what is happening again?

"Through the portal, all of you! You too, uhh- you with the dead body! Come on in."

.

.

.

Diable: “All I know is that I have a lil’ appetite for food right now.”

Crewel climbs up Diable’s jacket and onto his shoulders.

Crewel:  “O-Of couse not!  I came here for dancin’, and I sure ain’t leavin’ before then!”

He leaned over and perched on Diable’s shoulder, his hood holding onto the other for support as he scanned ahead of them with a squint.

Diable: "Those shrines can't just be in the lost in the middle of the snow."

The Darkrai walked further into the snowy woods, following a path that resulted dirtier between all the white clean snow.

The snow on the path slowly began to disappear under Diable's feet the more they walked, revealing cement.

Diable: "Oh... there we go. I see lights."

Diable thoughtfully looked around, his eyes trying to find where he's hearing some music from.

Diable: "There. That one looks like a nice place."

Nice relaxing music in the background as people laugh and drink and get drunk.

The Darkrai stared up at the lights and checked out the place, he seemed to have counted the people in there and gave particular attention to the windows. He then stepped in with less fear.

Zei: We don’t get many new people at these parties. Zei: Especially people immediately willing to help around! Thank you for that.

Clark walked up to the pair as Zei floated off.

Jolly: “O-oh.”

Jolly: “Allow me.”

Jolly: “Kiran and I met… by a street in my town. He was lost and just got out of a state of insobriety. I was in a ‘messin’ around’ mood and just-”

Jolly: “-gladly scared him. The conversation went on from there.”

Jolly: “I’m glad we’ve got to meet. We changed a lot thanks to one another.”

Kiran: Yeah.. He tugged at his sleeve a bit, somewhat lost in thought. Kiran: So.. so much..

Zei looked over the lights, in case they missed a bulb. Zei: Oh, seems we’ve gotten them all already, thank you both! Give me a second, I’ll get them back on the tree.

—-

Zei: Now, hopefully you two can enjoy the rest of the party without needing to help someone else. 

Kiran: It wasn’t a problem really. At least I don’t mind it.

Zei nodded, then looked over to the long tables at the end of the room as other people started putting food down. Zei: Well, it’s about time to eat, so it shouldn’t be any time soon.

Kiran: Oh? He quickly turned to Jolly some, grabbing his shoulder. Kiran: H-Hey, Jolly, I- um.

[They look for an exit and find a place outside of the building: The Church's garden.]

Zei: We don’t get many new people at these parties. Zei: Especially people immediately willing to help around! Thank you for that.

Clark walked up to the pair as Zei floated off.

Jolly: "O-oh."

Jolly: "Allow me."

Jolly: "Kiran and I met... by a street in my town. He was lost and just got out of a state of insobriety. I was in a 'messin' around' mood and just-"

Jolly: "-gladly scared him. The conversation went on from there."

Jolly: "I'm glad we've got to meet. We changed a lot thanks to one another."

Diable: “All I know is that I have a lil’ appetite for food right now.”

Crewel climbs up Diable’s jacket and onto his shoulders.

Clark: I just hope nobody asks you guys anything weird when they see you. Nice as they are, some of them are..

Kiran: I’m sure it’ll be fine, we can just tell them no, right?

Clark nodded, a little unsure, as the opened the doors to the main hall.

Clark: You two get yourself situated, it should only be a minute.

Jolly: "I forgot how much passion people put into this celebration."

Jolly: "Oh, and about what to do-"

[Jolly removes his hat as a sign of respect to the church.]

Jolly: "Y'know... Cautious about the 'Too Curious' ones?"

Kiran: If I know anything about churchgoers, they’ll probably find something. He looked around. Kiran: It would be even weirder to just sit somewhere and not talk to anyone though.. Oh

Kiran started walking towards them, assuming Jolly would be fine with doing that, too. Kiran: Less likely to get weird questions while doing busy work.

Jolly: "We probably should lay the whole wire down and check each light bulb- do we have the functionin' change?"

Jolly: "Mh."

