MARCH UPDATE

1321 height

i'll try to find you in mountains made of ash and clouds of smoke.

awards

8,528 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @matias

POSTED ON Apr 20, 2024 9:28:06 GMT

[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphtxt"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

you don't.

"i learned that a little too late."

the arrogance he so proudly wields is no different the CORRUPTED RED SHARD except that corruption took years to bring him to his knees. even now, as he sits there with his mind cleansed, that corruption runs within him. the only difference is a renewed sense of awareness.

"basically that, yeah."

it's the simplest way to put it.

"groudon still lives in my head but it no longer takes up the entire space and more. it sits in a little corner staring at a wall because i told it to."

his grin returns to him as he squeezes her hand.

"it's like i said. things are different now."

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]annalise henderson

[newclass=.retiredsilphbg]background:url('https://file.garden/ZcNUTDRVyFfOaQBf/RP/matias/matiasgoodbye.png');width: 715px; height: 436px; clip-path: polygon(0 0, 680px 0, 680px 105px, 100% 105px, 100% 100%, 0 100%); position:absolute; margin-top:-30px; margin-left:-30px; pointer-events: none;[/newclass]
[newclass=.retiredsilphtxt]margin:-40px 85px -40px 115px; position: relative; z-index: 2; padding: 30px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.retiredsilphtxt b]font: bold 12px/12px 'Poppins';color:#a6847c;[/newclass]
[newclass=.retiredsilphtxt i]font-style:italic; border-bottom:1px solid #474747; color:#a6847c;[/newclass]
[newclass=.retiredsilphtxt a]font: bold 12px/12px 'Poppins';[/newclass]
[newclass=.retiredsilphicon] margin: 2px 18px 7px 1px; border: 1px solid #aaa; border-radius:3px; overflow: hidden; float: left; background-color: #303030; background-size: contain;[/newclass]
[newclass=.retiredsilphtag]text-align:center;border-top:#555 solid 1px;padding-top:10px;margin-top:20px;[/newclass]

[newclass=.retiredsilphtxt blockquote]border:1px solid #aaa; background:transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; font-size: 10px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.retiredsilphtxt blockquote b]color:#aaa;[/newclass]
[newclass=.retiredsilphtxt .vdice-box]background: transparent; border: 1px solid #aaa; border-radius:3px; margin-bottom:-12px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.retiredsilphtxt .vdice-value]border:none;[/newclass]
[newclass=.retiredsilphdice]font:800 20px Poppins; line-height:80px; text-align:center;[/newclass]

[newclass=.postruinnote]border-width: 6px 6px 6px 6px;border-style:solid;border-radius:10%;border-image: url('https://i.imgur.com/IxR9pR1.png') 6 6 6 6 repeat repeat;padding:6px 8px;background:#aaa;color:#232323;text-align:justify;font:11px Calibri;letter-spacing:1px;[/newclass]

[newclass=.retiredsilphtxt .audiojs]background: transparent; color:#aaa; border:1px solid #aaa; margin-bottom:-12px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.retiredsilphtxt .audiojs .progress]background: #aaa;[/newclass]

[newclass=.retiredsilphpkmn]width:365px; display:flex; justify-content:center; align-items:center; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left:145px;margin-top: -10px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.retiredsilphpkmn img]opacity:0.8;filter: grayscale(100%); transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; transition-duration: 0.5s;[/newclass]
[newclass=.retiredsilphpkmn img:hover]opacity:0.8;filter: grayscale(0%); transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; transition-duration: 0.5s;[/newclass]

[newclass=.retiredsilphart]text-align:center; margin-bottom:-12px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.retiredsilphart img]height:100px; width: 363px; object-fit:cover; border:1px solid #aaa; border-radius:5px; position:relative; z-index:1; filter:grayscale(100%);[/newclass]
[newclass=.retiredsilphartdrk]height:100px; width: 363px; border-radius:5px; background:#303030; margin-left:1px; margin-top:-104px; position:relative; z-index:2; mix-blend-mode: lighten;[/newclass]
[newclass=.retiredsilphartlght]height:100px; width: 363px; border-radius:5px; background:#aaa; margin-left:1px; margin-top:-100px; position:relative; z-index:2; mix-blend-mode: darken;[/newclass]

close tab

played by

noodles

matias

he/him

thirty-two

november 14th

saffron

straight...unless?

elite four

champion

1321 height

i'll try to find you in mountains made of ash and clouds of smoke.

awards

8,528 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @matias

[RVL] TEAM FLARE: ELISABETH FIORELLI ROUTE V2.0

POSTED ON Apr 20, 2024 7:49:06 GMT

Elisabeth Fiorelli likes this

returning to the place where it all started, you load up the familiar game on your phone (that for some reason was never uninstalled) and wait for the digital version of Elisabeth Fiorelli to appear. you feel a myriad of emotions that are no longer dulled by otherworldly influences.

when she finally appears, you feel your heart skip (sink?), but it's not for the same reasons as before.

why?

