[He knows not what quarrel Ardbert has with their newest arrival, or that the man wants anything but space. But, after he didn't return to the house, Estinien decided perhaps it was for the best he determined the man wasn't face-down in a ditch somewhere. With the way he'd been drinking the day before, it wasn't outside the realm of possibility. Sometimes a man just needed to drown whatever demons were bothering him, but that didn't mean they needed to do it alone--generally, it was a terrible idea.
Iceheart and Heustienne both are out of their pokeballs and running to and fro around him, sometimes chasing each other, sometimes actually helping him look for the warrior, but in the end it's Estinien that catches sight of the smoke from a campfire and heads that way.
He's not empty-handed when he walks into Ardbert's campsite. He has a case of middle-of-the-road beer and a few...breakfast burritos. Not that he knows what a burrito is, but he does understand the concept of eggs, potato, and sausage, and it was easy to transport.]
Ardbert.
[Are you still sleeping? Come on, there's hair of the dog here.]
[Yes he's still sleeping! Or trying to at least. He had tried to set off excessively early that morning to avoid Emet-Selch's 'send off', but to no avail. The other man sent him off like a grouchy parent would send their kid off to college. Not that Ardbert knows what any of that is.
The camp is hastily set up, just the basics to get out while he slept off his hangover and later decided just exactly where he wanted to go. His Pokemon are all out and about, though only his Fennekin and Corvisquire can be seen at the moment resting near him by the fire. If Estinien had ever seen Ardbert's Jangmo-o, the sounds of clanging metal meant it was at least still close to camp somewhere.]
Mm...
[He groaned, eyes still squeezed shut as he brought a hand up to his head. He really did hit the booze hard yesterday, didn't he? After a moment, he squinted up to his visitor. He knew not why Estinien had chose to seek him out so soon after he left, but it wasn't unwelcome.]
Estinien.
[He shifts, pulling himself to a sitting position as he holds his head in one of his hands.]
And what brings you here? Worried for me?
[As he speaks he also pushes aside his chest plate, clearly making room for Estinien to join him should he wish. Though he only briefly looked up to the other man, he did notice he wasn't empty handed.]
[Estinien shrugs, tossing out the other 4 pokeballs on his belt as he starts settling in--the light resolves into his Flygon, Corviknight, Exeggutor, and Dragonair. The clearing has enough space for all of them to be out, in a way that being at the house doesn’t, not really.
Estinien sits in the space Ardbert cleared, walking stick laid out on the ground beside him. Iceheart settles on his other side, and Heustienne over his feet. He goes ahead and tears open the flimsy paperboard keeping the beer away from him, pulling out two cans.
He holds them out to Iceheart, who blows her cold, misty breath on them obligingly, before he cracks one open for himself and offers the other to Ardbert.]
You left fair suddenly. Twas not precisely hard for me to guess at why.
[Especially when he could hear Ardbert tearing Emet-Selch a new one. It gave him something to think about. He knows what the Ascians’ aims were--even understands them, if he can’t condone them. He knows that one of their number gave Thordan his lofty ideas to become a primal. He doesn’t know precisely which one, and doesn’t think he cares to--it wouldn’t change what had happened, after all. Hells, it could have been their newest arrival for all he knows. Estinien has run into at least two distinct Ascians in his time, the only thing he knows is that Emet-Selch wasn’t one of them.]
Hair of the dog if you want it, and food as well. At least, I presume that is what a ‘burrito’ is.
[As Estinien settles Ardbert takes the moment to try to compose himself, trying to get past his pounding headache and the nausea that came with sitting up. With rest he would be better, and for now he could suffer through his bad choices for the sake of good company. After running a hand through his hair and finally letting go of nursing his head, he turns to watch Iceheart cool some beer. Fairly impressive, though Nyel clearly thought otherwise as the small Fennekin pointedly got up and moved to the other side of the fire.]
Well isn't that convenient.
[He nods at the offer though, taking the beer and giving it a sip. He eyed Estinien though, confused at first. He hadn't thought his leaving would be obvious, except perhaps to Emet-Selch since he told him, but he hadn't expected Estinien to know. Unless? His confused expression melts suddenly, his gaze lowering to his drink with something closer to pained embarrassment.]
