Viridan Forest

-You're right. He would tell you you're crazy. Try to convince you to turn back, that you somehow need him, even though he's never lead you anywhere worthwhile. You don't need him anymore. You're on your own path, at long last.-
There's a faint rustling in the trees, somewhere to the right.

Stormchaser, Lucius's Cabin

-Lucius blinks a couple of times at Des before realisation sets in.-

Lucius: ...Oh. Ohhhh. Right, sorry, I didn't mean...

-He clears his throat and starts again.-

Lucius: Okay, so... again, I'm not any authority on the matter, but... I'm guessing you were raised with a pretty specific ideal of masculinity, right? And then you were taught to be attracted to it, but not attracted to it, and so you bundled up all those feelings inside that made you feel inadequate and not quite man enough and they all came out as anger and...

-He pauses, sighs, and then starts again for the second time.-

Lucius: ...Sorry. I've been there. Point is, it's all bullshit. It's a hard mindset to get out of, I know, but once you find people you like and people who accept who you like I find it tends to burn away pretty quick. Plus, y'know... why restrict yourself? We're all human, we don't get to control who we catch feelings for.

PEFE HQ, Medical Wing

-There's a gentle knock on the door, before it pushes open to reveal a rather battered and sleepless-looking Alice holding a bouquet of some kind.-

Alice: ...Hello, Kai. May I come in?

PEFE HQ Med Wing

-Kai glances at the door, and smiles weakly, putting their phone down.-

Kai: Hey, Alice. It's... nice to see you.

Halis: "...And yet there's someone following me. Be up-front about this, please. I'm not in a mindset for games at the moment."

They're well-aware of someone following them now, simply wondering who exactly it might be.

Viridan Forest

-Are you not? Ahh, such a shame. I could play this game for hours... but if you're not interested, all you need to know is this. I am not following you - rather, I am showing you a path. A path that you would never have found by simply watching your Oathsworn trainer bumble around in circles all day.-

PEFE HQ, Medical Wing

-Alice gives a faint, faltering smile in return.-

Alice: Thank you. It's good to see that you're... well, it's good to see you.

-She sits down at Kai's bedside, laying the bouquet down as she does.-

Alice: I brought you some Gracideas. It... I thought it might be amusing, honestly. I figured you could use such a thing, given that... given...

-Her voice trails off. Her bedside manner could use some work.-

Stormchaser-Pillowfort

Des closes his eyes and meditates on what Lucius just said.

"...I think I get it now? I mean, I was barely raised myself...but I guess I did fall into that trap of gender normativity. And I've only had one experience so far but...I really really enjoyed it."

He opens his eyes and beams at Lucius.

"Thank you. It feels good to be out, finally. Like a weight has been taken off my chest. I don't have many friends but I'm thankful you're one of them."

He pauses for a minute, moves forward a bit as if going for a hug, stops himself as if he's having second thoughts, then decides to go in for a hug anyways.

Issy's Module

Lita frowns at what Isbrand says.

"I...we haven't been dating for that long, but I can tell your being a little dishonest. If you know what's going on you'll need to come clean to me. Or...not me. I can call Lissa. Or Skyanelyssa. You've been with them for longer than I so I'd understand. But you should tell someone."

She leans in and kisses her on the forehead.

"It's the only way you'll get the help you need."

PEFE HQ Med Wing

-Kai's cheeks tint ever so slightly.-

Kai: ...Thank you. That... means a lot to me.

-They open their mouth as if to say something else, but after a few seconds, all that comes out is a sigh.-

PEFE Medical Lobby

-Pent has been pacing back and forth for a while-

-Barring breaks to walk to the vending machine for food and water (and at one point passing out in a chair), he has been pacing basically nonstop since the relocation from the beach to the HQ-
Ran out of time. Now look. Look.
Could of been there sooner, ditched the Dawnguard and just used my own power.
Time does not stop.
-Pent stops and mulls something over in his head, once he makes a connection he utters a half-made-up profanity under his breath-
Time does not stop.
Of course, it's all about those pretty little prophecies everyone else got.
Why do you fight like you're running out of time.
-A moment passes and Pent sighs before continuing to pace. Exhaustion was possibly a problem but he didn't have time for that now-

Halis: "...Curious. What do you mean by 'Oathsworn', though? I've never heard that come up before as far as I'm aware."

The long path continues to be treaded as this conversation ensues.

Halis: "In reality, though, we're all following something, be it something or someone."

Viridan Forest

-You were bound to him by the Oath, were you not? Sworn to him as partner and protector... but you were right to break that bond. It merely held you back, kept you from realising the truth. You will indeed follow something that leads you along a different path. And I can take you to its destination.-

Stormchaser, Lucius's Cabin

-Lucius smiles, and returns Des's hug warmly.-

Lucius: Hey, coming out is hard, even if it's in front of sympathetic ears. So, if we're doing the honesty thing... lemme just make it clear that I'm glad to be your friend too, and I'm glad you're enjoying being yourself at last.

