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[Guess who's back, Island? More importantly, guess who slept through the dimensional split?

It was cloudy, but an exceptionally bright ray of sunlight breaks through the clouds to hit a patch of ground in the CMA that suddenly cracks and heaves upward. Dirt cascades off of crocodile-like plates... well, assuming crocodiles glittered golden in the sun.

A big golden Groudon slowly emerges from the ground, shaking soil and grass off of its scales and gleaming white spines. It blinks its eyes in a manner suggesting it's just woken up as it looks around - the sun's predictably very bright now. Finally, it speaks - and when it does, its tone is oddly feminine for a ton of technically-genderless behemoth.]

Grou groudon don don grou?

((OOC: Terra's back! She may or may not convert to human form eventually, depending on the thread and how badly her natural form terrifies people. Hover over her lines for translations, at least until I get tired of it and just start typing the translation.))

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[From far away, a Zangoose who has received very specific training warns his trainer. Who immediately rushes to the CMA.

With his trusty Zangoose at his side, the blue-haired Count stares at his god in utter shock. The Pokémon that the Flamberge family of Lavaridge has worshiped for generations is one that Edmond has never seen in person. Even so, he never expected it to look so...

... so golden. That voice, too, is somewhat unexpected... Even so, he feels unworthy of looking at the Legendary. He falls to his hands and knees in a dramatically devout bow.

... Here's a guy who, all his life, has been running on the assumption that Groudon is a male being.]

I-I am but your humble servant, my Lord!

[Terra has to admit, it's nice to be worshipped sometimes, but she hasn't been for ages in her world. So she frowns a little and gestures for him to rise before switching to English.]

There's no need to bow to me. No one else has done for a long time.

[She doesn't object to Lord, at least not on grounds of gender. After all, she's technically sexless, even if she thinks of herself as having female gender.]

[Surprised by how this Groudon seems to know human language, Edmond raises his eyes timidly.]

Ah... ah! You can speak my language? Is it hard? If... if it's too much trouble for you, I could always have my Zangoose translate...

[He is still bowing, his body almost flat against the ground. Yes, he was so surprised by this Groudon being able to speak human that he forgot to heed its words altogether...]

[She rolls her eyes.]

It's not a problem. I've been around for a very long time. And I've been on the island for quite a while, too. I suppose it's just luck we haven't run across each other before.

[Well, that, and how much time she spends in human form - but she doesn't think she'll mention that part just yet. It might just give him a heart attack.]

I'm sorry... I... I did not mean...

[Oh my Groudon, he's in a pickle now, isn't he ;A; ]

I... I should introduce myself! I am Count Edmond Flamberge, of Lavaridge Town. I come from a long line of Groudon worshipers, and it will be an honor to serve you to the best of my abilities!

[And all the while, he's still bowing. He feels it's absolutely necessary.]

[Long line of... oh, dear. Well, that explains things. Apparently the whole cult thing never died out in his world the way it did in hers. At least not in his family.

Perhaps she should play along to keep from shattering his worldview completely.]

I didn't know Lavaridge had counts. I suppose that's the sort of thing I miss when I'm asleep.

Rise, then, Count Edmond Flamberge. I am afraid I have no such worshipers in the world I come from, but I am sure your world's Groudon is as honored as I am to have such devoted servants. [And oh she hopes his world's Groudon isn't as murderous as some of them]

[He stands, because he actually hears her command this time.

As for the Groudon in Edmond's world, that one's almost exclusively murderous when the Blue Orb is involved.]

A... a world where no one worships you? What a sad and wretched world that must be... and yet you bestow your favor upon humans regardless?

[He seems truly saddened by the thought.]

[She smiles a little.]

It's been a long time. The world goes on, I suppose. Some of the things people have done in my name are hardly worthy of it. In any case, I can hardly just give up.

Ah... You are very wise, my Lord. And generous. Truly your love for us dwellers of the land surpasses all things!

