~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

[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.

[copesetic]

No, really, it's my fault. I'm glad you weren't hurt.

[One gloved hand presses to his forehead in relief that neither the boy or his pokemon are injured.]

Though... I have to ask, why were you standing in the middle of the street?

[tinytactician]

[Armin sort of panics for a moment, because he can't really say "because you were sad about your wife", now can he? So, after a moment of stammering:] I...thought I saw a...Flabébé. I didn't want to step on it.

[copesetic]

[Insert slow blink here.]

A Flabébé? Somewhere so crowded?

[Hmm...]

Well, it's good you stopped, then. I'm Albert, by the way. Albert Heinrich.

[He offers his hand for a shake.]

[tinytactician]

See, I was surprised too. [Armin wins the prize for absolute worst liar ever in the entire world.

And he hesitates a moment, unsure if physical contact makes the whole emotion-bleed thing worst. But he slowly reaches out to shake Albert's hand.] Armin. Nice to meet you.

[copesetic]

[His hand is heavy and curiously cold through the glove. Albert slips it back in his pocket once they let go, shuffling piano books under his other arm. He can tell Armin is hiding something but far be it from him to press someone he just met.]

You as well, and your Ralts.

[He nods pleasantly to the small pokemon.]

[tinytactician]

-- oh, yes, this is Meredith.

[The Ralts gets held out, so it can reach forward and wave little blobby limbs at Albert, giving a chirp of greeting.]

Meredith says hello.

[copesetic]

Hello, Meredith.

[He gives the Ralts the same attention he gave Armin upon first introduction, then turns his attention back to the blond.]

Even if there was no harm done, I'm still sorry about all this. Could I buy you two a coffee or tea? Or something else if it's more your taste.

[There's something about the way Armin is hiding, an inobvious but still present thing in the way he stands, that makes Albert want to see if he can't figure the boy out. Not to mention it's much better then dwelling on the sadness of missing his late wife.]

[tinytactician]

[Armin hesitates, not wanting to overstep his boundaries or impose -- too well-mannered to just instantly agree. Meredith, on the other hand, has no such qualms, giving out several happy high-pitched sounds and wiggling about in Armin's grasp.

Embarrassed, the boy translates:] Meredith would like juice, please.

[copesetic]

A juice it is, then.

[He motions for them to join him in ambling to a nearby cafe. He lets Armin and Meredith order whatever they like - he's not sure what type of juice the Ralts would prefer after all - and gets a tea for himself. Once the bustle of ordering is over and they wait for their drinks, Albert leans back a little in his chair to regard the blond across from him.

Perhaps it's better to just be blunt.]

You're an Enlightened as well, correct?

[tinytactician]

[Bluntness is...definitely a strategy. Albeit one that causes Armin's eyes to go wide as he skillfully managed to choke on thin air, startled and completely caught off-guard.]

E-Enlightened? M-Me? Why...why would you think that?

[Smooth.]