ohmyarceus | January - February Test drive

It. Or them! Whichever it prefers, really. I've got one of my own, and ghosts don't really bother with the whole concept of gender, on the whole. I mean, it's possessing a teacup.

[Claude's voice stays effortlessly light and breezy as he continues chattering about something blatantly unimportant. Which has really always been his modus operandi - deflecting with humor, never letting anything get too deep, never letting himself be too vulnerable. Emotional intimacy with Claude isn't easily achieved, not for someone who'd spent so long barely having anyone to trust, anyone who actually liked him enough not to hurt him if he got the chance. Outside of Nader and his parents, he'd scarcely had anyone like that in Almyra...and if he'd found people in Fodlan who were different, he'd still never dared to trust them completely. Not enough to share his secrets with them...or to let himself wholly believe that doing so wouldn't change their minds. Even once he'd actively fallen in love with Dimitri and Felix and Sylvain...he'd been terrified of their reaction, even as he'd told them. And maybe still wouldn't have, if it hadn't felt so necessary at that juncture.

With Lorenz, someone he'd been deeply fond of but who'd also turned on him...letting this conversation get too deep, too intense, feels like vulnerability. So he sidesteps it.

Or tries to, but of course Lorenz has to spoil his best-laid plans. His father wishes he was half as good at foiling Claude's schemes. But for all Claude's uneasiness at the conversation jack-knifing in a direction he'd rather it didn't go, his own discomfort doesn't really sit front and center. Lorenz looks so...miserable. And for all Lorenz's faults, Claude had liked him - still likes him. That's the only reason the betrayal had stung the way it had. Deep down, Lorenz still feels like one of his Deer.

And seeing what is clearly guilt on Lorenz's face, and hearing that apology...it confirms some of Claude's guesses about just how much influence Count Gloucester had on what happened. Not even Claude's best spies had been able to find out much, so he'd been left to wonder just how much of the betrayal was Lorenz and how much was his father...but either this is the remorse of someone who realizes they were wrong only after they've comprehensively failed, or - more likely - this points to the bulk of the responsibility being on the elder Gloucester's end.

...even then, Claude still tries to think of some way to drag the moment back to something lighthearted. He wrestles with it for a second or two before giving in with a sigh.] I'm not sure how much of an apology I'm owed. Just how much luxury of choice did you have? I guessed your father probably had a hand in things.

[Lorenz has gone over this conversation in his head a thousand times. What he would do, what he might say if he had one more chance. When actually faced with it though even that sigh, despite the words that follow, feel like a judgement, disappointment, just one more failure to add to an ever growing list.

He flinches ever so slightly, shaking his head.

Choice? It had always been a game of finding ways to chose the lesser evil.]

I should never have gone home when he summoned me from Derdriu... I thought- [A bitter sound somewhere between a laugh whimper. One he follows quickly by clearing his throat, forcing himself to look up, to meet Claude's gaze even if it was through some strange contraption instead of face to face.] I thought I could sway him.

In the end the only choice I managed was when and where I would fall.

Oh- is that so? I shall ask Claude or Dimitri to do so then. I'm afraid I don't have anything that can fly, but they do. We can't have you out in the cold like that.

[ A firm nod. ]

Rest assured, a warm meal and some hot tea will be waiting for you. I'm looking forward to seeing you, and meeting your ah... little friend.

Freddy, there you are!

[Gregory can't see him- and it hasn't registered yet why Freddy's voice sounds so...weirdly clear, hoarse though it is- but it doesn't matter. The relief that floods him is palpable, so much so that he nearly throws the Gear down to get up and look for Freddy himself.

But then...]

Wait...wait you're what?!

[Okay, now he's actually on his feet, nearly dislodging the Teddiursa clinging to his shoulder.]

Okay. Okay, um...I'm outside of a town...it's kindof small. Is that where you are now?

[ He had felt...odd, upon awakening. Different. Sights, sounds...sensations...he was experiencing them all in a manner that he was not used to.

(wrong it was all wrong this wasn't how it was supposed to be)

A part of him was quickly aware that his body was also different (still wrong this isn't how he's supposed to look), but the realization faded as another, more important one came to mind. Someone he promised to protect was not there.

He had left in a hurry, barely registering anything else in order to search. But his systems...he was lacking his systems that kept him connected to the Pizzaplex, and he had little information of this unfamiliar place besides the explanations that he had not had the time to listen to.

It was after a while of wandering that he discovered he still had communication, though. He recognized the voice that chimed through the device easily, and relief flooded his new body. It took a moment to learn how to access the device (he can't do it automatically but it's easier to figure out than maybe it should have been), but soon he was able to answer. ]

Gregory! I am so glad to hear from you. Are you all right?

[ His voice sounded different too. It was still his, and yet...strange. Clearer, perhaps. He could not really explain it, but he could only hope it was still recognizable enough. ]

[Oh no. It's a culmination of things that tip her off that the situation is not fine. The tone of the boy's voice, his hesitation to come out from behind the tree, and the fact that her Pokemon is clearly not helping the situation. Even Rotom gets that something is amiss, looking over at Olivia hesitantly, looking for answers. Most humans are happy to see him, after all.

