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

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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.]

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... Was it really that bad where you were?

[As perceptive as she can be, reading people is still... a whole different skill, so looking at Ashley huddling over as she does, Ruby doesn't really see the more subtle signs of distress. But she still doesn't look all that good, so...

She reaches up, unclipping her hooded cape from her shoulders, and holds it out to her.]

Here. I think you need this more than I do.

It was...

[There aren't words to quantify the experience she's had. How much she wants to shut everything off and close her eyes to sleep without...without those gaunt faces staring at her through the darkness or the sounds of saw-blades roaring in her ears.

...But um, what's this? Ashley blinks in surprise and hesitantly takes hold of the cape, unaware.]

I...am cold, but...aren't you, too?

Hey, at least this place seems safe enough, right? I mean... there's monsters, but they don't all seem that bad!

[Even if her cute little dog does kinda look like a Grimm...]

And I'm a little cold, yeah. But you look like you could use it more than me right now.

[And that's a super big thing, okay. Her cape is super important to her...!]

[Monsters. She shudders. Maybe Ruby'll just think it's from the cold.]

Well...thank you. I won't keep it for long, really.

[And around the shoulders it goes. Luckily they aren't...much different in terms of height, meaning the cape's a good fit.]

What's your name? Mine's Ashley.

Nice to meetcha, Ashley! My name is Ruby Rose.

[are you really surprised, with the whole red theme going on here??]

And don't worry about it, really!! I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, so it's no big deal. I'm just glad I can help a little.

[It is something she maybe caught on to, perhaps, just slightly.]

Ruby Rose? Fitting. [One failed attempt at a welcoming smile later.] ...This really is so nice of you, giving something to a complete stranger. Especially since- you're...new too, right?

["Back home," "this place" -- Ruby's been pretty clearly a new arrival, just like her.]

Mmhmm! Just woke up here today.

[She's a lot less bitter about it, now that she's had the chance to talk to enough people about how this place works.]

But just 'cause I'm in a new place doesn't mean I should stop trying to help people, right? That's my job, after all.

[Ashley starts a bit at that; what is it with this... She ventures very carefully, in case it's another situation like with Asuka.]

Your job? Aren't you a little, umm... I mean- is it a...part-time job, or...?

[#Nai...l...ed...I.....
no. no, it doesn't even deserve a hashtag.]

Nope! Being a Huntress - or, well, training to be one - is a full-time job!

[Ruby can't help but puff up a little as she talks. She takes pride in what she does, after all!]

I'm training to fight Grimm, and protect the people of my world!

[Two thoughts: hunting, like Josh's dad??
and
Sam would hate this.

...for an initial assessment, that is quickly overturned, 'cause this sure doesn't sound like going out to shoot Bambi's mom. Ashley takes a moment to turn it all over in her head before mentally saying fuck it.]

Whaaat are Grimm...? Do you mean, the feeling, or...what?

[Geez, at this rate, she's going to be surprised if there are people who DO know what Grimm are here...]

Nope. The Creatures of Grimm are soulless monsters that attack people and feed on bad emotions. [She is... way too calm, talking about this, but her voice still takes on a bit of a somber tone.] They're a huge danger in my world, and it's the job of Huntsmen and Huntresses to keep them from hurting everyone.

[Soulless monsters is about the point where Ashley tenses up, eyes wide. That cape's pulled ever-so-slightly tighter around her shoulders.]

A-and that's just a normal thing where you live, monsters running around and people h-have to-- [She shudders.] That sounds awful.

Hey, it's okay! The kingdoms - all the centers of human civilization - are all safe!

[They... they're really not. Vale's in the midst of a giant attack, but so many things led up to that... she's not gunna tell this poor girl that though. Ruby may not pick up on a lot, but she knows how to not make things worst most of the time.]

Sometimes Grimm get by, but... it's only really outside the cities that they're a danger.

So you...have to stay in a city all the time?

[Well. Considering what going outside of civilization has lead to lately she'd maybe take it...]

And you're training to... Wow. Wow, that's...a lot to put on a person's shoulders.

Well, you're usually okay if you're in a bigger village, or places where there would be a lot of Huntsmen and Huntresses. But out away from all that... that's where things get dangerous.

It's a lot, yeah, but... all I've ever wanted to do all my life is help people. My mom and dad were great Huntsmen, and I wanna follow in their footsteps.

Defending people from monsters, lifelong aspirations, a whole...world full of danger.

You sound like a hero. [Said a little in awe; if only she could be like that, that...selfless.]

[Ruby definitely blushes a little at that. Wow, so this is what all the Huntsmen and Huntresses she'd gush over feel like...?]

Well.. I'm still in training. I've fought Grimm before, and I've helped protect Vale, but... I'm not nearly as good as my dad or my uncle. [Her smile... doesn't quite fade, but it takes on a somewhat sad note.] Or my mom. She was the one I admired the most.

[She looks...less excited than before. Less animated. What is it that she...?

She was.]

...Are, um...are you okay...?

Huh?

[Oh. Whoops. Normally she can keep a lid on herself when it comes to her mom, but... maybe it's an aftereffect of how hurt she was over losing Penny, her grip on herself is just... slipping a little.]

Oh, I'm okay! Don't worry about it, it's just... y'know. Stuff happening a long time ago.

Oh. I, um, yeah.

[Ashley tries to offer a...comforting sort of smile.]

With all the hero stuff, focus on yourself too, okay? I know, hearing this from, uh, a stranger you just met, but... Take care of yourself, okay?

[That's how it works, right? Heroes overexert themselves- she's read enough fiction to know the tropes...and if anything's going to help her here, it seems, it's that.]

[Don't worry, Ash. Ruby... isn't quite over it, even after so long, but. She's okay now, mostly.]

Don't worry, I try! And... even if I don't, I have my whole team to look out for me too. My sister and two of my best friends are almost always with me.

You're put on teams? Oh. Oh, that's...better, much better.

[And it genuinely seems it; having someone to watch your back is kind of the ideal.]

They...aren't here now, are they? In this place?

Uh-huh! Everyone gets put into teams of four during orientation, and they last all through school and sometimes even after!

[It says a lot about Ruby that she can still stay smiling through all this. It's... hitting a lot of sore spots. But she'll keep on smiling!]

Yeah... we were separated before I was brought here. I don't know what's going on with them back home.

...Not knowing how they are must be... I wouldn't...

[How's this girl keep a smile on, consistently? Even when she looks a bit sad, or unhappy, or...

How can she keep on being strong like this?]

Your life sounds like a roller coaster, Ruby. Even with people to depend on, it's...it must be so much.

[When you lose your mother at a young age and your dad shuts down for a while after, you kinda get good at smiling away the pain. Even if that ability was put to the test right before coming here...]

I'm sure there's lots of other people that have it just as bad. Or worse, even!

[She's not gunna pretend that her life was worse than, say, Blake's. Or any faunus's, really...]

Besides, I can't really be a good Huntress if I keep focusing on only the bad things happening to me, right?

First 👻 Story [Video/Action for New Bark]

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WHEN YOU HAVE A TAG WRITTEN UP BUT FORGET TO HIT SEND BC YOU ARE TOO TIRED....

NO WORRIES BB

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