18th sketch - [voice/action, backdated to august 18th, early in the afternoon]

[sketchingideals]

[From the very first moment that Jeb first starts talking, it's obvious that something's wrong.]

Hello, everyone. It's me, Jeb. I just want everyone to know that Silver has gone home. ...the one who lived with me, I mean. I'm sorry.

[He cuts the feed there, then starts up a new one. One a bit more personal, aimed only at a select few.]

[Filtered to those Silver left letters to, 95% unhackable]

...he left letters for you. Please feel free to contact me, so we can settle on a time and and place to meet up!

[It's obvious that he's trying to be happy, but it's pretty forced overall.]

[Action]

[Jeb will be out and about for a couple of hours. Most commonly he'll be seen trying to draw in various locations, but it's obvious that he's too distracted, too upset, to really get too far. He'll probably appreciate the company if one decides to approach him.]

Comments

[Voice/Filtered]

[innerdragon]

I'm so sorry Jeb. I know how close you two were.

[Lance himself feels a sense of loss. He really cared for the young trainer, and had been so proud of how far he had come. He could only hope that he would grow just as well, if not better, back at home.]

[Voice/Filtered]

[sketchingideals]

I... w-well, it's not okay, but I appreciate the sentiments.

[A brief pause.]

...I'm sorry, too. You two know each other from back home, right? [...] And... he'll forget everything he learned here, won't he?

["And I hate that I'm going to forget you once I get home, all we've been through, all you've done for me--" No. Jeb doesn't want to believe that. He doesn't want to believe that's true. This hurts worse than when Oswald left, even though Jeb never got closure after what happened back then. This hurts worse than when Mithos left, even though Jeb never was able to reach him. He was able to reach Silver. They were brothers...]

No, no. I shouldn't ask things like that. ...sorry again.

[Voice/Filtered]

[innerdragon]

No. It's all right. I did know him back at home, and... let's just say he has a lot to learn.

[Lance sighs softly at the thought of it. It's a shame really that Silver would have to go back to being that way.]

But I believe that he will learn and grow there, just as he did here.

[Voice/Filtered]

[sketchingideals]

...I believe that, too.

[It's sincere, but bittersweet. Jeb knew this is the only way things could have turned out, but he wishes he and Silver had more time together regardless. That... wasn't selfish of him, was it?]

[Voice/Filtered]

[innerdragon]

I'll come pick up his letter shortly. And Jeb... if there's anything you need, just let me know, all right?

[Voice/Filtered]

[sketchingideals]

I'll await your arrival, then! And... I'll tell you if I need anything. I promise.

[Action]

[friendshipfirst]

[ Ash had yet to really see the message on the journal because he's been too busy doing other things, like hanging out with his Pokemon, hanging around Luceti, and so forth.

Which is actually what he was going before he notices Jeb. And since he hasn't seen him in a while he'll do the obvious and call out his name and come over while waving. ]

Hey! Jeb!

[Action]

[sketchingideals]

[Jeb tenses a little when he hears Ash's voice. He tries to relax immediately after however, raising his hand and waving back. His lips tug into a smile, even if it's slightly forced on his part.]

Ash! Hello... [He has to wonder if Ash knows yet.]

[Action]

[friendshipfirst]

[ Ash finishes closing the gap between the two with a smile. ]

It's been a while... are you okay?

[ He can't really tell, but that hello wasn't as enthusiastic as he thought it would be??? ]

[Action]

[sketchingideals]

[...looks like Ash doesn't know.]

I... [He shakes his head.] To tell you the truth, I'm really not. It's... it's just...

[There's no use beating the bush about this:] Silver went home, Ash. The one that was my [best friend, brother, so much to him--] roommate.

[Action]

[friendshipfirst]

[ Ash blinks before a soft smile spreads across his face. ]

... Is that so. I wish I got th' chance to say goodbye before he did so I could give him Best Wishes. I'm gonna miss him.

[Voice/Filtered]

[lordhotman]

He left a letter for me?

[Zuko remembers meeting Silver and talking to him a couple times, but he's still surprised that he would have thought to leave a letter for him.]

[Voice/Filtered]

[sketchingideals]

Mmhmm! He did. [His tone has become so forced, it hurts.] Zuko, right?

[Voice/Filtered]

[lordhotman]

Yeah.

[Even Zuko can tell that Jeb is forcing it. And he doesn't really know what to say.]

