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
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WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, RINDO KANADE. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 4.28.13.9 *** rindragon has joined 4.28.13.9 | ||||
Right. And that was the direction the project took. Understand how wormholes form, and develop countermeasures against Ultra Beasts. But there was a point at which...[my father vanished into thin air, and] my mother's priorities changed. She withdrew, personally, from the UB investigation. And she went ahead with a plan to build a new headquarters for the Foundation in Alola. There's not enough space on the islands for that much construction, so they built it offshore as an island of its own. Aether Paradise.
[...More context. How does he get across what it was. They don't...do this here, with animals.]
...See, one of the Foundation's major initiatives has always been promoting peaceful coexistence between humans and Pokemon. Specifically, as technology advances, it causes conflicts due to habitat loss, or...cultural changes. Displaced or abused Pokemon that retaliate. In Alola, the situation is especially delicate because the islands have limited space and a unique ecosystem. And the traditions that preserve the balance aren't as strong as they used to be. So there was...interest in a large facility dedicated to rehabilitating injured wild Pokemon. A large part of Aether Paradise is set up for that. It also created more space for research laboratories, and the president's residence, too.
[...]
A lead researcher named Faba got a bit of a promotion in the process, to Alola Branch Chief. He also happened to be in charge of the UB investigation.
[From that point forward.
The awkward reading-from-a-textbook part is over, yielding to the awkward trying-to-explain-personal-dynamics part. Gladion's expression has soured considerably over discussion of Faba.]
At this point, my mother...ceded a lot to him, from what I understand. Not on paper, but in practice. He brought her good news, and she let him do what he wanted. Because around that time, she started to become really obsessed with appearances. And the conservation deck was like a dream come true for that. She could dote on injured Pokemon for a while, without needing to do the hardest work herself, and they'd be released before they wore out their welcome with her. And she built a glittering public image on it, too. Nobody would guess from a distance that there were selfish motivations behind all the good things the Aether Foundation did.
[We gear up for the second turning point.]
[...More context. How does he get across what it was. They don't...do this here, with animals.]
...See, one of the Foundation's major initiatives has always been promoting peaceful coexistence between humans and Pokemon. Specifically, as technology advances, it causes conflicts due to habitat loss, or...cultural changes. Displaced or abused Pokemon that retaliate. In Alola, the situation is especially delicate because the islands have limited space and a unique ecosystem. And the traditions that preserve the balance aren't as strong as they used to be. So there was...interest in a large facility dedicated to rehabilitating injured wild Pokemon. A large part of Aether Paradise is set up for that. It also created more space for research laboratories, and the president's residence, too.
[...]
A lead researcher named Faba got a bit of a promotion in the process, to Alola Branch Chief. He also happened to be in charge of the UB investigation.
[From that point forward.
The awkward reading-from-a-textbook part is over, yielding to the awkward trying-to-explain-personal-dynamics part. Gladion's expression has soured considerably over discussion of Faba.]
At this point, my mother...ceded a lot to him, from what I understand. Not on paper, but in practice. He brought her good news, and she let him do what he wanted. Because around that time, she started to become really obsessed with appearances. And the conservation deck was like a dream come true for that. She could dote on injured Pokemon for a while, without needing to do the hardest work herself, and they'd be released before they wore out their welcome with her. And she built a glittering public image on it, too. Nobody would guess from a distance that there were selfish motivations behind all the good things the Aether Foundation did.
[We gear up for the second turning point.]
[…Continuing to diligently absorb all of this info. He's pretty good at it! Rindo looks serious and focused, and if Gladion meets his eyes, he'll simply nod as if to say "keep going". No questions for now.]
She must have been getting bored of Pokemon when the UB investigation hit a snag. They knew a way that wormholes opened, but the Beast Killer project didn't quite live up to expectations. But that suited her just fine, because she decided she was more interested in bringing UBs to our world than protecting anyone from them. And Faba was happy to indulge her. Instead of preventing wormholes from opening, they'd do it on purpose.
They...found a UB they called Cosmog. An infant, really. We learned exactly why it worked this way later—when it feels it's in danger, its instinct is to tear open a wormhole to escape into our world, away from its attacker. Since it's an instinct, it doesn't matter if it's already in our world. So Faba's team, at Mother's behest, tormented Cosmog to further their research. And once they had the process down to a science...
[Once Lillie had run away, and Lusamine felt like she had nothing left to lose...?]
