009. Anonymous Text/Action for Goldenrod City

[ardent]

[ANONYMOUS TEXT]

[The anon text on the network tonight is simple and to-the-point, hitting at about eleven at night; it seems that somebody isn't sleeping easily.]

Is there a way to stop hating someone?

If not, is there at least a way to stop being so angry about it all the time?




[ACTION]

[While he's not straying too far from the house he and his classmates have more or less taken over (with the assistance of a ridiculous amount of Eevees), Ishimaru can be found wandering around outside tonight; he's staying close to the breeding center and the like, but he's definitely seeming more restless than usual, his actions aimless. He's been having difficulty sleeping for almost a week now; it probably shows in his mannerisms and his speech - everything has been seeming less enthusiastic than usual - but he's been trying to keep up appearances, if nothing else.

At least he's not alone for the time being; he's got Eeveemaru with him - one of the members of the great furball legion from the house, all decked out in what looks like a little replica of Ishimaru's coat and armband (because if Togami thinks he's getting any aspect of this back - Eevee or outfit - he's got another thought coming to him, apparently). The thing is just kind of chilling on his shoulders for now, seeming a bit bewildered at being outside at a reasonably late hour but not too bothered otherwise; once in a while it bats at something not visible to anyone but there nonetheless - seems he's got Aiko with him as well, though the Misdreavus isn't visible for now.

It's late, and he's tired, but at least the night is nice, if a bit overcast. Maybe it'll rain soon, who knows. He just doesn't feel like being inside.]

Comments

text

[saxsongs]

It depends on the type of hate, I think. Though first you need to figure out why you hate them and if there's a way to change whatever it is.

[anon text forever]

[ardent]

I know why, but it can't be fixed or changed - at least, I don't think it can. So what happens then?

[Anon Text]

[dressofheaven]

It won't go away easily. If they aren't here, it'll eventually seem like it's fading, because you won't have a proper target for your anger. But it'll simmer underneath, until something reminds you of it, or you meet someone else like them. If you really want to get past it, you have to start by letting it out. Rage. Scream. Hit something.

[anon text forever]

[ardent]

They're here now, and I have to deal with them every day besides.

I don't like being angry at them. Wouldn't acting on it like that just encourage it more?

text

[imthe_shit]

Depends why you're angry at them. What level of pain did they cause you, do they deserve to be hated.

Sometimes learning these things won't change the emotion you feel toward them, whether or not they deserve it. It's up to you to decide if you want to stop hating them, and force yourself to go through with it.

anon text forever

[ardent]

I've been told that they deserve it, and I guess people are right when they say that - what this person did is unforgivable and I know it.

I don't really want to forgive them, either. I thought I did, but I don't think I can. I just want to stop hating them. I think there's a difference, but I'm not sure.

[surpassedjupiter]

You could kick them in the head.

From a very high place.

[anon text forever]

[ardent]

[...WHAT]

That isn't an option, for a lot of reasons!

text

[beholdmydemons]

Shove them into a pond. Then they'll hate you too, but you'll feel better for it.

[anonymous text]

[ardent]

You know, if I weren't so certain that I'd be maimed for it after the fact...well, I still wouldn't do it because things like that aren't an option in the first place, but the mental image is almost worth it by itself.

[Text]

[beforethedarkness]

[Damn everything. He can't help looking at this one, and it hits a little bit too close to home. Even then he's still struggling, and even then he still doesn't know the answer. He only managed to move on upon learning the truth, but what if that night, he really had...

But no, he hadn't. So that changed things for him. But that wasn't here or there. This was about hatred... About those who deserve it. And, the more he sits there thinking about it, the more one thing makes sense about it all - something that only years of experience and recent revelations have made clear to him.]

Find a way to let it go. It just creates more hatred and pain if you hang onto it, no matter why you do it.

[anonymous text forever]

[ardent]

That's what I've been trying to do, but circumstances have been making it difficult.

[anon text]

[exeggutorhead]

Easy, find a way to get revenge for whatever they did to you.

[IT'LL TOTALLY WORK, 100% GUARANTEED.]

[anon text forever]

[ardent]

You know, the number of people suggesting that is really making me worry about the state of things in Johto.

[action]

[forthevillage]

[Someone else has decided tonight is a good night to get some air. This someone isn't exactly the sort of company Ishimaru might prefer, however.

At first it's a set of watchful eyes from the top of a building roof, but the figure slips down silently to follow at a distance, a hooded jacket over the usual Team Rocket uniform.

