006. Text/Action for Violet City

[ardent]

[TEXT]

[Today's post is a bit different, the usual video completely absent; he's not been much in the mood for talking to others lately.

However, there are reasons why he thinks he probably should. So text it is.]

As much as we don't always understand or like it very much, the experiences we've had in this place are things to be cherished, I think. It's a good opportunity that we've been given, to meet others we might never have known and share ideas that we might never have come across otherwise.

I feel very blessed to have met all of you. If I haven't spoken to you, then I want to eventually; I'm sure there are things we can learn from one another, if given the opportunity. I still haven't found what it is I'm supposed to do with myself here - but I don't think that stagnation is acceptable, either. For now, I think "working on making things right" is a satisfactory goal, and one that I need to keep in mind more often, maybe.

Either way, I hope that today is a good and productive day for you - and if not, that tomorrow will be better.

[...it's a little subdued and Not Exactly Okay - by Ishimaru's usual standards, anyway - but he sends it anyway; it's just something he's needed to get out there, really.

Somebody's dealing with his first sudden-disappearance-from-Johto experience over here; it's not going too well, but he's trying to get back on track the only way he really knows how.]


[ACTION]

[Ishimaru's been making himself scarce lately; he's used the few days he's had since turning twenty to throw himself into being a complete workaholic, and while that's been good for replenishing what he's spent (and he's been spending much more than usual over the last couple of weeks, something he's been feeling intensely guilty about), there have been other abovementioned reasons for his radio silence and general avoidance of everyone.

But he's off today and the streets of Violet City are welcome, even if he does seem a bit jittery. He's out of his normal uniform, for one thing, and it's still something he's completely unused to - the military-style boots are the same, of course, but he's got black pants on under them, the stiff ones he usually uses for travelling purposes despite the fact that he's doing nothing of the sort just now; as for the rest...he has no idea where Naegi even found the thing in Johto, but he is currently +1 trendy-as-hell hoodie, white with red and black accents and more zippers than he knows what to do with. He still feels more than a bit out-of-place wearing it, but it's something he could get used to. Maybe. The hood's dropped back over his shoulders; it seems to be...weirdly weighted down by something, and if he's seen at the right moment, there's what's undeniably some sort of cat in there, peeking out over his shoulder. Meowth, from the look of it. A very, very runty one, but a Meowth regardless.

Of course, he's got other reasons for the nerves, apparently; he comes to a stop outside the local bar, looking up at it in the way that one does when they know they have absolutely no reason for going in there and are probably going to get thrown out because...well, god only knows why. It's a ridiculous notion, especially given that no one here seems to care about the local drinking age, if one even exists; Oowada had taken him in there shortly after his birthday, and he's come back frequently since, immediately after he's off work. Which wouldn't be too weird - he can do as he pleases, after all - if he didn't get off work in the middle of the afternoon.

Clearly, it's five o'clock somewhere.

However, once he slips inside, he's actually not interested in drinking; what's got his attention is the billiards table in the back room. That's where he goes immediately, setting the Meowth down on one of the nearby stools before picking one of the cue sticks off the back wall. It's not high-quality (nor is the table, really) but he's not going to complain; it's just for the sake of amusing himself, anyway. He'd noticed the setup when he'd come in here the first time, with Oowada; he hadn't played then, but it's what he's been coming back for.

Pool is geometry, when it comes down to it - geometry and physics, all angles and force and arcs; even so, he's still not sure where he picked up how to play. It's just something he knows how to do; if he were to dwell on it for long enough, he'd likely think that it's something he doesn't remember due to the incident in the school. But for now, he doesn't want to think; he racks up easily, and when he shoots, the break is a clean one.]

Comments

Text

[strongestoftheturks]

...Thanks.

[It's been awhile since they've spoken, haven't they? Yet Rude's been bumping into Ishimaru's friends quite often. Makes him wonder if Ishimaru's anywhere closer to bridging the gap between his world and this one. Ishimaru himself seems a bit...different. No shouty video and just sombre text? What calls for this situation?]

Everything ok?

Text

[ardent]

[Huh. So it has, actually; the last month has been absolutely insane.]

I think so, yes. It's been a longer week than usual, that's all.

