15th Tomoe || Video, Action for Goldenrod City

[beforethedarkness]

[A tired and quite irritated Sasuke is the first thing that shows up on the gear, and in the background behind him is Obito, Tenten, and Evan. It's obvious that they're outside in Goldenrod City, and although Sasuke looks a little worse for wear he's much better than he was after the Valentine's Attack was done.

Even if he still has bandages over burns and puncture marks and his right arm is still in a cast.]

If I don't answer a message the first time, leaving twenty more isn't going to make me answer any faster. I just went through 174 messages on my gear.

[A heavy sigh, and he shakes his head.]

I was in Ilex forest trying to catch some pokémon. I wanted to do it alone. That's all there is to it.

[Shutting off the video, because irritation is at maximum. He's going to go make Whitney cry get the Plain Badge now, if only because he never wants to be made that weak and vulnerable ever again.]

Comments

[earthshattering]

I know you'll get tired of hearing it, but...it's sometimes better to let people know when you go somewhere alone.

[beforethedarkness]

I'm tired of having people close to me. I need to get stronger alone.

[earthshattering]

[ Terra can definitely understand the sentiment. He wanted to do the same, seeing as how he thought it was the only way to get strong...Sighing, he wonders how to approach this with Sasuke...]

I'm not saying you can't do it alone; sometimes people need that extra time to really concentrate on themselves. However, checking in with the people who care isn't a bad thing to do either, even if it's a short message or something.

[beforethedarkness]

I don't want anyone to care anymore.

[earthshattering]

[ Terra has a moment where he's at a loss for words. What could make someone feel so down about this? He knew that Sasuke had some trouble with talking about such things, so he had to be careful ]

It's...not possible for people to not care. [ Another considerate pause before. ] I won't fuss, Sasuke, you can talk to me about these things. You'd be surprised how much we have in common.

[beforethedarkness]

I don't want to care and I don't want them to care.

[Another beat, and he sighs.]

I'm just going to lose them. It's better if I don't have them to begin with.

[earthshattering]

That is a sentiment that is natural when you're upset. It's hard to want to care for others and even more for yourself.

[ A pause before he continues ]

But at the same time, everyone cares in a different way, so you can't stop people from caring. I'm not saying not to do things on your own, sometimes it allows for clarity, but it's okay to allow people to care too.

[beforethedarkness]

I don't want to care and I don't want them to.

[Shaky breath as he just shakes his head.]

I can't afford to. That's all there is to it.

[earthshattering]

[ Another pause ]

You know it's okay to be upset. I won't tell anyone.

[beforethedarkness]

[!]

[It's momentary, but Sasuke does have a visible reaction to the statement.]

There's nothing to... I'm not.

[earthshattering]

[ TERRA KNOWS THE SIGNS, MAN ]

I realize that, but I was just making an observation.

[beforethedarkness]

Then why would you say that?

[earthshattering]

Well, based on your reaction. I mean, I know sometimes I hold things in for the sake of everyone else or to ignore them, you know? But sometimes, it's okay to feel down.

[beforethedarkness]

...

[Frowning. And then, a sigh.]

There's no one to hold it in for anymore. She left a while ago.

[earthshattering]

...

[ A moment before ]

You still have all of us, too, so we can help if you need it.

[beforethedarkness]

I don't need help.

[earthshattering]

Naturally, but right now, and pardon me for sounding brash, you may need to seek some kind of assistance, or at least get some rest.

[beforethedarkness]

I just said I don't need help.

[earthshattering]

Not now, of course. I mean at some point. Everyone needs help, just not all the time.

[beforethedarkness]

I don't need help period.