Clark: I just hope nobody asks you guys anything weird when they see you. Nice as they are, some of them are..

Kiran: I’m sure it’ll be fine, we can just tell them no, right?

Clark nodded, a little unsure, as the opened the doors to the main hall.

Clark: You two get yourself situated, it should only be a minute.

Jolly: "I forgot how much passion people put into this celebration."

Jolly: "Oh, and about what to do-"

[Jolly removes his hat as a sign of respect to the church.]

Jolly: "Y'know... Cautious about the 'Too Curious' ones?"

Diable: "Sometimes ya gotta distract from all the bullshit, this seemed a good occasion."

Diable: "Sometimes ya gotta distract from all the bullshit, this seemed a good occasion."

Clark: Yeah.. can’t think of anything that would make it better.

Kiran thought for a second before turning to Jolly.

Kiran got up and started for the food stalls. Kiran: I’ll get some for us, be right back.

It was quiet for a moment once Kiran was gone, before Clark sighed.

Clark: I didn’t really think it through when I asked to come along.

Jolly: “And, sincerely, ya’re a nice guy to hang out with, ya’re honestly bein’ no annoyance!”

Clark: I should..

Clark: I mean, I know now his life would’ve been worse off if it was me, but it still hurts anyway..

Jolly: “….”

Jolly: “… . .”

Jolly: “I- I think ya already figured why th- that’s a problem-”

Jolly: “I mean! I don’t blame ya, don’t get me wrong.”

Jolly: “Listen, I know this is hard for ya, and probably hella awkward- but I’m not goin’ to stop ya from hangin’ out with Kiran.”

Clark: It’s was bad enough when I told Kiran and he said he willing to consider- I..

Clark: I don’t know what he could possibly have to think about! And of course you’re so calm about this! There’s no contest between us!

He turned, motioning at Jolly. Clark: You’re gorgeous and strong and nice! 

How should he have felt? Flattered? Angry? Concerned? There's a lot to unpack over here.

Jolly stood quiet for a few long seconds before hesitantly speaking again.

Jolly: "...Ya're sayin'... a lot of thin's I wasn't ready... to hear, umh-"

Jolly: "I'm flattered ya think these thin's of me, but ya're assumin' Kiran lied and basically rejected ya-"

Jolly: "I'm- I just want to help ya some way, ya seem really troubled by this."

Clark: Yeah.. can’t think of anything that would make it better.

Kiran thought for a second before turning to Jolly.

Kiran got up and started for the food stalls. Kiran: I’ll get some for us, be right back.

It was quiet for a moment once Kiran was gone, before Clark sighed.

Clark: I didn’t really think it through when I asked to come along.

Jolly: “And, sincerely, ya’re a nice guy to hang out with, ya’re honestly bein’ no annoyance!”

Clark: I should..

Clark: I mean, I know now his life would’ve been worse off if it was me, but it still hurts anyway..

Jolly: "...."

Jolly: ". . . . ."

Jolly: "I- I think ya already figured why th- that's a problem-"

Jolly: "I mean! I don't blame ya, don't get me wrong."

Jolly: "Listen, I know this is hard for ya, and probably hella awkward- but I'm not goin' to stop ya from hangin' out with Kiran."

Artemis, at the door of her house in Driftveil City, took a quick look over of Jolly and gave a harsh frustrated sigh.

Artemis: He’s inside.

Artemis: Come on in, I guess.

She lead the Darkrai further in the house, then turned to the kitchen to the left where said Gardevoir was. 

Artemis: Kiran! Someone’s here for you!

Kiran: Wh-

Kiran turned towards them, his fur was messy and seemed to be starting to get oily. His hands had a small shaking to them.

He sneered, seeing Jolly completely, and attempted to ruffle his hair to some sort of presentable.

Kiran: Oh great..

Artemis: Have fun with this.. what ever it is, I gotta get going. to my job.

Kiran sighed as she went through the front door, closing it rather hard, but after a brief silence Kiran sighed. Then looked up at Jolly.

Jolly: "Yes, actually."

