~02

[tinytactician]

[Action]

[((Dated to post-cave exploration))

Tiny recluse is still tiny, but not so reclusive -- especially not now that he has a new friend to visit and care for (new friend is a Steelix named Gertrude, fyi). Armin thinks it rude to leave his buddy all alone in the Habitats all the time, so an escape attempt has been performed!

Granted, his grandfather has been extra-busy with council-y business in the wake of the ore crisis, so it wasn't that hard for Armin and Meredith to sneak out. But still, they're free! They're out! He should be feeling very proud of himself, walking along the streets like a normal civilian. He should be all but skipping along the sidewalk, perhaps whistling a cheery tune.

Except he's not. Because, as it turns out, bonding with an enormous Pokemon sort of leaves you drained, mentally, physically and emotionally, and Armin doesn't have much emotion strength to spare. So he's sort of creeping along the street, frowning, radiating a tangible -- literally; if any passers-by aren't psychically prepared, his emotions are going to bleed over onto them -- aura of discomfort, nausea and exhaustion.

This also means that if anyone with a particularly potent emotional state passes by, it's going to hit Armin like a ton of bricks. Case in point: the loving couple who sidesteps boy and Ralts, drawing an uncharacteristic scowl from both.]

Ug. Indecent.

Comments

[comparative_insanity]

[What he notices first is that aura of overflowing feelings, like a weight passing by on his mental map of the world and changing the minds around it subtly, the way gravity would in the physical world. Fai, who had moments ago been caught up contemplating some more practical gloves than the ones he has - velvet stains really easily, who would've guessed? - looks up and glances around in confusion. It's similar to the feeling when his father is having a bad day in a strange way, feelings seeping out through the cracks in the barriers around them. (When Fai is having a bad day, he is much more likely to cause what looks like sudden poltergeist activity around him.)

He finds the source in the slight boy walking past, just now giving some passerbys the hairy eyeball, and he decides with his usual spontaneity to figure out what's going on with him. So suddenly there is a cheerful and much taller boy walking alongside Armin, apparently only mildly hampered by the Pidove clinging awkwardly to his arm.]

You're leaking, did you know that? Feelings, I mean. They're rolling off you like smoke.

[tinytactician]

[Armin is lost in his own little black raincloud, so it takes him a moment to even realize Fai is there. It's the cheerfulness that tips him off -- that and Meredith tugging at his hair and forcibly turning his head to the side. Then Armin jumps a little, which makes the heavy emotion lift a little, dissipated by surprise.]

I -- like smoke? Really? Do they look like smoke? Can you see them? What?

[comparative_insanity]

[Fai just smiles blithely, either unaware that he just startled Armin - unlikely, given the situation - or simply pretending not to have noticed.]

Well, no, not see. I can probably just notice and find the source a bit better than the people who just get affected without knowing why. Had a bad day?

[tinytactician]

Oh. Oh no, I'm so sorry. I-I had no idea other people could feel it. [Armin hides his face in his hands, thoroughly embarrassed now. Meredith pats his head in a bored, but affectionate way, really more interested in poking the awkward Pidove.]

[comparative_insanity]

[That causes Fai's smile to dim a little bit, because he definitely hadn't meant to cause such discomfort. Once it comes back it's a bit softer, and he shakes his head a bit.] Don't worry about it, okay? It's not an easy thing to notice if you're in the middle of it, right? I'm sure no one would blame you.

[Dotty, meanwhile, is now hanging at an almost horizontal angle from Fai's arm in an attempt to get a better look at Meredith.]

[heartstorage]

[Armin isn't the only one making an escape attempt. Being at the orphanage much too was stifling, and Sora wanted to see if he could sneak out for training. And being part flying type, he escapes the best way he knows how: parkour.]

[At this particular moment in an alleyway that Armin's near, he's quietly hopping down from a higher ledge onto the ground. He's wearing a backpack that has a Shinx peeking out from it, and attached to it some long object wrapped in cloth that is possibly a weapon. After landing on the ground, he glances over his shoulder at his companion]

Did anyone see?

[Simba gives him what seems to be an affirming answer and Sora grins. Another clean getaway. But it's right then he's hit with a wave of Armin's feelings, and stumbles a bit. He's a psychic type so it's not as potent for others, but it's still startling] - Huh?