Ah... I see. You were there yesterday?
[It was more like yelling about his problems loudly and drunkenly over the phone, but... yeah. Luckily it was a short outburst, but vaguely recalls getting upset. Both at Elidibus and the Oracle of Light. It was a bit too much to see Elidibus suddenly on the network yesterday, though he was drinking well before he ever came across the post. Maybe Estinien just sought him out because he was curious. Either way, the offer of food and hair of the dog was welcomed. He'd just need a minute for the burrito. With a sigh, he forces himself to look to his company once again. The smile at least was genuine.]
[Estinien doesn’t seem to be too inclined to chat his ear off, at least. He presumes that if Ardbert wishes to speak of it, he will. It’s the sort of reaction he’d have himself, anyway.
Instead, he just quietly drinks, though he spares a moment to raise one eyebrow and smirk at the reaction of Ardbert’s Fennekin. Iceheart seems equally unbothered, just huffing a little and settling with her head on her paws.]
Perhaps a touch beneath her dignity, however she has not complained.
[Honestly, she’s level 100, one of his strongest team members, and he’s using her as a beer cooler.
He just waits for Ardbert to regain his composure--it’s morning, he’d been drinking, even if Estinien hadn’t seen the signs in the discarded bottles at the house he’s seen many a hangover from within and without, he knows the look. But he doesn’t look judgemental, or even like he’d like to try to talk Ardbert out of being angry with his newest arrival. Sure, he’d talk the man out of going after Elidibus, it wouldn’t be prudent at all, but being angry? Well within his rights.
(Mayhap an invitation to Steven’s latest venture. He could blow off some steam that way.)]
I was.
[And that’s all he’s going to say to that. He’s not going to ask about it, he’s not going to try to say that Ardbert shouldn’t be angry. Hells, by rights he should be angry, it’s only through time, separation from the issue, and coming to know Emet-Selch by himself, outside of the context of their world and conflicting quests, that he isn’t. That, and there’s nothing he can do about it, so holding on to that anger seems pointless. He’s done that before, and doesn’t care much to repeat the experience.]
[The little fox was one of Emet-Selch's. As such, it can't help but be a little judgemental. Or at least that's how Ardbert reads it's behavior. As of right now though he pays it no mind. He simply gives Estinien an apologetic nod as he takes another sip.]
My apologies then. I hadn't meant to air my problems, let alone have them be overheard.
[Look he just had to have a little drunken inner release. It's an apt description, especially of the frustrated outburst after the call. He's thankful Estinien isn't being judgemental though, and it does help that he isn't poking at him like Emet-Selch tended to do.
He's still frustrated at it all as he thinks on it again, eyebrows furrowing in thought. He's been given plenty of time to separate himself from this honestly. At least 100 years of time, but instead of gaining any indifference he's grown bitter and jaded to both sides of this conflict.]
...In any case, I don't plan on returning. Not while Elidibus is there. You would do well not to trust him, though I imagine you don't need telling.
Some wounds do better with air. That aside, my hearing tis not what it normally is. Hardly bothersome at all.
[He shrugs. It’s not like he himself hasn’t railed at the injustices of the world, Alberic had seen much of his anger over the years, and as tantrums go yelling at someone and stomping off is probably the least harmful. He hadn’t even called Emet-Selch any particularly rude names, and he’s sure the man prodded enough that some cursing would be entirely justified.
(There might have been some. But Estinien’s a soldier, calling someone a swiving arsehole is practically an endearment. His standards are skewed.)
As for a matter of trust...well. Thinking on that, he knows that despite whatever connection they might have, strangely, made--Emet-Selch, at least, would probably happily drop him into the nearest volcano should it be the only way to bring his people back. Then would proceed to angst about it for at least a little while. He hasn’t yet taken the measure of their newest arrival, though he seems cordial enough. (And isn’t that the danger.)]
Trust is perhaps the wrong word, at least if you mean I expect him to never do me harm. Tis like as not I’ve encountered him before, and not as an ally either.