He focused for a few short seconds on Kiran's face, recognizing the eyes of drugs. He got a little nervous.

Jolly: "My name is Jolly. I was just worried since-" He stood silent for a moment, but he avoided making it too noticeable by letting out a sigh. "-I've come to notice the fewer weekly hours at work durin' the last few months, and the increasing amount of money spent."

Kiran: .. Right.

He looked at him, at his clothes, and let out some sort of doubtful huff.

Kiran: Because you definitely look like you work at a bank or the convenience store.

He briefly muttered about a Charlie before snapping his attention back to the Darkrai.

Jolly: "Nah, nothin' professional here."

Jolly: "I know just that, but I'd appreciate if ya told me why this is happenin'."

He looked at the Gardevoir up and down, still keeping a comfortable smile on.

He motioned his mug at Jolly, a little annoyed.

Kiran: Yeah, I sometimes drink myself under and have a little fun with other people who are doing the same. Why..

Glancing at Jolly’s face a bit more carefully and sighed, a little remorseful.

Jolly: "I don't know who Charlie is, honestly. But seems like that gal is on yer nerves."

He glanced around while talking.

Jolly: "And I am- was??-"

He didn't know what verb to use, what year was that even? Should he have considered himself a slut back then?

Jolly: "-I am one of those 'other guys', it's not always fun tho."

He nervously chuckled, scratching his neck.

He laughed, swinging the mug to the side a little.

Kiran: A dealer.

Kiran: Can you imagine? A dealer trying to get a customer to stop buying?

He shrugged.

Kiran: It’s more annoying because she introduced me to the stuff and is acting like I have a problem now.

He pointed almost accusingly at Jolly.

Kiran: Which I don’t. I know that look.

He hissed, grabbing his head again.

Jolly: "Oh."

Jolly: "I didn't know. But, allow me, it was a bastard move of her."

He made again his step closer, nervously.

Jolly: "But why did ya accept it?"

Kiran: You really want to play therapist, huh? Alright.

He looked into his mug.

Kiran: I don’t know why or how, but I just don’t feel anything strong enough- I’m either content or indifferent or numb, never anything more. Doing this stuff gives me.. gives me something else.

Kiran: I don’t want to go back to nothing. So I keep doing it.

He took a quick drink from his glass before putting it down on the surface behind him.

He started to mumble something, clearly losing words to spit.

Jolly: "Drugs are the strongest enjoyment in the world, I know that. But what if instead of gettin' addicted to somethin' that kills ya faster ya don't find yerself a long-last drug that doesn't hurt ya? Love?"

Jolly: "Yes, it sounds like bullshit!"

Jolly: "But what if there was- is- will be someone who will love ya more than anythin'? What if ya are goin' to be their drug? And what if... they are going to be yours...?"

He held Jolly’s hand, very briefly considering the possibility. But ultimately shook his head and moved his hand off him.

Kiran: I’d hate to see someone so desperate to be loved they go after me, even when I’m sober, I’m not worth the time and energy. 

He smiled, weakly.

Jolly softly closed his hand on his chest, with a slightly upset expression.

Jolly: "But I'm glad ya think so.."

He gave a smile a little off, he wanted to do something but knew he couldn't. Maybe he'd chance a little of his memory, but maybe this part of life will be forgotten into drugs.

Jolly: "Now, I know you're kinda just sayin' it and that you'll be back to it as soon as I cross the door.."

Jolly: "...just, not too much. I wouldn't be happy to see you dead on the news in a few months, a'ight?"

He cleared his throat, some odd.. feeling rising in his chest. He grinned weakly.

Kiran: I’ll.. try to go easy on it.

He laughed, straightening his stance a bit.

Kiran: Maybe the next time we meet I won’t look like absolute trash. I-If there is a next time anyway.

He gave a slightly moved smile, holding his own hands and fixing his posture.

Jolly: "Stoppin' will be hard, but goin' easy on it will help ya recognize yer new drug once ya find them."

