( Étude No. 1 ) Video/Action for New Bark

[melodlies]

[When the feed begins, the image is a bit blurry and shaky as the Igglybuff holding it can barely stand still, it's just too heavy. It's pretty amazing that she hasn't dropped it yet, actually. The image may be far from perfect but there's definitely nothing wrong with audio:]

Open the door! It's so unfair!! And you're calling yourself a mother?!

[Is she's going to hold a grudge on this "mom" person for not letting her eat breakfast? Yes.

Then, Igglybuff cries out, trying to get the yelling girl's attention, but with no luck. However, the Pokémon finally finds a way to steady the image a little by putting the Pokégear on the ground, while she holds its both sides. The image finally becomes more focused; there's a girl standing in front of the door...and she's about to kick them when Igglybuff squeaks once again, louder this time. Only then she gives Igglybuff her attention.]

Is something wrong? H-Hey, when did you turn that on?

[She leaps forward to cover the camera with both of her hands. What an introduction. After clearing her throat twice, she pulls her hands away and flashes a grin.]

Umm...sorry about that? Anyway! I'm Kaori Miyazono, I've just arrived here...and I'm not sure what to do? All I know is that I'm supposed to go on an adventure!

[It seems like she has already accepted the situation she found herself in...]

Comments

action;

[crimsonchin]

You seem to be taking this better than most...

[ Honestly...if her main concern is getting breakfast, this girl must either not have her priorities straight, or she's just plain carefree. ]

Did you leave something in there? Personally, I wouldn't mind going back in to give her a good punch to the face myself.

[ Seriously, for her to say something so goddamn insensitive...her blood is starting to bubble up to a rolling boil all over again. Asuka's good at not letting her emotions break through her facade of apathy, but she can't help but clench her hands into fists with rage...whether it's rage towards her so-called "mother" or towards the whole situation or something else entirely is anyone's guess, though. ]

action;

[melodlies]

[Excuse you, good nutrition is very important for a growing girl. And breakfast is the most important meal of the day as well.]

No, I think she gave me everything I need. Well, almost everything...

[She hasn't anything of her own when she arrived in the first place, so it's not like it would be possible to leave anything. As she answers Asuka, Kaori takes a look around the backpack and discovers that there's a boxed lunch inside.]

Oh, she's not THAT bad as I thought. A punch to the face? That's harsh...

[This is said by the girl who wanted to kick the door just a while ago, not to mention her deeds back at home.]

So...you've just arrived here too, right?

[crimsonchin]

That's right. I just left not too long ago, myself. Still trying to figure out my way around this place...But harsh as a punch may be, someone claiming to be my mother certainly deserves it.

[ Looks like it's a sore spot. She huffs, lost in a reverie of rage, but she seems to come back to reality when Happiny bumps into her leg, and she looks down at it with a bit of a glare... ]

Oh, what now...I already told you, I'm not picking you up. If you want to say hi to your pink friend up there, you're going to have to figure out a way to do it yourself.

[ Looks like Happiny wants to say hi to Igglybuff a bit, but instead, it just pouts when it hears Asuka won't pick her up...Asuka just shakes her head and looks back up at Kaori, shrugging apologetically. ]

Is yours as needy as mine is? I swear...

[melodlies]

[Kaori would certainly give Asuka a lecture about how she should respect her mother and irritate her even more, but then she notices Happiny and immediately scoops it up, holding two Pokémon in her arms now.]

It's adorable! What a cutie...!

[There's no way she would pass on at least poking the ponytail thing on top of Happiny's head while Igglybuff just breathes in some air, looking a little offended.]

Needy? Maybe...I'm not sure, we've just met?

[Igglybuff may or may not be trying to capture Kaori's attention by wriggling a lot, though.]

[crimsonchin]

[ Ah, geez, Kaori, you're gonna spoil the damn thing...but at least Happiny looks really thrilled to be lifted up and hugged. It's been kind of in need of one of those for a while now, eager to be held for as long as possible (or, at least until Igglybuff gets her way). ]

Judging by how jealous it's getting, I'd say that it might be...

[ She grumbles. ]

I don't know who on Earth, or whatever this is, decided I needed such an affectionate creature to be all buddy-buddy with me, but...needless to say, it's a real pain in the ass. Not exactly like I've ever taken care of something like this...

[melodlies]

Jealous? You must be—

[No, Asuka isn't kidding. Igglybuff keeps breathing in more and more air, becoming rather bulky and slowly pushing the other Pokémon out. She can barely hold both of them.]

Igglybuff?! Stop doing this right now!

[If this keeps going, she's going to drop Happiny...and it doesn't look like Igglybuff is going to listen.]

[crimsonchin]

What the hell is it doing, inflating itself?

[ That's...certainly weird. It's blowing up like a balloon, and poor Happiny is starting to squirm a bit, with no space between Igglybuff and Kaori's arm... ]

Ugh, for the love of...

[ She grabs Happiny by the hair and yanks it away, just so it's not getting crushed any more than it has to be. And once she confirms that her Pokemon is alright... ]

Told you it was needy.

[video]

[captainash]

The first step would be choosing if you want to go west by land, or east by sea. You'll meet different Pokémon depending on your choice, and battle different Gyms if that's one of your goals.

[video]

[melodlies]

[Oh, someone actually answered...this device really is something else.]

