Wakino Emails

To: Professor Palm [justamisstep@delimail.com]
Date: April 28, 11:36 PM
Message:
Hey...uh...Professor. I don't remember your first name and I'm too tired to look it up right now. Okay, too lazy. Both? Whichever.

I figured I should probably apologize for basically trying to kidnap your daughter. That sounds way worse in hindsight. But yeah, I guess it isn't so cool to just try to get people's kids to join secret government organizations without the parent's consent. I mean, at some point you'd have to let go, but I suppose I could have just...ya know...talked to you, instead of going behind your back or whatever. Mirai's doing fine and I'll take responsibility if something were to happen to her, but I'll make damned sure that isn't the case. So...yeah...I guess that's that. Or something.

So...uh...bye.
Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]

P.S. If you tell Mako about this, I'm taking Mirai to join a real pirate gang.
P.P.S. You might want a slightly more professional email address.
P.P.P.S. What's Mirai's favorite food? And color? And movie genre? And type? And four-letter word?

To: Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]
Date: April 30th, 9:23 AM
Message:
Hello, Melanie.  It's Franklin, by the way.

It was a hard decision to let Mirai go, and a harder one to let her go with people I'd never met, but to be fair, I had barely known her when I adopted her.  It was a few years ago, when I had gone on a business trip along with her parents, studying aquatic Pokemon and the effects they have on weather (and how weather affects them), when that freak accident happened that killed them.  While I wasn't acquainted with Mirai personally, I'd known her parents for a while, and Mirai had few relatives in this country, so I was the one who ended up with her, through a series of coincidences.  It was reluctantly that I took care of her, and reluctantly that I let go, so I hope that you all take good care of her and help show her the country.  She deserves that much.

Wishing you the best,
Professor Palm [justamisstep@delimail.com]

P.S. Why don't you ask her herself?  As for my address, I actually have a separate work address that I use, although I'm not giving that out for you (nothing personal, just want to keep it free of personal mail.)

To: Balmy Palmy [justamisstep@delimail.com]
Date: May 2, 3:21 AM
Message:
Hey so I guess I'm dating Mirai now and I didn't want to not tell you in case that's super bad or something but ummmm I didn't really know what to do so I figured I'd just tell you that and probably say I'm not going to hurt her? Or really, I don't know I'm not going to hurt her, I'm telekinetic not clairvoyant, oh I guess that also happened since we last talked so that's a thing now, but I'll try not to hurt her at least!

No, the part about not wanting to not tell you is kind of a lie, really the subject of school came up and when I asked about her time there she kind of got cold, well not really cold because even her coldest is probably warmer than my warmest, but she was pretty abnormal for her and I got scared but I don't know how to approach her about it so I wanted to know if there was some sort of specific thing that happened that I should avoid. If it's too personal or something you don't have to tell me, just maybe a hint at what might remind her of bad things and how to avoid them? I mean, I know she's not your real kid from that time I snuck into your house and saw some pictures and listened in through the wall but you're still totally a parent.

Unless you don't approve of any of this, then just pretend like this is all a joke.
Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]

P.S. I know the answers to those things I asked you before!
P.P.S. Mirai caught a Gligar. Ya know, one of those cool flying scorpion things?
P.P.P.S. I guess you might already know that if she talks to you. Does she talk to you? She should probably talk to you. I should talk to my parents...

To: Balmy Palmy [justamisstep@delimail.com]
Date: May 2, 3:23 AM
Message:
Oh shit, I never told you I snuck into your house. Yep...that happened. When we were...when I was trying to recruit her and Mako and Mack went to return her I followed them to the house without their knowledge and snuck into Mirai's room 'cuz the window was open. I don't know what I was trying to do. It was just something she wanted to do and I was scared she might not get to? I guess I know how it feels to feel stuck somewhere. So that's probably a pretty good reason not to approve of my relation with her. But sorry about that. Just say you want her to come back and I'll personally escort her home.

Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]

To: Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]
Date: May 3, 10:34 AM
Message:

Melanie, you're not making yourself look any better with the way you go on about things.  Anyway, I don't know the exact details of why she dislikes school, she never talked about it, although her grades were usually excellent.  My personal theory is that she was disliked for being a consistent teacher's pet or some such.  I don't believe she was in actual relationships in school, so it didn't have anything to do with heartbreak.  Who knows.  Anyway, keep your hands (and mind) out of her pants for a while at the very least, I guess?  I don't know what to tell you what to do, I'm not really old enough to be cut out for this parental thing.  I'll probably go check in on you all in person sometime soon, but I'm not going to ask you to drop her off.

