[ Ah, good! He clearly relaxes a little at her affirmation, smiling shyly back. ] Neither had I before I came here. But if you don't like them, we can get something else.

When would be a good time?

That's fine. [ He doesn't mind. He knows who her father is, given Jack's not exactly subtle. But he hasn't told Jack (namely because he doesn't like talking to him) and he doesn't see the immediate need to tell Angel. ]

Lunchtime tomorrow?

"It's good to see you too." Although his smile was still shy, Walter's entire demeanour brightened and opened up a little as Angel approached. Reed hooted and bounced on his shoulder excitedly. He held open the door for her as they walked into the bakery. "How have you been? And how was your birthday?" He had gone over in his head what he should ask and say, while waiting for her. He wasn't very experienced in making small talk but it helped that he genuinely wanted to know how she was.

Walter nodded. Privately, he had zero desire to spend any time with 'Handsome Jack'. His main experiences in silently watching Jack's messages on the network and the few times he's had to deal with him in person were enough to convince him that he didn't want to involve himself in anything Jack did or said.

Reed was very happy to have been acknowledged, giving a deep hoot and puffing out his chest a little. Walter followed her politely, looking ove rthe offered pastries. He was still going to order a cinnamon roll for himself, but it always surprised him to see treats he recognised and remembered from his previous life.

"Do you...still want to try the cinnamon buns?" He asked quietly, not wanting to limit her options.

Walter nodded, pulling out his wallet. He intended for this to be his treat. He had invited her here, so he should pay shouldn't he? "Two cinnamon rolls, and two...macarons, please." He did pronounce it incorrectly; like macaroni, without the 'e' sound at the end. But the server understood and gave them what he had asked for.

Thankfully there was seating outside and the weather was dry and only a little chilly.

Walter smiled shyly. Reed hopped onto the back of a vacant chair, only now paying attention to Angel's Pokemon and hooting at them.

He ate his cinnamon bun quietly, savouring the taste and remembering Rhys. He glanced up at Angel, thinking. He trusted her. But, how did he ask her what she thought of what had happened to him. He tore a small piece of the bun and offered it to Reed, who accepted it eagerly.

"Did you- I mean, what was...no. Nothing. Sorry." He mumbled, shyly ducking his head.

Reed looked SHOCKED that he would be told to shut up! He would've kicked up a royal fuss and drawn a lot of attention to himself and their table but thankfully Smoosh provided a distraction from Skagbait's faux pas. He leaned forward, flapping his wings once at Smoosh.

Walter swallowed and tried again. "What was your world like?" They had rarely spoken about their pasts but he wanted to try. After talking with others about their worlds and their experiences, he wanted to know about Angel.

Walter immediately regretted asking the question. He drew his hands close to himself, as if trying to make himself smaller. The growl from Skagbait didn't help - he half expected him to lunge at him, despite working on his fear of dogs and his experience with a gentle Riolu. He breathed in, clasping his hands together.

"I've told others about my past. About the things that have happened to me. And they've been telling me that it was wrong, even when they've had similar lives. And. I wanted to know about you. I hope you haven't had a life like mine." He explained quietly. Reed looked up and fluttered to his arm, cooing softly. Walter lowered his gaze, lifting a hand to pet Reed and focus on the feel of his feathers.

[ Walter stayed focused on Reed. He took a few breaths, gathering up the courage. He kept his voice low and soft. ]

I grew up in an orphanage run by the Order, in the woods of a place called Silent Hill. We were never meant to go far. The guards would hit us if we went too far into the woods or towards the town, even if we had God's permission.

When we were bad, or had said our prayers wrong, or...or if it would please God, we would be sent to the Water Prison. I hated it there. I hated it so much...but if it pleased God, I would put up with it. [ He began to stroke Reed's wings. Reed allowed it, even spreading a wing for Walter to brush his fingers over the underside. ]

I was six the first time I was sent there. The cells were small and damp and cold, with grey walls and iron doors. They were always watching. The guards, from a small hole in the wall. They wouldn't let us out for days. For anything; for food or water. [ He was half there again, trapped in a small, horrid cell, so small and weak. The other half of him was entirely focused on his Pokemon, as a tether out of his thoughts. ] Not everyone would come back from the prison.

I- I thought it was how life was. But people have been saying it shouldn't have been t-that way. [ The words were catching in his throat, so he stopped there. He took more deep breaths. Thankfully Reed had come to know Walter's 'moments' like this and fluttered closer, cooing and pressing his head under Walter's chin. ]

You and I. Walter slowly lifted his head, managing to resurface from those awful memories. Another person he had grown...close to, admitting that they had suffered at the hands of others. When he was younger, he would've cried and said it wasn't fair and asked why. As an adult, he knew why. It was exactly as Angel had said; people are cruel by default.

Hesitantly, he rested his hand on the table between them. He didn't want to touch her in case that upset her - and he knew she was upset. She looked too similar to the other orphans, tense and staring into space when the priests walked past them. But he didn't know how to offer comfort. He didn't know what to say. The silence hung over them as the people around them went about their day, oblivious to their conversation.

"I didn't...want you to have gone through something like this. But..." He hesitated, only continuing when Reed gave him an encouraging nuzzle. "I'm glad you understand. That we're not alone, in knowing this. And, I'm glad that we're here." With Pokemon. Her Riolu was acting very much like Walter's own Pokemon, often pressing up against him and gently coaxing him to focus on them when the memories became too much. And with others who understood; Jimmy, and Anders, and Heather. And each other.

He didn't want to ask or press for Angel to tell him exactly what happened to her. What mattered was that it had happened.

He turned his hand, holding her hand back just as tightly. A wave of relief and comfort spread from their hands and he didn't hide a soft sigh. He smiled, soft and shy, eyes lowered at their hands. "You too." It was still so much. To know that he had support like this. But there was also a warmth that came from it as well, like he was being bathed in the sun's light, and it was one that he wanted to be more familiar with.

Reed was also pleased. Feeling his trainer relax, he hopped onto their hands and looked incredibly smug, puffing up his chest. Obiviously he was to credit here! The Dartrix's silly behaviour emboldened Walter's smile. "Reed." Thankfully Reed chose to hop further along Walter's arm to seek his approval.