Scene #9048: Everhood 6.5: Bubblegum Road

Owner	Pose
Kale Hearthward	Elsewhere, the Blue Door has been reassembled, and beyond it waits Gold Pig's lair. Finally, the long trials of adventuring, dance battles, and role playing games are over. The end of the quest is a stone's throw away. ... Although, the door does seem to exude a sort of... 'You should wrap up any remaining sidequests before crossing this threshold' aura. A point of no return. Did you save your game? Did you restock your healing items and cash in your crafting supplies? Gotten your equipment and abilities in order? Kale Hearthward's main reason for embarking on this adventure - meeting up with his future self - is not yet resolved. There were roadblocks, at first getting them together in the same room (Present Kale ended up distracted by a trading sidequest, Future Kale was waiting in the wrong place) and then they both got caught by Professor Orange and had to be rescued. Now, finally, they've had a chance to talk to each other in private, while everyone else was dealing with Green Mage's 'ritual'. Supposedly, all should be good now. So why does that quest still feel incomplete...? Surely, you aren't going to head off to fight the final boss with entries still in your quest log! The two Kales are back at the bar, reachable by navigating through the right set of freestanding doors. At the moment, there's no one else here besides them (and the Automatic Terror Machine, which is still sulking in its spot outside). Present Kale is, like the parenthetical ATM above, sulking. He's at the bar, wearing his usual outfit with both swords attached, and nursing a drink (something fruity without much alcohol content). "Oh. Hey," he says, to whoever walks in. "Hey," says Future Kale, who's behind the bar. He's got a much more flamboyant outfit on, a white disco blazer with red and orange flames along the sleeves and ankles, and several pieces of flair - the silver chalice pendant around his neck, the ring with twin garnets on his right ring finger, the wing insignia pinned to his lapel, and the silver bracelet on his left wrist. There's a notable lack of any swords or jet boots or really any visible equipment. "You all want to help me talk some sense into him?" "More like nonsense," says Present Kale. "You came back to tell me, what? That I need to give up my driving force? The reason I'm out here?" "The reason you end up reaching your low point and shattering," says Future Kale. "Is because of that driving force. You need to find something else. Or figure out something else. Or just - do anything else. Because it's not going to be pleasant when you do." "And I'm not going to end up doing that anyway?" shoots back Present Kale. "Hitting the low point without something pushing me onward, giving me a reason to be out here? Or maybe I'll end up quitting like I almost did?" "And I'm telling you - you'll find a reason! You'll find something. I just can't tell you what." This conversation seems to have been going in circles for some time now. "Well, my reason for coming here is a bust," says Present Kale, to the group. "This place sucks, and we've been coming here so much that I'm feeling like I'm getting used to how much... nothing there is here. Tell me you all have had better luck with the whole... arm and a leg thing."
Aidan Proudpick	Aidan looks at a picture of Dracula's castle, whistling. So tall. And it looks so old! There's probably hundreds, thousands of weird nooks and crannies in there. Who knows what could be lurking in those walls! A beep from his tablet. ----- A jingle forewarns of Aidan's arrival, as he is wearing a purple and black jester's outfit, complete with jingling hat and several blue streamers in his tail. It's rather plain, as Aidan didn't spring for sewing a million colors onto it, but he wears a light coat over it. He has three cups of coffee with him, as well as a paper serving container. A smile at FK, "Hey! There you are! I was starting to worry when we didn't hear from you." And at PK, he opens his mouth to rib him, but closes it again. A cup of black coffee and a couple plastic containers of cream and packets of sugar get placed next to PK then FK. Then a plastic spoon and the food container. "Here," Aidan says, quietly but firmly as he places it in front of PK, "Chicken soup." This place sucks, Aidan settles himself, arms on the bar, looking straight forward. Emotions bubble and roil in him, a thousand different thoughts and things to say bubbling up to his brain. This is perhaps a moment he's been waiting the better part of a year for. He doesn't want to be any amount of tipsy for this, so he goes for his coffee instead, "Yanno, I've been thinking about this place since the first time I saw him," he makes a cup held gesture at FK. "I thought it was gonna be some magical place where you'd learn..." he gestures vaguely, "some deep truth about yourself." A thoughtful sip, then Aidan turns towards PK, moving around in his barstool to face him, "For a dozen different reasons over the year, I wanted you to come here. Right now? I look at you and I see..." B-anter: Considering retiring. Not anymore. Had some down moments. Don't need to rehash that. In Kale's house, before the ill-fated medical class. As far as the snacks, a good 90% of what's on offer is vegan, with the meat-based options being 'frozen chicken nuggets in the shape of dinosaurs' and 'a package of generic brand beef jerky.' "Someone who might grind himself to dust."
Futaba Nuki	After that long sitdown session, Futaba's ready to get her legs moving again. She's even doing quick knee raises on the way into the bar, ready to drag the Kales off for the big climactic finish of this whole thing. She takes a brief detour to try and console the Automatic Terror Machine with a reassuring pat on the screen and a suggestion to head to Fall ("They've got four Halloweens a year there! You'll probably fit right in.") before bursting right into the bar. "We're back! Yo, Kales, you guys ready to-uhh." Seeing the stark difference between the two, Futaba heads over to the bar to lean over the top of it so she can get a better look at the two. Future Kale gets an acknowledging nod and a "Nice fit!" from the ninja, and then Present Kale gets a meaty hand clapped on his shoulder courtesy of Futaba. Figuratively meaty, for once, but she does make her hand and jawline way bigger than they normally are while grinning and obviously trying to get a reaction from him just for looking at her. "Hey. Hey. Come on, what happened to the old Hearthward? The one that was all.. You know. Did stuff to show off, get eyes on him? Would you really be happier being bored and miserable doing nothing all the time?" Wait. What if he answers yes? Well, no rolling back that now. "I mean, if it works and does make ya happy, then... There ya go, you know? But there's gotta be something to find fun and purpose in, yeah?"
