PkmnA: A story told

Harlie entered his dorm room in a huff. This day had gone from weird to bad, to just annoying. Harlie had woke up just fine...nothing seemed out of place; He ate his meal, finished up the short amount of homework he had. He sadly didn’t have a chance to see his girlfriend, Harlie couldn’t help but flush inwardly at the thought of that, but that was ok; He had many errands and chores anyways.

This however is where his day became awful. Harlie went to visit his mini ponyta, Amalthea. while she was small enough to be in his dorm; She was a handful and preferred to be outdoors...luckily the large island allowed him to house her in a small stable, makeshift at best, but close enough to the main dorms that he could visit and take care of her often.
While Amalthea, Thea for short, was handful and could be stubborn; She was a good ponyta, playful and loving
Today...he had never seen her so out of control...she bucked at her stall, burned him and her stall and even bit him...She bit him! He couldn’t even fathom her personality change.

Now back in his dorm...Harlie held his bit/burned hands near his body till he was able to get some wrappings and cream. He questioned going to the clinic...but he didn’t want to bother the nurse..nor was it bad...He had been burned by her before...mostly it was by accident however, just from her being excited to see him...not from this feral anger
Harlie sat at his desk and silently wrapped his injuries; He gave a glance over to the pink blob that made its home on his desk. Chimera was acting weird as well...while he was still a good mon...he was always sleeping...he was a sleeper anyways, but this was obscene

Harlie’s thoughts were interrupted as his cell phone rang, causing him to jump and rip one of the bandages. He lightly cursed in annoyance but then made a face...He didn’t need to get so annoyed...it was no big deal.
Grabbing his cell on the 2nd ring with the bandages hanging from his hand; He couldn’t help but flinch at the pain that ran through it. He glanced at the number and gave a small smile. He recognized it as his old home number. Harlie wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but today was rather annoying and depressing...He really did want to hear his mother’s voice...Harlie was very close to her, she called twice to three times a week, just to check up and talk….One could say he was a mama’s boy...but he wouldn’t deny it...Yet...it had been a while since she called...about a week if not two

He clicked on answer “Hello Mom...I’m glad you called” He answered in a quiet tone that stated he really wanted to hear his mother’s voice
“...It’s me...” A very male voice on the other end answered...it was quiet and sounded similar to his own
Harlie reeled back and blinked wildly...He never would have expected to hear his father on the other end.
Harlie’s father, Reiji Ravensdale...was a quiet, to the point...and at times shy Luxray...He usually let his wife, Ammy Ravensdale do all the talking...It came with her Zoroark blood.
Harlie could help but crinkle his nose and roll his eyes...He didn’t get along with his father...It was ironic really...but maybe it was because they were very much alike...Sometimes Harlie couldn’t help but blame his father for why he couldn’t transform normally...Being half Zoroark and half Luxray. It was immature and stupid...Since leaving home, Harlie had been thinking less about that; Yet for some reason...it came back with full force at that moment

“...You never call...Can’t expect me to know it was you” Harlie replied coldly...He didn’t care, it was true. Of course Harlie knew Reiji had a full time job as opposed to his mother, who worked from home, but on her own time. being a Soux Chef in Castelia gave Reiji little to no time to breathe...Harlie was usually very understanding...if not somewhat upset...he didn’t care at this moment
“...I do apologize” Came his father’s curt reply...it was like hearing himself talk. “I have been busy...You can call as well” Reiji rebuttled
Harlie made a sound crossed between annoyed and understanding “I do have school” Harlie replied in a dark tone...he didn’t want to play this game.
He balanced his phone between his ear and shoulder as he went back to wrapping his hands
“So...What did I do to enjoy this wonderful call from you?” Harlie asked sarcastically
“La-” Reiji started to talk before Harlie interrupted him “I don’t go by that name...you know that” He hated his real name...The one thing he was not happy that his mother did...while his mother agreed to call his Harlie...Reiji had issues with it

“...I didn’t call to have attitude from you” Reiji’s sarcastic remark rang in Harlie’s ears...Something seemed off...Reiji usually never talked like this to him...then again...Harlie didn’t either
Swallowing audibly Harlie asked “...What’s wrong?” He could hide the dread in his voice “...Why are you calling me?”
He heard his father sigh over on the other end “...Don’t panic….” Harlie snorted inwardly and angrily...he says to not panic and its the first thing he does “But...Your mother...well we’ve been dealing with some issues over here...and she...We felt it would be best to tell you” Reiji stated mechainically
Harlie felt himself rage...but outwardly kept his tone with him “...Tell me what...what issues?!” He asked in a quiet but forceful tone
“...Last week or so, we’ve been in and out of the hospital...Your mother…” Harlie interrupted him “What happened!? Is she ok?! Is it serious?!” It was a shock that his voice had not raised an octave...yet his voice did take on a frantic tone.

