explosivecombat | 006. [Text/Action for Goldenrod City/Northern Route 34]

[TEXT]

While I suppose it matters relatively little in the long run, morbid curiosity compels -

Exactly how driven are most of you to complete this 'challenge' that's been set forth, and what drives you to complete it in the first place - what do you have to return to?

[ACTION]

[A short time after that text hits the network, Kimblee can be found just outside of Goldenrod City, on the northern end of Route 34; if the question is at all related to anything he's currently doing, it's not obvious in the least...outside of the part where maybe the Pokémon he's dealing with might be making him not want to live on this planet anymore.

Basically, his Yanma evolved.

Fortunately for him, the hellbug she has become seems to have retained her personality despite the evolution. She's honestly always been more like a dog than an oversized dragonfly; now she's just...well, a sufficiently larger dog. As such, she's bringing Kimblee a decently-sized stick to toss off into the nearby cluster of trees for her to chase; Kimblee is complying with her, albeit warily - he's never had much of a poker face, and while he seems generally calm, it's reasonably plain that he's half-expecting her to do something odd.

Like snap his arm off to get at the stick. Or maybe bring him back a person, or something.

Either way, he's clearly wondering what the hell his life has become. Good afternoon, Johto, it's been a while.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

What exactly do you mean by 'challenge?'

[Clive can think of a number of things that would fall under such a category, but he can't tell which one Kimblee is referring to.]

I am! I don't mind staying here, I just like a good challenge.

I imagine you've heard about the badges, and how they supposedly provide some means for which to return back to our world of origin? It's a fairly popular rumor, from what I understand.

I don't know if I'll try to actually complete it. It does seem like a good way to let the Pokemon exercise besides training. As long as the people I care about are here I don't really mind staying in Johto at all.

That's a rather morbid, don't you think?

[ He's not even going to answer, because you already know the answer to that question. All of Johto kind of does by this point ]

I don't think I know all that much about the badges, actually. I know that you can earn badges by defeating the Gym Leaders, but I've never been interested in them. Has anyone actually managed to return home by collecting all of the badges?

Ah, so it's less about the ultimate goal, and more about defeating the challenge itself? A good way to look at it, I think.

Fair enough; most of those I know are rather anxious to return. Though given the fact that our world is having its fair share of conflict at the time most of them seem to come from, I can't say that I blame them at all.

However, while you said you don't mind...would you choose to stay here, if presented with the option, or would you return?

[The northern end of Route 34 is really one of Gorthan's favorite places lately. He simply cannot get enough of the sight of the blue sea - so much different from Xerba's red one - and of the soothing sound of the waves.

He has not checked his Gear, because he's currently sitting on a folding chair on the small beach, reading while his Gallade sits in the nearby grass. The giant bug, however, soon catches Gorthan's attention. Closing the book and leaving it on the chair, he stands and walks closer to the huge dragonfly, narrowing his eyes a bit and mumbling to himself as he inspects it.]

... compound, clearly. Expressionless, much like our low-rank soldiers... Spike-like plates, always a good deterrent... Spots, too? Assuming there are predators that...

[... and so on. Be patient, Kimblee. He'll notice you, eventually.]

More for some than for most. Believe me, this is far from a personal attack on you.

Ah, but that question is exactly why I'm not particularly interested in this challenge, myself - some have been here for over a year now, and yet apparently these 'rumors' remain nothing more.

Either Johto's new residents are the most apathetic lot known to man, or there's something wrong with the rumor itself.

[...well, if it makes you feel any better, Abdiel is completely ignoring you, too, in favor of the fairly large stick Kimblee's holding; Kimblee is a bit less oblivious than both of you, however, and once the stick goes winging into the stand of trees (and Abdiel is off like a shot after it), he turns to Gorthan.]

...are you just that opposed to greeting people normally, Gorthan?

[Despite his words, however, he isn't annoyed.]

Oh? Was I supposed to take it personally?

That... I'm not entirely sure. It would depend. As I understand it our presence here doesn't equal our absence back home for the people that know us. I don't have a lot waiting back home aside from my job and a few friends. Even though it's true that people come and go from here all the time, at least our Pokemon are constant. I don't think I could stand leaving them behind completely alone after all we've been through.

Only if you're looking for new and interesting ways to offend yourself, I suppose.

Good thing I don't, then!

[Once the giant bug leaves, Gorthan is essentially forced to finally acknowledge Kimblee, his gaze focusing on the other man. He nods at him.]

My apologies, Red Lotus. How are you faring?

[Oh, well, that's...

...huh.]

An interesting sentiment, really, though not one I can say I understand - not to pry, but what does this job of yours consist of, back where you're from?

Is that so? It certainly sounds like baseless gossip to me. I personally have more important things to do than waste my time collecting some stupid little trinkets that have no real value.

I can't complain, at the very least; yourself? You seem to be doing well enough.

[Kimblee's never been one for small talk, though he'll humor you with formalities just long enough to not be completely rude; dear god, next thing you know, we'll be talking about the weather.]

[Hughes, you cannot see it but you have gotten this expression already. This is likely a new record.]

Very much so.

Oh?

You're begging the question, you realize.

I always tend to get really strongly attached to others, and I'm lucky enough that I have people I care about here also, right now.

Oh, I'm really just a florist in the city. My job is just to sell and sometimes deliver flowers. [ Truth. ]

[...my god

how do you not just

fall over and die of boredom

no really how are you still alive]

And I imagine you're perfectly content with that.

[ He's got a good mental image... ]

What brought on the question, if you don't mind my asking?

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