PMA RP: Comfort Zone (Valor and Keyah) pt 1

    Valor waited until he heard Cassandra close their line first, before shoving his phone away, and hissing out his irritation into the winter air. That was not how he wanted to resolve their discussion.

    

    It was early evening, and Valor had paced himself in his human form and winter outfit towards the edge of Snowbelle City and outside the Wandering Woods, looking to find some space to himself. Even then he was aware of the heavy damage and unanswered questions left by the raiding Shadow pokemon, that had attacked everyone at the festival in Pokemon Village only days ago. And with this in mind, Valor had not been pleased by Cassandra’s proposal for both her and his girlfriend, Charity, to arrive near Pokemon Village to visit him and help assist with the clean-up effort.

    

    Over the phone line, Valor had vehemently insisted for them not to come -- that the area near Pokemon Village was not safe, that there were reports of missing pokemon following the incident, and that other Shadow pokemon were likely roaming nearby. But for all his reasons for them to not endanger themselves, he had a harder time arguing against their capabilities and their concern for him and the others, or articulating why he was feeling so insistent. When they remained at an impasse, the three pokehumans agreed to talk later after tensions had calmed down. But Valor was still frustrated that this issue was even up for any discussion.

    

    Not wanting to return to the pokemon center yet, Valor leaned his back against a nearby tree -- staying fully alert and on guard to what might be around, but looking at nothing in particular. He took care to avoid pressing his weight against the large bruise on his left shoulder and nape, which ached more than the sting he received from the Shadow Beedrill on his opposite side. Both injuries, and his other minor cuts and bruises from the ambush, were healing considerably. But while he paid them less mind, he lingered over his thoughts over the phone call, and the past days’ events, feeling doubtful that merely some time would help him calm down anytime soon.

    

    ---

    

    Keyah wasn't sure if she was furious or disappointed as she stumbled out into the cold, hugging her coat around herself tightly. Surely aunty Fern wouldn't mind if she borrowed it for just a bit? It was warmer than her own and much thicker, and she had a Gallade to find. Keyah didn't quite understand why Valor was having such trouble expressing himself after what had all happened, but the sharp, persisting ache at her back served as reminder enough to all the chaos that had transpired over the last couple days.

    

    Neither Eilam, Reus, nor Fern or Ryker seemed keen on expanding on what had happened exactly, and Allie was so teeth chatteringly on edge that even being around him for minutes on end was enough to send her stomach into a nosedive. She had felt similar notes of panic and discord around Valor when he had visited, but he hadn't been keen to share, either. And after what she had seen on twitter..

    

    It was easier than she had expected to pick him out amongst the other unfamiliar auras. He was out there, brooding and surly amongst all the confusion and panic she could possibly handle sensing all at once and she felt something that could possibly be anger. Who did he think he was trying to act as though he could shoulder everything on his own. She blipped herself out of the house, narrowly avoiding her aunt as she landed in the snow just outside the building with a yelp.

    

    It was cold, almost unnecessarily so.

    

    Bundling up further in her coat she focused on the Gallade’s aura, he was a little pinprick off on the perimeter but if she was lucky, she’d be able to pull this off. If not, well, she’d at least hopefully be able to get close? Steeling herself, she blipped again, disappearing in a poof of snow.

    

    And landed on his head. “vALOR-”

    

    ----

    

    Few things caught Valor off guard when he was on full alert, but he did NOT notice the oncoming presence until it appeared right over him. And just at he heard his name called did he feel something land against his head.

    

    The blow surprised him more than anything, but was still enough force to have him flinch, then stagger forward towards the ground. He managed to catch himself on his arms midfall -- sending a slight ache through his shoulder as he did. He nonetheless lost his grip in soft snow, and quickly slid down until his chin, arms, and most of his front was layered on top of the snow.

    

    Uncomfortably cold as the ice was, the more pressing matter was the weight on his head and back, which was more… “plush” than he expected from it’s size. His instincts might have normally mistaken it for a potential threat, especially given the current state of the area. But the presence, he could now sense, was unmistakably familiar, as was the voice that he barely caught before his fall.

    

    “Achhh… Keyah?” Valor managed to groan, after leaning up slightly and brushing away the snow from his face. He was sure it was her though, and was was about to question how she even arrived, but quickly remembered that the kirlia knew Teleport. Instead he held his thoughts as he lifted himself and pulled his legs under him, then sat up slowly in the snow, waiting for the girl to slide off his back, and ignoring the snow on his front for the moment. When he was sure she was off, he pivoted around and kneeled in the snow to face her.