The last step was to find a scapegoat. She reached out to someone...manipulable, not connected to the Foundation, with a bad reputation and a bit of an inferiority complex. She fed his ego and gave him the very generous gift of a Cosmog. And lied about the specifics of what UBs were, of course. He expected to be ordering around the "biggest and baddest" Pokemon there were, and instead he unleashed a rampage across the biggest of the islands. It was a full-scale disaster that she never had to answer for.
And she was happy to leave it like that. [Sounding kind of exhausted now—but wait, there's more!] She went quiet for months while things fell apart around her. Just...let Faba run wild. Had the Foundation work on modifying Pokeballs to work on UBs so she could play around with them like they were pets [or, you know, children?] instead of just admiring them from a distance. By the time...anyone managed to put a stop to it, besides wreaking all kinds of havoc, she'd also put herself into, practically, a coma from getting too friendly with a neurotoxic UB. Physically fusing with it.
[And that really is where things were, wasn't it.]
...You can imagine how it sounded to hear she was enthusiastic about turning into a cannibal bug. And that she'd been doting on Beat. He's a lot nicer than Guzma was, but a pattern is a pattern.
[God. Ugh.]
They...found a UB they called Cosmog. An infant, really. We learned exactly why it worked this way later—when it feels it's in danger, its instinct is to tear open a wormhole to escape into our world, away from its attacker. Since it's an instinct, it doesn't matter if it's already in our world. So Faba's team, at Mother's behest, tormented Cosmog to further their research. And once they had the process down to a science...
[Once Lillie had run away, and Lusamine felt like she had nothing left to lose...?]
The last step was to find a scapegoat. She reached out to someone...manipulable, not connected to the Foundation, with a bad reputation and a bit of an inferiority complex. She fed his ego and gave him the very generous gift of a Cosmog. And lied about the specifics of what UBs were, of course. He expected to be ordering around the "biggest and baddest" Pokemon there were, and instead he unleashed a rampage across the biggest of the islands. It was a full-scale disaster that she never had to answer for.
And she was happy to leave it like that. [Sounding kind of exhausted now—but wait, there's more!] She went quiet for months while things fell apart around her. Just...let Faba run wild. Had the Foundation work on modifying Pokeballs to work on UBs so she could play around with them like they were pets [or, you know, children?] instead of just admiring them from a distance. By the time...anyone managed to put a stop to it, besides wreaking all kinds of havoc, she'd also put herself into, practically, a coma from getting too friendly with a neurotoxic UB. Physically fusing with it.
[And that really is where things were, wasn't it.]
...You can imagine how it sounded to hear she was enthusiastic about turning into a cannibal bug. And that she'd been doting on Beat. He's a lot nicer than Guzma was, but a pattern is a pattern.
[God. Ugh.]
I'm interested.
[Ironically, he'd meant the gods themselves. So Gladion is oblivious to Rindo's turmoil, still thinking about the Cube...
He looks up at the question, expression turning pensive again.]
Red flags... [Whew. What a question. He thinks there are, but...]
...Followers seem to cause the most trouble out of ignorance, or arrogance. Sometimes it's a personal problem they think they need to drag everyone into, and their god helps them do it. Takes advantage of their desire. As it were. Other followers [Beat.] put too much trust in the gods and then get surprised when the consequences of supporting them get out of hand.
[Thinking...]
My employer, at the cafe, is a Fog follower. One of the better-known around here. [For other reasons he has to politely admit.] I trust her anyways. She's...[how does he put this?]...faithful to her words, and doesn't act recklessly.
[Ironically, he'd meant the gods themselves. So Gladion is oblivious to Rindo's turmoil, still thinking about the Cube...
He looks up at the question, expression turning pensive again.]
Red flags... [Whew. What a question. He thinks there are, but...]
...Followers seem to cause the most trouble out of ignorance, or arrogance. Sometimes it's a personal problem they think they need to drag everyone into, and their god helps them do it. Takes advantage of their desire. As it were. Other followers [Beat.] put too much trust in the gods and then get surprised when the consequences of supporting them get out of hand.
[Thinking...]
My employer, at the cafe, is a Fog follower. One of the better-known around here. [For other reasons he has to politely admit.] I trust her anyways. She's...[how does he put this?]...faithful to her words, and doesn't act recklessly.
