ଘ(੭*ˊᵕˋ)੭* Angel (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
brokencode) wrote2016-08-22 05:17 am
brokencode) wrote2016-08-22 05:17 am
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IC Inbox [VR]
[Jack's not yelling when he calls her late in the night. He figures she won't answer, he'll just leave a message. That's fine. He doesn't want to talk to her. He just wants her to understand what she's done. That's gotta be it. She just doesn't realize what she's doing, how deeply she's hurting him. Kids rebel. It's one of those cliches that exists for a reason. She never got a chance, she's trying it now...that's all it is.]
[But Jack isn't sure he believes it. He wants to, because otherwise...otherwise she cut him to the core and set him loose on purpose. But either way, she's gonna know what she's done.]
[His voice is cold and tired and oddly conversational, and rough with the clear evidence of drinking, but there's a steel underneath it. He's beyond angry.]
You know, sweetheart....I always thought you were special. Different. Better than people, you know? I always thought...the universe sucks, people suck, but my Angel...she's got a heart of gold. She's good. She's got nothing but love in'er. I always thought you were the one person who'd always stick by me. The one person I could really trust.
But turns out...you're apparently just like everybody else. Just waiting for the first chance to get a knife in my back and twist it as hard as you friggin can.
Does it feel good, Angel? I hope it does. I hope all the pain and suffering you're causing is worth it. I hope you're real proud, of what you're doing with our fresh start.
And I hope you realize that everything that comes next...that's on you.
'Cause y'see, I don't have anything left to give a single flying frig about.
[But Jack isn't sure he believes it. He wants to, because otherwise...otherwise she cut him to the core and set him loose on purpose. But either way, she's gonna know what she's done.]
[His voice is cold and tired and oddly conversational, and rough with the clear evidence of drinking, but there's a steel underneath it. He's beyond angry.]
You know, sweetheart....I always thought you were special. Different. Better than people, you know? I always thought...the universe sucks, people suck, but my Angel...she's got a heart of gold. She's good. She's got nothing but love in'er. I always thought you were the one person who'd always stick by me. The one person I could really trust.
But turns out...you're apparently just like everybody else. Just waiting for the first chance to get a knife in my back and twist it as hard as you friggin can.
Does it feel good, Angel? I hope it does. I hope all the pain and suffering you're causing is worth it. I hope you're real proud, of what you're doing with our fresh start.
And I hope you realize that everything that comes next...that's on you.
'Cause y'see, I don't have anything left to give a single flying frig about.
[Angel didn't notice the message until the next morning, after her bags were packed and both she and her new companion had set out. She spent the rest of her day in a quiet sort of stupor, gnawing at the inside of her cheek and speaking only when spoken to. Her companion's own reclusive nature was a blessing in that sense — there was no need to force a conversation between the two of them.]
[It left her plenty of time to think]
[It wasn't until she and Murphy had settled in for the night that she withdrew her pokegear and listened to the message again. She had expected her father's fury, but for all her efforts, couldn't actually prepare herself for it.]
[Even after all the time that had passed between them, even after her father had sent her to her grave, she still felt guilty.
I do love you. [Her voice was feeble, trembling.] But you twisted the knife first, Jack.
[Even after she put her 'gear away, his words still hung in her mind. "Everything that comes next..." She swallowed down the apprehension, before glancing in the direction of Murphy, of Mari, and then out into the darkness of the woods. All she had wanted was to protect both herself and others.]
[Was it really going to lead to more bloodshed?]
[It left her plenty of time to think]
[It wasn't until she and Murphy had settled in for the night that she withdrew her pokegear and listened to the message again. She had expected her father's fury, but for all her efforts, couldn't actually prepare herself for it.]
[Even after all the time that had passed between them, even after her father had sent her to her grave, she still felt guilty.
I do love you. [Her voice was feeble, trembling.] But you twisted the knife first, Jack.
[Even after she put her 'gear away, his words still hung in her mind. "Everything that comes next..." She swallowed down the apprehension, before glancing in the direction of Murphy, of Mari, and then out into the darkness of the woods. All she had wanted was to protect both herself and others.]
[Was it really going to lead to more bloodshed?]
[It's been a week. He's left her alone. She hasn't made any more little speeches, he hasn't made a fuss about it. But he's losing his mind. He hasn't seen any sign of her on public channels and it frustrates, worries, and infuriates him.]
[He finally calls her.]
You ready to come home now, sweetheart?
[He finally calls her.]
You ready to come home now, sweetheart?
[Angel barely noticed the message on her 'gear. It had been a busy few days, ones that passed in a pleasant sort of blur. For a time, her device had lain forgotten, picked up only when she felt the need to contact the friends she had made in her first trip.]
[She had been expecting that sort of message when she opened her 'gear. She was unnerved to hear Jack's voice, but a quick glance in the direction that she knew Athena was put her nerves at ease.]
[She was safe. She would be from now on.]
I am home, Jack.
[She had been expecting that sort of message when she opened her 'gear. She was unnerved to hear Jack's voice, but a quick glance in the direction that she knew Athena was put her nerves at ease.]
[She was safe. She would be from now on.]
I am home, Jack.
