prank #37 | video

[ghostytrainer]

[When John clicks on the feed today, he's accompanied by not one, but two Lopunnies. The One of them (Casey, judging by the pink sweater) is half-cradling the other and stroking its head, occasionally making shhh'ing noises. A Shinx lays next to them, and in John's lap rests the head of the saddest looking shiny Gallade you'll ever see. John himself looks exhausted, though moreso in the emotional sense than the sense of needing to take a nap.]

[He stares at the screen blankly for a good minute before finally speaking, in a voice that sounds as dull and tired as he looks.]

Vriska Serket has gone back home. If any of her Pokemon found their way to you, please let me know. I want to make sure they're all accounted for. And if they did just...promise me that you will take good care of them.

[He falls silent again, looking as though there's more he wants to say. In the end, he can't figure out what to say and ends up tightening his grip on the (what appears to be) a piece of twine clenched in his right hand.]

That's all.

[Click.]

Comments

[ghostytrainer]

Oh. I'm...well I've been better, to tell you the truth. But at the same time, I could be worse! So...yeah.

[tentacletrainer]

Well, that's good. Not great, mind you, but good. [[Sipping at her tea, she rests her head against his a little.]]

Do you want to talk about it?

[ghostytrainer]

I talked with Karkat a little about it already but...I don't know.

[He shifts in his seat a little, shoving her head with his own.]

[tentacletrainer]

Well...if you want to talk some more, I'm always here. [[What if she nudges his back? What then?]]

[ghostytrainer]

[Well then he will just have to counter nudge! His head was kind of comfortable where it was, jeez!]

Mmm...your dinner's going to get cold.

[Which is his way of saying: maybe here in a little bit.]

[tentacletrainer]

[[Jeeeeez!! But, she digresses with the head nudging with a chuckle.]]

So it is. But yours is too.

[[Rose sits up anyway, picking up her own carton and setting it in her lap to open and take a deep breath, mostly to enjoy how the food smells. And then taking a bite!]]

[ghostytrainer]

[He gives a sort of half shrug.]

Not really hungry right now.

[What is this world coming to?]

[tentacletrainer]

Mm, if you say so. [[Definitely won't stop her from enjoying it. Though she will slow down at least.]]

How are Cameron and Lucky?

[ghostytrainer]

[He looks back over to the bunny in question, still fast asleep next to his mother.]

Cameron is...a little better now that he's with Casey? Maybe? It's hard to be sure. She got him relaxed enough to go to sleep, if nothing else. Lucky though...

[He sighs, pulling away from her to rest his elbows on his knees and rub at his temples.]

I don't think I like inheriting psychic types. Juggabro was one thing. Not only was Tavros not his original trainer, but he'd already been through so many hands that he was hardly bothered to be with me. Lucky has never known any other trainer though.

[tentacletrainer]

Mm... [[She can understand how that must feel...Having to listen to Lucky would be a lot different than dealing with Pokemon who can't communicate with you beyond their name and expressions...]]

Maybe he should hang out with Dacha a little. Another Gallade might give him good company.

[ghostytrainer]

Good idea.

[He doesn't move, still leaning forward and resting his chin in his hands and his elbows on his knees.]

I was thinking about getting Cupid out of the box tomorrow. The two got along well enough when they were little. Plus it's hard to be in a bad mood with Cupid around. But the more Pokemon he has trying to cheer him up, the better I think. Because he's got it pretty bad.

[tentacletrainer]

That is also a good idea. I'm sure I have a few others who would be more than happy to help cheer him up.

[ghostytrainer]

Great. The more help he can get, the better. I don't want him to be miserable any longer than he has to be.

[tentacletrainer]

He will get all the help I am able to offer. Poor thing...

[ghostytrainer]

Yeah. Oh. By the way, did any of hers end up with you? We kinda skipped over that.

[tentacletrainer]

Oh! Yes. I received Strike her Galvantula and Gl'bgolyb her Tentacruel.

[ghostytrainer]

Oh good. Two more I can cross off my list then. [He sighs and shifts positions once again, this time sinking backwards into the couch. Maybe if he sits here long enough, the cushions will absorb him.]

I miss her already, Rose. She can't have been gone longer than a couple of hours and I already miss her.

[tentacletrainer]

Mmm...I know how that feels. [[You don't mind if she just kind of cuddles up against you, right? Cuddling will make you feel better.]]

[ghostytrainer]

It's stupid. Knowing her, she will be back in no time. I know this and I also know that she would give me hell for being a baby about this but I still can't help but miss her terribly.

[tentacletrainer]

With her luck, certainly. But...there's nothing wrong with feeling that way, John.

[ghostytrainer]

[He sighs and sinks a little further back in the cushions, curling inward on himself and staring at his knees.]

There is when you know better. And by now, I know better. And yet here I am. Once again, upset over something that nobody has any control over. It's like...it's like Dad all over again. Only this time it's even worse. Don't get me wrong, I love Dad. He's great and he's probably the closest thing I will ever get to my actual Dad here. But Vriska...she was...

[He tries to keep talking but ends up making a strangled sort of whimper instead. There's a lump in his throat now and it's hard to talk around it. He just wants to curl up and cry until he stops feeling like shit. That sounds like a good idea to him. He couldn't cry in front of Karkat but Rose...Rose is different. He can be vulnerable in front of Rose.]

[tentacletrainer]

[[She's not...really sure what to say. So, for now, she just holds him. If he wants to cry, he is perfectly allowed to.]]

[ghostytrainer]

[He leans against her, and sure enough, there are tears on his cheeks in a matter of moments. It was unavoidable, really. And, well, better to get them out, right?]

[tentacletrainer]

[[Right. And who better to do that with than your girlfriend?]]

[ghostytrainer]

[Rose, you occupy the top slot of a very short list of people that John would willingly cry in front of. It's just something he tries to avoid doing. And even then, part of him can't help but feel a little ashamed.]

[He hiccups a little, pushing his glasses up to rub at one of his eyes.]

D-dammit.