#3: It's Over, Right?
(Anabel x Mina x Plumeria)
"—If I hear anything else, I'll let you know. For now, take some time off. It's good for you, ya know. Looker, out."
There was a rustling noise before the line cut. Anabel lowered her Pokenav, sighing and putting the device away. Loosening the tie of her suit, the girl brushed a hand through her lilac-colored hair, feeling a bit lost without her work.
Oh well.. Looker's right, she thought, gazing out at the gentle waves lashing at the beach of Konikoni City.
Ever since coming to the Alola Region, Anabel had felt oddly at home. The tropical environment not only felt like her original home of Hoenn, but something about the free-spirited nature of the islands soothed her entire being, and made it that much easier to do her work.
As a member of the International Police, her work wasn't easy, of course. The stress of it all could be overwhelming, even though Anabel did her best to remain stoic.
That was where a particular girl always came in to help her out. A girl who ran with the wrong crowd, and had a rowdy past— But now, with her life uprooted after the fall of Team Skull and Aether's founder, the girl in question was drifting from place to place, and that's when Anabel found her.
Plumeria kicked a nearby rock off the beach, watching it spiral across the water before finally sinking. Anabel turned to her, just noticing her there for the first time.
"You came earlier than expected," Anabel commented.
Plumeria shrugged. "I'm not always a night prowler. Sometimes a sunset is nice to see."
Anabel smiled, looking over the girl. Plumeria had changed quite a bit since her days with Team Skull, though she still favored a more punk style like always. Her short crop-top shirt and loose jeans left her navel tattoo exposed, a pink symbol representing Team Skull and now a constant reminder of that portion of her life. Anabel on the other hand, felt stuck, never changing, unlike the waves that forever crashed and fell around Alola.
"What? Do I have somethin' on my face?" Plumeria kicked another rock, sliding her hands into her pockets.
"You're even moodier than usual, is something wrong?" Anabel approached her, but stopped when she saw Plumeria wasn't looking at her at all. "…Something is wrong."
Plumeria sighed and looked up towards the sky, where daylight was starting to fade. Her long flowing hair of gold and pink on one side of her head shifted a bit in the breeze.
"I just think it's time for me to move on, I dunno."
Anabel opened her mouth for a moment, then shut it, shaking her head. Plumeria finally looked over to her with a sidelong glance.
"You heard me. This is over," the girl said nonchalantly. "I'm movin' on."
"I… see." Anabel's mind was a jumble of thoughts and questions, but only one came out: "Is it because of me?"
"Don't sell yourself short. I still like ya a lot," Plumeria said. "You know me… Staying in one thing ain't my style anymore."
Anabel couldn't fault her for that. The 'family' that Team Skull had provided had crumbled, and the remnants of the gang members had basically all vanished from Alola by now, favoring other regions where they could start fresh. It made sense that Plumeria would have issues in remaining in one place, and yet…
Anabel gulped before speaking. "I don't want it to end."
Plumeria seemed surprised by this, looking away. "It's not just your decision."
"I know." Anabel clutched at her chest, shaking her head. "I just… finally started to feel like I had a true purpose here."
"Tch, you've got a great career, you can get anyone you—"
"But I want you!" Anabel's outburst was very out of character for her. She didn't know where it came from, but the words just exploded out of her. "Sorry.."
"Hmph. Since you're all into that police organization, I guess you can turn me in if you really wan—"
Anabel came closer before Plumeria knew it, her gloved hand smacking right across her cheek hard. Plumeria's normal fighting response to that sort of action didn't come out, as she was more shocked than anything at the intense expression on the girl's face before her.
"Iis that what you think of me? Just as some… pig," Anabel questioned angrily.
After a moment of hesitation, Plumeria finally tackled the girl onto her back, sand flying up around them as Plumeria straddled her and held her arms down above her head. Anabel struggled and squirmed, but she had never been as strong as the girl, glaring up at her with tears welling up in her eyes.
"Let.. me.. go!"
"Where was this fiery spirit before, huh?!" Plumeria was shouting, but she held a big grin. "Am I worth fighting for?"
Anabel scowled and squirmed again, before giving up, turning her head away and letting her arms go limp. Plumeria looked her over, shaking her head.
"And it's gone. So boring.." Plumeria sighed. "There's someone else I'm going for. Sorry, I guess."
Getting no response, Plumeria scowled and stood up, dusting off some of the sand on herself. Anabel just laid there, wallowing. Somehow it made her feel bad, even though usually she wouldn't have any feelings for someone so weak… Maybe she really had something with Anabel in the end?
Shaking the thought away, she turned to go. "Maybe if you're more interesting one day, I'll come back. You know how it is."
