ohmyarceus | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER TEST DRIVE MEME

a; action
[With everything happening in Nova Chrysalia, and now being thrust into this new...place, Noel is feeling no small amount of emotional whiplash. The fact that it's calm, peaceful, and definitely not counting down to the end of the world somehow just makes it feel worse.

You might say he's restless. That might be an understatement.

He's been having a conversation with the ...dog? thing? that's been sticking to his side like glue. Not that it makes a perfect traveling companion -- it's alternated between staring at him for unnerving periods of time and making weird noises in response to anything Noel says.]

Listen, it's not like I've ever been big on pets, [...he says, after one particularly judgmental noise. When Poochyena doesn't seem to care, he frowns, grabbing a stick.] Leave whenever you want. If you stick around, I won't be responsible for you, alright?

[He tosses the stick into the bushes. The pokemon just stares at it. Then it stares at him. Then it gives him the most deadpan "really, bitch?" look that an animal can muster.

It was worth a shot, right?]

b; video
[The first thing you'll see is an embarrassingly extreme close-up of Noel's face. He fiddles with the phone a bit, figuring it out, and then looks right at the camera.]

All right. I've got plenty of questions, but until I figure out where to start, I'll go with one.

[The camera shakily pans to his companion, a very bored-looking Poochyena who seems to be gnawing on a stick.]

What do I feed it?

Berries! And Poffins!!

[If you were expecting a human to respond, Noel, think again.

Instead it's a lime green Espeon that looks quite pleased with himself, twin tails flicking about as he presses his nose to the 'gear, eyes glowing softly as he uses Psychic.]

Lots of them!

Woah--

[To say that Noel wasn't expecting an animal nose to be greeting him over the video feed is kind of an understatement. He also wasn't expecting the talking.

All in all this is a little...surprising.]

Do. [...How does one ask this without being rude.] Do all of you talk?

[He side-eyes his own companion. Has Poochy just been messing with him this whole time?]

[Carbuncle twills in delight and pulls back from the 'gear, puffing up proudly.]

No all of us! Mostly just Psychic-types! Like me!

Carbuncle who are you talking to?

No one!

[The Espeon glances off screen when he responds, looking even more mischievous as he sits down to clearly hide the 'gear.]

Give your partner berries! Berries are the best!

"Psychic" types, huh... [Knowing he hasn't been trolled by a talking psychic dog is a relief, honestly.

Clearly, the pokemon he's talking to is up to no good. Noel can't help but grin, at least a tiny bit.]

Thanks for the tip. Which berries do you recommend?

[A Minccino is going to come back with the stick. Coming right out of the bushes with a familiar now teen sized boy in tow.]

You really shouldn't just pick stuff off the ground, you don't know who threw it.

[Then, Hope looked up to see the source as the creature just chirped at him, intent on dragging it around anyway. It was clearly a very young Pokemon. Hope, however, was not at all expecting who was before him.]

Noel? You're here?

Edited 2018-09-27 16:50 (UTC)

[The sound in the bushes puts Noel on edge -- his first reaction is to reach for a sword that's not there. Luckily, he doesn't have to work out a plan B. Not against such a small, fluffy thing.

Poochyena gives the pokemon a bit of a look. That was his stick. (Even if he didn't go get it)

For a brief second, Noel doesn't totally recognize the kid standing in front of him. When it clicks, a myriad of expressions rolls across his features: shock, confusion, surprise, maybe even anger, in a distant, far-off sort of way. You disappeared, Hope. And when you disappeared, everything started falling to pieces.]

Hope?! You--

[Clearly we've broken Noel's brain. There are so many questions he wants to ask. Why so small? Where have you been? What are you doing here? He...can't pick where to start.]

[Kidnapped, actually. But Hope is a bit more preoccupied with all those emotions and he's not sure where to start either. He does bend down to pick up the Pokemon and get the stick out of his hands. Look, you don't need to start a fight with a dog, okay?

Giant ears droop for a millisecond before he's back to climbing onto his shoulder and parking against Hope's cheek.

Hope lightly tosses the stick back at the Poochyena.]

Fourteen, yeah, I know. It's purely physical, mentally I'm the same man you know.

[No one really got to react to his sudden younger form, did they? Of course, Hope is assuming Noel is from the same point in time as him.]

It's... A long story, though. [He shoved his hands into his pockets with a sigh, leaning his head to the side from the nuzzling mouse in his shoulder.] Did anyone else arrive with you? Yeul or Light?

[Poochyena happily goes after the stick, bringing it back by Noel's feet. He plops himself right down and starts gnawing on it as if all is right with the world again.

On the other hand, all is definitely not right with Noel's world right now. Left speechless for another moment, he grapples with questions that have yet to take on words. He knows for sure that this has something to do with Hope's disappearance, and he suspects it has something to do with Lightning's role as "Savior." Beyond that...it's like grasping at air. He's got nothing.

Until he hears the name Yeul, and a cold chill goes through him.]

