victory_road | Great googly moogly, it's all gone to [extremely loud incorrect buzzer]

Envy bursting into laughter starts affecting him as well. His shoulders shake and he ducks his head a little.

"I guess not...There was a Heracross and I fell down this steep hill and got my arm hung in a tree."

He doesn't mention that he was running. Or why.

He then sees Scar doing his best Samara impression across the bed and walks over to hold out his good hand to help up without him having to like. Crawl around like a lizard. Henry does this bold as brass, as though he never had a crippling fear of Scar before this moment.

"I can say one thing...after the back and forth of it all my memory is messed up. But I remember that I belong here."

Envy bursts out laughing, and for a moment, Scar freezes. The stern angle of his frown softens, and he slowly lifts a hand as the shrimpier of the homunculi lists in his direction. He nudges Envy safely out of his personal sphere as he finally manages to get off the bed.

Scar doesn't bother to stand. He lets his bulky camping pack roll off his back, ignoring the peel of his sweaty clothes against his back as the weight is lifted from it. He rests against the wall, immune to the wave of relief that's washed over the room at large.

He only makes a noise in response to Heather's sputtered question. What in the world could ok possibly look like, at the moment?

Edited 2023-08-17 04:35 (UTC)

Envy wasn't expecting to be nudged so carefully, but he lets it happen and manages to scoot further away to a more balanced position. This is fine.

Also much preferable to literally colliding with Scar, because the Ishbalan isn't the only one with a personal sphere. He stays on the bed where he is because the room is a little crowded at the moment, the laughter starting to sputter out to more manageable levels.

"What a welcome back to the wilderness..."

Yes. Joke. Much easier to say than expressing all those feelings with words. But they're escaping in his voice and face anyway. He swipes at his eyes...then a thought hits him with a jolt.

"Oh shit. Lust."

She's out of town!! She doesn't know or she'd have called them already!!

Oh wow, yeah. The last time Henry and Scar had both been here at the same time, Heather distinctly remembered Henry turning invisible every single time Lust's intimidating boyfriend (????????????????????????????) entered a room.

But there he was, going and helping Scar off of the bed like it was nothing.

A brief, painful pang of pride grips Heather's heart as she watches... and then what Envy just said sinks in and she sobers up instantly.

"Oh, shit," she parrots him for, like, the second time in the past three minutes. "She must not know."

Way to state the obvious, Heather.

"Lust..." Henry parrots them. Another friend he's eager to see. "I didn't see any of her Pokemon downstairs."

In fact, he hadn't stopped to look around for any Pokemon. Now that he's here in this familiar place, he feels like he should have Burger winding between his feet or Prince trying to bury his 'ugly' shirts in the yard. He doesn't hear the high fluty sound of Flotsam playing in the pool. His heart aches.

He's so tired.

He's so fucking hungry. He's been surviving off canned soup, protein bars, and the cookie that the nice ladies in Cherrygrove gave him. And he wants a goddamn cigarette! Henry sucks in a breath.

"I think I should make us some tea." You know. That tea.

The heterosexual elephant in the room toots.

Scar's circulatory system freezes over.

"Why else would I be here?"

The question... does not come out the way it had formed in his mind. It rasps uneven out of his mouth exactly as you might expect it to from a man who is coping with the uncertainty of his immediate future with the only person who truly knows him by wearing a fur lined coat in August.

It's barely more than an idle thought, but. He would enjoy tea, right now. As much as he could enjoy anything.

Envy doesn't take offense to the question--after all, it's not like Scar was on exactly friendly terms with anybody in this room the last time he was here, even if he's apparently somehow become friends with Henry spontaneously in the past few days.

Thinking more on what kinds of things went on with Scar and Lust seven years ago...

He realizes that he has no idea how Lust will react or what will happen when they meet back up or really anything because whatever the two of them had going on was incomprehensible. Anything could happen.

Scar was already just sitting on the floor looking like a lost baby deer which was. A new look.

...was that a fur coat?

You know what tea sounds great. Envy knows exactly what kind of tea Henry's talking about and yes. That tea. That will make everything easier!

"She's not here in the house, she's in Ecruteak. We'll need to call her. But there is some of the tea in the kitchen first."

The Tea.

"Some of her Pokemon still stay here but they're probably asleep in her room..."

She sounds distracted as she says it-- her brain is still moving at a mile a minute and it's already plowing ahead of that particular thought. Because... yeah, she doesn't know how Lust is going to react to this either.

Heather generally tries to stay out of Lust's business, outside of the occasional necessary Girltalk Night (tm)-- but she knows Lust has had relationships. Might even be in one right now. Oh god.

"Tea?"

Heather also generally doesn't partake in Henry's tea. Alcohol is her drug of choice, if she really wants to get crazy and stupid. But this is all so... much, so fast. And she would kind of like her brain to slow back down to at least where it was while she and Envy had been watching their horror movie (which is still blaring muffledly from somewhere on the bed).

