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

[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]

[punchandkiss]

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

[Well, that's appealing. Sigh.]

[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]

[foolishwren]

_{[At first Heather heaves a sigh. Then looks straight at the camera.]}

Because this is the only place I'll ever get to be with my dad again.

Is that a satisfying answer, or should I keep going?

[Video]

[punchandkiss]

[...Welp.]

...Sorry.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

... It's fine. You didn't know.

... But does it make a little more sense, now?

No matter how often people disappear... there's always hope that you'll see them again. ... Back home, when people go, they're gone for good.

... I'll take this place over that any day.

Re: [Video]

[punchandkiss]

...I guess. I don't...[Well, she didn't have anyone like that. Someone she missed who was gone back home.]

[She sighs.]

Maybe he'll come back.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Oh, that's fine. She will eventually.]

[Everyone does.]</sub>

Yeah.

... Don't hang all your hopes on that, of course, but ... don't throw 'em away, either.

[Video]

[punchandkiss]

I'm not.

[She sighs.]

Gonna go get my violet badge.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

Gotcha.

... Good luck.