(Untitled)

[eflamberge]

[Edmond is sitting in the CMA, with his Gallade and Zangoose on either side of him. He hums a little, apparently he's busy with something... Oh, he's making little red crochet hearts? It looks like somebody is getting an early start on preparations for St Valentine's Day

Comments

/trolls Edmond

[larimarheart]

[Maxie is walking with his Pokemon, talking cheerfully out loud to it as he does when planning. He doesn't even notice Edmond or his impending horror for a moment.] I think the red glasses have a longer range of effectiveness but they strain my eyes, we should stick to blue - oh, hi Edmond.

[eflamberge]

[Edmond nervously goes on crocheting, trembling a little when he sees which Pokémon Maxie is out and about with today. His hands work fast and inaccurately, and he's bound to make more than a few mistakes if he continues like that.]

Th-that's unfortunate... I... I-I-I prefer red... m-myself...

[larimarheart]

Edmond, we've talked about this. Millie is completely benign. She likes you. And as I was explaining to her, the red is a strain on my eyes even if the lenses are better. A perfect medium would be purple, but I left most of my glasses behind.

[He reaches up to scratch at Millie's scaly neck, contemplatively.] I haven't been able to find the Berries I need, either... but my search of the island isn't complete yet. What're you doing?

[eflamberge]

... Ah! You were looking for the Berries?!

[He immediately stops his crochet work and, tossing it on his Gallade's lap, he jumps to his feet. It's clear that whatever he was doing doesn't matter anymore right now.]

We'll finish the search together, then!

[He looks pretty determined, one hand closed into a fist in front of him.]

[larimarheart]

Didn't you tell me you hadn't even heard of most of those Berries? Petaya, Salac, Starf, Spelon, Liechi, Ginema, and Wacan are super rare, too. The odds we're going to find anything are low. I even had Millie look underwater for anything the current might've taken from Hoenn, but...

[He sighs, running a hand through his hair.]

[eflamberge]

[Here's a concept Maxie may not have grasped about Edmond yet.

Edmond is genetically programmed to be Maxie's enabler. ... Or so he thinks, anyway. ... Or rather, so he would think if he knew what genes were. In any case, he believes he was born to inspire confidence in Maxie.

He steps in front of Maxie, taking the redhead's hands in his.]

Out of all of them, Wacan is the most common. We should be able to find it somewhere.

[See, he's been doing his homework.]

Better still... we will find it.

[larimarheart]

And if we don't find enough of it? Or if being out and about in winter strains my eyes enough to speed up the damage? [Maxie does not count on these things working out anymore. Because they don't.] The snow's so bright and I haven't found a damn thing, even with my Pokemon helping...

[eflamberge]

[Edmond flinches back for a moment.]

... Then what are you doing out here in the first place? You should just let me take care of it.

[He lets go of Maxie's hands, only to embrace him a moment later.]

You can ask me anything, Maxie. Everything that is mine is also yours. Even my own strength. Even my time. Everything.

[larimarheart]

I didn't want to bother you, I... we both behaved very stupidly the other night, and I need to quit being such a burden... [He has to part from the embrace to rub at what will probably be a hell of a migraine in a few hours.] I don't want to use you.

[eflamberge]

[Edmond takes advantage of the new distance between them to show Maxie a radiant smile.]

You're not using me! Or burdening me. You're bettering me, setting me free. You're the reason I have not been drinking for days. I need to repay you for that.

[larimarheart]

...Edmond. You can't possibly want to repay me for emotionally manipulating you. That just doesn't make sense. Although Groudon knows, I do like you more when you're sober.

[eflamberge]

... 'Manipulating' me...?

[He blinks in surprise, a little stupidly.]

I do not think that that is what you're doing.

[Anyway, if there's something he has learned by being with the Maxies is that when things start to get heated, even a little bit, a change of topic is in order.]

I like you very much, Maxie. I care deeply about your health and well-being. Will you let me help you?

[larimarheart]

I don't think I have much of a choice. You're going to help me whether I want it or not. But I have to do something in return... maybe help you with your Water Pokemon phobia. Staryu is very cuddly. We could start with that.

[eflamberge]

[He huffs a bit.]

I'm not afraid of Water Pokémon. I am merely cautious, if you will. They are very dangerous creatures.

There is actually something very specific I want from you in return for my help.

[He smiles a sly, mischievous smile.]

... I do hope you won't deem me selfish because of it...

[larimarheart]

Let me guess - you want a higher position in Team Magma. Or you want Groudon. Or money. I should've known.

[eflamberge]

[He shakes his head, laughing softly.]

Oh, it is none of those things, not by a long shot! Respectively, I do not have a position in Team Magma to begin with, I am very aware that I am not Groudon's chosen and therefore I would be unable to control him, and I have plenty of money to spare!

... What I want is simply... well...

[He blushes, holding up one of his crochet hearts.]

... St. Valentine's Day is approaching, and I was wondering if...