    

    “Are you alright...? Why did you come here?” There was clear concern in his tone, but his questions were oddly stilted. He pressed aside his prior mood for a moment and glanced her over to make sure she didn’t get hurt during the fall -- or more so than what she received during the incident, as he knew she had been in the middle of it too -- but it was hard to tell with the thick jacket she wore. Valor waited for her to answer him before he asked her anything further.

    

    ---

    

    Keyah rolled to her knees, taking a moment to grimace in pain as the stabbing pain began to wane somewhat from her unexpected fall. She hadn't.. Expected to quite land where she did but at least she got his attention? something like that. The teen did her best to dust the snow off her front, breath coming out in strained gasps as her movements pulled at the stinger wounds hidden by her clothes and her aunts jacket.

    

    "I'm fine but-" The kirlia frowned at him, brow furrowed. Something was off, she knew that much, she could tell that much when he and Miss Cass were first tweeting but it was even more apparent now that she was facing the older pokemon in person.

    

    "...You know I can still tell how you're feeling, right?"

    

    Gripping at her skirt she fidgeted, keeping her gaze averted to the floor as she mulled over her thoughts. Reading emotions was invasive, she knew that from how Riko would react to her at times but it was also hard for her to ignore when people needed the truth told to them! Why do people always lie to her when they knew she could tell? Still staring at the ground, she couldn't help but mumble- he was older than her, after all, and she was sort of disobeying the ground rules that were set up to keep her and the others safe.. "I came because I'm worried.."

    

    --

    

    Valor also took the time to finally brush off the snow that covered the front of his jacket, but kept his focus on the other. He noticed her slight grimace but brushed it off when she confirmed she was fine. Then he blinked, hearing her remind him that she could tell what he was feeling.

    

    “...I’m aware of that,” he said, eyeing her even as she averted her gaze. Valor knew that as a Kirlia, Keyah was highly sensitive to others’ emotions. He knew that their shared evolutionary line was empathetic by nature, having his fair share of similar experiences with Charity. And he understood that she couldn’t avoid noticing his mood, that it was hard for her to ignore.

    

    But it didn't change the fact that Valor wasn’t fond of others reading any part of his internal feelings, including his guarded emotions; it made him feel vulnerable, much more than he’d like to admit. He normally tolerated this from Keyah, as her perceptions were never of ill intent. But in his current state of mind he couldn’t help but feel immediately defensive for her pointing out his mood, and for her haphazard attempt to come to him and figure out what was wrong. He half wondered if she was even given permission to come outside to find him at this time… but as they were safe for the moment, he focused on forming his response.

    

    “You didn’t have to come.” He realized how blunt he sounded after the fact, and he continued with a bit more care, but in a similar tone. “I went offline for a reason, Keyah: So that you wouldn’t have to worry about what was on my mind. So I could work out my own feelings on my own.”

    

    Valor didn’t wait for her response before deciding that kneeling in the snow was less than comfortable. He used the time to start lifting himself to stand up, only waiting a moment to see if she needed a hand to stand herself, and offer one if so.

    

    “In any case, I understand that you were concerned. But what I’m feeling right now is my own concern. And not anything you should be worrying about.” He paused there, looking back to her but feeling no inclination to explain himself further.

    

    ---

    

    She flinched, keeping her gaze on the floor as she felt his annoyance roll off him in waves. It was obvious enough he wasn't happy with her, despite his words, but she had come for a reason and no matter how annoyed he may be, she would be heard.

    

    "Not my concern, not what I'm supposed to worry about.." rubbing at her face, she shook her head and hiccuped. "But you're my friend aren't I supposed to worry? All the adults keep telling me not to but.." But it was her team, too- Blaise's team, Uncle Reus, Auntie Fern and Uncle Ryker's team. Her family's team. What had happened to Ursa was bigger than her she understood that but to have everyone tell her it wasn't her place to worry about it..

    

    She pushed herself off the ground shakily, cringing and nearly pitching forward as her movements pulled her in precisely the wrong way, causing her back to scream in protest. Of course she was going to worry! She had seen first hand what happened to the village, what had happened to all the attendees. After all the adults kept trying their hardest to keep her in the dark, how could he even say something like that? She felt a not often fully realized shock of fury shoot through her and balled her hands into fists. "You're not the only one that this hurt, Brother!" hiccuping, she hugged herself and rocked back and forth on her heels, still doing her best to keep her sensory ability to a minimum. "Why am I not supposed to worry about my family when it's clear they're hurting? I want to help too.."

    

    "I know what happened, uncle Gil and uncle Allie and Melly and I were stuck in the dream w-w-with the thing and it attacked and I couldn't.. we had to fight and I-" Could still feel everyone's panic even when she was unconscious. Kicking at the snow with her boots she looked up to lock gazes with him, eyes welling with unshed tears. "it's not just your concern- and I have every right to worry about it and you!"

