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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 Feb 16, 2021 2:51:06 GMT
The Ampharos are settled, and there is no sign of any water in the lighthouse, nor damage to the stone and glass. Thel arrives at the campus early enough to say goodbyes to his friends for now, tuck them away, and locate Ophelia. He finds her in the main hall, arms around herself, staring forlornly out the window.
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 16, 2021 3:14:29 GMT
After the verbal lashing of the first time that they'd met, Thel's a little anxious to approach Ophelia again. But, this is something that he knows he has to do. Her demeanor over the past few days made that quite clear.
Walking up to the girl, he asks, gently, "May I request a few moments of your time, Miss Rosenthal? It's... it's about Diva."
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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 Feb 16, 2021 12:54:49 GMT
Ophelia casts Thel a sidelong glance and closes her eyes as though he might have struck her. There is a deep breath, and no glimmer of hope on her face, only pained acceptance for what was. Silently, she gave him a nod to continue, but did not grant him the benefit of her full attention. The rain spattered glass held, perhaps, some haunting truth for the girl from which she could not tear herself easily.
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 16, 2021 18:44:45 GMT
He takes a deep breath and exhales, sitting next to her. "This... probably isn't what you were wanting to hear, but... you deserve to know."
"Back on Thursday, I was heading back to my room through the garden... and Diva was there. It... wasn't just that she was waiting, she... actively accosted me." He closes his eyes, trying to push away the worst memories of that evening with a ragged exhale. It's painful to recount... but she has to know.
"It... soon became clear, that she wanted me to take her on my team. And... she became very angry and violent at my refusal. It's why... I wasn't here on Friday. Because she really hurt my Tsareena. It was... enough time for us to run, to hide. And then go to the Pokémon Center. ...but it wasn't the end. That night, my dorm burned down. And... if you went there, you could smell the Salazzle smoke... She burned it down."
"I... had a bad experience with a Salazzle. As a child. And... I learned then that they don't want friends. They... don't want equals. They want those they feel they can bully around." He shakes his head. "And... that's what Diva saw in me. Someone she could push around. I'm... I'm sorry, Ophelia. You deserve better. A friend that.... won't just abandon you."
"I... know that this isn't easy to hear, and you'll probably hate me for it. But I couldn't stand to see you pining for someone who just... doesn't care for you in the same way you do her..."
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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 Feb 16, 2021 19:53:33 GMT
"I know.". Ophelia answered in a hoarse voice. "I didn't stop looking. Not that day, or Friday, or all weekend. When the rain started, I knew there was only so many places she would hide. I found her on Sunday, in one of the outbuildings.". Her breathing was tight, and she left the shards of a shattered Pokeball on the windowsill.
"Do whatever you want with her Lucasta... She is no concern of mine anymore.". Visibly sagging, she began to slink away, in a great deal of grief and pain.
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 16, 2021 20:12:31 GMT
"I... I'm so sorry," he says. "I... I can't imagine exactly what you're going through. And... I know you don't really like me or anything, but if there's anything I can do to help... please don't hesitate to ask."
He hesitates a moment before offering, "Is... there a particular dish you find comforting? I'm going to be in the kitchens today, I can try and see about making it this evening."
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6,672 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 Feb 16, 2021 20:22:18 GMT
"You can leave me alone.". She snapped harshly over her shoulder. "My first partner, the one I loved above all others, and she left me Lucasta! And you have the nerve to tell me she chose you?!". Her voice pinched off with stress as she rounded on him.
"You may as well have just come to rub salt in the wound! What kind of trainer am I supposed to call myself now? A disgrace!". The girl took flight, heading for the classrooms.
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 16, 2021 20:54:41 GMT
Thel doesn't pursue. All he's done is make things worse, and he doesn't want to keep doing that.
He should have known, should have even considered that... well, humans don't see Salazzle in the same way. Being 'chosen' isn't seen as an insult, or only what's most convenient for the Pokémon. So doing this was a mistake... he only hurt her more.
He just stares off into the distance, wondering what he could have done 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 Feb 16, 2021 21:22:17 GMT
"Hey.". Comes a soft, mousy voice beside Thel. A red-head only marginally taller than Patience, with rectangular glasses, and a smattering of freckles across her cheeks looks up at him from where she had slipped in by his side. "I'm Mosa. Did you really mean what you said? About making her something she likes?"
