01--VIDEO

[shatterings]

[ 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.

Comments

[shatterings]

[ 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.

[dressofheaven]

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.

[shatterings]

[ 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.

[dressofheaven]

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.

[shatterings]

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?

[dressofheaven]

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.

[shatterings]

[ 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?

[dressofheaven]

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.]

[shatterings]

... Has anyone... figured out why?

[dressofheaven]

No. The best I can guess is that's the equivalent of birdsong, but with wild Pokemon making the noises.

[shatterings]

I suppose that does make sense... They must get bored, maybe.

[dressofheaven]

That could be it. Or it could be some sort of way they talk to each other. Pokemon all seem to understand each other, but they can't talk to us except for a few exceptions.

[shatterings]

A few exceptions?

[dressofheaven]

The psychic types, mostly. They can send their thoughts into our minds and speak to us that way. Some people get bothered by that, though.

[shatterings]

I... That does seem a bit... intrusive.

[ Though she doesn't really have room to talk, she thinks... Still, having something inside your head is a bit hard to swallow. ]

[dressofheaven]

[Ilya, however, waves off her concern.]

It's just a quicker and easier way for them to speak with us. It's not like they can actually change anything about us while they're talking.

[shatterings]

Can they... read your thoughts or memories that way?

[dressofheaven]

Yes, but only if their trainer orders them too. So if that happens to you it's not really the Pokemon's fault.

Unless they're wild, of course, but then they're usually too busy fighting.

[shatterings]

Mm. I'll keep that in mind.

[ Hey, she looks pretty relieved now. ]

Thank you, Ilya.

[dressofheaven]

You're welcome. Do you think you're starting to get the hang of this world?

[shatterings]

I think I am. Though... experience might help me even more.

[dressofheaven]

Then perhaps I should let you go get some. With any luck, we'll be around to bring you into the fold in a day or two anyway.

[shatterings]

Mm. I'll watch for you. Thank you... again, for everything.

[ Honestly, it's a little scary to go out by herself-- no, with Mini by her side. And it's little easier to think about it when she remembers that she has a companion. ]

[dressofheaven]

You're welcome. I'll see you soon, Namine.

[And with that, she clicks off the feed and goes to talk this over with the others. They know her better than she does, after all.]