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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 23, 2021 1:07:59 GMT
With the bowl out, Mosa tries a sample, chewing and nodding to herself. "This should do, even if it isn't perfect. You kept the spirit of the dish even if you didn't know the particulars. It's not meant to be neat and orderly, or subtle nuances of flavor. It is a sweet mess, and I think she will love it... But, you will probably find out one way or another tomorrow."
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 23, 2021 1:11:21 GMT
"Alright, well... if it goes well enough, I can try and improve it," he says, nodding. "Just... feedback is important for that, is all. But, if it doesn't go well... I guess that's fine, too. I just hope she'll be able to find something that makes her happy again..."
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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 23, 2021 1:21:56 GMT
"You did your best, this might get a smile out of her.". Mosa collects the dessert, and makes for the exit. "...If she wants to come find you afterwards, and seems like she is in an okay mood, do you want me to tell here where you are? Or come get you and have you meet her?"
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 23, 2021 1:48:26 GMT
"Yeah, it's okay to let her know I'm here," Thel says, nodding. "I'll be just... still cooking in here for a while longer."
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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 23, 2021 2:57:47 GMT
Mosa leaves Thel to his experimentation. Jesse comes and goes as the evening wears on, giving him a tip now and then. Stir fry is about ingredients and sauces,cooking thicker, oily sauce directly into your ingredients and keeping them mobile to prevent burning. It isn't until nearly 9 pm, that he heard the door to the kitchen swing open. Ophelia wordlessly stepping in.
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 23, 2021 3:08:38 GMT
This has been a far, far different style of cooking than his own, or the baking done. It requires a lot more focus, and seems easy to screw up. So he's very glad he'd already been able to give Patience some food... the night's beginning to drag on a little. But, he's been losing himself in concentration.
It's a few moments even before he notices that it was Ophelia, not Jesse that had entered this time. He gives her a small, silent nod recognizing that she's there, and goes back to moving his food to where they won't burn if he has to take attention off of it. But he wants to let her engage on her own terms.
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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 23, 2021 4:51:06 GMT
Ophelia pulls a stool over to the end of Thel's prep counter and makes herself comfortable, watching the effort he is putting into his cooking, the sweat from the heat. Grease, flour, and other things beneath someone of station staining his apron. When he finished his frenetic motions, she asked in a small, quiet voice. "May I try some?"
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 23, 2021 4:58:06 GMT
"Of course," Thel replies, nodding. He doesn't pry, or inquire about anything. Just lets things go how they may. "It'll be a few moments for this batch to be plated and cool, but I've got a few prior attempts over there if you want to sample while it gets ready." He gestures with his head. "They're not the best, though. But that's just how cooking is."
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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 23, 2021 5:18:55 GMT
"That's just how a lot of things are, huh?" Ophelia slouched forward, folding her arms on the counter and resting her chin on top of them. "Your Ambrosia Salad was... okay. Not quite as good as the ones at home... but having someone sneak it to me made it feel every bit as inappropriate." There was a twinkle of mirth in her eye, though the smile didn't reach the girl's face. "Why do you try so hard, Thel?" She cupped her cheek in a hand, and followed his eyes as he continued cooking.
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 23, 2021 5:30:38 GMT
"Ah, sorry," Thel apologizes. "I'd never even seen it before. If you let me know what could be better, I could try and improve on it sometime. If you want."
"And... I try, because I started with nothing. And so every bit of positivity, every gesture, it meant so much to me. And I try and give that back. To help others where I can, like people helped me." He puts the stir-fry onto a plate. "I've been in dark places myself... and I don't want anyone to feel that way. Not ever. I feel especially bad here, because... well, it was enough my fault. Even if I had no intention of it being."
Splitting a little bit of the stir-fry off to test for himself, he serves the rest to Ophelia. "Careful, it'll still be hot."
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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 23, 2021 5:47:05 GMT
She poked at it with a fork as it cooled, watching the steam curl and rise. "I haven't done any of that for you. I belittled you, looked down on you for being a boy... fumed over and hated you... And when my partner leaves me, I feel like a failure as a student, a trainer, and a member of my family... you make this... stupid little gesture." At that she laughs wetly, scrubbing at her eyes with a palm. "And... I just don't know what to do or think anymore..."
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 23, 2021 6:17:16 GMT
"I don't care how you treated me," Thel says, shaking his head. "Who people are isn't necessarily who they will be. Especially here, in this environment. And you certainly aren't anywhere near the top of the most heinous people I've met. Not by a long shot. You're still a person, one who deserves help in a time of need."
"You can't blame yourself for what happened, either," he says, quietly. "Pokémon have so many thoughts, feelings, and decisions of their own. They're basically people, even if many people seem to not feel quite that strongly about them. It doesn't necessarily reflect on you. I certainly don't think you a failure. I... admittedly may be biased, because of my own horrible experiences with Salazzle. But just because you didn't click... it doesn't make you any worse of a Trainer. From what I've heard, you were an excellent Trainer. Something happened thing that wasn't your fault, it shouldn't reflect badly on you."
