offtracks | for i_am

for i_am_emmet

[Ingo has been in this land for a little while now.

There wasn't any grand cataclysm. No rift that he's aware of. He did not fall from the sky. One day, he simply woke up here, lying on the side of the road with a stranger fussing over him in a language that he hardly understood.

He'd quickly made excuses - which he's quite sure she did not understand - and fled into the nearby forest. That's where he's been living, if one could call it that. How do you cope with losing your home, your people, everything you know, for a second time? How do you keep going when you do remember what you've lost, and know that there's no way home?

For a while, he didn't. He doesn't know how many days he passed in a blur of grief and despair, too hollowed-out to consider doing anything but sleep or mourn. It was his Pokemon who cared for him then. He offered to break their Pokeballs and set them free, guilt-ridden that he'd dragged them away from their home too, but none of them left. Instead Gliscor and Tangrowth took it in turns to go out and gather food for everyone. Machamp built a shelter of logs and branches, and Alakazam sat with him and woke him from his nightmares. They all guarded him from wild Pokemon. There aren't too many, or else they aren't so aggressive here. Once, there was a strange black-furred Zoroark, but they attacked it so fiercely that it never even attempted to become Ingo-in-white.

If not for them, he would not have survived this second derailment.

And it's for their sake that he eventually forces himself to begin moving again. He cannot let them waste their lives on him like this. No matter what it feels like, his tracks have not reached an end just yet.

But where do they lead? His first tentative venture out of the forest brings several discoveries. For one: he can't communicate very well with the people here. The language is one he understands! Sort of! But it feels like old, rusty gears in his mind. Written words are easier, but the people just speak too fast and too much. No one will pause to let him try and translate. In fact, most of the people he sees on the road avoid him altogether. It seems outsiders aren't welcome in this land - or, maybe, he just cuts a rather unpleasant figure. His standards of living have slipped.

And this place! To the east of his forest, there's an enormous bridge made of towering metal and glass; to the west, there's a city that's very similar. He attempts to venture into it once, only to find the lights and noise overwhelming. With a blinding headache, he flees back to the forest.

Maybe if he spent time there, he could get used to it. But what's the point? Why should he start from scratch again, carving out a place for himself in a strange land, when it can be torn away from him again so easily? He can't go through it all over again. He won't live through this a third time. The loss of his memories was probably the only reason he settled into Hisui so easily. As much as he's always wondered who he used to be, he's starting to think the amnesia was a blessing. But he didn't forget Hisui when he came here, so he doubts he'll forget this place if he's ever taken somewhere else.

No. There's no place for him here. He doesn't want to fight to make one. So eventually, after having managed to acquire a map, he forms a different plan. This region has a large port city. If he gets there, and finds a way to earn his keep, surely he can barter passage back to Hisui? It's clear to him by now that he won't find any of his friends or clanmates waiting. There's no going home for him. But however long it may have been, the land will still be there. He can return to the familiarity of Mount Coronet, and maybe one day his bones will rest near those of his clan. It will be no less lonely than living here in the forest, but at least he will know where he is and how he fits.

The first step of the journey is to get through the city - Nimbasa, according to the map - and exit by the southern road. It's an intimidating prospect. There are no guards or city walls, but they obviously don't much like outsiders, and he cannot pass for a local. What, then, to do? He spends a day or two scouting it out. The bustle barely dies down even at night. How do they keep the lights burning so long? When do these people sleep?

Ingo finally decides to set out in the early hours of the morning. The streets are still brightly lit, but at least they're quiet then; most of the people have gone. It should be fine? But maybe he's just developed some sort of aversion to the place - his head still starts pounding before he's even halfway through. It's the sort of headache that makes it hard to see, much less navigate. Luckily, he isn't the only one with a good sense of direction here; he releases Probopass.]

We are trying to leave this city to the south. Can you help guide me there?

[Probopass offers him a floating stone arm to lean on. And they move through Nimbasa like that - a little slow, Ingo leaning heavily on his Pokemon. He's a shadow of the man he was in Hisui: gaunt, bedraggled, shaggy and bearded. He hasn't been eating even as well as he used to, and certainly hasn't been attending to his usual grooming standards. Well, who's left to care how he looks?]

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[Emmet rubs his eyes as he wonders, did something happen to Ingo? He one time read about people who suddenly went missing because of Dissociative Fugue. He wondered if Ingo-?]

[Did Ingo forget Galarian? Did Ingo forget more?]

[How Ingo reacted to seeing him- how he reacted to Excadrill-]

[He prayed that this idea that sprung into his mind suddenly was wrong. But then again, all of his prayers up until now have been answered. Ingo was back- if he used up his favor with the universe to get that- he was happy.]

Do you remember me?

[There's a beat of silence as Ingo, ironically, fishes up the word "remember" out of his memory.]

