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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Jan 3, 2022 20:02:36 GMT
The remainder of the day is a blur of activity. Heartfelt goodbyes to friends and faculty both, though Mable, Bronry, Celosia, and Alicia are not among that number. Time is spent drafting paperwork. A formal letter of apology and a future return request should the event resolve itself within the school year.
Jasmine sees the Lucasta family to one of the nicer restaurants in town as a way of saying thanks, though she nearly has to twist Thel's arm to manage the gesture. The next morning, the trio are staring down something that was very clearly no boat. A cylinder of metal with a long blade at one end and broad fins jutting from the roof. Windows lined the sides, and the seam of a door was apparent to one side. It bobbed on the water. The whole of it was done up in white with green accents.
Lusamine admired it for a moment. "It will be good to be home, and getting to know you all, taking this trial together."
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 3, 2022 20:20:29 GMT
Thel does his best to get contact information from everyone - even Ophelia - in hopes of reconnecting and being able to reciprocate once he has a phone of his own. It's hard to say goodbye, even though he hasn't really known them for that long. He wants to be there to see how things go, to have time with friends. But this is more important.
The paperwork was even less fun, with all he could think about being how there was the reluctance to let him in, and all the special allowances they'd already made... he's glad to have that over and able to be cast from his mind.
It was nice getting to spend one last time with Jasmine, though. Just one last time catching up, and just... feeling normal. Like anyone else in the restaurant. He does feel bad that she paid for it after all of everything, though.
And then it was time to leave. Thel realizes as they approach the ocean that he'd not considered that they'd have to cross the water. The endless, hungry ocean. Even as he's become more comfortable with showers and things, there's still that primordial fear of the water at his core. He clings tightly to Em as they arrive at their transport.
"I look forwards to it as well," Thel says. While he's being genuine, his fear of the ocean travel is stealing the enthusiasm from his voice, as he keeps stealing glances at the water. It's far calmer than it was with the storm, but... still dangerous. "You said... we'll be on the ocean for six hours?" he ventures.
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6,670 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Jan 3, 2022 22:16:41 GMT
Having managed to get his hands on a phone at last, the list of conveniences was incredible. Not the smallest of which was that it could store all of the contact information he could ever want.
"We'll be flying, it's significantly faster, though I suppose aircraft are exceedingly rare and boats would he the norm.". Lusamine mused. "It just needs a lot of space to take off, and air strips take up a significant amount of land. Outside of the largest cities in the world, you won't find planes much different from this one."
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 3, 2022 22:21:53 GMT
Thel brightens up almost at once. Even though they would be technically still over the water... flying is different. "Oh, flying? That's much better than being on the water." He flushes. "I like flying, but I don't like the ocean. I... always feel like I'll fall in and never come out."
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6,670 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Jan 4, 2022 20:02:12 GMT
"Oh... I might be able to offer you some solutions when we get home to help put your mind at ease around water.". The door opened of its own Accord and she stepped inside, beckoning the kids to follow. Once inside she introduced the pilot.
"This is Gustav, he's something of a personal assistant of mine.". The aged man with deep lines in his face and well tanned skin tipped his hat. "There are belts in each seat to protect you during liftoff, but once we are properly airborne you can have them off again."
Patience eyed the clasps with some anxiety, but managed hers without assistance, she sat beside Em, leaving Thel beside their hostess.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 4, 2022 20:11:17 GMT
He can't imagine what would put his mind at ease around water besides... being able to breathe in it? And float on it? But even then… there's just so much water. But, if she can help Patience, maybe she can help him, too.
"A pleasure to meet you, Gustav," Thel says, curtseying. He isn't quite sure how to work with the belts, but watching patience he's able to get the idea. He does test how to get out of the clasp, though, just for his own peace of mind. Even if they will be flying... he's still on the water right now.
