[Video] Farewell

[innocent_royal]

[There's a bug on the screen.

No, it's just Anastasia as a tiny butterfly fairy. The camera focuses on her sad, tired eyes.]

...I've searched all over. I can't find Satsuki or her Pokemon. I think it's safe to assume that she's gone home... [She lets out a shaky sigh as she idly glances about the apartment.] ...There's enough red bills for me to stay here for about another month, but after that... I will need to find a new home...

However, I'm not sure if my current trial employment can cover anything. I may need to find a second job, or something else entirely...

[And her tiny size will make it difficult to go outside and job hunt. What is she going to do?]

Comments

[Very, very Private]

[notquitedracula]

Trial's over. You're hired. As for a place to stay... well. I've been looking at apartments in that area. It's part of what I was doing out there the other day, actually. I... don't know what anyone else will think, but you can stay with me, for a while.

[Very, very Private]

[innocent_royal]

[Say "yes," say "yes!"]

Um...

[Welp.]

A-Are you sure? I don't want to be a burden to you anymore than I already have.

[notquitedracula]

Sure about moving? Yes. I'm tired of being woken up by the resident ghosts. Even warding my doors doesn't work anymore, they come right through the floor and ceiling.

Sure about inviting you to stay with me? Yes. Anya, I told you before. If you're a burden, it's one I choose to bear. You're my friend, and you're having a tough time right now. Not just with this, either. I want to help you, in any way I can.

[innocent_royal]

[Nope, she won't cry.

Okay, maybe just one tear. She was quiet for a while, though.]

...Okay, then. Thank you, and I'm sorry. I should be ready to go when the month is up.

[notquitedracula]

Don't worry about packing. I'm pretty sure it's going to be in the same building - I can actually afford that kind of place now, and... well, with you staying there, it won't be quite so cavernous.

[innocent_royal]

[A flutter of wings in response to a curious statement!]

Huh? Are you implying that you will move into this apartment with me?

[At least it won't be so lonely for now. She still has her own pokemon. Nidoking and Primarina are quite big.]

[notquitedracula]

Huh? Not what I really intended, but... if they'd let me pick up the lease, that's definitely an option. I was more figuring a different apartment in the same complex. And I could carry your stuff pretty easy, all things considered.

[Hmm. Now that's an interesting proposition! The place is already furnished, all her stuff's already there - it'd be one less thing to add to the growing pile of trouble on her plate. And she'd still be near her friends.]

[innocent_royal]

An option indeed. As you know, Trunks is just a couple of doors down the hall. It would benefit you as well.

[Guys with guy friends is what she's thinking about. Nevermind they are doing weird technical mumbo-jumbo stuff as well.]

You will look into it, won't you?

[notquitedracula]

[This is looking more and more like an actual plan by the moment.] I'll speak to the owners tomorrow. I hate to ask, but do you have any way to prove she's gone home? I doubt they're just going to sign the place over without proof.

[innocent_royal]

[Proof? Nothing physical, but...]

Her Pokemon are gone too. Furfrou, Gothitelle and Froslass, I can't find them and neither can my Pokemon. She's not answering the phone, either. I'm afraid I have no physical proof.

[notquitedracula]

Hmm. I... don't know if that will be enough, but if it's all I have to work with, I'll make do. At worst, it'll just mean I have to select a different apartment.

[It should be plenty, since her pendant is no longer present.]

In the meantime, is there anything I can help you with?

[innocent_royal]

I don't know, really. I think I'm okay...

[She's not okay. She depended on Satsuki's guidance for so long, so now she feels rather lost.]

[notquitedracula]

[Yeeeah even he isn't dense enough to miss that one. Sorry, Anya.]

Do you need me to come over?

[Private Video]

[light_of_willpower]

I'm sorry she's gone, so soon after you just got back too. You know if you need anything though, just ask.

[Concerned big brother is concerned.]

[innocent_royal]

[She wants to insist that she's fine, but she is aware that she is going to have a very hard time getting around the house if any doors close.]

...Yeah... I'll have tea ready.

Re: [Private Video]

[innocent_royal]

Thank you, Trunks. I'll be fine.

[All things considered, at least.]

Re: [Private Video]

[light_of_willpower]

I know you'll be fine, but that doesn't mean I'm not here anyways. We're friends.

Would you like me to bring tea over?

[notquitedracula]

[It's not going to take him terribly long to get there. Especially not now that he's stopped resisting what he is. He doesn't arrive by the door, though - assuming she's still got the window open, there'll be a large white bat swooping in shortly.]

[innocent_royal]

[The window is still open, because that is her Ribombee's way in abd out to do beefly things. And it's her only way in and out now.

While she was doing another lap around the housr in the vain attempt to find Satsuki, a majestic cave puppy swoops by. Though it startled her at first, she knows who it is.]

Soma? ... Oh no, I forgot the tea... I'm sorry.

Re: [Private Video]

[innocent_royal]

[She had to think about it for a moment.]

Maybe later. I have company coming soon.

[At least its not a lie.]

[notquitedracula]

[He takes human form again once he's inside, and the fact that she somehow forgot the tea between the time they last spoke and now - something like 20 minutes - tells him a whole lot about her current mental state. Too bad she's too tiny to hug right now.]

Anya... it's okay. Don't worry about the tea. What can I do for you?

[innocent_royal]

[Besides wanting to be held, she is too small. Her bones are like twigs, and wings are delicate.

Though she was fluttering around, she landed on a nearby table.]

...If you want to help yourself to something to drink, you're welcome to it.

And... If I'm not asking for too much... Stay with me for awhile? Keep an eye on me?

[notquitedracula]

Til the sun goes dark and the seas freeze over, if that's what it takes. [No. He's not being grandiose, or exaggerating. He really meant that.

He takes a seat on the couch, and pulls a pillow over to sit beside him.]

When's the last time you slept?

[innocent_royal]

[Hearing all that cheered her up a bit. But she is concerned that he didn't take up her offer.

Regardless, she flutters from the table to the pillow, settling down on it.]

Yesterday, I think. I took a nap that afternoon after indulging on some organic honey.

[Butterfly cravings.]

[notquitedracula]

So, it's been over a day since you slept OR ate anything. I was afraid of that.

[He reaches into his pocket and retrieves a bottle of juice - strawberry - and a thimble. Someone thought ahead. He gingerly fills the thimble and offers it to her.] Here - I don't know what you should be eating, but this should help. And when you're through, you're going to sleep, because as small as you are now, I have no doubt you've burned through all of your reserve energy, whether you realize it or not.

[Though his words are stern, his tone is gentle, and there is definitely concern in his eyes.]