genessia | Ecc. 3.6: A time to get, and a time to lose...[BACKDATED 9/4 OPEN]

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Ecc. 3.6: A time to get, and a time to lose...[BACKDATED 9/4 OPEN]

Ted panicked when he learned, quite suddenly, that the pokemon event would come to an end. Worse, he could only keep four of the fifteen he'd gathered. With a gravity unfamiliar to him, he decided to cast lots for the ones which would remain, reckoning the various items he'd found as signs from fate to guide the decision. The behavior of his pokemon drove him to tears; in the hopes of narrowing the choice further, he asked them all, one-by-one, if any of them were tired of his company, and wished to leave.

Not a one refused. All wished to serve and take further part in his adventures. With a heavy heart, he chose his four, dreading if any of those left out might harbor jealousy, or scorn. Again, they went beyond Ted's expectations, each gracious in its own way. As a farewell event, he decided to let them all see the evolution of Gloom, one of the chosen. He applied the Leaf Stone, granted by Koishi, and took in the brilliant metamorphosis.

Everyone sneezed and coughed violently, for Vileplume pollen is very potent. With that, he was forced to say farewell.

He resolved not to wear his face long in Everglade. Guardians should show strength and resolve, not blubber because of a few lost pets. To any who knew him even a little, it was obvious Ted was hurt. But he was insistent on displaying to the world a stiff upper lip that day. Maybe a good night's rest was all he needed; they say time heals all wounds...

...of course, those who say that are wrong. He awoke on the 24th, feeling no better than before. Stewing in his misery wouldn't help; he needed to go somewhere. But where? What would be appropriate? Ah, something came to him. He dug for his communicator, then rang up a familiar face.

The first sign he was under the weather was that he used his actual name. The other was that he was still in his pajamas. "Mewtwo, sorry if this message wakes you. Would you do me the kindness of letting me visit your...mountain sanctuary?"

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Porrim hid her feelings a bit better than Ted did, but she was nonetheless remiss.

It was fortunate that someone had told her about their imminent departure a week or two before the announcement, so she wasn't caught quite as suddenly as Ted, and had had time to prepare.

She didn't have the same attachment to them that Ted did, either. They were animals, many of them, but it was more like a game and she hadn't been very close to most of them, and the ones she was had stayed. But there was definitely an impact in having over a dozen friends disappear overnight.

Distracted as she was, she barely even noticed how upset Ted was. She was sitting, staring at some forms and polls she'd been taking, although her gaze drifted past the pages into empty space.

"Ted?"

Levy was wiping at her own tears with Tepig and Aron walking at her side. She'd only kept three of her pokemon and she was surprised to see how attached she had gotten to them. She's never claimed to know Ted well but they spent a far amount of time in each others company. His sadness was more than a little obvious but he wasn't alone; she felt it too.

The acute pain of loss piercing her chest overpowering the joy of keeping a few of her new friends at her side. It's never easy to say goodbye to friends.

"You okay?"

It's a silly question and one she knows the answer too but she'd only listen if Ted felt like talking to her. She wasn't going to force him.

His deputies were the last people he wanted to look pathetic towards. Even so, he wouldn't lie.

"...I will be. Sorry if I made you worry. And you?" Politeness made him ask the same obvious questions. What he really meant was, Do you need me here? He knew it was selfish, to indulge in sorrow and leave the two of them here. But then, perhaps that's just how the sexes are. The men go in caves, to hash things out alone, while the women collude.

Or, perhaps he just couldn't bring himself to admit that he had no answers. What do you say to this world when it does things like that? Calamities were one thing; those could be endured, and no one had to say goodbye. But for Genessia to give something good, then yank it away just as you gave your heart to it...it was the first blow of its kind. Would it happen again? Would it seek bigger targets this time, like the people he loved? Like Porrim? Like Levy? Sorrow deepened into sorrow, and the only thing Ted thought he knew was that being like this wasn't right. Not in front of the people he needed to be strong for. The Fool ought to be happy, carefree, light. Not burdened by simpering sentiment. But the sentiment remained. These feelings won't go away...

Edited 2015-11-11 06:48 (UTC)

Levy felt that pain acutely but it was something that she was used too. She's felt that separation and she knew that the pain never really went away. Even now she didn't forgive herself for not fighting harder and this was just another drop into the well of sorrow that she drowned herself in. For now she'd stay afloat, she'd stay strong. For her friends and those she cares about.

"I'm fine. I'm more worried about you."

She hadn't any items that could hep Ted keep more of his pokemon and she wished she could do more to help that was more practical. For the moment all she could do was provide comfort though she wasn't going to force it on Ted. It was up to him what he wanted to do.