    

    ---

    

    Valor kept silent for a moment even as she began to respond. In truth he didn’t like being so blunt with Keyah, but it was hard to filter it out when he felt on the defense. He had hoped, at least, that even with her initial protests, she’d understand that he was serious, and then leave him in peace.

    

    Instead, he was was taken aback by her following outburst -- he didn’t expect a reaction like this from her, and directed so strongly towards him. It was further heightened by the fact she called him by his recently earned... nickname? No, the term carried more weight than any nickname. It was a term of endearment and respect, an intent that he recognized even through the sudden outburst.

    

    Valor was not nearly as sensitive to emotions as the smaller kirlia standing before him, but he became fully aware of how upset she really was, as she recalled her own experience with her family, during the attack. He couldn’t deny that he felt a brief pang of sympathy for what she went through. And he also realized how similar her reasons were to those given by Cassandra and Charity… though he hesitated to admit as much.

    

    “That’s not... what I mean. I just...” He struggled to parse his words, feeling awkward about the situation, and not wanting to upset her further. But he still felt that she was misplacing her frustration on him, which did little to temper his own. Despite her junior age to him, he had realized the Kirlia didn’t need as much pandering to, and if she wouldn’t let him be, he’d only concede to clarifying what he meant.

    

    “...You’re my friend too, Keyah. And you have a right to worry... and want to help,” he continued, leveling his gaze with her again, as well as his tone. “But what I’m trying to deal with right now... goes beyond this incident. And beyond what I want anyone else to concern themselves with.”

    

    “I know I’m not the only one hurt… There are enough people hurt by this attack, directly or otherwise. Several others I care about were injured, and are dealing with their own stresses.” He tensed a little, recalling how one Shadow Beedrill had injured his other friend, Haiku, during the attack, and how close nearby she was to him… resisting to fully re-live the spike in his own temper the moment it had happened, and instead moving to cross his arms and shift his stance to quell it down.

    

    “I don’t see a reason to have even more people I care about, risk travelling anywhere near here to see me. Travelling and endangering themselves just because they’re so worried about me.” He emphasized the words with added bitterness, even as his voice had risen a bit. “If it were up to me, this suggestion wouldn’t even be an issue -- wouldn’t even be up to consideration. And the fact that it is, that my family is so hellbent on taking that risk, and that I have to justify why I refuse to change my mind… it’s...”

    

    Valor let himself trail off. He could feel himself getting worked up all over again, and withdrew himself before going further. It was hardly warranted for him to direct that energy towards Keyah, he knew that much. But to continue was to venture into a trail of more solemn feelings, that he didn’t want to uncover, not near her…

    

    “It’s like I said earlier. It’s not something… I want to talk about now.” He glanced to the side. “You say you can feel my emotions, isn’t that enough?”

    

    ---

    

    "I-nO No no no!" Something at the back of her mind snapped and she stamped her foot, sending puffs of snow up into the air. "That's not the point!" Why was he being so /stubborn/? "they want to see you because they're terrified of losing you! why are you being so stupid, ValoR?" the hiccups became sobs and she couldn't help but lash out physically, shoving him a bit.

    

    "You'd already be halfway across the region by now if miss Charity or Miss Cass were in the same position- you should be able to understand!"

    

    Her frame shook as she curled into herself. She had been enduring everyone elses doubts and negative feelings with little more than a peep and the occasional need to head outside, but now as she was trying to get Valor to just listen and sort it for himself.. it was like something had been uncorked. "I hate people who can't be honest with themselves! I hate them..!"

    

    Tears still splashing down her front she shook her head wordlessly, trying to catch her breath as she scrubbed at her cheeks, taking great gulps of air as she attempted to calm herself. Eilam had told her to try and calm herself when everything became too much but she honestly hadn't even caught it this time until it was too late.

    

    It was hard to understand just what it was he was trying to accomplish, it was clear that whatever he didn’t want to talk about was eating at him, but he wouldn’t talk about it. Blaise was the same way, Ryker was the same way. Auntie Fern was.. a whole other level of the same way.

    

    If there was one thing she had retained from her time at the hospital with her father, it was that the only way people could move forward was to accept what had happened, and the amount of people she cared about that just didn’t want to was mind boggling to her, but they didn’t have to lie about it.

    

    crouching down slowly, she buried her face in her knees, not even realizing as she switched to telepathy while she continued crying. “Stop treating me like a little kid stop lying to me!”

