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Post by DataNinja on Aug 2, 2020 0:19:21 GMT
"It was... a lot less complicated," Thel says. "There are so many rules that come with being a human, so many things to keep track of. Things you should do, things you shouldn't do, things that you have to do other things to do. Money. And just the differences. I'm still not entirely used to the fact that you basically have to sleep alone, instead of huddled with your family and whatnot. But that's apparently a really big thing. Joy got after Em and I the first night in the Center for being in the same bed. Blankets are nice, but nothing matches the heat and breathing of another person..."
"But, there are things I absolutely don't miss. I don't miss having to do whatever The Lady said from dawn until dusk. Hunting, moving things, doing whatever, all in hopes of not displeasing anyone and hopefully getting scraps of food at the end. That's something that amazes me here. There's just... so much food, in all flavours. I... I never knew before that you could get to a point where you didn't want more food," he adds, sheepishly.
"I don't miss the haze that filled my life. I didn't realize that I couldn't really think clearly, couldn't really even think about leaving, until I was taken away. ...really, this has been the best thing that's ever happened to me. I've found friends - both human and Pokémon. I've experienced caring, and love. I can just... enjoy life, and sit in the sun. It's the little things that mean most of all. I was rarely able to do that sort of stuff."
"But... I guess you maybe want general things. Rather than my life. Trainers were scary. They would come in, and just... suddenly take someone away. Who knows what happened to them? They never came back. A lot of Trainers would just use their own Pokémon to attack you... so that coloured our perceptions, quite a bit. Though that might be because we were far up a mountain, away from anything like these cities. Life was a general struggle for survival. There was no hesitation when it came to hunting. No scruples when it came to something in our territory. That's something that has resonated with me more now. I have choices as a human. Opportunities. I never want to be the one who scares wild Pokémon. I don't think I can ever fully give up meat, but I've been eating less of it. Since I can. That sort of stuff. I, uh, I hope that helps some."
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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 Aug 2, 2020 1:14:10 GMT
Jasmine watched Thel with a sense of sympathy. "I imagine it is very different Pokemon to Pokemon, but unfortunately, many trainers act the way you've described." Her expression falls a little. "In some ways, I can understand why extremist groups like this... Rainbow Rocket... have come about. Change can be a very difficult thing to bring about... and it seems like those that take to life with compassion are more and more rare." Her eyes were downcast and searching a moment, before she brightened.
"I'm glad we met, Thel. Choice is a wonderful thing, and someone who follows the good in their heart is rarely wrong. If there is anything you need while you are taking your classes here, or start getting antsy about Muku or Terra, please don't hesitate to find me. Now, you wanted company picking out makeup?" "Do you even know how to do that Jas?" "Just because I enjoy a plain look does not mean I don't understand colors." The girls continued to trade subtle barbs to and fro, playfully swatting at each other as they led Thel to the mart to pick out makeup.
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 2, 2020 1:22:11 GMT
"It's... a difficult situation," he says. "I'm thankful that I've had this opportunity, but it's come about because of awful circumstances. And... I doubt that everything's ended up as well as I have. Em was ripped away from her family and her empathic skills. Muku lost her flock. And those are just the people who've adjusted the best, I imagine. There are some who've had much worse... or not made it at all."
He brightens though, when the girls do. "Thank you for the offer. Hopefully I won't need to take you up on it, but it's nice to know that there's someone I can turn to if I need."
"Why did you want to invite her along if you thought she couldn't help?" Thel asks, laughing.
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Apr 27, 2024 14:22:13 GMT
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Post by birdy51 on Aug 2, 2020 11:38:32 GMT
Not impressed by the state of the room, Muku quickly turns to the 'trainer' in question. "Do you just keep her in this room? This all looks real, real small and she is real, real big." As her eyes dart about the small room, she really can't help but feel a bit sorry for Sandy. A Pokémon this big may as well be being kept in a Pokéball for as much room as they had in here. Which, was wild to think about because how much room DID a Pokémon in a Pokéball have?
Muku didn't know the answer to that question. She didn't want to know. What was important was helping this big ol' sand bucket because her trainer can't. "Terra, do you want to try doing the scan thing on it? I don't really know what this is, and the beeping device probably does."
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Post by Greenwolfkate on Aug 2, 2020 14:57:32 GMT
The sight had Terra staring with a sense of concern at how large the pokemon was compared to the room and entryways. She didn't recognize the species, but could put together that it was some sort of ground type of pokemon.
