The 4th Storm [4th Wall Four; Video/Action for Olivine Pokemon Center]

[soggypastry]

[Normally there would be some kind of comment from Lightning about this, being that she currently has her memories of this being the fourth time things have gone to chaos in a handbasket, but instead of that, her gear feed is focused on something else in the Center room she still occupies; something that Sen is pawing at in curiosity. It appears to be a regular old Clefairy doll, but the moment that Sen gets close enough to sniff it, it giggles and transforms into something else entirely. Something that sends Sen skittering back in surprise and has Lightning blinking.

Not that she has time do much of anything about it, though; the creature is already forming pink bubbles and launching them everywhere, bouncing on one and sending the rest bouncing across the room, walls and ceiling included. Sen immediatly starts yipping in amusement, chasing and popping bubbles, while the Skitty that had been on Lightning's lap does the same. The creature continues to giggle and make more bubbles for the two mons to chase, and Lightning? Well. She just smiles and watches for a bit. It could be a lot worse, right?

Definitely could be a lot worse, especially since the creature is floating in front of Lightning's face now, blowing a small bubble that pops right in Lightning's face and makes her jump, soft amusement now replaced by a most definite lineface as the creature nearly falls over itself laughing, Sen and the Skitty doing the same no matter the looks she gives them. Anyone coming in for a visit is likely to get the same treatment, so watch out. At least it's friendly, though! That's good, right? ....Right?]

Comments

[chasingstorms]

Snow!

[She would have tried to meet him partway, but he moves fast enough that she doesn't hardly have a chance, not that she minds. The swinging is a familiar thing by now, but she can't help but laugh as he spins her around a few times. When he sets her down Serah's bright eyed and pink cheeked as she stares up at him.]

[Snow.]

It's okay, I knew you'd come.

[She's always believed in him, that's not something that will ever change.]

[No worries there Lightning, Snow the Espeon is a pretty relaxed guy and when it's obvious his trainer is beyond happy to see this other Snow he just settles down out of the way to watch. He's actually pretty impressed by how happy she is right now.]

[encountersbarriers]

[He grins and nods his head before punching one hand with the other. Snow's the type of guy to do a lot of crazy things for the people he cares for, but if there's one individual he'll go to hell and back (multiple times) for, it's Serah.]

Got hung up along the way. It's not easy being in such high demand.

[His expression softens then, the smile taking on a more affectionate curve to it. How long has it been since he last saw her? How long has it been since she last saw him? And how long has she been here hanging out with Lightning? His eyes briefly leave Serah's face to catch a quick glance of the elder Farron.]

When did you get here? Have you been busy?

[There's so much he wants to catch up on, but back in their world, they'd never had enough time--ironic though it may have been. Here, in a foreign land with a different time stream, Snow feels like he can actually spare a moment to take everything in.

And he plans to do just that.]

[chasingstorms]

People know a good hero when they see one.

[She's not so covertly looking him over, trying to memorize every detail of this visit in case he vanishes again to go do hero things somewhere else. She does understand, after all a hero has to do what a hero has to do, but... that doesn't mean it doesn't get lonely without him sometimes.]

I've been here for several months now. It's been really busy, but I don't mind. It's nice to have something to do. Like right now there's so much about pokemon I have to learn.

[Her attention switches to a different Snow briefly, because she really does what to introduce them. Sensing the unspoken summon he detaches himself from whatever he's doing to keep entertained and trost over to Serah's side.]

This is my partner, Snow. He was my very first pokemon.

[Yes she named her Eevee after him, just like she'd named the cat after him too.]

derp. html.;;

[encountersbarriers]

[Pokewhats?

But hey, at least Serah doesn't keep him wanting for an answer for long. Before he can even ask, she's calling over the curious little creature that'd been eyeing him earlier. Admittedly, when she tells him the name, the tiny bit of "first pokemon" goes right in one ear and out the other.

Snow blinks and stares at, well, the other Snow. So, uh, she named something after him? He should feel honored, right? He grins a little awkwardly and reaches out a hand, as if to pet the Espeon.]

Hey there, buddy. [Snow scratches him behind the ears.] Thanks for taking of Serah while I wasn't around.

So these animals are called Pokemen?

[Man? Mun? Mon? Something along those lines...]

[soggypastry]

[Thanks for taking care of Serah, hmm? More like lead her headfirst into trouble a few times. Her entire team does that and it's given Lightning more than a few headaches...especially when she remembers that the human Snow did it too. But this isn't the time to bring it up; no, this is the time for her to make an amused sound and shake her head. Good old Snow...she hopes he never changes much. Getting a little less reckless, though...that should appreciate.]