[The more he thinks of it, the more he’s sure that the man he faced, however briefly, on the battlefield could have only been this Elidibus. It was certainly not Emet-Selch, and their compatriot had been destroyed by Thordan using the power of the Eye long before. Gaius himself had been busy dispatching the others, and had been quite thorough about it.]
Of course, I am not certain. If indeed it was him, twas blows we exchanged, not pleasantries. I had more pressing concerns at the time.
[That gets a soft chuckle from Ardbert. He wasn't expecting that sort of advice from Estinien and he's still fairly sure he's heard more than he let on. Hearing differences aside.]
I suppose that's true enough.
[He's quiet though as Estinien shares, taking the moment to close his eyes as he listens and sip his drink. He's not surprised to hear Estinien's possibly had dealings with him, nor his uncertainty given the Ascian's general inclination for body stealing. Though he personally never saw Elidibus wearing anything but his white robed getup.]
You may have. I know he was on the Source for a while at least.
[He lets that thought trail off, sitting his beer down a moment beside him as he looked to the campfire. The questionable food Estinien had brought was starting to sound good.]
My comrades and I had the misfortune of working with him. It was he who brought us to the Source, though we were merely pawns for his schemes.
[Look, just because he's a gruff asshole doesn't mean he's completely unaware of how emotions work. He's seen a lot of shit, and more importantly, the rest of the dragoons have seen a lot of shit. Knowing how to harness that anger was part of their training.]
Aye, and they've meddled at least twice in affairs that involved me and mine, in recent days. It may ease your mind to know that you were not the only one that was unwittingly made part of their plans.
[He shrugs and takes a deep drink. He doesn't feel any particular animosity towards the Ascians for it, since it certainly wasn't all their doing. They seemed to just give whoever they dealt with enough rope to hang themselves, and those they approached happily fashioned their own nooses.
Or, well, had no other choice. He well knows what desperate men will do.]
And they had many. I know not which ones you were involved in.
[Ring, ring! That sure is one (1) Emet-Selch calling! He wouldn't be surprised if Ardbert allowed it to go to voicemail, and he's prepared himself for that. As in, he'd leave him a message, give him roughly five minutes to get back to him, before he'd once again call.
Fortunately for everyone involved, Ardbert picks up, and is rewarded with the dulcet nasally tones of:]
Well, well! Hello there, Hero. Glad am I to see that you yet live, the silence otherwise left me wondering if you had wandered to your doom or something equally absurd. It does my heart good to see that is not the case!
I do so hope your travels have been treating you well.
[...Surely he didn't just call to say only that, right?]
[Why he decided to pick up for Emet-Selch no one knows, but he regrets it near immediately with that Hero line. Is this truly any better than repeated phone calls and a inbox full of messages? There's a loud audible sigh before he even starts to reply.]
Emet.
[Honestly if you said Emet-Selch called just to hear himself talk, Ardbert would believe it. He tries to guess what this call could be about regardless.]
Our travels have been good, aye. The egg you gave me hatched if you were wondering.
[Yes it's better, because at least at the end of this someone is satisfied. It just won't be Ardbert.]
Ah, that indeed was one of my inquiries I had planned to ask. I hope the young foal is treating you well? It certainly is fascinating how capable these creatures can be right after their hatching—not to mention that mammals are hatching from eggs at all is its own wonder, but I digress.
That your travels have been well is a fair comfort it itself. Little would I enjoy the need to rescue you should the situation arise. But I suppose I should have more faith in you, eh? Never mind about all that—I suppose the true purpose of this is none of that, but rather...
Well, have you gotten your tantrum out of your system? Not that I expect you to come running home or aught so absurd, but if we are to exist within this world in some semblance of unity, we cannot well allow pettiness to push us apart, yes?
[Is anyone every really satisfied after talking to Emet? Truly? He follows along though as Emet talks, pleasantly surprised that the start of it seemed pretty mundane! A little baffling to think that he should be needing any sort of rescue in a place like this, but over all not bad. But then there it is. Of course. He groans.]
Petty? I hardly think not wishing to share a residence with someone petty. I had no qualms over leaving and letting them be.
[He wasn't forcing Emet to choose between him or Elidibus after all. And he certainly didn't begrudge him for having his allies even if he had sour feelings about the other.]