You... [He takes a breath, calm but not emotionless.] You disappeared for centuries, and now you're here, like this, and you ask about Yeul?

[His voice shakes a bit with her name. The last thing he knew was that he had abandoned his last slim hope at ever seeing her again. It's like adding insult to injury.]

What happened, Hope? Where did you go? Why do you look like this? Why are we here?

[WELP, found them, found all the questions!!]

Edited 2018-09-27 17:49 (UTC)

[Hope can't help the recoil. Hr visibly flinches and even backs up a little, hands pulling from his pockets to cross over his chest. His jaw clenches at the questions and he shakes his head. Minccino dives into his arms at that, pressing close.

No, this wasn't right. Why was Noel asking all this? Didn't he know? At least some of it? Did Lightning not tell him? He huffs a breath through his nose and he holds his arms closer to himself, something that also feels reminiscent of when he held Mog as everything collapsed around them.]

169 years. Not even two centuries, actually. [It's easier to start off with facts.] Bhunivelze did this to me and he... took me. He didn't want humanity to look to me anymore, but to the Order to save them. To Vanille. [He held his Pokemon a little tighter.] That's all can explain. I don't know about this world.

It's not the new world we were supposed to go to. But it is peaceful here. No gods, no magic, nothing... Like that.

[He's look down the entire time. He doesn't like recalling what happened to him. It'd been a struggle not to think of it now that he was able to be himself again. But the fact remained, Bhunivelze damaged his Heart and nearly destroyed his Soul, had it not been for Lightning. And now he was stuck like this, despite Bhunivelze destroying his body. It was all so confusing and Hope had been keeping it together with this new world to distract him. But now it was all coming back.]

[If Lightning had explained anything, this encounter might have been much different. But now that he's starting to get what's happening, Noel can see the discomfort in Hope's body language; he can see the need to tone it down. In the long run, the exact number of years doesn't really matter. It doesn't change what happened. But somehow, having that fact corrected diffuses some of the distress and tension -- enough that Noel can listen rationally. Enough that he dials back on the intensity.

Bhunivelze. Of course. He probably should've assumed his involvement from the start.

Noel gathers two things from what Hope is saying. One, that his suspicions about the Order have been right all along -- and that Lightning is making the right choice to go against them. Two, this world --whatever it is-- is clearly not part of Bhunivelze's plan. It's something else. Something...different. Whether that's good or bad, he doesn't totally know yet.]

I...haven't seen anyone else I know. Just you. [A pause. It is peaceful here -- he can agree to that.] How long have you been here?

[Dialing back does help and Hope relaxes a little. Looking back up at Noel.]

A few weeks. The people here are nice, a lot of people seem to be in the same boat as us. Pulled from their worlds and dumped here, so to speak.

Some have come and gone. I was told Lightning and Snow had both been here years ago. But they have not been seen since. [His thumb absently rubs at the back of his Pokemon's head.] It's just me, until now, anyway.

Noel, I'm not sure what's going on but last I saw, both Yeul and Serah were alive. We were all going home. Bhunivelze was gone.

[He hears all of what Hope is saying. He understands all of it.

Except...except that last bit.

They were alive. He exhales shakily. We were going home.]

...I don't remember any of that. [But it's more than that. Yeul and Serah are two of the most important people in the world to him. There's no way he could've forgotten something like that. Is Hope from his future? Noel can't think of any other explanation but that.]

The last thing I remember is going to the cathedral in Luxerion to stop the Order's ceremony.

Edited 2018-09-27 19:48 (UTC)

[Hope tilts his head in thought. How very strange, on top of being thrust into another world.]

If others have come and gone here, then I suppose when it happens could be just as random. Because all we need is even more confusion, don't we?

[A small smile, he's trying, Noel.]

Unfortunately, I wasn't around anymore when Lightning went off to stop the Order. I just knew she succeeded. [After he was saved, anyway.] But I hope you can believe me. All the souls, every last one of them, were freed. And Yeul was given to you as she was the last incarnation.

[He pauses and shakes his head.]

Even I wonder if I can believe it, sometimes. But it's the last memory I have, so it's all I can do.

Edited 2018-09-27 20:06 (UTC)

[At the risk of sounding incredibly OTT angsty, it feels like it's been ages since Noel smiled. Really smiled. But Hope is trying -- so Noel owes him that much, at least. The grin is faint, small, but definitely there.]

And here I thought we were done dealing with paradoxes.

[Wow, now there's a throwback!!

He doesn't miss the way Hope words that next bit -- I wasn't around anymore. There's only a few different things that can mean...and one of those outcomes is what Noel was inches away from facing right before he arrived here. He doesn't ask for details. Not right now. Sounds like there'll be plenty of time to talk about that later, but for now? Sounds like Hope's already been through enough.]

I believe you. I want to believe you.