Professor Palm [justamisstep@delimail.com]
P.S.  We do talk, by the way, so I was already aware of you two dating.  Not about the Gligar, though, very interesting.

To: Palm [justamisstep@delimail.com]
Date: June 2, 1:07 AM
Message:
Hey...I have some uncomfortable questions. I mean, probably uncomfortable. What //exactly// happened the day Mirai's parents died? And what specifically were they researching? I've learned that the concept of freak accidents is...more often than not completely false, being very deliberate events. And the more I learn about Wakino, the more I'm convinced no one wipes their ass without Aether knowing.

Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]

To: Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]
Date: June 6th, 2:41 PM
Message:
I apologize for the wait, I was a bit...hesitant to give out sensitive information like this.  Mirai's parents and I, before they died, were contacted by a company called Mantine Medical to do some research on some strange aquatic lifeforms living near Ark.  Specifically, we were asked to investigate Mermaids and their relation to the lunar cycle, as well as their relation to oceanic storms, from the Sea God Kanaloa's influence.  We made some serious headway on how they could cause wild storms when they were upset, and how particularly strong storms seemed to invigorate them, and the specific effects of all the parts of the lunar cycle on them.  We'd finally finished writing up a report on our findings when...well, I have to apologize for lying, it wasn't a freak accident, it was definitely a murder meant to look like a freak accident.    We were out sailing on the water, during a storm with some Mermaids, when...I believe someone made one of the Mermaids intensify the storm...and I only have my own word on this, but I believe I could barely see someone pushing the two of them off the boat in the storm.  I didn't have my glasses on at the time, the gale force winds had made me trip and break them when I fell.  Whatever the case, they were later found dead with wounds from Pokemon, not any that were particularly aggressive, however.  I suspect that someone might have incited the Pokemon to attack them, or they used Shadow Pokemon.  Whatever the case, our research went missing after that, and I got out of there as quickly as I could.

I believe you all recently captured a Daisuke Bunsen who was running that company, but he was just a hired scientist like me and her parents at the time this happened, so it wasn't his fault.  Management there has probably changed significantly, so it's hard to say if taking the company down really avenged her parents.

Whoever orchestrated this, they're probably with Aether now.  I believe the only reason I was spared was because I had been recently appointed as a member of the Pokemon Association of Wakino, and while even to this day I'm not well known for being part of the Pokemon League here, a new entry into the association being murdered right after they joined would be all over the media, so they probably spared me to keep the public eye off of it.

Either way, take care.

Professor Palm [justamisstep@delimail.com]

To: Mom and Dad [snowpointtutors@delimail.com]
Date: May 2, 3:58 AM
Message:
Hey. So, I guess I hardly said anything before running out the door and you're probably pretty worried. I don't remember how much (or really how little) I actually told you, but I'm working in Wakino now. We're part of the navy, but we sail around catching pirates, so kind of like what Grandpa did! I even took his ornamental sword, hope his spirit isn't mad. It's...not a very good sword actually. I'll send it back if I get something new or it breaks I guess, but his training is certainly pretty handy. So to explain why I wanted to leave so badly, it was Grandma. She always told me awesome stories and when she died I just couldn't bear to be in Snowpoint. Every little thing reminded me of her or a story and I'm crying a bit just thinking of her now. But I decided I wanted to go check out Wakino and the PIRATES (Don't ask, they love acronyms) were the best way to do that. So it seemed like I was running away but I want you two to know that I love you both!

