insurmountable | sometimes i hate you when i'm around you // but i miss you when you're gone

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sometimes i hate you when i'm around you // but i miss you when you're gone

[As soon as he leaves the comfort of the air conditioning of the airport, the humidity of the rainforest blasts Tartaglia right in the face, much to his dismay. A far cry from the chilly weather of his homeland of Snezhnaya, he knows that it's going to take a while before he gets used to it. Naturally, his job had to transfer him here to Sumeru City for a indefinite amount of time, but even though it might be a little hard on him at first, ultimately he enjoys the traveling he's been able to do. There's nothing quite like being able to experience all different parts of the continent, and Sumeru is one where he hasn't had the chance to visit, until now.

The land of the Dendro Archon, thriving with life on one half and covered in endless desert on another, he'd always wanted to come and see it all for himself. And now that he's got the chance, he's going to make the most of it.

After doing a little settling in until a more permanent housing is set up for him, the business man heads out into the city for a little sightseeing. The Grand Bazaar is one of the first places he decides to hit up, following along the snaking pathways of the city down underneath the Divine Tree to a large carved out area that's without any sort of traffic. It's nice, he thinks, to see that all of the Grand Bazaar is for pedestrians only. He can't imagine the exhaust from cars would do the tree any good if it built up underneath...but that's neither here nor there as far as he's concerned, far more entranced with all the different shops set up and entertainment available for locals and tourists alike.

But of all the places he could start, he spots a little toy store, immediately beelining towards it to check out what they have to offer- it could be a great place for him to get little trinkets to send back home to his siblings.

Unbeknownst to him, there's another person wandering the streets of the city, someone he doesn't know but who knows him...]

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[ Although in times past, the pursuit of higher education had never seemed like a desirable goal for the Wanderer, it became something to immerse himself in as the years insisted on marching on even after so much had changed. It helped greatly that he was encouraged by the dear Lesser Lord Kusanali every time he started to wonder if he was really getting the most out of it and considered finding something else to occupy his time. As such, he eventually ended up finishing his studies and even moving on to teach afterward.

Somehow managing to settle into a relatively quiet existence, by now going by the name he was given so long ago, (mostly because "Professor Hat Guy" got really old for his students and he still can't bring himself to care), the puppet Dachi would usually be at his residence at the moment, looking through reports. Terrible, terrible reports. Reports that had him asking himself why he'd made this particular choice of career, despite knowing a large part of it was that he got to correct everything that was wrong in those reports.
But the reading of them is always so tedious, and so he'd taken a small break, heading out for a walk around the city. At least now that he has an outlet, he isn't pressed by anyone to find some way to gain social experience anymore, and so he can just meander at his leisure as usual. The best place to do this would typically be at the Grand Bazaar, where he can also take the time to check out the shops, even if he doesn't often find anything he'd like to purchase.

Today is generally the same, though for different reasons than usual. As he drifts by some of his favorite stops, his attention is suddenly snapped away from the displays to a peculiar passerby. A passerby that cannot possibly be the person that first comes to Dachi's mind, painfully sharp memories rapidly overlaying images. He must be seeing things, which he feels compelled to confirm as soon as possible. Although it's been quite a long while now since he'd had to do any information gathering, old skills resurface quickly, and soon he's following the newcomer, trying to take care not to reveal himself as he tries to get a good look at the person's face. There's no way it could be a match, and yet something within him is irrationally and annoyingly hopeful. ]

[Tartaglia ducks right into the toy store, still unaware of the fellow following him around the Grand Bazaar. There's a lot of people around and his stalker has years of experience on the young man, though there is a moment where he glances behind him on a gut feeling. But he must be being paranoid, being in an unfamiliar city, dismissing the thought for the moment but swapping his wallet into his front pocket just in case. The store itself is nice, with all sorts of knickknacks that a kid would like, along with some board games and action figures. Dolls sit in another section, and there's even toys for outdoor activities likes sports or going in the pool. He feels like a child again just walking in and looking at it all, nostalgic of past days, but he's not here for himself.

