victory_road | THICK AS THIEVULS

[Sometimes it's better to just not say a damn thing and act instead, something she might have kind of forgotten in the few months of being in a peaceful place. She'd been about to say something, to... try and explain what was going on, but the words are immediately caught in her throat and swallowed down at just what's simple contact.

Deep breaths, keep calm, this is fine.

It's absolutely fine to shift and grab the back of his jacket to do something akin to clinging. Of course it is.

Both Stone Frees look a little... confused, concerned about the situation, maybe. But neither are really moving other than the bug one quietly yoinking a pokeball from Jolyne's belt and stepping back a bit to hold it in leaf-blade hands.]

It... it's better here, you know. [Or maybe not every word is completely drowned out.]

[Jotaro is absolutely taken aback by the response. He was hoping for this but... never expected it given everything. Everything he ever failed at. How he failed her.

After a few more moments of hugging and silence, he steps back and sits down. He still needs to process everything.]

So, what... is that...? [Jotaro gestures to the green bug-leaf thingy with a red ball in its hands.]

[Right, can't just be clinging to him the entire time. She's... still an adult and it's still a little odd given everything from before. Taking another deep breath to calm herself, she's just sitting down next to him and turning her attention towards the leavanny.]

Oh. So this place basically has some... wild animals, of all kinds of types, called Pokemon. Native creatures, but a lot of people catch them or start with one, some people breed 'em, study 'em, or train them for battle. Since, uh, no one can actually kill or attack someone with a weapon. You fight with those creatures instead. [She is eyeing the ball the leavanny has, who's making a weird little chirping bug noise before plodding over to plop into Jolyne's lap and hold the ball up to her.]

This is the one I... woke up with, though she was in a different form. [She's taking the ball with a raised brow and just pushing a button to see which one it is.

Luckily it's not the talonflame but instead a rather... pink and white canine looking thing with what seems to be ribbons. That is happily plopping down at her other side and wrapping a ribbon feeler around her wrist.]

That's another one, his name's Demon.

[Jotaro attempts a perplexed look, but to anyone who doesn't know him well, it just reads as neutral.]

Demon? His name is Demon?

[Good thing she can figure that shit out and is biting back a laugh as Demon's just poking his head around her to narrow his eyes at Jotaro. He trusts no one and nothing, it's... probably fine?]

Yeeeah. He, uh. Well, his kind apparently really like to try and attack dragon pokemon more or less for fun? Also he's a dick. [He really, really is. An actual. Dick.]

He looks innocent and cute, but he's one of my strongest. [Maybe just don't ask about why he's like this. And earned his nickname after evolving.]

Actually, I guess that makes sense.

Why do you look distressed?

[Jotaro almost wants to ask if she's well physically, but given that he was never very fatherly, he doesn't know if now is the time to start. He's probably the reason why she's so distressed, not expecting nor wanting to see him after... everything.]

Hm? [Oh. Mostly because Demon is thinking about setting him on fire, metaphorically. Which actually causes her a moment of pause to poke the pokemon's forehead while he gives an annoyed noise and settles down properly next to her.]

Mostly worried about what he might do, he's already decided to try and shove Carly away from me any time he gets a chance. [Good thing she doesn't explain anything ever and can't read his mind. It's... awkward, to have this chance. Not bad, but awkward. How do you even go about saying that you've been here for months, traveled almost all of this entire place, beat down a bunch of elite trainers, and also have a girlfriend you're planning on settling down somewhere with in... about a month? It's a lot.

It's a lot a lot.]

Ah. Well, perhaps he just cares for you and doesn't want you to get into danger with anyone he doesn't know just as well. He's probably just trying to protect you. [Jotaro gets struck with a pain in his chest but he doesn't acknowledge it. For some reason the words he just said felt painful.]

Who's Carly?

Or he's just an asshole. Which is the likely answer. [It's the truest answer, of course the prettiest ones are the biggest absolute assholes.

Though it's now her turn to panic and she's taking a moment to realize where she's fucked up and internally screaming.

Shit.

Uhhh.

Well, that wasn't what she'd meant to do.]

So did you end up with a creature? [The worst and most hasty deflection in the history of ever.]

Not yet, no... I'm not even sure when I got here. My memory is... hazy.

You didn't end up in a house with some weirdo claiming to be your mom? [That... seemed to be the standard sort of fare and if he didn't end up in Goldenrod, either, then she's at a real loss of what's even going on.]

