REWRITTEN: 6 Dec 2014
I'm sorry for the inconsistent updates! I'll try to write more often!
When she sat down and considered it, Xena found it weird she actually liked somebody... in that manner. And a frogadier, no less—she wasn't fond of frogs at all! She found them disgusting and slimy and gross in general. And they had this stupid, idiotic gaze in their eyes that made her feel so creeped out and violated when they hadn't even done anything.
Ford though... Ford was different, somehow. Xena wasn't sure why...
But—But Xena could always find things to complain about! All the time! Her mother said it was "unhealthy" to be dissatisfied with life all the time, and that she should learn to "appreciate" what she had, otherwise they would flee from her grasp before she knew it. And that she shouldn't be jealous of others, and cherish what she already had. Xena wouldn't deny she got jealous—a lot—but she wasn't about to listen to all that crap.
She liked complaining; it was almost a hobby. She liked finding flaws and hating people because of them. Examples:
The female flygon. Xena hated her for being so strong and able to cut through iron effortlessly. She was damn jealous, and she was sure the flygon would turn on them and kill them all one day or another. Her name was Edolie... maybe.
Next—the male lapras. Why did he have to help humans across large bodies of water? Humans were idiotic! They didn't have their own adaptations to survive, they only had a brain, which every other creature had! They were the lowest of the low! The stupid lapras' name was Mather, or something like that.
And lastly, the female azumarill. She had sharp hearing and knew the latest gossip all the time, and possessed observant eyes. She was probably gathering information on all of them so she could blackmail them. Her name was something stupid like Zuzure.
But despite all of that, Xena couldn't find a single thing to complain and hate about Ford. Arceus, he was simply perfect to her. Every. Little. Thing. She didn't want to love him anymore—she looked like an idiot, trying to impress somebody else. If she didn't love Ford anymore, she could go back to her normal life, occasionally being chased by a houndoom because of her oh-so-rare ability and nearly burning Ria. It would be truly lovely.
All right, fine. Perhaps it was her fault she met Ford—if she hadn't burnt his amaryllises, she wouldn't have met him or fallen for him. She didn't have anybody to blame but herself. What was even worse that Ford forgave and didn't mind the fact she burnt his precious amaryllises down to nothing. How would she be able to find something she could hate about him?
She went to do what most (not all, mind you) females would do—talk to one of their closest friends.
"You're trying to find something you hate about crush?" Ria squinted at her best friend, wondering, for a split second, if the braixen was truly sane or not. She decided not to question it further, because she'd probably never get the answer.
"Yes," Xena said airily, in such a manner that told the vileplume that she didn't care. "I don't want to love him, but I don't know what to hate him for. I call it a hate factor, you get it?"
"Well, Xena..." Ria frowned. "...Maybe you can't hate him just because he's him and you're you? Everybody had different preferences, I guess. There's no way to dodge your preferences. If you like him, you like him, and you can't do anything about it."
"What do you mean?" Xena asked, peering curiously at the vileplume, seemingly interested. "You're saying I can't hate him... because of my preferences of the way he acts to me? What do you mean?"
Shrugging, Ria didn't really know what she herself was saying. "Everyone has preferences. His actions suit your preferences, and that's why you can't find anything to hate him for. That's how love works, y'know!"
Xena looked extremely frustrated. "So what do you suggest I do?"
"Just forget about hate factors on your crush! It's impossible. I mean, if it were possible, you'd have already found something, or you'll find something soon. If you observed him long enough, you'd be able to find a hate factor on him!"
Xena blinked, then grinned. "Hey, that's a good idea!"
"Wha—"
"Observing him! Thanks, Ria!"
Ria sighed. That wasn't the way she hoped it would turn out.
Perched on a tree branch and clutching the stem of the tree tightly, Xena swung her feet rather dangerously, watching her beloved crush water his newly-planted amaryllises with a gentle water gun. Why did he plant flowers? A good question to ask—usually grass-types did that. For a water-type, it was just plain out weird.
There's... nothing about him that I can hate! I love amaryllises, and he's growing them...
Bitterly, Xena smirked, before it dropped into a frown.
I can't live on like that forever! I'll be laughed at! I'll find one—and I will.
Out of the blue, a roselia literally just appeared along the path, dangerously close to where Ford was. She batted her pathetic eyelashes and giggled, a very obvious attempt to flirt with him. It wasn't working, from what Xena could see.
