Seventh Viking Charge [Video]

[punchandkiss]

[Astrid is sitting on a bench outside of one of the big stores in Goldenrod, looking...a bit cross. After a minute of glaring at the camera, she reaches off screen and holds up a blue and yellow guitar.]

Whoever told me you could buy axes in Goldenrod, if this is what you meant...

[Yes, she's cross!]

This is not an axe! It's some kind of music...thing. I don't know. I asked for an axe and the guy sold me this. I don't even know what to do with it! I thought maybe it was a carrying case for an axe, some kind of modern...trick.

But it's not!

[She huffs and sets her guitar back down in her lap, plucking irritably at one of the strings.]

I don't suppose anybody does know what to do with it? I bought it, I have to do something with it.

[Another pause, and then she seems to remember something.]

Oh right, also. There's a thing that teaches pokemon to fly? A disc or square or...I don't know, whatever the word is. Someone said you can use it more than once, does anybody in goldenrod have one I could borrow for a couple minutes?

Comments

[video]

[paladinlost]

The Fly HM? I could lend you mine, along with any other HM you might need. I've obtained all seven of them.

[video]

[punchandkiss]

That would be great, I just need to teach it to Meatball.

Uh. There are other ones?

[video]

[paladinlost]

There are. Cut, Strength, Rock Smash, Surf, Waterfall and Whirlpool. The last three are mostly useful if you wish to travel by sea, and the others facilitate the removal of obstacles in your path. Not nearly as interesting as Fly, but they have their uses.

[video]

[punchandkiss]

Oh...

But if I can fly, can't I skip most of that anyway?

[bywiseguidance]

Axe...?

[Ziva agrees, that doesn't look much like an axe.]

That is a guitar. A musical instrument.

[punchandkiss]

Yes, an axe. Two bladed, nice solid handle, something I could really get a grip on.

[Astrid says this longingly. She misses her axe! And then she sighs.]

Yeah, I know. I figured that out. I have no idea what to do with this.

[video]

[paladinlost]

You could, yes. But a lot of people enjoy walking and surfing around when they have the time.

[Video]

[subtlecoruscate]

...what do you need an axe for?

[bywiseguidance]

I would like a knife, personally. Good balance and heft.

[aka she totally understands your feels.]

You could learn to play it.

[usedshooshpap]

Guitar. It's a guitar.

[video]

[punchandkiss]

I guess I could maybe see surfing as fun but...walking?

[punchandkiss]

I could work with a knife. It wouldn't be as good as an axe, but it would be something!

[Frown.]

I'm...not really the musical type.

[Video]

[punchandkiss]

Defending myself. Cutting down trees. Feeling more secure.

Why wouldn't I want an axe?

[punchandkiss]

All I hear is that it's not an axe.

[She's a little grumpy. Sorry Karkat.]

[bywiseguidance]

You may be surprised, and find you like it. You have the guitar now, yes? You may as well use it.

[papshooshing]

Sorry. I think weapons are illegal or some shit.

[punchandkiss]

[She frowns, staring at the guitar for a moment, then back up to Ziva, then down to the guitar.]

Vikings don't really do things that aren't, you know, smashing. Fighting. [She's come to terms with that.] I wouldn't even know where to start.

[punchandkiss]

I still don't understand that. I mean, doesn't that just mean bad people can make their own and nobody would be able to protect themselves?

[Vikings: The original NRA.]

[papshooshing]

I'm sure they do. But if caught you'd be in jail for a while.

Besides, theoretically, your partners would defend you if something were to happen.

[bywiseguidance]

[Hiccup has neglected to mention that he's a viking thus far, so Ziva will just look...kinda surprised. Vikings. That's new.]

Perhaps the store you purchased it from gives lessons as well. You could start there. Fighting requires rhythm, yes? Music is the same.

[Even though Ziva plays piano herself. Much easier to carry the guitar around.]

[punchandkiss]

Maybe. They had books about...learning to play. [She sighs.] I should've figured this out there and just not bought it.

[She frowns though.]

Fighting Rhythm isn't the same as...this.

[She plucks another string. At least it makes a pleasant noise.]

[punchandkiss]

They're bad guys, do they care?

...Yeah, well. They're great, but I wouldn't make them fight someone with an axe or a sword.

[No matter how cool their powers are, she's too attached to let them get hurt that way now!]

[bywiseguidance]

Not quite, no. But it is similar enough, at least for me.

[She might not look like much, but she can hold her own. :|]

[punchandkiss]

[Astrid looks a little skeptical.]

You're a fighter?

[bywiseguidance]

I am. This surprises you, I see.