Rindo Kanade | 奏 竜胆 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
worldisyours) wrote2023-03-13 07:06 pm
worldisyours) wrote2023-03-13 07:06 pm
IC Inbox
WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, RINDO KANADE. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 4.28.13.9 *** rindragon has joined 4.28.13.9 | ||||
Oh, yeah? [It's hard to tell if she knew that already or not, but she at least sounds at once relieved and pleasantly surprised.] Well—glad it's got your stamp of approval! Up to you where we start.
I'm just gonna grab a couple things, and... then I'll be good to go. Sound good?
I'm just gonna grab a couple things, and... then I'll be good to go. Sound good?
[…Well, Rindo's not going to let that little bit of uncertainty ruin his day.]
Yeah! Lemme think about it while I get ready.
[Hopefully he'll have decided by the time they leave. With that, he turns to grab his jacket from the closet, then heads downstairs to wait for Swallow by the door.
He looks deep in thought. The Cube first is enticing, of course, because he's missed FanGO so much, but at the same time he's kind of hungry, and the café would be a nice way to ease into hanging out…]
Yeah! Lemme think about it while I get ready.
[Hopefully he'll have decided by the time they leave. With that, he turns to grab his jacket from the closet, then heads downstairs to wait for Swallow by the door.
He looks deep in thought. The Cube first is enticing, of course, because he's missed FanGO so much, but at the same time he's kind of hungry, and the café would be a nice way to ease into hanging out…]
[That, at least, lifts Rindo's mood somewhat. Looks like she shared the same worry.
It's true that Swallow was a bit… abrasive, in person. If she acted the same when they met back home as she did when they met in Ryslig, then he can't imagine he would have liked her, not without the context of her identity. However, right now, he can tell: the Swallow he knows is right there under that thorny exterior.
He trusts in that, but… He's curious.]
i get that tbh...
so howd it go
did we end up getting along?
It's true that Swallow was a bit… abrasive, in person. If she acted the same when they met back home as she did when they met in Ryslig, then he can't imagine he would have liked her, not without the context of her identity. However, right now, he can tell: the Swallow he knows is right there under that thorny exterior.
He trusts in that, but… He's curious.]
i get that tbh...
so howd it go
did we end up getting along?
yeah, we did!
eventually XD
you think i would've reacted the way i did to finding you if we weren't friends?
eventually XD
you think i would've reacted the way i did to finding you if we weren't friends?
guess not
[It was a test, of sorts. Just a way to ask his "future" self how to feel. How often do you have that kind of opportunity? At least it looks like, on the topic of Swallow, his and the other Rindo's views align.
He sighs. This is just… messed up. Maybe he didn't disappoint Swallow back in her timeline when she met him in person, but here and now is another matter entirely. Of course she's disappointed that he's not the Rindo she's come to appreciate. He knows that—he'll never forget how heartbroken she looked when she realized he didn't recognize her.
Conflicting feelings arise—bitter shame at failing her, defiant anger at not even being given a chance to do anything but.
He shouldn't be here. He can't even be himself right, and it's not a high bar to clear.]
[It was a test, of sorts. Just a way to ask his "future" self how to feel. How often do you have that kind of opportunity? At least it looks like, on the topic of Swallow, his and the other Rindo's views align.
He sighs. This is just… messed up. Maybe he didn't disappoint Swallow back in her timeline when she met him in person, but here and now is another matter entirely. Of course she's disappointed that he's not the Rindo she's come to appreciate. He knows that—he'll never forget how heartbroken she looked when she realized he didn't recognize her.
Conflicting feelings arise—bitter shame at failing her, defiant anger at not even being given a chance to do anything but.
He shouldn't be here. He can't even be himself right, and it's not a high bar to clear.]
[Was that the wrong thing to say? It seems like it, judging by the terseness of that reply, though she's not sure what else she could have said to such a direct question.
