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

[nostabbing]

[HELLO TO YOU TOO, CUTE FUZZY UNIFORMED THING.]

My friend Eliot says you only need forty-five minutes a day. Or maybe he only gets forty-five minutes a day. Something like that.

[She shrugs.]

Can I walk with you? It's pretty dark out here. I don't want you to get jumped or something.

[ardent]

Of course you can! I have Aiko with me, but I wouldn't mind the company.

Ah, but make sure you get sleep tonight as well, eventually - forty-five minutes can't be good for anyone, despite what your friend said!

[Really, how is your friend still functioning.]

[nostabbing]

[He is fueled by rage and righteous justice, presumably.]

Oops. I didn't see her; hi, Aiko!

[For supposedly not seeing her, it's a little creepy how she manages to look right in the direction of his invisible Misdreavus as she says that, too.]

Oh, here.

[She holds out the takeaway cup, which surprisingly is as-yet-unopened; if he decides to pop the lid, he'll discover hot chocolate with whipped cream inside.]

[ardent]

[...that is uncanny, Parker, good god.

That says, he accepts the cup from her, though he looks at her a bit strangely as he does so.]

What are you doing out here, anyway?

[nostabbing]

Following you. Well, tonight, anyway. Sometimes I walk around and look at the security systems on the stores in the jewelry distri—

[WAIT. Wait. Waaaaaaaait, no, she should probably...not say that. Out loud.]

Are you okay? You were walking differently when you left the house.

[ardent]

Aneki...

[...you probably should not have said that, no.]

But I'm okay, I guess! I'm not sure what you mean.

[nostabbing]

I just look at them! They have makes and models here I've never seen before.

[Look, man, some people drop twenty thousand Pokedollars on dolls, some people appraise security systems...]

Usually you walk around like you've got somewhere to go. But right now you're not going anywhere, right?

[ardent]

[Oi. Oi. We leave the dolls out of it.]

...Not really, no.

[nostabbing]

So...?

[Meanwhile, she extends her arms, curious to see if Eeveemaru will hop into them if the offer is made.]

Something's bothering you, right?

[ardent]

[Well, Parker, you are going to get a uniformed bundle of fluff bouncing at you off of Ishimaru's shoulder (after the obligatory wiggling around to set up the jump is taken care of, of course); Ishimaru kind of smiles at that, though the expression is a vague one and it doesn't last very long before he resettles.]

I guess. I've been having a hard time sleeping since that incident last week.

[nostabbing]

[She is so delighted about this armful of fluff, too. Eeveemaru had best be prepared to be spoiled rotten, cradled like a precious baby, and occasionally the subject of adoring nose-boops.]

When we were all in that weird castle.

[...]

Are you still having nightmares, like before?

[ardent]

Not like the ones we were having before we were in the castle, like with Aiko and your cat - it's been nightmares about what happened in the school. And even when that's not happening, I've been having a hard time getting to sleep in the first place.

[nostabbing]

...Are you scared of someone hurting you?

[It seems like they always come back to questions like this sooner or later, but evidently it's a concern that isn't going away for Parker anytime soon.]

[ardent]

No, not really. I know I'll be okay here.

[It's not exactly a good answer, but it's the best one he has for now.]

[nostabbing]

It's just hard to be alone in the dark?

[ardent]

I think that's it. I mean, I have my brother with me usually, but...

[nostabbing]

But...it's not really the same, because you worry about him a lot. Right?

[ardent]

...Right. I can't really tell him about what's bothering me, either; it's just going to make him angry.

[nostabbing]

[She seems to process that a second, regarding him thoughtfully, and then sort of furrows her brow at Eeveemaru for another second while something kind of clicks.]

Is it something you can't tell me about either?

[ardent]

...it's not because I don't trust you. It's just something that can't really be discussed with people.

[nostabbing]

[She nods a little.]

I get that. And you're smart. I know you'll figure it out.

[She glances down at Eeveemaru again.]

Gloomy has sleep powder, if you still can't get to sleep.

[ardent]

Ah...no, I don't think that's necessary!

[Oh god.]

I have a few Pokémon with Hypnosis, if I really need it, though.

[nostabbing]

[Nothing says sweet dreams like chloroform!

—WAIT HOLD ON A MINUTE]

You mean like psychics?

[ardent]

I guess? I have a lot of Psychic-types, if that's what you mean.

[nostabbing]

Maybe that's why you can't sleep, too.

Maybe they're inside your head.