9th Petal [Video, Goldenrod City]

[better2do]

[Today's video opens up shakily on a computer screen - clearly for PC boxes in a Pokemon center, with prompts to move, take, or put Pokemon in the box system - and there's already three creatures in there. A Yanma, a Flaffy, and a Gastly, the last of which has been selected, allowing anyone tuned in to see its original trainer.]

...I didn't know they'd left.

[That's Asriel's voice, sullen and soft.]

I got - I got a stone from those Elite Four people that said it was for a Pokemon called Gengar, since I had a Gastly? But, I don't remember meeting anything called Gastly...but it was registered in my Pokedex, too, and people talk about Pokemon going to other people or being released when their trainers leave lately, so, I went to look, and...

[And oh, this hurts. He hadn't known Kaneki or Dee for very long, and he'd gone and been unaware of their disappearance for quite some time. He'd just figured they were too busy to make posts on the network or something, not gone...

There's a distinct edge of tears to his voice when he speaks up next. Still such a crybaby, after all this time.]

...I-I'm sorry...I don't - don't even know why I...said anything...

[The 'gear tilts down at the floor, and there's a fumbling sound and a distinct sniffle of a little kid before the feed ends.]

Comments

video;

[shieldless]

[ Haurchefant Fortemps could not help but feel a pain of his own for this child, hearing their voice. For if one vanished, it would pain so many. Not even a chance to say goodbye.

At least, that was how he thought, as he replied - trying to keep a soft expression on - in case the boy looked to him. ]

...Do not be sorry for showing pain, my friend.

[Video]

[better2do]

[It takes a little while for Asriel to respond. He doesn't want to be a red-faced, snotty mess when talking to other people, especially since he'd made that post in a burst of bad feelings.]

But...people leave a lot, and...a-and I didn't know them very long...it d-doesn't feel fair.

[Video]

[shieldless]

It is unfair.

[ He says - though he's not experienced somebody leaving, he's... well, he won't see his friends again. Ever, so he feels. ]

But is it not a gift? To be able to meet them in the first place, though we come from different worlds.

[Video]

[better2do]

I...

[He guesses so? But even then, just existing in this world as he is feels like a gift, one that he doesn't want to waste for a second by being cold or cruel.]

...Mm. Yeah...it is.

[video]

[paladinlost]

...That is a terrible way to find out that you've lost friends to this world's whims. I'm sorry.

[Video]

[better2do]

I-I didn't even know...I just thought...they were busy...

[Video]

[paladinlost]

We have hundreds of ways to be too busy to talk, in this world. And if you were busy yourself... sometimes, people slip through the cracks. It's not as if you could magically know they were gone.

[Video]

[better2do]

...It's not fair. What if...what if someone was gone and I never knew, ever?

[video]

[in4apounding]

Oh no, I'm so sorry...

[At least when her friends had left, she had known more or less immediately. FInding out like this...]

That's not fair. Really not fair.

[Video]

[better2do]

Y-Yeah...it's not...

[He's kind of accepted that people are going to come to him and talk to him after what he did...and really, Asriel is chiding himself for reaching for his 'gear on instinct rather than just keeping it to himself. How childish that is, to want to cry with others. But on the other hand, he supposes, it's only more proof that he's not soulless.]

...Do you think...they'll come back some day? Maybe? Even for just a day...

[Video]

[notmyrealname]

You don't need to apologize, Asriel.

[Cissnei's voice is soft when she speaks, a sad and understanding sort of look on her face.

She hasn't been here long enough to understand that particular feeling but loss is something she's no stranger towards.]

[Video]

[better2do]

I...I feel like I should.

[He remembers Cissnei from the prom - she had been really nice, and fun, and his cheeks pinken just a little from having been found crying by someone he's only newly met. It's weird, wanting to express your pain around others and yet not wanting to at the same time. Was this part of growing up?]

[Video]

[notmyrealname]

There's nothing shameful about being upset over friends being gone.

[Trust her, she totally understands.

And yeah, it's definitely a part of growing up, Asriel. Sadly, it never gets any easier.]

Are you by yourself right now? Outside of your Pokemon, I mean.

[Text]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Oh no, kiddo...]

[Heather's never talked to Asriel before, but... well, if there's one thing she knows a lot about, it's the unique kind of loss that happens in this world specifically. Because damn, no matter how often it happens, it honestly never gets easier.]</sub>

Hey, you don't know me or anything, but I just thought I'd shoot you a message.

Don't feel bad for being upset.

I've been here for years and I STILL get real messed up when the people I love go away.

So you're not alone, ok?

[Text]

[better2do]

oh uh then
howdy stranger
thank you
i just kinda feel really sad and confused inside and i wish i couldve known sooner instead of finding out through a present
i dont think the elite four guys meant to be mean about it but i shouldve been paying attention n stuff

[Text]

[foolishwren]

I doubt they knew. If they had they probably would've sent you a different one

But try not to beat yourself up.

It's easy to miss when stuff like that happens, especially with people you don't usually talk to every day.

[islandshore]

Kid...

[He winces. It's a feeling he knows all too well. Spending so many years here, he's seen his share of people coming and going. Naturally, the reactions are... typically unpleasant.

Sighing, he waits a moment before speaking up again.]

It's okay to be upset. I mean, who isn't in this situation? Just... give yourself time.

[better2do]

...I feel like I should've known sooner. Not...found out so late.

[It feels like ages since he's talked to Kaneki or Dee.]

[islandshore]

...Yeah. I know how that is.

[Wincing, he spends a few moments mulling over a response before cracking a weak smile.]

But, hey. They could come back. It's happened before.

[ Text ]

[11121_assumption]

[ Walter needed a moment himself after seeing that message. It brought back sad, bitter memories from the Orphanage of others who had gone missing or vanished over the years; who'd run away or were buried in the woods. Once he'd collected himself, he sent out a message. ]

Would you like to do some sewing with me again? I'm in a mountain right now but I can warp back when I reach the next city.

-Walter

[ Text ]

[better2do]

[!!]

yes please!
i would love to sew with you again mister walter
that would be really nice
but you have to promise you'll be careful on the mountain and that youll come alright?

[Don't disappear on him!]

[ Text ]

[11121_assumption]

I will be very careful. I have a newborn Pokemon with me, so I'm making sure she is cared for while we travel. She came from the eggs everyone recieved from God.

[ And included is a picture of her! A shiny alolan Vulpix, with violet tinged fur, was looking at the camera curiously. ]

[action]

[journalname]

[Well.

Something like that, he is going to go and find Asriel himself. Perhaps he is still in the Pokemon center?]

Asriel?

[action]

[better2do]

[He is, and he's taken the time to shift around his team a little. His newly-hatched Sewaddle is curled up in his lap, while an unfamiliar Yanma has rested its head on his knee, its right eye very clearly sightless - still, it nudges Asriel's hand for pets. An unfamiliar Flaafy with a Heal Bell tied around her neck naps on his other side, and a Gastly floats around him with a despondent expression, trying to nudge him - but you can't really nudge anything if you're a ghost. Gracie, as ever, is in Asriel's hair, and is the one who notices Asgore enter, chirping at his arrival. Asriel only looks up when he hears his name.]

...Dad...

[journalname]

Oh, Asriel...

[The unfamiliar Pokemon are noted, but this is not the time to ask for introduction. He goes to kneel in front of his son, since they're crowding on either side of him, and draws him into a hug.]