hashtagafreakingghost | First 👻 Story [Video/Action for New Bark]

[VIDEO]

--on't want to, oh my--

[Hello, there, world! You know how a camera looks when two people are fighting over it? ...Or, well, one person and one blob-like candle-thing, in this case. Point is, you do now; the lens is covered in little waxy marks, leaving the girl it's now focused on- the girl who keeps trying to snatch it back from the surprisingly nimble candle- in a light haze. Through the viewpoint, at least, emotionally she appears rather annoyed and frustrated.

Probably because of that Litwick urging her to do an impromptu vlog, huh.

Ashley's kneeling on the ground, her backpack open on her lap and her Trainer's Handbook gripped firmly - open, looks about halfway done - in on hand, as the other keeps swiping at the camera.]

Please give that back to me, you little-- [The angle evens out and Ashley's eyes go wide. Deer, headlights, hello.] It's on. Isn't it? [Bobbing, up and down.] Oh.

[Well. Let's just- ...keep staring straight ahead, okay, good job. A+ kid, gold star. Stage fright?]

I, um. Uh... Is...it broadcasting...? [Dumb question. ] Okay. I...uh- I'm not- ...this isn't anywhere near Canada, is it? Because. I read the- this. [She holds up the manual, a little dismally. Her tone of voice is frazzled, a little weak and helpless.] I know, it said um...New Bark Town, Johto? B- but...I'm just trying to figure out how I...got here. B-because no one's really...been forthcoming about that.

[Maybe she should broach this question carefully-]

And I really really would like to be sure if I'm going crazy or not, because there's a- a candle filming me, and I do not have blood on me and that is not at all what I remember, and I should get back t-to the ranger station because they might still need to- ask me questions- about...

[OH OKAY WOW NEVER MIND THEN

Ashley trails off as it seems her brain catches up with her mouth and oh boy that sure is something to say uh. She pales considerably.]

I- swear that's not what it- I- haven't um- killed...anyone...or...

[Either Litwick is going in for a dramatic close-up or actually wants to see if she's alright (jury's out on which one frankly) because the view of Ashley gets ever-so-slightly bigger- and when it's close enough she reaches out in one fluid motion and snaps it up with one more quick, muttered whimper:]

Sorry, bye.

[So. That's that, then.]

[ACTION FOR NEW BARK]

[If you happen to be around New Bark, you might find Ashley just kind of kneeling on the ground, around the houses, with her Litwick bouncing impatiently next to her. It doesn't look like she's in the mood to leave, not just yet, or. Even stand, really, she hasn't had a great time, lately.

...Though at some point she has decided to get herself up off the ground, because she's really had it with being all crouched in the snow and it KEEPS HAPPENING. Really she's so exhausted after the last...what, twelve hours? Thirteen? She'd kind of lost track, with all the bustling, questioning, waiting. Last she remembers, had...she finally fallen asleep? Waiting for the others to be done, the rhythmic ceiling fan, the distant sounds of the others being interviewed, the dim awareness of Emily glaring daggers at her every few minutes, the feeling of her cheek against Chris' shoulder...

She has to walk. To do something. Litwick trails along with her, pointing toward the trail, but Ashley ignores her insistent taps and pokes. She leaves a trail of footprints, occasionally rubbing her eyes with one hand, looking...rather exhausted, honestly.

There's nothing to do but read the handbook, so she finds a little bench and opens it and browses...and the PokéGear, at some point, she just kind of. Ran from that. Not her finest hour.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Well.

Well then.]

...No, I don't think this place's anywhere near Canada. You all right, kid?

[You thought it would be Dave, but it was I, Agent York!!]

[Sorry in advance York.

When Ashley answers, she's sitting on a bench and actually holding her PokéGear instead of serving as the subject of a little candle's first film. Looks like her chin's resting on her knees, and it's a bit easier to see that she's been...well, crying, up close.]

N-no. I mean- that's a pretty broad question.

[GASP, A DIFFERENT BLONDE]

Yeah, I can see that now. Whatever was happening, you're at least safe where you are now, all right? You've got a chance to collect yourself and breathe, and your little candle friend's there to take care of you. Okay?

[Direct her attention to a third party so she doesn't keep freaking out about whatever she just came from. What is with this place and traumatized teenagers?]

What's your name? You can call me York.

My...friends... [The little misdirect does work, though. She glances at Litwick, who pats her with- ...hands? Those are supposedly hands.]