"I... can't speak on the family front, really, but if they aren't supportive of you when you're being distraught, then... are they really good family to care about the opinion of? They should be there to help you. I... know that the types of families that usually send people here are far different than what I've experienced, though."
He checks the temperature of the food. Still too hot. "I'd offer to go out and help you find a friend once the rains are done. I'm sure the mountain especially will be full of Pokémon who are more than happy to find someone willing to care for and help them, and to share that love in return. I met a good friend there just recently. But... I know your friend Mosa said that she'd like to try and do that. So... I'd go talk to her about it, if you're interested. Before she hurts herself going to do it out in the rain. She seems to really care for your well-being."
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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 23, 2021 15:38:42 GMT
Ophelia slid back into silence for several awkwardly long moments, listening to Thel talk and considering the food with the mildest of interest. At the mention of Mosa, and a new partner, she shook her head slowly. "I don't know if I'm ready for that. Any of it. Or you, even. Diva was... mine... and special. Fully grown when I got her, trained by someone else... I was just... I was the person holding the leash this whole time. Not someone she loved or respected. I wouldn't know where to start with something else."
"Mosa means well... I don't know what she really wants... just like I don't know what you really want. Nobody is that selfless. There is always a reason."
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 23, 2021 18:27:57 GMT
"It's okay, he says. "It's not something you need to do now, or even at all. The choice is yours, for when or if you feel ready. Trying to find another Pokémon before that would probably do more harm than good. But I figured I'd just offer."
"And you start... at the beginning, really. You just... get to know them. Learn what they like, and dislike. And share things about yourself. That's how I met my first partner. She approached me, and trusted me, and we just spent some time getting to know each other before she decided she wanted to come along. Every day's still a learning experience, as you find out more about each other, but it's a journey not a destination."
He's quizzical at her last statement. "I just... don't want anyone to feel the way that you're feeling now. That's all. If, in the end, you feel better and end up treating me how you did before?" He shrugs. "It is what it is. That's at least your choice. But, right now, I might be able to help, so... why shouldn't I help? I can't speak for Mosa, but it seems like... she just wants to be your friend. And to look out for you. If you don't want to believe me... well, regardless, the food'll be here if you want it. You just need to ask."
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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 23, 2021 18:49:56 GMT
"What do you get out of that though?". Ophelia pressed. "What benefit is there in supporting people that don't care about you, your troubles or activities?". Ophelia was clearly starting to get frustrated with the concept. "Why suffer and toil for somebody else, just to get tossed to one side?! That's what this whole school... What some of our lives are built on! You perform, or you are useless... And here you are just... Doing."
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 23, 2021 19:02:25 GMT
"I guess it just... makes me happy to see others happy?" Thel says, thinking. "And, people are generally good, I've found. Sure, someone might take advantage, I guess... but there are so more who are appreciative, and just... will continue to spread those deeds. People helped me. It's why I'm here at all. So I'll help other people, and hope they help others in turn, I guess."
"Besides, this isn't suffering. I like cooking. ...admittedly, it's been a really long day and I should probably get to bed soon, but I've enjoyed learning to do new things! It's a thing in my life that makes me happy, and it I can do it in a way that makes others happy, too, it's even better. Meals are even better when you can share them with others anyways."
He shrugs. "It's not worth dwelling on if someone tosses me aside, anyways. There's such a wide world out there, and it's worth it just to find people who'll smile at some kindness."
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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 23, 2021 19:14:39 GMT
"I don't know how to be happy.". Ophelia took a forkful of the stir fry and tried it, now that it seemed sufficiently cool. "Maybe that's the core of the problem too. How can I understand a want for others to be happy, if I've never been.
Talking between bites, she makes no comment either way about Thel's cooking, but seems to be enjoying it. "I won't keep you, if you need to get to bed."
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 23, 2021 19:22:24 GMT
"Oh..." he says, softly. "Well, one of these days, we can try and fix that, if you want. Try and see if we can find something that makes you happy. Because everyone deserves to at least know what they enjoy doing. I'm sure Mosa would enjoy that, too, and she'd probably be better suited to it. I don't know a whole lot, after all."
"And it's no worries. I still have to do dishes and everything. Clean up here. It's no bother."
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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 23, 2021 19:45:29 GMT
Finishing the experiment, Ophelia sat back, then rose. "Even if I don't get it... Thanks for the effort, okay Thel?". Gathering herself without another word, she left with an air of uncertainty. It seemed like one of those moments there was a lot to think about and not much to be done.
Dishes sorted, there was the matter of figuring out the leftovers. One didn't simply throw food out.
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 23, 2021 20:00:19 GMT
"You're welcome. Anytime," he says, as she leaves.
And, food. He isn't sure if it's good enough, yet, but... might as well pack it up and bring back to the Gym. Patience might like some, or Jasmine - since she was wanting to talk to him tonight about that League meeting or whatever, if he remembers right. He feels a little bad being out this late.
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