ohmyarceus | March - April Test Drive Meme

[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.]

[If this goes on much longer, he just might. Maybe his little old man ankles are giving out on him!

Everything is so much easier when you can just teleport—something even Eorzeans can do, even if they're limited to Aetherytes. Hell, even having a proper mount would go a long way, and yet they're forced to walk around like uncivilized savages.

Here he was going to let the conversation die for a spell, but look at you! Talking all on your own, if he wasn't revolted by your existence, he might be proud.]

Why? Would you like to see them? I see little reason to release them if there's no purpose for them to serve.

[He also thinks Pokémon is a strange, if somewhat stupid word. But who is he to judge such? It's not like he hails from a society that had a field of academics in creating fantastical beasts or anything. Oh, wait...]

Edited 2020-05-02 06:00 (UTC)

[~~You need to be level 20 to unlock mounts, everyone knows that.~~

Darn it, foiled again. Can he take the question back so they can continue walking in uncomfortable silence?

And if you're so revolted by him, you could leave. Or let him leave. He'd be happy to see the back of you.]

Most seem to keep them at hand.

[The idea of stuffing animals into little balls seems too mean even for him.]

[~~He was level 20 before Zodiark was even conceived~~.

Nope, can't take it back. But what's that? Estinien wants to see his backside, does he? Isn't he a little old for you?

With a sly smile:]

Do you think it unfair I keep them confined?

[Despite himself, he cannot help but enjoy how soft of heart this brutish man truly seems to be. It's almost comical. More and more he thinks that delicate looking fox suits him.]

Edited 2020-05-02 06:13 (UTC)

[~~Not here you're not. Sprout.~~

Your back, not your backside. No one can see that under all the layers you wear anyway, you troll.]

...They seem more intelligent than mere beasts.

[You say that out loud and he will go more prickly than his armor. That he was gifted after showing respect for Ratatoskr and named Iceheart out of sentimentality and respect for a woman he once hated.

He has such a soft center buried under all that steel and grump.]

[~~I'm too old to be a sprout. I'm like, petrified wood at this point.~~

Can't go spoiling the mortals with a peep show, now can we? Nope, gotta wrap that rump up, even top it with a stupid bow.]

...Very well.

[He sighs the words out, like Estinien is being such a bother in pointing out the fact these creatures seem to be sapient to some degree. Pulling out both Poké balls, one in either hand, he releases a Yamask and a Murkrow. Both of which survey their surroundings, before looking to Estinien. The Yamask floating to Emet's side, as if to hide from the other man.

While the Murkrow is far less modest. Jumping immediately up onto Estinien's shoulders with a thoughtless flap of his wings. Quickly waddling about as he looks for something. Probably food.]

Have you only the one?

[He says, while Estinien's being hassled by his bird, like nothing out of the ordinary is going on at all. Look, buddy, you asked for this.]

[Yet one more thing to think he's bothersome about.

He watches curiously--noting that there seems to be a theme going here, a shadowy creature wearing a death's mask and a strange crow. Seems appropriate for an Ascian to be followed about by such ill omens.

~~It's fine, his hair is already a birds' nest anyway.~~]

Aye.

[He...does not know that Team Rocket starts with two, or even much of what it is. He also is not shooing the crow away, though he does lean his head away if it comes too close to his face.]

Edited 2020-05-02 06:57 (UTC)

[Emet's still a little salty about the Yamask. Seriously, how more on the nose could they be? A ghost carrying around a mask, one that it looks at and cries about, even... He might find it amusing, if it didn't feel so deeply personal, which might be why he's pointedly ignoring it. Even as it tries to stay close to him.

His Murkrow seems to give up for now. At least in terms of taking anything from Estinien (no food to be found, it seems), and instead clambers to the top of his head. Bird nest indeed.]

How very interesting. I suppose whomever spirited us away recognized I was worthy of two. But I'm sure you'll catch up soon enough.

[It's better that Estinien doesn't know, and if he can keep him from finding out about his involvement, he will. After all, it's not like he'll be up to anything good within their organization.]

[It's almost as if some higher power wishes to make you suffer for the irony.

Estinien almost feels sorry for it--it seems to want something, protection perhaps? Though if what he's learned about his own creature is accurate, these want not for ways to protect themselves. But they each have their own personality.]

I confess to not understanding the point of all this.

[Why drag them away from their world? Why give them strange beasts to train to defend themselves, instead of letting them have their skills and weapons so they can do it themselves? Why is this happening?]

[Yeah, weird!!

Maybe somewhere Emet feels a little shitty for being so...distant, it's not the wretched thing's fault it's more or less a mockery of him and his people. Doesn't change the fact that he's also pretty petty at times.]

Neither do I, though I am loath to admit it. However, I intend to find out, one way or another.

[Finally, he glances to the Yamask, which seems to glow from the acknowledgment! But Emet's face reflexively recoils with disgust as it draws nearer, tilting his head away from it. Deflated, it backs off, settling to float off to the side once more.]

