Mei had been ignoring Brenny for...how many days now? Two? Three? Something like that...and she was honestly tired of ignoring him. Missed talking to him...so she put her things on the bed...and went to go find him to apologize for getting so upset.
(Missing Post from Thali)
Mei had been anywhere but home when she could be, and once there...well she busied herself in other ways. It was easier than expected to ignore Brenny...though she was curious what he was up to....she'd seen him doing...something.
She heard him calling for her, about the time she sought him out, and gave a smile of relief. "A present? I don't deserve one for being so mad at you..." Mei couldn't help but smile and hug Brenny back tightly, looking at the bear. "Did you make it yourself? It's really cute." it was! She smiled at him. "I'm not mad anymore..and I never should have been. I know you miss your sister. So we'll go find her together and talk to her. But no pokeballs. but we'll find out if she's happy where she is okay?"
"I did!" Brenny exclaimed, excitedly. "I made it all by myself. I made it for you, Mei!" So she'd like him again. It seemed to have worked, too! He paused, shaking his head. "No," he said. "I did miss my sister, but I've found her already." He hugged her again. "And I don't need any pokeballs to catch her, because she lives right with me!"
"It's so cute thank you Brenny." she hugged him again and smiled, listening to his words and nodded. "Well..if you're sure. I understand wanting her here...though here is getting kind of small these days..." there was so many of them there after all....if they grew bigger they'd all need to move out!
"I suppose you have a point there Brenny." well it was true...maybe. She didn't know not having met Cecily in the end. "I know you wouldn't Brenny. I was just upset but I shouldn't have said that anyhow. That was mean of me." Brenny paused, and gave Mei another squeeze. "Let's never fight again," he said. "I don't like it. It makes me feel all alone, even if you're in the next room." He sighed. "I know," he said. "I just wanted to make sure you knew I loved you too much to ever do that to you. ...Besides, I'm scared of storms too. They cause fires and they ruin forests."
"Well I can't promise we won't fight again..but I'll try not to be so mean if we do..or ignore you for longer than say ten minutes okay?" she was giving him a teasing smile. Fights would happen she knew. Just hopefully not as badly! "The lightning scares me honestly.."
"We were both mean," Brenny said. "I won't be mean either!" He lowered his voice in a whisper, cupping his hand over his mouth and beckoning Mei closer. "I heard a monster under our bed last night! I couldn't sleep at all, it was so scary! I went out to the kitchen at ten, I think, and I got cookies for us. One for you and one for me. But I put the cookie for you down because you were sleeping, and something took it and went Munch crunch munch crunch!"
"I haven't heard anything under the bed, and Eliot hasn't mentioned anything..." she looked puzzled and looked towards their room. "Go get some cookies? I'll go look under the bed..."
Brenny went out into the kitchen and got a plate out of the cabinet before filling it up with cookies. He wondered if the monster would come out during the day. Maybe it was Eliot pulling a prank on him! ...But no, Eliot had been asleep too. "Are you sure this is safe?" he asked, when he got to their room. He offered her the plate of cookies. "What if it decides we're tastier?"
"Sit up on the bed...or go sit with Eliot while I see what's under here." she set the plate of cookies up on the bed and snagged one as she dropped down to her stomach and lifted the dust ruffle trying to see what was at the back. There was...something. The cookie was held out curiously. Maybe it was a toy...
Brenny climbed up onto the bed and peered down at Mei curiously. "Do you see it?" he asked. "Is it a monster? Should I call Daddy and tell him?" The 'Monster' in question bounced its way out from under the bed and with a kurfluffle-meep sound, it took the cookie from Mei's hand and began to eat.
"See!" Brenny exclaimed. "I told you there was a cookie eating monster!" "I see...something. Maybe it's just a toy..or some ones missing pillow case..." she couldn't tell really. It was when she heard the noise she knew it was something...the fact the cookie was being eaten from her hand was starling! She reached up for another and held it closer to herself. "No...Connie doesn't need to be bothered...I don't think it's a monster..."
"Oooh." Brenny stared with wide eyes down at the fluff. "Mei, give it another cookie! Look, it's like the top of a muffin! It's all fluffy! ....What is it? Is it a pokemon?" He sat down beside Mei, offering the fluff a cookie. "It's okay, Muffin. You like cookies, huh? Mei, can we keep him?"
Mei kept luring the fluff out with cookies until it was out from under the bed and she gently patted the top of it's head. "I don't think it's a pokemon no...I've never seen anything like it....I think if it stays like this we can keep it...if it does do like the rest of us though...there's just not enough room..."
Brenny beamed. "Not a pokemon?" he echoed, grinning. "Good! If it's not a pokemon, then it won't change like you or Eliot, and if it doesn't change like you or Eliot, then we can keep him! Let's name him Muffin, Mei. Because he lookis like a Muffin. And Daddy will like him. And you like him, don't you?"
"Muffin it is...and he...or she is very cute." she smiled and motioned to the plate of cookies. "Hopefully it likes something more than cookies though. Too many sweets can't be good for it...but then not knowing what it is...maybe it's a cookie monster..."
Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 11:09 pm
Brenny's feelings... (Mei confronts Brenny to ask him why he's been behaving as he has)
Mei was tired...more than tired she was slightly annoyed....annoyed and tired and grumpy and... Brenny had been acting up lately and she didn't know why. Surly, and uncooperative and a bunch of other things it seemed. It left her feeling very, very drained physically and emotionally...a constant tension filled the air, especially when he and Eliot were in the same room...and Mei couldn't take it anymore! She told Eliot she needed to have a talk with Brenny to find out what was going on, and that was just what she was going to do, as she stomped off to find him.
Brenny was sitting in the livingroom, avoiding interaction with Eliot. He wasn't sure why, but every time he saw Eliot and Mei together he became angry. Well maybe angry wasn't the right word. He felt as if the room they were in was filled with tension so thick it could be cut with a knife. "Hi Mei," he greeted her, when he spotted her coming into the room.
Mei gave Brenny a smile as she came into the living room and sat down by him quietly for the moment trying to find the right words. There were none. She'd have to just be blunt. "Why do you and Eliot keep arguing over silly things? Why do you keep acting like you have been?" she sounded as tired as she felt, running interference for the boys!
Brenny hesitated. He looked away from her. "I'm not arguing with Eliot!" He said. He paused and picked up a hot wheels car. He offered it to her. "Want to play?" He asked, hoping to distract her from the conversation. "Eliot can play too, if you want."
"Eliot is sleeping at the moment." she took the car and idly drove it back and forth a little and sighed. "You're not arguing right now...but lately the two of you when you're in the same room...it feels like you're going to strangle one another or something. I don't like how tense it is lately. What's going on?"
Brenny flushed, looking towards her for just a moment. "Er," he began, "Well. Eliot really likes you!" He blurted. At this, he narrowed his eyes and scowled. "Not like a sister, either! I don't like it, Mei. I told him to cut it out. You're much too pretty to be with him. I told him. But he tossed a paper wad at me! He asked why I care. I told him you're my sister and I promised to take care of you, but he laughed at me!"
Mei knew Eliot liked her...she'd known for awhile really...so this wasn't news to her, though apparently it had been to Brenny! "I really like him too Brenny." and she blushed a little. "He's smart, and funny, and sweet and kind...well usually. I don't know why he'd laugh at you or throw a paper wad at you that's not very nice of him. Maybe he was trying to get you to calm down. Besides, you can't tell him he can't like me, thats not up to you brother or not."
Brenny stared at her. His mouth seemed to open and close on its own, and he was left gapping like a magikarp. He swallowed audibly. "Oh," he said. "Well. If you like him too, I guess..." he acted as if his next words were painful, "I guess its okay."
Mei could see that his words pained him and she blinked...a sudden realization hitting her. The car was forgotten and she scooted closer reaching out and resting her hand on his. "Brenny...do...do you like me too? As more than a friend or sister?" how quiet those words were...and surprised really!
Brenny turned away from her, moving his hand. "Of course not," he insisted. His awkward behavior gave the lie away. "I just wanted to protect you. You're my sister. Its my job to take care of you. He's supposed to be our brother! I should never have caught him."
Mei could tell Brenny was lying...but didn't understand why. Still she let him turn away from her, and merely sighed softly. "I'm sorry you feel that way Brenny...and I'm sorry I don't like you the same way you like me. You really are like a brother to me...Eliot has never felt like a brother to me though." it was the only way to describe it. She sighed again, sounding even more tired and got to her feet. Maybe Brenny should be left alone..and maybe she'd go find a quiet spot to nap. She felt exhausted now.
Brenny sighed. "Why do you like him anyway?" He asked. "Maybe next time I like someone they won't already like someone else." Mei had been his first crush; and though Brenny didn't know it, that was the hardest one to deal with. "You don't have to be sorry," he said. "I'm happy as your brother."
Mei blinked and sat back down looking thoughtful. "Well....it's a lot of things really...the way he makes me feel when he's around...which is all happy and excited...and sorta fluttery in my stomach. You make me happy and excited...but there's no little flutter there...and when he smiles it gives me goosebumps.....and well...it's hard to explain but there's a pull where he's concerned." it was hard to explain! "My brother and one of my two best friends."
Brenny nodded silently. He stood and stretched. "Well. If that's all you wanted to talk about, I think I'll go on a walk." He paused, and glanced meaningfully at where Eliot was sleeping. "Tell him that if he ever makes you cry, I'll deck him." And so saying, he flashed Mei a bright smile before he left the appartment.
Mei blinked at Brenny's parting words and gave a nod of her head. She understood why he said that. He was being protective of her...and maybe jealous. She'd make sure to pass it along to Eliot though. She watched as he walked out the door and it closed before she got up with a sigh, and moved back towards the bedroom where Eliot had been "sleeping" and sat down on the edge of the bed. "He says if you ever make me cry, he's going to deck you. His words." her voice was quiet as she spoke. "Found out why he's been so moody lately...he likes me...like you like me...but now he knows I like you...and that he's my brother." she felt bad for Brenny though, it couldn't be helped.
Fate has a way of curling His fingers about a life or two, and changing things to fit His fickle whims. This...is no different. Welcome to Fate's meddling.
Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2013 8:21 am
That morning showing up at Cameron's, the first since his release from the hospital was bittersweet. I was so glad to see him out, he'd been in there for weeks and Urban was starting to give up hope of him waking up...then he came by and told me the news. Cam had woken up, but seemed to have some holes in his memory. That was unsurprising, I heard he was in bad shape when he was found.
