Oneiromancy Is The Loneliest Number (Thel)

"The idea of spun sugar might have even come from a Pokemon, Swirlix and Alcremie are both know to have a natural affinity for sugary things.". He kept pace, as they exchanged ideas and experiences, standing so near that they might touch at any moment.

"Not the happiest story I'm afraid, but one I will gladly share. My childhood was a very lonely one, you see. I was kept apart from other children, and while I did have Pokemon, it was never quite the same. I learned to be a good listener, accepting of people's faults, kind. All things my father wanted for me."

Gently he took Thel's hand that wasn't currently engaged with the cotton candy, giving it an encouraging squeeze. "No need to fret on my account.". A playful smile. "Water under the bridge as they say.". It seemed N could grasp Thel's emotions before he even fully expressed them.

"There came a time that Dad's truth, want he wanted, clashed against my ideals. Sometimes he won, sometimes I won. We don't really talk anymore as a result, there are few things more difficult then finding out a loved one used you."

"Ah, but I digress. Carnivals remind me of happier times. They filled my daydreams, and my mind when I slept. A celebration without purpose. Joy because the world needs it. I had posters of them in my room during that difficult time."

"If it were an easy mindset to have, more people might practice it.". N replied off-handedly. Bliss sauntered up to the pair, giving N a suspicious looking over. "Ah, a lovely flower graces us with her presence.". The other boy took a knee, and tucked his head and shoulders down so that he was just slightly shorter then the Pokemon. It looked uncomfortable.

The Tsareena's eyes widened, then she feigned disinterest, but she wasn't hiding the periodic glances at this new person very well. She vocalized a few times, and glanced up at Thel. "Ah, I see. That must be very difficult for you.". More talking.

"He has good friends, and you to guide them. He will be alright.". There was a long, probing stare at N before she took Thel's other hand. "That's okay. Sometimes you can only really trust yourself.". He nodded sagely.

"Even if she vocalized nothing, so much is being said.". N explains, guiding Thel towards a giant wheel with cabins set sporadically along it, slowly rotating at the center of the park. "It's in the set of her shoulders, the tilt of her head, that noble bearing. She is proud, and wishes to be adored, but holding yourself above others instills great loneliness too. You found her somewhere she didn't have much contact with others, or very much attention... You've become the focal point of her whole world. Both her desires, and her needs."

"Will you ride with me? Look out over Kanto together?". Kissing the back of Thel's hand, he smiled shyly. "I will teach you what I know of talking with Pokemon. Of finding kindred spirits. Of breaking out of your loneliness and doubt."

The "Ferris Wheel", as Thel comes to learn it is called, moved at a slow, comfortable pace as it lifts the trio into the air. N stares wistfully out the window, and Bliss makes herself comfortable between the pair. "Your mind has been opened to a lot of things this last week, and it's been a struggle. Valiantly you put one foot in front of the other, not sacrificing your ideals for an easier way forward."

There was a warm, relaxed sigh from the boy as he turned to look into Thel's eyes, his own shining with admiration. "Formal schooling, close family, unrequited love, grand tragedy, rising conflicts internal and external. The naiveté and trust of a child paired with the ability and tact of an adult. That the world had more in it like you. Like us, I suppose."

Reaching over Bliss, he stroked Thel's cheek with a thumb. "There are two techniques to communicate with Pokemon on deeply intimate and personal levels. I would like to teach you one of them tonight. Aura, the energy that makes up all life, is perceptible to those sensitive to it. My talents lay elsewhere, a sort of mentality, to aura's physicality."

"Channeling, as it is called, gives definition to your Pokemon's emotions. It colors them and casts some light on what their heart desires. Gives nuance to something that might otherwise be pale interpretation.". N explained quietly.

"It can be done with any Pokemon, but is most profound with ones you have formed a close bond with. Lessening their pain, bolstering their strengths, knowing what they know... It's a conversation after a fashion. Tell me, what do you know, or think about, spirituality. The nature of the soul, as it relates to the world?"

"That is perhaps the textbook definition of what the soul is, but how does the idea make you feel? The emotion behind a belief is just as important, if not more so, then the belief itself. Faith, in one's self, or a cause, drives us to do amazing and terrible things, depending on the person. So I will ask again Thel, what does the idea of a soul, make you feel?"

"The soul is a universal truth... It is the most honest expression of an individual, with no room for interpretation. Were we to each consider Bliss, we might have different opinions as to who she is, but two channelers bonding with the same Pokemon, there is no dispute. Bliss is who she is. She may not express parts of her self well, or at all, but Channeling is a deeply intimate form of bonding."

N laughed softly at a little shy indignation from the Tsareena. "Yes Majesty, I know it is unbecoming to be spoken of in such a way, but Thel needs to understand.". Then to the boy. "The soul *is*, is very aptly spoken. It should be treasured, protected, and celebrated. Do you think you can do that?"

"Then take Bliss' hand in yours, look deeply into her eyes, and lose yourself in them. Lose your preconceptions, lose your fears, lose your aspirations. Let it all fall away until there is just her. Long, slow breath in. Long, slow breath out. Take in all that she is, take in her aspirations, take in her emotions, fill yourself with them and know her, truly know her." N's voice remained firm and instructive, the distant view of Olivine and the ocean giving way to just the cab they sat in. Then Bliss's eyes, and the sound of N's Voice.

Letting things go is a difficult thing, existing in an absence of the self, but Thel knows it. Remembers it from the simpler times, before humanity and all the growth he's done. In his very youngest days, when he was tended by other males. All of his needs met, no direction or goals. Simply, being. He finds this state in balance at last, lost in Bliss' eyes. Many strong emotions break against him in waves.

Pride in herself, and how strong she's become. Pride in him, for getting her there. Love for herself, and love for him. Desire for understanding, contact, and speech. Jealousy, and fear, that she might lose what she has to Patience or another. A need that echoes Thel's own, to be better. To be everything he needs. Lingering doubt, that such a thing might ever be possible, with creatures like Diva around. Her hand left his, settled gently against his cheek as every nuance of her character and feelings was laid bare. A twinge of embarrassment followed it, but no regrets. Wet built in her eyes, and she freed a hand to stroke his cheek.

"Do you understand now, Thel?" Bliss asked softly.