Eight Birds of Paradise Singing

What has it been, a year and... eight months? Well, seven. And yet I have aged three years in that time. {A sigh.} It’s good to know that this place makes as little sense as ever.

. . .

Tell me Johto, Kanto, have you ever heard the Legend of Tanabata? It is an old tale, and like all good stories, contains both love and heartbreak. It seems to be a particularly favoured theme, to be quite honest, as it pops up again and again throughout the myths and legends of all cultures. {She smiles, and she looks at peace, contented.} It’s my birthday today – well, not just mine. Crow Hogan, I hope you have a wonderful day, and that you enjoy your presents.

One hundred and forty years... It sounds impossibly old, doesn’t it? Ah, but I am so young compared to some of my colleagues back home. Happy Tanabata, everyone.

{She can be found wandering around Saffron today, just chilling and enjoying the lovely weather.}

//text

Envy, Tulio, Miguel, Rangiku Matsumoto, France, China, England, Cooper.

Toushirou Hitsugaya, Marona, Souji Seta, Minato Arisato, Crow Hogan, Heather Mason, Yosuke Hanahjdvsfgkrdb;'lnhuioxfg

{Some may be surprised by this text popping up on their 'Gears. Others, curious.}

{And then the feed changes abruptly to Video}

-ssandra! Don't do that, and oh dear. {That voice... it may sound quite familiar to some. At first, the only thing visible in the feed is a rather disorientated Natu, but fingers soon grasp and right the 'Gear again, and Nanao's face comes into view. She chuckles in a long-suffering fashion when she sees that it's recording.}

Drat. And here I was hoping that Johto would have ignored - or at least, lessened - my bad luck with this place. It would have been a kindness... {She trails off, and her expression changes to one more thoughtful. Those who knew her before might be able to notice that she looks a little older, perhaps a little careworn. It isn't a big change, but it's there all the same.} ...then again, I suppose returning here is a kindness in and of itself.

{And the Natu, which has slowly been regaining her sense of balance, attempts to hop up her sleeve and onto her shoulder! .....and fails miserably, falling and knocking the 'Gear out of Nanao's hands in the process, ending the feed.}

//action

{Nanao can be found wandering around New Bark Town, and chances are, she'll probably approach your character if they look particularly lost!}

Where on earth have I ended up this time? {Have one rather annoyed Shinigami staring at her surroudings of rock and snow in bewilderment.} I had completely forgotten about this... glitch, for want of a better word.

Glitch? 
Where in God's good name am I?

{She freezes, and slowly turns to look behind herself. There's a small girl with black hair, and oversized glasses, and a woman dressed in Victorian clothes, who looks to be close to Nanao's height. Actually, she's exactly Nanao's height.}

No... This can't be - how is this happening?!

E-excuse me, Miss Vicecaptain, but where are we?
And who are you, anyway?

{She blanches, and stumbles back a few steps. When she speaks, her voice is weak, and trembling.} Y-you're in Johto. And... you're both me.

{OOC: Yes I am indeed aware that this post is the latest of the late, but the idea wouldn't leave me. In case you were wondering, the girl and the woman are Nanao as a child Shinigami and her human self, respectively.}

//action - Solas Fide Bungalow

( cut for prose )

//text - locked to half of Johto France, Ken Hidaka, Souji, Yosuke, Rise, Atsuro, Envy, Tulio, Marona, Hitsugaya, Matsumoto, Byakuya, Otacon, Miguel, Shelly de Killer, Crow, Kaito, Gaga, Professor Layton, England, Cruz, and Cooper

So. It seems I can walk again. {Yep. Short, sweet, and to the point.}

 {This feed today is brought to you by Ghostly Balloons Inc, and showcases a lovely sunlight-filled room, with a daybed positioned near the open windows, where a faint breeze ruffles the curtains gently. As Drifloon-san is blown gently to the other side of the room, the figures lying on the bed comes into focus.}

It must be a wonderfully sunny day, hey, Shinrai? {It's none other than Nanao, who looks a heck of a lot better than she did last time she appeared on the network, although she's still wrapped in bandages, not least including her eyes, which are still covered, and her sling-clad left arm. Her right hand is resting on a strange stone, fingers smoothing over the slick surface.}

( Cut for teal deers and (illegal) shenanigans )

//video, accidental.

{There's a jumble of sound and light, and the rather distinctive roar of the Kangaskhan Police.} Damnit, I didn't think they'd be here this fast!

{More dull thuds happen, and several shouted commands, before a huge billowing smoke cloud erupts from the upper right corner of the 'Gear, and slowly spreads across the screen.} Good boy, Renji! Let's go.

