voidtreckernet | who am i: jelly 17 (cw: mentions of death/identity/spoilers)

[ Scene: Mami in the greenhouse, with a fluffy leaf-green hedgehog on her shoulder. ]

Hi everyone...

I wanted to let you know about something more serious. It's about who...or what I am. So this doesn't surprise you later. I guess some of you already knew I wasn't quite what I appeared to be, but I'm still processing it.

I used to watch shows about magical girls when I was younger. If you've never seen those shows before, they're about girls with magic who use some kind of gem to change into cute battle outfits, have animal friends to mentor them, other magical friends to fight alongside...and love and justice always won out. I used to dream about what it would be like to become one, though I was sure it wasn't real.

And then, when I least expected it, it happened. I was heavily wounded after a car crash, and a cute animal appeared to me. He promised me any wish I wanted as long as I agreed to become a magical girl and fight witches who trap and kill humans. So I wished to keep living...and became what I am now.

I thought I was just a regular magical girl like the ones on TV. But it turns out I'm a lich. Revenant. Undead. He ripped my soul out of my body and put it in a gem...I know that's usually dark magic. I've been reassured that I'm safe for you all to be around, Rosetta helps keep my soul gem safe. But it just feels strange, that I've been like this for a while...is all. Any advice on living with it would be appreciated.

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[This post is enough to drive Alfredo to use an ICP, for once.]

Mami? ...

Well, for one, Raven's right; I'm not sure I understand, but how I feel about you is still the same. The dark magic isn't your fault. And you're a good person, and a good friend.

[He pauses, visibly debating bringing something else up on the Network, but opts otherwise.]

I - is it all right if I come to where you are, though? I think I do have, if not the same perspective, then something similar.

But you're not going to have to live with this alone, and we'll help keep you safe too.

...yes, that's all right. I'm not leaving for a while.

And I appreciate it, thank you.

Anytime.

[Alfredo imparts that as warmly as he can, before retrieving his ticket from the ICP and making headway to the Greenhouse.

It's not long before he gets there, though he does glance about to see if there's anyone other than Mami's Pokémon immediately in view.

This isn't something he tells everyone, after all.]

Mami, I'm here. And I mean that I'm here for you, as well. For support.

[He offers her his hand, an open gesture.]

I'm really glad.

[ She carefully lays her hand in his. She still feels human. Anchored. It's weird, but she's doing her best. ]

What did you want to tell me?

Well...

[There's not nearly as much to his story as there was to Mami's, so in the end there's not much for it except to go for it:]

I was ill, before arriving on the train. As in, I knew it was my time, that I was dying. Only, I ended up on the train instead, in full health, with no obvious reason for it.

[He brings up his SCA-bearing arm, the one whose hand Mami isn't holding.]

To some extent, the train may well be the only thing keeping me alive. If I even am alive.

[He pauses then, feeling quite awkward, not sure how Mami will respond. But he reassures:]

So, you're not alone, whichever you feel you are, or just feeling unsure which you are. And that doesn't make you any less of a person.

[No more than I am, goes the implication.]

[ Mami listens, her heart swelling as she does. Oh, Alfredo...]

I'm dead like that too. So. Doubly-dead. If we can stay here, it's where I'll be.

[ And she loosens her grip on his hand for just a moment to impulsively hug him. Sorry, Alfredo. ]

[Alfredo opens his mouth to respond - agree, mostly - but is cut off by the hug.

Hugs preside over all, really, so after a moment he just hugs back.]

We're needed here, known and cared about here,

[He murmurs, eventually.]

And that means... looking out for each other, too.

[For how is that not just?]

Okay. I promise. I'll look out for you too.

[She squeezes once before letting go. It's good to have a purpose, to not be alone. ]

[Alfredo looks a little more relaxed, now. Now that he's sure she's heard him out.]

Now... who is that, on your shoulder? I haven't missed something, have I?

[On the one hand, he's only ~~twelve~~ thirteen, and he can't be everywhere.

On the other, perhaps focusing on something else would help the both of them... that, and the little hedgehog-type creature is cute.]

Oh, this is Rosetta!

[ Mami brings the hedgehog forward with a gentle smile. ]

She helps to keep my soul safe, and she tries to help with the cooking too. Kneading dough is a little hard for her small paws, though.

How does she keep your soul safe?

[That's the important question, he knows - but then the other half of that description hits him, and there's a distinct pause as he processes it.]

She likes to help cook?

[He sounds more surprised than dubious.]

That... isn't like what most pets I know of do.

[Though being good for people emotionally, he can understand. But he's pretty sure that's not what Mami meant here.]

My gem becomes dirty if I use too much magic, and I'll die if it turns black. Rosetta's purifying power keeps that from happening.

[ She gives Rosetta a gentle pat. ]

She's very smart, I'm lucky to have her.

[A few emotions battle their way across Alfredo's face: further confusion, recognition as he realizes how Rosetta's actions save Mami's life, awe...]

And you're being a good friend to her in turn, I'm sure.

[He's saying that genuinely.]

It seems like a massive level of trust, letting her do that for you. And if she is using that energy for something - that means you're helping each other, too.

[Which sounds like a VERY good thing for Mami in particular, that the relationship's not one-sided. Pokemon or not, that's important!]

who am i: jelly 17 (cw: mentions of death/identity/spoilers)

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