charcoalfeather | IC Contact

Video... games? [A hushed tone, almost like she doesn't know what that--Oh.]

You mean, Bakugou? Well... Actually, I um, haven't seen him around in a while. We used to train together in Sprout tower, but now I can't find him anywhere. Not even at the inn.

[So, uh. She's been alone for a while, Ashley.]

It's not so different than fighting wild pokémon, unless the trainer micro-manages the battle on their end. Me? I like to play it fast and loose, and leave it up to them to go with what feels right unless, like, someone brings out a tricky move.

...Oh. [A muted gasp. Ashley's mentally kicking herself now.] R-Rakka, I'm sorry, if I knew... I would've waited for you, to catch up...

[Traveling alone in this place...she didn't much like it. She can imagine Rakka doesn't either.]

Ah... Mmm... [A quiet sound, Rakka opening and closing her mouth. she doesn't want to say anything about that. Ashley... she could have waited, but.]

It's alright, Ashley... I-I didn't know until a couple days ago. I just kind of wish I got to say goodbye...

[Some people she's talked to a few times have up and vanished. Just a couple, and it felt weird, but. But with Rakka, someone she saw so often...

It gives her pause. What a scary thought. Out of nowhere, just disappearing. Without a word.

She feels her jaw tighten. Does her best to force it slack.]

I- ... Is there...anything I can do? You've- of course you've tried calling, um... I'm sorry. I know you spent a lot of time together...

[There were a couple days where she'd wonder if that would just happen to someone she knew. Or maybe she would be one of those people that simply disappeared one day.

But talking about it now, with Ashley. And right after she was sure she was feeling alright about it. She finds no words coming out of her mouth when she first tries to speak, just dead air. For a good, few seconds.]

We did. I... [Mmm] I-I guess I don't want to be alone, but I can't leave Violet City just yet. I'm still trying to get the badge.

[She breaths in, and out.] Can... can we see each other? I mean, sometime.

Of course. [Ashley doesn't even think about it. Everything goes out the window, like logistics. Traveling back would kind of be impossible...but she can, she reminds herself, have her Ralts teleport her.]

When- whenever you want. I can...I can't...be gone for long, but I can come visit you.

So... you leave them in the dust!

[Rakka no don't try to be cool]

I think I'll have to work on a strategy then, if I want to beat the gym here.

[There's a lot that Rakka isn't taking into consideration when she asks for things like that. As much as she'd like to think otherwise, there's still things she doesn't know. Though, she does know that, right now she's lonely.

... that's not that she wanted to feel like.]

Y-yeah, of course! I could even... come and see if, if I get my badge, I mean. [Anything, really. She would be open to anything. Violet city was nice, but she has been here so long.]

...I, um, did get something from Bakugou, though.

[ Yang pauses a moment, then laughs. ] Hahah, yeah! Especially if I send in Dusty first — it's basically what she's trained to do.

You'll get it down, I know. I'll help you any way I can.

[Maybe Violet has too many memories... She almost asks if Rakka wants to find a different place, a different area unsullied by sadness- but--]

...What is it?

[It's worth the chance to ask. But as for right now...]

...Well, I checked my pokemon in the PC a while ago, and there was one in there then I never caught before. [aaaand] It's Bakugou's pokemon, it just has to be... and now, I have it.

Hehe... that's a good name for her then.

I hope so. I don't think I really want to stay in one place like this. This region is so big already that... it would be a shame, right?

Like what happened with Chie... Oh, Rakka... I-I'm sorry. At least...you have something to remember him by, right?

Uhh, yeah.

[she sounds... very uncertain about this gift.]

I-it's the only pokemon he had, so it's really strong. He was always training with it...

[There's a bit "but" hanging onto the end of that sentence.]

...You're not sure if you can take care of it, huh?

It's really strong, and whenever he's out, he never listens to me and just tries to set things on fire... B-but I can handle it!

[Then, quietly.]

I think.

Rakka... Uh, I think... I remember something about needing badges to control high-level Pokémon. Maybe you shouldn't force it. Something bad could happen.

Yo, Rakka? It's Dave. I'm ready for storytime whenever you are.

[Barring that somewhat awkward conversation with Dave, today had been alright for Rakka, barring the suddenness of all these revelations. Something about that had taken its toll on her energy. Was it truly bad of her to point out that she really didn't know much of... anything about her friends? On Karkat's wriggling day, no less!

That could have just been a mess from the start, honestly.

It's thoughts like that which keep her up thinking about it right up until the call. First thing Dave's going to see as the video comes into focus is... Rakka's mouth, hanging open mid-yawn.]

Ah... hi, Dave. I'm here. [Ready though?] Are you sure you really want to do this?

No no, it's alright. I'll...

[....siiiiigh]

I don't know. I kind of thought about leaving him in the PC, but that doesn't feel right.

Yeah, it's fine. I don't really mind talking about it, some other people have asked.

[And also, some people haven't asked but got large chunks of infodump, anyway, because Dave can't keep his mouth shut about anything, ever.]

It's only if you really want to know, though. Like...parts of it kind of suck. Parts of the story, anyway.

I guess some people would want to. [Seriously, the way Dave goes about the facts of his life, she'd think there were fantastical stories buried in there somewhere.

Or pain. That would make more sense.]

... [her expression should tell Dave that she's weighing her options, tired as she is, she's putting thought into this one.] I... I want to know. Or, understand, I guess. So, if it's alright with you, then I guess...

[nods] I'm ready.

Okay. Your brain cells' funeral.

So, the long story short version is that my friends and I played a video game that destroyed the world but also seeded our very existence in the first place, using time travel and other magic sciencey bullshit. Birthdays were involved and also murder. Lots of murder.

Where do you want me to start.

[. . .

in a quiet voice]

...Are videogames supposed to do that?

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[Video] 6/12, evening

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ice age passes and I remember this thread

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