Twelfth Dream: Mankeyshines and Snapshots [Action/Video]

[rainsrespite]

Video:

[A new year, and a whole mixed bag of revelations and resolutions are weighing on Yuuna. It's been a while since she made any formal broadcasts, and seated in Ranger HQ, she idly flips on the Warp Band and just starts talking.]

Hey everyone. Got a little bit new news, personal stuff. Figured I'd just announce it all at once. First of all, I got a promotion. I'm the 3rd Division leader now. My old one retired, and I got some recognition for past service. So, I'll probably be around Union a little bit more than usual. Heh. Paperwork.

Moreover, I've been named the Ranger Liason to the Seekers. Most of you can imagine why.

[She smiles wryly, knowing certain parties are going to like that.]

Second, given my new job, I'm supposed to officially announce that my division is officially recruiting. We pay alright, and you'd be working directly for me. If you're interested, or have further questions about the Rangers in general, feel free to stop by HQ. I'll be around late.

Ranger HQ:

[And true to her word? She is. If you have questions that won't work over the Warp Band, Yuuna will be there until dusk.]


Action, Apartment:

[And after hearing this particular announcement, a certain Pokemon of hers is up to no good. Turnip, the Monferno, is so excited by hearing about the promotion that he decides to bake a cake or something.

Something is right, because he's completely incapable of cooking, and it's not long before a billowing cloud of smoke pours out of Yuuna and Merrill's apartment and the Pokemon are forced out into the street. Alarms go off, and the Monferno bolts for it on principle. The fire is dealt with pretty quickly by Uzushio, but the smoke seems to linger somehow...creating quite the scene outside as a panicked Monferno runs back and forth in confusion, grabbing random passersby and gesticulating wildly, jabbering away. Help! Help! The boss is going to kill himmmmm!]

Comments

video;

[rainsrespite]

I am, yes. Yuuna Sugasawa.

[Folding her arms, she frowns, considering Raine a moment.]

And you...had trouble with an Oddish a while back, yes?

video;

[wise_maiden]

[She's a surprised at the directness, before it sinks in that it was the only time she had really addressed the warp band network.]

I... yes, that's correct. I apologize if you were inconvenienced by that incident as well.

video;

[rainsrespite]

No no. I just remember the incident.

[Yuuna chuckles quietly to herself, rubbing the head of some Pokemon of screen.]

I check the bands pretty often, I remember your face, didn't get your name though.

video;

[wise_maiden]

I see...

[Not the sort of incident she wants to be remembered for, embarrassing as it was, but that was moving to Union for you. Actual introductions had only gotten mildly easier.]

My name is Raine Sage. Ah, honestly -- I had been hoping for an opportunity to put your face to your name. I have acquaintances who've spoken highly of you on varied occasions.

[rainsrespite]

[Nodding, Yuuna reaches down and picks up that Pokemon, a particularly insistent Porygon. The machine chimes a digital warning and focuses on the band, clicking until it gets papped on the head.]

No, Ren.

[Embarrassed, Yuuna ducks her head and chuckles.]

It's a pleasure, Raine. And whatever you've heard, I'm sure it's mostly lies. But...is there something I can help you with?

[wise_maiden]

Thank you. I was hoping we could set up a meeting, when you weren't too occupied. As I said these... references indicated that you might be able to help in regard to photography, as well as the Ranger's office in general having, well, experience in traveling.

[She wasn't sure if Waver had brought it up, or planned to, but it made sense to try and meet the woman herself regardless.]

[rainsrespite]

Well. I'm free all afternoon as far as I know. So, you're more than welcome to come by the Ranger Headquarters and check out our maps.

[Her eyebrow arches slightly...]

But when you say photography, what exactly do you have in mind? I'm just an amateur.

[wise_maiden]

Well, I was hoping that you had some pictures from the Glacier incident that I could reference for some of my notes... also, I have a picture of an unrecognizable area, so I was wondering if the Ranger's office might be able to help identify it.

[rainsrespite]

I do, yes. I don't have many of Reshiram itself, but I do of the various other gods, and of the town itself.

And yes, on the photo as well. If I've seen the area, in any of our records? I'll be able to let you know where it is and how to get there.

[wise_maiden]

That sounds good to me. I can drop by in about an hour?

[rainsrespite]

Sure. Whenever's good. I'm here till seven or so, I think.

[wise_maiden]

Understood. Is there anything I can bring you?

[She doesn't know if Rangers charge for questions, so she figures she might as well come with something.]

