FIRST RIDE ✦ VIDEO / ACTION [GOLDENROD CITY]

[diamondo]

[ VIDEO ]

Alright, I've got a question to those of you who've been here awhile. Why the fuck doesn't the Game Corner boot minors out?

[Mondo is sitting on a bench somewhere in Goldenrod City, looking a bit irritated. Sitting beside him is a Riolu, kicking his feet and staring at the 'Gear like it's the most interesting thing he's ever seen.]

I thought I was getting away with getting in 'cause I look like an adult, but I swear to fucking God I saw a kid in there today! They didn't kick 'em out either! The fuck is wrong with this place? Kids aren't supposed to be allowed to gamble like that!

[Clearly he's only mad because he thought he was breaking the law and sticking it to the man or whatever. Turns out he wasn't. Whoops.]

While we're at it, what all can you get from the Game Corner, Pokémon-wise? I wanna see if there's anything there worth trying to get. Probably not, but it's worth a shot, right?

[Mondo motions for the camera-mon to cut it there, but instead it keeps rolling.]

Fuck, what am I gonna do with all these coins if there ain't anything I want there? Just fucking give 'em away? Seems like a waste--

[And then suddenly a loud cawing sound catches his attention and Mondo is promptly attacked by a bird.]

Fuck!! Get the fuck offa me you son of a--!!

[The bird squawks when Mondo hits it and flies off, carrying Mondo's coin case with it.]

Oh you've gotta be fucking shitting me! Pierce, Ryder, let's go!

[And with that, the feed cuts on Mondo and the Riolu, Pierce, dashing off after the bird.]

[ ACTION - GOLDENROD CITY ]

[If you're in Goldenrod, chances are you'll find Mondo chasing after that pesky Murkrow. Occasionally he'll have Pierce the Riolu aim a Sky Uppercut at it, but it seems the Murkrow is just fast enough to get out of the way. Occasionally the coin case will drop a few coins here and there that Ryder the Scraggy will pick up and stuff in her... uh, pants-pouch-thing.

This ridiculously stupid show will go on for quite some time if it's not interrupted, until Mondo finally seems to realize that the smartest thing to do would be to catch the Murkrow. He finally throws a Pokéball at it and retrieves the Coin Case that it dropped, shoving it in his bag and glowering at the Pokéball.

Much to his displeasure, the ball locks with a click. He's now the not-so-proud owner of a mischievous Murkrow.]

Fucking hell.

Comments

[ardent]

[WELL, NOW THAT THAT'S OUT OF HIS SYSTEM the tears stop in ridiculously short order and he's snapped back into the usual straight-backed posture and he's brightened up so much it might as well have not happened in the first place.]

That said, that is a splendid idea, aniki - if this world is in such dire need of a proper education system, then we'll just have to take it into our own hands!! I'll just have to make up for the initial oversight by working hard to ensure that there aren't any others - I'll begin preparations as soon as possible!!

[diamondo]

[................................

what did he just witness

because he suspects it wasn't normal

granted he's not the best person to ask because he has mood swings too but

they're never this... dramatic

oh my god what does he do with this]

W-wait, "we"? You don't expect me to actually help with this, right?

[ardent]

[Deal with it, aniki.]

Of course I do! It was your idea, after all - I don't see why I wouldn't want your assistance with it!

[........]

And besides, it'll keep you out of trouble!

[diamondo]

You don't want me teaching kids! I mean, I'm a fucking horrible student, I'd make an even worse teacher! And I'm staying out of trouble, honest! Get Naegi to help you, he'll be a better teacher!

[SORRY FOR THROWING YOU UNDER THE ISHIMARU-BUS, NAEGI...]

[ardent]

[...... >:|a ]

That is a valid point, isn't it! ...Not that I'm trying to offend you with that or anything, but - I'll be sure get in contact with Naegi-kun about it!

[Seriously, Oowada-kun, what the hell have you even started.]

Even if you don't want to work with the actual students, however, you could at least help me with preparations when the time comes for that!

[diamondo]

Aww, c'mon, aniki, you know me better than that! I suck at that shit! You're the one who's good at all that preparation and planning shit, you'll be fine!

[ardent]

Are you a leader or not?! You have to have some skills that can be useful!

[diamondo]

[Oh that is NOT FAIR.]

'Course I'm a leader! I'm just better at leading kids like me, not teaching or organizing shit!!

[ardent]

[...HA, THERE'S AN ANGLE IN THERE HE CAN SEE IT]

And do you think I haven't met kids like you since we arrived here?

[diamondo]

[...SHIT]

Well... well, yeah, but you're talking about the people from other places, right? They have their own education systems!

[ardent]

And...?

[He sees no contradiction here.]

[diamondo]

They have their own education systems...? Why should we interfere with that?

[ardent]

The fact that we're suddenly in another world where there's no education system at all is interfering more than we possibly could!

[diamondo]

But we've got other things to focus on! Like bringing the rest of our classmates here!! Education can take a fucking back seat to that!!

[ardent]

[...Yeah, um. With regards to the classmate situation, exactly how many times are you going to go there and piss him off before you figure out not to go there...?]

I never said I was prioritizing one over the other, do you understand?!

[diamondo]

Well when you're going on and on about this sorta shit what else am I supposed to think? I know we don't have any idea how to get our classmates here and yeah, this would at least help pass the time or some shit like that, but fuck, I get antsy just sitting around. I need to be out there actively searching for answers, aniki!

[ardent]

[He flinches sharply at that, the reaction visible even over the video feed, and a clear lack of comprehension and...something else, something that's at least vaguely wounded, flickers across his expression before he forces it back.]

