Destiny Village ~ Library

[unrepentantAuthor]

Open up to them? Curio left the picture almost as soon as Brisa started thinking about taking her feelings for the riolu seriously. Astrid hadn't been there when she'd been revived and wasn't responding to her texts. And she was pretty sure Cream was into Puff, if Brisa wasn't too young for the other luxray anyway. And she had no idea if any of them liked girls. What good was support when she couldn't even begin to 'open her heart' amidst all that confusion? What was she gonna do, just stroll right up to Cream and fucking whiplash her like ~howdy partner when you speak softly to me I feel like I'm finally at rest after a lifetime of tension just thought you should know how about we share a drink~ fuck that fuck fuck fucking no.

That ain't even all of it, though...

"It's... It's more complicated than y'might realise, partner. All the same, I sure appreciate the encouragement."

She forced a grin. Icetales might well have a much easier time ahead of him than her, or than he seemed to realise. "An' take yer own advice. Why don'tcha go have a word with Celeste sometime? Trust me on this, it's a good move, and you don't have forever. Go have a wonderful moment with him, Icetales."

 

[Cresselia92]

Icetales’ smile waned. Right. Celeste. He hadn’t really talked much with that dear fellow, didn’t he? First the revival of the dead teammates, then it was Red, then the issue with the spies, followed by the appearance of Darkwhite in the most random places, which culminated in his studies…

Always too busy. Always in the brink of collapse from exhaustion.

Ah. Nothing new.

“I… probably should,” he muttered lowly, scratching his ear with a forepaw. “I sure know I did not spend as much time anymore, what with this entire spy-hunting business and… the other thing.”

“Well, then I wager we should do something nice to compensate.” Keo’Keo paused, then his eyes narrowed. “…Stargazing?”

“Stargazing.”

Keo’Keo rolled his eyes. “Of course. Very original.”

“I-I mean! We both appreciate that! It is a safe bet!”

“Hmph. Yeah, I guess so.”

A quick glance at a nearby clock made both foxes freeze. Aah! So much to do, so little time!

“Anyway, huh… Golly! Apologies for taking so much time! Thou hast thy reading, yes?” said Icetales, bowing quickly. “I shall go back to mine own studies. But perhaps… we could share a drink someday, yes?” He wagged his tails, looking cheerful. “I sure know I would not mind drinking some cider again!”

 

[unrepentantAuthor]

Brisa smiled. This earnest dandy wasn't her type, but she could see with Cynthian and Celeste liked so much about him. Bless his heart.

"I gotta introduce ya t'spirits," she drawled. "Another time. Be seein' ya round, and . . . thanks fer the talk, friend."

She had plenty to be getting on with herself, but for now, she'd bury herself in a good book for a change. It had been far, far too long. She deserved it.

 

[Cresselia92]

“Ah! Thou art welcome, Brisa!” said Icetales, beaming a serene smile. “Thanks… for lending an ear. Much appreciated. Truly.”

Keo’Keo nodded, before glancing back and forth at Brisa and Sombra. “It has been a pleasure. See you around.”

“Indeed. Peace out, and until next time!”

With those last words, Icetales and his Shadow left Brisa with her own Shadow and her book, his heart feeling much lighter and his mind much clearer.

Just a few more minutes to conclude his studies, then it was time to heed his own preaching!

<><><><>​

 

[Adamhuarts]

"The Myth of The Firefly Lilly pad?" Cynthian muttered to herself as she pulled the book out from the fiction section of the library. She hadn't even been sure what brought her there. Boredom perhaps.

The book she picked up depicted a red lily with glowing veins coursing through it, as strange as that was. She figured she might as well give the book a read until she finds something else.

When she approached one of the tables, to her surprise Celeste was already there. Did boredom bring him to the library as well?

"Hey," Cynthian greeted as she took a seat. Truth be told Cynthian knew little about Celeste, and they didn't interact much outside group battles with everyone else. "How goes your day?"

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Celeste turned to see Cynthian in the library. He'd been under the impression she hadn't been much of a reader. Then again, he didn't know that much about her. They hadn't spoken much since Cynthian had retreated to their pot.

"My day? It's going... well. How about you? It's been far too long since we caught up."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"I guess so. A lot has happened, though I'm sure you've heard most of it by now." Cynthian chuckled. She placed the book before her and lazily opened the preface page. She recalled something then glanced at Celeste with a curious hint in her eyes.

"You still wear the contacts," Cynthian said, amused. "That's nice to see. Are they the same ones or do you change them every so often?"

