Emily had never played video games before, not really. She knew what a playstation was and thought that Mario fellow looked cute like a cartoon, but she was no gamer. Underaged mom’s grow up fast.

But, for the first time in 16 years she had a break. Workplace accident and paid sick leave. Paradise.

At 30 she’d somehow already become ‘old’ and with a teenage daughter who loved pokemon. She recalled a half-forgotten face. Emily had known someone else who’d liked pokemon, but she couldn’t recall their name but retained only the shadow of an impression. Emily remembered regret.

She’d never met them again, but they could still share in something. It might help her bond with her daughter. Her daughter: a far too serious, much too smart, perfect young woman.

Sat on the couch, Emily was watching some brain rot tv that soothed for all it didn’t produce. Her daughter was on her Switch next to her enjoying some rare downtime.

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“Show me pokemon. Pika, pika, right?”

Her daughter rolled her eyes.

She poked her daughter's arm, “Come one seriously. Show me. I’m bored.”

“Fine.”

Emily didn’t really get it. Honestly she didn’t find it fun at all. She tried. Seriously, Emily tried and she wasn’t turned into a gamer. 15 years later and with her daughter's support, she still couldn’t find anything agreeable about her old schoolmate.

An Inspiration Bear watched from the highest shelf in the small flat. A hand sized stuffing sown by Fae made of fabric, wool and dreams. A mystery creature unknown in any of the stories told by humans. She could have nudged Emily into liking the game, but she didn’t.

Inspiration Bear ate some honey instead. Saving up her magic for when it mattered most. Emily would need her help getting the motivation to return to work.

Emily put games out of mind again.

Her daughter remembered even after her mom stopped playing when she returned to work. She recalled mom trying and it was a lesson she carried out throughout her own life.