Still...when he came home and asked what I was doing and that I needed to leave, it did surprise me.
I tried two more times...and Urban informed me that Cam just doesn't remember who I am. Or who any of his students are...or even who Timmy and Krissy are. I don't know what happened..all I heard was some shouting...and Cam came running out suddenly and drove off really fast in his car looking upset...and now...
....
he's broken.
I wonder if he'll ever be okay again...I hope so, he's so nice...and he gave me a job. But now...no job...no money. I'm still looking though! I'll find something else so I can help out my family!
1. squish 1. In the asexual community, the equivalent of a "crush", but explicitly lacking an interest in forming a romantic couple or having a sexual relationship with the person in question. It does not matter if they are "in a relationship", as long as you two can have a deep connection. A squish is an intense feeling of attraction, liking, appreciation, admiration for a person you urgently want to get to know better and become close with. It is different from "just wanting to be friends" in that there is an intensity about it and a disproportionate sense of elation when they like and appreciate you back.
2. Such a person can be referred to as your "squish".
3. It can be used as a verb, "to squish on someone". A: So are you... dating right now? B: No, I'm not looking. A: (thinks: oh good, that means she will date me) B: No I really want you to hear what I'm saying: I'm not looking to be in a relationship. But I have two squishes right now. A: You what? B: Squishes. They're people I just really love and want to be close to and intimate with - but not in a sexual way. I just feel very connected with them and attracted to them and I want to be important in their lives. But I don't want to be in a romantic relationship with them. A: Huh? You're weird.
asexual, crush, romance, bromance, attraction
*2. squish A squish is a platonic crush, one where you like someone and want to be close to them, but not in a romantic way. I developed a squish on my best friend in high school.
* Definition #2 is how Mei feels about Connie who is more than a friend, but not viewed like a brother and not seen in a romantic way.
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 8:25 am
Her fingers stroked over the suede cover of the diary she had bought. Well more a journal than a diary really. She had found one she liked awhile back and the best part to her had been that it came with a fairly sturdy lock on it. It meant no one could read her private thoughts. Not that this book really got far from her if she could help it. Still it was nice to know that Brenny or Eliot could not open it and read anything she might write.
The air was crisp and cool, fall was here and it was just going to get colder she knew. Settling back against the tree she was sitting under, she began to write in her journal, holding the pen she had bought as well carefully, not wanting to mess up and make a mess of her journal.
Dear Journal,
Ever since Cameron got hurt, things have been different. His house was so sad and empty with him gone...and with all of the others gone. Urban went through while Cam was in the hospital and took away anything and everything that could remind Cam of Timmy and Krissy before he was ready to remember them, once it was realized he had lost memories of them from what happened to him. Not that anyone knows what happened.
I'm worried though...I don't have a job anymore. Which means I don't make money anymore to help out with things...like buying cookies like Brenny always wants, and that sort of thing. Connie works so hard to take care of all of us here, but I know there has to be days he comes home and is too tired to think. Yet he gives everyone his attention and rarely if ever gets a moment to himself.
So I worry about him as well. And us. And a lot of things. I need to find a new job so I can help out. Maybe I can start going around collecting cans! I tried to make wreaths...that didn't work so well...but recycling! I've seen people taking things in and getting money so maybe that's what I should do!
Sometimes though....I wonder if Connie would be better off without me here. I'd be one less person needing fed and all. One less person using things up...but I don't know where I'd go. I would have said Cameron's but...well not an option. He doesn't remember me, which sucks. Urban's having issues as well so he's out.
But I know I can find somewhere if I go. I have some money saved up I was going to give it to Connie just before Christmas. I know Brenny's going to want a bunch of presents, so I was going to give it to him to buy him gifts...but maybe I should give it to him now. If I can ever find a moment to talk to him alone for awhile.
Mei: Things had been tense for her lately...with Cam not remembering her, the job she'd had was no more. She'd been searching for a new one, anxious to bring money in to help out so Connie didn't have so much to do on his own.. The boys had gone off somewhere....she wasn't sure where they'd gone. Of course they'd asked but she'd declined.
Instead she stayed behind, and saw to cleaning the apartment. Windows were washed, the bed changed, all that sort of thing. It wasn't money...but it did make Connie's life easier, which is what she was after.
Connie: With the seasonal holidays forthcoming on the calendar, work around the city seemed to have picked up to what felt like an unprecedented degree -- at least, compared to the months prior. Everyone seemed to have picked up the slack in a stressful attempt to leave on time... so when work fell back to normal volumes, it was a surprising turn of events to realize when there was no more work stockpiled to be done that evening, with the speedy movements in the forefront of everyone's mind.
So Connie was allowed to head home early. Normally he would have insisted sticking around, but when not having merely himself to care for any longer, the extra time was accepted with some relief.
As practiced, Connie was careful about opening the door should anyone be immediately behind it. Peering inside, he noted that it seemed pretty empty... except for the smell of cleaner. Setting his lunchbox on the counter, he called out so as not to startle, "I'm home! Where is everyone?" Everything looked so spruced up, it was not what he had expected coming home to at all! Spotting Mei, he was quick to give a grateful smile, "It looks like you've been busy today! Mei, you didn't have to do all that..." But it was obvious that it was immensely appreciated!
