierce because wow hi there), however, and the green...thingo floating along near you isn't helping there.]

Ah! N-No, everything...

[ardent]

[...RIGHT. Come on, Ishimaru, first impressions are everything. Be a damn leader, get a grip on yourself.

He tightens his posture sharply, as though trying to snap to attention and...not quite making it, because he's clearly trying to reassure this random stranger that EVERYTHING IS FINE NO REALLY. He smiles, though at least that much seems genuine, as the expression is weirdly unguarded-looking; it's...a little offset by the tears that are still happening, but hey, you can't exactly stop those on a dime.]

Everything is quite all right! It's just a beautiful night tonight, that's all - I see no need to not...admire it properly! But everything is fine!

video;

[seasidecherry]

It's nice to meet you, Ishimaru-san! My name is Nagisa Motomiya. I'm originally from Lancastar, but I've lived on Akibastar for the past year - well, before I came here, anyway.

I think if we all work together, we all make each other shine brighter, so let's definitely do that!

video forever!

[ardent]

While I can't say I've heard of either of those places, your introduction is appreciated and the smartness of your presentation is very refreshing indeed!

[...oh my god you have pleased this kid so much and you have spoken to him for thirty seconds]

Motomiya-kun - the inspiration that can be drawn from your words is truly invigorating!! The very spirit of teamwork and cooperation! Tell me, is it a particular life motto of yours, or one you've come up with on the spot?

[Video]

[canthearyou]

[Gordon's not exactly sure what the enthusiastic young man is going on about, but sure he'll introduce himself.]

GORDON COLE. I'M FROM THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ON THE PLANET EARTH.

video forever!

[ardent]

[If one didn't know any better, one would think the enthusiastic young man doesn't know what he's going on about half the time, but I digress.]

Good evening, sir, and it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance! Though I hope to enter into the arena of foreign affairs eventually, I'm from the country of Japan, likewise on - !

action;

[nostabbing]

[That sure is a guy just hanging out staring at the sky, all right.

...

...wonder what he's looking at.

Doesn't seem to be anything particularly special up there in the sky. No blimps or airplanes or satellites or meteors or anything. Just sky. Big wide open sky.

...

...maybe whatever he's looking at, you have to be over there to see it...?

Huh. Welp, one way to find out.


HEY, ISHIMARU, HAVE A PARKER SILENTLY POPPING UP NEXT TO YOU (like magic, seriously, how does she do that?) TO JOIN YOU IN STARING INTENTLY AT THE SKY.]

oh my god parker why this

[ardent]

[so you know that feeling you get when you're suddenly no longer alone in a room

or you get that odd, prickly sensation when you realize that someone's been staring at you rather intently

or some random blonde chick just pops up next to you like a ninja and the only appropriate response to this is really just

"what the gently caress"

...yeah ishimaru's not too familiar with any of those feelings either

hey parker

nice to meet you i guess

god the sky is very

sky-like

tonight

i mean this is freakin' goldenrod you can't even claim stargazing due to all the light pollution

sky tho.]

[video]

[enjoymyatelier]

[...good god this kid is intense. With the mention of schools and whatnot, he really can't help but think I am truly not sure how I would feel if I had anyone like this in one of my classes...

...but he's at least kind of trying to get something done so]

You won't be hearing back from whoever-or whatever-is responsible for this; they've proven extremely elusive thus far.

Anyway, as far as introductions go, I am Lord Kayneth Archibald El-Melloi, ninth head of the Archibald family and lecturer at the Clock Tower-which I doubt will mean anything to you, unless you've been to London under an extremely specific set of circumstances before.

[video forever!]

[ardent]

Lord Archibald - though I've never been to London myself and so that doesn't mean anything to me, no, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance just the same!

[Full bowing's kinda weird over PokéSkype in his current position, but he'll at least offer a partial gesture - hey, he's intense but he's respectful.]

Others have tried contacting whoever did this, then?

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

[Another day, another yelling kid trying to take charge. Blake's not buying it.]

Who ordered the motivational speaker?

[video forever!]

[ardent]

[Sarcasm. Right over the head. Whooooosh.]

Ah, it's not anything that I was asked to do - it's simply a good thing to remind people to keep their heads up and do their best!

video (I'M SORRY THIS IS SO LATE HAHAHHAHAHAH)

[viiru2alert]

[literally my life kicked me in the ass right after the OOC into hahhaa.]

[ANYWAY.]

[Jesus Christ, this guy is annoying. On the screen, enjoy one extremely irked-looking boy with glasses almost atrocious enough to make Ishimaru's unusual clothing filter simply give up and explode. Anyway, Sollux could be the nice guy and tell this asshole all about how to tell whether he's a Trainer or a Breeder, but...]

I'm sorry, but have you ever talked to another human being in your life?

DON'T APOLOGIZE I'M STILL HERE I'll just be slow for the next couple days

[ardent]

[Well, at the very least he doesn't seem offended by that - though if this were a school setting he'd immediately be yelling at you to remove those trendy glasses of yours, for the time being they aren't anything of the sort and he can recognize that School Rules Have No Power Here.

Unfortunately.

But we digress - right now, the important thing is the sound of that rhetorical question zooming over his head.]

Of course I have! My duties at school often required it, and besides, I don't see what that has to do with anything!