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

[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.

[glaciates]

[Damn those expressions he stole from you!]

I... yeah.

[orz tho]

I can't help but wonder if... Well, I mean, you're not interested so I'm... kind of concerned that maybe he isn't? It's stupid.

[orz orz orz orz]

[bloodcrests]

That's a possibility, yes. I couldn't tell you one way or the other; I don't know what you've been up to during the time that you've been here.

You'll just have to ask him.

[glaciates]

...Yeah, I will.

[Assuming he remembers any of this... orz]

Like I said, we've spent a lot of time together. I don't know if that's changed his opinion any.

[bloodcrests]

Well, exactly. It's entirely possible that it has.

[Honestly? He suspects that it hasn't.]

Does it really bother you so much that I'm disinterested?

[glaciates]

What? No, of course not.

[.......................]

[Yeah, okay it really does. He doesn't want to admit that though, because that just gets into all sorts of awkward questions.]

[bloodcrests]

[...really]

...you're lying to me again, Isaac; it's all over your face.

[glaciates]

[How are you so damn good at reading him?]

[...Alternatively, why does he suck at lying? Oh, right, probably because he doesn't do it very often.]

...Sorry.

[orz]

Alright, I guess it bothers me a bit. Like I said I don't... know if he really feels any differently. I guess.

[orz tho]

[bloodcrests]

[He's your senior, Isaac, he knows these things.

Also, you really do suck at lying, hth.]

You really are endearing sometimes.

There's no sense in getting worked up over a hypothetical like that. Don't dwell on it, just ask him when you get the chance.

[glaciates]

I am not...!

[How is that endearing-- Oh don't you kittyface at him!]

I will. Thanks.