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...Oh. Okay. [ Oh. Had Assumption knocked out a tooth?? He doesn't know what to do about that. ]
If you must come here, inform me. I can go. For a little while.
If you must come here, inform me. I can go. For a little while.
Or you could train your Pokemon.
[He lets out a disgusted sigh and shakes himself.]
Goodbye, Walter. Enjoy enjoying chocolate.
[He lets out a disgusted sigh and shakes himself.]
Goodbye, Walter. Enjoy enjoying chocolate.
[ Walter tensed. He knew that tone. Ice snaked up his spine. Henry said he wouldn't 'pounce' on him again. But that...snide, sarcastic tone. It sounded like a threat. He gently pressed on Joseph's paw, examining the razor sharp claws that came out, stroking over them. ]
I will continue to train them. I've never had anyone defend me before. But you know that.
It feels good, to be protected.
Take care, Henry. I'm glad we've reached this...understanding.
I will continue to train them. I've never had anyone defend me before. But you know that.
It feels good, to be protected.
Take care, Henry. I'm glad we've reached this...understanding.
[When Darkness's face appears on the screen, Snickerdoodle hops backward and spreads her wings for the camera. Puffing up to look as large and impressive as she can, she hops in a brief circle to give Darkness the full 360 view. Obviously, she's very pleased with her new appearance.]
Look, look! Now I'm strong, like you!
Look, look! Now I'm strong, like you!
[ Darkness gasped! ]
Oh! My shooting star, you were always strong! But oh, look at you! What a beautiful, daunting darling you've become!
[ HE IS SO FULL OF PRIDE RIGHT NOW. He caws in delight! ] I do hope I get to see you in battle soon. I would love to see the fear in their eyes when they see you!
Oh! My shooting star, you were always strong! But oh, look at you! What a beautiful, daunting darling you've become!
[ HE IS SO FULL OF PRIDE RIGHT NOW. He caws in delight! ] I do hope I get to see you in battle soon. I would love to see the fear in their eyes when they see you!
Edited 2017-04-04 20:31 (UTC)
[At her father's praise, her feathers smooth some. Apparently, his words are enough that she doesn't feel as though she needs to puff up quite so large.]
Of course, you're right—I was strong even when I was small. But I feel so fearsome now! [She flaps her wings again, this time to vent her excitement rather than to show off.] I've been training hard, and I know I've gotten stronger since the last time I saw you. Even if some of the others here are too lazy to be of much help with that.
[That last bit is more of a harrumph.]
Of course, you're right—I was strong even when I was small. But I feel so fearsome now! [She flaps her wings again, this time to vent her excitement rather than to show off.] I've been training hard, and I know I've gotten stronger since the last time I saw you. Even if some of the others here are too lazy to be of much help with that.
[That last bit is more of a harrumph.]
[ He chuckled, grinning. ] Ah yes, those who are too happy to simply preen themselves and parade around like noisy Chatots. Do not worry my darling; even the weak can be a source of training. Learn how to manipulate them. Taunt them into striking when their blows will merely glance off your feathers and Quash them under your talons!
[Has it been long enough? It's been long enough.
Anders' arm has been bandaged where Joseph best got him, but the actual extent of the injury is indiscernible -- he keeps a level expression and tone when he calls Walter, not accusatory but not as friendly as other greetings have been. As of yet, he doesn't know for certain how to appropriately react.
The best course of action is to hear Walter's point of view. If anything, the mage suspects Walter will be harder on himself than Anders could possibly be. That is, of course, begging the question that what he heard and saw back at Tohjo Falls wasn't some delusion.]
Hello, Walter.
That wasn't quite the party most of us were expecting, I think. I hope you and your Pokemon weren't injured.
Anders' arm has been bandaged where Joseph best got him, but the actual extent of the injury is indiscernible -- he keeps a level expression and tone when he calls Walter, not accusatory but not as friendly as other greetings have been. As of yet, he doesn't know for certain how to appropriately react.
The best course of action is to hear Walter's point of view. If anything, the mage suspects Walter will be harder on himself than Anders could possibly be. That is, of course, begging the question that what he heard and saw back at Tohjo Falls wasn't some delusion.]
Hello, Walter.
That wasn't quite the party most of us were expecting, I think. I hope you and your Pokemon weren't injured.
[ On the surface, Walter appeared calm, hands held together. Internally, he felt like a snake was threading through his ribcage. He hadn't known how to approach any of the people (any of his friends) who he had crossed paths with during the latter stages of the prom, so he had been quietly avoiding them. His eyes do drop to Anders' bandage and a chilled guilt runs through him. ]
We're fine here. How...bad was it for you?
We're fine here. How...bad was it for you?
I'm glad to hear it. [And that's not a lie, or even a formality. He'd be a bigger hypocrite than he cares to admit if he stopped caring about a friend because of one incident, especially without giving him a chance to explain himself.]
Most of my team had it worse than I did, but they've recovered since at the Center.
I still feel responsible for their injuries. I let them fight Pokemon far stronger than them. [He doesn't want to drag this out for too long -- it's cruel to cause more grief than necessary, but he does want an explanation.] Trixie found another Luxray, actually. Was Chaos with you?
