[Oh he is absolutely self-destructive, at least in this instance of his pity party. It all boils down to what all does it matter? He's already died. He knows that's not an option here though and he isn't actively seeking that sort of path. He's just stuck in a bog of his own guilt.]
We figured as much, aye. We had little reason to visit regardless.
[He muses, before getting caught off guard at the sudden anger and pointing from Estinien. Surprisedpikachu.jpg]
A-ah...
[He has no idea what you're talking about.... Well sort of. He knew the general plans, milled about with Elidibus in the East Shroud even as they worked on it's success. But he has no idea why Estinien would of had to go there???]
I... take it the plan succeeded? We left to return home ere its completion, thanks in part to your Warrior of Light.
[See, though, that's the problem. Just because you can't die shouldn't mean you give it your best shot.
(Says the guy who regularly fought dragons as a coping mechanism. He wouldn't know a healthy one if it slapped him on the ass.)]
Oh, it succeeded. For a time, anyway--shockingly, not even a god-dragon is enough to stop the Warrior and their adventurer friends for long.
[He snorts, and puts the can down to his side, leaning back on his hands.]
The Eyes were my responsibility to deal with. I could not leave that unfinished, considering I was the reason they were thrown to the abyss to start with.
[That... actually gets a laugh out of Ardbert. How ridiculous that the Warrior of Light could best even that. Well, that was only a part of the plan. Ultimately their aim to bring about another calamity that the First could be spared the flood of light. Considering the First was very much still around (though barely hanging on) he imagine that the final part of the plan had yet to happen.]
Gods, is there anything he can't do?! I suppose I shouldn't be surprised with what I know of them now.
[He looks down to the little he had left of his burrito. He could still eat, but for now he wraps the leftovers back up and sets it down. He tilts his head to the last bit Estinien said though, eyeing him with a touch of confusion.]
Your responsibility...? Oh. Ohhh. You were that dragoon, weren't you?
[To think it would be the Warrior of Light that would turn Ardbert's mood around at a time like this. Nothing had changed and yet through him, he would understand his current companion better. He chuckles more, this time to himself as he reaches for another beer.]
Hah, to think we'd cross paths in such a place as this.
[Only one of Isghard's dragoons can claim to have possessed the eyes let alone be the reason they were tossed to the abyss.]
[WOW. About that... Ardbert stares a moment at Estinien, unsure of how to answer before just letting his gaze fall back to the drink in his hand. Overall his mood may have improved, but some things were just too serious.]
My world was being erased from existence... We only sought to save it. As for our decisions...
[His jaw tightens, voice catching in his throat at the thought.]
We had done everything right, everything that was asked of us. Warriors of Light of our own world. Yet it was by our hands that the Flood of Light even came. Take that as you will.
[It hurts to hear, even though he knows it to be true. Ardbert had always had nothing but good intentions and yet. He's tired. He grumbles, taking another drink with an agreeing nod.
For a minute he lets it fall to silence. He's done quite a bit of talking. It sort of helped. At least it went way better than talking to Elidibus or Emet-Selch. Besides the cracking of the fire, the sounds of clanking metal can still be heard. It seems closer than when Estinien first came across Ardbert's camp. Some yowls can be heard as well. Neither Ardbert nor his Corvisquire or Fennekin seem bothered still. He sighs, reaching for the half eaten burrito again.]
Because you do not wish to, or because you cannot?
[Travel between their worlds can't be as easy as all that, if the Scions laying unconscious is any indication. He wouldn't be surprised if it's 'cannot'. Though it's not like he understands all that in the first place.
Estinien's Dragonair slides behind him, and he leans back against her side as she curls up.]
[He had meant going back to Emet's place, but it clicks what Estinien thought he was meaning. It's what he gets for the unclear topic change. Hastily he adds:]
Ah, Emet-Selch's place I mean. I can't return to the Source even if I wanted. I'm no more than a shade back on the First.
[Honestly Ardbert wouldn't call himself the best at conversation either. Better than Estinien maybe, but not immune to miscommunications. He takes the last big bite of his burrito and is in the process of washing it down when he's surprised yet again by something the other says.]
We...?
[He hadn't expected company. Both this morning and for the trip ahead. It was his own issues he had with Elidibus that drove him from Emet's home. After all he didn't blame Emet for wanting one of his own to stay with him and he wasn't going to ask anyone else to follow based on his own personal reasons.
Traveling with Estinien though was pleasant. He enjoyed the time they had in Sinnoh. He chuckles, smiling to himself.]
Yours is a welcome presence, friend. Though I know not where I will go. Hmm. I had made it to Violet City before our trip. I had plans to continue south, but was interrupted.
[Not that he couldn't be convinced to travel elsewhere. Nothing was concrete.]
[He pulls out his Gear and pulls up the map, examining places he's already been--he's been to Violet and Azalea both, but he honestly doesn't much care.]
[You clearly don't know the definition of idle! He gets it though. While he may have briefly given in to his own thoughts, nothing beats traveling for him.]
Hmm. I don't see why we can't do both.
[Alright now you have him digging out his own pokegear, stuffed in the bottom of his bag as it usually is.]
Azalea, eh? We could hit the gym there and then take the warp up to Violet. Continue on the road north past there?
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We figured as much, aye. We had little reason to visit regardless.
[He muses, before getting caught off guard at the sudden anger and pointing from Estinien. Surprisedpikachu.jpg]
A-ah...
