video.

[miniworth]

[ Forward-Dated to the evening of September 15, Thursday, nearing twilight ]

[ The video turns on, and Miles looks concerned. It's just about nearing sunset in Goldenrod right now, the streetlights and store signs flickering to life, and the sky a deep red-orange overhead. He's alone. There is no sign of Ken Amada, but there is no comment on that.

Comments

[4leafcleaver]

[Clover is not leaving the Center until you do, Miles. She's sitting on a chair close by, and her Roselia is currently occupying a little stool. And Auste will assume that the poor girl also got shocked trying to sort things out by herself before deciding that one eighteen-year-old is still not enough to deal with a crazy Mareep.

Also, Clover is going to bury all that worry under so much scolding and grumbling and this frowny face. But she'll give in to the worry later.]

...

I told you I was gonna come with you. But did you listen? Nooooooo. And now look what happened.

[An exasperated sigh. She leans back. The Roselia is a far more accurate epitome of worry.]

[4leafcleaver]

[Clover, Arietis and Striper return several minutes later, assisted by several Chansey nurses. There's the bed plus the mattress, and a Chansey is carrying the pillows. The blankets are folded nicely under Clover's arm. As they begin setting up, she puts a finger to her lips, and the setup proceeds as quietly as possible.]

Hey, Pess, I think we're gonna need some space.

[miniworth]

[ Pess grunts and will make her way across the small room to make them space. ]

[4leafcleaver]

Thanks.

[She smiles, ruffles the Arcanine's mane, and gets to work with everyone else. When they're done, the nurses shuffle out of the room.

Then Clover will kick her boots off and flop onto the bed, followed by Ham (DON'T ASK, SEVEN NAMED HER) the Jigglypuff and Ares the Vulpix. Meanwhile, Striper and Arietis will stay near Pess.]

Man, I'm beat.

[What Miles doesn't know is that Clover may not be able to sleep tonight, even though she claims to be...well, beat.]

[miniworth]

[ Miles sleeps on. Pess, from her side of the room, grunts at Clover. ]

[4leafcleaver]

Hmmm? What is it, Pess?

[But Clover doesn't get up. She keeps staring up at the ceiling while Ares and Ham snuggle closer to her.

Striper blinks at Pess.]

[miniworth]

[ Nope, just a grunt. Just a good night. Pess is settled nicely by Miles' bed now. ]

[4leafcleaver]

Oh. 'Kay, good night.

[Clover scoots a bit to make room for Ham and Ares, who are sound asleep in the blink of an eye. She sighs, undoing her pigtails and taking her headband off.

...

About half an hour or so later, she sits up, scowling in the dark.]

Geez.