And you, have you been well?

Text

[strongestoftheturks]

Fine.

[...he supposed, he could trust Ishimaru with this. Just going to lock this feed right here right now.]

My partner went home. Felt like I lost half of myself.

Took me awhile to get over it.

Text - Permalock

[ardent]

[His eyes widen a bit as the feed gets locked down, but he isn't going to protest it; the text more than speaks for itself. Rude has always seemed like a very private person, after all.]

I see.

Are you all right now? It sounds difficult.

Text - Permalock

[strongestoftheturks]

Yeah. Just hadn't expected it to happen so suddenly. But he'd be mad at me for getting sad about it.

Don't think you met him, his name's Reno. He's a redhead, can't ever stop talking.

[ardent]

I didn't know him at all, no. Have you been partners for very long?

[strongestoftheturks]

More than 9 years.

[...shit, had it really been that long? But that just serves to highlight how close these two were with each other, despite their stark differences.]

We were paired together most of the time. Guess it became a partnership.]

[ardent]

I don't think I've stayed in contact with anyone that long, much less been close to them.

Have you always gotten along with him, or was it difficult at first?

[Because he really can't see you getting on with a mouthy one right away, but maybe he's wrong.]

[strongestoftheturks]

It's not always easy. We're very different. But we make up for each other's weakness. And we respect each other's differences. We don't cross the lines.

He understands me better than anyone else. I'd like to think I understand him as much.

[And maybe that's the foundation of their friendship. Respect and understanding.]

[ardent]

My brother and I are similar to that, I think; we're still working things out between us, but I'm very grateful to have him.

Maybe your partner will come back someday.

[strongestoftheturks]

I didn't see it at first, but I get how you and Oowada are close now. Makes me a little jealous, heh.

[Is that...a joke? Good Gaia it is!]

Maybe. I'd rather go back though.

[ardent]

He's a good guy! Just a bit unrestrained. We haven't known each other for very long, actually, but it feels like I've known him for practically forever.

Is your world that much better than it is here, though? Or is it just because it's home?

[strongestoftheturks]

Sounds like a good thing you two have.

Treasure it.

[And he really means that. Good partners are hard to come by, and trusted friends are a rare commodity. He sees something of Reno and himself with these two kids; two opposite sides of the same coin who just happened to fit together by some strange twist of fate. It'd be a pity to see the two of them separated; with Ishimaru being so determined to bring all his classmates here, who knows how the kid will react if Oowada gets sent back.]

More of the people. And I've got a mission to complete.

[ardent]

[...ahahaha. haha. ha. It. It wouldn't be pretty, to understate it terribly.]

I plan on it.

And I can understand that, I think, although I wouldn't want to go back myself unless I could remember this place.

[strongestoftheturks]

Really?

[Even if it means going back to that school? Either Ishimaru's very naive if he thinks he can save everyone from that hell hole, or he's just very brave. Rude reckons it's probably a bit of both.]

Thought you liked it here.

[ardent]

[Mnnngh. He hesitates for a moment, not sure what Rude knows and what he doesn't; keeping it vague might be good.]

I do! I definitely like it here.

But I've received information here that might be able to help five people, so if I can return and use that information, I should.

[strongestoftheturks]

You told me awhile back that you want to bring your friends here.

That still your plan?

[ardent]

Yes, of course. That's my first priority, no matter what happens!

[strongestoftheturks]

Then focus on your mission. Don't get side-tracked.

No point going there, if you're bringing them all here.

[ardent]

I intend to avoid it if I can. I'm focusing more on bringing them here, of course, but there are some things it feels wrong not to change, if given the opportunity.

[strongestoftheturks]

That depends on what you want to change, and why.

Don't suppose you're going to tell me what you're trying to change?

[ardent]

[He hesitates; he hasn't really told Rude about any of this, and he still isn't entirely sure that he can - but at the same time...]

I might be able to keep people from dying.

[strongestoftheturks]

Sounds like you want to have the best of both worlds.

Ever thought what might happen if you actually save someone?

[ardent]

It might change things for the ones that are already here. I know that.

[strongestoftheturks]

Do they know what you're planning?

We don't understand how we're brought here. You save them, and they might head back.