[Alas, Rindo's way of dealing with Ryslig is much different, and he has no idea his response made Shoyo upset. Instead, he's already running through monster traits in his head, wondering what changes Shoyo could have possibly gone through for someone—Joseph isn't anyone he's familiar with—to only suspect Werewolf. It's not exactly the easiest type to narrow down… a lot of its features are shared with many others.
Most importantly, it has a hunting instinct. He winces. That's well outside his wheelhouse as a Nymph. Maybe he could ask Beat for help…]
ill give u my best guess tomorrow if u dont mind getting stared at
ive read thru the monster guide like a million times
[Here, a vague attempt at something like levity. Is this anything?]
Most importantly, it has a hunting instinct. He winces. That's well outside his wheelhouse as a Nymph. Maybe he could ask Beat for help…]
ill give u my best guess tomorrow if u dont mind getting stared at
ive read thru the monster guide like a million times
[Here, a vague attempt at something like levity. Is this anything?]
All right. It's super realistic, you'll see. I'm pretty sure you could even simulate Pokémon if you wanted.
[…Beyond being impressed that the Cube can emulate FanGO with the level of fidelity that it does, there's the fact that it can recreate the Scramble Crossing perfectly, as far as he can tell. So, whatever Gladion's world may be like, Rindo is reasonably certain that the Cube can give an accurate idea of it. Ryslig may be awful, but getting to see literal other worlds is at least kind of cool.
Gladion's measured response on god followers is… reassuring, actually.]
…So it's a case-by-case basis type of thing, I guess. Like, just don't get in too deep with the gods.
[…Beyond being impressed that the Cube can emulate FanGO with the level of fidelity that it does, there's the fact that it can recreate the Scramble Crossing perfectly, as far as he can tell. So, whatever Gladion's world may be like, Rindo is reasonably certain that the Cube can give an accurate idea of it. Ryslig may be awful, but getting to see literal other worlds is at least kind of cool.
Gladion's measured response on god followers is… reassuring, actually.]
…So it's a case-by-case basis type of thing, I guess. Like, just don't get in too deep with the gods.
[Rindo had been able to keep his expression neutral up till now, but the story is quickly veering into disturbing territory, and he's starting to feel severely out of his depth. The scale of what Gladion is describing sounds far beyond that of the Reapers' Games. Rindo doubts he would have been able to deal with any of that—and he's starting to believe any advice from him would just be useless.
Not only that, but the thought of Beat getting involved with someone like Lusamine turns his stomach—because suddenly, this turns into something that's far too close for comfort. Even if Rindo doesn't remember Beat, they live together. If Lusamine turned up at the house, he would have a hard time pretending he isn't aware of what she's done. He still would, but…
…This is a mess. Why can't things be simple for once?]
…Ugh. Yeah.
[He's at a loss for words. "I'm sorry"? "That sucks"? There's nothing he can add that doesn't sound hopelessly asinine in the face of the situation. He still wants to help, but… what can he even do? He looks down, gaze fixed on some random point on the floor, his tail vine curling in on itself.]
Not only that, but the thought of Beat getting involved with someone like Lusamine turns his stomach—because suddenly, this turns into something that's far too close for comfort. Even if Rindo doesn't remember Beat, they live together. If Lusamine turned up at the house, he would have a hard time pretending he isn't aware of what she's done. He still would, but…
…This is a mess. Why can't things be simple for once?]
…Ugh. Yeah.
[He's at a loss for words. "I'm sorry"? "That sucks"? There's nothing he can add that doesn't sound hopelessly asinine in the face of the situation. He still wants to help, but… what can he even do? He looks down, gaze fixed on some random point on the floor, his tail vine curling in on itself.]
[Really? Rindo doubts that. Maybe she means what she says right now, but eventually she'll realize the gap between who he is and who she'd hoped he was is simply too wide to bridge. And then, he'll be truly alone.
But… he's still touched by her words. He wants to believe in them so badly. And to be frank, believing may be the only way he'll keep himself going in this hell.
In light of that, the rest of her messages makes him feel almost indignant.]
u could never be
not when ur giving me a chance
[How can a gesture mean so much and yet feel like poison at the same time…?]
But… he's still touched by her words. He wants to believe in them so badly. And to be frank, believing may be the only way he'll keep himself going in this hell.
In light of that, the rest of her messages makes him feel almost indignant.]
u could never be
not when ur giving me a chance
[How can a gesture mean so much and yet feel like poison at the same time…?]