Hey babe. It's me. Obviously.
[Why does this feel so awkward? This shouldn't feel awkward. He's calling his friggin daughter. There's a part of him that wonders if she's gonna not answer, or yell at him more. But he's calling just to talk, like he'd said. No urging her to come home, no questioning her decisions, just normal conversation between a dad and his kid.]
Just...checking in, I guess. Been spending a long day looking at proofs of Pokemon in costumes, so that's what's going on with me.
What about you? How you liking this weird planet so far? Not that you've seen much of it yet. I actually haven't, either. Got kind of busy in Goldenrod. Heard there's all kinds of cool stuff around, though. Was gonna take a trip, to see some of it, but..uh..got a little side tracked. You know me!
[Why does this feel so awkward? This shouldn't feel awkward. He's calling his friggin daughter. There's a part of him that wonders if she's gonna not answer, or yell at him more. But he's calling just to talk, like he'd said. No urging her to come home, no questioning her decisions, just normal conversation between a dad and his kid.]
Just...checking in, I guess. Been spending a long day looking at proofs of Pokemon in costumes, so that's what's going on with me.
What about you? How you liking this weird planet so far? Not that you've seen much of it yet. I actually haven't, either. Got kind of busy in Goldenrod. Heard there's all kinds of cool stuff around, though. Was gonna take a trip, to see some of it, but..uh..got a little side tracked. You know me!
[As much as Angel didn't want to talk to Jack, the implications of not doing so were far more unpleasant. As it is, Jack is in a good mood, or so it seems. And for once, the conversation isn't about her running back to him, or what a good father he is.]
[She could almost pretend things were normal.]
Proofs... for your greeting cards? Thats... what you said you did, correct?
[Angel paused, reluctant to divulge anything about herself. She felt as if anything she said or did might give away her location, or put her friends at risk.]
[But it couldn't hurt talking about how she felt, right?]
It... isn't so bad. It's much more pleasant than Pandora. And... seeing people face to face. Feeling the wind and smelling flowers...
It's wonderful.
[Admittedly, it was a bit of a jab at him. All the pleasant things she could finally experience without him, how her happiness was entirely contingent on being away from him... Without him around, she was finally teetering on happiness.]
[She could almost pretend things were normal.]
Proofs... for your greeting cards? Thats... what you said you did, correct?
[Angel paused, reluctant to divulge anything about herself. She felt as if anything she said or did might give away her location, or put her friends at risk.]
[But it couldn't hurt talking about how she felt, right?]
It... isn't so bad. It's much more pleasant than Pandora. And... seeing people face to face. Feeling the wind and smelling flowers...
It's wonderful.
[Admittedly, it was a bit of a jab at him. All the pleasant things she could finally experience without him, how her happiness was entirely contingent on being away from him... Without him around, she was finally teetering on happiness.]
Hey sweetheart.
Okay, I know I said I'd give ya a week to decide about spending a day with me, but I've been thinking a lot about what you said. So hear me out before you say anything, okay?
[He has been thinking about this. And he really thinks he's come to a suggestion that will make everybody happy. Well, for a degree. He's not going to be happy until she's home, where she belongs, but he'll go through her ridiculous emotional gauntlet or whatever this is, if that's what it takes.]
I know you're not exactly excited about the idea of spending a day with me - even though I promise you it's fine - so how about this. You let me take you out for your first drink. I know a real nice place, it's in public, we could get something to eat. And I know I kind of freaked out about the Athena thing, and I haven't changed my mind on that, but! But. Big but here. I get that you want someone else on hand.
So what about bringing Springs? I've got no problem with her.
Sorry I'm popping this on you now, but I did promise ya I wouldn't say anything about it till the week was up.
Okay, I know I said I'd give ya a week to decide about spending a day with me, but I've been thinking a lot about what you said. So hear me out before you say anything, okay?
[He has been thinking about this. And he really thinks he's come to a suggestion that will make everybody happy. Well, for a degree. He's not going to be happy until she's home, where she belongs, but he'll go through her ridiculous emotional gauntlet or whatever this is, if that's what it takes.]
I know you're not exactly excited about the idea of spending a day with me - even though I promise you it's fine - so how about this. You let me take you out for your first drink. I know a real nice place, it's in public, we could get something to eat. And I know I kind of freaked out about the Athena thing, and I haven't changed my mind on that, but! But. Big but here. I get that you want someone else on hand.
So what about bringing Springs? I've got no problem with her.
Sorry I'm popping this on you now, but I did promise ya I wouldn't say anything about it till the week was up.
[It took Angel hours to open the message, just as it always seemed to be. This time, however, it took even longer for her to consider an answer. Athena had offered to be the siren's shield. She was the only person Angel felt that she could trust to protect her. It wasn't that she didn't think Janey was capable, she'd already proven on several occasions that she was not a woman to be trifled with.]
[But still, she was afraid.]
[And then, of course, there was the fact that Jack seemed... unlike himself. Vices like alcohol were the exact sort of things heh ad tried to keep her from in her old life. On the one hand, it left her feeling uneasy. But even worse was the fact that it played with that small spark of hope in the back of her mind.]
[Maybe this place had changed him.]
