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Post by DataNinja on Oct 21, 2021 23:47:02 GMT
"I only say this because I care, Hope," he says, quietly, trying to gently dry the bug a little with a cloth from his purse before setting her on his shoulder. "And I know you do, too. I know you care about more than yourself. You believed in me, after all." He doesn't press the issue, though, instead turning to Serenity.
"Thank you for trying to keep things from escalating," he says, leaning down to give the vulpine a light kiss on the forehead. The fur tickles his nose a little. "You always have, as long as I've known you."
Looking over at Patience, he smiles. "You've had a rough little while, so... I wanted to do what I could for you. A little something of your own. I saw how happy it made you when you first got them coloured."
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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 Oct 25, 2021 20:43:57 GMT
Serenity seems satisfied with the praise and climbs off of Patience to go heat some of the rocks against the wall and get comfortable against them. There is a slight twinge of jealousy from Bliss which is swiftly buried by a general sense of goodwill, being paraded around by Harmony.
Hope works her cheek against the cloth, more than happy to be out of the moist fur matting prison that was Serenity's mouth.
"I could paint your nails for you, Patience, I'm very practiced at it now."
"I don't know..."
"I could teach you.". At that the small blonde's eyes lit up. "Okay!"
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Post by DataNinja on Oct 25, 2021 21:18:29 GMT
"I'll leave you two to your bonding time, then," Thel says, smiling. "I'm sure you'll pick it up very fast"
He walks over towards Jasmine and Bastion, not making any move or inclination to stop Hope if she chooses to leave.
"Sir Bastion, Jasmine," he says in greeting, taking care to not meet the Aggron's eyes. "I... would like to apologize for what happened here. We're guests, and should behave as such. Not cause... issues such as this. Is... there anything that I can do to try and make it up to 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 Oct 26, 2021 2:23:14 GMT
Bastion makes an indignant noise and whips around to smash his head into the rock, tearing into the stone with blow after blow. Jasmine watches the outburst passively before turning to Thel. "Avoid bringing the incident up going forward, and keeping your Pokemon with you where they can be monitored will be enough. Reminding the proud of their... Shortcomings, is not a good way to mend fences, Thel.". She gestures casually to the fuming Aggron.
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Post by DataNinja on Oct 26, 2021 2:32:32 GMT
"I understand..." Thel says quietly, flushing. Well, he's stupid, he should have thought of that. For all that he hopes to be, he still... doesn't really understand others. He has to do better to try and mend bridges in a way that doesn't hurt others.
"I, uh..." he stammers, still feeling awkward, "I have some good news, at least. If you haven't been out... the rain's stopped. Muku did it, presumably. Amphy and Sirius will be able to have some rest. And... well, everyone else will be able to, as well. And see the sun again." ...not that he knows if rocks actually like seeing the sun. He's feeling incredibly self-conscious of his word choices right now, the happiness from earlier dissipated. Like every word he says is wrong. What hope would he have tomorrow, if he can't even do this now?
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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 Oct 26, 2021 18:12:30 GMT
The crashing and banging of the Aggron taking out it's frustrations on the cave wall go silent, and Jasmine offers a stoic smile, making a point not to look at the Aggron. "I can't think of any Pokemon that would want to go outside where they can shine in the sun."
A few heavy, tentative steps forward. "BUUUUT I guess it wouldn't hurt to have you unbatten the rear exit, let some fresh air in here.". She tapped her chin. "Oh but, who would be strong enough to move all those boulders?"
Bastion blows past her like an excited giant steel puppy and waits antsily by the basement exit to the gym. "Go on then Thel.". She chuckles. "If he volunteers it's his idea not yours."
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Post by DataNinja on Oct 26, 2021 23:42:15 GMT
Jasmine, canny as always. Thel smiles. "I've never seen something like that before..." he says, following along behind the Aggron. Sure, Alloy dug, but moving rocks around? "I can't imagine how heavy they'd be." He sure never had to move anything like that around the den. "Some of those rocks are way bigger than me," he says, wide-eyed, taking in the actual scale of the boulders, and looking up at the Aggron. "From the sounds of it, this is easy for you, though. They're just rocks, and you're a mountain."
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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 Oct 27, 2021 18:21:40 GMT
Before long, most of Jasmine's Pokemon had eaten, crushed, or moved the rock and packed wet earth away from the rear exit. The steel types seemed the most keen to see open air, but none more than her prized Aggron. Thel's Pokemon, likewise, bounded through drying grasses and soaked in the sun for the first time in an age while the humans watched on.
Em took to painting Patience's nails, explaining the why's or each stroke in a way that made sense to the smaller girl. Jasmine ushered Thel gently off to one side to speak with him as though she were just showing him to a comfortable spot.
"You have everything you need I hope?"
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Post by DataNinja on Oct 27, 2021 23:56:51 GMT
Ah. So, she knew. He had an inkling before, but this confirms it. "Did Morty say something?" he asks. The man always seemed to be mysterious with his knowledge, it wouldn't surprise him. Or maybe it was after seeing Mable. Jasmine'd seemed a bit suspicious then, too. But... it's of no matter where she learned of it, he supposes.
He shrugs. "As best as I could hope, anyways."
The boy stares off into the distance, watching the Pokémon play, though without really seeing anything.
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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 Oct 28, 2021 2:14:26 GMT
"It's not important, I just needed to make sure you were well compensated, for everything.". Jasmine replied mysteriously, her expression giving away very little. "You take too much onto yourself, you know? Gym battles, school, work, a growing family. I was the same way, when I was first old enough to take my journey."
