Fifth Sacrament - Embrace

[11121_assumption]

[ It's been a long while since Walter's appeared on the network and he's still no more comfortable with it. sunlight is pouring into his room this morning but he doesn't have the camera reveal much about where he is. He looks concerned, sitting on a bed and holding a Pokeball in his hands, rolling it in his palm. Beside him, Assumption is clad in a red knitted sweater and playing slightly offscreen. His other Pokemon are stretching and pacing around him, as if waiting for something. Notably he looks like he's ready to go somewhere; he has his coat on, a white, fleecy scarf tied around his neck and his backpack slung over his back. ]

I'm concerned about the behaviour of one of my Pokemon. Eileen. [ As he spoke he dropped the pokeball form his hand. An Audino appears in a flash, smiling brightly. She waves at the camera before turning to Walter. Noticing his demeanour, she climbed onto the seat beside him and pointed his coat. He exhaled and undid it, allowing her better access to his chest. She tugged on one of her ears, placing a feeler over his heart and listening carefully. After a few beats, she pulled back and practically fell into a cuddle with him, pressing herself into his chest with a soothing cry. Walter looked over to the camera awkwardly. ]

Is this normal...? I know Audinos like to listen to pulses but everytime she hears mine, she does this. I don't understa-AH! [ There's a loud MRYAH as a bundle of black threw itself at Walter from off camera. Walter recoiled, freezing. Then slowly uncoiled as the Weavile that had leapt at him was happily hugging him, paws wrapped around his neck and half climbing up his arm to get into Walter's space. He sighed heavily, shoulders sagging. ]

I only caught Joseph two weeks ago and he does this too- [ He's cut off, this time by Chaos wandering up onto the bed behind him and slinging a paw over his shoulder, purring and nuzzling her face against his. Walter brought his legs up to him awkwardly, clearly overwhelmed by this. ]

I don't understand why- [ Not to be left out, Assumption turned and scooted over, hugging one of Walter's arms with a content look on his face. Walter clearly just gave up at this point, lowering his head and shaking it. Someone help him. ] Why...?

Comments

[video]

[toothaches]

_{[Maurice can't help a huge jagged grin as he watches this dude's Pokemon fall all over him.]}

They like you, dude!

Re: [video]

[11121_assumption]

I've not had them long. Joseph has been like this since I captured him... [ He said awkwardly. He doesn't recognise Maurice and he's wishing he had asked a friend privately. But he had tried with Manaka and Anders, but had trouble explaining the situation to them. ]

[video]

[toothaches]

Why should it take long? Pokemon don't join your team unless they like you, right? Hell, Bon Jovi hopped right out of the bushes and decided it was time to throwdown right then and there! We both have great hair. It was fate.

Re: [video]

[11121_assumption]

It can't be that easy. It can't...

[ Clearly Joseph disagrees as he's shoving his cheek against Walter's scruffy one and nuzzling him. Walter tried to pull away. It was too much. Too much! ]

No, it's not- it just can't be that simple!

[Video]

[better2do]

-You're wearing it!!!

[Sorry Walter, that's the first thing Asriel's noticed, and he looks so overjoyed to see the scarf he worked so hard on being put to good use. Though gosh, if Walter's inside and wearing it, he must be cold. He shifts, tilting his 'gear so he's not too lopsided. As always, Gracie is taking a nap with her flower in his hair. It's just so comfy there~]

Oh, um, they're hugging you, Mister Walter! They're your friends and they love you, that's why. I get hugs from my Pokemon all the time.

Re: [Video]

[11121_assumption]

O-of course. [ Asriel's excitement flustered him just a smuch as his Pokemon's affections ]

I've...I've only had Eileen and Joseph for two weeks. [ Assumption he's had since his arrival in Johto and the Pokemon was a lonely orphan. It made sense he would quickly bond with him. It took time for Chaos to be this affectionate with him. But Joseph had been doing this since day one, and he had stolen Eileen from her previous owner. ] They can't....can't love me. [ Nobody loved him, nobody could, only the Holy Mother could love him... ]

[Video]

[better2do]

Of course they can, though. If that's how they feel, that's how they feel.

