Perennial Blossom 2.1 [voice, then video]

[usaginouke]

((ooc: Backdated to noon today, though I meant to post this yesterday orz))

[At first only the faint breath of someone near tears can be heard. Or maybe they’ve already cried. It’s hard to tell without an image.]

Hey everyone. I… [A shuddering breath, then…] My… Krrhhh!

[For a long moment all is quiet, then a sob and a sniffle break the

Comments

[video]

[gochuugoku]

You... You knew Hong Kong, didn't you?

[China could have sworn he's seen this person on the network before, way back then.]

[video]

[usaginouke]

[That isn't anyone he recognizes immediately, but Misaki rubs the tears out of his eyes and straights up at the sound of the name.]

Yes, I knew Hong Kong-san. Is he...?

[video]

[gochuugoku]

[China's expression saddens and he shakes his head.]

No, I'm afraid he's no longer here, aru. He's been gone since March.

I am his older brother, aru.

[video]

[usaginouke]

[Misaki's eyes change from shocked to sad. As much as he didn't always get along with Hong Kong, hearing that the other was gone just as he returns is hard to take.]

Oh, I... see. I'm sorry. That wasn't so long ago, was it?

[Misaki sniffles again, then offers what can barely pass as a friendly smile.]

It's nice to meet you, Hong Kong-nii. I'm Takahashi Misaki... [His voice becomes small and disappears. He's not sure what else to say.]

[video]

[gochuugoku]

Here in Johto, it's been two months since March, aru. Even so, it is hard for me to be here by myself.

[China keeps his calm expression.]

And I am Wang Yao.

...What's the matter, aru?

[video]

[usaginouke]

That's right! Time is different here! [There are many things he's going to have to relearn about this place.]

Wang Yao-san. [He bows his head politely to the camera.]

[He fidgets a bit, try to regain control over his voice.] It's just... hard. I didn't mean to leave. But I...

Before, I wanted to go home. Now I'm really glad to be back.

[video]

[gochuugoku]

It is not your fault for leaving all of a sudden, aru. Here, such a thing is beyond our control.

Besides, you're back now and that's all that matters, aru. People tend to disappear and then reappear after some time.

[He waves a hand through the air, but he continues to wear a calm expression.] Who knows. Perhaps one day Hong Kong will return just as you did, aru.

[video]

[usaginouke]

[Misaki manages a nod at that. He's glad to not be blamed, but still, he feels like a heel.]

You're right. This happened when I was here before, to others I knew anyway.

[And with that, he manages a real smile.] Yeah. I hope he does. I would like to see him again.

[video]

[gochuugoku]

[China also smiles a little and nods his head.

That's more like it, aru.

So, Misaki, what do you plan on doing now that you're back? Are you going to have a go at the badge challenge?

[video]

[usaginouke]

Yeah. I was going for them the last time I was here, but I only managed to get one. I thought that if I got them all, and maybe beat the Pokemon League, I'd be able to get back home...

[He pauses, then continues quietly.] I think I want to get back home in my own time, this time around. Not just leave all my friends hanging...

[video]

[gochuugoku]

That is the rumor surrounding the badges, aru.

As for me, I just made the final decision to have a try at it. I wanted to put some excitement into my normal routine.

Up until now, I worked here as a Pokemon Breeder, aru. But who says you can't be both?

[video]

[usaginouke]

Training can but tough, but it's definitely exciting too. I think you made a good decision.

I... I actually don't know who decided that. It's funny, now that I think about it. I mean, why not?