003. [Video]

[preybeforemeals]

[Well, good morning, Johto – it seems like someone is actually up fairly early for once.

The room he's in is a bit on the sparsely-furnished side, though it's large enough to warrant that so far, maybe; it looks like there may have been an attempt at a bookshelf somewhere back along the far wall, though it's a bit difficult to see – either it's being slowly done by the world's most inept carpenter or someone has given up on fighting whatever the Pokéworld equivalent of Ikea is for the time being, but either way, at the very least it's slightly out of focus and not...too distracting.

What is in focus would be the keys of a piano, the natural light from the windows across the room spilling in; the device is set up far enough away that someone can be seen sitting at said keys, his hands resting lightly on them. The usual bright colors in his wardrobe are at least a little toned-down today – he seems to be wearing his trainer class whatnot this morning – and when he moves the bench a bit closer, that's when his face can actually be seen in the shot.

He sets his hands down, repositioning them a few times as though working out what he wants to play for the time being; what he settles on is decidedly happier than what he usually chooses, but he's always been partial to Beethoven's work.

He doesn't smile when he plays, which is perhaps a bit odd given that he's almost always smiling; rather, he looks focused, in that sort of way that people do when they've practiced a piece to an extent where they can find their musically-based zone.

He speaks as he plays eventually, his hands running light over the keys and his volume raised a little so he can be heard.]

It's impressive how much change a year can bring about, isn't it?

[And he does smile a bit when he says it, though it's fleeting in favor of closed eyes and that strangely focused look again.]

I haven't been here nearly that long, and yet I'm finding that I'm in a different place than I was at this time last year, as far as "back home" is concerned. But that's only natural, isn't it – after all, if I'm going to continue to experience this dream from which I don't have much say in waking, I might as well make something of it.

It's time I returned to doing what I've done in the past, I think. Finding my own happiness a piacere, instead of waiting for this place to hand it to me, instead of relying on others to provide...and most importantly, finding something that speaks to me here, something that can ignite my passion just as much as that which I had back there...

[He shakes his head a bit.]

I don't know if such a thing even exists in this world. But in that case, I suppose the...challenge, the driving force, would be seeking it out in the first place, n'est-ce pas?

[His words find a pause then, though his hands do not.]

I wonder where next year will find me...ideally speaking, amore, where do you think it would find you?

Comments

[VIDEO - PRIVATE]

[deaftly]

[...you know he was going to try to resist responding to this because who gives a shit about music, but then you had to go and ask a dumbass question like that.]

Alright, I'll bite. What the fuck's up with you?

[Despite the harsh wording, Naki just sounds confused. He also doesn't elaborate on why he thinks something is up with Tsukiyama because of course he doesn't.]

[preybeforemeals]

[...hello to you too, Naki. He doesn't seem too bothered by the question, at least, though his expression tightens a little, the shift almost imperceptible before he makes himself relax again; he keeps playing, seeming to turn his focus there instead, though his words remain casual when he answers.]

What an odd question, monsieur; what makes you ask?

[deaftly]

[As usual, Naki doesn't notice the shifts, because he's Naki.]

You're acting weird. You never talk about this sorta shit.

[preybeforemeals]

Well, if it bothers you so much you don't have to answer.

[deaftly]

That's not what I--

[HUFF]

Look, I'm talking about you, not me. It's not like it's something that really bothers me, I just want to know if something's wrong. Is that better?

[preybeforemeals]

[He just shakes his head at that; he's looking a bit amused, really.]

I'm all right. I've had a bit to think about, that's all, and I'm getting my thoughts in order.

[deaftly]

...Do you want to talk about it?

[HE'S TRYING SO HARD DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW DIFFICULT THIS IS]

[preybeforemeals]

[...y...es he does which is why he's just sort of wondering what in the actual hell - ]

What in the world has gotten into you today?

[deaftly]

People make this look so easy! I'm trying to be-- shit, what's the word...? It starts with an "e" I think... Not emotional, but something kind of like that, um...

[Hang on, he lost his train of thought.]

[preybeforemeals]

...Empathetic. "Empathetic" is the word you're looking for.

[deaftly]

Yeah, that's it! Empathetic! Right!

[...oh right he was going somewhere with this, wasn't he?]

Right, so I'm trying to be empathetic! It's hard as hell but this is what people do for their friends so I guess this is what I'm supposed to do.

[preybeforemeals]

[He offers a noise at that, soft but noncommittal, before shaking his head eventually; again, at least he doesn't seem troubled by this - clearly it's just...Naki being an idiot or something.]

So you think something's troubling me.

[deaftly]

[Well you're definitely not wrong...]

Yeah. Like I said, this isn't something you'd normally talk about.

[preybeforemeals]

And I suppose you think you'd know what I'd normally talk about...?

[deaftly]

Well obviously. We've been on pretty good terms for-- however long we've been here.

[preybeforemeals]

...Almost twelve weeks now, actually.

[And that...is actually rather strange to consider, isn't it...]

The attack against Cochlea happened around this time last year, you know. The night of the nineteeth of December, into the early morning of the twentieth. That's when we attacked your organization as well, and there were some...other things that happened to me before that.

It's an interesting time of year for me, that's all.

[deaftly]

Oh. So you're just reflecting on everything that's happened?

[preybeforemeals]

What sort of thing did you think was on my mind? I'm curious.

[It's neither a yes nor a no, but it's what you're getting for now.]

[deaftly]

I had no idea, that's why I was worried.

[...]

--I mean, I wasn't really worried or anything!

[preybeforemeals]

Of course not, monsieur.

[...]

Did you see anyone, during that weekend when I told you that you might?

[deaftly]

No, I didn't see anyone or anything strange. I didn't kill anyone either!

[Clearly that's something to be proud of!!]

[preybeforemeals]

...I'm sure we would have heard about it if you had.

[...]

You are not a subtle man.

[deaftly]

Well no, of course not. Why would I want to be?

[preybeforemeals]

[All right, that actually gets a bit of a laugh out of him, you.]

Good point.

[deaftly]

What about you? Did you meet anyone interesting?