Oh?

[ulternnpc]

[OPEN TO ALL - Location: Everywhere, Ohritori]
[It's quiet at night, but not dead silent. In the streets of towns, there's still sounds of people, families gathered at home enjoying time together. Or Nocturnal Pokemon who'd skitter about, and communicating amongst one another.

There's a lone Parasol Lady walking down the nightly path--her parasol in one hand, and her phone in another. She's clearly panicked and will immediately stop anyone who's nearby.]

Did you see just now!? Up in the sky?! I saw it! I really did!

[Just what was she going on about?]

[In fact, if one were to go online that night many people of Ultern seemed to be buzzed with something up in the sky--]

[PIPPI POST]
xXxBL4ZExXx @(ulterniantraveler)
Did anyone see this up in the sky just now?

[Attached is a blurry photo of something flying in the sky. A blue fish? It was hard to tell, really.]

How kewl is that?! If anyone knows what Pokemon it is tell me!!!!!!! I wanna catch it!!!

---

[Turnbloom + Gilterrace]
[Manzana, one of the flowershop keeper is out with his Marine pattern Vivillon not too far. There's a worried look on his face, as he seems to be searching for something. He'll soon approach anyone that's near by.]

Excuse me? I'm looking for a friend of mine...have you happen to see him? He's this tall, muscular, blonde...

(Happy May everyone! Feel free to pester any of the NPCs here, or mingle amongst yourselves, speculate about the strange sighting etc!)

Comments

[ulternnpc]

They should have their own bathrooms there, yes.

[Manzana confirmed. He understand having reservations about bathing at a hot springs, and running into other guests. It doesn't go unnoticed to Manzana that Attila had dropped his partner's name, but he decided not to comment on it for now. It was probably, a slip of the tongue.

Meeting Attila's eyes when they pulled away, from the grip of his hands on his shoulders still made him worry. What was going through his mind?]


When...Anemone and I are getting married, you and your friend are of course invited. I don't have any family here, well aside from Anemone's of course and you. I would like you to sit on the side for my family.

[At the mention of his wedding with Anemone, Manzana smiled faintly, but he was also concerned about what was clearly, eating at Attila's mind. He spoke up, as calmly as he could to contrast with Attila's emotional way of talking. He didn't want to upset Attila further, after all.]

...say, Attila is something the matter?

[buson]

S'good. [Then, Bashou can relax there, definitely.]

... I'd love that, yeah. It'd be an honour.

[He was going to ask if he could be "best man," but didn't know what kind of wedding traditions he'd follow here, so he didn't, but realizing Manzana thought in the same direction he did... was heartwarming and he couldn't help smiling, even if he still looked pained.

Speaking calmly was a solid move. Speaking calmly is what Bashou would ordinarily do and it works, even if Attila still looked troubled.]

... can't hide a damned thing, can I? [Short, bitter laughter. He let go of Manzana.]

... I asked... the drifted boy who went back...

[He has to stop to take a breath, shuddering.]

And—if it's the same for all of us—you'll go back right where you were before you came here.

[Maybe saying it will make this easier? Or will it just make everything worse and ruin the good mood? (It's ruined anyway.) He did look less pained after saying it, but perhaps more nervous, waiting to see how Manzana would react.

(He really is looking forward to attending that wedding, though.)]

[ulternnpc]

[A the reveal of Attila having spoken to someone who drifted back to the world they came from, and to Ultern had Manzana fall silent. He's...already told Attila how he felt about drifting back. If, it was his fate to be back under all that rubble, so be it. Kalos was no place to be, and Ultern was his home. Being taken away from that meant one thing: he was far too scummy to live here, the way he has.

He was just a blight in this region, pretending to be spotless like the rest of them.

In any case, it made sense as to why Attila was behaving the way he was. Reaching over, Manzana placed a gentle hand onto Attila's shoulder.]

Attila, thank you...for worrying about me, but our future isn't set in stone. I can't tell you to not worry, but...please don't let it eat at you. I can't guarantee anything, I realize, but I don't want you to cry over myself in the future. I'm still here, and so are you.

[He'll offer a small smile.]

For now, I want you to look forward to the good things, while we're both here under the same sun.

[buson]

... not set in stone—y'mean, maybe we can stay here forever?

[He'd like that! If it could be like that... he could stay the rest of his life here!]

If you could just stay here...

[But neither of them can know that for sure or have any control over it, so even this burst of hope is short-lived. He grit his teeth and looked about ready to punch or throw something again—but didn't, because Manzana was still trying comfort and calm him, so he just looked at him a bit sadly.]

... sure.

While we're both here.

[However long that lasts...]

... don't die, okay? [It's pitiful, almost childish, it's not as if Manzana has any control over it, but—] ... I love ya and I'm serious about wantin' to see that weddin' while I'm still here too, so get on it!
[Perhaps embarrassed by what he wound up saying, the tone switched from a weak and lost one to a gruff, commanding one, but he stepped back after that, letting go, and crossing his arms with a frown.]

[ulternnpc]

I would like that.

[Manzana meant it. He enjoyed life here, and getting to know more of Attila had been nice too. Not that they had a say in staying, but it was still a nice dream to hold on to.

From the command Attila gave him, Manzana laughed and looked a little bashful.]

I'll do my best to stay alive here, and...the marriage too. You'll be the first one I'll send an invitation to, Attila.

[He'll pause and clasped his hands together.]

I might even...invite someone else. I met him, or at least a different him back in Kalos. I never thought I'd talk to him on friendly terms...but I like to think, perhaps maybe...we're friends. Not that I ever told him the truth about my own identity. This place sure is a strange place...

[buson]

[Hearing that, he thought of Gold, who he still didn't like one bit, nasty kid, but at least had the chance to teach a trade to, something he could use to make a living... he looked just like that kid who kept getting in the way of the Raikou mission back home, refusing to back down. Another theory started to take root in his mind.]

Y'know what... maybe this place isn't Hell for us. Maybe it isn't throwing our past mistakes in our faces and tryin' ta shame us for the wrong choices we made. Maybe we aren't just supposed t'feel ashamed by how good and kind the people're here...

It isn't like that. Maybe this is a chance to do things right. This is a redeemption.

You do good, Manzana. Do right by him.

[He turned around, then glanced back over his shoulder one more time, waving a little.]

... I'm gon' to Chura Island, like you said. I think Bashou'd like it, so... you take care.

[He might have some sinking suspicion it's all a punishment still, especially if they have to go back to their old lives, knowing they could have lived differently, but... if all of this is real, if the good they can do here is real, then, he can hope it's redeemption, at least for Manzana, before he passes.]

[ulternnpc]

Redemption....

[Manzana's expression softened. He too couldn't help but agree with that thought. Even after all the trouble, and pain he had caused to the people around here, they gave him a home. A family, and even met the love of his life.

He felt his own eyes beginning to sting just thinking about it. He wished, he so wished the past could change from the hateful words he had cursed others with, to the harm he's caused with his own two hands. But there was no changing the past, only the present and hopefully, the future.

Smiling, he gave a wave to Attila.]

Attila--if there's anything you need even while in Chura just reach out to me. You have my numbers, don't you?

[He hoped that he'll reach out anyway. Not that Chura wasn't a nice place, but it wouldn't hurt to hear from him while he was away.]