Arrival; [Video]

[sonofagautier]

The gear's feed flickers in to a rather disheveled looking redhead that clearly doesn't want to be doing this. Because goddess and all the saints, he does not want to be doing this. Asking for help is already a task. Asking for help within a brand new world he cannot even begin to comprehend? Nightmare scenario. He's clearly lost and disoriented, and there's music and a fire pony following him around. Really, the only good thing is the fire pony- ponyta- whatever.

"Okay, don't know what this is, where this is going, or who's on the other end, but I can read instructions well enough to get to this point. Hi, Sylvain here, no clue where I am besides a very unhelpful 'New Bark Town' sign a few paces back, and I found a horse on fire. A baby horse, err, or maybe a pony. So... help? Maybe? I'm not even sure what I'm asking here."

And the apparent cause of how much of a mess his red locks are becomes obvious as he sweeps a hand through it again like a nervous tick. Behind him, the camera is panned just enough for a ponyta to be seen running obviously bored laps back and forth. They're pretty clearly at the edge of town, the buildings of New Bark still somewhat visible. Sylvain didn't make it very far...

Comments

Network - Private

[bestswordmaster]

The first thing Sylvain sees on the screen with this reply is a shiny Tsareena with huge wide eyes that are filling with tears - though they seem to be glad tears, as she's wearing a broad smile, too. She makes a few trilling noises that seem like happy ones and then the view is dizzying as she clearly grabs the Gear and starts running full-speed.

Felix is mid-training with Assal and Andre when Inda careens over to him and urgently holds his Gear up for him to take; Sylvain can hear the clash of steel on steel until Felix pauses to look down. She wouldn't be acting like this unless it was an emergency, so he doesn't bother wasting time with asking questions. He just takes it and peers at the screen with a concerned frown, slightly red-faced and sweaty from exertion, hair mussed and falling a bit out of its tie.

What he sees makes his eyes go wide, too. He feels like his heart has stopped and he's forgotten how to breathe. He can't make any words come out before he sinks down to sit in the grass, not bothering to try to seem cool or collected. He just lets go of the Doublade in his hand, which floats up to hover behind Felix so it can look down at the screen, too.

His voice is tight with barely leashed hope. He can't...assume anything. "...Sylvain. Where...is that New Bark Town?"

Re: Network - Private

[sonofagautier]

Sylvain doesn't know exactly what initially greets him, but it's cute and he assumes it's another kind of colorful creature of this world. The trilling, however, does seem to catch his ponyta's attention as she stops her laps and trots over. Sylvain idly pets her neck as he watches and waits to see what comes of the intense blurring and oddly familiar sounds. Memories of war camps and training grounds come to mind...

And then there's a voice and face he could recognize across any distance of space and time. In any world, he knows him. He knows Felix. And it settles that anxiety that's been roiling in his gut like a stormy sea. Temporarily, he's sure, but Felix is a familiar comfort no matter how much of a mess he looks.

"Heh, I guess I shouldn't be too shocked. We always end up in the same place no matter what, huh? Hey Fe, I'm glad to see you- yeah, New Bark Town, or close to it anyway. I... I have a lot of questions," he admits, and rubs at the back of his neck with an almost sheepish look. He's normally on the up-and-up of knowing and gossiping even if he keeps quite a bit of that to himself. Being this clueless against his intent is embarrassing.

[bestswordmaster]

At first, Felix feels like a heavy weight is pressing down on him, threatening to crush him. Sylvain doesn't remember. It's just like Shiro said. How is he supposed to handle this?

But when he really takes in what Sylvain's saying, he feels some of the tension ease out of his shoulders. Memories of Johto or not, he's still the same old Sylvain, and that's comforting. He smiles a little, breathing out a quiet chuckle. "We do. I'm...I'm glad to see you too, Sylvain."

It's nowhere near what he'd like to say, but for now, it'll do.

Felix nods. "I know. They're probably all the same questions I had when I got here." Which you answered for me. Which is sort of a nice reversal, he thinks, even if he'd of course have preferred Sylvain to just remember everything.

He pushes himself to his feet and starts walking; the scenery behind him on the screen looks like maybe some kind of yard, and if Sylvain listens closely he can hear the sound of ocean waves in the background. "I'll stay online and answer them, but just...stay where you are. Don't go anywhere. I'm coming to get you."

