crowspace | call me out v. 12.0

Quite right.

[Colress may be one to take the scientific approach over Cherryblod's more emotional focus, but-]

Ever thought of having children someday?

[That doesn't mean he can escape being embarrassed.]

[Surprisingly, Colress doesn't get as embarrassed as Cherryblod might've predicted he would. It's been at least two years since everything that happened in the Vault, so it's only natural that...]

Tarrlok and I have discussed it a few times. [It may come easily, but he still seems a bit bashful about it. It's a really big topic!] We're doing quite a bit of traveling due to the nature of my work, but once we properly settle down...well, I won't say it isn't in the cards.

[And they aren't getting any younger. Colress is well aware that he's going to need to seriously consider finding a more permanent location to work soon.]

[On the one hand, Colress isn't as embarassed as expected - on the other hand, Cherryblod's eyes sparkle at that answer, so probably he isn't too disappointed.]

Wonderful! Wonderful to hear. If you ever are in need of advice, I have a fewer hundred years of parenting behind me, would be tragic if I didn't have anything to offer. Or babysitting if you find yourself in need.

[A few years isn't all that long for Cherryblod, so Colress might as well have said he was thinking about adopting right now.]

Haha! I sincerely appreciate the offer. I've no doubt I'll end up taking you up on it if everything pans out.

[He's glad that Cherryblod seems to be excited! Discussing it like this, outside of just Tarrlok and himself...it really drives home the reality of it all.]

I'm quite sure the Colress of the past would be incredibly surprised to discover he'd one day consider becoming a parent. [The Colress who chose work above all else. The Colress who used to completely prioritize cold hard science over empathy. Because of what he used to be like...] And admittedly, the thought is still overwhelming- I often worry that I am nowhere near qualified for the role.

You'll do fine. Have total confidence in you.

[Cherryblod gently grips Colress' shoulder. He understands the worries - Doloz has similar ones to this day. But...]

The Cherryblod of the far past would've laughed if you said he was qualified to be a father.

[Obviously that changed. Colress will grow into it like Cherryblod did.]

[Cherryblod's reassurance gets a grateful smile from Colress.]

We both used to be very different people, didn't we?

[It's actually easy for Colress to lose sight of that in regard to Cherryblod. He never knew the Cherryblod of the past, so hearing the stories of what he was like is startling to say the least. It's so hard to picture!]

I'll do everything I can to not betray your confidence. And I suppose no one can be completely prepared for parenthood, so perhaps I'm being a bit hard on myself.

[He says that, but he's still going to study the topic like crazy. It's just how he is.]

[The parenting advice book industry thanks you, Colress.]

That's alright. The harder you are on yourself the more I'll praise you, until you're too embarrassed to continue.

[Cherryblod can absolutely embarrass Colress, if it comes to that. It's one of his strongest powers.]

[Cherryblod! Colress is already laughing a little.]

Oh, dear. Not my weak point!

[How does he even pull it off so well?! Cherryblod is just too powerful, being able to knock Colress off his game so easily.]

Though I have to say, just talking about this with you has gotten me all the more excited about the prospect.

[Colress has many formidable powers of his own. It's just that his type weakness is to genuine affection.]

Happy to help ♥ Thought about names at all?

[they are never going to talk about science for the rest of this trip]

[Don't count your Torchics just yet, Cherryblod- but no, he's doing a remarkable job from keeping Colress off the science talk.]

Goodness... You know, I haven't. [And the way he says it has that undertone of, "oh yeah, that's a thing."] I wonder if Tarrlok has...?

[He can't help but smile as he considers it. Tarrlok was the one who brought up children in this first place, so...man, now he's really curious!]

[Children do need to be named, yes.]

Certain whatever you decide on will be wonderful. -Scientists do look forward to possibly naming things, don't they?

[It's just different if it's a newly-discovered star or creature instead of a child.]

[That smile turns a bit awkward.]

Hah, we do. But I'm afraid I'm not the creative sort when it comes to naming my creations, so I don't believe that applies here.

Don't name them all "Colress Jr." and you'll be fine.

[Name one of them that at most.]

[Arceus. Colress can't help but chuckle at the thought of his kids sharing his name. Kids. Multiple... Goodness, what a thought.]

Not to worry, I wouldn't dare to do that. I don't think Tarrlok would let me get away with it anyway.

[NOT THAT HE WOULD DO IT...]

No, I believe we'll come to decision together easily enough. He's given wonderful names to his Pokemon, so I look forward to hearing his ideas for potential children.

Sure that the two of you will raise wonderful children together. ♥ I'd be lost without my Doloz... well, in more ways than one.

[Children would not be the first of his concerns there.]

Thank you, Cherryblod. I'm sure Tarrlok would be thrilled to hear that as well.

[While Colress is still unsure of his own potential as a parent, he has the utmost faith in Tarrlok. Like...after everything Tarrlok went through with his father, Colress is certain he'll do everything in his power to be the opposite of that for his own kids.

Speaking of rough pasts, though...]

Why do you say that?

[They...never really spoke much of their pasts back in the vault. Circumstances made that kind of tricky. Colress is at least aware of some things about Cherryblod, so he might be able to guess...but he'd rather not jump to conclusions.]

[The smile falls from Cherryblod's face. They haven't had this conversation, and they should, but actually talking about it is still difficult.

But Colress is his best friend. He deserves to know more than most.]

...How much do you already know about my history?

[Ah...

He keeps an even expression and gentle tone, though internally he can't help but feel some concern. He doesn't like seeing Cherryblod like that.]

Only what you've told everyone.

[That he was a criminal, perhaps a rather infamous one. He knows Cherryblod was willing to answer questions when this information came to light, but the timing was...bad. Colress wasn't in any shape to talk about anything. And with everything going on later, he never really had a good opportunity to ask. But if he wanted to find out more, he'd only ask Cherryblod.]

[Colress being fucked up at the time is completely understandable. It's better to talk about this one-on-one anyway.]

Not very much, then.

When I was younger, I was deeply involved in organized crime. For about a hundred years I was something like a mob enforcer. Was good at it, too.

[Good enough to get a reputation.]

call me out v. 12.0

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