These beasts are nearly comical in design. You would think whomever had the power to bring us here and rob us of our abilities, could at least design something halfway decent.

[He's of the mind that these creatures are constructs of some sort. Perhaps not unlike the phantasms of eld found within the walls of Akademia Anyder. Just...of poorer design and power.

Maybe this is why he doesn't feel so bad leaving them in their balls, for those creatures mocked life, but were not truly living.]

[Estinien stumbles a bit as his Vulpix leaps to his chest, and reflexively curls his arms under her back paws so she doesn't fall back down. She puts her front paws up on his shoulders so she can sniff at the Murkrow perched on his head.]

Design?

[He doesn't know what evolution is, so some power making these creatures out of thin air is...as good an explanation as any for where they came from, he supposes. But he's never really put much thought to it before. Some distant thought niggling in the back of his head from when he was a simple farmer's son pipes up about breeding particular animals to pass on desired traits, but...]

[Murkrow doesn't seem to like the sudden Vulpix in his vacinity, cawing and flapping his wings in distaste, but he eventually settles once more. Keeping a scrutinizing stare on the fox.

Emet-Selch, however, pauses a moment at Estinien's question. He could explain, but then he wonders if doing so would be lost on the man. Then again, he's seemed a fair bit more clever than he rightly gave him credit for.]

Yes, design. I'm certain by now you are familiar with primal summoning, even the lesser version of that you mortals dabble in with your arcane beasts. Think of it like that--after all, look at these creatures.

[He gestures to the Yamask, then to the Murkrow and Vulpix.]

Do you honestly think them the product of anything natural? I doubt not they can breed on their own, but little do I believe they were of nature's design.

[He sighs.]

Such theories would be put to the proof, if not for my Sight being taken from me...alas.

[He didn't dedicate 20 years of his life to non-stop physical training and hyperfocus on avenging his family against an implacable draconic foe to get typecast as a musclebound simpleton. Sigh.

He glances down at his little fox companion, who's settled back down, decided she wants to be carried, and is now slightly chilling his arms through his sleeves and gloves.]

I had not thought on it.

[He seems to be, now.]

They seem more...animated, than those summons. I must admit, the practice is not so widespread in Ishgard save for the odd adventurers passing through, and so I could not say for certain.

[When was the last time you saw a Carbuncle decide it wants to perch on someone's head, or be carried about like a pet?]

[Look, for what it's worth Emet thinks everyone who is sundered are morons. Not their fault, what with only having 8/14ths of the minds they should, but it doesn't change they're all a lot of bit dumb comparatively.]

Well, yes, because you have not bore witness to true creation magic, nor the nigh indescrutable difference between it and life itself.

[He seems to be getting more animated as he talks, the slow languid movements getting a slight more peppy.]

But say that the one responsible of our capture is intrinsically talented in all forms of arcane arts, shall we? 'Twould require a wide range of study--one of which goes beyond even an immortal being like myself. Whomever brought us here, did so through both time and space--not a simple feat, I assure you. Now, 'tis not only our reality in which he has plucked from, but several.

[As he talks, he gestures with his hands. Almost more talking to himself, than Estinien proper with how little he's looking at him, or how he barely even gives him a chance to get a word in, if he even tries. Murkrow is watching him, as if he understand even a little bit of this at all, and the Yamask seems fit to merely float along beside him. Perhaps gaining a sort of energy from his trainer's excited explaining.]

Do you believe that such a mage would not be able to make creatures so true to life, so convincingly real, that most could not tell the difference? Particularly when he can spirit away someone as powerful as I, while likewise nullifying my power?

[Does he even breathe??]

If these creatures are real beasts or arcane, I am ill equip to determine, but I know well the mark of Creation, and while I cannot be full certain of my theory, I have yet to be convinced otherwise.

[Wow, and here people think Estinien is an asshole. Sure, he's confident, but that's a whole other level of self-absorption.

He just keeps walking as you talk and gesture to yourself. Honestly, he's only half paying attention. Sure, this is interesting information, but do you really have to use so many words to explain it?

(Seriously, do you breathe?)

Emet's little tirade took up so much time, the trees are visibly thinning and the edges of buildings and roads are starting to come into sight.]

Twould mean they were more skilled than you, would it not?

[That's gotta rankle. Makes him feel a little warm and fuzzy thinking about it.]

The alternative being whatever force brought us here is skilled or powerful enough to pull us between worlds, remove our abilities, and that is all. That these creatures are merely natural to this world.

[Look, facts are merely facts, he doesn't make the rules, that was Zodiark's job!

It's fine, he figured you wouldn't be able to keep up, and some of this is just putting to words what he's already been thinking. Already been working out. The more he sees of these Pokémon, the more he's convinced they are not natural beings at all.

Have you seen a Magnemite, Estinien????]

...There's no sense in denying it. Yes, one being more skilled and powerful than I—though I am sure it pleases your ears to hear me admit it, this is naught to be smug about. He is as much a villain to you, as he is to me, and for this purpose, we are allies.