[That's...weird. It takes him a moment to realize he's not the one feeling sick. He looks around, and it's then he notices Armin and his companion. He probably should move on and pretend he didn't see in case he gets caught, but...]

[He approaches him instead]

Hey. You okay?

[tinytactician]

[Armin's inner soundtrack is basically "The Sound of Silence" right now, so it comes as a surprise to him when he's addressed. His loose grip on his Ralts companion tightens as he gives a start and automatically leans away from Sora. How do you people, exactly?

Okay? Of course he's okay. Why wouldn't he be -- oh. Oh, right, the whole emotion-bleed thing. That...might be upsetting some people. Unfortunately, Armin's still too tired to rein it in fully, though he does make a concentrated effort to smile and think of nice things instead.]

I'm fine. Thank you for aski--

[He breaks off suddenly when he notices the Shinx peeking from over Sora's shoulder, eyes widening a little. Suddenly the fake smile is genuine, and he steps forward eagerly.] Oh! Hello there! It's nice to meet you! I've read all about your family, but I've never had a chance to meet any face-to-face!

[Someone is better at talking to Pokemon than people, obvs.]

[heartstorage]

[He was about to point out that Armin seemed to be the opposite of fine, but he's cut off by Armin completely changing his tone when he talks to Simba. At first, he's completely confused until he realizes the kid is not talking to him at all but to Simba.]

[Which Simba definitely loves the attention. He tries to climb out of the backpack to get a better view of this person addressing him, making a sound that sounds like he's greeting Armin as well since Armin clearly has good taste]

[Sora meanwhile is here, very confused]

There's...books about Simba's family? [glancing over at his companion- YOU NEVER TOLD ME YOU WERE FAMOUS DUDE WTH]

[tinytactician]

[Armin's friend Meredith waves one blob-like arm appendage at Simba, making a soft happy chirpy sound. Hello, fellow Pokemon, isn't it nice to be us?

With a sheepish laugh, Armin shakes his head, quickly.] Oh, no, no, no, I meant -- I mean Shinxes as a whole. It just seems impolite to say "your kind", though, so I use the word "family". It's more respectful.

[copesetic]

[It's been a long day and Albert's already tired after a full day of classes and an extra piano tutoring session with a particularly difficult child. The young girl had been all haughty questions and frustration which bled into Albert something fierce, especially when she'd gone off about the rangers and how her father said they serve no purpose other than to take money from people like them who need it - utterly disregarding the fact that their holdings covered three entire floors of a tower - and they should just maintain the Swords better instead.

When he'd finally finished the lesson, marveling at his own self restraint in not rising to the girl's petulant and know-nothing regurgitation of her father's skewed world views, he made his way down to the street with a heavy heart. His late wife had been a Ranger, something so dear to her that she believed to be so very important for furthering humanity's bid for survival, it causes him grief to think that there are others that don't prize her sacrifice so highly.

Such strong emotions - grief, sorrow, frustration - aren't usually ones he indulges anymore but today he just doesn't have the energy to let them roll off his back. At least he doesn't look it, his face as impassive as ever, but to someone psychically inclined it may be a little overwhelming.]

[tinytactician]

[That particular mix of emotion, potent and intense and sadly, familiar, might actually be the only thing able to break through Armin's gloomy, irritated haze. Unfortunately, they break through it to the point where he stops right in the middle of the street with a sharp gasp, hands flying up to his temples.

Many apologies to whoever's behind him.]

[copesetic]

[So lost in his own thoughts, Albert nearly trips over the shorter blond who stopped directly in front of him. As it is, he does bump into the young man, which snaps him out of his own head and thoughts of his late wife and into a bashful sort of apology.]

I'm so sorry, I should have been watching where I was going. Are you alright?

[tinytactician]

[Armin gives a startled sort of squeaky sound, just barely suppressing his urge to duck and cover. Instead he squeezes the Ralts cradled in his arms a little too tightly, prompting it to break into chirpy, annoyed sounds, climbing up onto Armin's back and waving it's little arms indignantly.]

A-Ah, it's all right. I'm fine. [This is said sheepishly as Armin hunches over, so Meredith doesn't fall off. Sorry about...um. This.

[sturzflug]

[ Heeeeey there, Armin. How do you feel about an amazing air of smugness passing you by? Because Jean is having a great day. He and Apollo are out and about, enjoying Jean's day off by heading to the Poke-Habitat. Jean may not want to admit it, but he's happy that he made news friends.