“Calm down” His father said...waiting a second till Harlie responded “I am calm...tell me what happened...is that why she hasn’t been calling? Why didn’t you call sooner?” His tone became slightly teary...He was starting to feel sick...He was getting a headache and his stomach hurt...it had to be this stress

“Again...I apologize but it came on suddenly” Reiji paused again “Don’t worry, she is doing well...if not a bit weak. Now don’t interrupt...A lot has happened.” Harlie nodded, even though he knew his father couldn’t see him...he was feeling sicker
“While its serious...its not life threatening...at least as long as she is treated...which she is. I won’t bore you with medical terms…” Reiji gave a sigh “I have heard more terms in this last week than in my lifetime...I don’t even want to repeat them anymore. Its an internal disease...Viral or something. It started with a rash...and she just got sicker...You know your mother, she refused to go to the doctor, thinking it was allergies”
There was another pause as Reiji took a breathe...Harlie was more upset than he was letting on...he really just wanted to hear his mother’s voice

“Anyway...she...fainted recent” Harlie cut in “What! She’s not hurt from that right?!” He asked in a rasp...his hands now bandaged...were throbbing...damn that Ponyta
“Besides her pride, she is fine from that...But she couldn’t argue anymore. And long story short...we got a name for this illness...its a very long name...I hope you don’t mind if I email the name to you...I can’t pronounce it” Harlie didn’t remember answering him, but he must of for Reiji kept on talking
“...She...is going to always be sick” Reiji added
“What do you mean...she is always going to be sick?” Harlie asked in a droll tone...he wanted to hang up…
“You remember Rivan yes? How she was very sick as a child…?” Reiji asked...Harlie answered...he didn’t feel like mentioning he sees that Glaceon more than just family/friend gatherings. “Its been a while since we’ve seen them. Them meaning the Jules family”
“Im not stupid” Harlie replied in a very rude tone...it came out before he could stop it...He knew it bothered his father...but Reiji said nothing about it
“Anyways...i heard she is better but has bouts of her illness...That is what will be happening to your mother...hopefully at less rates as long as she keeps herself well and stress-free” Reiji finished...it was weird to hear him sound worried and monotone at the same time

Harlie paused for a while...he didn’t know what to say. He was happy to hear that she was well and would remain well if taken care of...yet...to hear that his mother...was ill. It made him feel old...more than that...it scared him...like he was about to lose her...both of them
“....Can she...can she talk?” Harlie asked after a moment...his voice cracked...he wanted to cry
Reiji didn’t sense his son’s attitude change and tone “...No im sorry...She is still quite ill...I don’t know when she will be back on her feet….it might be a while though” Reiji paused “She just wanted you to know why she hasn’t been calling...She worried about you more than she should” It wasn’t meant to be mean...if anything it was teasing...for Reiji’s standards  
Harlie wanted to spit nails at such a tone

“I would have preferred if you didn’t call” It was rude...Harlie didn’t care
Reiji snorted on the other end “She will be fine...Stop acting like such a child” was his father’s reply
Harlie made a loud angry snort...He felt his head pound more
“So…” His father’s voice cut through “...Since i have you on...anything you’d like to talk about” Harlie could tell his father was struggling...that he didn’t want to talk “I can tell your mother...she’d like that” He added.

Harlie debated talking...he did want to talk about his bad day...maybe just get some parental advice...he was starting to get sick and like any child...he wanted his parents to take care of him
...And he wanted to talk about the good things than had been happening as of late...some friends he’s made...the truce between him and Rivan...and...Marionette…
Harlie shook his head in anger...what was the point
“No...I just would like to go...tell mom to get better...from me” Came Harlie’s despondent reply...he felt so sick
“...Alright...I’ll tell her that...don’t be afraid to call...maybe she’ll be back on her feet sooner than later...Don’t worry too much L-” Harlie cut him off with a shout
“Stop calling me that!....Im going...I got hurt today and im feeling ill…” Harlie paused
“Goodbye” And with that Harlie hung up

He put his cell down on the table with a slight slam...not enough to hurt the phone...but enough to wake up the small Ditto that looked up at him with a tired glance
Harlie didn’t notice...He just took off his outer shirt...leaving his tank top and pants on...He was feeling feverish...This cold coming on was going to be hell...Harlie could tell.
He unbraided his hair and placed his bead on the table...his hair fraying out...usually that would bother him...he couldn’t get the energy to care
It was still light out...but Harlie just fell upon his bed and put a pillow over his head...Best to sleep it off

Harlie never noticed a shadowy aura wash over him...nor did he notice Chimera looking at him with frightened eyes