//------------------------------// // In Which Fluffy Ponders // Story: Looking Through the Pokeball // by Magical Trevor //------------------------------// Alright, Brian, listen up. It’s that time again, so strap down, put on a helmet, and hold onto your socks. Oh dear God, you don’t mean- I do… It is time… to think. Oh sweet baby Jesus, why?! Because I need to figure out what caused Kaye to physically attack Crystal, and figure out why it caused her to break down like that! It isn’t good! No. You know what is really not good? Sticking your muzzle into a woman’s business! Especially one as temperamental as Jessie. Yeah, I know, but… But what?! Don’t tell me you’re actually crushing on her! What?! N-no, no! I just… you know me, Brian. Since when have I EVER kept my nose to myself when someone’s crying? Especially when they’re… well- A girl? Seriously, you need to face the facts and just say you’re sexist. When have I ever denied it? I… I can’t help how I was raised, Brian. It isn’t like I think that women ‘belong’ in the kitchen, or can’t do the same stuff- Says the guy who thinks women shouldn’t be in the military… Well they shouldn’t! If they can meet the same standards that are set for men, then sure! Great! But it isn’t fair that they get in on lower standards just because they’re women! You know how many ex-military people I’ve met in college, right? Every single one of them had the same opinion! Saying that they should not be held to the same standard is sexist! But that… Then why are you- Just because I’m sexist about some little stuff like having a preference towards women having longer hair doesn’t mean I can’t also be a tiny bit feminist… And now we’ve gotten off-track. Seriously, we’ve got to figure it out, if only so we know how to better address edifying Kaye’s actions. We were nearly to the large spire tower thingy at the center of the city, and both Kaye and Crystal had remained silent the whole way, aside from a few muted sobs coming from the pink Eevee on my back. I just- I can’t figure out why Kaye would attack like that, and what she could have possibly said that instead of getting angry or something, Crystal just started crying. Now, I’ve only had one semester of Psychology, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that whatever was said, probably wasn’t meant to be as meaningful as it turned out to be. Even though we’ve started becoming friends, there’s next to no way that she would trust me enough to be willing to talk about it, so I can’t just be blunt about it. I probably won’t be able to trick her, so pretty much any option I take isn’t going to work, so that means… Joy. I need to have someone else talk to her. And considering the options, it seems the only option at all is Princess Luna, since she can do the… thingy. The dream thingy. Anyway, moving on to the palace, since that’s what they’re calling it, aparently... It’s freaking huge, firstly. I mean, seriously, it’s like a wizard tower and the Eiffel Tower had a love-child. And that love child was compensating for something. Probably how sparkly it looked, or something. Seriously, just make the colors dark and brooding instead of bright and shiny, and you’d have the setting for an epic dungeon. Seriously, this place probably has enough floors that simply conquering the tower could be its own RPG campaign. Anyway, I followed the gossiping mares and Blueblood to what appeared to be a large living room with lots of throw pillows and low tables. Several servants immediately began to bring sets of tea for everyone, but a quick glance back told me what was nagging at my mind. Well, you know, aside from Brian. You learn to tune him out when you’re focused. It was clear that both Crystal and Kaye didn’t need tea, they needed a washroom, and then possibly a bed. I noticed Wisp nearby, so she was clearly the best option. “Hey, Wisp, would you please ask where the nearest washroom is? I think Kaye and Crystal could probably use a little freshening up before they settle down for tea.” She opened her mouth, staring at the two female Pokemon a moment before nodding. “Yeah, sure.” She turned to Twilight, asking quietly, “Um, Twilight? Do you know where the nearest washroom is? I want to get cleaned up a bit before having tea.” While she got directions, I carefully picked up Kaye from my back, and resettled her on Wisp’s back. “Thanks,” I murmured to Wisp, stroking Kaye a few times to calm her. “Kaye, just… calm down, okay? Aunt Wisp will take you to the washroom, and you can make yourself all pretty and cute again, alright? I know you can be a good girl, so maybe we’ll think about letting you have a tea cake, okay?” Kaye sniffed, pawing at her nose before her head inched up and down. Damn, it should not feel this horrible to discipline someone, and she isn’t even my kid! I don’t want to think how bad it must have been for my parents when they disciplined me… I glanced to Crystal, daring to nudge her a little. “Hey, are you going to be okay? Wisp is taking Kaye to the restrooms to clean up, if you want to follow. Not that I mean to presume anything or insinuate that you need to get cleaned up, but I just, uh, I just stuck my paw in my mouth, and I’m going to shut up now?” Wow, brah, really? Excuse me, but I hear the popcorn popping, so I’m just going to grab a soda so I can enjoy the thrashing she’s going to give you. ... Save me a little? Hrmm… Nah. You are on a diet, after all. I’d say sorry, but I’m not really. Asshole. “Oh,” Crystal replied, blinking as her eyes seemed to regain a bit of focus again. “Yeah, right. Thanks.” I blinked, watching as she started to follow Wisp out of the room, wondering what on Earth I had done right for once to get her to react relatively normal. Brian, did- did that really just happen? I- I saw it, but I don’t believe it. Yeah, well, that makes two of us…