Let my eyes see everything and nothing in their time

[dragonspeak]

Who: Merlin (and anyone who wants to find him)
Where: Everywhere in Goldenrod
When: January 12th, late morning
Summary: After returning to Camelot, Merlin wakes up from his week-long sleep and goes wandering. There is much to think about.
Rating: PG
Log:

A year. No...longer than that. That was the amount of time that had passed since he closed his eyes in Johto and found himself back in the familiar stone walls of Camelot. He'd been so convinced he would never see his friends again, and the loss had gripped him with breath-stealing strength. Yet...despite the overwhelming need to begin his search, to keep his promise to Yosuke, something had directed his attentions back to Camelot and his destiny. Almost against his will, he had found himself falling back into his old routine, caring for and bantering with Arthur, thwarting Morgana's plans, and protecting Camelot as best he could.

Then, the Dorocha had happened. Merlin wasn't sure what he had been expecting when he walked toward the torn veil, but it definitely hadn't been the Pokemon Centre, Nurse Joy cheerfully informing him he was in perfect health, and would he like to contact his friends and let them know he was awake?

As soon as the Nurse had left--okay, he had been a little short with her. He should probably apologise later--Merlin had swept his gaze around the room, still shell-shocked. Some of his pokemon--gods, his pokemon!!--had taken up residence around his bed, though Nineve was the only one that was awake and vying for his attention in her own dignified way. "I've missed you, too," Merlin whispered, rubbing at her neck when she bumped her head against his hand.

Suddenly, all of this was too much to handle. Merlin unbuckled the Gear from his belt and left it on the table by the bed and slipped out, Nineve hot on his heels. "C'mon, let's go for a walk," he told her, taking care not to wake his other dozing pokemon. He needed to think.


(ooc: Feel free to find Merlin and his Leafeon anywhere in the city, with the exception of the Breeding Centre!)

Comments

[solas_ion]

Today Lancer found himself wandering the city in the armor he'd been sent--damn, he'd missed wearing that--with a baby Squirtle on his shoulder. Picture of intimidation, this one.

It was the twelfth, right? Damn...he was pretty sure his birthday was sometime this week or the next. Tomorrow? Hard to say, he never gave much attention to it. Probably tomorrow--did it matter? Maybe if he just didn't say anything about it no one would notice. Celebrations were fine and being the center of attention was always good, but he'd rather accomplish something more to earn it than just surviving another year.

...He still didn't know if he could even count his birthday anymore. Or if it mattered one way or another. So whenever Merlin happened across Lancer and the little blue turtle, the former would have his arms crossed and a thoughtful look on his face.

[ex_cashcow493]

[ It figures he would awaken the moment she wanders away for food. If there's anyone who's been by his side most of the time, it was the one expected to uphold the role. She was told about it in passing - that people like this would wake up soon enough. If someone was to leave, she recalls from an earlier conversation with Lancer, then they left entirely. If someone was to leave, she remembers from speaking with Shirou, all of their belongings left. Most importantly, if anyone left Johto, their PokeGear was deactivated.

So she knew he would awaken. It was only a matter of time, was it not? While she held little of an appetite (completely out of the norm for her), she still did keep up with eating properly. On her way back to his bedside however.. ]

Ah. [ Saber held years of experience under her belt for keeping her emotions retained. There's a bit of curiosity within her green eyes, but easily it was vanquished in favor of retaining her composure. ] You have returned.

[dragonspeak]

It was impossible, of course, not to run into someone he knew. Not only was Goldenrod home to many of the other-world trainers, it was also home to the majority of his friends.

Still, Merlin watched Lancer from the bench he sat on, wondering if he should call out. The point of the walk was to clear his head, but he was no closer to accomplishing that now than he was when he first woke up.

[skillspanner]

[This week's definitely taken its toll on Yosuke - on everyone at the house. It's hard for it not to, spending every day wondering when one of your closest friends will wake up. Needless to say, he's been short on sleep and definitely quieter than usual. Johto is definitely nothing short of frustrating sometimes.]

