[06] video

[purramedic]

[Anders, still done up for work, looks rather unimpressed as he starts to broadcast from his hotel room. Without a word yet, he turns the video onto a Pokemon that no longer matches his adorable Skitty scrubs. Pinsy is flopped over on the bed, her much bigger body dwarfing the pillow she's stretched out on.]

I come home to find that somebody took it upon herself to dig a very special stone out of my bag.

I would say she looks far more regal, but she seems to be even lazier now. As if I thought it was possible.

[Just for emphasis, he extends a hand to lift one of her paws and drop it back onto the sheets, repeatedly, and the Delcatty's only reaction is a tired stare toward the camera.]

Incredible. I thought evolution was meant to make Pokemon stronger.

Comments

[purramedic]

[He wants to ask how Walter knows that, but it doesn't really matter as long as they both believe it; especially enough for that someone to attack Walter outright. And any anger he has over finding out about this will have to wait.]

Are the both of you alright?

[ Private! ]

[11121_assumption]

[ Walter hesitated, switching the video to private ]

...Physically we're both fine. But, Assumption is upset about his friends. [ And Walter feels guilty that his Pokemon protected him ]

[purramedic]

I'm relieved to hear that, at least.

[A deep frown creases even his brow.] All hope isn't lost. Give it a bit of time before going back if you're worried. And my team and I would be glad to lend a hand if we are in a position to do so. Surely this man wouldn't attack both of us? [Not that it would dissuade Anders from standing by Walter if he did.]

[11121_assumption]

His friends have also said it would be best if I didn't return. I don't want to start more fights. It would upset Assumption more. I could only calm my Pokemon by explaining that Goldenrod is 'their' city.

[ He pauses but lifts his head, giving Anders a small...slightly aloof smile. ]

And Ecruteak is our city. I know my Pokemon are angry that we can't go into 'his' city but they accept that this is 'ours' now. [ He may not be able to go to Goldenrod. But Henry can't come to Ecruteak without incurring the wrath of his Pokemon. And Walter knows it. ]

[purramedic]

That's absurd. They have no right to keep you out. Your Pokemon have a right to be angry, as do you. [His tone grows increasingly frustrated, but he tries to keep himself in check. Why is Walter so insistent on never fighting back?]

[11121_assumption]

[ He sighed softly. ]

It's nothing that hasn't happened to me before. Normally I was hit to keep me in - being hit to stay away is roughly the same.

Our anger... [ Because he does feel it. He's angry that he was put in that situation. Angry that people keep telling him this place is different when it isn't. But, he's well versed in bottling his anger. ] There's more gyms to face. My Pokemon can use their anger there.

[purramedic]

[Anders cares deeply about Walter, he really does, but it's all he can do not to grind his teeth and drag his hands down his face.]

So don't let yourself be hit. Or hit back. They can't treat you that way forever if you stop rolling over for them.

[Granted, training at gyms is far more healthy than starting a fight with other humans, but he isn't going to comment to that effect.]

[11121_assumption]

If he comes near me again, Assumption will kill him. [ He could feel the hate that ate away at his starter whenever he thought about Henry Townshend. Given how he had vented his anger back home, he couldn't really reprimand Assumption's feelings. And since apparently they couldn't die here...he knew he should be more careful about his Reciever of Wisdom's safety, but he didn't want to deny Assumption's rage and it's natural conclusion, should Henry come to Ecruteak. ]

If he comes to Ecruteak City, my Pokemon will haunt him and...escort him from here. [ Behind him, a Banette appeared with a delightful cackle. Darkness fluttered down beside Walter, tipping it's hat-like crest of feathers low. The implications are clear. ]

[purramedic]

[Anders recoils visibly when Doll swoops in, and for a moment he's silent, scowling and keeping his mouth shut. A very large part of him wants to continue arguing, insist Walter is being a pushover, but it's clear enough by now they just have very different ideas of how confrontation should happen.]

No one can make you fight for yourself. [It may be more than a little passive aggressive, but at least he seems to be understanding of the truth of it.]

[11121_assumption]

[ Walter lifted a hand, beckoning to Doll. She slid to his side, sitting on his leg. It probably said a lot about him that he was completely used to his ghost type Pokemon just appearing and disappearing at will. At least it wasn't Psyche, given how Anders had drawn back at the sight of Doll.

He remained quiet. They had made him fight. Valtiel had slipped into his hands as if he were a glove, guiding his weapons letting his hands be stained in blood. Doll watched him keenly but Darkness snapped his beak at her, tugging onto Walter's collar to draw him back from his mind. ]

Mm. I shouldn't have brought this up.

[purramedic]

[As aggravated as he is with Walter's supposed subservience, Anders does want him to feel like he can speak with him about these things. Even those who accept their situation can be upset about it, and the last thing he wants is to shut someone in need out. He takes a deep breath to calm himself.]

No, it's alright. I'm sorry. I should trust you to know what is best for you and your Pokemon.

[11121_assumption]

...Why are you angry for me? [ He's not being sulky or sarcastic. He's genuinely asking why Anders is angry for him.You know, when it was time to cleanse the world in fire and rage ]

[purramedic]

[Well... That's a little unexpected. Nobody usually asks him why he gets worked up over this sort of thing, at least not without being condescending.

Truthfully, it's probably just habit by now, muscle memory placed in him by another. He hasn't always been this way. But that lingering absence in him reminds him he should have been.]

I abhor seeing people trodden upon. I can't fathom anything more reasonable to be angry over.