Eh, whatever, doesn't really matter in the long run. Weird you didn't get a Pokemon, though. [That was supposed to be a standard thing, right? Right. With a soft huff she's flopping back into the grass again while Demon tucks himself against her side to seemingly nap.]

For what it's worth, we're... obviously not dead here. Dunno how, dunno why, not gonna complain.

I've given up rationalizing it. I'm just glad I...

[He's unsure if he's going too far, saying this after fucking up so deeply, failing to save her, but it seems in the end they're safe, so who cares.]

I'm just glad I get to see you again after all that happened.

[THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS KUJO TEARS. NOT TODAY.]

[ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT?

Okay, no, that's correct. Because that would be the normal, human response to things like this. And neither one of them seem to understand how Actual Normal Human Emotions work. Except to be angry and punch things, but details.

She's quiet for the longest moment, watching the sky as she turns those words over in her head. She knew, deep down, that even after everything that had happened that he did care for her. In his own, weird, little way. She wasn't really... mad at him, this place had given her more than enough time to face all of that. To sort out everything in a mostly calm environment.]

Feeling's mutual. I've only been here a couple of months and you've missed a ton of shit. Nothing that you can't be caught up on, though. [She might be offering. Maybe.]

[Ok. Maybe one Kujo tear. He is capable of one. But that is all.]

I want to know what you've done for yourself here.

Has anyone else made it here? Did... Anasui come here? [Jotaro doesn't hate the guy, he did do so much to protect Jolyne, but the idea of him being here, alive and well, able to follow Jolyne freely... that is a fearful one.]

[One is better than none.]

Uhhh. Well. Have a bunch of these creatures, beat the gyms which is some kind of weird challenge 'round here to show your strength, ended up going after their Elite Four and champion and beat all of them into the ground. So ended up with the title of Elite Four champion? It's kinda neat.

[That's a lot of neat.

Though she's snorting and rolling her eyes at the question.]

Only one from our time is Emporio. Though there's... well, there's some others from the line 'round here, which is kinda weird. And, hell, even if Anasui was around, he wouldn't have a chance. [What does that mean, Jolyne.]

Emporio... that poor kid. At least he's here and I hope happy. And I know Anasui would have no chance. You're capable enough to fend him off.

So, you've essentially gotten one of the most important achievements here in months?

Seems to be doing pretty well, from what I can tell. [Look, she might have left him in the hands of alternate universe Jonathan, it's probably fine.

Probably.]

Kiiiinda? There's still other shit you can do 'round here, it's just... I guess I'm more apt to get it done quicker than most. [God, how does she even...]

Next step was to travel around a little, settle down somewhere somewhat stable and see what else decides to come my way. But there's still at least a good month until that last part.

Oh, wow, you're already ready to settle down? By yourself?

[Why. Why must this be her life right now. She's shifting a bit, making sure to keep her focus where it is.]

Not... by myself, no? [This is actually the worst thing right now.]

That kinda changed around here, too.

Wait, you're settling down with someone? Are they... you... know? [Ah yes. Totally nailed that implied question.]

[Jotaro, you are actually the worst at this. She's moving one hand to pet Demon's head, because words are hard.]

Uh, you remember that name I mentioned earlier? That'd... that'd be who it is. [God, Carly is going to laugh at her about this nonsense later if she finds out. Well, well deserved.]

Carly? You never did tell me who she was... so my daughter got herself a girlfriend here?

[Right, this... is a little easier to talk about. A little.]

Also came from somewhere that's not here. Real nice woman, puts up with my bullshit despite, uh, you know. [How she can Be Sometimes.] Kinda came out of nowhere and pretty quick due to some weird-ass kinda Japanese festival not long after I got here.

Oh! [She's shifting around for another ball, just letting a one foot tall appletun immediately plop down in the grass.]

Gave me that dude when he was a tiny weird apple thing. Apparently there's some kind of custom around here about, uh, giving someone an applin being, like, meaning you'll be together forever or something...? [Dammit, that still sounds stupid when she talks about it. Just. Do her a favor and ignore the red climbing to her cheeks there. It's dumb! This is dumb!]

[Jotaro looks at the appletun.]

... Huh. [Ah yes what an insight, Jotaro, "huh," a revelation for the ages.]

[Fuji is trying his best out here. Even if his best is wandering his way over and trying to snuffle at Jotaro properly. That's seriously a living apple pie turtle thing, don't. Don't ask questions.]

Fuji's... harmless, though. Not that anyone would be intimidated by a one foot tall sentient apple pie dragon, but you know. [Might as well be safe than sorry? Probably?]

THICK AS THIEVULS

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