Poppin' Arms ~ Dorms

[Adamhuarts]

"I was making it for you, Vix." Cynthian drew a long sigh and brushed against the doll a bit more.

"After the last time we spoke, I wanted to make something that could give some comfort." Cynthian reached into her bag and pulled out a Roselia plush. "This might sound silly, but I got this one from Leg a while back, and it helps me relax and sleep better sometimes. I was hoping to do the same for you because Puddle was gone, but he came back and I wasn't sure if you'd still want it. I wasn't sure if you'd want it anyway to begin with, so..."

Cynthian's embarrassment reached its threshold and she was starting to wish she could crawl into and hide in a hole somewhere.

 

[Fusion]

Oh...

The purple of Vix's face spread even further, she slowly started to melt, and faint speckles of radiance danced off her body. "Y-You... made that for me..?" she squeaked. The idea that someone would go out of their way to make something for her felt almost unnatural. How long had it been since she last got a gift? Certainly not during her time here.

If lamps had knees, Vix's would be weak right about now. To make up for that, her float got all shaky and uneven. Puddle had to run over and keep her from falling. Her familiar gave her a reassuring pat on the head, and waddled her closer to Cynthian.

"I'd love to have it, actually," Vix said, tapping the tips of her arms together. She didn't exactly know what else to say, since most of the words got jumbled inside her and stuttering could only be so endearing. After a moment of silence, Vix wrapped Cynthian in a snug hug.

 

[Adamhuarts]

Cynthian widened her eyes when Vix said she wanted to have it. A wave of relief washed over her and her cheeks warmed. When Vix hugged her a moment later, Cynthian returned the hug in earnest.

"I'm glad you liked it. I really am." Being appreciated like like that made her heart flutter ever so slightly, and her flowers bloomed in a tangy aroma with a bit of strawberries thrown in the mix.

<><><><^><>

 

[Adamhuarts]

In a room somewhere at the dorms, soft whimpers and sniffles came from a flower pot.

Ivy laid there on the soil, clutching tightly to Cynthian's roselia doll. She recalled the time Cynthian kept moving farther and farther away into the sky, and then she couldn't feel Cynthian anymore.

Grief was not a foreign emotion to Ivy. She had been subjected to a month long of nightmares of Cynthian grieving over her mother long before Ivy manifested her current form. She'd promised herself to help Cynthian not have to feel pain anymore, so that she could be happy again.

"Cynthian..." Ivy hugged the doll tighter, dampening it even further with her tears. "It hurts... It hurts without you."

 

[Cresselia92]

Exhaustion. This is all what Icetales could feel as he took slow steps toward his room, dragging all his tails. It’s like he didn’t even care about them getting dirty anymore — what was a slight inconvenience to the void that was inside his heart?

Losing consciousness, then forcing himself to take a long trip to the forest to dig some graves, and then come back? Yes, that truly did wonders to both his physical and mental health.

“I should… sleep or something,” he murmured to himself, before he recalled a few important details: Mellow had left with her Familiar to go to some place (perhaps to handle her grief in her own way), and Cynthian…

Icetales paused, unsure of wanting to go to that room anymore. However, he took a deep breath and kept marching forward.

“I could gather everything and then take residence somewhere else…”

And then, his ears perked up as he heard crying coming from his room. Who was there? He quickly closed the gap and looked inside. A Roselia… made of shadows, clutching a small doll. Oh, by the heavens!

“Miss Ivy…?”

 

[Adamhuarts]

"Icetales...?"

Ivy stood up slowly, and then she pressed herself against him and cried her heart's contents into his mane.

 

[Cresselia92]

Icetales’s heart sank as he felt the spectral tears running down his fur and his tails quivered. Oh, the poor Shade… now she was all alone.

Slowly, he extended his free paw and held it on her back, patting her gently. He let her unload her pain as his mind worked on something to say. Then, he got a small spark.

