![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
MISSION 003 [NORTHERN ROUTE 34 - ACTION/VIDEO/TEXT]
[[Should you be on the outskirts of Goldenrod City today, you may come across a shirtless Major Armstrong and his Riolu, who are standing just off the path leading to the Daycare. They appear to be having some sort of argument; well, Armstrong is doing the angry talking and the Riolu is looking indignant and sulky.
Armstrong is a fighter by heart, and when he realised Riolu's talents for fighting, he immediately set out to teach the little Pokemon all he knew about hand to hand combat. He took to it well, quickly learning a number of techniques ranging from simple to complex.
There is one thing, however, that has Armstrong concerned.]]
Berli, that Rattata had had more than enough. You shouldn't have continued to attack it!
[[The Riolu scowls, angrily kicking at the dirt, refusing to look his trainer in the eye. Armstrong sighs, and kneels down so that he can talk to the Pokemon a bit more intimately, without looking so intimidating.]]
To be a truly noble fighter, Berli, you need to learn to recognize when to show mercy. Your opponent was posing no danger to you or any of your friends, and was trying to escape; attacking it was a cowardly thing to do.
[[He pauses, then, a sad look coming over his face as he appears lost in some distant memory. It passes quickly, however, and he's soon back to looking serious but sympathetic.]]
Next time I tell you to stop, you must stop. Before long, you'll be able to see it yourself. There is no satisfaction to be gained from a fight where the tables are hopelessly turned in your favour.
[[Berli rolls his eyes, but nods, continuing to sheepishly kick the dirt, which is quickly followed by indignant flailing as his trainer rubs his head.]]
I'll make a warrior worthy of the Armstrong name out of you yet!
[[...now to deal with his poor Graveler, who is lying, smoking, on the side of the road with a pleased but exhausted expression on his face. Armstrong's frown deepens.]]
...how about you take a break from doing that to yourself, Ben...
[[GUESS WHO JUST LEARNED SELF-DESTRUCT....]]
I was wondering if anyone had information about an ailment that appears to be affecting one of my pokemon. I've attached a picture:
According to the Pokegear, he should be a blue colour. Is there anything wrong with him? I'd like to know so I can get him treatment immediately, should he be ill!
Hughes, I have made it to Goldenrod City! What are your whereabouts?
Armstrong is a fighter by heart, and when he realised Riolu's talents for fighting, he immediately set out to teach the little Pokemon all he knew about hand to hand combat. He took to it well, quickly learning a number of techniques ranging from simple to complex.
There is one thing, however, that has Armstrong concerned.]]
Berli, that Rattata had had more than enough. You shouldn't have continued to attack it!
[[The Riolu scowls, angrily kicking at the dirt, refusing to look his trainer in the eye. Armstrong sighs, and kneels down so that he can talk to the Pokemon a bit more intimately, without looking so intimidating.]]
To be a truly noble fighter, Berli, you need to learn to recognize when to show mercy. Your opponent was posing no danger to you or any of your friends, and was trying to escape; attacking it was a cowardly thing to do.
[[He pauses, then, a sad look coming over his face as he appears lost in some distant memory. It passes quickly, however, and he's soon back to looking serious but sympathetic.]]
Next time I tell you to stop, you must stop. Before long, you'll be able to see it yourself. There is no satisfaction to be gained from a fight where the tables are hopelessly turned in your favour.
[[Berli rolls his eyes, but nods, continuing to sheepishly kick the dirt, which is quickly followed by indignant flailing as his trainer rubs his head.]]
I'll make a warrior worthy of the Armstrong name out of you yet!
[[...now to deal with his poor Graveler, who is lying, smoking, on the side of the road with a pleased but exhausted expression on his face. Armstrong's frown deepens.]]
...how about you take a break from doing that to yourself, Ben...
[[GUESS WHO JUST LEARNED SELF-DESTRUCT....]]
I was wondering if anyone had information about an ailment that appears to be affecting one of my pokemon. I've attached a picture:
According to the Pokegear, he should be a blue colour. Is there anything wrong with him? I'd like to know so I can get him treatment immediately, should he be ill!
Hughes, I have made it to Goldenrod City! What are your whereabouts?
(frozen comment) NO WAY. YOUR BOSOM WILL SMOTHER HIM + HITTING 'SUBMIT' IS SO OVERRATED... except pls do hit it...
[ Do you have to flex like that during a conversation...? ]
I'd be honored to train with you!
(frozen comment) ;A; SUBMIT YOURSELF TO HIS BOSOM???
[[You've actually got him a little embarrassed! Hughes, what are you?]]
I've always loved children.
[[....can he just
sit down for a moment
emotions are running high here]]
Today....today is a wonderful day. Truly, truly wonderful.
BUT HE'S NOT READY TO DIE YET....
Why not settle down, and have some of your own, hmm, Major?
BUT IT WILL BE A BEAUTIFUL DEATH!!
Ah, one day, Hughes! I have to carry on the Armstrong line, after all!
[[He grows solemn, them, as if in thought, before perking back up!]]
But I can't quite afford to turn my focus away from the military just yet.
.... BUT DYING THO...
Isaac and Roy said the same thing. You State Alchemists and your duty to the military...
[ He understands, he really does. But, WIFE, THO... ]
Wouldn't you rather be married to a beautiful woman than to a bunch of old men, though?