Maybe, "what does it matter"?]
i may have already told you who i am, but what i said before is still true
i want you to get to know me
and i want to get to know you too
if that's ok
Maybe, "what does it matter"?]
i may have already told you who i am, but what i said before is still true
i want you to get to know me
and i want to get to know you too
if that's ok
[…What is there for Swallow to get to know about? She's just… humoring him.
…It's a kindness, isn't it? From her, he'd expect nothing less—but it's warped and twisted by the circumstances into something that hurts instead. How can he ever measure up against this unknown self? In what world does he not fall end up falling short of her expectations? He already has.
The alternative—her giving up on him, because he's not the Rindo she wanted to see—is far more painful, though. If she holds out her hand, then he'll take it, lined with thorns as it may be.]
thats ok
i just hope u wont regret it
…It's a kindness, isn't it? From her, he'd expect nothing less—but it's warped and twisted by the circumstances into something that hurts instead. How can he ever measure up against this unknown self? In what world does he not fall end up falling short of her expectations? He already has.
The alternative—her giving up on him, because he's not the Rindo she wanted to see—is far more painful, though. If she holds out her hand, then he'll take it, lined with thorns as it may be.]
thats ok
i just hope u wont regret it
[The rain stops. The sun comes out. And one unread message appears in Rindo's inbox.
The second time he visits the Trainhouse, Rindo is shown in through the front door. The guest room is ready for his belongings; the snack cabinet is opened. Gladion introduces him to two very different dogs and a small jungle of potted plants, including one massive dracaena.
The balcony overlooks the same yard they'd marched down through before. In the full sun, there's an orchard along the side, thin trees a little taller than an adult human, planted in rows.]
This is -
[Walking under one, Gladion stands on his toes and reaches up for a branch. A vine darts from his sleeve to clear the last few inches, pulling it into his grasp. The branch, with its cluster of vividly blue-green fruits, bows down to Rindo's eye level.]
- one of the ones I got from Mana. Oran Berry. Maybe a week until they're ready to pick, I think.
[Somewhere off behind them, Silvally is galloping big circles around the house, bored of spectating the tour and reveling in the weather. Every time it comes around the front, it takes a running leap down the hill, clearing half the yard in one soaring bound and shaking its feathers out theatrically when it lands.]
The second time he visits the Trainhouse, Rindo is shown in through the front door. The guest room is ready for his belongings; the snack cabinet is opened. Gladion introduces him to two very different dogs and a small jungle of potted plants, including one massive dracaena.
The balcony overlooks the same yard they'd marched down through before. In the full sun, there's an orchard along the side, thin trees a little taller than an adult human, planted in rows.]
This is -
[Walking under one, Gladion stands on his toes and reaches up for a branch. A vine darts from his sleeve to clear the last few inches, pulling it into his grasp. The branch, with its cluster of vividly blue-green fruits, bows down to Rindo's eye level.]
- one of the ones I got from Mana. Oran Berry. Maybe a week until they're ready to pick, I think.
[Somewhere off behind them, Silvally is galloping big circles around the house, bored of spectating the tour and reveling in the weather. Every time it comes around the front, it takes a running leap down the hill, clearing half the yard in one soaring bound and shaking its feathers out theatrically when it lands.]
Edited 2023-05-24 03:01 (UTC)
[For a variety of reasons, Gladion's invitation is very welcome, and though the trip to the Trainhouse is fraught with bad memories, Rindo is hopeful that this time will be much different. Finally getting to see the sun again is helping more than he'd like to admit.
Free of the fog and rain, everything looks more vibrant—including, of course, the berries Gladion is showing off. Rindo may or may not be trying to… listen (?) to them. Do plants from other worlds have accents? He really wouldn't know, considering he hasn't had any luck perceiving anything yet. He will refrain from voicing that thought, at any rate.
While Silvally does its thing behind them (that sounded like another landing just now), he tilts his head, peering intently at the fruit.]
They kinda remind me of oranges… Even the name. Do you have those back home?
