ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

I was trying to support you... I don't know how... I'm sorry...

No, I'm sorry Anom, I shouldn't have yelled at you like that.

It's fine, Tagg... I was being a jerk.

-To Tagg-

<Nadia: "... Maybe you should ask someone to talk with you...">

"Actually, I must say that I do regret not talking to you more over this past month, Dr. Tagg... I've found that talking to others is somewhat helpful... At least in making things seem slightly less insurmountable..."

We're all coping, some with more than others, some in different ways. We can be there for you when you want to unburden, Tagg. Just... try to be there for us trying to have good times, too?

Below Decks, Back of the Boat

-Abigail, Pankaja, and Rufus are exploring, in a non-responsible-adult-supervised manner-

Pankaja: -pokes head into a closet doorway- <Hm? Hello? Is someone in here?>

-To Anom-

You were only trying to help, even if your methods were...somewhat misguided.

-To Tracer and Tangent-

You guys have known me for years, you know how..hard I find it to open up to people. I don't even know who I'd talk to.

Exactly. I'm pretty stupid and insensitive.

...And I'm also a hypocrite.

-Ichtacya listens attentively-

Ichtacya — <All here are sad... you too.>

— We have had some bad times recently, girl.

-listening to Tagg I am about to open my mouth and suggest something but I prefer to shut up for the moment, and look away in shame.-

Perhaps it's not the moment... Once we have more room, sandy beaches and soothing sound of crashing waves, perhaps things will come and go easier on our minds...

-the Moon Ball shakes. Ichtacya is clinging to my leg for petting, but she doesn't notice-

-To Tagg-

<Iggy: "Well... If you're wary of opening up to other people... What about to Pokemon?">

<Gene: "Your teammates were with you in Kanto when everything happened, weren't they? And you can understand them...">

<Teala: "And there's us too... If you want us to talk with you, that is...">

edited 8th Sep '11 10:41:44 PM by TracerBullet

They've been watching me this whole time since I've been talking to them. Hell, I wouldn't even be surprised if some of them are tailing me right now to make sure I don't do something stupid like hurl myself off a cliff over this.

-to Tagg-

— Yeah... I might not be the best talker but... I will be around. And some of my mons are actually sensible enough.

-To Silent-

Thanks man, I really appreciate it.

-Tangent is about to speak, but is interrupted by the sight of the ZERO-ONE flying past the boat-

Oh! There it goes! And, uh...

ZERO-ONE

-The Rotom possessing the craft is apparently giving a lift to a wild Dunsparce and a Purrloin. They are nuzzling each other affectionately, while the cargo bin contains several boxes of ashes, a dozen cans of gloop, and a barrel of slag-

-An odd couple to be sure-

edited 8th Sep '11 11:01:55 PM by Tangent128

Am I too late for 77777GET?

-Ichtacya purrs, or whatever Leafeon do; I suddenly think of something-

— Well... physical contact helps too, as well as having someone who can not only listen but talk back, and, well, discarding Maekrite for the physical contact... and any contact..., I was thinking perhaps Dintel...

-blushes-

— Or not.

-something shakes and I see Tangent looking away-

— What?

edited 8th Sep '11 11:00:51 PM by SilentReverence

I guess I should find a place to sleep on here...

...Since we're talking...

...I haven't been sleeping. I've been up all night for quite a while, only getting rest on very rare, brief occasions or during the day.

- Is about to answer everyone when I look in the sky-

What the hell?

-Turns back to the others-

Anyway, I've been having some trouble sleeping too. I get a lot of nightmares, and night terrors.

edited 8th Sep '11 11:06:50 PM by rmctagg09

I get those the few times I do fall asleep.

When I don't sleep, I usually lay there and relapse into the habits I picked up back there. I sometimes even forget that I've left it.

I get what you mean.

-Thinks for a moment-

I sleep with my dagger quite often these days for instance. Anyway, I'm off to bed.

-Decides to go sleep on a chair-

edited 9th Sep '11 12:18:32 AM by rmctagg09

-I have spotted ZERO-ONE as well, I take a small mental note of the passengers and cargo and begin considering where it's going and where it's been-

- My Pokémon are asleep, except for Ribbons, who is looking at stars -

Ribbons: <... It's been a while...>

Hey Ribbons.

Ribbons: (looks over at me) <DS? What's the matter?>

Hmm... Couldn't sleep...

Ribbons: <Oh.>

I'm a little worried about some of my friends...

Ribbons: <... Yeah. Some of them still seem to be struggling with what happened in that other timeline you talked about.>

... Yeah.

Ribbons: <... You seem to have gotten out of it pretty well.>

... You think? Then why is part of me worried about Sinnoh, even though it shouldn't be in any danger at all right now?

Ribbons: <... DS, protecting Sinnoh is the legendaries' job, not yours.>

... I know.

- We watch the stars for a while -

... Hey, Ribbons?

Ribbons: <Yes?>

... I'm sorry I haven't been spending much time with you ever since you fully evolved.

Ribbons: <It's okay. At least we're spending time together now.>

... Yeah.

-Fool was scared earlier by Tagg's outburst, and has found a rather sheltered place on the boat-

<Poseidon>: <Arrr... C'mon yah beaut. Yah can't spend yer time mopin' on the top of tha' boat..>

Claudandus: Yeah... This isn't healthy for you...

Sahara: Yeah! This isn't the awesome trainer who caught me those months ago was wasn't afraid of nothin'!

...

<Poseidon>: <C'mon cap'n! Pull yahself tagethar! Yarharr...>

-Falls asleep against the side of the boat-

Night.

Ribbons: <... DS? Maybe you should've spoken to some of your friends more during this last month?>

Oh, I've already tried... Sort of.

Ribbons: <... Oh?>

... But... Every time I approached one of them to speak to them, I... I got cold feet... I couldn't do it.

Ribbons: <... I see.>

- Sighs -

Besides, what would I have said to them anyways? I was stuck in another dimension nearly the whole time! There is no possible way I could help them...

Claudandus: Guys... I really think we should leave her alon right now...

‹Poseidon›: ‹T' swabbie be right. Maybe some alone t'me will put t' cap'n back tah ship-shape. Tha' includes ye, Sahara.›

Sahara: ...Okay, but don't think I'll leave her like this come mornin' time...

-The three disbanded and leave Fool to mope and think-

- Some time later, after DS has fallen asleep -

Ribbons: <... You may feel a little alienated from your friends right now, but don't worry. It'll get better.>