Will you give me time to think about it?
[She would do more than thinking, of course. She'd need to sit down with Athena, perhaps even Janey, and have a serious conversation about it. She doubted Athena would appreciate her wife going up against a former megalomaniac on her own. And that was even if Angel said she was interested.]
[But still, she was afraid.]
[And then, of course, there was the fact that Jack seemed... unlike himself. Vices like alcohol were the exact sort of things heh ad tried to keep her from in her old life. On the one hand, it left her feeling uneasy. But even worse was the fact that it played with that small spark of hope in the back of her mind.]
[Maybe this place had changed him.]
Will you give me time to think about it?
[She would do more than thinking, of course. She'd need to sit down with Athena, perhaps even Janey, and have a serious conversation about it. She doubted Athena would appreciate her wife going up against a former megalomaniac on her own. And that was even if Angel said she was interested.]
[Backdated to 10/6/16]
[Nora the Picnicker is extremely frustrating. Anders has told her three times exactly where Stealer the Braixen is, and she still won't answer a simple question. It seems not everyone on the video network is as helpful as the people he's met thus far.
When he finally turns from the screen and looks around the Pokemon Center, he makes an unpleasant discovery that now people are staring at him, as if he's the rude one!
Feeling a little embarrassed, he takes a seat in the corner and pulls his Skitty into his lap to stroke and distract himself from his irritation.]
Rather unpleasant child. I was perfectly civil, don't you think, Pinsy?
[Nora the Picnicker is extremely frustrating. Anders has told her three times exactly where Stealer the Braixen is, and she still won't answer a simple question. It seems not everyone on the video network is as helpful as the people he's met thus far.
When he finally turns from the screen and looks around the Pokemon Center, he makes an unpleasant discovery that now people are staring at him, as if he's the rude one!
Feeling a little embarrassed, he takes a seat in the corner and pulls his Skitty into his lap to stroke and distract himself from his irritation.]
Rather unpleasant child. I was perfectly civil, don't you think, Pinsy?
Edited 2016-10-08 01:36 (UTC)
"I see Stealer! He's right behind you!"
[Angel had, at first, been oblivious to the commotion behind her. Training up Adorababy, the eevee she had recently been bequeathed, had been fraught with frequent and panicked runs back to the pokecenter. While she had managed to avoid him fainting entirely, there had been a great many close calls. This was one of them.]
[But after she had made sure the Pokemon was safe, it became a lot easier to relax. With relaxation came hearing, and with the noise came the embarrassing shouting from near the television.]
[Turning around, Angel gazed at the man, who had finally given up and flopped down with a skitty. She recognized the two, mostly by the princely, feathery coat, and swallowed her laughter for the time being]
[Stepping over, Angel held up a hand in a wave, while eevee let out a trill. Mari peered around her ankles, bleated once, and then darted forward to greet the pokemon.]
Anders? Is that you?
[Angel had, at first, been oblivious to the commotion behind her. Training up Adorababy, the eevee she had recently been bequeathed, had been fraught with frequent and panicked runs back to the pokecenter. While she had managed to avoid him fainting entirely, there had been a great many close calls. This was one of them.]
[But after she had made sure the Pokemon was safe, it became a lot easier to relax. With relaxation came hearing, and with the noise came the embarrassing shouting from near the television.]
[Turning around, Angel gazed at the man, who had finally given up and flopped down with a skitty. She recognized the two, mostly by the princely, feathery coat, and swallowed her laughter for the time being]
[Stepping over, Angel held up a hand in a wave, while eevee let out a trill. Mari peered around her ankles, bleated once, and then darted forward to greet the pokemon.]
Anders? Is that you?
Angel, please. Please tell me you can appreciate this cat face.
Σ:3[Package from the Pidgey Delivery Service! Among its contents are a knit hat, scarf, and mittens of blended pastels from sky blue to lavender to rosy pink. Atop it all is a handwritten note.]
Angel, I hope you’re doing well. I enjoyed seeing you in Ecruteak last month and I look forward to spending more time together at some point. In the meantime, I trust these will help keep you warm this winter.
Anders
Angel, I hope you’re doing well. I enjoyed seeing you in Ecruteak last month and I look forward to spending more time together at some point. In the meantime, I trust these will help keep you warm this winter.
Anders
[The members of the inn might be relatively alarmed by the delighted squeal that came from Angel's room. It took her only seconds to pull on her new clothing items, and a second more to snap a photo. She sent it off to Anders with a note of her own.]
This is a perfect gift. Thank you very much, Anders. You are a good man and, even better, a good friend.
With love,
Angel.
This is a perfect gift. Thank you very much, Anders. You are a good man and, even better, a good friend.
With love,
Angel.
[Surprise! It's a fairy tale prince and his happily rumbling Luxray knight!]
Angel, my dear, are you still in Ecruteak? I was wondering if you'd like to go out for some iced cream with me if I popped over sometime.
Angel, my dear, are you still in Ecruteak? I was wondering if you'd like to go out for some iced cream with me if I popped over sometime.
Iced cream? I am not sure what you --
[Oh!!!!!]
Absolutely! We can go right now, if you would like.