[He doesn't sound certain, not exactly. But he sounds hopeful -- and he is. Gods, of course he is. For Yeul --his Yeul, the Yeul he grew up with-- to be able to stay with him? For Serah to live? He'd give anything to know, for sure, that that was the truth. He might never be certain about it until he experiences it for himself. But at least he has something to hope for.]

[A throwback indeed! But it does send a pang through his heart, recalling Alyssa as she herself was a paradox. And he for forgetting her until the timeline collapsed.

She'd be making fun of him right now if she saw him. He sighs.]

It's okay, Noel. I don't have any proof and Inwish I did.

So, for now, we should probably see about getting you settled, shouldn't we? I've traveled a fair bit thanks to some kind souls, but I'll admit I'm at my wit's end with what I would like to do while here. I've never been good with free time.

[He shakes his head.] Sounds like I'll be there for whatever happens. I'll get my proof then.

[Until then, all they can do is live in the present. Noel's sure that'll be a challenge, at first -- this world is completely different from what they were dealing with in Nova Chrysalia. It's different from the Pulse where he grew up, too. He hasn't been here long, but he's already certain there'll be a lot to adjust to.]

Settled. Right. [A frown.] What's the deal with this place, anyway? Does everyone get these things? [Gesturing to their pokemon.] Is there...something we're supposed to do with them?

[Getting down to business. Idle time is something Noel hasn't been very good with either, after all.]

[It's already a challenge for Hope. He has had A Time the last 169 years and even before that what with going crazy from hallucinating a pink-haired woman all the time. Thanks God.]

Those who arrive here in the same manner we did get a partner pokemon like these, yes. We can do what we want with them, really. Keep them as a pet, battle with them, anything I suppose.

They're pretty sentient animals though, too. I'm not going to be a trainer though, I'm tired of fighting, even if this is for sport. I just haven't figured out the alternative yet.

[Noel's impression of this place --this world, he supposes-- becomes more well-rounded as Hope continues to talk about it. So they're not the only ones to arrive here unexpectedly. He's not sure if that makes things better or worse.]

Interesting. Have you talked to anyone who knows how we got here? Or why we're here?

[He frowns a bit at Poochyena, who has rolled onto his back in a very self-satisfied kind of way.]

I can't imagine it's as innocent as taking care of pets.

No one seems to know. I'm sure there are theories, but no real answers.

[Apparently there's a god pokemon around that might be involved. But he decided to not mention that. They had enough of gods and if it wasn't certain that it was involved, then he wasn't about to alarm Noel.]

Like I said, you can do more with them, especially if they want you to. Some are content with not fighting, but some want to fight apparently. That's where the battles come in. You can earn badges and challenge other trainers, if you wanted.

(no subject)

oracledriven - 2018-10-01 18:07 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

distantfuture - 2018-10-01 19:39 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

oracledriven - 2018-10-01 21:28 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

distantfuture - 2018-10-03 14:16 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

oracledriven - 2018-10-03 17:27 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

distantfuture - 2018-10-06 21:21 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

oracledriven - 2018-10-08 17:16 (UTC) - Expand

[Okay, so, Sonia is in love here. The only person she can really think who would enjoy this more than her is Gundham, but he's nowhere to be found. As it is, she's being followed along by a Purrsian and a Skitty. It's a line of pretty ladies, basically.

At the sound of another person's voice, she considers turning aside and letting him alone. She doesn't really want to fight another trainer, even if that is the point of the games and anime and TCG.... Can't she just collect all the monster pets?

And then a stick comes sailing passed her face and she lets out a large gasp.]

Oh, my. That was unexpected. I'm sorry to bother you, but there are others in this area!

[You know? He probably should've expected that to happen. Instead, he's a little surprised -- he didn't think there would be other people around.

Note to self. Maybe don't throw stuff like that again.]

Sorry about that. Wasn't exactly expecting company.

[I mean, duh. It's moral obligation that brings him through the bushes to lay eyes on Sonia.]

You okay?

[Well, to say that Sonia is surprised would be an understatement, but she's also magnanimous and forgiving. It's definitely not as if he meant it if the look on his face is to be believed.]

That's quite alright. I understand the need to....

[She looks beside him and sees the Poochyena at his heels.]

Ah, I see. We're fine, but I would caution against making anything prey for that particular Pokemon.

[Certainly not -- he was just trying to get the dog to go away. The last thing he needs right now is a pet!! He's torn between ignoring Poochyena and lecturing it about the proper way to fetch, when Sonia makes that particular remark. His eyebrows lift curiously, and he glances from the pokemon back to her.]

Yeah? Why's that?

[Sonia gets really excited and claps her hands together in front of her as she gets ready to launch into an explanation of that particular Pokemon's qualities.

Chiaki would be proud of her.]

Because Poochyena is particularly vicious. Once it's decided that something is its prey, it will chase it down until it's dead. So, while a stick might not be in any danger, a person in between the Poochyena and the stick would be.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER TEST DRIVE MEME

noel kreiss | ffxiii series

Video

Video

Video

Video

Action

Action

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

Action

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject