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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 13, 2022 23:54:48 GMT
"It really does show...". Em laughed softly. "The way her face lights up whenever you sit near her, or she sees an opportunity to do one of us a kindness. It would probably mean a lot to her to do the things she used to do with her kids, with us... She is really going out of her way for Patience.". She untangled herself from him gently and matched Thel's strides back to the elevated walkway.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 14, 2022 0:01:26 GMT
"It wouldn't be objectionable," Thel says, quietly, "to just... get to be a child for a time. I don't know how old I am, human-wise, honestly. I don't know if anyone can say that. But... it's definitely older than a child. But just... getting to pretend that I have more of a family than I do? Getting to do those things? It would be okay, I think."
He squeezes Em's hand. "You and Patience mean the world to me, but... it's just not entirely the same. Do you... get where I'm coming from? I don't know, maybe I hope for too much." He flushes.
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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 14, 2022 0:31:18 GMT
"It's an opportunity to be vulnerable and irresponsible. To feel safe without having to constantly look behind you to make sure there aren't gengars. To know that someone cares about you, without conditions or strings.". She laced her fingers through his and took the stairs casually. A quick question here or their lead them along their way to the cafeteria.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 14, 2022 0:38:25 GMT
"Yeah, it… makes sense," he says, nodding. "The closest I've had to that has been... well, I guess with Courtney after... everything with Magma that day, and then Jasmine. And... it's not the same. You feel like you're imposing there."
The closer they get to food, the more he realizes that, yes, he really is starving. He hasn't eaten since before they got on the plane, and he isn't sure how long he was helping out for.
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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 17, 2022 20:56:43 GMT
Entering the dining area, Thel catches glimpse of Lusamine spoon-feeding Patience some form of pudding from across the room. His sister looks flush, and Lusamine delighted, before she gets up to return to the a la carte setup to fetch some of the flan for herself. Their hostess returns to her own food.
The setup seems simple enough, help yourself!
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 17, 2022 21:03:30 GMT
There's a lot of stuff that Thel doesn't recognize, so he takes a little bit of... well, not everything, but a reasonable amount of new things. He can always come back for more, and he's no longer so malnourished that he needs to devour everything he sets his eyes on. It's a pleasant feeling.
"Sorry that we're a little late for dinner," Thel says, as he sits down. "The good news is that all of the Salandit have been convinced to eat. So, it was time well spent."
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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 17, 2022 22:48:00 GMT
"Hardly a quarter day and you've already been invaluable.". Lusamine beams delightedly at him even as she begins to rise. "What can I get you to eat dear? I appreciate you keeping me informed, but you should really take care of yourself first."
Em gave Thel a knowing smile, and considered the food bar from where she sat. "Just a cobb salad for me please Miss Lusamine."
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 17, 2022 22:58:21 GMT
"It was nothing..." Thel says, embarrassed. "I just... happened to have the right combination of knowledge. If it was most other Pokémon, or to do with things other than food, I can't imagine I'd have been able to help."
He'd already grabbed his plate of food, so he just sits down, politely waiting for everyone to return. Don't start eating without everyone, that was an important lesson taught.
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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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Post by Robot on Jan 18, 2022 18:59:21 GMT
Lusamine takes a few moments pointing out desserts to Patience and chatting animatedly before the pair return to the table, Lusamine sliding a plate of salad in front of Em and explaining her choice of dressing. Patience has a plate loaded with different kinds of sweets, and side-eyes her brother.
"The sun will be up for a number of hours yet, but after supper you should consider getting a bit of rest. Jet lag, you know?"
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 18, 2022 20:42:19 GMT
"Looks like you've made some good choices there," Thel says to Patience, grinning. "It all looks delicious. Everything a growing girl needs."
"That would probably be smart," Thel says, though he isn't quite sure of the 'jet lag' term. "I am feeling really tired, even though I don't feel like I should."