Inda hurries after him as he moves at a brisk pace toward the Pokecenter. How many time will he have to warp in a row...just three. That's not so bad. The flight will be long, but Foudroyant is fast. As long as Sylvain stays put, this should be pretty easy.

"It will take about six hours."

[sonofagautier]

Staying right where he is is fine by Sylvain. He looks around for a more comfortable tree to lean against, and picks one within a few feet. The roots are at least enough of a manageable surface to set the Pokegear on, and prop it up a bit. He lays on his hip, elbow braced in the grass. Leaning a cheek into his palm, Sylvain starts to idly go through the bag of supplies he'd been given as he talks to Felix.

"Six hours, huh? How the hell did you manage to get half-a-day's ride through this place? I think I got a few hundred feet at best." He has to laugh under his breath though. Beside Dimitri, Felix absolutely contends for the most stubborn person Sylvain knows. Of course he managed.

"So you've been here awhile then? Sorry I made you wait. But y'know me, fashionably late." He teases as best he can, but Felix probably can pick up on the subtle way his tone lapses in some of its naturally confident timbre. Stress is no stranger to him after the war, but at least in Fodlan he had some semblance of being grounded. This just feels like freefall.

Network - Private

[crumbs_and_yums]

Annette doesn't often explore the Network, but it's a guilty pleasure while she's running errands or walking anywhere. It makes her feel like she's multitasking, and Tritz or another pokemon are pretty good about keeping her from walking into anything or anyone. This time, the face on the screen makes her stop short, and almost drop the Gear.

Her face drains as she listens to Sylvain, and she realizes he doesn't seem to remember anything about this place. She immediately does an about face, and starts speedwalking home as she connects to respond. Maybe she'll be lucky, and Felix is busy training or something, for a while.

On screen, Annette puts on her best smile, and tries to hide the fact that she's talking while walking swiftly. "Sylvain, hiiii....how are you doing? It's good to see you again!"

Re: Network - Private

[sonofagautier]

"Annette!" Sylvain perks right up upon recognizing the voice. He takes a second to come back into view. Mostly to try to look somewhat presentable. His collar is still rumpled, but she's also seen him after violent battles, a little disheveled is fine. At least he's managed to get his curled bangs parted properly again. Annette may very well be someone Sylvain would die for in any battle, and someone Sylvain considers absolutely worth it- but his shameless mind still assigns her 'pretty girl' status and he has to look at least half-alive if he can.

When he does show up on screen again, he looks better. Not good but better. His ponyta also pokes her head into frame to snuffle the screen briefly.

"Hey, I'm-" he pauses, and offers a lopsided grin. "I've been better, all things considered, but don't worry about that. You're looking as stunning as ever. Whole weird new world couldn't stop you, huh?"

[crumbs_and_yums]

Did he just...yes, of course he did. It's almost comforting to know that in any world, any Sylvain is still so....Sylvain.

"Nor you, I see." She doesn't bother to respond to the compliment on her looks, that's practically a 'good morning' from Sylvain, especially with her hair undoubtedly coming lose with the speed of her walking.

"And I'll be the judge of what to worry about, thank you." She smiles, to soften the words. "Are you ok? Have you...spoken to anybody else yet? From home, that is?"

[sonofagautier]

"Yes ma'am," he agrees in good nature, though that knowing smile is still on his lips. He even lets a little rumble of a laugh resound in his chest.

"Yeah, a few actually. Seems most of the Lions are here too, which is honestly a big relief. Well, kind of anyway. I worry about back home if we're all here, but one thing at a time I think." Mostly because if he lets his thoughts stray to multiple worlds needing them, it'll turn into a mess of anxiety.

"Felix and Dimitri are coming to get me, sooner or later anyway. Are you with them too?"

Network - private

[donoteattheweeds]

Honestly, the entirety of this message is... very Sylvain. On brand, as the kids say. He also appears considerably upset by his current circumstances, which is entirely fair; Dedue decides to reply to him to hopefully provide some amount of answers before Felix or Dimitri inevitably monopolize his attention.

"Hello, Sylvain."

Hopefully he's at least a little comforted by the familiar sight of this brick shithouse face.