[And then a much longer one as his stomach drops. How did he know? No, he tried to defend himself like they were both wild Pokemon. It must have been obvious, and Emmet's only just realized. He...he thought he was an impostor, Ingo is just now realizing himself. A Zoroark, or some other similar Pokemon. Strange to realize he must have always lived near them.]

[His silence must be answer enough. Still, Ingo manages to choke out:]

No.

[It struck him like a physical blow. He felt his breath get knocked out of him.]

[He knew this was coming. Something inside of him was screaming this was a cruel prank. But then again- this was the truth laid in front of him.]

[This man looked like Ingo. Except...weathered. He should call the police. Get them to confirm it is Ingo. Not get his hopes as high as they were just in case it does come crashing down.]

[He dug his fingers into Ingo's coat more. The following words fell out of his mouth.]

Don't be a prank.

[Ingo shifts as if to pull away - as if expecting Emmet to pull away. He hears that sharp breath in his ear. But instead Emmet clings closer. That's fine, then. He stays where he is, hands settling back against Emmet's back, awkward again.]

[Prank, prank, prank...he's quiet, mulling that one over. He's already asking for a lot just by being here like this; he doesn't want to ask for language help unless he really needs it. Which he shouldn't! He can understand Galarian! Mostly! Sure, it sometimes takes him a minute, but...]

[Faintly, he realizes he's already started imagining a future where they spend more time together. A very vague one, yes, but more than this. More than he should ask for.]

[He's been quiet too long.]

Uh, no?

Let's go home. Everyone has missed you.

[He will contact the police when they get home. Chandelure could confirm it was Ingo and- and everything would be complete again.]

[Emmet...he wants to go back to his home. Wants both of them to go there, he's pretty sure. As soon as the suggestion resolves, Ingo very much wants the same! He doesn't like being out here on the street like this. It seems as though many of his concerns about the city authorities might not be warranted - not if he isn't actually an outsider - but he still doesn't like the scrutiny.]

Yes! Yes, ah...

[He disengages from Emmet, reaching into his pocket for the Pokeballs to return Probopass and Alakazam. It'd be rude to bring his Pokemon into someone else's dwelling!]

[The space makes him more aware that there are some people out on the sidewalks now. Looking at him. Ingo flushes beneath his beard and tugs his cap down over his eyes. This is exactly what he wanted to avoid! It's probably rude to speak in a language Emmet can't understand, but Ingo's never been great at holding back words; he comments in Ranseigo:]

There are far too many people in this city! How can you possibly keep track of all of them?

[Excadrill uses this as a chance to approach Ingo now, tears in its eyes.]

[Ememt doesn't understand the sentence. He squints a little.]

I don't understand.

[Now that he knows this isn't a wild Pokemon, and can even see that it's friendly, Ingo's reaction to Excadrill is entirely different! He crouches down and holds out a hand, as if greeting a Pokemon he's never met before in his life - which, as far as he's concerned, he hasn't. But it's Emmet's partner, so it must have known him once too. Strange to think about...but it feels somewhat less fraught than reintroducing himself to Emmet.]

Good morning! I apologize for the misunderstanding earlier - Probopass and I were only startled! We will introduce the two of you properly later! If Emmet agrees, I suppose.

[It probably doesn't understand him any better than Emmet does, but at least Pokemon tend to pay a lot more attention to tone and body language. He looks up at Emmet, frowning a bit more deeply. This is rude. He needs to be working on his Galarian anyway.]

Sorry. Ah...this is who?

Excadrill. One of your Pokemon.

[Emmet says this softly. His feeling are mixed in his chest, he wanted to cry from happiness and sadness already, but the happiness was the more overwhelming part.]

He has missed you too.

Excadrill? It is excellent to meet you, Excadrill!

[Ingo scratches Excadrill's head lightly. Very friendly! The moment when he processes that this is one of his Pokemon is visible, at least to Emmet; his eyes widen slightly and he goes still for a moment. Ah. That's...well, he'd known he had other Pokemon before. But it's rather upsetting to actually meet one and see that he really doesn't remember him still.]

[His eyes burn a little. Yes. He wants to be out of public. Ingo rises to his feet.]

Let us go, then! [In Galarian:] Home? Let's go home.

I kept everything the same at home, yupyup.

[Emmet didn't want to remove his eyes from Ingo. As if this was an illusion.]

We live down the street.

[...he's not moving. Ingo has no idea where they are supposed to be going. He looks at Excadrill as if he'll help, and then takes a few tentative steps in the direction he's pretty sure Emmet was originally coming from when he first saw him. He must have been leaving home, right?]

[Leaving. In the morning. Probably to go to work.]

Oh! I'm sorry, I've been inconsiderate! I could go and wait for you, if that would be better!

[Would Emmet be okay with Ingo just hanging out alone in his house all day? Probably no. For any number of reasons, really. Also: in Galarian, he keeps forgetting.]

Are you not busy? [That...sounds incorrect.] You're not busy? You were going!