Free of the fog and rain, everything looks more vibrant—including, of course, the berries Gladion is showing off. Rindo may or may not be trying to… listen (?) to them. Do plants from other worlds have accents? He really wouldn't know, considering he hasn't had any luck perceiving anything yet. He will refrain from voicing that thought, at any rate.
While Silvally does its thing behind them (that sounded like another landing just now), he tilts his head, peering intently at the fruit.]
They kinda remind me of oranges… Even the name. Do you have those back home?
We do. [He inches along the length of the branch so that he can reach out towards the fruit. Pinch one to check the consistency.] I think they're related. Oran Berries are a lot more widespread, though. Oranges can't handle climates like this.
[...releases the branch.]
Pokemon have a taste for them over other fruits. That might have to do with why they're missing from other worlds.
[...releases the branch.]
Pokemon have a taste for them over other fruits. That might have to do with why they're missing from other worlds.
Huh…
[Rindo watches the branch bounce back into place with a thoughtful look. Wondering about the differences and similarities between worlds, like his and Akira's both having Shibuyas, but with a smattering of random little discrepancies. And now this.]
So… what are Pokémon, exactly?
[Beat had mentioned them when introducing Junior, but the explanation had been… uh… scattered? Incomplete? At any rate, it had somehow left Rindo more confused. Better to get it straight from the source.]
[Rindo watches the branch bounce back into place with a thoughtful look. Wondering about the differences and similarities between worlds, like his and Akira's both having Shibuyas, but with a smattering of random little discrepancies. And now this.]
So… what are Pokémon, exactly?
[Beat had mentioned them when introducing Junior, but the explanation had been… uh… scattered? Incomplete? At any rate, it had somehow left Rindo more confused. Better to get it straight from the source.]
[Distant, coincidential fwee-heet-hee-hee like a trumpet fanfare.]
All the non-human creatures from our world. [Very slight stress on "our".] A lot of them resemble animals, but past a surface level, they're not actually the same.
[...Goes into his pocket.]
Beat got Junior from...someone else from our world, who had Mana bring her here.
[And pulls out Silvally's Pokeball. Is this anything? He's not sure if Beat actually...uses Junior's...for its intended purpose...whenever Gladion sees them, she's just out wandering. Surely he's said something about her origin, though.]
All the non-human creatures from our world. [Very slight stress on "our".] A lot of them resemble animals, but past a surface level, they're not actually the same.
[...Goes into his pocket.]
Beat got Junior from...someone else from our world, who had Mana bring her here.
[And pulls out Silvally's Pokeball. Is this anything? He's not sure if Beat actually...uses Junior's...for its intended purpose...whenever Gladion sees them, she's just out wandering. Surely he's said something about her origin, though.]
[When Shoka joins him minutes later, she's clad in a jacket of her own, oversized and black with a cat-earred hood that bears the face of Shibuya icon Mr. Mew. She wears the hood up for the first time in too long, after being unable to as a Merperson on account of her gill stalks, and it seems to have her smiling a little brighter.]
Hope you didn't think about it too hard. [After briefly adjusting the strap of the purse hanging off her shoulder, she heads out.] Come on.
[Ultimately, Rindo picks the cat cafe first. It isn't too far from the house and Shoka clearly knows the way well, so they walk, chatting along the way, more easily the further they go. Shoka knows the way so well because she works there most days, she explains, before telling him (maybe a little too casually) that the commute is even easier when she's a horse.
When they arrive, they put in their orders and get a peaceful little corner to themselves—and the cats, of course. Some of the feline residents are naturally bolder than others, so Shoka has a treat packet or two stowed away in her bag for encouragement, but Rindo seems content to wait around patiently for them to come to him.
She has to smile at that, though she does eventually pipe up,] Brought along my own treat stash if you wanna speedrun your cat bonding a little...
Hope you didn't think about it too hard. [After briefly adjusting the strap of the purse hanging off her shoulder, she heads out.] Come on.
