Felt as though my own kind were all that mattered, and kept me sane (SPOILERS FOR FMA.)

[explosivecombat]

Who: Frank Archer (determinator); Solf J Kimblee (explosivecombat)
Where: Olivine City
When: 07/31, evening
Summary: After an incident with powers in which Kimblee tried to kill Archer, almost three weeks' separation, a very small inbox war in which Kimblee started with the irrationality this time, and a stupidly awkward conversation that can only end in butthurt once they actually test this Magical Notebook theory of theirs out, these idiots are actually going to try to talk things out like adults, without getting into heaps of "no u."

TL;DR - LOOK AT ALL THIS MANPAIN.

Rating: PG? PG-13? One day I will learn how to rate appropriately idk
Log:

If there was one thing Johto seemed to enjoy, it was taunting Kimblee with those notes.

Mustang is back in Amestris by now, surely, and while none of his Pokemon had been entrusted to Kimblee's care upon his departure, that damned book had found its way back to him eventually. Following Winry's post to the network regarding Mustang's disappearance, Kimblee had gone through his possessions, and sure enough...

This is the second time that's happened, and the second time he's travelling to another city to give it to someone else. If the notes within it do contain some way to get home, Kimblee certainly doesn't know for himself; the circumstantial evidence is great enough for him to know not to chance it. Mustang hadn't seemed surprised by Kimblee's assertion that he had no use for the information himself, and there had been a silent moment of understanding in which it was plain that they both knew; however, Archer is still completely unaware that Kimblee has nothing to return to.

He'll avoid telling him if he can; it's not anything they need to discuss.

He had told Archer that he would send him a message when he arrived in Olivine City; however, upon his arrival, he finds that he doesn't believe that to be necessary. There's really only one thing that tended to draw Archer toward it here, the reason they had both been so fascinated by this place to begin with; if Archer isn't there, he'll try to send him a message through the 'Gear.

He recalls his Togekiss immediately and makes his way toward the ocean.

It takes a moment of looking, but he eventually finds Archer near the lighthouse - close enough to the ocean to be able to enjoy it, but not close enough to get sand all over that military uniform he always wears, and certainly not close enough to invoke the ire of the jellyfish.

The air is cool this evening, some of the passing showers having taken the edge off the heat, and the breeze coming in off the ocean is pleasant. Kimblee's hair is getting long, as he hasn't cut it at all in Johto; it's almost waist-length by now, though it's still thin enough for the wind to pick it up a bit, playing lightly through his ponytail and pulling one or two more strands loose to join the ones at the front.

He's holding the book to his chest, arms folded lightly in front of it; the position serves two purposes, really, the second being that it makes it decidedly less obvious that he's still shaking. The electricity has played with his nerves quite a bit; he's starting to relax overall, but his motor skills are still suffering, and he still shocks people on contact. The manic periods come and go; they're starting to get a bit less frequent, and he's had Isaac watching him, keeping him controlled.

He seems calm enough when he approaches Archer, though it quickly becomes fairly obvious why he had used text when contacting him earlier; the stress of the day has been agitating his condition. His voice is shaking a bit when he speaks, and he's still twitching quite a bit, almost to the point of appearing to have some sort of physical tic; he's still coherent, however, and much more sane-sounding than he was last time he and Archer tried to have any sort of verbal conversation.

"I know I said that I would contact you when I got into town; you'll have to forgive me for not doing so." He smiles a bit, though the expression is more distant than welcoming. "But somehow I thought I would find you here."

Comments

[determinator]

If Kimblee hadn't expressed an interest to move up to Mahogany Town, Archer would have insisted on moving to Olivine. The ocean is beautiful, the view is gorgeous, and for some reason he's not quite as irritated by the jellyfish as he was. There are a few half-memories he can't quite grasp about this place involving Kimbley, and Archer feels genuinely relaxed while he's here. He's alone today, his usual ensemble of Pokémon are actually in their Pokéballs for once, and he's standing stock still when Kimblee approaches. He doesn't turn, instead tipping his head a bit in acknowledgement at the words.

"You know me too well." And indeed, Kimblee does. Archer's own mutation has finally died down - the emotional vibes he gives off are only triggered by incredibly strong emotions and are much weaker than they were mere days ago. He's basically back to normal with no signs that he ever had powers. It's a shame, but he's lived without any sort of power before. He can do it again.

Not that it will really matter, will it? If he does take that book and go home... "That's it, then?" He turns fully then, nodding at the notebook in Kimblee's hands. Archer falls silent as he studies Kimblee; he's shaking far more than he was before the mutations died out, but that's to be expected. Taking in that much electrical energy would mess with a man. As usual, Archer doesn't even bother trying to make eye contact, instead staring at the notebook.

"Thank you for coming so soon, Kimblee." In some ways he does appreciate it. It means they'll at least get a chance to talk before he leaves. If he leaves. Archer's expression and tone remain decidedly distant, but there's a sudden flicker of something - fear. He's normally fearless to the point of being reckless and possibly even stupid, but this is something entirely different.

He has the ability to return home now. There's something in that notebook that has returned Hughes and Mustang back to Amestris. If he had been given this option months ago, Archer would have returned home without complaint. He has never been one to avoid the consequences of his actions. Staying here would be prolonging the inevitable and it would be evading those consequences. But what the hell does he have to return to? His best friend is dead, he's going to be demoted or removed from the military entirely, and in comparison to this world, Amestris is absolutely horrible. What does he have to gain by going home?

But at the same time, he can't stay here. He knows that. The flash of fear is brief - it's not even something Archer fully acknowledges - but it's strong enough to be broadcast. Archer folds his arms, tipping his head a bit at the notebook. "You found this among your possessions after Mustang left?"