Mei: She'd just finished folding the clean bed sheets up and putting them back in where they were kept when she heard the door open and she braced herself, expecting a barrage of boys. Instead...well she relaxed realizing it was Connie. This was a nice surprise!
The apartment was a sparkling testament to the hard work she'd done, having even managed to finally get a stubborn spot off the couch that Connie slept on, after someone had spilled grape juice on it. Now he had a clean couch, complete with a clean blanket for himself.
Swiping her arm over her forehead as she came out there was a smile given to the Tauros, a slender shoulder lifting in a half shrug. "I don't mind Connie. It's not like I have anything else to fill my time with, and I know we all appreciate having a clean apartment."
He was so hard working, and it made her smile a little knowing he worked so hard to provide for them all. "Laundry is washed, you have clean clothes if you want to change while I make you a snack." she reached up and adjusted the bandana she'd tied into her hair, tucking a few strands under it before she washed her hands up.
"You're home early today, this is a nice surprise! The boys went...somewhere. I'm not sure honestly. I stayed behind to do this." he hand waved around the apartment as she rummaged in the fridge. "Hmm..." she sounded thoughtful...but not in a good way.
Connie: While he wasn't able to see all of the work that Mei had managed to accomplish throughout the day in his short scanning of the room, it was obvious that it was a lot of work. It was even difficult to pinpoint where some cleaning had occurred, but there was an overall sense that it just looked and felt better. Maybe Connie had just been living too long with things the way they had been. The teen whistled and shook his head in amazed disbelief, "The place looks incredible... I didn't even know it could look so good!"
As Mei emerged from the other room, his smile was still plainly visible, but there were other factors that quickly came into play, and they registered to him with haste, "You did this all by yourself?" Flinching, he got to work pulling his boots off in the off-chance he were to track anything inside from the soles and setting them next to the door.
Changing into some clean clothes did sound nice... but he wasn't sure if he was going to have to retrieve Brenny from wherever he disappeared off to, should the little guy lose track of the time. In fact, it was still fairly early, and Connie would have been tempted to change into pajamas... "Naw, I'm good for now. Let me help!" he piped up. It seemed like she had done just as much work today as he had, so there was no sense in letting one relax while the other one carried on working!
Instead of heading into the other room, the tauros moved to the sink to wash his hands. He caught the mienfoo's distracted humming, and while he didn't think there was anything wrong with doing so, he just wanted to make sure... "Is everything alright?" There had been a number of arguments that Connie had not been present for, and he just wanted to make sure this wasn't one of those. Was everything alright? It just seemed unusual, especially for Mei to be home by herself.
Mei: "Hm? Oh..." she pulled some things out of the fridge then and set them on the counter going about making a slight snack for the both of them. With care she washed a couple of apples and set them on the small cutting block, a knife pulled out and laid there then looked up at him.
"Would you cut these please Connie?" it seemed safer for him to handle the knife given the slippery, rolling nature of apples in the end. Two cups were gotten and she filled both with water before leaning against a counter and taking a sip.
"I did, and its okay. I wanted to honestly. I've had a lot on my mind to think about. You know I was going to Cameron's to rake the leaves and help out, and he paid me but also let me join in his classes...well...ever since he's come home...no classes...no work...he doesn't even remember me."
The cup was rolled between her fingers pensively, staring down at it. "I've tried looking for something new, but no one wants to hire a kid...but I don't like not helping out here. You do so much...and you know from the start I've tried to help..." her glass was set down and she excused herself a moment only to return quickly and she held out an envelope.
"I want you to have this Connie. I kept a little out for me...so...well so I can get myself food...I'll find somewhere to stay, I always did. This will help you three out till I can find somewhere to work and send you more money. I guess part of me wanted you to have a clean apartment so you had one less thing to worry before I left."
At least she'd waited till he was done with the knife to drop her little bomb on him. She of course, wasn't thinking through the problems of what looked like a ten or eleven year old girl on her own, amongst other things. She just knew, she wanted to make his life easier.
Connie: Connie watched Mei's actions as she pulled the material out of the refrigerator and drawers for the little snack. He was quick on the uptake when she requested his assistance, eagerly picking up the knife and sliding the occupied cutting board to himself across the counter, "Sure thing!" Despite the unknown variables that hung in the air, it felt fairly relaxing to be making a snack like this. Mellow, and much less physically-intensive than what either of them had been working on throughout the day.
Setting the knife down, Connie grabbed a small bowl to set the apple slices in, keeping his hands busy while he waited for the answer. The longer it took, the more it made him nervous... She was waiting until he was done, but did that mean that this conversations was going to be headed toward something he should be sitting down for?
He didn't have long to ponder on that, tensing slightly when he realized who Mei was referencing. "Cam... Wait, he was at the lemonade stand you two were running, wasn't he?" the teen recalled. Yes, he knew that Mei had been working at getting a little extra income, but it was only now that he realized that he could put a face to the employer. Due to that, it made him all the more concerned, "...What happened?" Should he even be asking that?
The tone that Mei was taking was causing Connie to freeze up a bit. Words weren't coming as smoothly as they should have been, and he could feel it in the air -- this conversation wasn't headed down a good path. Out of reaction, he took the envelope that was offered, but couldn't do much more with it than that. "I... Mei, I can't..." he tried, sighing and setting the envelope onto the counter. It felt as though everything in his body were tightening up. It had gotten to the point where she wanted to leave? Was this the option she really wanted?
