Chapter Text
Avdol can't do much more than watch the restless, almost desperate, pacing that Polnareff's devoted himself to. After the worried texts from earlier, they'd both expected a moderately immediate response. Maybe a few minutes of delay, thirty at most, because they had to concede that this entire situation is quite a bit to take in. But, as of now...
The spirit's attention drifts, marginally, towards the clock next to the entryway. It's been nearly two hours. Polnareff has been pacing, nonstop, for the entirety, no matter how much Avdol tries to assure him that there are multiple reasons for Kakyoin to be delayed. Jotaro's powers, for one, are perfectly reasonable explanation. Being a spirit with substantial electric abilities makes Jotaro a force to be reckoned with—more so in such a technologically-dependent era. (Likewise, Avdol had been a considerable threat when gas-based energy made its debut a few decades earlier and was still a danger to anything that could overheat.) Another possibility—the most probable, because Avdol can't imagine Jotaro at full power upon just waking up after so long—is that Kakyoin is resting. It's late where he is and they are asking him to take a considerable chunk of this situation on faith.
Neither of those explanations had been enough to calm the aggravated Frenchman down, so Avdol has been trying to think of anything else he could possibly use as reassurance—
He jumps at a sudden swear and hollow crash of impact when Polnareff finally stops pacing in favour of punching the wall he's next to. The wall and its ornaments tremble on impact; but, thankfully, nothing falls. Avdol rises to his feet, taking cautious steps towards the human, "Jean...."
An annoyed snarl is his answer and Avdol finds himself bracing for confrontation without much conscious thought. Still, he lets out a slow breath to ensure his voice remains steady, "Come sit down. I've told you: There are numerous, perfectly sound, reasons for Kakyoin to have not answered yet."
"Yeah. Here's one: he could be dead." Avdol promptly bristles; but, Polnareff gives him no chance to argue, "You are strong. You're probably one of the most dangerous beings—spirits or otherwise—I've ever met." (Avdol wants to argue that there are plenty others who are stronger and much more dangerous than him) "That means your friend should be strong, too, right?"
Avdol shifts his weight out of nervous habit, his arms folding as he tries to assess just where this conversation could possibly be going, "My standards of strength aside, Jotaro is from a long line of powerful spirits and I do consider him to be quite formidable in his own right."
"So. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't assume my best friend is dead."
"Jotaro is more than capable of protecting him—"
"When was the last time he was summoned?" Polnareff is seething. His body trembles in barely contained rage—perhaps fear, as well—and he's making a considerable effort to keep this from becoming a shouting match, "No offense, Momo: but it takes at least three days, sometimes longer, for you to recharge and adapt and you wake up pretty regularly. So, why should I believe he can protect Kakyoin?"
As much as he doesn't want to, Avdol has to concede to the facts. He can't remember the last time Jotaro left the spirit world, or how many times he's had to convince Jotaro it was safer not to leave without being summoned. But, right now... given that Polnareff is still giving him a narrowed look, he should probably answer, no matter how much he dislikes the answer.
"... I have lost count of how many decades it's been. Probably centuries." Somehow, his voice remains steady and he holds up a hand to keep Polnareff from interrupting him, "Like myself, however, Jotaro spent many lifetimes as a first generation summon. I do not know what happened to his initial bonding partner... but, I do know that was the last time he was in the human world. In saying that, however... I believe he is still more than capable of protecting Kakyoin. The brand appears to have adapted well to him—"
"How can you be sure? What the Hell am I going to tell his parents if they come home and tell me he's dead? 'Oh, jeez, sorry to hear that!' Hell no! How am I supposed to explain that I know exactly why their son died. I can't even explain to my family why Sherry died! I mean—I know it's useless to try, but at least in our past lives I could assure them she was moving on to a better place! This time? We didn't even find her body for two weeks this time—"
Any attempts Polnareff may have been making to keep his cool crumble with the realisation and Avdol finally understands why the human's so frustrated. They can't just assume this is like previous reincarnations; this isn't a normal cycle, even for them. The fact Jotaro is awake—the fact someone bypassed the wards on his brand—is just more proof that this cycle has been violently derailed. And, for the time being, the only thing Avdol can do is offer the smallest amount of comfort in a hug and quiet promises that he can't be sure of.
Though, really, the hardest part is convincing Polnareff to stay in the apartment; it's convincing him to stay indoors and not go looking for a fight with the mood he's in. He'd never be able to fight in the state he's been reduced to. Luckily, mentioning that Kakyoin could call back at any minute seems to be enough to make Polnareff sit down (finally), with his eyes glued intently to his phone for the first sign of contact.
