[video][008]

[plasticasshole]

 [Connor seems subdued as he turns on the gear, eyes cast downward instead of making eye contact with the camera.]

I... wanted to inform you all that Hank is gone. His Pokemon are gone too, except for one.

[He pauses to sigh, swallows, and finally looks at the gear. Said Pokemon, Connie the Floette, hovers by Connor's side, sulking.]

I don't understand why I'm still here. We arrived here together, surely we should have left together?

[It's a question he knows there's no answer to, but he's distraught and trying to rationalise the situation. Maybe he's hoping someone will tell him that he'll leave soon, too. Because without Hank here, he feels lost. He's suddenly in this strange world alone. What seemed like a wonderful life has been turned upside down overnight. He had been excited for his first prom, but now he has nobody to go with and the whole affair has lost its appeal. Going back to their home in Goldenrod seems daunting. Won't it be empty all on his own?

He abruptly shuts off the camera.]

Comments

video;

[schachmeister]

It would be nice if there was such a logic to our arrival and disappearances here. If nothing else, it would make things a little more predictable. I know I thought the same thing when Eren disappeared.

I think there isn't really a why behind why we are here. There might be a certain sequence of events or even certain conditions, but I don't think there is some... greater plan or anything. Not beyond what people make themselves, at least.

[plasticasshole]

Knowing the answer to why we're here wouldn't make it hurt any less, I suppose.

[But he's the kind of man who needs to rationalise things.]

He always said that he would rather go home, though. Perhaps this is for the best.

[For Hank, anyway.]

[schachmeister]

Not in my experience, at least.

[Emotions have this terrible habit of not responding to logic at all.]

He did seem to enjoy your world, so that is a small comfort, at least. And, well, it is not the sort of thing you should stake your hopes on in my opinion, but there is always the chance he will be brought back.

[plasticasshole]

[He's starting to realise that, but in his short life nothing has ever hurt half as much as this. He really wishes something would work for it.]

As much as I would love for him to come back, you're right. I can't hold onto that to keep myself going.

[He gives Armin a weak smile, though.]

And even if he did, he'd be unhappy, wouldn't he? My happiness shouldn't take priority over his.

[He's had a hard enough life without being trapped in a world he hates, too.]

[schachmeister]

I don't think it should. I certainly wouldn't want my friends to be unhappy just so I could be. That is not... the way friendship should work.

It's okay to miss him, of course. I still miss Eren too sometimes. But I also think it is important to keep moving forward. And uhm, I think it might be a little forward, but do you mind if I make a suggestion?

[sleepallthewayhome]

....He's gone?

[That's...she liked Hank. She liked him a lot. It's..not fair. People don't die here but they get taken away. When she speaks her voice is quiet.]

....I'm sorry he's gone. He was really nice. He talked to me about books and things.

[Like her family's deaths.]

[plasticasshole]

Yes, he's gone.

[He tries his best to put on a small smile for Newt, though. A sad one, but he's trying.]

I'm sorry too. It won't be the same here without him.

[The smile falters a little.]

I don't know if it will be the same for you, but I could read a book that you like, so we can talk about it.

[sleepallthewayhome]

[It's okay, Connor. You're talking to the expert of being left alone.]

No...it's really hard when people leave. Or get taken away.

[It hurts so much. And while part of her is relieved he isn't dead and just went home, she knows better now than to just say something like that. She's lost too many people here as well.]

...um, my pokemon help keep me company when I get really sad about the people who are gone. Here and at home. Maybe yours can help you too? Training helps too....and work and stuff that makes you not think about it.

[She wants to help.]

Really? Um, I'm just learning to read larger chapter books now though. They might be kind of boring for you.

[plasticasshole]

[It does hurt, and Connor isn't used to it. How he's managing to hold up is anyone's guess.]

I'm sure Connie and I will cheer each other up.

[The Floette sighs a sad "Flo" in response.]

She was my gift to Hank at the beginning of our journey together. She's the only Pokemon of his that remained with me.

[He wonders where the others went.]

I've never read a paper book before. Or even a book, really. So it will be a new experience for me. I'm sure it won't be boring.

[sleepallthewayhome]

[She nods.]

When my friend Credence left, I got one of his pokemon. Sometimes they made me sad because it meant I remembered him, but sometimes they made me happy too. ....sometimes I forget not all memories have to be sad. But it's true.