Um. Ashley. I'm Ashley.

Ashley. That's a nice name. So you live in Canada?

No. But I was visiting. For a weekend, a getaway, but-- [She sighs.] What's the point? No one'll believe me anyway.

...Something went bad, right? That's easy enough to tell just looking at you, you know. You said something about your friends...?

...They're getting interviewed. A few of them. I got finished first, they started with me because- ...I don't know. I don't know why they picked me first.

[She'd been crying. Maybe that was it. Get it over with.]

Okay. So it sounds like at least they're all safe, then, yeah?

[If they're in a position to be interviewed, they can't still be in immediate danger. So that's a good sign, at least.]

Most of them.

[Muttered, looking down, away, anywhere else.]

[Oooh, um, well. Yup. Yyyyyeeeup, he fucked up.]

Sorry to hear that.

[A moment of silence.]

Hey, do you need anything, right now? I can't travel that fast myself, but I can send some food and blankets till you find somewhere to stay.

What? I...

[The old saying is always don't accept gifts from strangers, but she's not a little kid anymore- and hell, it. really is cold, right about now.]

...wouldn't mind that. But- what, are they just...going to be air-mailed to the town with the guy on repeat and confused "Mom?"

Y'know, basically? I was gonna send 'em with Massena. She's sort of a big fire bird, I think she can carry more than the local Pidgey post.

[And WHAT is the average velocity of an unladen Spearow?]

She might look a little fierce, but she's a real sweetheart. Likes to take care of people. I can ask her to stick close until you reach civilization if you want.

A bird on fire?

[No, Ash, a fire bird, get the order right.]

That's so so nice of you, to offer, but- ...why?

Hey, 'Sena, can you come--mm?

[He turns back to the feed with a briefly bemused expression, then smiles as kindly as he can.]

Well, you could maybe chalk it up to Southern hospitality, but, honestly...I was a soldier. I guess wanting to save the world never really changes.

[A hawkish orange head pops up by York's elbow, alert and curious, and York smooths the feathers between her eyes. She closes her eyes and makes a pleased birdy sound.

Talonflames are nearly four feet tall, did you know?]

This is Massena. She's a Talonflame.

[When it's time to meet a bird the size of a child, finding anything else to comment on becomes a difficult feat.

As one, Ashley and Litwick quietly gape, the former because she's never thought she'd see a bird this big and the latter because- well, the little flame might have some evolution-envy.

The human of the pair just breathes out:] Wow. She's really big. Is she standing?

Yup. She's around four feet, I think? I'm five eleven, so.

[He scratches her eye ridges one more time and then angles the PokéGear so the girls can get a better look at one another.]

'Sena, this is Ashley. She's back in New Bark Town, d'you mind bringing her some stuff for the cold?

[Massena looks at Ashley with one yellow-rimmed eye, then makes a pleased, trilling noise, a toned-down version of her usual fierce cry.]

Edited (Look the single T was an important edit don't judge me) 2016-02-08 17:01 (UTC)

[And she fell in love instantly.

By that I mean she starts softly cooing.] Aww, hey there, girl. You're such a pretty bird, you know that?

[A waxy bump against her arm reminds her there's already a fire-type Pokémon here for her to baby. Don't get too jealous, Litwick!]

Don't burn me now, jeez- [Attention turns back to York and Massena.] ...I'll wait here 'til she arrives? I...how do I get her back to you?

[That Litwick is so cute, York's gotta look into getting himself one of those.

Massena looks flattered at the attention and closes her eyes demurely, tilts her head into York's hand for more pets to go with Ashley's kind words. York chuckles and obliges.]

'Sena's a big girl, she'll find her way home when the job's done. Fair warning, though: She's a natural worrier, so she might stick around to fuss over you longer than you expect. She's sort of the team mom, if you know what that's like.

[Team mom?

Like Sam, of course, staring down that horrible monster to make sure all of them got out safe, risking death and intensive burns just to save the rest of them...

The tiniest of smiles crosses her face.]

I think I'm familiar.

I'll wait 'til she shows up and um...set off, then. See if I can't get to a place with an actual bed ASAP. ...Thank you, York.

You're welcome, kid. Stay in touch, okay? I'll get to putting that care package together for you a-sap.

[Massena hops a little closer to the screen and gives another encouraging cry. She'll be there on the double, child! You can count on her.]

First 👻 Story [Video/Action for New Bark]

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