It is not important.

[Work wasn't important at the moment. Nothing else but the situation in front of him. Work was the least important thing to him right now.]

[He stayed on schedule every day. But today.]

I will call out.

Okay.

[Ingo sounds a little skeptical, but...well, it's nice getting to talk to another person again, much less someone who knew him. It still sort of feels like it isn't really happening, but he'll roll with it until it stops, he guesses.]

[He folds his arms behind his back again, glancing down the street. Some of the strange things he always says...he turns one over in his head for a second.]

Ready for departure?

Next Station: Home.

[Excadrill reached an arm up to gently grab at Ingo's coat and start heading in the direction of home.]

[Emmet started to move in the direction of the apartment, often looking back at Ingo. He felt tears prickling at the corners of his eyes as they made the short walk to the apartment complex Emmet- they- lived at.]

[Ingo understood "our home", but it took it to mean "Emmet and Excadrill's home". Ingo hasn't lived anywhere in this region for a very long time, after all; he hardly expects anyone to have kept his old residence for him. It'd be a terrible waste of space!]

[He keeps his eyes mostly on the ground or on Excadrill as they walk. He's still not very comfortable being out on the street, especially without any of his Pokemon out of their Pokeballs to walk with him. But Excadrill is...sort of his Pokemon? He's a Pokemon, and that's a comfort.]

[He's quiet, though it sounds like he's muttering a little under his breath as they go. Apparently he can manage that level of quiet now? He's mulling over his words, trying to work out translations for some things he's sure he'll need to say, and the worry about accidentally being rude to Emmet is more than enough to motivate him to keep his voice low.]

[Upon arriving, he stares up at the apartment building for a moment before following Emmet in. He has wondered where everyone in this city lives. These places are far too large to be houses! Maybe Emmet rents a room?]

[He unlocks the door to the apartment.]

Everyone will be excited to see you again, they have missed you.

[He opens the door so Ingo can step in first.]

[Ingo steps in obligingly, removing his hat as he does so, and looks around. It is larger than he thought it would be! But he doesn't go to explore, and certainly doesn't just make himself at home; instead he just looks to Emmet for a cue, twisting his hat in his hands. He'd wanted to be away from prying eyes, but now he's starting to get a little nervous about the impending conversation.]

[Excadrill lets go of Ingo and runs into the back of the apartment calling out for the other Pokemon as they seem to emerge from various parts of the apartment.]

[Including one Chandelure.]

[She flies forward and does her best to crash into Ingo's chest. Confirming to Emmet at least, it was him. Chandelure could pick up on things he wouldn't be able to due to the nature of humans and Pokemon.]

[These are friendly Pokemon, so Ingo's more curious than alarmed to see so many making their way out of various hiding places. Most are entirely unfamiliar - just how far away from Hisui are they?]

[And then there's one. With a glance at Emmet, Ingo starts to slowly follow Excadrill farther into the apartment, but only makes it a few steps before the floating orb crashes into him. Ingo stumbles back, dropping his hat as his hands automatically coming up to cradle the Pokemon's body. It's smooth as glass and warm against his palms.]

Oh - oh! It is you! I remembered you! A little - you are not the species I thought you were. Not at all. Though I suppose your flames are somewhat similar! You must have the same typing! Emmet, look! It is the fire Pokemon!

[So basically he's just prattling in Ranseigo again, but at least he sounds excited? He's entirely let go of that volume control too!]

[Emmet could pick out his name as he approached the two. Chandelure missed Ingo so much, she would stay up and wait for him, and she would always be looking for him.]

[But just as Ingo did not remember him or Excadrill, Emmet assumed he did not remember Chandelure also.]

That's Chandelure. She always kept an eye out for you.

Chandelure.

[Ingo repeats, nodding gratefully at Emmet. This is always a good assumption to make!]

It is a pleasure to meet you! [In Galarian, slightly halting:] Good to meet you!

What happened?

[Suddenly came from Emmet's mouth. What happened? Where have you been? Why is your memory gone?]

[And how did you come back here if you don't remember anything?]

[Ingo's brief burst of enthusiasm at meeting Chandelure drains away at that. He should have an explanation, but...well, he doesn't. Not much of one, anyway. He's never known what brought him to Hisui, and he doesn't know now what brought him back.]

I don't know. I was...in Hisui. Then, here. Don't know how.

[Time travel was involved; that was one of the realizations that truly sent him spiraling into despair. But he doesn't want Emmet to think he's crazy.]

Hisui? Where is that?

[Emmet doesn't know of any place in the region named that.]

[Some more of the Pokemon approach, Emmet's Joltiks come out of hiding to look at what was going on. Its been years, the Joltiks around from when Ingo was here last have all grown up and been given to trainers interested in wanting one. These were all new ones, who had never seen Ingo before.]

[It struck Emmet to realize this as one of the yellow balls of fuzz and static went to also go investigate Ingo.]

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