Sleight's doing pretty good. He evolved actually! Ado too! They've both been a lot of help. I've also found a few others: a dead Magikarp (seriously, it's a ghost) that's now a dead Gyarados named Reeve, a Haunter (have you guys heard of shadow pokemon? I guess they're pretty uncommon but if a pokemon is abused the right way it goes shadowy? I don't know, I guess I just wondered if tutors would have seen any) named Po, working on rehabilitating him and then...I don't know after that, and a Riolu named Koa. She doesn't quite seem comfortable around others but I'm working on it, like the way you two would. So far we've only really caught two groups of pirates, but I guess that's pretty impressive? I don't really know the averages. My crew's pretty alright. There's Lani, an old dude that sails the boat and acts like an impressively stereotypical sailor. A bear that thinks it's a pirate. Light, it can speak, it's weird. This ranger we found living in the wild. Like, she's a normal person...okay, normal in the way I'm normal, but she's a warper! This musclehead named Mako. He's pretty alright I guess. We don't really actually have a leader but he's kind of it? I don't know. People also actually listen to me sometimes I guess so maybe I'm second-in-command? We could probably be more coordinated or structured. Anyway, he's kind of like a big brother. There's a girl named Med. I guess she was in a band in high school and can do the aura thing with pokemon, but more importantly she's a Mizou! You know, the ghost family? Although she doesn't seem very much like them. She's kind of an airhead. Or at least she seems like one. Then there's Lesieli. I don't actually know much about her but I guess she's into computers. She's also...not very reliable in a fight. It's...well I have one badge (!) right now when I should have two, and I'm not saying it's COMPLETELY her fault but...well you get it. There's also this guy named Lysandr we picked up recently. I guess he was a cop or something. He's one of those pretty looking guys, y'know? I don't actually know too much about him. Oh, and don't tell anyone about it, but we also have Mackenzie Frazier. Yep, THE Mackenzie Frazier. I guess he thought it was a movie? I don't really know, but yeah, he's here. He's...not quite how I expected him to be.

Oh, and there's one more member of the crew...her name is Mirai. She's a channeler (!) and kind of...my girlfriend now. I know we never really talked about...um...you know...but um...I don't know how you guys feel about it...so uh...yeah. She's from Conch (Only been there and Zebra Town so far but they're pretty cool. Pretty bright and hot. I was not prepared for just how hot it would be) and is the adoptive daughter of Professor Palm. I guess he's kind of famous or something, you could look him up. Oh, and...I guess I'm psychic? The telekinetic kind, did that run in the family? Is there anything else I should know about? I stayed at a weird place for a little while but I guess I'm pretty decent at controlling it now. I don't know how much they investigate stuff like this or if they contact family, but...it's a thing. So I guess...that's...my life now.

Love you both a lot!
Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]

To: Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]
Date: May 3rd, 2:44 PM

Sorry to reply to you late, hun!  We also use this email for work, so we had to focus on actual work mails before getting to yours.  We didn't get a contact from your job about this, so we were a bit worried, you could have left a note, you know!  But we knew that if you wanted to do something so much that you left the safety of your room, it must have meant a lot to you, and we knew that Sleight and Ado would make sure to take good care of you!  I'm glad that you finally sent word back, I was wondering if you were getting along okay, but you seem to be!

We could tell you were pretty upset by Grandma going missing, and I'm not surprised that it's still bothering you.  You never had any really close friends besides your family, so losing part of your family probably hurt worse than anything ever should, and nothing me or your father did ever seemed to help.  While we were really worried when you left, we were also a bit relieved that you found something to do besides be miserable in your room.  I don't mean to be condescending when I said that, but I felt ashamed seeing you like that, more of myself than of you.  I felt like I'd failed as a mother if I couldn't do anything to help my child get out of her misery.

Anyway, as for your girlfriend...I'd never been exactly comfortable with the idea of homosexuality, but if you've found someone to make you happy, I would never damn you for it, and I can hardly blame you after what those boys did to you in school.  Your father was a bit more bothered by the news than I was, but we'll always love you no matter what you do.  We're also very proud that you managed to follow in your grandfather's footsteps, and we're sure that he'd be proud to know that his sword is still being used to enact justice.

Be sure to write again sometime!  If you or your friends need any moves tutored onto your Pokemon, maybe you could visit?  Probably not, it's a bit far away.  The Mizou family is pretty nice, I'm sure at least someone in it can tutor moves, maybe even more than that, so be sure to ask that Med about it.  And living with an actor must be amazing, I'm pretty jealous, myself!

Anyway, I hope to talk to you again soon,

Mom [snowpointtutors@delimail.com]

To: Mom and Dad [snowpointtutors@delimail.com]
Date: May 25, 2:16 PM
Message:
Just checking in again. Well I guess technically I'm not just doing that, but whatever. We're on Sepia now. Oh, and we just got back from Visiwa, but things got a little weird over there so we came back, but I caught a bunch of new pokemon, though I'm sure you've already seen most of what I caught.

