farawayplace | In midst of a Summer Festival, yet again!

In the coastal city of Turnbloom yet again, the sun is bright and warm--but of course it's not the only place. All over Ultern everyone is enjoying the summer weather. Little by little, Ulternians and long-time Drifters alike have started to put out summer decorations throughout the start of August, which replaced the ones from Tanabata (if any had been left out to begin with).

There's a distinct sound of waves, and bustling of people nearby. Followed with the cool gentle breeze that carried the salty scent of the sea. Things seem to be at peace, as usual--or is it?

After all, there were always new Drifters popping in. Maybe today there just might be some new faces wandering through looking confused. Now's the time to step up and lend a helping hand. Icharibachoude, we're all brothers, as they say in Ultern!

Or heck, just feel free to enjoy the fun festivities filled with food and music.

That is, if you can--as behind the walls of houses in Ultern that day the familiar friendly faces all wake up with a surprise no one's expecting.

(🌺Ulsai! Happy anniversary everyone, and thank you so much for a whole year of time in Ultern! Please note NPCs will be popping up here and there! But for some reason they’re all different…? For any comments, concerns and questions head on over to the OOC post! Plot with your fellow players there as well!🌺)

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[He beamed!] So, like The Little Prince and the Vulpix?

... that's great! Maybe we're meant to be friends, in any time we meet, then...

[He's going back to holding Gold's hand, swinging it a little as he walks.]

I dunno, probably! Is that a book?

...Yeah, maybe so. But if you ever meet the little me again, don't expect it'll be easy. I kinda hope I never turn into him again though! [Gold smiles as he says that, though it's a bit strenuous.]

[That's so sweet. Gold will walk alongside Trip, wherever it is he's heading.]

Uh-huh, maybe we can read it together... Le Petit Prince.

It's about a little prince who lives all alone on an asteroid, with a Rose that he loves and takes care of, and two volcanoes... he goes from planet to planet, including ours! One of the creatures he meets on earth is a Vulpix, who asks to be tamed, even though the Prince can't stay for long and didn't want to at first, and it takes several days, at first, they can only sit, far apart, and say nothing...

"Words are the source of misunderstandings."

Let's look for it in the library, maybe someone who drifted in had it, it's a Kalosian book, but it's been translated and it's pretty famous...

Ummm, what snacks do you like? Let's get something to eat!

[To make up for the stolen snacks, of course!]

[Gold listens to Trip enthusiastically describing the book he likes with a smile, though the smile slowly loses its genuineness. It's hard for anyone to notice that, though.]

Huh... Neat.

[Gold isn't sure what to think of himself being compared to a Vulpix that wants to be tamed. Since he did tell little Trip he can befriend his younger self, maybe it's accurate, but... There's something about it he doesn't like. The thought feels uncomfortable. His hand around Trip's tightens just slightly, before he relaxes his hold and gives Trip a big smile.]

Hey, let's not go to the library today. It's a festival, we gotta do festival stuff. You wanna eat some yakisoba or something? I think the festival dance is gonna start soon, we should go check that out!

[He's trying to divert Trip's attention away because he doesn't really want to see that book right now. It's probably a good book, and Trip's enthusiasm for it is cute! But... but Gold would rather face a swarm of angry Houndoom than read that book today. If asked why, he wouldn't be able to explain.]

[~~It might be because it feels dehumanizing to be compared to a Pokemon when one doesn't know the story's all metaphor? Even the prince's love is a literal rose.~~

Trip blinks at the tightening grip and turns curious eyes to Gold. He isn't sure what the gesture was for and stops walking, wondering if he said or did something wrong.

He even checks under his feet and a few steps ahead, in case Gold was trying to warn him about something up ahead. He was about to ask what the squeeze was about, when Gold spoke again.]

I... don't like dances. [Trip said, frowning and shifting a little, but brightens up again at the idea of yakisoba.]

Is yakisoba tasty? I want food, that's why I asked about snacks before!

[Oops, he worried Trip. Don't worry kid, everything's fine! Just fine! And Gold will smile to prove it!]

Not a dancing fan? Not even if we just sit in the sidelines and watch? But we can do something else, sure. How about carnival games? But first we gotta eat something!

Yakisoba's like, fried noodles and veggies in a sauce! I like it, but I dunno if you do! There's a yakisoba stall over that way, how about we check it out and see if it's something you'd like?

[He's definitely being a bit too energetic all of a sudden.]

[Trip blinked and frowned, feeling like Gold wasn't acting his usual self.]

... o-okay...

[He followed, but still looked uncertain.]

We could watch, maybe...

Um, Gold?

[Whew, he's distracted Trip sufficiently from the library! Now he can relax a little.]

Yeah, what's up?

[Trip's tone is worrying him a little bit. Did he dislike the idea of dancing that much?]

[Gold's smile changed again... but he's just getting better at hiding it.

Trip frowns and looks down at his shoes the entire time.]

... what did I do wrong?

[He must have said something wrong and that's why Gold's acting so different and changed subjects so quickly. He talked too much or about the wrong thing... or maybe he was just annoying...]

[Gold blinks in surprise, stopping. Oh. He did that thing again where his smile scares timid Pokemon... and kids, apparently. A surge of self-hatred goes over him, but he kneels down to look at Trip in the eyes and tries for a gentle smile.]

Nothing! You're fine! I'm just...

[He struggles to find words, an excuse of any kind, before sighing, his smile dropping.]

I'm just kinda feeling weird after turning into a kid. I dunno. Sorry if I'm, like... too weird.

[Sudden changes in mood and topic like these are part of an older defense mechanism for Gold, which he might be defaulting back to because of that de-aging. Not that he's consciously realizing that...]

[Looking him in the eye makes him a little uncomfortable and he shifts, but he does appreciate that Gold isn't forcing a smile anymore.]

... so, it isn't my fault? Because I talked too much? [He brightens up a bit.]

... that makes sense, it must be weird. Can't imagine! Maybe you're really tired. Maybe a snack will make you feel better. And then, maybe, you can go rest. [He tries to pat Gold on the head too, now that he's level with him.]

[Gold smiles again once Trip brightens up, relieved. And having little Trip looking out for him and trying to take care of him makes him really happy. He's so cute!]

Yay, headpats! [He gives a happy little giggle.]

Yeah, I might be kinda tired! It's been a long day. Professor Banyan turned into a kid this morning too, and I dunno if he's back to normal yet. And then I met somebody that- [Gold pauses, frowning to himself. He doesn't actually want to talk to Trip about that whole situation with Kam and Etharon, but he does need to call Kam... Eh, he'll do that tomorrow, it'll be fine. Trip's more important right now.] ...Well, anyway, it's been rough! At least there's the festival.

Let's go get some snacks! And you get to decide which ones! I'm too tired to do it myself. [He says playfully, clearly not actually that tired.]

That's weird. Does that just happen sometimes?

[Trip frowns a little at Gold trailing off, but thinks more on the aging up and down.]

... maybe I'll grow up a little bit too! I wanna get bigger faster...

[He loves the idea of growing up! At Gold's suggestion, Trip nods eagerly.]
Okay... race you!
[He takes off to the chocolate banana and caramel apple stands, giggling all the while.]

I guess so! First time I've seen it, but it fits with the weird stuff that goes on around here.

[It throws him off a little, hearing that Trip wants to grow up quickly, because he knows older Trip. He doesn't know what to say to that. It feels like no matter what he says, it'd be like choosing which Trip he likes more, which is impossible. They're different. But on the other hand, Gold also wanted to grow up fast when he was little, and a selfish part of him thinks Trip doesn't really have as good of a reason to want to grow up as Gold did.

...It's really best just to say nothing and just make a non-committal noise.]

Alright, you're on!

[Gold races Trip! ...But since he doesn't know where they're going, he just follows Trip, letting him win.]

In midst of a Summer Festival, yet again!

[spins a wheel and picks a fox Pokemon]

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[coming to a good place to wrap up, I think!]

[yep!]