-He pulls back, his smile shifting to a smirk.-

Lucius: Though I gotta say - a gay cowboy? Really? I hear the fire department in Orre is hiring and Silas is selling a motorcycle if you wanna complete the cliche trifecta.

PEFE HQ, Medical Bay

-Alice gives Kai another faint smile.-

Alice: It's nothing, I assure you. Should you ever need me, I will be there by your side. That I can promise.

-She takes one of their hands in hers for a few moments of silence, but soon her hands start to shake and her smile slips.-

Alice: It... I should tell you that it took a while for me to come to terms with it as well. That concept of... of permanence. It's hard to imagine, I know, but... you mustn't resign yourself to it.

Edited by Herbert40k on Aug 14th 2019 at 11:41:20 AM

PEFE HQ Med Wing

-Despite everything, Kai manages a laugh. It's short, it's weak, but it isn't as hopeless-sounding as the rest of their demeanor would indicate.-

Kai: Hey. At least there's someone I can turn to when perpetuity hits. And... I guess I'm gonna be someone you can turn to, as well.

-They squeeze Alice's hand.-

Stormchaser-Pillowfort

Des smirks back.

"I...yeah I guess. I'm a basic bitch like that."

He pulls back from the hug as well and sits cross-legged.

"Also do not tempt me with that shit. Who knows how gay I'll go. Sky's the limit and I'm gonna arc a rainbow over it."

He chuckles and shakes his head.

"Oh yeah, sorry for kicking out your friend. I'll have to apologize to her the next chance I get."

Halis: "I... suppose there's no harm in seeing where your plot is headed, then? Truth or not, there's something to be learned from it, certainly."

They slow down a bit, sighing.

Halis: "I assume the path you're talking about is more metaphorical than literal, though? We've been at this for quite a while now, after all."

Isbrand's Module

-Isbrand makes a quiet, distressed noise and glares at the ground.-

Isbrand: "I wasn't asking, Lita. I don't need your help with this. Or Lissa, or Alyssa, or Diane, or Skye. I can solve my own problems."

-She grabs her wrist computer and summons her prosthetic, staggering out of the room. She pauses in the doorway.-

Isbrand: "Don't bother looking for me."

Isbrand's Secret Base, Snowpoint - A Few Minutes Later

Mako: <Shade's found someone. Hellfire went with her.>

-Isbrand grunts and collapses in a bean bag chair.-

Foreseer: <The other hideouts are set up.>

Eclipse: <Now what?>

Isbrand: "We wait for my dinner, I figure out how to drain them...we wing it from there."

Mako: <Kai wouldn't approve. You'll end up in the same situation as her.>

-Isbrand doesn't here him, having fallen asleep.-

Mako: <When will she learn...?>

Viridan Forest

-Oh no, it's quite literal, but this is a biiiiiig forest. And you've been walking for quite a while. You must be getting tired by now, surely...?-

Stormchaser, Lucius's Cabin

-Lucius glances over at the door.-

Lucius: Oh, Lissa? Don't worry about it, she won't take it personally. At least, I don't think she will. I dunno. She's weird.

-He giggles rather uncharacteristically before looking back at Des.-

Lucius: See, that's the wonderful thing about pansexuality, there are no limits! Be as gay as you please with whomever you please. Just make sure it's cool with all your partners first and you're golden.

PEFE HQ, Medical Bay

-Alice's cheeks tint a distinct shade of red as Kai squeezes her hand.-

Alice: True. As I said, I will endeavour to be there for you always, whatever may come in the future.

-For a moment, she looks ready to say something else, but then she suddenly releases Kai's hand and stands up.-

Alice: ...Anyway, I won't keep you. I believe that both your sister and Brie are waiting to see you, and so I should take my leave.

Edited by Herbert40k on Aug 14th 2019 at 12:05:03 PM

Halis: "Are you offering to carry me there, then? It would be nice of you, after all..."

They stop and sit down, waiting for the unseen one's response patiently.

PEFE HQ Med Wing

-Kai nods.-

Kai: All right. See you around, I guess. Hopefully I'll be free to walk around on my own soon again.

-They sigh, and slump back into bed.-

Viridan Forest

-I certainly can. Just close your eyes, drift off, and let the rest of the journey pass you by. Your legs are feeling rather heavy, after all, and all these spores in all this warm air are making you terribly drowsy...-

PEFE HQ, Medical Wing

-Alice again hesitates by the door, but all that escapes her lips is a few short words.-

Alice: ...I hope so. I will visit again soon.

-She hurries out.-

Stormchaser-Pillowfort

"I mean...I'm not sure if I'm outright pan, but I definitely like all the genders. Or, is that what pan is? I am clueless about this stuff."

He furrows.

"Lissa? My futuredaughter is dating a Lissa who's on this airship. There can't be that many Lissa's, can there? Oh no..."

Isbrand's Module

"Isbrand wai-"

Isbrand blips away. Immediately Lita grabs her phone and drafts a group text.

After sending it she curls up on Isbrand's bed and tears up, eyeing her katana in the corner.

Halis: "Fine, fine... I see how it is. Just let me go ahead and... do this..."

