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Hey, James! Just checking in and seeing how you're doing out there.
Having a good trip? Found anything awesome?
Having a good trip? Found anything awesome?
[ There's a picture of Keith with a Buzzwhole attached to this message. They're both flexing. ]
I am uncertain if this counts as awesome, but it is certainly bizarre.
The battle challenges turned out to be a lot of fun though. Lilly's gotten a lot tougher and we got the first badge :)
I am uncertain if this counts as awesome, but it is certainly bizarre.
The battle challenges turned out to be a lot of fun though. Lilly's gotten a lot tougher and we got the first badge :)
Romelle! Thank you so much for being so thoughtful. I'll take care of the little one well, when it hatches.
I apologize that Christmas shopping wasn't... really on my mind. I'll make up for it when I get to a place with nicer stores.
[ Attached is a smiling selfie with the jacket. ]
I apologize that Christmas shopping wasn't... really on my mind. I'll make up for it when I get to a place with nicer stores.
[ Attached is a smiling selfie with the jacket. ]
Honestly, I still feel like I'm on live TV being pranked. It's not that I want you to ignore me, it's just... what I thought things were always going to be like.
And now they aren't and even though it's for the better, even though it makes me happy, I think... I can't figure it out.
It's pathetic, I know.
I'd have sent you a message. You got ahead of me.
And now they aren't and even though it's for the better, even though it makes me happy, I think... I can't figure it out.
It's pathetic, I know.
I'd have sent you a message. You got ahead of me.
[ James is there, waiting just by the entrance. Lilly is with him, faithful as always. The others have been banned to their Pokéballs temporarily to avoid a chaotic scuffle with Keith's team, should this go south some way.
James himself looks definitely not inebriated but kind of exhausted. He's been kind of exhausted since he arrived here, but he's extra exhausted now because caves are a lot but also because this Keith deal is eating him.
He raises a hand in greeting. ]
Hey. You're really going to make me outline my emotional baggage in person, huh?
James himself looks definitely not inebriated but kind of exhausted. He's been kind of exhausted since he arrived here, but he's extra exhausted now because caves are a lot but also because this Keith deal is eating him.
He raises a hand in greeting. ]
Hey. You're really going to make me outline my emotional baggage in person, huh?
[buddy walks over to lily to sniff her in greeting. tragically, it's a lot friendlier than keith's greeting for james.]
More like I was trying to make sure what you were saying wasn't some existential cry for help. I can leave if you'd rather not talk in person.
More like I was trying to make sure what you were saying wasn't some existential cry for help. I can leave if you'd rather not talk in person.
[ Seeing that the trainers are at least being civil right now, Lilly has no problem greeting Buddy in her usual enthusiastic style. Maybe if she just shows her trainer how to make friends, it'll even help somehow!
James meanwhile shakes his head. ]
No, it's fine. I'm fine, too. Just to make that clear. I was caught off guard and ended up being a bit too honest, I guess.
[ He sighs, deeply. ]
Let's start over. Thank you for the gifts. I was surprised, but pleasantly so.
James meanwhile shakes his head. ]
No, it's fine. I'm fine, too. Just to make that clear. I was caught off guard and ended up being a bit too honest, I guess.
[ He sighs, deeply. ]
Let's start over. Thank you for the gifts. I was surprised, but pleasantly so.
[the skepticism on keith's face remains etched on.]
You're welcome.
[but it looks like he's reached the end of his willingness to have this conversation at james' pace.]
Look. I don't know how else to say this, so I'll just put it out there that you're starting to remind me of me from back in middle school. Keeping to yourself all the time. I know you weren't like this back home during the war, too. You still hung out with your friends there. [a beat.] Not that we're friends -- I get it. You don't want to start over and that's fine. But why push everyone else away? Sure you're not gonna remember this place when you leave, but what's the point in being miserable by yourself while you're here?
You're welcome.
[but it looks like he's reached the end of his willingness to have this conversation at james' pace.]
Look. I don't know how else to say this, so I'll just put it out there that you're starting to remind me of me from back in middle school. Keeping to yourself all the time. I know you weren't like this back home during the war, too. You still hung out with your friends there. [a beat.] Not that we're friends -- I get it. You don't want to start over and that's fine. But why push everyone else away? Sure you're not gonna remember this place when you leave, but what's the point in being miserable by yourself while you're here?
[ ... and that's a lot. A lot all at once. Momentarily, James just looks stunned. He's not really catching up with this new communicative and helpful Keith. This Keith who is just... a good person, even when James isn't inviting him to be. Arguably a better person to James now than James had ever been to Keith, even when he was trying.
That's so bizarre. All of this is so messed up. ]
Is this what you felt like when I tried to befriend you in sixth grade? No, scratch that, probably not, but... wow.
[ He runs a hand through his hair flop, exasperated with himself more than anything. ]
Though back up a second. I do want to start over, I'm just sabotaging myself. Which... feels weird to say. I really am the conflicted feelings loner now, huh?
That's so bizarre. All of this is so messed up. ]
Is this what you felt like when I tried to befriend you in sixth grade? No, scratch that, probably not, but... wow.
[ He runs a hand through his hair flop, exasperated with himself more than anything. ]
Though back up a second. I do want to start over, I'm just sabotaging myself. Which... feels weird to say. I really am the conflicted feelings loner now, huh?
No, I wanted you to piss off back in sixth grade.
[he sighs, speaking in more neutral tones as he moves away from the warp tile.]
It wasn't your fault. Not at first, anyway. [he shakes his head.] But if that's how you feel, guess it's my turn to start calling you "emo kid" ?
[he sighs, speaking in more neutral tones as he moves away from the warp tile.]
It wasn't your fault. Not at first, anyway. [he shakes his head.] But if that's how you feel, guess it's my turn to start calling you "emo kid" ?
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