7th Petal [Video, Goldenrod City]

[better2do]

[Today, there seems to be a very determined Floette handling a Poke'gear. She frowns, tilts the device this way and that, as if trying to prop it up on something, and through her tilting, you can see flashes of activity behind her - a blue Gastrodon holding a crayon in his mouth as he tries to help a Midnight Lycanroc trace his paw, a Xatu being particularly mobile as it pulls out pink construction paper from a stack. When the Floette is satisfied with her work, she turns and calls over her shoulder to the Xatu, who pauses in his work and comes over, drawing his wings in. There's a subtle glow of psychic energy in his eyes as he deigns to speak:]

Excuse me, humans. We would like to ask about the day of Valentines. [He looks to the Floette as she talks some more, perhaps helping him along with what he needs to say. Already he's shifting from foot to foot, as if uncomfortable with being straightforward.] Are we too allowed to give a gift to our trainer? We love him very much.

[The Floette nods in agreement. This seems to have caught the attention of the Gastrodon and Lycanroc, because they too come over, crowding the Xatu, who is now visibly uncomfortable.]

Must we...write his name on our gifts? None of us can write in the human language...but, we can try to draw his face... [The glow flickers as he closes his eyes and shakes his head, batting the Gastrodon back with his wing.] Ngh...t-that is all! Remember: pteronophobia is the fear of being tickled by feathers!

[He waddles off, to the dismay of the other Pokemon, and the Floette knocks over the 'gear as she turns to retrieve the only one of them that can talk to humans, turning it off.

Uh-oh...might wanna help these kids with their arts and crafts, guys. None of this can end well. At least they don't have glue?]

Comments

[11121_assumption]

[ Walter wasn't handling his gear; he was currently getting used to having his own house and was checking out the garden, since it was both bright and only a little chilly. That didn't mean the call would go unanswered. The video feed opens and reveals Doll, grinning at the camera. There's several Pokemon behind her, exploring the living room behind them and attempting to 'claim' space for themselves; notably a Honchkrow can be seen in the background, watching the conversation from his chosen perch. ]

Hi Gracie! I thought only romantic couples did Valentines things?

[ As she spoke, some of the Pokemon gathered to see who she was talking to; a Natu and an Audino, the Natu tilting her head with a curious twitch as the Audino smiled gently and sat down. ]

[better2do]

[Gracie nearly jumps for joy - or well, a close approximation for something that floats - when she sees her friend, and waves to the others she doesn't know.]

Hi Doll! We know that's something humans do, but, Asriel is one of us! We don't have to do things like the humans if we don't want to. [She looks back over at the Xatu, who is composing himself in the corner. He's not used to having to speak for others like this.] Flappy was concerned that he might not understand why we're giving him a gift, though.

[11121_assumption]

[ Doll grinned back, clapping together her cloth hands. ] That sounds cool. We don't have plans like that for Walter; except for giving him a hug. He needs some of those!

[ The Natu, Wisdom, tweeted in sympathy for Flappy. ]

It is harder to speak for others than it is to speak for oneself. Unless you all want to say the same thing.

[ Doll gives Wisdom a flat, confused look, while the Audino just looks politely confused. Thankfully, she speaks up next. ]

Why doesn't Flappy tell Asriel when you give it to him?

[better2do]

Oh, oh! Give him a hug for me please!

[Gracie is all about sharing love. Flappy, meanwhile, perks at the Natu's words, peering over his shoulder. He says,] It is easier to do so in an echo chamber.

[The Audino shall be answered by Gracie.] He doesn't think we need words to be said. That...love's a feeling, not a statement.

[11121_assumption]

[ Eileen smiled and nodded. ] That is true. My trainer has trouble 'understanding' why we like him so much. But he knows that we like him. We will give him a hug from all of you as well. Someday he'll accept it...


[ Wisdom piped up in response to Flappy, nodding understandingly. ] A statement of love does not lessen the feeling. Unless it is a statement of unlove, or loss love.

[ Doll gives Wisdom another blank look. Why is the weird bird here. Why did Walter name her Wisdom of all things. ]

[better2do]

[Gracie gives a little bow.] Thank you very much! Asriel will appreciate it, too. He hasn't seen your trainer for a while now. Is he okay?

[Now you've got Flappy's attention. He comes over slowly, straightening his wings, clearly a bit more comfortable talking to a psychic then into the ether.] We wouldn't wish such a thing on our Asriel if we could help it. He is a smart cookie - a wise chocolate cake. A brilliant pancake.

[Gracie's smile is a little strained. Yeah, the shitposting birds can be a bit trying, can't they? But they're agreed on protecting their trainer, and that's the important thing.]

[11121_assumption]

[ Wisdom couldn't help brightening at his words. ] I would like to meet the brilliant pancake. Have you meet our trainer? He is a soft and quiet. A slightly melted ice cream.