It is petty, after all, you have slain not one, but two of my own allies, yet I do not hold you in such contempt. You were merely doing your duty, and we ours.
Simple as that.
[He says knowing full well it's anything but that simple.]
That you choose not to make peace when we are removed from such circumstance speaks ill of you, Hero. I know you are better than that.
[You can't just say the truth Emet, GOSH!! The noise he makes is a strained sort of grunt. Was it in acknowledgment of what he said? Maybe! It's the sort of noise where you really know the point really hit home and it's easy to picture him scowling on the other end of the phone.]
Save me your lectures. I'm no Hero. Not anymore.
[Maybe he can get him to stop calling him one. He's glad he's had time away and time to travel though and he understands what Emet is saying.... even though it is not 'simple as that'. It's because of that he lets out a resigned sigh.]
That said... It's not as if I'm going to be hostile should I see him.
Well, certainly not with that attitude, at any rate.
[Sorry, Ardbert, it's gonna take more than that to get him to stop with this "hero" nonsense.]
And I am not quite asking that you become the closest of chums, either. However, it does not suit much of anyone to mope about feeling sorry for oneself, pushing away aught that rings a little too familiar, too personal. I say, you should be glad to have anything at all from home—even if not the most desirable of company—there are those here without, and perhaps some are better for it, yet there are those who are not.
[Emet-Selch punctuates that point with a thoughtful hum, before continuing.]
You may find yourself pleasantly surprised at what might come of an understanding between would-be enemies when the circumstances allow it. We know not what this world has in store for us, but I would wager that an alliance of sorts would better suit any preparation for it, than standing alone. Think on it.
[It wasn't exactly clear whose idea taking the train out of Goldenrod was, but in the end it didn't matter much--both Ardbert and Estinien needed a change of scenery (perhaps moreso Ardbert, Estinien had spent most of his life living in the same place after all.) And neither of them had the sort of cultural background to find Friday the 13th any sort of suspicious. So thinking it was nothing but another day, after breaking down camp the two of them headed into town once more, and because they were not attached at the hip they each went their own ways.
Estinien headed to the department store, Iceheart at his heels as ever, and his dour expression and the way everyone took one look at him and stayed away caught some unexpected attention.
Wouldn't it be easier to make friends if he was nice?
Maybe if he had friends he would be nice...
After a brief bit of spying in which it was determined it would be suspicious to anyone that knew the man that the Ninetales wasn't also present, a Ditto grabbed one of its nearby friends and shared their Grand Plan...
Which is how Ardbert has come to run into what appears to be Estinien and Iceheart cheerfully helping an old woman and her Skitty cross the street, before giving her a gallant bow and moving on to a child whose balloon floated away and got tangled in a tree branch.]
[It was definitely Ardbert's idea to go to Kanto. They had already traveled most of Johto once before and with the train so conveniently right there where they lived in Goldenrod, why not?
While Estinien made off to the department store, Ardbert's plans for the day were more lax. He planned on mainly seeing the town, talking to some locals and maybe finding a nice place to eat for when he and Estinien met up again. Things of course got off track when he chanced upon an elderly woman who struggling to bring her groceries inside who just so happened to have a list of other chores she could use a strapping young lad and his muscles to solve.
So imagine his surprise when he happened upon Estinien doing much the same thing-- but not only that.
No.
He was seemingly pretty cheerful about the whole thing! There was no hesitation as he approached, more amused then any confusion at the act.]
Going around helping strangers now are we? One might think I'm beginning to wear off on you! Good on you.
[Giving Agnes and Dolores something to talk about while they're getting their hair done, the two nice young lads that helped them!
The Ditto wants to smile, because that's a friendly thing to do! But they watched long enough to know that this guy didn't do a lot of it. Probably because he has no friends. But that's what they're here to help with!]
Yes! It's good to help people!
[Well they might have gone a bit overboard, but in their defense they didn't really hear Estinien speak...
Iceheart(?) gives a little yip, tails wagging cheerfully.]
