~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]

[Meredith is curious about the merits of lying on one's back on the sidewalk, so pretty soon there'll be a Pidove and a Ralts sprawled on the pavement, which is actually a very amusing sight.

It's lost on Armin though, who wants to argue, but honestly has no logical comeback. He knows Fai's right, and that he'd be outraged if anyone else was in his position, but...it's complicated.

So he'll change the subject:] Were you on your way somewhere?

[comparative_insanity]

[Dotty has very kindly put a wing under Meredith's head so she'll at least be resting against something soft, and now seems to be humming happily and staring up at the clouds. Perfectly content with life.]

[And Fai won't push Armin to talk about something that clearly makes him uncomfortable, because he knows all too well that sometimes things are complicated and hard to explain to others. Armin isn't the only one with a complicated family situation.]

Not really, I was really just shopping. And you?

[tinytactician]

Oh, yes, there are some nice shops around here, aren't there? [He knows to say this simply because he's actively looking across the street at one of the aforementioned nice shops. But he's also ducking down to absently pat Meredith's tummy, prompted by a silent request.]

We were on our way to the Habitat, to visit our friend Gertrude. She's a Steelix.

[comparative_insanity]

Mmm, oh yes, they sell a lot of practical things, but the dresses they stock are unbelievably frumpy.

[Practical < fabulous in Fai's world, even now. He grins at the peaceful picture that their two pokémon make, sending a small breeze towards them to ruffle Meredith's fringe and Dotty's feathers.

But then that sinks in and Fai's eyes widen.] A Steelix? Savior, that is amazing! I've never even seen one before, you're so lucky.

[tinytactician]

I wouldn't know, I'm afraid, but that seems logical. Beauty and aesthetics seem to fall by the wayside in Union.

[With a few exceptions -- mostly Meredith. Meredith is the most beautiful, and will preen under the little breeze, making little chirpy cooing sounds.]

You haven't? Would you like to come along and meet her? She's very nice.

[comparative_insanity]

Well, if you know where to look, you can definitely find beautiful things. But I guess practical things are kind of useful too.

[Yes Fai, that is sort of what defines something being practical, well done.

There is a veritable chorus of cooing from the two pokémon, and if some people passing by are turning around to look with amused smiles or confused expressions, they obviously are completely out of fucks to give.]

Wow, really? [Now Fai is practically bouncing where he stands.] I would love to, if you don't mind.

[tinytactician]

I think Pokemon are beautiful. They're strong and can be ferocious, but they're all so different and amazing...people are amazing too, but in more subtle ways.

[All right you cuties, Armin has places to be, so he'll scoop up Meredith -- who hums happily and permits the princess carrying.] Of course! She'd love to meet you, I'm sure. I wish she could stay at home with Meredith and I, but our house just couldn't manage it.

[comparative_insanity]

[Fai laughs lightly at that, but there is warmth in his voice.] Well, that's a rather different kind of beauty than that of a pretty skirt or a beautiful vase, isn't it? It's the sort of beauty that you can't really match. It's like asking someone to make a hat as beautiful as a mother holding her child - it just can't be done.

[He mimics Armin and scoops Dotty up in his arms, allowing him to settle comfortably there while he coos softly and fluffs his feathers. Fai runs two fingers softly over his head, smiling fondly, before he's back to beaming excitedly.] Then I'd be delighted to come along. Wait, hold on...

[Fai darts sideways towards one of the market stands holding some rather promising scarves and other knickknacks. When he comes back he has used a diaphnous scarf and a corsage of silk flowers to fashion a sort of Steelix-sizes headband with a bow.] I make a habit of never being formall introduced to a lady for the first time without bringing her a gift. [No seriously.]

[tinytactician]

Oh yes, exactly. I think even those Pokemon who seem frightening or unapproachable are lovely. Like the ones you only see in drawings in the old books.

[But Meredith is the most lovely, right? The prettiest Pokemon of all? Hey, pay attention, Armin, or you'll have a Ralts pulling on your hair. Dotty, tell Meredith they're pretty.

