video.

[miniworth]

[ Forward-Dated to the evening of September 15, Thursday, nearing twilight ]

[ The video turns on, and Miles looks concerned. It's just about nearing sunset in Goldenrod right now, the streetlights and store signs flickering to life, and the sky a deep red-orange overhead. He's alone. There is no sign of Ken Amada, but there is no comment on that. He just looks concerned. ]

Has anybody seen a Mareep wandering around Goldenrod? An acquaintance of mine recently departed from Johto and left me it's Pokémon Ball with Nurse Joy, but it was empty.

[ He's walking as he speaks, but he doesn't seem to notice the yellowish blob of something fluffy approaching him from behind. The camera catches the Mareep in question (and it's a very mean-looking Mareep, mind you) sneaking up to his new trainer, but Miles is not even looking at the screen. ]

... If you see him, please tell me and don't go near him. I don't think it's sa--

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee--

[ The video ends here. ]



[ Twenty minutes later. ]

[ It takes a while for the noise to fade from the screen. When the feed clears up, Miles is sitting up on a bed in the Pokémon Center with an Espeon (an Espeon! The Eevee had evolved just a few minutes ago!) on his lap. His hair is singed and there are bandages--definitely not a pretty sight. He sounds very, very tired as he speaks again. ]
  
... I found him.

[ ooc: it is late in the evening, tags might take awhile ;; ]

Comments

[miniworth]

-- You can't do that. [ He rolls over very quickly this time, starting the Espeon, and grabs the sheep's Pokéball that was lying on the bedside table. He's cringing as he rolls back on his side and shoves his hands, with the ball, under the blanket.

Once she's sure he won't move again, the Espeon settles back down by his head. ]

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

[She raises an eyebrow and crosses her arms, but makes no move to get up from her seat. In fact, she also crosses her legs. The Roselia blinks at her; he had clearly expected her to resort to something drastic.

But honestly? Clover's too tired, and doesn't want to make things worse.]

Just watch me.

[And in a lower voice, which is a lovely mix of worry and frustration and defensiveness:]

I'm not letting it do this to you again.

[miniworth]

[ That earlier movement hurt more than he thought it would, and he buries himself deeper in the bed's pillow. He's tired, exhausted, and the pain killer from earlier is making him very drowsy. ]

I'll be okay.

...ugh I dun wanna do homework >_<

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

I know that! But that Mareep could have another go at you!

[Now she's just worried. Because yelling and being angry take a lot of energy.]

At least let me hold on to it till you're completely better.

/doing homework, and a test retake in 6.5 hours. 8D

[miniworth]

He's my Pokémon. I'll keep him in the ball and put him in the PC later.

[ He's all Miles has left of a man whom he genuinely liked, who Ken tried and failed to save the life of, who was already dead in his world but still had friends here... and just a person who no longer exists, here or in Iwatodai.

He is not letting go of the sheep. ]

/finished crimmy crim crim

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

[Clover scowls. It's an ugly scowl that distorts her usually cute face. But she won't press the matter further. Instead, she shakes her head and stands up from the chair; there are a few bandages on her legs. But they're generally in much better shape than her hands.]

Fine. But next time you deal with him, don't leave me behind. I'll just...buy some rubber gloves tomorrow.

[And also ask around for advice on how to deal with a maniacal Mareep, despite the fact that one of her posts already made its way onto the network not too long ago. Miles won't know about this. SHE WILL FILTER.

Now Clover will spread her sleeping bag out onto the floor next to his bed.]

[miniworth]

Why don't you borrow a bed? We've been traveling for days; you must be tired.

[ Pess lies down on the floor next to Clover's sleeping bag, to provide warmth. ]

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

You think they'd let me drag one in here?

[Pess gets a pat on the head. The Roselia keeps his place on the chair; he can sleep standing up for all anyone cares. HE'S A FREAKING PLANT ANYWAY.]

[miniworth]

Why not? Miss Kirijo has let me done that before.

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

Well, why didn't you say so in the first place? [Clover rolls up the sleeping bag again and jumps back onto her feet. Then she goes over to a corner of the room where a Furret has parked his furry bulk - yes, he towers over Clover now - along with a Gabite who has fallen asleep on his great stripy tail beside a Vulpix and a Jigglypuff.]

Okay, Arietis, Striper, you're both with me. We're gonna get us a bed whether Nurse Joy likes it or not! C'mon!

[The Gabite opens one eye, then stretches out her arms. Then the Furret gently nudges the Vulpix and the Jigglypuff to one side. They scurry away to make room for the Furret to follow the Gabite.]

[miniworth]

[ Clover will now not kill her back sleeping on the floor--mission accomplished! He rolls over in the bed and closes his eyes, and will be asleep by the time Clover gets back. ]

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

[Clover, Arietis and Striper return several minutes later, assisted by several Chansey nurses. There's the bed plus the mattress, and a Chansey is carrying the pillows. The blankets are folded nicely under Clover's arm. As they begin setting up, she puts a finger to her lips, and the setup proceeds as quietly as possible.]

Hey, Pess, I think we're gonna need some space.

[miniworth]

[ Pess grunts and will make her way across the small room to make them space. ]

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[She smiles, ruffles the Arcanine's mane, and gets to work with everyone else. When they're done, the nurses shuffle out of the room.

Then Clover will kick her boots off and flop onto the bed, followed by Ham (DON'T ASK, SEVEN NAMED HER) the Jigglypuff and Ares the Vulpix. Meanwhile, Striper and Arietis will stay near Pess.]

Man, I'm beat.

[What Miles doesn't know is that Clover may not be able to sleep tonight, even though she claims to be...well, beat.]

[miniworth]

[ Miles sleeps on. Pess, from her side of the room, grunts at Clover. ]

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

Hmmm? What is it, Pess?

[But Clover doesn't get up. She keeps staring up at the ceiling while Ares and Ham snuggle closer to her.

Striper blinks at Pess.]

[miniworth]

[ Nope, just a grunt. Just a good night. Pess is settled nicely by Miles' bed now. ]

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

Oh. 'Kay, good night.

[Clover scoots a bit to make room for Ham and Ares, who are sound asleep in the blink of an eye. She sighs, undoing her pigtails and taking her headband off.

...

About half an hour or so later, she sits up, scowling in the dark.]

Geez.