[video]

[pinkmin]

The last several jolts of Vianca's consciousness had not been what anyone could call pleasant. The last thing she had remembered about Havenwell was the warmth of morning sunshine. Then that sunshine had lost its warmth, its departure bringing weak stutters of breath and the crumbled remains of a place that had once been her whole world. The sunlight was still there, filtering in through the broken ceilings and crushed walls. Oh, she had thought as she laid there, a dream. A very nice one. It was a shame she couldn't hold on to it in the end.

Then there was nothing.

So when she opened her eyes in a sunlit temple a second time, she was not sure what to do. She stayed right there for a very long time, until one of the kind priests helped her to her feet so she could find her way. It... had been cold, the last time she had been outside? She thought so anyway, but the more she thought about it, the more she wasn't sure. Maybe it had been warm the whole time?

She had only gotten so far through the temple before she had to crouch down in a corner, because things were a little too overwhelming. Thinking about what the season meant was too much. Starting over was too much. What if it was just her all over again? That, more than anything, was far too much.

It took a very long time, but eventually Vianca slowly picked up the tablet that had been handed to her. Whether it was the same one she'd had or a new one, she didn't have the courage to check. The focus was simply on opening the network and keeping her breath steady.

---


[It was a little bit dark there in the corner of Ohma's temple, but it was still possible to see the pink little girl on the screen. Her mouth was pressed in a thin, worried line, and for a moment it might have seemed like the video frame was actually frozen.

Then she took a breath, and spoke in a spectacularly tiny voice into the screen.]


... Hello?

Comments

[pinkxeno]

[ A very excited pokemon that's for sure ]

Ehh? Here before...? Where did you go, then?

[pinkmin]

[Deep mysteries.]

Back home, I am fairly sure.

[pinkxeno]

Eehh? Do you remember being there?

Ah- when you were there, do you remember being here?

[pinkmin]

Yes. It was a nice memory to have, even if it felt like a dream.

[pinkxeno]

Ohh, that's nice. I would like to remember what happens here, even if it's kinda like a dream. [ she doesn't want to forget]

Ah! But then you are an expert at this place, it will be easy to get used to it again. 

[pinkmin]

[She nodded.] It is nice to remember. I am glad... I remember it here as well.

I do not know how much has changed though. It will be a little new.

[pinkxeno]

Do you know how long it been since last time you were here? 

[pinkmin]

[Vianca’s gaze slowly shifted, looking beyond the tablet for a few moments as she considered this.]

I am… not sure. I remember it was still cold.

[pinkxeno]

Cold? Ohh so it was probably winter, then. 

[pinkmin]

Yes…. that sounds right.

How long have you been here?

[pinkxeno]

Since... Nalom? [ that's february, yeah. she is still figuring out how the months work, here ]

So five months!

[pinkmin]

Oh.

I think... I just missed you.

[It's been? Five?? Months????]

[pinkxeno]

Yeah. Probably!

In any case, welcome back! 

[pinkmin]

[She nodded.]

Thank you. It is nice to meet you. Have you settled in ok?

[pinkxeno]

Yeah. This place is kind of fun. A bit frustrating at times, but what you gonna do. [ she shrugs a little ]

[pinkmin]

Mm. That is the impression I have gotten from others as well. It appears to be a shared sentiment.

[Which meant Mina was probably settling in just fine!]

[pinkxeno]

What do you think about this place, though? [ does she share the sentiment? ]

[pinkmin]

It is not a bad place. [And home was full of wacky monthly hijinks too, so that was just normal for her.]

I am glad to be here.

[pinkxeno]

Hm! Glad you at least came back then - you can it enjoy it again.

[pinkmin]

Yes. I hope you are able to enjoy your time here too, while you are here.