Silas looked to Roxy, who kissed him and said, "Get some fresh air ya dink."

Silas smirked a bit, and proceeded to text back.

Roxy then handed Silas a thumb drive and his smirk vanished, "Roxy is this-"

"The pictures? Yep. I told you we should share them with Alice," she responded with a grin.

Silas sighed, grabbed his coat and walked out, "I'll be back."

Motostoke Stadium, VS Kabu

-Evelyn levitates a Poké Ball into her hand.-

Evelyn: Hmm...

-She then thinks to herself, "Which Pokémon should I go with? I mean, I could continue the battle with Simon, but I doubt Hoops would know what a Hypno is capable of... I could also send Kako into the fray, but then they might confuse him for Mirai... I also have Hatty, but I'm saving her for the final round... Axon and Yumi are left... I haven't battled with Yumi since the battle against Surtr... as for Axon, I could go with Axon..."-

-Evelyn then looks over at Ian and Oshawittle...-

Evelyn: -still deep in thought- Ian's going to stick it out with Oshawittle, so I need to pick a Pokémon that can keep up with him...

-Evelyn throws the Poké Ball into the air.-

Evelyn: I choose you!

-The Poké Ball bursts open and a bright light fills the stadium. When that light fades, Kako is standing, ready for action.-

Kako: <Here I am!>

Oshawittle: <Ah, Kako... How nice of you to join me on the field of battle.>

Kako: <It's nice to be here... Now, let's show them what we've got!>

Kabu: So... That's your choice, eh? Omoshiroi...^Translation  Interesting... Now it's my turn!

-Kabu throws two Poké Balls into the air.-

Kabu: Salazzle, Torkoal! Up and at 'em!

-The Poké Balls burst open, and out come Kabu's Salazzle and Torkoal.-

Salazzle: <Ssssso... These are our opponents? How very cute...>

Torkoal: <Let's show 'em how hot we burn!>

-Ian and Evelyn check their Pokédexes, with Ian covering his eyes so he doesn't become mesmerized by Salazzle's beauty.-

Ian's Pokédex: Salazzle, the Toxic Lizard Pokémon and the evolved form of Female Salandit. A Poison and Fire type. For some reason, only females have been found. It creates a reverse harem of male Salandit that it lives with. Filled with pheromones, its poisonous gas can be diluted to use in the production of luscious perfumes. It punishes Salandit that couldn't bring it food with a fierce slap of its flame-spewing palm. The winner of competitions between Salazzle is decided by which one has the most male Salandit with it.

Evelyn's Pokédex: Torkoal, the Coal Pokémon. A Fire type. Torkoal digs through mountains in search of coal. If it finds some, it fills hollow spaces on its shell with the coal and burns it. If it is attacked, this Pokémon spouts thick black smoke to beat a retreat. Torkoal burns coal within its body to produce energy. As a defense, Torkoal is able to release smoke from its nostrils and its back to confuse enemies.

Textspace

Motostoke Stadium

"So, Evelyn has a Kirlia," Hoops mutters, stroking their chin thoughtfully. "I guess she really is a psychic specialist. And those are Kabu's other pokemon."

They turn and see that Sal's eyes have become gigantic hearts. <That Salazzle... She's beautiful. Look at that tail, it's absolutely the perfect length.>

<Looks like someone's in love> Led teases.

<Well, duh. What would you do if a strapping young Ledian showed up?>

"Sal! Snap out of it! You can battle her, right?"

<Of course, boss. In Salandit culture, females battle their harem all the time. It's disrespectful not to fight back fully.>

"Ah, great," Hoops answers. "Wait, harem?"

Metropolis of Vanity

-Also exits-

Hammerlocke

Hammerlocke Pokemon Center, West

-She puts her phone down face-first, sighs, and spends several moments sat staring at the wall near-motionlessly, before pulling up a spreadsheet on her laptop in preparation for a gaming session.-

Hammerlocke Pokemon Center, South

-Elsewhere in the same city, Lucius simply grins at his phone before rolling over and falling asleep next to an already-dozing Espurr, cheerfully oblivious to whatever might awaken him.-

There is a knock at the door and then Alice's phone buzzes.

