The Grand Opening

[driftingmods]

[A large WELCOME sign is hanging from the buildings when you walk into Levanta Town, but that seems to be the only sign that today is any different than any other day. The villagers are simply going about their daily business. However, if they are approached they are more than happy to explain the region as well as they can to any new arrivals.

Welcome to Levanta Town in The Drifting Land!]

Comments

[championed]

Paul!

[It's Paul!

It's another older Ash. But hey, at least that one recognizes you.]

I didn't know you were here too. Is everything okay? I haven't seen you in a while. [Dear god, what did you do to deserve this fussiness?]

[battlestandby]

[Oh now what is this.

Another older Ash, based on what he's saying? What's he even talking about...]

What are you talking about...?

[championed]

What do you mean what am I talking about?

I'm asking how you're doing.

[battlestandby]

... You're older than me. We're supposed to be the same age. How can you be familiar with me when I'm like this? Don't you see what's wrong with this picture?

[championed]

I know I'm older.

I ran into you before, on Awesome Island, remember? We got really close there.

[battlestandby]

Awesome what?

[championed]

The... Island I was on before I got here. I know it's a funny sounding name, but that's what everybody called it.

[battlestandby]

... I have no idea what you're even talking about, but I was never in such a place.

[championed]

Oh... um...

Sorry! I guess I just assumed you were the same Paul...

[battlestandby]

Don't be so quick to assume things next time.

[He'll turn away from Ash. So many of you Ashes is making him nauseated.]

[championed]

... Yeah, sorry. I was just happy to see you again.

If you ever need anything feel free to talk to me, alright? [He probably won't take Ash's offer up, but it's still nice to offer. Even if this particular Paul isn't the Paul that is his not!son.]

[battlestandby]

Hmph...

[He'll just start walking away without saying anything more.

Just before he gets too far, though, a nasty cough is heard from him...]

[championed]

[... his Paul... had the same cough.

He'll run up]

You okay, Paul? [He looks really worried, as he places a hand on your shoulder]

[battlestandby]

[Uh-oh. He was afraid of that. Why is Ash such a mom...

Naturally, he's covering up any traces of blood that came from that cough.]

I'm fine; not that it's any of your business.

[And he'll immediately take off again. While he could hide the blood that got on him, he failed to notice the drops of blood that made it on the clear, light dirt path.]

[championed]

[Oh honey. He'll follow along the path you've left behind.

His motherly nature means he's going to care, whether you want him to or not.]

Paul?

[battlestandby]

[oh dammit

now he's running]

[championed]

[You are only making him more worried, Paul!]

Wait, hey! Paul!

[battlestandby]

[He is most definitely not waiting for YOU, Ash. He doesn't want you catching on to his secret even though you already know it!

Of course, having coughed like that, Paul is not in his peak physical condition and can't keep up the running for long before he starts to feel ill again. Eventually he'll have to slow down and pray that Ash wasn't so tenacious to chase him the entire time.]

[championed]

[This is Ash, we're speaking about. Tenacity should be his middle name. He's run after you the entire time.

He's also in better condition than Paul, along with being quite a bit taller. So he'll manage to catch up relatively easily.]

Paul...?

[battlestandby]

[oh for fuck's sake - and he's too tired to run any further now.]

Get away from me!

[championed]

No. Do you have medicine?

[battlestandby]

[Yeah right, like he'll just TELL you that, Ash.]

[championed]

... Paul. [he looks so concerned over you]

You don't have to hide it from me. The Paul I knew was also sick.

[battlestandby]

What?! ... no, you're lying!!

[championed]

Why would I lie about that?