o9 | video;

[bertall]

So, uh... I was going through some of the pictures I first took on my Pokegear and the first one was labeled for today. A year ago. It's almost hard to believe that I've been here for that long, and I only realized in May that I don't want to go back home. It probably sounds selfish, but things are, um... They're better here, and...

_{[Bertolt seems to hesitate for a moment, then he swings his camera around to focus on his Arcanine sprawled out on his back and taking up the entire space on the floor between his bed and the other in his hotel room.}

I couldn't leave him behind. It's even harder to believe that he was barely thirty pounds and didn't even reach my knee when I got here, and now he's got to be around five-hundred and even taller than I am.

_{[One of his Arcanine's feet kick and he shifts around so he's more or less completely upside down, his jowls flopping out to show off his big ol' pearly whites. He's sort of smiling for the camera in his sleep now!]}

I think if I was given the choice to go home or stay here, I'd choose the latter. _{[Bertolt stretches his leg out and now he's rubbing his Arcanine's chest with his foot, which earns a low, content rumble that sounds more bear than dog. Gods, why are these Pokemon so ridiculous?]}

If you had the option, uh... What would you choose? And why?

Comments

[Video]

[thenightsky]

[Well isn't that a tough question.

Noctis is quiet when he first switches his own 'gear on, reclined against Bean's side as the Snorlax dozes on her back. The faint crash of waves can be heard along with the occasional call of a Wingull as the pair relax on the beach, the Karp Squad enjoying the freedom they have now that they're in Olivine again.]

I'm not..really sure what I'd pick. I have responsibilities back home--obligations as a prin--because of everything going on but...

[But he loved it here.]

[Video]

[bertall]

_{[It's one he's been thinking about for a long time, and he's still wavers on his decision sometimes.]}

What kind of obligations? If, uh... If you don't mind my asking.

[rambling_runner]

[ Ash looked very thoughtful as he answered, because...well, it's a pretty deep question for him. Macavity is nestled up on his lap. ]

...I mean. This place is better than London. You can see the stars and the blue sky without all the fog. There's no acid rain and you don't need a gas mask if you're going outside when the toxicity reaches a high. There's no spikes on the buildings. And I mean, there's the Pokemon too. Not even in like...all the crazy shit that they can do, but that they're always around. Most animals are like, gone in the cities. They can't handle the air, so you just don't see them there. And the ones you do see aren't the kind of animals you wanna be petting.

So like...in that regard, this place is better, yeah. But...and I know I've got you, and Armin, and all my other friends here. But there's stuff that's like, missing from here or just, slightly off. It's really dumb, stupid things like- How everyone I've met with something that sounds like my accent comes from somewhere that isn't actually where I'm from. I met a guy who said he had magic and had dragons in his world, but it was nothing like the dragons and magic I'd known all my life.

And I mean...the biggest thing are my friends and family. Dad's not here. Neither's my aunt. The people I always hung out with who I know would be so hype for this and can like...so easily see with a Pokemon? They're just, not here. So it's not like, choosing between this place and London for me. Or, it's not just that. It's choosing this place with all the new friends I've made...or London, and all the people I knew and loved back there.

[bertall]

I know how that feels, I...

_{[Bertolt's foot stills on Marcel's chest for a moment, up until the Arcanine grumbles and twists around and starts to slap the floor with his tail. Okay, okay, he's rubbing again! Don't grumble at him so much, gosh.]}

I've got my best friend back home - Reiner, the one that came here when everything was weird - but I... don't think I want to go back to that world. I have my parents somewhere back there too, but it's, uh... It's really complicated.

_{[It's so complicated that Bertolt wants to tell Ash the truth, to be completely open about his past, but he can't. Not yet. Perhaps one day he'll tell him everything, though.]}

[Video]

[in4apounding]

Oh, that's a really tough question.

[One she's thought about before, not that it makes answering any easier.]

It's. Really nice here. REALLY. And there's a lot of people I care about here.

But things were, um. They were getting pretty bad, at home. And there's a lot of people I care about back there, too. Protecting people, that's- it's supposed to be my duty. I don't WANT to leave here, and I don't know if I- um.

If I had the choice? I think I might have to.

[This is not something she's happy about.]