Xion	Xion doesn't remember arriving specifically in the Bar, though, she keeps waking up in the strange nowhere-dimension that Kale had found himself in. His personal growth was a little mysterious to Xion, though when you appeared in the pans of cameras hunched over the bar, perhaps the mystery was mutual. Looking up from her phone screen couched in her lap with one hand thumbscrolling, Xion blinks as she sees the bar first and then where she is. Only after does she tune in, dimming screen and tucking it into her pocket as she sits up on stool, looking at Future Kale first. He's got more character items, now, and different ones. "You almost look naked, now, Kale." Xion tells the flamboyantly future one. "To see old you still belted tight with blades at the hip. Did you decide to hang them up? Or, did you decide to trade them up? I can't imagine a too-far-from-now Kale who smiles like you did just giving them up." "It is an okay fit, though. I'm getting used to it." Xion asides, nodding to Futaba as the tanuki enters the space. Returning to Present Kale, Xion frowns as she takes a guess from the changing of pins at lapel. "This is about you leaving the employ of the Gale Emperor, isn't it? Being between causes you really feel worthy of you? First it was people, but, you still had society. Now, it's society, and that's..." "... harder."
Angela	Cinder is carting along Angela's Eggpack (now Tanukiless) over both shoulders. She's one of the few people allowed to carry an Eggpack outside of emergencies or rare situations which makes her feel pretty awesome, weirdly enough, even though it's just a weird backpack and it'd honestly be easier to move around without it. But she sees this as an opportunity to get to know Xion better. Normally she likes to hang around Petra loyally but it's good to make new friends and she's really digging Xion's vibes. Well, ''vibe'' would be more accurate. Namely, the vibe that Xion is someone who is reasonably fond of arson. ''Tell me you all have had better luck with the whole... arm and a leg thing.'' "Is ''that'' why we are here?" Cinder asks. "To be honest we mostly had a dance off and played a tabletop oneshot and--" Her eyes widen. "Is that how it's all connected...? One Shot..." "I am certain that is coincidence, Cinder." Angela says. Cinder turns her attention to Xion which was always her evil scheme. "You don't think she's upset because Angela got upset about the whole Tanuki-suit thing...? Like maybe it was offensive...?" "The Tanuki Suit is clearly ''more'' offensive." Angela snaps back. "We will now cease communication on the subject." "Oh." Cinder says. "Did we ever find out why there is a future Kale...?" She leans in and murmurs, "Hey, we're like--buddies right? No secret spy stuff right?"
Sarracenia	Sarra for some mysterious reason is wearing a trendy, flowy scarf today in addition to her usual shimmering red dress with the gold embroidery. She feels downright plain (in sort of a good way) compared to Aidan's outfit today, though. Still, it is effective at driving off the draining aura of this world. After their last visit here, Sarra is also once again behind the bar stocking the shelves with drinks, though most are fruity sodas and not actual alcoholic drinks. The princess doesn't usually drink alcohol. Instead, she has brought along a high class grapefruit soda, which Gregory the Piranha Plant is serving for those gathered. "If you ask me, Future Kale has it right. I mean, just look at how mopey you are right now and how generally grumpy you are at any given time? You definitely could use a vacation or at least a good spa day." Sarra says before sipping daintily at her soda from a wine flute with a swirling design to it and a gold rim. "I am not sure I agree with the entire new purpose, though. I mean, you are barely finally starting to act more heroic and considerate. It would be a shame to throw that away. Perhaps just a new approach?" She hops over the bar quickly to take a seat beside Aidan, and waves to Futaba and Xion when she notices them. Xion especially gets her attention, though. "Xion! Would you care for a glass?" she asks, and Gregory slides her a flute of soda. Though to be fair he is sliding most everyone one of those. And as usual, Futaba's antics draw a smile from her. 'You don't think she's upset because Angela got upset about the whole Tanuki-suit thing...? Like maybe it was offensive...?' "Honestly, who gets offended by a cute, fluffy suit?" Sarra says.
Kale Hearthward	Aidan arrives. "You look ridiculous," says Present Kale, nearly simultaneous to Future Kale saying "You look good!" "So how was training under North? I know she's a bit of a stick in the mud, and I won't ask what it cost you, but I can't think of a better teacher," says Future Kale to Aidan. "Also, I ate already," says Present Kale, though he does take the soup. "And I'm not going to grind myself to dust." "(He might,)" mouths (beaks?) Future Kale. Futaba's next. "Yeah, you got it!" says Future Kale, offering Futaba a fistbump. "I'm happy," complains Present Kale, in contradiction of present evidence. "And I like showing off." "Mmmhmm. And that's why Swords Dance is working flawlessly for you, isn't it?" Present Kale startles. "How did you know about - oh, right, whatever. It works! It just doesn't work... outside of the pokemon world." > "Did you decide to hang them up? Or, did you decide to trade them up?" "They're still around, I just don't need them anymore. I've got some new stuff that's more useful, really. Like when I, you know, mastered Swords Dance." Future Kale gives Present Kale a look, which is pointedly ignored. Sarracenia arrives. "I'm not mopey," says Present Kale. "And I'm handling being heroic just fine, thank you." "Heroism is more of a symptom than a cause," says Future Kale. "He doesn't need to throw that out, he just needs to change up his motivations.""Oh, speaking of tanuki suits - you got one to spare, Sarra? Hit me!" > "Now, it's society, and that's... harder." Future Kale looks like he's on the back foot for the first time today. "... Yeah." "Society is harder. But, with enough effort, you figure out what works for you there too. What you can cling to, stake your hopes on and ante your time and your best efforts on, and hope it all pays off." Absently, he's messing with the twin-garnet ring on his right ring finger. "... Actually getting into what that might be, though, is counterproductive. I can't really talk that up too much. It's the sort of thing that doesn't go well if someone literally from the future comes and gives you the answer about what you should do. I can really only drop hints, and that's already kinda pushing it." Future Kale... actually doesn't greet Cinder. It seems like he's ignoring her? Or maybe altogether acting like she isn't there. Fortunately for her (if she cares), there's someone else making their way in. "Hey," says the fuzzy Rasta Beast. "Can I talk to you all for a moment?" He's dragging Zigg along with him, who doesn't look terribly happy to be here. "I know you're all trying to help out Red and Blue, and that's great and all, but I was starting to wonder what all you're going to do after that. If you're going to stick around, or if you're going to leave." "Because if you're going to leave, I wanted to ask that you close and seal up the door behind you."
