IC Contact + Overflow

[gunslingerqueen]

Wanna continue a TFLN thread? Wanna text or call Nariko, or just play in general?

Here's the place to do it!

Comments

[gunslingerqueen]

I do, and you know I'm always right.

[It's flattering that he sees her as strong. It would be nice if he never gets it, either, even if that means keeping the reality of her situation under wraps.]

Take care of yourself until then! Call me if you need anything.

[It's time to part, because all good things come to an end! It might just take her a few days to actually contact him again so the real question is, how many days does it take Gladion to worry? One, two, three, or maybe even as much as four?]

[hairrowing]

[she's always right. right. he playfully rolls his eyes. reassured he'll see her soon, though. most people in his life he hadn't cared much, too set in his mission. but now he's got this]

You too. Let me know how Pasha does.

[he begins to worry after about 3 days of no messages, not even any memes]

[gunslingerqueen]

[Not even a meme! Things are happening, and if they're going to be in the same space together it's important to ensure his safety.

Her own is a little negligible. But somewhere around three and a half days, roughly speaking, a text arrives!]

guess what i am in love

[hairrowing]

[if he had any shame he'd have waited a couple of minutes before replying.

as it is, he answers within seconds:]

what are you talking about

[gunslingerqueen]

amore! Infatuation!!! Love!!!!

[Zero context, but she does send a picture a moment later: Pasha is standing somewhere with that playful grin, and wearing the world's tiniest top hat.

It's Pasha. She's in love with Pasha.]

look how CUTE!!!

[hairrowing]

[okay thank god. he'd been a little worried....

he finds himself smiling with relief]

where'd you find such a little hat?

[gunslingerqueen]

[He had reason to be, but she won't admit that easily.]

it's mine! Kind of. I guess I was in some weird school play and the hat was part of the costume

[hairrowing]

it fit your little head? that's cute.

[gunslingerqueen]

its cuter on Pasha than it was on me

[Another picture, and either by the Pokemon's own dramatic personality or Nariko somehow directing it as such, it almost looks like the pokemon is proudly posing. Might be the angle, too. A separate text:]

i went home for a bit.

[hairrowing]

[clearly Pasha and Nariko picked the right partner. they fit in so well, and it's only been a couple of days.]

how did it go? did pasha go too?

[gunslingerqueen]

Pasha went along, yeah, but I didn't let'm out while I was around. I don't know how it works with non-human beings.

Also uh how do I figure out if Pasha is a girl or boy. I don't want to be disrespectful. or weird.

[hairrowing]

it's fine to let them out, as long as the people in question aren't afraid of Pokemon or anything. its incredibly normal.

oh [that's right, she doesn't have a Pokedex or anything either]

you can take them to the Pokemon center, they'll be able to tell you.

[gunslingerqueen]

It was more like I had a rough time and I didn't want to upset Pasha when we were pretty far away from you

[Like really far. What if something had happened and she needed his help? The ball was just safer.]

oh the cute outfit lady places right?

[hairrowing]

i would have gone with you. you didn't need to do it alone. [he feels bad. going back home when it no longer is home is...rough]

yeah, nurse joys.

[gunslingerqueen]

and ruin my image with you? no way.

besides, coming back and knowing you were safe here was good motivation.

[hairrowing]

image...?

but what if you had been unsafe there? i wouldnt have known

[gunslingerqueen]

yes of being a semi-competent and reliable

[There's a gap, then, a lot of bouncing text bubbles to represent the fifty drafts that go unset until:]

i promise I'm fine. if I ever do go back I'll tell you ahead of time, ok?

[hairrowing]

it isn't just an image. you're real competent and reliable.

[he waits patiently, but no less worriedly]

okay. i'll go with, if you'd like. but i wont force you to take me with you.

[gunslingerqueen]

I'm glad you feel that way, but it'd be different if we went there together, or even if you saw me now.

[How is she supposed to get it through his head that he is a kid, and it's not right for him to even worry about her so intensely?!]

you're over there fretting, aren't you?

[hairrowing]

you don't have to be that all the time. if you were there again, you'd be going through it. you have the right to just be.

i'm not fretting.

relevant+genuine question how open are u to some premium grade angst

[gunslingerqueen]

[you don't have to be that all the time. Let's not even get into how desperately she had always wanted to hear that.]

if you aren't fretting then I guess I can totally do five hundred things and go bench press a building

i'm hella open! wide open!

[hairrowing]

maybe about 3 things and bench press pasha.

\o/ !!!!

[gunslingerqueen]

the first of the three things is me typing this, the second is me asking if you could come over and the third thing is me waiting

[Bench pressing to be completed at a more opportune moment.]

<3333

[hairrowing]

okay, i'll be there soon.

[he doesn't rush-- but for Gladion he's rushing]

<333!

[gunslingerqueen]

[No response because she trusts him. It's the same hotel, same room as before and when he knocks, there is an answer.]

Hey.

[Lounge pants, a ratty graphic t-shirt with some band Leah was once obsessed with, no hairstyle and not a trace of makeup. Nariko is a woman who takes pride in her appearance, the absence of it can be strange, but the real nail in the coffin is the bandages along her collarbone and neck, stiff movements. She lets him in with the air of someone desperately ignoring the obvious.]

... Thanks. I probably should have asked if you were busy or something, first.