[Knowing that he's got a few hours before his shift at the Centre, he bundles up. A trip to check on things - see how Merlin's doing; his Pokémon as well. He probably should've have been surprised when he rounded a corner to see Merlin passing him with Nineve in tow, but he was. How long had he been awake? Why didn't he call the Centre up? He remains frozen in a state of disbelief for just a couple of minutes before realizing that maybe he should do something about this.]

Y-Yoooo, Merlin! [He calls out, breaking into a jog to catch up, definitely looking a bit disheveled - and confused, to say the least.]

[dragonspeak]

[It figures she would be the first one he sees in Johto. Merlin freezes in his steps, almost causing Nineve to run into his legs. The Leafeon makes a displeased sound and fluffs up her fur, though he isn't paying attention to her.]

Oh. [What is he supposed to do? Or say? Arturia had been among the people he'd missed the most in Camelot, but as glad as he is that's she's here, there's this growing urge to just run. He doesn't want her to see him like this, all twisted and confused.] I...I guess I did. [Merlin shuffles a bit.] How long was I out?

[dragonspeak]

[Merlin tenses when he hears Yosuke's familiar voice calling out to him. He won't want to admit it later, but a thought crosses his mind then, for the briefest second: stay or run? It's a thought that's born of panic and confusion, and quickly banished, but shame curls in his stomach that he ever did think it.

No matter what happened in Camelot, Yosuke's still one of his closest friends here, and it'd be unfair to forget all the things they've gone through together, all the trust they've built, just for a moment of comfort.]

Hey. [Merlin takes a breath and turns around, tries to keep his voice light.] Didn't think I'd end up sleeping that long.

[solas_ion]

Think. Thinkthinkthinkthink. When the hell was his birthday anyw--

"Squiiirtle." As it turned out, the little turtle was more attentive than Lancer was.

"Huh--oh hey, it's you." He covered up any uncertainty and confusion with the same mischievous grin as usual, finally noticing Merlin was there.

[dragonspeak]

Drat, foiled by the pokemon! No, Merlin was actually grateful that Lancer's Squirtle had taken the choice from him. He pasted a smile on.

"It's me," he agreed, folding his hands together in his lap. Merlin nodded at the detailed armour, latching onto the first neutral topic. "That's new, isn't it?"

[solas_ion]

"Depends on your definition of 'new'." he remarked, shrugging the shoulder that didn't have a water-type draped over it. "Just started wearing it again, but armor that hasn't been seen for two thousand and somethin' years isn't exactly new. Technically."

keywords are strangely appropriate

[dragonspeak]

"Two thousand and something years...and somehow, you just managed to find it?" This time, the amusement was genuine. Busy as he had been in Camelot, he'd actually forgotten some of his friends' quirks. That was a scary thought.

you jelly merlin

[solas_ion]

"Oh, shut up." He laughed at that, crossing his arms. "It's not like I really lost it."

mebbe

[dragonspeak]

"No, you just misplaced it." Merlin needled, laughing as well. "Took you an awful long time to remember where you put it."

[oranje]

[ Holland is out on a long and nice walk on the streets of Goldenrod. His shift at the department store doesn't start until later and he doesn't feel like staying at the house until then. Besides, he probably needs the exercise after eating so much delicious food during the holidays (if his sister was around, she'd poke his stomach and jokingly call him fat).

The Leafeon catches his attention first because gosh it's cute but then he notices that familiar face. He lifts his hand in greeting and calls out: ]

Hoi, Merlin.

[francia]

[It's a bit later in the day, after the lunch rush, and France had just stepped out of the Goldenrod City Restaurant, intent on taking a break in the fresh air. The restaurant had a good ventilation system, but the kitchen still did get rather warm with the heater on for the customers' comfort.]