Textspace

Hammerlocke Pokemon Center, West

-For a few moments, there is no response from behind the door, before Alice opens it wearing her shirts-and-slacks combo and a rather uncharacteristically broad grin on her face.-

Alice: Silas! Greetings. I am happy to inform you that my farm is currently making in excess of 100,000g in profit per day. Outside of winter, of course.

-She stands there smiling for a second, before recovering her composure.-

Alice: ...My apologies. That's very much unrelated to what I'd planned to discuss. Care to come in?

Silas laughed a bit and stepped inside, "It's fine. And feel free to tell me about the farm, we do need to just... "hang out" more and all."

He looked about the room and smiled, "So, before we get to the serious stuff."

He set the thumbdrive down on a table, "Roxy has some pictures of the honeymoon just for you."

He then turned around, "And what do you need to talk about?"

Hammerlocke Pokemon Center, West

-Alice nods, almost autonomously taking the thumb drive, sticking it into her laptop, and blinking.-

Alice: Oh! These are... o-oh. I'll take a look at them later. Sometime after the farm discussion, perhaps. Or... maybe before. Regardless, I do apologise - again - for calling you here in the manner I did. I... I find myself in the position where I am not sure I can properly process my thoughts, and so I figured I ought to defer to someone I trust, who has experience coming to terms with what may be similar feelings.

-She closes her laptop, along with her eyes, as she ponders her next sentence.-

Alice: ...Currently, I am struggling with the notion of relationships, and what precisely they mean to me.

Silas quirked a brow in thought, his more stoic look returning to his face. "Oh?"

He sat down in a chair and steepled his fingers, "Relationships? Something changed in some of yours, or you hit upon a realization about yourself."

Hammerlocke

Textspace

Hammerlocke Pokemon Center, West

-Alice chuckles dryly.-

Alice: Both, actually. Or at least I believe that is the case. It's hard to be certain without a comprehensive knowledge of both my own feelings and those of others.

-She gives a deep sigh.-

Alice: ...You may be aware that Kai and I were previously a couple. There is undoubtedly still a lingering attraction between us, as has been mutually demonstrated on multiple occasions. As such, at the wedding, we... Kai required an Aura Transfer, and when I offered myself as a subject, they performed it via a kiss which I reciprocated. That is not the issue. The issue is... a lingering nostalgia, I suppose. The question arose in both of our minds whether we could go back to what we had before, and in conversation afterwards, Kai could not give an answer with certainty. I doubt I could either.

-There is a long pause before she continues.-

Alice: I find myself quite content with polyamory and physical affection. What I struggle is with where one would define the boundaries of a formal arrangement. You and I have an... arrangement, which I am exceedingly happy with. And yet the wedding made me feel as if I should strive for more, despite... despite the fact that I'm not certain I can commit to such things. I am aware of the term "aromantic". It feels apt, and yet... surely if it truly applied to me, these feelings would not exist.

-...-

Alice: ...I am struggling to make sense of things, to put it mildly.

Edited by Herbert40k on Oct 11th 2020 at 8:53:40 PM

Silas then understood what she was discussing, "Aaaaaaaah. Yeah I think I get what you're saying, hence why you turned to me since I was the one with the most experience there."

He smiled, genuinely smiled, "Alice take it from me when I say, these feelings make no fucking sense."

He let out a hearty resounding laugh, "Alice consider this. I still consider myself a capital A Asexual, despite all we've done, and the fact that I'm married... also the pictures on the thumb drive," he turned a little red at that, his hair almost seeming to curl.

He took a deep inhale and continued, "If you feel that the word is apt, and feels right, then it is the right word. Trust me I've tried a lot of different ones and none of them feel right to me. Far as I can tell, I'm ace and I've just got two exceptions, two exceptions that made me happy."

Hammerlocke

Hammerlocke Pokemon Center, West

-Alice gives a somewhat sad smile.-

Alice: ...Thank you. There are many reasons why you were the first person to come to mind when I realised I needed someone to discuss my feelings with, but you are broadly correct, and I am grateful for your understanding. Perhaps I need to take more comfort in who I am and who I have around me rather than struggling to define it all in exact terms. Old habits, I suppose. Nevertheless... I am still uncertain what to do next. Kai has asked for time to consider things, and I intend to honour their request, but beyond that... usually in these situations I distract myself with my work, but I'm not sure that would be the best solution right now.

