islandshore | 48 - text/action for Celadon

[A pounding at his door jerks Riku out of his slumber. Though he presses his pillow to his ears, the bellows and growls that follow alert him that, sadly, he won't be catching any more Z's.

It's all just a part of the routine, really. Some overzealous Pokémon demanding attention. Quake, probably. While he blearily rubs his eyes and slides down off his bed, his trusty Charizard trails close behind...

As expected, one snarling Garchomp greets him, complete with putrid breath. More roars follow, and though Riku manages to squeeze past his ornery dragon, Quake stomps behind, continuing to growl, thrash, and flail...

Sigh. Even when Riku tells him to back down, that he's not up for training today, that he's still sore from last week (not to mention worn down), Quake continues his tantrum. He even charges himself straight at his Trainer in an Outrage attack.

It's by sheer dumb luck that he dodges the blow, leaving Flare to pin him down. Rather than stick around, Riku slips off, wandering the halls. He occasionally peers into the different arenas; he'd be stupid not to check up on the... fifty, sixty-some monsters that've made the TC their home. And of course there's no mistaking the shrieks and screeches coming from the lockdown chamber... Of course, he lacks the patience to deal with Terror today. He's already worn down as it is.

As he makes the rounds, the situation doesn't fare much better. One step into the ice arena, and he's greeted by a grumbling Dragonite. Having raised Draco from an egg, he recognizes his chest beating, wing flapping, and tail swishing as signs of impatience. Like Quake, he wants to train. When Riku says no, to go find Quake or Cleaver, a similar reaction follows. Roars, stomping, overall frustration... It's not like he needs to train with Riku every day, anyway. He's a high level dragon in a place full of others like himself... Sheesh.

By the time he makes it back into his room and scoops up his metal Keyblade, he's left feeling more drained than when he initially woke up. Drained and a little drenched; a Hydro Pump to the face tends to do that. And he gets their enthusiasm-- he trained them to love battles. And he loves them, too, but there's no denying that feeling of monotony that's crept up on him. He's got all the badges, he's got his business, but where does he go from there?

When was the last time he really sparred with an opponent that didn't breathe fire, spew water, or launch Aura Spheres? And in spending so much time focusing on his team, has he really become stronger himself? When Flare finally returns to his side, he shoots his Charizard a stiffened smile. His eyes soon drift back to his training weapon, though. If something were to happen and he needed to rely on himself and not his team, could he even do it...?

He sighs.]

Maybe you were right all along; I really have gone overboard.

[A text message appears in the early hours of the day:]

What does it mean to be strong?

I thought I had the answers, but I guess I got a little sidetracked along the way.

This place puts a huge focus on training powerful teams. Collecting badges, facing challenges, and I appreciate that. It's given me something to do, and it's hard to imagine life without those goofballs on my team to liven things up. But still, you can build a tough team without being strong on your own.

[There's a short pause before he continues his message. He has to search for the right words, try to piece together what he wants to say in a way that even he can understand...

Maybe he should get to the point.]

How many people here still fight? I've tried to keep up on my swordplay, but there's only so much I can teach myself. I know there are people out there better than me. Stronger than me... People with experience outside of play sword fights on an island day after day.

I guess what I'm really trying to ask is, well... Is there anyone out there who'd be willing to show someone else the ropes? I've done pretty much all I can with Pokémon battles, but I know I've got a long way to go with my own personal strength. And besides, I just... need something new to strive for. Something to break my routine.

[He ends his message there. It came out wordier than he intended... more like a rant than anything else. But with his thoughts out for all the see, he slips out into the city and proceeds to wander aimlessly with his 'Gear in hand.

Maybe he just needs a different outlook. He's got a much bigger world at his disposal now, and he's just barely scratched the surface...

But where does he start?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

its not my strongest skill but its about the only thing i can train while im here anyway

normally itd include weapons training too but thats not an option here

[Even if he might have some knives courtesy of Obito and Vanitas, but he's not about to go using them unless he literally has no other choice...]