I've never been on a cruise...but maybe I should see what awaits here...I can always come back, right?

[Thinking loudly, she's looking up at the sky, but it doesn't take long for her to turn her attention back to the screen.]

And which path did you choose?

[Kaori finally takes the Pokégear in her own hands and points the camera at Igglybuff.]

Battle? This one doesn't really look like she can fight—HEY?!

[That's one super effective pinch on the calf.]

[video]

[captainash]

Sure you can. And if you get the right type of Pokémon and teach it the right move, you can even fly back. But that'll take a while.

[He almost sighs at that. It's such a shame for newcomers.]

I walked west to Cherrygrove, and kept walking until I caught myself a pink ball that pinches just as hard as yours does. Surprising creatures, aren't they?

[video]

[melodlies]

F-Fly?! Tell me more! What should I do to be able to fly?!

[Well, Igglybuff indeed does look like a balloon but she's not sure if that would ever work.]

Cherrygrove? I think I might go there as well.

Oh, so it's natural for them to be so—no, don't pinch me again, it hurts!

[Just in case she picks Igglybuff up; with that done, at least her legs are safe.]

They are! What's your first Pokémon like?

[video]

[captainash]

First, you need a disk that can teach Pokémon the move Fly. Second, a Pokémon that can learn the move, usually some sort of bird. Potentially third, you need a badge you can earn by battling the strongest trainer in Violet City, if you happen to be a trainer instead of a breeder. It takes a while, unless you manage to buy an egg that'll know Fly upon hatching.

[Yes, he's quite aware that this'll just lead to more questions. He's ready.]

I had a Houndour. They're little hellhound puppies that can breathe fire, and their fangs would make you glad you're just getting pinched. Very loyal and friendly, though.

[video]

[melodlies]

[Listening carefully, she tries to remember it all at once...it's confusing a little, but she manages somehow.]

Let me go through that again. I need the disc with Fly, a Pokémon that looks like a bird and a badge. Or an egg...wait, an egg?! They can have babies...?!

[Gasp, that's shocking...]

A puppy that can breathe fire...that's awesome! I wonder what else they can do!

( text )

[blazeit]

- walk around from town to town
- train your Pokémon to protect you from wild Pokémon attacking you
- participate in something like institutionalized dogfighting, for prizes and glory
- make Pokémon babies

That's about the gist of what I've gotten for the usual options so far.

[ That's

one way to look at the world of Pokémon... ]

( text )

[melodlies]

- okay, why not
- what if I can protect myself just fine?
- that's SICK
- w h a t

Seriously, what. What were you doing to those poor Pokémon...

[No one can say it's not accurate, though...]

[blazeit]

- it's actually pretty scenic so it's not bad
- they breathe fire and stuff
- Look, I didn't make the rules, I think that's kinda fucked up too? Idk.
- idk people breed them and I've tried to not think about it very hard

And I haven't done anything! Quilava is the best fuckin pampered Quilava in all of this place, I absolutely guarantee it.

[ Except how it doesn't have a name...... ]

[melodlies]

- this town looks rather normal, though? where are those scenic places?
- yeah right...now tell me that some can electrocute you, like I'm going to believe that...
- ok, ok...I'll probably have to fight someone sooner or later, I'll see how that work
- it's better to leave it at that

Is quilava your first pokémon then?? How do you take care of it?

[blazeit]

- the trails are pretty nice but I guess I like that kind of thing to begin with? So I might be biased...
- lmao ok, I won't then, don't cry when you get electrocuted by yellow mice


And yeah, he was here when I first woke up here, except he was smaller then. Mostly I just feed him and let him do his own thing and I guess that he likes?? fighting off wild Pokémon, so it all works out great bc he gets fed and I don't get mauled.

[melodlies]

- I'm still in the town but I guess I'll get to go soon so I'll see them for myself!
- Like that would ever happen...please...

[Of course it will.]

Mine doesn't look like suited for fighting though?? I bet my punches are stronger than hers...but maybe if I'll keep feeding her...

[Text]

[callbacks]

omg though
RIGHT????
about "mom" i mean
you know she packed me a sleeveless shirt for my only other outfit besides my pajamas
it was november
it snowed like the next week
who does that?????
also hey im dave sup

[Text]

[melodlies]

She did? That's just RUDE...!!
No scarf? Gloves? Hat? Anything?? Wow...
OH my "mom" didn't pack me any of those either, great!
If I'm going to freeze somewhere it'll be all HER fault.
Loving parent, yeah right. NO WAIT I JUST FOUND SOMETHING TO EAT!
Hi Dave! Nice to meet...text you!

[Text]

[callbacks]

yeah nice to text you too
uh
before we continue our acquaintanceship though what did you just find to eat

[Text]

[melodlies]

A boxed lunch!
There's rice, some vegetables and meat and there's a yellow mouse-like thing made out of cheese on the top of it all, it looks really cute, too.
She did put some work into it, I guess...
...
STILL, mom wouldn't kick her child out!

[Text]

[callbacks]

oh ok as long as it wasnt a berry
i heard youre not supposed to eat those
the ones you find in the bushes on the road i mean

[Text]

[melodlies]

They're all poisonous or what? That's so unfair!
Don't tell me your "mom" gave you those...
(at this point I'll believe anything)