stardiving | IC Inbox (Victory Road)

[Neither, actually! He had to rename the Drapion Dirk gave him because of his apparent insistence.]

How very interesting that not all of our abilities have been stolen from us. I wonder what the cause may be.

Certainly something to work out. Anyroad, I will leave you to your adventuring, I have much and more I am busy with this day. Do take care of yourself and your new eggs. Handle them with care, they are likely fragile, and little would they weather your rough hands as I have.

[And here I assumed that was the name Dirk had given it.]

I'm quite sure you'll puzzle it over for hours.

[Estinien is going to be a little weirded out by it, but everything here is weird, so he's not going to do so to the point of losing sleep.]

I know how to care for young things, tis not my doing that you are too fragile for it.

If you like, I could show you just how fragile I am not.

But that would be a pleasure for later, till next time, dragoon!

[It's not long after that Solus is messaging him back.]

Estinien, my apologies for contacting you again so soon, but it seems I have need of your assistance for a matter most urgent.

Where exactly are you at the moment? Perchance, near New Bark Town?

[...you actually used his name, he can count occurrences of that on one hand.]

Violet. Closer than you, though it would take at least 3 days of travel to get there.

[He'd backtracked all the way to Cherrygrove to attune to the warp before using it to return to settle outside Violet. It is the time of week when new otherworlders arrive, isn't it...]

...who else has arrived?

[It's hard to answer that, mainly because this is such a sensitive matter. But, if there is anyone here (besides who just arrived) that he trusts with such a matter, it's Estinien.

Loath that he is to admit it.]

A dearest friend of mine. One from before the sundering. I know not what powers are truly at play in this realm, nor how it could pluck someone from that time, but he is most certainly here.

His name is Hythlodaeus, and I would ever be in debted to you if you would deliver him to me safely.

It has been so very long since I have seen him hale and whole.

[Emphasis on whole.]

[...a man possibly thousands of years gone. Hm.

He'd seen the notifications of new messages on the Gear, but had paid them little mind. Possibly this man is one of them. He'll need to revisit them.

Sigh. Seems his journey is being delayed again.]

How is it you got to Goldenrod so early, then? Did you not arrive at the same time as I? I would think you'd have a connection to help him travel.

[He's not saying he won't backtrack, but it is curious.]

[Sorry, Estinien! He would not do this unless it was important. Well, okay, maybe he would over something a little more petty, but listen. At least this time it's not.

The question strikes him, however, and he's left staring at the 'gear for a several seconds, before quickly remembering his excuse.]

I was lucky enough that a stranger had offered me a ride to the city. Would that I had a Pokémon that could fly, then I would nary need to rely on you to gather him.

[It's not a total lie, after all, it was indeed strangers who had brought him to Goldenrod...somehow. He doesn't know if he simply appeared in the basement of the radio tower, or if his unconscious form was brought there. Either way, not a total lie.]

[Yeah if it was more petty he'd tell you to fuck right off to fuckoff mountain.

Also, he doesn't know enough to know that sounds fake, but okay.]

Convenient, though less so that friendly strangers are lacking.

I shall begin making my way back on the morrow.

[Wow, Estinien. Rude. But also entirely fair.

But that's exactly what he was counting on, thank Zodiark Estinien doesn't question him.]

Yes, I was truly lucky then.

You have my thanks, Estinien. Should there be some way to repay you, name it and I shall make good of it.

[Well, he does suspect it's a little fishy, but as he thought--he doesn't know enough to call Solus on any bullshittery. For this particular moment, at least. Alas.

Despite himself, half the reason he's agreeing to this so readily is empathy. He knows Solus's story--at least what he's told of it--and for his long-dead friend to be here?

Estinien can't fathom what he would be like, what he would do, if he had outlived Aymeric and all the rest of his people by thousands of years, only to have him suddenly returned, alive.

The fact that Solus keeps using his actual name is making him slightly uncomfortable, it's a change to their month-long dynamic that just drives home how shaken the man is. Every time he thinks he has the puzzle that is Solus put together something happens to shake up the pieces and he finds more that don't slot in.]

It took a little over a fortnight, for me to travel from Goldenrod to Cherrygrove. Expect similar, as we will not be capable of using warps between.

[He doesn't mean to tip his hand so readily, even as he's asking him to take on a task so close to his heart, but he can't help it. This was not something he was prepared for, and why should he have been? That someone could do what likely only Zodiark can...it boggles the mind.]

Yes, I do know it will yet be some time ere the two of you make it back here. However, he does seem to be in the company of a rather large beast. Mayhap your travels will be quickened if it could carry the both of you.

[Why should he have been, indeed? After so long.]

Twould have to be a large beast indeed, considering. I've not seen one yet that was taller than I.

[And he doesn't even know that Hythlodaeus is taller than him.]

I know not what changes in height Hythlodaeus has undergone, hard to determine through a simple video call. However, know that while you may yet be taller than I in this form, my people stood near three times your height.

His beast was taller than he.

[Three times his height would place the man at twenty fulms. Fury.

He's like not that tall, Estinien's ears and Solus's eye are proof enough of that, this place seems to frown on any features that would distinguish one from a hyur, but what change indeed?]

So, anywhere between my height and twenty fulms.

What else ought I look for, to distinguish him?

Edited 2020-06-10 13:13 (UTC)

Given that he may yet be robbed of his height, he fashions himself a black robe and an owlish white half-mask. This was the societal standard outfit of my people, for we all dressed the same, and I am certain he feels most out of place now because of it.

Ironic, isn't it? Attire that was meant to make one and all visibly indivisible from one another now makes him stand out rather terribly. Though, I worry not about him in such regard, ever was he one to adapt to what social requirements there may be.

Edited 2020-06-10 18:07 (UTC)

...you seem to have bucked that trend quite comprehensively.

[Though Ascians are quite known for their masks. But your clothes are very much not the type to blend in.]

He shall be difficult to miss, at least. Worry not, I shall find him.

Well, my role here is as an otherworlder, is it not? I typically fit the role I need to play, and there's no sense in pretending I am a native here. Thus, I am happy to live as myself on this star.

[Yet even then Solus chooses not to wear it. He wears...robs after a fashion, but.]

You have my gratitude.

Edited 2020-06-16 16:43 (UTC)

IC Inbox (Victory Road)

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oops I missed this

ITS ALL GOOD