"Yeah, I was thinking the same," she comments with a nod, pulling the device out of her pocket and pointing at the pokemon. "She definitely looks too big to be kept indoors all the time," Terra adds glancing to the man. Hopefully the pokedex would be able to give them some pointers about what they could do for the situation.
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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 Aug 3, 2020 0:06:12 GMT
"Thel people don't have to be good at something to do it, that's how you get better at it. Besides, you and Jas have me here, what more help could you need." Whitney winked and beamed. "Need I remind you which of us was a borderline dropout, and which of us was class representative in the school you've gotten Thel into?" Jasmine gave the other girl a small smile. "No, and let's keep it that way!
After an hour and some, Thel has the cosmetics and extra goods he needs, and a small alarm so that he can be to the school, and about his business on time. The girls settle in for a dish consisting of fruit and yogurt layered with other confections in a tall glass, lightly chilled, and bid Thel a goodnight. With thoughts of the coming day, and the challenges that lay before him, he settles into a private room in the Pokemon Center; a rare luxury among them, and readies to groom his Pokemon.
"It brandishes its gaping mouth in a display of fearsome strength. It blasts internally stored sand from ports on its body to create a towering twister for attack. When roused to violence by its rage, it spews out the quantities of sand it has swallowed and whips up a sandstorm. Stones can get stuck in the ports on their bodies. Dwebble help dislodge such stones, so Hippowdon look after these Pokémon." The Dex states in a robotic voice, Sandy emitting another grunt and burrowing deeper into the ruined couch of a nest. The trainer heads for one of the back rooms, the hallway dark, an icepack held to his forehead.
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 3, 2020 0:23:59 GMT
"Thank you both for all of your help," he says, before they depart. "I couldn't have done this without you. ...and couldn't have even imagined that I'd have people like you in my life even a few weeks ago."
And after one goodbye… comes the preparations for one of a different sort. He takes a deep breath, and releases his Pokémon into the room. "So... I've got some good news, and some bad news," he says. "The good news is that I've gotten into a place that should teach me how to be better at stuff. Living my life, being a better Trainer... hopefully being able to take better care of you guys. But... the bad news is, and I didn't know this until just before now, they're kinda strict on Pokémon being out and about. So..." he shakes his head sadly, "I won't be able to see you guys at much. ...or at all, probably, if things get out of hand. I just... I care for you all. I want to see you, but I can't. And I wish I knew this earlier, so we'd be able to have a better last bit of time together. We can probably battle together, but I don't know what else. But I just wanted to make sure you all knew, and that we could spend some time together before I have to start tomorrow morning." He gives each of them a smile.
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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 Aug 3, 2020 0:36:05 GMT
"I don't understand." Comes the Joltik's answer from the bed beside him. She takes a few steps forward and gently presses a foreleg against his thigh. Three tentative steps back. Three forward. Several more light prods. Thel is right there, how could he not be right there if he is right there? He has always been right there. He's right there? Serenity and Hope seem to take the news in stride, the bug alighting on the boy's shoulder and tapping his cheek lightly. The much larger fox presses her head against his middle, draping her graceful neck across his lap with her eyes closed. There's a little nasal exhale, and she licks the side of her muzzle.
Bliss... stands off to one side, arms folded across her chest, eyes closed, a very unhappy expression on her face.
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 3, 2020 0:47:06 GMT
"I..." He realizes something. "I don't know how much time you experience in the balls. It's... something I never felt for myself. I thought it might be the same. But... if it feels like no time passes. I hope it does... but if that's what happens, then what's probably going to happen is most of the time we see each other will be fighting." He strokes Serenity's long neck as she lays against him. "And I'm sorry about that. I want there to be more time for brushes. And cuddles. And mountain dinners. But I won't be able to have that. Not for some time. But afterwards, we can do that."
"Bliss..." he says, quietly, looking at the Steenee. "If that doesn't work for you... I don't want to force you into it. The same offer from the start is still open. If you aren't happy, I'll gladly let you go off into the wild. I don't want to keep you here if you don't want to be here. I care about all of you, and I want to make sure you're happy." He smiles at her, even if she can't see it. "I don't want my friends to feel they're stuck."
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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 Aug 3, 2020 1:25:36 GMT
Bliss glows with a powerful internal light, swelling larger. What stands before Thel isn't the pig-tailed plant, instead it appears to be a floral queen. At nearly twice the height the Steenee had been, the Pokemon moves on long, graceful legs towards the boy, looking up at him from under heavy lids with their long lashes. She makes a shooing motion at the other Pokemon. Hope rolls her eyes and flutters to the window. Serenity doesn't move, though Thel can see a smile curl at the corner of her mouth. Patience mimics the gesture with her forelegs which causes the newly evolved Pokemon to stiffen and straighten. "I don't understand." Tempers have begun climbing already.
