1st Wrench: A Fateful Trip [Action/Video]

[sparkofgenius]

Action, the Verdant Forest:

[Okay, so she'd taken a wrong turn on one of the paths. She had to have, because she should totally be back in Union by now! All she'd intended to do was poke her head out into the forest to get some basic reconnaissance and some preliminary training of Gato done. But without a map it was a bit easy to get lost in that sea of green. Especially for someone who'd never really been outside of Caldera before. Smart and competent she might be, but Lucca most definitely new to the whole exploring on her own.

That said, she's not exactly panicking if anyone happens to come across her. She seems perfectly calm, perfectly rational. And that's probably because she has yet to actually notice that she's gotten lost! She's casually inspecting just about everything. Rocks, trees, streams, berries, basically just anything she comes across. On her back is a small pack that seems to be bulging, and the little Golett running along behind her is similarly weighed down by a backpack of his own. Periodically, she pulls out a notepad and scribbles something, too.

But in the midst of this scientific rampage, something Weedle this way comes. Lucca's search has attracted the attention of a local, an annoyed little creature who's just popped out from a rotted log she'd disturbed with a kick...and the instant she catches sight of it, Lucca lets out a piercing shriek.]

Ahhhhh!

[Apparently the intrepid scientist...has a fear of Bugs!]

((ooc: Tag before the Weedle if you like too!))

Video, Nightfall

[A video comes through the Warp Band, and it's a young woman, clearly. She's dressed...oddly. Almost haphazardly. A scarf around her neck, a tunic visible in the video, and a helmet. With an actual antenna sticking up from the right side. She adjusts her glasses before speaking, and opens with a long sigh.]

Right, so. My name's Lucca Ashtear. Recently of Caldera, and I've set up shop here in Union for the time being. Gotta say, these warp band things are pretty incredible An Aligning tool, communication device, and a homing beacon all at once? Ingenious. I couldn't have designed them better myself. At least...not and kept them this small.

[A pause as she removes her glasses and wipes away some fog.]

Couple of questions for you. First, because I'm new in town, where's a good place to pick up spare parts? Wires, copper, steel, that kinda stuff. Also are there any glassmakers around. Definitely going to need that. I have trouble making that myself.

Second, a more...heh...normal question. Is it just me or is it chilly around here? I don't know how you guys stand it in the lowlands. When does the weather usually shift? Or is this what passes for spring?

And one last thing. The Old City. I'm planning on going down there to nose around soon, but a guide or escort would be nice. More a safety precaution than anything. I'd pay, of course.

And...yeah, I guess that's about it.

[And off goes the feed.]

Comments

video

[youngestone]

[Hey look, it's a kid in Calderan clothing]

It is really chilly around here. I'm starting to think it never gets any warmer.

video

[sparkofgenius]

[Oh hey look, so it is! Boy, why aren't you bundled up? And...why are you a boy, Lucca. You are only 19.]

Seriously! I just don't get it. But I'm glad I picked up these local clothes. I mean, geez, you must be freezing.

video

[youngestone]

My uncle has a forge here. It stays pretty warm in the house.

[Magnith the Darumaka rolls into view. Kili laughs as he rolls out of view and gestures.]

He's also a little heater.

Action - Verdant Forest

[lunchleader]

[Oh, that Weedle? Apparently, that's not the only bug within sight. If you look just over your shoulder...]

Pie! Pie! [~Hi there!~ There grins a Caterpie on top of your backpack. Don't mind her peeking around your shoulder there; she just wants to know if you're gonna drop this thing full of goodies so that she can feast.]

Action - Verdant Forest

[sparkofgenius]

[Boy if you thought she was loud before, wait till you hear this one! Lucca shrieks, loud and shrill and this time a little bit angry. Stupid bugs! Go away! Stop bothering her! She whirls with agility born of panic and smacks the Caterpie off her bag.]

Gross! Get off me! Where did you even come from?!

[And in the meanwhile, Gato looks like he’s squaring off against the oncoming Weedle. Is it going to be a double battle?!]

Action - Verdant Forest

[lunchleader]

[The Caterpie sails through the air with her bug version of "weeeee~!" before using her String Shot to swing up onto a branch. From the way she moves and swings, this is something that she's quite used to. ~Hahaha! That was really funny! So, did you drop any--~] Cacaca! Caterpie! Cat--

NECO! [~You little lying creep~! And with that, a Pineco comes flying from behind to Tackle her fellow bug off the branch and onto the ground.

If Lucca's eyes are sharp enough, she'll see a Bellsprout standing in a "just thrown something" position.]

[schmott_guy]

Your timing stinks. I just came back from an expedition down there a few days ago, and another pair of hands would have been nice.

But I know some places to get those kind of supplies. Are you a mechanic?

[sparkofgenius]

How unfortunate. I only arrived two days ago, and I had to set up my new home. [Shaking her head, though, Lucca effects a self-assured grin.]

Oh no, I’m no mechanic. I’m an inventor. A scientist! I make new devices, you understand, not just fix broken ones other people have created

[schmott_guy]

[He's initially dubious. Almost defensive.]

What kinds of things do you make?

video

[brandnewshoes]

Hey, Lucca!

[DID YOU THINK YOU LABORATORY WAS SAFE]

[Estelle's grinning ear-to-ear, though, because people she knows from Caldera being in Union is awesome. She's standing in her room in the Seeker HQ, right now, leaning back up against a wall. She stares down at the warp band thoughtfully.]

It's definitely chilly here compared to back home. You get used to it, but... [She tugs on her ever present short jacket.] Dress warm?

[And winters suck.]