[His words are...soft, surprisingly. There's something in the way Walter hesitates at first that reminds him of someone else. Someone who's been gone a long time.]

[video]

[no_ufo_ending]

_{[Henry's reply comes rapid fire. He barely manages to make it through the entire video before jamming his thumb onto the reply button. His words come out in that same uncharacteristic teakettle hiss that he spoke to Walter with last time.]}

I hope you aren't planning to do to her what you did to the real Eileen. How dare you.

[video]

[11121_assumption]

[ Now he has to deal with his Pokemon's behaviour and Henry's at the same time. He straightened, his Pokemon turning to look at Henry too. Eileen in particular seems curious at the mention of her name. Assumption huddles closer to Walter. ]

I named her Eileen because she offered a toy to Assumption when he was tired and upset. [ Sound familiar? ]

[video]

[no_ufo_ending]

I guess that's all it takes to get you roped into a world-ending ritual I guess. How dare you. How dare you name a Pokemon after her!

_{[The teakettle whistle quickly grows into a yell. Members of Shark House shift uncomfortably because they Know what Henry is yelling about in his stupid tent.]}

You can't do that and expect me to sit here and take it! Do you know how scared she was? Do you know how many candles I had to burn to chase your goddamned curses away from her? Do you have a Cynthia as well? What are you going to do to that Pokemon!

[Video]

[garbagechild]

_{[HERE COMES WRATH TO EXPLAIN HUGGING WITH SCIENCE.]}

Living bodies generate lots of heat. And when a bunch of living bodies are very close together, they generate it even better.

Hugging is nice for that reason. It's mutually beneficial.

That's why my Pokemon and I all sleep in a pile.

Re: [Video]

[11121_assumption]

Why me? [ His voice is very small and soft when he speaks. ]

They could love anyone. People who...who get to be loved and know how to return their love and treat them well and...and-

[ When he looks up, he's unbearably open. His Pokemon so freely gave their love...just as Wrath had so freely given him company, even when he didn't return it well or how he should have. He doesn't know how to. And still doesn't understand why these Pokemon, why the people around him care. It's almost like he's asking Wrath personally- ] Why...?

[Video]

[garbagechild]

<sub>[What poor, unsocialized Walter really needs is someone with a deep emotional intelligence to gently explain the complexity and importance of connection between beings, regardless of the subjective concept of 'worth'.]

[Unfortunately, Wrath is a non-human artificial being that spent eight years from the moment of his birth in an empty void with no human contact whatsoever.]

[He shrugs.]</sub>

Well, your body is alive, and produces heat.

You're as nice to hug as any other human.

Why not?

[text]

[shortandsweet]

Maybe they know you're dying and want you to enjoy your last few moments.

[ The sight of all those pokemon cuddling such a dower looking man is hilarious. ]

[text]

[11121_assumption]

I was already dead before I came here. Apparently we cannot die in this place. [ Sometimes he wishes he could die again but apparently that wasn't allowed ]

[text]

[shortandsweet]

[ Oh? No one told her that. Interesting! ]

They don't tell you that in the brochure.

video;

[shiro2hero]

They like you?

video;

[11121_assumption]

I only recently obtained Eileen and Joseph. Why would they like me [ So quickly, so much. At all, really. ]

video;

[shiro2hero]

When I found Haunter, it liked me right away, too. Maybe they're just good judges of what they like in people?

Video

[meowbel]

Well, duh! That's because they want to be your friend! What else could it mean?

Video

[11121_assumption]

I only obtained them two weeks ago. Joseph has been acting like this since the day I captured him. It doesn't make sense.

Video

[meowbel]

Who said that it needs to make sense? Once he likes somebody, he likes somebody! You are talking to a world filled with powerful animals after all!

[Just saying!]

[Video]

[tearsofademon]

[...not understanding why Pokemon are showing you affection, huh. That's a feeling he's had before. Years ago.]

It means you're doing something right.

[Video]

[11121_assumption]

Something right...? [ So this is...normal? ]

[Video]

[tearsofademon]

Yeah. You're taking care of them, and doing a good enough job of it that they like you in return. So they're showing you that they appreciate what you do for them.