Yeah, seriously. You'd think they'd give us a little more leeway given freak shows like Bowser and Cobra, but I guess they'd rather promote pacifism.

Lt. Surge is one of the few locals with the right idea.

i doubt theyre used to things like war so itd only make sense for them to want to keep the peace

[There's a bit of a pause before he finally sighs and sends another text.]

i should probably see sora again anyway. he thinks i hate him

Edited (Whoops HTML) 2013-03-23 18:04 (UTC)

I still don't get how this world's so peaceful to begin with. You'd think there'd be more power struggles.

But I doubt Sora hates you. He's not the hateful kind of guy.

i didnt think he did. doesnt mean hes not mad

but i dont hate him. im not sure he knows that

I can always drag him to Olivine whenever we get the chance... or Cianwood, I guess. Just don't blame me if he punches you in the face.

yeah. i know

[There isn't another text for a long time, but just before Riku can send his next one, he's going to receive another from Sasuke.

He's not exactly thinking when he sends it either, more disappointed and angry with himself at the time.]

if someone in team rocket attacked you right now and i was there, would you let me fight with you

Of course I would. I'd take all the help I could get.

so you dont think id just be in the way

Why would I? You've got experience.

[Long pause.]

bowser found us and attacked us here last week. instead of being able to help i was told to just run. i wasn't useful then

[In other words, serious case of stung pride.]

Well, sometimes you have to run. That doesn't mean you're weak, Sasuke.

sometimes it seems like running is all i can do

i had to run away that night, too

You can't always stand up and fight. I think it's important to try when you can, but there's no harm in fleeing, just like there's no harm in being scared sometimes.

it wasnt because of fear. i ran because i was told to run. because i wasnt useful there

[Another sigh, he's getting just a little frustrated figuring out just how to put it... And, well, to admit it period, as well as give Riku a real taste of how much he's hating himself right about now.]

i thought i was finally strong enough to make a difference. but it doesnt matter to them. im just a kid who needs to be rescued

You have to understand that they only told you to run because they were probably concerned about you. Every world has its own standards, and it's easy for adults to overlook someone's strength when they're younger.

You shouldn't beat yourself up over it. Just try to prove your strength in a way that won't get you nailed by some insane turtle freak.

[There's a long pause after that before suddenly it's on voice. Not that it's very loud, he's almost mumbling and doesn't sound well at all.]

It would have been one thing if Lightning didn't know what we are. But she knows that we're ninja and that we're pretty much trained soldiers who are used to combat situations like that. She knows about my past. She has fought alongside me before... Though I guess she thought she was rescuing me then, too.

She still sees us as stupid and useless burdens, even knowing what she does... I think that's the worst part.

[Oddly enough, he feels a little lighter now that he's finally given it words and told them to someone. He knows Lightning is a friend of Riku's but... Maybe that's why it feels better; Riku would understand her better than he or any of the other nin could, and would still be at least willing to listen to his side of it.]

Edited 2013-03-26 14:36 (UTC)

[It takes him a few moments to respond. During that time, he takes in Sasuke's words, trying to whip up a reasonable reply. After all, Sasuke is prone to extreme pessimism and self-deprication. It's something he needs to approach cautiously.]

Have you... tried talking to her about this? Sometimes it's important to air out your feelings.

[He's quiet for a few seconds, thinking over how he wants to put it.]

You're the only one who knows about any of this from me.

Edited (I need to learn how to grammar) 2013-03-26 16:33 (UTC)

Then I'd just be up front with her. You'll never solve anything if you keep it to yourself, and she'll never know that it bothered you unless you talk.

[He's quiet for a long while, and it's not too far to assume that he's disconnected the feed. Thankfully that's proven wrong as Sasuke's voice gets picked up again.]

Give me a couple of days. I'll talk to her.

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