Destiny Village ~ Sundae Park

[Adamhuarts]

"Flowers? I could grow entire forests if I tried!" Cynthian said with a small jump.

"You're right, I do have a lot of time ahead of me. Even then... Maybe I'm just too young for that fact to settle in, you know?"

 

[RJR Basimilus]

"Yeah, it's hard to see the big picture when you're young. Or something like that."

"You're doing a lot better than I was at 20. I don't really remember much, but I can say that with confidence." Seyka grinned. "Maybe you can grow a blue forest for me then, and call it the pink forest, then we can trade names."

 

[Adamhuarts]

Cynthian gave a hearty laugh and smiled warmly. "If we don't all forget about this adventure of ours when all is said and done, then that's a promise."

"Maybe when I'm older I'll understand my mothers' lives better. There's no guarantee though. I just have to live earnestly I guess? I'm not sure if that makes sense either. Since you've already lived much longer than me, what would you say is the best way for one to live?"

 

[RJR Basimilus]

Seyka was silent for a moment. "Be direct. Be decisive. And if you have a decision in front of you, make it." The Skarmory was quiet. "For better or for worse, you regret the things that you let pass you by. Never let anyone make a decision for you on your behalf. Even if it kills you, even if it hurts to decide."

"That's a bit depressing," Seyka said, smiling awkwardly. "If you want more realistic advice, eat good food and find what makes you happy! I guess that's kind of a no-brainer."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"You're right though. They say you miss every shot you don't take, and I've already missed a lot. That could be why my life hasn't been too satisfying so far, but I feel like I can't help it sometimes." Cynthian looked down at her flowers and grimaced.

"I wish I was more strong willed, and braver. My life would've been much better if things were different."

 

[RJR Basimilus]

"Hey, you said it yourself, you're barely started with life." Seyka frowned. "You still have more than enough time to fix things up and make the rest of your life worth it. Like me!"

The Skarmory grinned. "If I could erase the first 30 years of my life, things would be soo different. But uh, if I'm erasing that, wouldn't that mean I'm erasing 30 years of everyone's life from that period? That sounds like too much trouble."

"Yeah though, you might mess up, but there's no point in lingering on it. Just- do whatever."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"But what if I just keep messing up my whole life?" Cynthian asked with shaky eyes.

 

[RJR Basimilus]

"Then own it," Seyka said. "For you at least, I'd say you have to find the good, no matter how hard it is."

The Skarmory exhaled deeply. "For me, I view my actions as the end all, distinct from abstractions of good or bad. Morality is not something I'm concerned with, only results that are meaningful to me, however that is."

"But- I know you would rather live life in a way that is... less vague. So change your mindset. What is messing up to you? Is it a ratio of how much good or bad something accomplishes? Don't make expectations. Hope for the best, accept the worse as a matter of course."

"Alternatively, don't mess up." Seyka smiled. "Reinterpret your actions as means to an end, the outcome only shaping what the end will be. When you're satisfied, you decide when the end is, so technically, you never mess up!" The Skarmory laughed. "I can't help you any more than that."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"I don't think it's possible not to mess up sometimes. Still, I think finding the good things in one's life no matter how hard it is, is good advice." Cynthian's raised her face forward with a subtle smile.

"My life growing up wasn't the happiest, but there were times in between that I've been happy. Maybe those moments are what I should strive to live for, right?"

 

[RJR Basimilus]

The Skarmory shrugged with his wings. "You decide that, not me. In my opinion at least, there's an important distinction in timing though."

Seyka nodded slowly. "Live for the happiness that could be, not that which has been."

"Sometimes the best thing to do is just ask yourself. Take the first answer you come up with, no matter what it is. It might surprise you."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"Hmmm, well if you ask me right now, at this very moment, I am happy," she replied with a satisfied smile.

"After we're done dealing with..." she glanced up at the frozen Joule in the sky, "THAT, there will be more opportunities to be happy, or sad. No one knows for sure. We just have to live through it."

 

[RJR Basimilus]

"Something will happen, whether we win or lose. I don't really mind either way, though I suppose you'd rather not consider the possibility."

"I just like to keep my options open," Seyka said. "It feels good to do so, I've been on a schedule of sorts for a long time."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"Preparing for the worst is fine I guess, but it doesn't hurt to be optimistic. This isn't the first ordeal we've faced since coming here, and it won't be the last. At least that's my hope," Cynthian said with a light chuckle.

"Oh by the way, remember a few months ago when I ran into you flying into the wall?" Cynthian asked with a gasp. "Did you ever get used to your wings since then? I recall you said you lost the ability to fly in your world. Something about your wings being rusted and battered."

 

[RJR Basimilus]

"Mm, I can fly now," Seyka said. "Back home, I didn't take good care of my wings. So while I'm here, I might as well make up for lost time."