He picks up a few figures and a really cute wooden puzzle that Tonia might like, carrying them to the register and buying them. When he walks away, it's now that he realizes he's being followed. It's just this feeling he has, his gut buzzing with nervousness, but Tartaglia is one who's capable of keeping his cool in most situations. The items get put in a bag and he leaves the shop, to see if he can get this figure to continue following him. Normal people would probably try to shake them off, but he's not like that- he's rather duke it out with whoever's behind him, attached like a shadow to his feet.

Exiting the store, he rounds the corner, making sure to look relaxed and takes his phone out to appear as if he's checking it. A maps app gets brought up, typing in "food near me" into the search bar, making sure to round another corner to somewhere that's less occupied by others. Tartaglia wonders how long it'll be until this person figures out he's luring him away from the crowd, which he figures is what they might want- but the moment he feels like they're either going to back off or jump him, he turns around suddenly, expression bored.]

So how long were you planning on following me? If you're thinking of jumping me, I'm afraid you've picked a bad target. But I don't mind. It's been a while since I got out to get some good exercise.

[He looks relaxed, but every single muscle is tensed as if they were on a spring, ready to fight.]

[ Dachi wouldn't be stupid enough to actually enter the shop. He's aware of the exits and it is quite open, like most of the shops in the area. It is a place he frequents, and has over an incredibly long period of time as it grew and evolved. It's difficult not to eventually notice these types of things simply due to frequency of visitation rather than actively doing any kind of reconnaisance. He hasn't had need to do something like that in a while, after all.

His observations serve him well enough now, as he's able to be comfortable simply waiting outside, even knowing how far he can wander in order to seem more inconspicuous instead of standing obviously next to the store. By now his face is well known to more than a few, and even if it wasn't suspicious to stand there doing nothing, he'd certainly get a couple of people thinking he's free to approach and make small talk, which would distract from his current task.

From his vantage point, he can easily seem to be roaming lazily, browsing a bit or just watching people, though his attention sticks to that particular shop. As long as he can catch glimpses through the windows, he knows he's still safe to stay where he is. And eventually his plan pays off, as the very person he's most interested in watching finally exits properly instead of finding some way to evade him. So far, so good, then.

Of course, windows can be seen through both ways. It just hadn't occurred to Dachi that while he was watching, he may have also been caught peeking in, making his constant appearance all too apparent. Under the impression that he's still doing pretty well, he continues following. He does notice the thinning of the crowd, but at this point, he just needs to know, that stupidly hopeful bit inside of him pushing him onward even after realizing this is all intentional.

He's not even really surprised when he's turned on, but this has to end sometime. He can tell this guy's ready for a fight, but he doesn't flinch. Instead, he's briefly speechless and stuck to the spot, trying to piece together just what he's looking at. Ghosts don't go shopping, as far as he knows. ]

...Only you would say something so asinine.

[ Which is true. But how? Despite being able to get those words out, countenance unchanged, he's still extremely perplexed. ]

Oh?

[Glad that the other hasn't decided to run off now that he's being confronted Tartaglia's eyebrow raises. He doesn't recognize this guy at all, nor can he for the life of him figure out why he's following him. If he was going to get mugged, the guy would of gone for it already, but he's standing here talking to him instead of taking action.]

What's so asinine about it? There's nothing wrong with enjoying a good fight. Besides...

[And this is the kicker, the thing that nags at him deep down without a single clue as to why.]

How would you know anyway? I've never met you in my life.

[ Dachi is definitely saying crazy things. He's thinking crazy things. That has to be all it is. But no one could match so precisely, down to the very irritating mannerisms that still creep into the puppet's brain from time to time when he's relaxing someplace and trying to have a quiet moment to himself. Down to the small flutter within his chest like his heart is trying to make some meager attempt to remind him that it exists. Similarities happen for sure. But the best reason to explain saying and thinking such crazy things is because he's seeing crazy things. ]

You... remind me of someone I used to know.

