Welcome to Gaia! ::

Puer looked at her appreciatively, being glad to be rid of the Weavile. It was, however, Serrin that spoke the appreciation. "Thank you for your help, princess. He was..." He paused for a moment, considering his words carefully--or maybe trying to find the right one? "...frustrating." His voice was unusually cool, even and practiced. It was a surprise to Puer, to say the least; just yesterday still speaking as if he were a baby. This seemed... more adult? It was an unusual, if welcome change.

"Thank you." It was nice to see someone stick their head in besides them. Tolin had mentioned that he knew Alfred quite well, though he might've been injured too. It would definitely explain why he hadn't visited.

Serrin pondered the question for a moment. "They can." What did the laugh infer? It seemed to suggest he was making a joke out of... "young friend"? But what was the joke to be made? He was young, after all. He had only hatched a few months ago and had lived in the city his whole life, rare excursions aside.

But, then... where did it come from? These... places he could half-picture and the fights he half-remembered. The faint smell of flowers and the heavy smell of blood. When had these happened...?

Of course, the considerations leaked readily into his face, making him bear a rather screwed up expression.

He shook his head violently, as if trying to forcibly remove the thoughts that bounced around his mind. His voice came out simplistic and childish once more. "No... Not gone. More like... not there yet." He tried to dissect one of the memories that came back to him. It was one of the stronger few that flashed by.

He remembered the distinct feel of stone under his feet as he walked along the path. The soft pad of four feet to his right were owed to the same person. Two, harder footsteps were to his left. "I don't see why we need to go to the cities for this. We're just as good going off on our own." There was a slight vibration in his chest; the sound of mild laughter. "Ah, but look at it this way! We'll find out about all kinds of different people and places. We'll get easy money and we might even find someone good for you to fight."

The Scyther fidgeted slightly in his steps. He seemed unwilling to admit he was wrong, though he finally gave in. "I guess so." His tone turned a tad grumpy as he added, "But it's not my fault if this turns bad."

Another chuckle. "Nonsense! It'll be fine."

He shook his head once more. "Those that live for themselves pity. Those that live for themselves understand." The sentence came to mind from... somewhere? The phrase seemed to come from somewhere... different, yet similar. "But, this is... different."

Puer's look was one of extreme and obvious confusion. This conversation was way over his head.

Whether it was simply ending the memory or Orion's strangeness, it was enough to snap Serrin back. "Orion? Orion, are you alright!?" He seemed to have gone nuts for some reason that was beyond the Bulbasaur's understanding.

Serrin and Puer were left alone in the room with the unconscious Tolin, both of them rather confused. Serrin's mind had set to work trying to understand what had happened. "That was... strange." Puer's had not.

"He's... He's lost his mind, hasn't he?" The pieces began to quietly fit together. The erratic behaviour, what he had said earlier, the mood swings... "That's so sad." Tears welled in his eyes. What must it be like to have such a small, reclusive world? To live in a place that constantly deteriorates and fades? To not even know how large it once was--how large everything beyond it was? "That's... so terribly sad." The tears streamed forth, his words turning to wails.

Leaving a very confused Puer. "It'll... be alright." Who could not understand, say or do anything to alleviate the situation.

Morana wrapped Incultyr in the best hug she could on four limbs, giving him an affectionate lick on the side of the face. The Larvitar returned the affection with a nod, and the two turned to see Crescendo returning. The Milotic slithered down the hall. Zero was in a drug-induced sleep, strapped to the Milotic's back. Padding by their side was Zosee, her wounds having healed fully under the care of the skilled nurses.

Her physical wounds, at least. There was weariness in her step, her tail dropped, her fur frayed and lacking its usual luster. Her gaze was directed downwards to the ground, and she only looked up when her son ran to her side, nuzzling her, licking her, demanding the love and affection he had been missing since the horrible events in Hell. A shadow broke off from those in a corner to pool underneath the two Manectrics, solidifying into the shape of an Umbreon right next to Zoey.

"Hello kids..." Zosee murmured, looking sadly at her children. She looked up as Morana and Incultyr approached.

"Thank you so much Incultyr, for taking care of my children." She murmured, bowing her head. The Larvitar waved it off.

"It's nothing. Morana's family is my family." He delacred, and Zosee nodded her thanks. Morana stepped forward to join in on the family-hug of sorts, suddenly fighting back tears.

Nothing will be the same ever again...



Ooooooowwwwwww. Spade opened his eyes and immediately shut them again. Urrrrggghhhhh...it was so bright...he clenched a fist around his necklace, taking solace from the Plate's steady pulse of power and went back to sleep.