[Video]

[memoryborn]

--ah! I still know how to turn it on!

[ Pop goes the feed, and the face of a young girl with short black hair and blue eyes appears on the screen. There's a Skarmory also peering down at the screen with wonder and squawks at what Xion's doing with the PokeGear. ]

I, uh... [ Oh, now that she's gotten it back on, she... really didn't think about what she should say. Instead, she gives a brief wave with a shy smile before that hand goes to rub at her neck in slight embarrassment. She recovers quickly, though, after her new steely companion bumps her beak against Xion's cheek. ]

It's been a long time, it seems. At least I think it should be for here. It didn't even feel like I was gone, and yet... I remember this time.

It's good to be back.

Comments

[memoryborn]

Hello, Imogen. I'm Xion. [ Have a small smile for the bit of enthusiasm she's displaying. ]

Well, it's definitely a lot safer than the world I came in.

[ video ]

[memoryborn]

Talim! It's good to see you're still here. Are you okay?

[video]

[memoryborn]

Yes, it's me, Cecil. It's really good to hear from you.

[ Since she heard some close friend disappearances happened while she was away, it's good to hear that some people stayed. ]

And no, not yet. I think I have to ask Riku or someone else about them.

[Video]

[memoryborn]

[ ... Scowl. ]

Too bad for you, Cobra. Somehow, you're still here.

[ Her tone is pretty much showing how disappointed she's in finding that fact out. ]

[video]

[memoryborn]

Lancer? It's good to see you're still here!

[ Meanwhile, Xion's beaming at hearing and seeing a familiar face. ]

[video]

[riastrad_ridire]

[u-uwaaaah baby gurl ;3;]

O-...of course I am! Geez, you think you can get rid of me that easily?

video;

[memoryborn]

[ Xion returns the enthusiasm with a quick nod and smile. Then it's followed by a shake of her head. ]

No, I only started with a Skarmory this time. I don't know if they went to anyone or... they went out to the wild.

[ She sounds a bit worried about the last part, but she tries to make sure it doesn't show on her face. ]

[Video]

[memoryborn]

[ She laughs a bit at the first part of his words. She's glad for that, nonetheless. ]

Oh? How older?

[video]

[memoryborn]

[ Papa Hound Wolf! ;3;/ ]

Heh, not really. I'm glad to hear that you stayed. [ Pause. ] And I'm sorry I didn't.

video;

[ex_cashcow493]

Mm, we will figure that out. I have discovered many tend to run back to their trainers when they return... especially since they have known you for so long, yes?

[ A nod, then: ] A Skarmory is an excellent choice.

[video]

[riastrad_ridire]

Ain't anythin' you can control, so don't get all broken up about it. I'm just happy to see you again.

video;

[memoryborn]

It was over a year ago, but... It's been several months now, I think. If they made it to someone, maybe it'd be better if they stayed with them.

[ She glances to the aforementioned Skarmory, who preens herself a bit at the compliment. ]

Looks like she agrees.

[video]

[memoryborn]

The same to you, Lancer! Have you been doing okay?

[video]

[riastrad_ridire]

Pretty good, all in all. The whole place has been actin' up again, but to tell you the truth it ain't so bad.

[video]

[soggypastry]

[Though she frowns at Xion's sudden change of tone, she understands the girl's frustration. If someone had told her her friends--her family--were gone but didn't know how long, she'd be angry too. She gets it.

Still, she doesn't know. Didn't bother to keep track or find out to spare her heart another set of losses. Is it a selfish reasoning? Sure. Is it wrong of her to act that way? She doesn't think so. She's just so tired of loss that she's stopped trying. Suddenly, what Leon said over two years ago makes all the sense in the world.]

I'm sorry you had to find out this way. [she is, but before anything more can be said on that topic, she presses on. Keep moving forward. Don't look back.]

I have Thundaga. I'll send him back when I reach a Center. Shouldn't take long.

[video]

[memoryborn]

That's good. Some of the people who already responded seem to be so... tired lately.

[video]

[memoryborn]

[ She makes a small sound of protest at the sudden change in topic, but a part of her understands why. Looking back, she really hasn't been here as long as Lightning has; the losses didn't stack up as much as the older woman's did.

Still, some of those losses were shared. Xion sighs but nods. ]

I'm not at a Center now, but thank you for taking care of him. I hope he wasn't too much trouble.

Re: [Video]

[caster_blaster]

So even if we manage to leave this place, there's chance we win the cosmic lottery again? Well, shit. That throws an even worse light on everything.

[Video]

[memoryborn]

Mmm, that depends on the person, really. I don't mind being here... the losses take some time to get used to, though.

[video]

[riastrad_ridire]

Crazy shit wears on some people after a while. Me, I thrive on that kinda thing. Life ain't fun at all if you're living it in a straight line; you should take some unexpected turns now and then, builds character and all that. You learn to take even the worst stuff in stride.

[video]

[memoryborn]

[ And after a bit of a pause as she considers Lancer's words: ]

So you've learned to deal with all the bad stuff happening to you?

[video]

[riastrad_ridire]

Sure I have. Hell, I've had enough of it to know crying about all of it won't accomplish a damn thing.

[Shrug.]

If life wants to punch you in the face you should stand up, look it straight in the eye and say 'that didn't even hurt, you hit like a little kid'.

[this narrator does not condone tempting fate.]

Re: [Video]

[caster_blaster]

I'll see. An Outlaw without his ship? It's a damned tragedy.

Anyway, sorry for the complainin'. Gene's the name, Miss.

[video]

[memoryborn]

[ That makes her laugh a bit despite herself. At least Lancer's still a bad, but somehow still positive influence. Though Xion believes in the latter more. ]

You're right; it does get easier to have those things roll off your back. But have some good things happened to you lately, Lancer?

[Video]

[memoryborn]

[ She blinks at the ship part, but that bit might come up later. ]

It's alright. I was in the same position as you, Gene. I'm Xion, by the way. It's nice to meet you.