[Gladion doesn't look up at Rindo. The beat of silence interprets itself—he's stunned, he's sympathetic, he's wary of associating with Gladion, he's drawing further conclusions about Lusamine. Or more than one of those? What keeps Gladion from telling people about any of this isn't fear, exactly, but more of a sense of exhaustion, apprehension: every part of it raises questions, and those questions demand very careful answers. He's never quite enough to provide them. Control slips away and unease slips in. What happens now? What have I invited? He's lost the precarious comfort of being a mystery.
He very quickly forgets what he'd just been reminded of. There is a powerful impulse to assure the room that, even if he doesn't already have the answers, he's at least considered the questions.]
People have told me that she seems happier as a monster than she did as a human. The thing is, I know there are people who can say that, but I'm not convinced she's one of them. She likes new things, until she gets bored and moves on to something else. Being a monster is just something different from being a Pokemon trainer or being...fused with a UB. She was apparently an angel to Beat until she got tired of him. It's when she can't run away from something that she shows her colors, and I wouldn't be surprised if one of these days she caused something...drastic to happen. If she were upset enough, it's not like she'd start caring about the collateral damage.
[And yet...
He crosses one leg over the other. And uncrosses it.]
And then, there's the subject of where I stand in any of this. [The emotion is purged from his voice. Mostly.] I don't have any direct influence over her. If anything, I provoke her. I know things people here don't about her...but there's plenty I don't know about what she's done here. I didn't know about this Jodariel character, for instance. And she never used Beat the way she used Guzma. She just dropped him. [...sardonically:] It's not my job to keep her from being mean to people. [less sardonically:] But if she ends up on a path to cause more catastrophes, that is my business. One way or another.
He very quickly forgets what he'd just been reminded of. There is a powerful impulse to assure the room that, even if he doesn't already have the answers, he's at least considered the questions.]
People have told me that she seems happier as a monster than she did as a human. The thing is, I know there are people who can say that, but I'm not convinced she's one of them. She likes new things, until she gets bored and moves on to something else. Being a monster is just something different from being a Pokemon trainer or being...fused with a UB. She was apparently an angel to Beat until she got tired of him. It's when she can't run away from something that she shows her colors, and I wouldn't be surprised if one of these days she caused something...drastic to happen. If she were upset enough, it's not like she'd start caring about the collateral damage.
[And yet...
He crosses one leg over the other. And uncrosses it.]
And then, there's the subject of where I stand in any of this. [The emotion is purged from his voice. Mostly.] I don't have any direct influence over her. If anything, I provoke her. I know things people here don't about her...but there's plenty I don't know about what she's done here. I didn't know about this Jodariel character, for instance. And she never used Beat the way she used Guzma. She just dropped him. [...sardonically:] It's not my job to keep her from being mean to people. [less sardonically:] But if she ends up on a path to cause more catastrophes, that is my business. One way or another.
[ seventeen. that’s seventeen bumps before the next ping. that’s not a bad number per se, but he did have his sights on twenty. pressing the volleyball snug at his side, he drags the laptop over to his chest, reads (with an extra blink of curiosity—did he just want to do everything tomorrow? that was alright) and types out in turn (with horrible, horrible posture): ]
it’s cool i can stare back
OvO
haha
sooo
i’ll see u then?
[ he had a record to break before getting too sleepy, too. ]
it’s cool i can stare back
OvO
haha
sooo
i’ll see u then?
[ he had a record to break before getting too sleepy, too. ]
Not unless you know exactly what you're doing, and can accept responsibility for what might happen anyways.
[Which obviously is not the standard that practically anyone else here uses, but it's Gladion's, and he sounds very certain in it. There's something stubborn brewing in his eyes, as he leans back on his hands.]
...Maybe none of us asked for the power we have here, but that doesn't mean we're not accountable for what we can decide to do with it.
[Which obviously is not the standard that practically anyone else here uses, but it's Gladion's, and he sounds very certain in it. There's something stubborn brewing in his eyes, as he leans back on his hands.]
...Maybe none of us asked for the power we have here, but that doesn't mean we're not accountable for what we can decide to do with it.
[Do everything tomorrow? Something like that… though Shoyo will soon find that even (especially?) in person, Rindo isn't in much of a playful mood. Guessing monster types is a lot less uncomfortable than changes, at least. Did your spine bloodily burst into a weird draconic-looking crest? Did your legs break to reshape themselves? Did your feet split apart to form talons? (Of course, there are changes far less traumatic than this, but… to guess too optimistically, or too pessimistically—both feel like severe missteps.)
