yanginthere | Round 1 - [Action : New Bark City]

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Round 1 - [Action : New Bark City] - [Audio]

[ Action : Morning ]
[ When it came to blending in with the natives, Yang certainly looked the part. The only reason she had the jacket on in the first place was because it was much colder here and she was still feeling the heat of the combat high she left behind in the arena. It was with equal parts bewilderment, confusion, and irritation that she looked out at her surroundings, her mind reeling with trying to make sense of everything she had read, or heard from that ... that delusional woman in the house she left behind.

To make matters worse, her attention was constantly divided between her goal of gathering as much information on this town as possible and the faint half-bark half-growling of the "pet" that was close to the heels of her boots at all times.

Finally, Yang stopped and crouched down, adjusting the way her new bag slung off of her shoulder. ] Look, pup. You're cute and all, and I've love to play with you, but I don't really have time for it right now. Okay? You feel me?

[ It certainly seemed to be listening, though talking to an animal and expecting it to comprehend everything she said wasn't what Yang expected at all. She was more just vocalizing her frustrations to the closest living soul.

She sighed, a thick cloud of steam in the chill winter air. ] I don't even have any treats for you. At least, I don't think I do... [ Yang thought about it a minute. There had been supplies, but nothing you should feed a dog.

Then Yang withdrew her hand from within the travel bag holding onto small red-and-white sphere. ] Hmm, actually. I never tried to open this. Looks like one of those surprise egg toy prizes. I wonder what's inside...

[ The Growlithe made a gruff, curious sound, and leaned in a bit to sniff at the ball. Yang tapped the button on it front and made as if to show the puppy the contents first. The ball grew in her hand, which surprised her and caused her to drop it. It popped open with a sound and then, after a flash of light, the dog was just... gone! Sucked right into the ball by some kind of strange energy.

Yang did not take that well. ] WHOA! What the— [ That was. Not supposed to happen. Yang's eyes were wide and she rose her feet. Time to panic! ] Ohmygod! WhatdidIdo? DidIkillit? Ididn't—! Ahh crap!!! [ She bent down to pick up the ball once more, turning it this way and that. Does she dare open it? Can someone close to her explain what just happened?!? HELP! ]

[ Audio : Open ]
[ Yang sounded much calmer when she finally made her general broadcast. It was said that this would be a good way to reach out to anyone here whether they were new like her, well informed as to how this place worked, or (hopefully) familiar voice from home. ]

Uhh, I was told I should probably introduce myself here over this network, but it feels kind of weird to do that. Not like I expect anyone to know who I am. But... [ A pause, there is some growling in the background. Eh. Here goes nothing? ]

I'm Yang Xiao Long. If the words "Remnant", "Beacon Academy", or "Vytal Festival" mean anything to you, call me back right away. It's kind of urgent.

If you're the one that brought me here, well, thanks for not letting me get to enjoy my victory first? Niiiice timing! [ A grumble. ] Jerks.

[ Yang sighed quietly. She's usually much better with people, but it's hard to feel up to making new friends right off the bat when freshly displaced. Give her a minute. She'll come around. ]

Otherwise, uh .... hi, I guess? Someone talk to me. I don't even know if I did this right.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's been a day or so on the trails and Ashley is- ...it's been- ...look the less said the better, she just figures she should keep an eye on this broadcast feed or whatnot. How surprising to hear of another girl that's arrived, do people just keep being abducted here daily? ~~How's the population handle that~~]

I, uh, think I heard... Some girls who showed up the same day as me, they mentioned Beacon and Remnant...but you probably've already talked to them if, that's the case. And, hopefully gotten some...questions answered. This is ah, very new so?

You...seem to have a handle on the whole abducted vlog thingy, though?

Heh. Super new, yeah. [ It's funny? Or at least, Yang's trying to keep herself in high spirits. Having talked to the others helped. Knowing they were in easy reach despite being separated earlier helped even more. ]

Thanks for letting me know. I'll have to catch up with them soon.

Good. Yeah, I'm...glad some people are meeting up with friends from home. [Okay she sounds more subdued than glad, but there's a tinge of it in there!

None of the envy that she's currently trying to squash, at least.]

I just got here too, it's all really confusing.

[ No one could fault her. Were positions reversed, Yang would be more than a little jealous too. Missing people can do that. ]

Are you still in that first town — I mean, I'm getting the impression this is where everyone comes in. It's creepy but at least a common starting point makes it easy to find anyone if they do come in. [ Unless they go and get their friend's friend to teleport them. That's just cheating. ]

You...mean New Bark? Nooo, I'm.... [A heavy sigh.] I'm...camping. On Route 29. Few days of walking until the next city. Gotta get to a nice warm bed somehow. [Someone get her a cheat code please.]

You actually went out there? Are you by yourself? [ Look nothing against whatever kind of person this girl is, but it's just a habit to be concerned about anyone leaving the relative safety of civilization under any circumstances. ]

Yes... I mean, besides my little...candle, her name's Agatha. And two people sent their much stronger Pokémon tooo...watch over me, I guess? [Another person might take offense to the concern, but no, Ashley is fully aware of the person she is and her limitations and yeah this is not ideal.] I didn't want to, but I just wanted to get somewhere where I could get a room to stay in.

[ Hearing that keeps Yang from feeling as guilty about hitching a ride to a place that would have taken her a week or more to get to. But only somewhat. ]

Huh. Okay. Too bad I didn't get here sooner. Escorting travelers is just part of the job. Especially through dangerous wooded territories. [ A beat. ] It was nice of those others to give you some support.