Armin looks somewhat startled when Fai bounds off to do some impromptu fashion design, but he breaks into a smile of delight when he sees the makeshift headband.] Oh, it's wonderful! She'll love it!

[These nerds, istg.]

[comparative_insanity]

Oh yes, the old drawings have always been so intriguing to me. Some are terrifying, and yet... I can't imagine anything more beautiful. It was seeing one of those pictures in a book that sort of... convinced me that being a Flying type wasn't so bad at all.

[Dotty definitely thinks that Meredith is the prettiest thing ever - possibly helped by his short-term memory spanning about an hour at most - and he coos expressively to convey this.]

[Fai's entire face is just one great big YAY right now.] I really hope so! [He'll just tag along with Armin, actually skipping while doing so.]

[tinytactician]

The Legendary ones, the divine ones...we live in an amazing world. I just wish we could see more of it. [A pause, a little bit of a headtilt and:] You're a Flying type?

[Meredith likes Dotty, Dotty can stay. Armin is trotting along to keep up with Fai's incredibly long CLAMP legs skipping, secretly pleased to have found a companion, as he's never actually been to the Habitats before.] Is Dotty your only Pokemon friend?

[comparative_insanity]

Yes. Is it strange that I sort of wish I could've been there at the downfall of the old world, just so I could've seen them at their most terrifying and beautiful? [Fai laughs, a strange and muted little sound. Instead of simply replying he loosens the collar of his coat so that it slips down, revealing the upper part of the tattoo that covers most of his back, a stylized version of the drawing of the pokémon that inspired it.] I am. Psychic/Flying, though I can barely do more than create a light breeze right now.

[Fai smiles down at Dotty, who is now trying to imitate Meredith's voice by the sound of it.] No. My oldest friend is Babycakes, she's a Flabébé. And then there's Dotty here and Mr Sunshine, a Houndour, and I only met them both recently. Not counting all the pokémon friends I haven't bonded with but still consider as friends, of course.

[tinytactician]

A little. But I understand the motivation. [Armin pauses, eyes widening a little at the sight of the tattoo.] Oh...oh, that's amazing. Can...will you learn to do other things?

[Meredith is amused by Dotty's chirpy sounds and will make more, just so he can practice~] Mr. Sunshine? That's a...an interesting name. [He hugs Meredith a little closer, with a bit of a sad smile.] It was only me and Meredith until very recently, but I want to meet more and more and more. I want to meet everyone.

[comparative_insanity]

Well, I think I can live with being a little strange. [Or, you know, a lot. Fai grins enthusiastically, although there's a slight hint of apprehension there too.] Well, I'm assuming that I'll get better once I reach an evolution, you know? I mean, I guess it's possible to do Flying stuff without wings, but I'm still assuming that's the most likely thing to happen. [Which, admittedly, is a little bit scary - but also a bit thrilling.]

I'm rather fond of coming up with nicknames~. [It's only a blessing he hasn't named a pokémon after a famous clothes' manufacturer yet.] And I know exactly what you mean. I want to meet every kind of pokémon and learn everything about them. [This said complete with sparkling eyes and a dreamy sigh and then the world collapsed around the solid mass of their nerdiness.]

[tinytactician]

You...you think you'll grow wings? That's...amazing. [Sparkly shoujo eyes go here ofc. Armin thinks everything is amazing, especially other Enlightened folks.]

Me too. As long as my friends like them. Gertrude seems happy with her nickname, though I wish I spoke proper Steelix so I could be more sure. [They just wanna be the very best, that's all~]

[comparative_insanity]

Probably? Like, I was covered in feathers when I was born, though they fell off after about a day, but sometimes I find like a small feather growing in my hair? So I'm probably going to start looking more bird-like. [Fai, honey, you have no idea. But he's managing to feel less intimidated with so much sparkling amazement directed at him.]

Well, I'm pretty sure a Steelix would be able to show her displeasure if she doesn't like her nickname rather well, right? Besides, your Psychic gift seems to have a lot to do with feelings, so you could probably tell regardless. [Like no one ever was~.]

[tinytactician]

Covered in feathers? Like a bird? [This is so amazing to Armin, okay this is actually the greatest best thing he's ever heard in his entire life omg.]

