Intro post!

[bashou]

[ Even if he didn't have an impeccable sense of direction, the sudden change in climate and scenery would have told Bashou that he didn't just wander off course during his hike. First, the trees seemed to disappear from view. When his compass and map offered no help, Bashou felt he had little choice but to continue. And now there's a town ahead, where none should have existed.

Bashou's thermal running clothes, which had been perfect for a sheltered forest in Kanto, were fast becoming sweltering hot. Overheating affects a person's mental faculties. He would need new clothes. And so he continues on to the town, where the signs and sound of the local dialect confirms to him that he's truly not in Kanto anymore. ]


A : TURNBLOOM MARKET

[ Perhaps not surprisingly, given the weather, it's difficult to find anything that isn't shorts. Bashou hates shopping for clothes, and so he's irritable by the time he steps out of the marketplace, dressed in a pair of lightweight wide-legged trousers (well, they look wide-legged on him) and an oversized shirt.

He's forgotten to remove the tags from his new clothes, because he has a more pressing concern: his stomach has been rumbling for a few hours now. Lack of proper food, too, can affect a person's ability to think clearly. Fortunately, Bashou was prepared for this; it was only his ghastly but necessary shopping trip that got in the way.

He flops down onto the nearest bench with a heavy sigh, takes a large bento box and chopsticks out of his rucksack, and digs in like a ravenous animal. After a minute or so, he releases his Absol next to him, and gives her the odd scrap now and again. Whatever they're eating, it must be good. ]


B : THE GATEWAY PORT

[ You might sense that this man's not the type who would usually start a conversation, but he's been driven to it by despair. Though his voice remains quiet and his expression blank, there's an undertone of frustration as Bashou checks out the schedule and list of destinations. ]

This makes no sense. Why don't I recognise any of these place names? If I could just get to Alola, that would be something...


C : THE POKéMON CENTER

[ As a Rocket, Bashou has hardly ever set foot in one of these places. Even though he's not wearing a uniform to give him away, he feels like all eyes are on him as he walks through the door and hesitates. Most trainers would probably know their way around any Pokémon Center, since they're all largely the same (so he's heard). It must look odd that he doesn't seem to know what he's doing here.

When he senses someone hovering close by, Bashou wonders if he's standing in an inconvenient place. He flinches and steps aside, trying to look casual. ]

Oh, no, I'm not here for the...healing. Or the storage system. I'm just...I thought they might have maps in here. I need a map. That's all. I apologise if I was in your way.



// Hope this is ok for a first post! Always fun trying to come up with interaction openings for a guy who isn't fond of interacting lmao

Comments

[buson]

[This would be the cruelest trick of them all. Buson genuinely looked pained. If he could cry, he would, but instead, he made only a low, guttural sound in between more increasingly desperate refrains of "no, no, no...." as he walked closer, then fell to his knees in front of the bed Bashou sat on, gripping at just the cloth hanging underneath, looking bereft.

"... you gotta be..."

That wasn't logical. That was emotional. He needed him to be his Bashou, but it didn't matter to this place. Maybe it wasn't him.

"... what else was different? Maybe it's just... different times. Maybe they just took me out a little earlier, and that's why I got here a little earlier too. Look, you could ask me anything, I'll tell you, or you could ask, or... I don't know!"

Buson's sorrow quickly turned to anger, he was shouting, but in a desperation, because he couldn't control his pitch or bury his feelings anymore, they overwhelmed him entirely. "It's good enough. I don't care. You sound like him. You talk like him! Who ELSE could you be but Bashou?!"

[ Bashou? Emotional motivational speech? more likely than you think... ]

[bashou]

[Despite himself, Bashou had to resist the urge to reach out and rest his hand upon Buson's shoulder. For a moment, he even thought about returning the brief face-touch from earlier. But that might have only made him seem more alien. Less Bashou. Instead, his fingers curled tightly around the fabric of his own clothing, until his knuckles turned white.]

Let's...

[Bashou wasn't about to start leading a breathing exercise - imagine that... - but he inhaled deeply, thinking that Buson might just follow suit.]

Let's take stock and think about this calmly. We could ask each other all the questions in the world, Buson, but I don't think it would ever be enough to confirm whether we're from the same reality. So far, we seem to know each other. You act like the Buson I know. I feel that you're the Buson I know. So, what if...?

[Bashou closed his eyes for a moment, just to break eye contact and iron out what he was trying to say. He found it easier to think that way. It also helped him not to cry.

(Yes, Bashou might have cried, perhaps more easily than Buson. Their reasons for rarely crying may not have been the same, after all.)]

What if we are from different realities, but the difference is so trivial that neither of us would ever know it? What if the difference is in something that we don't even know about each other? There's plenty we don't know about each other. I've never told you...my middle sister's name. What if something like that is the only difference between me and...?