Shoyo's comment about staring is clearly a joke, but Rindo hopes he won't actually do too much of that.]
yup
see u tomorrow
gn!
[…And so, on the next day at lunchtime, Rindo's waiting at their agreed-upon meeting spot.
Shoyo won't have any trouble recognizing him; there hasn't been major changes since the last time they met in person. The green of his skin is vibrant, and yet (perhaps confusingly), the flowers on his heads and arms are… not wilted, per se, but they've seen better days. There's no spark behind his brightly-colored eyes; they look dull and lifeless, casting uneasy glances around in search of a shock of orange hair… assuming, of course, that Shoyo hasn't lost it during his changes.]
Shoyo's comment about staring is clearly a joke, but Rindo hopes he won't actually do too much of that.]
yup
see u tomorrow
gn!
[…And so, on the next day at lunchtime, Rindo's waiting at their agreed-upon meeting spot.
Shoyo won't have any trouble recognizing him; there hasn't been major changes since the last time they met in person. The green of his skin is vibrant, and yet (perhaps confusingly), the flowers on his heads and arms are… not wilted, per se, but they've seen better days. There's no spark behind his brightly-colored eyes; they look dull and lifeless, casting uneasy glances around in search of a shock of orange hair… assuming, of course, that Shoyo hasn't lost it during his changes.]
[So, Gladion's concerned that Lusamine will go and trigger one of the monthly horrors on a whim, with no regard for the consequences. That does sound concerningly in-character.
But… how in the world can either of them do anything to stop that, with even Gladion himself admitting that he has no influence over her? If she won't listen to her own son, he stands no chance of making a difference.
That aside, there's something about Gladion's attitude that's putting Rindo on edge. Is he doing the thing again? He sounds so serious. Hardly unusual for him, but…]
What do you mean, it's your business?
[It's probably better to ask him to clarify first—less… confrontational. Rindo looks up as he speaks, to try and scan Gladion's expression.]
But… how in the world can either of them do anything to stop that, with even Gladion himself admitting that he has no influence over her? If she won't listen to her own son, he stands no chance of making a difference.
That aside, there's something about Gladion's attitude that's putting Rindo on edge. Is he doing the thing again? He sounds so serious. Hardly unusual for him, but…]
What do you mean, it's your business?
[It's probably better to ask him to clarify first—less… confrontational. Rindo looks up as he speaks, to try and scan Gladion's expression.]
[Rindo can agree with that—the reasoning makes sense. Getting involved sounds like it's only asking for trouble, and he trusts neither the gods' intentions, nor himself to deal with the responsibility. He'd rather stay clear.
…But when it comes to changes, they don't have the luxury of making that choice. He sighs.]
Makes sense to me. I… I know I don't want to hurt anyone.
[And yet, his body has still been made into a weapon that's meant to do just that. He glances down at his roots, recalling how they pointedly avoided Gladion even though he was hungry. It's done a lot to reassure him that they won't just go out of control and attack people as long as he keeps himself fed, but… well, "keeping himself fed" implies regular murders, and there's no way for him to remove himself from the equation to limit harm.]
…At least we're Nymphs.
[Said with the weight of tacit, shared understanding. It's about the scavenging, of course, but more is hidden besides the obvious—everything surrounding it. The guilt, the distance, the loneliness.]
…But when it comes to changes, they don't have the luxury of making that choice. He sighs.]
Makes sense to me. I… I know I don't want to hurt anyone.
[And yet, his body has still been made into a weapon that's meant to do just that. He glances down at his roots, recalling how they pointedly avoided Gladion even though he was hungry. It's done a lot to reassure him that they won't just go out of control and attack people as long as he keeps himself fed, but… well, "keeping himself fed" implies regular murders, and there's no way for him to remove himself from the equation to limit harm.]
…At least we're Nymphs.
[Said with the weight of tacit, shared understanding. It's about the scavenging, of course, but more is hidden besides the obvious—everything surrounding it. The guilt, the distance, the loneliness.]
[Evidently a fan of the scritches Rindo's giving her, the cat hops onto his lap, to his surprise. He begins to run his hand along her back as she settles down.]
…She's not usually like this?
[He looks back up at Swallow, spotting her very own feline visitor in the process. …It's nice, seeing her so relaxed after everything that's happened. Maybe even comforting. He finds himself smiling fondly at the sight.]
