05 - [Action/Open] Look who the cat dragged in

[iamthatis]

(A) - Open to all

[Today, you might notice something strange in Union. Or rather, you might notice someone strange in Union; a rather tall man, you might assume, wrapped firmly in a traveling cloak, a hood firmly over his head and his identity a mystery to most. He seemed to be wandering around the town, not as if he were lost or anything of the sort, quite to the contrary he seemed to know exactly where he was going, like he'd been here before. It was like he was seeing something old for the first time in a while and was simply taking in what had changed, even going so far as to place one of his hands on the wall of the breeding center building in a way someone with sentimental attachment might when gripped by a sense of nostalgia.

The only clue to his identity was a sword strapped firmly to his hip and the Lopunny in a curious red jacket walking at his side at almost all times.

It had been a long while since he'd stepped foot back here, since he'd walked the streets of his home...since he'd felt like he was clear of mind enough to do so. But here he was once again, ready more than ever to uphold the tenants of The Swords of the Savior he'd taken so long ago. Matthias of Union had come home, now more sure of himself than he'd ever been...he just had a few things to square up now that he was able to.]

(B) - Closed to Martin

[Speaking of things he needed to square up, it took him a while but eventually he found the man he was looking for, ironically in front of the place he'd called home after Methuselah had passed on. His friend might not recognize the hooded figure approaching without his Lopunny around, Basil having gone off to get reacquainted with the town, but he might just recognize the sword that he was gripping the sheath of in one hand.]

Martin the Warrior?

[Even his voice was different; deeper and a tad more gruff...but there was still something familiar to it, something almost...nostalgic. He asked his name as if he had no idea who he was, as if he were a stranger seeking him out with nothing more than a name and a vague description in mind. But he knew exactly what he was doing, who exactly he was talking to, and why exactly he was here.]

((OOC: This is backdated BEFORE the event, so feel free to tag at your leisure with whomever you'd like!))

Comments

[warriormouse]

[Martin has just got home from helping at the construction site when the stranger walks up. He turns at the nickname and quickly takes in everything he can about the stranger.

...why does he have Matthias's sword?]

Just Martin, please. Can I help you?

[iamthatis]

[He should have expected that...in fact he had expected that, if only his face could be seen, Martin could see him smile. But he wasn't here for pleasantries, he was here to test his skills and to see where he stood.]

Indeed you can. I've heard tell you're one of the best swordsmen in Union and I wish to test me skills against yours.

[He needed confirmation, that his time away had been worth something, that his days hadn't been utterly wasted and that this new power was something that could bring him closer to his dreams. He needed to see exactly how far he'd come and Martin was the only person he could think of that would be able to help.]

If you have a spare moment, of course.

[warriormouse]

[Martin hums a moment, sharing a look with Boar. The Pokémon shrugs]

Maybe after you tell me where you got that sword. It belongs to a friend of mine, I believe.

[iamthatis]

[Well...there goes the theatrics he was going for, though he supposed in all fairness he should have been a little more straightforward. He just couldn't resist the opportunity to live out at least one of his childhood fantasies, and to be fair he could hardly be blamed for it.

With a sigh, he lowered his hood and indeed, it was Matthias staring back at Martin. His hair was a little longer, stubble more pronounced, and boy howdy had he gotten taller since last time, but there was no mistaking who it actually was.]

I suppose the whole mysterious stranger bit was a bit over the top, wasn't it?

[warriormouse]

[Martin just gapes a little. Boar, too]

Matthias? You were gone for a month. What in the Savior's name--

[iamthatis]

[Yeah...that. He had some explaining to do.]

It's...complicated, but I think I've simplified it, at least in my head. For a while, it felt like there was something...

[A pause...because the words he was thinking of weren't quite correct.]

Off in me. Pains, aches, night terrors...I felt an urging towards the outside I couldn't explain, something driving me towards the wilderness that I couldn't explain. I think part of it was what happened in Sanctuary...the things we saw, I felt so...so helpless on my own, I had to prove that I could help myself on my own before I could help anyone else, which is why I left without a word. It just so happened that this...

[And he gestures to his bigger self.]

Happened along the way. I'm not...entirely sure but I believe I've awoken like you. Physically, not...

[He didn't die if that's what you're thinking.]

That said...I've spent the last month getting down everything you've taught me and mastering my new strength, so I'd like to see just how far I've been able to bring myself.

[warriormouse]

...you're an Enlightened?

[Oh good lord. Poor Matthias]

But no, that isn't important. You could have spoken to me, if you weren't feeling well and shaken by Sanctuary, Matthias. You didn't have to go off on your own. I was worried.

A

[punchesyu]

[He spots the cloaked figure coming into town. He's just finished his own shift at Junes, and while it's not uncommon to see travelers anymore in the city, this guy definitely caught his eye. Furthermore, he recognizes the pokémon at his side. He hadn't seen him in quite a while, and it's out of curiosity that he calls out to the man.

