making up.
[ Nervously gulping, but straightening up, he knocked on Jasmine's door, not expecting anything. His heartbeat was pounding so much that it was audible. He ran a hand through his hair and stood, trying to calm down. ] ...
j-j-jasmine says: (8:07:53 PM)
[ Jasmine's head nodded off again, drifting again to sleep with the television still on. It'd been a long day catching up at work after disappearing for so many months. At the doorbell, she opened her eyes, mussed her hair and with great effort got up to open the door. She looked like a total mess. ]
FLINT says: (8:09:45 PM)
[ The nervousness was about to go away, but it suddenly rushed back in the moment he saw her. He stiffened, and it felt as if the air in his stomach had been punched out. His chest got tight. ] ... Hey. Hi, Jasmine.
j-j-jasmine says: (8:10:12 PM)
… --! [ Her breath caught-- the very last person she had expected to see, on her doorstep of all places. She opened her mouth and closed it, paused to collect herself, then finally spoke. ] ...Flint?
j-j-jasmine says: (8:10:29 PM)
What a-are you… doing? … Here?
FLINT says: (8:12:44 PM)
Um... I'm kind of traveling! Well, I have been for the past two weeks. I had to leave. I just wanted to get out of Sunyshore. [ He noticed he was rambling. ] And uh, I finally came to Johto, and I came here first because... I wanted to... talk to you.
j-j-jasmine says: (8:17:50 PM)
I see… [ She fidgeted with the hem of her dress, looking down. It was good that he was rambling, since it meant she didn't have to talk for a while. At the pause in conversation, she reluctantly explained, ] U-uhm, yeah, I left for a while too, a-actually-- I don't know if you noticed?-- but I know the feeling too.
j-j-jasmine says: (8:17:51 PM)
[ Her eyebrows pulled together. ] Talk?
j-j-jasmine says: (8:19:10 PM)
(( Be riiiiiight back! ))
FLINT says: (8:19:13 PM)
((K))
FLINT says: (8:19:17 PM)
(( ... k ))
FLINT says: (8:21:18 PM)
Uh... I didn't notice, but I could see why you'd want to. [ He scratched the back of his neck, looking away nervously, but still forcing a small smile. ] Ah, yeah! I did. I... [ He continued looking at the ground, at the doorstep, at the plants, the grass, the bugs on the plants. Anywhere but her. ] ... miss... you. [ He looked back up at her. ]
FLINT says: (8:22:05 PM)
[ His eyes widened and a blush spread over his face. ] Uh, n-not in that w-way! I mean ... well, I mean ... I-I just miss you... ... [ He ran a frustrated, shaky hand through his hair. ] I don't really know how to say that without sounding stupid.
To: [email protected] Start Time: 8:33:25 PM; End Time: 8:44:22 PM
j-j-jasmine says: (8:33:25 PM)
[ She met his eyes for a second, returning him a polite (and practiced) smile. She didn't think he would have. ]
j-j-jasmine says: (8:33:26 PM)
[ He-- what!? Her eyes dropped to the floor again and her hand reached to cover her mouth and her shock. She laughed quietly, her voice even quieter when she spoke. ] … That's n-not... really what I was expecting to hear from you… [ After he clarified, she offered another small smile and nodded curtly. ] A-ah, sorry-- I've been rude, haven't I? Do you want to come in?
FLINT says: (8:35:03 PM)
[ He suddenly felt three times as much self-conscious. He looked down at the floor to hide his burning cheeks. ] Uh, yeah, I didn't... it came out. I'm... really impulsive, you know.
FLINT says: (8:35:56 PM)
[ After the flare on his face calmed down, he looked up at her and nodded, anxiously walking into her doorstep, slipping out of his shoes so he wouldn't dirty her clean floors. ] Your house is really nice. [ He looked around, realizing he had never been in here before. ]
j-j-jasmine says: (8:53:59 PM)
Hm? [ She tilted her head to the side, smiling a little more genuinely. ] Don't worry about it. I-it's what I… like... about you, after all. Haha, not really…. um, it's only so neat because I haven't been here much lately. [ She went into the kitchen-- the living room would probably be too formal-- and stopped in front of one of the chairs. ] Coffee… You like coffee, right?
