victory_road | Video;

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[It's been a while since Riku's made his own network post, but here he is, with dark circles under his eyes, stifling a yawn. His Charizard, Flare, grumbles from offscreen, but he shakes his head.]

No. This isn't the time for a cat nap. I'm fine.

[Except he's not fine. Sora's gone now, so while he's surrounded by a menagerie of monsters, he's still alone to a certain degree. He needs a distraction. Conversation.

It's been years since he was truly on his own, and the nightmares hardly help.]

So. I think we've all seen those Phantumps creeping around. What I'm wondering is just... Has anyone else tried using their own Phantumps or Trevenants to try and get a word in? Already gave it a shot. Thought they might be less timid around one of their kind... but either I have the worst luck in the universe, there's something wrong with my Trevenant, or they flat-out want nothing to do with trainers.

Maybe all of the above. Heck if I know.

[There's a half-hearted shrug, as he rubs his eye.]

Also, I was wondering... has anyone tried using a Munna or Musharna to deal with these nightmares? I know they usually prey on bad dreams. And there's that mist they put out... Just spitballing ideas. I guess I could experiment.

[Sighing, he thinks about ending the feed there.]

Oh, and... Sora's gone. It's. Heh. I know it's one of those things I shoulda seen coming, but when someone's a constant here for years, it starts to feel like they'll never go, y'know?

I guess I should be happy. He's back to being a hero. Saving worlds... important business. It's selfish to want people to stay, right?

[There's a voice from offscreen:]

You're rambling, Riku. Methinks you really should get some sleep.

No, Slash. I'll just get some coffee, and I'll be fine.

[Though he does end the feed there.]

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[ There are, like, a million things she could say to this. But Nisha Kadam hasn't been sleeping well at all, and she's pretty pissed. ]

lets just set the little fuckers on fire

[ Helpful. ]

... Well, that's one way to handle it.

Bit reckless, but I mean, it works.

Just try not to start any forest fires. I hear the Jennies don't like that.

who cares as long as the bastards knock this shit off

Not one for environmental safety, huh?

I guess the question is, have you already tried? Admittedly, I haven't done much outight attacking... mostly because my team's kinda overpowered.

Having a level 100 Charziard take on little Phantumps just seemed a bit harsh.

nah, if shit burns maybe it shouldnt be so flammable

havent tried. my fatass growlithe keeps falling asleep whenever one of those things comes around

its not harsh its using your resources, kiddo

So should the forests turn into brick and metal?

Is a utopia of chrome the way of the future?

And I guess you've got a point. But some people might argue it's abuse or whatever.

yep exactly. hit the nail on the head, kid

is it really that different than battling weaker pokemon to help your stronger ones get stronger

Child also tried to speak with them. We had no more luck than you did.

[...But's that's a secondary corcern now, is it not...?]

...Selfish or not, a loss is a loss, and no one should be expected to accept it with a smile. I'm sorry.

[Yet he's smiling anyway, albeit weakly. Forcing it, really.]

Yeah, but... that's how it goes, right? I should be used to this by now. It's been... eight years? Something like that.

I dunno. Feels like after all this time, it'd stop hurting so much.

[But it doesn't.]

A little over seven.

[The correction is automatic, mechanical, with no feeling behind it.]

On the contrary, Since he'd also been here for many years, it makes for you to be... more affected than you might usually be, even without counting other factors.

...Right. Heh. I guess after a while, all the years start to blur.

[Sighing, he forces a nod. It's a fair point, after all.]

It's just a tough act to balance. If you believe everyone's gonna leave, then it makes it hard to get attached, but get too attached, and you'll just get hurt.

How am I supposed to deal? It's happened too many times now.

I would suggest accepting the inevitable pain and moving on, but I am aware that not everyone has the necessary experience with loss.

[Thank goodness for small mercies.]

I suppose you could ensure all your relationship could end at any time without any regrets, but that's even more difficult than it sounds.

