012 [ video / action for New Bark Town (and Otacon)]

[imthe_shit]

[ When Snake turns on the video feed, the first thing people might notice is that the big ancient buildings of Mahogany Town are nowhere to be seen. In fact, things look like they would from people who were newbies and making a post for the first time.

Snake was no newbie... he was just back in newbie-ville, so to speak. The old soldier gave a bit of a smile. ]

Going to start from the bottom and work my way up. I'm going to make myself useful again... And I'll continue to get stronger. I can't stay in Mahogany anymore.

But I'll always be here and you can contact me any time. I need to do this... before I lose my will to do anything anymore.

[ It's obvious that he's directing his words to someone in particular, but he doesn't want to just message them. ]

Back to New Bark Town... Already been a long time since I've seen this place. Not a bad place to relax, either. [ SUDDENLY A BIG ONIX FACE NUDGES INTO SNAKE making a pitiful crooning sound. ] Nngh... Oh yeah, my team's pretty bummed out that the prom's done... It wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be.

Comments

video;

[majorcrotchgrab]

[Whoa. Whoa. Okay. Why does this guy sound exactly like Big Boss? Nevermind the giant rock snake that's with him. There are more important matters at hand!]

... Who are you?

[Probably not the best way to introduce himself. Oh well.]

video;

[imthe_shit]

[ Snake notices this guy... Raiden? Oh wait a minute, that outfit... The old soldier groans and rubs his face. ]

Not you again...

video;

[majorcrotchgrab]

Excuse me? What do you mean "again." We've never met before.

... Although your voice is very familiar.

video;

[imthe_shit]

... Nevermind.

I'm Snake. Solid Snake. [ Snake rubs the back of his head, mentally cursing himself for saying anything. ] I've... met you before, a few years ago.

video;

[majorcrotchgrab]

Solid Snake...? Not Naked Snake? You don't look like him but you definitely sound like him. Is it really you...?

video;

[imthe_shit]

I'm not Naked Snake.

[ There's definitely a HINT of disdain in there, but he just clears his throat. ] We're not the same guy.

Re: video;

[majorcrotchgrab]

Then you must be a relative of him if you have similar voices and codenames, right?

video;

[imthe_shit]

Or it's just a big coincidence.

[ topic change topic change topic change. ]

What starter did you get?

video;

[majorcrotchgrab]

[HMMMM. He's on to you, Snake. He can probably see it in Raikov's expression.]

... A Joltik.

Tell me though, how was I hear before?

video;

[imthe_shit]

[ Snake had no idea what a Joltik was, so probably best to just answer that last part. ]

There are times that people get pulled here a second time, but they don't often remember being here the first time. I'm a rare exception, apparently.

Anyway, I talked with you about once, so I barely knew you and I couldn't tell who you've spoken to while you were here.

video;

[majorcrotchgrab]

[Great. Trying to make sense of this place just made him even more confused.]

How much did you know about me?

video;

[imthe_shit]

Next to nothing, other than the fact your dad is named Raiden or something like that.

[ A tiny bit more than that, but it was nothing that affected him during his own time, so he didn't care. ]

video;

[majorcrotchgrab]

Good. I hope any others I met before know as little as you do.

[Boy, that sounds suspicious.]

... It's just nice to have a fresh start.

action;

[otakon_geek]

So, a new start then, Snake? Sounds like a good idea. [He was happy to tag along with Snake in whatever he did. Mahogany was a nice place when he first arrived and now he was back in New Bark Town.]

You're always useful, don't think you're ever not useful. [He offered his friend a knowing smile.]

[imthe_shit]

[ Snake closes the Pokégear, looking over at Otacon. ]

I was useless. None of my Pokémon could help anyone, I was weak and one of them doesn't even listen to me. People needed my help and I couldn't do anything when I should have been able to.

So now I'm going to fix that... By starting over. At least I remember these roads well enough.

[otakon_geek]

You're not useless, Snake. [You're a stubborn old fool but never useless.]

Never blame yourself for things like that. Anyway, I'm here now, so the new start should be good, right? It's good you want to start over.

[imthe_shit]

You can keep telling me I'm not useless, and that's fine. But I wasn't around for things that needed to be done.

I won't be useless for long. Starting over'll be a good idea.

[otakon_geek]

[Otacon inwardly sighed to himself. When would the old soldier listen?]

Starting anew is always a good thing. If Mei Ling were here she could give a Chinese Proverb about your new start. [He offered his friend a smile. Ok, so his proverbs weren't that good.]

[imthe_shit]

What, not going to give me one of yours?

[ Snake gives his friend a grin, elbowing him lightly in the gut. ]

[otakon_geek]

[Otacon laughed softly at Snake's words.]

I can if you'd like. [He thought of something.]

When the duck refuses to sit on the water, the water is usually restless. It means things are usually unsettled because ducks like sitting on water. [Totally useless.]

[imthe_shit]

... Hhn... I'm not sure your proverbs have gotten any better.

[ Snake gave a bit of a sigh. ] Doesn't that mean that danger's nearby?

[otakon_geek]

They probably haven't. [He gave Snake a knowing smile. Otacon knew how bad he was at remembering Mei Ling's proverbs, relying on scraps of paper with them written down on.]

I don't think so. I think it means be on your guard, even when you think things are going ok.

[imthe_shit]

... Hnnnnn....

[ Snake rubs the back of his neck, then his lower back. The straps of his backpack were also starting to cause his shoulders to ache. ]

We might need Mei-Ling after all.

[otakon_geek]

I don't think we'll need Mei Ling, Snake. We're doing fine on our own so far, aren't we? [He offered a slow smile to his friend. Hey, he was trying here.]

[imthe_shit]

Hheh. Whatever you say, Otacon.

[ Snake took in a short breath, looking around New Bark Town. ] This place doesn't offer much... We should head to Cherrygrove.