[rainsrespite]

No, just the photograph in question. You've got my curiosity piqued, that's for sure.

[They don't for things like this, no.]

[wise_maiden]

Very well. I'll see you then.

[And true to her word, she'll be there in a little less than an hour, accompanied by a Pikachu, (who had also appeared in that broadcast about the Oddish, ironically), and it notably has its own smart looking winter wear.

Raine has a more traditional cape and hood set for her outerwear, as she takes a quick look around the HQ before getting the directions to Yuuna's office and knocking.]

[rainsrespite]

[The Ranger's HQ is a quiet lodge-like building that seems relatively open. Long rows of desks for each line the entire building, and Yuuna's office is at one of the corners. Privilege and all of a new command taking an old one. The door's open, and the woman herself is sorting through various boxes, but turns at the sound.

She's tall, easily 6'5", with lean muscle and the figure of a fighter. Her clothes are simple, a white martial arts tunic and matching pants, though a heavy brown Ranger jacket hangs from a peg. And to an Analyst, it's readily apparent that she's Enlightened. Fighting and Electric typed, and seasoned as well.

The Porygon from the video chimes from the desk, eyes clicking as they zoom in.]

Raine, Hey. [Her hand taps on the Porygon's head and it stops scanning...] Um. Ignore Ren, he's just paranoid. Not great with strangers.

[wise_maiden]

[The woman is a foot taller than her, which is surprising, as Raine shifts to give her formal curtsy greeting.]

It's all right. [She glances over at the unfamiliar Pokemon to give it a small nod anyway. After all, certain Pokemon of hers weren't great with strangers either. The Pikachu squeaks out a friendly greeting toward Yuuna, not seeming too daunted by height. Raine reaches into her bag to retrieve the notebook which has the photograph pinned to it.]

Ah - and congratulations on your promotion as well.

[rainsrespite]

Thanks.

[Her attention is more or less focused on the Pikachu while Raine goes digging, and she holds out a finger towards it, sending a tiny spark it's way as a method of greeting. Mingle energy, little guy?]

Was kind of a sudden thing, honestly. But you know, double edged swords.

[Her off hand sweeps over to encompass the paperwork and moving boxes. More work...]

[wise_maiden]

[Pika! The Pokemon seems pleased at meeting another electric-type, offering a little excited spark in return.]

I know what you mean.

[That was life back in Sanctuary, hectic, constantly working if only to try and stay ahead. Even for a young noble. Let alone the change that was moving here and essentially running away from all of that...

She finds the page with the photograph, (a distinct outcropping of stone in the Steppes, though there's nothing to indicate it as such to her) moving to present it after the pair had time to make their connection.]

Ah, here. This was the picture in question. Do you make anything of it?

[rainsrespite]

[The photograph snaps her attention away from the Pokemon, though the little rodent gets a warmly apologetic smile. Sorry little guy, job first.

Reaching out, she takes the paper and studies it with a frown. It does look like a place she'd seen. Going over to her desk, she takes a seat and scrutinizes it further...tapping a finger on it a few times and leaning over.

It takes a second, sifting through thoughts and memories but...]

Yeah. I've seen this place. It's on East, in the steppes. It's not...well mapped yet, but I've definitely seen this. Give me a sec, and I'll see if I can mark exactly where.

[wise_maiden]

Really? Oh, that's wonderful! I've heard that newer areas were being discovered lately. It's almost hard to keep up with them all. Please, take all the time you need.

[rainsrespite]

It's been a bit of a trip, yeah. The Warp Band signal went out pretty far, but more and more people are going out mapping.

[Which suits her just fine. She holds up a hand and gets up.]

Just a sec, I'll be right back. I want a surveyors map

[wise_maiden]

It must keep everyone here busy.

[But she falls quiet when Yuuna puts her hand up, and she nods, letting her gaze go back to the picture while she waits.]

[rainsrespite]

A bit.

[She's gone a few minutes, but returns with a large roll of parchment, paying it on the desk after sweeping a few things clear.]

Okay, have you been out that way at all?

[wise_maiden]

[She shakes her head.] I'm afraid the furthest out I've been is to Glacier and back, and I don't think that would help in this case.

[rainsrespite]

That's a damn sight further than most people, but a bit to the north. This is out on the Eastern Steppes.

[Spreading a large map containing an overview of the region with her hands, she points to the area.]

That's here. On the far side of the mountains. Did you hear the news about the expedition there yet?