It's too bad these people are not like the ancients; communal in grief. Ted was tempted to participate in group wailing. But current manners dictate solitude for sadness, which he found agreeable anyway. Loss was heartache Ted bore worst of all, and he'd ache all the more if he sunk everyone else with him. Being Guardian imparted a general feeling of responsibility. The solution, he thought, was temporal self-confinement.

Levy's concern for him did make him smile and laugh lightly. "Ha, well that will never do. My first order is for you to stop worrying at once. I've—we've weathered worse. And if you can't do that, well, one can always pray.

In the meantime, I'll be out looking for a silver lining, if my striking out doesn't burden you unduly. If you've nothing better, you might ponder over whether interminable departure is like death, and if so, whether a eulogy is needed. There's so much to say, once I'm articulate enough. And you know me; it's only a matter of time before my mouth gets going. Goodness, it's started already, hasn't it? Well, if my mouth fills, I suppose I'll need an empty ear. If you're able and willing to lend one, when and if that time comes, I'd be grateful."

Levy looked at Ted with an expression that suggested his order was ridiculous. "You know that's not how orders work." She couldn't change how she felt and she wasn't going to. It would go away naturally though she'd never forget the friends that she lost. As long as she remembered them they were never really gone.

"I'll always listen Ted."

Even if he's rambling on about something she'd support him. That's what friends did, they became each others strength and Levy's met many friends in Genessia.

He gets that look a lot. "It was worth a try. But thank you; I'll try and make it worthwhile." With spirits lifted--if only slightly-- he took his gloom out of the gloomy city, determined to bring back whatever specks of light lay elsewhere.

Edited 2015-11-14 04:11 (UTC)

Levy sighed while a smile graced the young girls lips.

There were something about Ted that was difficult to understand but even so she was happy that they were friends. She was happy that they got to spend time together and now she would be more than happy to listen. As he prepared to leave her head tilted slightly, blue hair shifting over her shoulder.

"Just do what you can Ted. Try not to worry about everything else." She's never expected him to be anything but himself.

[Mewtwo had been deep in meditation when Ted's message came through. He too had been affected by the mass exodus, and had holed up in his gate for some time, if only to reassure himself he wasn't alone.]

You may. The gate is actually close to the start of the route to Chiedren.

[The usual tone of annoyance he directed at Ted was conspicuously absent. A combination of using his actual name, and what he presumed was the cause of this call bringing a rather... odd sense of understanding from the mutant pokemon.]

"Thanks; I'll be along." Concise, too. Something was definitely wrong. There was something odd about Mewtwo's receptivity; vocal and volitional. Must be fate, Ted thought, as he made his way out of Everglade's rain. Genessia was drier, only to be poured on again by Fayren. At least the sun was out. He dimly remembered where Koishi had led him before, and found the archway soon enough.

Quite the sight; he stopped a moment to take in the view of Mount Canaa. The rain was still coming down, and it looked like he had a long walk ahead of him. Ted ambled up the steps to the crater, with a pace typically too slow for him. If travelling truly was the way to avoid despair, he'd be well and clear of it by the time he reached the center spring. Ted simply felt that he had to go to the inmost parts. If anything worthwhile were to happen, surely it would happen there.

Lucky for him Vyers had taught him breathing techniques in the month they'd been training; his weary heart might not have been strong enough to make the climb, otherwise. It got harder as Ted climbed harder, and the atmosphere thinned. In a way he kind of savored the slog; the wearing down of the journey fit his mood well, and one could not feel as sad when they tired.

Upon reaching his destination, he took a deep breath. His arrival had not gone unnoticed, as a few pokemon spared their glances. He paid them little notice. He wasn't sure if he'd meet Mewtwo here; it was a large place, and he's likely occupied with some esoteric business of his own. Still, it was inconvenient. Was it against the rules to let his pokemon out? Was there something impure about the ones owned by trainers? Probably not, but Ted was feeling decorous.

Whether going ahead or being granted permission, Ted first sought out a grassy patch of forest, letting out his Vileplume, Cacturne, and Trevenant. "Mewtwo was good enough to let us in, for a moment, so please behave. No eating any bug types you come across. Vileplume, please don't venture out of this area. Wouldn't want your pollen to irritate any non-Grass types."

They verbalized their agreement, a little melancholy themselves. Ted, of course, could not discern the fine points of their speech, and when he did he frequently got it wrong. Vileplume obeyed, content to be exemplify the sedentary nature of its kind. Cacturne was kind, and vowed to keep it company. Trevenant immediately tromped off, wooden spider legs greedily covering ground in its eagerness to explore. Ted smiled a bit.

