Chapter 7: What Future

"...and that's pretty much all the main schools of thought. No two people are going to think about it the exact same way though, once you get to specifics."

Violet raised an eyebrow. "And this is what caused all these wars?"

Bryce rolled his eyes, clearly in agreement with what Lucario was thinking. "One of many, and yes, it's very stupid."

"I'll say!" She replied, in a tone that voiced her disappointment with how humanity in this world acted. "Please tell me that's the dumbest reason that a war's been started."

"That's the dumbest reason that a war's been started." He said, flatly, clearly lying.

"Oh great…" Violet sighed. It had taken all of one day of research and talking to realize why Bryce hadn't been confident that his world would be one where humans and Pokemon could live together in harmony. Sure, humans in her world had their differences and got into fights of their own, but this? It was despair inducing...and heartbreaking. Maybe that was part of why her housemate was the way he was.

"Alright, that's enough of that for the day. Moving on to music."

"But-"

Bryce stopped her right there, holding up a hand. "Look, I told you that you wouldn't like a lot of what you saw and heard. So, I figured we'd do days that were half filled with topics that don't have much enjoyment to them and half filled with something actually fun."

School was similar to just about everyone in a sense, anyway. Subjects students like and don't like...unless they don't like any subject, but at least they had lunch and possibly recess to look forward to. Beyond that, even though Bryce was pretty sure she could handle several hours of things that wouldn't be considered 'fun', she also seemed like the type that wanted to have fun, whether she did back in her world or not. So why not have the second half of the day be a bit more enjoyable? He'd promised himself that he would try to at least make her stay a pleasant one like a friend would do. Though usually cynical and blunt, which meant others saw him as mean, Bryce could at least take Violet's feeling's into account while she was here.

"That sounds nice." She replied, giving him a warm smile.

Smiling and looking her in the eyes, however...yeah, that would take a bit more time to come naturally.

"Alright, any genre you want to try listening to first?"

Apparently, in his infinite wisdom, he'd forgotten.

"Genre?"

"Oh, right…" He didn't know the exact definition, but he could try explaining it, at least. "Genre refers to...the type of song, I suppose. A set of songs that have things similar to each other, and then various subsets to make each of those sets to have more specific pieces. So a lighthearted and soft song wouldn't be in the same genre as something more fast paced."

All he got in return was a look he'd seen many times from his peers. 'I kinda get it? Not really?' Though in her defense-wait a minute.

"You...do know what music is, right?"

That look was quickly replaced with faux anger as she gave Bryce a shove onto his bed. "Yes, I know what music is!"

He nearly laughed at her annoyance, complete with a small blush across her face. Instead, he ventured a smirk as he sat up and stuck his tongue out at her. "Fine then, how about listening to thirty seconds of each big genre and then you can pick from there?"

She nodded, her blush and glare dissipating. Thankfully, he'd already planned for this with a pair of earbuds so that they didn't have to sit with their faces right next to each other. More important, it also meant there wouldn't be a lot of noise coming from his room and would leave one ear unoccupied by each of them in case someone decided to come home. Bryce wasn't surprised to find there were some genres that were an immediate 'no' from the Lucario, since it was pretty rare to find someone that liked every genre, and even more rare to find someone who hated music altogether. What was surprising, though, was the genres that she actually seemed interested in.

"A metalhead, huh?" He mused, after they'd finished listening to the last overarching genre Bryce could think of or find online. "I'd have thought you wouldn't have liked anything with lyrics, much less ones you can't understand." Hardly a poke at her capacity for understanding, since plenty of songs from that genre were impossible for him to decipher, too.

"It's just more...powerful, I guess?" Violet mused, rubbing her right arm with her left paw, embarrassed. "The sounds and vocals, I mean."

"Can't argue with that." He replied, wondering if part of it may have had to do with the nature of a predator.

"I guess you're not a fan, huh?" She asked, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"Me? I don't mind it. I'm more particular on individual songs than a particular genre. Metal's one of the better ones." He paused. "Better than some of that new age music anyway." Whether Violet noticed or not, he'd intentionally taken his earbud out during that one.