[Your Bashou. But he couldn't bring himself to say that. He blinked rapidly, urging his eyes to stay dry.]

You know I like to have all of the answers. But we're just going to torture ourselves if we try too hard to figure this out. As you say, I think it simply has to be good enough. We have to decide, right now, that we don't care. Because we have no choice, Buson.

[well, it's a good thing Buson trusts Bashou so much, it worked perfectly!]

[buson]

[All the rage and sorrow already had Buson's shoulders heaving, his teeth gritted, but at hearing Bashou take a deep breath, yes, he mirrored him, without even thinking of it. He still looked pained, but dazed again, as he listened to Bashou, retaining some of it, but losing some of it in the overwhelming grief and helpless anger.

Bashou always knew what to do. This had to be his Bashou. Bashou could direct him, make things make sense, pave a path for him to follow with full confidence.

He could trust in him.

Bashou felt the same way he did about him. That, surprisingly, was more than enough and Buson started to blink as if waking from a very restless sleep, returning to reality.]

Yeah... something small like that... wouldn't change a thing.

You're right. It is good enough.

I heard... something, that when people go back, they just pick up where they left off. Then they're back here again and it's like no time has passed, no matter how long they spent away. It doesn't seem to be consistent. There's no set time for these things. I still don't get how any of this works, but. I'm glad you're here with me now. It's been hard.

[Buson can't cry because he's largely lost the ability to, growing up, even though he might secretly think it might do him some good, sometimes, instead of this exhausting rage that burns through his entire body, consuming it, until he's spent. He'd calmed down, now, resting the side of his head on the side of the bed, from the floor, half-sitting, half-leaning on it, breathing ragged. He needed a rest... but there was still one other thing troubling him.]

... hey. Bashou? There's somethin' that's been buggin' me. I don't know if it's all in my head or what, but I just gotta get it off my chest...

[ so glad Buson said that because Bashou was starting to think about how many meetings he's missed ]

[bashou]

[It has to be him. We have to be us.

Even if the subject matter was different, this routine of Bashou taking the reins on an emotional situation was too familiar. Buson might have thought that Bashou was only calming him down, but that wasn't always the case: sometimes, and now, Bashou was also talking to himself. He just didn't show it so much. Surely it wasn't possible that they were strangers from different realities, after all that. Bashou considered whether he should point that out, but - no, they had to let it rest now.

Just as Buson relaxed against the side of the bed, Bashou also unfurled his arms from around his legs, indulged in a cat-like stretch, and then returned to a more neutral cross-legged position.]

That's reassuring, I think...? Even if it makes no sense. I was wondering if there were any stories of people going back at all. But for us, going back to a world where Rocket has considered us missing for however long it may be...that would not be a good outcome. But if it is as you say...and no time is lost...

[Bashou lowered his gaze, feeling a twinge of guilt. Buson had experienced months here, alone. Though he'd only said it in a few words, Bashou understood - because he would have felt just the same, had it happened the other way around. Instead, he hadn't even reached the point of worrying where Buson was. A few unanswered messages hadn't seemed like a big deal, in the aftermath of the Raikou disaster. Maybe that should have made Bashou worry. But, no, Buson had been suffering out here, while Bashou had been unbothered enough to set out on his leisurely morning run, just as he normally would...

At least it brought me here.

The only real barrier to Bashou crying was that he hated to look weak in front of anyone he didn't trust - which was most people. In the past, becoming weepy had only invited people to pick on him even more. So, he had learned how to not cry, when it wasn't safe to do so. Buson was safe. But for now, Bashou's tears had been averted.]

Hmm...? What is it?

[unnecessary fears, somewhat, but also accidentally dumping a new fear on Bashou's lap]

[buson]

... yeah.

[He didn't want or need to say anything more. Being labelled as defectors or anything else wouldn't have gone over well, they were too deeply involved with the organization.

Buson could understand that. He wouldn't want to look weak either, he was very self-conscious, but Bashou was someone he felt safe around too. Bashou's presence was calming and gave him the perspective and the direction he needed. He noticed Bashou had been a bit upset, but hadn't realized just how much he needed to calm down, himself, as Buson was too caught up in his own whirlwind of emotions at the time.

When Bashou asked, Buson shut his eyes a moment, taking another deep breath, before pushing himself back into a sitting position so he can make eye contact with Bashou. He even removed his sunglasses, although he always preferred keeping them on, the vulnerability felt like a toll to pay for being believed.]

I didn't rat you or anyone out. When I said my cover was blown... that's just this month. I kept silent until this month. Didn't say nothin' about Rocket, 'scept when I was in uniform and trying to capture some Electric types, waiting for Raikou... didn't know where I was, but I was still trying to complete the mission. It's going to sound stupid, but a talking Eevee overheard me. Mostly got stopped by a bunch of Pokemon.

