victory_road | [Video Log]

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[Video Log]

[The video opens to Ignis seated outdoors, seemingly far better rested than he had been the last time he took the time to connect with the others on the network. Oleander was perched neatly in his lap, chewing on a homemade poffin while acting as Ignis's eyes and beside him, sitting oh so smartly with a black scarf draped about his neck was Caelum, his Absol.]

I trust that everyone is feeling far better after the horrific events of last month. I have heard little in regards to updates so I felt I should reach out but beyond that...

I have been seeking opportunities to better my financial position in this world and I feel I have managed to find an option that could be beneficial. I need a few volunteers though.

[Oleander lifts the half eaten Poffin to present it with a gleeful look.]

I am attempting to create more customized Poffins for different Pokemon and I was hoping to reach out to people with a wider range than I have. Each is so unique that I feel I need a wider pool to test with. I will be happy to have the Poffins delivered via my Pidgeot and his Fletchinder friend to wherever you are located provided you provide a meal for their efforts before they return.

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I harbor no ill will towards An Tintreach. Oleander may though.

[Oleander crosses his little arms, puffing his cheeks irritably. Well, she was the reason he evolved, so maybe she wasn't so bad. Just.. .crazy.]

Just put it to the screen. It will come to me. It will be copied. Watch...

[And if she did so, Dahlia would poke her arm up from below the table, popping a berry into Caelum's mouth so it looked like the berry transported to the Absol]

Then, still probably an idea to show you some of my better behaved ones. You've met Diarmuid, he's a good boy.

[ An Toirneach did as asked and gasped, eyes sparkling and completely forgetting that she hadn't let go of the berry. he dropped it in excitement. ]

Did you like it? I have more if you did!

I do have a question.

[ It was a sudden start as he sits forward a bit. ]

Why would you be concerned about my point of view of your more troublesome Pokemon?

[ Caelum nods, looking pleased. ]

Yes, I did. Perhaps hold onto the berries until we meet in person, then we can partake together.

[ Ash raised an eyebrow ] Cos you know they're little shits and I'd rather they didn't do something to piss you off and all that.

[ ...that, and he still felt off-foot with Ignis. The man just can't help giving off an air of sophistication and high-class that slightly unsettled Ash given his background. So he wanted to present Ignis with his more classy/less rough Pokemon. An Toirneach nodded, ears flopping with how vigorous it was ]

Okay! I'll keep them hidden so no-one eats them!

I grew up with Noctis, Prompto and Gladiolous. I have far more experience dealing with 'little shits' than you would expect.

[He was amused but it did speak volumes about his behavior he supposed. He was different in personality but perhaps he was being too inflexible with Ash.]

Excellent. I look forward to meeting you in person. I feel we will be wonderful friends.

No offense but, I don't think they can quite match the motley crew I grew up with.

[ Ash gave him a slight smile. He could not imagine how Ignis would've interacted with the friends he had back home. Or even how he would've seen his dad. Then again he had no idea how Noctis would've reacted to any of them either. In his lap, An Toirneach gave a gleeful squeak, squishing her pink cheeks ]

Yes! I'll tell everyone they have to be extra nice to you! Otherwise I'll beat them up!

I'm sure.

[He sets his hand on Caelum's head gently to ruffle the fur. He is silent for a few moments before turning his head back towards Ash.]

How is Noct doing?

That wouldn't be necessary but I appreciate your sentiment.

I think he's doing okay. We've kind of settled down here in a sense; we're renting our own places by the sea, so our water Pokemon and his school of Magikarp are close by.

We haven't really like, talked a ton about the thing with Prompto. [ He hung his head a little ] Honestly, I don't know how to like, approach him about that. I know that it's a big shake up, especially with how big it was that he had gone. And I didn't really get to know him - Prompto I mean - that well before he left so it's not like, I'm in a similar position to you guys. Like, if he wants to talk about it I'll be right here but that's if he wants to, ya know?

And the same goes for you. If you want to just, chat about it with someone who's sort of outside it, then feel free to give me a ring or anything. It'll stay just between us.

[ While she knew Ash and Ignis were clearly talking about Something Important, An Toirneach is just overall delighted with her new friend ]

Does...does sentiment mean like, what a person says? I haven't heard that word before.

It means 'thought' that is given with 'love'. I appreciate your thought that you extend with love, more than the gift itself.

[The Absol gives the little Pichu a warm smile. He already had an idea for her, for a gift for the coming holiday.]

He and Prompto have been friends since their time in high school. I understand that they became closer here, which I am not surprised. This world is an opportunity to explore and after Lunafreya--

[Ignis stops short, waving his hand as if to bat the words out of the air.]

Never mind that. I simply know they grew close and Prompto, this version of him for lack of better terms, is from further ahead instead of behind Noctis now. He is worried about Noctis's feelings in regards to information that Noctis currently does not have.

[ Oh no. Oh no he's so smart. An Toirneach squished her pink cheeks, giggling a little. ]

Oh! But, I really want you to like the gift too. I'll try to think really hard of what to get you next time!

[ Ash's expression fell slightly at the mention of Lunafreya. He hadn't heard the name before but, it was obviously someone they had been friends with. And he didn't want to try and pry too much, if it was an uncomfortable subject. ]

Ah...a bit like how you came from so far in the future. Prompto's somewhere between you two then, in terms of time? How's that for you? Cos I mean, you know things he doesn't either. Neither of them know, actually, now that I think about it. Is it a bit difficult for you at times?

[Caelum bows his head to her in a show of gratitude. She was very sweet and very cute. Her excitement was pleasing to watch. Ignis noticed their interactions and pats his head gently.]

