leaveyourstarburning | 004. Text/Action for Goldenrod City

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004. Text/Action for Goldenrod City

[It's been a month full of crises, it seems; Zulf has been aware of the attacks, of the assaults on civilians and gyms and the Centers, and out of all of that, it's the last one that angers him most. And then there were the mutations, the illnesses, things that couldn't be fought with words or actions, leaving him feeling rather useless, all things considered.

And then had come proof that whomever had said that bad things happened in threes hadn't been wrong; the third crisis was of a far more personal nature. Zulf supposed it was selfish to allow the personal issue to cut him far more deeply than the attacks against Johto as a whole; however, he found that it was something that he couldn't help.

He allowed himself to be useless for a short while afterwards, to give himself time to recover, to not be rash; following that period, he had returned to Goldenrod City and found work immediately, among all the people that were still alive and not burnt to ashes where they stood - how long would it be before Zia could see something like this again? - and the buildings that seemed a bit too tall to be real. It was what he did when he didn't know what else to do - he threw himself into his work, whatever that may happen to be in his current location.

Today, though, he's distanced himself from all that a bit, sitting in one of the open squares near the northern side of town, close to Route 35; the park is small but nice, and he's sitting on one of the benches occupying the edge of it, in rather plain sight. There are several Pokemon playing in the grass; some are his, some aren't, but they all seem to be getting along rather well; he glances up once in a while to see what they're doing, but for the most part he seems rather content with what he's looking at, and he's rather comfortable diverting his attention back to the 'Gear, on which he's been tapping out a message to send to the network. He shifts a bit once in a while, allowing his leg to brush up against the large bag at his feet as though checking to make sure it's still there, but it's not an anxious motion, though the text itself seems to be taking a while to set up.]

For those that knew her, Zia is no longer in Johto. May she feel Mother's love and protection in our home world. She liked creatures of all sorts and enjoyed taking care of them; now that she isn't here anymore, I would like to try to do so in her stead.

My name is Zulf; the Pokemon Centers are still down, but I have good numbers of Revives and Hyper Potions. I was not affected by the mutations, but I do not fear you if you were. Should you want to avoid the public healing center in town for that reason or any other and can't afford your own healing supplies, I can be found in Goldenrod City, near the route leaving town to the north. I'm told that I dress strangely/am hard to miss, and I always have at least a Scolipede out in the area with me (her name is Hanako, she is friendly and will not try to eat you). I'll try to be there in the evenings for as long as I'm needed.

[And with that out of the way, he'll be returning to...whatever he's been doing on that bench; it appears to be playing with a few rather large skeins of string, braiding them together in what appear to be bracelets of some sort while he waits.]

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[Zulf isn't the only one who has experienced some kind of crisis. Admittedly, Archer's isn't quite as big of a deal (he and Kimblee will reconcile, after all), but he does understand the feeling of loss and being alone. It's something that Archer hates and it usually ends with him lashing out. Today is a bit different - but perhaps that's because it's Zulf. Archer isn't sure what it is about Zulf, but he feels the (ridiculously strange) urge to look after him and make sure he's alright. This isn't something that's ever really bothered him before (except for Kimbley, but that's entirely different).]

[Archer doesn't reply to the text; he didn't know Zia very well at all and isn't sure what to say. He does head north immediately though. For once he only has one Pokémon out with him - the Venipede, who doesn't really seem to mind being carried around. Hey, at least he's not being insulted by Archer's horrible friend!]

[Zulf doesn't look much different from when they met in Ilex Forest. In fact, he's still incredibly easy to spot with that ridiculous skirt. Archer stops just short of him, bending to let the Venipede down. The bug skitters off immediately to examine the other Pokémon.]

...I'm very sorry to hear about your loss, Zulf.

[Archer's words are slow and careful, as if he's not quite sure whether it's appropriate. He knows people react differently to things like this - just a few days ago he nearly broke down into shrieking histrionics at Gorthan, and he wasn't even directly discussing Kimblee.]

[Archer's mutation was very mild and has completely disappeared by now. The only side effect seems to be frequent headaches, but that's something he can deal with. What he's not aware of is the fact that he's still constantly projecting emotions. It's not as obvious over the 'Gear of course, but in person it's surprisingly strong. His expression is carefully controlled into something that might be sympathy if you squint and tilt your head enough, but the emotion is very obviously relief. He's not relieved Zia is gone and he's certainly not glad to see Zulf upset; he's just very glad that Zulf is here and he finally has someone to talk to.]

