[03] VIDEO - Route 37 [ACTION responses welcome!]

[purramedic]

[A]

[The feed opens on a Meowstic with the faintest tabby stripes, peering around the path as his tails swing blithely.]

Good old Floppington. He's grown quite a bit! And after his performance in assisting those poor wild Pokemon in Goldenrod, I think Esquire is no longer a title that does him justice. He looks a bit more like a "Warden Commander" now, doesn't he?

[Anders reaches to ruffle the tuft of fur atop Flop's head before turning the camera onto himself. His free hand raises to pull a few strands of loose hair out of his face and lingers there for a few seconds. Is he just shamelessly showing off the gleaming, jeweled ring on his finger? Absolutely.]

So. We're coming up on Ecruteak. Can anyone recommend a good place to train? Or a direction to head out of town once we're ready to leave?


[B]

[His mood is quite a bit more somber once it's dark, the bags under his eyes deeper and heavier; this clearly isn't his first sleepless night of recent. He's silent at first, sitting on the edge of camp and hoping he doesn't wake his partner, and for a while he contemplates shutting the feed back off before saying anything.

Eventually, though, he shifts a bit and frowns with worry, eyes not quite meeting the camera.]

I was hoping to ask for opinions on a... sensitive subject.

What do you do when you miss people from your home? Very close friends. I'm... I've really been struggling to cope, and contrary to clichés, it only seems to grow more difficult with time.

Comments

video; B

[cardboard_boss]

I know how that feels. This place took me from everyone I cared about back home. My friends and my men. At least it brought one friend from back home but still. It hurts like a bitch.

[It hurts everyday to know that the men were back at base probably thinking their commander was dead.]

[purramedic]

Yes, having a... friend helps. [There's definitely a "but..." sort of tone in there, but he's gonna pretend like there isn't.]

I'm sorry you suffer too.

[cardboard_boss]

[A friend? So, they were friends now? Snake smirked slightly at that. Last time they were bitching at one another. It was amusing.]

We all suffer in some way. This place took us from our homes and placed us here without our consent. The people that are probably suffering more than us are our loved ones back home.

[purramedic]

What do you mean? I was told that it's as if time isn't passing in our homes while we're here... [If that isn't true, well... The mess he left behind is far bigger than he anticipated.]

[cardboard_boss]

Didn't know that. Thought everything carried on like a mirror reality.

[Maybe he'd got that wrong?]

I prefer your version. Time staying still back home? Better for both worlds.

[purramedic]

I... Yes, it would be.

[He's quiet for a moment, trapped in thoughts of worry, but eventually he tries to shake it off.]

Your... friend. The one who came here after you. What are they like?

[cardboard_boss]

You mean Kaz? He's one of the closest friends I've ever had. We've known each other a long time and have been through hell and back.

[He loves him like a soul mate lover.]

If you meet him don't judge him by how he comes across. The guy's lost limbs through torture. He's a good guy underneath. I'd trust him with my life.

B

[oldestfriend]

I don't think what I'd do would help you, so I'll give the more generic advice:

Make new friends. Talk. Explore. Learn a new skill. Wait, and know that you'll see them again sometime soon.

Nothing is forever. That includes being here.

[purramedic]

You're probably right, but... it isn't always so simple.

What would you do?

[oldestfriend]

Weelllll, if you insist...

Do fortune telling. Sleep and dream. Learn to draw a little better. Want things freely and without restraint. Weep true tears. Take something that’s really hallucinogenic.

Of course, I haven’t felt the need to do any of those yet, besides dreaming really, and even then that’s more because it’s something that humans just do all by themselves. You could try and use some of those to feel connected to those you’re separated from, although I discourage the drug thing because no one should get an addiction, but I’m not sure it would have the same effect.

[purramedic]

Half of that doesn't sound so bad... [If extremely difficult. Just letting go of things isn't as easy as it once was.]

Where would you even find something like that here? [Maybe he isn't that desperate yet, but... just in case.]

[oldestfriend]

Who knows. It’s not exactly something I’ve looked into.

[A small laugh and a shrug before she rests her chin in one hand.]

