Lambency (Ingo x Reader)

57. Heart-to-Heart (II)

Ingo's enamoured expression while watching you go triggers Lady Sneasler and Melli.

"What are you doing?! Stop ogling at them and follow me!", the man vigorously pats him on the back, while Lady Sneasler forcefully grips her warden's face to get him to regain his senses.

"Hum, I'm all yours, Warden Melli!", Ingo confirms with slight confusion at their reaction. Was his sending you off improper?

They enter Moonview Arena where Lord Electrode is peacefully resting in the shade with a group of Voltorb rolling in front of him. As soon as they catch sight of Lady Sneasler, the Voltorb gather around their lord and buzz menacingly. As soon as Lord Electrode emits a sound similar to a zap, all the Voltorb immediately stop trembling. They nonetheless remain cautious and lower their face as Lady Sneasler approaches Lord Electrode. The two Pokémon quietly stare at each other until she nonchalantly sits next to him and grooms herself.

"Ugh! She certainly has no modesty!", Melli cries out with disgust.

"It seems to me that they're comfortable around each other.", comments Ingo matter-of-factly.

"Raaah, coming from you, it sounds indecorous!"

"How so?"

"Don't how so? me, old man! You better apologise to me for being rude! You were late!"

"I apologise, Warden M--"

"NOT LIKE THAT!"

Seeing Ingo's perplexed look, Melli tiredly rubs his forehead with one hand.

"You're insincere if you say it right after I tell you to!", he complains and utters a full-throated groan. Skuntank glares at Ingo with disdain.

Info quietly observes his fellow Warden as if contemplating his options on what would the best approach. Finally, he sighs and asks in all seriousness:

"Let's talk like we agreed to, yesterday. I'm happy to let you initiate the conversation."

Melli is taken aback by such directness and does not know what to say; it seems that he has not prepared himself for that moment.

"I... hum..."

"..."

"... W-what?! You're the one who's got something to admit, haven't you?! Speak first!"

"Very well..."

Ingo pauses and gently beckons him to sit on a collapsed column. The young man, his arms folded and his gaze shifty, sits down at the opposite end. He crosses his legs and turns his back to Ingo. The later remains silent witnessing that sulky demeanour. He shuts his eyes and inhales calmly:

"I understand you're upset about my impending departure."

"And hasty!"

"I'm not leaving anytime soon; (Name), Akari and I must still figure out how to."

"Tssk! Let them, they don't belong here!"

"So do I."

"I beg your pardon?! See, that's infuriating! You're the most selfish and ungrateful man I know! My folks and the Pearl Clan have treated you as one of us for cycles and that's how you repay us?! With such unappreciative yapping?!"

"I did not mean to offend you in any way, Warden Melli. My poor choice of words may sound thankless or even cruel to you, and I deeply regret it. I wasn't questioning whether I was making something worthwile out of this place. Of course, the Pearl Clan has warmly welcomed me into their midst, took me in when I was the most vulnerable, and gave me a place and a glorious role to serve and give back to my community, where I've always been made to feel part of... Like I was at home.