[...oh, that...well. That does feel odd, Zulf has to admit; for a moment he's not sure where the relief is even coming from. Surely, he's glad to see Archer; there's no doubt about that, and if he's going to be honest, part of the reason he's doing this is for his own sake. Yes, he wants to help people, and this is possibly the best way he can think of (short of anything musical, which is just...no, let's not) to keep Zia in memory and do things that he thinks would please her somehow; at the same time, he can't deny that he's doing this partially to reassure himself that he won't be completely alone here.

So yes, he's incredibly pleased to see Archer; relief is certainly something that's there. But he hadn't expected it to be this...strong, um...

While Zulf attempts to get ahold of his feels over there, Hanako seems more interested in the new arrival; it's not everyday that she sees a level 50 babybug, and clearly everyone is going to make friends here, damn it.

...okay, Zulf seems to have gotten a grip on himself over there. He stands up, setting aside the string for now in favor of bowing slightly, the gesture carried out more for politeness' sake than anything.]

I appreciate it, Archer; it's good to see you again. Have you been well?

[Said babybug is perfectly content to make all the friends! Archer is confident that Kann can take care of himself. ...Well, okay, he'll come skittering back to Archer and start wailing if he gets beat up on, but no big deal.]

[Archer still isn't sure what to do with that bowing. Is that someone everyone from Zulf's word does? Is it rude not to return it? He finally settles for folding his hands behind his back and nodding slightly.]

As well as one can be in times like this.

[It's a lie and he knows it, but launching into a discussion of his Kimblee right now seems horribly awkward. The relief hasn't faded in the slightest, however. Sorry Zulf.]

[Zulf seems rather content to let the bugs scuttle off there, glancing after them with no comment on the situation; he straightens up fairly quickly after Archer acknowledges the bowing, though his words are a bit...odd, there.]

"Times like this"...? Do you mean the attacks, or has something happened?

Ah, of course I meant the attacks.

[Dammit, Zulf, why are you so good at reading people?]

[Zulf moves back to sit on that bench again; Squirt shows up as he does so, seeming to come from rather out of nowhere (though most likely coming from underneath the bench), and he bends to pick her up before resettling.

She's probably going to be a Chinchou forever; Zulf can't say he minds.

However, the look he gives Archer at that is a decidedly serious one, his expression solemn.]

You weren't harmed, were you? This city seems to have taken a lot of damage; I've been concerned for you.

[Still a Chinchou? Well, Archer does understand the desire to keep a Pokémon small and cute forever...]

No, I wasn't. I apologize for that; I was one of the many struck by that illness and didn't have much of an opportunity to post to the network.

[He's a bit surprised by that though, and the feeling alters slightly to reflect that. He's not used to having someone actively worry about him.]

I appreciate your concern. I apologize for making you worry.

[...suddenly it is very awkward out here

who turned up the awkward

because wow

awkward]

You don't have to apologize. I just know that you live in this city, along with your friend.

[...your...creepy, creepy friend...

He supposes it would be rude to not ask after him as well, wouldn't it.]

Is he all right? It's odd to see you two away from each other.

[...yes it... really is...]

[Archer's emotions go from rather calm to an unholy combination of fury, frustration, and pain before suddenly going flat. His expression twitches a bit as well, but Archer is quick to control that too. He's fine. Everything is fucking dandy.]

He's fine, yes. I suppose you could say we're separating for a bit; he has other interests to attend to.

[Zulf flinches away from him without realizing what he's doing, his grip on Squirt tightening abruptly, just barely stopping before he gets to a point where she'll shock him; he pulls himself together quickly, though he can't quite get rid of the wariness in his gaze.]

I...

[don't know what that was]

...yes, I...understand...

[Archer isn't sure what that was either; his face must have done something horribly terrifying to get Zulf to flinch quite like that. Archer isn't quite sure what to do about it other than ignore it. That seems like the best option.]

Yes.

[...awkward...]

[Zulf is quiet for a moment, thinking; Archer had said he was affected by that illness. Is it possible that it's...

...no, but that's weird, though...

Only one way to find out, isn't there.]

Is everything all right between you? You don't seem like the sort to separate for very long.

No, we aren't. As I said, he had some things to attend to.

[Again there's a flash of irritation - not at Zulf, of course - but Archer crushes that as easily as he did the first time. He's perfectly fine without Kimblee. Perfectly. Fucking. Fine.]

[...again, that doesn't feel right. In Mother's name, what happened to you - and perhaps more importantly, why isn't it coming across properly? He's fairly sure emotions shouldn't do that.]

...I see. Are you all right with that? You...

[..........]

...seem upset.