    

    ---

    

    To say he was surprised by her next reaction was an understatement. Accusations and being insulted were nothing new to Valor, but they were particularly sharp coming from the kirlia. He barely notice her motion to shove him, shifting a foot back to steady his ground as she pushed against him. Even with the injury at his side, the shove didn’t sting as much as the torrent of words she threw his way, and he hardened his gaze defensively as he watched her.

    

    For a brief moment he was tempted to retort and lash back at her; he felt a line was being crossed even for his level of patience. But he didn’t dare try when she was clearly this upset, and -- from what he could gather -- over something larger than just her frustration with him. Even as she took the time to steady herself, he did the same. Shouting back at her wouldn't solve anything, especially when he knew she made a point. One that was on par with the what Cassandra and Charity had argued.

    

    Valor waited until she was finished speaking, give her the space to kneel down and sob, and gather herself, while he tried to figure out the best approach. He slowed crouched back down until he was kneeling in front of her, and closer to her level.

    

    “...I hear you, Keyah,” he said, projecting his stream of thoughts towards her, with the limited control over telepathy that he could muster. But it was difficult to use telepathy and also figure out his thoughts, and he switched back to spoken words for the moment. “And I’m trying to understand you. But you also have to understand… you can’t force me into sharing every emotion that I’m feeling, or why I’m feeling them, just because you can sense them. It doesn’t work that way.”

    

    He was aware this was probably not what she wanted to hear, but he felt it needed to be emphasized, for what he’d say next.

    

    “I’ve told you before, I’m not as in tune with emotions like you are. Nor do I wear them on my sleeve. But just because I don’t express them, or because won’t say any of it aloud, doesn’t me I don’t feel it. Of course I do. You have to believe that.”

    

    Valor sighed and reached up to rub his temples, struggling with his next personal thoughts.

    

    “...What did you expect me to say to you, when you came here to find me? That I would tell you everything that’d been on my mind since the attack?” He shook his head slowly, even though she couldn’t see the motion. “Did you think I’d admit that -- yes -- were the roles reversed, I’d travel through hell and back to reach them in spite of the same danger? Or admit how frustrated I am because I couldn’t even protect the people I care about -- the one task that I’m supposed to be trained for? Admit that I’m scared about losing them too??”

    

    It took a lot of effort his part to even say the word, and he let out a shaky sigh. Fear, or at least feeling afraid, was not something Valor admitted to lightly -- or really, at all -- if he could help it, but for once he couldn’t think of a better alternative. The Shadow pokemon were formidable, and their presence made him tense, but they were foes that he wouldn't hesitate to counter if he needed. They did not scare him in the same way as the possibility of losing someone close to him -- moreover because he couldn’t keep them safe -- and he struggled not to physically shudder at the thought.

    

    Extending the pause, he realized he didn’t know how to adequately express what he wanted. To make her see why he was struggling with something that evidently seemed straightforward to her. Still watching her, he opted to switch back to telepathy once more.

    

    “I don’t know what more you expect from me. I don’t want to lie to you, or treat you like a kid... but I can't share everything on my mind with you. You have a right to worry about me, and about anyone else you care about. But I have a right to choose what parts of me that I’m willing to share, and I have my own reasons for it.” Reasons that he was determined not to divulge here; they were too personal, and didn’t seem relevant anyway. “So do other people, and so do you.”

    

    After some hesitation, he reached out his arm to place a hand on her shoulder, not knowing if the gesture would help comfort her or if she’d reject it. At this point he wasn’t sure which to expect, preparing himself either way.

    

    “I can’t share everything, Keyah,” Valor repeated aloud this time, and in a quieter tone. “And I don’t want to upset you more than you already are. I just want you to understand why. What more do you want me to do?”

    

    ---

    

    Keyah continued crying, only somewhat aware that he had even gotten closer to her during their discussion, and was caught completely off guard by the contact of his hand on her shoulder.leaning into him, it wasn't long before keyah had her face pressed against Valor's shoulder, doing her best not to hurt him while simultaneously seeking comfort.

    

    "jus' want people to stop hurting..." it was selfish, really, once the was taken down to its roots. All these people she couldn't do anything for that were both family and friends, and the worst was when they knew what the issue was and she could tell and still there was nothing anyone could do.

    

    still sniffling she moved her hands to grip his back weakly, shaking as her knees hit the ground. "but WHY Valor why can’t people share without worrying why not? I just I just want I dunno why.."

    

    It took a couple moments but she managed to get a hold of her emotions and it wasn’t long until her hysterical sobs became pained breaths. She hadn’t been completely up to snuff before sneaking out of the house and it was even more obvious now that there was probably a reason or another as to why Fern had been keeping close eye on her neice in the first place.