"I could... go for that, actually. I'll show you where it is, we have to keep it somewhere the Pokemon can't get it--" She starts towards the door again and it's several crunchy footsteps before she realizes she's stepping on all the spilled popcorn. "--Shit, are you guys hungry? Have you eaten? Do they still only give you that one shitty bento box in New Bark?"

Scar is included in 'you guys'. If she has any lingering weird uncertain feelings about the man, they're going to have to wait until after... after.

"You kept it..." Henry feels his chest grow tight. He's got such feelings for this group of people. His people.

When Heather mentions food, Henry's guts actually decide to speak up and let out a pitiful sound. He feels a little bad. Scar took care of them on the road as well as his rations could. But Henry is not fit for The Wilderness.

"Haha, I am...very hungry. Yeah." He turns to Scar and gives a little wave. "Come on."

And he's off down the stairs again, his heels hitting the edges hard. Two stairs at a time. Now he's not afraid of waking people up. Or taking up space. More and more of his personality is unfurling the longer he's away from the Otherworld. He's remembering the life he made here.

"I need to show you my Pokemon."

Scar is being shuffled to the next destination like they haven't just glossed over the subject of his only touchstone to a lifetime twice dead?

Nope :) Bus stops here :)

"Is she well?"

The question bubbles over like instant oatmeal that’s been in the microwave for too long. Scar's eyes are far away.

"Pizza would still be open. We could get a pizza."

But then....

It's not like there's a single person or even all three of them together who could actually make this man move anywhere he didn't want to go. When the bus stops the bus stops.

And Envy sees those eyes zone right out. Uh oh. Damage control until they can get to the tea.

"Yeah, she's doing well. She just works in Ecruteak this time of year."

Doing burlesque! She can tell him that herself though!

"I talked to her a few days ago, she's fine."

For now. :)

A LOT IS HAPPENING, Scar isn't moving but Envy's talking to him, meanwhile Heather will be useful and make sure the food and tea happens. THERE. THAT'S THE PLAN.

"I'll place the order."

It's takeout or heated-up chicken nuggets from the freezer and honestly the pizza-place a few blocks away is probably faster.

Once again leaving Envy and Scar alone, she follows Henry down the stairs, voice fading rapidly as she asks him if he got any of his old ones back or not.

She works in Ecruteak this time of year.

The little detail is enough to draw Scar back toward the present. He still hasn't considered the discussion of dinner. They can do whatever, he doesn't need to eat.

She's fine.

"What does she do?" Scar's voice is small, reverent. There are scant few things that can crack the steel facade Scar lives behind when he's in the eyes of others, but right now, every detail is precious.

It's been seven years.

Edited 2023-08-17 06:35 (UTC)

HOO boy the direct question.

He absolutely does not want to be the one to tell Scar about this because he legitimately doesn't know what the reaction would be. And he doesn't want to be putting out any kind of a fire right now. Especially not after the man started talking in that weird quiet tone.

Thankfully, Envy has four centuries' practice at not skipping a beat.

"She owns the place, actually, I think she'd want to tell you about it when she gets here."

He's pretty certain she'll want to warp here as fast as possible once she knows. He pauses for a few seconds--this is actually a lot more awkward than something like manipulating a total stranger.

"She did miss you."

"Wine and sex," Scar concludes with a nod. Or one or the other or both. He knows what they think of him, he knows Lust, and he knows Envy is dodging in circles.

She owns the place.

That brings the ghost of a fond smile to Scar's face, no longer than a flash.

He pushes himself to his feet and pauses.

She did miss you.

Softly,

"I know."

Luckily for Envy, Scar is done talking. And he's headed toward Pizza Town (downstairs).

Envy actually snorts at the blunt answer. But hey! Not only was there not a garbage fire, the quick smile was unexpected and not a bad sign. And Scar actually even got up to start walking in the direction of pizza and persim zest tea. SUCCESS.

"I don't think brothels are a thing in this place. Not even if someone tried."

Not even not allowed. Just aren't. THIS IS A PG WORLD, SIR.

He follows behind, just on the off chance that Scar might decide to turn around and jump back out the window to walk all the way to Ecruteak. You never know with Scar. And he's pretty sure Lust would be mad at him if he left the opening for it to happen.

The kettle is on the stove.

In the middle of the kitchen is Henry's new starter Pokemon, known only as Sword. The Honedge floats and twirls, its sash trailing behind it. Sword loves meeting new people so it's showing off for Heather.

"--ing to the ground, so I think that's why I got him." Henry is saying, telling Heather a very cliffnotes version of his theory as to why he was given a floating magical sword instead of his clam. It was also nice to share a little with someone who had also been to the Otherworld.

He hears footfalls on the stairs and looks up to see Scar and Envy descending.