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 3, 2020 1:31:38 GMT
"Oh, you've gotten so big, Bliss," Thel says, happily. "It wasn't that long ago you weren't even knee high. Now you're almost as tall as I am. Here, c'mon." He pats the ground next to him. "You might not be lap sized anymore, but I can still give brushes if you sit right here."
"It's okay, Patience," he explains. "That's still Bliss. She's just grown up some. I don't know if you'll do something like that or not one day. Some do, some don't. But it's still the same her."
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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 Aug 3, 2020 1:36:44 GMT
Bliss doesn't move from where she's presented herself, one of her long stems taps impatiently, and she shifts her weight from one side to the other, hips swaying with the motion. She again makes that shooing motion, this time letting out a trilling vocalization with it. Patience skitters to the far side of the bed and hunkers low, watching the plant with the typical jittering (nervousness?) that the Joltik seems to always have. Serenity doubles down, putting a foreleg across Thel's thigh and nuzzling further up his chest, licking at his face. Her tails fan out and wag to and fro in an exciteable fashion that is unusual in its own ways.
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 3, 2020 1:44:11 GMT
"Bliss, it's okay," he says, reassuringly. "I have two hands. Just because she's here, doesn't mean I can't give you attention, too. I want both of you to be cared for. All of you, even. You're all dear and special to me. I want you to be happy."
He looks at the newly grown plant. "Are you feeling alright, Bliss?" he asks with concern. "You didn't quite seem like yourself back in Ecruteak, with Em, either. I just want to make sure you're okay."
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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 Aug 3, 2020 1:54:41 GMT
"Tsa, Tsa, Tsareen, Tsareena! Tsareena Tsa!" Bliss gestures at all the other Pokemon in the room, then at the door, presumably meaning outside, and stamps her foot hard enough to make a divot in the faux wood. Folding her arms across her chest, she tosses her hair and turns her face away from him, closing her eyes.
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 3, 2020 2:01:23 GMT
"Blissss..." he gently chides, "please try to not wreck the nice peoples' stuff. I know you probably don't know your own strength yet, but they're letting us use it, so we should make sure we take good care of it. Okay?"
He turns to the others, and gives a smile. "Hope, Serenity, Patience... do you mind if we have a moment? I just want to chat with Bliss, and see if I can figure out what's bugging her. This school thing seems to be hitting her harder."
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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 Aug 3, 2020 2:05:54 GMT
Patience and Hope disappear without much fuss. Thel gets a strange impression the Ribombee would've wanted to watch how this unfolds, but she listens readily. Serenity takes a moment longer, some soft vocalizations and what seems to be a knowing chuckle that seems to incense the plant further before she too disappears. With the remainder cleared out, Bliss plants her wide hipped body right in Thel's lap and crosses her legs, presenting her hair to him in a dignified manner.
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 3, 2020 2:10:23 GMT
"Look, we didn't have to go through all this fuss..." he says, getting out the plant's brush, and beginning to stroke her petals. "I'd still do this even if the others were in here." She isn't quite as heavy as he'd expected, but still approaching too heavy for comfortable in his lap. "I hope that we can try and make sure you're comfortable with the others, too."
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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 Aug 3, 2020 2:15:34 GMT
Bliss runs a hand under her long, thick petals and gives Thel a coy look over her shoulder. The grass type makes a small dismissive noise at the idea, though whether it's the idea of discomfort around the others, or the idea of being around the others is hard for Thel to discern. Several moments pass with the brushing continuing. Bliss' posture begins to relax a little more, her breathing evens. The rise in her foul temperament seems to have abated for now.
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Post by DataNinja on Aug 3, 2020 2:22:04 GMT
"Look, they're my friends, too," Thel says. "I want to be able to spend time with all of you at once. Not have to have separate you time and them time." He's glad that she seems to be opening up a bit more, though. "I know it can be hard sometimes. But it's worth it. You don't have to open up all at once to them. Just... maybe try little things."
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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 Aug 3, 2020 2:30:00 GMT
Turning around in the boy's lap, she pushed herself to a standing position with an absolute sense of grace. Astride his legs as she was, he now had to look up into her eyes. Gently stroking his cheek, she shook her head slowly as though she were humoring him. "Tsareena~<3"
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