[ Still, he knows how it would sound to share his every thought at the moment if even he's having trouble buying it. Maybe there's something else at play here, and now he feels compelled to find out what it could be, if only to destroy the overwhelming notion that's currently winning out. He does entertain the possibility of a clone. But even then, the copy is never so perfect. With a calming breath, he decides to try a new approach. He won't get any information if he just scares the guy off right away with strange ramblings. ]

Sorry for startling you. I'm Dachi. It's pretty obvious you're not a local. Is it tourism or business that brings you to Sumeru?

[Normally, he'd probably just write this guy off as coming up with an excuse for why he was following him. Perhaps, he doesn't have the guts to take him on now that he's realize he can't get the jump on him, and is trying to slink away. Tartaglia has a million different thoughts as to why the guy is being cordial with him, and he definitely doesn't trust him as far as he can throw him.

But for some reason, his gut tells him that despite his logic saying otherwise, this guy is telling him the truth. He lets his muscles relax, no longer on edge to fly into a fist fight, but he's still wary.]

I've got my own reasons for being here, [he begins,] but you're right, I'm not from around here. Look, it's a little strange for someone who's been following me around like you were to try to strike up a friendly conversation, but I'm willing to let it go and start over.

[He holds out a hand, even if he's ready for anything, for a handshake.]

I'm Tartaglia. It's a pleasure.

[ Is it really friendly conversation? He'd call it 'somewhat sociable small-talk', which he was hoping to lead into with the "explanation" that his pursuit was perhaps erroneous. But it's clear that he's going to have to vocalize everything he thinks seems apparent here. It doesn't help at all that this is such a strange, new situation that he's trying to make sense of whilst stuck in the very middle of it.

It also doesn't help that this kind of nonsense is exactly the type of interaction he would expect from-

No.

That's definitely too much of a coincidence. With everything he's observed so far, that's just too much. This is decidedly not a pleasure, but he gives the extended hand a brief shake to keep up appearances despite realizing he may just have to say some more questionable things before this is over. After all, since when does he care what someone thinks of him? ]

You won't believe this, but my old acquaintance went by that name as well. [ A very deliberate phrasing. ] Though he was born under a different name in Snezhnaya.

[Things seem to be going along smoothly, but Tartaglia's always been good at reading a room, picking out small things about a person that tells him more than what they're showing. Though this has been pleasant so far, there's something off here, even if Dachi here is hiding it well.]

What a coincidence indeed. I too, am from Snezhnaya.

[He searches the other's face, looking for even the slightest twinge or reaction.]

But that's where the similarities end then, I suppose. Unless my middle name is the same. It's not Ajax, is it?

[He says it as kind of a half joke, the humor clear in his voice, because really, what are the chances? One in a million, he'd say.]

[ There honestly isn't a lot that Dachi would outright call pleasant. This could be worse. It could also be much better if it wasn't such an infuriating mystery.
This time he isn't surprised. That isn't the reply he wanted, but after everything else, it's not one he doesn't expect.

Crossing his arms over his chest, he just nods, expression unchanged. ]

Then it seems the similarities continue on, actually. You have the same name, same appearance, same place of origin, same... strange excitement to get into a fight. He would even spend his time in far off locales procuring toys and gifts for his younger siblings. If he hadn't died so long ago, at this point I'd ask if you'd simply lost your memory or something.

[ But that's where it all falls apart. Even if somehow that guy managed to survive, it's been far too long to be so open and shut as an amnesia case. Besides, he knows what he saw back then. ]

You don't have any strange thoughts or dreams you can't explain sometimes, do you?
[ Jokes aren't usually his thing, but every so often he can pull one off just as well as the next guy. ]

[Listening, he swears this guy is telling a bad joke, or pulling a prank on him or something. Sure, it's not really out of the realm of reality to look like someone, but everything Dachi is listing off is way too spooky. It unnerves him, as Tartaglia does his best to hide that feeling under the unreadable mask he's learned to wear from his business trips and dealing with the terribly dreadful, mundane atmosphere of the corporate world.

But then he asks that question, and the masks cracks, but only slightly.]