Aidan Proudpick	"So how was training under North?" "North? North who. I.." He squints, then seems to realize, "Oh! So, we talked to the Emperor a couple months ago about how he's going to change his mind, we are there." He doesn't ask who North is. Or the training. He doesn't want to know! I've got some new stuff that's more useful, really. Briefly distracted, he leans forward, "Oh yea! I figured out that wind trick you did! With the extra life breath." There's an excitement to Aidan now, tail flicking back and forth, streamers fluttering. He makes a show of gathering up two balls of air in his hand, spinning skeins of wind into little spheres, "I haven't really figured out how to do it as good," he forces the balls together to make them spin against themselves, before letting the breeze go. "I can't WAIT to show it off against you." As Xion draws the conversation to motivation, Aidan sits back down, getting quiet once more. He scoops the twist of the ring, furrowing his brow, "Wh- No, right, future stuff." He turns back to PK, some frustration building up at the bird's blockade, "So, what gets you up in the morning, Kale?" There's a little flash at Sarra, "Come on. he's not mopey." He does glance over at PK, "You could probably use a vacation though."
Xion	'Is ''that'' why we are here?' Cinder asks. "If you check the quest guide, that's we're here. The journal goes something like 'lost in nowhere, Kale Hearthward has disappeared', something something quest for answers, something something next chapter," The Nobody seems to recite this from memory, searching informationally rather than generationally as she looks off in considerance. "If you're just having fun, though, that's fine too. Sometimes, free play's a lot better than score or time attack." Xion smiles faintly "It all got a little jumbled because we don't have to find the keys that go to the doors - just the doors. And past the doors, the pieces, and past the pieces, whole people..." Xion glances over to the two Kales going at it. "And not forks and halves and hinting future-selves. I'm pretty sure. But maybe it will just be a big ugly person at the end making bad decisions that needs to be burned to the ground. And we're ready for that too!" She pumps a fist and grins before settling to a crossed-armed lean forward at the bar. Just in time to be slid a flute of bubbly! Scenting the sweet and guessing it was safe, Xion sends a smile down the bar and unravels an arm from cross to take glass up and cheers in sipping. "Thanks!" She adds, after. 'They're still around, I just don't need them anymore.' At that, Xion nods and frowns both. "Don't... need them? Kale didn't ever need his swords to win most fights he was in - he could have used anything. And maybe you've just put some new swords, new limbs in that ring of yours, or hidden them in that pin, but..." Xion raises glass-in-hand and her opposite arm rises to tap left middle finger to glass-holding right ring. "If you're not giving any hints, wearing a new pin on your lapel or a ring on your hand - that seems like giving it away, isn't it?" Rasta Beast comes in shortly after and Xion turns with soda flute in hand to address them at 'great and all', but once he asks to seal up the door, Xion nods - slowly. "Okay. I can do that. If we do that, will everyone here be okay? You won't run out of... drinks, and stuff?"
Sarracenia	'Heroism is more of a symptom than a cause. He doesn't need to throw that out, he just needs to change up his motivations. Oh, speaking of tanuki suits - you got one to spare, Sarra? Hit me!' Sarra blinks in surprise, then her eyes widen and sparkle. "On second thought, perhaps you should listen to your future self! He is much more fun!" Sarra says as she rummages in her purse before pulling out a tanuki suit power-up. She tosses it to Future Kale and once it touches him he'll be in the adorable tanuki onesie with just his face sticking out. "Heroism is a symptom...?" Sarra repeats after that, unsure she really gets what that means. "...I suppose that is alright. Except...that implies he is sick, which I do not really care for since that means if he gets well he may not be heroic anymore?" 'I'm not mopey, And I'm handling being heroic just fine, thank you.' Sarra hmphs softly and smirks at that. "Is that so, Mr. 'this place sucks'? I think it has been quite fun, all things considered. You even got kidnapped! How was that not fun? And you were able to meet a future you! A future you that has turned out quite well! Does that not give you hope for the future? You should be happy!" As if on cue, Gregory slides the Kales their sparkling grapefruit. "Not to mention, we helped people and stopped a crazy scientist who was stealing parts of people!" 'Come on. he's not mopey.' Sarra hmphs softly. "Come on, yourself. He is -currently- mope-ING. How can you say he is not mopey?" Seems Kale is still a point of contention with them. 'Thanks!' Sarra raises her glass in time with Xion and smiles happily. "Cheers!" Gregory, not realizing or (more likely) not caring that the princess and Angela do not get along, slides Cinder a glass as well and pours one with ice for Angela before slipping a straw into it. It looks perfect for swirling to create clinking ice sounds and have fizzy fun! 'I know you're all trying to help out Red and Blue, and that's great and all, but I was starting to wonder what all you're going to do after that. If you're going to stick around, or if you're going to leave.' Sarra laughs a bit sardonically. "I may have said it was fun, but I could never live here. It is so draining! How do any of you survive here? If you ask me, you should all be looking for some way to leave this place and live happier lives in a much more lively and colorful place!" she says, then realizes there was more said. "Wait...close and seal the door?" Sarra looks to Xion just a moment, then back at Rasta. "...why would you want to seal the door? Did we...cause some sort of trouble I am not aware of?"
Angela	''Honestly, who gets offended by a cute, fluffy suit?'' "So you're cool with me redressing you?" Cinder asks. Her attention goes back to Xion. Her gaze is blank when Xion mentions a quest guide--she has no idea what that means.But she gets the gist, at least. "I... free play? Time attack? What...?" She asks, knees feeling weak for a moment. "I'm not sure if we really found answers at all. We beat up that one guy though...? With fire?" She doesn't get an answer about being buddies though so she adds, "''Are'' we buddies now?" With a bit more emphasis. ''It seems like he's ignoring her?'' "Hey dude...what the fuck's your problem?" She asks. But Angela is the one who answers Rasta Beast. "Uncertain. At this point I am fulfilling my bargain with the frog." Angela lifts up the guitar briefly. "Why do you ask?"
