Cynthia had some time to dwell upon what Fantina told her. She did her best to forget that strangely specific scenario Fantina painted, but Cynthia did weigh over whether or not she should actually go for things. There was so much to jeopardize, and so much to lose. Cynthia didn't think she could justify going after it, so she just forced the idea to the back of her mind. When it came time to show Diantha the lake, Cynthia just waited in the lobby of the hotel Diantha was staying at, wringing her hands. Now Cynthia felt nervous whenever she thought about Diantha due to the press and Fantina both thinking they were an item. It made everything awkward now, and Cynthia had to swallow that down so that she didn't ruin everything while taking Diantha to see Lake Acuity.
Cynthia let out a calming sigh when she spotted Diantha walking towards her, and she flashed Diantha a grin before suddenly breaking out into a laugh. "Pffft! You're seriously going to go out in that?! HA!"
Diantha narrowed her eyes. Her eyes were the only things left uncovered by her clothes; she had a hat, a scarf wrapped highly around her neck and face, a large coat, and fuzzy boots. She looked like she was about to go on a trek in the arctic. "Shut up. It's freezing." Diantha shot back, voice muffled by the scarf covering her nose and mouth.
It took a little while for Cynthia to stop laughing, and she only shook her head fondly, "Wow, foreigners are a lot more weak to Sinnoh weather than I remembered. It's not even that cold out."
"It's below freezing." Diantha grumbled, "You're going to get sick out there if you go out in just that."
Cynthia looked down at her clothes. She was wearing her normal black winter coat, so she didn't see the problem. Then again, it was a thin winter coat, meant more so for fashion than practical use. "Are you kidding? I once visited Lake Acuity in that blue blouse of mine. Didn't even catch a single bug."
"You're inhuman."
"You're just weak."
Diantha let out a sigh, "Are you done with the teasing, or should I just give up on seeing that lake tonight?"
Cynthia flashed an apologetic grin, "Right, right… I'm sorry. Couldn't resist." She motioned for Diantha to follow her, "Come on. It's not that far of a walk, so you hopefully shouldn't freeze on the way over."
"That would be preferable, yes…" Diantha joked, smiling beneath her scarf.
They walked in a comfortable silence for a while of the way, Cynthia sure to walk quickly so they get there faster but slowly enough so that Diantha could keep up trekking in the snow. Diantha wasn't complaining about the cold, so Cynthia was assuming those countless layers of protection were working well for her.
A little while along the way, Diantha nudged Cynthia's side a bit, turning her head to get a better look at Cynthia, "You know… You didn't have to come out here just to show this to me. N-Not that I don't appreciate it, but… I'm certain you're busy… I know you've been away a lot for 'official Champion business'... I don't want to be a distraction."
"Don't be silly. I wanted to show you! I made you a promise that first day in the ruins, didn't I?" Cynthia grinned, nose a little red from the cold, "You're not distracting me, I promise. There's a dip in the investigation currently. The stuff that is currently going on is best left to the authorities, anyway. You don't have to worry."
"Well… If you're sure…" Diantha said quietly.
Cynthia drew in an uneasy breath, "...Why? Did you not want me to show you the lake?"
"Not at all! I-I just…" Diantha lowered her head, gaze drifting to the ground, "Like I said, I didn't want to be pulling you away from something important. I've been having you a lot to myself lately, after all…"
"Because I wanted to be with you." Cynthia explained, "Things have been slow, there's been no challengers, my sister has been busy with work… I haven't had a whole lot to do. And I've been enjoying our time together a whole lot, too."
Diantha nodded slowly at that, still unable to look at Cynthia. As they were walking, snow started to fall and flurry around them. Soon the lake came into view, and Cynthia took Diantha to lakeside, looking out over the water and towards the cavern near the center of the large lake.
"I can't believe the lake isn't frozen…" Diantha said in astonishment as she looked at the lake. It was nighttime, so the moonlight reflected off of the lake's water. The snow that fell only made the image all the more beautiful, "There's snow, but the water of the lake isn't even frozen… I'm an actress and not a scientist, but I don't think that's supposed to happen."
Cynthia laughed in amusement, "Yeah, well, my sister looked into why that happens up here. Liz said that it has something to do with Uxie." She stifled another laugh, "So, basically she chalked it up to magic. Love it when researchers gotta do that."
"Magic, huh?" Diantha grinned at that, "Well, it certainly does look magical… Even if I am freezing…" She shivered at the cool air that flew over them, "I can't feel my hands… I cannot believe I forgot my gloves."
"Pfft…" Cynthia couldn't suppress her grin, and she turned to face Diantha, "Don't you think you're being just a little overdramatic about how cold it is?"