♠
Kakyoin wakes up—what feels like—barely minutes after his eyes have closed. On one hand, the sun doesn't seem to be up yet... but, on the other, that could mean he really did just close his eyes. He groans and turns so he's face down in his pillow, his eyes screwing shut in a desperate attempt to just ward off the invasive thoughts and try to go back to sleep. His head still hurts too much to deal with trying to figure out the time—
He startles into an upright position (and regrets it immensely) when his thoughts catch up to him. It hurts to be sitting up—the dull throbbing is turning into a steady thrum of pain—and... honestly, he's starting to wonder why he sat up. Why he's looking around the room, expecting to find someone; but, there's no one. There's no terrifying, yet oddly calming, glow of eyes, there's just... nothing. In passing, he wonders just why it's pitch black; the motel sign is right outside his room, there should at least be a dull glow from that... of course, assuming that he didn't dream up the events from earlier, it's plausible that the power outage shot the sign out.
But, right... missing... not-hallucination. He's at least pretty sure that Jotaro wasn't a hallucination. He might have been part of a weird dream he had; but, his presence would make things just a little more... not understandable, but manageable. At the very least, Kakyoin would know that earlier really did happen, instead of wondering if he's actually suffering a migraine from stress or if he just has a headache because his sleep schedule got messed up. But, Jotaro is missing, so maybe it was a weird dream and he just needs to go back to sleep? He puts a hand to his head, pressing the heel of his palm, firmly, against the increasing throb of pain above his right eye and tries to recount exactly how the day went.
He went to breakfast with his parents... wandered around town... antique store. He found an antique store and bought—no. No, he obtained the weird bracelet. Money was not involved. He looks down to confirm that much, at least, and is a little relieved (mostly wary) when he sees the bracelet still secure around his left wrist. So, at the very least... that part happened and he tries to remember what followed.
He came straight back to the hotel and... declined going out to dinner with his parents. Which he should not have done, because that means he hasn't eaten since breakfast. The realisation makes him scowl and he really hopes his parents don't find out... well. His mother. His father is a bit more lenient. Equally worried; but, he at least understands that Kakyoin is not skipping meals on purpose. He just... forgets to eat when he's working. Polnareff's lectured him almost more than his mother, too. So, hopefully, neither of them find out about that. The lectures are not fun and... actually, the skipped meal would also explain why he's awake. His stomach promptly gives an agreeing grumble and he just glares down, as though that will make the hunger pangs stop.
Focus.... He lets out a slow breath and tries to put his thoughts back in order to ignore that he is hungry. Bracelet. No dinner... he took a shower when he got back. Played with the bracelet a little to see if it was cursed (he still thinks it is) and then tried to go to sleep at a decent hour—
Right. Polnareff texted him. That's why he woke up the first time. Unless that was also part of the dream. But, that he can use as verification at least.
Slowly, his attention turns to where his phone is resting, innocent and undisturbed, on his bedside table. It's unplugged; so, he definitely answered it at some point between falling asleep and waking up the first time. The light isn't blinking at him; so, no new panic texts. The real question is... does he really want to confirm the absurdity of the situation he thinks he's in. Mindlessly, he's already reaching for his phone, before he even really convinces himself this is a good idea... and almost immediately freezes when his left hand closes around the device and the small star charms clank against the phone and bedside table alike.
There's a few tense seconds worth of apprehension, followed quickly by confusion when the anticipated shock doesn't shoot up his arm. Ok. Maybe that part was a dream? No, that's stupid. Pain would wake you up from the dream and you almost got shocked a second time. The logic does nothing to reassure him; but, just to be safe, he pulls his left hand back and uses his right to flip the phone open... just to be on the safe side. He hisses out a curse when the tiny screen blinds him and reminds him that his head is still hurting and has to look away in order to adjust. When he finally manages to look back, while he absently puts in the code for the lock screen, he chances looking at the time. It's just after three a.m.... so he had been asleep for a little bit, at least.
His home screen greets him and he just stares at it for a while, thumb hovering over the messaging icon, before he finally taps down.
Polnareff's conversation is there, waiting for him, still unanswered from earlier. With Avdol's warning. Which means that all really did happen.
Shit.
The phone drops from his hand into his lap and he brings both hands up to knot his fingers in his bangs. Everything really happened. All of that weird shit he was kind of hoping was a dream, really happened. The bracelet really is... something. He's not sure it's cursed anymore, but it's definitely something.