Xion	'''Are'' we buddies now?' Xion blinks and then looks at Cinder with some light confusion. "Oh, you're asking me? I thought you were asking Kale!" She asks, though it's some small wonder how she came to that conclusion now that the Nobody is being pressed about it. "Oh, sure! If you like. We've fought together a bunch and everything, I don't see why not. Of course, I'm always curious what 'buddy' means to other people, but... I'm sure we can find out what thing we are specifically, too. It's just easier, sometimes, to be... vague? We can match up better when the lines are blurrier, sometimes, and it's not a false thing to be - to just be."
Kale Hearthward	> "Okay. I can do that. If we do that, will everyone here be okay? You won't run out of... drinks, and stuff?" Rasta Beast looks off to the side for a moment. Xion can practically hear the cursor cycling between his dialogue options. "Honestly? No. We won't be okay, and we will run out of drinks. We'll ration the stuff you gave us, only bring it out for the special occasions, but that's still a finite amount of alcohol versus an infinite amount of time." "But - we'll manage, and we'll manage for longer in here than we would out there. If we go out there, we're going to start aging again and die. Here, we've got a shot at immortality." "Assuming we don't get murdered," mutters Zigg behind him. "We gave the message, can we go now?" > "Why do you ask?" > "Did we...cause some sort of trouble I am not aware of?" "No, no, not a problem at all," says Rasta Beast, bringing up both hands to fend off the allegation. "You've been more than helpful, really. It's been the most excitement in years." "But if you've got a door open, then you might be letting in... time, I guess. Or letting in that oeuvre stuff, which is carrying time with it. Maybe it's just a slow leak, but if the door stays open for months or years or decades... I'd rather not risk it. Time is bad medicine." > "North? North who." Future Kale stares at Aidan for a moment. "Oh. So you didn't after all..." "I don't know if you remember it at all, then - I gave you a card that had the North Wind's contact info on it? The hope was you'd get some training from her, she'd make use of you in return, use you as basically a political pawn - but it'd actually be positioning you to do some good as far as turning the Empire around, and helping you learn some discipline and patience." "Maybe it's for the best that you didn't take that path, though. Who can say. Future's still unwritten." > "If you're not giving any hints, wearing a new pin on your lapel or a ring on your hand - that seems like giving it away, isn't it?" "Hints, still! You might think you know what they mean, but it might mean something different. You still need to decide what you believe and work to make it a reality." "I've figured out the ring, at least," says Present Kale, mid-drink. "You think you've figured out the ring," says Future Kale. > "Hey dude...what the fuck's your problem?" "Oh there's - there's no problem. Hi Cinder. Hey, you think you could leave your Fourth Match Flame outside, though?" says Future Kale, glancing over at the weapon in question. "Nobody needs to get burned today." Fortunately, a distraction! Kale is now in the Tanuki Suit. "Hah! This is great! Tanuki Tanuki Tanuki! I can't believe you never hit me with one of these." "C'mon, Futaba! Tanuki Dance!" He goes to grab her hand and drag her out onto the bar's dance floor, and does a silly dance that seems made up on the spot. "Tanuki Dance!" "... Look at him making a fool of himself," comments Present Kale to those still at the bar. "How does he do that? How can he do that, for that matter? Anyone in their right mind would be mortified, knowing what people must think about him." "Tanuki... Bounce!" calls Future Kale, trying to drop down, land on his rear end, and then bounce back up to his feet. The maneuver is wholly unsuccessful. He keeps dancing anyway. "I had to go take a class to literally stop hearing what people think about me, and I can still imagine it pretty accurately," says Present Kale as he waves down Gregory for a refill. "And that's without going and... acting like him. Making a fool of himself." "... No offense," he adds to Aidan, in the jester outfit.
Futaba Nuki	"And that's why Swords Dance . . ." ". . . outside of the pokemon world." After fistbumping Future Kale, Futaba finally takes a seat on the counter, shrinking herself down considerably so she does't have to snag a seat of her own. Also, because it means a large drink can last way longer. "Can I get somethin' sweet and heavy? No booze, though. Not while I'm on the clock." Her tail starts to transform into a clock, but she stops herself halfway while turning back to Present Kale with a raised eyebrow. "Can anyone really say they mastered dancing if it only works in one world? Come on, you know nobody's gonna believe that. Nah, you gotta practice more!" "... What kinda new stuff, anyway? And what's that got to do with losing your motivation? Did you... Uhh." She furrows her brow as she looks over at Cinder when Future Kale deliberately avoids looking her way, then at Sarracenia and Angela when something about a suit comes up. "... Get into a real bad fight with someone?" She asks, looking over at Xion and Aidan as though either of them might have answers. The former especially gets her looking at Present Kale's hands, to see if any digits or limbs are missing. "Actually getting into what that might be, though, is counterproductive." "Right, right. Gotta work towards the answer himself, so... Chin up, man." Futaba stretches a tiny arm aaaall the way up to give Kale another pat on the shoulder. "It'll work out eventually. Just try and... Hmmn. You ever think about trying something real outta left field? Not for clout or motivation or whatever, but just to... Y'know. Do new stuff for the heck of it, to see if maybe there's something that just clicks? Not even the sword dancing thing, but..." She taps a finger against her chin, then snaps her fingers. "Chain knife." "I wanted to ask that you close and seal up the door behind you." Rasta Beast's arrival doesn't get Futaba's attention right away, but she does look over once they actually speak up and bring up a highly specific request. Futaba raises ane yebrow, wrinkles her nose a bit, then lets out an uncertain noise. "I dunno about that... I mean, we got in here a pretty weird way, but you know how warp gates can be once they start showing up." She lets that hang for a bit as though the response might be obvious on its own, then realizes something and continues. "... How long do you expect this place can really be closed up for before someone else shows up here? Might as well enjoy seeing whoever comes on through and get more used to it, yeah?" Future Tanukale Futaba strokes her chin again as she watches his new energy, snickering after a while and sitting at the edge of the bar to watch his antics. "Man... You know we don't just shout tanuki, right?" Despite saying something that would imply she's annoyed, Futaba doesn't look it at all and takes it in stride while laughing. She lets out a surprised noise when he grabs her, pushing off the counter with her feet and transforming back to her full size so he's not just swinging her around on the way to dancing. Predictably, there's little coordination in how she dances alongside Future Kale, and it doesn't even look like she's dancing so much as she's just sort of jumping around and doing backflips. The bouncing is just Futaba using her tail like/as a spring, too, and then she pauses to study Future Kale's technique. "You're missin' a little something there, bud. Heh. 'course, if we can find you a spare.."
