03. video

[firealone]

[It's no surprise that Fireheart is feeling ashamed, after he overworked himself into a coma for a month and a half. And after nearly everyone who knows him has been telling him for months to take it easy... he is finally starting to listen. A little.]

So... there's a few things I want to talk about. But the most important one, is, well- I've got a warrior name now. When we were sending out those boats, I saw- Bluestar, my old Clan's leader.

[He only knew her for a short time, a lifetime ago, but there's still a somber tone in his voice. ThunderClan was where he thought he belonged for a long time, after all. ThunderClan has been on his mind less and less every day, but having his adult name still means a lot.]

She called me Fireheart. So... that's what I'd like everyone to call me. Firepaw was a kitten name, so... it's good to feel like an adult, properly.

[He wavers a little before continuing... he really should have rehearsed this a little.]

I'm going to cut down on my work, and... I think I'm done hanging around the Clinic for a while. So I'll be focusing on recovering this month, and then running messages for the senior Cheri members for a bit. Staying in the city, for the most part, unless someone needs me.

[He said 'month' instead of 'moon'... and doesn't seem to have noticed it.]

I think that's everything. And, if anyone needs to talk, after... Froslass... I'm happy to listen.

Comments

[seacub]

[What with seeing him at Skull Town, this is old news for Emporio.

But anyway.]

You got a new name when you became an adult?

[Neat. Cool.

Quietly not thinking about or talking about the fight they had, and definitely not about Froslass nope nope he is Not guilty-]

[firealone]

Yes! When cats turn six months old, they get an apprentice name, and then they get a warrior name when they've earned it. And... Ren said I did a good job of earning it, at least.

[More of that othering language... and his voice drops down, as though whispering means anything on the pearls.]

...Are you okay? After... everything?

[It comes with a STRONG WAVE of guilt.]

[seacub]

Huh! That makes sense I guess...most people keep the same names they were given as infants their whole lives, in our case. The exception is the 'surname', or the 'family name', because marrying into a family could change that, but...

[Neat.

Even just hearing the lower tone causes a thrum of panic, as Emporio stiffens. He tries not to drop his pearl as the guilt overcomes him.]

I...

I'm fine. You had a point with things, it's fine.

[firealone]

[...What is marriage.... Anasui mentioned that too....

.............Not important right now.]

I still shouldn't have yelled at you. I'm really sorry. It just... felt like no one was taking it as seriously as they should have.

[Maybe still not an excuse to try to fight Froslass with his bare paws. But he still stands by that part.]

[seacub]

We probably weren't, [He concedes, a little tiredly at that.] No one affected by her was thinking straight... ...Especially if she got too deep.

[Glazed dragon's eyes come to mind, and he tries not to let the pearl sit too long on that. For either of their sake, really.]

[firealone]

Well, she's gone now. We'll just have to be more vigilant the next time a new Pokemon shows up.

[As if there was anything they could have done about Froslass the first time. Listen, he has to believe there's something he can do next time or he'll go mad chasing his own tail.]

[seacub]

Yeah!

I'll. ...Try to do my best to actually listen next time, too.

[A pause, and.]

....Including to you and the others.