Ok... ok, calm down.
He lets out a slow breath. Panicking won't do anything but make his headache worse. The throbs of a migraine are starting to return; but, for now, the pain is manageable. If he wants to keep it that way, he needs to calm down and figure out what to do next.
Calling Polnareff is probably a good idea. Answers are a good idea. Maybe Polnareff can actually help him figure this mess out. Or... Avdol. Avdol sounds like he knows what's going on. Kakyoin lets out a slow breath and, a moment later, pushes down on the green call button, waiting patiently. As he listens to the ringing, he feels the corners of his mouth quirking into a smile as he imagines the harried manner that Polnareff must have been pacing around the apartment for the past few hours.
The phone only rings twice before someone answers and Kakyoin can only quirk a brow at the strange static and background noises coming from his phone. He hears a deeper voice in the back, but the words are incoherent; he hears Polnareff snapping something back to the voice, habitually falling into his native tongue when he does; and, then, he hears a crash and he can only sigh.
"Did you just break another coffee table?"
"Shut the Hell up, where have you been!? I was worried sick!"
Yeah, he'd definitely been pacing since Kakyoin's earlier texts. The ginger sighs, rubbing his forehead in a vain attempt to soothe the throbs, "I fell asleep. There was weird shit going on, ok? Look, can you not yell for a few minutes? I have a massive headache right now."
"You couldn't have sent me a message to let me know you were ok? Seriously? You can't just drop a bomb on me like that and then not fucking respond!"
In the back, he hears the deep voice snap at Polnareff again, clearer than before, "Jean! That's enough!"
"Bite me!"
"Is that Avdol?"
The two immediately stop their bickering and there's a heavy silence before Polnareff lets out a slow breath, "Uh... yeah. He's—I, uh—look, I know you're mad I showed him the texts, but—"
"I'm a little more annoyed that you introduced him with a nickname." Kakyoin rolls his eyes, slowly lowering himself back to the bed, hoping that lying down will make his head feel a little better, "But, yes: I am mad you showed someone else me freaking out. I'm willing to overlook that, however, if you two actually do know what's going on."
"Yeah, we... might. Here, hang on, Momo wants to talk to you. I need—I need something not caffeinated."
There's a faint rustle as the two hand the phone off before Avdol's voice sounds, "There's tea brewing. I do not suggest drinking it, but the scent should calm you down while you find something else to drink, Jean. Now then," Kakyoin feels himself smile at the caring tone and the muffled thanks in the background as Polnareff heads to the kitchen; but, when the attention is turned to him, he resumes listening more intently, "I apologise, this must all seem very strange to you, Kakyoin."
"Strange is a good word. Bizarre is an even better one. Just... maybe you can explain something. What is this thing on my wrist? Where did the half-naked guy come from? How do you two know each other? I asked him if he knew you and I'm pretty sure he knocked power out in the entire motel." Avdol makes a strangled noise of surprise and Kakyoin can only furrow his brows in confusion. Sure, the power outage was a bad thing but did it really deserve that kind of reaction? And, while he's thinking about it.... "Hey, uh... before you try to answer those, is... is Polnareff ok? I really didn't mean to worry him like that or—or... I was kind of rude when I texted earlier, I'm really sorry. He sounded... not upset, but. When I asked about you he—"
"Jean will be fine, I promise. He's... very worried. Rightfully so, perhaps." The kind tone is back; it's a tone of calm support, with just the slightest hint of worry beneath it, "That is a good place to start, however. You needn't apologise; this is, indeed, a very bizarre happening, even by our standards. Your reaction was quite appropriate, all things considered. To answer your questions about Jean, I can assure you he will—physically—be fine. He'll need a few hours to calm down, I'm sure; but, he will be fine. I will keep an eye on him. I was a little worried a moment ago. I suppose it was when you inquired my presence. He went rather pale rather quickly. You see... under normal circumstances, you would not be able to see me—in this instance, hear me."
Kakyoin startles. It's a pretty appropriate reaction, he thinks; Avdol seems to agree because he gives a good-natured laugh when there's no immediate response.
”I understand we are asking you to take a lot of this on faith, but I must ask you try to bear with us until you get home. The bracelet you came into possession of... if you do not mind me asking, where did you find it? I'm sure you've noticed it is hardly an ordinary fashion trinket."
