Chapter 28: Plummeting Chills
Three days later...
*The hot day passed by as the next two days got progressively hotter. Thankfully, due to Ice and Gene work with the fans and Regice, the Studio was able to make it through those hot days well.*
*It also helped that the temperature was lower on this day, bringing some amount of relief about not worrying about the heat...*
*Except…The problem was now actually trying to stay warm to counteract the fact it was really, really cold today.*
In the Living Room...
*M3 and Gene were back from the Medical Wing, fully recovered from the Heatstroke and Beatdown they had to get treated for respectfully.*
*The two of them were wrapped around in thick blankets as they watched the local weather channel to see what was going on as they sat on the couch.*
TV: *Says something about a sudden heat wave showing up recently before it switches over to the weather report, saying the city and any surrounding areas were cooling down a bit today.*
M3: *In a dry tone* "Oh sure, it definitely cooled down all right…"
Gene: *Feels like he's going to need another blanket.* "Boss, can make sure to tell me what the forecast is for the next two days if I miss it? I need to get another blanket…"
M3: "Will do, Gene."
*Gene leaves for his room to get another one as the weather channel does its forecast. From what was shown on the screen, the next two days were predicted to get colder...*
Meanwhile...
*Kyle was walking back from the Break Room, carrying two bowls on a tray filled with two small packs and a single spoon each, along with a water pot and its heating stand.*
*He reaches the Living Room and keeps going as he passes by Gene, who returns to the couch with another blanket wrapped around him.*
*Kyle gets into the hallway as he keeps moving till he reaches Aria's door.*
Kyle: *Speaking loud enough for her to hear him.* "Hey Aria, I'm back. Can you open the door for me? My hands are full…"
Aria: *takes a full minute to open the door, and when she does, she looks like crap*
Kyle: *Being nice* "Thank you, Aria. You mind moving so I can get in, please?"
Aria: *moves out of the way*
*Kyle enters into her room and locates the nearest electrical outlet before setting the tray down and plugging on the heating stand's cord and turning the water pot on.*
*It was going to take some time for the water to warm up, so they needed something to do.*
Kyle: *Sits on a nearby chair and just starts talking.* "So how are you holding up, Aria?"
Aria: "...N...Not...well…" *sneezes*
Kyle: "...Do you need to wrap a blanket around yourself?"
Aria: *nods*
Kyle: "Then let me do it for you. *Gets off the chair and gets a blanket off her bed and wraps it around her.* "...Better?"
Aria: "A-A-A-A l-l-little…"
Kyle: *Looks around the room before stopping at her bed.* "...How about you get under the covers of your bed and see if that'll help?"
Aria: *nods, and goes to do so*
*The water pot dings to say it was done and Kyle gets the meals and bowls ready. After a small bit of time, Kyle sits on the side of the bed and offers Aria one of the meals he made.*
Kyle: "It's instant oatmeal, by the way. Triple M says it's good to eat when it's warm."
Aria: *nods and accepts*
Kyle: *Digs into his own bowl of oatmeal, feeling the meal warming up his insides.* "...I think you'll like the taste, Aria."
Aria: *tries it* "... … ...I guess it's good…" *still shivering a bit*
*The two finish their bowls of oatmeal, which Kyle collects and places them on the tray before he returns back to the bed.*
Kyle: "Still can't believe we went from dealing with the heat, only to end up dealing the cold now…"
Aria: *just shivers some more*
Kyle: "I think we should get out of here and see we can find somewhere else that's warmer…Can you handle that, Aria?"
Aria: *nods*
*The two end up leaving Aria's room...before Kyle heads back in to make to get the tray, dirty bowls, and the water pot and its heater.*
*After Kyle quickly dropped that stuff off at the Break Room, the Courier and Tactician ended up knocking on some of the other doors nearby to see how everyone else was faring.*
*They ended up knocking on Ice's door first, and the person to open the door was…*
*...It was a person, but not exactly a 'human' one. It was Gespenst.*
Gespenst: *Shivers as it looks at Kyle and Aria*
Kyle: *Feeling bad for the little guy* "The cold even got to you, little guy?"
