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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 26, 2021 4:38:14 GMT
"You are confident then? Completely stock sure?" Jasmine asks passively, folding her hands in front of her and watches Thel with a passively interested expression. "You are going to help me setup drainage tunnels for Olivine. These being burrows around the outer perimeter of the city, that are to be dug out and then lined with sand." There was a pause, then she gaugingly asked; "Does that make you nervous?"
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 26, 2021 4:44:20 GMT
"...yes, it makes me nervous," he says, exhaling at last after a long pause. "I know the waters are going to keep rising. And this is to stop that. So I worry... that I'm not going to be good enough. That I'll fail at doing what needs to be done. That it'll be my fault something goes wrong."
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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 26, 2021 5:06:03 GMT
"Consider that if nothing is done, things can only go poorly. I am nervous too, Thel." Jasmine took a sip from her cup, long and slow, before setting it back down. "Like you, I often feel like a lot of people are counting on me to be ept, and that if I come up short people will be disappointed in me. I can't undermine my own abilities with doubt, though. I can't afford to. Not as a gym leader or as a person." The petite girl met his eyes with a hopeful expression.
"There is always that chance that your best isn't good enough. It isn't the end of the world. When we sleep, time continues without us. When we fall ill, someone else steps in to look after our Pokemon, or fulfill our duties. Things continue, unabated. If... this weather phenomenon goes to its absolute conclusion, and enough people build boats, a floating city survives. Overconfidence is bad yes, and not having pride and putting effort into your work is bad. Doubt... doubt isn't bad, as long as you use it to sharpen yourself."
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 26, 2021 5:13:46 GMT
"You're right," he says, inclining his head. "If I'm not doing anything, then nothing is done." He takes a deep breath. "Scared as I am... you'll have my free time, as much as you need me."
"Do you... do you know if classes are... still happening?" he asks, nervously. "I don't want to disappoint anyone there... but this also seems really important. Since, well, it's to protect the city." He feels awkward. He should know what the right thing to do in this situation is, but... he doesn't. He's just really stressed out.
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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 26, 2021 5:36:54 GMT
"Only time will tell on any of it. I'm faced with several difficult decisions." Jasmine steepled her fingers and rest her head on top of them. "Leaving the gym open builds morale. Makes a statement that we will get through this and things will remain an unblemished sheen as they always have. Steel perseveres. It encourages people to keep their spirits high, vigilance, and activity despite everything terrible that is happening." A pause to scratch her chin.
"However, attending the gym restricts my ability to fulfill my duties as the town's guardian. Which I am the most qualified to create a drainage system and a seawall. There is only one of me. It may already be too late to create the drainage. My Pokemon won't deal with soaked soil well, much less standing groundwater. My fans, my fellow gym leaders, and the townsfolk are all counting on me to make the right decision."
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 26, 2021 5:49:02 GMT
"Would it build morale more for you to be here?" Thel asks, curiously. "Mightn't that lead to them thinking that if you're not doing things, they needn't do them to help? If they look to you for guidance, wouldn't the best thing to be helping guide them in doing what may be needed to keep the town safe? I don't know the mindset of humans very well..."
He's quiet, though. With a distant look. Because he remembers the visions of a flooded world. All of this might be in vain. All of it might be vital. And he'll never know which one it could be. What good are visions, if it doesn't even give you guidance to have one?
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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 26, 2021 12:14:51 GMT
"I am a minority here. You'll find the majority of the residents in seaside towns like ours have Water and Flying types, which does nothing for the land itself. I don't have enough Pokemon, or enough trained hands to create a new drainage system from scratch quickly. All I can do is mitigate as much damage as I can, while I am able to. There is no right decision for me, but I know I need help. No matter what I do, someone will be upset." Her brow knit in concern.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 26, 2021 17:44:40 GMT
"I see..." Thel says, nodding. "I'll do whatever I can to help. This is my home, too, for the time being, and I don't want to see it flooded. Well... I really don't want to see it flooded even if it wasn't my home. I like the people living in the region. I don't want to see it go, so I'll do my part. You can count on me, I-I hope..."
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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 26, 2021 19:20:47 GMT
"I believe I can count on you.". Jasmine assuaged gently. "I am just not sure what avenue is best. There is a lot of demand for my time and I am one person. I will need rest too, at times, and you have your classes.". The girl exhaled, brow furrowing. "Maybe... If we petitioned the school? Framed it as a public works project... Got help from our town's best and brightest?"
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 26, 2021 19:37:01 GMT
"That's an idea," Thel says, nodding. "I... don't know exactly how much it would help, though, given the degree of disdain that I've heard that most of them express for the... dirtier things in life. But, even if it's a few extra people, it may still help out. I don't think there's much to lose by asking."
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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 26, 2021 20:04:40 GMT
"I will give the headmistress a call tonight, and see if she is onboard with this... Hopefully we see quite a few volunteers... I should settle in and write a proposal. I haven't seen anything like this in my time as a leader. Not something of this scope or danger.". She rubbed the back of her left hand with her right.
