anexcitableboy | Video Post

[Jimmy comes home from his 'vacation' in a great mood, which quickly breaks entirely when he gets in to a house full of distraught Pokemon and no Ib. He knows it happens. He's talked to plenty of people who've lost friends and family, but it's something else altogether to come home and find what you've started to think of as your family gone.]

[Again.]

[He's been here long enough to know he should let people know. Ib has friends. But making an announcement makes it real. He puts it off for a good chunk of the morning, busying himself with making sure all the Pokemon are okay. He's glad he doesn't keep alcohol in the house, he's already wanting a drink. Finally, he slumps down on the couch, various Pokemon on either side of him.]

Uh...

Ib's gone home.

I dunno when, I've been gone for a week. I just came home and...

[His voice chokes and he knows if he says anymore he'll start crying over the 'gear and he doesn't want to do that.]

Uh...anyway, I dunno what to do now. I'm looking after her Pokemon, there's a bunch, and I guess the house is mine now... This is way too much house for one guy. You know I only moved in 'cause I wanted to make sure somebody was taking care of her right.

I know she's just back home, but...I dunno. Feels like I oughtta do something...

[He takes a long, shaking breath.]

I love that little girl.

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That's okay.

[He picks his bags up and takes them inside.]

I brought some pizza and soda and ice cream. I wasn't sure what kind you liked, so it's just cheese pizza and chocolate chip ice cream. ... I figured you wouldn't really feel up to cooking anything.

[And comfort food is always nice.]

Thanks a lot, man. That sounds great. I ended up skipping breakfast.

[He goes back to the couch, gently nudging a Buneary out of his seat.]

I just came home and she was gone. I know it happens, I just...I dunno. Didn't think it would, I guess.

Yeah, I... know how that goes.

[He heads into the kitchen to at least put the ice cream away, before coming back and sitting down near Jimmy.]

I... lost both of my travel partners. I didn't know Gamzee all that well before he left, but I traveled with Mimi for a long time. I was pretty broken up about it for a while... but having friends here helps. And while some Pokemon never seem to really get over losing their first trainer, especially the starter Pokemon... they can at least cheer up while they're making memories with their new ones. I think it's the same way for people.

[He looks up and smiles a bit sheepishly at Jimmy.]

I mean... I'm here for you, at least. And I know you'll get through this.

I just sort of fell into this all. We started talking when I first got here. She came and fixed me up when I got stupid drunk. She was just always there, you know? Then her friend that she got the house with went home, and she asked me to come live with her. It was like a dream come true, you know?

[He strokes Flower's head as he talks. The Buneary was Ib's starter. He doesn't know how to make her feel better right now.]

I appreciate this, man. I really do.

Yeah. Things just seem... easier here, mostly. A lot more people to deal with, but it's... easier to do it.

[He digs into his bag and pulls out a berry treat, before giving it to Jimmy.]

Here. You're her trainer now... you should give it to her.

Yeah...

[Jimmy takes the treat. He's her trainer now. For the immediate now, he guesses he's all their's trainer. It really hits him when Tobias says it plainly.]

Jesus. There's so many Pokemon...

... Yeah. But you can do it. I try to just rotate who I keep on my team for the most part so everyone gets a turn. Aside from Regal and...

[He tugs his knees up into his chest.]

... And Rachel. I haven't... used her since I got back, but I can't bear to take her off of my team.

I've never even had a team. I guess I'm all set to be a real trainer now, at least.

[Not much of a silver lining, but he's trying. He just nods.]

I get that. I don't blame you. That shit takes time.

Yeah. I can help you learn how to train, if you want. Not today, obviously.

[He reaches out to pat Flower's head gently.]

Thanks. I've got some tips, but...Jesus, I dunno what I'm doing. I don't even know how to look after a house by myself. I never lived in a house before.

[But he's not really alone. He's got the Pokemon, at least.]

I kind of know how to do that sort of stuff. My uncle wasn't exactly... great at keeping up the house. And your Pokemon will help you if you let them.

...Jesus, I gotta find out who we pay rent to. I just gave Ib money, she took care of it. I don't even know if I can afford this place on my own. I'm a warehouse loader, I don't make much.

[He glances over at Tobias with a small shrug.]

Don't suppose you're looking for a place to live?

I'm sure you can ask around. People like getting paid, so I don't think it'll be too hard to figure out who to go to.

[... For a moment, he's not sure if he's heard Jimmy right. The last time someone really offered him a home it was just a trick. He knows that Jimmy's got no reason to trick him, and that it's not likely that there's Yeerks here. Still, it puts him on edge for a moment.]

[And then he just smiles a little sheepishly. Him? In a house? He's not really sure if that would work.]

I... I've just been crashing at the circus when I'm in town, and I don't really have a job outside of the circus... I don't know if I can really...

[... But why not? As long as he can pick up something that's decently-paying and keep up his battling... it's not like it takes him that long to get to anywhere in Johto, so the rest of the gym leaders shouldn't be a problem.]

I mean... um... we can try it, at least?

[To have a home... to have a bed that's his, just his and no one else's... to have someone who's not horrible waiting for him. Maybe he and Jimmy aren't all that close, but... they don't have to be. He's a nice guy, and this whole place has been just one string of new experiences for him after another. He sniffs and rubs at his face with the back of his hand, trying to hide the tears building up.]

I... if you're sure...

I didn't have a job when I moved in, don't worry about it. And hey, rent's paid for this month already.

Why the hell not?

[Jimmy shrugs.]

I got this big old house, I'm not gonna live in it alone. And it sure sounds like you could use a place. We get along. If it doesn't work out, no big deal for either of us. It's not like we'd end up homeless or something.

[It just makes sense to him. He likes Tobias, and the kid could use an actual house to live in. He doesn't want to live here with just the Pokemon.]

[... He's trying really hard not to cry. He rubs at his face again and sniffs, before deciding that it just doesn't matter. He's not hiding anything like this.]

... Thanks. I... okay. Sounds good to me.

[He manages a small smile, and then pulls a Pokeball out of his pocket. He has to check with someone else before he makes a final decision. He makes sure there's no other Pokemon that are going to get squished, and then releases Regal from the ball. The Braviary looks around and squawks happily.]

We're gonna live here, at least for a while. That okay with you?

[Regal tilts his head, looks around, and then squawks again.]

Well, if it's okay with him, then that's that.

[His smile is a little bigger now. A home. A place he can belong. It's... simple, but he's really glad that there's at least somewhere.]

Hey, don't worry about it.

[But Jimmy can understand. He'd teared up when Ib asked him to move in. For some people, just knowing someone really gives a shit can make the real difference.]

You can take the room at the top of the stairs on the left. There's not much beyond basic guest room furniture, but we can hit up some charity sales or whatever. Make it a little more homey for you guys.

... Thanks. All I've really got that's not basic travel stuff is some sketchbooks and blankets and a few pieces of random stuff that people gave me. I don't exactly need much.

[Hm... what else...]

I can help you cook if you want. Someone's been teaching me a little bit.

[And on that note, he heads over to one of the bags and pulls out the pizza box.]

Here. As much as you want. It's not gonna eat itself.

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animorph spoilers ahooooo

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