Twenty-Sixth Flare - Video - What An Eggcellent Morning

[prominence_glow]

-it that, Alex, you're gonna teach Asi bad habits.

[The video opens up shakily and, apparently, by accident, if Lea's voice is any indication. A small green chocochick is pecking the screen while it moves around, and just a bit of the inside of Alex's beak can be seen in a corner of the screen. With a small squawk, the chick flaps away and the SFC is wrestled away. For a moment, there's nothing but ceiling and blurs of color as Lea adjusts the SFC. Then, it's settled, showing Lea and what looks like a heap of blankets in the crook of one arm.

He keeps it cradled to his chest as he carefully sits down on the floor, a blanket over his lap. As he adjusts the heap of towels, it's possible to see just what's inside the heap...]



[An itty bitty Eevee, newly hatched.

For those who know Pokemon, this is much too bitty even for a bitty newly hatched Pokemon. It's fur is still thin and soft. It mewls as Lea carefully feeds it warm milk from the bottle.]

No wonder it was taking you so long... You're such a tiny thing... It must've been a tough time to get outta that shell. But I know you'll grow up to be somethin' special, Arden. You're a runt now, but you'll grow up and it'll be awesome.

[Asi, the green chocochick from before and the size of a small dog, is curiously trying to clamber onto Lea's lap and and peek into the heap of towels. As Lea keeps him from getting too close, he realizes the SFC has been on. He doesn't say anything, just gives a small smile and waves.]

Comments

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

So the blanket trick worked after all, huh?

[prominence-glow.livejournal.com]

Yep.

_{[There is really nothing else to say. It is blindingly obvious he is in adoration with his new baby Eevee.]}

I'm namin' him Arden.

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

I finally settled on Athena for my girl. We'll hafta introduce 'em when yours is a little stronger, y'think?

[prominence-glow.livejournal.com]

Athena and Arden. They match!

He just hatched, so I think that's why he's tired... But I know he'll be up soon.

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

They kinda do!

Yeah, she was pretty tuckered out when she first hatched too. Now she wont leave Braig alone.

[prominence-glow.livejournal.com]

Phew... To tell the truth, I was a little worried, but knowing Athena is doing just fine is a big relief.

Demyx, did you ever go to the world where Pokemon are from?

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

Aren't chocobos the same way after they bust outta their eggs?

Uh... I don't think so. I know a couple people from 'em though.

[prominence-glow.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but I don't think they're quite the same. I didn't know if it'd be okay to treat 'em similar.

Just wonderin'. I really wanna know more about them, but I guess I'll just have to stick to people who are from that world originally. I wonder if any other Pokemon will hatch here...

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

I just kinda toweled her down after a few minutes and wrapped her up in some blankets while I made that last broadcast. After that I tucked her and the blankets into my coat for extra warmth.

Red's pretty good with this stuff. I've known him since I showed up here and he's got a full team. Dawn does too but I dunno 'bout N--Oh yeah, and Cheren! I just met Cheren though but he's pretty cool. Red said they'll eat berries and fruit 'n stuff but to either cut it up into little bites or crush it since they're so small. I've been feeding Athena some oranges and stuff.

[prominence-glow.livejournal.com]

S'what I'm doing now. I'm stickin' to milk for now, but I'll definitely move onto solid foods when he's feelin' up to it.

I guess I'll just have to talk to all of them! I know Red and N, but I don't think I've met Dawn. I'm really excited... Maybe one day we can even get the Pokemon who fits that plush I gave you!

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

I still gotta ask Red to show me where that... Pokemart thing is. I wanna get some stuff for her.

What is it, anyways? I've been calling it 'shelly-belly' for awhile.

[prominence-glow.livejournal.com]

Oshawott!

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

I'll see how I do with Athena first. I don't wanna get in too over my head, yanno? Especially if some Pokemon can evolve--I guess these little guys have seven forms or somethin'.

[prominence-glow.livejournal.com]

I thought they weren't the kind that evolved on their own? Like... stones are needed or something.

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

Dawn said that uhh... Three need a stone to evolve, two need a close bond with their trainer and the other two need to be in a certain place. Then Red said there were a bunch of stones like moon and water--I guess if you use a water stone they'll turn into a water-type. It's kinda neat but I'm not gonna evolve Athena unless she wants to. It's her choice in my view but I don't wanna see her evolve when she's a baby, y'know?

[prominence-glow.livejournal.com]

...Oh. Well.

...I think a close bond is gonna be kind of inevitable. [If Lea has anything to say about it.] Craaaaaap...

But yeah, I can definitely get that. There was this one reckless guy from earlier and.. I can't help but keep thinkin' about the lil' guy. He's still a baby and still growing and what if something happens because it occurred too soon? I don't want that to happen to Arden.

_{[He cuddles the bitty Eevee protectively.]}

I'm gonna make sure he's a strong and healthy Eevee! Like Alex or Myde, just... less feathers!

