010 [ACTION FOR ILEX FOREST/AUDIO] [BACKDATED TO THE 11TH]

[enjoymyatelier]

[It was about halfway through the day before both realizations hit Kayneth. He found himself sitting down in the clearing next to the Ilex Shrine with his Pokemon for a lunch break after spending most of the morning training and trying to check the area out, and after starting to eat he began internally lamenting that he wouldn't have settled for these cheap excuses for ingredient a year ago before realizing that it had been exactly a year ago that he'd arrived in Johto.

This was followed up by the realization that he was also officially another year older, though that... probably actually happened a few months ago. He hadn't really bothered to work out the math, because he thought he wouldn't care that much.

...he actually kind of did, though, and he couldn't really figure out why. He'd always somewhat dreaded birthdays since it had always involved dealing with irritating distant relatives and ensuring that he didn't end up on the wrong end of family and Association politics-it was never dangerous for him and he was practically untouchable, but it was annoying all the same. Here, though... he didn't have to worry about any of it.

...now that he didn't, though, it just felt kind of empty and meaningless. Particularly given that... really, what had he accomplished since he'd gotten to Johto? Getting a starter that was positively useless, only getting the easy first badge in a year, losing to a teenage girl in the first round of a tournament, effectively having his engagement broken off by the woman he loves twice, meeting some acquaintances that he could possibly have called friends and having most of them disappear from this world within several weeks of this date...

...well, very little of that could be considered his fault, even though it was pretty distressing. He'd just run into a patch of bad luck, and it had continued for his entire stay here for whatever reason. That thought didn't make things any better for him, though.

After some time spent staring into nowhere as he ate his sandwich, he considered going for his PokeGear, but... no!! Venting to the network would be totally undignified!!

...but it wasn't like he could talk to his Pokemon about this. He had kind of weird opinions about them to begin with, and they were natives so it wasn't like they'd have any idea what he was going through...

...bluuuuh]

I suppose I'm feeling a bit philosophical on my one-year anniversary of arriving in this world, so I may as well attempt to ask one of those popular open questions to the network that are intended to be thought-provoking or... something.

[Kayneth sounds a bit tired and his tone has a hint of "I can't even believe I'm doing this I should be asking about something I care about," and... well, yes, that is precisely how he feels, but at the same time he needs to talk about something...]

What was your impression of this place shortly after arrival, and how has that changed-

[He stops suddenly after saying that, then lets out a curt, frustrated sigh.]

No, that's an awful question, and I wouldn't blame anyone for not being able to come up with a coherent answer to it. Honestly, I can't for the life of me form a consistent opinion of this place-some days I'm enjoying myself-or at least I may have managed to trick myself into thinking I'm enjoying myself-and other days I have nothing but hatred for this place. It's certainly an interesting puzzle to try and piece together how this world works and what's behind our presence here, yet there are so many things about it that are an absolute nightmare to deal with. Our inability to go home, random disappearances, the lack of infrastructure, the constant music...

[...as he trails off he realizes that yeah he just kind of ended up venting to the network anyway didn't he

how

inelegant he should be more controlled than this what has this place even done to him

ugh, he just

he just]

...anyway, is there anywhere in Azalea that has good alcohol? Or cake, I suppose. If I have to settle for just cake, I will. I rather like the place otherwise, but one bar in town is positively atrocious and I wouldn't be seen dead in there.

Comments

[licentious]

Well, my tolerance for sweets is low - aside from the well decorated pastry or two. I do think you should try one for yourself instead of relying on the words of someone who likes things subtle.

I suppose we're going to have to get to the bottom of this ourselves. Are there doors in a society that contains talking ponies? [ She takes a breath. Indeed, it has been a long year since she's now believing talking ponies and questioning the doors. ] How the mighty have fallen... [ R.I.P. her control over her life. ]

[enjoymyatelier]

Of course. It really is just preference, after all.

...Well, I know some of them are capable of using magic, but that's apparently only a third of the population. I would presume that if doors do exist there, they would be designed to specification, but...

...dear God I'm still having trouble with that world's existence.

[licentious]

I presume there has to be something there for hooves. Perhaps they insert one in and then they can turn it freely. This raises the question about keys and locking doors, however. [ She pauses. ] Never would I guess that there'd be a world where ponies are the norm instead of people...

Magic? I never had an issue with that word. It's reality is quite another thing. [ Magic? That's really impossible. ]

[enjoymyatelier]

It may be something like that, yes. I... really don't know, to be honest; perhaps I'll ask one of them when I next see them. And... neither would I, really. I suppose it could be more ridiculous...

It exists in some worlds-like mine, for instance-even if it doesn't exist in yours. I can't blame people who are skeptical, of course, given that even in my world great lengths are taken to keep it a secret.

[licentious]

Yes, I suppose they could have creatures that are entirely nonexistent to anyone in any world. [ A small beat passes before she realizes what she said. Oh, well, the pokémon world wouldn't be believed by any of her colleagues anyways. ] I can't believe I have this many questions for a talking pony.

Is magic secretive in your world because it's rare and it would earn scorn for being performed? [ Watch as she is significantly off... ]

[enjoymyatelier]

Most of the things I've talked about with them do seem to have existed at one point or another in my world-minus the intelligence, of course. But... yes, I don't either...

It's rare, certainly... as far as scorn goes, it would simply be too much of a bother to reveal it to the general public.

[licentious]

I get that. In my world, it's similar. Most alchemists are well known, but when alchemy is demonstrated, you suddenly get everyone in the village asking you fix their lamps and transform the state of their walls and the like. It's fairly aggravating from the anecdotes I've been told.

[enjoymyatelier]

I believe I've heard of that world, actually... and that really doesn't surprise me. That's precisely why we don't let mundane people know about our abilities. Either they're trying to burn you at the stake for witchcraft or they want you to solve all their problems-if there's an in-between, I haven't seen it.

[licentious]

There's hardly ever an in between, but it has happened once or twice. Of course, they start to become more needy the more powerful the alchemy. [ it's why Lust has fooled and killed so many people. God bless the power hungry :') ]

[enjoymyatelier]

Of course. I suppose I can understand the reaction on some level, but that doesn't mean I want anything to do with it.

[licentious]

Of course. It's nothing but a hassle for everyone involved. [ Being around such stupidity kinda hurts her nonexistent heart sometimes. ]

[enjoymyatelier]

Really, I have no idea why alchemists in your world bothered going public at all. Then again, I suppose everyone involved must be used to it...

[licentious]

Well, alchemy is a known art and several of them are employed by the military. So, if you become famous for your alchemy and skills through research or the battlefield, you become famous throughout the secular world.

[enjoymyatelier]

It's the "known art" end of things that I'm having trouble with. Though, I suppose I can understand keeping it in the open for military purposes, even if I don't agree with it.