"Please don't take it personally, she is in a really bad place. A dessert might help. She often talked about a dessert fruit salad her maidservant would sneak her when she was having a difficult time."
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 16, 2021 21:32:55 GMT
"Huh?" Thel's startled out of his thoughts. "Oh, uh, hi there. Yeah, of course I meant it. I wouldn't have said it if I didn't."
"Are... you sure it wouldn't just make things worse, though?" he asks, concerned. That's all he's seemed to be able to do. Make things worse for natural humans. Mable, Violet, Ophelia... "I mean... I guess if you know her well enough to know what she likes, you might be able to give it to her? Since I definitely know she doesn't want to see me again." He shakes his head. "I don't care about getting any of the credit or anything, really. I just want to try and help her feel better."
"I know about that kind of bad place..."
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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 Feb 16, 2021 21:47:27 GMT
"I can do that for you.". Mosa nods. "Ophelia isn't dumb though, she will know you made it. I am not on the cooking team and am terrible at it. If... You are willing to make it though, I am willing to take a little anger for sharing a secret of hers.". The girl gave a respectful curtsey. "Ophelia needs to see who her real friends are. She is homesick, and distraught."
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 16, 2021 22:13:15 GMT
"Yeah, I figured she'd know," Thel says, nodding. "But it's probably more likely that she'd accept it without seeing me."
"As much detail as you can give me on it would be great," he says, pulling out paper to jot down some notes. He's feeling a little bit better. "I want it to be as good as possible. ...don't know exactly when it'd be ready this evening, though."
"It makes me less worried about her knowing that she has someone like you watching out for her." He says, smiling at Mosa.
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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 Feb 16, 2021 22:54:55 GMT
Mosa's face colors a little at the praise. "We're all a little lonely in the end, and something nice won't take her mind off of Diva, but it will help her see there are people that care. So... It's called ambrosia salad. You are going to need cut up fresh fruit, sweet or tart is fine but not sour, so avoid citrus. She is particularly fond of cherries. Dark chocolate, and fresh whipped cream. I know you mix it all and freeze it, but that's all I really have."
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 16, 2021 23:07:51 GMT
"Mmmkay..." Thel says, concentrating and making sure he got everything on the paper. "Thanks so much. I'll see if Jesse has ideas on more details... but you've been a big help already."
He sighs. "I hope she's able to find someone to fill that void. A Pokémon who truly cares. I... know it's hard though. Really, really hard to move past what you felt you had..." He shakes his head. "All we can do is help where we can."
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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 Feb 17, 2021 0:16:17 GMT
"I'm going to head to class, but I will catch up with you during lunch, okay? Maybe I can find someone who can help me... Find a Pokemon that might do that for her. It isn't very safe right now, but I want to try. Ophelia deserves to be happy too."
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 17, 2021 0:30:48 GMT
"Alright, thank you, Mosa," he says, with a smile and a nod. "Just... be careful if you go out. Please. It's more important that you be there for her, I think. The rains will end and there will be other days, but if something happens... well, there isn't another 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 Feb 17, 2021 0:48:11 GMT
"I don't know that she would realize.". The girl smiled sadly and gathered her things against her chest. "That's alright. Sometimes it is nice to be beneath notice. You get closer to people that way.". With another half curtsey she excused herself, leaving Thel free for the remaining few moments leading up to first period to seek out his friends if he chose.
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 17, 2021 1:00:10 GMT
"Ah..." is all Thel can say. He feels a pang of sympathy, but isn't able to put it into words. Hopefully she doesn't hurt herself overextending...
With classes starting shortly, he gets up and goes to look for Violet. He hopes she's been enjoying the outdoors work.
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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 Feb 17, 2021 1:18:47 GMT
Violet nurses a hot drink in the dining hall, holding the mug firmly in both hands. By the smell it seems to be some kind of spiced cider. "Hey Thel, how is cooking treating you? The Masquerain have been out in force, they are really loving the weather. Pretty sure I saw a Dewpider near the new seawall yesterday too. The rain isn't really all bad after all.". She offers cheerfully.
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 17, 2021 1:29:03 GMT
"I've been enjoying cooking, yeah," Thel says, nodding and smiling. It's good to see someone in high spirits. It lifts him up just being around. "It's nice seeing people enthusiastic about it. And learning... well, real cooking."
"I'm glad someone's enjoying the rain, at least," he laughs. "I can't wait for it to be sunny again, personally."
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