001 | New Bark Town | Video;

[usedlaserbeam]

[Fortunately for everyone who might be watching this feed, Yagyuu took a minute or two to attempt to familiarize himself with his PokéGear prior to switching it on, so when it does finally turn on to reveal his face, it's from an appropriate distance and at a deliberate, steady angle. Given the wall that's currently forming his backdrop, it's

Comments

1/?, eventual voice, sorry for this

[futariniousama]

[ ... Y-Yagyuu? ]

2/?

[futariniousama]

[ ... Wait.

Is this a trick? ]

3/?, excuse me while I misplace comments TWICE

[futariniousama]

[ No, that's retarded. If this isn't Yagyuu, it'd have to be Niou.

And he's Niou. ]

4/5, I think.

[futariniousama]

[ So then this is Yagyuu.

Dilemma time: should he be Yagyuu? Or Niou? Or someone else entirely? ]

video; I lied about the voice.

[futariniousama]

[ Well, it's not like he'd be fooling anyone.

But he does make sure his grin is in place and appropriately roguish before he turns the feed on. ]

Need some assistance, Yeeeeeahgyuu?

video;

[usedlaserbeam]

[Given Yagyuu's current disorientation, it's somewhat for the best that Niou opted to appear as himself; under normal circumstances, he's never had much difficulty picking his partner out no matter what guise he wore, but here, like this, still somewhat off his guard, it would've taken him longer than usual. Goodness knows he might've even been tricked himself.

But oh, there's no mistaking that drawl of his name. And so after a pause, he answers.]

...I did ask for it, didn't I, Niou-kun?

[There is a steady, underlying implication of did you do this in his tone.]

video;

[futariniousama]

[ Niou loves that accusing undertone; he laughs, wicked, but purely delighted. ]

Well, let's start with your new best friend over there, yeah?

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[usedlaserbeam]

Let's start with where I am and how I got here.

[Playtime is on hold until after he gets some answers.]

video;

[futariniousama]

[ Extravagant eyerolls. ]

The place is called Johto. You're a Pokémon trainer now. Or maybe a breeder, I dunno.

video;

[usedlaserbeam]

[He's regarding Niou's face very carefully, processing this. For a long moment it's all silent from his end, and then at last he speaks under his breath, more directed at himself than at Niou.]

You're not lying.

[Which is, honestly, one of the few things in the world capable of wrenching Yagyuu out of his warm, comfortable denial.]

I've been brought to a different world to be a Pokémon trainer?

video;

[futariniousama]

[ Niou's expression drops into solemnity for his next line. ]

Destiny works in mysterious ways, partner.

video;

[usedlaserbeam]

Destiny.

[Now there's one thing he likes to be in control of. And at the moment, he's not--but luckily, something occurs to him before he can dwell too much on it, and his voice softens accordingly.]

How long has it been for you?

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[futariniousama]

[ In turn, Niou's mock-solemn expression eases into genuine seriousness. He answers without hesitation, like he's been counting the days. ]

Six months today.

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[usedlaserbeam]

[Half a year. Half a year? And he'd just seen Niou a few hours ago, no more...]

Shiraishi-kun mentioned time seems to work differently here.

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[futariniousama]

Yeah.

[ He goes quiet, then. With Yagyuu finally here, within arm's reach (and still a week away, fuck it all), all the time they've spent apart is sinking in deep.

Six months. Half a year without so much as a word between them, without even ever seeing Yagyuu, except in a mirror. When he was still alone, it didn't seem so bad; Niou wouldn't let himself look the loneliness in the face. (When you're going through Hell, after all, it's best to keep going.)

But now, with the near-overwhelming relief of Yagyuu so close at hand, the last six months look like a nightmare over his shoulder. He meant to elaborate on time passage in Johto and some other technical shit, but he seems to have lost his train of thought to grave reflection. ]

video;

[usedlaserbeam]

[In a way, it's almost reassuring to be faced with such a familiar, normal problem as a quiet, reflective Niou. Yagyuu may be disoriented, bewildered, and still clinging to some semblance of denial about this whole prospect, but this is a situation he knows how to handle. This is something he can solve.

Perhaps it's strange that being handed a conflicted Niou is likely just as comforting to Yagyuu as his own arrival is to Niou. But it is, and already he's beginning to relax as a result.]

Where are you?

[And how long will it take me to get to you?]