“My heart goes to thee, Miss Ivy. We have both lost plenty, and the wounds are very fresh,” whispered Icetales, but the voice was loud enough so that she could hear his words. “Howbeit, we… must be strong. We must be strong for them. I know I would desire for others to stay strong if I were a wandering soul…”

 

[Adamhuarts]

Ivy pulled back and whimpered. She looked up at Icetales with shaking eyes and told him about a conversation she had with Cynthian...

------------

Through the psychic link they shared, Ivy could always feel Cynthian's thoughts and emotions like the strummings of an instrument in her head. When Ivy felt a strong wave of anxiety coming off Cynthian, she tracked her down to the dorms and did what she did best. Ivy gave Cynthian a hug.

"I'm fine, Ivy," Cynthian said with a grimace. "Thanks anyway."

Cynthian didn't admit it, but Ivy could smell the tangy scent coming from Cynthian's flowers.

Ivy smiled and said. "Everything will be fine, Cynthian. Ivy will stay with you."

"Of course, what would I do without you?" Cynthian replied with a chuckle, then her expression grew pensive again. "Ivy, I want you to do at least one thing for me... Well, two things actually."

"Ivy will do it!"

"That's reassuring." Cynthian patted Ivy on the head like how an older sibling would do. "If something bad happens to me out there, I want you to never forget who you are. Even if I'm not there, just know that I will always be cheering you on as the great and mighty."

"Okay... What is the second thing do you want Ivy to do?" Ivy asked, looking back at Cynthian worriedly.

"I want you to tell him I'm sorry for not fulfilling our promise. It may not come to that, but if it does, tell Icetales that there's no one else I've cherished more than him in Cibus. I want him to know he holds no blame if I'm gone, and I want him to cherish the good moments we had and use them as his strength to carry on..." Cynthian has a slight blush on her face and then flailed her flowers frantically. "Of course, you don't have to mention any of things if things work out! I just... I don't want my absense to bring only pain to him."

"Okay!" Ivy chirped. She didn't understand what Cynthian was being all worried about, but at least she wasn't all anxious any more...

--------------------

"That was what she said." Ivy concluded her story and lowered her eyes. She sat back down in the pot and said nothing more.

 

[Cresselia92]

Icetales stared blankly as Ivy told him about their conversation, his tails becoming colder and colder each passing second. A thin layer of frost expanded underneath the fox’s feet, dark and glacial like his mood.

Why did Cynthian say such things? Was it because of her insecurities or… some instinct told her that something like that was going to occur soon?

Darkness pooled at the tips of his tails, while his shadow seemed to take another appearance…

"I want you to tell him I'm sorry for not fulfilling our promise. It may not come to that, but if it does, tell Icetales that there's no one else I've cherished more than him in Cibus.

And look where this emotion took her!

She is gone! To the deepest corners of the Twilight!

Love is meaningless. Love is pain. Art thou feeling the pain of a broken heart, foolish lad? Art thou going to die as well in the name of love?

I want him to know he holds no blame if I'm gone,

Fuh huh huh! Of course thou art to blame! Thou art a tenth tail, a curse, a beast! And thou managed to bring thy pestilence into this world, too, and never fail to condemn whoever thou care about.

Lovely work. Lovely work, indeed.

Magnanimous is dead. That vixen is dead. And now that ‘friend’ of thyne is dead.

Who shall be next? Maybe that pathetic fire whelp? Or Fifth?

Icetales clenched his fangs and looked at the floor. Curse… was he really a curse…?

and I want him to cherish the good moments we had and use them as his strength to carry on..."

By then, the Ninetales barely registered those words, the darkness starting to overcome his mind. He was so tired, so very tired…

‘Nope! I won’t let you bring yourself down now! Focus, Daddy! Focus!’

“Huh…?”

‘Your sister. Remember what Fifth said. Remember her words once more, please. Don’t… don’t let yourself go…’

Icetales took a deep breath and closed his eyes, his mind going back to a few hours ago…

…Mother would not have wished for thee to continue mourning her.

Life is not eternal, and some of us traverse the Twilight earlier than their peers. That does not make their lives meaningless, however. If all, we should carry and treasure the shards they leave behind, so that our path will shine the brightest.

