bywiseguidance | OLD: first [video]

OLD: first [video]

[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.]

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[Have some veiled concern; this woman doesn't look like the pity-accepting type.]

It's a common experience, yes. Something to--bond over, perhaps.

I take it you've got someone to help you?

[Good eye there, Youji. She'll kick you in the face if you try and pity her. She's cautious though--nothing against you, she's just on her own (for now) in an unfamiliar place.]

Perhaps.

I do, yes.

That's a relief.

[What's a nice, subtle way to help this girl? Subtle isn't Youji typical MO but it seems called for here.]

You know, have you checked the bag with you? It should have snacks in it, a sleeping bag, soap... Guidebooks, too. Might help pass the time.

[She looks worn through--and her clothes rather more so. Maybe that wasn't exactly subtle, but hey.]

[Observant one, aren't you? Ziva's eyebrow goes up--she sees what you're at, but she appreciates the attempt to go on the down-low about it. As it were. She wouldn't use that expression herself, but.]

No, I have not. Thank you, that is helpful.

[She'll look later.]

Well, helpful is all any of us really can be, you know. It would take a very sorry person to not be helpful when you know everyone's just randomly woken up in Johto with a small monster to take care of.

Johto is the name of this place, yes?

[She hasn't quite gotten that far yet, though from her conversation with Abby she figures 'monster' is whatever's in the ball.]

Apparently. I suppose 'Hell' was already taken.

That is a little overdramatic, don't you think?

[She smiles slightly.]

I do not believe in Hell, myself.

Or a little overly sarcastic. But I can refrain, if you'd rather.

[His tone of voice can only be described as GALLANT.]

Really, you don't? I'd like to borrow that for a couple of my friends. Might get them to loosen up.

Do not put yourself up on my account.

['Out,' Ziva. It's 'out.']

In my faith, there is no hell.

[There's enough of that on Earth, no need for it in the afterlife either.]

[Youji smiles slightly.]

You ask a certain someone that I know, and hell seems to be all there is to faith. Still mostly ignorant of the particulars, but I think you're going the wiser route.

A loving creator would not abide by the concept.

[That's all there is to that.]

So that is the wiser route in regards to the soul, perhaps. But that is not our concern at the moment, is it?

No, likely it isn't.

What are your main concerns at the moment? Anything I can do to ease them would be more than my pleasure.

As to where I am in relation to any familiar area--that seems to have been answered by the fact that we are in some other world. Having to walk any great distance without shoes will with any luck be answered by the contents of this bag you so helpfully pointed out. I am assuming if there was anyone here who meant harm, they would have already made themselves known or I would have been told about them.

Anything else will come as it may.

Well, there is a group called "Team Rocket" that attempts harm, but I've never seen any permanent effects.

[He shrugs slightly.]

Some other world that seems to have ties to a video game that was popular in my country. I think the standardized opening scene has something to do with that, in retrospect. But if ever speculation was baseless, mine was just now.

Well, my bag did come with shoes.

[And a fedora and longcoat, which Youji did not fanboy over. No sir.]

Things tend to come in a straight line here, at least at first. The path between where you are and the next city is fairly self-explanatory, though it'll probably require a couple of days.

[Then they aren't much of a threat.

Ziva nods in understanding--mentally adding a couple more days to the tally for travel time. She's not sure what her condition is, at the moment.]

A video game. [She's never played one. Oh well, that's not important.]

Is there a water source between the towns?

[This is a valid concern. Ziva's from the desert, and the first rule of survival she ever learned--make sure you have access to water.]

Not that I noticed when I passed through, but it was snowing at the time. Think there was water in the pack, though.

[Winning smile. Hi.]

The video game aspect results in the occasional lapse in the making of sense. Tried to jump over a hedge on my way to Cherrygrove and couldn't, but I could do it fine when I was heading the other way.

[She nods.]

That is strange.

[Physics, what are you.]

Your mastery of understatement is fantastic, if you weren't aware.

[Here, have a reward for such fantastic understatement.]

I'm Youji. Wish the circumstances were more to your liking, but I'm glad to meet you.

I will take that as a compliment.

[Aw, thanks.]

Ziva. And as far as circumstances go, I have been in worse.

[Youji can give better compliments than that! He now has a mission to do so.]

It's certainly meant in the spirit of one. While I'm not relieved to hear you say you've been worse, I am glad you're reasonably okay now.

[Might as well jump out on this limb...]

Anything else I can do for you? Questions I can answer, time I can help kill...

[GIVE HIM MORE REASON TO TALK TO YOU :(]

[Oh you. Ziva sees what your game is.]

What exactly is it we are expected to do here?

[Youji rolls his eyes heavenward, just to demonstrate his annoyance at the concept.]

To be the very best, like no one ever was.

[...wat.]

...that makes absolutely no sense.

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.]

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