002 [ video ; action for any ferrygoers ]

[imthe_shit]

[ There's a strange humming sound when the feed clicks on, that of some kind of a machine. Boss, Snake's Torkoal, is in view once more, a pillow propped against him and leaning on that pillow was none other than Snake himself, having discarded the bandage and pleasantly smoking a cigarette. The wound has scarred over, but it doesn't look as painful anymore. He had a leg propped up on his knee and the two of them were sitting on what looked like a couch in some sort of lounge, the PokeGear atop a coffee table. The old soldier looks over at the feed and gestures to it, cigarette in hand. ]

Turns out this ferry'll take me to a new region... Might as well try something new while I'm here. I'm not into nostalgia anyway. [ Coughs a bit before taking another drag from his cigarette. Boss snorts, smoke continously billowing from its nostrils... It always looked grumpy, but maybe it didn't mind being used like a compress. ]

I'm traveling with Six. Most of our money's gone, but we'll find work in the new region... If anyone's in Pallet, feel free to say hi. [ Smirks. ] We've been on here a day... Captain says just two days left.

Comments

[artisticprophet]

I can do that! I can do that. That... that sounds good.

[imthe_shit]

Hn. Good. [ Gestures at him, a bit of a smirk on his face. ] Then if I ever need a babysitter, I'll know who to rely on.

[artisticprophet]

Babysitter. Sit on the baby?

[imthe_shit]

... Hn?

Nnno. It's a... term for someone who looks after kids while their parents are away.

[artisticprophet]

Oh. Watcher. I can do that.

Not sitting. Watching. Baby watcher.

[imthe_shit]

... Yeah, I guess that makes a bit more sense. [ Please don't sit on his babies. Er. Pokemon. ]

Hn. If you're not going to do any fighting, I guess that means your Ralts is going to be your only partner, huh?

[artisticprophet]

If... If others want to come, that is okay.

Maybe... I will find a Mister... for Miss.

[imthe_shit]

Going to play matchmaker? [ Can't help but smile a bit at that. ]

[artisticprophet]

Matchmaker matchmaker make me a match.

Miss needs a Mister.

[imthe_shit]

[ Nods, putting a hand to his forehead. ]

So... You want to find a partner for your Pokemon... Same species?

[artisticprophet]

Yes. Same. They... they can be friends. And... make eggs.

[imthe_shit]

... [ Almost sounded like some sort of cutesy friends-with-benefits thing. He coughs a bit, looking amused. ]

I see... Wonder where you can catch those things.

[artisticprophet]

[Unfortunately not where they're going but that's okay]

I don't know.

Maybe... I will make other friends too. Somewhere. It will be fun. To have more friends.

[imthe_shit]

If you can get any Pokemon to just follow you freely, you'll have to share your secrets with me...

[artisticprophet]

Be nice? Share. Um... Talk... quietly. Miss likes quiet.

[He picks her up, holding her close to him]

That is how you... make friends.

[imthe_shit]

Talk quietly... [ Glances at Miss. ] Didn't mean to scare her before... My health wasn't so good at the time.

[artisticprophet]

Yes. Nice... and quiet. It is okay, she will... get used to you. It will take time. All... you need is... time.

[imthe_shit]

Time...

[ Snake remembered what Naomi had told him, about how much time he had left... But this place was different. He'd lived here before for an entire year, when the doctors (and Naomi) had told him that six months would probably be his maximum. He didn't have to worry about running out of time here. ]

Hn. This place has a lot of it, even if you get caught up in things. It's like a vacation that doesn't end. [ Just what he needs, really. ]

[artisticprophet]

Yes! Time. You.... you have time. We have time. It is okay. You have lots of time.

[He pats Miss's back]

Take time and... be happy.

[imthe_shit]

[ Snake nods his head again, almost absently, before closing his eyes, resting against the pillow on his Torkoal. He was starting to feel pretty sleepy... side-effect of old age.

It's not long before he's quietly snoring. Sorry, Six, you're traveling with an old guy. ]

[artisticprophet]

[It's okay, Six knows how to be quiet. He watches Snake for a moment, before getting back to drawing, refraining from humming this time as he sets ralts down beside him]