They lay down, putting a spare scarf down as a pillow and falling asleep, not really questioning what's happening by this point. They hardly seemed concerned, even if the circumstances would otherwise have someone like Lucius freaking out about it.

Viridan Forest

-Sure enough, Halis finds themself drifting off, almost at the exact same moment that they feel themself being lifted up as if weightless by some unseen force in order to float through the void...-

Stormchaser, Lucius's Cabin

-Lucius nods enthusiastically at Des.-

Lucius: Yeah, that's basically what pansexuality is. I mean there's a lotta debate around the exact definitions of pan and bi and omni but personally I don't really care so long as people are cute and I can...

-He trails off as the impact of Des's words set in.-

Lucius: ...Wait, "dating"? Ah, fuck.

Stormchaser, Engine Room

-Somewhere amongst the inner workings of the Stormchaser, a white-haired young woman who has somehow found her way in here is leaning against a large piston, finishing off the last of her beer.-

Lissa: ...Oh, like she'd have ever stuck with someone like you, huh? ...Just take whatever you can get, Lissa, that's the best you can ever hope for... be glad it's not being chosen for ya...

-She nods off with her head on her shoulder, oblivious to her phone buzzing away in her pocket.-

Stormchaser Deck

A black blur sped through a floating yellow hoop, turning it to dust with a touch of its wings. It ascended and caught sight of another, diving towards it and looping through the three above it. The clouds compressed around him, obscuring another ring that materialized and he passed by. He braked as best he could, losing speed rapidly and needing a lot of time to build it back up. When he ascended through the clouds and chirped, his trainer tapped his phone.

"75 seconds!" He hollered as the Staraptor landed a few meters away. "That's 3 seconds per hoop, impressive," he praised as he stroked Warner, hearing the Staraptor warble in satisfaction. Warner took off again, hovering beside his trainer as said Unovan picked up his phone and his eyes widened.

He returned Warner and vanished into his shadow.

PEFE

"Where's the medical bay?!"

PEFE Medical Bay

When he caught sight of some familiar J-Team faces his pace slowed, breathing slightly heavy.

PEFE Medical Bay

-There is a long moment of quiet after Alice leaves-

-Then Alli pokes her head in the door-

Alli: ...Sib? Hi?

PEFE Medical Lobby

-Pent doesn't take much more then a moment to pause and greet Colton before resuming the relentless pacing about-

The Walking Mountain, Lower Stratum

-The fight, if one could call it that, was something straight out of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.-

-Dune cut a clean swath through the horde of Steel Pokemon until his claws ached (not something he expected to ever experience, but here we are) and after a time the tide became waves, the waves became streams, and the streams became trickles, until the entire room had been piled before the group. The collective groans of the entire Aron/Durant collective filled the room as Dune's team pushed past them.-

Dune: <I did warn you.>

-The Lairon Dune had cracked the faceplate of finally flipped himself over.-

Lairon: <I-I-I-I'm sorreh! I really am!>

-The ground started shaking in a slow timpani.-

Lairon: <OH SLAGSPIT, IT'S THE BOSS!>

-Rill and Garuda look at each other as an Aggron the size of a large SUV saunters down the nearby ramp.-

-The Aggron stops, looks around, and focuses his gaze on the Lairon.-

The Boss: <What... happened?>

Lairon: <THEY DID IT IT WAS THEM I SWEAR I DIDN'T ANTAGONIZE THEM OR NUFFIN' I SWEAR ON ME MUM!>

-The Aggron looks at the Excadrill and his group. He sizes them up before he realizes just what the large Rock Pokemon is.-

The Boss: <TYRANITAR.>

-The Lairon stares blankly.-

Lairon: <A... a wut?>

-The Aggron walks up and squares up to Ajax. Ajax, to his credit, shrugs off the bruises from the previous fight and matches his gaze.-

The Boss: <...>

Ajax: <...>

-The massive Aggron flexes.-

THE BOSS used IRON DEFENSE!

-Ajax arches a stone eyebrow before a realization hits him. Ajax then flexes in return.-

AJAX used IRON DEFENSE!

-The Aggron, without missing a beat, flexes again.-

THE BOSS used IRON DEFENSE!

-Ajax returns the gesture.-

AJAX used IRON DEFENSE!

-The Boss does one last flex.-

THE BOSS used IRON DEFENSE!

-Ajax responds with a flex of his own.-

AJAX used IRON DEFENSE!

-Dune just looks over at Rill and Selene. They both shrug.-

-After a moment of tension, the two massive kaiju clasp hands loud enough to send an echoing BWONG throughout the cavern.-

The Boss: <You... true kin.>

Ajax: <Dad didn't raise no softbelly.>

The Boss: <HAH! I like you.>

PEFE HQ Med Wing

-In the brief moment after Alice left, Kai began to doze off, but is snapped awake by Alli's entrance.-

Kai: ...Oh, hey, Al.

-They look down at the floor.-

Kai: ...I'm... sorry to have gotten you dragged into my mess. It could have been avoided if I'd been smarter about how I handled things.