(Untitled)

[eflamberge]

[After two long years of searching the nation to no avail, much to the bewilderment of his fellow collectors, Edmond Flamberge had come home - home being the outskirts of Lavaridge Town in Hoenn. And, in a moment of nostalgia, he had decided to explore Mount Chimney (was that entrance still there?). His brown leather bag was almost bursting at the

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[oceansbane]

In a manner of speaking.

[Maxie stands up, then; he honestly figures he won't get much out of this one. He's gotten a fair amount already, even from the little that's been said - apparently in some world or another, his double had seen fit to go absentee for two years; given that emblem had been left as a reminder, it's safe to assume that he'd lost in that world as well. Not killed, however - this one seems convinced that his Magma leader is still alive.

Interesting.]

I am Maxie, the leader of Team Magma. Through Groudon's power, I intend to defeat Team Aqua and expand the landmass of the world; I will do anything to see these goals through to completion. I'm sure you remember all that, if you knew me at all.

And that's where the similarities end.

As I've told you, this island plays by its own rules - sometimes it sees fit to cross some rather interesting barriers. Multiple versions of the same person often show up here, both existing on this island at the same time. Infinite possibilities, really. So maybe the version of me you know is here. Maybe he isn't.

But I can guarantee you that in the end, you don't know me. Not really. And I have no idea who you are.

[eflamberge]

[... Well, thank you for painting Edmond's new situation into a horrible, nightmarish scene. You're only adding to his anxiety, and he's pretty shaken up as it is - literally shaken up, as by the end of Maxie's new explanation he has to hold himself still as violent shivers run through his body.]

... Ah... So you don't... It's... interesting, as you said... You don't even know my name...?

[oceansbane]

[You're welcome. After all, even if they're not good for information, that doesn't mean that Maxie won't try to get some sort of entertainment from them.

And this person? Is very entertaining.]

I don't. Care to enlighten me, or shall I find it out on my own later?

[eflamberge]

[... Why is Edmond annoyed that you're talking down to him? This is all so weird. >: ]

I am Edmond Flamberge of Lavaridge Town. A count, a collector of select antiquities, and... I've donated my resources to Team Magma's noble cause on multiple occasions.

[The shivers are making him stammer a little, and maybe the way that adjective, "noble", sounds will come off as a little stilted. Fortunately for Edmond, his badass-looking Zangoose is always watching his back, his dark, sharp claws drawn out by default. But the truth is that the Pokémon is as confused as his trainer is, so he's just... observing the situation right now.]

[oceansbane]

Nobility...how interesting! Well then, Your Lordship...

[He smiles a bit, and given how Maxie is his next gesture might not be something most would expect; he shifts again, locking his left arm across his abdomen and stepping back a bit on the right side. Though the gesture isn't very deep and he doesn't avert his gaze, instead keeping it locked on Edmond's face, it's unmistakably a rather formal bow, the sort offered to those in courtly circles.

Clearly, somebody taught this one well somewhere along the line; he doesn't hold position for too long, however, before he straightens, beginning to pace slow semicircles without really going anywhere, watching Edmond in a manner probably best described as predatory. He sweeps his hair out of his face from where it's fallen forward as he moves; the motion doesn't do much for his appearance, given that if anything it just makes his hair more haphazard than before, but it does what it was intended and gets it out of his eyes.]

You seem anxious. Tell me your thoughts.

[eflamberge]

[... Edmond registers that that is the sort of thing he should be doing before Maxie, and he should already have done so, but his confusion is paralyzing him. And there's something else... At the back of his mind, a thought says "he doesn't deserve it", but Edmond will do his best to silence it. However, Edmond's diffidence surfaces anyway - he really is like an open book; as soon as Maxie voices his request, Edmond's reply is prompt and spoken in a loud, firm tone. He isn't angry, or at least he's trying not to be. He just feels that he's being made fun of.]

If you didn't know me, why not say so right away?

[oceansbane]

[Not made fun of, per se - Maxie tends to be very obvious when he decides he wants to make fun of people. What he's doing now is quite simply not respecting you; some might argue that it's the same thing, but as far as Maxie compartmentalizes everything, however, there's a very distinct difference.

As for asking for your thoughts? He asks everyone that, if they're interesting enough; after all, there's no point in boring himself with the thoughts of mundane people. Consider it a compliment.]

For the sake of talking to you. You presented a very convenient opportunity for me to do so - though in the end, I don't think you have anything I really need to know. At the same time, you're a fascinating person.

Perhaps it was a bit misleading, but don't worry, I was careful not to lie to you. I see no point in talking to liars, and I don't expect anyone else to, either.

[eflamberge]

[... Sorry, Edmond's train of thought pretty much derailed the moment Maxie called him "fascinating".]

Ah, you... You really think that?

[As much as he tries to mask it, he is sincerely flattered by that little word. His tremors even stop, replaced by a small, expectant fluttering of his heart.]

[oceansbane]

[Oh, that's precious; Maxie is finding himself very, very amused.]

Are we in love or something where you're from?

[eflamberge]

[No, but I definitely feel something for you. That would be the truthful answer to Maxie's question - as long as Edmond doesn't actually go on and say it, he'll be fine, right?]

No, but I- ...

[The words pretty much escape his mouth, and he's completely unable to help it. If his interlocutor were anyone else, Edmond would laugh nervously and patch up his mistake with a little white lie. But... this is Maxie (hopefully). So all Edmond can do is smile sadly and stare emptily at the truth, which apparently can be found in some undefined spot past Maxie.]

[oceansbane]

[...wow.]

And how receptive is he to the idea? Or does he not know?

[eflamberge]

I've always hidden it from him... That was one of my many mistakes. If I ever find him again, I'll... show him how I've learned to be true to my own feelings.

[... The idea that he might be talking too much to the wrong person doesn't even cross his mind. How can Maxie be the wrong person, after all?]

[oceansbane]

And for your sake, you had best hope he's nowhere near like I am when it comes to things like that.

Of course, it's a bit hard to say whether he would be or not - the circumstances are different, so maybe not. But in the end, we are the same person. Which doesn't bode well for you.

[eflamberge]

[... Edmond gulps down something heavy and cold. This really is his worst nightmare, isn't it? Even so, he's going to do everything in in his power to at the very least maintain a somewhat dignified air. When he speaks, his tone is even, assured and even somewhat demanding.]

So what are you like... "when it comes to things like that"?

[oceansbane]

Love doesn't exist for me. Never has, really.

There are those I trust, and those I don't. Those I don't? I keep around because they're useful. Once they're no longer useful, I have no need to keep them around. You get the gist.

[He pauses for a moment, though the smirk hasn't left.]

How long have 'I' been gone, again?

[eflamberge]

[... Just.... When is this nightmare going to end? While Edmond strives to keep a dignified expression, his brow furrowed somewhat defiantly while he is still technically on his knees, tears well up at the corner of his eyes and start streaming down, pretty much on their own.]

A-a long time... So I guess that means... you don't want me near you at all, do you.