He's still in training, with no mission assigned to him and no real reason to leave the city, but that doesn't mean he can't feed his own curiosity now and then.]

[action]

[ardent]

[Aiko notices the person following them well before Ishimaru does; he's trained her into doing things like that, into keeping an eye on their surroundings even when he can't or isn't inclined to for whatever reason, and he can feel her tensing up nearby.

He glances in her direction briefly, even though he can't see her; just...keep quiet for now. There's no sense in getting worked up over random passersby, even if it is late...]

[diamondo]

[Mondo's first thought is to reply with something along the lines of "get revenge" but the more he thinks about it, the worse that advice seems. That used to be the way he operated, but after what he went through in the school... he's realized that there are some things you just can't get revenge for. Not if you want to remain a good person, that is. (Getting revenge on its own totally doesn't make you a bad person, by the way.)

Imagine if Fujisaki had tried to get revenge for what Mondo had done to him. He can't imagine Fujisaki killing anyone, but imagining Fujisaki being that angry really hurts somehow. He knows it shouldn't - Fujisaki had every right to be furious after what happened - but it hurts nonetheless.

Mondo eventually decides not to respond to the text, since he doesn't have any good advice on the subject. He's sure Ishimaru has advice for the person anyway; Ishimaru always seems to have something to say on matters like that.

It's later at night when Mondo exits the house, looking for Ishimaru. He doesn't like that Ishimaru hasn't returned yet and while he's not exactly afraid that something's happened to him, he can't let the possibility go. Celes is here, after all. He sighs in relief when he finds Ishimaru and approaches him, slinging an arm around his shoulders.]

It's a little late for you to be out, huh?

[He squeezes then lets go, glancing up at the stars.]

What are you doing out this late?

[ardent]

[Eeveemaru jumps down at Mondo's approach - fortunately enough, as being squished isn't high on his list of priorities - and takes up trotting next to them; it turns out the Eevee is more perceptive than his trainer, given that Ishimaru flinches a little when Mondo pulls him close, though the action is more through surprise than displeasure and he's quick to relax, even before Mondo lets go of him.]

Ah, kyoudai - I didn't think I'd be able to get to sleep, that's all!

[nostabbing]

[So Parker's always had a habit of popping up randomly behind people. It's how she first met Ishimaru, after all, all those months ago here in Goldenrod City when he was out appreciating the sky and they ended up reflecting on the fact that potatoes are covered in ovaries. (Those were simpler, beautiful times.) And tonight is no exception — how she saw him leaving the house is open to anybody's guess, but presumably she did, and he's about halfway down the street (and under a streetlight, thankfully, because it'd be terrifying as hell if she'd done it in pitch darkness) when she pops up behind him with a takeaway cup in her hand and a piece of chocolate in her mouth.]

Hi, Ishimaru!

[Beat.]

Hi, Eeveemaru.

[It will hit her in a second, but for now she sees absolutely nothing weird about the little uniform-clad fuzzball on his shoulders, nope.]

What're you out walking around here for?

[ardent]

[Normally Aiko would, you know, warn a guy about something like this - but this is Parker we're talking about and Parker is family, even if Parker is not Kyoudai. So basically...yeah, thank god for the streetlight there, even if it is still enough to get Ishimaru to jump a bit anyway.

...Eeveemaru, however, just barks out a greeting because HI THERE.]

Aneki - I just couldn't sleep, that's all! I've been having some difficulty with it lately.

Text

[usedwrench]

[...Welp, this reminds her of a situation back home, and oh for whatever's sake people, revenge should not be an option.]


Sometimes it depends on if things can be fixed or changed.

[anonymous text forever]

[ardent]

I don't think they can. What's done has been done.

I just don't know what to do about the way I feel about it now.

equally anon text;

[in_praetego]

[ There's a moment's hesitation when he sees that message but apparently, he knows how you feel man. Hate is a hard thing. So's being angry. ]

I don't think there is, despite what everyone says.

[same settings forever, then o/]

[ardent]

...That's what I'm afraid of.

Some things are unforgivable and I know it; at the same time, staying like this isn't something I can really do - it's not something I want, and it's not going to help anything. I guess it's just a matter of figuring out what to do about it.

text

[topoftheclass]

I'd like to think so given the right circumstances.

[anon text forever]

[ardent]

What sort of circumstances would those be?

( text - anonymous. )

[openturn]

It probably depends on why you feel that way. Was it somebody you once liked and started hating later? Or is it somebody you always felt that way about?

