codeforhope | 008 | Video/Action for Goldenrod

[It's around midday, and a shaky video suddenly appears on the Network. At first it's pretty blurry and staticy, as if the Gear itself is malfunctioning a bit, before Chihiro finally comes into focus. He's standing...no, he's crouching behind what looks like a desk not too far from a wall of televisions, and tucked behind his ankles is a Flareon whose fur is glowing softly. It looks like he's in a store of some kind.]

Does anyone have any suggestions for catching a Pokemon that is, um...very fast?

[Chihiro whispers, glancing up when something falls off of a shelf offscreen and clatters to the floor. His Flareon growls softly, peering around the edge of the counter as Chihiro turns his attention back to the screen.]

I haven't caught many Pokemon myself, since I breed them mostly...and this one won't-

[All of a sudden the feed cuts.

For a while- like, five minutes or more- there's no further activity on the Network. Then, as abruptly as the first one appeared, a second one comes, this time with Chihiro sitting on the floor instead of crouching, his Flareon in his lap and both of them looking rather frazzled.]

A-actually, I think I maybe should jus-

[Before he finishes the TV screens flash rapidly behind him, and the set nearest him seems to suddenly change appearance, a cheerful giggling sounding before all of the lights turn off in the store. After that, the feed cuts again.]

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Tokyo, actually.

[He sits up a bit straighter when he feels Henko rub her head against his hand.]

Though I wasn't home actually, before here...I had just recently begun to attend a new school.

True Cross is in Tokyo, somewhere. I haven't traveled much outside of my town, but wouldn't be it cool if we have seen each other before?

[It was really silly to think of something like that, but it was a small world!]

That sounds like me! I was starting a new semester at my school before I showed up here. Which one did you go to?

Yes. I...stayed home when I was not at school, though, so I can't say I really have traveled much.

[Chihiro falls quiet for a moment, noticeably so.]

It was, um...a school called Hope's Peak Academy.

Hey, don't make it sound like such a big deal!

[Rin isn't as oblivious as he seems. That school must have brought loads of unwanted memories. He would be more than happy to hear Chihiro's story, if he ever needed a person to talk to.

But right now wasn't that moment, especially when he finally saw a store that fit Chihiro's description.]

I found you this time!! [POOCHY RUSHES IN - SHE'S USING HER NOSE!!]

[The distraction is a welcome one, because it gives Chihiro a chance to stay quiet for a moment while Rin rushes in to the appliance store. Almost at once the lights start flickering again as the Rotom notices the newcomer, jumping out of a blender and into the lights themselves, causing them to flicker and pop above Rin's head. Sounds like he's gotten the right store this time after all.]

[While the popping overheard does get him to flinch a bit, Rin is undeterred from his general mission. He holds his arms over his head as he walks storms further into the appliance store. The fact that it could be a pokemon doesn't even cross his mind. Poochy noses her way towards Chihiro. Making sure the frightened person was safe was pretty high on the priority list.]

Chihiro! Are you with Poochy?

Y-yes, I can see her!

[Chihiro puts a hand out so Poochy can find him more easily, still sitting with Henko curled up on his lap. The Flareon has her gaze trained on the lights, which stop flickering after a moment when the Rotom realizes it's not getting the attention it's after that way. Instead it disappears into a flatscreen and turns it on, doing the same for an entire line of them that follows Rin further into the store.]

[Poochy finds Chihiro thanks to his quick thinkng. She bumps her cold nose against his palm.

Rin would have called out for Chihiro had the flatscreens stayed off. He certainly notices how they suddenly turn on without a single remote... Yet he can't let that deter him now. He had a person to save. He just hopes that the ghost won't be too mad about how much Rin's ignoring it.]

Great! Follow her, and we'll get you outta here.

[It's less mad and more frustrated than anything. It just wants to play! Chihiro had been a lot of fun, but it's no fun when he keeps hiding, and now Rin isn't even playing. It's very annoying, but it continues to follow anyway, hopping from appliance to appliance.

Chihiro stands, letting Henko hop to the floor as he puts a hand momentarily on Poochy's head.]

Alright. Lead the way, Poochy.

[In his rush to get to Chihiro, Rin trips over his own two feet and falls flat on his face. He nearly takes an appliance down with him.

Poochy most certainly heard her trainer fall to the ground, but she knew he was made of sterner stuff. She'd rather help Chihiro anyway; they had spent way too much time looking for him]

[The Rotom responds by letting out a high pitched giggle of sorts, peering out of a telephone near Rin's head. Now that was awfully funny. Does that mean you want to play, now?]

[What the?!! Rin was sure he heard laughing... were the machines laughing at him? He looks over both shoulders, looking for any signs -- oh wait, damn it, he wouldn't be able to see a ghost as a human. THIS SUCKS.

FINE. HE WILL IMPROVISE.] Quit laughing at me and show yourself!!

[Oh! Well, that's easy enough.

The Rotom will just oblige by popping out right in front of Rin with a ghostly smile, electricity popping and bouncing wildly off its body.]

008 | Video/Action for Goldenrod

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