leaveyourstarburning

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001. Video

...destroyed it entirely, did it...

[The words are muttered quietly over a mostly-dark feed; from the sound of it, the person speaking doesn't even seem to have realized they've managed to turn the Gear on - he sounds distracted, clearly speaking to himself rather than to any audience, and there's a good amount of jittercam action before he seems to realize that it's broadcasting.

The speaker is male, dark-haired and deathly pale; he's smiling a bit, but the expression doesn't reach his eyes at all. The look there isn't cruel, however; just rather lost.]

Is this how this works?

[His speech is a bit odd; it's in the common language spoken by all in Johto, but there's something there - a strangeness in pronunciation that indicates that he would have a hell of an accent in whatever world he just came from, as though he didn't grow up speaking whatever it is he's trying to utilize now. The statement is still oddly blank, though, as though he's addressing himself more than an audience; at least he doesn't seem to be expecting an answer - he simply checks something on the Gear before moving on.]

I understand that there are more survivors out there; from the look of it, there are many of you. I come to you seeking information - I mean you no harm, nor do I expect anything of you. [His gaze darts offscreen, focusing downward for a moment before he continues speaking.] This isn't anything like what I was told the Motherland would be; some of the machinery involved in transporting us may have taken some severe damage.

["May have." He uses the term lightly. He definitely knows it took damage of some sort; he broke the thing. He just doesn't know how severely he broke it; given that he's currently...nowhere near where he's supposed to be, he's assuming he broke it pretty spectacularly. He's a bit uncomfortable with the half-truth, though.

...that said, Zulf has seriously just informed all of Johto that he does, in fact, come in peace. There are some things that you just don't blatantly say...

However, he isn't dwelling on it; his gaze is darting downward again. Clearly there's something fascinating down there; he pauses for a moment before tilting the camera downward - there is a Chinchou rubbing against the lower half of his clothes, which appears to be a...very ugly skirt, if we're going to be honest.

Whatever it is, the Pokémon seems determined to love all over it; Zulf's tone has actually lightened a bit when he speaks, seeming much more comfortable now that he's not being focused on.]

Although, Motherland or not...it's good to see these creatures being so trusting. We've done enough to the rest of them.

[...someone please inform the guy that he's not in Kansas anymore.]

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[[Kariya immediately perks up when asked about his bbs, running a hand along his Scyther's leg.]]

Yes. They are like my family.

[[Ooh ooh do you want to know their names yes you do]]

This one is Mika...the one on my head is Aya, and this is Sayuri.

[[nuzzle nuzzle]]

...you have a Pokemon too, don't you?

...is that what they're called? I received one when I arrived, yes.

[He doesn't seem to want to dwell on it. The woman calling herself his mother, offering him money and supplies and a Pokeball before sending him out...the fact that the door was locked after the fact, the way that woman - so caring only moments before - had seemed completely unaware of his presence...

No, it isn't anything he wants to think about.

He sets the Gear on something unseen in front of him, the video feed still running; he bends and picks up that Chinchou from where it has not stopped being all up in his business since he released it from the ball. He hasn't exactly had the heart to call it back; the capsule is so small, he can't imagine how it must be in there.

The Chinchou seems rather pleased to be picked up, if the sudden rapid blinking from her antennae are any indication.]

This one. I've taken to calling her Squirt for now; she seems to like it.

[[And that actually makes Kariya's smile widen; the Pokemon isn't something he'd raise himself, but he can understand the sentiment. He hugs Sayuri closer.]]

My name is Kariya.

[[Again, speaking without thinking...but this time there is no nervousness or tension behind the words. Casually introducing himself to someone he just met, a happy conversation...truly, Johto is doing wonderful things for him.]]

[He doesn't see anything wrong with Kariya introducing himself so openly; then again, where he came from, this sort of thing had become common by the end. There was no need to hide something as simple as one's name; when you were one of four left, you wanted to get as close to the others as possible. To know who they were. Having lost everyone else, it seemed foolish to do otherwise.]

Mine's Zulf; it's good to meet you, Kariya.

[[Nodding silently in acknowledgement, Kariya turns his attention to his Sewaddle for a moment, gently feeding her a berry.]]

...did 'Mum' meet you too?

[Zulf is quiet for a moment, turning his gaze downward toward Squirt and petting her head lightly; those antennae are blinking like crazy - she is a bbthing and she is getting all the attention, so life is pretty good as far as she's concerned.]

...does that woman do that to everyone?

[He isn't going to refer to her as anything near a mother.]

..I believe so.

[[He plays with the hem of that hood for a moment, obviously deep in thought.]]

...I....was very sick before I came here, and she took care of me....I've tried to send her money, gifts in thanks...but it's like I never existed to her.

[[He sounds rather sad, but the melancholy tone in his voice disappears quickly. Sorry Zulf; it's just rare that he gets people who truly seem to care about him.]]

It's like she's some sort of....portal that we cross through to enter Johto.

That makes sense, doesn't it?

[He doesn't seem bothered by the conclusion; he genuinely doesn't find it odd.]

If not the portal itself, then some kind of gatekeeper. One who cares for you, but won't interfere with or take credit for your journey.