Then stop wasting your time gambling and get out there.

[His words are strange, rigid and mechanical rather than the usual tone, and he's quick to shut the feed off immediately after they're out there.]

[diamondo]

[He isn't the only one who flinches. Mondo wants to throw the 'Gear, but breaking it would probably be a bad thing, so he settles for glaring at it like this is all its fault.

He hasn't fought with Ishimaru since they became friends. It almost feels like fighting with Daiya; the same emotions are there, at least: frustration (both with Ishimaru and himself), anger, and even a bit of pain. The feelings are so strong and so similar that they force him to pause.

He's already lost one brother. He won't lose another.

He remembers seeing what looked like the base in the background of Ishimaru's video, so he makes his way there. It doesn't take him long to get back to their shared room, but he pauses before entering. It's possible that Ishimaru went out for awhile to cool down, but if he's in the room barging in might not be the smartest idea. Mondo raises a hand to knock, then hesitates.

What if Ishimaru's really angry with him? What if Ishimaru kicks him out or worse, doesn't want to associate with him at all anymore? It's just one fight, it shouldn't be a big deal, right? Fights were never a big deal with Daiya. But they were related by blood and they had to see each other every day. Ishimaru and Mondo don't. He could very easily walk out of the base and take off on one of the routes, never to see Ishimaru again if he felt like it.

The thought sends chills down his spine.

Mondo forces himself to focus and knocks on the door.]

Hey, ani-- [Wait, that might not be the best thing to say, especially if Ishimaru doesn't want to consider him a brother anymore.] ...Ishimaru, you in there?

[ardent]

[Ishimaru had more or less thrown himself down onto that setup he's got going on down on the floor, lying on his back and staring at the ceiling until his breathing settles back into a pattern that's approaching normal and he feels like he can trust himself to have some sort of reaction that isn't mired in tears and incoherent screaming. He cries a bit, yes, because that's just what he does, but the tears are angry and hot and not cathartic at all, and he spends more time frustrated and swiping at his eyes when the ceiling goes all blurry than he does actually working anything out of his system.

He sits up at the sound of that knock on the door, though, tilting his head a bit at it and having another go at his eyes to get rid of what's left of the tears. It's probably still fairly obvious that he's been crying, but he doesn't particularly mind that; he's a bit preoccupied with the fact that Mondo is out there and not just coming in.

The sudden change to his last name doesn't escape his notice and if anything it just makes him more confused; he gets up quickly, however, pushing himself to his feet and opening the door himself rather than yelling an answer at it.]

...Did you forget your keys? You don't usually knock like that.

[His words are still more than a bit stiff, as though he isn't entirely sure what else to say, so he's just going to stick to what he's...mostly sure would be acceptable.]

[diamondo]

Ah, no, I didn't forget 'em, I just... wanted to make sure you were okay with me coming in, I guess?

[Wow this is awkward. Mondo ends up looking everywhere but at Ishimaru and he can't really fight the guilt that comes with the knowledge that his friend has been crying. Ishimaru cries a lot, yes, but this is directly because of something he did and that makes him feel horrible.

He absently straightens his jacket and then starts messing with his sleeves, not sure what to do with himself.]

I... Look, I wanted to apologize. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that and I shouldn't have said what I did. I know getting everyone here's really important to you. So... yeah. I'm sorry.

[ardent]

[Ishimaru draws away from Mondo a bit, shifting his weight back, his posture slackening a little; his gaze has lowered itself as well, not quite looking at the floor but definitely not looking Mondo in the eyes, either. He seems more at a loss than defensive; he isn't sure what to do with the apology and it shows. He nods a bit, the gesture tight and clearly forced; after a moment, he steps back fully, trying to re-establish eye contact again.]

It...it's all right.

[It sort of isn't, but it will be eventually; he hesitates.]

You can come in, if you'd like.

[diamondo]

Is it really?

[Somehow or other, he doubts it. It seems too easy.]

Ah, yeah, thanks.

[He almost wants to crack a joke about how it's his room anyway, but he keeps quiet instead, entering the room and throwing his coat over the back of a chair, kicking off his shoes and flopping on the bed once he's done with that. He folds his arms up behind his head and glances back at Ishimaru.]

I really don't wanna fight with you. You're my... friend. Yeah.

[Again, he was going to say "brother" but things are still really awkward and he doesn't want to say the wrong thing now.]

[ardent]

...yes, it's fine.

[And for a brief while, that's all he really manages; he doesn't move to sit down, instead remaining near the desk even after the door is closed and locked, resting his fingertips lightly on top of the smooth surface of it. His stance has tightened again, the tension in his body incredibly obvious.]

I don't want to fight with you either.

[He twitches a little.]

Your friendship means a lot to me.

[His expression flickers sharply at that, though; he really doesn't want to ask, but he knows he has to. He folds his arms across his body before just kind of brute-forcing the topic out there.]

I heard you correct yourself, when you were standing outside. Do you not want to consider me your brother anymore?

I'll understand either way, so answer me truthfully.

[diamondo]

[The question doesn't seem to register at first and it takes Mondo a moment to realize that yes, Ishimaru did just ask that.]

Do I...? What!?

[He sits bolt upright then, eyes wide and expression openly panicked.]

No, not at all! I wouldn't have started calling you "aniki" if I was just gonna give it up after one fucking fight! No fucking way! You're still my brother!!

[.........]

Err, that is... if you still want to be my brother. Yeah.

[ardent]

[WOW WAIT WHY ARE WE PANICKING WHY ARE WE UPSET]

W-Why wouldn't I still want that?!