[No really, this world needs therapists.]

Really? Hank said reading was important to learn because it helps you understand people. I think he's right.

[starry_forehead]

Wait, Hank's gone? Ugh that's....I'm really sorry, man.

[Dipper liked talking to a real detective that took him seriously.]

Also ah, I don't think the world works on that sort of logic? I mean, I showed up here with my twin sister and for a while she got sent back and it was just me.

....I kind of figured I should have been sent back too when that happened. Especially since we're twins and came here at the same time and all but I guess that sort of thing doesn't matter here. It seems more random than anything.

[plasticasshole]

It does seem random. I wish I could find a connection between who leaves and who stays, but even if I did, I highly doubt we could bring anyone back.

[He was just trying to find answers. Answers that wouldn't really do anything for him.]

He didn't like it much here, anyway. It might be for the best, for him.

[starry_forehead]

Yeah, I mean I wish we could. That way we could bring back people who want to be here or let people who want to leave...leave.

It's one of those things on my giant list of things I want to know more about this place.

...um, if I find anything. I'll let you know.

[He's really not good at this sort of thing but he can offer anything he might find in the future.]

I guess...that's one good thing. ...he really didn't like it here?

[plasticasshole]

Thank you. I'd appreciate it.

[Connor really has no reason to believe anyone can find anything, but he would be glad to know about it if they did.]

He didn't, no. I think he felt that he had no purpose. For the most part, he simply let me drag him around Johto.

[starry_forehead]

[Dipper doesn't really believe that mystery can be solved either. Considering how long people have been here. It won't stop him from keeping his eyes open for clues though.]

He seemed to be getting into finding lost pokemon. Plus, even if you don't like places if you get dragged around by friends or family it's usually not that bad.

I mean my sister drags me around places and I'll usually have fun because she's my sister and we have fun together. Even if I sometimes act like I'm not.

[Helping? Well he's trying.]

video

[pikapikajankenpo]

Sorry to hear that Conner. It's always tough when friends leave, no matter what happens.

You need to talk?

private

[plasticasshole]

I... yes. Thank you.

[He switches the chat to private. He had been considering declining the offer, but what good would bottling up his emotions do?]

I've spent most of my life with Hank. We didn't get along in the beginning, but he was a big part of why I began to develop emotions and free will. If not for him, I might still be an emotionless machine. It's... hard, to be without him now. Now that I can feel.

[Especially since they had become more than friends.]

Re: private

[pikapikajankenpo]

That's called being a good friend.

Missing someone, even when they're gone, when they will be gone, not knowing when they will be back? That's a part of being a friend. Loss and looking forward to seeing them again, even in a glimpse of memory, that's something precious.

I experienced this when I was younger, and again many many times throughout my life. It's called growing up.

[plasticasshole]

Nobody told me that growing up would be so difficult.

[He mutters it bitterly.]

I suppose Hank had a point when he said this place seemed too good to be true. At least back home, things are more permanent. More predictable.

[pikapikajankenpo]

Even here however, life has a way of surprising someone. When my friends left, I cried and I cried. And I didn't stop crying. I know even if I left myself, there's a part of me that would have cried as well in memory deep down.

Growing up, leaving those behind, keeping those close to you even in memory? That's who you are.

audio;

[fuelthefire]

[.....wat.]

Gramps is gone?

[This is some supremely shitty news, wtf. 8(]

[plasticasshole]

Gramps?

[Connor repeats it with a slight smile. He wonders how Hank felt about that nickname. He might never get the chance to ask him, now.]

Yes, he's gone. I'm sorry.

[fuelthefire]

....Me too.

He's a good guy.

You're his buddy, right?

[plasticasshole]

His partner, yes.

[He says it with a little hint of pride, even though Hank is gone. Being his partner is important to him.]

Were you close with him?

[islandshore]

[Riku sighs, arms crossed and eyes shut. Thankfully one of his 'mons is holding the camera.]

That's just how it is, I guess. This world's always been unpredictable. Never know if you'll be one of the few to escape in a month, or stick around for nearly a decade while friends come and go. And sometimes come back, but without memories. Just a blank slate.

[He sighs.]

It's...rough. And I wish I could say there's a workaround. A quick fix, but for what it's worth, I've been there. Pretty sure we all have at some point or another.