Aidan Proudpick	"Come on, yourself. He is -currently- mope-ING. How can you say he is not mopey?" "Yea, but it doesn't HELP to say he's moping, Sarra." His voice is a bit harsher than it might be or should be. "Oh. So you didn't after all..." Aidan frowns, lifting up his tablet to show the picture of the card. "Oh. I uh..." A sheepish grin, "I had this in my phone the whole time. I figured it was you and when you were gonna call back to have us head to Everhood. I... wow, thank you." He considers that, trying to imagine his life under the North Wind. Finally, he waves a vague hand, "I probably would have just exploded at some point anyways." "Tanuki... Bounce!" A grin on Aidan's face as he watches. There's something off about it, though. Something... too far in the other direction. Damn, he's ad- "And that's without going and... acting like him." Aidan abruptly stops sipping his coffee, lowering it to the bar, "What?" He is entirely surprised, "I mean, I know you are working on yourself and everything, but, come on. I've seen you get up in a cheerleading outfit in front of everyone and give it your best. You put on a maid dress and ignored what everyone might have thought to give it your best. It's called having fun." Aidan lifts his eyebrows, "Doing it because you want to. No one else." He gestures at himself, "I do this because it's fun. I wear eye makeup because I like the way it looks. You had fun acting, right?" A vague shrug at Futaba. But Aidan puts his hand flat on the bar, "It doesn't matter. Don't be him if you don't want to, Kale. It's hard to imagine you not a little bit smug, doing that stupid extra florish of your sword."
Angela	Cinder says, "...W..whoah you did?" The idea that she'd ask Kale that was so alien to her that it just didn't cross her mind someone could be mistaken in that way. Of course, without Petra here, she doesn't actually have a strong impetus to be a jerk to the Kales either but she's getting vibes from Future Kale that puts her on edge, especially when he mentions putting away the Fourth Match Flame. "She will not 'leave' her weapon anywhere. It does not belong to her. The Fourth Match Flame is a product of Lobotomy Corp and she is certainly not allowed to 'leave it behind'." Cinder wasn't inclined to anyway but she gives a helpless shrug to avoid culpability. Fortunately she isn't swinging it around NOW but she figures FUture Kale knows something about the future. She probably, like, scorched him or something a little. She can just be more careful this time! ''I'm always curious what 'buddy' means to other people.'' "Geeze, me too. But I've dug your vibe so far so..." Cinder sighs. "I've kinda felt I should make more friends on the outside because when my work at L Corp's done I intend to travel the multiverse a bunch." She nods a little. "We don't have to, like, define junk though."
Sarracenia	'So you're cool with me redressing you?' "If it is cute and fluffy, sure!" Sarra says. "Or even just cute! As long as it is not too revealing. I love dressing up in different outfits when I can, you know?" She knows why Angela was offended by the outfit, but she is fairly certain it was not because it was cute and fluffy. That is just an alien concept to the princess. 'I can't believe you never hit me with one of these.' "Well, you did not strike me as the tanuki type!" Sarra says to Future Kale, then looks at Present Kale, then...gets a bit of a grin as she pulls out another tanuki suit. "Then again..." She waggles it in a playfully menacing way at Present Kale. "It might help you loosen u~uuuup~" She sing-songs that last word, then giggles. "You worry much too much about what people think of you. Giving some consideration to it is fine, but if it is all you care about...you will drive yourself crazy. Take it from the princess who is..." Woah, that was close. She almost called herself crazy, and she is definitely not crazy! "...shunned by her world because she does not care what others think of her as long as she is being true to herself." Yes, that sounds properly inspiring. 'Tanuki Dance!' Sarra giggles delightedly as Future Kale and Futaba start the Tanuki Dance. But, she does not join in as a rather heavy subject comes up. Immortality. "So...the door being open lets time in? And...that weird oh-vro is not native to this place?" Sarra asks, then looks confused. "But...this place was completely saturated with it before we ever got here? Has Future Kale been here that long?" 'Yea, but it doesn't HELP to say he's moping, Sarra.' Sarra winces lightly, then mmphs in mild annoyance and crosses her arms. "...well...it might. I mean...it could." she murmurs, then looks toward Future Kale. "...it is a bit odd, though. That is quite a drastic change from your current self." she says to Kale. "Perhaps he -was- broken completely and rebuilt himself? Or perhaps something drastic happened that made him realize he worried too much and had to let it go?" 'Geeze, me too. But I've dug your vibe so far so...' When it comes to the Agents of L Corp, Sarra judges them case by case instead of just 'work for Angela and like Petra', and Cinder has given her no reason to really dislike her. So, Sarra nods in agreement. "Xion has excellent 'vibes'." she says, adding a bit of emphasis on vibes like someone who does not use hip lingo much. "I am quite fond of her myself!" 'Honestly? No. We won't be okay, and we will run out of drinks.' Sarra looks a bit worried now. "You...do not produce food or drink of your own...? How have you survived this long?" 'We gave the message, can we go now?' She peers suspiciously at Zigg. "What message? Who asked you to give us a message? Do we need to engage in combat again?"
