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[ for private telepathy, face-to-face, or if you're just dropping by... ]

For one, stop that.

[He means the sullen talk, as though this is permanent or insurmountable, and she'll never live without pain again. And, really - Nanu would say he doesn't know how their roles became reversed so quickly, except that's a lie. Anabel's in pain and in distress, and that lights a fire inside of him. Which may be a very poor choice of words, considering.]

[The thick air does nothing to prevent him from coming closer to her, though respectfully not invading her personal space. He kneels down on a knee in front of her; a better angle to search her expression for the pain and worry. She looks absolutely miserable. It does more than bother him, sparking that protectiveness over her that has existed since they met.]

It's your amulet.

I said until it passes.

[ The pain's still not enough to make her snap at him and say something like how she's not like him. But she can hear it and feel it inside and she hates it. Neither feeling hopeless or being unkind is like her -- at least toward someone like Nanu. ]

...I know. [ She murmurs, trying to subtly show him that it's nearly melded to the skin of her chest along the line of her clavicle. Still, she carefully reaches for him, fingertips brushing his cheek then shoulder. She shifts back. ] If you must be in here, don't stay like that. As well as you'd make a knight in shining armor.

[ But she's still able to smile and laugh, even if it's quite clearly forced. ]

It will just take time, I think. Whatever is going on must pass. If they're fighting Sosyne... I've heard that the Arehtei are reborn when they die. So I'm not sure what the point would be in what they're doing.

[He could read her tone enough to know that unspoken "if" hung in the air between them. But he lets it go - the last thing she needs is an argument right now, and he has no intention of providing further negativity. For once.]

[When Anabel shows Nanu how bad her amulet has gotten, he expertly holds back a wince. The unnaturality of the crystal fusing with her skin amplifies the anger and worry he'd already been feeling, clenching his teeth and balling his hands into fists. They relax only when she gently brushes the side of his face, and his eyes break away to look into hers again.]

[Her next words make him snort. Not entirely amused, but glad that she's trying for her own sake, forced as it may be.] I could ride in on Raikou. Noble steed, more authenticity.

[His joking, too, is forced, though he manages his usual casual air of teasing fairly well. Still, talk of the endless stupidity currently wreaking havoc makes Nanu's lip curl.]

Those fools want control, and that's all it is. They think they can establish a foothold by taking out one of the reigning powers and don't care a lick about the balance of this world or the people suffering because of it.

[Can she tell he's angry? Because he's angry. And truth be told, it's entirely because she's suffering.]

[ She appreciates that he doesn't push. Nanu's always been the sort to push boundaries when he wanted to and she can feel it right now, sure that's what he very much would lit to do but isn't.

The pillow behind her is pushed further back against her headboard and she tilts forward to prop the two behind her up so they work more like the backing cushion of a chair. She isn't terribly furious with the ones doing it because she can understand what seems to be the intent behind it all, that loss is fueling them. It's something that can squeeze at her insides until her heart feels like it might explode like a burst of fireworks inside of her. Not having her pokemon hurt, but the idea of Nanu possibly leaving...

She'd fight for that, too. ]

I think you might be the only he'd allow to. [ Seeing as he was over six feet tall by standing on all fours, he surely could make an intimidating mount to ride into battle on. ] But I wouldn't want either of you to be in danger.

[ I want you both here with me is what she can't say. But at least she shows it. ]

It's no different than Team Rocket or Galactic or... or any of them, is it? They think the power is theirs without thinking of the consequences or what it might mean not just for others but for what they mean to control. I suppose some things never change, do they? [ She nudges his shoulder again. ] Please sit up here with me.

[Surprising everyone, Nanu does have some semblance of tact in very specific situations.]

[Accepting her request, he pushes himself back to standing with a grunt and steps forward to sit on her bed. However uncomfortable the heat is for him, it's a hundred times worse for Anabel. The haze doesn't cause him to hesitate, though he does sit somewhat carefully, as if he's not supposed to be there. But she's trying to make herself comfortable, and is comfortable enough in his presence, so he allows himself to lean back a little bit.]

Don't worry. You're not going to catch me getting in on the action.

[Nanu hears her hidden plea loud and clear. Even so, he wasn't planning on joining the "effort", for either side; even if Anabel wasn't hurting right now.]

[He nods vaguely, accepting the comparison with a quiet,] No, they don't. I wouldn't say they're as organized, though. [They're somehow a bigger bunch of idiots, is what he means. The only credit he'd give them is that they're not doing so for 'evil' intentions...or so it appears.]

[The amulet melted into her chest catches his eye again, and it's clear how badly he wants to make it go away.]