[Estinien's reply was frankly stunning. As in Ardbert was literally stunned a moment left to process what had just come out of his travel companion's mouth. Surprisingly though, the dittos game was not up yet. It was just very odd to hear.]
[Okay so this guy knows him knows him, this could get awkward. They can't help this Estinien guy make good impressions if they get caught right away. He seemed a little cranky before, so maybe the enthusiasm was too much? Pretending to be a person was harder than they thought. Maybe they should have watched more.
They cough and turn away for a moment to make a face at their friend-being-a-Ninetales and then try to smooth their face into an at least neutral look (that might be overcompensating the other direction and looking pained.)]
[Oooookay. That was closer to a normal Estinien? Kinda? .... not really. But then why was Iceheart not acting more concerned about this? Confused and concerned he looked to the Pokemon for any hint of what might be up before stepping up and putting a hand on Estinien's shoulder.]
Right... are you sure you didn't hit your head somewhere? Maybe we should go sit down... I think you've helped enough for now.
[As much Agnes and Dolores will be sad to lose their free help, figuring out what happened to Estinien was a bit more pressing he felt.]
The impersonator Iceheart just looks at him with its head tilted, as if confused that he's so worried. It's fine! They're fine!
There's a brief moment of contact before they jerk away (which might be the most in character thing they've done so far,) panicking a little because they're getting a close-up look at Ardbert's clothing and realizing that it has texture, but trying not to show it. The shoulder under Ardbert's hand for that moment feels strangely smooth and rubbery. If it had copied human sweat glands, it'd be sweating bullets, unfortunately it didn't get close enough to realize that those were a thing too.]
[It was absolutely the 'thank you', that and the sudden swing to 'pained expression'.
Despite the jerk away, Ardbert didn't move, just withdrawing his hand to fold over his chest as he eyed Estinien with curiosity. The strange smooth texture he felt did raise red flags yes, but see he didn't have much hands on experience with ditto. Certainly no experience with dittos that transformed into people and spoke.
So right now? No clue what's up, but Estinien is being very sus with Iceheart being no help.]
Really. Then you wouldn't mind if I tagged along then.
[They've been practicing! Very hard! People make a lot more noises than Pokemon do!
But oh Fu-ry Swipes this guy might be on to them. He hasn't really said anything yet but he looks suspicious.]
Why would I mind?
[With that, they turn and start walking--maybe they could lose him? Duck into an alley and Transform into a Rattata or something until the coast is clear?]
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[action, 9/9 fairly early]
Iceheart and Heustienne both are out of their pokeballs and running to and fro around him, sometimes chasing each other, sometimes actually helping him look for the warrior, but in the end it's Estinien that catches sight of the smoke from a campfire and heads that way.
He's not empty-handed when he walks into Ardbert's campsite. He has a case of middle-of-the-road beer and a few...breakfast burritos. Not that he knows what a burrito is, but he does understand the concept of eggs, potato, and sausage, and it was easy to transport.]
Ardbert.
[Are you still sleeping? Come on, there's hair of the dog here.]
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The camp is hastily set up, just the basics to get out while he slept off his hangover and later decided just exactly where he wanted to go. His Pokemon are all out and about, though only his Fennekin and Corvisquire can be seen at the moment resting near him by the fire. If Estinien had ever seen Ardbert's Jangmo-o, the sounds of clanging metal meant it was at least still close to camp somewhere.]
Mm...
[He groaned, eyes still squeezed shut as he brought a hand up to his head. He really did hit the booze hard yesterday, didn't he? After a moment, he squinted up to his visitor. He knew not why Estinien had chose to seek him out so soon after he left, but it wasn't unwelcome.]
Estinien.
[He shifts, pulling himself to a sitting position as he holds his head in one of his hands.]
And what brings you here? Worried for me?
[As he speaks he also pushes aside his chest plate, clearly making room for Estinien to join him should he wish. Though he only briefly looked up to the other man, he did notice he wasn't empty handed.]
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Estinien sits in the space Ardbert cleared, walking stick laid out on the ground beside him. Iceheart settles on his other side, and Heustienne over his feet. He goes ahead and tears open the flimsy paperboard keeping the beer away from him, pulling out two cans.