Kneeling down, Connie placed a hand on the mienfoo's shoulder. It was another reaction, considering he felt that she was the more adult, the more responsible, one. "Nothing you do is unhelpful. Every little bit counts. While having a paycheck, well... it does help out with some things, it doesn't solve other problems," the teen attempted. It was a pale notion of what he really wanted to say, but it was all that he could verbally put forth that wouldn't have been garbled by the panic that was threatening to claw through.
But... this wasn't about the rest of them. He didn't want to make her stay, but was this really what Mei wanted? It looked like it was difficult for her to speak this way, but he didn't know if it was just her fear of upsetting him, or if it was because she thought it was the best for everyone else. Frowning, he shook his head, "Never mind what I want, what Brenny wants, all of that... Mei, is this really what YOU want? You are not a burden. You are appreciated. I just want you to know that--" He shook his head again with a sigh, "No. I'm sorry, you should make this sort of decision without influence from me, but Mei..." He couldn't let himself say any more than that. Instead, he went about it the other way, "What made you think it would be easier if you left?" Was that... too strong?
Mei: "Yeah he was. He was the zebstrika there...the purpley guy who was there with the big aggron." her glass was set down on the counter then as she talked. "Urban didn't go into details, but there was a fight between him and his fiance...and Cam went to the beach to surf...and he was found on the sand bleeding from his head, and half drowned. He was in a coma for awhile...and now...well he doesn't remember a lot. Me included. So I got told to go away." another slight shrug given. It was out of her hands this issue.
Mei saw Connie freeze and she couldn't help but feel bad dropping this bomb on him. "You can Connie, and should. Will help out with things here. Food, and what not." she let the envelope stay there for the moment. It wasn't going anywhere.
The hand on her shoulder was met with hers resting atop his own, and squeezing lightly. "Breathe, Connie." she could see the look in his eyes, the look he was trying to keep from his face, the hint of it in his voice. He was panicking, and that was bad.
"No...not really. This is my home now. I've lost one home to death...my only other option...well he doesn't remember me. So I'd have no where to go, but like I said, I found places before. The city is sure to be full of places I can stay. Even if I have to spend a little time on the streets." She was of course unaware of how mean the city streets could get at night. Especially for someone like her.
His question though it did surprise her. "Well...you'd have one less person to feed all the time. One less person using things up around here...and there'd be two incomes coming in since I'd only keep a little and send you the rest so I was still helping." of course...that left the fact Brenny liked to invite random strangers in for food and movies, and that blew through food....
And she wouldn't be there to make sure they weren't an undesirable sort, like that Mawile had been. Or someone worse who could possibly hurt Brenny or Eliot! There was a sigh from her then. "...those two would get into a lot of trouble without me though...wouldn't they?" her words were soft as the realization dawned on her. Connie: Connie nodded as he remembered what Cam had looked like in the single instance the tauros had met him. He had seemed so insistent on helping out if it were needed, very friendly, as was his friend Urban. It was difficult to try to figure out how one was suppose to react to news like that -- it was certainly very unexpected! Then again, the way it would impact Cam's inner circle of friends and family after such a harsh situation. "At least it sounds like he's getting better, but still... wow," he sighed. The teen kind of wanted to try to help out with that situation, return the sentiment from before, but he didn't know how that could be accomplished! "Maybe in time, but injuries that severe take time," he concluded, partly out of heresay -- he never actually knew anyone, secondhand or otherwise, that had anything remotely similar happen!
He didn't like accepting money when he felt he had done nothing to earn it. Mei had earned it, she should be able to use it! It was obvious that this was what she wanted to use the money for, however, but Connie's stubborn mindset still insisted on attempting to forgo the help. No matter how desperately it may be needed... especially if Mei really did end up leaving. Did she realize the implications of that, with the appearance of a child that she had?
Despite the fear that was creeping up, Connie couldn't help but smile a little at Mei's perceptive nature. As hard as he was trying to hide it, the mienfoo seemed to be able to pick up on emotion imbalances quite easily. This wasn't the first time! It dissipated quickly once his words focused on the gravity of the situation once more. Despite what he said to not worry others... there were a lot of dangerous people out in the city, that would take advantage of another more impoverished and hopeful. "It's a lot more dangerous out there than people might otherwise like to say..." Connie tried to convince. He was out there as a child as well, and nobody wanted to hire some kid... something about child labor laws, even if one was emancipated. It was hard enough as a teenager, but a child? Scare tactics weren't his thing, though, so he was hoping he didn't have to resort to using them. Downtown wasn't the nicest of areas...
Connie was shaking his head, as though denying that her reasoning was a viable option. He knew that might make some things easier, in all honesty, but the ethical points and those that revolved around what might happen when Connie wasn't there... It seemed he hadn't needed to try to explain the garbled objections in his own mind, though, for she was able to put the two points together. The teen froze again at that, blinked... and then snickered. Well that was one way of putting it! "They might at that..." he agreed, "But I wanted to stress that I will only agree to this if that is what you really want to do. You're doing your part for everyone's well-being and for your own, so you're no burden. If you're doing this because you think it will make things easier for everyone, then you can forget it. I won't allow that kind of thinking in this house, young lady." Sure he was teasing a bit, playing at the 'father-figure' role he was thrust into, but he meant it.