-She thinks for a moment.-

Alice: ...On the other hand, the alternative is leaving Lissa in charge, so...

"I know pretty well it's not easy to get comfortable with who you are," Silas admitted, "There are still frequently times where I am rendered uncomfortable with some aspect of myself."

He looked over to the Laptop and the games and then said, "Hey you left Lissa in charge because she can handle it. I say let's sit down and play some games for a little bit."

He shot a text off to Roxy to let her know she'd be back, the response was just asking how Alice responded to the photos.

Silas smirked and then said, "Care for a little co-op? Actually, to make it interesting."

Silas dug into his bag and pulled out an emerald green scarf, wrapping it around his neck, <Let's see how I do when I don't got thumbs to use,> he responded with a wolfish grin.

Vee: -flattening her face against a window- <Someone ain't eatin' right.>

Pippy: -tik tak- <Pot, quit staring at kettle.>

Vee: <But they're doin' neat Aura tricks an' I wanna see.>

Pippy: <We already know you can walk on ceilings, Vee.>

Vee: <So can you! It ain't hard.>

Pippy: <Let's agree to disagree, there.> ^v^;;

-rather than suffer through interrupting any conversation, Megan divebombs in, flings presents at the happy couple, and dives back out-

(-it comes in a handful of dry rice she's keeping in her pockets for some reason-)

-it's...a Lucario tooth?-

-...a knife, made from a Lucario Fang—just being near it, Silas—and Silas specifically—might feel the Aura seeping off of it-

-enclosed is two (2) Joy Seeds-

-I sure hope you like duct tape, 'cause there's reams of it-

Hulbury Stadium,past

-the only evidence of what transpires is a starburst of ice spearing from Sorbus's flank...and the unearthly shriek she dispenses at the same-

[[center:Barraskewda's Swift Swim!]

Nessa: You've spent your held item, haven't you?

-Abilene, appropriately enough, freezes—quietly redacting the queued Yache-flavored command-

Abilene: ...Protect.

[[center:But Sorbus flinched!

Sorbus: <tch—!>

-the frozen missile arcs back around, spearing unhindered through falling stone-

Abilene: Sorbus—!

[[center:Sorbus was frozen!

-and then-

(Rosa: <...what? That can't be>

Rosa: <it—blast it all—!>)

Ceal: <H-hm?>

-we return to the true climax-

Goldeen: <Unfortunately, I cried every tear a fish could cry long ago.> uxu

Fraidy: <W-wh—>

Fraidy: —aaaAAA> x-x

Goldeen: <See? I didn't feel anything, just then.>

Nessa: And that's… -ahem- half your Pokémon, challenger.

-not unsubtly, she indicates the band on her wrist-

-...-

«-...Megan fingers the one remaining occupied Pokéball on her belt-»

Megan: ...yeah. Yeah, it is.

«-she takes hold of it with all the ease and comfort owed to years of practice-»

«-the real battle begins-»

Glimwood Tangle

cw: ...negativity, maybe? I dunno, just be careful (y'all that need it)

Lanatus: -squarp-

Abilene: Eh, mine's rather -stabby motion- as well. A light mulching never hurt anyone much.

Pollen: -through gritted mandibles- <I shouldn't need to guess. I should know these things.>

Megan: -snrk!-

-Pollen turns in her bindings, once again, to the odd figure of her Trainer—complete and utter flabbergast in her expression-

Pollen: <...are…>

Pollen: <Are you LAUGHING at me??>

Megan: -covering her mouth- Hmm~! No!! No no no I am not—I'm not—

-ohhh, that nearly does it-

-fulfilling an obligation, for her own good and everyone's around her, at the designated Important Time?-

-doesn't sound like her-

Megan: -...horrified snicker-

-Pollen's Telekinesis tears through the vines holding her down, splinters flying every which way-

-her buzz intensifies, incandescent rage sparking free in the don't-touch-me personal-space bubble projected by her power-

-hovering above Megan, the Tangle's power flickering in her grasp, looking readier to loose by the moment-

-behind her hand, Megan's smile doesn't budge an inch-

-get it out-

-behind her hand, she grasps for words-

-grows a bit more wan, contemplating-

Megan: -sober- I think…

I get it now. : )