He has simple needs, okay. He doesn't even notice Armin until he's pretty much next to him-- of course, he doesn't recognize him either. ]

Damn, you alright, little man?

[tinytactician]

[Oh, wow, okay, that actually shakes Armin out of his haze, albeit with a bit of a wince. That's a lot of upbeat smugness there, Jean. Also, he doesn't quite recognize the other boy, but the voice is vaguely familiar. Probably someone from school.

So, hugging a very long-suffering Meredith to his chest, he mumbles, without looking up:] M'fine.

[sturzflug]

Y'don't look fine to me.

[ Jean bends down to try and look Armin in the eye-- if only because he thinks Armin's actually a lot younger than he... actually is. Really, Jean doesn't look nearly as intimidating with a little Fletchling on his shoulder, looking mildly concerned. Even some poor kid giving off weird vibes can't really bring him down. ]

How 'bout your pokemon? They alright?

[ Jean and that soft spot for Pokemon... ]

[tinytactician]

I'm all right. Just...just tired. [The little Ralts reaches up with both teensy arms and squishes Jean's face between them with a soothing little vibe.]

Meredith's all right. I mean, as far as I know. [Meredith smooshes Jeans's cheeks a couple times and nods serenely.] -- thanks for asking.

[antiseptic]

[Jade doesn't need to be an empath to realize that Armin is in distress, even though the wave of emotion certainly clues him in. He frowns as well, unused to feeling so strongly, and tries to wall it off. Unfortunately, his own Psychic abilities are only good for attacking and not much else, so there's nothing he can do except try suppress it through normal means.]

[If it were some unknown person he is dealing with, he would hurry on his way, but Armin had been part of the expedition, and he's curious about the boy who had managed to bond with such a powerful Pokemon. With an inward sigh, Jade comes to a stop, then turns around and approaches Armin just as the couple continues on their way after shooting twin scowls at Armin.]

My my, you're making yourself quite popular.

[His own emotions are carefully control. He simply doesn't feel very strongly most of the time, and despite the amusement in his tone, he isn't deriving much enjoyment from the situation.]

[tinytactician]

[Yeah, good riddance, overly affectionate couples. Get a room. Or something. Armin turns towards the voice, one hand coming up to rub at his temple, feeling the beginnings of an overstimulated headache coming on. His Ralts friend, draped over one shoulder now, reaches up to pat at Armin's head with a consoling peep.]

That was...that was very rude, wasn't it? I'm sorry...

[antiseptic]

[Jade reaches up to rub at his temples in a gesture that spoke of exasperation. In reality, he's fast getting a very literal headache from the emotions seeping out of Armin.]

Well, I suppose it can't be helped. Sick people aren't the best at watching their tongue.

[tinytactician]

-- sick? I'm. I'm not ill. [Armin looks confused and a bit offended, really. He honestly isn't even aware of the invisible cloud of emotion hanging around him.]

[tm50]

[What can he say? Bertholdt's a tall guy and Armin, well on the smarties side, isn't all that big and easily unnoticed. He's just trying to head home, not interested in anymore human confrontation today.

Should have watched where he was going--] UFF-

[It was more of a trip than falling.] I'm so sorry.... [Quiet voice squeaking out of the large individual. His Magby hiding quicking, pulling his coats hood over herself and Bertholdt's head in a rush.

He notices that Armin doesn't look well and yet he doesn't mention...]

[tinytactician]

[Like a gangly giraffe and a tiny bunny rabbit, really. Fortunately ducking and covering works well for Armin, who escapes without anything more than being very startled.]

I-It's all right. [His Ralts, on the other hand, looks up and sends a wave of annoyance towards the lanky stranger and his Magby alike.]

[tm50]

[Bertholdt eyes direct more on the Ralts than Armin himself as he apologies.] Forgive me...

[What would be the normal thing to ask at this point? The other seemed rather tired, maybe comment on it? This exchange of small talk was exhausting..] You look worn, it's not good to over exert yourself or your Pokemon. [Was he in need of medical attention?]

[tinytactician]

[Not to worry, friendly giraffe, Meredith will wave an arm in forgiveness, settling back against Armin's chest with a little peep. Armin himself frowns a little, shaking his head and forcing an upbeat smile.]

Me? I'm all right, just a bit tired. Th-thank you for your concern.