grapeeater | IC; Pokegear Contact Post

Not really. I've been staying in inns. Why?

IVE JUST BEEN THINKING ABOUT A CHANGE OF SCENERY IS ALL.

AND I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT HAVE SOME.

I DUNNO.

TIPS.

Ah. That. Well, if you want, I can teleport back to Goldenrod and we can talk in person?

THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

SURE IT ISN'T TOO LATE AT NIGHT?

I'm up anyway, and it's not like Pokemon Centers are ever closed.

I JUST DON'T WANNA COST ANYONE THEIR SHUTEYE

SEE YA THERE

THANKS

_{[And so, some half an hour later, Ralph is waiting outside the Goldenrod Pokemon Center, thumbs hanging off of his pockets. Blanca, his Ampharos, sits at his heels looking up at him in concern. What were they doing out at this hour? Trainer wasn't even in uniform!]}

[Micchy heads out of the Pokemon Center, bag in hand and Isamu the Lucario trailing after him. He does look slightly tired, but if Ralph asked him out here in the middle of the night... he has a feeling he knows what's up.]

Hello there.

_{[Ralph spits out the toothpick he's been anxiously chewing on and turns to greet Micchi with a tired wave. Blanca on the other hand flashes an energetic hello to the other Pokemon.]}

Thanks again. I know it's late...I wasn't even sure you'd reply.

_{[Ralph rubs the back of his neck and looks around to the towering buildings. Sheesh, he hasn't felt paranoid before. This is new.]}

[Isamu nods at her. Hello. He'd like to chat more, but serious things are happening, apparently.]

I'll always get back to you if I can... ah. Is this what I think it is?

[He gestures to Isamu, and the Pokemon walks a small distance away so he can read the aura of the people around them to check if there's anyone malicious.]

_{[Blanca tilts his head and flashes curiously. He toddles a few paces away from Ralph but he's reluctant to go too far. He's the light source out here after all.]

[Ralph shrugs his big shoulders and kicks at the dirt.]}

I don't know. Maybe. I've been thinking about it...back before The Moon.

_{[Ralph's world had been split in two Pre Moon and Post Moon. It feels weird.]}

I talked to somebody about it...told 'em I didn't know what had happened to you after you, y'know. So. Here I am.

I'm... okay. I had a friend here for a while, and she... left, recently. So I'm dealing with it. I... I don't regret what I did. It's made some things harder, but... I think it was the right choice.

[And he's pretty sure he's right. More sure than he usually is of his decisions. He doesn't want to hurt people. And being on Team Rocket... they hurt people.]

Yeah? How's that?

_{[He jerks his head to the side and starts walking. Blanca quickly scurries to the front to light the way. Ralph doesn't want to be seen hanging around any one place for too long.]}

Suppose I finally got up the nerve. What should I be on the look out for?

[He follows along, Isamu keeping step with them now that he's sure he doesn't sense anything off.]

Well, you're... probably going to have to turn yourself in and spend a little time in jail. But it's not that bad, just a little boring. And then... you just head out. The police here are pretty forgiving... or they seem that way, anyway. I've just been looking over my shoulder in case I spot anyone from... them... but I haven't really seen anyone.

_{[Ralph gives a slow nod.]}

Yeah, I'm not too worried about the Kangaskhank Force or whatever they're called. I've done community service before. It's the rest of Them. They're gettin' outta control. And I'm worried about the kid. I don't even know if I'm gonna do it, y'know? Once a badguy, always a badguy.

... You don't seem like such a bad guy to me. And... I'm worried about him, too. I want to get him out of there. I don't think he belongs there. Those people... they don't care about him. You do. I do. To them, he's just... another body to throw at what they want done.

Thanks...

_{[He's going to hang onto that compliment. But right now it's time to be mad at Team Rocket.]}

Right? I'm worried that if I try they'll use him as leverage or something'. I might not be an expert at battling, but I've got a pair of level one hundred fists they probably wanna hang onto.

_{[Ralph clenches and unclenches said fists. He's busted a lot of windows and doors for the team over the past year. It's getting easier.]}

Hey. It'll be okay. I... maybe we can get you both out at the same time. I think there's people from his world here... and it seems like they're okay for him. Maybe they can help.

Maybe...ugh. Thinking about it is making my head hurt.

_{[Ralph drags a hand down his face.]}

Still. It's good t'see ya again. I was worried you'd been deleted or something.

I'm okay. You can always give me a call. I'm sorry, I should have called sooner, I was just kind of busy with keeping tabs on Mai...

S'fine. An' I'm sorry about your pal. I know what that's like...

_{[They walk in solemn silence for a little ways, past shops and houses alike. He can't take the quiet though and suddenly holds his freakish meat hands up again.]}

Think they'll have trouble cuffin me?

[He holds back a little bit of a laugh, though it's hard.]

It might be a bit of a problem. They might have to put it around your pinkies.

_{[Ralph doesn't bother holding his in--it's a weak laugh but it's there.]}

Yeah, maybe...

_{[His frown quickly resurfaces.]}

I'll think about it. Thanks again' for hearin' me out. If you're planning to stick around, I'll buy breakfast. Should probably do some good with what they pay me.

Sure. I'd be glad to get breakfast with you. And... if you want, if you get out of there, maybe the two of us could travel for a bit? We'd have to get a bigger tent, but it should be fine.

_{[A small smile finds its way onto his mug again.]}

We'll see. Like I said, I could use a change of scenery, but one thing at a time...and hah! Who needs a tent? I haven't used a tent my whole life!

If you say so. Just keep me updated. I can always teleport back over here.

IC; Pokegear Contact Post

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