☮ 072; [text]

[vulpesvivus]

I need to find something to do with myself around here.

Maybe I could start traveling and collecting badges again, but...I don't know. It doesn't really seem worth it if I'm on my own. I could probably ask Heather, but I'd just end up getting in their way or somethi I don't really imagine anyone would want a mechanical engineer following them around, either.

...Does anyone else ever feel like they've just flat-out been here too long?

Comments

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[nostabbing]

You're a mechanical engineer?

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[vulpesvivus]

Yeah. Why, were you looking for one?

[Otacon, for god's sake jokes don't come across well in text.]

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[nostabbing]

[Fortunately, they're well on their way to failing socially together.]

No. But most people around here are kids and aliens. It's kind of weird to see somebody with a normal job.

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[vulpesvivus]

[He couldn't quote help but laugh at that as he typed out a response. 'Normal' was something Otacon hadn't been anywhere near in at least ten years.]

Is it? I guess I never really thought of it like that.

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[nostabbing]

It's like when you put two weird things together, they don't seem as weird because they're both weird, so you're already used to the weird anyway. Normal things in the middle of weird things stand out.

[islandshore]

Are you kidding? I might not know much about engineering, but it sounds like an impressive job, and I'm sure you could find something to do, if you haven't already.

[How's he to know? Riku's knowledge of mechanics... limited at best.

But that's not the only reason why this message caught his eye. Three years... that's about the same time he's been there. And while he's boasted about loving the snot outta this world, that feeling of running out of things to do resonates with him as well.

He's not even gonna touch upon the badge bit right now.]

But I know what you mean. It's easy to hit a brick wall, especially after three years. Seeing people come and go before you really get to know them... That's one of the biggest things I can think of.

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[vulpesvivus]

So basically, it would be less weird if I told you I build robots and live on an airplane back home?

[Goddammit Otacon.]

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[nostabbing]

[WHAT. HOLD THE PHONE.]

Uh, less weird and more awesome.

[vulpesvivus]

There's only so much I can build using repurposed spare parts from Pokeballs and the rest of this world's technology.

[By normal standards, it was a lot. But coming from a world based on nanotechnology, Otacon had pretty high standards.]

I guess the old cliche is that 'it never gets any easier', but it really doesn't. Even expecting people to leave just makes it more difficult.

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[vulpesvivus]

I guess I can take that too.

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[nostabbing]

So do you build robot armor for all your Pokemon? Or make them cyborgs or something?

[That seems like a logical thing to do, right?]

[islandshore]

True. But what kind of things have you built? Pokéballs are still pretty impressive compared to TVs and telephones.

[Then again, if this guy's been around for years, he probably has done all he could with the tech. The locals aren't very forthcoming with some of their devices.]

Man, expecting them to leave makes it even more daunting sometimes. I've seen people worry that the bonds they make here don't matter because they or their friends are bound to leave sometime.

Even with friends from home, it gets frustrating. Distractions and goals can go a long way to balance it out, but even then you run into a few problems.

You mentioned going after more badges, and I think that's a pretty good incentive to travel. But coming from someone who's done just that... Well, there are only so many gyms. Once you've been around the block, you're left right back where you started. Then you've gotta come up with some other goals, ones this world doesn't provide for you.

And that's the real challenge.

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[vulpesvivus]

You know, it actually never occurred to me.

[Cyborgs are a whole big angsty can of worms in Metal Gear land.]

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[unended]

What's wrong with being a mechanical engineer? Traveling together and being friends aren't determined by things like usefulness anyways.

[vulpesvivus]

Nothing too important. I've been thinking about trying to replicate something I made back home, but it wouldn't have even half the specifications it did there.

I guess you're right. There's...what, sixteen now? With the level everyone's at I doubt that'd take long...so I guess I'm pretty much stuck before I even start.

[ text ]

[vulpesvivus]

I guess not, but it doesn't change the fact that I'm kind of a screwup.

[ text ]

[unended]

I don't know you but I don't think anyone should say that kind of thing about themselves...

[islandshore]

Okay, now you've got me curious. What kind of 'something' are we talking about here?

[Because whatever it is, it sounds mysterious and cool.]

Well, there's always the Elite challenges. Those make for tougher fights, and even levels won't always save you. That's where the leaders show their true colors and let out their big guns.

As for being stuck... I wonder. I've seen people around here find ways to get by. The people with careers that don't clash with the stupid laws probably have it easy. Singers can continue performing without a hitch. Artists? They can paint all they want.

I guess the 'easy' solution is to find something new. Or... maybe instead of focusing on the gyms, get out there and see the sights. Kanto's got some pretty cool locations. You ever visit the Power Plant?

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[nostabbing]

Like a whole team of little Daleks. But maybe without the EX-TERM-IN-ATE.

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[vulpesvivus]

It'd just be an Ampharos with a pasta strainer on his head waving around a plunger trying to look threatening.

[vulpesvivus]

A miniature wheeled robot. Back home it was equipped with stealth camouflage and a wire it could use to manipulate things, but here I'd just be happy if I could get it running.

I played the original games back when I was in college, but I haven't traveled there all that much. I did spend a while in Vermillion, at least.

[ text ]

[vulpesvivus]

Sorry. I guess my outlook isn't really the best.

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[nostabbing]

So what kind of robots do you actually build?

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[vulpesvivus]

My last one was a small bipedal one. It functioned kind of like a mobile surveillance camera, mainly.

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[nostabbing]

Do you really think bipedal was the way to go? I mean, it's impressive from an engineering standpoint but compensating for the stability issues might be more trouble than it's worth.