...Your pokémon know any water or ice moves?

[ She knew that, at least. She knows more than most people do about him, though. The way there's kindness even behind the sharpest stares or how much comfort those hands of his can bring.

Somehow, he manages to cheer her up with the small indiscretion of his, the awkwardness making her smile into a laughing cough, covering her mouth as it begins to dissipate into a bare hand. The weight of him on her bed feels safer and she supposes he must know it if he's doing it, but it still feels like a rare treat that he's willing to do it. ]

...I'm glad. It seems very dangerous.

[ Not that what they did regularly wasn't dangerous. It usually was, perhaps even more so. Even back home things were dangerous to an extent someone might not come back and yet...

It's not something she cares to linger on. She shakes her head slow and slight in response. Those children were going to make things worse for everyone before it got better, that much she was sure of. ]

Ah, Weavile can. But she's much more aggressively protective than she might seem. I don't want to upset her that much, I hope you can understand. [ She looks over toward him from propped up on the pillows, putting them nearly at equal eye level. Her smile is as real as it can be and genuine, despite the pain. Once their eyes meet, she slowly turns forward and stares to the ceiling in the distance. ] I am beginning to wonder if I've terrible luck. It seems my entire life has been ruled by something out of my hands, no choices are mine and the ones that are still are guided to me. Or, perhaps spurned when something else is attempted. I do not know.

[ Was there nothing that was her own? Some days she wasn't sure. She inches closer to him, despite the sweltering heat and ends up with her cheek to his shoulder blade. ]

I have you, at least. I'm grateful for that.

[He doesn't actually know what he did, but whatever it was he's glad it made Anabel laugh. If only for a few seconds. The feeling of not belonging is still present, though he lets one errant thought pass through his mind; her bed is way more comfortable than his.]

[Glad to let the subject drop, Nanu gives one more huff of irritation before they move on. While he'd like to think the pack of fools won't succeed, he also knows some people come from worlds with much more powerful abilities than theirs. And if Anabel's condition takes a drastic turn for the worse, he'll know what happened, and there will be hell to pay.]

[The angry thought is interrupted by Anabel's denial of..."treatment". He arches an eyebrow and gives her a look, not too far off from the kinds she gives him when he's being difficult about his own well-being.]

She'll be upset no matter what. If you let her help, she's probably be less worried.

[There is a not-subtle-at-all tone to his voice, telling her it's better than nothing. Encapsulated or not, the bond they share with their pokémon is bound to already have alerted Weavile.]

[Though, his eyes drop as she continues to talk. The silence that follows is full of hesitation, knowing the unfortunate truth of her words. He's always wondered if she would have been better off being transported to a hospital instead of Interpol. If that would have allowed her to have more control over what she had left.]

You've made plenty of your own choices. [Which he believes; it isn't a lie to placate her. But his solemn voice probably doesn't help. He's interrupted by the pressure he suddenly feels on his back, glancing to see that she'd moved closer as he was distracted.] It's...it's just been one hell of a year.

...Aren't you warm enough as it is?

[He makes no attempt to move, however.]

You're being uncharacteristically considerate of me, you know. I may get the wrong idea if you keep pushing me like this.

[ She hopes that might silence him on the subject, but... at the same time, it isn't untrue is it? Or maybe not. Maybe just visually and vocally. She's had the sense for some time now that she's never been quite aware of the distance he's gone for her, at least since that day that she returned back here. ]

If it becomes unbearable, I will call her. For now, I'm alright. [ The words aren't so ragged as they'd been, but she still takes pauses between each word that surely are noticeable to someone as astute as he is. ] I apologize. It's... easier, I think for me to get lost in my thoughts like this, especially negative ones. I'm not sure if it is the pain or the inherent involvement of our emotions in this world.

[ She doesn't quite realize what she'd allowed to slip there, that she does get lost in her thoughts, that she has negative ones, and that she's in pain despite her reassurances. His words as he carries do more than his lack of movement does this time and clearly embarrassed, she slowly shifts away, hands still present and slight, like a Helping Hand just with more affection attached to it. Fingers light and pulling away as she manages to sit up straight and slowly settle them awkwardly into her lap, like they're too visible now and just the awareness of them might bring something up from him. Scorning, perhaps.

Scorning? But... how so? Why that? It feels like something she should know, should be able to feel and pinpoint. But she doesn't know. Something to chase down, something she might have already been tailing; a strange feeling that nearly shakes her inside. It's on the cusp of something, ready to tumble over and let the words form in her mind and on her tongue. In truth, it frightens her because she knows. It's there and she knows. ]

...yes, of course. I should be... more mindful.