Elisabeth Fiorelli

close tab

played by

noodles

matias

he/him

thirty-two

november 14th

saffron

straight...unless?

elite four

champion

1321 height

i'll try to find you in mountains made of ash and clouds of smoke.

awards

8,528 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @matias

wartime efforts | past

POSTED ON Apr 20, 2024 7:45:12 GMT

VIRIDIAN, WARTIME

"you can fucking try."

the oppressive sunlight of SUNNY DAY is welcome.

his hands move over his belt at impressive speed, switching his blastoise out right as its PROTECT forms. as SOLAR BEAM crashes into the invisible barrier, inevitably cracking through, his magmortar materializes to tank the attack.

it dashes forward moments later, SCREECHING as it runs through the SOLAR BEAM before attempting to THUNDER PUNCH the charizard.

dorian westcliff
MAKE IT DOUBLE

close tab

played by

noodles

matias

he/him

thirty-two

november 14th

saffron

straight...unless?

elite four

champion

1321 height

i'll try to find you in mountains made of ash and clouds of smoke.

awards

8,528 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @matias

rights and wrongs

POSTED ON Apr 20, 2024 7:36:00 GMT

[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphtxt"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

"are you saying ho-oh passed it onto you, naming you its successor in a way, because it knew kyle would die the following week?"

he clicks his tongue but even the "tch," that sounds is far softer, not yet kind but definitely not harsh. it's akin to a teacher scolding their student; the intent is different; it's less about berating josh and more about educating him.

"come on, devlin. try not to make kyle's death about you. it could come off tasteless and selfish, which i know you're not intending to be."

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]Josh Devlin

[attr="class","retiredsilphpkmn"] asilo (m) flash fire - solar beam, teleport, dragon hammer, extreme speed, crunch, play rough, burn up

close tab

played by

noodles

matias

he/him

thirty-two

november 14th

saffron

straight...unless?

elite four

champion

1321 height

i'll try to find you in mountains made of ash and clouds of smoke.

awards

8,528 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @matias

warden [m]

POSTED ON Apr 20, 2024 7:27:52 GMT

how random indeed. but he has come to expect as much from the top champion.

"i've trained many dogs."

but as the growlithe is held up before him, presenting its wagging tail, he understands that kyle means something different when they say training.

his eyes narrow at the dog.

"you know i don't do pets."

his expression remains the same, not yet smiling as he shrugs a shoulder.

"i guess it's cute."

kyle lopez

close tab

played by

noodles

matias

he/him

thirty-two

november 14th

saffron

straight...unless?

elite four

champion

1321 height

i'll try to find you in mountains made of ash and clouds of smoke.

awards

8,528 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @matias

at my worst

POSTED ON Apr 20, 2024 7:24:13 GMT

[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphtxt"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

eddie's admission is met with a nod. with it comes understanding and clarification to clear any assumptions he might have been making in his head. he may be no green thumb but he is familiar with the language of flowers, knowing what white hyacinths and lilies are supposed to mean, but in this case, they mean nothing more than a friendly gesture.

holding the bouquet in one arm, he walks slowly, not at the pace of someone injured but of someone who attempting to enjoy the moment.

"i haven't."

his head shakes before he turns. the way he looks at his friend should be evident enough: tell me.

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]Eduardo Hisakawa

close tab

played by

noodles

matias

he/him

thirty-two

november 14th

saffron

straight...unless?

elite four

champion

1321 height

i'll try to find you in mountains made of ash and clouds of smoke.

awards

8,528 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @matias

POSTED ON Apr 20, 2024 7:17:46 GMT

[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphtxt"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

"maybe."

but it doesn't matter. for now, the world needs to believe kyle is gone, that he had sacrificed himself on top of mount chimney to save everyone else. that will inspire hope, and hope will prove to be the difference. it's the exact same thinking that led him to forsake sootopolis to the enemy.

his defenses are down when she probes. he allows her in, almost inviting with his responses.

"the costs of avatarship aren't talked about enough." something he plans on changing, starting with the aqua initiative (if he's even allowed in anymore). "the agreement you make isn't a pact, it's sacrifice, and in my case, my mind was affected the most."

his body was empowered but his mind weakened as a result.

"when you have another presence in your head, how do you know which thoughts are your own?"

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]annalise henderson

close tab

played by

noodles

matias

he/him

thirty-two

november 14th

saffron

straight...unless?

elite four

champion

1321 height

i'll try to find you in mountains made of ash and clouds of smoke.

awards

8,528 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @matias

wartime efforts | past

POSTED ON Apr 19, 2024 11:07:08 GMT

dorian westcliff likes this

VIRIDIAN, WARTIME

"how long left?"

to hold their position in this dingy outpost is suicide, or at least it would be for anyone other than matias. with his pokemon spread across the area, holding back rocket after rocket that for whatever reason come in pairs, he manages.

he survives.

but as flames close in on him, he knows his time is running out. his blastoise's HYDRO CANNON can only hold them back for so long.

a figure approaches; rocket, definitely, but unknown to him.