He holds them out to Iceheart, who blows her cold, misty breath on them obligingly, before he cracks one open for himself and offers the other to Ardbert.]
You left fair suddenly. Twas not precisely hard for me to guess at why.
[Especially when he could hear Ardbert tearing Emet-Selch a new one. It gave him something to think about. He knows what the Ascians’ aims were--even understands them, if he can’t condone them. He knows that one of their number gave Thordan his lofty ideas to become a primal. He doesn’t know precisely which one, and doesn’t think he cares to--it wouldn’t change what had happened, after all. Hells, it could have been their newest arrival for all he knows. Estinien has run into at least two distinct Ascians in his time, the only thing he knows is that Emet-Selch wasn’t one of them.]
Hair of the dog if you want it, and food as well. At least, I presume that is what a ‘burrito’ is.
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Well isn't that convenient.
[He nods at the offer though, taking the beer and giving it a sip. He eyed Estinien though, confused at first. He hadn't thought his leaving would be obvious, except perhaps to Emet-Selch since he told him, but he hadn't expected Estinien to know. Unless? His confused expression melts suddenly, his gaze lowering to his drink with something closer to pained embarrassment.]
Ah... I see. You were there yesterday?
[It was more like yelling about his problems loudly and drunkenly over the phone, but... yeah. Luckily it was a short outburst, but vaguely recalls getting upset. Both at Elidibus and the Oracle of Light. It was a bit too much to see Elidibus suddenly on the network yesterday, though he was drinking well before he ever came across the post. Maybe Estinien just sought him out because he was curious. Either way, the offer of food and hair of the dog was welcomed. He'd just need a minute for the burrito. With a sigh, he forces himself to look to his company once again. The smile at least was genuine.]
Thanks.
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Instead, he just quietly drinks, though he spares a moment to raise one eyebrow and smirk at the reaction of Ardbert’s Fennekin. Iceheart seems equally unbothered, just huffing a little and settling with her head on her paws.]
Perhaps a touch beneath her dignity, however she has not complained.
[Honestly, she’s level 100, one of his strongest team members, and he’s using her as a beer cooler.
He just waits for Ardbert to regain his composure--it’s morning, he’d been drinking, even if Estinien hadn’t seen the signs in the discarded bottles at the house he’s seen many a hangover from within and without, he knows the look. But he doesn’t look judgemental, or even like he’d like to try to talk Ardbert out of being angry with his newest arrival. Sure, he’d talk the man out of going after Elidibus, it wouldn’t be prudent at all, but being angry? Well within his rights.
(Mayhap an invitation to Steven’s latest venture. He could blow off some steam that way.)]
I was.
[And that’s all he’s going to say to that. He’s not going to ask about it, he’s not going to try to say that Ardbert shouldn’t be angry. Hells, by rights he should be angry, it’s only through time, separation from the issue, and coming to know Emet-Selch by himself, outside of the context of their world and conflicting quests, that he isn’t. That, and there’s nothing he can do about it, so holding on to that anger seems pointless. He’s done that before, and doesn’t care much to repeat the experience.]
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My apologies then. I hadn't meant to air my problems, let alone have them be overheard.
[Look he just had to have a little drunken inner release. It's an apt description, especially of the frustrated outburst after the call. He's thankful Estinien isn't being judgemental though, and it does help that he isn't poking at him like Emet-Selch tended to do.
He's still frustrated at it all as he thinks on it again, eyebrows furrowing in thought. He's been given plenty of time to separate himself from this honestly. At least 100 years of time, but instead of gaining any indifference he's grown bitter and jaded to both sides of this conflict.]
...In any case, I don't plan on returning. Not while Elidibus is there. You would do well not to trust him, though I imagine you don't need telling.
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[He shrugs. It’s not like he himself hasn’t railed at the injustices of the world, Alberic had seen much of his anger over the years, and as tantrums go yelling at someone and stomping off is probably the least harmful. He hadn’t even called Emet-Selch any particularly rude names, and he’s sure the man prodded enough that some cursing would be entirely justified.
(There might have been some. But Estinien’s a soldier, calling someone a swiving arsehole is practically an endearment. His standards are skewed.)