But there's no way that could be him, right? He remembers him being a lot shorter.]

Hey um...excuse me? [He's going to test the water.] I kinda recognize that Lopunny, he belongs to someone around here. Uh... [Glances at the sword though...] You aren't returning him or something are you?

[iamthatis]

[The figure stopped, turned around, lowered his hood for you...and it was totally Matthias. Sure he looked bigger and taller, but he still looked more or less the same as he always had.]

Last I checked Basil was my partner, so it would be a tad strange if I was returning him.

[His words were in jest, clearly marked by the short chuckle at the end; he couldn't really blame Yosuke for his confusion, he would be confused as well.]

Have things been hanging well for you?

[And he still hasn't quite gotten that phrase down.]

[punchesyu]

Holy crap-! Yo! Uh... [One second he has to clear something up]



Dude, that's not how you say that phrase.

[iamthatis]

...Its not?

[A pause, because he was so sure he'd figured it out!]

How do you say it?

[punchesyu]

All you do is ask, "How's it hanging," and that's it! If you say it any other way, it just sounds weird! Cuz...you know!

[He doesn't want to get further into why it's weird.]

[iamthatis]

Oh.

[Okay now it made more sense.]

So...how is it hanging?

[He doesn't at all see why the other way sounded weird, but he'll just take Yosuke's word on it.]

[punchesyu]

That's...a little better.

[There's work to be done here, he can see it. A lot of work.]

Things have been cool here, but dude, first thing's first! You grew like ten feet from the last time I saw you!

A

[windyflower]

[As Fuuka was wandering down the streets, she couldn't help but pay special attention to a certain someone walking down. It was one thing to travelers but it was odd how he was wrapped in a cloak. Still, being rather curious, Fuuka decided to strike up a conversation with him]

Excuse me sir, are you looking for something?

[iamthatis]

...Me?

[Matthias turned, a look of slight confusion on his face as his hood dropped while he was looking around to make sure it was indeed him she was talking to.]

Oh...no, not at all! I'm just...revisiting some old memories; I apologize if I seemed out of place.

[windyflower]

Oh, I'm sorry then! I didn't mean to be rude!

[Well doesn't she feel embarrassed now? As her eyes widen as she began to flail, she chuckled to herself.]

But is there anything I can help you with? Perhaps I can help you find something?

[iamthatis]

No no, you weren't rude at all, quite the opposite.

[He give the woman a kind smile, feeling rather welcomed as opposed to anything else.]

Well, I do live here so unless something's changed, I should be fine in that regard. I just took a small...vacation of sorts. That said, I don't think we've been acquainted yet; my name is Matthias. Might I ask yours?

[windyflower]

Oh good, for a moment I thought that I was! The last thing I want to do is to make someone feel uncomfortable!

But my name is Fuuka Yamagishi, it's nice to meet you Matthias! But it was rude of me to not realize that you use to live here! Although, I don't think much has changed! I'm afraid a lot of things have been the same...?

I’m afraid it is rather boring!

[frozenflame]

[Yukiko, coming in from the field on Lilith, slides off the Rapidash and starts heading towards the Habitat and Breeding Center to give the Pokemon it's brushing and proper care before heading home. The sight of the stranger wasn't all that uncommon, but the sword and the Lopunny? Well, she recognizes them.

How could she not? She'd been missing her friend for a while now.

But this guy? He wasn't Matthias...]

Hey! Where did you find those two?

[iamthatis]

Hmm?

[Are you absolutely sure about that? Because once he took his hood down, that face did look awfully like Matthias. Maybe a little taller and maybe his hair was a touch longer...but it still looked like him, more or less.]

What do you mean Miss Yukiko? Basil and my sword?

[frozenflame]

[Well things change when the hood comes down...and she beams!]

Matthias! [A pause.] You...grew.

[iamthatis]

[He couldn't help but laugh slightly at the reaction...what she'd said wasn't wrong in the slightest; if anything it was the most blunt assessment he could have gotten.]

I have! If I'm not mistaken, I believe I've awoken, as it were, but I'd have to check to be absolutely sure.

[He'd rather be sure after all.]

Either that or I've undergone the world's strangest growth spurt.

[frozenflame]

Oh.

[She stops...looks at Basil...and then back at Matthias, and her whole face lights up.]

Well, congratulations! I'd wondered where you'd gotten off to. When you didn't turn up for the picnic, I got a little bit worried! But, it looks like you were off doing important things.

[Canting her head to one side, she just has to ask.]

Do you know your typing yet?

[iamthatis]

I'm...not entirely sure, but if I had to take a guess, I'd probably say Fighting. I seem more physically inclined now, more than I was most definitely.

[He faltered though, just a bit and looked away sheepishly.]

I...apologize for that, I should have let people know I was leaving beforehand.

[Even if he was being compelled by forces he couldn't understand, he still felt guilty about just up and leaving.]