[ ...Yeah Doll is gonna bap the little bird away. Stop that. Eileen's smile dropped at the mention of Walter, speaking gently. ]

He's not okay...he tried to go to Goldenrod, to see Asriel and other friends. But a man named Henry Townshend attacked him. Assumption protected him, but he became afraid that Assumption would be taken away. He refuses to go near Goldenrod now.

[better2do]

[FINALLY, conversation he understands!!! Flappy bobs his head in a nod.] Yes! It would be good to socialize with others for a change.

[Gracie rolls her eyes. What's he even mean by that? She'd apologize for him if Eileen didn't drop one heck of an info bomb on her.]

Mister Walter was attacked?! But...he's very kind! This Henry human is in Goldenrod, too? [She looks to the other Pokemon, mumbling,] We ought to keep Asriel away from him...Is Assumption okay?

[11121_assumption]

Assumption is heartbroken. Walter was taking him to see some dear friends of his, when Henry intervened. Henry had told Walter to never return to Goldenrod when we first left - so Assumption is blaming himself for what happened. [ Eileen spoke sadly, lowering her head. She remembered Mr. Townshend becoming enraged over her for some reason before they left. He was a scary man. Doll nodded, expression darkening ]

This isn't the first time Henry's attacked him either. Assumption had been in Walter's lap when Henry grabbed a brick and tried to hit Walter with it. But for some reason, our trainer refuses to fight back!

[ Wisdom approached again. ] A Zangoose and a Seviper must fight to the end. But if there is no end, why fight at all?

[better2do]

Do tell Assumption we'll be thinking of him here. It's not his fault if a human is bullying his trainer. It's the other human's fault! [Gracie seems quite resolute in such a thought.] Is Mister Walter alright? He's not hurt badly, is he?

[Flappy is silent, thinking carefully before answering.] The path of the rage-filled buckaroo is one of many tail-eating snakes.

[11121_assumption]

He's shaken. Henry only managed to punch him once before Assumption protected him. He blames himself for what happened too...he's been very sad since then and I think he misses his friends. He wanted to see Asriel, I know.

[ Eileen said sadly. Walter had talked about seeing all of their friends, after making sure Assumption got to see his friends. And well... ]

[ Wisdom nodded calmly. She seemed to be having a private, oddball conversation with Flappy about this that only the pair of them understood. ] There are four endings. But none of them are here. He races towards them anyway, only to end up at the start of the race track for another lap.

[better2do]

[Gracie:] If Asriel hears about where Walter is, he might be able to come visit! His Dad and Frisk might not want him going off on his own...and he might be scared to go off on his own, too.

[She is always so worried for their smol trainer. He's had a long and difficult life, and if he ever leaves, all he has to look forward to is loneliness. This Gracie knows, and it's this she wants to keep him from.]

[Flappy, nodding sagely:] I only hear of endings with subtle changes. Too many to count, too many to follow. They, too, do not lie here - the golden path is one that must be walked alone.

[11121_assumption]

[ Wisdom closed her eyes and spoke solemnly. ] The golden path...or is it a tarnished path? What glitters may be gold, but what worth has gold when it is used to pave streets? But it is the only path, so down they will walk.

[ Doll bapped Wisdom again, before answering Gracie. ] Walter will agree to anything. He begged St. Alessa to permit Assumption to see his friends. If Asriel asked, I bet he'll try and figure out a way to see him, even if it means including other people.

[better2do]

[Flappy, in return,] They walk until they find themselves at the beginning again. All progress undone. Who knows how long the circuit goes? I'd know if I looked...

[But he shoots a wary glance at Gracie, who has of course been listening, and is looking at Flappy like she's his mother and just caught him with his beak in the Poffin jar.

But after that, she responds to Doll,] We'll try to get him to ask! I'm not sure how...we won't let him know Mister Walter's been hurt, just that he's moved. It's not our business to share another trainer's secrets.

[11121_assumption]

[ Wisdom tilted her head, opening her eyes. ] I cannot see that far, to peek at the final chapter. The epilogue is boring.

[ Doll nodded, although Eileen looked hesitant. She conceded, with a heavy look on her face. ] I suppose that is true...although...I wish Walter would talk about those things. [ Doll gave her a serious look and shook her head. ]

It's fine. We'll just get him to be with his friends!

[better2do]

[Flappy:] Perhaps that is why it loops so often to the start. Like 'What's New Delcatty'.

[Gracie:] Whether he'll talk or not, Asriel will always be his friend. And if he needs time, that's okay too!

[11121_assumption]

[ Wisdom: ] A terrible song.

[ Doll beamed. ] That's great! We'll have to get them together soon. But as for the present for Asriel; just do it. [ Eileen nodded eagerly and Wisdom piped up encouragingly to Flappy. ]

A brilliant pancake needs syrup! And fresh berries! Who would say no?

[better2do]

[Flappy spreads his wings in joy.] They shall be the finest syrup and berries we can provide!

[For once, Gracie can agree with her teammate. She claps, nodding.] We'll do our best! You all do your best too, okay?