Mei: “Yeah…it’s bad. Urban took out everything that would remind him of his fiancé and daughter….I guess they broke up, and now Cam doesn’t remember them either and…it’s really sad honestly. They were so happy and planning their wedding.” She gave a sad smile remembering watching Urban carrying out everything with the intentions to store it till some time in Cam’s future when he was ready for everything again. “I hope he gets better again. It’s sort of scary thinking you can forget about everyone you care about just like that.” She snapped her fingers to illustrate the quickness of the happening.
His reluctance to take the money was obvious to her and she gave a smile. “ You and I both know Brenny will ask for presents…so you can use the money for that for him and Eliot.” She was perfectly fine with not having anything bought for her and she wanted to make that known without sounding too mean about it. So by saying use it for them, she hoped Connie would understand. It was just her way of helping after all.
“I was thinking of going downtown tomorrow and see if I could find something. If I don’t look I won’t know for sure, right?” this was true! “Maybe I’ll get lucky and find someone who wants me to rake their leaves too or something.” So much more she could do, but she knew that adults were wary about that sort of thing. ‘Girls shouldn’t work so hard’ was something she’d heard once or twice at Cam’s when people came to drop off their kids. She merely smiled and carried on.
It was that suddenly paternal tone that surprised her the most and she looked up and studied him closely for a moment, and gave a firm nod of her head, suddenly looking happier. “Okay then Connie, I’ll stay.” And she of all things shifted and wrapped her arms around Connie’s neck since he was still on her level and gave him a tight hug just sort of pressing her face to his shoulder for a moment. She realized it was her first time hugging the Tauros! Brenny was usually glued to him making it impossible for anyone else. Hugging him she could feel the muscles in his shoulders and arms and she had a new appreciation for all the hard work he did for them. “You can still use the money to buy them presents from the both of us, okay? I have everything I need right here under this roof. I have people who care about me, and that I care about, and some of the best friends I could ever ask for. Including you.” And there, of all things was a light, friendly peck to the tip of his nose before she pulled away and looked him in the eyes. “You know it’s not said to you nearly often enough but I want to thank you for all the hard work you do both around here and at work. You have a lot of responsibility on your shoulders that most people our age don’t. You’re doing such a good job Connie.”
Connie: He hesitated to say that they should give Cam a visit at some point and see if they couldn't help out in some way. It didn't seem the most opportune moment to assume that Mei was going to stay at all, at this point in time. Life didn't seem to be simple, no matter where one looked or how hard one wanted to believe otherwise. "The body might be able to withstand a lot thrown at it, but there are certain limitations... and they happen so fast," Connie winced. It was most harsh when things were going so well up until the more hurtful events transpired.
He sighed, absently rubbing the back of his neck at the thought of the approach of Christmas, such a confusing and problematic holiday. He still didn't understand the point, outside of a business' perspective perhaps. Of course, Connie would still rather opt not to use Mei's funds... "I don't know how they became so materialistic..." he admitted, "Maybe we could do something else. Go visit someplace as a gift or something. There's plenty of places we could go on foot!" He was trying, really, but even he knew that it would be difficult to find time off during the holiday seasons save for getting fired...
At Mei's deliberation of going downtown later to try to find work, Connie felt an immediate hopefulness that that meant that she was going to stay, at least a little longer -- until she got a foothold. Maybe it would give her time to reconsider. Then the guilt set in; wasn't this what selfishness was, that he was feeling? However, he couldn't deny the logic behind it, "That's true... and it would be a good place to start looking." Wait, what was he saying? It was dangerous down there! "Er, at least let me go with you," he quickly added, "It's not always that safe to head down there by yourself."
Connie had grinned to let Mei know that he wasn't really trying to order her around with his request, but he honestly felt that way. Mei was a friend, a part of this makeshift family, and she shouldn't have to feel the need to leave in order for it to function properly. Of course, when she ultimately decided to stay, Connie momentarily caught himself from hugging her... until she decided to do that very same thing! He was quick to return the embrace, and after a moment, chuckled, "I think Brenny is rubbing off on us." He wasn't sure if either one of them would have jumped at the opportunity like this had the little celebi not done the same unquestioningly time and again for reassurance. "That means more than you think," Connie commented, snickering at the amicable kiss that followed, "Don't underestimate your own skills, either. You're indispensable -- as family and a best friend both!" Amusing as it was, Connie felt neither one of them could take praise unless they offered the same back. It was a good thing that it was also just as obvious how sincere one another was being about it!
Mei: His wince did worry her, but when he didn’t elaborate, she didn’t push it either. Merely hugged him a little tighter to offer comfort and affection and understanding. “I like the idea of visiting somewhere. There are people out there who aren’t as lucky as we are. We have a home, and most of all one another.” And here she brightened. “Maybe…we can take the money to one of the places that helps those who have no where to go. Then we’ll be giving a whole lot of people help and a gift….and I’m sure Brenny will like helping a lot of people to make sure they’re fed and all.”
