video, OTA

[friendlyflower]

[Many people won't see this at all because they have him blocked. And he deserves it.

Flowey very much learned the consequences of his actions last month, when he tried to reach out to several of the Pokemon who vanished only to find that they had blocked him. He knows he can't just undo things the way he used to, and yet...

... anyway, his hope is that the ones who have him blocked will hear this message through the grapevine at least. He knows that will likely mean little to them, and this message is also very much 'too little, too late' to those who don't have him blocked. He will have to apologize to several people face-to-face. But if he does a full apology tour to every single person he's wronged since coming here, it would take him weeks.

... That's a disconcerting thought.]

Howdy.

[The video shows Flowey in his dorm. His outer shell is scratched and scuffed, and one of his leaves has several holes torn through it. He hesitates, then sighs.]

... So. It's, uh. Come to my attention recently. That maybe I got off on the wrong foot with some of you.

[Talk about an understatement. The stem sprouting from his head droops as if he's hunching over.]

Okay, I've been a heartless jerk to several of you many times. I'm sorry. Okay?

[Several Pokemon are in the clinic after last month's heavy quest. Anyone who might have visited the ward with the comatose patients recently might have noticed that fresh flowers have been left for several people Flowey once was close to. Lusamine, A.B.A, Aegiomon--

And recently, Kris.

He can't even do the same for Fireheart or Laios. The latter left without ever forgiving him.

Flowey apologized to him, just like this, the little good it did.

It isn't guilt per se that transmits through the Grumpearl so much as a deep, deep self-hatred.]

That's all. I'll be talking to some of you in person, but I wanted to put this out there. I'll be in my house if you want to come see me or get your revenge! [He says this in a faux-chipper tone, but it quickly fades away.]

Just spare me the pity. Anything I did, it's not because of my past. It was my choice to act out.

[It's there, if you happen to be Psychic-type, or just very adept at using the Grumpearl-- his lack of soul. He's like a jack-o-lantern, scraped down to the rind and carved up to look scary.

But even so, there's still some pieces left. Despite everything, it's still him. While what he has for his friends who remain- Emporio, Shoka, and others- isn't 'love' or 'attachment' as normal people might feel it. But it's something that looks enough like it if you squint.]

Comments

[goodapple]

[Between the personal nature of this message and the overall...heaviness that seems to have settled over the Bay in the wake of so many being rushed to the clinic injured or worse, Neige isn't immediately sure that he should insert himself in this. However, he does remember those quests that were up so shortly after his arrival here: unblock me vs block him. He hadn't had the context to participate in any way, but if there are a decent amount of Pokemon that currently have Flowey blocked, it strikes Neige as rather sad that this could just be going out into a relative void.]

I can't speak on anything you've done, as we've never met and I'm still fairly new here, but...I just wanted to say that regardless of the impact it may have on those you've hurt, I think this is a very good first step forward.

[An apology is never a bad thing, right? It's not his place to accept it on anyone's behalf, but from his perspective he can only encourage any effort to make amends for past actions.]

[friendlyflower]

[Talk about a first impression. Well, Flowey knew this might happen, and it's not like he's been putting up that friendly act anymore.

It still catches him off-guard to not put up that front and receive kindness.]

... thanks. [He's not smiling, but an impression of gratitude comes through the connection.] And welcome to the Cheri Berries. If you need anything, you can always ask me. [The guild members have to look after each other, since Ribombee is so... busy.]

[goodapple]

[Neige gives an understanding nod, a warm expression on his face as he accepts the welcome and the offer--even if it is clearly a more muted response than one might give in a less melancholy mood.]

I will--I appreciate it. I still have a lot to learn about being here, but if the same goes for you: I'm always happy to lend a hand. Or an ear, if you ever just need someone to talk to.

[After all...sometimes, just being listened to was enough. Neige's never been the sort to cast judgment.]

[pyrodulia]

[He doesn't need her approval. He doesn't need her to be proud of him. She doesn't pity him, and never has.

But she psychically acknowledges receipt of the message, the mental equivalent of a thumbs up emoji, or perhaps something vaguely like the sensation of a cat fox brushing between someone's ankles. Presence, proximity, touchness without demand. Follows it up with a voice message:]

Let me know if you want or need to talk, sprout.

[friendlyflower]

[The offer to talk is kind of her, but there's little more to be said. He's lost something that he'll never get back, and he has to keep going. She understands that more than most.