Kale Hearthward	> "You...do not produce food or drink of your own...? How have you survived this long?" "There's a forest where we can forage enough food, and a couple other places," says Rasta Beast. " > "What message? Who asked you to give us a message? Do we need to engage in combat again?" "We all agreed to come talk to you," explains Rasta Beast. "That's what he means. He's just being a bit of a jerk about it." "He also promised to apologize for causing you problems earlier," adds Rasta Beast. "Had my fingers crossed..." says Zigg, crossing his arms and turning his head. > "Nah, you gotta practice more!" "I've been practicing. It still doesn't work," says Present Kale. > "... Get into a real bad fight with someone?" Future Kale notably doesn't answer the question. He's also not looking at Cinder again. > "I've seen you get up in a cheerleading outfit in front of everyone and give it your best. You put on a maid dress and ignored what everyone might have thought to give it your best." "I've had to grow up since then, obviously," says Present Kale, unconvincingly. "I can't do things like that anymore. Not if I want to keep my reputation and image up." "Pride," calls Future Kale. "That's what's got you up in knots, and that's what you have to give up!" Future Kale finishes Tanuki Dancing, and makes his way back over. "How many things is your pride preventing you from doing by this point? Have you even managed to keep track?" "Aidan's got the right of it," he continues. "You've let pride tie you up in knots. You've let pride hold you back from things you need to do, or even just things you want to do. You're all so focused on just... comparing yourself to other people. Worrying about what they think. Worrying about how you're viewed through their eyes." "You can't tell Lilian what you really want from her because you're still trying to compare yourself to her. You're focusing too much on numbers and comparisons and not ever enjoying your own accomplishments because someone else has done more and better. You can't ever use the fullest of your capabilities because you look..." Future Kale takes a breath. "Because you look silly while doing them." He takes a few steps back, making sure he's clear of anyone nearby... and then starts dancing again. Hop bop. Step step. Slide slide. It looks - it looks ridiculous, even accounting for the tanuki onesie. Spin, spin, shuffle shuffle... two steps back, one step forward, arms out, spin, jump, and- The ground trembles as he lands from the jump. Future Kale is glowing. Energy crackles nearby. For those who were present for the clash in Clastic Cavern, it's identical to the power that Kale-Doduo pulled out at the eleventh hour. "This - is what you're giving up. Because you're worried about looking silly. Because you're so focused on your pride." "You can do it in the Pokemon world because everyone there is off-balance, in bodies and with abilities both unfamiliar to them. Here, it's just you, doing something new and strange, and your pride can't countenance that." "Give it up already." Present Kale stares. "I... can't."
Aidan Proudpick	"Aidan's got the right of it." Seven. Wait, does that count as seven? No. Aidan is struggling to articulate, "Kale. That's one of the things I appreciate about you MOST. That you'll just go up there. That you'll just do it. Because it's something that you want to do." A grin splits his face, "Kale, I get strength from that. Knowing you were doing that, willing to put whatever you want on the line just to do it. Willing to give up the East Wind for people. Knowing that you never give up. I aspire to that! You are Kale FUCKING Hearthward," he slaps the bar for emphasis. That tingle floods him from fingers to toes, that burning eagerness. "You don't think you can get up there and look good doing it anyways?" He stands up, hands on the bar, "You would get up there and show everyone how good it looked, and then afterwards, you'd split an airship in half!" It's vivid in Aidan's mind. And when he turns to watch FK, he's in eager awe. He steps back, feeling the energy crackle out. "You don't think that's amazing?" He turns back towards PK.
Xion	Rasta Beast's request - their moment of pause, flicking through choices as if several were too-good or too-bad to chance a quick decision, and revealing in-end that it was best of bad among worse. Her expression dims, and her face turns somber. "I'd rather not, if that's what will happen. And," Her smile is funeral-faint, soft and scraping for more but finding less. "I know, you trusted me to say that 'no'. I think, that," Her hand tighten both around the stem of her cola flute, as if it were the hilt of a sword set vertical upon the bartop. "What you're asking me is to let you take the longest time dying. Because I'm the me that also wants to live, live forever, and not die at all, it's a place like this that... might trick me. And I think it's tricked you. 'Running out' of things, different things, experiences, possibilities, things like seasons and cycles and little changes - I think that's dying. I remember... a room, a library with a piano and endless books - enough for a whole lifetime of reading, of ten, of a hundred." Xion hangs her head, staring down at wood for a second and remembering the sound of something like a crashing wave, but not when, or why, or what terrified her about it still. It was only 'water', wasn't it? Water and her got along fine, had an understanding. "But I couldn't play the keys, even if I knew what the piano sounded like. And the text in the books, it was all missing. And eventually, that's what it'll be, here, too, I think." "So, ... Think about how to make forever sustainable? Maybe... someplace like that forest could have some new plantings in it? I know what you're asking, Rasta Beast." Xion looks back, over her shoulder, and then shifts from Rasta to Zigg. "You could make this place a paradise for a small community, and fill it with as much joy as possible. And you're just... trashy. Trashy to us, trashy to the others. An apology to me isn't anything, it's meaningless, we probably won't ever meet again. I might not even remember, after leaving. But... Being better to the people around you can be as sweet as honey - and you'll run out of honey eventually, so maybe find an alternative before you do."
Xion	Kale's (Future) antics continue to draw something out of Xion, rarely to never seen. Even amidst the open praise of others, she watches Kale with blue eyes that don't blink when either of the Kales are looking and focus on the buffoonery and then sighs and drains her soda with a long gulp to return the flute towards Future Kale play-acting bartender. "This is--" She takes a deep breath, and looks up with a frown at Future Kale. "Just about the worst 'helpful future version' I can think about without you just attacking him. Giving up his pride? That's terrible advice - to Kale! And you'd know this, if you moved two steps forward instead of just one, and then do a double-back to make fun of yourself! You want the past you to become you - but - they might not and that scares you. You're not here to hint your past self through anything. You're demanding to become." Turning to Kale, Xion points a finger at the bird-of-the-present. "This sucks because you're actually a prideful guy, and, taking pride in things isn't bad." Xion directs while her other hand bounces a steady-thunking rhythm into the bar with each word. "Your pride drove you to refine and become better, pride to not be something less, pride to maintain what you have, and when it's threatened, its your pride you use as an edge. I've heard it," The noirette turns pointing finger to faint swordless slash with empty hand - all pantomime. "When we've connected. And so, this advice isn't wrong - it's just selfminded of this one particular future you. And you know what?" Xion returns to crossing her arms and kind of glaring at Future Kale. "I don't think I'd listen to a 'future Me' who negged me and did something harmful-feeling in front of people I work with and respect on purpose to prove a point the same as I'd listen to someone who really, well and truly, cared about me first when it's about 'me'. But it's not. It's just about you." "Kale needs to loosen up, it's true. He also needs to learn not to be such an asshole - to himself, as well as others. Maybe take two steps and your energy crackle will impress you too with how it makes you feel - something Kale can take pride in."
