ceasetoexist | 57 - Action/Phone

[Action - Locked to 502 Ricardo Street]

[Hey housemates. Hope none of you are wanting that turkey because the moment Pokey sees it? Yeah, he's going to be starting a fire in the fireplace and bringing the turkey with him. If you're fast enough and want to stop him, you can try to before he goes ahead and pitches the turkey into the fire.]

[Phone]

Hey idiots, everyone else is doing a pretty good job pointing out how this is a trap so, hey, guess that means you don't need more voices shouting it at you. I got a different question.

I'm not giving specifics about it over the phone but....is it...

[There's a pause, and a sigh, before Pokey continues in a mumble.]

Is it....wrong...to be thankful for being here?

[Action - Outside 501 Ricardo]

[Welp. He has no clue why he's doing this. Really, Pokey just doesn't want to admit it over the phone. But the asshole responsible for him being here lives right next to him. And really, this wouldn't be the first time he's ranted outside her house. Just the first time he's done it like this.]

You can bite me. Seriously. Originally I guess I would have told you that just for putting me in this hole, but since then you've given me a lot of extra reasons to tell you it too. You're a real piece of garbage, you know that you freak?

[He pauses, just staring at the house before looking at the ground.]

But on the other hand? ...I've never been happier than I have been here. Even when it's sucked, it sucked as hard as it did because things weren't bad before. Because they were, in fact, awesome as far as things for me go. The best they had ever been. And I wonder, sometimes, if you brought him here to help keep me happy. As a bribe, I guess, not because I'm important but just because you could. Doesn't matter in the end really. I'm not losing sleep over it.

...And I guess, here...I learned things about myself I really didn't want to. And...you know how they say growing up sucks? Yeah, it does. Even harder than I thought it would.

But I did it. And I realize I only did it because I'm here.

I-

[Pokeys' hands bawl up into little fists.]

I am. I'm thankful for being here. For you bringing me here.

[And God.

Does he ever hate that.]

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...I'll do what I can.

I'm Pokey. Pokey Minch.

That's all I can ask for.

Red. [and in the background, a little squeak that sounds suspiciously like a pika! can be heard.] ...Oh. And Pikachu says hello, too.

....Pikachu?

Do you know Ash?

We've talked a few times. He said he used to live in my hometown before he came to Mayfield.

Are you friends with him?

I guess. Kinda sorta.

...I haven't seen him for a little while.

Hard to believe. He's kind of...loud. [putting it kindly.]

Maybe he went back home. That's where I was. Half a year passed in Mayfield even though it was only a few days in Kanto.

...Yeah. If that idiot isn't here, I guess that's where he'd have to be.

You really went back home?

For a little while, yeah. But I didn't remember anything about Mayfield, so...

[he trails off, and when he starts speaking again his tone is much more subdued. maybe even a little uncomfortable.]

I couldn't hold myself to any of the things I promised to do when I got back. Because I forgot all about them.

....Is it really your fault then?

I mean, this town screws with everyone.

[He doesn't really know what to say. The concept of keeping promises is still odd to Pokey. Of giving comfort to people, even odder.]

It is. You shouldn't make promises unless you can keep them.

Yeah, okay, but in this case you had no choice. So it wasn't really your fault.

Maybe. [he doesn't sound too convinced.] In any case, I don't intend on making the same mistake twice; or letting them do it for me. The next time I leave, it'll be for good. And I'll remember everything.

[He's....kind of tempted to tell you that may be the case. That the next time you leave here, even if they win, people may not get to keep their memories. Who knows for sure. But instead, he just shrugs before responding.]

We'll see, I guess. No point in making many plans until we do beat 'em.