    

    Whimpering, she attempted to shift against him and hiccuped again. “I just... want everything to stop this is too much why does anyone have to hurt?”

    

    ---

    

    Valor let Keyah lean against him, feeling slightly fortunate that he used his uninjured arm to reach out, but not minding either way. There was a brief sense of relief to know she was calming down from before, but it only lasted a moment, as he was aware she was still crying against him. Comforting wasn’t something he was accustomed to, and neither was close contact. But he knew well enough to let her calm down at her own pace, and he didn’t mind acting as her support in the meantime, if it would help.

    

    “...I know you do.”

    

    It was an innocent enough desire, not wanting others to hurt. But it failed to really measure the full scope of those that were affected by the incident. Valor could only guess the pain she was experiencing, if she was able to sense all of of the unfiltered panic and stress. He shifted his hand from her shoulder to hold behind her back as he felt her do the same, being careful not to put too much pressure on the area where she was injured.

    

    “It’s not… an easy task to share deep personal thoughts, Keyah. Even with those you are close with… some thoughts or memories are painful to bring up with yourself, let alone with others. Especially if you're not prepared for the outcome...”

    

    It felt strange to him to recite his thoughts on the matter like this; they felt like something Cassandra or Charity would say. He then realized, with some irony, that they could explain this concept far better than he could, if they were present. Well, at least some of it rubbed off.

    

    “I share what I can of my own thoughts, with people I trust. And I shared… well, a large part of it with you, just now.” He did his best to keep his expression still as he realized the amount of things he let himself vent out moments ago -- not that she could see his face at the moment. “But there are things better left for me to work out myself, than to burden on anyone else...” He’d be lying if he ever said he didn’t have his fair share of uncertainties, his own deep rooted insecurities -- some that even he wasn’t fully aware of. But he did a fair enough job at suppressing them around others.

    

    He leaned himself slightly out of their hug -- but still keeping in place so she could still support herself against him if needed -- and switched back to speaking aloud.

    

    “...I don’t know when it’ll stop, Keyah. I wish I did, but I don’t…” Valor felt bad, not having a clear answer for her, but there was no reason to sugarcoat the truth. This attack wasn’t something that anyone could have foreseen, and for the Pokemon who lived here and the other Pokehumans that were present, he knew it would take a long time for things to return to normalcy. “I don’t think most of us knows why this is happening yet, or why the Shadow pokemon are here.”

    

    “But things will eventually calm down... People will recover and things will settle, and we’ll have a better idea of what happened. But it’s not something that can be rushed, and right now what most people need is time.”

    

    He paused a moment, before adding one last thought.

    

    “Also... everyone has their own ways of coping with pain. You might not agree that it’s the best way, and you can offer your help… but you can also respect how other’s choose to deal with their own hurt, can’t you?” He asked this gently, but with all seriousness intended.

    

    ---

    

    "...y-yeah I can.."She knew he was right, he usually was, in his own way. Nodding stiffly, Keyah hiccuped quietly as she rubbed at her eyes. It.. Was unfair, in the end. to have reacted like that to him- she knew that but still just the last couple days alone had been much more than her emotional threshold knew how to handle.

    

    It had been nauseating, the amount of panic and stress constantly assaulting her senses, and the snap had been long in coming. It was likewise unfair to try and get him to tell her what the problem was, but she did want to help, and he had told her something, even if it was a small amount..

    

    "...But what if they don't calm down?" Her voice was small, unsure. "What if it doesn't stop and happens again?" They didn't know what happened at the party, right? there was no way to prevent what had happened, no way to make sure it wouldn't happen again. "Valor t-t-they didn't.."

    

    Swaying slightly, she shifted away, trying to avoid making eye contact as she continued sniffling. What /did/ she remember about the attack? She was still trying to right herself from the continued barrage of panic and fear she was picking up as they stayed in snowbelle but the last night had her mind feeling oddly fuzzy, like she couldn't focus on anything. "bbut people haven't.. calmed...."

    

    ---

    

    Valor was glad to hear her reply, and that it seemed she was calming down more, though he had the feeling she was still processing much of what he explained. Her next questions confirmed this, but he wasn’t sure how to reply to her at first.

    

    He soon realized she had a point; there wasn’t a way to prevent something like this from happening again, not without the foresight to stop or endure a similar attack of this scale. He furrowed his brow a bit in thought.

    

    “...I’m hoping that it won’t. I’m hoping that, once we find out what happens, it can be stopped. And that our leaders are already trying to figure out the details.” At least, he ventured to believe that all the faction leaders -- wherever they happen to be now -- and other Pokehumans of authority were already on the case with the Shadow Pokemon, and also warning the others within the region. Arceus forbid that something like this attack would happen to other unprepared pokemon, let alone to the ones affected from this last one.

