hoperaider | [Video/Action for Azalea] 08th Page

[Video/Action for Azalea] 08th Page

[Robin the Emolga is currently perching on Jake's shoulder, nuzzling his face and pretty much begging her Trainer for attention. He's smiling a little sheepishly, showing his new Hive Badge for a few seconds before putting it away to give Robin some well-deserved ear scritches.]

Gosh, I feel awful for Bugsy. It was the easiest badge I've gotten so far, which likely wouldn't have been the case if I'd been going linear! While effective, it might have been going too far using the Pokemon that were in their early to mid 70's! And now I think I'm ready for Whitney's Miltank without encountering too much trouble with it.

[Nothing survives Perish Song when that counter reaches zero.]

[Filtered to Jane; Text]

Jane?
Um.
First off let me apologize for...a number of things.
And then ill get to the point of this text.
Sound fair?

[/filter]

[Action for Dirk]

[And now he's off to see ~~the Wizard~~ Dirk because talking needs to happen. At least, talking needs to start. He knows he can't put this off any longer, as much as he wants to put it off for-fucking-ever.

Feelings suck sometimes.]

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Don't feel too bad. He was a pushover at regular levels too.

[Sollux snickers under his breath. Okay, so his were all in his forties when he was fighting Bugsy, but details.]

Miltank, though... [He gets serious again.] Miltank might be a problem. If I'm going to use the kiddies.

His Scizor put up a good fight! ...Even if it was only because I used Perish Song instead of anything else....

[Hm, maybe that had been too cruel in hindsight.]

I'm sure you can come up with a strategy to get the victory! I've just got to buy a TM or two in Goldenrod before I take her on. I figure I might do Perish Song against her Miltank and then wait it out by switching with Noah, my Lucario.

Perish Song is for cowards. [He sounds more amused by this than anything else, though.] An effective strategy, but where's the fun in that?

Uh, actually, that's not such a bad idea, TMs. I'll probably join you. [He'd better make sure he has enough money for it, though...] You think they sell any Fighting-type moves just for her?

[~~the Wizard~~ Dirk is just coming back from training his pokemon, apparently, from the pokeballs he's carrying with him as he comes in. He doesn't suspect anything, either, considering his greeting is just a wave as he passes by, presumably to monopolize the bathroom for an everlasting shower. If Jake wants to catch his attention, he'd better act quickly.]

[Jake waves as well, and his smile is a little forced.]

Dirk! Hullo!

[He falls into step beside his friend, and kind of. Blurts out something because he needs to stall Dirk's self-imposed drowning.]

Can we talk? Erm, before you use up all the hot water, I mean. It kind of can't wait.

[It's not drowning, it's... well, who even actually knows what he does in there. But whatever it is, he won't be doing it right now.]

That important? All right, hit me.

[It's still drowning.

Jake shifts from foot to foot nervously and takes a deep breath.]

I know about your feelings towards me. As in the romantic feelings. And I also know Jane's feelings towards me are in the same category. I've known since Christmas with Jane and for you, well, Roxy told me back home, but I never acted on her information because, uh, Pokemon and whatnot! When I confronted Jane back home she told me she didn't feel anything but platonic stuff about me and now I've been proven otherwise.

[Okay, needs to take a breath. Jesus, Jake, slow down.]

And...well, I like both of you very much! And I care about you both very much! I'm not sure if they're romantic or not, but...I don't...I can't choose between you two. I've tried, and I can't bring myself to do it. You're both very important to me and hurting one of you like that doesn't sit well with me.

[He sighs deeply and wilts a little.]

But I know that not choosing hurts more, so I'm...a bit at a loss right now on what to do about it.

[And now Jake's done and waiting nervously for Dirk's reply to all that ranting that's been sitting on his chest for over a month.]

[Dirk slides his hands carefully into his pockets. He's nervous about this, really nervous, Jake's anxiety is catching, but he's doing his best to seem calm about it, even if he can't manage nonchalant.

He takes a deep breath himself.]

Shit. I meant to tell you myself, but I guess it doesn't matter now.

[He pauses, carefully considering his words.]

I won't bother asking if you're sure. You know I'm not going to stop just because you can't choose. I don't know how, but I don't want to hurt Jane's feelings, either.

[Really, it's a good trait to have since calmness can also catch on.]

Well, Christmas didn't help, either, to be fair. [He chuckles weakly.] Even I can understand what that meant.

[Jake nods.]

I think, if anything, either the three of us need to talk or, uh, you and Jane should talk. I'm not sure how much I can contribute than I already have. Or I could muck it all up, that's always a possibility, haha....