[Oh!!!!!]
Absolutely! We can go right now, if you would like.
You know it's... almost humorous how okay I am at the moment. I have spent a great many years dealing with this sort of behavior. Jack will never accept responsibility for what happened.
I don't know why I bother, to be quite honest.
My name is Angel. Please do not feel weird about reaching out. I appreciate it.
I don't know why I bother, to be quite honest.
My name is Angel. Please do not feel weird about reaching out. I appreciate it.
[Jack has been thinking. And drinking.]
[The drinking came after. Following his unfortunately public blowout with Angel, he'd spent a little time hyping up vacation with Manaka and then retired to his study to mull over what had gone wrong this time.]
[He just doesn't understand. He does what she asks, he apologized for what he feels he needs to apologize for, and still she's acting like this. But she's his daughter. She's just like him. Just as stubborn, just as emotional, and just as unwilling to back down. This stalemate has been going on for months and no matter what Jack does, he can't get through to her.]
[Shit. He's just going to have to indulge her. That's all that's gonna make any difference, if he just tells her she's right and says he's sorry, even though he has no real reason to. Ugh. But sometimes that's what has to be done. Hell, it's how he handled his bosses, when he first started in Hyperion. Just tell'em what they want to hear.]
[But he really hates that. And he shouldn't have to at this point, but he's losing his mind trying to figure out how to deal with Angel. Somewhere in the middle of thinking about all this, he opened a bottle and started in on it. If nothing else, he needs a good liquor armor to cough up what he's got to.]
[By the time he remembers he was going to call Angel, he's got a good slosh on. Alright. He's got to be the bigger man and just end this. Then everything will be fine. Yeah.]
Hey...uh...hey, sweetheart.
Look....uh....yesterday...or earlier today...what the hell time is it? I dunno. But you know. I kind of...
[Shit. This is harder than he'd thought it would be. He has to sound sincere and honest and like this is the hardest thing he's ever done. If he just up and apologizes, she'll know something's up. That would be so much easier, though.]
You know how I get. And how I get when I'm....you know I don't like when anyone throws my.... [A deep breath.]
I'm trying to say that maybe I could have...been cooler about all that. It got....kind of out of hand.
But for god's sake, Angel, you know how I am when I'm.....not.....right.
[Uuuuuugh, even phrasing it that way makes Jack feel dirty. He'd been perfectly right. Well...maybe he could have phrased some things better, but....]
[The drinking came after. Following his unfortunately public blowout with Angel, he'd spent a little time hyping up vacation with Manaka and then retired to his study to mull over what had gone wrong this time.]
[He just doesn't understand. He does what she asks, he apologized for what he feels he needs to apologize for, and still she's acting like this. But she's his daughter. She's just like him. Just as stubborn, just as emotional, and just as unwilling to back down. This stalemate has been going on for months and no matter what Jack does, he can't get through to her.]
[Shit. He's just going to have to indulge her. That's all that's gonna make any difference, if he just tells her she's right and says he's sorry, even though he has no real reason to. Ugh. But sometimes that's what has to be done. Hell, it's how he handled his bosses, when he first started in Hyperion. Just tell'em what they want to hear.]
[But he really hates that. And he shouldn't have to at this point, but he's losing his mind trying to figure out how to deal with Angel. Somewhere in the middle of thinking about all this, he opened a bottle and started in on it. If nothing else, he needs a good liquor armor to cough up what he's got to.]
[By the time he remembers he was going to call Angel, he's got a good slosh on. Alright. He's got to be the bigger man and just end this. Then everything will be fine. Yeah.]
Hey...uh...hey, sweetheart.
Look....uh....yesterday...or earlier today...what the hell time is it? I dunno. But you know. I kind of...
[Shit. This is harder than he'd thought it would be. He has to sound sincere and honest and like this is the hardest thing he's ever done. If he just up and apologizes, she'll know something's up. That would be so much easier, though.]
You know how I get. And how I get when I'm....you know I don't like when anyone throws my.... [A deep breath.]
I'm trying to say that maybe I could have...been cooler about all that. It got....kind of out of hand.
But for god's sake, Angel, you know how I am when I'm.....not.....right.
[Uuuuuugh, even phrasing it that way makes Jack feel dirty. He'd been perfectly right. Well...maybe he could have phrased some things better, but....]
[Everything about this situation seemed off. Something in Angel screamed to not listen, urged her to ignore the message and simply continue about her business. But Jack had been drinking, which meant he was upset.]
[If he was upset, she hit a cord. He had listened. That prospect alone was enough to blind her to the more logical side of her.]
Jack. I want to be a family, again. There is nothing I want more in this world than to be able to trust you enough to come back to you.
[That much was true, even if she hated admitting it out loud. The only reason she ever got so upset was because she hadn't stopped loving him.]
I know I asked this a long time ago, but it still holds true. I need time. And more importantly, I need you to realize what you did wrong. If you can give me that then I promise to at least try to come around.
Okay?
[If he was upset, she hit a cord. He had listened. That prospect alone was enough to blind her to the more logical side of her.]
Jack. I want to be a family, again. There is nothing I want more in this world than to be able to trust you enough to come back to you.