He relaxed his shoulders, noticeably happy hearing Kiran's tone and seeing his expression. He sighed.

Jolly: "Remember me."

He suddenly seemed sad. He knows how drugs work, how it's easy to forget while in a period like that, how Kiran will die anyway. He turned around, slowly directing towards the door of the kitchen, willing to then get out of the house.

Kiran: I..

He pulled his hand back, grabbing the side of his neck a bit embarrassed, a familiar pink tint reaching the tips of his ears.

Kiran: Thank you for stopping by.. E-Even if I don’t know why you did.. 

He took a step back, holding his hands a bit awkwardly and vaguely avoiding eye contact, realizing how weird it is to want basically a stranger to stay longer than they probably wanted to.

He looked at Kiran up and down, quickly, not to be noticed. The little blush on his ears made a short chuckle come out, bringing a small smile on his face.

He moves away from the door with insecure steps.

His smile got wider every step he took

Jolly: "Don't worry, I have all day. What was it?"

He spoke quietly, trying to make it seem like whatever Kiran wanted to say, the Darkrai would have kept that for himself.

Kiran: I.. I know I’m not strong enough to stop doing this now. That I’m going to forget your face, your voice, in some other high, that all these nice words are going to feel like something I made up in between them.

He laced his fingers together, thinking of how to get the words out of his mouth.

Kiran: But this.. feeling I get when you look at me like this, talk to me like this.. I know I’ll remember it. A-And I know I don’t want that to go away..

He moved his foot, as if briefly tempted to step closer but changed his mind.

Kiran: I’m obviously not in a good place right now to cling to people, that it wouldn’t be good for anybody to have someone around that’d fall into this mess without them. S.. So I won’t look for anyone until I’m through this, when I just can’t do this anymore and start getting my life back together. I want to be good for someone.

He smiled, tearing up a little.

Kiran: You brought a little bit of light into my life just by being here. And I want to be able to do that too, for whoever I end up finding that “new drug” in, and if it’s possible I want you to see that. I want you to see the passion you inspired me to give.

Wiping his eyes quickly, he laughed a bit at himself.

Jolly: "Hey."

He relaxed, after Kiran was done talking.

Jolly: "That wasn't weird. People say love at first sight is real."

He moved his hands on his arms, moving his thumbs on the fur. That fur he loved so much.

Jolly: "You can say you'll remember me as much as you want, you won't. Drugs are stronger than memories."

Jolly: "But if this is the only time ya think to remember all of this-"

He smiled briefly wider, softly moving closer Kiran's right arm, by making his hand slither on it until getting to the wrists.

He moved his other hand under the Gardevoir's chin, tapping in with a finger before chuckling.

Jolly: "Just remember this properly, darlin'."

He stood like that for a few short seconds, immediately moving off Kiran, making steps back with a lovable chuckle. He took balance by grabbing the edges of the kitchen's door.

Jolly: "Three years. From now. And everythin' will end, I promise."

He looked at the ground with a serious expression, then immediately turning to Kiran with a smile.

He didn’t understand what he meant by three years or why he said it like it’s fact, but like the rest of Jolly’s visit he appreciated the oddity. It was comforting in a way.

He smiled, genuinely excited at the idea of seeing him again. Of this sort of thing happening again, but when he’s better.

Kiran: Thank you for this, means a lot.

And even though it hurt to watch Jolly leave, the promise they’d meet again stopped him from following this time, instead he waved him good-bye.

??: [Thank you.] He slammed down his open palm onto the spike, drawing blood.

Clark: Seriously?

The demon started drawing out a shape onto the wood floor.

Clark: A Devil’s.. Diamond?

??: [For opening a portal to First Hell.]

Clark: Well if you know that’ll work why do you need me?

??: [I’m not connected to it, so it won’t work if a mortal doesn’t open it. And you’d be amazed at how many mortals don’t want to go to Hell.]

Clark stood back up.

Clark: I suppose that’s fair, so now what?

??: [Just repeat after me.]