Anyways, so I hear Dad used to be pretty close with Akio Mizou? He said something about a dark presence near Snowpoint once upon a time? What was all that about? Oh and [REDACTED] is doing pretty good it seems, as is Med.

Love,
Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]

To: Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]
Date: May 26th, 11:37 AM
Message:
Glad to hear that [REDACTED] is doing well.  You want to know what Akio and I did?  Well...

It was I believe the third time we met.  Your mother was having terrible nightmares every night, and was getting harder and harder to wake.  This was back when she was pregnant with you, actually.  There was some spirit that had possessed her and began eating her dreams, trying to take...he wasn't completely sure.  It could've been her soul, or her vitality, or even you that it wanted, but regardless...Akio did some research, and found a way to bring it out, don't ask me the specifics of that.

It was...you've heard the local legends about Darkrai, correct?  Well, I never told you (partially because I wasn't sure if I'd worry or excite you, partially because I wanted to forget the ordeal), but that was it.  A Darkrai.  Akio drove it out of your mother's mind and we had to destroy it.  Akio had brought it out, but his Pokemon weren't suited to battling it, so I had to do most of the heavy lifting there.  Ironheart and Steelbane, you remember those two?  My Gallade and Heracross?  The ones who died a few years back?  I have to say, that battle definitely took a few years off their lives.  It's a wonder they survived through it.  Meanwhile, Obsidian, my Croagunk, died valiantly in that battle.  Your grandfather was too old to fight at that point, he could only watch and give moral support, and I believe he blamed himself for Obsidian dying all the way to his grave.  Whatever the case, we fought and won, not without losses, but we expelled that thing.

But I think the worst part was the end of that.  When I thought I had banished a great evil, and Akio looked me in the eye and told me,

"That was only one of them.  Count your blessings."

That still haunts me to this day.

I hope you don't get into a fight like that, it's something no one should ever have to experience.  I know you're in a job where you have to fight on a routine basis, but please, never get into something like that.

Good Luck,
Dad [snowpointtutors@delimail.com]

To: Mom and Dad [snowpointtutors@delimail.com]
Date: June 2, 1:32 AM
Message:
Yo...er...hey. Felt like it's been forever since I last contacted you guys. Guess it's only been like a week, but I've been...busy. I'm doing good still...mostly...well at least it's certainly been worse. You guys are okay, right? Nothing weird happening up there? Um...h-how do you guys feel...about tattoos? I was uh...thinking about getting one...maybe...but...I didn't know...how you'd react. Also...well someone reminded me of Mitsuko recently and...well I was curious if either of you knew how she and Aunt Momoka were doing...

I'm sure you've noticed I've caught quite a few pokemon now. Wakino is...pretty fascinating. But I was just...erm...n-never mind. Oh, hey, if you could say...one more thing to Gramps...what would it be?

Love,
Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]

To: Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]
Date: June 2, 2:54 PM
Message:
Hi!  Seems like your job has been running you pretty ragged, huh?  We've been perfectly fine up here, business as usual, clients coming in and out.

Now, about tattoos...I'm going to let you in on a secret, darling: I have a Butterfree tattoo right above my butt.  Got it when I was a little younger than you are, back in my college days!  I guess it's a bit of a shame that I can't get rid of it, since it says a lot about my younger days, but I'd never steer you away from getting tattoos!  I think you should try getting something not permanent and seeing if you like it before you stick with something, but hey, it's your body, do what you want.  Your father never got any tattoos, and he pretends to disapprove of it, but I think it actually turns him on a little to see it...maybe not something you want to think about, but I think its worked out for my relationship with him in the long run!

Momoka...last she gave me anything, which was months ago, she had told me she'd shacked up with some man in Wakino.  She was bragging that where her new boyfriend works has a hotspring right nearby that she gets to visit all the time.  Mitsuko is working on becoming a trainer, Momoka said that she keeps going on trips to find really specific kinds of Pokemon for her team, apparently she has a type specialization or some such.  Maybe you'll run in to them?

As for Grandpa...I'd want to tell him that he missed out on his wonderful grandchild.  And that he could've been a little nicer to Momoka, but I can't blame him for that.  I don't believe your father has any regrets, the two of them had a very strong mutual understanding on everything.  Isaac misses his mother more than his father, really.

