bottlecaplogs | Impromptu Oran Sleepover

Who: Oran newbies
What: Having fun with communal dens
When: Sometime after Mightyena gathered them up
Where: The Spire, low tier dens
Warnings: Will add if anything comes up, but not anticipating anything

[As everyone knows by now, the Oran Berries depend heavily on communal living, sharing a bed is simply to be expected. For some, this experience was temporary. Mightyena was kind enough to lend the mysterious misplaced Pokémon a place to rest, but now some of them have moved on.

For others, this is now a part of life, and it's time to get used to it. The Oran Berries value treating everyone like friends and family, after all, so you're expected to do the same! Why not have some fun with it?

Whether you've noticed your fellow newcomers are all gathering in one den, or you suddenly find yourself dragged into the the party against your will, everyone is invited! Everyone's going through the same thing, belong to the same guild, you gotta stick together.....right?]

[[ooc: Feel free to use this as a mingle log! We have nine Oran Berries (I think???) and although the dens are said to hold up to eight, I think some members are small enough that we should be able to include everyone!]]

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[... Yeah. Ren imagines he wouldn't be. He sighs, rolling onto his back and staring at the ceiling.]

... Me neither, y'know, [he mutters,] not until I came to Tokyo.

[That just kinda flopped out of his mouth without much thought behind it. It's not sad, or wistful, just very... matter of fact.]

Right. You had Morgana with you every night.

[At least Akechi hasn't budged. Ren being here helps. It makes things... slightly more tolerable.]

I suppose this isn't entirely like those overcrowded orphanages...

[Yeah... he'd hope not. Even if A.B.A's technique was a bit... quirky, to say the least, he can't imagine her intention was to treat them like pitiable children. Ren... may not know what orphanages are like, but he's heard things. He knows what they're supposed to be like, of course, but he's sure the reality of the matter is... hardly that.]

... Does this remind you of them?

[It's not accusatory, or pitying- just curious.]

[Though he's reluctant to admit it, Akechi bobs in a little nod. At least it's a quiet gesture. It won't draw too much attention to them.]

It was either shared sleeping quarters at group homes or a complete roulette as to whether or not I'd end up with a foster willing to give me a room of my own. Sometimes, I was lucky to have a bed.

[... Ren doesn't know why he's surprised. Maybe he isn't, not really; adults look down on kids enough as is, let alone on illegitimate orphans like Akechi. That's not to say anything of how cruel fellow kids can be, but...

Shit. He's a little less tired and more angry all of a sudden. There's no point in pitying Akechi -he wouldn't want that, anyway- but that doesn't mean Ren's not pissed at the infairness of it all.]

That's such bullshit, [Ren huffs,] they were supposed to take care of you.

[He leans a little more into Akechi.]

I hate that they did that to you. I... [wish we could've changed their hearts. Could've gotten back at them. Something.

He sighs.]

... won't stop you, if you want to leave. [He didn't stop him before, either, in February. There's regret, there, but-] But... if you'll let me, I'll stay with you.

[It's just like Ren to feel that way. His heart's so open, so ready to embrace those shackled by the cruelty of society.

A part of him wants to leave, if only out of stubborn rebellion, but...]

You're really content like this.

[... Ren sighs again.]

I mean... it's not so bad, is it?

[It's certainly better than being alone, scared, having weird nightmares about a blue room and wondering if you'll ever get your old life back. Than laying alone in bed and wondering if mom and dad will be home, tonight. If you'll see them in the morning. Seeing signs that they've been home, but didn't bother to check up on you for days at a time.

Ren thinks it's nice, knowing someone will be there in the morning. That you're not alone, if something happens.

... He's losing his train of thought. Anyway.]

It's better than sleeping alone in a cold cave, right?

[As if to emphasize his point, he sneezes a little. It is cold.]

True. The caverns aren't exactly luxurious.

[The little sneeze is worrisome, though. Frowning, Akechi hesitates for a moment. He's far from the cuddling type but...]

If you need warmth, you can move closer. The last thing we need is you getting sick.

[He rubs his nose.]

Mm, no, just an itch.

[Still, he does cuddle closer against Akechi, sighing. He's feeling awful cozy like this, huddled between a heap of pokemon, A.B.A's large body providing ample head.

He does so love Akechi's soft feathers, though.]

Well... [he murmurs with a yawn, settling down in the pile of fur, feathers, and a variety of skin and body types that makes up this sleepover.] I'm going back to sleep.

[He lifts a paw for Akechi to get closer, if he wants.]

[It takes a moment before he scoots closer. No one else is looking, and as a cat, Ren is warm.]

I suppose we should both rest.

[...]

Though it's strange. I haven't had as many nightmares of late...

[And Ren happily allows his paw to drape over Akechi- a little awkward, with this body plan, but it's nice. Yep, this is nice.

He's ready to go to sleep, but his ears twitch at Akechi's admission.]

M'glad to hear that, [he says with a sigh.] We need the rest, if we're gonna do missions.

[He doesn't mention his own remaining struggles with night terrors. It's... fine. He can deal. Just sleeping in a group has helped- nevermind that he hasn't had much sleep yet.]

Oh, I fully intend to pursue missions. It's the most practical way to adjust to this new form.

[Oh, there's an air of confidence to his words. An unspoken challenge.]

I suspect the two of us will rise through the rankings in time.

Won't lose to you, [Ren murmurs, tiredness seeping in his voice,] but y'better keep up.

[Another yawn.]

Or perhaps... you'll be the one keeping up.

[Damn it. Now he's yawning. Thanks, Ren.]

[Ren quietly snickers.]

Don't count on it.

[Hehe... Akechi's so cute, yawning like a little bird... but it only serves to cause Ren to yawn again.

Well. Time to sleep. Maybe he'll actually get some, this time.]

Good night, Akechi.

Good night, Ren.

[With no one else looking, he can relax more easily. Perhaps it's not so much like those noisy, crowded orphanages...

Maybe more like... her...

As he drifts off to sleep, he remembers being very small, curled up beside his mother.

If only it could have lasted.]

Impromptu Oran Sleepover

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cw for implied child neglect

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CW: implied child neglect

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