SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER TEST DRIVE MEME

[indigo_events]

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Comments

[distantfuture]

[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.

[oracledriven]

[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.]

[distantfuture]

[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.

[oracledriven]

[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.

[distantfuture]

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.

[oracledriven]

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.]

[distantfuture]

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.

[oracledriven]

[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?

[distantfuture]

[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?

[oracledriven]

[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.]

[distantfuture]

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.

[oracledriven]

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.