The problem with most adults is that they push too hard, try so desperately to win over peers and children alike. She takes a deep breath and reaches into her pocket for Rotom's Pokeball. No words need to be shared between trainer and Pokemon, as the ghost taps the ball and disappears within a flash of red light. Anything of value is removed from her suit jacket, thrown into the provided knapsack quickly before she does the unthinkable.]

I'm going to leave you my jacket, okay? It should keep you warm for a while.

[Her limited time in dealing with children has taught her many things: kids are smarter than given credit for and it's never a good idea to call them out forcefully. The best she can do is provide Gregory with the tools for success. She finds a small patch of dry grass among the snow and folds up the article of clothing, leaving it there for retrieval.]

There's a city just a few days' walk from here. If you decide to head that way, just follow the route to safety.

[And with that said, she takes the backpack and adjusts it over her shoulder, stepping away from the tree slowly.]

D-Dimitri?!

[Felix is scary, sure, but the mad king is an entirely different level of terrifying and Lorenz absolutely looks it for a moment, eyes wide and one hand raised to his chest as though he might still his frantic heartbeat with a touch.]

Begging your pardon, Professor, but... undeserving though I may be of it I would like to retain this second chance at life.

I have made you wait for me, I am sorry. I am so sorry.

[He has a hard time understanding it himself, but he's proven to himself that he isn't an endoskeleton with a shell on anymore.]

I am a human now. I thought I was done with a charging cycle, but I woke up as a human, in a strange home.

[He shakes his head to try and dismiss the strange sensation of 'feeling' different.]

I am close to where I woke up. I will come find you.

You are so very brave, Superstar.

[Yeah, the pause is completely understandable, and Ochako half expected it, really. Still, she wanted to let this kid know, because it's important he learns about this world right away, considering he seems, ah...not all that put together. Ochako's leaning a bit on some of her Hero training - learning how to be calm and informative, and not risk a blowout with a scared civilian, or provoke a desperate villain.]

All the people that arrive here and who are given a device like yours. It's called a Poke-Gear, but most people just call it a Gear. And, mmh...if I remember right, people start in Newbark Town, in the Johto region, but taking a ferry from the docks there will let you go to Kanto, the neighboring region past the mountains.

[Mikasa really wasn't one for names. Though she's named a few it, maybe one day the rest would get names. For now it was fine.

The large pokemon lifted it's head slightly, red eyes peering out of that dented helmet. THEN BACK TO NUZZLING. Or shoving Mikasa around her seat.]

Someone named it before I got it. [Just patting them, the weird scaley dog thing. Even if she had to move to squint at the little pokemon.]

...What can he do? [He doesn't even have legs, how can he fight?] My first pokemon had knife-hands. [At least she could stab things to fight.]

[Between the hair and the purple suit and the foppish tone of voice, Lorenz Hellman Gloucester stands out like a particularly prissy sore thumb. Unfortunately, as a 6'8 brick wall, Dedue also stands out, and thus it is something of an inevitability that Lorenz spots him.]

[Perhaps Lorenz didn't notice exactly who he was before he'd asked the question, because... all things considered, it's a ridiculous question to ask.]

I have no strong opinion on the subject.

[The last time that Dedue had seen Lorenz was at Myrddin-- grievously wounded, battered and bloody after a skirmish with Byleth. The professor had convinced him to rejoin them, at least, and Dedue had found out later that he did survive his injuries after magical intervention. His change of heart does not erase the fact that he had fought on the side of the Empire, but it does mean that he is, technically, no longer an enemy. Technically.]

[He's on thin ice.]

Did you only recently arrive?

You've always been dutiful to a fault, Lorenz. [The smile Claude gives him is complicated, but not without affection.] Anyway, even if you had been willing to throw over your familial duties completely, I wouldn't expect you to make that kind of stand over a simple summons home. And then he dragged you into whatever designs he had going, I assume? Or I guess if you were trying to work on him, you did have some say...although compared to the idea of letting him keep doing what he was doing, you probably didn't feel like you had any better options than to try and soften the blows. Right?

Unfortunately, and no offense, but your father's a real piece of work. I can't say you had no impact, since he did eventually concede to what I needed and I can't gauge how much of that was thanks to you, but he's about as flexible as a mountain. It took having the Empire on our doorstep and me practically locking the council up in a room with me while I threatened to talk them to death to get even as much as I did. So whatever you tried to do and couldn't, I don't think that's any failing of yours. He's not a listening or compromising type of guy - evidently not even with his own son.

[But Lorenz's words give him pause, and he frowns.] Wait - fall? You were fine the last time I saw you... [He pauses.] Although I guess that doesn't mean much here.

This place - sometimes it brings people here from different times, or where they remember different versions of events as being true. We had a Teach here for awhile who'd taught our house back at the academy, if you'll believe that - and a Lysithea who remembered that, too. Kind of like a different timeline, where people made different choices. So...what I remember and what you remember may not line up perfectly.

Were you at the battle of Derdriu?

