[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?]
[He shakes his head, following after Estinien. It'd do no good to confront him here when he's not even sure what to confront him about. Best to just watch for now to see if he can figure it out.]
[After a few minutes where he seems much more interested in window shopping than he ever has before in his life, 'Estinien' and 'Iceheart' both quickly duck into an alley and transform before Ardbert can turn the corner himself, one becoming a completely non-suspicious Rattata and the other a Pidgey very interested in the contents of a dropped bag of chips.
In the meantime, Estinien himself--the real one this time, with the real Iceheart at his heels--turns the corner at the end of the street.]
[How close is too close in regards to following someone? What's comfortable for those friendly with one another may not be so for ditto imposters. That is to say Ardbert was very surprised to find Estinien could vanish so soon just from turning a corner. Elusive jump? He wasn't down the closest alley and it seemed implausible he somehow missed him and his Pokemon sprinting off down the street--
Ah, but somehow he must have? How else would Estinien get so far ahead? Seeing as the real Estinien wasn't currently sprinting away, Ardbert didn't feel the need to run to catch up, but simply picking up the pace of his steps till he met up with him again. Suspicions were high and he was a bit annoyed.]
Trying to lose me, were you? I thought you didn't mind me joining you.
[He was at the Celadon Department Store, which he heartily does not recommend, far too many people, it made him want to claw out of his skin. The absolute worst.
Iceheart tilts her head at him, eyes narrowed and questioning. She doesn't know what you're talking about either, bud. She hasn't seen you since this morning either.]
[He crosses his arms with a light grumble. Annoying as all of this was turning out to be, he still prefers this Estinien to the oddly over cheerful ditto.]
Something strange is going on. Either you've both suddenly got a twin or you're outright lying to me now.
[Estinien glances down at Iceheart, who looks back up at him and huffs slightly.]
Unlikely.
[He can't speak for Iceheart, who likely does have a doppleganger or two, considering how similar Pokemon of the same species look, but he certainly has no twin.]
And I am not lying.
[He turns the bag with the Celadon department store logo on it so Ardbert can see it.]
I know what I saw. You and Iceheart were helping an elderly woman cross the street. Though you were acting peculiar when I approached you about it. Afterwards you came this way by the shops.
[If Estinien hadn't been so consistently himself, Ardbert may not have felt open to sharing this, but as it is the heavy suspicion and concern has gone down.]
[He glances around--it's a bit of a larger city, to be sure, but it's not like a pedestrian is about to be run over by a courier chocobo. An old woman could likely take a whole hour to cross the street and absolutely nothing would happen.
He shakes his head.]
I've no idea who or what you lost sight of, but it was not me. Yet another of this place's maddening oddities, like as not.
[That gets Ardbert to crack a smile, he had thought it was strange to see Estinien helping out like that. Good to know it was the correct hunch.]
It was madness to see it. Sorry to say though... this means you still have an imposter running about trying to ruining your unfriendly reputation.
[He glances around and back the direction he came from. There really wasn't much time in between meeting up with the 'real' Estinien to have lost his imposter.]
Mm, I passed an alley on the way. Maybe I missed 'you' there.
[Dolores smiles and waves at them as she comes out of the hat shop across the street and Estinien doesn't stare, but he does feel very odd about the situation.]
Tis not as if whoever--or whatever--it is can fly. Where else would they be?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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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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[He shakes his head, following after Estinien. It'd do no good to confront him here when he's not even sure what to confront him about. Best to just watch for now to see if he can figure it out.]
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In the meantime, Estinien himself--the real one this time, with the real Iceheart at his heels--turns the corner at the end of the street.]
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Elusive jump?He wasn't down the closest alley and it seemed implausible he somehow missed him and his Pokemon sprinting off down the street--Ah, but somehow he must have? How else would Estinien get so far ahead? Seeing as the real Estinien wasn't currently sprinting away, Ardbert didn't feel the need to run to catch up, but simply picking up the pace of his steps till he met up with him again. Suspicions were high and he was a bit annoyed.]
Trying to lose me, were you? I thought you didn't mind me joining you.
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The sudden accusation was not something he expected, and he looks confused and equally annoyed by it.]
I've no idea what you're talking about. We haven't spoken ere we parted ways this morning.
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[Baffling with a healthy dose of real estinien 'tude as a slap to the face.]
I was just with you!
[Come on Iceheart, help him out this time. You know what he's talking about, right?]
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[He was at the Celadon Department Store, which he heartily does not recommend, far too many people, it made him want to claw out of his skin. The absolute worst.
Iceheart tilts her head at him, eyes narrowed and questioning. She doesn't know what you're talking about either, bud. She hasn't seen you since this morning either.]
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[He tilts his own head, thinking and clearly confused before quickly continuing.]
You just spent the last few moments browsing a shop, [Motioning with a deliberate nod of his head.] back there, outside their window.
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[You sure you don't want the other one back, Ardbert?]
I was not.
[Behind them both, a Rattata sneaks out of the alleyway and starts running to the opposite end of the street.]
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[He crosses his arms with a light grumble. Annoying as all of this was turning out to be, he still prefers this Estinien to the oddly over cheerful ditto.]
Something strange is going on. Either you've both suddenly got a twin or you're outright lying to me now.
[Both sound completely absurd.]
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Unlikely.
[He can't speak for Iceheart, who likely does have a doppleganger or two, considering how similar Pokemon of the same species look, but he certainly has no twin.]
And I am not lying.
[He turns the bag with the Celadon department store logo on it so Ardbert can see it.]
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[If Estinien hadn't been so consistently himself, Ardbert may not have felt open to sharing this, but as it is the heavy suspicion and concern has gone down.]
I only lost sight of you for a moment.
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[He glances around--it's a bit of a larger city, to be sure, but it's not like a pedestrian is about to be run over by a courier chocobo. An old woman could likely take a whole hour to cross the street and absolutely nothing would happen.
He shakes his head.]
I've no idea who or what you lost sight of, but it was not me. Yet another of this place's maddening oddities, like as not.
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It was madness to see it. Sorry to say though... this means you still have an imposter running about trying to ruining your unfriendly reputation.
[He glances around and back the direction he came from. There really wasn't much time in between meeting up with the 'real' Estinien to have lost his imposter.]
Mm, I passed an alley on the way. Maybe I missed 'you' there.
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[Dolores smiles and waves at them as she comes out of the hat shop across the street and Estinien doesn't stare, but he does feel very odd about the situation.]
Tis not as if whoever--or whatever--it is can fly. Where else would they be?