Although… There are probably pokemon that can make you feel nice. Not drugged nice, but, regular nice. Meganium, for example, is supposed to be really soothing. For sadness, or longing, it's not a long term fix... But maybe it could calm down any anxiety.

[purramedic]

[That's sort of vague, but he isn't going to question it. Pokemon as a whole seem to be on the weird side.]

That does sound like a better alternative. Where do they live?

audio;

[notvaljean]

When you figure it out, let me know.

[Someone else can't sleep either, and Jean is speaking in a low, hushed voice, so he doesn't wake up anyone else in their little camp.]

It's not fair.

[purramedic]

No. It isn't. [Anders is quite used to unfairness. Being unable to do anything about it is one of the reasons he's so inconsolable at the moment.]

I'll do my best to remember.

[notvaljean]

[A pause. It isn't often that any commiserates with Jean--not anymore, at least--and maybe talking about this, even with a stranger, will make him feel a little better.]

Who do you miss?

[purramedic]

[Likewise, he doesn't exactly feel comfortable talking about this to people he probably should, although a stranger could probably never understand.]

A dear friend. Suffice to say, we were closer than most could ever claim to be. I realize that sounds pretentious, but... it's complicated.

What about you?

[notvaljean]

[Pretentious or not, Anders is talking to someone who isn't going to question that claim, and can perhaps understand where he's coming from.]

A friend.

[That's not entirely accurate though.]

My best friend. He's... he's dead.

[purramedic]

[Well, that's something else entirely. And judging by the apparent age of this stranger, it probably wasn't the most natural cause, assuming said friend was similar. It's certainly not the first time Anders has had to address this sort of thing, but he still aches for the boy's loss.]

You can still keep his memory alive. How did you meet? What was he like?

[video]

[thelittlegingerthatcould]

Hey man! I totally get the whole 'I miss my crew' thing. And, I mean. I didn't have many friends at all. They were recent, actually talking with people who cared, had them around, had a roommate, a friend...

And you miss them, but maybe think of something you guys used to do together and teach other people? I mean, me and my bff, we folded paper cranes. That was our thing because he had some memory issues and that's something he could remember. Not everyone has something that easy to share, but...talking about them helps, at least for me anyways.

I figure you'll make it, and if they ever found out? They'd be proud of you that you did. Yanno? You made it by without them, but the thought of them helped you along, and that's something everyone can feel good about.

[purramedic]

[Oh boy. He doesn't want to disappoint that face, but he's reached a pretty inconsolable point by now. Sorry, Hanna.]

I don't think I can teach anyone here what we shared. And I wouldn't want to. [Honestly, he just isn't trying hard enough.]

Do you actually remember this place when you leave?

[thelittlegingerthatcould]

[It's alright. He understands that sometimes you just want to be sad and yell into the wind and that's okay. He gets it.]

Well, if not...maybe I can teach you how to fold cranes. It's not for you but...it's something productive and pulls me back down when I'm starting to get all riled. There's at least that?

[He isn't so sure about that next bit though, and he frowns, considering.] That's a good question...I have no idea.

[purramedic]

I... think I would like that. It's nice to have something to do with my hands when I'm restless. I've mostly been knitting. Always wanted to start back home, but never had the time.

[Another concerning mystery, it seems. Anders would still rather be back in Thedas than here, but he has to admit there are things about this place that he wouldn't want to forget; something he reminds himself of by fidgeting and turning the ring around his finger.]

[thelittlegingerthatcould]

I could probably teach you over the camera actually, if you have a piece of paper handy. It should be square though...so if not now, maybe later? I'm available for lessons whenever. They're kind of cool though, like. If you fold a thousand of them, they're supposed to grant you a wish. Not really, but. It's a nice little story anyways.

But...regardless, you gonna be okay? I mean, I know this shit can really get a guy down.

[purramedic]

Perhaps later? In daylight, preferably. I am interested, but I don't want to wake my partner cursing at it when I mess it up.

[He does give a small but genuine smile, though it soon fades back into a frown.]

I highly doubt some hurt feelings will kill me. [Boy howdy would he have been a goner a long time ago.]