As for a matter of trust...well. Thinking on that, he knows that despite whatever connection they might have, strangely, made--Emet-Selch, at least, would probably happily drop him into the nearest volcano should it be the only way to bring his people back. Then would proceed to angst about it for at least a little while. He hasn’t yet taken the measure of their newest arrival, though he seems cordial enough. (And isn’t that the danger.)]
Trust is perhaps the wrong word, at least if you mean I expect him to never do me harm. Tis like as not I’ve encountered him before, and not as an ally either.
[The more he thinks of it, the more he’s sure that the man he faced, however briefly, on the battlefield could have only been this Elidibus. It was certainly not Emet-Selch, and their compatriot had been destroyed by Thordan using the power of the Eye long before. Gaius himself had been busy dispatching the others, and had been quite thorough about it.]
Of course, I am not certain. If indeed it was him, twas blows we exchanged, not pleasantries. I had more pressing concerns at the time.
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I suppose that's true enough.
[He's quiet though as Estinien shares, taking the moment to close his eyes as he listens and sip his drink. He's not surprised to hear Estinien's possibly had dealings with him, nor his uncertainty given the Ascian's general inclination for body stealing. Though he personally never saw Elidibus wearing anything but his white robed getup.]
You may have. I know he was on the Source for a while at least.
[He lets that thought trail off, sitting his beer down a moment beside him as he looked to the campfire. The questionable food Estinien had brought was starting to sound good.]
My comrades and I had the misfortune of working with him. It was he who brought us to the Source, though we were merely pawns for his schemes.
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Aye, and they've meddled at least twice in affairs that involved me and mine, in recent days. It may ease your mind to know that you were not the only one that was unwittingly made part of their plans.
[He shrugs and takes a deep drink. He doesn't feel any particular animosity towards the Ascians for it, since it certainly wasn't all their doing. They seemed to just give whoever they dealt with enough rope to hang themselves, and those they approached happily fashioned their own nooses.
Or, well, had no other choice. He well knows what desperate men will do.]
And they had many. I know not which ones you were involved in.
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*Lest (shh I can spell)
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voice; 10/5
Fortunately for everyone involved, Ardbert picks up, and is rewarded with the dulcet nasally tones of:]
Well, well! Hello there, Hero. Glad am I to see that you yet live, the silence otherwise left me wondering if you had wandered to your doom or something equally absurd. It does my heart good to see that is not the case!
I do so hope your travels have been treating you well.
[...Surely he didn't just call to say only that, right?]
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Emet.
[Honestly if you said Emet-Selch called just to hear himself talk, Ardbert would believe it. He tries to guess what this call could be about regardless.]
Our travels have been good, aye. The egg you gave me hatched if you were wondering.
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Ah, that indeed was one of my inquiries I had planned to ask. I hope the young foal is treating you well? It certainly is fascinating how capable these creatures can be right after their hatching—not to mention that mammals are hatching from eggs at all is its own wonder, but I digress.
That your travels have been well is a fair comfort it itself. Little would I enjoy the need to rescue you should the situation arise. But I suppose I should have more faith in you, eh? Never mind about all that—I suppose the true purpose of this is none of that, but rather...
Well, have you gotten your tantrum out of your system? Not that I expect you to come running home or aught so absurd, but if we are to exist within this world in some semblance of unity, we cannot well allow pettiness to push us apart, yes?
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Petty? I hardly think not wishing to share a residence with someone petty. I had no qualms over leaving and letting them be.
[He wasn't forcing Emet to choose between him or Elidibus after all. And he certainly didn't begrudge him for having his allies even if he had sour feelings about the other.]
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Simple as that.
[He says knowing full well it's anything but that simple.]
That you choose not to make peace when we are removed from such circumstance speaks ill of you, Hero. I know you are better than that.
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Save me your lectures. I'm no Hero. Not anymore.
[Maybe he can get him to stop calling him one. He's glad he's had time away and time to travel though and he understands what Emet is saying.... even though it is not 'simple as that'. It's because of that he lets out a resigned sigh.]
That said... It's not as if I'm going to be hostile should I see him.
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[Sorry, Ardbert, it's gonna take more than that to get him to stop with this "hero" nonsense.]