Gespenst: *Nods as it keeps shivering.*
Alma: *approaches from further in the room; looks like she's coping fairly well* "Come on, Gespenst, let's head further into the room to-" *notices Aria* "Wow...you look like shit…"
Aria: *glares at her*
Kyle: *Asking nicely* "...If you don't mind, does this room have anything we can use to warm ourselves up? We're...not doing well as you pointed out."
Alma: "Not really...while I don't need all that much, the other two… … ...well…"
Kyle: *Immediately responds with, "Then uhm...I think we'll look elsewhere. But if we find things you guys can use, I'll send them over your way, okay?"*
Alma: *nods* "Alright…"
*Kyle and Aria then depart as the Courier tries to cheer Aria up with a compliment, which does work for a bit before Aria sneezes and shivers again.*
*Their search ends up with them not finding anything as they made their way to the Living Room. Gene and M3 were watching a different channel at this point when they hear Aria and Kyle walk in.*
Gene: *Looking at Aria first* "Look… ...I'm not trying to be mean, but you look really terrible, Aria."
M3: *Adds in, "You still look fine, just not as fine as you usually are…"*
Aria: *gives an 'I don't need people reminding me' glare at them*
Kyle: *Noting Aria's glare* "If you guys don't mind...I'd like to ask if there is anything you two can spare to help us out…"
M3: *Already seeing where this is going.* "Actually, I got a few cozy robes in my closet I can give you guys. The good thing about them is that you can wear it over what you got on and wrap a blanket around yourself."
Gene: *Chimes in with, "And Aria, I can trade you these two thick blankets for the thin one you got wrapped around you."*
Aria: *smiles* "Thank you…"
*Gene exchanges the blankets with Aria as M3 quickly heads over to his room and comes back with 4 robes draped around his arms.*
M3: *Hands 2 robes over to Aria and Kyle, before handing the third one to Gene.* "That's about all I got for now."
Kyle: *After getting the robe on above his duster.* "Thanks a lot, Triple M."
*The Courier and Tactician head back into the hallway after Aria got the robe on over her coat and wrapped herself around with one of the thicker blankets. She definitely felt warmer, but the shivering still kept coming.*
*Once those two were gone, M3 and Gene went back to watching TV now wearing robes over what they got on in addition to the blankets.*
M3: *Noting how warm he felt now.* "I think I'll be able to weather the cold from here on out…"
Gene: *Looking like he's getting too warm now.* "I think I can brave it out without what I got on at the moment…I'm starting to sweat."
M3: *Looking over to Gene, seeing that he was actually sweating.* "Maybe you should take the robe off and ditch the blanket…"
Gene: *Thinking it over* "...You know, I could give the blanket to someone else who needs it."
M3: "Well, I don't need another one. Maybe try asking around?"
Gene: "Yeah...I think I'll do that. I'll be back in a bit, boss."
*The Studio Assistant gets off the couch and heads into the hallway.*
*Gene looks ahead only to see Aria and Kyle heading up to the second floor via the staircase at the end of the hall. He then turns and knocks on the nearest door while unwrapping the thin blanket wrapped around him.*
*The door opens quickly this time...as Gene sees Gespenst was the one who opened it.*
Gespenst: *Sneezes and shivers before a smile forms on its face when it saw Gene.*
Gene: *Immediately hands the blanket over to Gespenst* "You clearly need this more than me, little buddy."
Gespenst: *Smile widdens before it sneezes again.* "...Thank… … ...you… …."
*The Boo then starts closing the door until Gene pushes the door back, getting the Boo to stop. It then looks at him with an odd glance as it shivers.*
Gene: *Takes over his cozy robe and says, "I'm sorry for taking up your time, little buddy. But can you please get a bit closer?"
Gespenst: *Gets a bit closer to Gene...as he puts the robe onto it carefully.*
*The robe was too big for the Boo, but it ended up covering enough of the Boo it could still wear it and stay warm.*
Gespenst: *Looks to Gene, giving him a look that would have warmed his heart.*
Alma: *returns* "Hey...Oh, Gespenst, where'd you get that?"
Gespenst: *Moves out of the way and opens the door more to show Gene standing on the other side.* "...Gene…gave ...it…"
Alma: "Oh, I see…" *turns to Gene* "... … ...Thank you… … .."
Gene: "No need to thank me-" *Starts shivering.* "...I...I'll...be...going."