Diantha shook her head, "No, you're being underdramatic about how cold it is."
"Eh, growing up in this region can do that to a gal." Cynthia commented. She held out her hands for Diantha, a teasing look on her face, "Would you like me to warm your hands for you?"
Diantha narrowed her eyes, but she eventually ceded and placed her hands in Cynthia's, "H...How are yours so warm?" She asked, brow creasing in astoundment.
"Magic." Cynthia said jokingly. She clasped her hands around Diantha's and held them tightly, trying to warm them up, "Yours aren't even that cold. Come on."
Diantha let out a flustered grumble at that, watching as Cynthia laughed softly and closed her eyes. Tilting her head, Diantha studied Cynthia's face for a moment. Cynthia still had her hair covering one of her eyes like she always has, and without thinking, Diantha broke her hands away from Cynthia's and went to brush the hair covering her eye behind her ear so that Diantha could see more of her face. Cynthia froze at that, opening her eyes and blinking a few times out of confusion.
"W-What was…" Cynthia stammered, confused.
Diantha tilted her head, grinning from behind that scarf covering her face, "I was starting to believe you didn't have a second eye."
Cynthia sighed in exasperation, shaking her head. She reached for Diantha's scarf. "I can't hear you with this blasted thing covering your face…" She said, tugging the scarf down so it just rested around Diantha's neck. It showed Diantha's reddened nose and cheeks, and the line was blurred between the blush being from the cold or embarrassment. "There." Cynthia said, eyes drifting over Diantha's features, "Now both our faces are clear."
Diantha puffed out her cheeks, scrunching her nose, "It's cold…"
"Oh, shush." Quirking an eyebrow, Cynthia just shot Diantha a playful smile, "You won't get sick. I promise. And if you're really that freezing…" Cynthia took ahold of Diantha's wrists and pulled her closer, "...I could help with that."
Diantha stumbled into Cynthia when she was pulled in, and she looked up to see Cynthia smiling down at her, "O-Oh… Okay…" She tried to straighten herself out and compose herself, but she still felt like a mess in this situation.
Tilting her head, Cynthia let out a contemplative sigh, "...Diantha... Can I do something completely, utterly stupid right now?"
Diantha bit down on her lip. Her gaze briefly flickered out towards the lake; everything was picture perfect, with the moonlight off of the lake, the light snowfall, and the beauty of the lake itself. The entire atmosphere was just so romantic and perfect. She could tell what was coming next, and despite that voice in her head yelling at her not to, Diantha couldn't fight it and she just nodded.
Cynthia seemed to hesitate for a moment, still unsure whether or not this was truly a good idea, but eventually she placed her hands on Diantha's face and leaned in, closing her eyes and pressing her lips against Diantha's own. Diantha was cold, skin icy against Cynthia's hands, but soon the blush rising to her cheeks from the kiss warmed her, and Cynthia ran her thumb gently over Diantha's skin. Diantha had her arms thrown around Cynthia's neck, and she surprised Cynthia with the mastery behind every movement, probably from the practice in acting. Cynthia started to grow bolder because of this, and just when she tilted her head the other way and tried to go back in for more, Diantha pulled away, causing Cynthia to try and chase after her only to realize that Diantha wasn't coming back in. Composing herself, Cynthia lifted her chin and let out a shaky breath, trying to steady her breathing after that since she was left breathless. There was a twinge of panic rising inside of her and she clenched her jaw, watching Diantha's remorseful expression.
Diantha lowered her head for a moment, letting out a soft, reluctant groan. Now Cynthia was beyond panicked. "I… Wow… I don't...really know what to say…"
Cynthia forced a tight-lipped smile when Diantha finally lifted her head after that, but she couldn't bring herself to speak. She knew this was taking a bad turn. She could just tell.
"Cynthia…" Diantha said, hurt in her voice. She placed her hand on Cynthia's shoulder; still hesitant to meet Cynthia's eye, "Look, I just… I just feel terrible, because this is completely my fault…"
Squeezing her eyes shut, Cynthia just nodded curtly.
"I've been leading you on, and… and I just couldn't help myself or bring myself to stop, and- putain, I'm such an idiot…" Diantha shook her head and clenched her fist, "I shouldn't date coworkers. I don't date coworkers… I never want my personal life to jeopardize my work. I can't risk it, Cynthia… I don't want to risk this film or our friendship on the off-chance that it doesn't work out." She went silent for a second, downtrodden, "This is my fault. I led you on like this. You didn't deserve that… and I'm sorry."
