OLD: first [video]

[bywiseguidance]

[The video feed snaps on after a bit of experimentation, showing a woman sitting with her back firmly to the wall of one of the New Bark houses. She looks exhausted, worn, her hair a tangled mess--not injured, though the way she's looking around warily gives the impression that she definitely wasn't expecting that. Her clothing is torn and stained, but actually clean--she wasn't expecting that either. When she speaks, it's with an accent: Middle Eastern sounding, almost, and she sounds as tired as she looks.]

If this is some kind of trick...

[She may be tired, but there is a bit of bite to her voice--as if she can make good on the implied threat if pressed to.]

I do not take well to deception. Or to being moved without my knowledge to an unknown location.

[There's been enough of that lately, though she's not going to go further into it--and honestly, this is a lot better than where she was. But she's too practiced in keeping all information to herself that may give the upper hand (or show weakness) in any situation.]

That woman is not my mother. If she has told so many that, it would seem that at least we have so much in common.

[Her eyes slip closed for a moment, gathering thoughts and wondering how much she can afford to give away.]

Abby...if you are truly here...I would like to speak with you, please.

[She's unsure of how that will go over--since she stayed in Israel without so much as a goodbye.]

Comments

[coolest-cat.livejournal.com]

I did tell you it was a video game.

[But he smiles and takes pity.]

The goal, apparently, is to take your monster and use it to fight other monsters. Whoever has the strongest monsters... well, I don't know what the grand prize is, but we're supposed to care about it.

[he shrugs again.]

[bywiseguidance.livejournal.com]

I have never played a video game.

[shrug. It wasn't exactly part of her childhood.]

So it is a pointless diversion involving setting mutant animals on each other with the end goal of obtaining something, but no one knows what.

It still makes no sense.

[coolest-cat.livejournal.com]

[he nods, exactly.]

Welcome to the world of Pokemon. You understand it about as well as I do, at this point. Congratulations.

[bywiseguidance.livejournal.com]

[NO. SENSE.]

[She's just going to...sit over here in her 'I like the world to make sense' corner for a bit.

...there might be some off-screen growling.]

[coolest-cat.livejournal.com]

[And before Youji can effect a subject change--or a dinner invitation--MOMOE APPEARS. In your view. And hisses.]

[bywiseguidance.livejournal.com]

[Well, the showdown of protective Pokemon has commenced, it seems.

A wild Ari appeared! Ari used Leer! And Growl, but Houndour doesn't learn that.]

Ari!

[Don't make your trainer smack you. :|]

[coolest-cat.livejournal.com]

[AHAHAHA Glameow does learn Growl. SO HAVE AT THEE.

...Youji, meanwhile, just looks bored.]

Not the way to make friends, Momoe.

[bywiseguidance.livejournal.com]

[Ziva frowns and smacks Ari on top of the head with his Pokeball--he vanishes in a confused 'Aroo?' and a burst of red light.]

[coolest-cat.livejournal.com]

[Youji lifts an eyebrow at Momoe, who claws his leg delicately before flouncing off to relate her adventures to Fi.

YEAH JUST TRY THAT ON ME, BUDDY.

Youji winces, before giving Ziva a pained smile.]

Not taking any nonsense, are you? Wish I could have laid down the law so firmly.

[But he can't, so he's whipped.]

[bywiseguidance.livejournal.com]

I have had enough of his attitude.

[Ziva's first priority: Whip that Houndour into shape. He'll be a respectable member of society before they hit Cherrygrove.]

[coolest-cat.livejournal.com]

At least his attitude is spent in a worthy pursuit.

[widewidewide grin.]

[bywiseguidance.livejournal.com]

And a misguided one. I can take care of myself.

[coolest-cat.livejournal.com]

Of course. But there's no shame in a backup plan.

[bywiseguidance.livejournal.com]

[But at least she knows her own strength and will stop shy of killing someone.]

Is it that dangerous here?

[coolest-cat.livejournal.com]

Well, my friend had his soul stolen once.

[bywiseguidance.livejournal.com]

[blink. you have her attention.]

What?

[coolest-cat.livejournal.com]

He looked at the back of some bug and that was it. Soul was gone, his body stayed under for a week.

[bywiseguidance.livejournal.com]

[Okay with the general feeling on souls in Jewish faith, this is incredibly disturbing to her. And she kinda looks it.]

[coolest-cat.livejournal.com]

[can I get an 'oh crap' in here?]

But it only happened the one time, and we've never seen anything like it, before or since. Really. And he was fine in the end. He's running errands for me right now, in fact.

[bywiseguidance.livejournal.com]

[Ken says no he is not. :|]

Do such things occur often?

[coolest-cat.livejournal.com]

[Have a deliberate misunderstanding, complete with jolly laugh AT NO EXTRA CHARGE]

Oh yes, he's a good friend. Very helpful, always willing to do what I asked like that.

[bywiseguidance.livejournal.com]

That is not what I meant.