Pokemon, Snow. I think it's short for 'monster'.

[encountersbarriers]

[He turns his gaze away from the Espeon, casting a look over at Lightning instead. Snow rubs the back of his neck and shrugs his shoulders; he grins.]

I get the "mon" for monster part, but what's a poke? It's not the name of this world, is it?

[Because he thinks that that would be a silly name. Does it really matter to him that his question is... not an especially important one? Nope.

Always trust Snow to ask the least relevant things.]

[soggypastry]

[Trust Snow to ask the least relevant of things? She does. She just shakes her head, trying to hide her amusement and not really succeeding. Why did she miss you again, brother?]

We don't know for sure, but I doubt it. The natives haven't mentioned a name, but I've heard some people call it 'The World of Pokemon'.

[Granted that was by a native and they've never been good at valid intel, but still.]

[chasingstorms]

[Because missing family is something that is done when said family isn't around to be a nuisance. Why else? There's also the way his presence seems to cheer up Serah, that's got to count for something too in some tiny way.]

I used tot think this world was called Johto, but then I found out it was just this part of the world. There's not really a lot of easy answers about this place I don't think.

[If Espeons can frown, and they can, Snow is certainly frowning up at other Snow right now. He didn't take care of her for you, buster. He took care of her, because she's his partner. Don't get any funny ideas here. At the same time that scratching is nice, you can do more of that anytime. Maybe.]

[encountersbarriers]

[Well, that's just... not very helpful. Not that it's any fault of his family, of course. Snow's run into his share of inexplicable situations of recent, so what's one more to add to his list? At least here he's got both Serah and Lightning to keep him company.

...And the random pink thing still floating around the room with the chair and the purple thing in Serah's arms--a purple thing that, if he's guessing correctly, wants more scritches. He turns his attention back to the smaller Snow and continues to pet the Espeon, grin growing wider as he does so.]

Well, wherever we are, we're together and you're both safe.

[Which is, sadly, more than he can say about any place back home right now.]

It's a good start.

[soggypastry]

[It's not helpful, no, but it's all they know and Lightning doesn't like it, either. But she does like having her family here, with one more member then they had before, even if she has the terrible feeling it won't last. She's been through this before and has the distinct feeling that Snow won't be staying, so she's careful to just...be there. To just put this all to memory so she can remember the warmth in her chest that only family can bring. She may need it in the months to come.]

Yeah. We'll just have to make it count, that's all. This place is fond of giving people second chances.

[There may be hidden meaning in that, there may not be. Either way, she's just smiling softly and watching the pair and the Espeon with a fond look in her eyes. She wishes this could last. She really does.]

[encountersbarriers]

[He's not the most emotionally sensitive guy out there and doesn't always respond in the best ways either. Snow can tell that something's not quite sitting well with Lightning, but pinning it down? That's another story altogether.]

Hey, we're good at making the best out of what we're given. [He winks.] Besides, we're family. Doesn't matter how far apart we are, we'll always be together.

[Through thick and thin, Snow knows he can count on them, in person, over a communication device, or just in spirit. He's never alone anymore, and it's a thought that has buoyed him over the course of his journeys through time.]

[chasingstorms]

[Does Serah even know this is likely a temporary thing? Not that it matters since she'll try and make the most of it while she can, just in case.]

That's right, but it's nice to be like this when we can eve if it doesn't always last.

[Espeon Snow would have liked to keep up his grudge, but the pets and stuff were too good to ignore. You win this time original Snow.]

[soggypastry]

[Make the most of it? Oh, Lightning intends to. It's why she's smirking before Snow can get the chance to pin down exactly what not sitting right with her. This isn't time for moping, after all. She should just enjoy this and try to commit it to memory...even if Snow's being so sappy and making her wonder how his teeth haven't rotted out of his mouth yet. Always together, huh? She likes that idea.]

It'll last longer if we can keep him from charging off into trouble again. [Glancing directly at Snow, still smirking.] You ever tell her about the time you ran us into an Adamantoise, Hero?

[encountersbarriers]

The Adamantoise...

[Snow stares at Lightning, and for a moment, there's just a blank expression on his face, like he's undecided about whether he should be proud or horrified that she's bringing this up. In the end, a grin spreads across his face as he executes a first pump.]

Never got around to it, but we've got time for it now. You could even toss in a few details, sis.

[Admittedly, the story just boiled down to, "Heroes never back down!" even in situations that involved giant monsters several stories taller than they were, but hey, maybe Serah would be interested.]

[soggypastry]

[Proud or horrified? Maybe a bit of both. That is, proud they all survived his reckless charge, and horrified that Lightning still remembers that day, because after a moment to be that he's sure about this, Lightning turns to Serah.]