Hey, you're popular too.
…She's not usually like this?
[He looks back up at Swallow, spotting her very own feline visitor in the process. …It's nice, seeing her so relaxed after everything that's happened. Maybe even comforting. He finds himself smiling fondly at the sight.]
Hey, you're popular too.
[ the next day took forever to turn. maybe it was because it took forever for shoyo to fall asleep, but he was up early (later than his usual 6AM early, but before 9AM) and going about his ryslig adopted morning routine before all clocks hit noon— finally, it was time! lunch!! sometimes, shoyo is seen before he’s heard, but this time . . .
his senses are a touch sharper, and he’s had and entire month to adjust. he could see the nymph far off (green, that’s what he sees first, then features—), and instead of yelling (which he would’ve, had his ears not fallen so sensitive to sound) he waves his arms and jumps up and down, which looks more like excited legs-in-the-air (we are talking full air borne splits) as the teen makes his way over in half-sprint, skips and hops. ]
Rindo Rindo Rindo—!
[ to wrap his arms around rindo’s head in a hug that smothers his face, probably. ]
Rindo!
[ of course he was still excited with the fact that rindo was still alive; the details would have to wait. ]
his senses are a touch sharper, and he’s had and entire month to adjust. he could see the nymph far off (green, that’s what he sees first, then features—), and instead of yelling (which he would’ve, had his ears not fallen so sensitive to sound) he waves his arms and jumps up and down, which looks more like excited legs-in-the-air (we are talking full air borne splits) as the teen makes his way over in half-sprint, skips and hops. ]
Rindo Rindo Rindo—!
[ to wrap his arms around rindo’s head in a hug that smothers his face, probably. ]
Rindo!
[ of course he was still excited with the fact that rindo was still alive; the details would have to wait. ]
Edited 2023-07-01 02:54 (UTC)
[Ah, there's Shoyo! …And he's looking every bit as human as he did when they first met. Subtle changes to start with, then? Or maybe invisible ones, like Gladion, who could sense plant signals before anything else?
Rindo's musings are interrupted as Shoyo practically bounces in his direction. Is he gonna—
—yes, yes he is. With Shoyo on a collision course with him, Rindo barely has time to make a single step backwards before he gets tackle-hugged, his back talons growing a few, ephemeral branching roots by reflex to stabilize him.
He stands in stunned silence for a moment, face smooshed, reeling from the energy mismatch and wondering how to react. Eventually he pulls his face away from the embrace, lifting an arm hesitantly to put it around Shoyo's side. The other teen is practically radiating with excitement.
In contrast, Rindo's sluggish. It's not even the month-long plant nap that's causing it; the reason is much more mundane than that—he's depressed. But, well, he's out here now, and he may as well try to put up some kind of personable front for Shoyo's sake.]
H-Hey… Guess you really were that worried?
[For Rindo, June had passed in the blink of an eye, and though he may have been gone for a while, he doesn't really feel like there's much reason for anyone to miss him. As a result, people's effusive reactions to his awakening have left him more than a little taken aback.]
Rindo's musings are interrupted as Shoyo practically bounces in his direction. Is he gonna—
—yes, yes he is. With Shoyo on a collision course with him, Rindo barely has time to make a single step backwards before he gets tackle-hugged, his back talons growing a few, ephemeral branching roots by reflex to stabilize him.
He stands in stunned silence for a moment, face smooshed, reeling from the energy mismatch and wondering how to react. Eventually he pulls his face away from the embrace, lifting an arm hesitantly to put it around Shoyo's side. The other teen is practically radiating with excitement.
In contrast, Rindo's sluggish. It's not even the month-long plant nap that's causing it; the reason is much more mundane than that—he's depressed. But, well, he's out here now, and he may as well try to put up some kind of personable front for Shoyo's sake.]
H-Hey… Guess you really were that worried?
[For Rindo, June had passed in the blink of an eye, and though he may have been gone for a while, he doesn't really feel like there's much reason for anyone to miss him. As a result, people's effusive reactions to his awakening have left him more than a little taken aback.]
[The severity falls off of Gladion's expression.
That day was strange, in one of those beyond-the-pale Ryslig ways. Most things having to do with feeding are. They belong to another world that you can't quite peer into until you're inside.
The urge to brush the sentiment off runs up against the...untouchability of that day. He can't downplay it, or he upsets something...kind of sacred?
Rindo is right.]
...We are.
