bravenewworld | 3rd Order; action

[It isn't that unusual to find Ishimaru out for a walk on the weekends, but this time he isn't the one leading the pack. Truthfully, he hasn't been acting quite the same ever since he came back from Sanctuary. Worry lines were creased deep into his forehead, dark bags became more prevalent under his eyes, and even in class he seemed distant, far away. If he'd been sleeping at all, it hadn't been well. Some part of the prefect just seemed fundamentally broken, and it's clear he's been trying to pick himself up, but to no success.

His Blaziken and his Watchog have taken that initiative for him this time, trying to cheer their trainer up. Even his usually curious and impulsive Blaziken was hanging back just a little, holding Ishimaru's hand gently in his talon and guiding him along. Watchog is perhaps a little less on-task, occasionally running off as she spots a candy wrapper in a trash bin, but her trainer seems too drained to properly discipline her.

In the end, it had been Yukiko's evolution that saved them - not the efforts and passions of an ordinary man, but the epitome of natural, in-born talent, the kind he could never hope to gain. And as grateful as he is for her sacrifice, to be alive, as grateful as he is that everyone else is alive, there's a voice in the back of his mind telling him he failed. Failed his city, failed his family, but most of all, failed everything he believes in. That's not even taking into account the atrocities committed by Sanctuary, those horrors he can barely stand to stomach, wildly different than any of his first impressions of the place.

War leaves a lot to weigh on your mind.]

......

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[Orpheus the Foongus turns and gently paps Watchdog on the inquiring nose. They were united in having insecure trainers and, though it could be hard, it always did get better. Humans were strange like that.]

No, I haven't. [Waver confessed, calming down despite himself. The prospect of learning something new about this city helped him shift his focus onto something other than his own nervousness.] But, if you're willing to lead the way, I'll go with you.

Alright. Be sure to stay close...!

[His efforts at enthusiasm are halfhearted at best, but at least he knows his way around the city. Blaziken is able to keep up easily, given his long strides, but Watchog is so preoccupied with papping the Foongus that she nearly misses the memo and has to run on stubby chicken legs to catch up to the...literal giant chicken.

Otherwise, Ishimaru will remain silent through the whole trip unless prompted to speak, staring down at the pavement. Awkward.]

[Foongus squeaks in surprise, falling back into the depth of the bag when Waver starts moving to match the the taller young man's pace. He normally wouldn't have a problem, but those were long strides--]

--Can you slow down a little?

Eh?

[He pauses for a moment, allowing Waver some time to catch up. It felt like a hit to the arm, like he couldn't even do simple things right.

What's wrong with him?]

My apologies, sir...!

[Ishimaru starts off again at a slightly slower pace, but thankfully it isn't long before they reach an elaborate school building with far too many windows to be practical.]

Don't apologize.

[Waver caught up, face furiously red as they made their way to the building. The less attention he got in this place was better for him, and knowing that he had already screwed up and made one of the locals uncomfortable in his clumsy attempts at showing gratitude didn't bode well for the rest of his stay in this city.

They made the rest of the way in silence...until they reached the building.]

That's a lot of windows...

[There was a quiet note of awe in his voice. Buildings with that many windows weren't common in Sanctuary. They encouraged drafts in the winter, but imagine the sunlight...!]

[Tough luck, Waver. Apologizing for things that aren't his fault is a thing he would normally do anyway. The windows, though, are a fine way to distract him.]

I guess there are...! Having so much natural light in the building has excellent health benefits, you know, as well as boosting student moral. Come in!

[Pushing open the door, he starts leading Waver through the hallways to the kitchen. There's still something off about the way he moves, but he's trying harder, that much is obvious.]

[Waver doesn't know the difference between 'normal' and 'not normal' as it regards Ishimaru. He's just glad to have the distraction himself, and he quickly scurries after Ishimaru as he enters.]

It's certainly more inviting in here than the basements at home, [he said softly, staring at everything with wide eyes.

Were his words a hint at his personal study habits? Maybe.]

[Okay, Ishimaru is going to be the last person on the planet to criticize someone for their study habits, but it does stand out enough for him to stop and raise an eyebrow.]

You went to school in a basement?

I did a lot of studying on my own,

[he explained, as if that were enough of an answer to suffice. Even if his own studies took place in basements, he didn't see why it mattered.]

[...a fellow academic! That alone is enough to brighten him up at least momentarily.]

Excellent! It is exceedingly rare that I find other students who take the initiative to better their education. As students, it is our job to study, after all.

[If the whole part about the basement bothers him, he doesn't push it further, and soon he's absorbed in negativity once again. Ishimaru knocks on the kitchen door and begins a lengthy and strangely apologetic conversation with the staff, leaving Blaziken and Watchog to entertain his guest. The latter pokes at his bag, hoping for her new mushfriend to pop out again.]

[The young man was right. It was a student's job to study, and to one day surpass their own teachers in both skill and knowledge. It was why Waver had travelled to Union in the first place, to continue that very silent battle he was in with those intellectuals who had refused to even look upon him.

He watched quietly when the young man started to corrall the staff, feeling distinctly uncomfortable with the imposing figure of the Blaziken lingering nearby.

Watchog would indeed find her new mushfriend peering out from the canvas bag. She recieves another playful boop on the nose with a stubby little hand for her continued curiosity. Hello, friend.]

3rd Order; action

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