Yeah.

[This... God, this is awkward, but Dirk is clinging to his pokerface. This isn't going the way he wanted it to, not at all. But Jake isn't saying that he doesn't like Dirk back. He's just saying that it's complicated, really.

He resists the urge to resettle his shades while he thinks.]

Yeah. I'll... talk to her. You should probably come too, it's not like you're a prize. You should. Get a say, too. Fuck. We can all muck it up.

[He shifts awkwardly again.]

Well, hopefully we won't muck it up too much. But...

[Jake hesitates again. He's been doing this a lot but fucking hell.]

But I think I'd like time to think. I mean, rushing it doesn't sound all that great of an idea, and I don't...strictly want to lead anyone on, you know?

We can give you time. If you're getting pressured, tell me to knock it off, I guess.

[Since he highly doubts Jane will manage to do much pressuring. And he knows he won't avoid it, because he's only been trying to influence Jake like that for how many years?]

Aw, there's been no pressure, so I don't think it'll come to that!

[Who knows? Jake hasn't noticed.]

I think, perhaps, we should aim for either before or after Valentine's for the discussion?

Whatever you say. [He's got a tally in his head that says otherwise, but if Jake thinks so.]

Maybe before. So we're not cliche as shit.

[Jake is utterly hopeless in these cases.]

Nothing wrong with a bit of cliche in your life! But I suppose I see your point.

Bro, if I'm going to go for a cliche, it's going to be ironic with all the stops pulled.

[And unsaid is that he kind of doesn't want to have a potential first date with Jake be done just for the irony. Or rather, he'd want irony and cliche but done sincerely because Jake is a goober.]

Hah! That would be a sight to see, I'm sure, and you've got me curious.

[Jake is a huge goober, this is fact.]

Are you saying you want me to take you on a date, Jake?

[That. Probably deserves clarification, considering the talk they were just having.]

[Brightest blush imaginable. Like, even his ears are glowing pink.]

Oh, ah, uh.... [Dang, these are the most intelligent responses ever. Nice going, English, you're sweeping that Strider right off his feet. Yup.]

Um...maybe? I don't. Really. Know.

[He's so flustered right now.]

[Well, it is really cute. And part of Jake's charm. So against all odds, there's some sweeping going on here.]

No pressure. But it'd be a good way to figure it out, right? Not a trial run, necessarily, just seeing what it's like.

You could do the same with Jane.

M-maybe....

[Jake feels like he might be too shy for that, at least right now.]

'Kay. Let me know, then.

Ahaha, sure.

[Slightly awkward pause.]

Um, that was all I really wanted to talk about. Unless you have anything else?

Uh, no. Nothing. Thanks, Jake.

[Time to go for that shower, and use up even more hot water than usual. He has a lot of things to think about.]

R-right. See you at dinner, then!

[And Jake is going to just. Wrestle with Anika and train the other Pokemon.]

It sounds just fine.
Do you want to meet up later to talk?
Sorry,
I took a mosey out to the woods this morning.

Not a problem!
Erm yes if thats not too much of a bother.
Where and when?

I can easily be back within the hour.
We could go out to the Slowpoke Well,
since it's not really easy to get away from people
in this tiny town.

[No we are not going into someones room for this talk nope]

Thats certainly true.
I havent seen slowpoke well either now that i think of it!
Shall i wait for you at the pokecenter?

[Nope nope avoid the awkward]

You're honestly not missing anything there
hoohoo!
Just lots of Slowpoke,
the same as the ones all over town.

Sure,
I'll see you soon.

Itd still be fun to see just once!

See you then!

[And he'll be waiting outside the Pokemon Center about five minutes early. Nope, this is something that can't be delayed, as nervous (read: terrified) as he is about broaching the subject.]

[Just like she said, it's within an hour when Jane comes to the center, seated on James' back and idly combing knots out of his fur. Giving Jake a smile when the Sawsbuck comes to a stop, she hops down from her seat and dusts her lap free of stray fur.

Nervous?

Oh but matters of the heart.] Hey Jake.

Hullo, Jane!

[He grins at her, cheerful and maybe a touch of it's forced, but that's all fine. Everything's fine fine fine.]

Shall we head over?

[The back of her mind notices that little bit of a force in the smile, but Jane ignores it and only smiles back, returning her Pokemon.] Mhm! Let's go.

Great! Tally ho, then!

[And he's going to enthusiastically lead Jane over to the Slowpoke Well. Jane probably saves him from taking wrong turns along the way. ~~Jake jeez.~~

When they finally get there, Jake's quiet for a few seconds before facing her and taking a deep breath.]

