smashacademy | [006G

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[Video feed shows a pot of gracidea flowers upon an otherwise empty windowsill. And no green-haired willowy girl in sight, but she can at least heard.]

I think it's a little interesting how something can be gone and consequently missing, and yet sometimes it can still be present. I planted these with Professor Cyrus almost two years ago. These flowers, I mean. And I remember the day that I did vividly, because it was one of those times that we were arguing.

We don't really ever forget the people we crossed paths with, I guess, even when we want to. After all, there are things I want to forget too. But I'm beginning to think that I'm going about it the wrong way. Instead of wanting to escape a past, or to pretend people from the past don't exist, I think I should at least be embracing the time I spent with them while they were here.

[It doesn't take a genius to put together that she means both Sonny and Cyrus when she speaks. Except those who didn't know either.]

It's better to be thankful than it is to be held back. Smash Academy, can you tell me what you're thankful for? It doesn't have to be a person. It can be a thing, an ideal, a belief - whatever you want. I'm simply curious.

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[Vinnie observed her silence with a solemness of his own. It made the weight of her words that much heavier when they came, and he could only wonder what she was thinking, feeling, and what she held back in between them. She, who was always quick to console the Venusaur from that feeling of loneliness and remind him of the people who cared... with Sonny gone, and with this professor, did she have anyone?

If there was no one in Hoenn to return to, and no trainer at the school, did she have... anyone?]

It's al'right.

You can tell me if it's not my place, but... Sonny can't be here t'fix his mistakes. So it's my responsibility as his older brother.

[He tried to muster a smile.] You're still like family, in my eyes.

[If he had said it, his thoughts, she would have denied it all vehemently, no matter how accurate it was. But Voile had decided sometime after Sonny departed that she wouldn't throw in her trust so easily. She would be as she ever was, nurturing, kind, and compassionate, but she could not - would not - put herself in another situation where she would only suffer for it.

Or perhaps she would, if for the benefit of another.]

Do I think it fair to condemn a man for an action he did not commit? No. But do I think it fair for me to tell you what you can and cannot do? Of course not.

[Her head tipped and she gave him a very light smile.] I suppose as family, I'd best not cause you too much trouble then.

[On the other hand, it mattered little to Vinnie how much of her trust he actually had. That was something out of his control, and for that, there was nothing to be done except to move forward and act with that stubborn sense of integrity he'd long bound himself to. He'd protect even those who didn't want protection - it simply wasn't in him to look away.]

Family condemns in a ton've ways, but not all of them are bad. It's a fulltime job.

I would rather you did not view me as a job.

[It was very simply said. Direct, and to the point. No room for misinterpretations, as fond of those as Voile seemed to be at times.]

Job's just a word. It means something I'm committed to... something I absolutely have to do. Cuz in my gut, it's not something I can turn away from, and I couldn't call myself a man if I did.

I don't know what other word fits, but my job as a Venusaur and a big brother means the entire world t'me. I've never wanted anything else.

[Voile took it in stride and she nodded.]

I hear you. I understand you. And in my time of observing you, you certainly are all you attempt to be. Your family is fortunate to have a man like you in it. Protective, strong, caring, and the backbone, I think.

[She tapped at her chin thoughtfully.] I was very young when I left my family. I do not remember my siblings well or my parents. So it is nice to see a family that works well together.

Edited (MISSING WORDS.) 2012-10-30 17:19 (UTC)

Well, every family has its moments. An' I've been the cause of some've those rough patches myself, so... [He shrugged.] I attempt t'be all I attempt t'be, that's all.

...Do you have anyone you'd call family, yourself?

[She smiled, trying to picture Vinnie causing any rough patches. Somehow, she found that difficult to believe.

Then she paused as she considered it. Knuckles was a close friend. Sonny was as close to a boyfriend as she ever got. Brendan was someone very important to her. And she had wanted to save Cyrus.

And she had longed to be human so she could be at the side of her trainer. Yet none of those were family.]

No. Do I seem as though I need something of that nature?

[And yet not so difficult for him to cause, to his great regret.

Vinnie mulled on his thoughts for a moment before replying. There was obviously a lot about being a Psychic that he couldn't know, so maybe he shouldn't have been trying to apply his standards onto her.]

I'm not gonna assume anything 'bout what you need out of your relationships. I just don't know how t'imagine not having family...

With my Garden and my team, I guess I've got two.

[Voile nodded slowly with some consideration. It would be nice to b honest with someone for once, rather than to constantly hide herself away. She had always been the sort to focus on others, which was an admirable idea, but forgetting herself willfully in the process was only detrimental to her.

For if she admitted that not only was she accustomed to being alone, but that she didn't know how to live in any other fashion, she couldn't deny that she thought it a bit outrageously pathetic.]

It is in my nature to think less of myself and my standing. [She tapped at her chin with some thought.] A bad habit I carry to extremes, I think. It's much easier for me to think about you, then it is for me to think about myself. Family is something that crosses my mind occasionally, but I've...