Most of my team had it worse than I did, but they've recovered since at the Center.
I still feel responsible for their injuries. I let them fight Pokemon far stronger than them. [He doesn't want to drag this out for too long -- it's cruel to cause more grief than necessary, but he does want an explanation.] Trixie found another Luxray, actually. Was Chaos with you?
Yes, she was with me. [ He can't lie if he wanted to and truthfully, he doesn't want to lie to Anders at all. ]
You didn't lose any of them, did you? [ This he was really concerned about and it did show. ]
You didn't lose any of them, did you? [ This he was really concerned about and it did show. ]
No. Thankfully, the rest of my team caught up with me after Trixie and Flop fainted.
[He's quiet for a moment, looking down deep in thought. It's obvious enough that Walter feels bad, which is close enough to proof that it was actually him. Still, Anders doesn't want to hold it against him.]
Do you consider us friends? I don't ask out of spite; it's actually hard for me to tell. I do think of you as a friend, and I would gladly help you with anything if you needed it. But I can't help if I don't know what the problem is.
[He's quiet for a moment, looking down deep in thought. It's obvious enough that Walter feels bad, which is close enough to proof that it was actually him. Still, Anders doesn't want to hold it against him.]
Do you consider us friends? I don't ask out of spite; it's actually hard for me to tell. I do think of you as a friend, and I would gladly help you with anything if you needed it. But I can't help if I don't know what the problem is.
I- Yes. Yes. [ He'd. He'd like them to be friends. If they can after this. He looks down at his hands. ]
...I wanted to warn you. Before it happened. But I didn't find you. [ He hadn't found any of the people he had wanted to warn about the trap except for Asriel. ]
...I wanted to warn you. Before it happened. But I didn't find you. [ He hadn't found any of the people he had wanted to warn about the trap except for Asriel. ]
Sometimes things don't go as planned. I appreciate the sentiment.
[The outright confirmation is nice, at least. But there's still the underlying issue.]
You didn't try to attack us first, and you didn't fight back when I hit you. You're better than that whole ordeal. I don't understand why you would be involved.
Is it like the orphanage?
[The outright confirmation is nice, at least. But there's still the underlying issue.]
You didn't try to attack us first, and you didn't fight back when I hit you. You're better than that whole ordeal. I don't understand why you would be involved.
Is it like the orphanage?
...I don't know. I was. [ He sighed, thinking back to when he first came to Johto. ]
I told you before that I was dead before I came here, didn't I? I just...woke up in one of their bases. Alive. There was a letter by the bed I woke up on. It didn't explain how I was there or why. Just that I worked for them now and was to undergo immediate training.
...I guess it was a little like the orphanage. If I fail them, there will be repercussions. I haven't experienced them yet.
I told you before that I was dead before I came here, didn't I? I just...woke up in one of their bases. Alive. There was a letter by the bed I woke up on. It didn't explain how I was there or why. Just that I worked for them now and was to undergo immediate training.
...I guess it was a little like the orphanage. If I fail them, there will be repercussions. I haven't experienced them yet.
You don't have them to thank for being alive. Plenty of people have come back from the dead here, not involved with that group. [At least he knows that for certain.]
They're still people. They can be challenged, even if they're corrupt. If you don't want to be there, I'll do what's in my power to help you get out.
[He pauses to consider how well similar talks have gone in the past.]
But if you're not ready or willing, I'll still be here. And I won't tell anyone.
They're still people. They can be challenged, even if they're corrupt. If you don't want to be there, I'll do what's in my power to help you get out.
[He pauses to consider how well similar talks have gone in the past.]
But if you're not ready or willing, I'll still be here. And I won't tell anyone.
I don't thank them for being alive. But...they gave me two pokeballs. [ Guess what was in them. He looks up, swallowing before he talks. ] I don't steal Pokemon. Not- not unless ordered to, like at that event. I asked to work as a laboratory technician to avoid that.
...That is like the orphanage. How they treat them there. But, I don't have to act the way they do with them. So I don't. I don't want them to suffer. I try to...to be good to them. If I have to hurt them, I use medicine on them after.
[ He looks off the camera at one of his off-screen Pokemon. He speaks very quietly. ] ...I did make the priests pay. When it was time.
...That is like the orphanage. How they treat them there. But, I don't have to act the way they do with them. So I don't. I don't want them to suffer. I try to...to be good to them. If I have to hurt them, I use medicine on them after.
[ He looks off the camera at one of his off-screen Pokemon. He speaks very quietly. ] ...I did make the priests pay. When it was time.
[It's hard to hear about what goes on within the organization, especially after seeing what he did below the manor. Anders wants to crush anyone who'd treat sapient creatures like that, but something stops him from arguing further -- a lot of things stop him. He tries to tell himself it isn't his battle.]
I remember. You think it isn't time, then.
[It doesn't feel right doing nothing, though. He can hardly bear the thought of Pokemon like that being abused on top of caged.]
Back in Kirkwall -- the city I mentioned fleeing to... I helped mages escape the Circle. I can be discreet, and I know how to handle people in a fragile state. Or Pokemon, in this case. If there are ever any you think you could sneak out, I would be glad to take them and release or rehome them without implicating you.
