leaveyourstarburning | 003. [Video]

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!ic,
!video

003. [Video]

[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.]

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[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.

...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?

[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?

[He notices the distance, but he'll leave it for now; it gets into awkward territory that he doesn't want to breach just yet.

He isn't looking forward to Archer and Kimblee leaving; he knows they need to, but he's tired of losing people.]

I've been good. I'm sorry for leaving you so soon - there was someone here I had to meet with. Someone from my own world.

[And he seems pleased with that, actually! Legitimately pleased.

IT'S EASIER TO FOCUS ON THE PLEASANT THINGS.......]

Oh no, that's quite alright. Kimblee had a meeting to attend as well.

[It also got him out of that damn forest faster...]

Ah, someone from your world arrived here?

[........Oh, right, the incredibly pale girl!]

I believe I might have seen her video on the network; an incredibly pale girl with dark hair?

[...Archer, you are the last to talk about incredibly pale...]

Yeah, that's Zia - she's an Ura as well.

[He must be excited, you got him to break out the "Yeah", goodness lawd.]

She's nice; I'd like you to meet her sometime.

[Oh bb... You're kind of adorable when you're not trying to be sophisticated! \o/]

I'd enjoy that.

[That's actually true! If she's as sweet as you are, then sure! Sounds great!]

I'm glad there's someone from your world here. It's much easier to deal with this place when you know someone here.

[...Kimblee counts, right?]

She seems to like it here; I don't blame her, I've been liking it too.

[That odd sort of happiness is still present, but there's a bit of a melancholy edge to it, playing at his words and making itself plain in his expression.]

You always talk like this world is something to be "dealt with;" I've never thought of it like that.

[Archer hesitates at Zulf's statement; he wasn't even aware he was doing that. Yes, he does consider this world something to be "dealt with," but not everyone thinks like he does.]

[...It's kind of sad that he has to remind himself that.]

I suppose I can see why; this world is nice enough. I prefer my homeworld, that's all.

[And he does! He just doesn't like the fact that his best friend is dead there! No big deal!]

Is that a new Pokémon? Scolipede, correct?

[Do you like abrupt topic changes? Archer does! \o/]

[Zulf glances behind him, almost as though making sure that the creature is still there and not doing something...horribly weird before replying; she's still sleeping, at least...]

Her name is Hanako; she belonged to Kariya.

[He pauses for a moment, his expression going a bit tight.]

He...really loved these creatures, he said they were like his family.

[...Oh great, so he switches from one awkward topic to another.]

I see. Quite a few people consider them to be very close. Again, I'm sorry for your loss.

[You have a talent for that, sry2say.]

...I've lost a lot of people in the past. It doesn't seem to get any easier. But I'll be all right.

I'm very sorry to hear that. I imagine it wouldn't.

[...How do you manage? He has no idea how he'd move on if he lost Kimblee, and that's only two people.]

I'm sure you'll be fine, but if you ever need anything, you can contact me.

[Not like he can really do anything to help, but it's the thought that counts, right?]

[Zulf is quiet for a moment, though his expression is pretty much (unsure) personified.]

...thank you, Archer. That's...it's very good of you.

[He pauses for a moment, glancing off to the left; that flickering's going crazy over there, implying Squirt's found something to amuse herself with.]

...I'm sorry to have bothered you.

[Oh come on, his help isn't that terrible!]

Don't apologize. It's much better to talk about these things than to ignore them.

[...Well, it's better in the long run. It means you'll go less crazy and you'll stop referring to your dead best friend like he's still alive!]

[...We're totally talking about the same thing here. :| ]

...I guess so. I've always found it easier to focus on others' problems instead; it distracts me from my own.

I suppose that would be beneficial.

[But lol, dealing with other peoples' problems? Yeah right.]

[Oh, come on, what's that look for?]

It's not for everyone. But with that in mind, you can consider that offer returned. If you ever need to talk, I mean.

...I appreciate it.

[And that is genuine. He doesn't know Zulf very well, but from what he's seen, Zulf is very supportive and caring. It's a stark contrast to Kimblee who is... special, really. Kimblee does care in his own way, Archer knows that, but this is genuinely nice.]

Will you be alright, then?

I think so...it's just difficult.

[He pauses for a moment before continuing, his tone hesitant.]

Can I ask you an odd question?

I know.

[He does. Not to the extent Zulf does, apparently, but he does know.]

Of course. What is it?

You said before that you don't believe in the gods, and that's your choice. But do you believe in fate?

Fate...?

[That is a rather odd question. Archer assumes Zulf is going somewhere with this, however.]

No, I don't believe in fate. We aren't predestined to do anything; everything we do is because of our own choosing.

[He is and he isn't; it's a bit of a complicated subject.]

I'm not talking about free will - more like strings of events that line up too closely. Someone being in the right place at a certain moment and something important happens as a result, or something happening that normally wouldn't have been odd but ends up being life-changing, or someone seeming to attract certain kinds of luck. Things like that. Do you think it's just coincidence?

Yes, it is. I suppose I haven't seen enough of that to really question it; it's never occurred to me that it could be fate.

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