FOURTH REBELLION ❅ ACTION [LAKE OF RAGE] | FOURTH WALL

[glaciates]

[The very first thing Isaac did this morning was accidentally freeze his Surskit. He learned the hard way back home that getting a whole array tattooed on the palm of your hand was a stupid idea. He had gotten used to it though, and had worn gloves at all times. Besides, he used the gauntlet for the most part. It had worked well enough when he was constantly on the run. After taking the Surskit to the Pokémon Center, freaking out a bit, and apologizing to the Pokémon, he was finally able to reflect on just what had happened.]

[Why is he suddenly capable of freezing things again? He couldn't do it before. The tattoo was useless here. He didn't have to wear gloves, and he's just gotten used to not wearing them. The tattoo itself is pretty ragged - the ink hasn't fallen out yet, but that's just a matter of time. If he can use his alchemy again, he really should get the tattoo fixed.]

[So after herping at his hand for far longer than was really necessary, Isaac set out to test his alchemy on something. The Lake of Rage, to be specific. He's always liked water and for some reason he woke up here in Mahogany Town. That didn't bother him half as much as it probably should have.]

[If you happen to be in the area, you may notice that Isaac is doodling something near the edge of the lake. He has his Mamoswine out as well, but she isn't paying much attention to what he's doing. Isaac finally sits back on his heels and examines the drawing.]

Done. Let's see if this works.

[Isaac presses his hands to the array; blue light crackles around the array - it's a much weaker version of the one he attempted to use to freeze Central over. The lake begins to freeze slowly, gaining momentum as it spreads out across the lake. It's a weak cover - the Magikarp in the lake will be fine. Isaac smiles; he's glad he can still pull this off. Not that he has the Philosopher's Stone or any interest in freezing over an entire city, but the capability is back.]

[Needless to say, it feels good to be able to use his alchemy again.]

Comments

[bloodcrests]

Ah, I see he was feeling optimistic that day.

[glaciates]

Yeah, he was. Maybe next time he tries to guess how long I'll last he'll remember I tend to survive for longer than expected.

[bloodcrests]

[Kimblee thinks he sees what's happened - so this other one is trying to prove a point, as he has with the others who have tried to "change" him in the past. After all, if they're close enough to share an appearance, general personality and basic history, at least as far as Ishval goes, then the chances are good that Kimblee knows how this other version of himself handles relationships.

...oh, this poor idiot. He's not going to be able to get rid of Isaac that way.]

That determined to make this work, are you?

[glaciates]

[...at least you've realized this...]

Of course I am. He means a lot to me; why wouldn't I want this to work?

[bloodcrests]

[Of course he has, Isaac. He is still your senior, you know.

And it's for that reason that he can't be entirely comfortable with this; it isn't jealousy, exactly, as whatever Isaac does in his personal life is none of Kimblee's business and bluntly put, he doesn't exactly care whom Isaac dates - he would never date Isaac himself, after all.

At the same time, there's something about hearing Isaac talk like that - going on about how much this other person means to him - that isn't settling well with him at all.]

Does he? You technically don't know him, Isaac.

[glaciates]

What do you mean?

[...Oh, right, right. He's not the exact same person.]

I... guess you're right? I've known him for as long as I've been here. It's not very well, no.

[...orz]

[bloodcrests]

...as I thought.

[Ugh, why can't he just let this go - ]

Either way, I suppose it doesn't matter.

[glaciates]

You wouldn't have mentioned it if it didn't matter.

[He gets the feeling there's more to this. Is he wrong?]

[bloodcrests]

Fine, then. It doesn't matter now.

[glaciates]

Why not? What is it, Kimblee?

[Head...tilt...?]

[bloodcrests]

Drop it, Isaac. We aren't discussing it.

[glaciates]

[Have we mentioned Isaac is socially stupid today?]

Why not? It can't be that bad.

[bloodcrests]

[Oh can't you just listen to your senior for once - ]

We aren't discussing it.

[glaciates]

Why is this bothering you so much? I don't understand.

[NO HE'LL DO WHAT HE WANTS!!!]

[bloodcrests]

[oh ffs how does he even]

You know I don't like people taking credit for what they haven't done.

[THERE'S NO WAY TO DESCRIBE THIS THAT ISN'T "MALFUNCTION" GDAMMIT JUST DROP IT ALREADY]

[glaciates]

You don't like...?

[No, he's well aware of that. What he doesn't get it how this connects to the topic at all.]

I'm still not following.

[bloodcrests]

[Oh, facepalm.]

Why do you care about him so much? What happened in Ishval, isn't it?

[ARE. YOU FOLLOWING. NOW.]

[glaciates]

Yeah...?

[...Oh! Oh, you don't like him taking credit for what you've done there!]

Well, he apparently did what you did to help a version of me. I don't think he's realized that there's any difference there? For all I know the Isaac he helped was exactly the same. So I don't think he's trying to take credit for what you've done.

[bloodcrests]

[...O...kay, that was a bit closer to what he's getting at, but not exactly.]

And yet you're giving it to him anyway.

[glaciates]

...Oh.

[Oh now he sees what you're getting at.]

[...Is there any response that isn't orz?]

Sorry. Yeah, I... guess I have been.

[But what else is he supposed to do? He wasn't even really aware that the Kimblee he knew was a different person until you showed up!]

What would you have me do, then?

[That's... a genuine question... orz]

[bloodcrests]

[Oh, you're asking like he has any idea.

That's cute. That's really cute.]

What do you expect me to tell you - whether I think you should stop seeing him or not? That aspect of your personal life matters very little to me, Isaac. It's not my business, nor am I interested myself - as such, I don't exactly have much of a say in the matter, nor do I want one.

As I said, it doesn't matter, and there's no point in discussing it further.

[glaciates]

[He's not really sure what to do with that; he should probably focus on the part where Kimblee said it doesn't matter. If he says it doesn't matter, then it doesn't. Kimblee has no reason to lie to him, after all.]

[But instead he's more focused on the "nor am I interested" part. ...Yeah.]

[It shouldn't matter whether or not this Kimblee is interested. He's with the other one. They're different; he's noticed that much already. Just because this one isn't interested doesn't mean the other one is humoring him. When the hell did he get so self-conscious about this?]

...Right. Sorry, then.

[He isn't sure what else to say. Is there anything else to say?]

[bloodcrests]

[...wait, wait, what - ]

Something's bothering you still. Talk to me.

[glaciates]

[Oh fffuu--]

It's alright, Kimblee. It's nothing. I'm just... afraid I'll just need some time to get used to having both of you around.

[...You'll buy that, right.]

[bloodcrests]

[Not with an expression like that, he won't.]

I'd think you would have learned not to lie to me by now.