Sarracenia	'We all agreed to come talk to you," explains Rasta Beast. "That's what he means. He's just being a bit of a jerk about it. He also promised to apologize for causing you problems earlier.' 'Had my fingers crossed...' Sarra sighs softly, but nods. "Well, it is your people's world. If you wish to close it off, I suppose we have little right to object. If I had the choice between immortality in a single small world and a finite life in a multiverse...I am not sure which I would choose. I did leave my home originally because it felt like a prison, but...I did not have the added option of immortality." 'I can't do things like that anymore. Not if I want to keep my reputation and image up.' Sarra is quiet on that point. She hesitates to say anything because she has very much the same problem. At least until Future Kale blurts out Pride is what Kale has to fix. She blinks in surprise. "Wait, I thought you could not give such concrete hints?" she says, then looks at Present Kale again. She then listens to Aidan's speech and watches Future Kale display some impressive power. Then, Xion...while Aidan is in awe of Future Kale, Sarra is in awe of Present Xion. And the princess finds herself nodding in agreement by the end. She takes a breath as if to say something, then just lets it out again without saying anything. What could she possibly add to that? Finally, eventually, she looks to Present Kale. "I am sure you would not care to hear anything from me, but...I can actually empathize with how you feel. I used to do exactly what I wanted at all times regardless of who it embarrassed or even who it hurt. I learned eventually that there are consequences to such behavior, and...unfortunately it took some of my brave piranha plant soldiers being lost in the line of duty for me to realize it. I would argue that what you accomplish and how heroic you are in accomplishing it is much more important than how you look doing it. Do you think hazmat suits are elegant or lovely? Well, they are not. And I have fought multiple times in them in order to save people. However...I would agree that throwing away your pride completely would be terrible, because then you would despise yourself for being so...goofy. If that is how you see this future you, it is how you would see your future self." She pauses a moment, then adds, "And if you do not respect yourself...who else is going to?"
Angela	''If it is cute and fluffy, sure! Or even just cute! As long as it's not too revealing.'' Cinder says, "I think...if you provide criteria, you're kind of already making it a different thing, right? " Angela doubts she knows Kale well enough or is close enough to him to give life advice but she understands, at least, te knowledge that there's someting you should do but simply can't because of who you are. "A bit of pride is what allows us to be who we are. Certainly, one's comfort levels matter." She says. "Certainly, even if it is better to simply be relaxed about everything that could make you uncomfortable--we are where we are."
Kale Hearthward	> "What you're asking me is to let you take the longest time dying." "Yeah. That's what we're asking. I know... it's asking a lot." "Not everyone remembers it, I barely remember any of it, but - our world died already, long ago. We're just... hanging on after the end, by staying here." > "Being better to the people around you can be as sweet as honey - and you'll run out of honey eventually, so maybe find an alternative before you do. "... But I'll keep that in mind too." >"Just about the worst 'helpful future version' I can think about without you just attacking him." > "However...I would agree that throwing away your pride completely would be terrible, because then you would despise yourself for being so...goofy." Present Kale perks up. > "You don't think that's amazing?" > "Kale needs to loosen up, it's true." "... I'm-" Kale starts to say 'doing okay', or something along those lines. But he stops himself. "... I'll work on it. Fine. I'm not going to be... him over there," Present Kale continues. "But - I can work on it." > "He also needs to learn not to be such an asshole - to himself, as well as others." "Yeah, well - all I want is to keep me from making my same mistakes," says Future Kale. "You know how freeing it is, to finally shed-" He gestures back at his current incarnation. "All of that? All of everything that was holding me back?" "How can I not look back and be an 'asshole' to myself? Making so many mistakes that are so easy not to make? When the cost to avoid them is, honestly, so small?" He drops his arm again. "Reaching the low point wasn't 'fun'. Ask Petra what 'shattering' means, sometime, if she hasn't said already. I mean, she even paid the cost for it when-" Future Kale stops dead in his tracks. His bright demeanor disappears. "Oh. Oh no." He looks over towards Cinder - and then quickly backs away from everyone, and starts dancing. "Shit, shit... it was, uh, jump to the left, step to the right, hands on hips, and... bring your knees in tight..." he mutters to himself as he runs through the dance steps as quickly as he can, ideally before anyone can point a flamethrower at him again. "And then you-" Future Kale dramatically falls to the floor - and then there's a metaphysical disturbance as time itself warps, and then Future Kale is gone.
Aidan Proudpick	Aidan hesitates as he listens to Xion, then Sarra, drawing that in. The eternal struggle for Aidan, the joy of whimsy blocking inability to put pride in himeslf. Confidence. Does he want to be strong to help people, or just so people will look up to him no matter what. A shake of the head dispels those thoughts. Himself later. He puts a hand on Kale's shoulder, grinning, "It's not about you becoming him. It's nice to see someone who is nice and goofy, but it's about you becoming the best YOU. Whatever you think that is, whatever you need to be." "Reaching the low point wasn't 'fun'." That's a harsh thought to think. Then, "No, it's not. But he's gonna have people there for him if he gets there. If he breaks, if he shatters, there's more people here to help him." Aidan folds his arms, "I-" FK is driven insane. "A-ah. Um. That's..." He glances at PK. "That's good, right? It means he finished his business, so... he disappeared? That's good."