I remember. You think it isn't time, then.
[It doesn't feel right doing nothing, though. He can hardly bear the thought of Pokemon like that being abused on top of caged.]
Back in Kirkwall -- the city I mentioned fleeing to... I helped mages escape the Circle. I can be discreet, and I know how to handle people in a fragile state. Or Pokemon, in this case. If there are ever any you think you could sneak out, I would be glad to take them and release or rehome them without implicating you.
[ He exhaled ] They monitor and report on the Pokemon they keep daily. They notice when one is missing. But...there is one that followed me home. I still have him. They haven't realised since he escaped of his own accord.
[ He gestures for the Pokemon he's looking at to come forward. Robbie steps forward with a curious, low rumble. He easily stands taller than Walter and far,
far bulkier. The Bewear gives an interested look at the screen. ]
Robbie was a Stufful at the time. I wasn't told until after I began to work with him that he had a habit of breaking my coworker's arms when they touched him.
[ He gestures for the Pokemon he's looking at to come forward. Robbie steps forward with a curious, low rumble. He easily stands taller than Walter and far,
far bulkier. The Bewear gives an interested look at the screen. ]
Robbie was a Stufful at the time. I wasn't told until after I began to work with him that he had a habit of breaking my coworker's arms when they touched him.
Anders blinks at the Bewear, at first finding it difficult to believe that he's a living creature. He saw stuffed animals that looked like that in Goldenrod, and its height appears to dwarf even DT's. But he takes it in stride soon enough.]
I can't say I'm surprised. [He'd have done much worse to the Templars if he'd had the chance.] He likes you?
[ Well....Walter can't help looking a little awkward as Robbie appears sheepish but immediately rumbles and nods at Anders. He reaches out for Walter, who inches away from his paws. ]
I think he does, or he could have gone free. But, since he's evolved he's more affection- [ Walter gasped. Robbie had moved swiftly to close the distance and was hugging Walter...who clearly couldn't breathe. Robbie thought he was being very gentle and simply closed his eyes while hugging Walter, smiling. Look, he's not breaking your bones this time! :D ]
[ Thankfully, another one of Walter's Pokemon notices and Eileen's tugging on Robbie to get him to let go. Walter gasped for air, leaning forward as Robbie looked very concerned. He managed to pant to Anders. ]
He doesn't. Know. His strength.
I think he does, or he could have gone free. But, since he's evolved he's more affection- [ Walter gasped. Robbie had moved swiftly to close the distance and was hugging Walter...who clearly couldn't breathe. Robbie thought he was being very gentle and simply closed his eyes while hugging Walter, smiling. Look, he's not breaking your bones this time! :D ]
[ Thankfully, another one of Walter's Pokemon notices and Eileen's tugging on Robbie to get him to let go. Walter gasped for air, leaning forward as Robbie looked very concerned. He managed to pant to Anders. ]
He doesn't. Know. His strength.
[This is almost distressing, but Eileen saves the day. Anders is visibly relieved when the bear releases Walter, and gives a concerned glance to Robbie.]
He may need time to learn... and perhaps a stern talking-to. [In truth, Anders doesn't actually know what works best for Pokemon with actually destructive habits; the worst he's had to deal with is Trixie's roughhousing, but even that can be solved with a little scolding or another team member's move to calm her down.]
He may need time to learn... and perhaps a stern talking-to. [In truth, Anders doesn't actually know what works best for Pokemon with actually destructive habits; the worst he's had to deal with is Trixie's roughhousing, but even that can be solved with a little scolding or another team member's move to calm her down.]
[ Robbie tried to reach out to Walter again, but was pulled back by Eileen. If anything the bear does look upset that he might have hurt Walter and sadly followed Eileen's pulls to leave him alone. Walter just kept panting, until he felt like he had his breath back. ]
I...I don't know how to train him. I've trained my Pokemon to be strong, but this isn't something I've needed to teach before. [ He's never had to teach a Pokemon restraint in their strength yet. ]
I...I don't know how to train him. I've trained my Pokemon to be strong, but this isn't something I've needed to teach before. [ He's never had to teach a Pokemon restraint in their strength yet. ]
I don't have the experience either, I'm afraid... At least, not with physical strength. [If it was a matter of keeping "magical" energy in check, like Flop's psychic abilities, that would be a different story.]
He seems to know something is wrong, even if after the fact. I'm sure the two of you will figure something out.
He seems to know something is wrong, even if after the fact. I'm sure the two of you will figure something out.
[ Walter hummed thoughtfully. He'd be okay if Robbie just stopped touching him but it obviously upset him. Just as Jennifer insisted on being in his space.
He...kind of liked the contact. Even if he was afraid of both of them. ]
...If one of your Pokemon ever gets taken, tell me. I might be able to find them. [ He was willing to risk stealing back Anders Pokemon for his friendship. ]
He...kind of liked the contact. Even if he was afraid of both of them. ]
...If one of your Pokemon ever gets taken, tell me. I might be able to find them. [ He was willing to risk stealing back Anders Pokemon for his friendship. ]
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