*The Studio Assistant leaves as the cold makes him shiver more.*
Alma: *nods* "Come one Gespenst...let's head back in…"
Gespenst: *Closes the door and follows Alma back further into the room.*
Alma: *calls to IceBite* "Daniel, are you still coping well?"
IceBite: "...A bit...still a bit cold…"
Gespenst: *Starts rubbing up against Alma with the robe.* "...Ice...see…gift…"
IceBite: "Hmmm? Oh, seems nice…"
Gespenst: *Blushes as it moves to Ice's bed, puts the blanket it was carrying down, and rests on it.*
*The ghost then closed its eyes and started to sleep, occasionally smiling as it felt the warmth it was getting. Ice and Alma kept quiet as they to pass the time…*
Meanwhile...
*After moving away from the door they were at, Kyle speaks up.*
Kyle: "... ...You doing better, Aria?"
Aria: "...S-Still cold...but better…"
Kyle: *In a confident tone* "Just got keeping looking...We'll find someplace warm to be in soon."
*The two went up to the next door and knocked on it. Time passed…*
*And no one answered the door. They move to the next door and knock on it…*
*The door opens as Kyle and Aria see it was Mark Sevon, their future son.*
Kyle: *Upon seeing him* "Hey, how are you-"
*The duo sees that Mark looks like crap…*
Aria: "So...you don't like the cold either…"
Mark: "...Morgan's..j-just as bad…" *sneezes* "We're...having i-issues findi-ing way t-t-to stay w-warm…"
Kyle: *Unwraps the thick blanket around him and holds it out.* "Here...take this and wrap yourself around with it."
Mark: *nods* "Th-Thanks…" *takes the blanket* "What about Morgan, though?"
Kyle: *Looks to Aria* "How about you take a break from all this moving around and share your blanket with Morgan, Aria? She needs it as much as you do…"
Aria: *thinks a moment, then nods* "...Alright…"
*The Tactician heads into the room, as Kyle looks to his future son*
Kyle: *Makes sure to say,"...Please don't tell her how terrible she looks, okay?"*
Mark: "Would be hypocritical if I did…"
Kyle: *Offering some advice as well.* "...And if you have to share that blanket with her, make sure to huddle up. It helps to converse the body heat you guys need."
Mark: *nods* "Alright…"
Kyle: "I'll be back shortly…"
*Kyle quickly cracks a smile to Mark, before the two depart. Mark closes the door behind him as Kyle moves onto the next door.*
*The door gets knocked on and GotM Connor opens the door...slightly.*
GotM Connor: *From behind the small crack of the door* "Hey Kyle, what brings you around here?"
Kyle: *Curious* "...I'm here to ask if you got anything to spare to get through the cold."
GotM Connor: *Opens the door a bit wider* "Well...I may have something that can help out, but I'd like to keep it in my room at the moment."
Kyle: *Feeling some amount of heat escaping.* "Then would you be open to having a few more people join you in your room?"
GotM Connor: *Fully opens the door.* "Yeah, I can have a few more people in here. But how many people are you talking about?"
Kyle: "About 4 people. Me, Aria, Mark and Morgan...Our Mark and Morgan, to be more clear."
GotM Connor: *Checks behind him* "I got enough room for that many, so go get them and I'll let you guys in."
Kyle: *Being grateful* "Thank you…"
*He quickly leaves to get Aria and his future son and daughter and momentarily returns with them as GotM Connor holds the door open for them.*
*The moment they get inside, they can feel the warmth of the heat inside the room and it does wonders for their shivering and coldness.*
Kyle: *Takes the robe he was wearing off.* "I...don't think I'll need this on for the moment."
Aria: *feeling better* "Why...is the room so warm?"
GotM Connor: *Points over to where his bed is.* "Its probably because of 'that'..."
*The group then sees… … ...Connor's Volcarona…Who is just sitting on the bed minding its own business.*
Aria: "Your Pokémon is doing that? Hmmm...then it must be Fire type… … ...you have anymore Fire types?"
GotM Connor: "Yeah, I do...Just give me a sec." *Goes over to his collection of Poké Balls and gets two out.*
*He then brings out his Heatran and Chandelure, who make some noise upon seeing him.*
GotM Connor: "That's about it...Besides the last one Fire type I have."
Kyle: "And which one is that?"