FLINT says: (8:55:27 PM)
[ His pupils dilated once he heard her first sentence. Gently, he shook his head, trying to calm himself down. ]
FLINT says: (8:56:03 PM)
Oh, well, I never imagined you as the messy type, so that's kind of strange to hear. [ He followed her into the kitchen, looking around again. ] Ah, yeah, sure. That'd be nice. I'm pretty tired, so that'd freshen me up. Thanks.
j-j-jasmine says: (8:58:40 PM)
No problem. [ She busied herself with the coffee maker, keeping her back to him. ] Ha, not m-messy, I guess, but not normally so clean and perfect either, you know? I just forget stuff everywhere.
j-j-jasmine says: (9:00:18 PM)
[ Her grip tightened on the pitcher as she poured the water in. ] So, erm, how have you been doing?
FLINT says: (9:02:32 PM)
[ He stared at her long hair, still surprised at the fact that he hadn't seen her in over half a year. It just hit him, then, and he couldn't stop thinking that this was actually happening. ] ... Uh, I'll tell you the truth, I guess. Not that... good.
FLINT says: (9:03:14 PM)
Well, I feel better now that I'm travelling and I'm with my Pokemon. It feels good, being by myself. As weird as that is. But being back home was just kind of... suffocating. It hurt being around people who were doing stuff, and I was just sitting there in the background, watching everything happen.
FLINT says: (9:03:27 PM)
[ He took a deep breath, having not expected to spill all of that. ]
j-j-jasmine says: (1:37:52 PM)
[ It was good fortune that she had dressed today, Jasmine thought, rather than wear her pajamas all day like she normally did. She turned a quarter of the way to Flint, keeping an eye on the coffee machine even if she didn't need to. It had been a long time, but he still looked the same.] … I'm sorry t-to hear that… But, um, it's good to travel. I haven't been on a real journey in a long time.
j-j-jasmine says: (1:37:55 PM)
...
j-j-jasmine says: (1:37:59 PM)
What do you mean? You've always kept yourself busy.
FLINT says: (1:40:13 PM)
[ He lightly and absentmindedly drummed his fingers on the table, still looking at her long hair. ] Yeah, but... there were too many things back at home distracting me. I just felt like I had no purpose. I'm not always busy... I wish I was. But I'm not. And this time, I just felt like I was wasting away. Kind of doing nothing. No purpose.
FLINT says: (1:40:52 PM)
But I'm glad I was able to leave... I just needed a break. I like travelling. [ Smiles a bit. ] It makes me feel like I'm doing something worthwhile. There's always something new to do.
j-j-jasmine says: (1:48:34 PM)
[Jasmine combs her fingers through her hair, somewhat self-consciously. She looks up.] I'm glad for you. I feel like that too s-sometimes… hmm, just like I'm t-trapped here. So I guess we're kind of alike after all, huh?
j-j-jasmine says: (1:48:34 PM)
[The machine beeps and she pours the coffee in two mugs from one of the cupboards. She carries them them one at a time with both hands to the table, setting the fuller cup in front of Flint.] Have you found yourself?
FLINT says: (1:52:06 PM)
I never really thought we were alike at all, to be honest... but I guess we are. [ He takes a sip from his coffee, and then puts it down, licking his lips. He wasn't usually one for black coffee, but he suddenly grew an appetite for it. ] Well, hopefully you can find some time to explore, too. I think it's a good remedy to whatever we're feeling.
FLINT says: (1:53:25 PM)
[ He blinks at her for a few seconds, thinking. Then he looks up at the ceiling, still with an inquisitive expression on his face. ] Hm, I dunno if it's something as powerful as that... I still don't know who I am, really. But I feel happy again, and that's a big part of who I am. [ Looks back down from the ceiling and smiles. ]
j-j-jasmine says: (2:03:33 PM)
[Jasmine puts cream in her coffee, but no sugar. (Pretend it was on the table the whole time whoops lack of foresight???) She takes a sip while he talks, and when she speaks her voice has gotten quieter.] …Yeah… I-I'm one of those people that kind of-- er, has to recharge every now and then. It's easy for me to feel lost. Um! Anyway. [She looks into her coffee.]
j-j-jasmine says: (2:03:37 PM)
You'll find out. Soon, I hope. As for me… I'm finding out that I'm a different person than I thought I was. [She smiles brightly.] I'm reinventing myself, s-sort of.
j-j-jasmine says: (2:03:44 PM)
[Her expression hardens a little. Well, she had better get to it.] Um… And, um, hey, I'm sorry. About everything. Truly.
