[Video]

[crouching_sin]

[All that can be seen at first is a big pink eye, before the Pokemon holding the Gear pulls back and reveals itself to be an Espurr. The camera is pointed at the ceiling, but as the Espurr paws at the screen, an argument is plainly audible off-camera.]

[Or... half of one, at least. Naoya sounds very angry, but the other voice isn't audible.]

I told you, no. I don't think that's a good idea.

[There's a pause as a response comes, and then there's the sound of a fist slamming on a table.]

I said no. You will listen to me. I am the one in charge here. Don't -

[There's a frustrated 'Voir!', and Naoya practically growls.]

It won't end well. You know why. I've explained this to you! I'll look for another solution. There are many Pokemon who can -

[He stops talking, and when he speaks again his voice is quieter and more controlled.]

I'd have to rotate Pokemon to prevent them from getting sick from it. It's not worth it.

[... There's silence, and then Naoya sighs. The Espurr mewls, and a Gardevoir leans down to pick her up. She blinks in surprise at the camera, and reaches out to turn it off.]

Comments

[video]

[crouching_sin]

It's a move that does some damage, but it devours the dream of someone who's asleep. ... I don't want to hurt him, but he needs something to help him.

[video]

[pinnedbangs]

[Rin would gladly say that Naoya needs to dig that stick out of his ass and let his pokemon help him but. There's no nice way to say that.]

That sounds like a good idea. But does it make him forget stuff? Or, y'know, has he tried talkin' to anyone about it? [He's just thinking out loud here BUT...] ...If it's botherin' him only when he sleeps then it's gotta be something more than just bad dreams.

[video]

[crouching_sin]

[You behave, Rin.]

I don't think so... for either of them. But I don't think it's just bad dreams... he doesn't like talking about it whenever I ask, though.

[video]

[pinnedbangs]

[He's making an effort... Sorry, Alice, this isn't something he can help with - unless... Unless Naoya would rather open up to a human or. Other.]

Da - Jeez, he shouldn't worry you like this! He's being - [A HUGE ASSHOLE] a jerk for not talkin' to you about it! You're his partner!

Lemme talk to him. [HE'LL GIVE IT A TRY FOR YOU, ALICE...]

[video]

[crouching_sin]

... Okay.

[She hands the Gear back to Naoya, who just looks over at her.]

Oh?

[video]

[pinnedbangs]

[BE NICE TO YOUR POKEMON, YOU ASSHOLE. SHE ONLY WANTS THE BEST FOR YOU AND YOU WENT AND MADE HER WORRIED INSTEAD? CAN'T YOU SEE SHE HAS FEELINGS AND THAT SHE ONLY WANTS THE BEST FOR YOU? YOU'RE HER PARTNER, SO QUIT KEEPING HER OUT OF THE LOOP!

...she could probably still hear him. He will do his best to censor his language. But only because of her.]

Quit pushing her away and let her help you! [Demons are fueled by emotions, right? GUESS WHICH EMOTION THIS IS.] She's tryin' her best but you keep lockin' her out! And if you can't talk to her, then there's gotta be someone else you can talk to!

[video][private]

[crouching_sin]

[He just sighs, rubs the bridge of his nose, and puts a filter onto the conversation. His voice is quiet in response to Rin's anger, more exhausted than anything else.]

There are certain things that I would not wish on anyone on this or any other world. What we were discussing is something that is not for anyone else to hear or see. There is one person here who has a vague idea of my circumstances, though even he doesn't know all of the details, because... well. It's not something for him to carry.

There is not a single soul who can truly understand what I've been through. I have tried to communicate it to people countless times, and it always ends badly. And before you say 'well, you should keep trying!'... I'm tired of trying. I'm very, very tired.

[Alice makes a soft noise of concern from off-screen and drapes a blanket over Naoya's shoulders. He huffs in vague amusement and closes his eyes for a long moment, before looking back at Rin.]

[video][private]

[pinnedbangs]

[Rin's anger dissipates with each word spoken and unspoken. An unwanted memory drifts on the corner of his mind. He wants nothing to do with it.]

Then stop tryin' to get people to understand and just let them try to help you. Alice wants to help more than anything. She's not going to give up getting close to you, even if it's not something you think she can deal with.

But she understands that it hurts you. She doesn't have to get it. [No one really gets it but - ] She isn't afraid of you or of what you carry.

[video][private]

[crouching_sin]

I know, but - she's going to get hurt. The others are going to get hurt if they try to take on something like that. I have a responsibility as a trainer in general to keep my team safe.

[video][private]

[pinnedbangs]

You're not giving them enough credit. Keeping you safe and happy is what they want to do. ...To them, you're irreplaceable, so ... they'll do anything.

And when - or if - it gets that bad, then as a trainer you know you can keep them safe.

[video][private]

[crouching_sin]

I...

[He looks over at Alice, who just goes about trying to tidy up the room.]

... I've dealt with this for thousands of years. It's a little better in this place, but... I don't think it's going to get much better than it already is.

[video][private]

[pinnedbangs]

A lotta things feel better in this place - especially when no one knows what you are. ...That's why it's okay to rely on your pokemon here.

[Rin doesn't know if it'll get better or worse. He has no idea what it's like to live for so long. ...But he understands how important it is to have someone to relate to - or at least someone who tries to understand.]

[video][private]

[crouching_sin]

... I suppose. I just want them to be able to have happy lives as well. ... And I don't have the benefit of thousands of years of research on their traits.

[video][private]

[pinnedbangs]

They are happy. [DUUUUUUH] They have you.

[video][private]

[crouching_sin]

[... He just stares at him a moment, before facepalming.]

That's so ridiculously shounen anime that I honestly don't know what to say.

[video][private]

[pinnedbangs]

[FUCK DID YOU SAY, PUNK.]

It's still true, dammit!!

[video][private]

[crouching_sin]

[He huffs in amusement.]

If you say so.