    

    “But if for any reason... something happens again...” He hesitated to even mention the possibility, but continued with a bit more conviction. “Then we’ll all be more prepared to counter the threat. I don’t think any of us who were at the attack, are willing to let something like this happen again.”

    

    He certainly wasn’t. As much as he held his own during the raid, and had downed several of the shadow pokemon that attacked the village, Valor knew he had been caught off guard along with everyone else. He didn’t want it to happen again so easily. He nodded at this, and finally shifted himself to lean back, giving the both of them more space and ignoring the cold snow surrounding his egs a bit longer.

    

    “And… people are still shaken up, Keyah. A lot of pokemon haven’t dealt with anything like this, especially within Pokemon Village.” This much he could be sure of; Pokemon Village was considered a haven for both wild and abandoned pokemon, and until recently it was relatively free -- and normally guarded from -- most threats and dangers. “Again, it’ll take some time before they feel safe from what happened.”

    

    Glancing her over a bit, Valor wasn’t sure if anything that he said would fully convince her. It then occurred to him she was still being affected by his mood -- which, while it had tempered a bit, hadn’t fully faded -- as well as the sensations from everyone elses’ nearby. “What about you. Are you... feeling alright? From all of this...” He wasn’t very clear as to whether he meant their discussion just now, or from the overall events over the past few days. He was just concerned about how well she was coping now.

    

    ---

    

    People were still shaken up, the throbbing at the back of her head was enough proof of that. She made out bits and pieces of what Valor was saying but for a couple moments it had sounded as though he was talking to her while she was standing at the bottom of a well.

    

    "no.." there was no reason to lie to Valor, especially after everything she had all but screamed at him earlier. "Um...I can't keep anything down and," swaying a little she plopped down to sit properly, eyes unfocusing.

    

    "Keep feeling.. fuzzy. Around the edges.. like something's wrong." Furrowing her brow she drew the coat closer to herself and shivered, before moving to glance around.

    

    They were closer to pokemon village here than she had been at the house, and the emotional feedback was enough to make her teeth rattle now that she was focusing specifically on them. Valor had made a good point on how hard it was for people to calm down, especially due to the nature of the attack, but it wasn't that off base to wish for it to not happen again. It simply couldn't- the emotional reactions people would have to Pokemon village or any other group being attacked..

    

    "Um.. I think i got.. Stung? Allie said Mel and I both got stung while we were stuck in the dream world… but Auntie--” Her hand moved to hold her head and she took a sharp breath. “Auntie Is helping with that. um..”

    

     Whatever was still out there was messing with her. Her thought process was still fuzzy and she couldn’t help but whimper a bit, shaking her head before calming a little. “I’ll be okay, e.. ehehe.. What about you? Or I- well I mean that’s why I.. came out here, so.”

    

     Technically he had already told her but.. No harm in making sure. Just in case, after all- especially given everything they had talked about. If anything maybe it could give her something to focus on.

    

    ---

    

    Well, he couldn’t fault her for being honest about her feelings, he suspected as much from the way she reacted towards him. But Valor still feel bad to hear it confirmed regardless, that she was being so strongly affected by the event.

    

    “...I’m sorry. For what you're going through.” He wasn’t too sure what to say about how she was feeling, or what would best help. And he wasn’t sure whether the strange “fuzzy” sensations were an aftereffect of her perceptions, or something else entirely. So he listened to her continue, readjusting himself to sit more comfortably in the snow (or as comfortably as anyone could), and offered what empathy he could towards her.

    

    Midway through her account, Valor hummed in sympathy when she mentioned her stinger wound, inwardly frustrated at the Shadow Beedrill for hurting her, when she had no way to defend herself. “I see… it should heal soon. And I’m glad that Aun-- Er. That. Fern is helping… with that,” he said stiffly, in an attempt to avoid completing the awkward slip.

    

    He tried to re-focus on Keyah asking him the same question. His automatic response would have been to say he was “fine” as usual, but he knew his mood read otherwise to her. And as she mentioned, it was the reason she came to see him... He let out a light sigh, wondering how best to word his array of thoughts.

    

    “I’m… well. It’s mixed feelings… frustration mostly. With a lot of what’s going on, and from what I mentioned before,” Valor said, rubbing the side of his neck as he parsed his words. While he wasn’t as mentally exhausted as he imagined Keyah was, his own thoughts and shifts in mood were getting to him as well. He didn’t feel motivated to go into detail over them again, when once had been enough.

