brokencode | IC Inbox [VR]

[Angel listened quietly as Walter spoke. She did her best to maintain her composure, but the longer he went on, the more Angel tensed up. By the time he reached the end of his tale, she sat ramrod straight, with her fists clenched at her side. It was far too close to her own upbringing, too similar to the horrors that she had faced.]

[The more uncomfortable Angel grew, the closer the Riolu crept. Eventually, Skagbait pushed herself beneath one of Angel's hands -- if she couldn't attack whoever it was hurting Angel, then she could at least provide comfort.]

[It took her nearly a minute to speak after Walter was done. In that time, she couldn't meet his eyes. Instead, she stared out, willing herself not to tear up, not to draw her attention away from what she did not doubt was a painful revelation.]

They are right. It should not have been that way, Walter. [She drew in a deep breath.] But sometimes that is the way. People are cruel, and I think you and I know that better than anyone else out there.

Renting a home...I didn't know we could do that here.
Maybe I could try something like that. It would be...different, to have a home of my own.
I've been a boarder at school for a very long time.

I would like that. Thank you!
Once I've seen one, maybe this Pokedex will tell me where the others are so I can find them.
I can make a trip out of it.

You and I. Walter slowly lifted his head, managing to resurface from those awful memories. Another person he had grown...close to, admitting that they had suffered at the hands of others. When he was younger, he would've cried and said it wasn't fair and asked why. As an adult, he knew why. It was exactly as Angel had said; people are cruel by default.

Hesitantly, he rested his hand on the table between them. He didn't want to touch her in case that upset her - and he knew she was upset. She looked too similar to the other orphans, tense and staring into space when the priests walked past them. But he didn't know how to offer comfort. He didn't know what to say. The silence hung over them as the people around them went about their day, oblivious to their conversation.

"I didn't...want you to have gone through something like this. But..." He hesitated, only continuing when Reed gave him an encouraging nuzzle. "I'm glad you understand. That we're not alone, in knowing this. And, I'm glad that we're here." With Pokemon. Her Riolu was acting very much like Walter's own Pokemon, often pressing up against him and gently coaxing him to focus on them when the memories became too much. And with others who understood; Jimmy, and Anders, and Heather. And each other.

He didn't want to ask or press for Angel to tell him exactly what happened to her. What mattered was that it had happened.

I... didn't have the exact same upbringing, but even having a hotel room to myself is such a wonderful change. I can't imagine what it might be like to have a home.
... I think I would be lonely.

See. That seems like it would be great fun. And who knows how many other flowers you might find along the way. Or flower Pokemon!

[Angel noted his hand, and hesitated only a second before clenching it tightly within her own. She wouldn't have guessed at his own internal battle -- the offered hand was more than enough for her. In turn, she hoped that the tight grip of her own hand was enough for him -- the traumas were too close to the back of her mind for Angel to truly be able to vocalize any amount of comfort.]

No one wants anyone to go through something like this. [It was like her conversation with Heather the day prior -- it was awful to know that she wasn't the only one that suffered. She would have gladly suffered years more torture if it meant keeping her new friends from those lives.]

We aren't alone. And... I'm here for you, Walter.

He turned his hand, holding her hand back just as tightly. A wave of relief and comfort spread from their hands and he didn't hide a soft sigh. He smiled, soft and shy, eyes lowered at their hands. "You too." It was still so much. To know that he had support like this. But there was also a warmth that came from it as well, like he was being bathed in the sun's light, and it was one that he wanted to be more familiar with.

Reed was also pleased. Feeling his trainer relax, he hopped onto their hands and looked incredibly smug, puffing up his chest. Obiviously he was to credit here! The Dartrix's silly behaviour emboldened Walter's smile. "Reed." Thankfully Reed chose to hop further along Walter's arm to seek his approval.

Then you should fill it with friends.
I think I'll do that if I can have a home.

[By "friends" she means "a whole lot more Pokemon".]

Oh! I would like more flower Pokemon to stay with me.
I have something called a Budew already. Her name is Setina.

[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.]

I think that's a perfect idea, Anthy.

[Granted, Angel's idea of friends was a mix between Pokemon and living, human friends, but the idea was well-received nonetheless.]

Really? I have a flower as well. She's a Floette. I'll be sure to bring her along with Bailey!

[aaaaaaaaa more living flowers]

Thank you!
I'll be so happy to see her.
I will bring all of my Pokemon so you can meet them. I've only got four.