[Ultimately, Rindo picks the cat cafe first. It isn't too far from the house and Shoka clearly knows the way well, so they walk, chatting along the way, more easily the further they go. Shoka knows the way so well because she works there most days, she explains, before telling him (maybe a little too casually) that the commute is even easier when she's a horse.
When they arrive, they put in their orders and get a peaceful little corner to themselves—and the cats, of course. Some of the feline residents are naturally bolder than others, so Shoka has a treat packet or two stowed away in her bag for encouragement, but Rindo seems content to wait around patiently for them to come to him.
She has to smile at that, though she does eventually pipe up,] Brought along my own treat stash if you wanna speedrun your cat bonding a little...
[Rindo gives the Poké Ball a puzzled look. Sorry Gladion you're explaining this one too.]
What are the differences between them and animals?
[He'd speculate, but he's worried he'd just embarrass himself by guessing wrong. He's curious about whoever brought Junior here and whether Silvally arrived in the same way, too, but… one thing at a time.]
What are the differences between them and animals?
[He'd speculate, but he's worried he'd just embarrass himself by guessing wrong. He's curious about whoever brought Junior here and whether Silvally arrived in the same way, too, but… one thing at a time.]
[Yeah, alright.
Gladion breaths in as if about to launch into a canned answer, but pauses first, just long enough to really cut himself off.]
...The longer I'm here, [he replies instead in a thoughtful tone,] the harder it is to answer that question. I know the difference, but describing it...
[Ingo and Emmet never seem to have much trouble with it. But Ingo and Emmet never dealt with UBs, either.
Silvally lands again and, seeing that glint of red in Gladion's hand, takes a detour towards him with a curious squawk. Gladion looks up and hits the switch. The ball opens, then closes; Silvally vanishes abruptly, and reappears in miniature under the translucent red lid, blinking up at Gladion.
He hands the ball to Rindo.]
One difference is animals are just one family of living organism, but there are plant and fungus Pokemon, and hybrids more like us. And plenty that aren't even biological. Simulacrum or shade-like beings.
Gladion breaths in as if about to launch into a canned answer, but pauses first, just long enough to really cut himself off.]
...The longer I'm here, [he replies instead in a thoughtful tone,] the harder it is to answer that question. I know the difference, but describing it...
[Ingo and Emmet never seem to have much trouble with it. But Ingo and Emmet never dealt with UBs, either.
Silvally lands again and, seeing that glint of red in Gladion's hand, takes a detour towards him with a curious squawk. Gladion looks up and hits the switch. The ball opens, then closes; Silvally vanishes abruptly, and reappears in miniature under the translucent red lid, blinking up at Gladion.
He hands the ball to Rindo.]
One difference is animals are just one family of living organism, but there are plant and fungus Pokemon, and hybrids more like us. And plenty that aren't even biological. Simulacrum or shade-like beings.
[Rindo nearly tunes out of Gladion's explanation when Silvally disappears into the ball before his eyes. He reflexively takes it, careful not to drop it, and stares inside. The object is light in his hand, somehow, despite apparently containing a whole Beast. Silvally appears to be fine in there, except… tiny. Rindo shoots Gladion a questioning look.]
Wait, is this a Pokémon thing too?
Wait, is this a Pokémon thing too?
[Horse reveal aside, the commute is pleasant and surprise-free. Rindo finds himself wishing they could play FanGO on the way, but it'll happen soon enough.
After they sit, it's not long before Rindo spots one of the cats making her way over to him, tail raised high. He raises a hand in Swallow's direction.]
Hang on, look…!
[The approaching feline has short black fur, with white markings on her chest and face. As soon as she reaches Rindo, she starts to rub her face against his ankles. He lowers his hand to her level, slow and steady, first to allow her to sniff it, then to gently pet her around the ears. It seems to be a hit.