He went over to the lake, crossed his legs. and let out Gengar. "Behave," he said, as sternly as he could manage. Gengar nodded glibly, then probably went off to mess with another pokemon's shadow or something equally naughty. It was hard enough to tame Gengar on a good day, let alone the day when its usual prank victims vanished. Then again, perhaps Gengar simply wasn't up to his usual antics on such a somber day.

Ted stared at the lake, mostly focusing on one spot, breaking every now and again if another pokemon disturbed the stillness. He thought, and tried hard not to think at turns, trying to arrive at whatever conclusion he was supposed to. His expression was tired, and his breathing slow as he adjusted to the air.

Mewtwo was nowhere to be found initially. He had gone to locate and inform his Charizard of the impending company, and that they were not intruders. Once he had done that, he simply observed Ted and his Pokemon interact from where he hovered high over the ground. It did not take a psychic to see just how much the experience had changed the man. When they first met, Ted seemed only interested in proving his own grand thoughts correct, yet here he was obviously grieving the parting of partners.

After a moment, he lowered himself to the ground silently behind Ted. The only audible indication of his arrival being the swishing of his tail in the grass as it relaxed. "I believe you humans have a saying... 'Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.'"

Someone seems to have been getting into Satori's library.

Ted had not energy enough to jump at the sudden voice that intruded into his head, so he contented himself with the easier work of wonder. He wondered at the change that seemed to have come over Justice. Letting others visit your home for purposes of grief; an unusual charity. Like letting your house be rented out for a makeshift funeral. And then there was the sentimental prose Mewtwo quoted, which almost made him laugh. This was the one too stoic to comprehend a handshake. Now he was talking of love and loss?

But strangest of all was the effort of comfort. Perhaps this was some dark plot a simpleton like Ted could not unveil; psychics are known to be crafty. But the simpler answer, both more likely and yet more strange, was that Mewtwo sincerely meant to be kind, and unselfish. A startling development. Had Satori done this to him? Or had he grown up a little? A mystery to shelve for now.

He deferred eye contact, gazing into the spring, considering his words. Ted's tact was wanting at the best of times, more so now under duress. He knew, as all but the most craven guests know, that he should be polite and gracious. Yet Ted was not clever enough to think of a way to do both that and to meet people fully; that is, lucidly and frankly. And his frank desire was for Mewtwo to stay a while, not leave in a huff of offense as had been the case for nearly all their meetings. He desired this more for being a guest, yet had less power to realize it, given his mood.

This desire, made meek by a broken heart, manifested in talk that had the form of bitterness, but not its essence.

"Us humans do lie, now and again. Was that the purpose of this exercise? Proving the excellence of love through removal of its object?" He breathed deeply, trying to relieve the heaviness in his chest and the knot in his throat.

"I think I prefer the object."

Edited 2015-11-20 01:57 (UTC)

Mewtwo did not speak for a long several moments, simply allowing the ambiance of the spring to fill the air. The oddly marked Venusaur had moved to join the Cacturn and Vileplume, while the Blastoise poked his head out of the water's surface for a moment of curiosity before returning to the depths of the spring. Mewtwo did something he rarely did. He moved and sat on the edge of the lake, allowing his feet to dip into the waters.

"I cannot say why this place does the things it does, however there is some sort of design behind it. For now we can only turn to whatever plans it has in store, and how we fall into them. I for one do not appreciate being used, and will likely rebel regardless as to what that plan is. However, that is in the future."

He goes silent again, though the pause is shorter this time. "There are legends in Johto, the region where this mountain stands in my world, about a Pokemon named Celebi. It is described as a grass-type resembling a fairy. It is said that it has great power and protects the forests that line Jhoto. It is also said that it hails from a distant future, one where something has happened to reduce the world to a barren wasteland. Many have sought it out, and those who claimed to have encountered it all say the same thing. When asked about our future, it would vanish. There are things we are not meant to know, our futures being one of them. Knowing our futures eliminates choice. Likewise we cannot dwell within the past, lest we abandon all that we know for a world gone by. All we can do is live in the now, with those around us."

He finishes off his statement with a gesture toward the Pokemon Ted had brought with him.

"That...sounds like something Genessia would say." It was a speech he had recently given to two others; give up your past, embrace now. As humans really do say: easier said than done.

The atmosphere was weighing on him, which curtailed his usual verbosity, or else he would've commented on Celebi. He really wanted to meet it, for there was a bit of forensic past he wished to verify. He even felt a kind of kinship with it; he didn't like spoilers either. Apparently it was no prophet.