[Video]

[bertall]

Are you a soldier? ...You don't look that much older than I do. I-I mean, it's... I'm one too, if you are.

_{[Were there more worlds like his own? Ones that enlisted teenagers into the military?]}

[Video]

[2hellwiththe1stlaw]

Ugh...shit man I dunno...

[Gaige Glances over her shoulder at some figures just off camera and moves a little further out of ear shot.]

In this world...someone who I wanted so badly to save but couldn't got a second chance. Unless she could magically come back to life I'm guessing she'd stay here.

In this world, someone I care about a lot...like family? He's really healthy and happy here. I mean he was mostly happy back home but not what most people would call healthy.

Plus I have my family back home and...I mean I kind of figured I might never see them again but at least we could still send letters.

And I love my fucking pokemon man!

But I also love my robot buddy Deathtrap and all the other vault hunters back home and...

...yeah I dunno. I think it'd have to be one of those like...just act on impulse and hope it works out things because just thinking about it hurts my heart dude.

[Video]

[bertall]

Who are they? The people you know here in this world?

_{[A beat, and then his brows furrow a little as he thinks about something else she said--]}

...Wait, uh... Robot? Those are those things made of metal that walk around on TV and stuff, right?

[Video] - Private

[bleedingunversed]

[Bert is treated to a rare video response from Vanitas, the young man currently back on Mt. Mortar with Yuri in tow this time. Flopped over his shoulder munching--messily--on a berry is his Axew, Blaster.]

I wouldn't go home even if I got the chance.

[Video] - Private

[bertall]

_{[Bertolt can't help it - the shot of that little Axew making a mess of his food is almost too precious, and it reminds him of his Aggron whenever he decides to steal his trainer's food. It gets everywhere.]}

W-Well, with that little guy, I can't blame you.

video from that room next door

[lordofthefries]

Only in May?

[That sounds a little incredulous to Sasha at first thought. She knew she didn't want to go home on the first day. But the more she thinks about it, she realizes that it's different for Bertolt. He was attached to Reiner's hip all the time back home and without what's probably his other half here, it would take some time to deal with, wouldn't it.

Maybe she could say the same for herself, but Sasha tries not to think about Connie and how much he'd love this place too. It makes her sad and a little envious she isn't as close to the boys as they seem to be to each other.]

I never want to go back.

the girl next door ayyyy

[bertall]

Mm... Around the end of it, I think. It was after I saw Reiner here.

<sub>[Even though Reiner is back home, he can't go back. Not when he knows what's waiting for him down the line, and a small part of him wishes he didn't remember that little detail from that strange weekend.

But at the same time, he's also glad - he doesn't know exactly how it happens, but it had to have been from protecting Reiner, right? That's what he wants to believe.]</sub>

I'd rather stay here and wait for people to show up. A-And I'm... Uh... I couldn't go back to the food we had back home after all of this.

video;

[shiro2hero]

I don't think there's anything wrong in not wanting to go back. Or liking this place more than where you came from.

[Given this kid is from the same place as Jean and Armin, after all...]

It's a tough thing to think about. But in the end, I really don't think there's anything wrong in making that choice.

video;

[bertall]

Even if you have a job you're supposed to do back where you're from? It's... still okay, right?

video;

[secondhandsome]

If it's up to me, I'm never leaving. I mean, things are kinda... absolutely fucking awful back... back where I'm from. [He doesn't even call it home, because it isn't.] But even if they weren't, I'd still go with staying here.

video;

[bertall]

Yeah... It's the same for me. _{[Though... Hmm.]} But, uh... Between you and me? I think the food is what got me starting to think about it not too long after I got here.

Video

[dreamsofahero]

I already know that I cannot possibly abandon my kingdom.

*said simply, but entirely seriously; given his time here, he's put a lot of thought into the matter...*

However, I don't think it's a bad thing if some people were able to stay. In fact, I could probably name a few that I think it would be better for them here...

Video

[bertall]

You have your own kingdom?

_{[Why can't Bertolt remember any of this? Did he even hear about it before? Was it something he knew when he was here in the past? Gods, it's so weird.]}

Who're the other people, too?

[video]

[captainash]

I'd go home in a heartbeat, even if it meant never seeing my Pokémon again.