Hope you're doing well (and catch lots of cool Pokemon),
Mom [snowpointtutors@delimail.com]

To: Mom and Dad [snowpointtutors@delimail.com]
Date: June 2, 7:29 PM
This message has video. //Attached: Vmail/Mom_1(3)//

Message:
The video starts with Melanie seen only from the waist up wearing a ratty old hoodie she's had for years, her eyes barely visible from underneath the hood itself. Of course her signature blush is easily visible as she struggles to maintain eye contact with the camera. Gramps's old sword can be seen in the corner. "Oh...that's...uh...l-like mother like d-daughter I gu- Ishouldn'thavetoldyouthatshouldI-" Melanie panics a bit and reaches toward the camera, though she halts just before presumably deleting the recording. After a frazzled groan, a puff, and some deep breathing, she retracts her hand. "N-Nope, gonna go ahead and let this one play out..." She clears her throat and looks more directly at the camera. "M-Mom I'm...trying to get better at...well you know...so p-please be patient...I uh...I may...have already...gotten some tattoos...before I asked about it...I don't actually know if they're...if they're permanent or not...they're not...n-normal. Let me just...show you..." Melanie hops up and runs off screen. The room darkens and Mel runs back, hardly visible. She sits there for a bit, staring downwards at something offscreen and some quiet whining is audible. "A-Alright...uh...we'll...I guess chronological order..." She moves closer to the camera and slowly pulls her hood back and parts her bangs, revealing an ominously glowing red star which seems to be rhythmically pulsing as though it had a heart beat. As her face gets nearer to the camera, the video feed suffers some visual artifacts near her eyes. Next she scoots back a bit and unzips the hoodie carefully. There's another hesitant pause before she strips it off completely, revealing a rather flattering bikini that seems well out of place for a girl that seemed to live in hoodies, only wearing anything else when the cold weather demanded. Immediately visible are three wavy tendrils that crawl up her stomach, pulsing to the same beat as the star. Melanie whines a bit more before turning to the side and lifting an arm, revealing a...rather disconcerting looking eye smack dab in her armpit with sinewy leaves sprawling out towards her back and breasts. She reaches toward the camera rather quickly to aim it down at her legs, which are wrapped in more red lines with what look like trails of blood streaking down from them here and there. Both Melanie's breathing and the pulsing of the glow quicken synchronously. She spins herself around to show her backside, where sinister eyes peer out from insectoid wings poking over the top of the bottom of the bikini. "W-When...When I said they aren't normal...they let me...they make me stronger. I learned how to make them from my...research. Y-You're not mad are you?" Melanie quickly pulls the hoodie back on and aims the camera upwards, though she has a difficult time looking directly into it. "E-Even if you are...I...I want to be...closer...than we were before...we weren't really..." There's some sniffling and tears before she's finally able to peer directly at the screen. "Losing Grammy hurt but...but I still have...g-good memories...and I don't want to be missing even those w-when you..." She pulls her legs up to her chest as a box of tissues floats over to comfort her. "Y-You said Dad was...uncomfortable...when I mentioned Mirai and I...um...d-does he want a grandkid? I-Is that the problem or is it...the fact that I'm...is it me being...s-sorry to dump this all on y-you, I'm sure there's a Druddigon or s-something that needs anger management...I just...just need to know..." Several wet tissues are crumpled up and tossed aside. "I wasn't...I'm n-not..." The video feed suffers another wave of static. "...I'm not a m-mistake, am I?...I-I'm supposed...supposed to exist?" A few more tissues litter the ground. "You don't...h-have to reply...it's just...th-things have been...w-weird...anyway, I...I have to go...some of my crewmates are doing this stupid...cute contest. Love you..." She snatches up a witch hat to hide her face as she leans forward to turn off the camera.

