♕ NINTH COMMAND | ACTION [OLIVINE CITY] | FOURTH WALL

[determinator]

[If you happen to be exploring Olivine City today, you may run into Archer. That's really not all that unusual - contrary to popular belief, he does spend some time outdoors (some being the key word there) - but what's striking about it is... well, the insane number of cats following him.]

Where did you all even come from...?

[They're all the little cats rather than the larger ones. That means there's a herd of wild Meowth, Glameow, Skitty, Shinx, and Purrloin following Archer around. He loves cats, sure, but this is a bit much!]

[...He may or may not have started carrying around one of those Purrloin though. It's only because he doesn't have one, it's not like he actually likes it or anything...!!]

Comments

[alchemicals]

[...mature, Archer...

At the same time, there is this huge sense of "Ohhhh", because that actually does make sense. Kinda.]

So is he one of those people that you know too well? Where you're friends and all, but there's no way you'd consider because it'd be like dating a sibling or something?

[determinator]

I suppose. I obviously don't have any siblings so I can't say if the relationship would be that close, but yes; I do know him too well for that sort of thing.

[...he doesn't really like the implications there. Have you had this feeling, Kimbley? ...Is it towards him?]

I take it you've experienced this, then?

[alchemicals]

Personally? No, but I've heard people talk about it.

[determinator]

[That's a relief. Archer relaxes a bit at that.]

Well, yes, that sounds like what it is. Besides, he'd make a horrible partner; he's a bit... well, he doesn't feel things in quite the same way you or I do.

[alchemicals]

Really? Huh.

[Kimbley's pretty aware that he and Archer don't feel anything halfway normal anyway - the feelings are there, yeah, but they aren't exactly...right in the way they come out. So if this one is...

...oooh, he's broken, okay. Right.]

But he's still being decent to you?

[determinator]

[Oh come on now, don't be mean. He's just different.]

Yes, he is. He's very good to me.

[alchemicals]

[And suddenly, this is the most awkward moment on the planet.]

...good.

[...]

That's...really good to know, Archer.

[determinator]

[...Whoa, who turned up the awkward in here...?]

I suppose it is, yes. What is it, Kimbley?

[You're not getting away with that. :| Only he's allowed to amp up the awkward levels!]

[alchemicals]

[And as soon as that question is out there he's back to smirking again; the expression is casual, as is his tone.

Really, there's nothing to worry about.]

Hey, come on. Someone has to look after you here when I'm not around.

[determinator]

[He'll just return that smirk, then; it's a bit softer than usual - he understands.]

Oh come on now, surely you don't think I need someone to look after me?

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

...He's doing an excellent job.

[alchemicals]

Hopefully he's better at it than I was - I always told you that I've never been cut out for that sort of thing.

But if you say this guy knows what he's doing, I believe you.

[determinator]

You did a good job of it, Kimbley.

[That's certainly caused him to lineface. He doesn't like the implication of that at all.]

[alchemicals]

Come on, Archer. I didn't manage shit and you know it.

[determinator]

Don't say that. You've been better to me than anyone else. How is that "not managing shit"?

[alchemicals]

I didn't...do anything, though.

[no really idgi]

[determinator]

[How... does he explain this...?]

You kept me sane. You were someone I could talk to about anything without fear of being judged or deemed "crazy." You were... the only person I ever really cared about, Kimbley. You mean so much to me. You didn't have to do anything.

[alchemicals]

[Kimbley just kind of stares for a moment before abruptly turning away; he shifts one of his hands down beside him, tracing idle designs in the sand.

The silence goes on for quite some time; he keeps his gaze focused downward.]

...yeah, well.

[That's all he's going to offer for the time being; he...isn't sure what else to do.]

[determinator]

[Archer isn't sure what else to say; he thought Kimbley understood just how important he was. He's never liked the idea that Kimbley was okay with suicide by cop back in Ishbal, and the idea that he might have done something like that in Liore doesn't sit well with him. He vaguely remembers discussing Liore with Kimbley the last time he was here, and he's certain that isn't what it was, but...]

I thought you knew how important you are to me.

[alchemicals]

...I do, yeah.

[Still...not exactly looking at you very well; he glances, but immediately goes back to doodling in the sand.]

It's not something we talked about, but I do.

[determinator]

[He relaxes at that; it's good that he does realize it.]

I'm glad.

[So is now the time were he confesses his undying love for Kimbley or does he wait on that? No, seriously, he has no idea what to even say now. Everything is awkward, but at least nothing hurts?]

[alchemicals]

...I'm not used to people saying things like that to me, okay? I don't really care about sentimental shit like that, but...

[...ugh.]

It was nice, okay?

[determinator]

I really enjoyed our time together, Kimbley.

[Sorry, what was that about sentimental shit? Because you're getting more!]

I'm... really glad to see you here. Even if it's not very often, and even if I only get to see you twice... it's been worth it. It really has been.

[alchemicals]

[...what are you doing, Archer, his body is not ready...]

Yeah, it's been good to see you too.

[Kimbley seems fully content to just try to shrug it off for now; if he treats it casually, maybe it'll stay that way and the weirdness will stop eventually.

...it's not going to, is it.]

[determinator]

[Not at all...]

[Anyway, Archer will just return his Pokémon since they're just kind of awkwardly herping there. This is a far more serious discussion, after all.]

I'm glad. You... mean so much to me, Kimbley.

[Oh god, is he actually going to do this? He's actually going to do this.]

[...Eventually. Because holy shit he doesn't want to make everything awkward. But it needs to be said. If he never sees Kimbley again then... well, at least he'll have some kind of closure. That's really all he can get from this.]

[alchemicals]

...yeah, you just said that. I know. You're important to me too, okay?

[That's...what you wanted, right? To get him to say that?]