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[awesmazings]

I know a lot of people have been here for a long time. Like, a lot longer than I have, and I've almost been here a whole year now.

But how many of you have, you know...gone home and come back? I don't mean like, leave for real, exactly. I mean like...you go to sleep out of nowhere and then wake up back here again a couple days later. If that happened to you, did it feel like...well, real, or did it feel more like a really convincing dream?

I never really thought all that much about it until recently, so I just wanna know what you guys have to say about it.

Comments

[action]

[awesmazings]

I think so. I really wish they were here, though.

I mean...it's been almost a year now, yaknow?

[action]

[pipers_son]

Yeah... Know that feelin' all too well myself.

[After a moment, he reached over to pat Jimmy's head.]

Least ya got ta see 'em.

[action]

[awesmazings]

[Jimmy can't help but smile a little, even though it's a bit sad.]

Yeah. I'm lucky I guess...I don't really have anything to worry about going on back home. If I ever do leave again, I won't be going back to anything bad...

[Bad on his terms, at least. It's...still Hell, after all.]

But I don't know that I want to leave here, either.

[pipers_son]

[Gently, Joker wraps his arm around the boy and tugs him close, chin resting on top of his head.]

Full a tough choices like that, life is. Won't lie, Jims, it'll be somethin' you'll have ta think on a fair bit.

[awesmazings]

[At this angle and with the bowl still in his lap, Jimmy can't return the gesture. He does relax a little, however.]

I know. I've been trying not to think about it, but I guess that's not really gonna work. I'm really glad I've stayed here as long as I have, though.

[pipers_son]

Sometimes... We have to think about things we'd rather not. 'Cuz they won't go away if we just ignore 'em.

But there's no rush. [Another pat to Jimmy's head.] Take yer time ta figure out how ya feel about it, Jims.

[awesmazings]

I will. Thanks, Joker.

[He tips his head back a bit so he can look up at him.]

Can...can I ask you something, though?

[pipers_son]

'Course. What's on yer mind?

[awesmazings]

[He hesitates for just a moment, tapping his fingers against the bowl.]

Have you ever had this happen to you yet?

[pipers_son]

...Goin' back home?

[awesmazings]

Yeah. I mean falling asleep like I did, but...actually going home entirely, too.

[pipers_son]

There, ah... ain't anythin' for me ta return ta, Jims.

[awesmazings]

[He falls silent. That's what he was afraid of.]

...that isn't very fair.

[pipers_son]

Now, don't make that sorta face! I'm right lucky ta be around here, runnin' my own business gettin' ta go ta fancy things like that New Years party!

Life ain't much fair, but that's why ya enjoy the good moments when ya got 'em, Jims.

[awesmazings]

[His smile is quick to return a bit because hey, that's what he's supposed to say.]

Yeah, I know...I just really hope you can stay here. Yaknow, for a really long time.

[pipers_son]

Yeah... Me too.

[His hand gives a small squeeze.]

[awesmazings]

[For a moment, Jimmy feels a sudden...very odd wave of guilt. Mostly because he's usually the one who is supposed to offer words of encouragement or optimism, not...whatever all of this is.]

I...I'm sorry, Joker. I didn't mean to bring all this up.

[pipers_son]

Jims. [A more reassuring squeeze.] It's fine. Don't worry about it, alright? Tell me more about the sorta things goin' on back home.

[awesmazings]

[It's probably a good thing his Cyndaquil is still curled in his lap, leaning up against his bowl to keep it from getting cold. He'll just have to eat later, because most of his appetite has been momentarily lost. But at Joker's prompting, he continues.]

Oh, well...lots of things happened. I got to fly an airplane, all by myself. [That is the coolest and therefore most important detail.]

[pipers_son]

[Joker gives a low whistle.]

Cor, ain't that somethin'! Like that big fancy one we got to take ta Kalos?

[awesmazings]

Yeah! Though I don't think it was quite as fast as those ones, it was still really cool!

[...it may have crashed but nobody died, so it's fine.]

So that means I've been both an astronaut and a pilot...and since I didn't have any other dream to replace those with, I guess I'll just have to work on becoming a Pokemon master next!

[pipers_son]

I know ya can do it! Seems like you've got quite the team on yer side, after all, isn't that right?

[awesmazings]

Oh yeah, absolutely! I've just gotta get all of the badges in Johto, and three so far isn't so bad!

[pipers_son]

Think you'll go after Kanto's when you've finished it up here?

[awesmazings]

You bet! If I'm gonna get these ones, I might as well try to get all of them, right?