#2. in which Arc is nothing but a homesick toddler.

[taceoum]

[Accidental Video.][The feed clicks on, showing a very clean apartment kitchen. When one says "clean", it actually means spotless and glittering, since Arc is very, very passionate about cleaning and scrubbing. On the table is a bag filled with onion bulbs, and next to it is the brat herself, slumped over with her hat off as she peels them.

Comments

[ audio ]

[leekspinny]

[ she doesn't like seeing someone so sad.

so she's going to do the only thing she knows how to do to make people feel better. she turns the 3STP on, and begins to sing this song in her own native language.

she hopes it will help this girl to feel better.

it's okay. you're not alone. we're all here for you. ]

[Audio.]

[taceoum]

[When the song drifts into her kitchen, it takes her sheer willpower to try and halt her sobbing. Compared to her own uncivilized howling, which makes her feel ten times worse, the music manages to minimize her tantrum, although she's beginning to grow self-conscious and bitter out of defense. She left the video on by accident, she realizes, and she scratches at her eyes angrily, switching to audio.

Are you only singing to drown out my crying? Or maybe you're singing to show how in control you are? Stop that noise. If you want me to shut up, I'll shut up soon, so by Oracion, if you don't stop mocking me, I'll--

But then, her train of thought stops, switching tracks. Maybe this person on the other side of the 3STP is trying to comfort her, like how a mother would sing to her colic-ridden baby. She doesn't want to think so selfishly because she's always been so-- selfish, but it wouldn't hurt this time, would it? There's no one around in this empty kitchen to yell at her for being greedy.

Just this once, I want to believe that

[Audio.]

[leekspinny]

[ when she stops singing, she listens for any sign of her. it sounds like she's stopped crying a little ... ]

Ne, did it help? I was trying to help you feel better ...

[ she sounds absolutely sincere, and worried. ]

[Audio.]

[taceoum]

[So the girl was trying to help her feel better. It sounds so genuine that Arc truly wants to believe that this girl is trying to make her feel better. But I can't believe just yet. I can't! I mustn't take things by face value, or I'll get hurt.]

I-I'm sorry. Tha-thank you for that song. It's--hic--beautiful.

[In truth? She doesn't give a damn about that song. The bitter thoughts come back. You may be comforting me, but are you doing it so that subconsciously, you'll be successful at making me shut up? If I find out you've been faking it all this time, you'll be sorry.]

[Video]

[last_puppeteer]

[Hey, this sounds like the girl she was speaking to before. Anise paused in what she was doing (which happened to be cooking) to watch the girl for a moment. She noted that she was indeed very clean much like herself...and also very alone. Anise couldn't help but consider herself luckily that some of her friends had already been here before her to greet her when she arrived.

After watching her sob in frustration, she couldn't help but sympathize with the girl, turning on the video feed to speak.]

If you like, perhaps Jade and I could come over to help you cook? I believe I made some extra desserts the night before that I can bring over too.

[She's like an Italian mother, she will fatten you up.]

[Audio. p-passive-aggressiveness is difficult to imitate.]

[taceoum]

[Sorry, Mum, but your Italian child has an eating disorder. No amount of food will remove the brick that lies in her stomach heart.

At first, she hiccups, startled, and gets herself off of the table to fix her 3STP to audio. Her voice must've been absolutely disgusting to hear, all nasally and strange-sounding. She ends up remembering the voice, and gets agitated. Why, it's the woman who thought robots could die. What does she want? Does she want to gloss over how motherly and protective she can act? Fuck, if you want to act all concerned and shit, do something! Don't just sit there and spew out empty promises. Words are empty plates, and one must find food elsewhere when starving--But not everyone's like Goelth. No one can ever replace his parental instinct, his remarkable timing on when to croon to and fawn over her. This woman wasn't like Brandon, who would hug her and reprimand her very gently, nor was she similar to Karcist and Karmine, who would ruffle her head when she would sulk for far too long. This woman was unknown to her

[Video]

[chibibrushheir]

[Chibiterasu starts barking and whining, pawing at the screen of his 3STP with concern for the poor girl.]

[Video.]

[taceoum]

[She lifts her head from the table, confused before she spots her device on the ground. Then, humiliation fills her, although it's lessened by the fact that she remembers the sound of Chibiterasu's barking. Oh, Oracion, it was on! Thank god it's just the dog. But if it can hear me, someone else can. Oh dear God. What if the dog finds me stupid? It's smart enough...

She sniffles, sleeve smearing tears all over her face as she picks up the 3STP with her other hand. It might be okay to cry in front of a dog. It's not as if they have the ability to secretly judge you, she thinks.]

P-Puppy? Is that you?

[Video.]

