First Battle [video/action for New Bark]

[divinewind]

[The feed first opens on the bright red face of a Druddigon, the top of her head already lightly coated in snow. She makes a satisfied sound that she's managed to get the 'Gear turned on, before handing it to the young man leaning heavily against her side, looking unbalanced as though he'd fall over in a moment if she weren't keeping him upright.]

[He's wearing a bottle green coat that looks like a military uniform out of entirely the wrong century, including a cravat that's been pulled loose. He gingerly takes the 'Gear from the Druddigon with the tips of his fingers, his hands curled like claws, and looks down at it curiously. He clearly doesn't realize he's talking to anyone other than the Pokemon next to him.]

I do not understand why you keep handing me this strange box. It does not do anything but light up and show words which make no sense at all.

[There's something oddly clumsy about his speech, as though he's having trouble speaking around his own mouth. He taps at the screen with one finger.]

Which is very interesting, and I should like to keep it after I get back, but it is not telling me anything useful. And neither are you, whatever language you're speaking. [He casts a somewhat sullen look at the Druddigon, who only sighs and shrugs.]

Druuu.

But it isn't! It says welcome to the world of Pokemon, but not what a Pokemon is. Or where Laurence is, or how I have been changed into a human. I am quite sure I haven't swallowed any odd pearls, I would remember.

[He's starting to look considerably more anxious now, but after a moment swallows and squares his shoulders determinedly. He can't waste time on panic now!]

I don't suppose this is something Napoleon might have done…but I must find Laurence. You may help me if you like, and then we will find your captain too if you have one.

[Temeraire clearly feels that he can't be standing here and waiting to begin his search any longer, because he pushes off the Druddigon to stand on his own, takes a single, determined step forward…and immediately overbalances and faceplants in the snow, the feed going completely white and then cutting out.]

Comments

[video]

[brokenmemories]

[Why does he seem familiar, hmmm...]

Are you alright? You seem to be falling all over the place.

[video]

[divinewind]

[What where was that voice coming from? Temeraire can't see anyone nearby, aside from the small hatchling dragon who does not speak English anyway.]

[It had sounded like it was coming from right next to him, but that can't be right. He looks around, everywhere except at at the 'Gear, as though expecting a person to materialize from nothing if he just looks hard enough.]

Hello?

[video]

[brokenmemories]

[That slight concern she had for the poor guy seemed to have melted away in place of slight irritation and annoyance.]

Look at your gear. [She was trying to resist calling him an idiot because it's not friendly-like.] That 'box' your pokemon keeps giving to you.

[video]

[divinewind]

[the box is talking]

[Temeraire picks it up off the ground carefully, and oh now he can see the small person in the screen! He's staring very intently because this is one of the most interesting things he has seen possibly ever.]

Yes, I do see you now.

...do you live in the box? However do you fit?

[So fascinating.]

[video]

[brokenmemories]

[Keep calm Misaki, he's just a newcomer and probably first time human..]

I don't live in the box. I'm in a different area so I'm using the 'box' to communicate with you. It lets you see other people and send messages to them.

Is this making some sense?

[Video]

[isthedeadcat]

[Lion has seen a few people suffering of the same issue before (you should've seen those poor ex-ponies falling face first), so here is to attempt a little helpfulness.]

Are you all right?

[Video]

[divinewind]

[And fortunately for Lion, Temeraire has already been introduced to the wonders of the magical video-letter box. But he didn't realize that there were more people that would talk to him with it.]

[When he looks at the 'Gear, he's looking fascinated halfway with it and halfway embarrassed that he'd been seen looking so very undignified.]

I am quite all right, yes.

[And then adds hurriedly:] Normally I can walk very well, only it is harder on just two legs.

[Video]

[isthedeadcat]

I've heard that from others who have been turned into humans upon arrival, I suppose such a change can be really confusing.

Still, I'm glad to hear you are fine.

[Video]

[divinewind]

There are others who have been changed like this?

[He looks a little reassured that he's not the only one, either to be changed or to have trouble walking.]

Thank you for asking after me.

[Video]

[isthedeadcat]

It has happened to others, yes. It seems like this world prefers all the newcomers to come in a human form... Probably so they can fulfill their roles as trainers as normal.

[Lion smiles.]

It's simply the right thing to do, isn't it?

[video]

[tapestodiane]

<sub>[Laurence. It's a name he faintly remembers, even if he's not quite sure how or why, yet, but that's enough to make Cooper metaphorically stick his head in.]

[Well, that and the fact that there's something distinctly familiar about the voice and manner of speaking, even if the person holding it isn't. Then again, he already did say he wasn't human before this, and he wouldn't be the first to get a makeover on arrival.]</sub>

Answers aren't easy to come by, here. But I'm sure you've already been told as much.