[As he says that, he actually looks directly at her, beaming brightly. A moment later, however, he seems to reconsider.]

... Ah, pardon my boldness...

[She shrugs a little, shaking loose a bit of gravel that had lodged itself in a gap between plates. She tries for a smile that doesn't expose too many teeth.]

It's pardoned. You may find that I'm a bit less... formal than the Groudon you are used to. I certainly don't object to people simply looking at me.

Actually, this is the first time I have the honor of witnessing a Groudon in person.

[Even if he's over 40, that doesn't stop him from blushing humbly.]

Perhaps this is an unintelligent question to ask, but... do you have a name?

I see. Well, it's an honor to be your first.

[Yes, she meant that to sound like a double entendre. She thinks 'witnessing' is a good word for most other Groudons she's been aware of. Hard to simply 'meet' a natural disaster.]

I had taken you for the sort who would never dare ask that. But since you do, a lot of people here call me Terra.

Ah, "Terra" is such a splendid name! It's both Latin and Italian for "earth", I believe. Which suits you simply perfectly! Are you from Hoenn, too?

[Now that Edmond is decidedly more at ease, she should prepare for a good deal of interviewing.]

[Which Terra can't help but find a bit amusing.]

Yes, I am. Though I'd been traveling a bit before I came here; I have to keep an eye on the rest of the world occasionally, after all.

Ah, that makes sense! [He nods excitedly to himself.] After all, all of the creatures of the land are your children, is it not so?

I... I suppose I find your... color rather unusual. [He's getting a bit flustered again.] For some reason, I always thought Groudon was red...? But your color makes more sense, as it is the color of the sun, which you rule! Also, if I am not mistaken, yellow is the color associated with the element of Earth in ancient philosophy. And so everything comes together, I believe!

[... Aaand now he's overly excited again. Which he soon notices, after which he blushes again.]

Ah... I'm sorry...

[She nods a little.]

I suppose so. But I have to say that the worlds with a red Groudon have something else that makes much more sense than my world. Kyogre looks absolutely ridiculous in pink.

And there's no need to apologize. It's only natural that you're excited; I imagine you've been waiting a long time for a moment like this.

Kyogre... in pink? You don't say! [Edmond's laugh is an almost feminine giggle, partially concealed by his hand.] My, my, that must be quite the unusual sight...

Ah, you are so understanding! I feel blessed to have met you, honestly.

[He really is sincere, if his sunny smile and sparkling red eyes are any indication, along with his chest swelling with joy and pride.]

Ah, how inconsiderate of me! This is Fang, my Zangoose. We have been partners all our lives.

[He gestures to the old Zangoose at his side, who bows humbly in turn.]

Blue fits much better, really it does. [She can't help grinning just a little at his enthusiasm. He's actually slightly adorable, and surprisingly low on the crazy-cultist factor.

She inclines her head toward the Zangoose.] It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Fang.

[That's only because she has yet to see what Edmond is like around a certain redhead, unfortunately... ]

So Groudon is red in most worlds, but you are... this color. Which is still beautiful, I think!

Well, Terra! Now that you're here, what do you think you're going to do? Maybe I could show you the house where I've been sleeping here, so you can come visit when you feel like it. What do you think?

[She's pretending to herself, at least for a little while, that there's any way a family of Groudon worshipers isn't tied to Team Magma. She doesn't want to deal with Maxie when she's just woken up.]

That would be nice, I think. Lead the way?

[For courtesy's sake, she's not going to say just how long she's been on this island. Her own house - which, admittedly, she only used as a place to keep things - is probably still here somewhere. Though it might be hidden in the sudden random city.]

With pleasure!

[With his Zangoose in tow, Edmond proceeds to lead her out of the CMA park.]

Ah, I should warn you - it is a rather long walk. We will have to cross the whole city and arrive in the suburbs... I do hope that you do not mind. I was never suited for proper city life, I am afraid...

