Video Post

[anexcitableboy]

Whoah

[The voice broadcasting over the 'gears is impressed and awed and a little overwhelmed. This is pretty amazing! Of course it helps that Jimmy's still a bit blotto from his most recent binge with Ima, and the shock of waking up here has worn some. Where is Ima, anyway? He blinks into the screen, eyes bloodshot red but expression one of wonder and curiosity. She couldn't have gotten far - she didn't move fast. It never occurs to him that he's on his own here.

A lifetime of science fiction comics and serials has prepared Jimmy to figure out the broadcasting feature of his 'gear relatively easily.]

I mean whoah. Look I've heard of crazy trips before, but this takes the cake. The colors, the music, the people.... Who was that broad that said she was my mom? That lady was not my mom. What kind of sicko tells random strangers they're their mother?

[That's a sensitive subject for Jimmy.]

This little guy with me's crazy, though! He looks like a dinosaur or something. Is he? I mean, hey, weirder things, am I right? I never had a pet before, couldn't have one back home. I mean there was the camp dogs, but they weren't pets.

[He turns the 'gear to show a Cubone sitting not far from his feet before swinging it back to himself.]

So what the hell is this place? I feel like I woke up and hey, suddenly I'm Captain Video. But all that stuff about UFOs and aliens landing in New Mexico...that's just bull, right? This is like some kind of...fancy new theme park? I read they were building one out in California next year. We get one down here, too?

By the way, I kind of lost...well, I guess I'm kinda lost. How the hell do I get back to Jupiter from here?

[It doesn't even look like Florida, it's got to be some kind of crazy theme park. Right?]

Comments

[anexcitableboy]

Geeze, no kidding? Well, Omi does look like he likes to play rough, I guess.

I'm Jimmy, by the way. Jimmy Darling. Thanks for all your help, that's real nice of you.

[defyingfrigidity]

It might be a trait shared among the species. I know Sigurd here loves to participate in battles.

[The Cubone makes a happy noise of agreement, swinging his club up into the air. Elsa has to lean back a bit to dodge, but her smile doesn't waver one bit. Looks like she's used to that.]

It's no trouble at all, Jimmy. I was in your situation once myself, and I know just how much simple information can go in putting your mind at ease. [Ever so polite, she inclines her head in a small bow, as proper as one can be over a video like this...] It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Elsa.

[anexcitableboy]

[Jimmy has to laugh. Of all the names she could have had...]

Jesus Christ, ain't that something? I lose one Elsa and here's another one, saving my ass. Don't tell me you're German.

[defyingfrigidity]

... Wow. And here I thought my name was rather uncommon. Talk about strange coincidences.

[She shakes her head.] And no, I'm not. The kingdom I come from, Arendelle, is a bit further north than Germany.

[anexcitableboy]

You're the only other one I ever met. And what do you know, you're both knockout blonds.

[Talk about strange indeed.]

Arendelle? That's one of those little ones, isn't it? I can never remember all of'em, world geography was never my best subject. Always kind of wanted to see France.

[defyingfrigidity]

[Geez, you're gunna make her blush at this rate. She's not really used to so many people complimenting her appearance, but it's happened so much since she arrived here...]

It's small, yes, compared to others. But what we lack in size we make up for in beauty, I think. Arendelle is one of the few kingdoms I know of where the Northern Lights appear year-round.

[Not that she's ever been to any other countries, but that little phenomenon is something a lot of the visiting dignitaries gush over constantly.]

I've heard wonderful things about France! Only stories, mind you, and stories tend to exaggerate... but it sounds like an amazing country.

[anexcitableboy]

Like the Aurora Borealis? I saw that once, when we were way up north for a circus show. Looked like someone lit oil on fire in the sky.

I've only heard stories, too. I never left North America. Well, before now, I guess. Sounds like I better add Arendelle to my list of 'places to see'.

[So maybe his entire life has suddenly been turned inside out and upside down, but at least he's having a nice chat with a pretty girl. Silver linings.]

[defyingfrigidity]

It's amazing. When I was a child, I always thought that it was magic that made the sky light up like that. I suppose that idea was helped by the fact that old stories would talk about how the lights in the sky were actually a bridge to the realms of gods.

[Her smile shifts then, to something a bit... softer.]

Rest assured, should you ever wish to travel to Arendelle, I'll make sure you're welcomed with open arms.

[anexcitableboy]

The bridge to where the gods live... you know there were these Indians we camped out with, up there. One of'em said that the lights in the sky were the spirits of the dead, dancing in the sky to show us they were okay. Kinda the same.

