ohmyarceus | March - April Test Drive Meme

[Y'know you'd probably feel a lot better if you got it out. Maybe had some therapy. You've got time for that now, you know.]

Aye, well, I had enough to keep me occupied.

[Obviously. Now he has to figure out what that is here. Again. Why can't things be simple for once.]

I shall leave you to it then.

[He'll be around, though. He needs to see what this place has to offer, if not a way back.

He turns on his heel and, unless Emet-Selch wishes to get the last word in, he'll be leaving.]

[He honestly had nothing but time before, but I suppose it's hard to seek things like therapy when you have a dark god compelling you to revive him, and your trauma and loss serves as your motivator. Oops!

He seems fit to let Estinien leave, watching him go. He himself turns to do similarly, facing the lake and walking forth—only to realize a few steps forward that his...portal isn't going to show up.

Right...that's a thing, isn't it. How embarrassing. Looking back, half in hopes that Estinien didn't see that, but also that the man isn't too far gone. Fortunately both seem to be true, and thus he calls to Estinien:]

You know, I had a thought... [He begins his pace again, this time towards Estinien, though it is ever his usual amble.] Mayhap...it would do well to not quite go our separate ways. Just yet. After all, this is a new world, who knows what dangers it has, and it would not do for you to wander off on your own, with naught but your endearing companion to rely upon, hm?

[Yes, this is clearly for Estinien's benefit.]

[Estinien cannot recommend his methods of having deep, soul-searching revelations--for one, we're fresh out of elder wyrms hell-bent on vengeance, and two that experience is something he would wish on no one.

But hey, he gets trauma and loss being your motivation! ~~You would just think it was petty.~~

And that seems like it might be the end of it. But then--of course, it would not be so simple. He stops and slowly turns.]

...I suppose this offer of companionship is solely out of altruism on your part.

[It would be easier to keep an eye on you, but you talk a lot. Ugh.]

[Even then, who's to say it'd work! What with the whole messy business of tempering, and it's not likely he needs to deal with another immortal's baggage. Dude has enough to fill a 747 on his own.

~~Hey now, he was empathetic, if maybe a little rude, about Y'shtola's "death', wasn't he???~~

With Estinien facing him, he pauses in his gait, standing with that weighted slouch, a lazy grin on his face as he shrugs, arms out at his sides, before they heavily drop to hang a moment later.]

What else would it be?

[Yeah, he's not about to admit that he'd rather keep company than be without while being rendered so utterly powerless. What good fortune that he would come across someone from the Source, but most importantly: someone reasonable.]

Edited 2020-05-01 23:30 (UTC)

[Hey, guess what, the Scions may have found a treatment for that too. Seriously, put them on any problem, give them sufficient motivation, and it'll be over in a month.

~~She really needs to stop yeeting herself into the lifestream.~~

Estinien crosses his arms.]

Fury give me strength. I prefer to keep my own company.

[Too bad they had to do the whole Old Yeller treatment to Emet before they figured that out, huh?

~~At this point I think she does it for attention.~~

Emet-Selch sighs.]

The loner type, are you? Believe it or not, I prefer working alone myself. I understand well the allure of one's own company. Buuuuut, I am more drawn to the siren's call of common sense.

[You did kind of turn into an eldritch horror on them. ~~What are the odds you'll be back two expansions from now?~~]

And yet when I came upon you, you were sleeping in the open.

[Were you just that tired, old man?]

[It was necessary! ~~Considering they did literally nothing that's been established to kill an Ascian, and the Shoebill's still around...~~

Being called out like that, he stares at him flatly, then shakes his head.]

Old habits die hard, I suppose. But see? I'm learning the ways of you mortals. You'll just have to forgive me for not being in the habit of scurrying away from every perceived danger like frightened vermin.

[Being mortal is exhausting.]

[That was honestly the only thing you could have done in that moment? Doubtful. ~~So you are in the shoebill!!~~

If you're going to get in a staring contest with any mortal, don't pick Estinien. He might have some leftover draconic traits that give him an advantage. He looks completely deadpan straight back at you.

Ordinarily he'd take his leave of this conversation--vertically, if need be--but you're not the only one who's found his usual skills diminished. ~~He can't jump as high as a measly roof, the suffering!!~~ He doesn't want to run either, it seems foolish.