[When he spots Merlin, France perks up, waving at the slowly approaching figure. He can't see Merlin's expression yet, but, if he could, he'd probably be a bit more subdued.]

Merlin! Coming by for a drink?

[isahero]

[Alfred had actually been on another visit to the grocery store, and was bundled up with bags of food. He was starting to get too many Pokemon already, and with eggs waiting to hatch, he wanted to make sure he was fully prepared.

He'd already been to check up on Merlin's progress earlier that day (and may have actually talked to him even though he couldn't hear) so when he rounds the corner of one of the buildings, he almost drops his bags in shock.]

H-hey! [He does smile though, rather widely too, when he sees his friend is alright. The past week had been a bit of a worry, but if he's walking around, it must mean everything is okay now, right?]

[ex_cashcow493]

A week.

[ Her reply is short. It isn't as though she's ungrateful to see him. No, if anything there's a part of her deep inside that was ecstatic for his return. The guilt of her own selfish desires weave throughout her conscience, leaving her silent for a moment. ]

How long have you been awake? [ Obviously she needs more guilt to tack on. ] Do you require anything?

[riset]

[ Rise's accustomed to this happening by now, as worrying as it gets each and every time, and though she's been checking up on Merlin like clockwork, her sense of unease hasn't exactly abated. At the very least, Saber stuck to him like glue.

It's on her way back from work, considering dropping by, that she has to stop in her tracks, because that is most definitely Merlin heading her way. ]

Whoa--

[dragonspeak]

A week. [He repeats this, a little incredulously, as he slides a hand through his hair. Oh. Merlin draws his hand back with a frown as he realises he's going to need a hair cut. Right. The nice clothes he's taken to wearing in Johto feel strange on his body, too.]

Right...a week. [All his memories of Johto are a bit hazy, and it's unnerving when it hits him.] W-what day is it?

[dragonspeak]

[Unlike with the others, it takes Merlin a second to match the man's face with a name. And even then, Merlin's still hesitant when he stops and gives him a nod in return.]

Holland. [He frowns, shaking his head.] No, wait. Will...Willem. [Merlin offers him a shaky smile.] Sorry, just woke up. I'm still trying to erm...pull myself together.

[For all the Nation knows, Merlin could just be extra disoriented this morning.]

[dragonspeak]

[The voice catches him by surprise. What's Francis doing in Goldenrod?

Merlin stands there, hands in his pockets, as he stares uncertainly at the Nation.]

...Francis? I thought you were still in... Ecruteak. [Or had it been Olivine?]

[dragonspeak]

[Oh no, the bags! Once they start slipping from Alfred's grasp, Merlin reacts, gesturing subtly at them...but nothing happens. That's strange. Why didn't--oh. Right. Merlin exhales slowly, another memory slipping into place. His magic doesn't work in Johto--that's another thing he'll have to get used to again.]

Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. [Tentative smile in return.]

[isahero]

[It was no use, though Alfred has good enough reflexes that food doesn't end up tumbling out of the bags and nothing ends up broken, but he's kind of... really glad he's alright. The worry had pretty much gone through the whole house.]

I'ts... It's fine, y'know! [He laughs, still kind of amazed because that morning he'd been in a coma, pretty much.]

[dragonspeak]

[He catches sight of her soon enough, Nineve directing his attention to her with a soft yip. Merlin slows his pace until he's stopped just in front of her, expression hesitant as he studies her.]

Rise... [Another person he'd sorely missed in Camelot. Without her and Yosuke around, Merlin hadn't had anyone to knock some sense into him.]

[riset]

Hey, sleepyhead. [ she smiles warmly, though she's definitely noting that hesitancy in his gaze and wondering at it. ] I was wondering when I'd get to see you again.

[dragonspeak]

Yeah... [Even the chuckle that he manages to produce sounds strangled. There's something strangely hilarious about Rise wondering that after a week.]

I was wondering the same thing.