smashacademy | ❦ [video]

[GUESS WHO. This face might be vaguely familiar, barring the new hairstyle, or it might not. Either way, it sure looks happy to be here.]

Oh, finally, I think it's working! Um... hello! I'm back. In case you don't know me or maybe just forgot, my name is Kieran, and I'm a child of the forest. I'm spending a year away from the herd in order to gather knowledge... a year that's almost over, actually. Winter's only a season away, isn't it?

But I guess I'm getting ahead of myself! Each season has its turn, so I guess I'd better talk about autumn instead. You don't mind, do you?

[Not even waiting for the magical spirit box picture thingy to respond. Just plowing on ahead. SEASONS ARE A REALLY BIG DEAL FOR A SAWSBUCK.]

Each and every person is attuned to a season of the year. That's what we Sawsbucks believe. Autumn might be the time of year when our leaves fade away and our antlers drift into dormancy, but it's also the season when our foliage is the color of our blood -- it's not a time of resignation, it's a burningly, achingly alive season! The autumn-hearted are people who possess fiery ambition. They have a depth of emotion that not many others can claim; when something seizes their heart, it's seized completely and utterly. Their passion can inspire the complacent and meek: the autumn-hearted are the bringers of action, powerful agents of change with endless nerve in the face of adversity. I didn't meet many autumn-hearted spirits last time I was here, but I'm certain there must be some of you out there!

Ah, and just between us, spirit box... they say that the autumn-hearted make the best lovers. I guess it only makes sense: for us, autumn is also the season of love. It's something I'm kind of nervous about! Last year, I was still a Deerling, so this is going to be my first rut. I don't know who I'm going to try to fight for yet... actually, I'm not sure how I'm even supposed to win anyone over. So many of the spirits here have no antlers, so I guess jousting is out, huh?

...Well, as long as I'm in the realm of the gods, I might as well do it however the spirits do it, right? I am here to learn, aren't I?

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I think... it's not really that different from regular growing up, on the inside. I don't think I changed when I evolved. It feels more like everything around me changed.

[But that might have more to do with the rituals of the seasonal affinity and the journey year, come to think of it. Tricky stuff. Kieran tilts his head, looking vaguely puzzled.]

...Does that make sense to you, spirit? I'd like to think we're not so different.

[ N is unable to speak for a moment, his head absorbing the information steadily. Everything around a person changing upon growing to a certain age, changing upon evolution in the case of a Pokemon...

His eyes slip shut, a slow nod drawn from him. ]

I believe so. My world, upon coming of age and... other events changed around me, as well. [ Said other events flipped his world upside-down, in fact. ]

I would like to think I can understand. I would prefer to understand, to empathize.

Then that's something I admire.

[Blurted decisively, with just a hint of a warm smile starting to show on his face. It's not as though Kieran necessarily feels isolated or alienated in this funny little realm, of course, even if it's clear he fits in like a Great Dane in a fishbowl -- he still has a sense of where his roots are, he can see where his branches are reaching, and it's not so hard to feel at ease around those with good intentions.

But... well, all the same, it's nice to be understood.]

You're a wise one, spirit! I think I feel a little bit homesick talking to you.

I hadn't intended to induce homesickness. I apologize... Kieran, yes? Would you rather I refer to you as Kieran or Sawsbuck? [ Just in case the name is forced onto him. Some humans did nickname their Pokemon, after all, a practice that he personally didn't approve of if it's forced.

Needless to say, he'd heard of a young brat of a child nicknaming his Petilil 'Scrotum'.

His reaction to the child was not very pretty. ]

Perhaps one day, we can return to Unova's forests together. I did reside in a forest for a short amount of my life, you know.

[ At least, until Ghetsis scooped him up. ]

Kieran is fine! Things would have been pretty confusing in my herd if we all simply called each other Sawsbuck. Ah... but maybe I should be asking what I should be calling you. If you're a fellow child of the forest, then that means we're connected. It's pretty formal of me to just call you spirit, if that's the case!

Though... I'm afraid I don't belong to Unova's forests! My home is the forest just beyond this realm. I would love very much to go with you, but I'm afraid that Unova's not a place I know much about!

Oh, well, in that case, you are free to call me whatever you would like. My name is N... if I have not introduced myself to you yet? I would not mind being called whatever you wish, anyhow.

Although, Sawsbuck are native to Unova... ah, I should not have made such a bold assumption. [ eek-- he looks a bit flustered. ] I apologize. You reside in the forest surrounding our very academy then?

[It's okay, N, you are not the first to think that he's Unovan.]

I do! Or... I did. Right now I reside wherever I want to, so I guess it could just as easily be Unova as anywhere else. It's tradition for the males of a herd to spend their first year as a Sawsbuck seeking out wisdom; I evolved last winter, so I'm a wanderer until this year reaches its end.

I see. So you wander in search of knowledge... yes, I am capable of relating to that. [ He feels a small pang in his heart as those words flow forth, but he ignores it. The past doesn't matter now. Look at the friends he's made, like this one! ]

I wandered for a year myself to seek my answers, to find my purpose... only for it to ultimately end up being here. Funnily... [ He sheepishly chuckles. ] I'd left this very academy to travel and find out what I was meant to do, not knowing that it was the very place I'd left behind.

We really are kindred spirits!

I ended up drifting back to this realm as well. It's a little overwhelming to live somewhere so different, but different obviously can't be a bad thing if it's beckoned us here twice, right?

Truly! Yet...

[ A thoughtful expression crosses his features. ] It is oddly fitting for us to return over and over, our lives centered around this academy, this 'Final Destination'. The city's name is terribly apt.

You know, I hadn't thought of it like that. Is it a sign, do you think? I'm very fascinated by this place, but... well, I'm not sure I'm meant to stay forever. My roots lie somewhere else.

I had not thought I would be, either, yet I feel now that I am meant to remain here for the rest of my days. Of course, new opinions and paths in life bloom in different seasons and wither in others.

[ A pause.

... Theeeen a sheepish chuckle. Oh. Pun was not intended. ]

[Seasons AND plant talk. Son, you are on this deer's level. Forget sheepish chuckling, that gets a bright laugh.]

Well, I'm glad you've found where your own roots belong. Whatever blooms and whatever withers, you can always know you have somewhere to come home to.

[ Oh man, WE ARE GOING TO BE BESTEST FRIENDS. ]

Yes, of course, and I am glad that you seem very positive about your own! Let us get the best out of our journeys, so we will have a wealth of knowledge to return home with.

❦ [video]

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gosh only they can take awkward bs and make it adorb

fucking deer and petilils named scrotum: SUPER MOE

sugoi conversations

i could not for the life of me remember if they met last time I played him 8I

i don't... think so ghkjsdhjkg i can't remember

IT IS A MYSTERY

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