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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, 2021 5:20:19 GMT
Disembarking from Alloy in front of Jasmine's gym, she recalls the Pokemon and begins to usher people inside. Among these number is the Falinks, which apparently had stowed away somewhere on the all too massive Pokemon until they arrived at their destination. Soaked, and quite cold, things begin to decompress in the lobby. Violet is doing her best to salvage her book from what wet got to it, Thel's other Pokemon have been in their storage since leaving the caves. Several of the rangers depart immediately to continue work along the shoreline, though one does give Thel a gentle scolding on his way out about 'being more mindful of the weather'.
Jasmine has left for her quarters at the back, and the Falinks consider the lobby with bright, curious eyes, though the Brass presents itself. There is constant vocalization between them as they observe the new environment, one they clearly haven't seen before.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 18, 2021 5:35:49 GMT
There's a mixture of gratitude and shame for the rescue from the mountain. Seeing what the weather is, and what it had done... they probably wouldn't have made it down. Not alone. But he still feels bad that so many others had to come and help, when he should have simply thought about it.
Ah, the Falinks… it seems they've come along. Quite resourceful 'mon. Thel sits down cross legged in front of the Brass, addressing it gently. "Ahahaha," he laughs, quietly, giving I a smile. "You're real sneaky, coming down here without us noticing. It's... definitely going to take some time before the weather's going to be safe for you to get back up the mountain, I think. But I imagine it'll be fine if you stay here until that time. I... can't speak for Jasmine, though."
"I... really am grateful that you decided to help out my friends, back when the rain started. And you all put yourself out in the rain for the other Pokémon. I know you didn't have to do that. So... thank you."
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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 19, 2021 0:12:45 GMT
Top Brass squeaks at the others, the Falinks sliding under it and one another to lift it to Thel's eye level. The leader gestures to himself with a shield, then to Thel. There is a series of agreeable squeaks following what must have been some manner of rallying, impassioned speech from the commanding Falinks. It was all as so much noise, but the Pokemon seems earnest in its desires.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 19, 2021 0:26:25 GMT
Thel listens patiently, trying to read the tone even if he doesn't understand the words in the squeaks. "Are you saying that you're wanting to come with me?" he asks, curiously. "Is that why you came all this way?"
"It probably wouldn't be much of an adventure for a while," he cautions, "because I'm going to be sticking around here to learn stuff. But... eventually I hope to travel a bit again. So if you're wanting to see things, you can. And I'll make sure you have food and all that stuff. Though... there will be some fighting." Well, they are a Fighting type, he realizes. "So, uh... I don't actually know if that might be too little fighting for you. I've never really met many Fighting types before. But... if you do come along, any time you want to leave, that's okay. You can just let me know. I want my friends to be happy, okay?" He gives them a smile.
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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 19, 2021 0:43:34 GMT
It pauses, considering. There is a questioning squeak to the others and a vocal chorus in unanimous agreement. It gives Thel a proud nod and holds its armshields towards the boy for an embrace. Assuming Thel goes for it, to his surprise the column of small Pokemon is sucked into a single empty ball on his person.
Patience gives Thel a gauging stare from the waiting room couch. "They wouldn't have made it without you. Quite a few can say the same. The things that you accomplish have more weight then you think."
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 19, 2021 1:01:55 GMT
He does move in to hug the 'mon, and... blinks as they're suddenly all vanished into one of his Pokéballs. Well, huh. "You all are full of surprises," he says, laughing, holding the ball up. "I'll properly introduce you all to everyone later, and I can find out what all of you like to eat most."
"Hmm?" he asks Patience. "Why do you say that? They seemed to be doing perfectly well in the rai... oh." He suddenly remembers when he'd first met them, and goes quiet. When they were struggling without their leader. "Ah. I see. I understand now." He nods. "That was just... me being in the right place at the right time."
