001

[thedivinevoice]

[action, against the walls of Union]
[Today, anyone venturing outside the walls of Union may come across an interesting sight - a woman with long, green-tinted hair slumped up against the walls.

Surely she's hurt! Injured! Exhausted or starving, having barely made it back to civilization only to collapse right against its front gates. Perhaps if care is swiftly brought, she may still be able to rec -- ]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..........

[A light snoring can be heard.]

[public video, much later on]
Well met, everyone.

[The woman appearing on the Warp Band has a mild, pleasant smile as she dips her head slightly. There is a brief flicker of the eyes to her wrist as if she's not entirely sure what she's doing.]

I have been told it would be to my advantage to introduce myself through this device. ...My name is Tiki. It's a pleasure to find myself in such a lively place, though... I see this city, too, has seen better days. Tragedy has been recently averted, I hear.

If there is aught I might be of aid with, I should be glad to lend my help. I am what you would call a Shifter.

[She dips her head again, and it might be noticed now that her hair is a bit too green and her ears too sharply pointed to be normal.]

Comments

[thedivinevoice]

Is that so...?

[Tiki's head droops down so her chin rests on her chest for a moment. ...Then her eyes blink open wide.]

Perhaps you can show me somewhere better to seek respite, then.

[She speaks clearly, as if she weren't half-asleep five seconds ago.]

[second_destiny]

Ah.

[The suddenness of it all catches Asemu off-guard. There's a pause before he replies.]

Yes. Please, follow me. I'll lead you back into Union.

[thedivinevoice]

...Thank you.

[She stands in one fluid motion, pauses to lightly pat some dust off, and smiles at Asemu.]

Then I shall trust you to lead the way.

Okay let's do this in order then (sorry about that)

[rydiaofmist]

[A Pidgey flies overhead, landing on the arm of a rather tall woman. She seems strange somehow, green hair wild, almost like it had a life of its own, and is dressed strangely; a Goomy stands at her side.

At first, she simply looks past Asemu to look at Tiki.]

Lady Tiki, what's going on here?

[She then drew her attention to Asemu, frowning deeply.]

Who are you?

[second_destiny]

Huh?

[This is odd. He's never seen a person like this. And she knows the woman who was sleeping, as well?]

I'm...a ranger. I'm here to escort her back into Union.

[He motions toward Tiki as he speaks.]

[thedivinevoice]

Ah, Rydia.

[Tiki beams.]

I fear this gentleman caught me napping outside the gates. He has offered to find us proper lodgings.

[Implied: Less awkward questions will be asked if we have an escort.]

[rydiaofmist]

[Message received. Rydia nods, guard falling slightly. She actually smiles a bit.]

So that's what happened. Thank you for the help, Aranger. Please, lead the way.

[second_destiny]

Awhat?

[That throws him off just a bit.]

Oh, no, wait. When I said I was a ranger, I meant that was my job. Not my name. My name's Asemu.

[No last name for now. Though he doesn't know that these two women wouldn't recognize it regardless.]

[thedivinevoice]

[They are doing so well at this fitting in thing. Tiki nods as if she, of course, was perfectly cognizant of what he was saying.]

I am Tiki - and this is Rydia, my companion. We shall be in your debt, Ranger Asemu. ...I fear we tread upon unfamiliar ground and became misled as a consequence.

[He can interpret that however he wishes. Preferably as 'teehee we got lost ten steps outside the gates how silly', though.]

[rydiaofmist]

[Rydia also smiles politely. They are pros at this. Adorable, clueless pros.]

[second_destiny]

[Asemu scratches his cheek. He feels kind of awkward now, being around two smiling, pretty girls.]

Ah...okay. Then, um, follow me.

[He starts toward the gate, then pauses and turns to make sure they follow.]

[thedivinevoice]

[Never underestimate the power of smiling pretty women. Tiki falls a step or two behind Asemu and mouths to Rydia under her breath as she follows.]

And how fared the reconnaissance?

[rydiaofmist]

[Out of habit, Rydia walks just slightly behind Tiki.]

Inconclusive. Most of the residents seem to stay within the walls. Both Humans and Pokemon seem to reside there and, from what we could tell, live as relative equals.

[thedivinevoice]

[Tiki nods slowly in response.]

Yes... I have glimpsed them as well, coming and going through the gates. The wild Pokemon of the forest do not believe these humans to be malicious, either.

Perhaps we might remain here a while, then.

[rydiaofmist]

It would be nice to have a home again...

[thedivinevoice]

[She pauses -- ]

I understand.

...When all has been done, I shall see Mist restored. It was through my inadequacies that it was lost; it should be by my hands that it is recovered.

But yes. Let us rest here if we can...

[rydiaofmist]

[Rydia shakes her head emphatically.]

That's not true! I don't think we could have prevented this. Don't blame yourself.

[thedivinevoice]

You are kind to say so, Rydia.

[She smiles warmly. Now probably isn't the best time to have this discussion, though doubtlessly they'd had it many times before as well. She will nod towards Asemu's back - they are approaching the gates of the city now.]

[second_destiny]

[Asemu never hears anything of this conversation, as he's too busy making sure there are no wild Pokémon nearby. It doesn't take long to reach the gate, though, and they're admitted into the city.]