"how nice of you to surrender."

dorian westcliff
MAKE IT DOUBLE

close tab

played by

noodles

matias

he/him

thirty-two

november 14th

saffron

straight...unless?

elite four

champion

1321 height

i'll try to find you in mountains made of ash and clouds of smoke.

awards

8,528 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @matias

MAKE IT DOUBLE

POSTED ON Apr 19, 2024 11:06:52 GMT

dorian westcliff

close tab

played by

noodles

matias

he/him

thirty-two

november 14th

saffron

straight...unless?

elite four

champion

1321 height

i'll try to find you in mountains made of ash and clouds of smoke.

awards

8,528 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @matias

POSTED ON Apr 19, 2024 9:50:35 GMT

[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphtxt"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

he doesn't expect sympathy or understanding. in fact, he's expecting the opposite given how he's isolated himself over the past few months, maybe years. so to feel her hand over his in reassurance feels warm. safe. it makes him smile.

"ho-oh's missing."

his head shakes in acceptance.

"it's better if he doesn't come back. he can finally rest now."

he doesn't fully believe that, not when THE BORDER exists. a part of him wants to believe that kyle lopez has moved on, that he's somewhere peaceful where they can do absolutely nothing, but in reality their spirit most likely lingers in the abyss. he doesn't have it in him to visit yet.

"they tell me groudon's in league custody. whatever that means. but, yes, i'm still its avatar, but keep that between us. the fewer know about it, the better."

hearing how her words caught in her throat earlier, he knows to add:

"don't worry, i'm fine. things are different now."

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]annalise henderson

close tab

played by

noodles

matias

he/him

thirty-two

november 14th

saffron

straight...unless?

elite four

champion

1321 height

i'll try to find you in mountains made of ash and clouds of smoke.

awards

8,528 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @matias

POSTED ON Apr 19, 2024 8:45:55 GMT

Elisabeth Fiorelli likes this

[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphtxt"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

"so, all of it."

where does he start? where could he start? he considers his words carefully, parsing them together into something coherent and easy to understand but terribly difficult to articulate.

after a sigh, he starts.

"i consumed a red shard thinking it would empower us. instead, it corrupted us, and we lost control. i lost control."

he goes over the known facts and details, confirms them to her, and adds more details not listed in the reports.

"kyle died to free me from groudon. he saved me. he saved hoenn."

through it all, his expression rises and falls as though he's retelling a fairy tale, but whenever kyle lopez is mentioned, there's no hiding the somberness that claims him.

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]annalise henderson

close tab

played by

noodles

matias

he/him

thirty-two

november 14th

saffron

straight...unless?

elite four

champion

1321 height

i'll try to find you in mountains made of ash and clouds of smoke.

awards

8,528 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @matias

POSTED ON Apr 19, 2024 7:53:56 GMT

[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphtxt"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

"you got it."

after he stops looking like this, and after he's healed.

he looks a far cry from how he should look if not for the revival. the burns that etch his skin are a result of prolonged exposure to the heat and lava and not so much the SACRED FIRE itself. they say he's lucky, of all things, and though he's inclined to agree, he can't help but feel otherwise.

"a lot."

his voice falls slightly.

"how much do you want to know?"

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]annalise henderson

close tab

played by

noodles

matias

he/him

thirty-two

november 14th

saffron

straight...unless?

elite four

champion

1321 height

i'll try to find you in mountains made of ash and clouds of smoke.

awards

8,528 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @matias

POSTED ON Apr 19, 2024 7:31:52 GMT

[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphtxt"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

she may have changed from the day he first met her but there are some things she has yet to shed herself free from. her failures are draped around her shoulders like a coat, weighing her down with insecurities that keep her gaze from meeting his.

he sees it, and it pains him.

"not maybe. you will, anna."

henderson has no place here; what he requires is more genuine and less playful; as is his next offer.

"want my help?"

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]annalise henderson

close tab

played by

noodles

matias

he/him

thirty-two

november 14th

saffron

straight...unless?

elite four

champion

1321 height

i'll try to find you in mountains made of ash and clouds of smoke.

awards

8,528 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @matias

POSTED ON Apr 19, 2024 7:11:25 GMT

[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphtxt"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

"it can't always be that simple. but in this case, yeah, it's enough."

though he never said it wasn't in the first place. despite his ailing mind, he remembers their conversation on the beach that day; how he berated her with words like weak and dumb when all he really wanted to say was that he cares about her, and that he wishes she cared for him the same.

he chuckles, reassuring her with a nod.

"at least tell me they walked away looking worse than you. or preferably that they didn't walk away at all."

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]annalise henderson

close tab

played by

noodles

matias

he/him

thirty-two

november 14th

saffron

straight...unless?

elite four

champion

1321 height

i'll try to find you in mountains made of ash and clouds of smoke.

awards

8,528 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @matias