She might be trying to be polite, though. And I try not to read other people's emotions without permission. It's not nice.

[comparative_insanity]

Well, more down than feathers, I suppose. I'm guessing that it was meant to be protective. My brother levitated slightly for about a month or so, and sometimes went slightly intangible, probably for the same reason. So they knew what typing we had pretty quick. [Not that they'd considered that a good thing.]

I'm sure that's not the case. If it's something you've picked out of care and affection, I can't imagine she feels anything but good feelings about it. It's the feelings behind that's the important thing, not the name in itself. [Which might explain why Fai's other two pokémon put up with "Babycakes" and "Mr Sunshine".]

[tinytactician]

You and your brother are both Enlightened? That's amazing! You have someone close to you who understands! [Armin frowns a little, trying to remember, then says in a very cheery voice -- obviously just trying to empathize --] My Grampa says I cried for days and days when I was first born. We used to live a lot closer to everyone, so I guess I was upset by all the people. It got better once we moved away.

She's lovely. Her and Meredith and -- and everything. [Have an absolutely blissful smile.] It's so nice to be with people.

[comparative_insanity]

We~ell, we are identical twins, so I suppose it only makes sense. Besides... well, everyone in my family has been Enlightened back to the time of the Savior on my father's side, and at least four generations back on my mother's. [He shrugs lightly, because while it's true that he's grateful for being able to share everything with Yuui, he doesn't feel like he has much in common with the rest of his family.]

[He grimaces slightly in sympathy.] Gosh, it must've been pretty hard, being a kid and constantly having a door in your head that people keep walking through. It's really brave of you to be out walking about now, then. [A small smile.] And I'm glad it makes you happy too.

[tinytactician]

Is it nice? Having a sibling, I mean. It seems like it would be, just having someone always there to talk to. [Armin considers Meredith a sibling, but that's sort of a secret, because he's awkward about it.] Your whole family is Enlightened? Really?

I don't remember it very well. My family did a good job of keeping it quiet for me once they figured it out. [Aka, of keeping him hidden. Armin doesn't really mind it too much -- he sees and understands the love and worry behind it.]

[comparative_insanity]

[It's evident from Fai's face that he wasn't prepared for that question at all, and for a moment he just stares at him in incomprehension. Then he slowly shakes his head, not in answer as much as confusion.] It's a bit like asking someone if it's nice to have legs when they've never been without, I think. I mean, I can't even imagine life without Yuui, and I couldn't live without him, but... if I hadn't been born a twin, perhaps I would've felt differently? But I'm not sure I would be me either.

[He shrugs a bit awkwardly.] And yes, I think so. If there's been anyone who wasn't, it's probably been hushed up. [Welcome to Fai's family's wonderful "standards", Armin.]

I can understand wanting to keep you safe, it must've been hard for you. But... wasn't it a bit lonely too?

[tinytactician]

That makes sense. You can't consider something nice that you've always had. I suppose people tend to...to not think about those things, huh? But objectively, I mean. Do you enjoy being a twin?

[Hey they can bond over dysfunctional families. Also have some pot calling the kettle black, while carefully ignoring the loneliness question:] Hushed up? That's horrible.

[comparative_insanity]

[He laughs.] I don't think I can be objective. But I can say that there's nothing in the world I'd rather be than Yuui's twin. He... Well, nothing will ever be more important to me than he is. [True to a rather scary degree.]

[Then Fai smiles rather sourly, nodding.] My family's always been obsessed with how they are the true scions of the Savior's blood, and the fact that everyone in the family has been born as a Psychic/Fairy enlightened is apparently "proof" of this. So I can't imagine they would suffer anyone to be born ordinary. [He smirks.] But then me and my brother ruined things anyway. Oops.

[tinytactician]

[Shhhh, codependency is touching. At least to Armin, who knows all about unhealthily insulated families~ He nods approvingly at this, turning one of the last corners on the way to the Habitats, which loom imposingly above them.

This next comment however, makes him stop short.] That's awful. That is awful that they think that. I mean, about you are your brother. That isn't fair.