Love,
Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]

To: Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]
Date: June 3, 1:07 AM
Message:
This message has video. //Attached: Vmail/Mel_1//

Message:
Mom is visible, alone in the study.  She waves at the camera.  "Well, I wasn't expecting a video from you!  You're working on getting less timid, aren't you?  Anyway...that video gave your father a bit of a scare!"  She shakes her head.  "He's a bit easily startled.  Anyway, I have to ask, you didn't join a cult did you?  Just did that on your own?  I'm okay with you tattooing yourself, you're an adult, you can do what you want, but...well..."  She grimaces.  "After //my// experience with cults, I was hoping you didn't.  You see, well...I do have the tramp stamp, yeah, that was something I did on my own, but there was another tattoo I got..."  She pulls up her shirt, and over where her heart is (and slightly overlapping her breast, so that part of it is obscured by her bra) is a black sigil.  She puts her shirt down.  "Well, you see, this one was...I was a bit of a strumpet when I was younger, and was interested in the occult and all that...so I joined a cult, a weird sort of master-servant cult...basically, that tattoo made it so that I had to do anything anyone higher up in the cult told me to do.  At low levels, where you can be ordered by anyone, it's not so strict, and you're allowed a bit of leeway and can even refuse some requests, but later...well, I was midway up and I had to do some crazy things.  I was into that kind of thing, being ordered around..."  She shakes her head a bit.  "But I digress!  Your father convinced me to leave the cult, betray them and turn them in, because...well, they were pretty illicit, I have to say.  And because I did that, I got..."

She takes a big breath.  "I got cursed.  I didn't know how, until I started having you.  Your father and I had definitely wanted a child, but if we had known that Darkrai was going to try to take you well, we would've gotten rid of it first.  We were a little hasty!  I figured being cursed would just mean I'd have bad luck, like breaking a mirror or something, but nope, got a dream-eating abomination trying to take over me and raise you to be its heir or something!  Or maybe an instrument of its will...I don't know.  Whatever the case, we got rid of it, and we had you safely and soundly, and never told you about it because, well, you know, you probably didn't want to know some monster tried to eat you before you were born!"  She straightens her hair a bit, looking at the camera and trying to say something for a bit.

"After I had you...well, I found out I couldn't have any more children after that.  Probably because of that thing.  I was sad I couldn't give you a little brother or little sister, you always seemed so lonely, and Mitsuko left with her mother, which didn't help at all.  Your father and I always worry that we didn't help you enough when you were younger, we tried and tried to make things better for you, and...we can't help but feel like we failed.  I'm really sorry."  Tears start flowing out of her eyes, as she tries to compose herself.

After a few moments, she gets herself together, speaking slowly.  "We don't have any problem with who you date or what you do, really.  We're proud that you grew up like you did, it's just that your father is a bit straightlaced, so when he heard you were together with a girl he thought you were on your way to doing something like me.  It was silly of him, gender doesn't matter.  As for grandchildren...we both want you to do that when you're ready, and if you're never ready, then that's fine.  We just want you to do something you're happy doing, you know?  That's what's most important.  Figure out what's important to you and reach for it, okay?"

Do your best,
Mom [snowpointtutors@delimail.com]

To: Mom and Dad [snowpointtutors@delimail.com]
Date: June 3, 10:03 PM
This message has video. //Attached: Vmail/Mom_2(2)//

Message:
"Timid? Who said I was t-timid!" Melanie's red face betrays her bluff. "I just don't like the concept of little boxes that record you, okay? I'm thinking maybe those tribal people that think cameras steal your soul are onto something." She's surrounded by crumpled up sheets of paper, though they look right at home with the chaotic state her room is in. "So...wait...just to get this straight...you love occult stuff too...and we've just never, ever talked about it?! Whaaaaaat?!" Her tone is clearly one more of surprise and excitement. "I mean...it sounds like you were in the Society of the Black Rose! I mean, frankly I thought they were mostly just a bunch of directionless jackasses that were pretty much at the fucking whim of a dumb thing like a Darkrai, but the tattoo thing always seemed cool, do you know how to make them? Oh, back to your question, no, I'm not in a cult. I've just been doing a lot of research into this kind of thing lately. Y'know, what I don't understand is how the Darkrai fit in. Like the pain and pleasure thing doesn't really have much to do with dreams in the first place, but at the least if the dichotomy was to mean anything they should have had Cresselia on the same level as Darkrai! What the hell was their actual goal?"