[There isn't a single drop of hesitation in his voice.]

I can understand that many are better off here, or don't want to leave their team behind. But for me, it's not even a question.

[video]

[bertall]

Could I ask why? I'm a little curious, um... Do you miss home?

action;

[notvaljean]

[Jean sees the video from the next room, but he doesn't answer right away. Instead, he goes and makes two cups of tea, then lets himself into the room. Eren the trash bag follows, hoping he'll get those tea bags once Jean and Bertolt are done with them.]

I'm staying here.

[Jean offers Bertolt one of the cups, leaning out over Marcel.]

You know for a fact no one else would take care of Blitz.

[Fat Ice Dog, Andrea, Blume, Spookycheeks... all of Jean's other Pokemon could find new homes without a problem. Blitz would be the hardest sell, and Jean can't just leave him here. Even knowing that Krieg would take care of him isn't enough.]

action;

[bertall]

You are--?

_{[Bertolt blinks up at him, almost as if his answer stunned him, then his gaze drops to the cup of tea which he reaches out and gingerly takes. ]}

...Thanks. _{[He pauses, bringing the cup up so he can blow on it a little, and he can't help but crack a smile. Jasmine, this time? Jean, you're too good to him. Marcel huffs a little from his spot on the floor, one furry paw stretching up for a moment before he tucks it back against his chest. He can smell Trash-Eren over there, too! Come sit on him, friend. It'll be easier to beg from here.]}

I think he'd end up bullying me to death if you left.

[video]

[no_ufo_ending]

_{[Henry is transmitting from Goldenrod's bustling Pokemon Center. His scrubs are currently a little charred thanks to somebody's fussy Torchic.]}

I'd never go home. I have too many wonderful friends here. And home is...Not Great.

[video]

[bertall]

_{[Ah, fire types. Bertolt has lost many good sweaters to all of those Growlithe puppies he had.]}

It sounds like there's a lot of places like that. ...Is the food better too?

Video;

[schachmeister]

[Oh, it is this question again. The one he always feels so bad answering because it leads to so many conflicting feelings.

Honestly, Armin wants to stay if he is entirely honest with himself. How can he not? This world is amazing, his pokemon are amazing, and he's gotten to see and do so much that is impossible back home. But at the same time... he has a duty, doesn't he? Isn't it selfish to choose to stay here while humanity lingers in its same hell? And besides, he has information, things he needs to report to Commander Erwin but he never had the chance to before coming here.]

I think... what we want to do isn't necessarily the most important thing to consider. We have a duty back home. Or that is what it feels like to me. After all, we swore our hearts to humanity. I don't want to go back just to die but I also cannot help but feel that choosing to stay here... it would be selfish, wouldn't it?

Video;

[bertall]

<sub>[Bertolt's mind is made up - it has been since he learned his fate, or at least part of what he remembers. He can't recall any details, but he knows. Nearly everything else he learned during that strange week is in pieces or it's gone all together, but that...

He's never going to forget it.]</sub>

I don't think I could go back to that sort of life. There's... I can't go back knowing what'll happen. _{[He's always been a coward, but surely there's an exception when it comes to his fate, isn't there?]} I know it's selfish, but--

_{[He can't.]}

[Video]

[foolishwren]

Here.

For all the reasons you mentioned and more.

_{[There's not an ounce of hesitation in her reply.]}

Obviously plenty of people have pressing reasons to prefer their old life over this one. I get that.

But on my end, it's not even a competition. I wouldn't go back even if I was forced at gunpoint.

[Video]

[bertall]

I don't think you could pay me enough to go back. I, ah...

_{[He glances down to his Arcanine, and slowly inches his foot up so he can rub right under his chin. He's too far away to reach with his hands, okay? Shhh.]}

I'm pretty happy here. I miss my best friend, but I'm hoping he'll come back again. He came here when everything got really weird for a week near the end of May.

_{[And there are other reasons why he won't go home now.]}

video

[a_sin_for_him]

Stay here. My entire life is here, my family, my friends, my romantic companion...

I have more of a life here than I ever did in my own.

video

[bertall]

Your whole family is he--

_{[Wait, romantic companion? That...]}

W-Wait, um... How long have you been here? If you're, um, with someone, that'd have taken time, right?