Hulbury Gym, further past - Locker Zone

-...Azelf blast it, why can't Pippy just say the words-

-he looks back and forth between them—his audience and inspiration, always—and...he can't move-

-he can barely think-

-looking back in Megan's expression is his own cold uncharted terror-

-...-

-...her gaze hardens-

-before he can muster the courage to ask, she visibly swallows, draws herself upright-

-and turns away-

Pippy: -still stammering- <...!!>

-she doesn't go far, or look back-

-just to the other side of the bench-

-sitting down on the floor two feet away, her back to them-

-putting in her earphones, heedless of the water still clinging to her, barely obfuscating that they're not plugged into anything-

-and she waits-

-...-

-well...-

-that's good a permission as any, he supposes-

-he takes a seat on the bench-side floor directly opposite her, his back to hers across it-

-tentatively pats the floor beside him, beckoning to Vee-

-the metallic clinks signaling for her to curl up next to him, similarly wordlessly-

-...-

-this is more like it-

-if he closes his eyes, he can almost imagine they're back in their Secret Base, deep underground-

-just the three of them-

Pippy: <...>

Vee: -expectant- <...>

(Megan: …)

Pippy: <...did we ever tell you the story of how we met?>

Pollen: <You…>

Pollen: <You get it.>

Megan: Yeah.

Pollen: <Get.> <What.>

Megan: -smile- Ever since we met, I thought you just didn't like me.

-she gives a low little chuckle, thinking-

Pollen: <...>

Megan: ...but you didn't seem to like anyone else, either. I had to wonder…

Why you were here.

-Pollen's power doesn't flicker.-

-she is owed, she's been—insulted—and she extinguishes it what is she doing that is her Trainer in front of her, right or-

Megan: You had to see it through?

-making cutting remarks-

Pollen: <You…>

Megan: Even if it seemed pointless.

Pollen: <Stop it.>

Megan: Because what else was left?

-smile- Without hope, what else is left?

Pollen: <STOP.>

-the buzz of her wings rises to a howl, drowning out every other sound in the clearing-

-Sorbus winces, Abilene takes a Tanga Berry and mashes it over Mix's face, and Megan—-

-...is blinking, like she forgot she was there, yet again-

-this isn't like her, and it's everything like her-

Megan: -exhilarated- And you just want to stop thinking about it!

-nothing like her-

Pollen: -chirring, disturbed- <...if you know all this, why this? Why now?!>

Megan: Like I said!

-she laughs, each "ha" individually packaged—her hands over her face-

-like a child, lacking object permanence—like if she can't see herself, she'll forget she's there-

Pippy: -faintly- <Twinleaf Town. December…2007. Goodness.>

<We were...so small.>

-it would go against every precept she has not to admit how hungry she is, for this-

Pippy: -rubbing his crest, the way he does when he's nervous- <...most of what I remember of my time there is a pair of nostrils and a mustache, ha ha.> -rub, rub- <Hard to navigate when you're just a foot tall.>

Vee: -smiling, crookedly- <Don' I know it.>

-it'd go against them twice to make it their problem-

Pippy: -smiling, at her- <You get me.>

-they share a fistbump, fistless—she'd stake every hunger she has to the dry, dusty earth before she'd let it taint this-

-he smiles—and nods, like he sees right through her-

-like he's waited—like it's a relief, letting her in-

Pippy: <...anyways, so that was the first…whatever, of my life—> -without her- <—before everything started—> -before someone hurt him-

Pippy: -soft- <...and through the door walks the cutest little girl.>

-the shadow huddled behind them makes a sound like the world's saddest squeaky toy getting punched out, stuffed beneath a mattress or ten-

(Vee: -keeps her unhappy noise internal—she's managing their right to privacy-)

Pippy: -reverie- <...the light reflecting off these, hehe, huge bottle-cap glasses...her mom brought her in.>

(-all her focus on the one talking—this is working out, it will-)

(-it is-)

Vee: -dry- <We've met.>

Pippy: -faux-exasperated- <She was there, is what I was saying.>

-they've lived in the same damn house for well over ten years, is what she's saying-

(-specifically to tease him. always to tease him, ha-)

Pippy: <...and, of course, we were enrolled in the Gym Circuit.>

Vee: <...>

-...-

Pippy: <...we only made it to Eterna.>

Megan: ...this just doesn't stop happening, does it?