Hey, you're saying a lot of unsettling things here. What if I was having unexplained flashes of images and dreams I can't make any sense of?

[Things that haunted him at night, but eventually had to force himself to not think too hard about. Dreams were dreams, nothing more, but he can feel his stomach get a little sick. What if this guy, this stranger he's just met, had answers? It feels like he's reaching out towards a hope he should logically know isn't real.]

...Never mind, sorry. Forget I said that.

[He can't push that onto some random guy, he tells himself. But something tells him deep down, he's not just any stranger...]

[ Dachi would think this entire situation is a bad joke if he knew anyone remotely capable of pulling off such a thing with the inclination to do so. This guy also seems clueless - another similarity! - so he's clearly not involved in anything of the sort. Whatever it is, Dachi has already grown tired of trying to convince himself that there's just some sort of cruel coincidence afoot. The world does not work that way, and he's not stupid enough to waste any more time deluding himself from something directly in front of his eyes. ]

If you were, would you tell me about them?

[ So no, he won't forget that question. Again, his expression doesn't budge; the time for being shocked by these developments is over. It's now time to try to make it all make sense. And though he had only asked the question half in jest, getting that type of response is, as before, basically par for the course in the context of all else going on, and he'd rather just move ahead with it.
He does note the possibility that now he is being misled or made fun of with such a question. But that brief, very subtle change in the other's demeanor did not go unnoticed. Something's there, and he can't walk away from this now. ]

[There's a moment where he's not sure, he's not sure if he should just trust a guy he'd met on the street who'd been following him. But on the other side of the coin, it wouldn't hurt to, and that feeling of hope rises up in his chest without warning. Not exactly what he was expecting out of this trip to Sumeru, so he sighs in resignation and nods.]

Yeah. Why don't we move this conversation somewhere else- this scenery doesn't exactly do for a walk though a troubled mind.

[They are out in the middle of the Grand Bazaar, and he doesn't exactly enjoy the idea of spilling his guts over his own dreams and strange deja vu instances he's had from time to time.]

If you've got the time, we can head up to one of the taverns, or cafes up there. I've got a feeling I'm going to need a drink or two.

[ Well, it's not a situation that's all that conducive to fostering trust. If he hadn't been so caught off guard earlier, Dachi may have taken a moment to come up with a better way to confirm what he'd seen without obviously following strangers around. At least it's paid off, though he's still not sure how much of a good thing that is. With the few bits of information he's been able to slot into place, the whole thing has only become more strange. He is glad to get the chance to work it out, however, so he nods in agreement. He would have at least suggested finding someplace more secluded to sit, but the other proposal sounds just as good. ]

For this? I have the time if you do.

[ There's probably no one who could be faced with any one of the possibilities and questions going through Dachi's mind and decide they just don't have time. That settled, he turns to lead the way, choosing the quickest route to one of those establishments. ]

I appreciate that this can't be how you imagined this day going. Trust me, running into you was the last thing I ever expected myself.

[ It is a way of acknowledging that in some small way, they are at least somewhat in the same boat at this point. ]

[He has to laugh at that. Running into a guy who's telling him he's pretty much the same person as someone else he knew that died a long time ago is one thing, and then with the happenstance that he's had visions and dreams of another life to boot? Definitely not the way he imagined his day going at all. Dachi here hit it right on the nose, and the unnerving thing about it is that he believes him.

What kinda crap is that anyway?

Tartaglia falls in line beside his new companion, shoving his hands back into his pockets as they walk. The shops and the sights of the Grand Bazaar seem to blur and pass him by now, his mind occupied with far more important matters than sightseeing. Glancing over, he really tries to give Dachi a better look, trying to see if anything about this guy is familiar. He doesn't look familiar, but the longer he stares, the more familiar he feels. The ginger can't really put his finger on it, but he's not regretting meeting this man today.]

Heh, you could say that again. I'll admit, I'm still a bit speechless at what you've told me so far...

[And it's not even that much!]

So, were we friends of some sort, back then? And...how far back are we talking, here?

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sometimes i hate you when i'm around you // but i miss you when you're gone

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