She set a hand lightly over his. "Everyone can endure more than they believe they can. Pressure tempers us, flexibility keeps us from breaking, and kindness cools it. Someone has to have a hand in shaping it all. It can't be left unworked, heated... Or that potential becomes brittle and weak. Even when you find your place of comfort, sharpen yourself."
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Post by DataNinja on Oct 28, 2021 2:26:49 GMT
"So... don't take on too much, but not too little?" Thel asks, a little confused. "I... I'll try and figure things out."
He sighs. "It's hard, you know? There are people more important to you than yourself... and then there are sometimes when you just have to do things. I don't want to take on as much as I have... but sometimes there isn't really a choice."
The Pokémon frolicking around has been raising his mood, though, especially feeling his own Pokémons' happiness, and he gives a smile. "Thank you for... well, all that you've done for me since I've come here. I know I wouldn't have been able to come this far without you. Without everyone, really. I just hope I can adequately give back..."
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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 Oct 28, 2021 18:16:58 GMT
"It's not so transactional as that Thel.". Jasmine chided gently. "Community, friendship, even love... They are all about communication, compromise, give and take, but it's not quantified. I certainly don't sit and tally every good deed I've done or sign of affection and expect reparation. Love just is. You show someone you care, and they show you they care. Those feelings grow as long as they are nurtured by both parties."
She smiled and sat back, folding her hands across her middle. "I suppose that's none of my business though."
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Post by DataNinja on Oct 28, 2021 23:43:58 GMT
"It's... not exactly that. I just... I just want to do things for people and help them be happy," Thel says. "People have helped me, I want to do the same. I... it's not that I feel I have to do it, but... it would make me sad to have not done it, I guess?"
"I just want to show my appreciation, I guess." He's been doing a lot of guessing. "I don't want to take any part of this life I've been given for granted."
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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 Oct 29, 2021 18:25:38 GMT
"Then it's more about your phrasing, and less about your mindset.". She smiled serenely, watching her Pokemon bask and grapple. "Don't compare your deeds to others, and claim you owe. It makes your efforts seem like they come from a place of guilt. It is enough to thank someone in the moment, and when the time comes to show your affections in kind, if they try to turn you down, you can insist that you need to show them every courtesy because of how they make you feel. It doesn't get into deeds, or tallies. Seems more genuine."
There was a small pause. "Your relationship with your friend is moving really fast. Are you certain?"
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Post by DataNinja on Oct 29, 2021 18:37:22 GMT
"Oh, I see..." Thel says, nodding. "Sorry, I'm... still not the best at getting across what I want to. Words are hard." He laughs. "That's something class has been helping with, at least."
It takes him a minute to figure out what Jasmine was referring to. "You mean Em? More certain than anything else I've ever felt in my life."
"You... have to understand," he says, quietly, "and I'm sure you do, that our circumstances have not been anywhere near usual for humans. Our souls were laid bare after Magma's process, and we had to try and find ourselves. We know that we fit, that we compliment the other where they need it, because we were there for each other as we stumbled along. We were exactly what the other most needed, when our souls were the most raw and we were lost. And we are... more. She has felt my emotions, I her senses. We are not normal... but that's okay. Because we have each other. So, even in this short time... we know. There will never be anyone else like the other."
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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 Nov 1, 2021 19:16:57 GMT
"Thel, I won't lecture you, or belittle your feelings for Em, but I do need to offer a word of caution.". Jasmine lightly brushed his bangs to one side, fingers trailing along the curve of his hairline. "Many, many humans have felt similarly at your age. That someone they are with is and will be their one and only always and forever. It isn't always true, and is a hard life lesson for them to learn."
"I know you have your family, and your dear friends... I just hope when you have no one else to turn to, you can come talk to me. It isn't right for someone to grow up without parents."
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Post by DataNinja on Nov 1, 2021 19:28:53 GMT
"I..." Thel doesn't really have much that he can say. How could he be whole without Em? He's seen some of the futures. ...but that's not really something that he feels comfortable talking about. "Thank you Jasmine," he says, flushing a little. "I do appreciate the advice. Even if it might seem like... I'm not necessarily following it."
"And... thank you, too, for the offer. It means a lot to... not be as alone as I once was. But, really," he smiles sadly, "it was probably better off that way for me. The only thing I could have learned that I didn't already was how to act like one of the Ladies. And... I wouldn't be who I am now in that case. I wouldn't be a good person."
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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 Nov 1, 2021 21:45:54 GMT
"You would be surprised. There are stories of Pokemon taking in wayward loners of other species, usually Audino, or Chansey, but there are others. I know I'm not... Really much older than you are, but even just having a human's perspective on things..."
The normally composed girl seemed slightly flustered, as though unsure of how to conduct herself. Giving Thel a small hug, she quietly excused herself to the company of the armory of steel types.
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Post by DataNinja on Nov 1, 2021 21:51:16 GMT
Thel isn't quite sure how to respond - though, Jasmine doesn't seem to quite be sure either - and so makes his way back over to where Em and Patience are, in order to see how the nails are coming along. He can spend more time with his Pokémon when everyone comes in for the evening. For now, the most important thing is letting them play and enjoy the fresh air.
"How is it shaping up over here?" he asks with a smile, taking a seat.
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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 Nov 1, 2021 23:51:39 GMT
Patience flashes her finished nails for Thel's benefit, before resuming her work on Em's nails in a faint shade of pink with a look of intense concentration. "Patience it's okay, really, you don't have to do my nails right now.". "SHHHH I'M PRACTICING!". Em gave Thel a small, sly smile, her eyes twinkling.
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