003. [Video]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Zulf finds it easier to post at night, away from the bustle of daily activity; it feels far less like he's shouting over everyone else, and more like he can just speak his mind.

He's kept mostly to himself today, distancing himself from Zia and simply spending long periods of time sitting alone near one of the small streams winding its way through the trees, allowing her to explore as much as she liked without nagging her to be careful; it was unlike him, perhaps, but he hadn't exactly been too open with his thoughts on the Bastion, either. The Calamity had sobered him a good amount; what had happened afterwards...well. It wasn't anything to be talked about, either.

He should be used to losing people by now; he isn't sure what to do with the fact that he probably never will be.

The feed hums alive to depict one of the routes, though it's difficult to tell which; there's a rather large magenta...mass behind him, curled up and appearing to be breathing - those that are familiar with Scolipede's coloring may recognize it. Zulf had simply found its ball among his belongings, taking up that sixth slot after he had finally given in and left one of the creatures he had obtained in the box, given that he didn't have the heart to keep it in the ball when it was within plain sight and that hadn't been an option around his previous company.

He had scanned it with the PokéDex, as he had been instructed to; its name was Hanako.

Original Trainer...]

I don't know how many others here knew this man; for those that did, Kariya Matou is no longer in Johto.

He will be missed greatly; may he feel Mother's love and protection, even now that he's returned to his home world.

[And that is, quite frankly, all.]

Comments

[VIDEO]

[determinator]

[Archer doesn't respond right away. He doesn't recognize the name, but from Zulf's words, it's easy enough to gather that they were close on some level. When he does turn the video feed on, Archer is trying his best to look sympathetic. It's not working.]

I'm sorry to hear that. I wasn't familiar with them, but it is a shame someone you cared about has left. Unfortunately, this happens rather frequently.

[Not to him of course, because he doesn't care about anyone. :| Shut up.]

[VIDEO]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[It's probably fortunate that he can't see your face very well, due to both the dark and the size of the screen; the screen is pretty much all that's illuminating the area, though there's some occasional blinking off to the left that implies Squirt's around somewhere.]

...he was a good person, though he seemed very lonely; we kept each other company. It was nice to speak to him, and I did get to meet him in person before he left; I'm grateful for that much.

[VIDEO]

[determinator]

[Archer tips his head a bit at that, both in acknowledgement and something that looks a bit more like sympathy than his expression.]

I'm very sorry to hear he's returned home. Perhaps he'll return here some day? There are a few who have come back to Johto after some time.

[leaveyourstarburning]

...maybe.

[He doesn't seem too optimistic about it, but that does seem to...at least get him a bit closer to "neutral" as opposed to openly upset.]

How have you been lately, Archer?

[determinator]

[Neutral is good! Archer isn't sure how to make things any better, so leaving it as it is seems to be the best course of action. The topic shift is appreciated as well - and not just for the fact that he's now the center of attention.]

I've been well; Kimblee and I are still working on training our Pokémon in preparation for the Elite Four. They haven't opened yet, unfortunately, but with any luck they'll accept challengers soon. We do need to return home, after all.

[The usual air of confidence is there, but Archer sounds a bit distant somehow. He's quick to continue, noticing that.]

Perhaps we'll visit Kanto in the meantime. Aside from your friend leaving, how have you been, Zulf?

video;

[femininity]

[ she doesn't fully understand the situation, only having recently arrived herself, but... ]

I'm sorry for your loss. [ that seems like a fitting thing to say? ]

video;

[leaveyourstarburning]

[He pauses for a moment before responding, studying the 'Gear a bit; it's still pretty dark in the area, save for the occasional flickering off to the left while his Chinchou plays with...something or other over there, but after a while he seems to relax a bit.]

Thank you; that's very good of you.

I don't think we've met, have we?

video;

[femininity]

Oh, you're welcome.

[ she doesn't think it was a very big deal, but she may as well be polite. ]

I don't think so either. I'm Makoto Kikuchi... I just got here about a week ago.

video;

[leaveyourstarburning]

My name's Zulf, Makoto - it's nice to meet you.

[And from his tone, it...actually genuinely is; it's always easier for him to focus on others than deal with his own issues for terribly long, and conversations with new people are always welcome.]

Have you been doing well here? A week isn't very long.

video;

[femininity]

It's nice to meet you too, Zulf. I've never heard a name like that before... where are you from?

[ granted, she's not really that familiar with foreign names to begin with. ]

Oh, I've been doing great! It's a lot of fun and I have some friends here too.

text;

[ex_cashcow493]

He shall be missed.

[ There's a part of her that wants to wish she could believe in the latter part of that statement, but knowing just what happens to him tears at her heart. Saber's own roster has bolstered with his loss, several of his Pokemon having found her.

So all she can reply with is a vague comment. Would she miss Kariya? A part of her thinks she would; it isn't often she gives away so many Pokemon and she even went out of her way to collect bug Pokemon specifically for him. So she's certain she would miss him, even if he was a Master from the Fourth War. ]

text;

[leaveyourstarburning]

[...that vague comment is still very, very welcome; he can't deny that at all.

It always takes him a moment to adjust to text; the alphabet here is always so odd-seeming to him, nowhere near the traditional script used by the Ura, but he understands what it means well enough.]

You knew him, then?

text;

[ex_cashcow493]

I did.

