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[regression]

Who: Yoo Joonghyuk, Kim Dokja, Han Sooyoung, Fai, Hythlo
Where: PARTY AT THE WEST RUINS
When: November, after the previous ruin expedition? i don't know
What: They're going to search for the gym leader! Maybe learn more about the Truth in the ruins. Gonna become the new protagonists of the Indiana Jones movie.

[ Hello, this is the preamble of the log. Joonghyuk has rounded his closest companions (Dokja and Sooyoung) and... Some people he somewhat likes. With Fai having confirmed to have regained some of his powers last month, then Hythlo's sixth sense, he thinks they would be useful for the expedition. What Joonghyuk doesn't know is that this will be a complete disaster.

Joonghyuk, however, has done his best to keep chaos to a minimum with the amount of supplies he has prepared. Yes, it includes desert survival clothing. He's quite adamant on preparation, almost rabid, but who wants to die in the desert? Who even wants to die? ]

investigation | beginning | fai & hythlo split | yjh & hsy split | rendezvous

Comments

[regression]

[ This silence between them is familiar to him... It reminds him of the time they spent after the scenarios ended, after they realized what was wrong with Dokja. It was comfortable, though sad.

This time, it doesn't have the same sorrow. They're just being productive. ]

It keeps branching.

[ The paths. This is... which branch? Third? Yes. He has been keeping count. ]

[authoriser]

[ Being productive is a great way to avoid being sad in the first place, so productivity is great for people like them. But then again... that part when yjh raided a fucking museum out of nowhere probably... counts for something, yet not at the same time. But it's not like Joonghyuk is stressing her out particularly, so it's fine. It's whatever. Sooyoung's avatar nods, crosses her arms, and thinks. ]

I bet it would be the same no matter which one we end up going to.

[ And from peeking in, it doesn't look like there are any intersections with previous paths either. Spatial-wise, that doesn't seem to make sense with the other factors. ]

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[ He stands at their new branch, looking at one, then the other. His Houndour tries to sniff something out, but doesn't notice anything strange. ]

Do you think this may be an illusion? Considering this is a psychic-related ruin...

[ Since October, Joonghyuk is more cautious. Pokemon can be cute, they can be helpful, but they can seriously trick them. These everyday creatures can be extremely powerful.

To think this is a mental maze wouldn't be far-fetched. A ruin has to have limits in space... Though. They don't even know how large this place is. ]

[authoriser]

[ Considering the actual Sooyoung has a Ditto, she's been convinced of that fact since day one. The avatar looks thoughtful. ]

Since it's psychic-related, I wouldn't put it past its defensive mechanisms.

[ Considering what people went through during the Mango Pandemonium just several weeks ago. Anyway, she gets out a knife. This avatar is the one that has her knife... anyway, she makes a very small nick on the ground. The Chimecho isn't here and glowing things are too noticeable. Surely, Joonghyuk will be able to see the small mark in case he needs to go. Maybe it'll be useless since it could all be an illusion, but that's all the more reason to not listen to a windchime with a face. ]

[regression]

[ If that's the case, Joonghyuk tosses another Pokeball and here comes out Slowji. The Slowpoke's entrance isn't at all... Flashy or worthwhile, but he does yawn? ]

If you notice anything strange, tell us.

[ Slowji turns to them then... Nods... Slowly. Hetsal the Houndour squints, but she continues on her way. They keep going and Joonghyuk makes note of the walls. Slowpoke seems to be alert(?) and looking around as they wander, but doesn't notice anything strange. ]

We haven't passed by the same hallway, allegedly.

[authoriser]

That's right. The slope of the ground is gradually getting steeper the longer we walk too.

[ So the possibility of repeating halls is debunked. There could be other factors, but it would most likely be a waste of time overthinking things like this.

Also, the avatar looks down at the Slowpoke. ]

... Are you expecting that thing to keep up with us as we walk or are you gonna carry it?

[regression]

He can keep up.

[ Slowji hears Joonghyuk's faith in him... And does walk faster! And keeps up! He doesn't make a loud yawn, either, though his mouth stays open. ]

Another fork. [ ... Hm. He pats the walls? Trying to discern the sound. Maybe there's a secret passage. Not suspicious. Ugh. ] We'll split up.

[ YOU'RE NOT SOOYOUNG YOU'RE PROBABLY ONLY 20-30% OF HER HE CAN REBEL ]

[authoriser]

[ Motivational Slowji... the avatar frowns at Joonghyuk's suggestion though. ]

You think you're gonna get away from me? There's no way in hell. If I was fine with splitting up again, there would have been another avatar.

[ You die before you disobey Han Sooyoung outright, whether that's only 20% of her or any portion. ]

[regression]

If I really wanted to, I would. We're not making much progress...

[ Despite how Joonghyuk is that idiot that will keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect better results, that's in the grand scheme of things. This is a small one. Slowpoke looks up at him, then looks at Sooyoung.

Don't.................. Fight...........? ]

We can split for this branch and if we meet another, we'll head back.

[ It's ridiculous to keep going at this. ]

[authoriser]

[ Poor Slowji. The avatar sighs and looks down at the pokemon. ]

I'm guessing this thing will only follow you. Either way, we can meet back here after twenty minutes if our paths don't happen to cross.

[ She makes a small scratch on the floor with the knife, but it's pretty noticeable despite how small it is. Maybe Joonghyuk doesn't have a phone or a watch or whatever, but don't get your sense of time fucked up in the ruins. Because the avatar will keep track at least. ]

[regression]

If you wanted to take him, you can, but you have to return him and keep him safe.

[ Slowji, so far, has proven to be useful despite his slow movements? He uses his moves when commanded and does what Joonghyuk says so that's good enough. ]

... Before you go.

[ He hasn't really had a sit down to talk to Sooyoung deeply about this, only because she has told him in vague ways that things will be as they are and progress as they are.

Does it mean anything for him to know? ]

Do I ever find my ■■?

[authoriser]

Do you believe that you'll find it?

[ A question for a question, no hesitation despite being an avatar.

Does it mean anything for Joonghyuk? Of course it does. If it didn't, he wouldn't be asking her right now. ]

[regression]

... Don’t we all have a ■■?

[ It seems that everyone has found it from what he remembers... They all seemed to know their place. The only thing that they needed was to save someone they all loved, but they still had their answer.

What about him? Why hasn’t he received his ■■? ]

[authoriser]

I never said you didn't have one.

[ The avatar tells him easily, yet not of the thing he probably wants to hear. ]

[regression]

... Then I should find it, eventually.

[ But based on Joonghyuk’s twisted expression, being left out has him questioning his life. His purpose. Everyone, despite finding their conclusion, is living... Free.

Yet he’s here, trapped not knowing what his is—caring because he doesn’t know. Is it because he hasn’t done enough? ]

There is always an end.

[authoriser]

[ Despite yelling about how her ending is associated as the Neverending Story and boasting about how she'll just write forever... yeah, there's always an end, one way or another. The avatar slaps Joonghyuk's back. ]

Just do as you've always done: whatever you can at the moment. You can worry about the future later.

[regression]

[ ... The future is such a strange thing to think about when he has always looked back to the past. Even with the ticking pocketwatch in his coat, ticking and ticking made so aware of him, it's. Scary to think about the future in a way, especially when it's something he can't predict.

But that's their story now, isn't it? A story they made together. Joonghyuk stays silent as Sooyoung's avatar slaps him on the back, not too disgruntled for once. ]

If it ends horribly, I'll somehow find you and kill you.

[ Empty loving threats. Okay, he will go now. ]