"The water's about to boil."

SWORD!

It's perfect for Henry, and at some point later Heather will have to introduce them both to Slashley and Stabitha. But, uh, later. Unleashing a bunch of Pokemon to run rampant would be adding too many extra layers of chaos to a situation that already has several too many-- and she already discreetly put Cujo, who'd been stone cold asleep in the laundry room like a massive fur rug, into his Pokeball because if he smelled Henry this would turn into a three-ring circus of slobber and flying fur.

She looks up too, shooting Envy a nod.

"Pizza's on its way, too. I, uh, got the usual plus a plain cheese."

Because... she doesn't know what Scar likes. She's not sure she's ever seen him eat.

Not if they... tried? That doesn't make any sense.

Scar doesn't linger on it.

He knows it's a wine and sex thing, Envy.

The moment conversation dissipates, lingering fear returns in spades. Scar lingers outside the kitchen, not really joining the group, crossing his arms and waiting on the boiling water.

Envy remains pleased with himself on the way down the stairs. He got giant man to leave his bedroom!

Unlike Scar, he's eager to join the group when he gets downstairs--it's been so long since he's gotten to see Henry. He does stop to admire the Honedge who's so clearly trying to show off.

"So this is your new one, huh? Fancy."

He continues farther over. Envy may not initiate hugs but he will enthusiastically be nearby! He's still having trouble fully believing that this is happening, it was such a sudden shift.

"Did you find the tea? I've still been putting it in the same box."

Henry gives Envy a little smile. "You've been making it..."

The thought of something he made being continued for seven years. It's touching.

The kettle whistles. Henry recalls Sword back into its Pokeball before hitching the ball back to his belt. It's a familiar motion that feels natural. He turns and starts pouring the hot water into the tea pot where he's placed the zest. Soon enough, there are four piping cups of Persim tea ready.

Henry holds his cup close to his face and breathes in the familiar bitter scent before taking a sip. It tastes just like he remembers it.

"It's good to be home."

Heather's first sip is a little too fast and she coughs, face scrunching as it scalds the whole way down. Bleeeheghgh. It's a little bitter for her liking, too-- she always forgets.

Automatically she moves towards the cupboard where she knows the honey jars and sugar are-- and then remembers, oh yeah. Scar is... here. Floating around the outskirts of an invisible circle in the middle of the kitchen.

"... We've, uh, got sugar n'honey n'stuff... And milk. If you-- ... if anybody wants it."

And then she goes ahead and dumps like four heaping spoonfuls of honey into her cup. Because seriously, how does anybody drink this shit plain.

It's only natural that Scar drinks it plain. For a moment, his frame looms over Heather and Envy as he reaches for his own cup on the counter to be taken back to his booboo corner outside their circle.

He peers into the mug, lets the steam dampen his nose.

She Summers in Ecruteak. She owns... whatever it is she does there.

He won’t insult how deeply she had cared with his own lingering insecurities. The inner voice chiding him for even considering the thought sounds suspiciously like her.

She had kept his things.

She had kept their home.

But, God, he’s afraid. Seven years is longer than they had even known of each other, in this lifetime. He could cope, if she wouldn't have him. He had coped when it had been a childish crush. He had coped when she was utterly unrecognizable, but for face and form. He would cope, now, if she’s through with him. A year and change out of three decades is already more than he was ever supposed to be privileged with.

He can live with one more receipt of regrets. He can put the ocean back between them and be relieved that she’s found something better than tying herself to a tired husk.

Not knowing, though, is turning him inside out.

Scar downs his tea in one very slow, very long pull. No, he doesn't taste it, yes, he burns his whole mouth.

"Yeah, well...I watched you make it often enough. And it's good."

He sounds very pleased that Henry noticed. That said, Envy absolutely wants sugar and milk in his. He has absolutely no idea what's going through Scar's head as he stares at the man just drinking the entire scalding cup like a shot.

He wonders if he maybe should have mentioned what kind of tea this was.

Nah.

A few minutes after his own first sips, that pleasant floating feeling is starting to creep in and soften the edges of all the tangled knots of feelings, make them more manageable. The shock of it all can settle in. Figuring out how to call Lust and deliver the news certainly feels less nerve-wracking. He glances down, patting at his pockets for his 'Gear. Did he remember to grab it on his way down?

Henry watches Scar down that Tea and opens his mouth to say something. But then he doesn't. It's fine. It'll be fine. He's a big guy!

He sips his tea and eventually his shoulders relax. The familiar floaty feeling returns to him, like it never left. He's safe. He's home. He's surrounded by friends. He can go back to his job and the occasional adventure. Speaking of adventure...

"I decided I'm going to try the Gym challenge. It's just not something I thought about when I was here before. My Pokemon have always been my pets, but...I know they'd be happier if they were battling and growing."

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