She gave a quick laugh in response. "Yeah, I'll stick to the fast-paced stuff, I guess." Looking over at the notepad, she glanced through the genres Bryce had written down. The ones she'd liked had been circled and the ones she didn't-namely by making a face while they listened-were crossed out. Even for genres she didn't like, Bryce made it a point to listen to bits of at least a few more from that genre, in case it was just the artist that she didn't like. "So what do we do with this?"

Bryce looked to the notepad. "Go through some subgenres of the ones you like, then some artists. In short, narrow down what your tastes in music are." He paused, realizing that probably wasn't a common phrase for her. "Meaning, what you like in your music. Though it is getting late." Bryce noted, looking at his computer clock. "Maybe I should get dinner going?"

"Please!" Apparently Violet got hungry faster than he did, but then again, who knew how human hunger compared to Pokemon. Then again, maybe she just liked eating, even if she was the ideal shape of a normal Lucario, as far as he could tell.

The two walked out into the empty kitchen, Bryce giving an annoyed side eye to the sink, half of it piled with dishes that neither he nor Violet had left there. Figuring he'd probably need that sink space, he started cleaning.

"Want help?" Violet offered.

"Nah, I got it."

She nodded, reading his face. "So what do we do after narrowing down what I like for music anyway? We can't exactly play music that your parents know you don't normally listen to."

Thankfully, that wasn't much of a problem. At least in broad terms, they tended to like things that were more 'strong', as she'd put it, something full of soul. But Violet did have a point about not playing music when he wasn't here. That would definitely get his parents snooping around.

Now if only they'd snoop around the sink a bit more.

"You don't have to worry about that." Finally, something that his world seemed to have over hers, unless she just hadn't been exposed to it. "We can take all the songs you like and download them to a portable music player, something that's easy for you to carry around and listen to with headphones. They won't hear a thing, unless you have it turned up really, really high." Though with a metalhead, that was certainly possible. "We'll look at some models online and then I'll go pick one up for you."

"I-I can't ask you to do that!" She stammered. "That'll cost you money!"

He snickered. "What, and ordering pizza didn't?"

Naturally, he was met with a semi-flustered glare. Bryce knew what she meant. "Yeah, it'd be a little more expensive, but I'm not broke or anything. I haven't gotten an allowance in years, but c'mon...my folks are gone almost all the time. You think I don't get paid for keeping the whole house clean?" His family may be in decent economic status, but they could hardly afford a maid. A teenager that got a sum of money for not making a mess, however, was better. Besides, Bryce? Party? The very idea made him feel ill.

"I can't ask you for something like that, though!"

"You didn't." He said back, calmly. "Consider it a 'welcome to earth' gift, or something. Electronics are meant to keep us entertained anyway; the novelty of living here will wear off eventually, and I'll be back in sch-"

'Click.'

Bryce swore under his breath. "Room, door shut, closet."

It may have been direct, but it was quick and concise. They'd planned for this exact situation, and thankfully, right now, she could get to Bryce's room and close the door quickly yet softly just before Bryce's father walked inside the kitchen.

Part of Violet's training back home was all about remaining calm in high-pressure situations, but all the training in the world couldn't truly eliminate the small amount of anxiety in the pit of her stomach as she slipped into the closet and closed the door. Her ear pressed against the wall, in attempts to listen through the foundation. In a normal situation, it would have been useless, but Bryce's dad had a booming voice.

Or as Bryce had said, "He's hard of hearing and has no indoor voice."

Either way, she could catch just about everything he said. 'Thanks for doing those', 'ABSOLUTELY' and 'I'll leave you to finish that' before a few light 'thunk' noises were heard as he walked away.

Yet another reminder of something Bryce mentioned. "He's not overweight, he just really likes to be heard. Even while walking."

Soon Violet heard the faint sound of the sink being turned off, and a few moments later, the door slowly opened, Bryce stepping into his room and closing the door, turning some soft music on.

"All clear."

Violet exhaled a breath she didn't realize she was carrying as she opened the closet door, seeing Bryce rub his head as he swore.