Naturally he disagreed with Mewtwo on just about everything. The contradiction between free will and prophecy, or eternity, was hardly felt as such by the theologians. He was saddened deeper still by Mewtwo's commitment to rebellion for its own sake. Then again, he was barely an adolescent. Ted had been there, done that.

But he did appreciate the will behind it. An efficient person, a machine or tool would not take the time to sit beside him, as he was now. His will was nobler than his words, which had about them a masculine efficiency. Those who weep do not often desire immediate solutions so much as sympathetic ears. It was a mistake Ted made often enough to see it at work now.

"But I'm being selfish. Have you been managing all right with the...you know?" It was an event too horrible to be specific about just then. Politeness dictated that he invite his host to share grief of his own, if he had any. Meanwhile, Vileplume and Cacturne amicably received the stranger. Trevenant had evidently made a complete circuit, for he came back to the trio, eager to show off his reappearing berries trick, now that he'd collected a good branch-full.

After Mewtwo had said his piece, Ted went on. "What you say about the present is true. And yet it is hard when one has not made peace and learned from the past." It was a fact of humanity that it always found balance, and returned to equilibrium. Given that, it was only a matter of time before Ted was back to his happy-go-lucky self, no matter how grievous the injury. Subconsciously, he knew something had to be retrieved from the grief before that too left him.

"Do you have time to listen, for a while? I know how busy Satori's only deputy must be."

It was... difficult for Mewtwo to picture himself willingly abiding the plans of any that involved him without being approached for his consent before hand. He'd been created to be used, and had been used enough for his liking. Whatever his fate, he wished to be the sole author.

"It has been... difficult. For the first time in so long, there was a sense of normalcy. The psychic resonation of wild Pokemon and those of trainers alike filling the air like so much white noise I had grown accustomed to has once again been ripped away from me. This place and the company of those I have known for so long has helped... but I am still reeling."

While Mewtwo rarely slept, it was evident he had stopped all together in the last few days. His back hunched slightly more than normal and bags had begun to form under his eyes, even if his mental state did not show fatigue, his body did.

"Coming to terms with the past is something we must all do. I have accepted what I did, and put it behind me. If I did not, it would simply eat away at my mind."

He nods, eyes fixed on the surface of the water. "Given the circumstances, I am taking a leave of absence until I can clear my mind."

"I see. It must've felt as though your entire world made a visit, before disappearing." He'd no idea how hard it had hit Mewtwo. Ted had lost his beasts, but Mewtwo had practically lost the universe. So much so that he had to abandon his post, an action that seemed drastic when he thought of his own Guardian responsibilities. He turned his head and tried to meet Mewtwo's eyes, attempting attentiveness towards his host's grievances. It wasn't something Ted did often, listening to others' woes. There were a dozen reasons why that might be. But as he did so, Ted gained perspective. His own grief felt like everything. He had most of his beasts. But Mewtwo had lost his world. It made Ted feel small and selfish.

But humility, however noble, does one no good if it holds one back. Ted had long ago accepted his neediness, and reliance on others. Even if all it took was someone fitting to talk to. Ted vowed to hear out everything Mewtwo wanted to say, for he wanted the same charity. His heart was heavy with words for the departed, and he felt like he would burst if he did not share them. He did not know if that would help; he only hoped. So, tit for tat, he listened, and then requested the same.

"Will you indulge me again, as you did before? I want to...say something. About them. The ones I lost. If it won't task you."

Edited 2015-11-21 02:28 (UTC)

For Mewtwo, it was less a sense of grief and more confusion with his own emotions. For so long he had welcomed the change of locale, removed from his own world means there's nobody hunting him for his power, and those he created could live their lives as they pleased. And yet... when the Pokemon came to Genessia, he felt more complete than he had in months without really knowing it. It was something he had to meditate on lest his more feral nature take hold and he lost his temper at the wrong time.

At Ted's request, however, he nodded. "I believe it only fitting. I do not have any pressing matters, so I will listen."

"All right, thanks." He paused for a moment, composing everything.

"Squirt--Wartortle, I guess, was the shiest. She was also my first. It was very appropriate, being a turtle and everything. She proved what you said about Pokemon; even the most timid of them are willing and able to fight, and she was no exception. It took a bit to get her out of her shell, pardon the phrase, but in the end she really warmed up to the others. She paved the way for all my future success.