[Of course, it doesn't even dawn on him that a Groudon walking around town is probably something that a lot of people would be uncomfortable with.]

[Terra, on the other hand, is aware of this, and isn't even entirely sure she'll fit through all the streets, so this looks like about the time for that last secret.]

I think this might be easier if I wasn't in my true form. Perhaps I should have mentioned this earlier, but I can take on human form; that might be more appropriate for moving through a city. I thought I should warn you before I do it.

[Edmond's eyes light up. He seems very excited about the news!]

Ah, you can do that? Please, go ahead! Especially if that is what makes you comfortable.

[Of course, running through his head are now images of himself locking arms with a stunning, muscular man... Ah, he kind of wishes Maxie were here. Maybe, by making the redhead just a little jealous, he would finally realize... aaah, this is Edmond, getting way ahead of himself.

His eyes are fixed on Terra, wondering what kind of handsome man the Groudon is about to turn into.]

[Sadly, he was going to be disappointed. Terra closed her eyes, and in a flash of sunlight the hulking form of Groudon shrank down into a tall, statuesque blonde woman draped in what looked rather like a toga.

She offered him a slight smile, brushing her hair back. If he looked closely, he might notice that she still had yellow eyes.]

There. This is probably better for getting around in a city.

Ah...

[He blinks. Once. Twice. And again, and again...]

... a woman?

[He's not really disappointed. Just... surprised. It isn't really something that he was counting on. But he never really assumed he knew anything about Groudon.

... And then he makes a certain connection, and his red eyes start glistening with upcoming tears. When he speaks, his voice, too, is a little broken, like he's about to cry.]

You... ah, you look so much like...

[Now it's Terra's turn to blink, looking confused. She's not really surprised that he wasn't expecting her to turn into a woman; she knows it's hard to think of an eleven-foot dinosaur as feminine. The last part catches her off-guard, though.]

... Edmond? Are you alright?

You... ah...

[He produces a handkerchief and dries his tears with it, removing his pince-nez glasses for a moment as he does so.]

... You look a lot like my wife Martha. I... I have not seen her in quite a while. I wonder how she is doing, back home...

Oh...

[Well. That's... um. She offers him as much of a smile as she can manage.]

I'm sure she's fine. I think time may more or less stop at home while we're here. You may get back and find it's as if you never left.

[Edmond lowers his eyes, but attempts a smile.]

I truly hope that it is so, Terra.

[After drying his last tears, he pockets his handkerchief again.]

Even if it came to it... she knows how to take care of herself.

[He begins walking again, leading Terra towards his house.]

Both of you are strong and beautiful beyond what words can tell.

[Terra isn't actually sure how much of it is meant to compliment her, but she's flattered by the comparison to the wife he obviously loves very much either way.]

Thank you, Edmond.

[She follows him, letting him lead the way.]

[Finally, they come to Edmond's house. It is a quaint old-fashioned house, with two floors and a small garden around it. Also, the outer walls are painted salmon pink. And both the tall gate and the front door show a large and very strange lock.

It looks like both of them are opened by pressing a Magma Emblem into the lock, who has, very clearly, the shape of that object, complete with the Team Magma logo in relief and very visible.]

Here we are! This is my humble abode. What do you think?

[Terra is trying very hard not to look at that lock or its key. She really doesn't want to be reminded of that, even after this long. Instead, she focuses on the color of the house. She'd like to say she hadn't expected it, but considering whose house it was, it did make a bit of sense. Edmond and Sootopolis City's various Gym Leaders had a lot in common.]

It's very nice. Suits you, too. I can see why you didn't want to live in the city; there didn't seem to be much room for a garden like this there.

Unfortunately, I do not know much about gardening. But my Gallade helps me out. I want to be able to grow my own Berries.

[He has a sudden thought.]

... Ah! I could call you once I've managed to grow some. What are your favorites, and how do you like them best?

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