[ Hello! You have reached: "Walter Sullivan". Unfortunately they cannot answer the phone right now. Leave a message after the beep and they will return your call. ]
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.
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.
[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.
[ 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.
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. ]
[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.]
[ 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 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.
[ 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. ]
[That's... something, at least. Anders can't hold Walter responsible for more than that, or so he has to tell himself. It wouldn't be fair to him -- he never asked for this.]
I appreciate it. [Though he can't guarantee he wouldn't break everything trying to get them back himself, the same they'd do for him.]
Oh, Walter... Do tell your Weavile there are no hard feelings here. He was just defending his trainer.
[ Oh....he paused before calling into the house. ]
Joseph. Joseph, come here. [ Joseph, true to form, came inand immediately jumped up to butt his head to Walter's shoulder and then spotted the screen - and waved with a friendly 'nya!' ]
Please apologize for scratching Anders. [ Joseph gave him a confused look, glance betwen them. Then shook his head, making a point of curling up on Walter's leg instead. Walter sighed ] He shouldn't have attacked you to protect me. They shouldn't do that for me.
[Walter, that is exactly the opposite of what he told you to tell him.
As usual, Anders has to do everything himself. He offers a wave back to the Weavile, not a hint of malice in his display.]
Don't fret, Joseph. [That doesn't seem to be a problem, anyway.] In fact, thank you, for being a good friend to Walter. [The guy does not stand up for himself enough, and it's reassuring to know his Pokemon will at least look out for him.]
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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.
no subject
...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.
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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.
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[ 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.
no subject
[You're killing him Walter.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?
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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.
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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.]
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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. ]
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He seems to know something is wrong, even if after the fact. I'm sure the two of you will figure something out.
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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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I appreciate it. [Though he can't guarantee he wouldn't break everything trying to get them back himself, the same they'd do for him.]
Oh, Walter... Do tell your Weavile there are no hard feelings here. He was just defending his trainer.
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Joseph. Joseph, come here. [ Joseph, true to form, came inand immediately jumped up to butt his head to Walter's shoulder and then spotted the screen - and waved with a friendly 'nya!' ]
Please apologize for scratching Anders. [ Joseph gave him a confused look, glance betwen them. Then shook his head, making a point of curling up on Walter's leg instead. Walter sighed ] He shouldn't have attacked you to protect me. They shouldn't do that for me.
no subject
As usual, Anders has to do everything himself. He offers a wave back to the Weavile, not a hint of malice in his display.]
Don't fret, Joseph. [That doesn't seem to be a problem, anyway.] In fact, thank you, for being a good friend to Walter. [The guy does not stand up for himself enough, and it's reassuring to know his Pokemon will at least look out for him.]