First 👻 Story [Video/Action for New Bark]

[hashtagafreakingghost]

[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.]

Comments

[hashtagafreakingghost]

What? Are you saying you can't age?

[crimsonchin]

That's exactly what I'm saying, yes.

[hashtagafreakingghost]

Holy shit. You literally look...and sound half your age. That's totally crazy.

-But I believe you, of course! Um, Captain.

[crimsonchin]

I've grown used to it. It's not all bad, honestly. I tend to have more important things to worry about.

That said, not like I have much reason to lie about something like that.

[hashtagafreakingghost]

I wouldn't think so, not when you're just...snatched into another place, a whole other world, and... Just, wow. I...your life sounds like it sure is something else, um...

Should I just...keep calling you Captain?

[crimsonchin]

[ Hm, that's a good question, actually... ]

Well, while I'm here, I suppose it's not as though I'm Captain of anything. So I suppose you can just call me by my name.

It's Asuka Langley Shikinami.

[hashtagafreakingghost]

As...uka. Asuka. [A bit too much on the s but she's got an okay pronunciation.] Easier than um...Ts- Tsuk-- ...I'm gonna need to practice that.

Oh, um- right, I'm Ashley. Ashley Williams.

[crimsonchin]

Just break it down. Japanese isn't too hard phonetically, once you learn how to separate all the parts of the words. Ah-soo-kuh. Shi-key-nah-me.

Writing it's a different story. I always thought that kanji was a fucking bitch to learn, if you don't know it from childhood. There are literally thousands of those damn characters...

[hashtagafreakingghost]

Over a thousand? My God that's so many. Too many, I... I'd be so bad at it, I've only ever taken Latin. [nerd]

[crimsonchin]

Latin? The dead language? What use do you have for that?

[hashtagafreakingghost]

It just interested me. It's good for learning...root words and oh...research, all of that.

[crimsonchin]

You some kind of linguist, then?

[hashtagafreakingghost]

Um, no, not really- a writer.

[crimsonchin]

Ah. Well, if nothing else, as long as you're here you have more than enough material to write good fiction.

[hashtagafreakingghost]

I guess so...but I'll forget it all as soon as I'm back home.

[crimsonchin]

Huh, is that right...that's news to me, actually.

[ Huh. So then... ]

This is a waste of time.

[hashtagafreakingghost]

Iii mean as far as I know? That's what everyone's been telling me- and they obviously only have it from people who've been dragged here, get to go back home, and then get dragged back here again. S-so...maybe not?

I got nothing.

[crimsonchin]

Yeah. I'm not one who just goes with whatever kind of bullshit thrown at me if I can help it, but, in this case, it seems like I don't exactly have much of a goddamn choice. Really now, though...

[hashtagafreakingghost]

I've had enough of all of this, but as long as I can get to somewhere with a nice warm bed...

[crimsonchin]

Best get moving, then. Apparently, the closest place with a spare bed is three days away. Not that roughing it is the worst thing in the world.

[hashtagafreakingghost]

Ha. No. It's not. Just freakin' not welcome.

[crimsonchin]

Well, I've heard there are flying creatures here that will get you to places far faster, if you can get your hands on one of those first.

[hashtagafreakingghost]

Flying? Oh. I'll have to look into that. Find something with wings. Thanks, ah, for the advice.

[crimsonchin]

Just relaying information. Though it sounds reliable enough, so, it is what it is. I'm not typically the trusting type, but it's not as though anyone would have any reason to lie about that, so, I'm inclined to take it at face value.

[There's a bit of a grumble from the other end of the Gear...]

I've been told to find something that swims as well, for what it's worth.

[hashtagafreakingghost]

A bird and a fish. I...'ll write that down, make a note of it.

[...]

As- uh, as long as no one's trying to...I don't know, mislead us in a dangerous way, I'll... Anything to be able to get around easier. Until I can go home.