"I understand that your arrival was likely strange and confusing, but you need not worry much about where you are. Felix and His Highness are here as well, and they will arrange for your travel, if you do not mind waiting for a few hours."

Never fear, the Rat King and your favorite tsundere will be basically tripping over themselves to get to you.

"If you have any pressing questions, I will do my best to answer them for you."

Re: Network - private

[sonofagautier]

Sylvain is, in fact, genuinely comforted by one of the few people that make him look small, or at least average in size.

"Hey big guy," Sylvain says with relief in his voice. The familiar faces are making this easier to deal with, even if deep down he's still reeling. And really, if Dedue tells him not to worry, it's probably going to be okay. "I feel a little guilty saying it now that I think about it, but I'm glad you and some of the other Lions are here too. I guess the biggest question is, well, how is that, this, us being here possible? Magic?"

[donoteattheweeds]

Dedue understands both Sylvain's guilt and relief-- being dragged unwillingly from their own realms and into this one isn't something that anyone should wish for, but being alone in this strange new world would be worse. If His Highness had not also been here when Dedue arrived...

Well. Not something to dwell on right now. What's more important is getting Sylvain up to speed a bit, at least on the things that Dedue can reliably answer.

"At the moment, nearly our entire house is here, and we have remained together. There is Felix, His Highness, Ashe, Annette, and myself. Claude is here as well, and has been living and traveling with us for some time. So you will not need to concern yourself with lodgings, either, as it has already been taken care of."

So that's some practical concerns that can be assuaged, and a heads-up to expect Claude's presence, so Sylvain won't be surprised to see him hanging around. As for his other concern,

"I understand that most believe that a being called Arceus is responsible for our arrivals here, though the exact methods and motivations remain a mystery. I apologize that I do not have a more conclusive answer to give to you."

[sonofagautier]

A being. Not a person, not someone, but a being. Hm. He'd started to grow tired of beings and their whims a long time ago. Just another one he'll likely quietly hide his cynicism for... Arceus, huh?

"It's fine, some kind of answer is better than nothing. I appreciate it." Sylvain draws in a breath, and settles himself down before he lets it bother him too much. His gaze is a bit clearer after a moment, and he flashes Dedue an easy smile. "I'm glad nobody separated, and that I won't have to sleep under a tree. Everyone so far seems so... at home here. It gets better then?"

He doesn't know why he's asking it. He almost feels a little childish. Asking another grown man for vague reassurance, but, well- it is a lot. There's been so much input, so much stimuli.

network, also private, is sylvain sensing a theme yet

[nastyboy]

Dimitri doesn't mind the network too much, although he doesn't stay on it all the time. For the most part, that's something to have on in the background while he listens to some pleasing Staryutube videos or, more likely, the sound of Gremlin playing whatever video game he's interested in. Whenever a new post comes up, this Gear gives a little ping to know it. Dimitri doesn't get too bothered about it, honestly. Most things don't even affect him. It's just people, communicating in this delightful manner that Johto's technology allows.

However... His Pokemon have an eye for knowing the important things. So when Gremlin starts flailing at the screen and flings it at Dimitri with his whole little rat body, Dimitri almost doesn't catch it. But he does, and he looks at it immediately, and....

Oh.

His heart does something strange in his chest that almost feels like it's disappeared entirely. Dimitri is turning on the video feed of his camera almost before he can stop himself. "Sylvain," he says, breathless even though he's done nothing. All he's been doing has been carving more little figures for his booth at the market. "Oh - we will come get you immediately."

Whops, he kind of forgot an explanation there.

I wish he understood enough tech to even knowq rvqjrvkve

[sonofagautier]

More familiar faces. More hope for the lost redhead. And if it isn't one of his absolute favorites too. The confused worry lines that furrow Sylvain's brow vanish with the smile that replaces his expression.

"Heh, nice to see you too, Your Majesty." He does pick up on the 'we' part, and nods. He's assuming Felix is with him then, probably Dedue as well. Saints, maybe even the whole of the Blue Lions if the track record is anything to go by at this point. Not that Sylvain is complaining. He'd be overjoyed to see anyone and everyone familiar at this point.

"You're coming with Felix then? He said something like six hours I think."