Meanwhile, an orange and white tom is padding over to them. His slow, cautious approach is a lot less overt, slinking around chair legs and dodging other customers, but he's undoubtedly headed toward Swallow. Rindo doesn't notice him, distracted as he is by the cat that took a shine to him.]
Didn't even need treats…
[Rindo speaks quietly, his words more of a mutter and not directed at Swallow in particular. There's a little hint of smug pride in his voice.]
After they sit, it's not long before Rindo spots one of the cats making her way over to him, tail raised high. He raises a hand in Swallow's direction.]
Hang on, look…!
[The approaching feline has short black fur, with white markings on her chest and face. As soon as she reaches Rindo, she starts to rub her face against his ankles. He lowers his hand to her level, slow and steady, first to allow her to sniff it, then to gently pet her around the ears. It seems to be a hit.
Meanwhile, an orange and white tom is padding over to them. His slow, cautious approach is a lot less overt, slinking around chair legs and dodging other customers, but he's undoubtedly headed toward Swallow. Rindo doesn't notice him, distracted as he is by the cat that took a shine to him.]
Didn't even need treats…
[Rindo speaks quietly, his words more of a mutter and not directed at Swallow in particular. There's a little hint of smug pride in his voice.]
We call it a "Pokeball". [Nice and straightforward.]
[Tiny Silvally looks perfectly comfortable. It plunks itself down and curls up a little, even.]
Another difference is that, where I'm from, you have to look hard to find someone who isn't carrying at least one. The Pokemon inside might be a pet, or sometimes a...worker [still not sure wtf to call horses!! nobody seems to know!!], but usually it's more like a partner to them.
[Tiny Silvally looks perfectly comfortable. It plunks itself down and curls up a little, even.]
Another difference is that, where I'm from, you have to look hard to find someone who isn't carrying at least one. The Pokemon inside might be a pet, or sometimes a...worker [still not sure wtf to call horses!! nobody seems to know!!], but usually it's more like a partner to them.
[…Cute.
Rindo looks away from Silvally and back at Gladion, attentive.]
…And Silvally's your partner, right? Did you bring it here?
[Gladion had called it a friend, after all. It makes sense.]
Rindo looks away from Silvally and back at Gladion, attentive.]
…And Silvally's your partner, right? Did you bring it here?
[Gladion had called it a friend, after all. It makes sense.]
[Question That Makes Gladion Frown!]
In a serious lapse of judgement.
[Silvally unballs itself and bites his shoulder immediately.
Gladion winces! At the biting, not the sudden appearance of dog in his personal space.]
-I know, but it's true. I can't just avoid saying it forever. You shouldn't have to be here. None of us should.
[Forgive the mild outburst - this has apparently been a while coming, for Gladion to have that ready for the occasion.
He turns his face back to Rindo. (Silvally has not let go. It looks...cranky, perhaps?]
...Through Mana, right.
In a serious lapse of judgement.
[Silvally unballs itself and bites his shoulder immediately.
Gladion winces! At the biting, not the sudden appearance of dog in his personal space.]
-I know, but it's true. I can't just avoid saying it forever. You shouldn't have to be here. None of us should.
[Forgive the mild outburst - this has apparently been a while coming, for Gladion to have that ready for the occasion.
He turns his face back to Rindo. (Silvally has not let go. It looks...cranky, perhaps?]
...Through Mana, right.
[Rindo blinks at Silvally's sudden reappearance, worrying about its outburst for a brief moment before realizing that the Pokémon hadn't bit down very hard at all.
The question had been asked in total innocence, but Gladion and Silvally's reactions paint a clear picture. Rindo mmmh's thoughtfully, not replying right away. He gets not wanting to inflict Ryslig on anyone, whether it be a fellow human or a Pokémon, but this place is… hellish at best. Had he been thrown in here without anyone from home, there's no telling how he might have ended up, and what he might have done.
So there's no judgment in his voice when he finally observes:]
…Looks like it doesn't agree. It must've missed you.