[chibibrushheir]

[This one could, but Chibiterasu makes his feelings about people known. And right now he's very concerned because you were crying.

His tongue passes over the screen once like that could help with her tears.]

[Video.]

[taceoum]

[Watching the video, she can't help but feel her bad mood starting to start up again. She hiccups loudly. How pitiful of her, having a dog pay attention to her fits. Come to think of it, did the dog find its owner yet? Here I am crying because I miss home, but there's a dog who's still probably lost. What am I crying for? It's nothing. Dogs make do with what they have, don't they? Why can't I do the same?]

I'm o-okay. I'm sorry I couldn't... couldn't find you a--hic--gain. [She tries to clean her face, but it's not working as it should be.] I don't-- think I can play with y-y-you right now, though, because I probably wouldn't be any fun--

[So what's the point of going home? You may miss them, but everyone else might be having the time of their lives, now that you're gone. She starts bawling again.]

[Video]

[precursor_dax]

[Awww...now that's just heartbreakingly sad. Even Daxter can't turn his back on a kid that miserable.]

Hey there. Ya look like you could use someone to talk to. Missin' somebody back home?

[Audio.]

[taceoum]

[Oh, Oracion. The damned video was on-- She grabs it from the floor, smacking herself into the table by accident and switching to audio.]

N-N-No, it's not-- [It's no use trying to hide her tears, but it's not like she can open up to a complete stranger. What if they found her ridiculous, or even worse, immature? She sniffles, not even wasting a second to think about what kind of creature it is on the screen.] I... well. I-I-I miss my an-- ... my brothers. And ev... everyone. I'm trying n-not to, but it won't-- work--

[Like you can do anything, you dumbass. You can't do much but screw up and make people yell at you.]

[Video]

[precursor_dax]

[Daxter doesn't know it yet, but she sees herself the way most people back in his world see him apparently. Even still, Daxter's settled a bit with the way people here have accepted him.]

I know that feeling. Listen, ah, well I haven't got yer name yet...anyway cooking ain't my strong point, but, ah, do ya like pets an' stories?

[Consoling people is totally not his strong point,,,but he's trying.]

[Video.]

[taceoum]

[Well, you won't have to worry about cooking a thing, Daxter. There's plenty of raw onions to go around here.

This guy may be a stranger, but she's a bit touched and bitter at the same time. Are you lying about that? You may say you know that feeling, but have you felt it to the extent I have? You probably don't know what it means to feel like this. But she doesn't know how much this... animal has been through. It's not her place to say whether they've suffered more or less.]

I d-d-don't want to trouble you. I mean, you--hic--probably have better things to do.

But... I... I guess I like pets and stories. I-I'm Arcana Levos. I'm s-sorry I haven't intro--introduced myself.

[A subtle yes, please tell me more from her, just to be polite, but she needs to take her mind off of these things. But you're probably joking, aren't you? Soon you'll be making fun of me.]

[Video]

[stalwart_flame]

Don't cry.

[Skyler's taken a liking to her and those sobs and tears are worrying. He wants to help.]

[Video.]

[taceoum]

[Since it's only the little Chimchar on the other side, Arc doesn't even bother to switch the feeds. After all, why should she, if he's not a stranger? But you just told me to stop crying. That means you're annoyed, aren't you? Everyone's the same, no matter who they are! She may not trust him yet, but she knows Skyler has a good heart, so she makes an effort to appear as if she's calming down.]

I-I-I'm sorry. I just-- I'll... stop s-soon. [Aren't you trying too hard? He'll see that you're faking it, and then he'll think you're faking this fit, too! Dumbass! Think before you do! She scrubs at her face furiously.] I-I-I shouldn't have the thing on the table...!

[Video]

[stalwart_flame]

Don't apologize because you're sad. I just don't like seeing you so lonely and unhappy.

[Skyler shifts to sit down, placing the 3STP on whatever he's sitting on so she can see him better.]

I can't right now, but when I get off of work, would you like to take a walk with me? I know I can't replace the people you miss...but you don't have to be alone while you're here.

[Video.]

[taceoum]

[Work. She was so absorbed in her own selfish woes that she forgot that living is still attached with a price. That just makes her feel ten times worse. Not only am I leeching off whatever funds I have now, you have to make time off of work to help me when you could be doing something else. Are you doing it so I won't have to trouble you, or am I being too big of a burden that you feel obligated to help? Her tears stop, thankfully, but she looks like she's brooding as she hiccups.

Right now, though, she needs someone to talk to, and she can afford to put some trust in this little monkey Pokemon. She can't keep making excuses for her behavior, but it's the only thing she can do. It's not my fault I'm alone. It's just how it is!]

If... if that's okay with you, but i-i-if you're busy, I don't want to-- you know. I-Intrude. [Hiccup.]