Sinnoh Arc II: Chaos In My Mind
"I'm just curious..." Mari took her seat again and he joined her. "About what?",
"Why are you so reluctant to talk about your past?",
"...Because it hurts", he replied. "... Even though I can't say much about it... it still hurts to know that I've been abandoned by the people who were supposed to love me, and they never told me why. What hurts even more than being abandoned, is the fact that I wasn't even worth an explanation to them.",
"..." Mari clenched her hands to fists. "These people... What they did is unforgivable. It makes me angry just to think about the absolute audacity people need to have to bring a child into the world and then just abandon it. Why have children in the first place if you end up abandoning them anyway? I don't get it!",
"Why are you getting so worked up about that now? They're not your parents. You weren't abandoned.",
"I don't get how YOU aren't angry about it.",
"...I am", he admitted. "But first and foremost, I'm hurt. This is a wound that is never gonna heal. A brutal truth that I can never forget. But despite everything, Nate has taught me that, instead of wasting my energy on resentment and hate, I should focus on forgiving them and moving on. Holding onto my anger will keep me shackled. It will never redeem me. So I have to focus on the good things that came of it instead of holding a grudge. I'm healthy, mentally stable and here. So everything is fine. Don't worry about it. It should be ass-kicking enough for them that I can live my life despite everything.",
"...You're really strong if you can just live with it and not look back.",
"Actually, I'd better be grateful", he replied. "If none of this had happened, I never would have had the chance to meet you."
Mari looked at him in surprise. "... Um... That's... uh..."
He smiled slightly, then looked out the window. "Did I steal your wits? Sorry... We should be arriving in Mistralton very soon. Then... it's goodbye for now. Where are you headed to next?",
"Nimbasa", Mari replied.
"Oh, let me guess, you're going to that ball?",
"Yeah... we are.",
"Aaand... Let me lie, you're inviting me to go there with you?" ,
"Wh- Don't be ridiculous! No!" She shook her head and Jayden laughed. "Haha... just kidding. It wouldn't be for me, anyway. I have zero dancing skills. But... who knows, maybe it's worth a detour after all... There surely is a lot of food, right?",
"I think so.",
"You don't strike me as someone who enjoys dancing in a big hall either. So why are you there?",
"Jacky insisted", she answered. "And, well... Elesa has organized a small tournament where you get the chance to meet one of the Champions or Gym Leaders who will be present. That's a good enough deal for me to agree to attend.",
"Sounds like an interesting event, no doubt. Seems like dancing isn't the main part of it after all.",
"Are you thinking about attending it, too?",
"Hm... I don't like crammed spaces and I'm sure lots of people are going to be there... I don't know...",
"Not to mention, you can't show up there in jeans and t-shirt. It's a glamorous event. You need to look the part."
"... That makes it much worse..." He shivered. "I think I'll pass. Unless you want me there...?",
"Me? Why me? You shouldn't be there if it's uncomfortable for you, don't pin it on me.",
"Would you want me to be there?",
"I wouldn't mind, if that's why you're asking. Go there or don't, I sure as hell won't force you.",
"Hm... as cold as ever." He smiled. "Haha... Well... I wish you tons of fun there, then. I'll stay clear of it.",
"Your choice."
The aircraft landed in Mistralton and taxied to a standstill. Mari released her seatbelt before getting up and walking over to Jacky to wake her up.
"Did I say something wrong? You're cold-shouldering me again", Jayden asked.
"I'm not. I just want to wake her up.",
"You know, it's really hard to find out what the deal with you is sometimes. Maybe this is just the way you are and it's normal that you act so icy towards others. Maybe you don't even realize it. But maybe, I've made some sort of mistake again and that's why you are like this, and if that's the case, then talk to me about it so I can apologize. All I'm asking of you is to be upfront with me, because I am not yet experienced enough in dealing with people to understand or know what you are trying to tell me dropping veiled hints like that. The entire time you're not roaming around in my head, I'm trying to find out how not to get killed by you, so please cooperate with me here.",
"I'm not roaming around in your head non-stop, Jayden. That's a pretty uncouth and offensive thing to say." She threw a displeased glare at him over her shoulder. "You sound like I'm some sort of psychopath who's constantly checking out other people's minds, but believe it or not, I have decency! If you really think that, then you're freaking stupid!"
"...Yeah... stupid, huh." He sighed and turned. "Wake up your friend, I'll see you outside", he said before he left.
"Hey. Wake up, we've arrived." Mari shook Jacky's shoulder. Her friend opened her eyes and yawned. "Mh...? Oh... already? The flight was fast... I'm sure we had a tailwind.",
"Maybe so. Come on, let's get out of here. I'm tired of all this flying around... and we gotta get to Nimbasa. The ball is tomorrow night, after all.",
"Ah... Yes." She nodded and rose onto her feet so they both could leave the plane. "Welcome back to Unova", Skyla announced, her eyes beaming.
"Finally!" Jacky laughed, then sent out Noivern. "Thank you, everyone! We'll be moving on!",
"You guys don't stay in one place for too long, mh?" She smiled and waved. "That seems to be a thing with travellers nowadays. Well then, I'll see you around. Elesa and I are working something out before I head back to my gym.",
"See ya!" Jacky pulled herself onto her Pokémon's back and Mari climbed onto Skarmory. "Bye, everyone!" She waved. Jayden just waved back, but said nothing in return. Was he... offended? But before she could say anything, the two flying-type Pokémon were pushing themselves off the ground and heading in the direction of Nimbasa.
"Did you two argue or something?" Jacky asked as they flew. "I mean, it's not like you ever get along with each other more than five minutes, but this one seemed to have been quite serious.",
"Uh... No, everything's fine.",
"It didn't seem that way to me. Jayden looked quite upset.",
"Did he now... I mean... I did call him stupid.",
"Why?",
"Because he accused me of constantly reading other people's minds?!",
"I don't think that's exactly what he meant to say... Probably just phrased it wrong.",
"How would you know?" Mari sighed and thought about it for a moment. What he said did sound kind of innocent, so... perhaps he really didn't mean to say anything bad. "...I mean...maybe. I'll apologize later.",
"If you encounter him again, that is. He might be trying to avoid you after that.",
"... Perhaps. That's his right. I know I shouldn't have insulted him like that... maybe I did misunderstand, I don't know. But what's said is said, so... there's no changing it now. If I end up seeing him again, I will apologize. If not, then well, so be it."