~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.

[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?

[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.]

[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?

[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.]

[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...]