If that's the case, perhaps she doesn't want compensation; she just wants you to make what you can out of what she's given you.

[[Another berry disappears into Sayuri's mouth as Kariya ponders what Zulf has said. It isn't long before he smiles again, and it's a proper one; heartfelt.]]

...I like that conclusion.

[[And he does! Whatever sadness that was present on his face has disappeared, and he seems legitimately pleased. What a lovely thought. His Beautifly seems to agree, as she flits her wings prettily, chirping.]]

...I actually...feel a lot better about it now.

...that's good, Kariya.

[And judging by his tone, it actually is. However, there was something else in what Kariya said earlier; it's going to bother him if he doesn't ask.]

You mentioned that you were very sick before. Have you recovered since then?

[[Kariya frowns at that question, but it's not in a manner that says he is angry with Zulf; if anything, he's just thinking again.]]

I'm not completely healed, but I'm....far better than I was. Far, far better.

[[...considering how frail he looks now, you've....got to wonder.]]

Is it something you can completely heal from?

[The question is straightforward, completely lacking in tact; let's just say that illness isn't something that Zulf handles well, for several reasons.]

.....I'm not sure.

[[And he isn't; every morning he wakes up, wondering if that's the day the worms are going to return, along with the pain, the agony, the inability to eat, the broken vision-]]

You could say I'm a rather unique case. But at least I'm doing better now that I'm in Johto.

[Zulf nods a bit at that, though the gesture is hesitant.]

Hopefully you'll continue to improve, then.

I remain hopeful...

[[Let him look up at his Beautifly, smiling.]]

...because of my Pokemon.

[[And back to you, Zulf.]]

My home world is...a miserable place. I'm happier here than I've ever been back there.

Perhaps you'll feel the same, in time.

[Zulf pauses for a moment, briefly hesitant; he isn't going to offer too much information regarding The Calamity to perfect strangers. Yet...]

I understand the feeling already.

[...]

If you don't want to share anything with me, I won't push you - but in what way was it miserable?

[[Kariya grows silent, absently stroking Sayuri's head as he thinks. When he first arrived in Johto, he was reluctant to tell anyone his name, much less why he....well, is how he is. But there's something about this newcomer that makes him feel....comfortable.

It can't hurt to open up a little...perhaps it will make the burden easier.]]

...it would take me quite a time to explain the entirety of it...but I was born into a very cruel, power-hungry family, part of a cruel, power-hungry society. Some of the things I've seen...no person deserves to see such things, much less experience them.

I fled my family and was disowned, cast out...but I was happy. But then...circumstances required my return to my home town. Such circumstances also.....well. The reason I was so sick...

[[...he's clearly hesitating; he's said too much already.

....hasn't he?]]

...was because of the...magic my family specialises in. I don't expect you to believe me, but it is true.

[[Finished, Kariya closes his eyes. It sounds ludicrous enough to him; what on earth is Zulf going to think?]]

[...it's true enough that Zulf doesn't believe in magic. Not in the commonly-defined sense, anyway. Miracles are something that he still might put some faith into, but any "magic" that he's encountered in the past has been explained away by some sort of science. But at the same time...hm.]

But whether I believe in magic or not isn't really the point, is it? What you've explained to me - the cruelty, being disowned, returning only to be tormented - is enough. The method through which your family is making you ill, whether it's truly magic or not, doesn't matter. Things like that...none of it should be happening in the first place.

No one deserves that. Regardless of what they may have done, no one deserves to be treated in such a way.

...

[[Silence again. But then....]]

...the way you think...I like it.

[[It's a personal thing to say, a compliment, even; he used to be so good at compliments. Presents, too! He's always been excellent at presents...thoughtful...]]

You see the real meaning in things, past the bullshit that people shouldn't care about. The things that matter.

It's....refreshing.

[[....let him fall silent again, he hasn't done this for a while and it's awkward, ok]]

[And for a moment, Zulf doesn't say anything; he recognizes that it's a compliment. It's a very strong compliment, actually, given what it is that Zulf does when the world isn't falling apart in front of him.

He's never been very good at fielding them, however; they often leave him not knowing what to say.]

...I do what I can.

[He hesitates again, though he's obviously pleased by the assessment.]

Thank you. It really does mean a lot.

....you're welcome.

[[....god, this is awkward

this is so awkward

we're just kind of standing here with mutual warm fuzzies

....can you imagine how weird this is for him]]

...I probably shouldn't take up any more of your time.

[...it's incredibly awkward, yes.]

You aren't...

[He trails off then; he hasn't...really felt like offering this sort of thing in a while, but it's...so nice to have someone he can just discuss things with.]

It really isn't any trouble, Kariya.

[......]

If you ever want to talk, I wouldn't mind.

.....I would like that, Zulf.

[[...and he finds that he would. He really would.]]

If you ever need assistance with anything related to this world...feel free to call me whenever you like.

[[His sleeping patterns are still hellish, so chances are he'll be awake. If not, his Pokemon will wake him.

Especially if it's Zulf calling.]]

Perhaps I will see you around.

[He smiles at that, actually.]

Until we speak again, then.

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