[ But she misses the hard edges of his body already. The shape of him. ]

[That...stings a little, though he doesn't think it should. He's never been overbearing with her, most of his worries and actions either behind the scenes or filtered through his particular brand of deadpan humor. Still, the idea that he hasn't shown consideration or care enough for her to think it uncharacteristic of him - true as it is - sends a pang of guilt through his chest.]

[But right now, it's not about him. She's the one in pain and distress here and Nanu is on a mission to help regardless of how Anabel views it.]

I'm holding you to that. ...But I can get you some ice packs in the meantime. [Especially with how she's speaking right now. Of course it's noticeable, and of course they both know that.] Then we'll just have to distract you, won't we.

[It's not a question. If she refuses to let her pokémon help - which, as he's just made clear, is only temporary - then they'll find alternatives. And when those alternatives aren't enough, they move on to another plan.]

[Of course, he hadn't meant for her to stop what she was doing. But then again, that's what always happens, doesn't it. Nanu says something that gives her the impression that she's doing something wrong and removes herself from the situation. And why wouldn't she? His words come out blunt and direct with no hint of kidding or lighthearted sarcasm, and she reacts accordingly. Of course she would, you miserable idiot. What indication did I give her otherwise?]

[Without giving himself enough time to think about what he's going to do, he just does it. One hand comes up and comes to rest on top of Anabel's head, guiding her purposefully - but gently! - back down to his shoulder. It's...awkward, frankly, and he has to stop himself from being forceful about it. But there's just enough gentle guidance to put her leaning against him in a way that might inform her that "yes, what I just said was stupid" and "no, I didn't mean for you to stop" at the same time.]

[Awkward still, he lightly keeps his hand on the back of her head - or hair, as it may be - until she realizes she can, in fact, stay like that. He struggles with the intention to put his arm around her, however he drops it when he remembers she's still in searing hot pain.]

[ Nothing seems to be going as it should, but she doesn't have the energy to allow most thoughts to fully form. The bigger issue, though, is that sometimes the ones that do form are more outlandish than they normally might be. ]

...alright, thank you.

[ What he says leaves her curious, unsure what he might mean, but she's more than distracted by the gesture he makes. It isn't that Anabel thinks she's specifically unwanted so much as she knows Nanu and she knows he doesn't like people in his personal space, let alone touching him. Affection didn't matter, he was uncomfortable with it so to her it was more... that awareness and trying to respect it.

It's just sometimes it's so hard to do that with him and she's unsure why. Why is it she seeks him out for physical comfort or a need to... to what? What is even happening right now? It has her breath in sharply, audibly, almost shocked by the gesture. The sweetness of it is nearly unbearable in some ways and it has her mind throw out a string of intrusive thoughts that never finish about it being a romantic gesture and kind and wonderful and she likes how he feels because she feels safe and he smells a little like that warm, velvety soft Persian fur and it's nice all of this is... nice.

Stiff for a moment, then finally easing against him. Still too hot, hot enough that body heat doesn't really make a difference. It's... something. It's really something. ]

...Nanu.

Edited (I DID IT TWICE) 2018-09-17 19:56 (UTC)

[Boy that distraction he didn't mean to be a distraction sure did distract her real good, didn't it.]

[Sure, his personal space is a big issue with him. He's not fond of touching or closeness or people. But aside from his pokémon, one of two people he doesn't think twice about is Anabel.]

[And again this all ties together with the fact that Nanu is not communicative of these facts, and so things between them always seem to circle around to the same issues. Nor is he one to initiate contact, usually, which surely doesn't help Anabel's thoughts on the matter. But sometimes actions do speak louder than words, and he wasn't going to overthink the gesture before he guided her back down to lean on him. And, well... it's not like he could find the words to use in the first place.]

[She settles in, though, after a moment's hesitation. That allows Nanu to relax a little as well, hoping he undid what just happened and let her be comfortable again. The heat radiating from her is much worse this close, of course, but it's worth it if she finds comfort in leaning on him.]

[....Ah..... Well.... Maybe he can just play this off.......]

That's me.

[ But him allowing her to be in his personal space is also important to her. It's something she can appreciate for so many reasons, not just because she knows he's uncomfortable with it or because she's special and afforded something that others aren't. She knows that others might not even want to be this close to him because he doesn't allow anyone to know him like she does.

And that's something that strikes her more than anything else. It's dawning on her like a lot of things are lately. Even if it doesn't mean anything special to him, it does her. Enough that she feels deeply for him, deeply enough that... she's too tired to think about this now. It's all intrusive thoughts, aren't they? That's it. She's tired and they're intruding on her and once this is over and done with she'll have clarity and it all will disappear.

