On being reserved at route_29

[otakon_geek]

Pokémon? Are you sure about this? I don't really know too much about them, even though I do have an interest in anime. It's been a while since I've actually watched any, since most of my time is spent on other things. More important things like aiding Snake in his missions against Liquid Ocelot and the Patriots. You know? [He sighed.]

Also, you chose a Piplup for me? It's some kind of penguin Pokémon, right? It's going to take me some time to figure out this whole battling thing and- [He sighed again.]

- I don't think I'm cut out for this. Snake needs me right now. I have to be there for him if anything goes wrong, which is could very well do. [He adjusted his glasses on his nose.] I suppose you could have picked a parrot Pokémon for me. That would just be, well- bizarre. [Bad memories with E.E and her parrot.]

You expect me to play in this game don't you? As if I don't have enough to do already. Ugh. [Stroppy. Hal is stroppy.]

Comments

[imthe_shit]

Well, it's not like I'm too far away either way. Either you're with me back "home", or in the game itself.

[ Shrugs. ] You might like it, Otacon. ...I might be a bit weird on you for a while, stuff happened with the previous Otacon and... Yeah. There was another Hal before you at the game. Things got... complicated.

[otakon_geek]

Ok. [He offered his friend a warm smile. It was good to be back with him, as Hal often thought of needing to look after Snake. His age acceleration just made Hal feel sorry for him and want to be there for him even more.]

What was it like having another me around?

[imthe_shit]

You were younger... Probably just after the Big Shell incident. And... you were really close with Liquid, too. To the point where... you were hiding things from me because you knew I wouldn't approve. [ Snake is averting his gaze, even though this isn't the same Hal. ] He disappeared for a while, and the next time I saw you, you were as you are now, but still attached to Liquid.

By the time I left, I don't think our friendship was what it once was. I couldn't... condone a relationship like that. I still wonder if I was wrong.

[otakon_geek]

Just how close was I with Liquid? [He was finding this conversation to be quite bizarre and somewhat disturbing. He'd never keep anything from Snake, so this was causing Hal to think wildly.]

[imthe_shit]

... [ Snake looks visibly uncomfortable. He rubs the back of his neck, a nervous habit. ]

From what I gathered, it was serious... More than friends, anyway.

[otakon_geek]

What? [Otacon just stared. Was he being serious? Of course he was.]

I just can't imagine Liquid and myself being in some kind of relationship. Wouldn't he rather kill me than kiss me? This is bizarre. [He pushed his glasses up.] Liquid...did he find the other me attractive? [Because Hal never viewed himself to be that attractive. More the speccy geek kind of guy.]

[imthe_shit]

I don't know. Ask him.

[ Snake looks sort of flustered. ] All I know is that Liquid was apparently from before the mess at Shadow Moses... Somehow that made it okay...

[otakon_geek]

I'd rather not. Perhaps we should change the subject. [Otacon cleared his throat and ran a hand through his hair. He was blushing slightly. Mostly out of awkwardness. But, it did thrill him slightly to know that someone found him attractive, even if it was Liquid Snake of all people. Perhaps the version of Liquid who found his other self attractive, wasn't that evil? Who knew.]

Ah. Before. That might explain a few things. Possibly. [Or possibly not. Liquid treated the scientists at Shadow Moses with disregard. Hal was just being used like a pawn. All he cared about was himself and his plans.]

[imthe_shit]

It doesn't explain anything. [ here we go. ] He's Liquid. The guy couldn't care less about anyone, let alone a scientist he forced to work for him.

I don't care if he came from before Shadow Moses; he's insane. That insanity didn't just crop up overnight. [ Sigh. ] Liquid didn't care about his comrades, didn't care about anyone but himself, and his own goals. Proving himself to a dead man who didn't care one way or another about any of us.

[ Snake stops, taking in a deep breath before exhaling slowly. ]

... Sorry, Otacon. Just... hard for me to sympathize with that guy. [ Considering what's going on with Liquid Ocelot, too. ]

[otakon_geek]

[Otacon swallowed and listened. Everything Snake was telling him was true about the guy. He was unhinged and caused many deaths due to his sheer selfishness and strive towards impossible goals. Otacon knew how hard it must have been for Snake to fight against his own brother.]

You're right, Snake. I wasn't trying to sympathise with Liquid at all. I just find the whole scenario with this other me and him to be.....odd. I'm sorry if I brought any bad feeling up by asking too deep into the matter. [He offered Snake a glance of condolence.]