Clark stepped through the portal and suddenly his side with the demon’s arm stings like it’s being burned. After a moment, the arm was gone, leaving his arm a cauterized stump.

Clark: Wh-

??: Don’t worry, I’m not leaving a mortal in any Hell.

??: Now let’s see who we can find!

Silence and a serious look from Jolly, as the flames fade away.

He laughed, genuinely humored at that, and pulled his tail back.

Clark stepped over to a corner in the room as the demon opened his mouth to say something else, but quickly decided not to. ??: No, no..

He smiled, bearing his teeth. ??: Oh, and where are my manners? I haven’t introduced myself.

He cleared his throat.

Jolly still didn’t seem very convinced, but did the effort to not be aggressive.

Luce: The Pantheon has missed him these past 10,000 years or so, and They’d love him or any kin of his back.

He tilted his head a bit more, a glint of realization in his eyes.

Jolly: “…He isn’t here. So if ya’re lookin’ for him. Wrong place.”

Jolly: “Tho…”

Luce: All that’s left is for me to tell the Pantheon, our family.

He laughed.

Luce: I hope you won’t mind if a bunch of enthusiastic deities coming to meet you. And whoever you already call family.

Jolly: "Really pleasin' to hear 'bout the change."

Jolly: "Still, thank ya for the compliment..."

??: [Thank you.] He slammed down his open palm onto the spike, drawing blood.

Clark: Seriously?

The demon started drawing out a shape onto the wood floor.

Clark: A Devil’s.. Diamond?

??: [For opening a portal to First Hell.]

Clark: Well if you know that’ll work why do you need me?

??: [I’m not connected to it, so it won’t work if a mortal doesn’t open it. And you’d be amazed at how many mortals don’t want to go to Hell.]

Clark stood back up.

Clark: I suppose that’s fair, so now what?

??: [Just repeat after me.]

Clark stepped through the portal and suddenly his side with the demon’s arm stings like it’s being burned. After a moment, the arm was gone, leaving his arm a cauterized stump.

Clark: Wh-

??: Don’t worry, I’m not leaving a mortal in any Hell.

??: Now let’s see who we can find!

Silence and a serious look from Jolly, as the flames fade away.

He laughed, genuinely humored at that, and pulled his tail back.

Clark stepped over to a corner in the room as the demon opened his mouth to say something else, but quickly decided not to. ??: No, no..

He smiled, bearing his teeth. ??: Oh, and where are my manners? I haven’t introduced myself.

He cleared his throat.

Jolly still didn’t seem very convinced, but did the effort to not be aggressive.

Luce: The Pantheon has missed him these past 10,000 years or so, and They’d love him or any kin of his back.

He tilted his head a bit more, a glint of realization in his eyes.

Jolly: "...He isn't here. So if ya're lookin' for him. Wrong place."

Jolly: "Tho..."

??: [Thank you.] He slammed down his open palm onto the spike, drawing blood.

Clark: Seriously?

The demon started drawing out a shape onto the wood floor.

Clark: A Devil’s.. Diamond?

??: [For opening a portal to First Hell.]

Clark: Well if you know that’ll work why do you need me?

??: [I’m not connected to it, so it won’t work if a mortal doesn’t open it. And you’d be amazed at how many mortals don’t want to go to Hell.]

Clark stood back up.

Clark: I suppose that’s fair, so now what?

??: [Just repeat after me.]

Clark stepped through the portal and suddenly his side with the demon’s arm stings like it’s being burned. After a moment, the arm was gone, leaving his arm a cauterized stump.

Clark: Wh-

??: Don’t worry, I’m not leaving a mortal in any Hell.

??: Now let’s see who we can find!

Silence and a serious look from Jolly, as the flames fade away.

He laughed, genuinely humored at that, and pulled his tail back.

Clark stepped over to a corner in the room as the demon opened his mouth to say something else, but quickly decided not to. ??: No, no..

He smiled, bearing his teeth. ??: Oh, and where are my manners? I haven’t introduced myself.

He cleared his throat.

Jolly still didn't seem very convinced, but did the effort to not be aggressive.