Surely.

Her shoulders move as she breathes, though it's not ragged or jerky like she can't breathe. ]

Is it alright if I try to sleep like this? You can move me later, but I'm so tired. [ Uncomfortable, like she's afraid of rejection. And despite that, she still gently rubs her cheek to his shoulder, deriving greater comfort from the action. ] Though I know that I am being a hassle, I... I just want you to know that I'm grateful. I don't know what I would do if I was dealing with this alone or... or with someone other than you.

[It's worked well for him so far; nobody wants to get near him, and he doesn't want to get near anyone else. Except for his...exceptions. And, well. Anabel takes up most of Nanu's exceptions.]

[Somewhat surprised by her request, he tilts his head to get a better look at her. He's less surprised that she wants to sleep (though if she can is another matter entirely, her body engulfed in tortuous heat) and more the position she's in. But he's not about to deny her this, especially if it will make her feel even minutely better. Though his reply is staggered by the feeling of Anabel rubbing her cheek on his shoulder, soft and somewhat comforting to him as well.]

Yeah...sure. If you're comfortable like this? [He phrases it as a question, because he doesn't see how she can possibly be comfortable right now.]

--actually, uh, wait a moment?

[clears throat]

Hey, hellions! [he calls toward the hallway, loud enough for the troublesome twofer to hear but not too loud as to bother Anabel. Sableye and Weavile poke their heads in, unsure if this is a friendly call or one that leads to a lecture.] Go get an ice pack from the freezer. I know you two know how to get inside.

[He almost asked Weavile if it could perform an ice move in the room, though the thought only lasts half a second; he'd never control her own pokémon like that. But he'd promised an ice pack, and he's not about to move away from her now that she's settled, and this was the second best option.]

[ Just well enough. Not perfectly if Anabel (and a few others like Acerola) might be made an exception. Although she'd never complain about that considering it works in her favor. He exudes a certain warmth that she has difficulty understanding, more so in a moment like this. Is it just in her head? It feels like it's all just... just that. Feelings.

She lightly groans and nods into something more like a lazy nuzzle. ]

More comfortable than I've been all day. [ Languid, like the words aren't coming to her. ] Wait--?

[ It takes her a moment for that, too. She gets what he's doing and it touches her still, perhaps more because she's hardly lucid now. It's been slipping for a while but her fever's gone around to a point where her body feels like chills are running through it. She tilts her head up and over his shoulder, though the weight remains. ]

Hey, Nanu? [ It's a little casual in how she says it. Innocent, if not uncertain. A kind of tone that she doesn't often get. ] You like being with me like this, don't you? Guzma's not wrong, so...I wouldn't be... I wouldn't mind. If you wanted to. Just so you know.

Edited 2018-09-24 00:25 (UTC)

[She's losing her grip, and he knows it. Though still a little tense sitting where he is with Anabel leaning into him without abandon, he lets her move and shift into whatever sleeping posture she finds comfortable. (Nanu takes her word for it; he's not about to argue the point.)]

[Weavile carries the ice pack to him, the worry for her trainer no doubt motivating the speedy delivery. He nods his thanks, reaching out to take the freezing item as Anabel starts to speak again. With a vague grunt indicating he was listening, he prepared to place the ice pack on her forehead when the rest of her sentence spilled out of her mouth.]

[Ironically, he freezes for a moment; mouth turning to a thin line and eyes widening almost comically as he blinks several times in succession in trying to process what she just said.]

[He clears his throat.]

You're really burning up... [he mutters, gently placing the freezer pack across her forehead. It's just the fever talking, that's all.] ......Go to sleep, Anabel.

[It's...it's just the fever talking. He pats her head in an attempted comforting manner. She doesn't know what she's saying. It's just the fever talking.]

[ She's not sure if it would be comfortable if she didn't feel so absolutely exhausted, but even that thought isn't there. It's a certain blankness as he eyelids become too heavy to lift, like everything is velvet soft and dark even though she's still aware.

Weavile pauses in her scrambling, eyeing Nanu with concern as if she's telling him she knows he's taking care of her trainer. The feathers on her head are nearly wilted and her tiny shoulders are pulled in. Sableye's outside the door, claws at the frame while she thinks she's being just as subtle as Weavile thinks she's being. On the way that she skitters off, she peers over her shoulder before disappearing off with her favorite partner-in-crime.

The coolness of the ice pack is pleasant but she barely notices it. His voice nearly reverberates in her mind, cutting through anything else. She manages a soft mmm but she's already faded to a point of deadweight, silent as she fully drifts off, curled against him.

She might not entirely remember all of this tomorrow, but she certainly won't bring it up. ]

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