FLINT says: (2:08:51 PM)
[ He stares at her curiously, surprised at her words. He had always figured she was a quiet, yet content girl, and listening to this threw him a bit off guard, and only further fascinated him. ] You are? Really? ... [ He looked down into his coffee, staring at his reflection, slightly frowning. ] Well, don't change... too much. What's inspiring you to do that?
FLINT says: (2:08:54 PM)
...
FLINT says: (2:09:22 PM)
[ His eyes widen and he slowly looks up, the most surprised he's ever looked in a while. ]
FLINT says: (2:09:34 PM)
Oh.
j-j-jasmine says: (2:17:03 PM)
I don't feel happy being me. I-I've never liked me but I always felt so stuck about it… I d-don't want to be so passive… and helpless. And… [She shrugs.] Yeah. I needed that break to figure things out.
j-j-jasmine says: (2:17:07 PM)
W-Wha? [She almost wants to laugh, strangely.] Why do you look so surprised? Everything r-really was my fault.
FLINT says: (2:18:42 PM)
... [ Realizes that his mouth is hanging open and he clears this throat slightly, trying to adjust his face back to normal, trying to speak. ] Uh... I... I guess I didn't expect you to say that. Because you... like you said... y-you're passive. [ Frowns a bit, not meaning for it to be an insult. ]
FLINT says: (2:19:29 PM)
[ He looks down at his coffee again, trying to contemplate what to say. He bites his lip and chews on it a little before looking up. ] I'm really... glad you said that. And I'm sorry I didn't... ...
FLINT says: (2:19:37 PM)
...
FLINT says: (2:20:20 PM)
[ He tries to think of what he did, but a frown deepens his features. ] ... Can you tell me what I did so I won't do it again?
j-j-jasmine says: (2:20:21 PM)
…?
j-j-jasmine says: (2:23:15 PM)
[This was absurd. It was all so surreal. She heard herself laugh.] Passive… aha… I mean, I still… I still was wrong. And I want to make it right. I'm sorry. I should have told you earlier, instead of f-freaking out and disappearing.
j-j-jasmine says: (2:24:40 PM)
[She bites her lip.] Don't… put it that way. Like you're at fault. You aren't.
FLINT says: (2:25:59 PM)
... Maybe, but... you looked so hurt that day, I didn't... I thought maybe I did do something.
FLINT says: (2:26:18 PM)
[ He pushes his coffee aside, resting his chin in his palm. ]
j-j-jasmine says: (2:30:05 PM)
[She buries her face in her hands, then sits up. This was really uncomfortable, now that they were getting into the details.] I was, I guess? It's not… You didn't do anything wrong, I guess it's just something between-- [She grimaces.] Whitney and me. I've always been insecure a-about it? I don't know anymore. I don't r-really understand it, but that wasn't really it.
j-j-jasmine says: (2:30:13 PM)
It was because I realized something.
FLINT says: (2:31:10 PM)
[ He tries to keep his voice gentle. ] Can I ask what you realized?
j-j-jasmine says: (2:32:04 PM)
I'm not right for you, Flint.
j-j-jasmine says: (2:32:09 PM)
I never was.
FLINT says: (2:35:58 PM)
... [ Is speechless for a few seconds, staring at her, his facial expression unreadable. He already knew that, but it still hurt. ]
FLINT says: (2:36:04 PM)
What makes you say that?
j-j-jasmine says: (2:38:49 PM)
[Oh god.]
j-j-jasmine says: (2:39:08 PM)
[This was too hard. She didn't want to answer any more questions, particularly this one, but she heard herself say it anyway.]
j-j-jasmine says: (2:44:21 PM)
I shouldn't, erm… oh Arceus, I'm s-so sorry, sorry, god, I don't mean… [She wrings her hands. Now she wanted to run away again.] It was me, you know, I just-- I shouldn't have. I wasn't ready, I guess. It was… way too much. And before I knew it I was in over my head...
j-j-jasmine says: (2:45:31 PM)
I couldn't really take the way you looked at me. I-If… if that makes more sense. [She watches him cautiously, completely frozen.]