[She paused.] ...I shouldn't say more on that. I am meant to think more of others.

[In a sense, Vinnie could definitely empathize with the urge to put the needs of others before his own, but those others have always overlapped generously with his definition of family. Everything in the world was tied together, he was taught at Sprout Tower - everything came from the same source. Considering the fellowship he felt from even a single wildflower, it wasn't much of a stretch for him to adopt anyone under that bond. Of course, there were some family members that were naturally dearer than others, but everyone of nature belonged within her all-emcompassing cycle.]

From what I've gathered, it's just as important t'know how to care for yourself, 'long with everyone else. It's one thing t'put others first, another to... empty yourself?

[He had a rather worried expression on his face as he added:] If they knew, it wouldn't make anyone happy. That's just how I feel.

[She sat on his words with some thought, unsure of how to even interpret his words or what to address first. Voile knew how to care for herself. But did she? Was it simply the fact that she declined from doing so? That she might have willingly subjected herself to the only life that she knew? How could she know what was truly in her nature?

Voile kept his eyes for a few moments and she looked aside momentarily.]

I am hardly empty. I think I am more full than most here. If I were empty, I could not care for others the way that I do.

[Then she looked back to him.] Do you think I am empty?

[He scratched his head, fumbling with the semantics of words and how to express what little he could of what he learned from the indescribable, green vastness he felt.]

I don't mean empty like you've got no substance. You feel, an' you're definitely strong.

But if you're giving' yourself to others all the time, I just wanna know you have somethin' left for you.

[Or if, indeed, she felt like there was something missing.]

Something left for me.

[An intriguing thing to say at the very least. Not something she knew how to elaborate on. At one point in time, perhaps she had used her contests to fill her in.]

I have a sense of fulfillment left for me. To know that I am useful and not simply a pretty face in a place where pretty faces are all about me. To know that I am more than just one star in a night sky of glowing stars. If I can end my day knowing that I still stand out and yet... make a good difference for others, I would consider that something left for me.

[But she was uncertain and it showed. A hand lifted and tapped at her chin as she gave a slight frown, wondering if she sounded as though she used others to replace the emptiness in her. For as much as she hadn't wanted to admit he was right, and for as much as she felt what others did, she didn't feel much for herself.]

[Vinnie listened carefully, and tried to infer what he could. Voile wanted fulfilment, recognition... she wanted to be remembered by someone - all reasonable things, on their own. But she was frowning, dissatisfied by something in her words.

There were times, the Venusaur mused, when words really weren't sufficient for much. He wasn't fully sure how close he was to the mark, nor did he want to push the Gardevoir to say anything she wasn't comfortable with because of his personal observations. Perhaps it was best just to leave the introspective probing for now.]

Just s'long as you're happy, V. Okay?

[The name he gave her held an odd sweetness about it. 'V.'

Her attention turned onto him fully and once more she found herself thinking on his words. It wasn't quite easy or possible to immediately define happiness, or her own.]

If I may... [She paused for a few moments as she tried to put her words back together.] ...Sometime it would be nice to go somewhere where there aren't a lot of people. Someplace quiet. Someplace peaceful.

[Vinnie tilted his head, sorting through his head for someplace adequate to suggest. Yet somehow, he's missing the obvious part where she's talking about going together.]

There's probably plenty've places if you wanna be alone for a bit - I get that feeling sometimes.

Indoors or outdoors? If it's outdoors, I usually just hike up t'the furtherest stretch of forest I can find. Dunno if that's your thing.

[She paused as she listened and after a moment, she chuckled. Perhaps that was a sign that she shouldn't have been barking up the tree.]

...That wasn't what I meant.

[But... you just said you wanted to go somewhere quiet, without a lot of people. There were only so many things that could mean. What did you mean...???]

Uh, so what'd you mean?

I meant.

[She bit into her lower lip with some thought.]

That I'd like to go somewhere like that with you.

[But... you just said... not a lot of people...

???]

. . .

...Huh? Sure?

[Voile thought for a few moments longer.]

Because of... my nature, I appear to not only pick up the sentiments of others, but I also experience them. So when there are many people around me, it is a little overwhelming and it is difficult for me to think as well as I would like to.

[Tapping at her chin, she continued.]

But a few people is all right. I understand it would be a little odd to be alone with me, however. We do not have to.

[Oh! This made so much more sense. Okay. The bewilderment left his face and he quickly corrected himself.]

I don't mind! I think... I'd like that, actually.

There's a meadow near the mountain trail that's nice an' quiet. Not much t'see now that fall's endin', but the view's not bad if you're willing.

[She took a few moments to think over what he said and her expression relaxed into a light smile. Lifting a hand to carefully brush away the pink tinting her pale cheeks, she looked aside momentarily.]

I think that sounds really wonderful. I would love that, Vinnie. When would you like to go?

This week? Before it gets any colder, anyway. [Not that he personally minded the cold - Mt. Silver living, and all. It just meant more layers.]

I'll bring some hot tea an' berries.

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