Fourth Viking Assault. [video]

[punchandkiss]

[When the camera clicks on, Astrid is sitting on a chair, with her sentret perched on her shoulder, tail hooked around the Viking teen`s neck. In the background, a growlithe pup and her axew are chasing each other in circles. Astrid is stuffing things into her bag, and after a few seconds she glances up at her phone. She looks...worried, honestly. And tired. And she doesn't seem to have any idea what to say. After another moment, she sucks in a breath.]

Hiccup`s gone.

[She says this rather matter-of-fact ly, and continues to talk as she resumes packaging.]

I was told people disappear. But Hiccup had been here for months, he said. I didn't think...[She shakes her head.] It doesn't matter.

[Another pause as she stuffs some more things into her bag, and her sentret climbs up onto the top of her head, prompting the girl to reach up and lift her off, setting her down on the floor. The little pokemon bounces up on her tail to stay in the frame.]

...I guess I'm going to head back to Violet. I wanted to get the gym badge there, and I...[She hesitates.] No reason to keep waiting around here.

[She reaches out to pick up her gear, looks like she might say something else, then shrugs and turns it off.]

Comments

[punchandkiss]

Yeah.

[A quick nod, and then she glances at the screen.]

Did he mention me?

[Because she was almost getting used to having people she doesn't know know who she is. Almost.]

[broomwithaview]

...yeah. Couple times. [Little smile.] Only good things, though.

[punchandkiss]

You're the second person to tell me that. [She almost looks amused,] I guess he left out all the punches.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

... Hiccup's--... crap. _{[She'd liked that kid... hadn't known him too well, but he was fun to talk to, with that self-deprecating sense of humor and all.]}

... Sorry.

People disappear from this place all the time, no matter how long they've been here.

... But there's always a chance they'll come back.

You know, for what it's worth.

[Video]

[punchandkiss]

Which isn't much.

[She catches herself and frowns.]

Sorry. It's not your fault, obviously.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

_{[She quirks a brow, but... wellp. She's been in Astrid's place before.]}

Yeah. It sucks no matter which way you slice it, I know.

Re: [Video]

[punchandkiss]

Someone else said he might come back, but that he might not remember being here.

...do they forget other stuff? Or just being here?

[Video]

[foolishwren]

Honestly, it depends. I've seen both happen. ... Sometimes people even come back from different times.

Nobody's ever figured out how or why it varies, but...

[ video ]

[colorsofthewind]

Oh, Astrid. I'm so sorry.

[ video ]

[punchandkiss]

[Astrid blinks at that, not sure what she's supposed to say, and then she shakes her head and shrugs.]

Don't be. Can't do anything about it.

[ video ]

[colorsofthewind]

Still, it always hurts to discover one of your friends has disappeared.

[ video ]

[punchandkiss]

Probably...

But I only had Hiccup, so I guess it can't get worse.

[ video ]

[colorsofthewind]

Are you going to be okay?

[ video ]

[punchandkiss]

[She manages a smile that doesn't reach her eyes.]

I'm a viking. This is easy.

[ video ]

[colorsofthewind]

[ She notices that, and frowns a little. ]

We may not know each other well, but you're always free to call me if you need anything, okay?

[ video ]

[punchandkiss]

Sure, okay.

[Not that Astrid ever particularly asks for help...]

Where are you? In...the world, I mean. I'm still not sure where anything is.

[Video]

[punchandkiss]

So, he might turn up and we aren't even friends.

[Well, that's appealing. Sigh.]

[ video ]

[colorsofthewind]

I'm in Cianwood City. It's off the mainland a ways- you need a pokémon or a boat to get out here.

[ video ]

[punchandkiss]

Right. I can't get anywhere near it then. I'm still walking everywhere.

[ video ]

[colorsofthewind]

I'm planning on challenging the Gym here soon. Afterwards, I could probably come see you if you wanted.

[ video ]

[punchandkiss]

Nah. ...I'm fine.

I'm going to walk back to Violet and get the badge there.

[ video ]

[colorsofthewind]

Best of luck to you. I recommend an electric type if you have one.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

_{[... Yeah. That's happened plenty of times too.]}

Them's the breaks.

[Video]

[punchandkiss]

That's just great.

And you've been here for what, two years? And still like it? Why?!

[ video ]

[punchandkiss]

[She thinks about it for a moment, then turns her phone a bit to point at Crackletail the Shinx, who is currently doggedly losing a fight with a blanket.]

Think he'll do?