[Gregory could cry, he's so relieved. He doesn't quite yet note how Freddy sounds himself because he's just too happy to hear from him, holding his Gear closer to his face as if that will clue the animatronic in to his location quicker.]

I'm f-fine! Just...r-really cold.

[It's snowing, after all, and he's still wearing shorts and a t-shirt.]

But what about you? How...how did you get out of the building? I thought you said you couldn't leave?

[Or, at least...if he did, his systems would run out of charge and leaving in the first place would be moot.]

[ Hah. Rose opening up. Good one.

When Rainer's hand is offered as a perch, Snom looks back to Rosie who gives him a nod. It's fine. The little worm snakes forward onto the other girl's hand. ]

Yeah, he was the guy I woke up with. Just kind of... hanging out on me. And by the rule of finder's keepers, I just assumed he was mine.

[He hesitates; now that he knows Gregory is somewhere nearby, the question forces him to once again consider the strange situation he found himself in. ]

I...do not know. I had awoken and found myself in a building that was not the Pizzaplex.

Something has...happened.

People...arrive here? This happens a lot?

[Whaaat on earth...he'd maybe understand weird things like that happening to him- it wouldn't be the first time- but to others? Adults, even?

Hm...]

I woke up in some lady's house...I woulda' left if she didn't make me leave. Is that Newbark?

[He looks a bit distressed by her enthusiasm, honestly... What has he done?]

You... might want to learn more about them before you dedicate yourself to such a purpose.

[Please learn about these things before you start breeding them, Rosie.

But then he sees the pudgy little snom on her shoulder and his expression just melts.]

Oh! Who is this?

[ Once Snom scurries onto Rainer's palm, she brings her hand in to cradle him to her chest, cooing over how cute he is and stroking his spiky back with her free hand. ]

Yeah, this plane sort of operates on "finder's keepers" logic a lot of the time. That and, "I'm stronger than you so you're mine now." If you're not careful, you can end up with a whole menagerie before you know it.

[Gregory watches in muted silence as she recalls the Rotom (not something he's ever seen before, so that alone is enough to make him jump, yet look on curiously in spite of himself), and then further as she moves to leave him her jacket.

But...why? That's all Gregory can think at present as the woman steps back, clearly intending to leave her jacket there for him despite the fact that he told her he didn't need anything.

So for the first time in...a while, probably, the question he ends up asking is totally innocent.]

...aren't you gonna be cold?

Dude... dude. Yes. I like that. Thank you "Dude". [ The emphasis he puts on the word is very much 'hello fellow kids'. ]

A shell of ice. I am glad at least one part of it is squishy. And yes, it does make it easier. However, now that we have been aquainted, please know that you may call upon me if you need anything. Arriving here was hard enough, even with friends to help.

[He doesn't feel very brave, honestly...just being outside is way easier than being inside the Pizzaplex had ever been. And if he just has to wait for Freddy now? Well...that much he can do.]

I really don't understand what you're saying, or...how you could be human. But...I guess I need to just see for myself.

This is gonna sound weird, but...look for a little bear, okay? Then you'll find me.

[Because Gregory has the idea to send Teddiursa out onto the route to wait for Freddy. If Freddy IS human as he claims, Gregory may not recognize him...so.]

I woke up in some lady's house. She said she was my mom, but I don't-

[Gregory stops short before continuing.]

The point is, I wasn't there anymore either. Did something kicked us out...?

I know you're right but... I had to at least try. I hadn't wanted to admit to the sorts of... things he'd allied himself with.

[Those beasts that had tortured Lysithea and done horrid things he could hardly recall. Still in league with them after all these years, or at least willing to use them to gain more political power. But he does smile faintly at Claude, grateful for the attempt at easing how hard he was being on himself. Even knowing how insurmountable a task it was, it doesn't make his failure any less devastating.]

Claude it had been ages since we last saw one another... [What does him being fine... a year ago? more than? have to do with things as they were in the present? He frowns, looking a bit dejected when Claude gets to that last question.]

So battle came to Derdriu after all. No, I wasn't there. I remember being at the bridge, trying to keep Father's attention on the Southern border rather than meddling with your plans. I had little choice in the matter, I took the field there to defend the bridge against the professor and the other Lions. I tried to convince Ferdinand to walk away, to come back to Derdriu before the battle even began. I-

[He shakes his head again, rolling his eyes at himself.]

I was such a stubborn fool.

I am not sure. [ It was a possibility, but getting kicked out would not explain... ]

Where are you located now? It may be easier for us to figure this out if we are together.

[ He is not sure he entirely believes that himself, but he will feel better once he knows Gregory is safe. ]

There's a road...right outside of that town where that building is. Those buildings are.

[Because maybe Freddy woke up in a different one? He has no reason to assume that they woke up in the same house, otherwise they would have run into each other sooner.]

I'm hiding behind a tree by that road. I actually have a...bear? Like a real bear with me. I'll get him to come out so you know where I am.

January - February Test drive

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AAAAAAAH

[Audio] Room for one more?

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violet city

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ALWAYS

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