(Untitled)

[eflamberge]

[After two long years of searching the nation to no avail, much to the bewilderment of his fellow collectors, Edmond Flamberge had come home - home being the outskirts of Lavaridge Town in Hoenn. And, in a moment of nostalgia, he had decided to explore Mount Chimney (was that entrance still there?). His brown leather bag was almost bursting at the

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[oceansbane]

[Oh, what's this?

Circumstances being what they are, Maxie doesn't recognize that...particular item that this individual is waving around. At the same time, he's gotten decent at remaining out of sight while satisfying his curiosity; this one was a bit too odd to not watch, and when he finally gets a good look at the insignia emblazoned across that emblem...

Well.

He's actually got his own on today, the symbol embroidered across the asymmetrical black patterning on that jacket of his; he's taken to wearing it for now, if for no better reason than the seasons are beginning to shift and the winds are unpredictable in this place. He hadn't intended to really greet anyone out here, anyway. This person simply happened to be both a fluke and too good to pass up.]

How unexpected.

[He's smirking as he approaches; though his tone isn't mocking, he's clearly very, very amused.]

[eflamberge]

[Edmond is... completely confused as to what just happened. One - he isn't on Jagged Pass anymore, and two - ... MAXIE IS SUDDENLY HERE! Edmond whips around to face him and have a better look at him, wearing the most ecstatic expression.]

... MAXIE! You-

[... Yes. You. Are you even Maxie? Because between the hair, the eyes and the somewhat... unsettling expression you're wearing, Edmond isn't sure. He takes a couple steps in... this man's direction while his sudden joy vanishes as quickly as it came, to be replaced by... complete confusion in Edmond's widened eyes, fixed on this red-haired man that somehow looks so familiar and yet doesn't.]

... What happened to you?

[The words are said in a weak, almost breathless tone. In fact, as the realization hits him that something horrible must have happened to his favorite person in the whole world, Edmond feels his legs grow weak and he falls to his knees on the ground, still looking up helplessly in bewilderment.]

[oceansbane]

[He watches the man's reaction in silence, though the smirk doesn't exactly fade; judging from the reaction, this one probably belongs to the other version of him that's been around.

This can be worked with.]

A few bad run-ins, here and there. Nothing that I couldn't survive.

[Of course, as far as he's concerned, he didn't survive them, but. Technicalities.

And here's where it gets difficult; he doesn't know this person, or what he'll be expected to know, but if he slips then he'll find ways to cover it, he's sure. Let's just see what this person knows...]

Still loyal to Team Magma, I see. [He gestures lightly toward that emblem.] You seemed so pleased to find it.

[eflamberge]

Ah, of course you survived, but... Are you alright? You... you don't seem to be, in all honesty.

[His hand is trembling as he brings up the Magma Emblem to look at it once more.]

It's... one of the few things that has helped me remember you at all times. It's been two long years... And you...

[Tears suddenly rush to his eyes and a sob shakes him... Just what is it about Maxie that just... just isn't right?]

... You've changed so much...

[oceansbane]

People change. It can't exactly be helped, you know.

[Maxie shifts then, lowering to one knee on the ground and kneeling next to him; he doesn't reach out to touch, though he has their proximity a bit closer than he normally would like.]

There's no need for tears over this whole thing. Two years is a long time to go without seeing someone; believe me, I'm fine.

[eflamberge]

Then maybe...

[He looks at the Emblem a moment longer, and then at Maxie. Now that he's at eye level, Edmond looks even more confused and helpless than before.]

... Maybe my memory betrays me...? If that's the case, I'm sorry, and forget I said anything...

[... Also, the place around him is still not Jagged Pass at all.]

... Where are we?

[oceansbane]

An island north of Hoenn, from the looks of it. I assume you know of Mirage Island. Somewhere like that. It has its own timeflow, from what I've seen. Its own rules.

It's not really like anything I've seen before. And I've seen a lot.

What you really need to know is that you can't leave, and this place does things to people. Affects their minds. It's done it to me before. It'll probably do it to you. You can't do much about it; it's very unexpected, when it happens.

Though at least we're not alone - one of my admins is here. Tabitha, if that's familiar. Archie is here as well, with one of his - the female, I believe - but there's not much to be done about that. So it goes, I suppose.

[eflamberge]

[... Wow, that's a sudden load of information for someone who's already... completely refusing to believe what's happening right now. Edmond nods slowly at Maxie's words, narrowing his eyes in thought. But when Maxie is finished explaining, Edmond tries his best to smile... Inevitably, it's a little visibly forced.]

At least you're here. That... that makes me happy.

[oceansbane]

[...hm.]

You don't seem it, you know.

Tell me your thoughts.

[eflamberge]

[... Wa! He's seen it? Well... of course he has, Edmond is like an open book, especially when he's around Maxie. He tries to take a deep breath, but he's interrupted by another sob somewhere along the way.]

You're so different, I... barely recognize you... At the same time, I know you're still Maxie, the man I... The man I was ready to give my everything for.

[And just as he says those words, a tear begins trickling down his cheek.]

[oceansbane]

[The smile Maxie gives him isn't necessarily a nice one.]

Do you know that for a fact, then?

[eflamberge]

[Okay, this is starting to be, like, Edmond's worst nightmare. Except that it's real. The poor man starts trembling all over.]

I... I'm not sure. ... Are you?

[oceansbane]

In a manner of speaking.

[Maxie stands up, then; he honestly figures he won't get much out of this one. He's gotten a fair amount already, even from the little that's been said - apparently in some world or another, his double had seen fit to go absentee for two years; given that emblem had been left as a reminder, it's safe to assume that he'd lost in that world as well. Not killed, however - this one seems convinced that his Magma leader is still alive.

Interesting.]I am Maxie, the leader of Team Magma. Through Groudon's power, I intend to defeat Team Aqua and expand the landmass of the world; I will do anything to see these goals through to completion. I'm sure you remember all that, if you knew me at all

[eflamberge]

[... Well, thank you for painting Edmond's new situation into a horrible, nightmarish scene. You're only adding to his anxiety, and he's pretty shaken up as it is - literally shaken up, as by the end of Maxie's new explanation he has to hold himself still as violent shivers run through his body.]

... Ah... So you don't... It's... interesting, as you said... You don't even know my name...?

[oceansbane]

[You're welcome. After all, even if they're not good for information, that doesn't mean that Maxie won't try to get some sort of entertainment from them.

And this person? Is very entertaining.]

I don't. Care to enlighten me, or shall I find it out on my own later?

[eflamberge]

[... Why is Edmond annoyed that you're talking down to him? This is all so weird. >: ]

I am Edmond Flamberge of Lavaridge Town. A count, a collector of select antiquities, and... I've donated my resources to Team Magma's noble cause on multiple occasions.

[The shivers are making him stammer a little, and maybe the way that adjective, "noble", sounds will come off as a little stilted. Fortunately for Edmond, his badass-looking Zangoose is always watching his back, his dark, sharp claws drawn out by default. But the truth is that the Pokémon is as confused as his trainer is, so he's just... observing the situation right now.]