He gives the mental equivalent of a thumbs up emoji in return. Sometime in the coming days, he'll come visit her and they'll just chat about nothing in particular-- the kind of conversation anyone could have, no matter what they've been through.]

[notyourbloodymessiah]

[ eleanor's much too tired to formulate much of a thought on this. she can hear it. most of all, she can feel it. the gaping emptiness where a part of him should be. she already knew -- they'd been open about it. she knows all of this already. she knows how capable of cruelty he is -- and yet there isn't any judgement. there's a quiet swell of pride instead.

the connection severs, a muffled voice breaking through to urge eleanor to adjust her posture in bed. ]

[friendlyflower]

[When Eleanor wakes up the next morning, someone has left her some chocolate. There's no note or name attached, but she can likely figure out who was behind it.]

action;

[wolfcut]

[ Whether or not Bigby has Flowey blocked is a moot point; he spots the Sunkern while making his own visit to the clinic. Normally he'd hold off on the coma ward until he's just about to leave (not like they're going anywhere), but he follows behind, keeping his distance but watching from the doorway. ]

He'd like those.

[ The flowers, he means. Proof of spring. ]

[friendlyflower]

[Flowey startles at Bigby's voice. The last time they met in the clinic, it wasn't exactly stellar. But after they somehow made it through that last bounty, the two haven't fought like that again. Maybe it's proof that he can grow and change, or some cheesy crap like that.]

Yeah. He seems like the type. [Innocent and kind, a mirror that Flowey could barely stand to look at. But now that he's not around, the town is quieter without his laughter.] Some people believe that the comatose can hear. I wonder if he could smell the flowers, too.

[wolfcut]

Maybe. [ As nice as that thought is, it does hit him just a bit harder. ] He was practicing that. Wanted to be a good tracker while he was here.

[ Bigby keeps his distance still. He knows the clinic isn't exactly neutral ground after what happened last time. ]

Glad you two could be friends.

[ An odd pair, but maybe that's not such a bad thing. They both needed it. ]

[friendlyflower]

[Another good person who gets stuck with a coma while he, Flowey, is still standing. It's just not fair.

He can read between the lines. It was Bigby teaching Aegiomon how to track-- and now all that time he spent was wasted. If he hadn't been nice, he wouldn't have to be hurt now.

... He knows that's not true. Not after what that human taught him. But the universe seems insistent on proving it. He glances towards Kris, then back towards Aegiomon.

He imagines Bigby teaching Aegiomon how to track scents, still trying to be gentle, even though he would've doubtlessly eaten the kid in a past life.

(He's depressed, but not depressed enough to look at Bigby as a role model.)]

Don't give me that much credit. I nearly killed the little bastard when he first got here. [So cheerful, so innocent, so... loving. Ugh.] If he could hear from that coma, that would've shocked him awake. He never knew.

... But regardless, now here I am. Funny how that works out.

[lightofchaldea]

Ritsuka was far too new here to be familiar with whatever had gone on before. But she had met Flowey, and while her experience with him had been fine, as far as she was concerned, she hadn't missed the fact that something darker had slipped through at least once. She simply hadn't said or done anything about it because, well, she'd known people like that. She'd known several people who were like that, habitually. And it had never stopped her from working with or caring about them anyway.

"Sounds like this took a lot of courage. I'm glad you could do it, though."

Really, she was. There was nothing but sincerity, here.

[friendlyflower]

He's already done a quest with Ritsuka. If something happens to her, that means it will just be one more personal connection he's lost-- an endless, pointless cycle.

But instead of pushing her away, he bites his tongue. "Yeah. Thanks. Sorry if I was annoying on our quest."

He realizes he'll probably always be annoying. But what can you do about that?

[lightofchaldea]

"I didn't think you were annoying."

Ritsuka wasn't good at hiding her thoughts to begin with, but when using something like the grumpearls? Yeah, it was probably painfully obvious that she wasn't just being nice, she really did mean that.

"You were really helpful when we were fighting."

[dripdrive]

[Instead of actually receiving any confirmation from Anasui, Flowey will receive a small envelope the next day labelled 'from Emporio' despite being in Anasui's perfect cursive. Inside is the note 'don't touch the camera for four months' plus a location on one of the high hills in the Bay. Should Flowey go to said location, he'll find an extreme exposure camera made from cardboard, tincans, and string and a second note, still in Anasui's handwriting.]