"Is it salvageable?" he asks as he walks over to Violet, regarding her book. "I... I'm sorry about how the trip went. I know it isn't all my fault, but it still felt like everything that could did go wrong." He stares outside at the continually pouring rain. "And... are you going to want someone to walk with you for you going back to the school or anything? To be less lonely and dangerous a walk? I... I hope this isn't going to get you in trouble. Since I know you mentioned that you doing stuff has gotten you in trouble in the past."
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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 19, 2021 1:10:42 GMT
"That was you taking an action that you felt was right. One you didn't have to.". Patience corrects gently, before heading into the gym proper, likely down to her nest.
"It should be okay... I'll have to get spacers into the pages so they don't stick together. As long as I am properly made up and dressed for class tomorrow I don't think anyone will be the wiser. Thanks to all the rain there isn't a spot of dirt on me, I am super tired though.". Violet admitted.
"I... I made some mistakes too Thel. Had... Expectations that weren't right. Sorry things got out of hand."
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 19, 2021 1:17:20 GMT
"Alright, if you insist," Thel says. "You should go and get some rest, though. I... probably will sleep early tonight, myself, though I've still got to go over tomorrow's presentation."
"And... it's okay, Violet," he reassures her, giving a smile. "I don't blame you at all. I don't want you beating yourself up about it, okay?"
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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 19, 2021 21:24:36 GMT
"It might be a little awkward as friends for awhile. I'll try though. Even if you don't want me... That way... You have never made me feel unwelcome.". Tucking her book away, she shoulders her camp bag. "I'll see you at school tomorrow? Shouldn't be too difficult to get there from here despite the rain.". She teased gently, pausing in front of him, and the doors outside.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 19, 2021 21:33:22 GMT
"Of course," he says, smiling. "Hopefully the rain stops by then, but... given how the skies have been the last few days, I'm not holding my breath for it. But, rain or shine, I'll be there. What," he teases back, "You wanting me to get kicked out for not attending after only my first week?"
He waves goodbye to Violet, and then considers. There's some things that he wants to ask Jasmine and talk to her about, but he doesn't want to bother her so soon. Instead, he heads back down to where Patience went, to let his other Pokémon out in the dry warmth, and get to know his new Pokémon.
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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, 2021 2:02:32 GMT
The cave is blessedly warm and as dry as a cave can be. If Thel had to guess, it was engineered that way. Even with how Alloy liked to burrow, the Pokemon only came or went from the singular hole. Patience has left her clothes sprawled out on a rock to dry and huddled in the nest under the blankets. "Not having eyes on top of your head is very good if it rains.". She comments as he arrives and lets his team out to wander.
The Falinks huddle up in one spot and slowly rotate, squeaking to each other as they observe the other Pokemon around the cave. Serenity flops down beside Patience. Hope buzzes off to harass her fey friends about the cave, and Bliss crosses her legs, having a seat.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 20, 2021 2:12:10 GMT
"Yeah... it's definitely nice, too, not to be as low to the ground," Thel agrees. "I... I'm sorry about leaving you when everything went wrong. Well, before everything went wrong, but... still. I made you worry, and you have enough to worry about as it is. I... I hope you had at least a decent time until the rain broke, at least."
He sits down near her, just watching the Falinks. Best to let them take things in before he starts conversing. It's definitely a big change for them.
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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, 2021 20:55:53 GMT
"I didn't worry much. You had Bliss with you. If rain was your biggest worry, then you couldn't go too wrong with a grass type. Also she would never let anything bad happen to you.". Patience parsed slowly, watching the Falinks as they marched in a little ball around the outer edge of the cave.
"Serenity kept me warm until the wet started, then yowled at us to go faster and get underground. We kept finding Pokemon in bad spots, or really upset. Hope seemed to help everybody keep calm until we found the dry cave you joined us in."
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 20, 2021 21:06:22 GMT
"That didn't answer what I was asking," Thel says, gently. "Did you... enjoy any of yesterday? Because I... I want to help you through all of this. Through this new life. And I want to find things to help you be happy."
