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Very well.

[That's his first concern, really: safety. Though it's still a Pokemon world, he's not exactly from a place where safety was guaranteed - not from Pokemon, not from other people.

It's not the only thing, though.]

How are you doing? As you are aware, I have...little experience with family myself, but this must be a stressful situation.

[Emmet nudging him over and over to "share his troubles!" is still fresh in mind, as is how natural it feels to recoil from the idea. And he knows - he's spent months being practically baited away from it, like some kind of rescued Pokemon being tempted with treats to do its exercises - he knows he shouldn't do that.

But past the embarrassment is a yawning void he can't see any way across. How? How is he supposed to talk about this to someone who wasn't there to see enough to understand? How does he explain that this really is his responsibility to someone if they're already committed to insisting that it isn't?

Of course he's stressed. But he's capable of handling it, because leaving it alone for other people to handle would be so, so much worse. And Lillie was able to face her down at her absolute worst, so he needs to do his part too; he won't be a kid forever, if he really even still is, and he needs to keep up with her.

(But she got ahead of him in the first place by reaching out.)

Gladion has to chew on that for a little too long. He's clearly aware of the awkward length of the pause, and looks uncomfortable as it drags on, but can't find the words to end it right away.]

...I wasn't ready for this. [As if Ingo was ready for any of what happened with Emmet? Ugh. He's trying to sound less grave about this, more aware of the absurdity and less invested in the disappointment, but...] Someday I was going to talk to her again, but it wouldn't have happened this soon if things were normal.

[But if things were "normal", Ingo and Emmet also wouldn't have been able to meet, so...

He's still trying.]

[Yeah, that's...that's a long and concerning pause!]

You do not have to speak with her if you do not wish it. No one is entitled to that. Emmet and I can... [Ingo blinks. Hm.] We can intervene if need be. I think we may have done things like that before.

I want to. [He wants to be able to bring her back, too. He doesn't have to speak with her, but if he doesn't, then she just...goes on like that?] I'm just not sure...how...yet.

[Between words, he appears to think of something that surprises him.

(That's what he can seek help with. Learning how. It feels...incredibly obvious, in hindsight, like the foothold had been there the whole time and he just hadn't bothered to look. Or listen. It's exactly what the twins have been talking about when they offer to talk to her for him, isn't it?)

(Whatever. No need to get embarrassed. He has a goal and a clearer head now.)

For the first time in a few minutes, Gladion looks back up at Ingo, as if returning to the surface from whatever burrow he'd backed down into to brood over the whole topic.]

What would you do if you had to "intervene"?

One of us would provide a distraction, and the other would manage the escape. Or else we would simply be a barrier.

[There's something he's...not remembering. Feeling out, like someone grasping in a dark tunnel. But that is less important than Gladion's present problem; he'll see if Emmet can place it later, if he remembers to ask him.

Ingo thinks he might know what prompted the question, though! He looks a bit embarrassed.]

I do not...typically react as I did with Emmet. [He panicked! Badly! Swear he won't sucker-punch Lusamine the second he sees her!]

[Oh god he hadn't even thought of that. Caught off-guard by the idea, Gladion snorts, and also looks a bit horrified.]

Ha, yeah, that would end badly. [Voice kinda light. He's almost smiling though! Even if it is kind of a grimace!]

[Ugggh, he feels so bad about that now - but at least it seems to have amused Gladion somewhat?]

I will ensure that Emmet does the same.

[For some reason, he's got the sense his brother might very well get up in someone's face?]

It's fine. [Not the telling Emmet part, just in general. This is good! We're good. He still feels mixed up about the whole situation but this has been a good talk. None of this will get said out loud because he's a teenager. You know.]

...Emmet suggested "getting up in her business" to investigate. [do you like being right] Told him that was a bad idea.

[so. gladion actually did not say that specifically, he just implied it. for the record.]

Edited 2022-10-24 04:15 (UTC)

I...suppose he does that.

[Ingo blinks. It is nice to be right, if slightly surprising!]

But I am sure he will respect your judgement on the matter! [He hopes, anyway? He doesn't feel like he really knows Emmet that well...but maybe a part of him does.]

[His judgment on the matter...

Man. Maybe it's been long enough now since The Encounter for some of his thoughts to have started sorting themselves out, because suddenly he just has this...wad of things he wants to tell Silvally. (And, of course, he can't. And, you know, he might never get to.)

(His face falls again without him really realizing it.)

(How did Lillie ever get over this uncertainty? He should know how. But, how?)

Gladion is thinking, solemnly for a first few moments with his eyes on the table, then restlessly for a few moments more with his gaze roaming anywhere but Ingo's face. Brain Lillie is back, and she's suggested that he say what he's feeling, and he's fighting with himself about it.]

I, uh. [When you fight with yourself, every victory is also a defeat, and vice versa. He looks uncomfortable uncomfortable, though thankfully not in a dire-situation way.] I don't know if - I'm not sure if I tru- no. Uh.

[His ears are turning red. He doesn't expect Ingo to laugh, but also....like......please don't laugh.......]

I - honestly - my judgment on the matter. Not too confident in it. I guess. I - think I know how she'd react to things, but figuring out the right thing to do, that's more...

[He. Shrugs, as if to dismiss the whole thing, but it's clearly out of embarrassment because come the fuck on now. He's so torn because it does, in fact, feel kind of good in a gross way to air an insecurity like that, but also it kind of feels bad as hell too and Lillie are you sure this is what makes you less cringe.]

[Ingo doesn't laugh! He doesn't even look amused - though, probably Gladion hasn't seen him that way often enough to be able to read it on his weird face anyhow.]

We cannot always know the right thing to do before we do it. You can only do what you think is best, and adjust your strategies if you find the need. [...] Would it help to discuss your plans?

[Not without explaining more about her. And he just...can't do that yet. Not until...not yet. On the chance, on the sliver of hope that she's better and all this worry is for nothing.

He shakes his head slowly.]

Nah, I barely have a plan yet. Just wanted to [hear that it was fine to not have everything under control?] be honest.

Very well. But should you ever wish to talk more about it - or, indeed, if you need anything at all - please know that I am always here for you.

[He leans forward in his seat as he says this, painfully earnest in a way that clearly indicates he's not fully picking up on this particular flavor of Teenage Embarrassment.]

[internal screaming. external staring at the table.]

Thank you, Ingo.

[overwhelmed + self-conscious but he can manage to be genuine for that much at least.]

Of course. I do not know what I would have done in this place, if you were not here.

[Maybe he'd have fled E+L on his own. Probably he would have. But maybe, alone and so terrifyingly vulnerable, he wouldn't have been able to defy them. Regardless, it was certainly easier to muster the will to escape and survive when he was not alone.]

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