GotM Connor: "That would be Reshiram...But its too big to be sent out with everyone in here."
Aria: "Alright...maybe we can use this to help, just like IceBite's Regice helped solve the problem with the heat: let's find the others with Fire Pokémon and spread the idea around…"
GotM Connor: *Remembering from earlier* "Well...I'd start with Amaris. I know for sure she has a Fire type."
Kyle: "Thanks for the info, Connor." *Looks to Aria and the twins,* "C'mon, let's get going."
*But before the group of 4 left to get started, GotM Connor did them a favor and told his Volcarona to accompany them for the time being. This meant the heat inside the room was going to be with them, which they appreciated a lot.*
A bit later...
*Kyle and the group ended up at Amaris' door and knocked on it and waited for a response.*
Emperor Mitchell: *answers the door* "Oh, hey...what's...everyone doing here?"
Kyle: *Not expecting him* "Uhm...We're here to talk to Amaris. This...is her room, right?"
Emperor Mitchell: "Oh, yeah, it is, she's right here…" *turns and calls Amaris*
Amaris: *approaches* "Yeah?"
Kyle: "Hopefully we aren't bugging you, but how are you and Emp Mitchell dealing with the cold?"
Amaris: "Nocturne is pretty cold during the winter, so I'm used to it…"
Emperor Mitchell: "I'm coping...I guess…"
Kyle: "Well, we actually are going around asking everyone else who has a Fire Type Pokémon for assistance…"
Amaris: "I see… … ...and I have a Fire Type… … …"
Aria: "Exactly...we hope to replicate the plan that helped us out when the heat was around, only with a group of Fire Types instead of an Ice Type…"
Amaris: "I see… … …"
Kyle: "So, can we count on you to help out?"
Amaris: *nods* "Very well."
Kyle: "Then we'll be back once we get everyone else on board…Thanks, Amaris."
*The group then moved on, allowing Amaris and Emperor Mitchell to see that GotM Connor's Volcarona was following them.*
*The next door they reached was actually Maribelle's given that she was the one to answer it.*
Kyle: "Pardon, we're out looking for anyone who has Pokémon that are Fire Types. You happen to have any, Maribelle?"
Maribelle: "Y-Yes, as a m-m-matter of f-fact, I d-d-do. M-Might I a-a-ask what is g-g-g-going on?"
Kyle: "I think it's safe to say everyone is being affected by how cold it is today in some way. So, we just need your help with whomever you have to get the Residential Area warmed up. Sorta like how that Regice helped everyone beat the heat a few days ago."
Maribelle: "Ah...I-I see...I d-d-didn't think t-to use Delphox t-t-to help w-with the c-c-cold…"
Kyle: "Then I think you should go get Delphox to help keep you warm till we get back to you once we got everyone else with Fire Types informed about what is going on."
Maribelle: "R-Right." *goes off to get Delphox*
*And with that, the group moved on.*
*Taking a bit of time, they ended up at Ice's room again with Kyle knocking on the door.*
Alma: *answers the door* "...Something ELSE? Gespenst is sleeping, what do you want?"
Kyle: "Sorry, we just came by to ask if either you or Ice have any Fire Type Pokémon with you…"
Alma: "...I have a Volcarona...why?"
Kyle: "Did you ever think of asking your Volcarona with helping out keeping the room warm, Alma?"
Alma: "... … ...Not really… … …"
Aria: "Well, the idea is we gather up all the Fire Types in the Studio and have them help with heating the place up. Can you help?"
Alma: *thinks about it for a bit* "... … …" *sighs* "Alright, alright...we'll do it…"
Kyle: "And yeah...Your Volcarona can heat up the room easily if Gespenst and Ice need some warmth. If you need proof, then just step out here…"
*Kyle moves out of the way, inviting Alma to step out.*
*Alma does so*
Kyle: *Calls GotM Connor's Volcarona over.*
*The Shiny Volcarona flew over and brought with it the rather pleasant heat field it was generating, showing Alma how that species of Pokémon would help out with coping through the cold temperature.*
Kyle: "So, you see what I mean?"