Anabel finally sat up, watching as Plumeria walked away, feeling drained of energy and defeated, cursing her own weak will when it came to relationships and people.
I should have just given 200% to my work, she thought, wiping tears from her face, noticing how much sand was covering her suit and hair. At least that won't betray me…
She felt pathetic. The walk back to her small villa she had been renting for a while let her wallow even more in self-pity, and by the time she had stripped down and collapsed into her bed, she happily welcomed the darkness of sleep that came rushing to greet her.
A few days later, Anabel was sipping tea in Hau'oli City when she took note of a particular couple walking along the sidewalk. She froze, her eyes locked on them and taking in everything about them.
Plumeria walked hand-in-hand with a pale girl with blonde hair. She wore a long baggy shirt with what appeared to be paint splattered on it, as well as some paint on her arms and face. After a moment, Anabel recognized her as Mina, the Fairy-type trial captain of Alola.
That's… her? Anabel finally set her cup down, doing her best to watch them without being too suspicious. What an oddball couple..
Though Anabel quickly realized that her and Plumeria were the same. Two completely different lives that led them to mostly meet at night when nobody would bother them. Yet, here Plumeria was, hand-in-hand in the middle of the day with another girl..
That's when she saw Plumeria glance in her direction. Anabel tensed up, watching as the girl smiled and stuck her tongue out towards her, before pulling in Mina closer and walking on.
Is this.. just a game to her? Anabel thought, dumbfounded.
"Maybe if you're more interesting one day, I'll come back."
As those words echoed in her mind, Anabel stood and dropped some money onto the table, firmly deciding what she was going to do.
Sorry Looker, but I'm going to need some time off for once.
Anabel followed the couple along the tourist-laden streets of Hau'oli, keeping her distance the entire time. Eventually, they stopped near the town's northeastern exit, separating from each other after sharing what Anabel thought must have been a deliberately long and passionate kiss.
Watching Plumeria leave, Anabel adjusted her suit and approached Mina with all of the professional calm she could muster.
"Afternoon."
Mina turned to her, her expression very dull, as it usually was. Anabel stamped down all feelings of jealousy and any questions that might arise from it, offering a small smile.
"Oh, Alola," the girl said gently. "Am I in trouble?"
"In trouble? Oh, you remember me?" Anabel shook her head. "It's alright, I just wanted to ask a favor of you."
Mina tilted her head a bit. "Has there been another incident? That'd be wicked."
"You could say that," Anabel answered vaguely, shrugging. "I always thought you were a reliable help.. So would you mind coming by my place so that I can ask you some things?"
"Why not here? The sun is nice today," Mina commented, holding out a hand as if feeling the sun rays on it.
"Oh you know.. Sensitive information and all that," Anabel said, waving a hand nonchalantly. "I'd really appreciate it.. And I can buy us dinner! It'd be my treat."
Mina nodded while she seemed to consider this. "Food is tempting… But I'm a bit messy today." The girl looked at her dry-paint covered arms.
"You can always use my shower if you'd like," Anabel spoke, hoping she wasn't being too forward.
"That is true… Okay," Mina said with a nod. "Let's go."
"R-Right now?"
"Why not?"
Anabel calmed herself. "Alright then, let's catch the nearest ferry.. On the way, mind telling me a bit about yourself? I've always been quite interested in art—-"
When Anabel awoke the next morning, hearing the gentle crashing of waves near the beach her villa rested on, she glanced over to her left, seeing the sleeping girl beside her lightly snoring with her mouth hanging open.
Oh… Right.
Anabel smiled, feeling it all come back to her. She laid back near the girl, moving her hand along her face gently, then down her exposed chest, resting her hand there to feel the gentle rhythm of her heart.
The sleeping figure of Mina was oddly charming, despite the unkempt way she slept and the bit of drool streaming from her mouth. She could see why Plumeria might like her odd ways and artistic look on things… But it really got Anabel thinking.
I'm more boring than Mina..?
The petty thought surprised her, and Anabel couldn't help but giggle, stopping herself before she accidentally woke Mina. She gazed at the girl, stroking her chest gently, her thoughts completely on another girl.
So Plumeria… If I need to be more interesting, then is this a good start?~
Anabel had no clue where she had deviated so far from her path to being a prominent member of the International Police. Relationships truly were frightening in their power and hold over people… Yet, at the same time, it was quite freeing as well. She could see why Plumeria played these kinds of games, and didn't settle with one person—
In fact, Anabel took it as a challenge, purely out of stubborness and refusal to give up on what she wanted.
You'll come back to me… I know it!
Because she loved her beyond any amount of reasoning and logic.
End
Next Story: You're Something Else, You Know?
(Cynthia x Clair)