Kakyoin feels a mild twitch in his eye, but he still gives a slow nod, "Great. So it is cursed. I uh... found it in an antique store. I was just wandering around and... found the store. I was looking for souvenirs... considering if I wanted to get Polnareff a new rapier... thought better of it, decided to look at books. The thing tried to blind me and I... ended up getting it. The owner just... kinda gave it away. That probably should've been a red flag, huh?" The laugh that escapes feels forced.
Avdol merely hums, thoughtfully.
"I see... that is odd. I am glad you did not pay for it, however. There is no price for what you came into possession of. Wealth, fame, lives, souls... nothing will ever be enough to barter for it." Kakyoin feels something knotting in his chest and sinking down to his stomach with the words. Lives? How is a tiny bracelet worth lives? He doesn't even try to comprehend how a soul could be used for bartering and lets Avdol continue, "You are in possession of a very powerful, very old artifact. I assure you it is not cursed. It may seem to be—to some individuals, it may very well be cursed... but, I know for a fact it is not. The fact Jotaro appeared to you at all is proof enough that the brand has accepted you as a suitable bearer."
"... I'm really not sure what you're talking about. But you do know Jotaro? So I—he's not a hallucination? He really was here earlier?"
"Well, I should hope you did not imagine a power outage. I apologise for his behaviour, he has much to learn about this age—wait, is he no longer with you?"
Avdol sounds worried and Kakyoin can only feel hopeless confusion. This is making absolutely no sense—if possible it's making even less sense than his earlier conversation.
"I just woke up and... he's not in the room. I know he was here when I fell asleep, though? Kind of hard to miss glowing eyes."
"Odd... he shouldn't be able to travel too far from you right now...." There's a moment of silence, which Kakyoin can only assume that Avdol is struggling with words to form an explanation, "At any rate, he'll be back. He may have returned home momentarily. It has been quite a few centuries since he left. The shock of being summoned so suddenly may have disoriented him. He wasn't trouble was he?"
"Er... no, not really. I mean, he scared the Hell out of me a few times, but he didn't hurt me, so. I guess he wasn't?" The reassurance is helpful, at the very least. Jotaro was real. He's not missing—well... he is... but he'll be back and that's all that matters. He's not sure why that's so relieving, but it is. As a bonus, as that particular stress melts away, his head is slowly starting to hurt less. He wishes he had something to take for it... but, he also knows if he goes to ask his parents, even if he waits until morning to ask, his mother's just going to make him stay in bed until it goes away completely.
"Kakyoin? Is everything all right?"
He should also probably stop spacing out. Embarrassed, Kakyoin clears his throat and gives a nervous laugh, "Uh. Sorry. Got distracted. That's good news, though, right? He'll be back so... yeah, good news? I-I think. That is good, right?"
"Very, yes. I wish Jean and I could get to you but it would be best if we waited for you to return home. How long did you say you would be gone?"
Now that he's thinking about it, Jotaro was determined to know where Avdol was. He's not really sure why still, but hopefully he'll have answers soon.
"Another week or so, probably? My parents were really excited about this—I mean. I am, too, but... getting a cursed bracelet or... artifact... thing... kind of putting a damper on things." He sighs and pulls his blanket closer, tugging it over his head, "When I get home, you can fix this right?"
"Fix what?" Avdol sounds perplexed, "There is nothing to fix, Kakyoin. Jotaro is now bound to you and that's all there is to it. Our reunion is mostly for our own benefits... well. No, that's not entirely true. It will benefit you and Jean, as well. But there is nothing to fix, for nothing is broken—"
Almost on cue a resounding crash sounds in the background and Kakyoin bolts upright. Avdol merely lets out a slow, strained breath, "Except a kettle. Or whatever Jean managed to knock over this time."
"... Er... this... time? ... The apartment isn't going to be in ashes when I get home again, is it?" He means it as a joke, as he slowly burrows back into the bed and pulls his blankets back over his head. He means for it to soothe his nerves, to feel like things are even a teensy bit the way he's used to. He just wants normal for a few seconds. He does not expect a nervous cough.
"Ah, yes. I... do owe you an apology for that. That was... well, my fault. Jean's, too; but, mostly mine. My... most sincere apologies, it won't happen again."
"Wait, what."
"I will explain that when you get home. It is far to lengthy for a long-distance phone call."
"Uh. Right. Wait, you're not hanging up are you—"
"No, no. But this explanation will be difficult enough to believe without including that particular story. It is a very long one and one Jotaro needs to hear as well. Now then. Your questions. You asked what you are in possession of and where Jotaro came from, yes?"
"Those are the two I would really like answers for, yes."