[That much was true, even if she hated admitting it out loud. The only reason she ever got so upset was because she hadn't stopped loving him.]
I know I asked this a long time ago, but it still holds true. I need time. And more importantly, I need you to realize what you did wrong. If you can give me that then I promise to at least try to come around.
Okay?
[After that public fight with Jack, it seems like an opportune time to contact Angel again. But Manaka doesn't want to lead with that subject; it would make it seem too much like Jack had sent her, whether or not that's true.
So, rather than a more elaborate message, Angel receives a single still photo of another one of Manaka's cuter Pokémon. In Anko's little arms, she holds a piece of paper, a simple message written across it in Manaka's meticulous, bubbly handwriting.]
Hello Angel ♡
So, rather than a more elaborate message, Angel receives a single still photo of another one of Manaka's cuter Pokémon. In Anko's little arms, she holds a piece of paper, a simple message written across it in Manaka's meticulous, bubbly handwriting.]
Hello Angel ♡
[The gesture was enough to cause every bit of emotion that had stricken her earlier to rise up to the surface. Before Angel had processed it, tears spilled from her eyes, staining her cheeks and clothes before she could even so much as lift a hand to attempt to wipe them away.]
[With the outpouring of emotion, there also came a sense of relief, as well. Manaka was listening. She was coming around, at least enough to, at least as far as Angel saw it, console her in her grief.]
[She was making progress, even if it didn't seem like it.]
[It was considerably difficult for Angel to type out the message she wanted to send Manaka. With each letter came more tears and the occasional sob. Eventually though, she managed a short message, one that she could only hope would be enough to summarize her gratitude. ]
[With the outpouring of emotion, there also came a sense of relief, as well. Manaka was listening. She was coming around, at least enough to, at least as far as Angel saw it, console her in her grief.]
[She was making progress, even if it didn't seem like it.]
[It was considerably difficult for Angel to type out the message she wanted to send Manaka. With each letter came more tears and the occasional sob. Eventually though, she managed a short message, one that she could only hope would be enough to summarize her gratitude. ]
Thank you, Manaka. This means more than you could know.Hello, Angel. Forgive me for the random call, particularly since I know it's been a while since we've spoken...ah, I just wanted to let you know that your...father contacted me about making and sending treats off to people.
[...]
And you were one of them. So...I wanted to give you a heads up in case he were to contact you about it later or anything like that.
[...]
And you were one of them. So...I wanted to give you a heads up in case he were to contact you about it later or anything like that.
[Angel chewed on her lip as she concerned the question. Pale fingers fidgeted with one another, leaving her gear to sit on her lap. Three times she replayed the message, hoping that each time, the content would change.]
[After the third, she lifted the gear. Briefly, she toyed with the idea of telling Botan to forget the order, refund her portion or at least just... eat it herself. Angel wouldn't dare invoke her father's wrath on the poor woman. Especially not after sticking her neck out for the girl.]
Thank you Botan. [Her voice was slow and hesitant.] I appreciate the heads up. It was... good if you to do that.
[After the third, she lifted the gear. Briefly, she toyed with the idea of telling Botan to forget the order, refund her portion or at least just... eat it herself. Angel wouldn't dare invoke her father's wrath on the poor woman. Especially not after sticking her neck out for the girl.]
Thank you Botan. [Her voice was slow and hesitant.] I appreciate the heads up. It was... good if you to do that.
[GOOD MORNING ANGELS, today starts with a Honchkrow rapping at the door and leaving a package addressed specifically to her. Inside, Angel will find white chocolates shaped into Alolan form Vulpix and milk chocolates with caramel fillings in the shape of Cleffa. It comes, of course, with a card that says simply "From Jack" but--what's this? There's another note with it.
"If you need anything, somewhere quiet or somewhere that smells nice, don't hesitate to call.
--Botan"]
"If you need anything, somewhere quiet or somewhere that smells nice, don't hesitate to call.
--Botan"]
[When she wakes up on Valentine's Day, Angel will find a box of one dozen cupcakes, a jar full of flowers, and a handwritten note done up in red marker on the dressing table of her inn bedroom. How they got there without waking her is a mystery. There was probably some pokemon subterfuge or something.
Happy Valentine's Day!]
Happy Valentine's Day!]
[On the day of February 14th, should they look at their communicator, they might see a message from one young Mabel Pines!]
Hey, you! You there! Yes, I’m talking to you! I’m just here to wish you a super duper Happy Valentine’s Day! May you get a lot of love and candy from everyone around you!
Because I know you definitely deserve it!
Hey, you! You there! Yes, I’m talking to you! I’m just here to wish you a super duper Happy Valentine’s Day! May you get a lot of love and candy from everyone around you!
Because I know you definitely deserve it!
[Sometime later, Mabel will receive a response in kind.]
Thank you very much, and have a happy Valentine's yourself, Mabel. I hope we can hang out again sometime soon. I would much enjoy making more things with you. [Since Anna's only flyer in her roster is Charizard, Angel can expect one of those dropping off a handmade (covered in glitter because that is the greatest thing ever) heart shaped card. Inside is a small embroidered sunflower flower, made by Anna herself since she's pretty decent at it, and a note.]