The question had been asked in total innocence, but Gladion and Silvally's reactions paint a clear picture. Rindo mmmh's thoughtfully, not replying right away. He gets not wanting to inflict Ryslig on anyone, whether it be a fellow human or a Pokémon, but this place is… hellish at best. Had he been thrown in here without anyone from home, there's no telling how he might have ended up, and what he might have done.
So there's no judgment in his voice when he finally observes:]
…Looks like it doesn't agree. It must've missed you.
[Gladion...does not answer that directly. His gaze is elsewhere, as he reaches up to gently convince Silvally to please open its beak. As he works to pretend that he's not trying to avoid eye contact, and to pretend he's not nearly as uncomfortable with the whole topic as he is.
Because he's very uncomfortable with it. Embarrassed, even. And he doesn't want to respond to that.
It's...what is there to say. Nothing anyone can't guess. And Silvally would just keep biting him about it.]
It is what it is now. Plenty of other things to worry about. [Finally, he is released. Silvally accepts his hand as a substitute, mouthing it moodily. This continues to give Gladion a good excuse to keep his eyes on it.] ...Another difference from animals is which ones we bond with. It's not as restrictive as the divide between domesticated and wild animals. Not every Pokemon species is easy to communicate with, but it's—it's different.
Because he's very uncomfortable with it. Embarrassed, even. And he doesn't want to respond to that.
It's...what is there to say. Nothing anyone can't guess. And Silvally would just keep biting him about it.]
It is what it is now. Plenty of other things to worry about. [Finally, he is released. Silvally accepts his hand as a substitute, mouthing it moodily. This continues to give Gladion a good excuse to keep his eyes on it.] ...Another difference from animals is which ones we bond with. It's not as restrictive as the divide between domesticated and wild animals. Not every Pokemon species is easy to communicate with, but it's—it's different.
[Rindo frowns. Fine, he gets the hint. He's not going to insist, since Gladion obviously doesn't want to talk about it, but he's definitely concerned now. He won't forget that. God knows there's enough guilt going around just existing in this place without adding even more to the pile with an impulse decision…
Anyway back to Pokémon.]
Where do Silvally and Junior fall in that?
[This… is kind of like being told about the Reapers' Game, except there's no unspoken expectation for him to have any clue what Gladion's talking about. So, a marked improvement as far as he's concerned.]
Anyway back to Pokémon.]
Where do Silvally and Junior fall in that?
[This… is kind of like being told about the Reapers' Game, except there's no unspoken expectation for him to have any clue what Gladion's talking about. So, a marked improvement as far as he's concerned.]
[The guilt curdles.
This question is a second, much thinner layer of awkwardness. Silvally's gaze darts up to meet Gladion's, pinning his thoughts in place before he can do anything to hide them away.]
Junior is a Lycanroc. A Rockruff, before she evolved. They're considered good for beginners as long as you can bond with them while they're young. She was brought here as an egg for Beat to hatch out.
[He's ready to keep going and say what he needs to say about the Silvally situation but how are we feeling about the concept of dog eggs along the way there.]
This question is a second, much thinner layer of awkwardness. Silvally's gaze darts up to meet Gladion's, pinning his thoughts in place before he can do anything to hide them away.]
Junior is a Lycanroc. A Rockruff, before she evolved. They're considered good for beginners as long as you can bond with them while they're young. She was brought here as an egg for Beat to hatch out.
[He's ready to keep going and say what he needs to say about the Silvally situation but how are we feeling about the concept of dog eggs along the way there.]
[Here is how: at first Rindo just nods along—sounds like raising a regular pet—before his brain catches up and processes the words. Visible confusion ensues.]
…Lycanrocs lay eggs?
[At least he has a vague idea what "evolving" entails? The result of it, if not the process or cause or mechanisms… Just enough not to ask about it right away.]
…Lycanrocs lay eggs?
[At least he has a vague idea what "evolving" entails? The result of it, if not the process or cause or mechanisms… Just enough not to ask about it right away.]
Page 2 of 11