About now, Melanie realizes she's just been blatantly swearing, destroying the comfort with which she'd been speaking once she was in her element. "Ohfuckso- damnImea-...s-sorry about my language...anyway...about the curse..." Melanie readies a pen and paper...and then remembers this isn't live with a scowl, tossing them back into the heap they came from. "Do you know what it was called or what it was supposed to do specifically? I mean surely it could be dispelled, right? Did the curse manifest in the Darkrai, attract the Darkrai, was it the Darkrai itself, or did they work in tandem? Could Akio do anything about it, or was this what led to the fight with the Darkrai in the first place? Oh, that reminds me, pretty sure Med's mom and little sister are dead...so that's...sad. Though I forget if I mentioned, we parted ways with her like a week ago or something, so I guess she won't find out or something. Huh. Where was I? Oh, did you have any specific dreams or nightmares while under the effects of the curse? Are you okay now? Are you having any nightmares now? Seriously Mom, tell me if you are! Like when I said I was fine and didn't need my inhaler and then collapsed in the middle of Yuuko's birthday party that one year, that was dumb, don't do something like that. Also, why did you think I wouldn't want to hear about Darkrais trying to...do whatever it tried, of course I'd think it was awesome! Or...were you worried it'd alienate me from the //normal// kids even more?" She says the word 'normal' with a fair amount of disdain. "I mean, I'm pretty sure people with normal kids are the ones that failed anyway, since they're so much less interesting, and I mean I'm awful so you guys definitely did your best, and I'm happy now, see?! Or, mostly happy. Kind of happy. Well not really all that happy right **now**, but with the potential to be happier in the near future. I uh...I broke up...with Mirai...so I guess you didn't really have to worry about any of that...because I make poor decisions...so..." Throughout this rant, Melanie's worked herself up into a fair amount of hysterics and tears; she takes a few minutes to calm herself down, the video glitching up pretty bad. "Oh...we're stopping at Mount Abalone soon...I heard it has hot springs, so it could be where Mitsuko and Aunt Momoka are, I guess. Not like we'd be able to recognize each other probably...oh, and I'm going to be on some chick's video series thing in pretty terrible fan service-y ways. Guess that was unrelated."

"Hey..." The timidness begins to seep back in and the video fragments. "So...well...you're bound to find out eventually...but...well...I'm...not exactly human...anymore. Or not completely...it's hard to explain, but..." The witch's body begins to shimmer, but the video feed blizzards completely for a few minutes. As the static subsides, Melanie can be seen, wearing pretty much only...bone chunks. The area of video around her eyes just constantly puts out static. "This thing hunted me down through my dreams or something and then stuff happened and we kind of...sort of...merged. I still...don't really know what it means for me...or my existence. And...and I know it seems pretty overwhelming...I mean...it is...but don't look at it like a mistake or something you did! I made the decision on my own. I might come to regret my decision one day, but...but I love both of you so much! Honestly..." Mel chokes up a bit, with fuzzies flying all over the video feed. "...I don't...know what to expect from what we're doing here...like, it's some pretty serious stuff...and dangerous...and since I don't...really..um...well...if you could...could you guys maybe...maybe take a little vacation down here at some point? I don't want something to happen...and not be able to actually see you guys again...n-no hurry or anything, it would just...be nice." The last ten minutes or so of the video mostly features Melanie sniffling as she looks into the camera, every so often opening her mouth to say something but failing to find any words. Finally, she nods with a weak smile and the video ends.

Love,
Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]

To: Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]
Date: May 14th, 3:07 PM
Message:
Hey,

I know we haven't talked in a while, but Candice was going to go to Conch City in a few days to meet with a fellow Ice Gym Leader and she's taking me along.  I heard you were in the region, and I wanted to talk, if you were available.  Candice wants to talk to you too.  I got your email from your parents, sorry if this is a little sudden.

Thanks,
Hiroko [zenflake@drifblimail.net]

To: Hiroko [zenflake@drifblimail.net]
Date: May 14th, 5:13 PM
This message has audio. //Attached: Vmail/Hiroko(9)//

Message:
Melanie sounds a little out of breath, though her voice is somehow different from what Hiroko would be used to. It is still incredibly timid, but there's an unusual confidence in her words. "Uh...um...hey. Yeah, it's been...a few years...guess you're still doing the reception thing?...Receptionist thing? Anyways, yeah, I'd...love to talk. We're in Whelk right now though, not...quite sure when we'll return to Conch. It should end up working out though. I'll just...email you or something when we return. I'm...fairly familiar with the people at Conch's ice gym, so it shouldn't be too hard to reach you." There's a big sigh. "You know...I had no idea that b-...she even knew my name...though it's not like there were that many of us, right?" Nervous laughter. "Well...l-looking forward to talking with you. And her...and you...both of you...both of you together?" There's an odd inflection on the last word. "Anyways...uh...see ya..." The audio cuts out but abruptly cuts back in. "P.S. Uh...please don't...make fun of my hair...when you see it...and please don't tell Rhenea or Eliza any of my embarrassing stories..." The message ends.

