azume | Week 19.

WEEK 19

Despite the setback early Sunday morning, the physical trip to Solaceon Town is an easy one; it isn't a large distance from Hearthome City, though the town itself is so small it's a little blink-and-you'll-miss it. It's nice and temperate, though, with the ruins off to the east of the city and the houses of the townspeople nestled among the trees and fields; it's somewhat similar to Floaroma Town in feeling, and that's only amplified by the flowers near the daycare. The townspeople don't seem to know how they got there; they simply bloomed one day, bright patches of bright pink Gracideas along the fence.

It's a reminder, perhaps, that you aren't alone, and your work isn't in vain.

It seems the world is slowly starting to get back on its feet, too; it's a slow process, but there are changes you can see here and there, however slight. You have a lot of work ahead of you, but there's a lot that's behind you now, too; maybe it's just a matter of continuing to try.

CURRENT LOCATION: SOLACEON TOWN
POKEMON AVAILABLE: WITHIN CITIES

SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | FRIDAY
[OOC: Welcome to week nineteen of Azume; feel free to make as many top levels as you'd like and tag out to other characters! This post is for all of your interactions this week... at least until the weekend.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You remember that whole talk we had, when I said I was the sensible choice to take a Pokemon God attack to the face?

[Don't do anything stupid, Michael, or I will concuss you, etc?]

...

[how dare you be the voice of reason]

What do you want, Michael?

...ah...

[What a strange thing to ask. What could he possibly stand to gain from this?]

I don't think there's anything very productive I can do. But I don't want you to be alone out here.

I don't exactly imagine I'll benefit from company right now, and I've doubts you will either.

I've spent time with worse.

[.....]

If you really want me to go, I will. I just...like to know where everybody is. [Especially after, well.]

...It doesn't matter.

[Strange, how that sounded almost like an admission of defeat.]

Do as you like, I'll not stop you.

[Fuck, that doesn't feel great.]

Hey, Camilla's been teaching me how to fight. Wanna punch some flesh?

[Judging from the smile in his voice, Michael has. Absolutely zero illusions about how this would go. And also doesn't really expect Ignis to accept, it is a joke please do not destroy him.]

[nothing about this is good and no one is happy.]

That is the last thing you want and we both know it.

Yeeeeeah. But I'd let you have one if you really wanted it.

...I really don't want to hit you, Michael.

Alright. Just - don't hit that tree anymore? I'll go find Camilla if you want, but I don't want you to shatter all those little bones in there, they're hard to get back together right.

I'll be alright. There's no reason to worry about me.

...really, that's what you're going with?

[That isn't even remotely believable.]

Let's just say I'm worried about everybody, and you're the only one who failed the headcount.

What is it you would have me say? 'I'm completely unrecoverable with next to no hope of improvement'? There's nothing you can do to help, it's not going to affect my ability to finish what we've started, so don't worry about it.

I'm not worried about your ability to do the mission, Ignis.

[Ugh, this was a mistake. He should've just left, or sent somebody else to deal with this. He's making it worse.]

Look, sooner or later we're going to have to commandeer whatever brought us here to get back home, right? That's the reason we started all of this to begin with. [well, maybe some people started it entirely out of the goodness of their hearts, but] Just use it to get him back again before you head out.

[Ignis didn't answer for a long moment, taking a slow breath to collect himself and pressing a hand to his head.]

Right. I-....that's if he isn't just somewhere in this world to begin with, I don't think any of us have a damn idea where they've gone.

[...]

Do you think Saturn would know?

...he might. If they were going to bring them back in for re-conditioning, he would've been the one to do it.

[And now the machines are broken.]

I was sure that's what it was, with the early ones. When we were still around Pastoria. But I don't think I believe that now. Cyrus doesn't have a subtle bone in his body, and neither do Jupiter or Mars. If they want to come after us, they won't silently abduct people in the night.

I agree--re-conditioning made sense earlier on, but now it's less certain. Not to mention that at this point I don't genuinely think Saturn even would do such a thing even had he not destroyed the means to accomplish it.

[But that still left a thousand questions too many.]

You might be right. Taking control of whatever brought us here might just work. Presuming they used the powers of space and time to do as much...perhaps when this is done and over, Dialga and Palkia might even permit a favor asked of them.

They'll owe us.

[Some people would say that they're not owed anything for righting such an unspeakable evil, but...come on, it's not like they're asking for cash.]

And it's not like it's only a favor to you. He's one of us. They owe him.

[A slight nod was the only answer at first; just once, let the divine actually show gratitude instead of allowing more and more sacrifice.]

I'm just...tired, Michael. I didn't want to entertain the idea this would keep happening, but I think we all knew it could and still might.

No, I know. It's not the same thing, of course, but...I really hate that it's happening again.

[It's scary and stressful, losing people he's considered friends in ways he can't do anything about. He can only imagine how it is for it to be someone you've always known - if it had been Janet or Eleanor.]

I wasn't being sarcastic. Counting you all makes me feel better.

I believe you. It's...not always a simple task for me to keep track of everyone, so I'm grateful someone does.

You do a pretty good job. Seems like you always know who's there before they say anything. Guess it's probably harder when half of us are asleep, though...?

I've learned the sound of most of your footsteps. Bucky's changed since his balance shifted with the other arm, but I've had time to get a fair grasp on who's approaching if I hear them walk for a handful of steps.

So yes, that does come with its share of limits.

Oh, neat. I never thought that human senses were so versatile.

Have you felt Bucky's arm? That thing's got some great dexterity. Really impressive.

(no subject)

discutio - 2018-10-10 01:38 (UTC) - Expand

eudaimonikos - 2018-10-10 14:50 (UTC) - Expand