{The sound of the Kangaskhan Police soon fades, and then there's only the sound of running feet, and the feed times out to the view of a pair of trainer-clad feet, a tail tipped with flame, and the undulating frame of a Furret.}

//text, open.

I seem to be on the run from the law. How long before they stop looking for me?

{Nanao has rather obviously broken the law, and is running south to Ilex Forest to avoid the long paw of the Kangaskhan Police. Feel free to tag all over this - if they saw her running through Goldenrod, running towards Ilex, were at the Pokemon Centre etc. Also mod-approved!}

Whitney. We meet at last. {There's some rustling, and then the 'Gear finally orients itself into a mostly upright position. We will be using Ivysaur-cam for this poarticular episode of Nanao's Life.}
( cut for battle and housekeys )

{{ooc: Badge and house acquisition were both mod-approved! AND YES, SHE DOES WANT HOUSEGUESTS}}

I, ah, seem to have two new additions to my team. {Nanao steps away from the camera to show an unruffled Golduck and an unhappy-looking Happiny.}  The Golduck came from Hitsugaya-taichou, but I'm not quite sure who the Happiny's mother used to be.

{At the mention of 'mother', the little Happiny wibbles, and bursts into tears} Oh, no, little one, please don't cry - it'll be okay, I promise. Shh, shh, come on now... {She sits down and gathers the little 'Mon into her arms} So if anyone could tell me who her mother was, I'd be very grateful.

...Do you want me to sing for you? {She nods, and Nanao gently brushes away a tear, before drawing breath}

"I've heard it said/That people come into our live/For a reason..."

{And the feed times out to Nanao sitting on the sidewalk, Happiny cradled in her lap, singing 'For Good' to the little 'Mon. Feel free to interact etc}

The 'Gear clicks on to what is becoming an alarmingly regular sight - that of Ise Nanao being set upon by hordes of Pokemon. However, this time instead of Sentrets or Weedle or Bellsprouts or those goddamned Zubats, a collection of Jigglypuff were eagerly watching every move she made.

"You have got to be kidding me." A flash of light, and then a rather large Poliwag with a crown-shaped rock perched jauntily bounced out onto the snow. Nanao gestured at the pink fluffballs, and Sentarou sprang into action. Hanatarou slapped down any that got too close, and kept a wary eye on her far too pale trainer.

"Go for it, Sentarou! Use Body Slam!" She may look a few steps from unconsciousness, but Ise was stronger than that - she had to be. Her hand went to her belt, to a strange new ball. Bare fingers stroked over the smooth surface in thought, but eventually decided against it, as Jyuushirou, Kiyone and Sentarou systematically reduced the numbers of the Jigglypuff away down to nought.

"Maybe next time, Byakuya..." She started forward again, eccentric mix of clothes fluttering in the faint persistent breeze, returning her other Pokemon to their balls. "Good job, guys, you've clearly learnt a lot." Soon, she stood there by herself, a lone, swaying figure in a wintry landscape. She kept speaking as she moved forward, addressing the 'Gear.

"Apologies, everyone, for having been out of touch. I have been... busy traveling and training, and it seems to have finally paid off. France, I should be in Goldenrod in a bit more than five days, if my past travel times are any indication. And Captain, yes, I am fine." She looks off towards the sea, and even when she looks back, her gaze is distant, as if she's seeing things that aren't quite there.

"I have one question: Has anyone else dreamt that they've been home when they've gone to sleep?"

Nanao stood by the entrance to Sprout tower, breath steaming in the crisp air. Violet City was certainly more... traditional than Newbark and Cherrygrove in some ways, and so Nanao didn't feel too out of place, dressed as she was in her kimono. She'd been wearing it more than her shihakushou, that was true, but that was mainly because the linen shihakusou was simply not warm enough in this cold climate, whereas the multiple layers of the kimono were more than adequate to deal with the cold.

Sentarou peeked out from between the flaps of her haori, cradled against her trainer's chest, the little tadpole preferring to stay where it was warm, and squeaked, just loudly enough to get Nanao's attention. From where they were, they could see all of Violet City, from the gym, all the way down past the Pokemon Centre and on to the Inn - and it was a captivating view.

"Yes, yes, I know." Nanao could even see the pond where Hitsugaya-taichou had been unceremoniously nearly drowned by his evolving Golduck - and therein lay the problem. For some reason, she could not gather up the courage to walk down the hill, and meet her fellow Shinigami; for what reason, she didn't know, but it was the reason that she had taken up residence in the spartan environ of Sprout Tower, and had avoided all forms of contact for the last two days.

Now, though, it was time to break that fear, and march down there. She took in a deep, steadying breath, and set off.

"Here goes nothing." "Polii!"

Later;
Text; to ENTIRE NETWORK
// What's a good flying type?


{{please ignore location!fail}}