twostringsonebow

Probably. Guess I've got a knack for being dramatic.

[Knock yourself out, Goro. It's full of information on a bunch of Pokémon, both Silver's and otherwise- and man are there a bunch in there- but the information's disjointed. Some are missing names, others descriptions.

The real fun starts if Goro points it at Sneasel- it'll bring Sneasel's information right up, as well as his health, status... There seems like there's a section for moves, but it's also blank. Memory stuff is inconvenient like that.]

I know it's different with people not on the app. That was you for a while, remember?

[This is amazingly on par with modern technology, wow. He glances through it with genuine interest, checking out some of the nameless ones. Oooh.]

Yes, I remember. I like it much more now, now that I can appreciate it.

[I wonder if I was jerks to a stop above his head, grip tightening on the Pokédex.]

[Yeah, you better appreciate... It...

Silver stares at him for a moment before it clicks; he's remembering something, isn't he? The problem is that there's very little that would make for a good memory out of what they just talked about. Sneasel doesn't know what's going on, exactly, but heads over to Goro's side anyway.]

Goro?

[Buddy?]

[For all he is, Goro isn't someone who cries easily -- not anymore, anyway, and there's a sharp inhale of breath that marks it before he's ducking his head away, shuddering. His thoughts are much more helpful.

She's dead? Mom-- Mom's dead? No, not my mom, his--

Just like Silver, unwanted, unloved, that's what he--]

I'm okay, [but his cracked voice says the opposite, even if he's wiping at his face and trying to even his breathes.] Sorry. Sorry, I-- I'm fine.

[Silver pauses, not quite understanding what's going on at first, but- he's alone, isn't he? Goro's said that he doesn't want that lonely feeling, is that why?]

Goro.

[But that's just in his memories, isn't it? His mom-]

Go home. Go see your mom.

I know she's fine, Silver, she didn't--

[die because of me, unspoken, loudly thought, darkness billowing around the words. His next breath is a shudder too, hands pressed to keep pressure behind his eyes.]

... I think I should, though. It... might be good to lie down for a while.

...I'll come with you. Come on.

[Whatever happened, it's not your fault. Maybe that's an overly optimistic thing to believe, but who cares? Goro wouldn't do something like that. It's that simple.]

[What faith... well-placed faith, admittedly, but faith nonetheless; he wobbles when he stands, legs feeling like they're both to give under him, but he manages to hold himself up.]

... Thank you. [For the thought, for the offer.] I'm sure my mother wants to finally meet one of my friends anyway. Even if that person is you.

[See? Normal. Totally fine, even if... it's lacking his usual teasing tone, more distant.]

Don't worry, I'll tell her all about how much trouble we get into.

[Maybe a little gentle ribbing is what he needs right now.]

She wouldn't believe you.

[.......]

Probably. I wasn't exactly an angel when I was a child.

You used to be fun?

[The air is heavy, but even then, he has to hear this.]

Not a day in my life. The other children simply played too rough... or so I always told her.

[... This is not something he's really talked about before; he's told Akira a bit about how he wasn't the most popular child in class, about why that was, but this is a different aspect of that. Goro slides his hands in his pockets, eyes flicking downwards with a small, rueful smile.]

It would've been better if I'd simply kept my head down the way I generally do now when faced with confrontation of the same aggressive sort, but unfortunately I was a bit of a brat. I'd antagonize them right back by being better in every way, acting as if I had no idea why they disliked me so, and the more the teachers loved me the worse the play became. Thankfully, we moved before anything terrifying happened, but... I wasn't well-behaved, I wasn't particularly friendly, I simply lashed out the ways I knew how.

[That's what you get for looking down at people, jackass.

Or that's Silver's gut reaction, at any rate; he has to stop and let what Goro's saying really soak before it really hits him.

I simply lashed out in the ways I knew how... Shit, why the hell does this keep happening?]

Don't put your head down. If anyone messes with you, I'll make them regret it.

[That's easier than sharing details of his own history.]

Unless it's Liz or Akira. They're allowed to bully you as much as they want.

[The first is something he knows, okay. Silver's spoken words give him pause though and he chuckles lightly; it's not all natural, but it's not entirely fake either.]

Thank you, Silver, but you shouldn't bother yourself with my matters like that. I'm certain such childish acts won't continue into college.

[... Probably?? There might be some people who coerce him into doing their homework for him, but he's more likely just to be paid for being a high scorer.]

[...He's quiet for a moment. His thought bubble has strayed from text and dissolved into little frustrated squiggly lines.]

Take me seriously.

[Take him--]

What makes you think I'm not?

[You're my friend. I'm going to look out for you. Don't make it more complicated than that.]

Even if that stuff doesn't persist through high school, that doesn't mean that no one's ever gonna give you trouble.

[There's retail customers.]

[Goro stays quiet a moment, then breathes softly.]

Alright. I'm trusting you to have my back then, Silver, and I'll have yours in return. Should you require anything of me, should anyone give you trouble, just say the word.

[... That sounds too cool and too personal, so he adds on:]

I'll give them a passive-aggressive lecture they won't forget.

[...You know, he believes it. But at the same time-]

Come on, you had a good thing going there. You could have added some cool line about making them disappear and be done with it.

[... This beat in conversation goes on a little longer than before, thoughts ticking back to July: "I managed to dispose of any who got in my way. Though it took some time for me to finally do so..." Just what am I -- is he involved in?]

I think you would've laughed if I said that. [Airy and casual, not a problem here, look at that smile.] I might as well tell the truth.

[...That Goro from his memories is pretty intense. It's difficult not to look up, really, and the fact that what he said was obviously not the right thing to say just makes everything all the more difficult.]

The passive-aggressive thing suits you better.

[Talk about a guy who can say one thing and think the complete opposite.]

[Goro's blessedly keeping his eyes to himself -- or rather, to the hands cupped in front of him.]

Doesn't it? Though I think I'd get more aggressive if my friends were in some kind of danger... I've found a certain thrill in fighting over last month.

You could have figured this out years ago if you just punched back.

[...It's not nearly as thrilling as the life or death stuff, but that's not the point.]

Perhaps. But I knew I would lose then. Now... I'm strong enough to conquer anything.

[... Except his own feelings. There's a certain tone he has when he says that though, an excited quiver to his voice, gleeful in a way that Silver probably hasn't seen before.]

[...He stops in his tracks and puts his hands on Goro's shoulders. This is different, and it's different in a good way, but really, what the hell is he supposed to say to that, other than-]

Then hit me.

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