Comets. We all become comets once we pass to the next plane. Keep looking at the sky for any comet and, perhaps, if thou spot one, the soul will observe thee from the Twilight.

‘Your mothers loved you. Cynthian cared about you. Do you want them to look at you from the Twilight and see you kick yourself down like this? Do you want to bring them sadness? Do you want to let that… that monster of a Father control you and make you feel like crap?’

“Petram, I…”

Tsk! Why should he listen to—

‘Shut up! You shut the heck up! You love to say that Daddy is a bastard. Well… you’re the bastard! You’re nothing! Nothing! And now leave him alone!’

And then, Icetales’s mind became suddenly clear. Somehow… Petram managed to save him from himself. But he wasn’t done yet.

‘Now listen up, Daddy! You’re much stronger than that, and you know it! You aren’t a curse! I… I believe in you! And you need to believe in yourself! You wanna be a beacon of hope? Then… prove it! Prove it to yourself, Daddy!’

Icetales stayed silent, registering all that was happening inside his mind, when a tear dropped from his eye.

“Thanks, Petram. I am so proud of thee…”

‘Aww, shucks! You can praise me later! Now go, you have work to do!’

"That was what she said." Ivy concluded her story and lowered her eyes. She sat back down in the pot and said nothing more.

Icetales took another deep breath and cleared his mind completely. The darkness receded back into his tails and his eyes seemed to glow with a faint golden light. He leaned down toward Ivy and gave her a gently nuzzle on her body.

“I thank thee… for telling me these words. I cannot say to not be in anguish, but… but I shall treasure her last wish. I shall go forward… for her.” He stared intently into Ivy’s eyes. “We both should. At least we have still each other, right? I… I will not leave thee. I promise.”

 

[Adamhuarts]

Ivy took comfort in those words as she wiped her face with her flower. She stayed quiet for a long moment, as though she contemplated something.

"Cynthian isn't gone... That's right, Ivy still remembers Cynthian! As long as Ivy remembers Cynthian, Cynthian will always be alive with Ivy!" Ivy said, springing back up to her feet and making strong eye contact with Icetales.

"Ivy will never forget Cynthian, because Ivy is great and mighty!"

 

[Cresselia92]

Icetales smiled, glad that Ivy was feeling in better spirits. He scrunched his muzzle for a split second, as if focused on something, then he chuckled.

“That is right, and Petram told me to send thee some of his ‘invincible energy’, so that thou will be great, mighty and invincible!”

He started wagging his tails, letting the Radiance flow through his body and illuminating the room with a warm light. A beacon of hope… yes. He was going to share his light and guide others through the darkness that was infesting their hearts.

“Mother… Lend me thy strength from the Twilight. Allow me to radiate a fragment of thy spirit and hope. My comrades… my friends… this world… they need all the hope I can muster.’

Icetales glanced at the window, seeing that night was rapidly approaching and the first twinkles appeared on the sky. He considered paying a visit to a friend who could appreciate some reassurance, but first…

“What dost thou think if I prepare some tea? I reckon we could use something to warm us up inside, hm?”

 

[Adamhuarts]

"Tea?" Ivy blinked at him with a slight head tilt. "Is it a good drink or an evil drink?"

 

[Cresselia92]

Icetales smirked with mirth. “Well, Her Ladyship — the noble Serperior I work for in my homeworld — told me countless of times that the tea I prepare is akin to ‘heavens in liquid form’. A bit of an exaggeration, perhaps, but I reckon that means that it is good.”

He walked toward the desk, making sure to not look at the pot for more time than required, and took out a few herbs with various fragrances.

“…I am out of mint leaves, but I have some chamomile here.” Icetales hummed to himself. “Hm. Yes. A relaxing beverage to soothe our spirits it’s ideal. Now, for some water…”

The Ninetales walked toward his bag and took out a few bottles, before glancing at Ivy.

“Say, Miss Ivy, dost thou have any plans for the days to come? I am considering doing a few rounds among our comrades to give them comfort in these trying times.” He walked back to the desk and used a Blast Seed to warm up the water instantly. “What will thou do?”