[nastyboy]

Ah... This time, the way Dimitri's heart twists is a little easier to identify, to recognize. Seeing the way that Sylvain relaxes at just his appearance is enough to kill him, honestly. He knows that Sylvain doesn't remember the things in this place, the experiences they shared - what does he remember of Fodlan? Was he taken from before Gronder? Or after? Does he remember Dimitri as a beast, or the king that Claude knows?

Maybe it doesn't matter quite as much as he'd think, if Sylvain can relax upon just seeing him.

"Yes, I should be able to get to you that soon..." They're both going to be sick as dogs with so much teleportation, but it's fine, really. It finally hits Dimitri that he should do something else to help Sylvain, to reassure him. But if Felix is already speaking with him, well, what can he do? Felix was always the most important to Sylvain, and understandably so. "Do.... Do you have enough food to last you that long? I know this is not nearly as cold as Faerghus, but we could send you supplies as well."

[sonofagautier]

Sylvain settles comfortably with ponyta tucked to his side. The warmth of her mane and tail coupled with his own naturally high body heat feel like enough for now. There's a chill to the air, certainly, but Sylvain's a Gautier. He's practically bred for the near perpetual winter of the mountains.

"I'll be alright. I've lived on war rationing for plenty of years now, a few hours won't be the end of me." He waves it off nonchalantly, but his smile wilts after a moment. His gaze settles on his partner beside him.

"What about her though?" Sylvain asks, and tilts the gear down to bring ponyta into frame. "She's as a tiny as a foal. And I don't even know what she eats."

ha ha what's a private

[demonpuppy]

Sylvain!!

[Hi, Sylvain! You don't know this child! But they sure know you!]

You're back, you're back! I took really good care of Pooka, I promise! I brushed him every day and I played with him a bunch!! When are you coming home, we have a house in Vermillion now, too!

OOPS

[sonofagautier]

There's a long pause as Sylvain tries to parse through all of that. So there's a child, or so he assumes. They look fairly young. And they know his name - not that unusual, he's a noble after all. And children excitedly approaching him isn't altogether that uncommon as well. Lots of village kids would be excited to see the parade of Faerghus knights during the war. Always wanting to pet his warhorse, or see the eerie glow of their Relics. This feels different though, as if this child has been expectantly waiting for someone important to them, and not just a stranger passing through.

So now he parses the conflicting parts: Who is Pooka? What or where is Vermillion? And most importantly, what do they mean by 'you're back!' Back... no, he's only just arrived. That can't be right. This entire scenario isn't right.

Sylvain's expression softens, and he offers the child a smile that is sincere, but perhaps a little pitying.

"Hey little buddy, I'm glad you've been taking good care of your friend," he offers, and pauses again. Then sighs. "I'm sorry, but I think you might have the wrong guy. I mean, yeah, my name is Sylvain, but..." His shoulders slump a little. "I don't think we've met before."

[demonpuppy]

Chip's smile fades in stages, from cheer to confusion to frustration. That's not...they know who he is, why is he saying that?

"What do you mean, your face is the same and you sound the same and everything! I know who you are, and Felix and Dimitri and everybody!" Their face screws up into a scowl, though if Sylvain is paying enough attention there's a thread of nervousness through that anger in their voice. "This isn't a funny joke!"

Network, of course it's private, who do you think this is

[vrdantwind]

Claude had honestly gotten news of Sylvain's arrival late - mostly because the others, upon discovering Sylvain on the network, had all dropped what they were doing to talk to him, rather than taking the time to inform the others first. Not what Claude would have done, but, well, that's because Claude is Claude and the others are not Claude. Information control, looking ahead for potential complications and consequences, looking at the big picture...that's always been Claude's wheelhouse, much more so than any of the Faerghans. Checking his kneejerk desires enough to pick the optimal response to any given situation, too, come to that. For them, they see Sylvain, and their first thoughts are for Sylvain's immediate situation and their own happiness to see him. Claude sees Sylvain, and his first thought is how to best manage the impact of his arrival - on Sylvain, and on everyone else.

(Well, not entirely. His first first reaction is a desperate longing that cuts to the core of him. His second reaction is to do the emotional equivalent of sitting on his hands until he can compose himself enough to consider the situation, and then go from there. Just as well, too - there's no outlet for what he's feeling right now, anyway. What's he supposed to do? Run into the arms of a Sylvain that doesn't remember ever having held him?)