She gave him a nod of understanding and smiled. “Alright Connie, one time when you have the time we can go down there so you don’t worry about me, and see what I can find….but I’ll stay. I’ll continue to work hard around the apartment so it’s clean and cheery all the time.” It was the least she could do. “Brenny ‘s penchant for hugging rubbing off on us isn’t such a bad thing I don’t think.” She reached for the apples then and held one out to him. “Before these get all icky we should have our snack hm? And don’t worry about me going anywhere. I’ll stay for a good long time still Connie. What would you three do without me anyhow?” she grinned and reached for a slice of her own and popped it into her mouth. This was her home, and where she belonged and nothing was going to change that fact!
Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2013 10:14 pm
Bounce! (Eliot is taught Bounce by Mei)
Mei: Mei had been thinking lately, and it centered around Eliot. She herself was well versed in a lot of various martial arts, but she knew that was due to her pokemon type...and it left her studying what Eliot could learn that she herself could teach him...and had finally settled on a move. So that day she'd gotten up early, made a light breakfast having learned her way around the kitchen a lot better and able to be of more help. Connie and Brenny were out somewhere so it was just the two of them. Carting the plate into the bedroom she set it on the floor a moment and shook Eliot awake. "Time to eat breakfast! We have a busy morning!"
Eliot: Eliot groaned, turning over in attempt to avoid being shaken awake. "Nnn..." he grumbled, pulling his blanket over his head. "Mei, what is it?" What time was it, anyway? He pulled the blanket away from his face to look at her. His hair was tousled and he was still blury eyed, but now that he was awake, he figured he might as well have breakfast. He slowly sat up, stretched, and studied her. "Mrr... breakfast?" He asked. "Busy morning?"
Mei: "Yup. Busy morning. I've been researching moves that magikarp can learn...and while it's limited there's actually one I can teach you that I know! So I'm going to do that." she beamed at him before leaning in. "It's Bounce! You jump up high and land on someone, and sometimes it leaves them with Paralysis..." and here she gave a smile and held out some berries. "I got these to prepare for that, because you're going to have to practice on me. No butts." she knew he would object, but really what choice was there?
Eliot: Eliot wasn't completely awake, so while Mei spoke, he nodded in agreement. He seemed to draw one thing from the conversation however, and hesitated. His eyes flew open wide. "What? No! I'm not attacking you! Absolutely not!" There was no way he was attacking Mei! She was too special to him. What if he hurt her? Mei: She handed him his plate of food, and perched on the side of the bed, an amused smile on her lips as she tucked the berries back to her pocket. "Who better than me? Eliot, I'm a fighting type pokemon, and you know I used to go practice all the time. This, this is nothing, and the berries will fix any problems either of us get affected with while practicing. Besides, who else is there for you to practice on?"
Eliot: Eliot grumbled as he ate, frowning. "Mei, I don't want you getting hurt," he said, concerned. It didn't matter if she was a fighting type. He was in love with her: the very idea of inflicting an injury on her made him feel slightly ill. "I know you did. But when you practiced, it wasn't me hurting you."
Mei: "Well we don't have anyone else for you to practice on I'm afraid to say. Even if Brenny was here, you and I both know that wouldn't be a good idea practicing on him, though yes I'm aware you'd prefer him to me." she took a bite of her toast then, and then jumped back to her feet and came back with some juice for them. "We'll go outside when we're done and do some stretches and I'll start teaching you how to do it. We'll figure out the practical application portion after that."
Eliot: "Fine," he grumbled. If Mei said it that way, he guess he didn't have a choice. He finished his toast, and when Mei brought the juice in, he took and sipped at it. "As long as it doesn't hurt you too badly... You're not weak to the move, are you?" He fretted. "How do I learn it, anyway?"
Mei: Oh look at her avoid his question about her being weak to it for a few moments as she finished her own breakfast, and let out a slight sigh. "I am, actually. It's a flying type move. You however will only take normal damage. And that's why I have all these berries." she gave him a sheepish sort of smile. "Well, we're going to go outside and I'll teach it to you there. You should be able to learn if if I teach you, you know like when we all helped you figure out walking and all."
Eliot: Eliot stiffened. He glanced at her fretfully. He didn't want to use a move on her that would injure her. Especially now that he knew she was weak against it. He wished Brenny was there. The celebi might not have liked being practiced on, but it was a better option than hurting Mei. "I suppose there's no choice," he muttered. "You're determined to teach it to me, huh?"
Mei: "I am yeah. Just seems like a good idea for you to know a few basic moves is all Eliot. You hear Connie talking about how dangerous it can be around the city at times, and I just want to make sure you can keep yourself safe." worried about herself? Far from! She knew she could handle herself well enough.
"Alright enough chit-chat! Lets go."
Eliot: "Alright," Eliot said, finishing his juice and standing up. He took their plates and glasses into the kitchen. "Let's get this started, then," he said, placing them in the sink. He'd wash them afterward. "I suppose I could use it to protect you one day," he mused. "I'd like to be able to."
Mei: Mei chuckled and couldn't help but ruffle his messy bed head a moment and snagged their coats since it was a little chilly outside. She led the way to the little grassy area near the apartment building they lived in and clasped her fingers together cracking them slightly and grinned. "Honestly this should be pretty easy to teach you. You're just supposed to jump really high...and come down hard on someone." she took her coat off since she had long sleeves on and used that as her example...jumping up high and crashing down on her coat.
