|
6,670 posts
|
92 likes
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on Jan 20, 2021 23:13:24 GMT
"...Thel?". Patience laid back as he got under the covers and turned her attention to the ceiling. "What purpose is there to feeling sorry? Will feeling bad for me make me strong enough to get through the days when the grafts hurt?". There was no sarcasm or beration in her tone, just genuine confusion.
"I am me, and will continue to be me. I can't be anyone else. "I don't feel bad being me, because it is who I became. You shouldn't feel bad being you, or about trying to change how things are for you.". She put a hand on his shoulder.
|
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Jan 20, 2021 23:24:53 GMT
"There... there isn't really a purpose to a lot of emotions, I guess," he says, thinking on her question some before answering, joining her in staring at the ceiling. It's nice to be warm and dry again. "I guess they... mostly drive how we act. A lot of time, I don't really think about if I should do something... I just feel that it's the right thing to do. Even if it isn't always."
"So me telling you I'm sorry is... I guess it's me trying to convey all the feelings that I feel but are hard to put into words. My anger at the people who did that to you. My desire to just... protect you and anyone else from going through that some thing. That if I can ever do anything to help, I will. Just to let you know that... there are those who want to help."
"I... I don't know if I can help you through the pain. I wish I could. I didn't know how much they still hurt you..."
|
|
|
6,670 posts
|
92 likes
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on Jan 20, 2021 23:54:11 GMT
Closing his eyes, Thel got the strangest sensation of being away from his body. When he opened them again, he was observing himself from what immediately registered as Patience's eyes. A pleasant tingle and warmth shed from the magnetic Pokemon that frequently flanked their nest. She was warm, and in her mind not particularly uncomfortable, but a dull twinge shot up her spine when the unit mounted there wasn't well supported and left to hang.
A constant pressure lingered in her neck, near the base of her skull. All of it explained how tense she seemed, and the stiffness of her movements. Patience was aware of her own slow heartbeat, and fatigue from the cold.
|
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Jan 21, 2021 0:25:42 GMT
There's a moment of confusion as his perspective shifts, and he feels different. He... wasn't him anymore? He was Patience? It was... a different experience. Not an unpleasant one, just... different.
But he feels the twinges, the aches. The feelings she gets from the chill that he doesn't. Everything... it all makes sense. And it makes him loathe her tormentors all the more.
There's a bit of panic, as he wonders if he's stuck here or what, before he remembers Serenity's advice from dreaming. Where he just... opens his eyes.
He's frozen, staring at the ceiling for a few moments, just trying to process what had happened. Hesitantly, he sits up, and looks over at Patience. He can feel a slight... almost-pressure in his head where she is, that wasn't there before. "I... I don't know what just happened. If you felt anything. For a few moments... I saw through your eyes, as you were looking at me. I felt... the comforting hum from the rock behind. The pressure here," he holds a hand to the spot on his neck, "the aches from the cold. I... I think I understand how you feel, all the time. And I'm in awe at your strength. I wish... I wish I could take some of that burden off of you."
|
|
|
6,670 posts
|
92 likes
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on Jan 21, 2021 0:51:49 GMT
Patience considered Thel quietly for a moment before presenting her back to him. "If you secured the main unit more firmly to my body, it might hurt less. Massaging the muscles in my neck might help too. I don't know much about medicine. It might make it worse in the long run.". She didn't seem remotely bothered by the possible breach of privacy at any time, but a camera had been mounted in her for most of her life.
|
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Jan 21, 2021 0:58:54 GMT
"Okay," he says, nodding. "I... don't know how much I can do about the main unit since... uh, I don't really know any of this stuff, but I'll see what I can do about your neck. I'll see what I can do in general."
He looks at the unit she mentioned to see if it looked like he could help in any way, but mostly tries some of the massaging techniques Em'd taught him. "You mentioned that they were called magnets," he says. "I can talk to Jasmine, and see... well, if there's a place to get that kind of rock around here. If there isn't, then... we can try going to Goldenrod sometime. There was a shop with a lot of rocks there. It's where Serenity got the rock that made her evolve."
|
|
|
6,670 posts
|
92 likes
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on Jan 21, 2021 1:05:46 GMT
"Magnets are special to electric types, because they emit a weak current that attaches them to other magnetic objects. I think it disrupts the power draw the unit takes from me, so I keep more me.". As Thel feels along the back of her jaw and the tense muscles at the base of the skull she makes a small pleased noise.
The unit itself rests in the small of Patience's back, and curls over the top of each hip. It seems unwieldy with the looseness of he human skin and muscle giving it freedom to shift, despite the fact that it is clearly attached to her spine.
|
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Jan 21, 2021 1:17:22 GMT
"I... I see..." Thel says. "I know you said they couldn't be removed... but do you think they could be made to stop... well, draining you? I like you, and I'd rather there be more you." He's glad that this seems to help her with the tension.
He has no idea about the unit itself, though. He has neither medical nor technological expertise. He just... goes through life mostly based on gut feelings. And he can't think of anything that would help here, which makes him sad.
|
|
|
6,670 posts
|
92 likes
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on Jan 21, 2021 1:28:25 GMT
"I don't know Thel. Sometimes people say they can't do something because they don't know how. Maybe there is someone who could help me out there, we just haven't met them yet.". The small girl leans back into his touch. "If the opportunity presented itself, I would want it all removed. Even if there wasn't good odds I would survive. I think being more me would be worth the risk... But I wouldn't want to put you through that either.".
|
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Jan 21, 2021 1:35:55 GMT
"I'll keep my eyes and ears open," he resolves. "Because... you're right. Those people... they didn't try to build things up. So... I'm sure there are people who are more skilled than them at things besides ruining lives. I... just need to hope I can find them."