Thanks,
Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]

To: Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]
Date: June 14th, 5:14 PM

Message:
Hi~

I talked with Lecia and my parents about stuff, and I'll be back, like, in a few days... or so. A lot happened while I was in Hermit Town, and I'd love to talk about it! See you soon~

Kind regards,
Mayuri [candyfluff@drifblimail.net]

To: Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]
Date: June 15th, 3:46 PM

Message:
Hey!  Been a little while, I figured we'd update each other on things!  Dunno' how you've been going, but I, well...

I challenged the league on Saturday!  It was quite a tough ordeal, lemme' tell you!  I guess the easiest part was fighting Nalani, the guy's losing his touch.  He's not talked about much, his specialty's flying types, and he's  actually got a Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos...but he just wasn't much of a match for my dragons.  Seeing his Pokemon got me really hyped up, but he was a disappointment, really.  After THAT, I fought Franklin!  He's really tough, his pokemon are all defensive sorts, and he uses Sandstorms that are so strong you can't blow them away!  Some of my pokemon can weather sandstorms fine, though, so I managed to get past him.  After that was Lecia, I'm pretty sure you know her pretty well.  Fighting her was like fighting a brick wall, you know?  Just kept smashing and smashing until something gave.  I barely beat her, have to say.  If I fought her again, I don't know if I'd win!  After that, I fought Lupin, and he just...I took down some of his pokemon with me, but he tore me down pretty hard.  Not much I could do against that obnoxious GLITTER that was getting all over everything and screwing up my Pokemon.

Murphy was really impressed though, so he let me have a match against him.  He's tricky, his pokemon kept wearing mine down, and they were slippery, hard to keep momentum on.  I lost to him too, but he really liked how I did, so...

Well, Nalani had been considering giving up his spot anyway, so Murphy gave his recommendation for me to take the spot!  I'm an Elite Four member now!  If you watch on Vulpix News tomorrow, that's when they're officially announcing it, they did an interview with me and some of the others about the appointment!  Don't know if you wanna' watch that, but figured I'd let you know.

Keep Slaying,
Mitsuko [murakumo@drifblimail.net]

To: Mitsuko [murakumo@drifblimail.net]
Date: June 16th, 5:15 AM
This message has audio. //Attached: Vmail/Mitsuko//

Message:
Melanie is slurring slightly and sounds dead tired. "That'sssssso cool to hear! I don't really watch much TV. Like any at all. But if I can, I'll try to remember to catch it or stream it or...something. Kinda sucks to get fucked up by type matchups, but I hope you made that fu-...er...Lupin piss himself." There's some grumbling and the sound of some empty bottles being moved around. "But really, pretty cool a kid as young as yo-er, sssorry, woman, person, whatever, I know the whole 'talking down to younger people' thing is stupid and...stupid." Sigh. "Where was I? But really, I'm happy for you. I am. Glad at least one of us is happy right now...which contradicts what I just said but shut up. Also if it's any consolation, where you lost to one Mani, I kicked the other's ass. Well, less kicked her ass and more broked up with her and feel like shit. And she feels like shit. But at least one Mani feels like shit. Except saying that makes me feel even shit...er. If I'm being too subtle...," She actually pronounces the 'b,' "...everything is pretty awful. Ever. So. Yeah. I want a hug. Can you teleport? Is that a thing you can do? It seems like a thing you could do. Where do you even stay now? Do they make you live somewhere in Conch? Or do you live in the volcano for extra training or something? I don't...something. Talk to you later. Hopefully sooner than later. Can it be sooner than later? I'm going to go talk to the non-existent abomination girl today. Did you know I'm part abomination? I don't know the science. Good night. Morning. Something." There's some sniffing before the audio cuts out.

Melanie Ipu [mipu@drifblimail.net]