[He has no idea what you're talking about.... Well sort of. He knew the general plans, milled about with Elidibus in the East Shroud even as they worked on it's success. But he has no idea why Estinien would of had to go there???]
I... take it the plan succeeded? We left to return home ere its completion, thanks in part to your Warrior of Light.
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(Says the guy who regularly fought dragons as a coping mechanism. He wouldn't know a healthy one if it slapped him on the ass.)]
Oh, it succeeded. For a time, anyway--shockingly, not even a god-dragon is enough to stop the Warrior and their adventurer friends for long.
[He snorts, and puts the can down to his side, leaning back on his hands.]
The Eyes were my responsibility to deal with. I could not leave that unfinished, considering I was the reason they were thrown to the abyss to start with.
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Gods, is there anything he can't do?! I suppose I shouldn't be surprised with what I know of them now.
[He looks down to the little he had left of his burrito. He could still eat, but for now he wraps the leftovers back up and sets it down. He tilts his head to the last bit Estinien said though, eyeing him with a touch of confusion.]
Your responsibility...? Oh. Ohhh. You were that dragoon, weren't you?
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[Seriously, the man is nigh a force of nature. Zenos had given him pause, but in the end...
Though, that isn't really the end, now is it? Fury, dealing with that when he returns home is going to be a nightmare.]
Aye.
[Not that Ishgard doesn't have many dragoons, but Estinien is fairly singular among them.]
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Hah, to think we'd cross paths in such a place as this.
[Only one of Isghard's dragoons can claim to have possessed the eyes let alone be the reason they were tossed to the abyss.]
Well. Sorry about all that.
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[Though meeting anyone he has here is a surprise. He picks up his can again and drains it dry, also reaching for a new one.
Then he shrugs. Apology accepted, it seems.]
Tis not as if you meant harm, truly. It was not your decisions that brought you there, correct?
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[WOW. About that... Ardbert stares a moment at Estinien, unsure of how to answer before just letting his gaze fall back to the drink in his hand. Overall his mood may have improved, but some things were just too serious.]
My world was being erased from existence... We only sought to save it. As for our decisions...
[His jaw tightens, voice catching in his throat at the thought.]
We had done everything right, everything that was asked of us. Warriors of Light of our own world. Yet it was by our hands that the Flood of Light even came. Take that as you will.
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[Some things are too serious, indeed. Estinien sighs, burying his free hand in the cold fluff on top of Iceheart's head.]
Seems that protecting our world is all any of us are trying to do.
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For a minute he lets it fall to silence. He's done quite a bit of talking. It sort of helped. At least it went way better than talking to Elidibus or Emet-Selch. Besides the cracking of the fire, the sounds of clanking metal can still be heard. It seems closer than when Estinien first came across Ardbert's camp. Some yowls can be heard as well. Neither Ardbert nor his Corvisquire or Fennekin seem bothered still. He sighs, reaching for the half eaten burrito again.]
Least you wonder, I have no plans on returning.
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[Travel between their worlds can't be as easy as all that, if the Scions laying unconscious is any indication. He wouldn't be surprised if it's 'cannot'. Though it's not like he understands all that in the first place.
Estinien's Dragonair slides behind him, and he leans back against her side as she curls up.]
*Lest (shh I can spell)
[He had meant going back to Emet's place, but it clicks what Estinien thought he was meaning. It's what he gets for the unclear topic change. Hastily he adds:]
Ah, Emet-Selch's place I mean. I can't return to the Source even if I wanted. I'm no more than a shade back on the First.
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[He's not the best at conversation, picking up those changes. It's one reason he just...avoids talking to people sometimes.
Speaking of avoiding, that does sound like a topic he'd rather not touch, so just...taking that answer without elaboration.]
Hm. Where shall we go, then?
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We...?
[He hadn't expected company. Both this morning and for the trip ahead. It was his own issues he had with Elidibus that drove him from Emet's home. After all he didn't blame Emet for wanting one of his own to stay with him and he wasn't going to ask anyone else to follow based on his own personal reasons.
Traveling with Estinien though was pleasant. He enjoyed the time they had in Sinnoh. He chuckles, smiling to himself.]
Yours is a welcome presence, friend. Though I know not where I will go. Hmm. I had made it to Violet City before our trip. I had plans to continue south, but was interrupted.
[Not that he couldn't be convinced to travel elsewhere. Nothing was concrete.]
How about you? Anywhere you want to go?
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I have been idle here long enough.
[He pulls out his Gear and pulls up the map, examining places he's already been--he's been to Violet and Azalea both, but he honestly doesn't much care.]
Have you challenged the gym leaders there?
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[Says the man who spent the last two weeks drinking and brooding.]
I have not. I visited the gym when I was in Violet, but I think you may recall I was having some... issues with my Pokemon at the time.
[His meowth was a terror. Still is a terror. He didn't have faith in challenging the gym at that time.]
Have you?
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Aye. Though mayhap I could test their strength against the elite teams.
[See if they truly live up to the name.]
Though we could continue on past Goldenrod as well.
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Hmm. I don't see why we can't do both.
[Alright now you have him digging out his own pokegear, stuffed in the bottom of his bag as it usually is.]
Azalea, eh? We could hit the gym there and then take the warp up to Violet. Continue on the road north past there?
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[He's looking over the map, and thinks for a moment--the plan seems fine to him, though 'plan' is perhaps a bit optimistic of a description.]
Mm. Through the forest, then. I have traveled that road, tis long, but not difficult.