Cynthia forced that grin back on her face, fighting through that hurt inside of her, "Don't be. I understand. I… had the same fears as well. I just wasn't smart enough to listen to them like you." She shook her head dryly, "Can you believe that? Me, not actually thinking things through, huh… It's unheard of…"
Diantha drew in a sharp breath, and she lowered her hand from Cynthia's arm. She bit down on her lip again, stuffing her hands inside of her coat pockets, "I should… I should go." She said softly, voice cracking despite her every effort to keep it steady.
"At least let me walk you back to your hotel…" Cynthia whispered, jaw clenched tightly.
"Thank you, but…" Diantha faked a smile, "I think I can find it on my own. I'll… leave you alone now. I think that may be for the best."
Cynthia only nodded at that, paralyzed and locked in place as Diantha walked off the way they came earlier. She let out an agitated sigh, and she just rubbed her forehead. She shouldn't have let Fantina put all this hope in her head. It didn't work out so well for her in the end…
Heavy clouds lingered over Celestic Town's skies, and it looked ready to rain at any minute. The sky was foggy too, so it was a dark, solemn, grey atmosphere. Cynthia, of course, was laying out on the grass on top of the plateau overlooking the town, eyes blankly staring at the murky sky looming over her. It was the same plateau that had the murals painted on the side, and luckily very few people ever had reason to stand on top of the plateau. It was the perfect place for Cynthia to wallow alone in her thoughts.
Cynthia soon heard the sound of wings flapping in the wind, and then feet settling on the ground nearby followed. She didn't move or even look to see who it was.
"I thought we both kicked our habit of coming here."
Cynthia clenched her jaw, still not moving, "Maybe you did, Elizabeth. I didn't."
Elizabeth let out a sigh and walked closer to the edge to sit down next to Cynthia, "Something must have happened, or else you wouldn't be here. Come on. Spill it."
Cynthia didn't respond to that, she just turned her head to look at Elizabeth, expression still blank, "How did you know I'd be up here?"
Elizabeth shrugged to that, "Call it a sister's intuition. I always check up here when I pass by, just in case…" Her voice dropped and became softer, "I know this is where we both like to go when we're upset."
"Tch…" Cynthia growled, turning her head away, "I'm fine. Just leave me alone."
"I wish I could." Elizabeth sighed, "But unfortunately I have a heart, and I don't like seeing you wallowing in sadness like this. At least tell me what happened. Please, Cynthia…"
"She rejected me! That's all there is to say!" Cynthia smiled bitterly despite the anger and hurt in her tone, "And it doesn't even make any sense! She's interested in me, but she won't even give it a shot! It hurts more than if she wasn't even into me at all, but I was so close, yet still I couldn't get it to work…"
"Cynthia…" Elizabeth whispered, expression filled with sympathy as she shifted closer, "I'm so sorry…"
"I give up. I just...give up." Cynthia shook her head, that anger vanishing but the hurt growing stronger in her voice. She sat up, drawing her knees to her chest, "You were right. My love life does suck. Nothing ever works out for me when it comes to relationships. There's always one part of me someone can't accept… Normally it's because I'm the Champion, but now it's because I just happened to help out some stupid script writer on some stupid movie and that crossed the line this time, apparently." Cynthia squeezed her eyes shut, swallowing down that lump that rose in her throat. She couldn't trust herself to do anything else, lest she want to burst at the seams with the emotions running inside her.
Elizabeth looked at Cynthia, evidently concerned for her. Cynthia was really torn up about this, and Elizabeth just felt terrible that she could do nothing to help. All she could do was lean forward and wrap her arms around Cynthia, hoping it could console her somehow. Cynthia was silent, but Elizabeth could feel her shaking in her arms. Elizabeth closed her eyes, knowing full well that Cynthia was trying to hide it. "I've never seen you so heartbroken before… She… she really has to be something else…"
"She was! She is…" Cynthia wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand, trying to stifle any sounds that tried to come out, "She's charming, she's strong, she's absolutely stunning, and she has the sweetest, prettiest voice I've ever heard, especially whenever her accent slips out…" She gave up at trying to hide it, and she just let it all spill out, "She's just… I think I might…" She broke it off there, unable to finish the rest.
Elizabeth just hugged Cynthia tighter after that hint of a confession, able to paint the rest of the picture in her mind.
Thunder boomed and lightning flashed, rain soon following. The two of them didn't move regardless.
Diantha had another nightmare that night when she finally managed to fall asleep. When she came to in that strange other world, she wasted no time in moving towards the other platforms. She has encountered this specific dream more than enough times to know that it can't harm her, so she brushed past the strange figures trying to fend her off with ease. Soon enough, Diantha reached the platform with Cynthia on it, and despite herself, Diantha felt amok with guilt in looking at her. She still felt terrible inside, and if her past nightmares were of any indication, Cynthia was never happy to see Diantha in this world.
