Chapter 61; Text/Action

[tentacletrainer]

For those it may concern, Bro Strider has gone home.

[[Short and simple. Anyone around the Casa de Eglonde interested in visiting her can find her in her study, Lil Cal the Banette in her lap as she reads.]]

Comments

[text 5ever]

[soundmind]

[Ah, there's the inevitability, someone going back home.]

I see.

But we can still hang out, can't we?

Equally 5ever texting;

[tentacletrainer]

[[Excuse the pause in reply. She's a little confused as to why you're asking.]]

Of course.
I wouldn't turn you away simply because he left home.
You might not remember it, but we're best friends.

[soundmind]

Well, I remember why John hates Violet City and I remember the incident in the cave, I can't remember exactly how close we were.

[And that's the first time she's ever openly talked about that.]

Um. [Yes she actually typed out "um."] Before he left, Bro suggested I come over for whatever Christmas party you might be having. Would that still be okay?

[tentacletrainer]

Baby steps.
And John and I would love to have you.
You are always welcome in our home.

[soundmind]

Well. Now I'd have to figure out what to get him for Christmas.

[tentacletrainer]

Who, John?
He's very easy.

[soundmind]

It's always been hard for me to shop for boys because none of them like books. At least for other girls I can guess what sorts of things they'd like.

[She could always get him the pop-up book of phobias just to mess with him.]

[Action]

[moveslikestrider]

[He stares at the gear and attempts to send Bro a message. Nothing.

Well that sucks.

He sets his gear down and heads for the one place he knows Rose will hole up, her study.]

So he's gone.

[Action]

[tentacletrainer]

Mmhmm. [[It's sort of a 'matter-of-fact' sound. She doesn't really move, just gives a small shrug and keeps a hold onto the Banette who is very interested in the person who just walked in.]]

Nothing new though. Right?

[Action]

[moveslikestrider]

Nope. [He eyes Lil Cal as he comes over to sit down near his sister. His voice is still flat as he adds.]

How's it being taken? [Translation: How are other people acting about the news.]

[Action]

[tentacletrainer]

The same way this news is always taken. A few people reply, sad that they're gone. The rest of the person's friends don't reply, but are still upset. Or maybe a couple are happy. We'll likely never know.

[[At least Lil Cal seems less inclined to move. Maybe he's missing Bro. But even the allure of Dave isn't enough to get him to do much more than chirp happily in his direction. Reach out for him a little.]]

Shit goes on. Leaves us behind like the unfortunate victims of Johto's recent divorce from our family except our biological parents somehow ended up losing visiting rights. At this point it has become some distant relative who's managed to have been removed some ridiculous amounts of times that I don't care to count right now. But it can't get enough of us, so it keeps marrying back in. Via bringing in relatives.

[Action]

[moveslikestrider]

[He sighs and leans back onto his hands, head tipped back so his eyes are on the ceiling. His lips press into a thin line and when he speaks his voice is low as if he doesn't want anyone else to hear him, but still loud enough for Rose.]

Feels different this time. It was like he was already gone to somewhere else but we could see him moving on. Dunno how to feel. You know?

[Action]

[tentacletrainer]

Yeah...I know.

[[Her eyes shift to look at him now, rather than just down at the new addition to her collective. She felt like sleeping. He sort of looked like he felt the same way, but maybe not. Dave and sleep didn't seem to get along.

But it was comforting thinking he felt the same. So she was just going to think it anyway.]]

...I'm sorry.

[text]

[lieutenantantichrist]

[Blake's on his back, staring up at the tent above him, when his phone buzzes.]

[He picks it up and looks at it for a while before his thumbs plod out a response.]

Yeah.

His bottomless food pit thing is with me. He gave me a crab, too.

[text]

[tentacletrainer]

It's good to know where the other Pokemon have gone.
If either of them are any trouble, particularly the first one, let me know.
I'll...reimburse you for it somehow.
I know his Pokemon can be a bit...
Unique.

[text]

[lieutenantantichrist]

They wouldn't be his if they weren't a pain in the ass.
I guess that makes them right to remember him by.

[text]

[tentacletrainer]

Mmm...I guess you're right.
He'd be pretty disappointed if he didn't leave us with the most remarkable ways to remember him, I'm sure.
I bet he'll be glad knowing you received the bottomless pit.
No offense meant.

[text]

[lieutenantantichrist]

It goes to show that a little thing like getting warped around dimensions can't stop him from pissing me off.
That's one way to say goodbye; with a furry blob that ate all my granola bars.

Hey.
He left something else, too. A note. He must've figured this might happen.
He asked me to look out for you and Dave.
In some kind of space test tube way, you're his kids, right?

[text]

[tentacletrainer]

He's very talented at that sort of thing.

A note?
...mmm.
Yeah, we are.

[[It was a little...kind of heartbreaking, honestly. That he left a note. Not that she'd have wanted one. She's had her fair share of 'yo looks like I left this place' notes and she really wouldn't want another. But maybe that's why she finds it so upsetting.]]

I don't know what he said about us, but I can assure you it won't be much of a chore.
I wouldn't want to be a burden.
We're both little shits like he was, so there's that.
But we're gods.
We can mostly take care of ourselves.
I would be more than happy, however, if you decided to keep in contact.
The more friends the merrier, right?

action;

[ghostytrainer]

[There's a quiet rap on the study door as John peeks his head inside.]

Hey Rose, you in here?

action;

[tentacletrainer]

Yeah.

[[She is, sitting at her desk and writing in one of her books. Lil Cal the Banette sitting quietly in her lap.]]

What's up, John?

action;

[ghostytrainer]

Hehehe, somehow I knew you would be. [He moves inside the room, pushing the door closed behind him.]

Nothing's really...up persay. I just wanted to see what you were up to. Ask if maybe you wanted to come make some brownies with me.

[Because I guess apparently this is going to be a thing whenever one of your parents leaves, Rose. You're going to get brownies.]

action;

[tentacletrainer]

Mmmm, brownies? [[Putting her pencil down, she spins her chair around to face him with a little smile.]]

I think I'd like that.

[[That is perfectly fine with her. Though...she'd prefer it if they didn't leave. Or maybe if they didn't show up anymore at all.

She stands up, holding the uninterested and mostly unresponsive Banette in her arms, and makes her way over to John.

Lead the way.]]

action;

[ghostytrainer]

Once again, my hunch was correct!

[He laughs a little, wrapping an arm around her back and resting it on her hip since her hands are otherwise occupied. Dammit, Lil Cal. You're ruining his sweet hand holding action.]

So what were you writing?

[Doop doop on the way to the kitchen.]

action;

[tentacletrainer]

Christmas porn for Dave.

[[It's stated so matter-of-factly. Like it just ain't no thang.]]