[He has... a bit of a recurring problem here where wild Electric types still remember and despise him, but that's for another day! If Buson ever gets ambushed by angry Pichu in public, that'd be why.]

Anyway... I kept a low profile. I used a fake name, I only went out in disguise, I tried to collect any information Professor Shiranui might want, I did my job.

... it was only this month that I told people. I wasn't trying to be a traitor. I just... sometimes, weird things happen here and that day... it just had to be saying anything we thought. Saying the truth. Whether we wanted to or not. ... don't think this place does repeats, so you'll probably be safe, Bashou. [He added quickly, knowing how much Bashou would hate to lose control. But just telling him this place could do that... Buson hadn't thought this part through before saying it, it seems, as he frowned, realizing his mistake.]

...I accidentally mentioned Team Rocket to a couple of people, I didn't want to, but couldn't control it, I even bit down on my tongue and my cheek, made myself bleed, to try and stop myself from saying any of your names. I never betrayed you. I accidentally said the Boss' name, but never yours. Not even once. I meant what I said earlier, this is the first time I got to say your name in nearly half a year, Bashou.

I'd never betray you.

... so I just hope you didn't think I did. That's alll.

After that, I've just been open about who I am, so no one thinks I'm pulling some kind of ruse, when I really am just makin' an honest living here. That's all.

[It's part defensiveness, as if he thought Bashou could sincerely believe him to be treacherous, and part reassurance. He watched Bashou carefully to see how he might react.]

[Bashou: Fear and Buson are mutually exclusive :) (for me anyway...he might scare other people)]

[bashou]

[In normal circumstances, the idea of potentially being exposed - especially if it had come with a betrayal from the person closest to him - would have been catastrophic. Maybe one of the worst things that could have happened between the pair of them. And so Bashou understood why Buson was telling him this.

But...it didn't seem to matter here. Bashou nodded as he listened intently, realising that Buson needed him to hear this...but he felt very little. Even when he tried his best to search his feelings and conjure up a reaction, all he felt was the same mixture of shock and relief that he'd been feeling, ever since running into his partner. Everything else seemed insignificant.

Bashou waited a moment before replying, mostly to give some respect to the gravity of what Buson had said.]

With all due respect, Buson...I don't care what you said or did. I am not here on Rocket's orders. I don't even have my uniform with me. At this moment in time, in this place, I wouldn't care if you were a traitor. If my understanding of Ultern is correct, Rocket has no way of knowing it exists, let alone knowing we're here, or reaching us here.

And, for all you knew, we might never have met again. Thankfully, that hasn't been the case. But you've been through months of this. So, even if you told me that you did mention my code name to someone, eventually...especially if you were under duress...Buson, it wouldn't matter to me now.

[Even while he was talking, Bashou was conscious of how dismissive he might have sounded. That hadn't been his intention, but he figured he shouldn't have left the most important part until the end. And yet he had, because it was the most difficult part for him to say. He looked down at his hands as they fidgeted in his lap.]

Having said that, I am honoured by the fact that you still thought of me here. That you would even suffer, just for the sake of protecting my name, even though I wasn't here, I didn't need your protection, and I had no idea what you were going through. I know I don't say it very often, but your loyalty...

[Bashou abruptly fell silent and shook his head, feeling as though he didn't have the words for what he wished to convey. He would try his best, but it wouldn't be enough, especially in his quiet monotone.]

It means a lot to me. I don't even feel concerned by what you said about this place, about how it can make people say or do things. Because...you're here. I can't be afraid when you're here.

[this is PRECIOUS... I think also a good place to draw this thread to a close~]

[buson]

[It was a bit dismissive, yeah, but Buson had feared much worse. The confession, in the end, seemed to serve primarily Buson, to rid him of any guilt and fear about possibly being seen as a traitor. He did worry a little about what he said, about the way this place might influence behaviour, but it was otherwise very clear Bashou didn't care.

Bashou didn't care. He didn't care! That alone made him feel so relieved and weightless, he could rest easy.
He leaned again on the side of the bed, exhausted, but Bashou seemed to be very thoughtful and quiet all of a sudden. He continued to watch Bashou, straightening again to a more alert position, straining to hear.

He didn't expect what came next and genuinely looked stunned. Astonished. Then, a bit flustered and shy.]

... wow. Um. Thanks.

[He didn't really know what else to say! What could he say to that? Where would he even begin? Nothing would do it justice... also, he's tired. In lieu of an answer, he fished out a slightly crumbling chinsuko.]

I'll be your shield anytime, Bashou. [It's said a bit sleepily and playfully, almost like he said it half-asleep, but he meant it, even so.

He ignored the other bed on the other side of the room to stay at the foot of Bashou's, it seemed.]