    

    “...I think I mentioned before that I got stung as well. Along with a few other injuries.” He said this almost casually, even shrugging a little; as much as they ached, he didn't want to make a big fuss about his injuries. “But they’re all healing, so I’m less concerned about them...”

    

    Valor trailed off a little when he noticed that Keyah seemed distracted. He then remembered their current proximity to Pokemon Village and to the woods, wondering if the two of them being near was affecting her. He didn’t sense any notable presence nearby to them, but he didn’t want her to worry about more foreign sensations than she could handle.

    

    “…Would it help you if we walked?” His eyes motioned along the perimeter of the woods that lead closer to the city, but still at what he felt might be a more comfortable distance from both locations.

    

    ---

    

    She had been asked on multiple occasions how it was her sensory ability worked, and each time, Keyah still didn't quite have an answer that would properly satisfy one’s curiosity. All she could really answer with was that it was sort of like a radio- sometimes the signal came in clearly and other times.. Fuzzy. And in worse situations, completely illegible.

    

    Illegible is what she was experiencing now. It felt as though someone had taken the sound from a fully opened tap and let the rushing sound fill her ears completely, drowning out anything that could even remotely resemble speech and information, both telepathic and verbal. Keyah knew that there was a good deal of panic in the pokehumans around the area- she had experienced enough of it herself the day of the attack but even the residuals were enough to catch her off guard.

    

    “Ah- I. What?”

    

    His mouth had moved but it took her a moment, what was it Valor was doing? They had been talking, she had asked how he was doing and he was a bit worried and still feeling a bit out of sorts after everything that had happened and then-- Question. He was asking her a question.

    

    Right.

    

    Staring at Valor blankly, she willed herself to respond, nodding slowly. Why was everything so garbled? She didn't remember there being any issues during their escape to Snowbelle, but there was definitely some kind of interference or confusion in her minds ear. "I... Yeah.. Walking.."

    

    Wobbling to her feet, the kirlia nodded, gaze unfocused as she regained her balance. Walking might be good? Getting out of the area may be good. “O-okay yeah I can do that.”

    

    ---

    

    Valor was unaware of the full struggle Keyah was going through with her perceptions, but he took more notice of her reactions to his words. She almost seemed out of it, and he wondered if she heard his question at first, before she finally responded to him.

    

    “Alright then,” he said with a nod, thinking at least the walking might help a bit with whatever was distracting her. And if anything it’d be more comfortable than staying in the snow much longer.

    

    Valor then took a moment to stand to his feet as well, stretching a little as he waited for Keyah to regain her balance. When it looked like she was ready, he motioned for her to walk with him down the path he pointed out before. He kept his pace slow at first as he waited for her to join his side, and as they walked further away from the main entrance of the woods.

    

    He was silent for the first few seconds, wondering if it was worth continuing his last thought or focusing more on how Keyah was feeling, and finally opting for the latter. “...Does that help, so far?”

    

    ---

    

    Toddling would be a good word to describe the action she took to follow after him. Keyah, while still a bit unsteady,was able to keep up with Valor, even reaching out a little every now and then just to make sure she didn’t overbalance herself.

    

    It took a couple moments of quiet walking and intense concentration, but soon enough she could hear again. Almost as though somebody had finally found a functioning radio station and the music, though still somewhat staticky began to play. Nodding, she looked up at the Gallade and gave him a wobbly smile. “mm.. A little. uh..”

    

    She hesitated, brow furrowing as she tried to recall what exactly he had been speaking about in the first place. Fidgeting with the hem of her coat, it wasn’t too long before almost sleepy eyes became wide with horror.

    

    “You’re hURT,” it was a panicked blurt more than an actual exclamation.

    

    He had mentioned being hurt, hadn’t he? Said it right to her face why did she not react then it made no sense, what was wrong with her today? “Why are you even out here Valor you should come to the house Auntie and Ryker brought potions and.. I.. you’re.. You said you were hurt right?? Where-”

    

    Head whipping back and forth, the teenager tried to get a handle on where exactly they were. It had felt earlier as though she was walking through molasses, and it was still apparent she wasn’t fully well when she pitched slightly to the side, caught off guard by a dizzy spell.

    

    “You need a potion or a.. Ether? Ether or potion or full restore..”

    

    ---

    

    Valor was initially glad to hear she was feeling better from walking, humming back to her before turning his gaze down the patch again. But he almost flinched at the panic in Keyah’s next tone. Instead he slowed his pace and looked back at her, and realized it was a delayed reaction to what he had mentioned about his injured. He thought she had known about them? If not he wouldn’t have mentioned them, at least not so casually.