He stretched his wings out, admiring them. "And it's not that I'm a cynic. I'm optimistic that something will happen, regardless of the outcome of the battle. Good, bad, it's exciting either way. But I know everyone would rather have the former, so I'll do my best to that end."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"I'll do my best too. May we all prevail," Cynthian said, throwing her flower forward excitedly.

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[unrepentantAuthor]

Brisa had taken walks in the park as part of her frequent solo excursions to walk off her energy. Usually away in her head, like she used to be every day. Today, though, with the blacklight overhead, and having worked herself senseless since the bubble went up, she was attentive enough to notice Astrid walking too. Brisa couldn't pass up a chance to talk with her!

She approached, suddenly aware of her heartbeat and those feelings she just kept stepping on, day after day. How she wanted to be close to her friend as often as she could be near anyone. How she loved to watch Astrid's splendour in a fight. How she always laughed whenever the two of them were together (or at least, she smiled). It was a special kind of heartache not to know how long you'd have to endure it before it was ripped out of your chest forever. She should really talk to someone. It was getting painful to ignore.

"Astrid? Howdy! You feelin' restless too, huh?"

She loped up to join her friend. There was a time when she'd have been hesitant, in case the ninetales wanted solitude, but Astrid had said she wanted to spend more time together, right? And frankly, after all her effort since Arceus raised the bubble, Brisa could use some quiet time with someone she cared for.

 

[TheGOAT]

She could feel the battle drawing near. But these precious few hours beforehand had to be spent somehow.

Her walk had continued on, taking her further into the residential districts. In spite of Destiny Village’s usual overcast climate, the landscape was not quite the same now that a great shadow had blotted out the sky. Regret welled up in Astrid’s chest, and she wasn’t sure why. Perhaps because she hadn’t explored the city enough in her spare time back before the siege?

That didn’t feel right, but… most of her emotions hadn’t lately. She lingered on such things—lingered on how her corruption had been strenuous to channel lately. But she kept walking. Step after step after step, until she had crossed most of the city.

About half a kilometer separated Astrid from the boundary where she finally stopped to rest. There was a junction in the road; one way lead towards the edge, another path lead back towards town in roundabout fashion, and a final path diverted towards an exotic park. Hedges and fountains rose above one another in a fixed pattern next to an expansive pond, where grass waved along the shoreline in the nonexistent wind. Thick spruce trees bordered the far end of the area, giving the area a faint sense of enclosure. Colorful cobblestone lit up the walkways. Astrid imagined such a place would look beautiful under clear skies and fair winds. It was the perfect spot to have a picnic, or do something less violent than fight a cosmic overlord. A place to rest her aches away…

She took a hesitant step forward. I can pretend it’s a clear day if I have to. I just need to find some peace before this battle, somehow. I…

She frowned. Even admitting it to herself felt like a jab in the gut.

I’m not healthy.

Maybe it was the pressure finally catching up with her. She’d thrown up the day prior, and that was not something she ever did. Everything about her body felt out of whack, nevermind any miscellaneous aches. Had she really not been treating herself that well…?

"Astrid? Howdy! You feelin' restless too, huh?"

It was a thought for another day. A familiar voice called, causing Astrid’s heart to leap.

“Brisa!”

Perfect. Just the girl she’d wanted to find before the fight. Someone she could count on…

Astrid fell in by her side at once and instantly felt safer. “Hey there.”

 

[unrepentantAuthor]

Well, she sure perked up fast! Brisa couldn't help smiling as the ninetales darted to her side. Brisa was perking up too, as were her ears (now very warm indeed). She hoped for a fleeting moment that maybe Astrid would . . . just kinda bump into her, or something. Gods, she had to do something about this heartache of hers... Had it really been more than a month since that moment at the Treasure Town riverside?

She shook her head clear. "Ah, I'm glad t'see ya up an' about, Astrid. Are y'feelin' okay? I heard you've been feelin' well enough to train, at least."

 

[TheGOAT]

Her response was second nature… though it left a sour taste in her mouth when telling it to Brisa especially.

“I’ve, yeah, I’ve been feeling okay. Nothin’ much bothering me. How’ve you been?” Astrid said, producing a canteen from her bag for a quick drink, then offering it up.

She cast a cursory glance towards the dome’s luminous border and spoke evenly. “…I’m really happy to see you. Won’t be much longer now.”

 

[unrepentantAuthor]

Brisa took a grateful sip before returning the canteen.

"Hey, happy t'see you too, partner," she replied, softly. She took Astrid's meaning well enough. It was good to spend some time together before everyone feel entirely into pre-battle jitters.

"I dunno about you, but I like our chances," she said, grinning. "Reckon we'll come outta this okay. After all, we've been doin' our absolute damnedest, and we've always risen to th'challenge before."

She managed a sincere, if weary, smile.