Fourth Tracker (backdated 5/13); video/action for Goldenrod

[usedlightscreen]

[The boy using North's Gear looks about 16, with a rounder face and a shoulder-length mane of perfectly straight, impossibly silky-looking white-blond hair. The blue eyes are the same, but younger and less haunted.]

So... I think the "this is not my house" reaction is probably pretty common, but I've never been able to use a tablet in a dream before so I guess I'm just checking this out. You know, is this a dream? Because, uh, if it's not then I really need to get home. I've got a World History final today and I was gonna cram in the library in first period...

[He combs his hair behind his ear, then looks down next to him.]

And, um, if this i-is your house, or your...static electricity cat, I'm sorry, I don't know how I woke up here, I promise.

There's so many cute animals though...

Anyway, so yeah, if anyone could help me get home before my sister for sure kills me, that'd be great!

Action

[Alternately, run into a 6' twiggy teenager on his quest to explore the biggest city he's ever seen and also to try to find some clothes for somebody who couldn't bench-press a truck. He's being persistently followed by a Dragonair, Togetic, and Pidgeot, because Penne, Rascal, and Missy are not going to leave their trainer like this]

Comments

[usedlightscreen]

[Rascal and Missy both notice their bird friend, and Rascal tugs on North's shirt sleeve and points when the teenager looks.

And his heart promptly breaks.

North is never really sure what to do with crying children, since being the Designated Babysitter at family reunions doesn't usually cover this level of tears, but he'll try his best.]

Hey...

[He crouches down a few feet away, trying to look small and not big and scary.]

What's the matter?

[wing_attack]

[Regal backs up a bit, and the boy presses against the brick. He wipes his face and sniffs, trying not to cry again.]

N... nothing.

[But his eyes are wide and terrified, and he's looking anywhere but North's face.]

[usedlightscreen]

...It's okay to be scared. I'm a little scared, too, because I've never been in a city this big before.

Are you scared because you're lost?

[He stays right where he's at, not trying to force eye contact or get close enough to reach out.

[wing_attack]

[He looks down and shakes his head.]

N... not really. I mean h... he'll be mad at me when I g... get back if he n... noticed. B... but that's o... okay. I... I mean i... it's not like I don't c... cause trouble f... f... for him.

[He puts his hand over his mouth and flinches. If his uncle heard him say that... he'd be mad, even though it's true.]

I... it was just l... loud and I n... n... needed t... to... I... I mean I didn't m... mean to bump into that guy but he... h... he yelled at me and I...

S... sorry. I'm causing t... trouble f... for you, too...

[usedlightscreen]

[Well his next question was going to be "where are your parents" but fuck if that doesn't go flying out the window

it's ok tiny child

he will be your parent now]

No, hey... It's ok. You're not causing me any trouble at all, I promise. It is pretty loud here, huh?

[He sits down cross-legged on the ground to seem like even less of a threat.]

My name's Christian. Can you tell me your name?

[wing_attack]

[On the one hand this guy seems nice.]

[On the other hand, stranger danger.]

[On a third hand, he can't be any worse than what he's already dealing with.]

... T... Tobias.

[No last name. He'll at least be that careful.]

[usedlightscreen]

It's nice to meet you, Tobias.

You know, the town where I'm from barely had a mall, that's how small it was. So I know what it's like to be overwhelmed by a whole lot of noise.

[He looks at Regal.]

Is this big guy here your friend?

[wing_attack]

[He looks up at Regal a little warily.]

W... well, he... he's been following me around and he hasn't h... hurt me, s... so. I don't know. I d... don't have friends. No one wants to be friends with s... someone like me.