"Can you recommend anyone among your classmates that I might talk to directly?"
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 26, 2021 20:19:45 GMT
"I imagine that Violet would probably be all over helping - she was the one who was with us when you picked us up off the mountain," he adds. "She enjoys the outdoors. Though... might not be keen to face more rain so soon."
"And then Aliana might be a good one to ask. She's very competent, and she certainly knows how to handle Pokémon if her dragon is anything to go by. Since she volunteered to show me around and all that, she'd quite possibly be open to this."
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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 26, 2021 21:08:46 GMT
"This is going to be the busiest week I have ever had. Are you hungry? Can I get you anything for downstairs? You haven't even touched your tea. It will help take some of the chill from the rain away. Hot drinks and hot meals are a godsend in weather like this. It helps keep spirits bright, energy up, and bellies full."
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 26, 2021 22:05:42 GMT
"Oh, I'm sorry," Thel says, flushing and looking at his tea, taking another few sips. "I know it's rude, it's just... hard for me to eat and talk at the same time. I want my full attention on whomever I'm talking to."
"And, no, we're good down there, I think, thank you," he says. "I've still got enough food to make stuff to keep everyone fed for a bit... though, I don't know how much longer it'll last with the Falinks around." He laughs. "I'm used to having only a few small bellies to fill. IT was enough of a change feeling a full-sized Patience, too."
"I should probably go down and make food for myself and everyone, though," he says. "But, don't trouble yourself with any of that. You've already done more than enough for us, and I wouldn't want to be any more trouble."
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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 26, 2021 22:49:07 GMT
"Wait... You cook, Thel?". Jasmine visibly brightened. "Maybe that is the best thing we could have you do. It is already in your talents, doesn't put you in any immediate danger, and it would help people keep their energy and mood up, and encourage volunteers to step forward.". She rose and started clearing the table. "Hot stew and biscuits waiting for people after a cold wet day is a great motivator, I just need to make some calls first."
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 26, 2021 22:57:26 GMT
"W-well," he stammers, "I... try and cook, at least. I'm still not great at it, but I've learned some things that I find taste good enough. I really haven't been doing it for that long, so it's mostly... trying to feel what goes good together."
"It's not really comparable to all the food in the Centers, it's just me... wanting to try and be able to provide my own food. Because... he goes quiet, "well... that was never something I was allowed to do. It all had to be doled out, and we were always, always hungry. So... having control of my own food, it's amazing."
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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 26, 2021 23:10:31 GMT
"Once things are in order, and everything can be laid out, we will talk about work, and payment. Enjoy your dinner.". Jasmine offered a gentle smile. "Thank you, you helped me get my thoughts sorted."
Downstairs, Patience was awake and sitting up, thankfully dressed. Hope finally flitted free of her perch on him, now that his distress seemed more behind him. Serenity rushed up to the boy's side and butted her nose into his palm with a whine, giving it a lick.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 26, 2021 23:52:10 GMT
"I'm always happy to help," he says, tentatively, laughing a bit, "I just... don't think I can take the credit for anything."
Once downstairs, he gives Hope a smile and a wave as she flits off to do Hope things, before getting tackled by Serenity. "Glad to see you too," he says, giggling at the licking. "Thank you, by the way. What you showed me, it helped during my rest. To recognize and just... not be as overwhelmed." He crouches down and gives her a hug around her long neck.
"I'm just going to go and make some food now, for everyone, but after we eat I think that some brushing time is in order, if you'd like that." He gives her some more pets, before standing up again.
As he works to get his cooking station set up, he turns to Patience, asking "How are you holding up? Just... in general."
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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 27, 2021 0:19:01 GMT
"Well, I'm not used to feeling things. Not this vividly anyway. I think I am queasy. Or maybe it is nervous. There are a lot of things going on that I don't understand. A lot of dangers. To you and all of us. I want to help, but I don't know how.". Patience exhaled softly. Serenity brushed against Thel's legs before laying down in the nest to wait for supper.
Harmony had no idea how any of Thel's cooking implements work, but they tried their best to help, pots probably aren't helmets though. And the host of tiny bodies crowding his cook space wasn't helping.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 27, 2021 0:57:57 GMT
"If it reassures you any... not even Jasmine really knows exactly what to do right now," Thel says to Patience, as he attempts to corral the Falinks. "I know I'm feeling the same way, myself. I want to help, but I just... I don't know."
"But... yeah. I know being human is hard to get used to. It's overwhelming, and different, and there are some things missing and new things that weren't there before..."
"Harmony..." he says, laughing, getting his utensils back, "I appreciate you trying to help, but I think it's best if you leave the cooking to me. This station's a bit small for everything, and I don't have the coordination you all have. I can try and teach you sometime, but... that would need more space, really. If you want to watch, that's fine, but I just... it's better for just me right now, okay? I'm only coordinated with me."
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