ohmyarceus | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER TEST DRIVE MEME

[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.

I see. [Is it comforting or more disconcerting, knowing that they're all in the same boat? Noel isn't totally sure, yet. I mean, it's kind of creepy to think about being dragged into some new world specifically to capture and battle small, semi-sentient creatures. That is to say, the opinion of this world that he's formed thus far is a bit, uh. Wild.

Poochyena now has the stick in his mouth again, rolling about wildly without a care in the world.] I guess that means you're stuck with me. [...Noel says, to the pokemon.]

It wouldn't be the first time I fought with monsters, but I definitely never got any badges for it. Sounds almost like we're being encouraged to fight...and in that case, I can see why you'd be over that idea.

[After all, the idea of willingly going into more fights that you don't need to get involved with just sounds absurd, after everything they've been through.]

Well, it's not aim to kill, just defeat.

[he shrugged slightly, he saw a bit on the TV while at the Islands but otherwise, it just didn't interest him. Minccino seemed to be okay with not fighting either, although it was unavoidable if a wild pokemon was encountered.]

Way over it. But I would feel bad not doing anything with the Pokemon I have. I may try the Pokemon Contests. But I need to research a bit more.

[He knelt down to the Poochyena rolling about in the dirt, Minccino out of his arms and climb up onto his head to peer down at the Pokemon as well. He made to tug the stick, starting a tug of war.]

I thought about researching just in general, but I don't think I even know where to begin.

[To death, to defeat -- it matters, sure, but it doesn't matter a whole lot. What's the point of fighting just for the sake of it? Getting stronger, sure, but they've all had their share of fighting. Hope isn't the only one who's tired of it.]

So there's contests and things like that, too. Sounds like these creatures are a major part of this world.

[Poochyena makes a growling noise for a second, but then he relents. allowing Minccino to try to take the stick. Before long, the two are embroiled in an all-out tug of war. Honestly, Poochy seems to be enjoying it.

As for Noel? At Hope's words, he offers an actual, for-real smile. Hope, doing something smartypants-y? It's no less than exactly what Noel would expect from him.] Researching, huh? That sounds like just your speed. Do they have science centers for these guys or anything like that?

[Hope grimaces as Minccino starts the tug of war on his head, nearly losing his balance. He takes the Pokemon off and sets him on the ground without trying to disturb the match.]

Pokemon are kind of... everything in this world. It's very strange but also very intriguing.

[The smile makes him laugh a little and he stands up, brushing off his pants..]

They do. I visited one just before you got here, to watch a meteor shower comprised entirely of Pokemon called minior. I might revisit it once I've explored the world a bit more. [He tilts his head at Noel.] Care to join me?

[Pokemon are everything, huh? This raises a bevy of questions Noel hadn't thought to ask already, but it sounds like he'll have plenty of time to ask about them. Better put a pin in that for right now.]

So I'm seeing. It's way different from the monsters back home.

[He and Serah had developed a way of working with them -- some of them, at least. But mostly, monsters in their world were adversaries. Here? The relationship is totally different.

Like, for example, the fact that he's never heard of a meteor shower full of monsters.]

A meteor shower that's not meteors? [Sounds weird, to him, but then again, a lot of this place sounds totally strange. That might not even make the list of top strange things about this world. Who knows?

He raises an eyebrow at Hope's invitation, reacting first with silence. For the last century and a half, he might have declined immediately and gone his own way. The Shadow Hunter works alone, after all. But it's his own words that come back to him. Maybe it's time I stopped living in the shadows. Maybe now's the time to start.]

What, like I'm gonna let you out of my sight, after everything that's happened? [Wow, he's actually teasing. It's strange, to feel emotions other than Crushing Guilt after decades of brooding.] Sorry, Hope. You're stuck with me.

[Translation: yes. Yes, he'd like that very much.]

Very, although many wild ones can be dangerous nonetheless. I was fortunate that the ones I have were given to me.

[He laughed at the question slightly with a nod.]

No, just Pokemon called Miniors. But it was functionally the same and quite breathtaking to behold. I captured it on the PokeGear, actually. I'll show you sometime.

[But his mirth morphed into a sort of deadpanned look, completely unamused although somehow wry.]

Oh no, whatever will I do. [He scoffed a laugh.] I'm not asking you to be a babysitter, despite what my appearance may suggest.

I'd be interested to see that. Thanks.

[Noel's not as science-minded as Hope -- he probably never will be. But he has a sense of curiosity about All The Things that can't be beat or contained. Of course he wants to see this wacky meteor shower, it sounds completely unlike anything he's ever heard of.

It's strange. Even though Hope is smaller than Noel remembers right now, it's as if nothing's changed between them. On one hand, that shouldn't be surprising: Hope has said freely that he's still the same man, and he believes that. On the other hand, it's been over a century, and in that amount of time...well, plenty has changed. Him, Snow, everyone else -- they've all gone their separate ways. Maybe what's strange is how easy it is to act like things are the way they used to be.

Either way, he's kind of glad for it.]

Good. [A grin.] I don't do babysitting.

Edited 2018-10-08 19:06 (UTC)

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER TEST DRIVE MEME

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