Gothita was a mischievous sort; my first challenge at getting pokemon to behave. Telling her it was 'rude to stare' had no effect. It seemed like she had an insatiable curiosity, seeing and provoking everything. I read ahead for what lay down her evolutionary line; something about being able to see sad futures in the stars? And yet for all that, she still kept her eyes open.

Houndoom, now there was a pokemon utterly suited to the work of law. The hellish imagery was unnerving, but he was steadfast and solemn. 'Man's best friend' was no less true a sentiment with him. Such a fearsome fighter too; he could take down mobs of pokemon if I let him.

Of all the pokemon, Grimer confused me the most. A living construct of pure poison; for what purpose was it made? And it left the foulest patches on the ground wherever it tread. All the poison types mystify me that way. Are they like swords, made only for battle? It was hard to say. He too, was strong, and never backed down from any challenge.

Cryogonal was the oddest of the bunch, and not very affectionate. A soldier of a pokemon; he even had something like a military mustache. His expression never changed; it made it hard to tell what he was feeling. He wouldn't listen to me, but then, I felt as though any orders I gave he was going to carry out regardless. So peerless was his honor.

Solrock, like Cryogonal, also possessed an unshakable countenace. But where the latter's eyes were stern and hard, his were serene, as if stuck in some trance. I wondered why he was not a fire type, for he looked so obviously like the sun. But he's known as the 'meteor' pokemon; a burnt out star. Rock and psychic; is there anything more stoic than that? Even so, he charged into battle. I sometimes fancied that a spark of fire still burned within.

Venonat was my first pokemon with actual fur. Heh, it's a shame, for it seemed wasted. He'd let you pet him, if you really had to, but he took no pleasure in it. Taking after his moth-like nature, I showed him many lights to see if he'd be similarly attracted. He observed them, dutifully, but again showed no delight. I worried if perhaps, in the process of capture, I may have irreversibly shattered his will. But no, he was simply that immovable. He reminded me of you, in a way.

Murkrow was a clown. When I first caught him, I made some disparaging remark about his aesthetic; he looked like a witch on a broom. Why are pokemon made so strangely? Yet he was stranger than he looked, for not moments later I found him rummaging in a bin for a new piece of head-wear. And, as birds do, he presented it ostentatiously, as though a mate would swoop down and fall in love at any moment. He looked so proud, so cocky, that I just about doubled over in laughter. In the time we had, he was always looking for other fashions. I looked forward to flying on him, for I've heard rumors that even the smallest pokemon can bear a man aloft. Now that chance is lost.

Ivysaur was another brave one--looking back, so many of them were. I guess you have to be, when you call Everglade home. Koishi has one too, doesn't she? Or is hers that younger one--bulbasaur, was it? At any rate, she did not receive much proof in battle, though I know she'd have performed admirably. Pokemon are so strange; how is it that they can resist one so adamantly, and yet give that same fierceness so easily to whomever bests them? That strange animal honor lay especially in her.

Foongus, the strongest of them all. One I fought utterly by accident, for she hid herself well in the brush. I'd caught so many grass types that I'd taken them for granted. Not her. One by one she sucked the life out of all my pokemon, like some arboreal vampire. It threatened my first defeat; in desperation, I used my one and only master ball, keeping my spotless record clean. And yet for all her strength, she was perfectly happy. Such a merry, mighty mushroom.

Nuzleaf, the last of them, I found while wandering near the woods. That was when I heard the most sorrowful sound, like from a flute. As though Pan had attended a funeral. But it was her, having rolled up her leaf for a bit of music. Did she foresee all of this? She was the end of my captures, and I feel as though she was mourning their end before any of us knew. She'd become 'Shiftry', the 'Wicked' pokemon, which rumbled my conscience. Wicked? I feel silly for it now; I'd give anything to have her back, wicked or otherwise.

They...they were all vicious thieves, holding themselves for ransom. Unless I provided a rare jewel, and another piece of treasure to their liking, they'd abscond with a piece of my heart in tow. I could only pay for four, and the rest..."

It got harder as Ted went on. His tears mingled with the rain as he struggled against strength and memory.

"I...I just wish I could've told them all of this. Before they had to leave. But there wasn't any time! So I just...just held them, for as long as I could, and then..." But that was all he could say, before returning to a mere sob, growing dimmer.

The rain, the journey, the fatigue, the talk, the thinning air. Every element combined to knock Ted out, like some ironic conclusion for all the pokemon he'd similarly subdued. Having spilled everything there was, his eyes wavered, before giving out. Consciousness fleeting, Ted fell into the spring.

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Ecc. 3.6: A time to get, and a time to lose...[BACKDATED 9/4 OPEN]

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