Futaba Nuki	"He also promised to apologize for causing you problems earlier." "Water under the bridge, I guess.." Futaba shrugs lightly, not seeming too surprised nor... Anything towards the apology.She just scratches her cheek idly for a few moments, then taps a hand against her chin. "Well, maybe not all under, but... No sense getting all worked up over it now after the fact, right? Not like bashin' your heads in now would help anyone feel that much better. Still..." Once again, the arm stretches out, and she pets Rasta Beast on the shoulder. "Apology accepted, long as you do right by everyonee lse livin' here like Xion said. Now! Uh... Closin' that hole up behind us makes way more sense now, yeah. Don't suppose you'd have any ideas how to close it up, would you?" She draws her sword out just enough to let it peek out from her pouch and let a few of those flames out of it. "I mean, maybe it could hold it by the edges on the other side and melt it shut? If that's even how this all works, anyway..." Futaba notices Future Kale's unwillingness to say anything about fights, and she catches on enough to not actually look at him. She does look at Cinder after a bit, though, and she can't really begin to guess why that is/was the case at all. Instead, she focuses on everything else that's being said between the Kales. She stares at Present Kale in mild disbelief, too, then back towards Future Kale with a somewhat more skeptical look. "Is that what this is all about? No wonder you're this messed up about it... But-" Returning to the bar, Futaba sighs lightly as she reaches for Present Kale's face, makes her hands bigger, then grabs on and shakes him around a bit. "Come on, where's your... YOU pride? I mean, you don't have to be as ready to jump on lookin' dumb in front of folks like me or him-" A third thumb comes out of one of her hands just so she can point it at future Kale. "-but don't let that stop you from doing what you want. What feels right in your gut, even if it might look kind of lame sometimes. Worrying about that kind of thing is for people with an audience that's really..." She pauses, looking over at Cinder andt he Angelapack before nodding. "... An audience that needs 'em to look cool sometimes, but that does't mean it's ALWAYS the case.. Right place and the right time, you know?" She crosses her arms, then looks distant for a moment. "Besides, is people lookin' at you so bad, even if it's for something that isn't always cool or flashy? Still means they're looking at you for you instead of what they think you are." Her tone is less conclusive for once, like she's trying to draw out Kale's thoughts instead of just shoving that idea into his head. Maybe a little head-shoving, but she really does want to see what he comes up with and also a nice, high number for herself. Future Kale getting broken down, however, really gets Futaba paying attention. It's not something she truly considered being possible, but after hearing how he reacts with more panic and more anxiety over the possibility of not existing... She barely even perks up when he starts dancing like an idiot again. "... Yeah, I don't see you gettin' THAT funny. Maybe intense, if you really found some work you liked, but not... Not like that."
Sarracenia	'I think...if you provide criteria, you're kind of already making it a different thing, right?' "I did not change it, though. You did. I started with criteria, and you disregarded that in favor of simply 'redressing' unbounded." Sarra argues. "Besides that, I did not even redress -her-. I put an outfit on a backpack." The Kales talk a bit more, then...Future Kale starts freaking out and dancing until he finally...disappears?! She stares at the spot Future Kale occupied moments earlier, then looks over at Present Kale. "Are you...alright?" She looks back toward the spot. "...Petra did talk about shattering once. But, I do not think she considers it a bad thing. I think she said something about the pieces forming back together to make something more beautiful than the original unbroken thing? I often wonder if she tries to 'shatter' people on purpose just to see what sort of person they will be when they put themselves back together. She said she was not smart enough for that when I suggested it, but..."
Xion	Rasta Beast leaves, and Xion waves her hand behind her, without torturing the Beast with a sad look as they go. She's left with Kales, and the Gang, and then-- Just Kale. Singular and real, after the dancing-fiasco dead tone of the future hanging up on Future Kale. "That wasn't really Kale." Xion states, a little while later. "Not really. Not in any way we know. They were real, but, fading, and, we didn't have the time to do this and that and make a miracle happen. We were faced with a real choice, you know." She addresses everyone. "But," Xion sighs and her head lolls with the exhalation, rolling to one side and then around. She reaches a hand up to scritch out and then rake through her hair for an few moments, resetting via sensation. "I don't think we were wrong. Kale, you've had swords at your side, and known how to use them, and had them a part of you, for as long as I've know you. You've changed them up, and made progress, and mastered things, but even if that other you could dance swords, I think losing them at the hips changes the style entirely. Throwing away 'Kale' to exist - that's why they were around anyway. Throwing away 'Kale' for more and different." "And that wasn't that big of a change. But," Xion drops her hand and leans sideways on the bar, crossing her legs on her stool and putting her cheek on her closed fist. "Kale. I could tell that you wasn't 'real' when you're still asking me for duels and he's past ditching the whole thing entirely for something new. If you had asked me with no swords, maybe he'd have gotten away with it, but... Where you go after the Gale should be someplace that helps you work on you." Swinging around, Xion hops off her stool and looks at the gang. "Princess Sarracenia, could you give me a hand? I think there's some crops you could share with these folks that could really help out their 'forever', and maybe the rest of us can help get them in the ground with everyone's help. I..." She faintly smiles. "I can't stay here, but I'm willing to lock the door behind us. I wouldn't choose it, but, we can make it better - right?"
Kale Hearthward	Future Kale disappears. Maybe he got wiped from existence due to TIME SHENANINIGANS "I'm going to choose to not worry about it, personally," says the sole extant Kale. "He knew the risks doing this." "... I think he knew the risks. He didn't really explain how time stuff works..." "... I'm just going to choose not to worry about it, personally," says Kale. He listens to Xion, and nods. > "Where you go after, should be someplace that helps you work on you." "... Yeah." And then to everyone else. "Thank you." "I'm going to - I mean, actually maybe a vacation wouldn't be a bad idea. I haven't really taken one in a while." "... And I'll try to, uh, loosen up a bit." And with that... ... This chapter of Everhood ends, and the credits roll.
Kale Hearthward	"The ring still bothers me, though," Kale pipes up a few minutes later, interrupting the credits. "If the ring was a real hint and not just some sort of red herring." "There's a lot of things it could mean, ring 'language' is different from culture to culture and even country to country within the same culture, but wedding rings go on your left hand ring finger and that one was on his right hand ring finger so it's at least not that, and while there's a lot of possibilities there's very few that have two gemstones, and garnets don't really have specific gemstone meanings that line up to anything I think would represent me - or even future me - I mean it could in a stretch in the same way you can pick a random horoscope on a random day and make it apply to yourself-" "Sorry, I'm rambling. What I mean to say is, uh. The other thing garnets mean, they're january birthstones." "I think he was saying I have twins someday."