So... um. Where should I meet you?

[Voice/Filtered]

[sketchingideals]

Well, I'm not too sure. Where would be a comfortable place for you? I don't want to inconvenience you.

[Voice/Filtered]

[lordhotman]

Anywhere is fine.

[It's not really that much of an inconvenience. He doesn't have a particularly demanding schedule.]

[action]

[justdid]

[There is a sudden, scrawny teenager with zero concept of "personal space" leaning over his shoulder. He can't really tell if Jeb is sad yet, because he can't really see his face, and he just started drawing anyways. So he's chipper and enthusiastic with his compliments.]

Wow, that looks really pretty.

[You know, even if it's just a rough sketch. The most Wan has ever drawn is a couple of spirals so everything art related is impressive to him.]

[action]

[sketchingideals]

[It will probably be a little while longer before Wan is able to tell that Jeb is upset, because right now he's more startled than anything else. He jumps, a slight yelp slipping past his lips, before recomposing himself and giving Wan an apologetic smile.]

Sorry! You surprised me a little. [He looks to his sketchbook, then back to Wan.] Thank you. ...for the compliment on my work, I mean.

[action]

[justdid]

[Wan isn't really phased by his reaction, since he is used to having timid friends. He will make himself comfortable and sit down next to Jeb. Which is probably less startling than leaning over him.]

Don't worry about it.

[But now that he is sitting down he can look at his drawing again from a different angle. And he's curious-]

Who are you drawing?

[action]

[sketchingideals]

I'll try not to, then.

[He lets Wan sit down next to him, trying to smile a bit more sincerely.]

This? Oh, this is Tori. She's... an important person to me, back home.

[action]

[ofwesternwinds]

[Well, there's a sight he didn't quite anticipate seeing today. For a moment, Rudy stares at the person as he comes to a stop, gripping the reins of a horse he meant to be bringing back to the stables. He couldn't quite see what the guy was doing, but judging from his book and materials... was he writing something? Drawing?

Normally Rudy minds his own business, but something about this guy seems worrying. Rudy is usually good enough of a reader to pick up on the air of these things. Namely, the behavior of someone feeling alone or at least upset about something.]

Hey, there. [There's a friendly wave, although for now he's keeping his distance. He's not sure if the guy's aware of his (or the horse's) presence yet, and it'd be bad if he startled either of them.] Don't see too many new faces 'round here. What brings you out here?

[action]

[sketchingideals]

[He jolts very slightly at the sound of Rudy's voice, looking up at him.]

Oh! Hello. [He smiles to the best of his ability, waving back to him.] What brings me out here? Well, it really isn't much... I just needed somewhere to draw, I guess! I want to find new spots to sketch out my surroundings, since I've been sticking to the same places for a while...

[He stops once he realizes he's just babbling, a slight blush appearing on his cheeks. ...wait, this guy seems a little familiar. It's been a while, but Jeb's sure he's met Rudy before.]

[action]

[ofwesternwinds]

[Jeb might need to refresh his memory a bit, because Rudy doesn't recognize him. His memory when it comes to faces is admittedly not the greatest. One thing is certain though, with that babbling and awfully sheepish look of his: this guy sure does remind a bit of himself, and it's hard to resist a small chuckle at that.]

An artist, huh? [He smiles as he dismounts, slowly approaching with the horse's reins in hand.] Sketching anything in particular, or you just drawing the scenery?

[action]

[sketchingideals]

That's right. You could say I have a passion for it. [He watches Rudy approach, then back to his sketch.] Right now, I'm just drawing the scenery.

[And then it hits him. Where he knows this person from... this is the person who helped him when he came back to Luceti from his own world, broken down and upset beyond comparison. Suddenly, Jeb feels pretty guilty--he never did thank him, did he?]

[action]

[ofwesternwinds]

That's not a bad thing, y'know. Dreams, passions, things like that are good qualities to have... Well, heh, that's what my grandfather always said anyway. [Hehe... Rudy's gaze also drops briefly, with a sheepish look.] Anyway, s'okay if I see?

[Rudy may not remember right now, but that was all right. Honestly, he'd hardly think anything of it even if he were thanked. It was just the right thing to do then. For now, his attention turns back to Babushka. Poor girl probably needs a break. Giving her a small pat, he'll let go of her reins, allowing her to graze as he glances back at Jeb with an inquisitive look. ]