-Pollen eyes her warily, the way she would a flower with bark verging on bite-

(-no, like...a Yungoos backed into a corner, panicked and-)-Megan abruptly collects herself, clasping her hands before her-

Megan: I'm sorry we never went to the League.

Pollen: <!>

Megan: I know you really wanted to,

-upbeat- But I don't think it would've gone well.

-her inoffensive, sugar-sweet smile is on her face—slightly dazed, the way she usually appears-

Megan: And if you came to me for advice on being liked…

Pollen: <That's—that's not—>

Megan: -smile- Sorry, but you're fresh out of luck!

Megan: I have never done anything to merit them loving me.

Not like this. Not from them.

-Pollen chitters—hisses, to no avail-

-Megan exhales-

-Pippy inhales-

Pippy: <Like, we're no slouches in fights now, uh, depending on who we fight—>

Pippy: <—well as Gym Trainers we got used to losing a lot maybe—>

Vee: <P.>

Pippy: <—but those were essentially playacting so I don't know how much they count really and after living through a certain number of apocalypsi—>

Vee: <Pippy.>

Pippy: <—apocalypses-apocollapse-apocopeople—yes?> •v•;;

Vee: -gently- <Yer ramblin'.>

Pippy: <...so I am, haha.>

Vee: <...>

Pippy: <...anyways my point was,>

-there's not the slightest movement in the room-

Pippy: <It's not exactly, normal, for someone aiming high to end quite so,>

Pippy: [-<So extenuating circumstances, the way circumstances tend to extenuate, may

have,>-]

Pippy: <And really, when you get down to it, the truth of the matter is,,>

-below their murmuring, Megan focuses on her breathing-

-as much as she can focus; as much as she can breathe—-

-she can roll with the punch, when it comes-

-she's ready-

-that she's had this long is a gift beyond Dialga's-

Pippy: <...it was my fault.>

- -

- ...w h a t?-

-horribly sincerely- <I...got frustrated.>

-no.-

<And...then I got reckless,>

-no. no, no no no no-

<And I hurt myself.>

<It. Might've been. bad.>

-the rests on her glasses dig into the bridge of her nose; no-

<It was...kind of stupid, in retrospect, haha.>

-frustrated, wavering- <One bad call, and I ended up, I was… I think. I made her too scared, to leave the house with me ever again??>

-the metal of the bench's leg bites into her palm; her nails bite into her palm; no,-

-defeated- <So...yeah, all of this is...>

-the death grip on something bolted to the floor keeps her from falling forever, no.-

-smile- <Kind of. On me.> ^v^;

-she watched him learn to sculpt. one wavering scrape at a time, he took wood and stone and shaped it into something beautiful beneath his wings. he taught himself to be gentle because-

-did she know he wrote poetry? did she know Empoleon could pick out the voice of their partner from a crowd of hundreds? it's something that you don't get, that she never understood-

-that he always looks up when she enters a room, and she never asked why that was, no; not until a damn scarf handed her the ability she should've had and certainly not after. deus ex machina, nary a lesson was learned and her-

-heart's beating too fast, isn't it, it's beating too fast and working too loud and she'll-

-she'll hear, she will, she'll sniff it from the air and interrupt this delicate thing, this rare and fragile treasure from growing into what it needs to be, and what she needs to do is stop-

-...-

-stop. stop. stop.-

-stop-stop, stop-stop and-she won't do it, will she, no, not before this thing will die and not before she crushes him and not before the fragile peace they've built between them turns to ash and blows away and s t o p.-

-she's always been a coward-

Megan: ...or you.

What I'm saying, is…

-but self-awareness fails to be a virtue when nothing's done with it-

Megan: -smiling comfortingly wide- It's not your fault.

Pollen: -.staring- <...>

-but this is it-

-she gathers Pollen's appendages between her fingers, clasping them tight-

Megan: [-It's not your fault, and you're going to be okay.]-

-stripped of artifice, this is what is left to her-

Megan: You did the best you could.

-her kingdom of volcanic ash, sliding slowly into the sea-

Megan: ...for all it's worth, I'm proud of you.