”Very well. The short answer is that you've come into possession of a guardian spirit and the trinket you acquired is the binding contract for such. We call them brands—specifically, corporeal brands. On such a note, Jean's bracelets are my corporeal brand. The brands are our bridge to your world. A doorway for us to leave our world—a spirit world."
Kakyoin feels another twitch in his eye. Ignoring that the words made absolutely no sense whatsoever, he can hear shuffling and grumbling in the background which he presumes to mean that Polnareff has given up on cleaning up whatever he broke. Avdol makes no move to ask what the noise from the kitchen was; but, there is a complacent hum to accompany every few grumbles. He probably shouldn't be worrying about his roommate right now, but it seems like a better idea than trying to wrap his head around anything he was just told. But, he still tries.
"Ok... so. Possessed bracelet is a contract and the half-naked guy was possessing it. Got it." There's a vague snort—one he recognises as Polnareff's—that's quickly muffled and he can hear the stifled giggles in the background. He imagines that Avdol is probably giving him a rather unamused look.
"It is not possessed, but if that will help you accept what is happening, very well."
"It makes about as much sense as 'guardian spirit', so yes. Ok, so... Jotaro. You said he went home. Where exactly is home? You said spirit world but... what does that even mean."
"Our home is also an explanation for later. Jotaro should be able to explain that much, at least. If he makes a fuss just tell him I told him to."
Fair enough. Kakyoin lets out a small sigh, burying himself face first in his pillow, "Great—oh. Wait, I had one more question before you go." He waits for the affirming hum before he asks, "You have a bracelet, too—one that looks like mine. And Jotaro has one that looks like Polnareff's. How come?"
There's a few seconds of static silence that Kakyoin spends worrying the phone may have just cut out. The only reason he knows it didn't, is because he can hear Polnareff asking what's wrong in the background. It makes him wonder what's so wrong with the question and he sits up a little. Maybe the pillow muffled his voice? Should he ask again?
He's just getting ready to repeat himself when Avdol finally answers, "The brands Jotaro and I are wearing are what other spirits call ethereal brands. Self-explanatory names, aren't they? That is not what you asked, however... they look that way because we switched our brands. Jotaro has mine and I have his. That... I suspect that is why the power outage occurred. It is imperative we trade. As soon as possible. If that will be all, I should go see what Jean broke." There's a noise of protest from the Frenchman; it doesn't last nearly as long as normal. Kakyoin can only imagine what the atmosphere back in the apartment is like at that moment. "I'm giving the phone back to Jean. I do not advise staying on much longer, as we've already had quite the lengthy conversation. We are willing to compensate if your parents question the phone bill. If you'll excuse me then."
Kakyoin frowns at his phone; he can hear them muttering at each other—or, possibly, the phone was set down and they're both walking away, because the voices are getting progressively quieter—before there's a vague rustling (phone was definitely set down and he'd be annoyed if he weren't worried) and Polnareff's voice comes back, "So. Totally sorry about snapping I am completely calm and everything is fine—"
"What did you break?"
"Nothing! I just... knocked over a few things in my attempt to get to something else."
"Right. I assume I'll get the entire rundown when I get home." Kakyoin rolls his eyes at the nervous laugh he gets; still, he shifts a little, uncomfortable suddenly, "I didn't upset him, did I?"
"Momo? Nah. He's... well. Like he said. Long story. Just ask his friend when he gets back."
"I don't even know when that will be."
"Chill, bro. Djinn can't stay in the spirit world very long after they're summoned. Even Momo's usually floating around the apartment somewhere ninety-percent of the time."
"Wait, what."
"Anyways, gotta go! It's almost eleven, I haven't eaten yet, and I should probably go help Momo finish cleaning up so I can bribe him for breakfast. Laters, tell your parents I said hi! And that I'm totally sorry about the phone bill, I'll pay them back, promise, see ya when you're back!"
Polnareff hangs up before Kakyoin can get another word in and the ginger's left staring at his phone in annoyance. Whenever Polnareff starts dodging questions he knows something's amiss. He'll figure that out later. He glances at the clock on his phone and groans quietly; almost four. Of course it's almost four, Polnareff just told him the time at home. He grumbles out a curse and shoves his face back in his pillow. He'll get answers out of Polnareff later—after he apologises to his parents for the phone bill—and... hopefully, Jotaro will be back when he wakes up again. He can't put his finger on it but something has been off since he woke up... and he'd really feel better with the spirit—Djinn. He makes a note of the term to do research later—in the immediate vicinity, just so he knows someone has an idea of what's going on. Or at least a better idea than he does.