And I am not quite asking that you become the closest of chums, either. However, it does not suit much of anyone to mope about feeling sorry for oneself, pushing away aught that rings a little too familiar, too personal. I say, you should be glad to have anything at all from home—even if not the most desirable of company—there are those here without, and perhaps some are better for it, yet there are those who are not.
[Emet-Selch punctuates that point with a thoughtful hum, before continuing.]
You may find yourself pleasantly surprised at what might come of an understanding between would-be enemies when the circumstances allow it. We know not what this world has in store for us, but I would wager that an alliance of sorts would better suit any preparation for it, than standing alone. Think on it.
[Spare you his what?]
Action, backdated to 8/13
Estinien headed to the department store, Iceheart at his heels as ever, and his dour expression and the way everyone took one look at him and stayed away caught some unexpected attention.
Wouldn't it be easier to make friends if he was nice?
Maybe if he had friends he would be nice...
After a brief bit of spying in which it was determined it would be suspicious to anyone that knew the man that the Ninetales wasn't also present, a Ditto grabbed one of its nearby friends and shared their Grand Plan...
Which is how Ardbert has come to run into what appears to be Estinien and Iceheart cheerfully helping an old woman and her Skitty cross the street, before giving her a gallant bow and moving on to a child whose balloon floated away and got tangled in a tree branch.]
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While Estinien made off to the department store, Ardbert's plans for the day were more lax. He planned on mainly seeing the town, talking to some locals and maybe finding a nice place to eat for when he and Estinien met up again. Things of course got off track when he chanced upon an elderly woman who struggling to bring her groceries inside who just so happened to have a list of other chores she could use a strapping young lad and his muscles to solve.
So imagine his surprise when he happened upon Estinien doing much the same thing-- but not only that.
No.
He was seemingly pretty cheerful about the whole thing! There was no hesitation as he approached, more amused then any confusion at the act.]
Going around helping strangers now are we? One might think I'm beginning to wear off on you! Good on you.
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The Ditto wants to smile, because that's a friendly thing to do! But they watched long enough to know that this guy didn't do a lot of it. Probably because he has no friends. But that's what they're here to help with!]
Yes! It's good to help people!
[Well they might have gone a bit overboard, but in their defense they didn't really hear Estinien speak...
Iceheart(?) gives a little yip, tails wagging cheerfully.]
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Aye...
[He couldn't disagree, but still.]
Are you... feeling alright Estinien?
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They cough and turn away for a moment to make a face at their friend-being-a-Ninetales and then try to smooth their face into an at least neutral look (that might be overcompensating the other direction and looking pained.)]
Yes. Perfectly fine. Completely alright, thank you.
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Right... are you sure you didn't hit your head somewhere? Maybe we should go sit down... I think you've helped enough for now.
[As much Agnes and Dolores will be sad to lose their free help, figuring out what happened to Estinien was a bit more pressing he felt.]
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The impersonator Iceheart just looks at him with its head tilted, as if confused that he's so worried. It's fine! They're fine!
There's a brief moment of contact before they jerk away (which might be the most in character thing they've done so far,) panicking a little because they're getting a close-up look at Ardbert's clothing and realizing that it has texture, but trying not to show it. The shoulder under Ardbert's hand for that moment feels strangely smooth and rubbery. If it had copied human sweat glands, it'd be sweating bullets, unfortunately it didn't get close enough to realize that those were a thing too.]
Very sure. I am fine.
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Despite the jerk away, Ardbert didn't move, just withdrawing his hand to fold over his chest as he eyed Estinien with curiosity. The strange smooth texture he felt did raise red flags yes, but see he didn't have much hands on experience with ditto. Certainly no experience with dittos that transformed into people and spoke.
So right now? No clue what's up, but Estinien is being very sus with Iceheart being no help.]
Really. Then you wouldn't mind if I tagged along then.
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But oh Fu-ry Swipes this guy might be on to them. He hasn't really said anything yet but he looks suspicious.]
Why would I mind?
[With that, they turn and start walking--maybe they could lose him? Duck into an alley and Transform into a Rattata or something until the coast is clear?]
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