"D-Diantha!" Cynthia said in shock upon spotting her. She was clutching at her arm, looking worse for wear as she always has in these dreams, "I told you not to follow me! Get out of here before you get yourself hurt!"
Diantha just clenched her jaw. This hurt far more than it did any other time Cynthia had snapped at her in these dreams, because now Cynthia had a real reason to be mad at Diantha in the real world.
"Hey!" Cynthia snapped her fingers, "Did you hear me?! I said to get out of here at once! This is my business! I don't need you getting involved!"
Now Diantha was almost convinced her brain was trying to make Cynthia as agitated as possible in this rendition of the nightmare. Paying Cynthia and her anger no heed, Diantha pulled out a Pokéball and tossed it, summoning Gardevoir just in time for that high-pitched Pokémon screech to sound off in the distance. That large, shadowy being rose up over the platform, a harsh red gaze aimed at all the people and Pokémon standing on top of the slab of earth. Cynthia gritted her teeth and let out a growl, turning to her Garchomp.
"Draco Meteor! Come on! We've bested this thing once, and we can do it again!" Cynthia shouted, glaring at the figure looming over her.
"Moonblast!" Diantha commanded of her Gardevoir.
Hoisting her hands into the air, Gardevoir summoned a pink orb of energy and poured her power inside of it until it grew into a large sphere, and then she launched it at the shadowy figure. At the same time, five blue rocks rocketed into the figure's chest.
Compared to her last dream, the shadowy creature had sustained a lot more damage, so when it swung its tail at a stalagmite sticking out of the ground, it only clipped a small bit of it, no bigger than a foot in diameter. It was heading straight towards Cynthia again, and Diantha knew to expect it this time around. She also knew that she was in a dream, so it wasn't like anything could hurt her, so Diantha pushed Cynthia out of the rubble's way, even if it meant that the debris grazed her shoulder. However, it still sent a jolting wave of pain shooting through Diantha's arm, and she just grabbed it, shocked that this dream managed to actually harm her.
"It… It hurts…" Diantha muttered, more so out of confusion than of true pain.
"Of course it hurts!" Cynthia sneered, "Do you really think you were going to stand up to Giratina and get out of it unscathed?!"
Diantha turned towards Cynthia with an eyebrow raised, "Giratina…?"
Cynthia pointed to the shadowy figure, "That… That's Giratina… The ruler of this abysmal place."
Diantha furrowed her eyebrows. She finally figured out what kind of devil had been plaguing her dreams for so long… Though she wondered how on earth Giratina and the strange world she was trapped in factored into her life…
When Diantha eventually jolted awake from the nightmare, she reacted a lot calmer than she normally did because she had grown so accustomed to the nightmares by now. She was still sweating, and her breathing was still unsteady, but overall, she wasn't too shaken about it. Yet… she felt a soreness and a pain in her arm, so Diantha climbed out of her bed and went into the hotel bathroom, turning on the lights.
It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the sudden light, but then Diantha moved her sleeve off her shoulder to inspect it, and she was surprised with what she saw. There was a large bruise over her shoulder, from her collarbone to her arm, and it was right where she had gotten hit with that stalagmite fragment. The damage wasn't as severe as it was in the dream and nothing was broken, but she still had this large bruise...and from a dream, at that. Diantha furrowed her eyebrows, utterly baffled at the fact a dream somehow managed to physically harm her, and eventually she just let out a defeated sigh.
She kept silent about these nightmares for long enough. There was something seriously, undoubtedly wrong about her dreams if they kept occurring and had the power to actually harm her. But… Diantha didn't have many people to go to about this problem. What could she say? Who would believe her? She really had no one to confide in, except for…
Diantha clenched her jaw, acknowledging the fact that telling Cynthia was her only option. Maybe talking about it will make things better for Diantha? Maybe Cynthia knew a way to put a stop to these nightmares? Maybe it could even help patch the rocky relationship that was now starting to bridge between the two of them.
Diantha just turned off the light and went back to her bed, being mindful of her sore arm. She would be acting in winter clothes, so the bruise would be completely out of sight. She would find a way to put an end to these disturbing nightmares. She just had to. Diantha didn't know what would happen to her if they kept happening. If they had the power to actually harm her now, Diantha didn't want to know what came next…
She turned in her bed, closing her eyes and forcing the thought to the back of her mind for now. She was exhausted, and Diantha just hoped that maybe she could actually get some decent sleep, even if it was something short of a miracle to ask for.