It really was... [...She thinks one of the Pokémon tagged along because he was guilty about making her cry but. You know. She'll still take it.] Still kind of surprised they did, but I'm not arguing it.

So you...work as an escort?

[wait]

Imeantosay- you protect people, that sounds like- a, uh, dangerous job.

[ The phrasing and subsequent recovery amused Yang. The girl on the other end of the line can probably practically hear that grin. ] Heh! It's fine. I knew what you meant.

And, yeah. It can be. But danger's practically my middle name. [ It's not. She said as much, earlier. ]

[Gentle embarrassment, pushed down slowly.....]

Yang Danger...Xiao Long. [Bit of a tongue-trip but we got through that okay.] Ha.

So what do you really do? You don't sound old en- [...] You know, never mind, I've made that mistake three times so far so I'm just not going to assume age or anything. I mean, are you like, a bodyguard?

Yeah, there you go! [ Okay, Yang likes this girl. Going along with her jokes is a one-way ticket to her good graces. All fumbling is easily forgiven. ]

I'm a Huntress. [ She pauses only for some sign of recognition. If this girl talked to the others, she's probably already heard the term, but if not— ] In training still, but my team has its share of field experience. Enough to handle a hiking trip for sure.

[Jokes and puns are a constant in her life, going along with them makes things seem normal. ...Bad jokes are an instant way to endear Ashley, in other words.]

Huntress... I...heard a little about that? Not a bunch, but- you protect cities and people, from...some kind of monsters? Sounds like something from, oh...a book or a video game.

[ >Implying Yang's jokes are ever anything less than good and perfect.

~~She's not wrong.~~ ]

Yep, that'd be the Grimm. [ Yang made a thoughtful noise. ] Funny you should say that, because I was talking to someone else earlier that said this place was like being in a video game. I mostly played fighting games myself, so I can't say for sure, but so far no one's challenged me to a one-on-one match. [ Just wait until she makes eye contact with the wrong person. ]

Right, Grimm...

[A soft, humorless laugh from Ashley.] Yeah, you know, I've actually heard of these as games. My friends used to play them, big Pokémon version this and that. Kind of kicking myself for not playing much now.

They really are nothing like traditional fighting games, at least that I've seen or played. More RPG and...raising sims? I think that's the right word for it.

Whatever the case, it's...really brave to go out and face monsters, voluntarily.

It's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it. Might as well be someone that gets a rise out of kicking monster butt, right? [ Yang says it easily, but there's only half the truth in that. Too bad though; one must be at least a Level 4 Friend to unlock her tragic backstory.

...though now that she has that thought, in passing, she realizes that this puts her plans to find her mother on indefinite hold. Great.

She's silent a long moment before getting back to the topic at hand. Games. Right. ]

If you've heard of this stuff before, you got any insider tips for a fresh face?

[Ashley wants to say that there should be no way anyone could do that- get a rise out of it, fighting for your life, risking it like that in front of horrible monsters, things that would kill and eat you in a heartbeat.

But. She isn't looking to talk about that. And she doesn't think Yang would appreciate someone telling her something like that. So instead.]

Um, well... I've never really played those games hardcore...and not being able to see your Pokémon's stats really makes things difficult, but you can scan them, with your 'Gear, to see the level? I think...training as well as friendliness is important. Some Pokémon or moves just work better if they like you better.

...At least, that's what I think I remember, like I said I never really got into these. Beyond that, um...watch what it's not best at? Like, speed, or defense- or type ohhh, right, like fire doesn't match against water well.

[A light snort.] And knowing how RPGs work, there're probably...side-quests...

[ As the girl is talking, Yang starts to fiddle around with her 'Gear some more. It takes her a few moments to get to the relevant screen, but at least her Growlithe is still long enough to allow itself to be scanned.

Yang's quiet laugh tapered off into an awkward sound. ] Hahahaaaaah, wow. That's, uh. A lot of information.

[ Gently closing that window now. ] Is that, like, going to be required from me? I'm not sure this is really my style. But if I've got no choice I might as well learn.

Kind of overwhelming, isn't it? I think that's why I could never get into the games, all the...numbers and stats, not enough story. [...] Joke's on me now, huh.

Anyway, you don't really have to do...everything? Or anything, I suppose. Hell, I'm just doing what I have to, but...if you want to play along with the game.

Heh. It is kind of funny, but you still have a leg up on some of us. Like me.

But who knows? Maybe I could get into it after all. Sounds like what people are saying is I should plan on being here a while. It'd... be something to do. [ Yang would probably die of boredom otherwise. There's only so much personal training she can fill in the time with, and the same goes for sightseeing. ]

A leg up...? [Maybe she might. That's kind of weird. Thanks, Chris and Josh.]

...That's kind of how I look at it. I won't be real happy about this but if it strikes me...

Yeah, same. [ A chuckle. ] I mean I still need to get back, and I won't get there if I stay in one spot. Sounds like this world is one I've got to check out on my own if I'm going to get a single clue as to how to get out.

[ Yang is nothing if not determined. ]

Clues.

[Ashley perks up. Oh. Ohhhh.]

That's right, there probably are aren't there? How we got here, how we can leave...it's all a regular mystery.

[When life is horrible, let's channel everything into understanding the unknown, that's how she works.]

Yeah! If this really is a game like you said, then it has rules. One of those has to involve "beating" it. Maybe... maybe that's how we get out of here. [ It's as good of a thing to hope for as anything, by video game logic. ]

...Someone's probably bound to have tried that...

[But by the tone of her voice, it doesn't sound like she's willing to give up.]

[Audio]

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