[anon text forever]

[ardent]

It was someone I didn't really like, but I respected them, at least. They did something unforgivable to me, and something even more unforgivable to a group of people I was supposed to be protecting.

text

[wontturntostone]

I Believe That Wishing To Stop Hating Someone Is The Primary Motivation You Need
Hate Is Exhausting
It Is Far Easier To Let It Go And Stop Dwelling On It

It Just Takes Time

anon text forever

[ardent]

If it were something that I thought I could just let go of, I don't think I'd be posting this in the first place.

Maybe time is all that's needed, but I'm not so sure.

Action

[struck_out]

[The last few weeks had completely wrecked Leon's sleeping patterns. Unable to fall asleep, he's taken to walking outside. Accompanying him by his side is the Eevee that had been dressed like him; none of his Pokemon were too happy to follow him outside now that they could get a good night's sleep save for this little guy who had been at his side for the whole tenure of the nightmare.

Leo, as he's named it, has enough energy and cheer for the two of them. Bouncing around and exploring every new corner of the road that they're walking around, the Eevee's eager for some fun tonight. Leon though is oddly subdued, and allows his new friend to bring him around.]

[ardent]

[Eeveemaru (which, as far as Ishimaru is concerned, isn't a suitable name for this thing, but that's what Parker's calling it so you know what, Eeveemaru it is) notices his companion-in-watchkeeping well before Ishimaru does, and he's quick to bound off of Ishimaru's shoulder and trot off in Leo's direction; at least the white uniform makes him easy to keep track of and follow after, and it isn't long at all before Ishimaru's caught up.

...and then here he is, and here Leon is, and this is...either going to be interesting or awkward, or perhaps some unholy combination of both, as conversations with Leon tend to be.]

Ah...Kuwata-kun, what are you doing out so late?

action;

[superordinary]

[ Just because their visit to Nightmare Castle is over and done with doesn't mean Naegi's not going to suffer from bad dreams anymore. Tonight he had woken up after experienced yet another death under the crusher and instead of raiding the freezer and eating an entire tub of Beldum & Jellicent ice cream like he did last time, he decides to go out on a walk with Naevee in tow. When he spots Ishimaru, he decides to approach and say hello.

Looks like late night FTEs are going to be a thing again. ]

What are you doing out here?

[ardent]

[Aiko is aware of Naegi before Ishimaru is; however, since Naegi is apparently One Of The Not-Kyoudai People We Are Totally Cool With, she apparently sees zero need to actually warn a guy of their friend's approach. Because clearly there is nothing wrong here, outside of the fact that Ishimaru's a little jumpy tonight and hello Naegi how's it going good lord hi.]

Ah, Naegi-kun! I could ask you the same question, couldn't I?

[...the attempt at authority is a little undermined by Eeveemaru there, but shhh.]

[action] oh heyyyyy

[soundmind]

[Likewise, Maka is actually coming to visit! He did say, after all, if she was in the area to come visit, though the problem with Maka tends to be…

She gets caught up on small details like "should I bring a gift? Maybe make them something that they could eat?" and ends up wandering in circles while thinking it over, missing the big picture. That is to say, Maka you are supposed to be visiting a friend.

So that's where she's left, pacing up and down the path she's made while her Umbreon (with rings glowing to light the way) and Houndoom sit by watching her. It's the Houndoom, Kali, that notices another presence first and perks up, letting out a whuff of alert. Maka pauses and turns to see just what her companion is looking at, her face brightens when she sees Ishimaru and waves to get his attention.]

Ishimaru! Who's your little friend there?

[action] well hello there maka how's it going o/

[ardent]

[See, Maka, this is why he gets along with you; if anything is going to be done, it will be done after the obligatory copious amounts of overthinking. ...Unless he's having a particularly intense moment, at which point he is Captain Hotblood and there is no toning it down, but for the most part, overthinking takes priority.

Ishimaru isn't expecting to come across anyone tonight, so he's a bit intrigued by the glowing mass of Umbreon over there; might as well investigate, right? And then...well. That is much more of a pleasant surprise than he was expecting, actually; he brightens up a little, reaching up to pat Eeveemaru as he's pointed out - and for the fuzzball's part, you are getting a greeting barked at you.]

Ah, Albarn-kun, It's good to see you! This is one of the Eevees I've come into possession of lately - one of my classmates made the jacket.

Voice

[redenzione]

It is difficult. I have tried to put my past behind me and forgive those who have trespassed against me, but if my dreams have shown me anything, it is that I have yet to find it in my heart to let go.

[anonymous text forever]

[ardent]

Your dreams...? What dreams would those be?