_{[COOP IS ALWAYS LATE. Fashionably so.]}

[video]

[divinewind]

[Dale Cooper is never late. He's like a wizard.]

[Temeraire leans forward at the screen when he hears yet another person's voice coming out of the 'Gear. He still doesn't know how on earth this thing works, but it's much more useful than he first gave it credit for. He nods; he looks mostly calm, but behind that there's a sort of looming anxiety.]

Yes, I have been. But there must be answers somewhere.

[He refuses to believe that there aren't.]

[video]

[tapestodiane]

<sub>[He is ~magic~]

[Coop can't blame him for the parts of him that don't look calm, because anyone would be rattled in finding themselves in these circumstances.]</sub>

There always is. But finding out where is usually easier said than done.

[video]

[divinewind]

Then I will just have to look until I do find some. Even if it is very hard.

[Determination!]

And I must get back soon, the Corps needs me a great deal, and I cannot leave Laurence by himself.

[His shoulders hunch at that last part. What if Laurence thinks he's run away, or is sent to another dragon?]

[video]

[tapestodiane]

Time seems to stop back home for as long as we're here.

_{[That's calming for anyone to hear, so let's offer that one right away.]}

My advice is to worry more about the weather.

[kingbowser]

Gwa ha ha ha!

[Why yes, that was a sinister laugh coming from this burly man with... very sharp teeth on this video feed. Strange.]

Hate to break it to ya, but this place turns everyone into a flimsy human. I should know, 'cause if I were in my real form, you'd probably have a heart attack from sheer intimidation!

[divinewind]

[Temeraire is honestly kind of baffled by the sinister laugh, but wow he is jealous of those teeth. Why did this guy get to keep his proper teeth?]

I most certainly would not. [He frowns, oh so indignant.]

[kingbowser]

You say that now, but get a load of this!

[He attaches an image of his real form amidst Goldenrod City in ruins and flame. Yes, he is rather fond of showing off this image. Yes, he's a moron.]

This is the real me, and don't you forget it.

[divinewind]

Well, your shell is very interesting, I have never seen anything like that. But I am still not afraid of you.

[He's very pointed about this, and it's true; Temeraire is normally eighteen tons of dragon. He takes another look at the picture.]

Why is everything in that picture on fire? Is it a battle?

[He can't help but sound interested in this despite still being indignant that Bowser thought he'd be intimidated.]

[kingbowser]

Yes! I was in the process of conquering a stupid city in this world. My hordes of minions fought bravely by my side, and we even built an enormous, foreboding castle!

...but then this stupid place reset everything and turned me back into a human.

[Grrraaarrrgh! The most frustrating situation, it was. He still wants to hit whoever undid the awesome.]

[Video]

[francia]

[France's expression is friendly and openly curious. He speaks kindly, but it's obvious he's paying attention to Temeraire's particular uniform and arranging his probing accordingly.]

I take it you have just arrived, sir? I don't know exactly who you mean by Lawrence, but perhaps I can help if you can also qualify who you mean by Napoleon as well?

[He has a lot of questions, but this seems to be the easiest opener.]

[Video]

[divinewind]

Yes, I have.

[He half tilts his head at the question about Napoleon.]

I did not realize there was more than one Napoleon. He is the one leading France and trying to invade us.

[He draws himself up a little, proudly.] I helped to stop him from coming over the Channel in a great battle, just the other day.

[Video]

[francia]

[France's lips twitch in a peculiar manner, like Temeraire has told him a particularly amusing and rather sad story. When he responds, his tone is wistful.]

Well, there is only one true Napoleon, but there have been many others since despite and because of him.

[He shakes his head, chuckling and seeming to come back to himself somewhat, friendly smile back on his face but the curiosity sharper than before.]

So you and Lawrence are military men, then?

[Video]

[divinewind]

[Temeraire notices the wistful tone and expression, but he doesn't understand the reason why. He looks a little uncertain until France asks about him and Laurence. Then he nods, brightening a little.]

We are in the Aerial Corps, and Laurence is my captain. He was in the Navy before, and has fought in many battles, but then he won my egg from the French. Now he is an aviator, the very finest.

[He is so very proud of Laurence, can you tell?]

[Video]

[francia]

[This explanation earns a surprised silence from France as well as raised eyebrows. He takes a moment to parse through the information he's just been given, trying to decide what's the most important point to address.]

How does England have any sort of Aerial Corps? There is a French body as well, certainly?

[He manages to sound insulted, incredulous, and indignant all at the same time.]