2024-01-22: Aftermath
- Log: Aftermath
- Cast: Whit Aomori, Anne Aomori
- Where: Viridian City - Emerald Way
- Date: January 22, 2024
- Summary: Whit breaks some terrible news to Anne. Takes place a day or so after Undone at the Dunsparce Spa
======================<* Viridian City - Emerald Way *>======================= Viridian City is a city of many importances; it is the major commerce and logistics hub within the Emerald Cape province, providing primary access to the western reaches of the Kanto region. It's of no surprise, then, that it sports an expansive and well-developed commercial district, with Market Way providing a wide variety of shops and goods for all walks of life. Lush and adorned with nature, Viridian's residents enjoy a spacious and relaxed environment, with most living in medium-density apartment blocks three to four stories high. The market is most recently memorably featured in the hit single by sensational Nedean-pop band 2BA, "I'm on the Road to Viridian City." BGM: Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee & Pikachu! - Pewter City - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGrGjO5F6ZM
<Pose Tracker> Whit Aomori has posed.
Whit enters Doctor Aomori's office without even knocking -- he's used to barging in. He finds his mother seated at her desk, grading papers. "Mom," he greets, giving her a hug. He's no longer a teenager, to be embarrassed by affection. "I brought my latest article!" he says, handing over a glossy magazine. "It's about Psynards!" But something is wrong: Anne can tell something's bothering him. She knows her son.
<Pose Tracker> Anne Aomori has posed.
Her office is as it usually is, including a couple of photos on the desk that include Whit himself. She was seated, but she gets up to greet him. "Whit!" she says, lighting up.
She hugs back, and then takes the article. "Wonderful," Anne says, looking down at the magazine. "I'll update the binder!"
She smiles. "It's good to see you. I didn't realize you were in town." A beat, "...But you didn't just drop by to say hello, did you?"
Anne nods, and gestures to a chair. "Make yourself comfortable and tell me what's on your mind."
<Pose Tracker> Whit Aomori has posed.
"It's about Jessie," he murmurs. "I ran into her at the Dunsparce Spa...and...and...she's in Team Rocket!" he blurts, unable to keep the Awful Truth in any longer. "She was with some guy...Jay...Jace...something." Whit had been so shocked to see Jessie in a Rocket uniform that he didn't really register her companion, or boyfriend, or co-conspirator, or whatever. "I know I should turn her in to the police...but...I ...just...can't." Whit's shoulders sag in defeat. "Could you -- could you talk to her?" he appeals, eyes innocent.
<Pose Tracker> Anne Aomori has posed.
"Jessie?" Anne looks concerned--and then she frowns, sharply, when Whit tells her the Awful News. It's not even feigned; she is displeased that Jessie in her job ran into her son. "I see..."
"...Yes," Anne says, with a sigh. "I'll talk to her. And this 'guy'."
"...The police may not be able to do much anyway," she admits, "They haven't so far."
"Are you all right? A run-in with Team Rocket could've been dangerous."
<Pose Tracker> Whit Aomori has posed.
"I'm fine. Chauncey was injured, but I healed him. They were after everybody's Pokemon!" Whit explains. "I'm so glad you'll talk to her. Persuade her to give it up."
<Pose Tracker> Anne Aomori has posed.
The relief Anne feels that they're both fine, Whit and Chauncey, is real. She's being cagey, but it's easy to miss that; she's always been very good at projecting only what she wants to.
"I see..."
"Yes, I will." She pauses, and looks pensive, "I can't guarantee it'll work; she's an adult now, making her own decisions, and she's stubborn like her mother."
"But I'll make clear to her how I feel about what she's up to."
<Pose Tracker> Whit Aomori has posed.
"Oh, that's such a relief!" Whit says, and the relief shows on his face. "Wait, you know the guy, too...? I still can't believe that Jessie, our Jessie, is a criminal!
<Pose Tracker> Anne Aomori has posed.
