shatterings | 01--VIDEO

01--VIDEO

[ There's a curious someone fiddling around with her PokéGear. She's a little surprised she managed to click it on, since she's never actually dealt with much technology. ]

Ah... um, hello. [ Her surprise is replaced by a reserved sort of smile. It's pretty brittle--she's not supposed to be here. So why is she, then? Carefully, she tucks a bit of hair behind her ear. A nervous habit, but it's not one she actually notices. ] I'm a little... confused. I'm not sure what's going on, and-- [ Wait. Is that... music in the background? It's faint, and she hadn't really noticed it until she was lost in thought. ] I think I might be hearing things, but... is there music playing somewhere?

[ She lets out a little sigh and gives the Minccino beside her a pat on the head. ] I think I just need a little bit of help, or... an explanation.

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How many people with Kairi's voice are there?

[Ilya only realizes she responded to the post with that statement after a moment of confused staring. Once she does, she hastily tries to cover.]

Ah, never mind that. If you just arrived, it makes sense that you're confused. Did you listen to what the woman who calls herself "mom" told you before she pushed you out the door?

[ The comment doesn't go unheard, and the surprise--and more confusion--shows right on Naminé's face. That can't be right, though. Maybe she just misheard... ]

I... yes, that's exactly what happened. Is that... normal?

For this world, yes. She probably mentioned something called a Pokemon journey, right? Well, that creature you have there is a Pokemon. Everything here revolves around them, so keep yours close.

[Now she remembers why she doesn't usually talk to the newbies. It's always so confusing figuring out what to tell them.

Wait a minute...]

I think Riku might have made a guide of some sort... I'll see if I can find it.

[Well, maybe she didn't mishear after all.]

[ Naminé stays quiet as she listens, and for a little longer as she processes everything. She's a little calmer, at least, as she nods. There's still an intense worrying building up, though. But the name gets her attention. Maybe it's the same Riku, or maybe it's a different one.

Won't know until you ask, right? ]

... Does this Riku have silver hair and blue-green eyes?

... So you know him. Do you know Kairi too? Xion? Sora?

[She's a little surprised, but not that much. There's always the chance someone from one of their worlds can get brought in, and it looks like this is one of those times. Now she just has to wonder if this means their little group will be getting bigger.]

[ Hesitantly: ] Only Sora... but... I've heard Kairi's name before.

[ She doesn't feel comfortable going into how she knows Kairi. There's still a lot of guilt pent up there. Well... might as well make an introduction. ]

I'm Naminé.

Namine... I don't think they've told me about you yet, but I'm Ilya. I'm a friend of theirs here.

Hold on just a moment.

[She switches over to text and sends a message to her travel buddies: "If any of you know a girl named Namine, she's just arrived and she's at New Bark. Should we go get her?" Once that's sent, she switches back.]

There, I've told them you're here. With any luck you'll hear from them soon.

[ Honestly, she doesn't expect them to tell Ilya about her. ]

It's nice to meet you, Ilya. [ Even if the meeting is a bit... odd. She shifts a bit nervously as she stops to take in her surroundings. ] ... Thank you. [ It's not that she's not grateful--she is, but she's a little nervous about meeting them, aside from Riku. ]

Don't mention it. If you're a friend of theirs we'll be friends soon too, anyway.

[She won't allow it to be otherwise.]

Anyway, you should stay in town for the moment. Get to know your Pokemon. Wild ones are all over the place outside so it's better to go out prepared.

[ Friends are kind of a new concept for her--forgive how surprised she looks. ]

Oh... yes, of course. Thank you. [ The Minccino comes into view beside Naminé as she kneels down (out of the way, of course!). It seems pretty friendly and gives a wave to the screen. ]

... Are they all this friendly?

[It's okay, she didn't really have any before this world either.]

Not all of them, but usually our starters are quite nice to us. I'd show you mine, but Berserker's far too big to let out indoors. The wild ones will attack you, but don't misunderstand. They're trying to show off their strength so you'll catch them.

[ Naminé's starting to get the hang of this... maybe. ]

We catch them... with Pokéballs, right? And we raise them... [ Her voice is getting a bit quieter. She's used to being alone for the most part, and it's a hard habit to break. ]

That's right. You're starting to get the idea. You'll have to weaken them first, that's one of the things battling is for. The other part of that is that when you beat the enemy, your Pokemon will learn a bit about battling. That's how they get stronger, you see, it's through experience.

[She can still hear Namine alright, and she figures she's half talking to herself right now given the subject, so she doesn't bring it up just yet. She takes note of it though. The girl does seem rather shy.]

[ Naminé nods, giving her companion a little pat on the head. It sounds like a pretty big responsibility, but honestly, that's nothing new. Now, to do it right... ]

... I hope I can raise them well, then.

[And that makes Ilya go straight to serious business.]

That's very nice and all, but hope isn't enough. If you want to do this right, Namine, you have to put in a lot of effort, and spend a lot of time. If you think you aren't doing it right, you have to think hard about how you can do better. You have to be the best you can be, so your Pokemon can be the best they can be. Understand?

Ah...

Yes, of course. I haven't known her very long, but... something like this... There's a lot of trust involved. [ Naminé holds her Minccino close. ] ... I can't let them down.

Good. As long as you realize that.

[And she softens pretty quickly.]

Don't worry though. There will be plenty of people willing to help you do this right, including myself.

[ It's strange, being offered help by someone she just started talking to. It's not a bad kind of strange, just... she's not used to it. Naminé gives a little nod. ]

... Thank you, Ilya. I think I'll need it.

Indeed you will, but there's no shame in that. Trying to do everything yourself is just asking for failure.

Speaking of which, I really should get you Riku's guide.

[ She knows about doing stuff alone, honestly. It's something she's going to try to work on, but... it doesn't seem to likely. To her, anyway. ]

If it's not too much trouble... Thank you.

You're welcome. One moment.

[And after a bit of searching on Ilya's end, a link to this pops up.]

There! That should help a great deal.

Ah... that does help.

[ People here come from different times. Just because one of your friends is here doesn't mean they're on the same page as you. That sticks out to her--and explains why this Riku has been here for a pretty long time. ]

... The background music really is permanent, then?

I'm afraid so.

[And the face she makes leaves absolutely no question about how she feels about it.]

You can drown it out with other music, but you can't ever make it go away.

[ It definitely doesn't seem well-received. Naminé at least can ignore it from the most part, if she doesn't think about it. She doesn't look too thrilled, though. ]

... Does it... at least change?

It does, actually. Each path and each town and city has its own music. Some people actually move based on which one they like best.

[Of course, she doesn't really see what's so great about Goldenrod's music, but she's one of the ones who's just kind of sick of that city in general.]

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