[Looks at his arm, where little ferns and mosses sprout from him, roots sandwiched between dermal layers. Glances - mostly with his eyes, not his head - at the different silhouette of leaves along Rindo's wrist. Fine differences that only seem, to him, to prove their similarities. Not unlike looking into Silvally's eyes. Very different with a human (...close enough), though.
...
This might be a bad time to get into it, but when's a good time?]
It doesn't feel fair.
[It's not just him, right?]
That day was strange, in one of those beyond-the-pale Ryslig ways. Most things having to do with feeding are. They belong to another world that you can't quite peer into until you're inside.
The urge to brush the sentiment off runs up against the...untouchability of that day. He can't downplay it, or he upsets something...kind of sacred?
Rindo is right.]
...We are.
[Looks at his arm, where little ferns and mosses sprout from him, roots sandwiched between dermal layers. Glances - mostly with his eyes, not his head - at the different silhouette of leaves along Rindo's wrist. Fine differences that only seem, to him, to prove their similarities. Not unlike looking into Silvally's eyes. Very different with a human (...close enough), though.
...
This might be a bad time to get into it, but when's a good time?]
It doesn't feel fair.
[It's not just him, right?]
[It's all too obvious that he's beating himself up. When she messaged him, her hope had been to make him feel at least a little better about things. Feel supported, at the very least, and less alone. But it seems like she's only made things worse for him.
Then again, it's only his second day. It would probably be unfair to expect any show of comfort from him this soon.
The first reply that comes to mind is a dumb one... But it'll be familiar to him, at least.]
don't miss your chance to make a friend ;)
Then again, it's only his second day. It would probably be unfair to expect any show of comfort from him this soon.
The first reply that comes to mind is a dumb one... But it'll be familiar to him, at least.]
don't miss your chance to make a friend ;)
[Gladion's expression, when Rindo first glances up, is clearly unhappy. Not severe enough to be angry, but just enough to look frustrated rather than only downcast.
He catches Rindo's glance out of his peripheral vision, though, and meets his eyes after a moment. That note of severity recedes. His gaze flicks away again quickly, self-consciously.
The stiffness he started the conversation with has slowly drained out of him, from his voice and face and posture. There's a little of it lingering, but his words gradually come less prepared and his stern mask splinters away. Right now he just looks kind of tired.]
Whatever she thinks of the fact, she is my mother. There are already people who know we're related. I won't be able to avoid her forever even if I did want to.
He catches Rindo's glance out of his peripheral vision, though, and meets his eyes after a moment. That note of severity recedes. His gaze flicks away again quickly, self-consciously.
The stiffness he started the conversation with has slowly drained out of him, from his voice and face and posture. There's a little of it lingering, but his words gradually come less prepared and his stern mask splinters away. Right now he just looks kind of tired.]
Whatever she thinks of the fact, she is my mother. There are already people who know we're related. I won't be able to avoid her forever even if I did want to.
Edited 2023-07-02 17:02 (UTC)
[This is all clearly getting to him. No wonder; it'd mess with anyone. Rindo has no clue how he'd handle all this, in his place. (…"Poorly" is a given, at least.)
So, Gladion doesn't want to cut his mother off completely. Well, if that had been his intent, Rindo supposes this would have been a lot less complicated. Rindo keeps his focus on Gladion, watching for his reaction, as he asks:]
I mean, yeah, but… What she does is still up to her, right?
[For better or for worse…]
Do you think she might try to drag you into things? [From Gladion's own description of his mother, it sounds unlikely. He's just making sure.] Or… that people would blame you if she does something?
[That sounds even more unlikely… but "people" includes Gladion himself, and Rindo has a feeling he'd be first in line to take the blame, if the way the conversation's been going is any indication.]
So, Gladion doesn't want to cut his mother off completely. Well, if that had been his intent, Rindo supposes this would have been a lot less complicated. Rindo keeps his focus on Gladion, watching for his reaction, as he asks:]
I mean, yeah, but… What she does is still up to her, right?
[For better or for worse…]
Do you think she might try to drag you into things? [From Gladion's own description of his mother, it sounds unlikely. He's just making sure.] Or… that people would blame you if she does something?
[That sounds even more unlikely… but "people" includes Gladion himself, and Rindo has a feeling he'd be first in line to take the blame, if the way the conversation's been going is any indication.]
O-of course!