"Oh, I'm sure I'll find him too, if she's with him." Though of course, she does know him. But, "...Yes. Though that's the state of our society, these days; you've seen it, too. Our leadership can't seem to hold things together. That's why we're having troubles like this."
"It's a shock." She doesn't sound that shocked, but then, Anne rarely does. "...You leave that to me, Whit. Just stay away from Team Rocket."
<Pose Tracker> Whit Aomori has posed.
"I will. I'll keep Chauncey away from them too." He reaches towards her. "Thanks, Mom! You always know the right thing to say."
<Pose Tracker> Anne Aomori has posed.
"Good. I don't want either of you hurt."
Anne reaches back across the table to take her son's hands. "...Of course." It justifies her decision to not tell him, given this reaction. But at the same time...
Well, she does know 'the right thing to say.'
"Remember that I love you, Whit. ...Just focus on your career. You have a lot more places to see now, right?"
<Pose Tracker> Whit Aomori has posed.
"I love you too, Mom. Yes!" he says excitedly. "Whole new WORLDS! I've been talking to the Visitors about accompanying some of the back! It's dangerous, but..."
<Pose Tracker> Anne Aomori has posed.
"They sound fascinating, don't they?" Anne says with a smile, and is much more relaxed about this topic. "That's a wonderful chance! Be safe, though--I gather that these worlds are fairly... violent. Don't go too many places alone. I know, I know, you're an adult, but none of us are used to ehse other worlds."
"A little danger is worth facing," she says, with the sound of something she's said a lot, "But don't make me worry too much, hm?"
<Pose Tracker> Whit Aomori has posed.
Whit laughs. "Don't worry, I have to survive long enough to return home with the stories! I won't be alone -- I'll have guides and support along the way!"
<Pose Tracker> Anne Aomori has posed.
"You sure do!" Anne says with emphasis. "...Well, all right. Good. Keep me in the loop," she asks, "But... It sounds great. I support you, too."
"...Now," she says, "Why don't I look at this article of yours?" She smiles. "I love getting to hear your stories."
<Pose Tracker> Whit Aomori has posed.
Whit grins! "This one's about the Cavern of Crimson Crystals. I even saw a couple Psynards!"
<Pose Tracker> Anne Aomori has posed.
"Ooh, the one in the preserve?" Anne wonders. "Fascinating! You know, I've always wondered about Psynards in the wild..."
She flips through the magazine to reach his article, and will have a lot to say once she reads it!
<Pose Tracker> Whit Aomori has posed.
At first Whit lets her read in peace. Then, "I'm not disurbing your work too much, am I?"
<Pose Tracker> Anne Aomori has posed.
"Oh, I like this one. You have a very engaging style, you know." She makes a few comments as she reads, until Whit asks that question, and Anne looks up from the article. She smiles back, and shakes her head. "If I'm up to something really sensitive, the receptionist won't let you back. But you're never a disturbance. I always want to hear from you."
<Pose Tracker> Whit Aomori has posed.
"Good to know," Whit comments. "I'd hate to get you in trouble with your supervisor."
<Pose Tracker> Anne Aomori has posed.
Anne laughs. "Don't worry about that. These days I'm my own supervisor in the lab! But I don't have any Pokemon out who are in need of careful handling at the moment, either. You know my work; occasionally we're dealing with sensitive Pokemon. But that won't be in my office, of course."
<Pose Tracker> Whit Aomori has posed.
Whit is pleased Mom likes the article. She always saves his work! "Naturally! I've seen you bring enough 'sensitive' Pokemon home!"
<Pose Tracker> Anne Aomori has posed.
She does! And she's going to save this one, too. Then one day she can show off the entire set when she needs to start another binder...
"Haha, yes. Remember when Chauncey was more sensitive?" she asks, and maybe the work she had going can wait a while longer.
<Pose Tracker> Whit Aomori has posed.
"I sure do! He /ate/ my /shoes!/ I'll never forget that!