BE A LOVER !

“Yes, I know shrimp have brains and they’re also in their head, just a lot smaller than most brains. I don’t know about the consciousness or intelligence thing which still gives me no answers to the love thing. So…I’m just gonna say they do. I like a world in which shrimp can love.”

"Yeah, me too — I think I’d rather live in a world where shrimp can love. If people can keep them as pets then they have to be able to love. I had a roommate that used to have a few pet shrimp. They were all blue, if I remember right? They were pretty. They gotta love.”

“Wait, why would you make a long story so short?” Kai asked, her smile broadened as she realized how nervous the blonde seemed to be. “So the weather has some influence for what can be caught on…what did you say it was, Pokemon Go…? Do you know if it’s the same thing for the switch?” She realized that wasn’t entirely the point, though, but it’s in her nature to ask more questions. “That sounds like something I would’ve loved to see! Children are just so pure and honest with what makes them happy.”

"For... for time. To not, uh- talk so much?” The tension eased up a bit in Keiko’s shoulders at the smile on the other woman’s face though. At least she hadn’t made a fool out of herself already. “Yeah, Pokemon Go,” she confirmed with a nod. “Uh, it’s like... it’s randomized weather in the wild area in Pokemon Sword and Shield. It has nothing to do with real life weather.” Her words were spoken slower and more cautiously, like she wasn’t entirely convinced that someone was actually asking her about one of her favourite games and being sincere without being condescending or judgmental. “It was really sweet. Would’ve been cooler if it was a shiny but... at least he got that Sneasel.”

Chase sniffled, doing her best to not let the tears roll down her cheeks as she stared at the vending machine in front of her. It was no big deal. Only a few quarters. But she was hungry. She felt herself tense when she heard someone behind her. Quickly, she wiped her eyes, forced on a smile and turned. “Sorry, am I in your way?”

@vestalanding​

Digging through her backpack and making progressively more frustrated little noises each time she found an arcade token instead of actual money, Keiko didn’t spare a look up at who was ahead of her at the vending machine already and simply crouched down to dig properly through her backpack. Only when she heard Chase’s familiar voice did see snap her head up — it was alarm that flashed across her face, then delight to see her, then alarm all over again when she saw Chase’s teary eyes. “Oh-” She stood quickly, then quickly stuck her foot out to prevent her open backpack from falling over. “I- Chase. Are you...?” Her head tipped in a slight apologetic bow, like she was sorry for just being there. “Did something happen?”

@vestalanding​

“If a shrimp’s heart is in it’s head then doesn’t that whole think with your head not your heart thing not work for them? Or is it think with you heart and not your head? Either way I don’t see how it can apply to them. On the other hand maybe they don’t need the phrase because it mostly applies to love right? Can shrimp fall in love?”

Keiko narrowed her eyes and pressed her lips into a line, carefully following along his train of thought. “Well, I think it depends,” she started seriously. “Do shrimps have brains? And if they do, where are they? Do shrimps have a consciousness? Or intelligence? If they do, I bet they could fall in love.”

“I just witnessed the cutest thing ever! This little kid got all excited, proclaiming to the world that he’d just caught his first ever pokemon on some gaming device - I think it’s called the Switch? I don’t know, I’ve always been so out of touch with that stuff, unfortunately.”

@vestalanding​

Like a moth to a flame, Keiko’s attention was quickly drawn at the mention of Pokemon — not that it wouldn’t be anyway, had she realized sooner that it was her being spoken to. “I, uh- something... like that happened to me too. Um, not that long ago. Only it was on Pokemon Go, and I was- uh, long story short, I made an ice Pokemon spawn in summer and this kid walking by with his parents- he was just excited,” she explained in a rush, trying to cut out most of her long-winded story.

Flopping onto the grass, Hayley kicked her legs out in front of her and spoke dramatically to anyone that was passing by the park. “Why the hell do people run above sea level? Like this is some version of medieval torture right? I need for someone to explain this logic to me. And while you’re at it, let me know a better way of working out.”

@vestalanding​

Keiko pursed her lips to avoid laughing, watching her flop onto the grass from the bench she was occupying the edge of. It took her a moment to conclude that she had no headphones in and thus probably wasn’t on the phone with someone. “I think it might be just as hard to run below sea level. Maybe, uh- maybe even harder, if the sea’s actually there,” she joked with a tentative smile. “What about power yoga?”

“Oh, I love cartoons!” She clapped as she put the plushie back in the shopping bag. “Especially Spongebob. Spongebob is the best.”

"Ah, Spongebob! I never got super into it but I do remember liking Sandy! I was more of a- well, a Pokemon girl. And I used to watch Looney Tunes a lot as a kid. I’m a little more, uh... out of touch with the new cartoons now though.”

“No, unfortunately. I think it means that I am losing my job but if something comes available they’ll call me.”

"Really? I mean, that’s- I guess it’s better than nothing, but... they’re not, like- they’re not looking for you to wait on them or anything, are they?”

“Oh, I bought like five different toys. I got Pikachu, a couple of My Little Pony toys, Scooby Doo, and Olaf! Plenty of options.”

Keiko gave a hum and a nod, figuring that meant there probably weren’t others besides Pikachu. “You must like cartoons, I take it?”

“So I was at the cutest little shop downtown when I found this little guy! It’s a little Pikachu! Pretty cute, right?”

@vestalanding​

"Oh! Yeah!” Keiko brightened up considerably at the sight of the pokemon. “I love Pikachu! Do you remember if they had any other ones?”