I would like anything you gave me, Miss An Toirneach.

Yes, similar and yes, between the two of us. It is fine, as the space between what he doesn't know is narrower and w actually separated from each other shortly after Noctis was--

[He stops again, shifting his words.]

Difficult... at times, yes. I am seeing him again after a decade. He was the last person I saw before losing my sight as well and looks just the same, though happier.

Oh! But I want you to really like it for what it is!

[ She wants him to like and use whatever she got for him! And he included the 'An' part of her name. That's so important, that's the 'The' part! She bounced on her feet, overjoyed at how lovely and polite and smart Caelum is.
For Ash, the mood wasn't nearly as bright. So, something would happen to Noctis too. But, he's not here to question that. He's here for Ignis. He nodded quietly, before speaking in a gentle tone. It was difficult to figure out what to say really cos,
it was a very otherworldly problem to have. ]

Yeah, that would be really weird in any circumstance. And people change a lot over the years. Like, thinking about how my dad was when I was really little compared to who he is now, he's gone through stuff and changed cos of it. It's good that neither of you had like, a massive falling out or anything.

It is a gift from a dear friend.

[ Caelum smiles warmly at the screen. See? He would love it for what it was too. And he was doing his best not to interrupt his trainer though he sensed the discomfort. ]

No, the separation we had was after Noctis was sealed within the crystal. It was.. simply an inevitability of circumstance. Too much to do and so little time to do it, it felt like. To say it was.. a falling out would be incorrect. We certainly had disagreements, not the least of which involving the future but we have always stuck with one another beyond that.

[ Wait. WAIT. ]

...Did you just say Noctis got sealed in a fucking crystal.

[ Yeah, that did not sound good. People didn't get sealed in crystals in his world. Only in fantasy stories which usually killed them or turned them into tormented souls or some shit. He couldn't help showing how he feeled, a mix of shock and horror at the idea of his friend getting shoved into some solid object and trapped there. An Toirneach got a little flustered, knowing that Caelum was out-talking her! ]

You know what I mean!! I want you to like it because it's something you want and can use!

[Oh.

Right.

Ash was their friend but had no idea of how the world was back in their home. Ash was from somewhere else. This wasn't exactly how he meant the conversation to go. He hadn't meant to reveal anything but here they were.]

Perhaps this is a conversation best held in person.

[Easier to avoid Noctis overhearing too much.

Caelum lifts a paw, touching the bottom of his mouth.]

but... I can use your love to warm my heart...

[ Ash worried his lip, shifting to hold An Toirneach closer. He wasn't very good at hiding his emotions and it was clear that he hadn't taken this well. After all, ignis hadn't backtracked or clarified anything. He'd just brushed it aside for now. ]

Yeah. Okay.

[ Meanwhile, this suave Absol had definitely just taken An Toirneach's heart and run off with it, right under their trainer's distracted noses. She gasped and blushed, her pink cheeks turning red. ]

You'd get my love no matter what I gave to you though! You're being tricky!

[ But when Ash drew her closer in his lap, she finally turned from Caelum to look up at him. She patted his stomach (given her size she couldn't immediately reach his chest and squeaked up to him. ]

Ash? Ash, why are you sad?

[ Caelum could be very tricky to keep others from over extending themselves or their current resources. He was quite happy just to know her. She was a swee thing and he couldn't have asked to meet a better little friend. But he noticed her concern and turned his head up to look at his own trainer.]

I promise, Ash. We can speak at length. It is not... something you need be worried over.

[Ignis sighs softly, resting his hand on Caelum's head. He hadn't meant to bring Ash's mood down. He would need to be more cautious with revealing information. He doesn't want to worry Ash or bring him grief.]

I only ask you enjoy time spent with Noct while I am not there.

[ He relaxed slightly at the promise of a proper talk in the future. He rubbed over An Toirneach's head, giving Ignis a soft smile. ]

Thanks. And heh - you mean I can't enjoy spending time with Noctis when you're here? Trust me, you can't stop that.

[ An Toirneach smiled as she was pet, leaning into Ash's hand. ]

Yeah, don't be sad! I'm here! And so's Caelum, and Caelum's trainer, and Noctis, and Ma, and Pa, and everyone else! [ As an aside to Caelum, she added ] There's LOTS of everyone elses here!

Ah, that was more of a knock on myself for being a general wet blanket when it comes to socializing.

[ He smiles slightly. He understood that his personality wasn't the best mesh with their shenanigans.

Caelum nods at the Pichu's assurance that there were many everyone elses. They had a menagerie on their side of the PokeGear as well. ]

I should let you get back to what you were doing, Ash, I don't want to take too much time from your day.

We'll do stuff you can enjoy to! And shit yeah - you just asked about poffin stuff and we dragged it out a bit. [ Ignis had to have some kind of hobby or fun outside of just cooking all the time. He ruffled his hair, realising how long he's pulled out this call. Woops. ]

We'll see you guys soon!
Wait, where are they going though?

[ An Toirneach was going to be very pouty when the call is disconnected. ]

[ Well, that would be easy for Ignis since he always just followed along with what Noctis wanted to do.. At least until it was crunch time and he needed to convince the young man to actually take care of himself. ]

It's quite alright, it is good to catch up. I look forward to seeing you again and meeting An Toirneach in person.

[ Caelum nods, then winks at the Pichu with a little smile. Ignis reaches forward. ]

Take care.

[ And the video call ended. ]

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[Video Log]

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And then An Toirneach got a crush

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