"Welp, how's takeout sound?"

"Sure." She nodded. "You okay?"

"Yeah, just a headache." He replied. Apparently he'd taken Violet for granted already, in terms of dealing with someone who wasn't obnoxious. "Well, back to the internet. Oh, and don't worry about ordering more than we normally get. He'll expect me to get the door and bring his food to him."

She smirked, about to make a joke.

"If you call me his made I'll order your food vegetarian."

Sure enough, her smirk dropped. "Fine."

As soon as Chinese food was ordered, their conversation from earlier continued. "Really though, about getting me a gift..."

Bryce rolled his eyes. "This again? Look, it'll give you some entertainment when I'm not around, and I want to get something for you. I like being around you and you've definitely cured my boredom, so-" He stopped, noticing her smiling warmly at him, "-s-so yeah."

She kept smiling at him with a knowing look.

"Stop it or I'll bite you."

"No you won't." Violet continued, calling his bluff.

Or so she thought, as he leaned over and nipped her right on the ear, making her give a small gasp and swat him away.

"Looks like I can still keep you guessing after all." He smirked. "So, got a color preference for a music player? We can browse through some options online."

Violet seemed intent to make sure he was okay with this. "You don't have to." She said, though weakly. "You've been doing so much for me...what if you need that money for something else in the future?"

It took some willpower for Bryce not to scoff and say, 'what future?', but he managed to hold his tongue. "I wouldn't worry about that, V." He replied instead, before adding, "electronics can be expensive, but it's not like they cost a small fortune."

Satisfied with the small nod that the Pokemon gave, he sat in his chair, starting to browse a few of the nearby stores and what they had available. With the knowledge that online stores were never good about showing what was actually in or out of stock, Violet picked out a few backup choices, and a list was made.

"By the way, did you have anything in mind for a paint color?"

"For?" She asked.

"Your room, obviously." Bryce stood from his chair, slipping on his shoes. "For somewhere to sleep, at le-nggk!"

Even when the hug came from his front, he wasn't fast enough to avoid it. At least Violet was careful enough not to squeeze him too tightly this time.

"You're too much…" She muffled, nuzzling her face into the top of his chest.

For a moment, he considered patting her on the head in response, but that felt too weird. With an internal sigh, he slid his arms around her back, giving her a quick, light squeeze before he let go. "Yeah, I get told that all the time." He responded, sarcasm dripping from his voice.

Violet giggled, continuing to hold him closely for a few moments longer, internally reminding herself it was a shame that stores had closing times. She did let go, however, leaving Bryce to pick up his phone, wallet and keys before leaving with an embarrassed blush on his face.

Good thing no one else was around to see that. As the door closed, Shadow looked up at his owner with those piercing eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, I know…" He replied, crouching down to pet him for a few moments before letting him inside of his room to keep their newest housemate company.

Editor's Note: Yes, leaving out what subject was being discussed at the beginning of the chapter was entirely intentional. The world's already plenty crazy right now, so no need to dive into those subjects here of all places. Also yes, I do know a few people that don't like music in any capacity. What a world.

So remember the whole thing about using different lenses to look at things? Well, this chapter was brought to you (primarily) by the psychological lens. Gift giving is, of course, a way to show others that you care about them. We do that all the time when capable. Regardless of what anyone tells you, price doesn't matter when getting a gift, it's the act of giving itself. It doesn't have to just be a physical gift, either. It can be someone giving their time and attention to another, and we often forget that one of the basic wants of every person out there is to be wanted and appreciated in some capacity, someone to recognize that we exist as another individual and choosing to stop and talk with someone is a way of letting someone else know 'I appreciate you'. So when you wonder when the next holiday is coming up for gift giving, remember that you don't need a special day to show a form of appreciation, even if you're in a financially difficult position right now.

In the case of over-giving, however...let's just say there's a psychological reason for that as well. Maybe something to do with codependency and making others happy with things because they make you happy? Food for thought.

Comments are always appreciated, and remember to appreciate those you surround yourself with, even if they're physically far away. Others don't typically forget people as quickly as we might think they do.

-Delta