He lightly hugs her as she leans into him, trying not to aggravate anything. "You don't worry about making a choice because I might be hurt by it. I... I want you to make choices for you. If you would want to go through with it, if there was the chance... then I would support you every step of the way. The same way I would support any of my friends. Because you're all important."
|
|
|
6,670 posts
|
92 likes
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on Jan 21, 2021 1:57:41 GMT
Blue eyes clearer then ever, Patience poked him in the ribs. "You need to make decisions for you. Listen to your own advice! There is nothing that makes you worry more then going back to not having a say, but you never do things for yourself, always others!". Another poke.
"Those are the same thing, you must make decisions for you sometimes!"
|
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Jan 21, 2021 2:05:29 GMT
He laughs at the repeated jabbing. "I guess the difference here is just... I'm choosing to help you. It's not something that I'm forced into doing. I... I could just walk away and do nothing. But all of you are important to me. I wouldn't be who I am without my friends. And so... it means a lot to me to be able to make them happy."
"But... you're right," he admits. "Like all of you always are. You and Bliss and Serenity... all of you always know more than I do." He gives a wry smile and a wink. "I should be used to that by now. It's just... it's hard, really. Because it feels like I'm nothing on my own. That things I do for myself... they're wasted, really."
|
|
|
6,670 posts
|
92 likes
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on Jan 21, 2021 2:12:00 GMT
"When... You can't be understood, and all you can do is listen, watch, and think... You notice more. We try to explain, and you do understand sometimes. Bliss was always very fixated on who you were paying attention to.". At the mention of her name, the Tsareena turned her attention cattishly on Patience.
"She does what she thinks is best for you. Just like you do for all of us. This is me doing for you. Do something nice for yourself, at least once a week."
|
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Jan 21, 2021 2:19:53 GMT
"I... I'll try," Thel says. "It'll be... something to get used to." He laughs, which turns into a yawn. "I don't even know what that would look like..." he admits. "But I'll... figure it out, I guess."
"One thing for me that I feel I need after today and all that, though," he admits, laughing again, "is a nap. ...I've been needing a lot of those, recently. Wonder if it's because I actually can, now."
He looks over at the Tsareena. "You want to cuddle up, too, Bliss?" he asks the plant 'mon, batting the blankets next to him. "I know you liked doing that before."
|
|
|
6,670 posts
|
92 likes
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on Jan 21, 2021 21:11:33 GMT
Languidly with a 'well if you insist' sort of enthusiasm, Bliss rose to her feet and idly moved from her perch to settle against Thel's back, an arm draped over his waist with a little sigh as she got comfortable.
"It is a start. Falinks is a good example for you, I think. They each support each other. They ensure that none of them takes on too much, or received too little. Fairness, i think it is called. Rest well Thel.". Patience rolled onto her side and fit a pillow under the unit to support it after the boy saw a muscular ripple under the skin and a distinct pain reaction. She settled quietly and without complaint.
|
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Jan 21, 2021 21:17:44 GMT
"Bliss... don't do this if you don't want to," Thel says, gently. "Make choices for you, okay, not just for me."
"And I'll take note of them, and get to know them more after..." he yawns, "after I'm more awake."
There's a pang of sadness and empathy as he sees the unit shift again. He'll find something to help her. He has to.
|
|
|
6,670 posts
|
92 likes
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on Jan 21, 2021 21:41:41 GMT
Bliss only pressed against Thel more firmly in answer. The weight, warmth, and trials of the day pulling him from consciousness.
Thel was back in containment, with Muku, Omega, and Em. Instead of Kursz, Patience was there. There was no speech, only ideas presented by those held with him. Then the flash of light and a blur of events moving forward. Patience had been fond of the Radio Tower and got work there. Kept company with office staff and medical workers when she went for treatments. Accompanied Thel to the academy, and while there saved him from Diva. The closer he looked at these memories, the more detail they took on. It wasn't what he had known.
|
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Jan 21, 2021 21:50:20 GMT
It's... disorienting, his recollections. This wasn't what he was remembering... but clearly he's remembering them. Did they happen? He was alone going to the academy, wasn't he? That was the point. To learn more independence. But... she did save him from Diva. And how else could she be a human? It wouldn't really make sense for her to become a human suddenly, would it?
Panicking a little, he tries to bring the most recent memories into focus. The time at the academy. Maybe... maybe he can settle himself with recalling those.
|
|
|
6,670 posts
|
92 likes
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on Jan 21, 2021 21:57:21 GMT
When Thel scrutinizes the moments prior to his encounter with Diva, there are two series of events. Those with Patience as a Pokemon, and those with Patience as a human. Neither has much impact on the flow of events, but the second set of memories blend seamlessly into the first at that fated encounter. Somewhere distant a warmth settled against the boy.
|
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Jan 21, 2021 22:06:29 GMT
What? What could this mean? How could there be more than one memory? More than one event? That's... not how things worked, is it?
Is that... is that how things happened? One thing altered the other? He has no idea what exactly is happening. Because the one shouldn't have happened... He doesn't understand at all. He sees what's there, but... can't comprehend what he's seeing.
He drifts away from the moment, thoroughly confused, but wanting to stop reliving the moment. Even knowing how it resolves... it's awful.
|
|