And show me all the good local spots, right?

[defyingfrigidity]

The spirits of the dead... [It's a wonderful idea. But at the same time...] It seems almost intimidating, doesn't it? Having people you've loved and lost still watching you, seeing the choices you make...

[ONE GUESS AS TO WHO ELSA THINKS OF RIGHT THERE...]

Oh, but of course I'll show you the best Arendelle has to offer! The best views of the fjords, the forests... [A small grin crosses her face.] Even the shop with chocolate so delicious, you'll be convinced that was made with magic.

[anexcitableboy]

Makes you hope you're living up to their expectations and wonder if you're letting'em down or not.

[He knows that feeling a little too well. On to much more pleasant topics!]

Oh yeah? That's gotta be some really good chocolate. I've had Hershey's, nothing's beat that so far. You like chocolate?

[defyingfrigidity]

[Yep, Jimmy sure hit the nail on the head there. But yes, on to better things...!]

Oh, I love it! It doesn't matter how it's presented... If I could have it with every meal, I would.

[anexcitableboy]

Yeah, I bet I would, too! [Jimmy laughs. This is a much better topic of conversation. And now he's got an idea of how to properly say thank you for all of Elsa's help.]

My ma'd always slip me a bar whenever she could, when I was little. She wouldn't make a big deal about it, she'd just put it in my coat pocket or inside my hat, so I'd find it when I got dressed.

Do they even have chocolate here?

[defyingfrigidity]

Oh, that's clever. [And incredibly adorable oh no....] I'd normally get it after dinner, as a treat. But... [Elsa's eyes glint with a hint of mischief.] My sister and I would sometimes sneak down to the kitchen late at night and try and snatch some. It didn't always work but that didn't stop us from doing it again.

[Neither did the fact that Gerda, being the primary nanny for the two of them prior to The Accident, was given full consent to hand out a few spankings when they got caught. Just goes to show how much these two loved sweets...]

Oh, they do! There's a few great sweet shops in the city I've been staying in for some time, and there are even a few people like us - visitors from other lands - that have set up their own shop. I definitely recommend their sweets; the fudge is to die for.

[anexcitableboy]

I've never met anybody more clever than my ma. [As far as Jimmy's concerned, Ethel Darling is the greatest sage to ever live.]

Hey, what's a prize worth if there isn't a little consequence at risk? Getting caught is what makes the times you don't get caught all the better.

[It's a relief to know that at least food is recognizable here.]

Pretty keen of'em. So that's what people do, when they come here? Just... try and make a life for themself?

[defyingfrigidity]

That's exactly what we thought, at the time. The chocolate always tasted a little better when we had to put in a little effort into getting it.

[Or maybe it was because of the teamwork. Maybe a bit of both.]

Yes, that's what everyone I've talked to has been trying to do. Knowing everything is safe back home means we can spend less time worrying, and without any knowledge of how to return home... what else is there to do?

It's... nice, really. Aside from a few surprises every once in a while, life here is mostly calm and quiet. It's a great land to do things you never had the opportunity to do back home.

[anexcitableboy]

Calm and quiet. Yeah, that'd be a change.

[Do things he never could back home. He's not sure this place is going to be that different. He's still a freak, and everybody he's seen and talked to so far looks perfectly normal. He's not holding out much hope.]

Hey, I really gotta thank you for all your help. You've been an angel, Elsa. I really do appreciate it. Not too many folks'd be so nice to somebody they don't know.

[defyingfrigidity]

[Elsa blushes a bit at the compliment. People have complimented her so much since her arrival in Johto, but it's still something that sounds so strange to her, having been raised in isolation for most of her life, during which she never really made any great strides in controlling her power.

She'll get used to it, eventually. But even a few months isn't going to make up for thirteen years.]

I'm very happy to help, Jimmy. I understand how you must feel, waking up here. I was terrified... but the people who talked to me helped calm me down, and now I just want to do the same.

[anexcitableboy]

Well, mission accomplished. I feel a lot better now.

[Not okay, exactly, but he wasn't okay even before he woke up here.]

I'm gonna go find that Center. I really hope we can talk again. It's been real nice, talking to you.

[defyingfrigidity]

I'm glad to hear that.

[Even if she only helped a little, it's still an accomplishment!]

And I'm certain we'll talk again soon. I don't use these devices as often as some of the others here do, but I do enjoy checking in on those I've met.