After a moment, he scoffs and turns half-back towards the road before responding.]

Do as you will.

[Get used to it, bucko.]

[Look, I was dealing with some stuff, and I wasn't expecting them so soon... ~~damn straight~~.

Yeah, a staring contest isn't quite what he's after, not when he rather his eyes be closed than open. However, with Estinien's surrender—because that's what he's taking this as—he follows along behind him. Though, he probably should pick up the pace, considering his languid and relaxed gait.]

I always do.

[He didn't sign up for this. He didn't survive the sundering just to be forced into being mortal for real!]

Anyroad, where are we headed, dragoon? Or are we to explore these virgin territories without a plotted course?

[They're hardly virgin territories, though to them they are in a sense. Maybe he's just getting into a little bit of a role to keep himself entertained. Look, he's got to make up for Estinien's lack of sociability.]

[They were literally in your memories. You were narrating! How could you possibly not know where they were?

It's strategic capitulation. As you've just said, you're the type to do whatever you please, and Estinien can't escape this situation without looking weak or ridiculous, so he won't.]

My apologies, did you have somewhere else to be?

[Please say you do.]

[Before that! They couldn't even follow my simple instructions, showed up early, wasn't even a nasty, disgusting abomination. Threw me off entirely.

Ah, the things we do to maintain our pride.]

Not at all, I'm merely along for the ride.

[Deal with it, fucker!!]

Edited 2020-05-02 01:45 (UTC)

[You said 'come to me, and you can complete your transformation into a monster in peace' or some such, implying yet to be a nasty disgusting abomination, and you never uttered the words 'come alone'. Classic loophole blunder.

He's going to be praying to Halone more in your presence than he has for years.

He just. Keeps walking. Doesn't dignify that with a response.

This isn't worse than the time he got bodysnatched by a furious dragon, but he's definitely not enjoying it.]

[Mortals have literally no shame, this is why the rejoining is sorely needed.

See, that's gotta be a credit to Emet-Selch! Making a man more faithful to his religion by merely being around him! And here people want to paint him as a villain!

But it's fine, he doesn't need to respond, after all, his question will be answered soon enough by seeing where he's heading. But man, walking for prolonged periods of time through the wilderness, sure he can do it and has done it before and not just recently, after all Solus was a soldier before he became an emperor and that was Emet's doing!

But that mortal body wasn't acting as a literal flesh prison like this one is.]

I have to hand it to you mortals. [Oh, did you think he was going to be quiet just because he didn't talk for a moment there? Yeah, you ain't that lucky.] For all your inadequacies, your lot certainly are tenacious—willingly suffering these exhausting limitations for the entirety of your lives; paltry though they are.

[There's a reason lawyers were invented. Probably by mortals. Oooh, look at who can make things now!

Yes, you are the cause of his come-to-Halone moment. Congratulations.

He's honestly contemplating leading you in a giant circle and seeing how long it will take for you to notice. But no, he's heading back towards town. Keep talking and the giant circle plan may come back though.

Just when you think he might be still ignoring you:]

I suppose tis a matter of perspective. Those of us unlucky enough to be unable to shed our bodies as a serpent sheds it skin when it inconveniences us merely have to live with it.

Edited 2020-05-02 02:59 (UTC)

[What's he gonna do? Sue Hydaelyn for damages?

Really. He's not an idiot, he'd recognize a circle when he's walked it. His attention to detail is pretty damn impressive, even if he doesn't have his usual sight. In fact, these eyes kinda suck compared to what he's used to, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't realize it all the same!]

Awful presumptuous, aren't you? I do not make a habit of jumping too and fro between bodies all willy-nilly, nay, I tend to stick with my mortal host till my task is complete.

[He spent seventy-something years in Solus' old flesh bag, after all.]

But, there are advantages I lack being robbed of my power. Though, you too feel this, if not so keenly. Say, dragoons are known for the height of their leaps, are they not? How poorly has yours suffered?

[That's why it'd be a big circle. And he's not quite childish enough to do that for real, so it shall remain an entertaining thought, nothing more.]

Your comrades do not share your convictions.

