.[Hope Estheim - 0.0.2. Action]. The wait is excruciating!~ (Cherrygrove)

[cursedwithpuns]

[Hope had gotten up early this morning. After speaking to Lightning on the phone everyday since he arrived? The anticipation of seeing her again was making him fidget. His Absol was standing down by his feet. Watching him pace.

Hope is basically waiting for his welcome wagon to arrive. Feel free to stop by and poke him, call him on the cell or whatever you please really.]

Comments

[Action]

[soggypastry]

[Lightning had never said it aloud, but she'd always promised herself that if they got separated, she'd find Hope again. After watching him vanish from here twice, she'd all but given up on that, but now....now she's just running through town until she sees him.

Her hair's a bit longer, she's a little thinner, and she seems tired but relaxed...and focused. She's still Lightning, after all.]

Hope!

Re: [Action]

[cursedwithpuns]

Lightning!

[And there she was. He ran at her smiling before diving into her arms. He held her tightly for a moment, closing his eyes making sure that she was really there and that this wasn't some horrible trick.]

It's really you.

[It was muffled. He pulled away a little bit, feeling he'd forgotten himself slightly.]

[Action]

[soggypastry]

[She's having the same thoughts as he is, really. Wondering if this is all a dream and if he's going to disappear the moment she lets go, but...when he doesn't, she smiles. He's come back. He's actually here.]

Who did you think I was? I can't pass for Snow, you know.

Re: [Action]

[cursedwithpuns]

I don't know... I guess I couldn't really believe it until you were here.

[He looked down and then up at here again. He kind of felt a little bit numb but in a good way. He hugged her again. He felt safe now. Lightning would take care of him.]

Thanks.

[Action]

[soggypastry]

I know what you mean.

[She would take care of him. She'd make sure he'd be safe and happy and had everything he needed here. That was the promise she made to herself as she hugged him back, arms wrapped tight around his shoulders. There was just one thing she couldn't figure out.]

For what?

Re: [Action]

[cursedwithpuns]

For coming to get me.

[Hope smiles and squeezes her tight. Having momentarily forgotten that he had someone else to introduce he turned and gestured to the Absol that had been eyeing Lightning since she got here.]

This is Absol.

[Action]

[soggypastry]

[Lightning can only smile at that, nodding as he pulls away and she looks down at his Absol. Neither is hurt, so that's a good sign, but she still crouches to offer Absol her hand for a sniff.]

Have you been training him?

Re: [Action]

[cursedwithpuns]

Yeah. We ran into quite a few pokemon when we were trying to find somewhere out of the way to stay.

[He smiles as Absol advances on Light, staring intently before he doesn't sniff her, just merely looks to Hope and then nods a slight approval of Lightning. Hope nudges him.]

Come on Absol. She's... [How did he say this? Oh! That's right.] She's family.

[Action]

[soggypastry]

[A sound of acknowledgement is made: Lightning can remember those early routes, with all the ambushes and pokémon all but throwing themselves at trainers. Of course they'd end up stronger.

And while Absol's cold approval makes her shake her head, she doesn't seem to mind all that much. The family comment, on the other hand, really does warm her heart. She's glad it's mutual.]

Give him time. He's not the first family member to not like me right away.

Re: [Action]

[cursedwithpuns]

I know. He... kinda looks at people that way.

[He smiles. He knows it's protective.]

I also have another pokémon. A Hoppip. She wasn't doing well in the cold so I took him into the shelter with us. We wound up battling, she wanted a challenge and I caught her!

[Action]

[soggypastry]

[Protective and familiar, most likely. Lightning can understand that, and she smiles in return as she stands up again.]

You might want to hold off on training her, then. The weather's supposed to get cold again soon.

Re: [Action]

[cursedwithpuns]

Oh? Really?

[Hope looked down at his Pokéball.]

Is there a weather report somewhere or something? [He took out his pokegear and looked through it.] I haven't really worked this out yet.

[Action]

[soggypastry]

[A nod, and she moves to show him how to get there; it's simple enough, really. Just a few button presses and boom. Weather report...though there's nothing for the next few days.]

These have games on them, too, but you should be careful with those.

[action]

[ex_aeroga402]

[Ven hangs back for a while, since he knows how much Lightning's missed Hope. Not that he hasn't too, of course, but... He has the feeling it's the proper thing to do. After a while though, he'll approach...

And have a really hard time not mentioning the strange difference in height between them now]

Hey, Hope.

Re: [action]

[cursedwithpuns]

[Oh! Ven! Hope wanders over and looks up at his... friend? Yes. They were friends. Lightning had gone to do something or other, and Hope was eager to meet the boy he'd spoken to briefly.]

Ven. It's nice to meet you.

[And have a smile. He's then not sure what the appropriate response is? Do they hug? Handshake? ... Hope offers his hand.]

[action]

[ex_aeroga402]

[A fine choice, and Ven meets that hand with his, handshakes work for him. Had the subject come up, he'd have to admit he never did know if Hope was...well, the hugging type.

He'll figure it out someday. For now, Hope's getting a warm smile along with a handshake]

Welcome back, Hope. How's Johto treated you so far?

Re: [action]

[cursedwithpuns]

It's different to Pulse. And Cocoon.

[But, the distinct lack of things trying to kill him was a major bonus in his eyes. He shuffled a little bit.]

I think I like it. A lot.

[action]

[ex_aeroga402]

That's great. There's tons to explore here too, and it's usually peaceful in this world.

[The answer doesn't really surprise him, since Hope liked the calm of this world before, and all the more with his friends around]

[Action]

[cursedwithpuns]

I'm looking forward to it.

[He smiles.]

It's nice not to be chased too. I can settle down and have friends here.

[Action]

[ex_aeroga402]

[Ven nods at that comment]

Yep, it's like a vacation for...gosh, most everybody I know in this place.

[Action]

[cursedwithpuns]

How is it for you?

[Hope looked at his new friend. This mismatch in information was frustrating to say the least, He wanted to know the same as what Ven knew about him.]

[Action]

[ex_aeroga402]

I've made some great friends here, and it's nice traveling with some of them.

[He pauses for a short while, considering what else to say. Since he knows about Hope's situation back home, he should probably even them out...]

Back home, I've been in a coma for a long time, so it's only here that I can do these things. I'll wake up someday though, so it's nothing to worry about.

[Action]

[cursedwithpuns]

Oh. I'm sorry.

[Hope shuffled a little bit. That was his first taste of putting his foot in his mouth since he got here.]

So... How is your Vaporeon?

[Action]

[ex_aeroga402]

[But Ven shakes his head at this]

Like I said, don't worry. I've got friends that'll be there to wake me up when they can be.

[And that's more than enough for him]

She's doing pretty good, wanna see her? I think she's missed you.

[Action]

[cursedwithpuns]

Really?

[Hope smiled at Ven.]

That's cool! Do you mind if I get the Pokédex reading on her?