It's... tough. I mean, again, I should've adjusted. And like you said, it's difficult to just accept and brace for the worst. Get too caught up in that mindset, then it might create distance, even subconsciously...

[So where's the balance? It just seems so... impossible.]

Heh. Not that talking about it's gonna make a difference. And I know he wouldn't want me to sulk. Logically, I can see the problem. It's my feelings that're the real hurdle here.

...Feelings are the cause of your problem, yet they're very much worth having. There is no easy solution to this dilemma, beyond the knowledge that the pain will lessen over time.

[A beat.]

That said, I find that a strong drink and a good screaming session can help momentarily.

When did he disappear?

About a week ago, give or take a few days.

Delayed announcement, but better late than never, I say.

That idiot.

Wow, if I didn't know better, I'd almost think you were upset.

But it's not like he did it on purpose.

I'm not.

And I know. No one gets a choice.

He's still an idiot.

Sure that's just not denial talking?

Either way, Sora may be dense sometimes, but he's a good guy. Best I know.

Shut up.

Wow I'm so glad to know that now. Like I hadn't figured out he was a sickeningly optimistic good guy already.

Aw, what's the matter? You allergic to good feelings and smiles?

Not that I disagree entirely. Sometimes he does feel too nice for his own good.

But that's just Sora being Sora. It can't be helped.

[Alphonse doesn't look much better than Riku does right now, and a guilty-looking Musharna hovers just behind him.]

Huggybear hasn't had any luck preventing my dreams, or Brother's. It might be that so many Pokemon are causing it that he can't overpower their work on his own.

And sorry to hear about your friend. [Al never met Sora himself, but he knows how losing someone can sting.]

...That'd explain a few things. But I wanna know why. What do they have to gain from this? Is it all a sick joke to them?

[He looks away for a moment, trying to keep his composure. It's not easy.]

...And it's not your fault. Guess it's not anyone's fault. Not like we can control it...

Who even knows. That haunting business with the festival, we never really figured out why the Pokemon did that either, did we? And the ghosts have always been a bit...odder.

[Al grimaces and shudders, and Huggybear croons and nudges him lightly.]

Yeah, we're just stuck to the whims of whatever's doing this. Doesn't make it all hurt any less, though.

Heh. Right. And it's not like this hasn't happened before. We've had ghost possessions in previous years. Nightmare castles... Guess I shouldn't question it, but it still took me by surprise.

[He clamps his mouth shut to fight back another yawn. He can't afford to rest now.]

Heh. Still, it kinda just cements how dangerous Pokemon can be. Honestly, I'm surprised we don't see more large groups of wild Pokemon conspiring like this. If that's even what they're doing.

[It feels that way, but who really knows?]

I know someone said they tried their Haunter's Dream Eater, but it wasn't doin' much at all.... and my Wisp has actually been frettin' about all of this poppin' up.

[A pause.]

Are ya doin' alright, Riku?

...Geez. So even a trained ghost or psychic can't stop it? Just what are these phantumps made of?

[Is it just the sheer concentration of 'em? Either way, it's troubling.

At any rate, Riku opens his mouth, as if to say "it's fine," but hesitates.

It's not really fine.]

I...

I just don't know. After all this time, I never expected him to leave.

....Yeah. [Letting out a breath, Joker rakes his fingers through his hair.] I know how that feels.

Ya doin' anythin' tonight, Riku?

[There's a long pause before he finally responds, letting out a soft sigh and sluggishly shaking his head.]

Not... really. Hadn't really planned for anything.

Been too... distracted. Heh. But I guess that much is obvious, huh?

Just a tad.

But, y'know, if ya care for company... I know a pretty good restaurant here in Goldenrod. Could treat ya, help take yer mind off things or at least fill yer stomach.

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[video] aghhh, retail is hell. sorry this took so long!

[video] It's alright, hang in there!

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video; apologies for the delay. work has been hell

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sorry aout the extreme lateness. rl has been butts

been there, no worries

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