[185 and 186] The miles are getting longer, it seems, the closer I get to you [OPEN]

[bastionpc]

Who: Everyone!
Open: Open!
When: Day 185 and 186
Where: Skyway
What: Six new locations, two days in a row.
Format: Any
Warnings: N/A

[Once more, it's gone quiet, but over days 185 and 186, Zayna and Zulf  find six more locations.

And among those locations, one that's familiar to Zulf himself...]

Comments

[gianthobo]

[AZ just sighs, taking a few steps closer. He reaches his hand out towards N, making sure he's not crowding Zebstrika.]

We care about you, N. I just wish that you could believe it yourself.

[freedom_engineer]

[Colin is busily searching. Don't worry Woobat, if something DOES start causing the castle to crumble, he's going to protect that egg. Where is it, though? Hidden? In a box? What box? He mutters quietly]

If I were an egg in a box, where would I be hiding?

The toybox, maybe?

[Yes, he talks to himself frequently.]

[unwrittenformula]

[Woobat will lead the way! She flutters down from the ramp, perching on the edge of one of the boxes. It's almost impossible to see, but there is a slightly off white something buried in there that looks out of place.

Meanwhile N wants nothing to do with that offered hand, and he recoils with his hands coming up to dig in his hair, the tears that had been lacking before coming down his face full force now.]

Don't lie to me... ! No one cares about me! No one can love a freak without a heart!

[gianthobo]

I have no reason to lie to you. And you do have a heart. The fact that there are people and Pokemon you care about proves it.

[As long as Zebstrika doesn't stop him, he moves to wrap his arms around N gently. Shh. He's here.]

[freedom_engineer]

[Ah HA! There it is... colin moves to check the box in the pile... and, is that? It is! One egg, as promised!]

You are the best, Woobat. I'll take care of this little one for you.

Great job, you're a lifesaver. Be proud of yourself.

[He lifts the egg carefully, and he cradles it protectively, looking towards N and AZ now.]

[unwrittenformula]

[Woobat ruffled a bit at that, but in a good way. If Colin was willing to go that far to save an egg, then he was alright in her book.

But that left the mess happening on the other side of the ramp, and she couldn't help but look over there worriedly.]

Woo...

[N didn't want to be hugged. He didn't want to be told it was going to be alright. He didn't want anything except to be left alone in his ruins.

But he couldn't fight AZ off, and within seconds he had broken down in to choking, terrible sobs. Zebstrika sighed and pawed at the ground.

You really are hopeless...]

[gianthobo]

[AZ just rubs N's back gently, trying to calm him down.]

You have a good heart, N. You just need to know how to use it with people as well as Pokemon.

[freedom_engineer]

I know, Woobat. I know.

N's had a bad time of things even before all of this happened. Now... it's taking its toll on him.

We're here for him, but we can only do so much, and only if he lets us.

[He gives her a look, and smiles at her reassuringly.]

When you're comfortable with me, I would like to pet you. I'm in no rush, though. Whenever, if ever, you're ready.

[unwrittenformula]

[Woobat would rather be with N, but Colin has shown that he clearly cares for Pokemon enough to not leave an egg abandoned. She hovered closer to him. Pets would be acceptable.

Meanwhile N was in a full on breakdown now, sobbing and mumbling incoherently. He wasn't pushing AZ away anymore, but he was still stiff and trembling in that embrace. Zebstrika snorted and pawed at the ground again, looking away as if this entire display was too embarrassing to look at.

He's right you know. I mean, I don't like you or anything, but you're important to my trainer and she'd probably say the same thing!]

[gianthobo]

[He keeps stroking the boy's back, moving in little circles to try to comfort him.]

It's okay. You're here, and you're safe with us. You're going to be okay. I promise I'll do everything I can to help. And it's okay to let things out. Take as long as you need.

[freedom_engineer]

[Colin reaches up to gently scratch Woobat's back between her wings, watching N and AZ. He gives a nod towards them, and approaches, stopping next to Golurk at first.]

How're they doing, you think?

[unwrittenformula]

Woo...

[Woobat follows after being scratched pleasantly, coming to rest on Colin's shoulder.

As for how they're doing?

Well... N certainly won't be okay after this, but it's better than him trying to fight his friends in order to be left alone.]