002. Video/Action for outside of Azalea Town

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Darkness has fallen over Johto when Zulf's feed flickers on; it isn't too late, but the sun has more than set. The location itself seems to be a secluded one, surrounded by trees shielding it from any signs of civilization, if there are even any cities around to begin with.

However, the camera is focused on a light source - a vast array of twinkling lights, more than can be counted, that seem to be coming from a great distance away. Those that are a bit more astronomically-inclined may recognize several of the major constellations; wherever he is, the view of the sky is beautiful, untainted by artificial light or other pollution.

He films it for a little while before the night sky vanishes, all those little pinpricks of light melding together in a blur as he turns the camera back toward himself. Despite all the darkness, he's actually visible on the feed; Squirt seems to have contented herself sitting in his lap, the soft glow from her antennae flickering up and illuminating his features.

He's smiling a little, though the expression isn't exactly joyful; like last time, the smile doesn't quite reach his eyes, though it's in a way that's more melancholy rather than untrustworthy.]

I've heard that the night sky makes some feel insignificant - something to do with how vast it is, and how completely untouchable it seems. But I've always found that comforting - that no matter what we do or how many mistakes we make, the stars will always be a constant.

[That smile shifts into something warmer, decidedly more genuine. It's...odd, given the subject he's talking about; whatever he's thinking of, it probably isn't supposed to be something that one reflects on fondly, but it seems to please him in some way.]

In some ways, a little insignificance is a good thing, I think - it breeds humility, rather than arrogance; it allows for stability, rather than the uncertainty of complete responsibility. The knowledge that there's always something that you can never touch, that can never be harmed or destroyed or affected by anything you do...it's good knowledge to have.

Enough of that, though...it's a beautiful night. I'm outside of Azalea Town - there's a well surrounded by a stand of trees. Should you want someone to talk to, I'll be here for a while.

[...his social skills are flawless, I am telling you...]

Comments

[determinator]

It's not very often I actually like someone.

[A slight pause.]

I suppose you can consider yourself lucky. You're the exception to the rule.

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Willing friendship isn't something Zulf is unfamiliar with - he'd had friends back in Caelondia, after all - but open expression of such things...no. Even on the Bastion, after what effectively amounted to the end of days, they had never really expressed these sorts of things; it was just something that they had taken as a given, a sort of closeness that came with the knowledge that you were the only ones left.]

That's...

[...awkward, that's what it is, but it's clear from the smile that it's pleased him regardless.]

I consider myself very lucky, then, Archer. Thank you.

[determinator]

[Sar...casm... though...]

[Archer isn't sure what to do with that; it seems very genuine. He smirks in response; it really is nice to hear that. Somehow. He's not sure what to do with that knowledge either.]

Well, you're welcome, then.

[leaveyourstarburning]

[ASK HIM IF HE CARES, ARCHER. GO ON. ASK.]

...at any rate. I take it you managed to get out of those caves in one piece after the last time we spoke?

[determinator]

[A WILD TOPIC CHANGE APPEARED thank god!]

Yes, I did. I obtained my sixth Gym Badge before those three days we missed. I ended up elsewhere - luckily it's in one of the cities that has a Gym Badge I need.

[leaveyourstarburning]

Well, in that case, again - the best of luck in completing your challenge.

[determinator]

Thank you. I shouldn't have any difficulty with the remaining badges.

And what about you? Do you intend to continue to Goldenrod?

[leaveyourstarburning]

I'm sure I will - I would like to see more of this place eventually. For the time being, though, I'm content to stay here a while longer; the area is nice, and there's work available.

[...]

Is Goldenrod where you usually stay, or do you reside elsewhere?

[determinator]

[Work? Why would you bother when you could just battle trainers...? Oh. Right. You're not interested in that.]

Yes, I'm usually in Goldenrod. I'm currently travelling, and my traveling partner tends to get restless, so we do occasionally leave the city. I didn't see much of Azalea; you're enjoying it, then?

[leaveyourstarburning]

It's a nice place...most of this world has been very nice.

[It's clear that the fondness isn't forced; he's genuinely rather liking it here. He goes back to petting that Chinchou, her antennae blinking enthusiastically as he does so, brightening everything for a moment before settling again.]

I find the culture here interesting as well - so much of it is centered entirely around the Pokémon. Most of the major stores have more supplies for them than they do for their human trainers; there are no separate hospitals for people, but rather they're treated in places that are designed to serve Pokémon first and foremost. It's as though the people here are trying to compromise with the wild, instead of trying to tame it.