Okay, I need to get apologies out of the way first. Because...well, I think I owe you quite a few at this point.

[Why is this so hard?]

I'm...really, really sorry for not realizing your feelings toward me. Back home, I actually had a discussion with you about it, and I was lead to believe that it was purely platonic between us. Now, of course, I know otherwise and...and I apologize for being completely dense about the whole thing. I also apologize for putting this talk off for as long as I have.

[He sighs.]

So...sorry. Again. I'm an idiot and a coward. Sorry.

[She's had all of two seconds to have a seat at the edge of the well before Jake started, and Jane had to make an attempt not to herpaderp and wear her feelings all over her face. Biting her lip and shaking her head, she tried to offer a smile again.]

No, no, I think I need to be the one to apologize honestly. I.. well I don't know what I said in that discussion, but I'd certainly been keeping it to myself for a while. It's my fault that this talk took so long to happen, at least ours, because I went and ran off.

[Reaching up, she cautiously catches his hand and gives a reassuring squeeze.] It's okay though, so you don't need to apologize anymore, alright? You're no idiot or coward.

[He sighs in relief and relaxes a little bit.]

I just feel like I should've known before things got to that point, you know?

[The hand holding surprises Jake, but he thinks it's neutral enough and squeezes back.]

Well, then, there's another matter I should talk about. Erm, on the topic of romance...how do I put this...?

[Feels are hard and he's not even sure how to articulate them in a way that makes sense.]

Um...I really, really like and care about you and Dirk both. You're both very important to me and I admire a lot of things about you two! It's just....

[He takes a breath.]

It's cowardly, I know that much, but I just...I can't hurt either of you by just choosing one of you over the other. But I do recognize that if I don't, then I just hurt you both even more, and I'm at a loss for what to do about this. And I probably should have said something sooner, but now that all three of us are in one town again...well, I figured it was as good a time as any, right?

[Jake sighs again.]

It's like I can't apologize to you two enough.

Edited (Icon fail) 2013-02-06 01:05 (UTC)

[Biting her lip, Jane really can't help the mild disappointment from showing on her face, but she's easily nodding in understanding; of course Dirk likes Jake too, of course Jake has other people to choose from dating wise, of course of course ughghhh god damn his charming ways when it gives him more suitors to look at for a moment, Jane wonders how the hell she's even in that list.

Oh right, because she went and tried to snog him at Christmas. Way to go self!

She squeezes his hand again though, then scoots aside with a gesture for him to sit down.]

I... well, it's not cowardly, you really just can't.. decide. [Thinking, turning her attention down to her shoes, she spoke quieter.] I guess the only advice I can give is that you definitely need to go with your heart.

[He sits down gratefully and sighs.]

It was cowardly to actively put it off like that. And I don't know where my heart's even going. I mean...Jane, the last thing I want to do to either of you is lead you on if I'm not positive on my feelings!

[Selfishly, at least in her opinion, she keeps holding his hand even when he has a seat.] You aren't. You're being honest right now in saying you aren't sure, so you most certainly aren't leading me on to.. to anything.

[Giving a quiet smile, she leans and sets her head against his shoulder, dropping her eyes down to their hands.] It's enough to know I'm important to you.

So how many badges do you have now, then? [Because it's been a while since she talked to you.]

This will be my third badge! I took on Morty before Whitney and Bugsy, but that was because Aradia wanted to meet up with a friend in Ecruteak. I tagged along to check out the tower, honestly.

It's great that your strategy worked, though!! Hopefully that'll make Whitney that much easier.

That's a pretty big difference in terms of levels, isn't it?

[ And that sure is a Pichu perched atop her head, staring down at the screen with a line face for a change. Or rather, Casanova is staring at the Emolga on Jake's shoulder, his eyes wide and getting wider by the second. ]

If I recall correctly, Riku's guide said Bugsy's strongest is... forty? [ That sounds about right. ]

There's no contest in terms of levels. But it happens when you wait around and do other things, honestly.

[Robin blinks at the Pichu, not really understanding what's going on here. She takes after her Trainer that way.]

I can understand that. How long until you take on Whitney?

[ What's happening here is love at first sight and Casanova does not know what to do besides stare with widening eyes because that is the most beautiful Pokelady he has ever seen with his young eyes. He's not drooling or anything at least? Yet. ]

Edited 2013-02-15 18:32 (UTC)

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[Video/Action for Azalea] 08th Page

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action holy shit where is all this tl;dr coming from

action out of jake's apologizing mouth, that's where

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