you don't have to RNG, ran, you can sleep!

[berryglitched]

[The berry garden hasn't been watered today. It's usually one of the first things Brendan does with his day: collect his pail, and spend five seconds watering each and every plant. But this morning, there was something different. That town that had appeared... each day a subconscious allure to it grew stronger. Today he couldn't resist

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[savedover]

[Silver had tried avoiding Silent Hills. He really had. There was something about the town that reminded him too much of home. When he looked at it, all he could see was glitches.

But on three days of no sleep, he couldn't resist that siren call of you are welcome here and this is where you belong. He wanders, with no sense of purpose or direction. When he comes across the trail of berries, he dreamily follows them for no reason other than... they're there. Why not?

He doesn't seem to notice or care the glitched houses; the flowers that blossom and die; or how it's like walking on the ground when he steps on the water.

When he comes to Brendan, he stands very still. His static is a low hum; his flickers minimal. He's very calm.]

Hello, Brendan.

[berryglitched]

... No, I haven't gotten my first pokémon yet. I-I'd like to. I'd really like to. [He doesn't look up. Sceptile's Pokéball is sitting squarely in front of him. The others are scattered in the area outside the square: Altaria, Slaking, Walrein, Medicham, Metagross, Cleffa, Vulpix.]

[savedover]

[...]

You're glitching.

[What's this feeling -- (tightness? pain? he doesn't know, he doesn't understand, everything's so calm and yet so muddled) -- in his chest, at seeing that familiar distortion in Brendan?]

[berryglitched]

O-Oh, right, you... have to help your dad. With research... [there's a weak laugh] I-I won't bother you, then...

[glitchedreset]

[ red loved this town. loved it loved it loved it loved it loved it loved it loved it. why would anyone want to leave it was so much better than that mountain that mountain that mountain

he listens to that mumbling.

he loves it.

loves everything. love love love love love it's beautiful and it's his and he wants it to be his new home.

he walks a bit closerto the boy. ]

[berryglitched]

[Red getting closer seems to jolt the boy a little. He stops in the middle of "I haven't gotten my first pokémon yet," abruptly shifting to,] N-Nice to meet you, Wally. [um] Catching pokémon isn't hard, really... I- caught a Poochyena, and- and a Seedot... I'm sure, with Dad's pokémon, you'll be able to...

[glitchedreset]

[ ... oh. oh. are you from home? are those words you speak endless, looping mantras that you'll say and say and never change. but red walks closer. red can be kind. red can be nice as he reaches and tries to find out if he can break and warp you.

he kneels once he's close enough. ]

[berryglitched]

[The dialogue speeds up as Red gets closer, when he kneels the words come out a constant, anxious stream.] WowaRaltsthey'rer-r-reallyhardtofindandyoufounditonyourfirsttrym-maybeit'sfatet-tryandcatchitWally-

[threeyearslost]

May... ?

[Sorry Brendan, this isn't May. It's Lucas, who followed your trail of berries, even after they rotted, back to you. But this place is... really strange. Namely the glitches, but even the boy, sitting in the middle of that square...

This place wasn't right.]

U-Um... Are you okay?

[berryglitched]

[An unfamiliar voice slowly draws him out of his routine. The words slow down, trailing off, until they finally stop entirely. He lifts his head weakly, a confused expression on his face.]

[threeyearslost]

[And he'll get a very confused expression back.]

Er... Hi. What're you doing out here... ?

[berryglitched]

[a slowly developing smile] Are you new in town?

[lockedtrainer]

[ Tallie has been wandering around Silent Hills for days, just allowing herself to get lost amongst the streets and houses. There is nothing else for her to do, anyway. The music has been echoing in her ears for so long that the sound of Brendan's voice seems so... different.

She stumbles upon him. Literally. She sees herself in Mount Pyre and she's stepping around gravestones, accidentally kicking him in the process. ]

... Brendan. Brendan, Brendan, Brendan.

[berryglitched]

[Physical contact is definitely enough to startle him out of the routine. But, when he looks up, his expression suddenly brightens. It transforms from a mild, out-of-it stare to a smile, an honest smile.] May!

[lockedtrainer]

[ Seeing Brendan smile makes her confused. Why is he smiling? Why? Why? Why? It doesn't make sense, with what she is seeing. She squats down next to him, avoiding looking at that happy expression. ]

How's Sceptile?

[berryglitched]

Sceptile's doing great. W-we're going to take on the Elite Four, soon... [...] D-did you know? I saw Wally in Victory Road. He's gotten... a lot stronger. I'm really happy for him...