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

Yeah... I heard somethin' about that over the network.

_{[He laughs softly at something off screen, pulling his knees up with a quiet 'quit tickling my feet with your tail, you goofball']}

You can keep 'em from evolving too with uh... Everstones? I think that's what Red said they were. I think I'm just gonna get her one of those 'til she's older and stuff.

[prominence-glow.livejournal.com]

Ah! Really? I'm definitely looking into one, then. It'd be useful.. Maybe I could even put it into her collar.

And heh... [He smiles a bit.] She definitely sounds energetic.

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

She's pretty wild when you get her in a play-mood. She sorta ran Braig over this morning and he's sorta been grumpy off and on. It's pretty cute seeing 'em play together though.

[prominence-glow.livejournal.com]

Ha, good thing you're used to dealing with handfuls, right? You said she likes oranges?

I just want Arden and the Chocobo to get along fine. But they're all pretty friendly, so I don't think I have too much to worry about!

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

You say that like the old man was a handful, but yeah. I'm tryin' to start her out on apples too.

I think they'll be fine, dude.

[prominence-glow.livejournal.com]

Maybe I'll see about making her something small that she can eat. It can be good practice, anyway.

Um, hey, Demyx, can I ask you somethin'...?

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

I bet whatever it is it'll be awesome.

Huh? Shoot, dude.

[prominence-glow.livejournal.com]

Heh. Shuddup. [He will blush. Or something.]

I just, um.. I know we just... started talking again...? [Is that the right way to phrase things? He has no idea, sob.]

But I was just wondering if I could say. Y'know. How much you mean to me. And stuff.

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

If it were that easy to keep my mouth shut I think Xigbar would've made it happen ages ago.

_{[He's silent for a few seconds while he pulls Athena up into his lap for a belly scratch. Should he...?]}

...Sure.

[prominence-glow.livejournal.com]

...Thanks. I mean it, I mean-

_{[Okay, setting this to private now.]}

I've... I've been trying to move on from then. Or resolve it, or whatever. And there's been so much other stuff, too. Sometimes I'd thought I'd go crazy, even when I wasn't smiling. It's stupid and selfish, but I was lonelier than I ever thought I'd be.

W-What I mean is, I'm really thankful that I'm allowed to do stupid stuff like go to a restaurant in our pajamas, or watch you be happy with Braig and Athena, and I just... I really really love you, okay? Just knowin' you're happy and smilin' again makes bein' in this place worthwhile and... stuff.

[He drops the bottle onto his lap so he can hide his face awkwardly.]

Sounds stupid, prolly, but it's true..

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

...Like I said dude, I just needed my space for awhile. It's still taking some time to get over how bad it hurt but there was this crazy monkey I met in one of those worlds I traveled to. He said sometihn' like uh... "The past can hurt but you can either run from it or learn from it" or somethin' like that. I dunno why he told me that but now that I think about it? Pretty good advice, actually.

_{[A beat.]}

And with Xigbar gone, well...

[prominence-glow.livejournal.com]

I know... I really do! The space thing. I just... wanted to let you know.

_{[He makes a small helpless gesture with his hands.]}

I'm trying to learn. I really am. I want to f- [He stops himself.] ...I want to make things even better than they were before. Because I never want to see you cry again.

I guess I just wanted to say I really do love you. No matter what.

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

Needed, dude. I'm mostly over it.

We're both pretty new to this. ...I've goofed up pretty bad too but I'm tryin' to put it behind me.

_{[He frowns slightly, grabbing Xigbar's scarf from the end of the bed to carefully tie it around Athena's neck.]}

...No matter what?

[prominence-glow.livejournal.com]

...I don't think you goofed up at all.

_{[Lea fiddles for a moment with all the blankets and towels he has on hand for Arden before he looks up at the question.]}

I swear. I'll love you 'til the day I die and every step of the way after, no matter what happens.

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

Lea, I did something that people aren't supposed to do. I just... Can't say it.

[prominence-glow.livejournal.com]

[His curiosity is killing him, along with every other bit of crappy worry and such, but Lea does his best to kill it off.]

...If you wanna talk about it... I'm here. But if you don't, I won't press or anything, not like last time.

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

...Next time you're over here I'll try. It's something that's gotta be done in person, I think. It's... Probably pretty serious.

[prominence-glow.livejournal.com]

Alright.

...I'll always be here for you.

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

...Think we can get together again sometime this week? Just to hang out 'n stuff.

[prominence-glow.livejournal.com]

...I hear there's a festival kind of thing tomorrow.

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

...Y'wanna go?

[prominence-glow.livejournal.com]

Yeah! I mean, if you wanna.

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

_{[A small laugh and he fiddles with the SFC.]}

So I'll swing by to get you at three?

[prominence-glow.livejournal.com]

_{[Lea is doing his honest to Light best not to squeeze the jenkins out of his bitty Eevee in excitement.]}

Yeah! There! I won't forget!