FLINT says: (2:47:35 PM)
[ He understands what she's saying, surprisingly, but her words didn't fail to burn a hole into his chest. He presses his lips together and looks away before replying quietly, almost a mutter. ]
FLINT says: (2:47:53 PM)
It's because I was almost in love with you, and you weren't.
FLINT says: (2:48:13 PM)
[ He rubs his arm, looking at the wall besides him. ]
j-j-jasmine says: (2:50:21 PM)
[Completely defeated, she doesn't say anything. It said everything she physically-- and mentally-- could not, right now.]
FLINT says: (2:53:14 PM)
... [ Eventually sighs, disrupting the silence, and turns to look at her, smiling sadly, his eyes glassy. Nevertheless, he forces the corners of his lips up. ] Well... you made me happy for a while, anyway.
FLINT says: (2:53:54 PM)
[ He reaches into his belt and pulls out a Pokeball, releasing it, and in his lap sits the Growlithe that hatched from the egg Jasmine gave him. ]
FLINT says: (2:54:36 PM)
Look who appeared the day after you left... [ Smiles and looks up at her, as the Pokemon curiously looks up at Jasmine. ]
j-j-jasmine says: (2:58:08 PM)
[She sighed quietly.] Sorry to ruin your happiness as soon as you got it back. I didn't mean to.
j-j-jasmine says: (3:00:44 PM)
--Oh--! Oh, wow it's my Growlithe! You did a good job raising it. (S)he's beautiful. (S)he doesn't remember me, does (s)he?
FLINT says: (3:02:56 PM)
No... I'm happy. I needed this. I wanted to get some closure, I guess. I always have to get closure. [ Smiles a more genuine smile now. ]
FLINT says: (3:03:39 PM)
[Holds his Pokemon up. ] I think he might. He seems to recognize you right now, so probably! [ Growlithe reaches his arms out for Jasmine invitingly. ] You brought him into my life, so I owe you for that.
j-j-jasmine says: (3:46:39 PM)
[She hesitates before accepting Growlithe. She cradles it, letting it play with her fingers.] You are..? [She looks up.] I'm really glad. And relieved. You're a better person than I am, honestly.
FLINT says: (3:50:56 PM)
I mean, I came here for a reason, right? I still want you in my life. You're a good person. [ Looks at her softly and continues smiling, sighing. ]
j-j-jasmine says: (3:51:49 PM)
Hehe, he's so cute. A-And oh, I didn't, really-- I traded a Skarmory egg for it with a trainer I met. He looks really happy.
j-j-jasmine says: (3:52:22 PM)
[She looks up, stunned.] You… do…?
j-j-jasmine says: (3:53:09 PM)
Gosh, I-I feel like I don't really deserve this at all... But I'd like that. A lot.
FLINT says: (3:53:59 PM)
[ Chuckles at the sight of his Growlithe and Jasmine getting along. ] I wouldn't have come here if I didn't. Trust me. I was pretty scared to come in and tell you...
FLINT says: (3:54:22 PM)
[ Frowning, he shakes his head. ] Well, it's a new beginning. I missed you, Jas. You made every day really happy for me, even when we were just friends.
j-j-jasmine says: (3:58:08 PM)
[Jasmine sets the Growlithe on the floor and it curls up next to Flint's feet. She smiles at him, and it reaches her eyes.] Yeah… A new beginning. I-I missed you too, really. More than you know. I'm sorry I had to go and make everything s-such a huge mess.
j-j-jasmine says: (3:58:43 PM)
...
j-j-jasmine says: (3:58:49 PM)
[She reaches across the table to hold his hand, which kind of dwarfs hers in comparison.]
j-j-jasmine says: (3:58:51 PM)
Friends, then?
FLINT says: (4:00:37 PM)
[ His eyes widen and the faintest tint of red develops over his cheeks. Feeling a little uncomfortable, he squeezes her hand gently just once before pulling away, looking a little apologetic. ] Yeah.
FLINT says: (4:00:47 PM)
[ He smiles then, looking up at her and nodding. ] Friends.