Happy Valentine's Day!
I hope you have a nyan-derful one!
- Anna
Happy Valentine's Day!
I hope you have a nyan-derful one!
- Anna
[Jack will get an audio message a split second after Angel glances at the image sent to her. It's short, sweet, and to the point.]
DAD!
DAD!
[After noticing Handsome Jack's post, it wasn't hard to figure out the girl who responded first was his mentioned daughter. It also wasn't hard, as someone who'd lived for centuries with a controlling and abusive brother, to sort of...at least wonder about the tone of the responses, the words used, the expressions, etc. It strikes a chord that Anthy doesn't like to be struck, and frankly? She'd like it to not be struck anymore, whatever it takes.]
Hello.
I'm sorry for messaging you out of the blue when I'm a stranger to you, but I just wanted to be sure of something.
Are you the Birthday Girl today?
Hello.
I'm sorry for messaging you out of the blue when I'm a stranger to you, but I just wanted to be sure of something.
Are you the Birthday Girl today?
[This... was an odd message to receive. She expected a number of messages from those who shew knew. This... she didn't expect this at all, though at least her mysterious benefactor recognized the oddness of it all.]
That... that would be me. Who are you?
That... that would be me. Who are you?
[Pidgey Post is at it again! A particularly pooped Pidgey arrives with a teeny tiny package, in addition to its own little bag of berries; fuel for the long flight, as it were.
The contents meant for Angel are simply a note and the glittering fragment of a red gem.
The attached note reads:]
My dearest Angel,
I hope this arrives by your birthday. I'm sorry I can't visit you myself, but I'm afraid the ferry from the Sevii Islands wouldn't put me back at a Pokemon Center in time. Still, may you have a wonderful day surrounded by those who love and cherish you.
Best wishes,
Anders
P.S. This little one worked very hard. Please be sure to thank it again for me.
The contents meant for Angel are simply a note and the glittering fragment of a red gem.
The attached note reads:]
My dearest Angel,
I hope this arrives by your birthday. I'm sorry I can't visit you myself, but I'm afraid the ferry from the Sevii Islands wouldn't put me back at a Pokemon Center in time. Still, may you have a wonderful day surrounded by those who love and cherish you.
Best wishes,
Anders
P.S. This little one worked very hard. Please be sure to thank it again for me.
[ Walter's extremely nervous about this but after the Jennifer Incident, he wants to get out of the house for a bit. And he had heard Handsome Jack's post, even if he never responded (because why would he). ]
Angel. I heard it was your birthday yesterday. I didn't contact you because of a slight problem but. [ There's a pause as he still has to make himself say it ] Would you like to meet me at the bakery? They do really nice cinnamon buns. We could have some, to celebrate...
Angel. I heard it was your birthday yesterday. I didn't contact you because of a slight problem but. [ There's a pause as he still has to make himself say it ] Would you like to meet me at the bakery? They do really nice cinnamon buns. We could have some, to celebrate...
[Angel's beaming smile kicked up the second Walter's face appeared on her feed. She listened to his message for a moment, then nodded vigorously, all before clicking on her own feed.]
[The result was a slightly flustered Angel, nodding once more.]
I would be delighted to, my friend. I... don't think I've ever heard of cinnamon buns, though.
[The result was a slightly flustered Angel, nodding once more.]
I would be delighted to, my friend. I... don't think I've ever heard of cinnamon buns, though.
[Early on friday morning, Angel is going to have a visitor. A visitor in the form of a polite, large noctowl carrying a package. Inside, she'll find three things.
First there is a card. Inside, one half of the card is covered in a large drawing of Angel sharing ice cream with Adorababy. It looks like a lot of time and effort went into it, done by someone with a fair bit of talent and promise. It's got shading, colouring, the whole gamut. The other half is covered in neat, slightly slanted cursive writing.
To Angel,
Happy birthday, Angel. I really hope Amadeus will manage to get there in time. We wish we could've given you these in person, but we had already booked tickets on the ferry to the Sevii Islands when we heard about your birthday.
I hope you have a wonderful day, and I hope to see you in person soon again. We'll likely be spending the rest of the month on the Sevii Islands. There's supposed to be so much to see. You're always welcome to come join us, but else, lets meet up again when we are back on the main land.
All the best.
Armin.
PS: I hope you like the gifts. Miss Botan gave us some advice.
A slightly more messy, scrawled Jean goes along Armin's name.
As for the gifts.
The first package is the biggest one. Inside, Angel's going to find a large squishable Sylveon. It's soft, it's cute, it's... probably large enough that she is going to have to make Krieg carry it while they travel.
The second package is much smaller and contains a selection of hair ties, with cute poke-cats on the buttons. There's also another note here, in Armin's hand writing:
If Anders asks, please let him know we bought these in Olivine
along with the exact address of the store.]
First there is a card. Inside, one half of the card is covered in a large drawing of Angel sharing ice cream with Adorababy. It looks like a lot of time and effort went into it, done by someone with a fair bit of talent and promise. It's got shading, colouring, the whole gamut. The other half is covered in neat, slightly slanted cursive writing.