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Celeste laughed. "The same ones I got with you. So, thanks for the help with that. Never got to pay you back for that help, did I? I'm quite grateful to have them, and I would never have known such a thing existed here without you helping me find it."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"Oh, it's nothing much really. I only tried to help a friend in need, and I'm happy to know I succeeded," Cynthian said with a warm smile. How long ago had that been anyway? Several months?

"I was so tiny those days," Cynthian said, wistfully recalling her roselia days. She glanced at Celeste and hummed. "Even after I evolved, most of you guys are still taller. You're like a head or two taller than me yourself."

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Celeste gave a sharp laugh. "It was quite odd for me when we all first arrived here. I was full-sized, but everyone else had been reverted to their childhood forms! I was at least a head above most everyone, it was quite the odd situation. Now, though, everyone's up to their final stages. On that note: How is it to be a Roserade? You taking well to it?"

 

[Adamhuarts]

Cynthian stared down at her bouquets with a contemplative look.

"I'm still not sure honestly. I thought I'd experience more change or get better but... Well it beats being only as tall as a foot," Cynthian said with a half hearted chuckle. She flipped a few more pages of the book, not really paying attention to any of the words or illustrations.

"I think pokemon like you are lucky. You never have to agonize over when to evolve or how. Your strength just keeps growing on its own and you'd never have to worry about not recognizing yourself anymore," she remarked.

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Celeste tilted his head. "Oh? Funny, I'd always thought of it differently. Well, here my strength does keep growing, but back home I never grew much stronger after reaching maturity. At least not in body, I had to sharpen my skill as much as my horn. That aside, it was normally those who evolved the most that grew strongest...

"Perhaps the grass is just greener where we do not tread on it."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"I guess so..." Cynthian replied, followed by an awkward shuffle. She wondered what else to talk about.

"How do you spend your time when we're not going around fighting legendaries and world ending catastrophes? Are there any hobbies you partake on?" Cynthian asked, resting her face on her bouquet. "I picked up doll making and clothes designing over the months for instance. It's been a lot of fun."

 

[Shiny Phantump]

"Oh, how interesting. I don't do anything quite that productive. I skulk around here for a while most days. The time I don't have to hunt anymore, but I still like the wilderness, so sometimes I'll just go out fans explore for a bit. And Soul. She's been trying to find a sense of self and purpose. I've been trying to help, but I'm not much good at it..."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"Oh, Soul? She approached me at the park once and asked for advice on her identity and gender. Glad to hear she's figured herself out." Cynthian smiled. Truth be told, she couldn't help but feel proud of Soul for coming along.

"She's like Ivy in a way. Neither of them inherited much of a personality when born, though Ivy doesn't concern herself much with that. She just goes where the wind takes her," Cynthian said, leaning back on her chair and tapping her cheek with a vine. "I heard she freaked out after she saw Sword's ultra stone break apart. I've tried getting her to come out of her stone, but it's like she doesn't even want to listen. I'm starting to worry..."

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Celeste gave a solemn nod. "I see. Sword did survive, though." And as Sword, not Darkwhite. All the better.

"I take it you've probably already let her know that? Maybe taking her directly to Sword could help as well. Or maybe Dave would be able to help. It was him who ended up getting Soul to speak and... to live, really. He might be able to help Ivy, too."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"Thanks. I'll try to do that later." Cynthian opened her back and held up Ivy's stone with a vine. She peered at the dark translucent stone, and it felt like Ivy was staring right back at her.

"I can tell that she's there. I feel her presence, but otherwise she may as well be in deep sleep." Cynthian kept the stone next to her book and sighed. "Maybe Soul could try talking to her too? Soul's her best friend, according to Ivy herself. Maybe Ivy will be willing to open up to her."

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Celeste shut his eyes and focused. Hey, Soul, you around?

A response came almost immediately. Need me for something?

Ivy's been retreated to her stone for a while now. Could you try talking to her?

Sure, give me a minute.

Celeste nodded and reopened his eyes. "She'll be here soon."

...

After a few minutes, Soul did indeed arrive. "Ivy needs me? Where is she?"

 

[Adamhuarts]

"Here she is," Cynthian said, gesturing at the ultra stone lying motionlessly on the table. She sighed. "Ivy's been shaken up by what happened in Worldcore. I was you could try talking to her. I think she might open up if it's you."

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Soul placed her forehead against the stone. She tried to reach out with her mind's voice on top of whispering softly.

"Ivy? It's me, Soul. Are you okay in there? You're my friend, I don't want you to be hurt or anything."