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6,670 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Jan 5, 2022 18:53:42 GMT
"Don't mind me, miss.". Gustav chuckled. "Going to get us underway. Tend to keep to the instruments I does. Flying a plane isn't like flying a Pokemon. Takes some concentration.". Leaning into his task, moving switched and levers, checking gauges, a low drone began along the wings. The blades, visible out the windows were beginning to spin until they were just a blur.
"Have you ever flown?". Her expression brightened with the collective 'no'. She produced a package of gum, offering each trainer a stick before unwrapping one for herself and tucking it into her mouth. "When we ascend you will get the sensation of falling, and as the air pressure changes, your ears will pop. Chewing gum will help with your ears."
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 5, 2022 19:24:32 GMT
Thel's a bit disappointed at being told that it won't be like a flying Pokémon, but, he's determined to keep an open mind. It's better than a boat at any rate. And it's fascinating just seeing this machine. Patience would probably get more out of it, but... it's like nothing he's ever seen before, so there's a bit of a sense of wonder.
"How does it do that?" Thel wonders, befuddled as he takes the gum and follows Lusamine's lead. "Your ears and mouth are completely separate things, aren't they?" He hopes he didn't just ask a really stupid question.
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6,670 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Jan 5, 2022 20:06:39 GMT
Lusamine chuckled softly as the plane began to pull away from the dock, turning towards the open ocean. Patience was sprawled across Em's lap and glued to the window, watching the prop intensely.
"Your ears, nose, and throat are actually all connected. At the back and top of your throat is a gland called the adenoid, that mostly separates your sinuses and your throat. Your ears have a pair of tubes, called eustachian tubes, that drain off any unpleasantness directly into your stomach. The movement in your jaw, shifts the pressure inside your ear and causes it to "pop" back, and relieves that discomfort."
The plane began to pickup speed along the water, then lifting away entirely. The sinking feeling she'd warned of came in force as did the sudden sharp increase of pressure in Thel's ears as the water dropped away below.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 5, 2022 20:14:00 GMT
"Oh, that's... wow, I never would have imagined that," Thel says. It's a lot more words he doesn't understand, but, he gets the gist of it. "Every day I learn that there's so much more that I don't know."
Thel quickly decides that he likes flight on a Pokémon better. The wind on your face, the friendly presence, being able to see all around, not so much of all this sensations...
But he realizes that they seemed to be going much higher. He stares out the window, as everything that he'd known falls away into smallness. He wishes that Em was next to him, so he could hold her hand for support, because this is hitting him harder than he'd thought. He hadn't really registered that he'd be leaving the places where he'd spent his entire human life... not in his heart, at least.
Though, he realizes... they're going to Alola. A place where he'd probably lived for a lot longer. He doesn't know how to feel about that.
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6,670 posts
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Jan 6, 2022 19:06:55 GMT
The low drone of the engines and the slight bob of the cabin in the wind was enough to set the mind to drowsing. Patience fell asleep on Em after several hours of this, and politeness seemed to demand heightened quiet. Lusamine continued to carry herself with a warm presence that emanated gentility and class. When Thel began to drowse, at the corners of his vision she seemed to glow with a brilliant rainbow of colors.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 6, 2022 19:21:58 GMT
...this definitely wasn't as exciting as riding on a Pokémon. While it was interesting to see what lay below, after a while it was... mostly ocean and small islands. Not really anything like they'd left. It's a little disappointing, but... it'll probably change once they get to where they're going. It does give him a greater appreciation for Lusamine that she took the time to take this trip one way, only to go right back. He feels like he'd die of boredom doing that. There wasn't even talking!
Even despite trying to stay awake, the conditions were just ones that demanded rest. The chairs weren't the most comfortable place to sleep, but his body apparently didn't care, it was tired. The gleam of colour out of his eye catches his attention, at least enough to get him to register it. It's a very pretty thing... sometime, he should ask how it's done. Wearing a rainbow? It's impressive.