Pollen: < ,· ,·,>

-did the boats escape?-

Megan: -smile- But you should save your efforts for the living. You'll net better results.

-Pollen looks like she's taken a bite directly out of a Durin Berry-

Pollen: <I'm.>

Pollen: <I'm. trying. How much do you—what??>

-Megan forces herself to take a deep breath, and restate herself more clearly-

Megan: -in a rush- I'm—just going to drag you down. More than I have already, and I think—

-shutting her eyes- I know, even if I—that it'll be best if you. Find someone, better, to swear yourself to.

-who knows! those lahars are fast-moving, and rowing arms tire quickly-

Pollen: <...no.>

-the seas are boiling in their beds-

Megan: -huff- Don't worry, this is—a thing, I do. I hang out with people and...somehow convince them there's something to me.

-smile- But it's okay! I'm absolving you of your obligation. You're not stuck with me.

Pollen: <no, no—>

-they've always been, and all she's ever needed to do is let them-

-Pollen drags Megan's hands back to her—mind over matter-

-someone trembles, a bit, before remembering herself-

Megan: It's—I know you're mad. The Vow. You can, take any revenge you like, and then...you can be done.

Megan: I won't—I won't hate you or anything. Really. I'm not, that terrible.

-she smiles again, she's fine-

-...but Pollen's not, moving?-

-or rending her in twain or anything-

-she doesn't look freed-

Megan: -tug- Uh, if—but if you're worried about having—someone to take care of you, you have—you have to had someone in mind, right?

Pollen: -shaking- <I'm—I'm, I'm trying, just let me—don't give up>

Megan: -brightening- Like—Ever! You get along, really well, with Ever, right?

-her gaze comes to rest somewhere around their forehead, and stays there-

-beaming- Ever, if I'm not—

-brightly- you'll take care of them, won't y -crackle-

Edited by Asterisk395 on Oct 11th 2020 at 6:38:40 AM

Hammerlocke Pokemon Center, West

-Alice nods.-

Alice: I'm sure that self-acceptance is always an ongoing process. And I joke, for the most part. I trust Lissa, and she is - despite lacking in a certain degree of professional decorum - a more capable leader than she gives herself credit for. Furthermore, Minstrel is there keeping an eye on her... for his own reasons, I'm sure, but he has proven himself worthy of trust as well. So yes, I think a few games sound like an excellent idea. What better way to relax than-

-She stops and blinks at Silas's transformation, taking a moment to absorb it all, before letting out a noise that is almost unmistakably a giggle.-

Alice: ...Are you sure? That seems like a rather dramatic way to handicap yourself for a game about starting a Berry farm. If you wanted to even the playing field I could've just promised not to look at the spreadsheet.

Edited by Herbert40k on Oct 11th 2020 at 11:25:56 AM

Textspace

Oblivion Wing

-Possibly before the message is even read, the shadows shift and Gale is here-

-She's also fiddling with the internals of her helmet, while just standing there, helmet in one hand and tools in the other-

-That's probably bad workplace safety-

Silas smirked, <Hey it's less about handicap and more making it interesting. If I wanted to really handicap myself I'd get drunk,> he said tapping his skull.

He took a few moments to think it over and continued with, <Yeah... I actually want to do things like this for a little bit. In a weird way it relates to that whole "getting comfortable" conversation. Quite frequently I have little control over when I have to wear this skin, but, now, when it's my choice. Yeah I want that,> he said with a contented smile.

<Besides you have no idea how dexterous these paws of mine are, I could get some Guitar Hero to demonstrate, Hardest Difficulty, Guitar Hero 3, Fire and the Flames,> he said in an almost daring tone.

Silas stepped over, "Good to see you Gale," he commented, taking notice of the helmet, "Something wrong with the helmet?"

Hacks stepped over, ~It's probably something minor.~

Edited by EchoingSilence on Oct 11th 2020 at 5:42:14 AM

Oblivion Wing

Yeah, I know we put some Gogo lens tech in here during fabrication I'm just making sure it's still settled in and calibrated. Turns out sandstorm visibility is fairly useful for more than one Gym Battle I have coming up.

-She makes sure the current state of the helmet's internals are at least stable before putting the tools inside it and holding it under one arm-

So, got some places lined up for our little Rebel Tower eh?