for i_am_emmet

[offtracks]

[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?]

Comments

[i_am_emmet]

...Stay here.

[A pause. As he realized he might be sounding commanding. He wants Ingo to stay here. He doesn't want to lose the man again.]

...For as long as you want.

[offtracks]

No! I -

[His voice is thick with sudden tears. Ingo's frown deepens, and he buries his fingers in his too-shaggy hair, frustrated.]

I do not want to...impose.

[He wants to impose very badly! But this is too much - this, like this, is surely too much. Emmet's the only connection he's got, he can't risk burning that bridge!]

[i_am_emmet]

This is your home.

[Emmet never thought of this place as just his. It was always theirs. Ingo had dishware Emmet hadn't even touched nor packed away. A black coffee mug, always right beside a white one.]

[A room that slowly lost the scent of its owner.]

It wouldn't be.

[offtracks]

...really?

[It's tentative and hopeful. Ingo hadn't thought there'd be any place - any physical space - left that belonged to him. Did they live together? They must have been very close. That thought makes him feel guilty, but...]

Then - yes! Yes, I'd like to stay!

[i_am_emmet]

[Emmet smiles at that. The wound that was made at the idea of Ingo leaving again already starting to stitch itself back up.]

Do you want to see your room again? I only been in there to dust it.

[A white lie. He went in there often to try and keep the little reminders of Ingo fresh. Make sure his tablet is still charged, in case he came home. Sometimes lay on the bed to remember something no mental memory can ever replicate- smell.]

[offtracks]

[Ingo sighs and presses his forehead against Chandelure for a second. Just to compose himself; he feels very nearly on the edge of a breakdown. Which is pretty standard for him lately, but he would like not to do it in front of Emmet five minutes after meeting him! Or at all!]

Yes. Please.

[He hauls himself to his feet, looking a bit pained. Sleeping on the forest floor for however long has not helped his general issues!]

[i_am_emmet]

Want some Tylenol first?

[And before Ingo could answer, Emmet was already heading to the kitchen area. He opened up the cabinet to get a glass.]

[He reached for a glass he hadn't touched in years—one of Ingo's favorites. It felt surreal getting it down again. To get some ice and water for it. To set it out on the cabinet again.]

[His eyes were getting watery.]

[offtracks]

Tylenol?

[Ingo trails after Emmet - not sure what Tylenol is, but if it's food, he could eat.]

[i_am_emmet]

[Emmet stood there for a second, wondering if he heard that right. Ingo forgot what Tylenol was too?]

A pain medication.

[offtracks]

[Like an opiate? You know, the main kind of painkiller we have?]

Oh - I do not want to...

[Vague hand gestures meant to encompass "get high"! Which he's struggling to put into Galarian right now!]

[i_am_emmet]

[Emmet blinks as he pulls out the bottle for later.]

They are here if you want them.

[he also sets the glass of water next to them.]

So lets head to your room.

[Which felt weird to say.]

[offtracks]

[Ingo pauses for a moment to squint at the pills - those are new? But ultimately he just picks up the water and follows Emmet.

He's trying not to speak at length in Ranseigo, since Emmet clearly doesn't understand. Which means that he's trying not to speak at length. But it's sort of driving him up a wall to be so silent, especially when he's already upset. So, in a quieter tone as if to somehow compensate:]

I have never lived in a building like this one before. Not to my memory, clearly - I suppose I must have at one point. The Pearl Clan did not build like this. Even the Galaxy Team did not build like this. This is...this is quite a lot all at once. I could believe it was a dream.

[He pauses thoughtfully, and then tugs up his sleeve in order to pinch his own arm.]

Ah. Well, there you have it.

[i_am_emmet]

[Emmet heard Galaxy Team and his brain rearranged it.]

Team Galaxy what?

[He looks a little surprised. They had entered a short hall, at the end of it was the bathroom, and then there were two doors, one was opened. It had a sign on the door with a white triangle.]

[offtracks]

The Galaxy Team?

[Ingo's surprised that that's something that would jump out! Are they still...well, are they still around? Ingo realized on his own that this was a different time, but he doesn't actually know for sure how long it's been. Just long enough that technology has advanced by incredible leaps.

Maybe the Galaxy Team did survive that long. He considers, and explains in Galarian:]

Friends. Ah...I work with them. Worked.

[He doesn't do it now, obviously. Ingo looks at the open door, and turns to point at the other one questioningly.]

[i_am_emmet]

[Emmet nods.]

Do they know they sound a lot like Team Galaxy?

[offtracks]

[Opening that door! Also...he has no idea what you mean!]

I don't...know what that is.

[i_am_emmet]

Team Galaxy was causing trouble back in Sinnoh while back. I think they wanted to take over the world.

[Emmet, back then, didn't think too much about it because it was way over in Sinnoh and they failed.]

[offtracks]

...Sinnoh?

[Maybe that is them? Ingo wouldn't say they want to take over the world, but he hasn't always been a fan of their leadership or practices...

The room inside is neat. Ingo isn't sure if it looks like his own or not; he's never had cause to decorate a space like this before. It's less dusty and abandoned-looking than he thought it would be, if it's just been closed up all this time. He takes a few steps in, and then turns to look at Emmet again, a little unsure.]

[i_am_emmet]

It is a region north of Johto and Kanto.

[Emmet notices how unsure Ingo looks.]

Need some time to look around?

[offtracks]

[Ingo shakes his head - not about the room, necessarily.]

Sinnoh is...

[Well, what it is exactly has been up for debate, but....Ingo tugs at the front of his tunic, and the symbol there.]

Palka. [he should be fair] Or Dialga.

[i_am_emmet]

Palkia and Dialga are Pokemon.

Sinnoh is a landmass. Verrrry different.

[offtracks]

Sinnoh is a...

[Ingo huffs. It's a Pokemon, certainly, whatever it may be. All gods are. But of course he doesn't know its rightful name, if indeed the legends of the Almighty Sinnoh are all about one singular unknown Pokemon at all.]

Like Palkia or Dialga. But more. People say. [And anyway:] Hisui is north of Johto and Kanto.

[There isn't a more northerly region! He ought to know, the Pearl clan lived in the northernmost edges!]

[i_am_emmet]

Like Arceus?

[A suggestion. Emmet felt himself derailing a little.]

Okay. Maybe I know of Hisui- are there any famous landmarks?

[offtracks]

I don't know Arceus.

[Some Unovan god? He wonders if Emmet is particularly devout. Ingo hasn't always been, though since meeting Palkia in person, he's more likely to offer it a prayer now and again. A sign of their connection through battle, however brief!]

Mount Coronet? I lived there, many years.

[i_am_emmet]

...Mount Coronet is in Sinnoh.

Maybe Hisui is the name in the native language?