34 [Voice/Action]

[mischiefbreeder]

[How long had it been? Gold wasn't entirely sure. The hours turned to days, and the days turned to weeks while he was in that place. He couldn't be sure how long he'd been gone or how long he was stuck in that stupid lab. All he could think about now was that he was back in the village.

Around him, he could hear the crashing of the waves against the shore. He could feel the coarse sand beneath his fingers as he laid sprawled out.]

The beach, huh... Man, to leave me with a vacation after that ordeal? You guys are so hospitable... [He mused to no one in particular, but really hoped that perhaps the Malnosso were listening.

Finding the strength to at least sit up, Gold grabs his journal that was conveniently nearby, to broadcast a message.]

Guess I'm back, guys. Hey, think I can get a hand or five here? I've never felt this sore in my whole life. It really kinda hurts to even move right now. [And that says a lot coming from a guy who gets blown up by dangerous beasts on a regular basis.

After that, he turns off his journal and just flops back on the sand. Yep, just gonna lay here.]

---

[Action]

[Sometime after Gold's managed to make it home courtesy of some kind soul, learned about how half of his friends had gone home, and had some time to rest up, he's out and about in the village. Previously, this sort of thing would have hit him hard. He'dve become sulky and put-out over the thought of his friends leaving him behind. But he refuses to become like that again. He won't let despair consume him like it did last time. Feel free to run into him almost anywhere in the village. Common spots include the restaurant, the rec center, the battle dome, and his friends in community building one, but he'll be wandering in the village in general if none of those spots work.]



((ooc: Gold's mallynap effect is special. Remember in the games when you'd try to ride your bike indoors or try to use a key item that you weren't supposed to, only to get greeted by those lovely words from the Professor, "There's a time and place for everything! But not now." or something to that effect? Well, that's what's literally will happen to Gold. He has a nondescript voice in his head for the duration of the effect that, when he tries to do or say something, there's a possibility it may prevent him from doing it, telling him why, like "it's not time" or "you can't do that here" or something like that.

There's also a certain degree of reality warping to it. For instance, if he tries to go through a doorway to meet someone on the other side, and it tells him "this door is locked", then he isn't getting through, even if it's clearly open, and neither is anyone else, at least as long as he's in the area or until it decides that the door is now open!))

Comments

[Action]

[kickingcatcher]

[A MILLION AND TEN PERCENT DONE WITH YOUR SHIT RIGHT NOW, GOLD. WHATEVER, she'll just come downstairs (looking slightly miffed) and

hug him because holy shit dude it's been a baaaaaad few days.] I'm really glad you're back, Gold.

[Action]

[mischiefbreeder]

[YOU TOLD HIM TO HOLLER WHEN HE GOT THERE...]

Whoa, the heck's goin' on with you? Did somethin' happen? Not that I don't appreciate the new behavior, but this is pretty unlike you.

[kickingcatcher]

[STILL DONE WITH YOUR SHIT.] Gold... Silver, Green, Ruby, Pearl, and Mister Emmet left.

[Now if you'll excuse her, she needs to be happy you're at least still here.]

[mischiefbreeder]

[...No. That's not impossible. They can't have all left. That's... That's not possible. Crys has to be joking!

...Crys never jokes. Gold knows that she's physically incapable of joking around. So Gold is just going to force himself free of her hug and run past her, into the depths of the house, frantically opening the door of every room to check their contents. They can't be gone, they can't be gone, they can't be gone--]

[kickingcatcher]

[She can't say she's all that surprised by him rushing away like that, nor can she really blame him. She walks quietly after him, uncertain of what to say. What do you say to someone who lost four friends? For now, she'll just stand with him in the last room he enters, placing a hand on his shoulder out of sympathy.] I'm sorry...

[mischiefbreeder]

[The last room he'd entered was his own, i.e. the one he shared with Silver. It was the one he didn't want to believe most of all.

He's crouched on the ground, fist meeting the floor, his eyes downcast and his expression darkened over.]

Dammit Silver... You said you weren't gonna leave me behind here again...

[kickingcatcher]

[For once, Crys isn't sure what she should do. She of all people knows how close Gold and Silver were, how hard this must be for him to lose a brother.] I know this might not mean much right now... but I promise I'm not leaving, Gold.

[mischiefbreeder]

[Gold stands up, and turns to face Crys.]

You can't promise that.

[And then he grabs her and pulls her into a hug, returning the one she gave him earlier.]

No one can promise that. And you know what? That's fine. I don't want anyone to promise they'd stay here. I can't even promise that. [Not since he's already left and come back.] That's why we have to just appreciate the time we get together here, y'know?

[kickingcatcher]

[He's exactly right, and as much as it pains her, she can't do anything to change it. So she won't waste time hugging him back.] Then I don't promise that. But I'll stay for as long as I can, Gold. I'll stay here however long I'll be allowed to, and I'll always be here for you.

[mischiefbreeder]

[He lets go of Crys now, giving a shrug.]

They're gone now, and that sucks... But there's nothin' we can do to change that. I know that now. It's not like we're sayin' goodbye to them for good. It's just "see ya later".

So all we can do is keep movin' forward until "later" comes, I guess.

[kickingcatcher]

[Crys finally gets a smile on her face, albeit a small one. It still means the world to her that Gold is here with her.] Mhm. And we've still got a few other friends here, so it's not like we're all alone, either.

[mischiefbreeder]

That's right. [He gives a nod. Now you're starting to get it, Crys.] We're only alone if we let ourselves be alone here!

[kickingcatcher]

Right. We've always got someone. [She's smiles brighter, feeling a little better about everything.] But if you leave anytime soon, I will kick your ass. [She swore, Gold. YOU KNOW SHE MEANS MAJOR BUSINESS. SHE'S FEELING BETTER, NOT COMPLETELY FINE.]

[mischiefbreeder]

Only if I can return the favor if you leave first.

[kickingcatcher]

... yeah, fair enough. If you can, that is. [Her legs are trained, Gold.]

[mischiefbreeder]

Are you doubting my skills, Crys? [Guuuuuuuuuuurl.]

[kickingcatcher]

Yes. [Without any hesitation.]

[mischiefbreeder]

Rude.

[kickingcatcher]

Just stating the facts, that's all.

[mischiefbreeder]

Well, if we're gonna be stating facts now...

[kickingcatcher]

[YOU ARE GETTING A LOOK, GOLD. Do you really want to be pissing her off AFTER LOSING THAT MANY FRIENDS WHILE YOU WERE GONE.

She dares you. She double dog dares you.]

[mischiefbreeder]

[He gives a shrug.]

You're lookin' good today.

[And then he walks deeper into the room. Guess he's got a lot of space here now...]

[kickingcatcher]

[Wow he's... being oddly kind today.] That's probably the single nicest thing you've ever said to me. [Okay, what did they do to your brain.]

[mischiefbreeder]

You're havin' a rough time of it. But geez, remind me never to do it again if you're gonna react like that. [You could've just taken the compliment without the comment, Crys.]

[kickingcatcher]

No, I'm not mad by it! Just kinda... surprised. But in a good way. [GOSH, YOU DON'T COMPLIMENT HER. LIKE EVER. Cut her some slack. Despite the confusion, she does smile.] Thanks. That was sweet of you. [Better?]