FOURTH WALL EVENT [Actions] [Kanto - Celadon City/Route 16]

[firstnothing]

[Things have gotten a little.. odd, as midnight passed. Xemnas hadn't noticed at first, he was asleep and could sleep like the dead if sufficiently - but his Kadabra noticed, and after several minutes of waiting to see if the flash and thundrous crack of sound would repeat itself, went to carefully shake his master awake and relay what he'd seen.

The tent Xemnas had purchased in Goldenrod served well, keeping the late-year chill out (especially with several pokemon taking up residence inside with him), which meant getting on a few layers before venturing outside to watch the sky, and then the surroundings. His own senses were only as good as a human's, but with his pokemon now awake and theirs added to his own it's a little easier to tell that things are going a bit.. weird out here. More than a bit weird, was the landscape different?]

...Let's get moving. Whatever caused that, I don't want to be caught in the open for if it happens again.

[Malice glances at Xemnas, ears flattening back.]

::I have reason to believe we are in a new location, sir. This isn't Route 43.::

[That draws pause from Xemnas, who glances around again, this time looking for more than just shrubs and grass. ... And couldn't find fault with that conclusion. This earns a scowl and a sharp gesture. He didn't recognize the area. He'd never been to Kanto, nevermind being near Celadon City.]

Then whatever's chosen to shift us around like pieces on a chessboard won't find us waiting patiently the next time, will it?

[He sets to disassembling camp; after a moment the pokemon he has with hands begin helping. Time to get the hell out of dodge before anything else weird happened.]

Comments

[firstnothing]

[Would things go right back to normal? Xemnas had something he didn't have before. How much would he risk, how close would he get to endangering his new heart in favor of the hope that Kingdom Hearts might provide him an impossible third?

She had her doubts.

Xemnas had his own. He was capable of them now, after all.

As Xion pulls back her hood, there's no change in his expression. He remains where he is for a few moments, gaze measuring and steady, before he steps around his own campfire and approaches. If she doesn't pull away he'll simply reach out to tip her chin lightly and tilt her head a little first one way, then another. That unwavering, weighing gaze never shifts.]

That's very interesting. It seems returning to my city did you little benefit if you were to return to this world.

[What does he see? The face of a friend he couldn't remember having? The boy who unraveled his work so quickly?]

How do you feel? [His tone's still steady, but quiet.] I don't mean emotionally. Are you experiencing any tiredness, or pain?

[memoryborn]

[ She visibly tenses at the contact, but doesn't pull away. Only after he's finished with enough staring and tilting does she jerk back a few steps after his questions are asked. The slight glare on her face, now that her hood is down, is making a very clear alright, that's enough look. ]

I'm fine. Perhaps more than fine, considering how much I drained up to this point.

[firstnothing]

[He doesn't seem bothered that she pulls away. Unwanted physical contact was a problem for most people, but whatever he'd been looking for, he had already found. There was no need for further intrusion.]

I will do as I please.

[It's a not-ungentle reminder, at her glare. But he continues on, whether or not she protests, sounding a little put out.]

If it is so that the mayhem this world goes through is temporary, I strongly suggest staying away from Sora ... or Roxas, for that matter, until you re-stabilize, should they appear or wish to see you. You may not have enough control to resist instinct, and destroying your friendships over something temporary would be foolish.

[She might have the control to stop. But she might also give into her programming, and wouldn't that cause serious side effects later?]

It's unlikely this will affect much otherwise, I am sure your friends will adapt to the ... mm, change in appearance swiftly enough. You have trained a psychic pokemon by now, yes? Something powerful enough to affect one's mind?

[So Vexen's final replica could indeed do exactly as she was meant to, it seemed. That was interesting. It also meant keeping her from getting killed was going to become more important. Sora would never cooperate. Xion, however... he knew which strings to pull with her.]

[memoryborn]

I know that.

[ To the reminder that he could do almost anything like this and the fact that her "programming" could take over. She lets out a scoff at the thought. Her nature, gained from Sora, apparently proved too much and overpowered her programming. But then it's probably better to let him think his and Vexen's machinations still had some sway. Her glare lessens.

She blinks at what he's possibly suggesting. She has a few Psychics, but... ]

Would it matter? I'm not gonna have my Pokemon force my friends' perspective on what they see. I am what I am.

[firstnothing]

Then act on it. I'd remind you it's better safe than sorry, but you are Sora's replica, and you've already taken a number of chances most people wouldn't.

[Briefly, his tone is disapproving, but it clears up quickly. And then he shakes his head lightly, beckoning to the kadabra. Malice, arms still full of wriggling Purrloin, glances over then gives another one of those sighs and picks his way delicately back to Xemnas' side.]

If they cannot remain your 'friends' through a mere appearance change then they are not truly your friends. This is of no concern. What is, is the steady bleed of memories and feelings you may experience. This may also affect them. If you do not possess such a pokemon, I will loan Malice to you. He is capable and reliable as one can hope such creatures to be.

[Malice's regard is steady and even; his name might be one of maliciousness but there doesn't seem to be any. He inclines his foxlike head gracefully, but there is a distinct feeling from the kadabra that he would very much prefer not to be given away. For any reason. At all. Ever.

Whether or not this is a psychic impression is a good question.]