[ he's clinging— but he should come down from there, shouldn't he! as much as hugs shouldn't come to an end, shoyo knows the invisible rule to let down when the ticker comes to zero. his eyes are twinkling with wetness and a burning sting, but the sclera never turns really red— it's got a turquoise tint to it instead.
oh—! ]
Were you watered when you were sleeping? You're kinda droopy!
[ he's clinging— but he should come down from there, shouldn't he! as much as hugs shouldn't come to an end, shoyo knows the invisible rule to let down when the ticker comes to zero. his eyes are twinkling with wetness and a burning sting, but the sclera never turns really red— it's got a turquoise tint to it instead.
oh—! ]
Were you watered when you were sleeping? You're kinda droopy!
[Once released, Rindo removes his arm from Shoyo's side with an awkward parting pat, then gives him a cursory once-over for any changes he might have missed from a distance. …There's nothing obvious.
Don't his eyes look a little strange, though? This color isn't particularly Werewolf-like. And wait, he definitely sounds a little choked up… Oh, no. He better not start actually crying. That is far beyond his ability to deal with right now.
The question takes Rindo aback. Had Shoyo read the guide, or perhaps seen Ingo's network post, and figured out that Rindo transformed into a plant while he was sleeping? Or did Shoyo just… assume that he stayed in his normal Nymph form and people poured water on his roots, or something like that?]
Um… Yeah, actually… [This is weird!! This is why he didn't want to mention it!] What do you mean by "droopy", though?
[Your local depressed Nymph has not been taking good enough care of himself to notice that his flowers look a little worse for wear.]
Don't his eyes look a little strange, though? This color isn't particularly Werewolf-like. And wait, he definitely sounds a little choked up… Oh, no. He better not start actually crying. That is far beyond his ability to deal with right now.
The question takes Rindo aback. Had Shoyo read the guide, or perhaps seen Ingo's network post, and figured out that Rindo transformed into a plant while he was sleeping? Or did Shoyo just… assume that he stayed in his normal Nymph form and people poured water on his roots, or something like that?]
Um… Yeah, actually… [This is weird!! This is why he didn't want to mention it!] What do you mean by "droopy", though?
[Your local depressed Nymph has not been taking good enough care of himself to notice that his flowers look a little worse for wear.]
Heh, far from it. Full disclosure: she's a serial biter. And clawer.
[Many an unwelcome hand has been shredded by those needle-fangs... But right now she looks perfectly docile.
Shoka gives her own feline companion a gentle scratch on the head. Though he responds with a slow blink and a purr, he seems to take a moment to weigh his options afterward, briefly eyeing Rindo and Umbra... But eventually he decides the coast is clear, apparently, because he proceeds to follow Umbra's example and climb cautiously up into Shoka's lap.]
Well, somebody's feeling brave today...
[She rewards him with long strokes to his fur as he curls up. Rindo's comment earns a chuckle.]
With him, maybe. Been trying to get this guy to come out of his shell a little for a while now... So he knows me. [The cat shuts his eyes. Shoka's smile is soft.] I guess we usually do kind of just get each other, though... Me and strays.
[Guarded, often testy, unwanted...]
[Many an unwelcome hand has been shredded by those needle-fangs... But right now she looks perfectly docile.
Shoka gives her own feline companion a gentle scratch on the head. Though he responds with a slow blink and a purr, he seems to take a moment to weigh his options afterward, briefly eyeing Rindo and Umbra... But eventually he decides the coast is clear, apparently, because he proceeds to follow Umbra's example and climb cautiously up into Shoka's lap.]
Well, somebody's feeling brave today...
[She rewards him with long strokes to his fur as he curls up. Rindo's comment earns a chuckle.]
With him, maybe. Been trying to get this guy to come out of his shell a little for a while now... So he knows me. [The cat shuts his eyes. Shoka's smile is soft.] I guess we usually do kind of just get each other, though... Me and strays.
[Guarded, often testy, unwanted...]
[A moment of silence.
Gladion looks faintly frustrated, like he's wrangling himself to actually stop and think about those questions instead of throwing out some automatic retort. Or like he doesn't like the answer he wants to give.]
...Now you sound like the twins, [he mutters wryly.]
[But he's still thinking.]
Gladion looks faintly frustrated, like he's wrangling himself to actually stop and think about those questions instead of throwing out some automatic retort. Or like he doesn't like the answer he wants to give.]
...Now you sound like the twins, [he mutters wryly.]
[But he's still thinking.]
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