As he composes himself, he keeps loose tabs on not just Sylvain's post, but the various conversations with him. Obviously, they're all private, and while Claude's gotten pretty comfortable with this world's technology over the past year, he's still no hacker. But he is living in the same place as the other Faerghans; they can private their responses to Sylvain, but Claude can hear some of them around the house. He's not fully eavesdropping(and Claude is definitely nosy enough to have dropped some very deliberate eaves in the past, so there's a clear distinction), but he can follow the rough gist of things - in tone, in the occasional snatches of word, in the general atmosphere of the house itself, and definitely in his own knowledge of the people around him. (He doesn't need to hear a single word of Felix or Dimitri talking to Sylvain to know they'll be rushing to his side the moment they can get themselves out the door, and Claude wouldn't have it otherwise.)

It's a good thing he's spreading his attention out, however, because he sees Chip's response to Sylvain where the others might be too occupied. (Except perhaps Grant, who Claude suspects is doing the exact same thing he is - hanging back quietly.) And when Claude sees that...his heart sinks.

Arceus really does have a lot to answer for. None of them had ever even alluded to Chip about the memory loss this place can leave them with, had they? Intentionally. The kid already has it so rough; the thought of upsetting them with the idea that they might lose their memories of this place, or the people they love might lose their memories of this place, that what happens here could be made to not matter...it was just too cruel for any of their group to dump on them. But now, at least to some capacity, it's obviously going to be unavoidable. And Sylvain's going to get fallout for something that he has no control over, to boot...not to mention a whole lot of confusion over a subject that, evidently, everyone has also been avoiding bringing up with Sylvain. If Sylvain still thinks he hasn't been here before...then no one's told him yet. And breaking a kid's heart is sure a hell of a way for him to find out.

As much as Claude wants to hold himself back, not thrust himself into an already tangled mess of his own emotions and a whole lot of things for Sylvain to have to sort out here...he feels like he has to do something now. Someone has to do damage control. If Grant's watching this go down the way Claude is - and Claude's got faith that he is; the whole house is buzzing with Sylvain conversations, he can't have missed this - then naturally his priority will be Chip. That leaves Sylvain to Claude.

All of this thought takes Claude less than two minutes. About half of that time is mingled with thinking that Jaskier was right about him, and regretting the entire way that he is, even while arguing with himself that surely someone needs to think like this. To think about all the conflicting needs in a situation, and to try to find the most positive (or, at worst, the least painful) way to resolve them all. If not him, then who? If Claude isn't the one keeping his finger on the pulse of Chip's abandonment issues, Grant's insecurities, Dimitri's recklessness, Felix's heartache, Sylvain's natural confusion, the feelings of Inda and Sylvain's other pokémon, the impact of Sylvain's memory loss, how they'll get Sylvain here and how they'll fill him in on things, trying to carefully balance all the considerations against each other to address each without completely unbalancing everything - well, who else is going to do it? Who else is even positioned to do it? Navigating a situation this emotionally charged and complex...it needs a strategist. It needs a diplomat. More than anything else, it needs someone who can wear every hat in the millinery and who's got more masks than an entire theater troupe.

Either no one is going to have any control over what could easily become a huge mess at all, or Claude has to pick up the reins. If Jaskier thinks it's more natural and proper to let the cart steer itself headlong into whatever ditch it may, possibly setting it on fire as it goes, then he can judge Claude all he likes for thinking he might be able to do better than that.

After about twenty seconds of controlled breathing to get himself...stable enough, Claude turns on his video, and his usual charming smile. "Hey, Sylvain! Good to see you here. I know you're having a bunch of reunions with the others, so you've probably already got a lot on your plate, but I think there are some things you're going to need to get filled in on that they probably haven't gotten around to talking to you about yet. Things like...who that kid is you're talking to, and what they're talking about when they act like you've been here before."

Re: Network, of course it's private, who do you think this is

[sonofagautier]

For the most part, Sylvain has been assailed by the other Lions, which is a fine comfort. So Claude is a face he doesn't immediately expect. However, his smile doesn't wane upon seeing him. There is a distinct fondness in the way Sylvain flashes him a charming grin.