[Angel broke contact after a moment, just a few seconds after the Dartrix hopped away. Her hand extended just a little further, stroking the top of the creatures head with a gentle touch, before retracting back to her lap.]

[With the more difficult conversation out of the way, Angel quickly turned her attention to the collection of treats that they had, then smiled up at Walter.]

Shall we?

[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

I'll have to bring mine then too. I have... more than four, but that just means there's more to look at and be excited about!.

I think we're allowed to keep six with us at one time, right?
Do you think anyone would be mad if I tried to keep more than that with me?
Or is it impossible?

[Put a Yungoos in your desk drawer just dO IT]

 To be honest.

I'm not sure. But some of my friends have talked about renting homes and storing their Pokemon there, so I think as long as you are not traveling with six of them, you're fine.

Walter nodded, feeling more at ease with Angel now. He still felt nervous when he thought about how to be a 'good friend' to her. How to repay her kindness and consideration towards him. But right now, it was okay. He scratched under Reed's chin, before having more of his bun. Reed hopped back to the chair, so he could resume his playful back and forth with Smoosh.

It was only as he went to try the macaroon while watching the Pokemon play that Walter remembered what else he had. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, fluffy Mareep keychain, putting it beside Angel's plate.
"I. I saw this, and thought of you. For your birthday." Hopefully it wasn't weird or creepy or too much-

[Poor Amadeus. He might take it on himself to get Jean a flying Pokemon of his own, solely so he doesn't have to deal with this embarrassment every time he comes to see Angel. He does, however, flutter a wingtip at Bailey, in what might be some owlish flirtation.]

[When Amadeus returns, he gives Jean the note and then scoots off to go be by himself--perhaps reliving some happy memories?--before Jean can give him some food. Jean is too distracted by the note to chase the owl down. If he's really hungry, he can get Armin to feed him.]

[The note is sweet, but it's the signature at the end that gets Jean to gasp and clasp the note to his chest. Love? Love? Oh gods, she loves him. Angel loves him!]

[Jean isn't so foolish that he thinks she loves him in the same way he loves her, but this is a start. This note is going to be carefully, painstakingly preserved in Jean's journal--which is starting to fill up with pictures of Angel herself--and Jean is going to be in a surprisingly cheerful, friendly mood for the rest of the day.]

[She loves him.]

I think...I would like to do that.
But I will have to save a lot of money first.

Let me know if I can help you raise money.

Okay!
Thank you.

[Angel no she can't take your money]

[Smoosh, having felt just a little ignored in the midst of the revelations, was delighted to have someone's attention back on her. She reached up, paws batting playfully at the creature. Skagbait, on the other hand, took the sudden motion of the other Pokemon to mean that things were more relaxed, and retreated to her earlier vantage point.]

[Angel glanced down at the keychain passed off to her. She picked it up, showing it to both Smoosh (who attempted to bat at it) and Skagbait (who gave it a look and then glanced away). Her smile was wide and excited, and she quickly clipped it onto her gear.]

It's perfect, Walter, thank you!

Walter bashfully smiled to himself. That went better than expected. "I'm glad you like it." Glad and relieved. He tried the macaron curiously. And had to pause. He thought it would've been crunchy or crumbly, with most of the flavour from the icing in the middle but it was soft and flavoursome throughout. It showed on his face.

Reed happily played with Smoosh, although when she successfully batted at his bang he hooted and fluffed up his feathers in offense. How dare she!

Good morning, Angel. There's someone who can't wait to meet you.

[Guess what's small, white, fuzzy, and a pleasant subject of conversation ~~though his voice doesn't sound nearly enthusiastic enough~~? The precious little Vulpix taking up most of the frame!]

I'm sorry I haven't contacted you about her sooner. Things have been... busy here.

[The tone of Anders' voice coming through her 'Gear was both startling and concerning. She approached it quickly, a thousand questions as to his well-being on her lips, but quickly found herself enamored by the creature waiting for her.]

[Anders used distract, it was super effective!]

It's precious, Anders. She's like a little cloud! [And so much less menacing than the one she'd met before. Funny how that worked out.]

[As if on cue, the little fox poofs her fur up, looking even fluffier. Between the Vulpix's display and Angel's reaction to her, even Anders smiles just a little in spite of himself. His hand rubs at one of her ears, soothing her back into a less "threatening" position.]

She seems to believe herself to be ten feet tall. But she's content enough to snuggle, as well. You'll get along, I think.

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backdated to around March 20;

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