I'd never betray your trust or jeopardise our friendship. You know that, right?

[imthe_shit]

[ Snake stares at Otacon for a while, those sad eyes returning. ]

... Yeah.

[ At least, I thought I did. ] Just... don't hide things from me. You know how that's a running theme in my life... People always hiding stuff from me.

I don't want you to do it, too.

[otakon_geek]

Hey, I won't. I know how at Shadow Moses you were lied to by Campbell and others. That wasn't fair and it must have been tough for you. The whole mission was just a front. [He felt bad for Snake being used like a pawn. Just like he was used to build REX for ulterior motives.]

We're buddies. I've got nothing to hide from you, Snake.

[imthe_shit]

... All right.

Thanks, Otacon. Sorry to... pull all this out on you. [ Sigh. He rubs his neck again. ] Might happen again... If you get into the game.

[otakon_geek]

Is there a Liquid in game already? [Otacon was dreading if there was because he didn't want tensions to rise again. It seemed Snake hated the relationship between his brother and his close friend. Otacon could see why.]

It's ok. I may need to ask for your help during the game, as I'm pretty clueless about the Pokémon world.

[imthe_shit]

No. There isn't.

I'm the only one there that's from our world, but there are people there who remember him and the previous you.

[otakon_geek]

I see where you're coming from. So, you think that the people there will mistake me for the other me? Thinking that I still like Liquid? [This could be rather...problematic.]

[imthe_shit]

It could happen... Though, in all honesty, they might just think you'll remember them.

Heather was especially close to the previous Otacon. She'll probably be pretty sad that you won't know who she is, but that's the sort of thing that happens in this place.

[otakon_geek]

[He nodded.]

What sort of person is Heather like? [Because he's curious about what sort of friends Snake has in the game.]

[imthe_shit]

She's a tough kid... Seen her own fair share of shit in the world.

She reminds me of me, in a lot of ways. I met her the first time I was in the game, that's when things were... Busier, I guess. She was hanging out with Otacon and Liquid, and then it got dramatic when I arrived.

[ Shakes his head. ] She's been used and abused, abandoned, that sort of deal, but she's tough. She always pulls through somehow. Now I'm with her, and I don't plan on leaving if I can help it.

Though, I guess I could make an exception for you.

[otakon_geek]

[Otacon nodded as he listened.]

That must have been tough on her. Living a life of abuse and abandonment. [His gaze softened and sadness glistened in his eyes. No one should have to go through that.]

An exception, huh? I guess I should be grateful. [You're his best, bro.]

[imthe_shit]

[ Nods. ]

I'm a ways away from the starting town, but if I can fly over, it won't be so bad. Maybe I can borrow Sunny.

[otakon_geek]

Fly? You mean there are methods of aerial transportation within the game? [Now, he's excited about the tech part. No one mention you have to sit on a Pokémon to Hal.]

[imthe_shit]

Well, yeah. I mean, if your Pokemon knows FLY.

[otakon_geek]

Uh, you might have to explain this to me, Snake. Your Pokémon have to know a move for you to be able to fly with them? [He's lost.]

[imthe_shit]

Well, a flying-type Pokemon needs to know the ability to fly, yeah. It's sort of weird, since they fly around regardless, but this world is apparently based on a game and it's stupid, but they need a special move that will let them fly and carry their trainer places.

Sunny knows it, I taught it to her a while ago.

[otakon_geek]

Ah, I see. So do you have to train your Pokémon to be able to use certain moves? How do you....how do you fly with your Pokémon? Do you hold onto it's wings or sit on it? [Yeah, he feels rather stupid but there we go.]

Sunny's a bright kid. Thanks for helping her, Snake. I appreciate it.

[imthe_shit]

...


...

Sunny's the name of one of my Pokemon, Hal.

[otakon_geek]

[Hetotallyknewthat,alright?]

.....uh, right. Sorry, I thought you meant you taught Sunny's Pokémon fly. This is all confusing.

[imthe_shit]

Sunny's not at the game. Didn't I already say that I'm the only one there from our world?

[otakon_geek]

Yeah, you did. Right. Ok. [Otacon blushed and ran a hand through his untidy hair.] Just you. Got it.

[imthe_shit]

... Otacon?

Are you okay? You're acting weird.

[otakon_geek]

I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be? [He's nervous about being thrown into a strange environment he knows nothing about hardly.]

[imthe_shit]

Just relax. It'll be fine... You'll have fun anyway. [ Puts a hand on his shoulder. ]