[ He's joking with you, don't worry. Also, lets not repeat this conversation to anyone else, kay? This is kind of... not the kind of thing a soldier of the military should really be saying. ]
WELL YOU'VE DONE IT ONCE......;A;
I live my life surrounded by beautiful people, Hughes; sometimes, that's more than enough for me. But one day!
...if I get married here, you could be my best man!
[[....more
more tears]]
o-ouch... ;A;
Really, Major? That's an honor I'm not sure I deserve!
MAN THAT REALLY CASTS A SAD SHADOW OVER THIS WHOLE THREAD ;A;
You deserve it, Hughes. Very much so.
[[He'll smile for a moment, looking at the ground pensively.]]
Besides, I...
[[...it is obvious this is hard for him to talk about? Because it is.]]
...I have to do something before I could think of that sort of happiness.
DAMMIT ARMSTRONG... D8 STOP MAKING THINGS DEPRESSING...
[ He won't ask for details if you don't want to give them. That's your business. But have a hand on your shou--.... upper arm... because... why are you so tall? Reaching your shoulder is hard work. ]
Whatever it is, Major, I'm sure you'll accomplish it. Few people have as much determination and drive as you.
HE'S SORRY HE JUST REALLY CARES ABOUT YOU OK ;A;
...thank you, Lt Colonel. That...means a lot. The thing is, I might not even get the chance to do it. God willing, I won't get the chance to do it, because such dire circumstances...
[[...he grows solemn again.]]
...did I ever tell you about my experience at Ishval?
BRO... JUST... BROOOOO....
No.
[ He knows what he went through. He knows what Roy went through. And a little of Hawkeye, too. So he can only imagine what it was like for you. ]
I'll listen if you would like to talk about it, Major.
CAN HE HUG YOU IF HE PROMISES NOT TO BREAK ANYTHING ;A;
I....well, I'm sure you're aware of how I came to leave the battlefield. It was a....culmination of things, really. I was naive.
[[His hands will tighten into trembling fists as he fights to keep his voice even.]]
And...forgive me, I've never...spoken about this, not to anyone...I can't allow myself to live happily...not until I get the chance to prove to myself that if the time comes I won't...I won't...run...no matter what happens!!
1/2 .... OKAY... LETS HUG THIS OUT, DUDE.
... Try to not move too much? Elsie isn't going to like being flung somewhere. ]
no subject
We were all rather naive back then.
I'm not sure what exactly happened then. [ Though, he's certainly heard stories. Military men tend to gossip like old ladies sometimes. But Maes never really paid those stories much attention. ] But, from what I've seen working with you, Major, you're not a runner.
THAT...THAT WOULD BE NICE....
have a pat!!]]
I just....
[[Now he's seriously shaking, his free hand pulling at the grass.]]
I can't get their screams out of my head....when I trapped them, like rats...
[[And he's crying again, but there's nothing joyous in it any more.]]
And the woman with her mother...I gave them false hope! They looked at me with such fearful gratitude, and then...!!
[[Just...let him sob for a moment, could you.]]
... OKAY. JUST THIS ONCE. HUGHES WILL SMOTHER YOU IN HIS BOSSOM... OR SOMETHING...
Oh. No. Wait... no, clearly the answer is to keep petting the Eevee.
Maes will give you a moment to sob. Elsie, on the other hand, is very determined to figure out what's wrong. So she'll be pawing at you for a little while and nudging you with her nose. ]
HE WILL SMOTHER HIMSELF IN YOUR BOSOM, HUGHES
...I'm sorry, Hughes.
... AS LONG AS HUGHES ISN'T GETTING SMOTHERED IN ANYTHING...
You've done nothing to be apologetic for.
...HE'S NOT SURE HE CAN MAKE THAT PROMISE ;w;
[[A pause.]]
....promise me that you won't mention this to anyone else?
O-OH... WELL... UM... ...... OH, WHAT THE HECK, COME OVER HERE, ARMSTRONG. >:
Not a word.
LET'S JUST CLING FOREVER SOB
[[And with that, he sighs, wipes his eyes again, and starts speaking.]]
There was a woman and her elderly mother hiding near me, at Ishval. I don't know what compelled me to do it, but I broke a hole through the wall I'd made to allow them to escape. I suppose it was the weight of my conscience playing at me.
...for a moment, I...I thought they were going to make it. They looked back at me, with eyes of fear tinged with hope; a desperate hope!
...and then...
[[....sorry, he's gotten choked up again; give him a minute?]]
OKAY. ALL THE CLINGS, FOR YOU.
IT'S GUY LOVE BETWEEN TWO GUYS, ETC
...and then they were gone. He'd...blown them to pieces.
\o/ MOST BEAUTIFUL LOVE
[ Now there's a weird turn of events. He wasn't expecting that. ]
TRULY, A RAD BROMANCE!
[[Just let him rub at his eyes a bit, there.]]
He said that...I could have gotten a court martial for what I'd done. He then offered me his hand.
[[...wait, nevermind, here come more tears.]]
His hand, Hughes! To help me up! After...!
CAUGHT IN A RAD BROMANCE?
HE WANTS YOUR LOVE, NOT...SO MUCH YOUR REVENGE
HE WANTS YOUR EVERYTHING... AS LONG AS IT'S FREE
LET'S BE FREE BITCHES, BABY!
RAH-RAH-AH-AH-AH...?
WORKS FOR ME
WHAT HAS THIS THREAD BECOME...?