I'm perfectly fine, Zulf.

[There's a bit of an edge to Archer's tone there and he looks less than pleased, but the emotional dissonance is still there. He's gotten rather good at crushing his feelings, after all!]

I appreciate your concern, but I'm not upset. It was a mutual agreement and it's not as though I've lost him for good.

[..........................hopefully.]

...that wasn't what I meant; I apologize.

[This entire experience is surreal; he can't deny that it's freaking him out quite a bit, though he's managing to keep up a rather strong calm front. He's dealt with things he's unsettled by before; open fear gets him nowhere. It's never gotten him anywhere.]

[Archer relaxes a bit, though the lack of emotion is still quite present.]

It's alright. I suppose I've been a bit tense without him here, that's all.

[Zulf pauses for a moment before continuing; he doesn't exactly want to, but morbid curiosity compels.]

Might I ask what happened?

He needed some time to work on something. Alone. That's all.

[It's a lie, a ridiculously obvious one at that. He could have come up with something better, so why didn't he? He doesn't want to discuss it. At all. But it's... it's easier to deal with things like this after he's talked about them, right? That's why Kimblee constantly pushes-- pushed him. Archer doesn't continue though; he's really not sure he wants to.]

[Zulf tips his head a bit at that, though he doesn't reply right away; he isn't sure this is something he should pursue, but the fact that the lie is so obvious...it's telling.]

...you know I'll listen if you would like to talk, Archer.

...I know.

[The confusion is obvious; he's not used to this. Kimblee always pressures him into talking. It's weird not being forced into dealing with it. He could very easily leave it be and try to change the subject to something else. This is easy; why the hell is he having such a hard time doing it?]

...We fought. He left afterwards.

[Archer turns his attention toward the bugs rather than Zulf. He has no issues lying and isn't embarrassed by that, but he just can't make eye contact with him for some reason. The feeling of relief is strong again - it legitimately feels good to admit that for some reason.]

[Zulf seems to relax a little at that; he doesn't quite understand where all the relief is coming from, but this sort of thing is something that he knows how to handle.]

What was the fight about? You don't have to go into great detail if you don't want to.

[He looks away from Archer then, so he's not just sitting there staring him down; he sets Squirt down on the bench and continues playing with that string he was braiding together earlier.]

[Archer doesn't speak for a long moment. There's really no way to explain what they fought about without going into detail. The relief is replaced with mild confusion, but Archer finally does speak.]

...We argued about the way I handled the attack on Goldenrod. I tried to keep him locked up - something I know he has an issue with - for his own safety. He obviously didn't approve of that.

[There's no way to properly explain it without making it sound like it's entirely his fault, but Archer still doesn't believe it is. Yes, what he did was terrible, but it was to keep Kimblee from getting killed or captured. It was for his own safety.]

[Zulf glances up once in a while, enough to show that he's listening; Archer has never really been one for eye contact anyway, from what he's seen, and the braiding work is calming, letting him gather his thoughts on the matter.]

What you did was very logical, I think. You knew he had an issue with being locked up, but it sounds as though you saw it as a matter of keeping him safe overall and making him unhappy for a little while, instead of letting him do what he wanted and risking his death. It's a very logical way to go about it. Obviously it would be better to see him displeased than dead.

Your friend, on the other hand, seems more freespirited than logical. It's not...bad, exactly, but he lives for what's happening to him now, and deals with the effects as they come. People like that tend to see the future as following what's happening right now - it sounds obvious to just say it like that, but it's the difference between thinking that it's better to see him displeased than dead, and thinking that you're harming him now and there's nothing to stop you from doing that in the future. "Why" probably doesn't matter very much to him in situations like that; he just knows what's happening is something he has serious issues with, and he wants to protect himself from that ever happening again.

I obviously just know what I've seen of him, so I might be wrong. But I don't think you were wrong to protect him. He's not wrong in wanting to defend himself if he had problems with your methods, either, but you weren't wrong in using them.

[Archer listens silently, tipping his head slightly and returning his gaze to Zulf. So this... isn't about who's right and who's wrong, but rather about a different interpretation of things entirely?]

[It takes a moment, but the confusion finally gives way to something that seems to startle Archer a bit: happiness. He understands. This entire time he's been beating himself up because he couldn't fathom why Kimblee didn't get it, but Zulf's explained it and now that he understands where Kimblee is coming from he can fix things. Archer's expression doesn't change much, but the relief is quite obvious.]

...Thank you, Zulf. I suppose I needed to hear that. I hadn't been able to figure out why he was so upset and this... this makes perfect sense.

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