ulaulakahuna | empatheias contact post

Yes.

[the answer is flat, almost devoid of any of the usual emotion archie has when he's speaking.]

It doesn't matter how I feel. I said I'd be better. It's not about me.

[at least, he tells himself that so he can continue to act like he's fine.]

You being better isn't about you?

[He just gives Archie a look that says c'mon, really?]

I bet you'd think it would matter more if your friends had been dropped here with you. [Or at least, they'd let him know it and get on his case like true friends do.] What do you think they would say if they heard you say that? Or any of that pathetic-talk about relying on them?

Not for other people to deal with. They've had enough of that, haven't they?

[admittedly his current state is overblowing a lot of these issues that he's been running through in his mind.

he runs his hand through his hair, sighing irritably.]

I don't think it's all hopeless, you know. [he smirks a little, despite himself.] ...I guess they'd both kick my ass into next week.

[Damn. Any other time, that would be the perfect opening for Nanu. As it is, he snorts and shakes his head, knowing Archie's going to rebuke him no matter the line of thought. It's still about him whether he tries to dismiss it or not.]

[His second answer is closer to what Nanu wants to hear.]

Only next week? [huffs] I'm no expert on friends, but I'm pretty sure calling their support "pathetic" warrants a knock into next month, at least.

Maybe, [he looks down again, at absol, huffing slightly. his breath fogs-- the temperature drop is probably getting quite obvious now. it's spreading out, not just localised to archie.] I didn't say they are. I said splintering apart like some kind of brittle plane of glass the moment I lost them is.

[lost them-- it's almost like he's even managed to find a way to blame himself for being brought here.]

[The way Archie phrased it does strike Nanu as odd; and the temperature doesn't escape him either. He's never been more grateful for choosing sensible clothing for once.]

Unless they're dead, [tactful] it sounds the same to me. Besides, you think most everyone here doesn't experience that sort of break when they get dropped in this place? Alone? Having to rebuild their own support system from the ground up because no one they knew took the wormhole ride along with them?

[he winces at that word. they almost were.]

Of course I know that. Why do you think I don't bother to talk about it?

So you know that, but you're still being hard on yourself? [Nanu holds his hands out palms-up. Another seriously? gesture.] Do you like being miserable?

[SAYS THE POT TO THE KETTLE]

As opposed to what? Pretending to myself that it is fine?

[he shakes his head.]

I can't believe you just said that to me!

[To both, he answers with a flat tone tinged with experience in misery.]

Hard to believe, huh? [he knows how hypocritical it was] Why the hell do you think I'm trying to help you like this?

Because... [he groans and drops his head into his hands for a moment.] ...Fuck off, brain ain't working.

[he looks over at nanu, squinting.]

You've lost someone. Haven't you?

[why else would he mention death like that?]

[Nanu rolls his eyes at Archie's first response, mouth flattened into a thin line.]

Because I know what it's like, bonehead.

[Not that the insult has a sharp edge to it. He still sounds tired, resigned. And like he knew the question was coming, even if guessing Archie's friends' not-death was just a guess... at least, consciously.]

Subtle. Have you?

Yeah, I'm known for my subtlety.

[archie's shot back is about as dull.]

Not physically.

Fair enough.

[He half-heartedly shrugs, getting the point. His friends are alive. That's good enough for him, even if Archie can be whiny about it.]

[It's another moment before he says,]

And yes. I have.

[archie ducks his head slightly.]

Sorry. What happened?

[He's silent, still. Finally looking away from Archie and into the distance. Absol shifts near Archie, turning his gaze to his trainer instead.]

It's a long story.

[he takes his hand off absol and shifts back, giving him space to go over to nanu, if he wants.]

Seems we both got all night.

[Nanu sighs. And it really seems like he's not going to reciprocate the vulnerability Archie's shown tonight...until he pipes up again.]

...How much has Anabel told you about me?

Almost nothing. Just that you were there for her when she washed up, I believe.

[he shrugs lightly.]

Didn't think it was really my business to ask someone else about you.

[Out of the corner of his eye, Nanu looks at Archie appraisingly and nods his head. That's something he can respect, even if it wasn't what he was expecting to hear.]

I know you know she's Interpol. Guess she didn't tell you that I was her superior. [Now he actually does turn to the other man, glancing briefly at Absol.] Wasn't on your specific case. But I'll keep what I do know to myself.

[As if he was going around blabbing Archie's entire story anyway? It's serious, at any rate, though he wants to see how Archie reacts.]

No, she didn't. [he's slightly surprised? archie shrugs.] That's nice of ya, but I don't think I could've been more public about it. If someone's gonna ask you go ahead and tell 'em what you want.

Past tense. You ain't her superior anymore?

[verbal permission to go around telling the story of Archibald's Police Record?]

Left the agency about a decade ago. I'm regular Alolan police now. [he was about to tug on one of his sleeves with the patch on it, before he remembered he's in a different jacket for the cold.] Taught her everything I knew. ...Most things I knew.

[get ready for more of that bitterness in his voice; it's just the beginning]

She happened to wash up on the night that cemented my resignation.

[VERBAL PERMISSION TO TELL ALL ZERO PEOPLE THAT CARE]

Huh. [he would've thought they'd worked together for a long, long time.] Why'd you resign? She didn't have anything to do with it, did she?

[his tone indicates he feels like that's a no, else their relationship would be wildly different, wouldn't it?]

[it only matters if it's hilarious to nanu]

No. Not her. [one of his hands comes up to pinch the bridge of his nose, like he's developed a sudden headache] I didn't fully leave until I knew those bastards wouldn't lay a finger on her.

...Like I said. That night was the straw that broke the Camerupt's back. [his hand lowers and somehow he looks more worn than before] I wasn't just on a beach stroll. My partner and I found her right after the assignment we'd been on went FUBAR.

...It's really that bad?

[god, that's fucked up. corruption in higher government and companies doesn't surprise him, but it's still not great to know about.

he shakes his head.] You okay if I ask what happened? What did they do?

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