"Hi, Ford!" the roselia greeted, sweeping into a deep curtsy.
The frogadier did not turn around to acknowledge the roselia. "Hello, Rose. I didn't expect you to come today."
Ugh, who's this annoying brat? I'm sincerely hoping she'll help me find something I can hate about him! Xena dug her claws into the stem, feeling the branch creak under her weight. Neither of the two below seemed to notice.
Hm... "Rose"... a simple, common name for a roselia. Ria would definitely make an enemy out of any roselia. Xena leaned forward eagerly. Rose knew Ford? How? Did Ford dislike her? Or did he like her? Hmm...
"Planting amaryllises?" Rose gave a charming smile. "Strange... I thought you would've liked planting roses better..." She sounded almost disappointed, like she wanted Ford to plant roses.
"These amaryllises—they have a use."
They have a use? What's this use? My favourite flowers have a use? Is it something dangerous? Xena leaned forward, and it creaked even more.
If Xena had to say anything then, it was that Rose's crush on Ford was so obvious. She snickered.
"Are you planting these amaryllises for someone?" Rose asked dreamily.
"Hm..."
"So? Is it for someone or not? If it is, who is it for?"
"Stop bugging me. I'm not going to answer those questions."
Unfortunately, Xena started laughing silently on the branch, but it couldn't support her ever-changing weight. The branch gave a loud snap, and Xena didn't even realise it until she hit the ground—the branch had snapped. Under her weight—
Bam!
She cried out—that had hurt! She picked herself up slowly, brushing off the twigs in her fur before she heard a very loud cough... When she looked up, embarrassingly, she noticed it had come from Rose. She gave an awkward laugh.
"U-Um... hi... Ford, and... Rose."
"Were you spying on me and my darling?" Rose asked, offended. Ford choked. "That's... really terrible of you, you braixen! It's an invasion of privacy! Ford, do you know who this witch is?"
"Xena isn't a witch!" Ford bit back, and Rose flinched. He looked at Xena in concern. "Hey... are you okay?"
"I—I think I'm fine," Xena spluttered. She had been caught. Crap. "Y-You know... jumping from branch to branch... it's kind of a lame hobby I have, but I've never fallen before! It's... It's the first time, seriously!"
Ford sighed. "'Jumping from branch to branch'? That's something a ninja would do, Xena. But I'm glad we share interests. Just... be careful next time."
Her cheeks flamed at his gentle voice, and she meekly nodded.
Rose huffed, folding her arms and looking away, clearly unimpressed. Huh, you're jealous, aren't you? Too bad!
"Ford," Rose said again, and Ford let out a loud sigh, "it's been ages since I last saw you, so do you want to come to the creek with me?"
Hell no! The creek is our special place! Xena glared at Rose. "Rose..!"
"Huh?"
"I... want to talk to you for a bit!"
"W-Wha—?!" The roselia was confused, but was swiftly dragged off by Xena.
"Look, I don't know who you are, but can you learn your place?" Rose sighed, rubbing the back of her head tiredly. "That's some pretty fast running you can do there, Braixen. I'm kind of surprised."
"Don't be," Xena snapped back. "All I have to say to you is..."
What... do I have to say to her?
Rose stared at Xena, mystified by her long, drawn-out pause. "Yeah? What do you want to say?"
"That... Is that... don't go to the creek!" Xena blurted out, her face reddening. Rose smirked at it. "It's—It's just that the houndoom pack is across the c-creek and it's d-dangerous—"
"I won't cross it. I'm not dumb." Her voice was clear, cutting through Xena's speech smoothly. The roselia looked away with a sigh. "Girl... I don't know your name, but let me tell you something—your love for Ford... it's so obvious."
Xena frowned, her eyes narrowing. What? This dense, stupid idiot who was head over heels for Ford was saying that her love was obvious? Ha... bullcrap! There was no way it was noticeable...
"And... good luck."
Huh?
She stared at the roselia, mouth agape. Did the roselia just..?
"Ford doesn't like me, I suppose," Rose said quietly, shuffling her roses, "and it's nothing I can do to stop. But I can't help but pine over him—and I know he likes you, you know? So, good luck... but... just so you know, we're rivals in this. I still won't give him up."
Xena smirked. She liked a challenge.
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