Eliot: Eliot followed Mei reluctantly. He really didn't want to hurt her, and now that she'd admitted she was weak to it, he was hesitant to use it against her. "I'll try," he said, watching her use the move. It looked impressive! Far more than that wriggle move he knew, which had no affect whatsoever. He mimicked Mei and jumped into the air, landing on the grass in front of him. "Like that?" Mei: "Yeah! Try it again, but land on the coat to sort of mimic using it on someone. Best I can come up with since I know you don't want to risk hurting me." she was trying to be accommodating! She showed the move again, and was about to say something when she heard a derisive laugh and a snort of "Look...she thinks she can teach. Who'd want to learn anything from such a strange looking girl?" "An equally weird looking boy that's who!" there was two boys a little older than the two of them standing there laughing at the two of them and it made Mei so made she stomped up to one and narrowed her eyes.
"If you have something to say, you say it to me, not at me like the coward you apparently are!" she waited and when she got no reply she turned around rolling her eyes. "Forget them Eliot, they're just idio-" her words were cut off as the larger of the two boys suddenly shoved Mei hard with a sneer, smirking as she fell on the side walk and rolled onto the grass a little.
She sat up quicker than he expected, looking angrier than she ever had and went to stand up, only to fall back to the grass with a cry of pain, her hand going to ankle, only to make her wince again. She'd twisted her ankle, and scraped her hand in the fall. Mei didn't realize she also had a scrape on the cheek either. Instead she was glaring daggers at the kid, preparing a move, that didn't require her to move, to use it!
Eliot: Eliot was about to try again, landing on the coat, when he heard voices he didn't recognize. He whipped around, glaring at the two. "Want to see something stranger looking?" He growled, moving towards them. He might have been younger than them, and shorter than them, but they were insulting Mei! He was too slow to act, though, as the larger of the boys shoved Mei to the ground. She was hurt! His Mei was hurt! He leapt into the air, landing, hard on the boy who'd shoved her. "Never. Touch. My. Girl!" He ground out through grit teeth. "Leave! Before I call the cops!"
Mei: Mei was actually surprised to see Eliot there, and performing the move with such perfection! She was wide eyed with surprise and admiration for his excellent execution and clapped her hands together only to yelp at the sting as she did so, looking back down at her sore hand as the other boy helped up his rather unmoving friend, and she did the only proper thing and threw a berry at him. “Make your friend eat that it’ll help.” She muttered under her breath about how she wished it’d help his attitude as she finished checking her ankle. “Well…it’s just twisted. That’s not so bad right?” she looked up at Eliot with a bright smile. “Thank you for defending me.”
Eliot: Eliot took her uninjured hand, and moved to help her up. "You're alright?" He asked. He fretted over her, hesitated, and bent down to pick her up. His arms shook under her weight, but the apartment wasn't far away. He took her inside and set her on the couch. "Of course," he said. "I'll always protect you, Mei."
Mei: She was surprised he was able to lift her, she wasn’t light for her size, and knew she was on the muscular side from all her training! Her arms wrapped around his neck as he carried her in though, and she kissed his cheek as he set her down. “You’ve gotten so strong…wow…” she looked up at him with wide eyes, a smile on her face. “Well you’ve just shown me you certainly can protect me. Guess it’s a good thing I taught you that move.” And here she did laugh softly, then looked down at her hand. “If you get me a damp wash cloth I can clean my hand up. It’s not too bad.”
Eliot: "I've been swimming a lot," Eliot explained with a smile. "I was surprised at first, its a lot different, swimming as a person than it is swimming as a fish. They use their arms a lot." He hesitated, blushing when she kissed his cheek. "I love you, Mei. I'll take care of you, when you can't. I know you'd do the same for me." He went to fetch a washcloth from the kitchen, then get it wet. He brought it out to Mei. "Here! You sure you're okay?"
Mei: “Ooooh that would do it. Swimming is a great way to work out!” she beamed as she took the cloth and carefully cleaned up her hand, and then her face. “I love you too Eliot, and of course I’d take care of you if you couldn’t.” she smiled up at him then. “I’ll be okay if I rest just a little bit. My ankle is just sore, but I’ll be okay in awhile.”
Eliot: Eliot smiled, then said, "since you taught me that move, I want to do something for you. Want to come swimming with me?" He asked. "Next time I go? I know you weren't very confident about swimming when we first met. We can go for fun!"
Mei: “I’m still not great at swimming…but I’m sure with you helping me, I’ll get better at it, so that sounds like it’d be fun. But where are you swimming that it’s not really cold right now?” couldn’t be the lake she didn’t figure! “How often do you go swimming anyhow?”
Eliot: "There's an indoor community pool at the recreation center," he said with a smile, "with a slide and shallow parts where people learn to swim or just play in if they don't feel like going on the deep end." He paused, and grinned, "Every day! If I can. They're closed on holidays so I'll have to bathe on Christmas. I don't like feeling all dried out."
Mei: “Well I don’t know about tomorrow, my hand and face might sting…but maybe the day after Christmas I’ll be okay to go with you.” She didn’t want to have the scrapes stinging after all! “Sounds like fun there though.” It did! She yawned lightly and propped her ankle up carefully for the time being. At least it wouldn’t take long to mend.