 

[Adamhuarts]

"Ivy wants to help Icetales. That's what Cynthian would have done too," Ivy said with profound resolve.

 

[Cresselia92]

Icetales smiled sadly. "Of course she would..."

Once the water reached the proper temperature, the Ninetales poured the leaves into the scalding liquid. It was only a matter of letting the chamomille unleash its flavor, so small talk it was.

"Well, I sure know I would appreciate all the help I can get. There is... plenty to do and fractured hearts to mend." Icetales sighed. "A heavy weight, and... unfortunately, I do not have the best of relationships with the remaining comrades, aside from Sir Celeste." He looked away. "I am trying. I truly am trying to be a good companion to everyone, but... I do not know, am I failing somewhere? Granted, I... did not use to have many friends at home, so perhaps I do not have the skills to be a good friend yet..."

 

[Adamhuarts]

Ivy stared at Icetales while the mist from the warm tea wisped over the cup. She once again had that contemplative look on her face, and seemed to arrive at a decision after a while.

"This is Cynthian's secret, but I think it's fine for Ivy to tell you. Cynthian trusts Icetales, so it's okay," Ivy began. "Cynthian often thinks to herself that if she didn't have Mama Zahra, she'd have wanted to follow Icetales back to his world, so she could spend the rest of her life with you there."

Ivy smiled at him, it was perhaps a bit somber, but full of warmth. "Ivy doesn't know everything about Cynthian, but I think Cynthian at least thought Icetales was more than a good friend."

 

[Cresselia92]

Icetales blinked a few times, before beaming another small smile.

Well, a truly heartwarming thought… if not for the fact that my world is on the brink of war.

“I surely would have appreciated her company. She… definitely is a good friend, too.” He narrowed slightly his eyes, before shaking his head and showing a brighter smile. “No, I am mistaken. She is one of my best friends. I wish I could tell her that earlier, but…”

Icetales hummed as he pondered about something. He still felt somewhat exhausted, but perhaps he still had that little energy in him to do something.

“Hmm…”

The Ninetales walked toward the window and stared intently at the darkening sky. He felt the Radiance flowing through his tails, with were coated in a golden sheen. Then, he howled to the cosmos, illuminating the outside with countless shooting stars.

Miss Cynthian… I hope thou can hear this message. Feel the voice of my heart and soul. May these comets carry my message.

After not too long, his golden glow waned, but the sky was still caked in a pleasant golden light. The Ninetales smiled to himself, then turned to the tea.

“The tea is ready.”

 

[Adamhuarts]

Ivy watched Icetales' display with glittering eyes, and she couldn't take her eyes off the mesmerizing array of rainbow lights and golden colors.

"That was beautiful, Icetales!" Ivy chirped.

She scooted over to him to enjoy the good drink of tea for Cynthian's sake.

<><><><>

 

[IFBench]

A Bayleef stood alone in one of the dorms, clutching onto a pale white rose with a vine. It was already beginning to wilt. Tears flowed from their eyes. Six of their teammates were gone forever, and if they couldn't evolve in time, that number would be seven.

A shadow of a Charmander stood beside them, laying an arm on their back, a sad look on his face. He wanted to help, but what was there to say? "Maybe they'll come back?" A lie, and it'd only make Saltriv feel worse in the long run.

All he could do was watch.

 

[Navar]

Heavy footsteps. With each one, his heart stung. More. And more. Somehow, he continued to push forward, not caring for the pain. He had to be strong... somehow. Putting on a fake smile like always, he strolled, until Shiron heard something. A sound... someone was crying?

Tears flowed from their eyes. Six of their teammates were gone forever, and if they couldn't evolve in time, that number would be seven.

Oh no. That... that was Saltriv, wasn't it? His heart skipped a beat, and Shiron looked at the dorm's door, trembling with anxiety. He extended his arm to knock on it, but stopped at the last second. It would be pointless. He couldn't do it.

Something moved inside his bag. Try. It's better than nothing, right?

"...Right. You're back with the telepathy thing. I'll do it."

Shiron sighed, and finally knocked on the door.