Friends?
The AMA was running late, but she wanted to keep it going for another fifteen more minutes. Most of the questions seemed tame and light-hearted; there were many whimsical ones from her readers, but the questions on pet health began to be pushed further down the page. Those were usually her main concern, she could feel the anxiety pulsate through the screen. However, her editors had told her to keep it lighthearted and engaging, in the name of subscription numbers and all that.
Her eyes flicked quickly and seized upon an easy opening. Perhaps just one more cute question from a dgrp14xx.
Yuki, what is ur favourite food?
She chuckled. This was a classic.
I miss Kanto's sushi and bento, it's been a long time since I've had Kanto cooking. Luckily, I am quite adventurous when it comes to food, and I looooove spicy things. What would you recommend from your hometowns?( っ ڡ˘ς)
And while the comments piled on that, she looked at the single-comment threads that referenced pokemon care. Picking through them, one drew her attention. It was made by oldmeowthguy, a handle she had noticed more frequently lately, someone who had rather astute comments about life with multiple pets and… well… life in general. He could come off as depressive, and rarely left comments unless astoundingly critical and on point.
My Persian has been drinking a lot recently. She's also been asking to go out more often. Should I be worried?
It could be nothing, she replied. But take her to a medical professional if youcan. I don't want to scare you, but it could be kidney disease. Best to have it checked out.
His answer was simple, and as usual, marvelously polite. Ok. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Yuki continued to stare the screen for a while, before returning to the thread on home-cooking invitations and family-owned restaurants, noting down some of the more interesting names and dishes. Though it was hopeless, she could stand to learn a few new recipes, and perhaps this time, they would turn out edible.
After yet another long day, Yuki fired up her Navi device and started surfing Petdit, though this time, she was doing the lurking; she did enjoy learning more about other people's lives. Living vicariously through others' experiences never failed to amuse her. She didn't see it as voyeuristic, merely that the world outside seemed so much closer when accessed online. Sifting through the usual fanmail, she discovered that a new direct message awaited her, from oldmeowthguy.
Hi kid, thought that you might like an update. You were right. Thank you.
She had to reply to this, it was impossible to resist something resembling an enigmatic compliment.
I'm sorry to hear that. I hope she's doing better now =
She was a little startled when she received an immediate response, the notification popped up not ten seconds after she had hit 'send'.
I appreciate your concern. She's on several different kinds of medication and a new diet, still hanging on like the fighter that she is.
Her fingers seemed to move of their own accord. She felt emboldened.
Could... could I have a picture of her? She seems like a tough old gal.
It was certainly forward to ask this of a complete stranger, but somehow, Yuki felt the need to help document this pokemon with a nice photograph. She could tell that the Persian was very much loved.
Sure. One moment.
A minute passed, and she began to wonder if she had been too forward. Just then, an image popped up—a grey-blue maw and cool, beady eyes stared back at her from the screen. It was a little blurry, but she could tell that the Alolan Persian (exclusive subspecies to the region) was tired, light-coloured, almost white fur framing its eyes and jaw, blue jewel glowing dimly. Its quizzical expression seemed to mirror the face of the man behind it, presumably, oldmeowthguy.
He looked intriguing.