[Elidibus is just body hopping errywhere. Into dead people even, speaking of not having shame.

He is...not saying anything. No more than five yalms, it's a disgrace and he hates it. His jumps haven't been that short since he was in training as a child.

That, and he doesn't feel the whispers of Nidhogg's aether or his rage anymore, and it's strange. He'd gotten used to it, the knot of the wyrm's remnant power resting beneath his breastbone. A reminder of what he'd been through, of what he needs to not allow himself to turn into.]

[A big enough circle, then he might not realize till partially through it again. But fortunately for both of them, Estinien matured since his time of making fun of a young boy for worrying about his friend.

Look, he used to be more conservative about that, maybe Lahabrea's bad habits rubbed off on him! Right now Emet seems to hold the record for longest possessed mortal, and it's probably going to stay that way.]

Yes, to their detriment.

[He says that idly, but he's quick to dismiss it all the same, seeing as Estinien is incriminatingly silent. Though, Estinien isn't alone with the deafening silence, since being here Emet had felt a disconnect from...well, the other Ascians, but so too to Zodiark. It's perplexing, but he's chosen to ignore it.]

Mm, that bad?

[That was like teasing a younger brother, not at all the same.

Estinien watches his Vulpix dive into and out of the brush on the side of the trail, seemingly perfectly content with their walkabout.]

Is it taxing for you, I wonder?

[He means the general you, but if you want to take it personally that's fine. He actually sounds...somewhat curious. Nidhogg subsumed him so completely that there wouldn't have been the opportunity to ask questions even if he wanted to, it was all he could do to keep his own self together under the onslaught.]

Enough to take to the trees and leave you here should I wish.

[You are thirty-two summers, Estinien.

The movement catches Emet's eyes for a moment, but then the question brings his attention back to Estinien.]

Aye, 'tis no trouble if one takes care, but should one get overzealous... [Like Lahabrea did... He shakes his head.] 'Tis a contest of wills, a battle of souls, and while ours will win every time, it does not change that there are drawbacks to such practices.

And, if you do make off for the treetops, I only hope that your ability to land has not likewise suffered. 'Twould be a pity if you made a right fool of yourself in your haste to flee.

[LOOK. You never grow out of the instinct to tease little brothers. Let him have this.]

Hm.

[He doesn't have the expertise to know if it's the same mechanic. If it would feel the same should an Ascian try to take over his body and will like Nidhogg did. (He also doesn't want to find out, this is not a science experiment.)]

Landing is the simple part.

[Anyone can learn how to fall properly, it's the jumping that's hard!]

[Fine, fine. But only because it's funny.

Honestly, Emet doesn't really know, either. How often do you hear about dragon phantoms possessing people? Estinien might be a world first there.]

Care to demonstrate?

[Look, he just wants to see Estinien's pitiful leap. Maybe he's being a bit petty here, but he's grasping for anything to make himself feel better about being as stunted as he is.]

[Doesn't he just feel lucky?

Estinien casts a glance back at Emet. He might not get the impression that feeling better about yourself is what you're going for...]

No, I don't.

[...but he still doesn't want to perform on cue. He is not a trained beast here for your amusement.]

[Could have fooled him, but he supposes even mortals aren't quite as lowly as beasts. Barely.

Honestly it's a little of column A and a little of column B. Seeing Estinien struggle a little would make him feel better about his own situation, a little ol' schadenfreude, but also...maybe he takes a little pleasure in being a right pain in the ass.]

Oh, very well, I'll leave it be.

[Well, for the moment, anyway. Though he's hoping the town isn't too far off, he honestly can't remember how long of a walk it was... No wonder he laid down for a nap after going out to the lake.]

[If you ask him for a piggyback ride he is leaving.

Estinien guesses they're about halfway back, if this is going to continue for a while he's going to go round the bend. Do you plan on accompanying him past that too? Halone help him if so.

Maybe it's best not to let Emet drive the conversation, but small talk. He is not good at that. It's one of the many reasons he avoids people. (Or maybe because he avoids people he's not good at small talk? This may be a chicken or the egg scenario.)]

...you prefer to keep your...Pokemon...confined?

[That is a strange, strange word. "Familiar", he could understand, but they were not arcanists and this is not their world. So.]

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