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6,670 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Jan 6, 2022 19:44:36 GMT
One of the brief periods Thel roused, he was aware of her watching him with an expression of longing, which became flustered when she realized he had awoken. "Sorry.". She whispered shyly. "It's been so long since I've had children along on a trip. I miss my Lillie and my Gladdy so... You're not unlike how I remember my daughter."
This segues into her sharing photos of her family. Oddly, they exclude a husband entirely. She speaks of her children only in past tense, fondly but with an underlying sadness. Neither would be much older then Thel, both blonde with striking eyes. The boy's demeanor implied he might've fit right in with Omega. The girl was klutzy, but she and Thel would have been fast friends for mutual interests and dispositions.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 6, 2022 19:53:44 GMT
"It's okay," Thel reassures her. "I'm just glad to not be any trouble."
It doesn't really strike Thel as odd that there's no father figure. That was never the Salandit way, nor did Whitney have a dad around. It just seemed quite normal, really. He likes seeing family photos, the kind of life that was normal but that he never had... though there's a sort of yearning, too. But, it's not something that he'd ever be able to have.
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6,670 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Jan 6, 2022 20:21:45 GMT
Lusamine offered an appreciative nod and a smile, her eyes twinkling. It wasn't long after conversation petered out that Gustav announced they would be setting down soon, and the Aether Foundation Headquarters was visible below.
It was a massive platform, the size of a town, set out in the ocean. A scattering of four islands visible along the hazy horizon. Em and Patience were slow to rouse, but excited to be there. Thel's fiancee offered him a comforting smile.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 6, 2022 20:25:24 GMT
Thel's in awe at the sight. It looks built, not natural. But... "Wait, does... does that mean we're going to be, well, on the ocean this whole time?" He goes a little pale at that. It's not a possibility that had ever crossed his mind, because... well, that's not a thing, is it? But clearly it is...
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6,670 posts
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Jan 6, 2022 20:42:19 GMT
"Not at all." Lusamine soothed. "The Foundation doesn't float, it's actually firmly anchored into the ocean floor. Some of the levels are below water, but it's really nowhere you ever need go. I can also arrange for Gustav to let you tour the islands at your liesure, should you find remaining difficult.". Please excuse me, a few things to get caught up on now that I'm arriving home." She flipped open her phone, and busied herself making calls.
"A man made island.". Patience breathed. "That's something alright."
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 6, 2022 20:49:44 GMT
"O-oh... that's very impressive." Thel's eyes widen. It's an entire proper island? "Thank you, Lusamine." He doesn't say any more, because it's clear that, like with Jasmine, she's a very busy woman.
"It seems right up your alley, doesn't it?" Thel says to Patience, going over to her and Em. He isn't quite sure what an alley actually is, but he knows it means that it's her type of thing. Language is weird.
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6,670 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 27, 2024 17:48:03 GMT
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Post by Robot on Jan 6, 2022 21:42:20 GMT
"Humans make such amazing things... It's really too bad I can't chew wires anymore." Patience commented offhandedly. Thel made note of a shift in their hostess' expression at the claim, but Lusamine made no comment.
"How was your first flight on a plane, love?" Em gestured to the seat behind hers when Gustav mentioned buckling in for the landing. "Think you will go visit the salandit while you are here?"
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 6, 2022 21:59:39 GMT
"Yeah,that would probably be bad for your health," Thel says, laughing, though he worries they're concerning Lusamine. It's clear that she probably doesn't know the truth of their past, so they should probably do their best to keep from alarming her.
"It wasn't as good as flying on a Pokémon," Thel says, buckling in as well, "but... well, had a good rest. It was definitely better than I was worried about, being over the water and everything! How about you?"
He hesitates when she mentions the Salandit. It was in the back of his mind that that's what would be here, but... he hadn't wanted to think about it. "I... it's probably best that I don't. Diva caused me enough problems, and she was just one Salazzle. Nothing but bad memories there..."
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