"Hey, not who I expected, but I'm not complaining. I'd say I'm shocked considering I watched you ship off from Derdriu, but I'm starting to get the feeling anything can happen at this point."

Sylvain sobers up some at the mention of the child, and nods. Some things aren't adding up, it's true. Sylvain's had a sinking suspicion there is missing information in the story, but he's been preoccupied with getting his hands on just about anything to parse the absent stuff.

"It's better that I know. Being in the dark doesn't do me any good... I'm listening."

[vrdantwind]

The fondness is...nice. It helps take a lot of the sting Claude had been fearing out of talking to Sylvain again. Of course a Sylvain who doesn't remember their relationship or has any of the same feelings from it won't look at Claude the same way, but...well, this is better than how he and Sylvain had started off last time, when he'd looked at Claude with the bitter wariness of five years of brutal war and no alliance between Faerghus and Leicester at all. And that makes sense, if this Sylvain remembers Claude's departure from Derdriu. (It's a real stroke of luck for him to mention something like that, without Claude's even having to ask; it lets him fix Sylvain in time, know what he knows.) There's less work to do here than there could be, and Claude takes a moment to acknowledge that and be properly grateful for it.

Things could be a lot better...but they could be a lot worse, too.

And just seeing Sylvain's smile again, getting to look into his eyes - Claude might be hurting, but there's some healing to be had there, too. How long has he been missing those things? Nearly half a year by now. No matter what the circumstances, to have the chance to see Sylvain again at all means a lot.

He smiles back at Sylvain, doing his best to school his expression so it's not...well, more than it should be. Not too soft, not too emotional, not too happy. There's a whole lot of questions that could raise, and Sylvain's going to need enough answered already. Those ones can wait. "Trust me, if all it takes to shock you is for me to be here alongside those of you from the Kingdom, you're setting that bar way too low. This place has more surprises than Garreg Mach had strays."

He sighs, sitting back a little. "In fact, that kind of ties in with what I wanted to tell you - well, more like need to tell you. That kid that's talking to you now...their name is Chip. And the reason they're acting like they know you is because, well...they did. You've been here with us before. This place can do funny things to people and their memories...especially if they come here, get sent home again, and then come back. It happened with Dedue awhile back...and it happened with you.

"It's a pretty big piece of news to have to drop on you right after you've showed up in a strange world you've never seen before that's nothing like Fodlan, and you're already having to deal with all that, but - well, you're right. It's better that you know. I'd still try to break it to you more slowly, except, well...with Chip not realizing you've forgotten, you're already running head-first into the confusion this whole situation's going to cause, right? It's only fair you know where that's coming from."

[freckledarcher]

Ashe was in the middle of figuring out what he could make for lunch when Ky carried his gear over to him with Growlithe. Growlithe bumped his leg while Ky chirped and waved his gear around.

"Hmm? Someone new to the network?" Ashe took the gear to see Sylvain...oh wait Sylvain!?

"Hey! Welcome back! I'm sorry that you're having trouble right now, but I'm sure someone will be there to pick you up soon. Things in this place is so different, isn't it?"

Ashe has been here for awhile and there are some things that still surprise him.

[sonofagautier]

Sylvain grins broadly seeing the familiar freckles and kind eyes.

"Hey Ashe- yeah, sorry about, err, vanishing I suppose. Sorry to say, I seriously don't remember any of it, but I'm still glad to see you." His smile is a bit strained, still reeling from the guilt of the whole scenario, but after talking through it with Felix and Claude, he's trying not to let it get to him.

"Wildly different. For one thing, the horses are on fire-" and to emphasize his point, he pans the camera down to Bonnie the ponyta. She tilts her head, and snuffles the gear.

[freckledarcher]

Ashe gave him a reassuring smile. "It's alright, I'm really glad to see you too." He didn't want Sylvain to worry about him. He may have left, but he always had a feeling that they would see each other again either in this new world or back home. Now that he's back in this new world they can go forward and see where it takes them this time.

"Right? I have little friends myself." Ashe picked up the gear and turned it towards Ky and Growlithe. "I have a few more but they're in their pokeballs in my room. You know I was going to get ready to make lunch is there anything you wanted? I'll have it ready for you when you arrive! There's so many things here that can store food and reheat it too!"

Maybe talking about the new things in this new world would help with feel a little better.