Alma: "I see your point… … ...be right back…" *goes back to get her Volcarona*
*While she was away, Kyle looked into Ice's room. He ended up seeing Gespenst still snoozing on the bed with the robe it was wearing, along with Ice nearby.*
Alma: *returns* "Alright...back…"
Kyle: "...So we'll be back to tell you what you and your Volcarona need to do for the plan. And uh...Thanks for agreeing to help out."
*And with that, Aria's plan was set in motion.*
*Simply put, her plan required the Fire Types to be placed in certain spots around the Residential Area. With those positions, the heat would travel upward naturally and bring the overall temperature of the area up.*
*If that wasn't good enough, the residents could spend time around the rooms closer to a Fire Type to get warmer if they needed that.*
*Once the plan worked out shortly after everything was set up, a lot of residents made sure to find her and Kyle to thank them for getting this done.*
*The remainder of the day was spent like following this plan, allowing everyone to get through the day.*
Two days later…
*In the following days, the temperature got lowered and made everything colder. Or it would have if it were not for the Fire Types that worked hard to keep everyone warm.*
*But eventually, the cold period passed and the temperatures returned back to normal starting with today.*
*Speaking of today, Gene was sitting on the couch watching a movie when Alma and Gespenst walked into the room. Gespenst immediately gets attracted to the TV.*
Gespenst: *Looks to Alma, saying, "Want to...watch...movie…"*
Alma: "...Uhm...alright…"
Gespenst: *Smiles as it and Alma end up joining Gene on the couch as Gespenst ends up on Alma's lap.*
Gene: *Noticing the two sitting near him.* "Oh, hey there little guy...And uh...Hey Alma."
Gespenst: *Moves from Aria's lap to sit on the spot in between them and Gene before smiling when it looked at both of them.*
*The movie goes on until it reaches a quiet part, at which point Gene says something.*
Gene: *To Alma* "If you...don't mind me asking, how's Gespenst been doing?"
Gespenst: *Looks to Gene before immediately looking over to Alma, waiting for her response.*
Alma: "... … ...He's doing fine, last I knew…"
Gene: "Just thought I ask since...I remember the little guy was shivering because of how cold it was a few days ago before I gave him the robe and blanket."
Gespenst: *Cuddles up next to Gene as a way to say thanks for then.*
Gene: *Pets Gespenst before telling it, "Thank you for that. But...you should sit closer to Alma, okay?"
Gespenst: *Nods and does so by cuddling up to Alma and coos a few times for her attention.*
Alma: "Hmmm?"
Gespenst: *Gives her a look saying that it wants her to pet it as it keeps cooing quietly.*
Alma: *does so*
Gespenst: *Blushes as that goes on and it goes back to watching the movie.*
*The movie eventually reaches its ending where two of the main characters end up getting married before the credits start rolling.*
Gespenst: *Looks to Alma, smiling happily before it playfully licks her.*
Alma: *giggles*
Gespenst: *Keeps playfully licking her for a bit till it stops and snuggles her.*
Gene: *Puts in another movie, interrupting them as he says to both of them, "Uhm...If you guys are sticking around, I'll...be right back. Need to get something to drink."
*Gene leaves for the Break Room, causing attention to divert away from Alma as the ghost waited for Gene to get back.*
*Once he got back, Gespenst looked to Alma...and then immediately looked to Gene.*
*The movie started playing, getting Gene and Alma to focus on the TV.*
Gespenst: *Moved over to Gene and pokes him gently.*
Gene: "Uhm...What do you want little guy?"
Gespenst: *Points over to Alma.*
Gene: *Gives the Boo a confused look before focusing on taking a drink of his bottled water.*
Gespenst: *Moves over to Alma and gently pokes her a few times.*
Alma: "Hmmm?"
Gespenst: *Points over to Gene.*
Alma: "What about him?"
Gespenst: *Just points at him again, before smiling.*
Alma: "... … ...I don't get it…"
Gespenst: *Looks disappointed and moves to the seat in between her and Gene.*
*The movie the reaches a quiet part, allowing Gene a moment to drink some of his bottled water again and Alma to look at Gespenst.*
Gespenst: *Thinks out something for a bit before struggling to say, "Alma… ...Do...you… ...love… … …"*
*The ghost becomes quiet, catching Gene's attention as he keeps drinking the water.*
Alma: "... … ...What?"
Gespenst: *Struggles to say, "...Do… you… love… … … ...Gene?"*
End Chapter 28.