'Startrail photography is a long, time-consuming process. Same as forgiveness. Take this as a start.'

[friendlyflower]

[Flowey, despite all expectations, can be patient. He had little choice but to be when he was experimenting during his resets in the Underground. It felt so satisfying to see a plan come together after ages of meticulous planning.

So, as much as he's tempted to mess with Anasui, he doesn't touch the camera at all. He'll come back to check on it and make sure nobody else messes with it in the following months, and while he's there, he'll watch the stars.]

VOICE...

[seacub]

[He's having a rough time getting through the pearls right now. Probably because while he's no Psychic, the Ghost types aren't exactly that far off from the ability.

...And also he's a little distracted by this really nagging feeling he's getting through this thing, that's super distracting-

....Anyway he's about to say the worst possible thing.]

....You know... ...it's weird, but that last part sounds a lot like something Anasui said once.

[you come to his pearl, emporio,]

[friendlyflower]

[He very nearly says "who the fuck do you think you are" before realizing it's Emporio. Then again, who else would it be?]

Come to kick me while I'm down?

CW as we are discussing some Murder and American Prisons once again ! WHOO

[seacub]

I-It's not like that it was a good thing I promise..!!

[Anasui was in fact talking about the reason he was arrested!!! Wow!!]

...It's just, he talked about how he's generally viewed in...a less than positive light, [almost said monster that was close] ...For good reason, too. But even if he's trying to be better, he could never say he regretted what he did to earn that reputation.

...they actually tried to give him an insanity plea, but he turned it down; he's not insane after all, he was fully aware of what he was doing.

[ ~Murder~ ]

action;

[wovensecrets]

[ That grumpearl transmission... it was a familiar feeling. The instinct to wonder if it was just more bait, but instead as it continues on, it's almost as though it stirs up a dream, a memory? Nothing to say on the end though- her waking self is far more reserved, but there may be that psychic sensation of- something.

Acknoweldgement, understanding? Or simply that concept of a door opening. Mentally.


... He made the first move so she has to follow it up, doesn't she. It'll be later when she does, though, navigating through their Cheri base. And up through the window. ]

What's the big idea, sitting there with your wounds untreated like that, Flowey-san?

[friendlyflower]

What, are you worried about little old me? [He thought he felt her connection back on that transmission, and he's been aware that those dreams were not just dreams. He knew this was coming eventually.]

... the clinic had people who needed help more than me, anyhow. I'll just sleep it off. Get some good old photosynthesis going tomorrow morning.

[wovensecrets]

[ It's clear she has brought along some bread. Why bread? With Guilmon one makes the effort, or something. Anyway- ]

... It's overcrowded, as always.

[ Says the known avoider who would be avoiding if circumstances weren't different, but even if Flowey hadn't communicated she likely would have snuck him this anyhow. Just made it easier. ]

Just means you get me then. Just your luck, right~?

[Voice] Forgive my lateness. Do not forgive his stupidness.

[ba_boom]

[...Huh? That's...

Okay, he kept waiting for the jerkishness to happen and it didn't happen.

Huh. Maybe Flowey wasn't so bad after all.]

Hey, it's okay, sprout.

[He sounds perfectly sincere and heartfelt. In fact, he continues to sound sincere and heartfelt, as if he has no idea how it's coming across, when he continues:]

I mean hey, just because you were a big jerk to everybody who was just tryin' to be nice to you, and you played mean tricks and you bullied people who didn't deserve it and you yelled a lot just to make people mad, doesn't mean people won't forgive ya, right?

[friendlyflower]

[With every word, Flowey's face morphs into an even worse scowl-- but then it twists like he's trying to force it into a smile.

It's all true. That's the worst part of it all.]

Yeah. Thanks. You're... right. _Ugh.

[ba_boom]

No problem, sprout!

[The genuine grin is audible even in his thoughts. It might be the most upbeat and supportive Flowey's ever heard him, which is pretty sad, because he follows it up with-]

Y'know, maybe I was wrong about you all along. I thought you were just a jerk who would never have any friends, but I bet you could be a pretty okay if you really tried hard enough!

[And, sadly, he is still being entirely sincere and seems thoroughly oblivious to the backhandedness of his compliments.

He's just like this.]