There's a shop ran by a guy named Ezreal. He might have some of that stuff? I never went looking before.

video

[sparkofgenius]

[Oh…oh no! Lucca has made a grave error in judgment. She forgot that you were in Union too. She grimaces at first, but quickly covers that up with a smile. Because Estelle is pretty okay. Just…ugh…not around the lab. It took weeks to clean up all the broken glass last time she’d come for a ‘visit’ (by which Lucca means a rampage.)]

Hey Estelle. Fancy seeing you here. [Okay, she manages a little laugh despite her irritation with forgetting about the other Calderan.] And I guess I’ll have to, huh? Or…make some kinda thermal suit I guess. That’s possible.

[and a beat.] and what’s this Ezreal guy like? [Because hearing Estelle hasn’t been run out of the shop for breaking something is pretty unbelievable. Yes, that’s how she remembers you, dear. Tauros in a china shop.]

Action

[footprints_on_your_face]

[As it so happens, Chie is running through the forest on one of her many jogs. There's a Hitmonlee following along after her. At first glance, it appears that Lucca's savior has arrived, but she gets one look at that Weedle and...]

Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh! W-w-what's a Weedle doing here!

[It's the forest, Chie. Geez.]

Action

[sparkofgenius]

[Lucca looks surprised and grateful for the possible assistance from behind her Golett. The little golem is interposing himself between his trainer and trying hard to look menacing. It’s half working, keeping the Weedle from approaching, but the bug type is pretty pissed off.

That gratitude quickly vanishes, replaced by panic.]

I don’t know! I mean, it just crawled out from under a rock and started coming at me! Are they a common species around here? I don’t know!!!

[Lucca, you have a gun…]</small

Video

[ricericebaby]

[Hey Lucca, look, it's your new glasses-sisbro.]

Um... I don't know anything about spare parts or glassmaking, but this is normal weather for this time of year. Spring is coming soon, though, so it should be warming up.

Video

[sparkofgenius]

[Oh, hey, it’s another girl with glasses. That’s not too common or anything. It is, but Lucca’s never run into all that many…]

Is it really? Goodness, how do you manage? Do you all wear heavy coats or stay indoors all winter? Much colder than this and I think I’d be a popsicle.

Video-- and late comment is late.

[loveshiscity]

Can't say I can help you with the first question too well, [Daisuke said, centering the video while he spoke so he could more properly regard the young woman,] But I can say that the weather should start warming up pretty soon. Spring's only barely started, so just wait a few more weeks.

[And now, with that out of the way...]

What sort of guide are you looking for? I can join you-- free of charge, even.

[sparkofgenius]

Well, basically I'm not so good in a fight. Not yet. And I wanna check stuff out down there. But I hear it's dangerous?

[And she frowns.]

Are you sure about the free bit?

Video

[iceandwhips]

[As Mitsuru has no fucking clue about fashion since her family has a stylist who picks out her clothes, she's not really the type to judge others by what they're wearing. However, the helmet does strike her as very strange.

The mention of Caldera makes a bit more sense of her seemingly eccentric behavior.

And she smiles before replying to her.]

Hello, Miss Ashtear. I'm Mitsuru Kirijo. [Maybe you've seen her name splashed on a few buildings or something. Who the hell knows?] While I cannot help you with the glassmaker, I can only assume that you are an inventor of some sort, yes? What sort of things do you make?

Video

[sparkofgenius]

[Buildings with her name on it? Probably not. Lucca doesn't have time for that sort of stuff. She was far more interested in the structure of the towers themselves. Far, far more interested.]

I am an inventor, yeah. And really, I guess it depends on what needs to be made. I've created all sorts of things. Lately, it's mostly been weapons. But I...kinda want to get away from that for a while.

Video

[celebrity_commentator]

It's been a while since I went to the Old City, but I'm a pretty good guide. I wouldn't even ask you to pay as long as you don't mind me stopping and looking for rare Pokémon.

Video

[sparkofgenius]

Oh! Um, no of course I wouldn't mind! That'd be nice, actually, give me the chance to see something new.

[action]

[bnw_wighty_npcs]

[Is it chilly in Union? Perhaps so. As Lucca is dashing through the woods following her encounter with the terrifying insect scourge, she'll feel an odd... shift in the surroundings around her. One step, and all is as it should be. The next, everything is changed. All sound is muted, the trees seem to fade into the background, and most noticeably, the temperature has plummeted.

Somewhere in the distance, Lucca can hear the sound of dripping water.]

[action]

[sparkofgenius]

[The sudden drop in temperature is enough to snap her out of her Weedle induced panic and slow her step. She comes to a halt and looks down at Gato as he teeters to a stop beside her. Looking around, she notes first that the aggressive bug is nowhere in sight. And that there's a trickle of water falling nearby?]

H-Huh? This...doesn't seem normal. I thought it was spring...

[Gato shrugs and points ahead, towards the sound.]

Yeah, I guess we should check that out, shouldn't we? [She adjusts her glasses again, and starts that way, trailing behind the adventurous Golett.]

video.

[darer]

[Very matter of fact at first,] You can pick up spare parts in the Industrial District, if you can pay for them. There are no Calderan glassmakers here so far, so you may be out of luck, but perhaps you can make do with what they have.

[And he adds, more warmly,] I can't say I expected Taban's daughter to come to Union.

video.

[sparkofgenius]

[The information is filed away and he's greeted with a very happy smile.]

Thorin! I didn't expect to see you here either. But your cousin did say you'd come east.

She pauses, almost smirking.] And wild Rapidash couldn't keep me away. Have you seen this place? It's an inventor's paradise.