[He glances at Estinien finally, seemingly ignoring the town's growing proximity, but he does take note of it. Thank Zodiark for that, honestly.]

My failures are your failures. But regardless of the nature of our selfsame foe, and whether or not these beasts are naturally occurring—though high are my doubts of that—the true problem remains ever the same: whomever is behind this would have a power nigh equal to Zodiark or Hydaelyn.

Naught else explains their ability to so keenly rob me of my sense.

Edited 2020-05-02 22:32 (UTC)

[Look, just because he probably didn't learn to read until he was adopted by Alberic and started training as a dragoon...he was low-born, not stupid.

No, he hasn't, and you're right, once he does he will question the fact that it's alive.]

I hesitate to pick my enemies so quickly. We know not why we are here, only that we are.

[Now, the question is, are you going to split ways with him when you get to town? He hopes so.]

If whatever force brought us here truly meant to cause harm, why would they bring myself and not the Warrior of Light along side you? I am a skilled fighter, but not as strong as they.

[It's simple math, eight-fourteenths will never equal the same as a whole, duh!

Being in Team Rocket, he has seen a great measure of these Pokémon, each almost more absurd than the last. Even their world has some weird ass creatures, but not living magnets beyond what's created by man! And even those aren't alive. Maybe then his tinfoil hat won't seem so crazy.

Emet's smug expression sours a moment at Estinien's comments, his pale colored eyes seeking to lock with his companion's.]

I know well you mortals mark us Ascians as unscrupulous scoundrels, ever whittling away the hours of eternity by plotting our dark schemes and blood-drenched course...but let it be known, while your absence might not have any lasting harmful effect upon our star, mine most assuredly will.

[Now they seem to be just outside the city limits, though more a town with its size, Emet-Selch slows his pace, raising his arm for his Murkrow to land upon. It does, shifting on Estinien's head a little as it lifts with a flap of its wings, before settling to perch on Emet properly.]

What harm this hidden foe has caused in so doing will be far more immeasurable than you realize. For we Ascians are no more villains than what you choose to believe—not unlike the dragons of your war laid to rest.

You merely lack perspective.

Edited 2020-05-03 00:03 (UTC)

[He'll just think you're crazy for other reasons.

He watches calmly--but he is certainly not going to declare your goals just, only from your say-so. The loss of life--not only on their own world, but multiple others--is unconscionable. Just because you don't think they're alive doesn't mean they aren't. Just because you deem their lives lesser is no reason to destroy them. It's not the sundered's fault your world was destroyed. The mortal races didn't ask to get caught up in this.

He would empathize. He would. But...the ends do not always justify the means.]

You think I would not understand, because I am inherently lesser than you. Perhaps you are correct. What is a mortal life to an immortal one, but a candle set against an inferno?

That does not mean we do not have the right to live, or to fight to protect our own.

[He knew Nidhogg's grief. He'd felt it, keenly as it was his own, when their souls were intertwined. How things could have changed, if the elder wyrm could be reached, reasoned with. But nay, he did not change his course, and therefore his death was the only way to stop the bloodshed--for not even all Nidhogg's children wished to fight with man, but the control their sire had over them would drive them mad if they did not. Faunheim was proof of that.]

I tire of this. You say that we cannot understand your reasoning--yet you also cannot understand why we fight to oppose you. Or you do, and have decided that because we are lesser, it matters not. Is that perspective enough?

[That's entirely fair.

Emet-Selch too enjoys not the loss of life, though he reasons with himself that it scarce counts as such. Though, he'd be a fool to say he fully believes it, for if that were the case then he like as not wouldn't grow attached as he does, wouldn't have mourned his son, wouldn't have hoped or had faith.

Even in the Warrior of Light he's found hope again, though he's ignorant of the disappointment that would be sure to come his way ere long. The loss of life has proven a necessary endeavor until now, or so he's believed, and if he truly cared not for the loss, then he would not seek a path of lesser tragedy.

Yet still he marches forth on this bloody path, be it of his own true will, or Zodiark's; but the course cannot be denied.]

Nay, I did not say you could not understand, merely that you lack the perspective—the knowledge—to do so. Knowledge, that if you prove worthy, will be freely yours, for I know the history—the truth—of our world better than any of your short-lived historians ever could.

[However, the more serious expression of his ebbs away, and his annoying smirk returns. With a pointed shake of his arm, his Murkrow makes his way up it, settling on his trainer's shoulder as Emet lets his arm fall to his side.]

Do not mistake me, for I wish to understand the other side. Thus did I approach your companions, and thus I have yet kept their company upon their journey across the First, aiding them in their endeavor.

[With lethargy, he gestures with one hand, a bit dismissively.]

But such talk is for another time. We are at our destination, and safety is most certainly assured, Dragoon.

[And with that same tired gait, he sets forth again, using his free hand to wave in that languid, eccentric way he does. His Yamask following close behind, while his Murkrow seems keen on keeping an eye on Estinien.

As he continues, he calls back without so much as looking over his shoulder as he does:]

Worry not, we will meet again, friend.

March - April Test Drive Meme

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