To Angel,
Happy birthday, Angel. I really hope Amadeus will manage to get there in time. We wish we could've given you these in person, but we had already booked tickets on the ferry to the Sevii Islands when we heard about your birthday.
I hope you have a wonderful day, and I hope to see you in person soon again. We'll likely be spending the rest of the month on the Sevii Islands. There's supposed to be so much to see. You're always welcome to come join us, but else, lets meet up again when we are back on the main land.
All the best.
Armin.
PS: I hope you like the gifts. Miss Botan gave us some advice.
A slightly more messy, scrawled Jean goes along Armin's name.
As for the gifts.
The first package is the biggest one. Inside, Angel's going to find a large squishable Sylveon. It's soft, it's cute, it's... probably large enough that she is going to have to make Krieg carry it while they travel.
The second package is much smaller and contains a selection of hair ties, with cute poke-cats on the buttons. There's also another note here, in Armin's hand writing:
If Anders asks, please let him know we bought these in Olivine
along with the exact address of the store.]
[ Chris already has his go-to rented Talonflame for any deliveries, and Angel's no exception. After a few knocks at Angel's door, she'll be met with a small package carefully wrapped by Jill. Inside is a birthday card with little encouraging messages from both Jill and Chris, alongside some poffins for Angel's pokemon, and a small set of keychains for the birthday girl.
Chris mentions on the card that he and Jill will keep an eye out for any Vanillites for her in the future. As well as authentic, black and fitted leather gloves to keep her hands warm. ]
Chris mentions on the card that he and Jill will keep an eye out for any Vanillites for her in the future. As well as authentic, black and fitted leather gloves to keep her hands warm. ]
[Immediately following this, Angel's 'Gear will probably alert her that she's got an incoming video call. It's the middle of the day and Krieg's out rambling in the routes around Ecruteak as usual, so he's not nearby.
Yet.
He just has one very small, very quick question to ask her.]
Where are you?
Yet.
He just has one very small, very quick question to ask her.]
Where are you?
[This was... not unexpected, considering the day. But the timing is impeccable, considering the tears still in her eyes. She brushed them away as best she could, before pulling her 'Gear back to her.]
I'm home. [A breath, complete with the hopeless of hopes that her voice wouldn't shake. It did.] Why? Is something wrong?
I'm home. [A breath, complete with the hopeless of hopes that her voice wouldn't shake. It did.] Why? Is something wrong?
[Sometime on the 14th, Angel is going to have a visitor. A visitor in the form of a large noctowl carrying a small package and an envelope.
Inside of the package there are three seashells: two smaller ones, obviously picked for their rich and beautiful colours and a larger one. There is a small note with them too: It’s amazing how many of these you can find on the beach. If you hold the large one to your ear it’s almost as if you can hear the actual ocean.
Inside of the envelope, there is a letter and four pictures.
The first is one of a beach, taken roughly around sunset. On the back, Armin has written: Eren let me borrow his camera to take these. Isn’t it incredible? I’m so glad I finally got to see it.
The second one is of a pod of wailords and wailmer swimming alongside a boat. The note on the back reads: They are even more amazing in real life!
The third picture shows four boys, grinning, squished together in the frame, all dressed in swimming trunks and matching flashy, colourful sunglasses. Armin and Jean are already looking a little lobster-red, Bertolt and Eren just have that healthy enviable tan going on. On the back: Even glasses are so cheap here.
The fourth picture is Jean, posing dramatically. It’s the sort of pose that screams #camerajustturnedon, #Imnotamodel. He’s wearing voltorb pattern swimming trunks. Did he find a shop that sells these monstrosities? Did he make them? Some questions are best left unanswered. On the back: Jean asked me to take this for some reason. He made me redo it six times. Sometimes I still don’t understand him.
And then there is the letter:]
Dear Angel,
Thank you again for your note on valentine. It’s the first time I ever received a valentine’s day note. It’s not something we celebrate where I am from, but I think, even if we did, I probably wouldn’t have received anything anyway.
I asked miss Botan, and she said it is customary for men in her world to return the favour one month later on March 14th. It’s called White Day because men were initially expected to give girls white chocolate in return for their valentine's day gifts. I don't have any white chocolate, but I still wanted to take this chance to return your valentine’s day card and wish you a Happy White Day. I want you to know you are one of the kindest people I have met in this place and I hope you’ll find everything you’ve been looking for here.
Also, if I may be honest for a moment, I enjoyed getting the chance to write this letter to you. I’ve always watched other trainees write letters home to their families, but mine died before I joined the corps. It’s nice to finally have someone to write a letter to as well. I know this probably just sounds silly to you...
I hope you'll be able to join us on the Sevii Islands some time. The ocean and the beach are amazing here. Sometimes the water is so clear you can see the schools of luvdisc right from the shore. Apparently if you learn to do something called snorkling, you can actually go underneath the water and see them up close. We are also planning on visiting the other islands. Perhaps we should visit the ice-covered one first, while we are still somewhat used to the cold and snow, but I'm not sure if I can convince the others to head out into the cold again.
