versusseeker | maskormenace

Yo, Red!

I left my Pokémon home today, but I gotta stay at work to help out with something. Be a pal and give 'em dinner with yours so they don't gotta wait, will ya?

[Red literally grabs the brim of his hat and tips it even though there is exactly no one around to see him do it.

[And then he's off to Blue's. He's had a key to the place for a couple of months now, so he just let's himself right in, grabs the Pokéballs from Blue's nightstand, and then heads to the backyard to release the motley crew.

[Hey, guys. Blue's stuck at work, so I'm gonna go ahead and feed you today, okay?]

[Blue's Pokémon materialize out of their balls one-by-one, gathered around Red: Arcanine shakes out his fur and wags, Exeggutor stomps a happy dance in place, Gyarados coils up and lowers his head to Blue's level.]

Evenin', Red!

Hello!Hello!!Hello, Red!

OH, IT'S RED! HI THERE!!

[It's only Pidgeot, the odd one out, who takes a glance at Red after being released from his Pokéball and scoffs, flitting up into one of the trees in the years to roost, head turned away from him.]

No thanks. I'll wait for Master to return.

[Red turns his head up toward the tree, expression deflating just the tiniest bit. But, he offers Pidgeot a small wave anyway and then goes about greeting the others and getting them fed.

[Once they're all taken care of, though, Red approaches the tree and looks up to Pidgeot again. He doesn't condescend it by holding out a berry or anything, but he does offer:

[Are you sure you don't want anything, Pidgeot? I don't think Blue will be home for a while.]

One meal isn't worth the indignity of accepting help from the enemy. [Pidgeot huffs, preening the feathers of one wing. Arcanine looks up from his food and grumbles, giving Red an apologetic look.]

You're still on about that? You know Master and Red are friends, now... And besides-- [The dog Pokémon casts a sidelong glance towards Red again, then stage-growls towards Pidgeot.] You're going to have to learn to deal with him, since...

[Pidgeot's words sting, but Arcanine's leave him wondering. He turns to face the dog, tilting his head to the side a bit as he asks:

[Since what?

[Back to Pidgeot.

[He's right. Blue and I are friends now. All of that is in the past, Pidgeot.]

[Arcanine looks a bit sheepish as Red asks, perhaps forgetting that he could understand, and Pidgeot hops down from his branch to chide.] Quiet! How could you betray Master’s confidence for this foolish boy!

[He turns then to Red, sharp eagle-eyes on him.] Hmph! Friends you say? Is that truly the case? After so long as bitter rivals, I wonder if it can be true.

[From across the yard, Exeggutor clears its...? Throats?? (???) and chitters between its heads.] Perhaps... we should give Red a chance...?

[Red clears his throat - well, this is a little awkward. And he's usually so comfortable around Pokémon - even speaking. Being talked about as if he isn't there, though, is apparently just as awkward with non-humans as it is with humans.

[He turns to Pidgeot, taking in a deep breath - but he's brave as he faces him.

[Blue is my best friend. He always has been - ever since we were born! Things got a little rocky for a while, but it's all in the past, Pidgeot.

[We're a team now.]

[If it's any comfort, Red- it's just that they're so used to you not understanding.]

[Pidgeot scoffs again and turns up its ...beak.] Friends, you say? You were the victor time and time again and yet you were quick to run from him wherever he searched for you, isn't that so? Cowardice is what I call it!

Pidgeot... [Arcanine growls low, almost like a warning.]

[Red feels his jaw clenching along with his fists. Pidgeot's words are hard to swallow, but Red can't deny the accusations - he had run from Blue. But he'd had a reason...

[Blue had told him to go. Is Pidgeot forgetting that part?

[You're right. I did run. But all of that is over now.

[Blue and I both made our mistakes. We're making up for them now.]

Making up, he says. [The bird looks to Arcanine, then to the others, turning his back to Red and ignoring him.] Making up, and he doesn't even know how Master suffered. How can you all forgive this human so easily!?

[The other Pokémon look about uneasily- they all liked Red plenty, but they all knew what Pidgeot was talking about, too.]

[Still...]

MASTER HAS FORGIVEN. PIDGEOT SHOULD FORGIVE, TOO. [Gyarados rumbles, slithering to rest his head closer to Red.] MASTER FORGIVES. DON'T LISTEN TO PIDGEOT. SORE LOSER.

[Pidgeot hops over to give Gyarados a scolding Peck.] I am not!

[Red glances at Gyarados - his expression is soft, but he shakes his head, then turns to face Pidgeot again.

[He's right, Gyarados. I know what I did was wrong. That's why I'm making up for it now.

[Again, he won't bring up the parts that Blue had brought into the situation. This isn't about Red having been wronged - this is about his own transgressions.

[If I haven't said I'm sorry yet to you, then I am.

[We were just kids. Things are different now.]

[Gyarados rumbles sadly, shooing Pidgeot away with an easy wave of his tail. The bird hops back with an indignant ruffle of his feathers, then glares at Red again.]

If you will apologize to anyone, it had better be to Master Blue. [He huffs, flitting back up into the tree. Arcanine growls again, bounding forward in front of Red.] Gyarados is right, Red! We all know you're sorry. Blue's sorry too. Just ignore all that nonsense...

You can tell us anything. You know that, right? We're your friends, too!

[Pidgeot's words are like a stab to Red's heart, enough so that it makes a lump form in his throat. He swallows it down, though, placing a hand in Arcanine's fur and giving it a little squeeze.

[I'll talk to him.

[Eventually...

[Thanks, Arcanine.]

[Arcanine leans into the pets, but still looks concerned at how sad Red looks now. Exeggutor, feeling the little dip in Red's emotions, toddles over and hands him a tasty berry. A tasty nutritious berry will make you feel better, Red!]

It's okay, Red. We know why Pidgeot is angry, but if Master wishes to make amends then he should forgive as well.

Edited (Eggy is hard to read) 2017-10-29 13:19 (UTC)

[Red nods, offering Exeggutor a weak smile, but he doesn't say anything else. Sometimes there aren't any words even when you don't have to say them out loud.]

maskormenace | IC Contact

[VOICEMAIL] a thinley veiled Pokéchat starter

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