    

    “A-ah, yes I’m injured-- but it’s not serious anymore, Keyah,” he said, motioning for her to calm down. “I had them treated and bandaged after the attack, they’re all still healing...”

    

    Valor made a small motion to the bandage on the side of his face, which covered a small but healing cut. His other wounds hidden under his clothes were similarly covered with the necessary medicines and bandaging. Though he received most of his injuries as a human, Valor was aware that most of them would heal at a decent pace and with minimal scarring. It was one of the nicer benefits to being a pokemon, along with being able to endure said injuries to begin with.

    

    Valor then noticed Keyah sway slightly to her side; he had noticed it before as they walked, keeping close by in case she needed to reach out for any support. As she did so again, Valor stopped in place and reached his arm to hold hers and help her steady herself, not wanting her to fall over but feeling more concerned that she might.

    

    “Like I said, I had my injuries treated, they’re fine for now,” he quickly repeated, not wanting her to worry about his condition. “Are you sure you’re alright to keep walking, though...?”

    

    ---

    

     The teen let Valor steady her and took a couple moments to get her balance back. The last couple days had been a whirlwind of adventure and confusion- she burbled a little in confusion as everything shifted back into focus once more and nodded slowly. Alright- he said he was okay she’d believe him.

    

    “A-alright. Um. Sorry I just.. I thought I had heard it and then I.. dunno what happened.” Blinking, Keyah nodded slowly, making sure to absorb the new information. He was okay for the time being, that was good. Some of the tension in her shoulders dissipated.

    

    at his question about her own well-being she hesitated. How WAS she doing? What was he going to try and do if she said she wasn’t good to walk- he couldn’t carry her that was out of the question. “mm Yeah I’m okay. Like I said just kinda.. Fuzzy? ehehe..”

    

    Her face still had the same faraway expression it had the first time she had mentioned feeling fuzzy, but at the very least she felt more ‘human’ this time around to be sure. Her back still ached from where she had been stung by the beedrill, but the young kirlia was already looking loads better.

    

    “I don’t. think I can teleport at the moment, anyways.”

    

    ---

    

    Valor nodded again when she processed that he was okay. “Ah, it’s fine, don’t worry about it,” He said as she struggled to explain what happened. He appreciated that Keyah was concerned for his physical health, but didn’t feel it worth her worrying over him more than necessary. Injuries like his would heal, and his weren’t anywhere as severe as some of the others in the attack.

    

    He waited for her to answer him about her own condition, a little skeptical about how “okay” she really was this time, but nodding in response nonetheless.

    

    Truth be told, the idea of carrying her back did cross his mind, and he would if he had to. But he knew that even if she was comfortable with that option, it wasn’t ideal for him physically; the muscles in his bruised shoulder and arm were still healing, after already being overexerted during the remainder of the attack. Carrying her as a human over a long distance would reverse whatever progress the healing had made, and prolong the already lingering ache. Still, he didn’t think it was a good idea for her to remain in this condition much longer, especially in this weather.

    

    “Aha… I wouldn’t ask you to, even if you could,” Valor said, his tone lighter for a moment but still serious; there was no reason to exert herself and her abilities, either. “But if you’re still feeling a bit off, maybe it’d be better to take you home…?”

    

    Though he considered it before, it again occurred to him that they had both been outside for a while, and that by now Keyah’s family might wonder how she was, and where she was. At the very least, the distance from where they were now to where she was staying in Snowbelle, wasn’t too far for them to walk towards if needed.

    

    ---

    

    To be honest it probably wouldn’t be too long until one of her family members noticed her absence. Fern had made a habit of checking in on her, and when not firmly attached to her father, Melody would cling to her skirt and not let go.. And Eilam had her on lock even when they were on opposite sides of the house.

    

    In hindsight it, maybe she should have told someone where she went. She didn’t even know if she could teleport at the moment, it was mostly luck that got her to Valor- that and his familiar aura. While she could pick out her family, it was still easier to teleport to a open area than inside a house.

    

    Fidgeting, she tugged at her hair, humming quietly. “I- Probably.”

    

    The teenager paused, pressing her lips together thoughtfully before speaking again. There were other options, of course, but were they really ideal?

    

    “it would only be harder to talk if I was a Kirlia, I think. Especially since I’m fuzzy right now...”

    

    He didn’t.. Well in all honesty she probably wouldn’t believe herself either when she insisted she was okay, she knew she was definitely worse for wear visually. A bit pale, shakey, having a hard time focusing. It wasn’t hard to tell she could have been doing better, for sure.

    

    Smiling at Valor, she laughed sheepishly and kicked at the snow lightly as they walked. “Yeah it’s probably good to get home. I don’t want them to worry about me more than they’re already worrying about everything else..”