secondplacing | Voice; action available for New Bark Town

This is Agent Carolina, reporting in from New Bark Town.

[Carolina’s tone is just as militaristic as ever, as though she’s making a call straight from Chorus. She holds the pokégear steady despite the squirming, wiggling growlithe in her other arm. Of course, the growlithe can't be seen, but his little wiggly yips can certainly be heard.]

I understand that I— hey, calm down—

[Yeah, hold that thought. Carolina has to put the growlithe down before she’s going to be able to say anything else.

There's a sigh before she starts to talk again.]

...Sorry about that.

I understand this line is a public channel, so if any of my men are hearing this, please send me your coordinates. Or.

[Right. They can't do that.]

...Just let me know if you're here.

Assuming they aren't here, I’d like to put out a request. I’m in charge of a crew of soldiers who refer to themselves as the reds and blues [(though, the way she says that, it sounds more like she’s their babysitter)] and if I’ve turned up here, it’s just as likely they will, too.

If you hear from anyone going by the names Washington, Church, Tucker, Simmons, Grif, Sarge, or Caboose, please send word to me. They can be a bit of a handful, but I’d really appreciate it.

[That last bit is said with a hint of an affectionate smile in her voice.]

In any case, thank you in advance, and it’s… nice to meet you all. I’m sure we’re not all here under the best of circumstances… but…

[She sounds lost for a moment, as if searching for the next thing to say.]

Anyway. Thank you for your time, and if… anyone is experienced with the pokémon ‘growlithe’, I’d appreciate any pointers.

Agent Carolina, signing out.

[but before she can disconnect..]

Hey, what are you-- No, don't bite that! What are you doi--

[As for action, Carolina can be found just outside New Bark, glaring at the ledges.]

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Oh, he's a party alright.

[She rolls her eyes good-naturedly, shifts from one foot to the other.]

Those guys sure are something, but easy to work with isn't it. And... I have a good feeling you'll know them if you see them.

[A short pause.]

Wash even considers himself a part of Blue team now.

[The image of Wash awash in a sea of regulation blue makes York laugh, and he lifts a hand to idly rub the sides of his face as if the motion of the smile surprised him.

(He's not that bad, of course. He and Delta had a one-and-a-fraction-man comedy duo all ready to hit the circuit, so it's not like he forgot how to talk or laugh or be with people. But it's different now, for some reason.

For a few reasons.)]

Of course he does. You know, good for him. The dude always did deserve better than what we gave him.

[Says schoolyard bully numero uno. But he's proud. Or, no. Maybe just glad.]

What about you? Red or Blue?

Me?

[There's a little bit of a laughter to it, the way her voice always does-- tinted with laughter like ink in water.]

I'm not siding with sim teams. They've all been working together lately, anyway.

[He laughs again, just because he can. Because it's so good to hear that playfulness in her voice again.]

Okay. But if they do show up, I guess I better call dibs on helping Red Team, or else it just wouldn't be fair.

Oh, don't worry. You'd fit right in.

[She looks down to where Stripes is sitting beside them, patiently wagging his tail.

Whatever this weird reality is, time keeps moving. There's no stopping it. So there's no use resisting, is there? If there are answers to be found, she'll have to play by the rules for a little bit.

So it's time, she supposes, to go on a journey with pokémon.]

...York. What were your plans?

Here?

[He follows her gaze to Stripes, then looks down at D-2, who returns his regard with wide, encouraging eyes.]

I haven't given it a lot of thought. Talked to another newcomer about meeting up in the next town over, but beyond that...well, I'm open to suggestions.

[She nods in response to the first bit, putting her hands on her hips.]

Alright then, you're coming with me.

Make sure you read through your manual-- we'll need it on the way up.

[Is Carolina just so used to commanding the reds and blues by now that she's just acting on reflex, or is she being demanding because it's easier than asking? The world may never know.]

[Ah, that's his Carolina.

Is it really such a simple thing to fall back into this? To let Carolina blaze the path forward while he steps in behind, there for support and the second watch, as always?

...Yeah. It is.]

Yeah, about that. You couuuulllld read it to me. On the way and all.

[Since his eye is FUCKING BROKEN, CAROLINA.]

[The smile on Carolina's face grows and her eyes soften, and she claps York on the shoulder like old times. She heads a few steps away and looks back, beckoning him when Stripes catches up to her.]

No pain, no gain, York! You'll manage. Let's get going.

[He snorts and boosts Delta Two up to his shoulders.]

It doesn't work that way for eyes, Carolina! Why, thank you, D-2.

[He puts on the cap his Pokémon retrieves for him from his backpack and sets out after his fearless, peerless leader, content.]

Voice; action available for New Bark Town

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