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Jan 20, 2022 19:01:53 GMT
Patience blushed and swatted gently at him. "I already had real food, I just like the texture of these flahnns.". Em smiled while enjoying her salad.
"Travelling long distances will do that, back in Johto it would be nearly midnight by now.". Lusamine smiled knowingly, her eyes twinkling at the looks of surprise.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 20, 2022 19:07:38 GMT
"I'm teasing, I saw you were eating when we came in," Thel says, putting a hand over where she'd swatted in mock pain. "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. Did you have a fun time learning about everything here today?"
"...wait, it would be that late? But... it's still so bright out! How does that work?"
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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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Post by Robot on Jan 21, 2022 19:13:22 GMT
"I did, a lot goes into making a self sustaining habitat without any real land resources to draw on nearby. They have to boil the water to get all the salt out of it, and that's how everything grows in here! These big distilleries that make fresh water are really important."
Patience wiggled in her chair and paused for more dessert.
"Well.". Lusamine began, lifting an orange off her tray, and making a small mark on it with her knife for contrast. "Where we live, all things you know... Actually sits on the surface of a sphere. It turns very slowly relative to it's size, and changes what part faces the sun. That's how we get day, and night."
She turned the orange slowly, so Thel lost sight of the mark, only to have it return again. "If you move with the direction of that spin fast enough, you gain, or keep daylight longer than if you held still."
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 21, 2022 19:29:40 GMT
"Ohhhh…" Thel says, understanding Lusamine's explanation. "We just... never moved fast or far enough before to have to consider something like that. Wow... we must have gone really far, then..."
...but, wait. So the sun doesn't actually get any rest? It's always working, just at different parts of the planet? He feels bad for the sun, not getting any breaks.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Jan 21, 2022 22:51:42 GMT
"About a quarter of the way around the world, one could say.". Lusamine replied appreciatively. "When you are done, I'd love to show you to your rooms, I picked them out myself from the guest quarters."
Patience broke off her eating to add, mouth half full. "Mine has a view of the generators!"
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 21, 2022 23:01:16 GMT
That far around the world? He isn't sure whether he thought it would be farther around, or what. If he's being honest, up until just now, he would have imagined the world just... went on infinitely.
"Make sure to be safe around them," Thel teases. "I know how you can get around that sort of stuff."
"I'm still... incredibly taken aback that you're willing to do this all for us personally," he says to Lusamine, abashed. "There must be so much that would be more important for you to do here with... everything that goes on."
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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 21, 2022 23:38:41 GMT
"It might be a little irresponsible of me to delegate most of my company work to employees for awhile, but that is why I pay them.". She smiled, an iridescent flicker along her hair. "It really isn't any inconvenience for me at all, and I like to think of the people and Pokemon I look after as family."
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 22, 2022 0:04:48 GMT
"A-are you sure?" Thel asks. "Because... you've already done so much for us. I just... don't want to feel like I'm taking advantage of your hospitality or anything. Taking too much of your attention away from other things."
"...family is nice," He says, quietly, suddenly feeling a lot more melancholy. "I've heard, at least. I... never really got to know mine much. The parts I did get to know weren't exactly that great."
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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 24, 2022 20:11:10 GMT
"I don't want for free time or a spare hand when I need one, don't worry about me.". Her brow rose with concern as Thel lamented his family life or lack thereof. "It's good that you went on your journey, if home has been troubling. If you need to talk about it... I think I've just the thing.". Lusamine pressed hopefully.
Patience and Em seem to share the sentiment, the mood at their table taking a downwards turn.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 24, 2022 20:31:33 GMT
"It's... not really a fun story to revisit," Thel says, before giving the tiniest of smiles. Laugh to keep from crying. "When getting kidnapped probably ended up being the best thing for you in the end... it's not exactly a happy time."
"Things are better now, though. And I'm grateful for all the family I've found along the way. Humans, Pokémon, they're all what helps give me strength. They make life worth living, no matter what's happened in the past. Because the past can only hurt me now if I let it."
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