[ Having not expected a reply at all, Saber's left with the struggle of how to comfort someone. A knight with her emotions locked away for most of her life made these matters all the more difficult, but she would try. For Kariya's friend here. ]

He was my ally here is what I mean.
It seems I have adopted a majority of his Pokemon myself.
I did not expect him to leave this place so soon.
I suppose not many from Fuyuki City remain here long however.

text;

[leaveyourstarburning]

When it comes to his Pokémon, I ask that you please take care of them well; what you can't, I'll accept from you. He told me that they were like his family, and I believe him.

Are you from his world? I've never heard of this city you refer to.

text;

[ex_cashcow493]

As a Breeder, I have the proper tools to take care of as many Pokemon as possible.
However, if you like, you may adopt them from me if it would ease the pain.
He believed of them to be like family?
Truly such kindness is something we all need in this world.
As for being from his world, it is rather complicated to explain.
It is easier to say I went on a vacation there for a while and we met in passing.

[video]

[fullmoonfortune]

[Ryoji's still trying to get into the swing of things, as far as becoming a night owl goes; his Pokémon like the night far better than the daytime, and he's willing to compromise for them, but it doesn't let him any less tired.

But being tired doesn't make him any less empathetic to the loss of a friend -- something, he feels, he might know better than most.]

I'm sorry. [And he's sincere about it.] I hope he stays safe as well. I didn't know him, but you must have cared about him greatly if you're willing to be the one to break the news to everyone else.

[video]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Zulf pauses for a moment before responding, the backlight from the 'Gear illuminating the area a bit; it's still rather dim overall, though there's an occasional pulse of light off to the left - it seems his Chinchou has found something to play with, those antennae blinking like mad.]

...thank you - it's very good of you. He meant a lot, yes; I only knew him for a very brief while, but I did care about him quite a bit.

[He paused for a moment before continuing.]

I don't think we've met, have we?

[video]

[fullmoonfortune]

[Ryoji furrows his brow, then nods; his fingers find his scarf and he strokes the yellow fabric, unconsciously. He smiles regardless - meeting new people is always a pleasure, even under such circumstances, after all.]

We haven't. Was it a little strange for me to offer my condolences like that? [He chuckles, but it's almost uncertain, like he's never had to deal with this sort of thing before -- he had pretty much gone off once he remembered... things.] I'm Ryoji Mochizuki.

[video]

[leaveyourstarburning]

Don't worry, it was more nice than strange - I really do appreciate it.

[And from the sound of it, he does! He really does. More kindness in the world is always a good thing, really.]

My name is Zulf - it's good to meet you, Ryoji.

[video] every time i see your username i start singing mother, i'm here

[fullmoonfortune]

I'm glad.

[And he really is! Ryoji is all about the kindness, after all. And he's happy it's well-received, instead of some sort of social faux-pas. Apparently wanting to apologize to the girls you spied on in the hot springs is a bad idea? Who knew.]

It's nice to meet you too, Zulf-san. [He doesn't yawn -- not quite -- but the honorific goes on a little longer than needed.] Have you been here long? You mentioned only knowing him a short while, so I assume you haven't been here long. Not that that's a bad thing! I've only been here for a week or two myself.

[Video.]

[shakespearealien]

[Here is someone who can sympathize. ... Even if he's not supposed to be able to do any such thing. Either way, when he appears on the Video feed, he does look sincerely saddened.]

That sort of thing seems to be happening a lot lately, doesn't it?

I did not know him. But may he be safe, and may you find solace and relief in contemplating the stars.

Incidentally. "Mother"...?

[Because obviously one of the reasons why he has decided to answer this is to ask about metaphysical beliefs.]

[Video.]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[O-Oh, hello there. He remembers you; the conversation hadn't always been pleasant, but he doesn't hold anything against you, primarily because it's hard to get him to hold much against anyone if it's kept confined to words - it had mostly been misunderstandings, anyway.]

It seems that way, yes.

As for Mother... [He pauses for a moment; he tends to forget that most people here don't already know this.] A goddess from our home world. Micia.

[Video.]

[shakespearealien]

I, too, am... dealing with the aftermath of a similar event. I am not the best suited individual to be the proverbial shoulder to cry on, but I'll be here if you need to talk.

[He pauses as he carefully ponders over Zulf's words.]

A goddess. Meaning there are more than one, possibly...?

[Video.]

[leaveyourstarburning]

I'm sorry for your loss; consider the offer returned.

[And from the sound of it, that's completely sincere, not an attempt to brush Gorthan off.]

...there are ten gods and goddesses in the pantheon. Are you a religious person, Gorthan?

[He already suspects that Gorthan isn't; after all, those from Caelondia believed in the same gods as the Ura, but after the rise of the Mancers and the scientific advances made as a result, the Caels' respect for the gods had deteriorated sharply into a mockery of what it had been.]

Action!

[anyplace]

[If Zia were a more observant person, she would have realized something was wrong and been summoned back from her exploration by worry. Were she a more cautious person, she would remembered to check her pokégear for messages from Zulf and been summoned back by the message. Were she a sensible person, she probably wouldn't be wandering through forests alone and after dark in the first place.

As it is, she is a playful person. It's chance that's brought her back to Zulf, following the stream and occasionally kicking at the water with bare feet. It's cooler now, but she almost seems to have absorbed the last of the sun. Warmth and noise and excitement are practically radiating from her, and evidence of her adventures is all over her - mud and grass stains, cuts and bruises and tears in her clothes, leaves and twigs in her hair. She's absorbed the sun in a more literal way, too, what little skin isn't covered by her clothes is bright, angry red. She doesn't seem to care.

This is absolutely what he needs crashing his feels party, right?]

Zulf! Found you! [She says, as if she was actually looking. She could have kept exploring for hours longer.]