Satisfied, for the moment, with the few answers he's managed to secure, Kakyoin bundles himself up into his blanket and, with a half-smile as his eyes are closing, realises his head is already feeling a lot better than it was earlier, now that he's not as stressed. Now he just needs a few more hours of sleep so he can take his parents out for breakfast and not feel like death.
♠
Avdol feels a vein throbbing above his eye when he surveys the kitchen. He hears the hurried 'good-bye's in the living room and slowly turns to the opening to the kitchen, just as Polnareff attempts to sneak in. He gives him a look waiting for an explanation.
"I left you alone for fifteen minutes, Jean. Would you like to explain what happened to the kitchen?"
Polnareff promptly sticks his tongue out and moves around the spirit to gather the scattered pots on the floor, "Hey, at least there wasn't food in them. I didn't knock your tea over, either. Go sit down and chill. You're worse than Kak."
"I am perfectly calm." Still, Avdol doesn't fight when Polnareff gives him a small bump as he walks by. He stumbles, just a little, before he complies to settling at the kitchen table and taking a deep breath of the steam rising from his mug. He shoots Polnareff an unamused glower when he hears a rather rude and unbelieving snort, "I am."
"Yeah. Totally." Polnareff gives him a pointed look; it levels out to a softer expression though; understanding and concern that's rare in his expression, "We've been together long enough that I know when you're upset, Momo. I know you still think this mess is your fault, but it isn't. You two are safer. Switching brands was probably the best thing you could do... it is weird, though, isn't it?"
Avdol quirks a brow, letting curiosity override his melancholy for the moment. It's a much more welcome matter to focus on, if not mildly worrisome, "What is?"
"You said it's been a few centuries since Jotaro was summoned, right?"
"I believe so, yes. I know it's been many reincarnations since I saw him last in this world."
"Yeah, yeah, great, but that's just it." Polnareff turns from where he's setting all the pots back in their respective places. He looks confused and a little frustrated—doubtful, even, "I don't remember him too well."
"That's not so surprising is it? Your memories are jumbled with every reincarnation. I'm sure it will come to you when you meet him."
"I guess...."
Avdol frowns over the rim of his mug and slowly sets it down with a sigh, "Jean, what's wrong?"
"Hey, do not turn this around on me." He tries to scowl; but, Avdol just smiles at him and he sighs, "I just. I was there, right? When you two switched brands? I had to have been. Right?"
"You were."
"If you say so, but I don't remember that. I can't even remember when you stopped having your own ethereal brand."
"You've never brought it up before, though, because...?"
"It wasn't a big deal then! I didn't have to think about how you did it!" Avdol quirks a brow at him; the man makes a frustrated noise, tugging on his hair a little, "I don't really know why it's bothering me now... it just feels... off. Like. Why can't I remember it? I kind of remember your friend a little. Didn't smile much, punched things a lot—I'm pretty sure he punched me once or twice."
"As I recall, you were goading him."
"Ok, yeah, totally deserved that but it's still weird. I get little glimpses of him and I can kind of remember which reincarnation it was and all of us hanging out, but... I can't remember his summoner."
Avdol fixes him with a blank look, trying to ignore the unsettlilng knot forming in his stomach, "... You're worried about his bonding partner?"
"You said he was a first gen summon. You wouldn't switch if it were a second gen summon, right?" Avdol has to agree with that. Second generation summoners rarely last long. And they did switch... which means it had to have been quite a few reincarnations down the line. Long enough for both of them to know that they would have the same partners for more cycles. So, he gives a slow nod to get Polnareff to continue, "So, theoretically, we should both know who his initial bond partner was... so why don't we know what happened to them? Why can't we remember them?"
For that, Avdol doesn't have an answer. Try as he might, he can't pull the memory forward either. His memory is far more intact that Polnareff's—some of his older memories are fuzzy; but, he can recall them if he tries long enough. Whenever Jotaro is involved, however, his memories become splotched. Not enough to disrupt the memory all together; but there are clearly fragments missing.
Avdol lets out a slow breath and brings his mug back to his lips, trying to let the slowly fading scent calm him once more. He lets just a little bit of his power flow into the mug, just enough to heat the tea back up, before he attempts to smile, "I suppose... we just have to wait until they get back." The smile feels more than a little forced; but, it's something.
"If they make it back." Polnareff mumbles. Avdol just shoots him an annoyed glare. The smile would be something if his partner would keep his mouth shut, anyways.