We'd been on Pulse for a couple of days, trying to get to Oerba, when this guy decided we could take on anything the place could throw at us because he could take all kinds of hits. He ran us straight into an Adamantoise and we all nearly got stepped on. Fang and Vanille had to drag us away before we got killed.

[Okay, so maybe that's more detail than he wanted her to put in, but Serah deserves the truth, right? She may have given her blessing for you two to get married, but not without her sister knowing everything]

[encountersbarriers]

[Ooookay, not really the details he'd been hoping she'd supply. What about his heroic charge? The shout of victory? (For the record, this shout came during the heroic charge and not during any actual... victory.) The steelguarding!? Oh man, Lightning's making him look like a fool in front of Serah!]

Hey, I had a plan! [Maybe.] You guys just didn't give me enough time to pull off any hero moves.

[He gives Serah a wink and a winning smile.]

What's life without a little adventure, huh?

[Admittedly, this particular adventure probably would have gotten them killed if they'd stuck around any longer, but hey! It had been fun for a few minutes before that giant foot lifted into the air...]

[chasingstorms]

An Adamantoise? Did you really?

[The look on Serah's face is this comical mixture of horror and delight, leave it to Snow to do something so ridiculous and think it was a good idea.]

It's a good thing Fang and Vanille were there then, otherwise you might have been flattened.

[She grins, laughing a little at the very idea. Charging an Adamantoise? It takes a special person to think that's a good idea.]

[soggypastry]

Snow, your 'heroic moves' consisted of yelling "Steelguard" at the thing and hoping it would be focused on you instead of the rest of us. [headshake] Considering it make the ground shake every time it took a step, I'm still surprised you thought it would work at all.

[Making him seem like a fool in front of Serah was not the idea, but if it makes her laugh, then Lightning doubts he truly minds much at all.]

[encountersbarriers]

What can I say? I gotta try.

[He bounces back well enough and punches his palm; seeing Serah happy definitely makes it easier. Sure, Lightning makes a very good point about whether or not the thing would've noticed him to begin with, but hey, it's worth a shot.]

That's my job. Keep 'em distracted while you guys take it down. You think I should try climbing its leg next time?

[If there is another time...]

[chasingstorms]

I'm not sure if climbing on one of its leg would really help, either.

[She's still smiling, because the idea of her family fighting one of those things seems so preposterous somehow. They're bigger than some houses after all.]

[soggypastry]

It might, if your plan is fall twenty feet when it stomps again. I doubt even a l'Cie could have survived a fall like that.

[Sure they had healing magic back then, but still. Falling the height of multiple stories? Would have been hell on their bodies. Especially since if he climbed the leg and got onto its back it would have been a much larger fall.]

[encountersbarriers]

I'm not gonna stay on its leg. Just think--if I could get on top, we could ride the thing.

[He grins and winks at Serah.]

Could be like that one time in Sunleth Waterscape.

[Travel across Gran Pulse could certainly be a lot easier on top of an Adamantoise, or so Snow likes to think. He is, of course, very optimistic about the idea that such a creature would listen to them if they were on its back.]

[chasingstorms]

Ride an Adamantoise?

[Her hero or not, there's a certain amount of alarm in her voice at the very idea. Riding through fireworks is one thing, but this is something else.]

Would it even notice if you were on it's back?

[She's not sure, they did seem pretty huge to her. Not that she's ever seen one up super close or anything.]

[Wait a second.]

That one time in Sunleth Waterscape? What one time?

[soggypastry]

Snow, do you honestly think that Sazh or Hope could have gotten up onto its back, even if the rest of us could? Besides, we outpaced them when we were walking. It was faster on foot.

[Sure, the Steppe was huge and they were all tired by the time they reached the entrance to the Mah'habara, but it was still faster than riding one of those things...or getting bucked off somehow. Also, she has no idea about what Snow means by the Sunleth, so she'll just be listening. Hero, what kind of trouble did you get yourself into this time?]

[encountersbarriers]

[Wait, hold on.

Snow focuses his attention on Serah, momentarily disregarding Lightning's comment on Sazh and Hope. Besides, Sazh and Hope totally could've climbed up there, no sweat! And if it was a problem? Well, they'd just have to find a place to jump on board at. Problem solved!]

You don't remember? With the flan and the crystal pillar?

[And then it hits him like a ton of bricks: Had she not been there yet?

Snow scrubs a hand through his hair, looking awkwardly from one Farron sister to another. He didn't just create a new paradox by saying that, did he?]

Whoops. Busted.