Hope to see you soon,
Armin
Inside of the package there are three seashells: two smaller ones, obviously picked for their rich and beautiful colours and a larger one. There is a small note with them too: It’s amazing how many of these you can find on the beach. If you hold the large one to your ear it’s almost as if you can hear the actual ocean.
Inside of the envelope, there is a letter and four pictures.
The first is one of a beach, taken roughly around sunset. On the back, Armin has written: Eren let me borrow his camera to take these. Isn’t it incredible? I’m so glad I finally got to see it.
The second one is of a pod of wailords and wailmer swimming alongside a boat. The note on the back reads: They are even more amazing in real life!
The third picture shows four boys, grinning, squished together in the frame, all dressed in swimming trunks and matching flashy, colourful sunglasses. Armin and Jean are already looking a little lobster-red, Bertolt and Eren just have that healthy enviable tan going on. On the back: Even glasses are so cheap here.
The fourth picture is Jean, posing dramatically. It’s the sort of pose that screams #camerajustturnedon, #Imnotamodel. He’s wearing voltorb pattern swimming trunks. Did he find a shop that sells these monstrosities? Did he make them? Some questions are best left unanswered. On the back: Jean asked me to take this for some reason. He made me redo it six times. Sometimes I still don’t understand him.
And then there is the letter:]
Dear Angel,
Thank you again for your note on valentine. It’s the first time I ever received a valentine’s day note. It’s not something we celebrate where I am from, but I think, even if we did, I probably wouldn’t have received anything anyway.
I asked miss Botan, and she said it is customary for men in her world to return the favour one month later on March 14th. It’s called White Day because men were initially expected to give girls white chocolate in return for their valentine's day gifts. I don't have any white chocolate, but I still wanted to take this chance to return your valentine’s day card and wish you a Happy White Day. I want you to know you are one of the kindest people I have met in this place and I hope you’ll find everything you’ve been looking for here.
Also, if I may be honest for a moment, I enjoyed getting the chance to write this letter to you. I’ve always watched other trainees write letters home to their families, but mine died before I joined the corps. It’s nice to finally have someone to write a letter to as well. I know this probably just sounds silly to you...
I hope you'll be able to join us on the Sevii Islands some time. The ocean and the beach are amazing here. Sometimes the water is so clear you can see the schools of luvdisc right from the shore. Apparently if you learn to do something called snorkling, you can actually go underneath the water and see them up close. We are also planning on visiting the other islands. Perhaps we should visit the ice-covered one first, while we are still somewhat used to the cold and snow, but I'm not sure if I can convince the others to head out into the cold again.
Hope to see you soon,
Armin
[First thing's first -- she gives the Noctowl a series of berries and a Pokepuff for a job well done. Though the window was left open, Angel was sure make it clear that he could stay as long as he liked.]
[And now? For the emotional overreaction.]
[This is the sweetest thing she's ever seen. And in true, girly fashion, Angel falls back on her bed with the letter clutched to her chest. A small, delighted sigh escaped her lips, and she shut her eyes to allow herself to envision herself on the islands.]
[The photos were silly, and she got a good laugh out of Jean's photo. All of them were taped around her room. She'd have to pack them up again soon enough, but for now she could surround herself with pictures of her friends.]
[And now? For the emotional overreaction.]
[This is the sweetest thing she's ever seen. And in true, girly fashion, Angel falls back on her bed with the letter clutched to her chest. A small, delighted sigh escaped her lips, and she shut her eyes to allow herself to envision herself on the islands.]
[The photos were silly, and she got a good laugh out of Jean's photo. All of them were taped around her room. She'd have to pack them up again soon enough, but for now she could surround herself with pictures of her friends.]
[What's this? Is this Amadeus the Noctowl at Angel's window again? Really, Jean just needs to get his own flying Pokemon at some point and stop taking Armin's. Amadeus is holding a neatly wrapped package that, when opened, contains a silky, drapey scarf patterned with Slyveons. There's no real note attached, only a little doodle of an Electrode wearing a scarf and looking put out about it, sitting under a palm tree.]
[That should be enough to let her know who it's from.]
[That should be enough to let her know who it's from.]
[Amadeus being present is a delight not just to Angel, but to Bailey as well. Just as every time before, the Oricorio did a quick jig around the towering owl, before settling down to ogle at him.]
[Angel gave him two Pokepuffs for putting up with it, before taking the gift from the owl.]
[It was likely that her companions would be startled by the delighted squeal she let out after delicately opening the packaging. Said companions would be treated to Angel flying out of her room, showing off her new scarf.]
[After the commotion and Angel's excitement died down, however, she returned to her room and sat down, scrawling out a quick note so that the poor Noctowl could be free of Bailey's charms.]
You're the best, Jean. Thank you so much.
-Love,
Angel
[Angel gave him two Pokepuffs for putting up with it, before taking the gift from the owl.]
[It was likely that her companions would be startled by the delighted squeal she let out after delicately opening the packaging. Said companions would be treated to Angel flying out of her room, showing off her new scarf.]
[After the commotion and Angel's excitement died down, however, she returned to her room and sat down, scrawling out a quick note so that the poor Noctowl could be free of Bailey's charms.]
You're the best, Jean. Thank you so much.
-Love,
Angel
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