"I... I worry, Patience. That I'm not helping. That... I'm just being selfish. I'm just pulling you along with the things I find enjoyable. I don't even know what I should do overall. It wouldn't be right to just... leave you here while I'm doing classes. Or to make you go through and find yourself without help. I would have been a mess if I had to try and go alone. So I'm... I'm sorry. I'm failing at being a good friend."
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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, 2021 21:41:44 GMT
"You were there for the part I enjoyed.". Patience answered in her usual even tone. "I enjoy Serenity's company, being bigger like this. Looking at all the different trees were nice too, but I missed the buzzy rocks. I think they are called magnets.". She gave the Probopass a gentle pat.
At Thel's confession of inadequacy, she sat up bare chested and folded her hands in her lap. "Thel, your right isn't going to be the same as Jasmine's right. Or Whitney's right. Or Violet's right.". Patience was interrupted by the squeaking trumpets of the Falinks, the armored humanoid fleeing from a crag through the open, with the squad giving chase like it was a game.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 20, 2021 21:54:21 GMT
The Falinks' play brings a smile to his face, as he looks over at them. He's glad that they can enjoy themselves, and he was able to help reunite them.
His attention returns to Patience, no more awkward than usual. He's too exhausted after the morning and the night for the learned norms to really even twinge much. There aren't any humans and their weird rules around. So it's whatever. "I know that everyone's different... but they know how to actually act. How to properly maneuver in human society. I had... some of those lessons. So I know I don't want to leave you adrift. But I can barely do help as it is. Even with me being around. You're my friend, and you deserve better."
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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, 2021 22:21:19 GMT
"Thel, we aren't human. We will never be human. We don't have to be either. I don't expect you to follow their rules, just the ones you set for yourself." Patience was briefly distracted by her nails and gave her fingers a wiggle.
"You helped me be safe, and you are teaching me the things that make me feel good. It is all very new, and I know you want it that way. You want to be better then be better, but don't do it for me. I am not unhappy with you. You are enough to love. Or friend. Or family, or whatever this is.". She spread her arms wide gesturing to everything.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 20, 2021 22:36:13 GMT
"I... I know we won't ever be. Not really," Thel says, quietly. "But I just want to make sure that you're able to make the choices in life that'll make you happy. Because the world is big and confusing."
"And... I do want to be better. For everyone, myself included," he says. "Who I was before... it wasn't worth being. Not like you, or Em, or anyone. Who you are at your core, no matter what you look like, it's wonderful. It's the same for all of my friends, really. And that's why I want to help. So that you can be in this world, and navigate it, without losing who you are."
He lets out a sigh, reflecting on his journey. Because... really, he has constantly been changing. It's not bad, not at all... but he's not the same person who first appeared on that floor that fateful day. There's been a steady progression. Is it the best path he could have taken? He doesn't know. It's just the one he did take.
Shaking off those thoughts, he turns to Patience. "Mind sharing some of those?" he asks gently, gesturing to the blankets. "I just... want to be out of these clothes. Even with the fire, they've been soaked - or damp, at least - ever since falling in the river..."
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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, 2021 22:54:55 GMT
"You should be careful what you assume.". Patience answered firmly as she held the blankets open for him. "The life I had before I met you was as a component. If I had failed to survive the procedure, the tech would have been iterated on and used another Pokemon instead of me."
Lifting the edge of the blanket she showed Thel the invasive mechanical components that remained in her despite the shift in shape. "They can't take them out or I will die. I heard them."
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 20, 2021 23:04:46 GMT
"I'm sorry..." is all he can say, exhaling quietly. In the more familiar human shape, with him knowing what it's supposed to look like without the parts... it's all the more horrifying that someone would do that. He just wants to hug her tight, and tell her that it will all be okay. But he can't promise that. He doesn't know how it will all turn out.
"And... you're right, my words were careless," he says. "I've... been having a lot of that recently. Every time I learn more about the people who did this to you... I am more and more appalled. And more in awe that... that you managed to be strong enough to get through. I... I don't think I could have."
"What... what I was meaning was that you're kind. Thoughtful. Insightful. You're wonderful, and I don't want you to have to lose any of that. Not to fit in to life now..."
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