Quoted By:
As your mother approaches the door to Rachel's room, you feel quite justified in venting some frustration: "<span class="mu-g"><span class="mu-i">We</span> don't hate each other. <span class="mu-i">She</span> hates <span class="mu-i">me</span> somehow.</span>" Mom has put on her unexpressive face, naught but the flushing of her face betraying the turmoil of feelings that now hide behind it. Finding a key in her pocket, she locks the door from the outside, its <span class="mu-i">click</span> sealing your sister's room and fate for at least this evening. "I think she used a hairpin," Mom muses, her familiar busybody nature shining through as she runs a length of wire through the keychain hole and around the handle, lashing it so tightly that no force will let Rachel unlock her room from the inside. There is no sound from inside the room; you know her window will not open far enough to let her through, and Sis is likely quite aware of what a mess she's in. But you won't be denied your moment: "<span class="mu-g">And honestly? I'm sick of hearing 'us' when you mean 'her'.</span>"
Only know does your mother turn to face you, and more than ever does she now look old. Old and immensely tired. A slight regret comes over you, and just as swiftly does your Bulbasaur snuggle up against your left thigh, "<span class="mu-g">saurrr</span>"ing in a way you'd only call placative. The little guy seems to be somewhat moved by what is happening, giving you a look as if to say "<span class="mu-g">I know how it is, but I don't think you want this.</span>"
"Max... understand, your sister is of a difficult age. There are many things she needs to figure out. And while you shouldn't stand for her taking it out on you, I wonder how you'd feel if she had split her head this morning. I know that you kicked her chair. I saw the bruises. We will not discuss this matter any further now. We will eat and I will speak to Rachel tomorrow. There's bound to be a way for her to see some reason." <span class="mu-i">And for you</span>, goes the unspoken part you're somehow too aware of, though it <span class="mu-i">is</span> after all an unspoken part this time.
It is at this point that your Dad calls from downstairs: "I gotta say, this roast smells mighty fine! Where are you all? I may just have a small surprise for our Pokemon adventurer!" Beat. "And his Pokemon!" The sound of a plastic bag rustling has Bulbmin perking up, all way-too-human-seeming sentiment replaced by the eagerness of the hungry.
>And this is where we take another break for now. I have to work a lot tomorrow, and then maybe the day after. But I will be back! In the mean, you have
>COMPLETED a story goal: Be home in time for dinner
>COMPLETED a story goal: Get back at Sis somehow
>You gain 200 XP for Bulbmin, who thus reaches Lv 8 (Lv 9: 005/160 XP)
>I'll have you vote how swiftly we'll proceed:
>Play out dinner (more family face-time, get Dad's perspective on the Rachel situation maybe, or that rumor that there's Arons in the Mine)
>Skip to night (because remember, Rachel has no phone on her with which to call your visit off; might entail a POV change for a bit)
