Packed with potatoes, tomatoes, and various other produce, the basket makes a loud *thump* as it hits the counter. Shannon wipes the sweat from her forehead, and gazes mournfully at her ever dwindling garden. Damn vessels and their appetites. Though she doesn't really have room to complain. She's been the cause of the same grief, and two beings having to share one body requires more energy. But then again…

Shannon puffs out her chest. It only took her about nine days to bond with Kyurem to the point in which the ice generation and appetite were under control! Kyurem had even admitted that it was impressive. It's day fourteen now. Almost done already, huh? She does have to give Iris some credit. None of the pipes burst.

[That would have been an expensive repair!]

There's no response. Shannon wilts a little. Even though she knows, she still expects its response.

"Get it together, Shannon," she scolds lightly under her breath. Right now it's time to support, not to mope.

When she walks down to check in, the room feels more like it's aggressively air conditioned than a walk-in freezer. Honestly though, she's just glad to see that Iris is happy.

Lilina and Zen died entirely too quickly, too unexpectedly. Iris had just been shy of five, poor thing. Mizuta's family had wholeheartedly took her in, but she had still been so distant and sullen. The girl would just wander around aimlessly. The treats Shannon brought over wouldn't even bring a small smile to her face. She wishes she would have done more, but if Mizuta barely had an effect...A sigh escapes her lips. Shannon was blessed with strength, while Mizuta was gifted with a silver tongue; however, neither of them had a background in counselling.

Then, just as Mizuta had been arranging for a therapist from Castelia City to come to the village, Iris came back from the woods one day, smiling! Apparently, she had made friends with a dratini. Being able to bond with a wild dragon at such a young age is pretty uncommon. It made her a good candidate for Kyurem. It had also caught the eye of that rugged mayor of Opelucid, Drayden.

The girl and the dratini had been so utterly captivated by his dragons. Fawning. Cooing. Expressing, like they had never seen her before. It wasn't surprising when she had begged to come back to the city with him. It was a childish, naive whim. But it seemed that Drayden had one of his own as well. As night fell, only her, Mizuta, and Drayden remained in the living room. He had a proposal.

Adoption.

Shannon slows a bit, swallowing thickly as she nears the bed. Iris seems to be practicing temperature control, unleashing and reining in the cold with the subtlest of movements. Her wiry limbs make her youth all too obvious.

She remembers. Candidates were getting scarce with the village's population decreasing. People left to make families elsewhere. There weren't too many young ones around anymore either anymore…With a majority of the village now aged, its funds were steadily dwindling.

Drayden could see it too, in the worn down buildings and in Iris's hand-me-down clothes. Thus he made his case. He could provide so much for her, not only in material matters, but in experience. She and Mizuta glanced at each other. They knew that it would be selfish to keep her from what could be a very fulfilling future.

But.

Who was to say that a future as Kyurem's vessel couldn't be just as great as what Drayden was offering her? That would be an extraordinary honor, continuing a sacred tradition upheld for centuries. She was a promising candidate, and more importantly, a young candidate. There would be plenty of time to train her. That would still leave a decent 40 or 50 years left for housing Kyurem. Could the village afford to give up someone like that?

In the end, they tried to give her the best of both worlds. Drayden could adopt her and take her back with him to Opelucid as long as he would allow for periodic visits and correspondence. And now, here she is. Like they wanted.

But is it truly what she wanted?

"Iris?"

Her gentle call trips and drops with a sudden tremble. Why? Why is she thinking about this now? It's almost done, almost complete. Iris is strong, strong like her. Surely, she is ready. Just like she had to be ready.

The chill in the room disappears. Iris's eyes dart to hers. Her body is quick to follow, facing her in one swift movement. Shannon freezes. This is not the little girl who once wandered around with her dratini. Hell, it isn't even the woman who showed up on her doorstep two weeks ago. Her gaze holds solid and unwavering, her chestnut brown tinged with Kyurem's xanthous hue. She sits tall, hands patiently folded in her lap. Even though Shannon knows that Iris has Kyurem's power sheathed...

(Not a hint of cold in the air)

(Her muscles are relaxed)

(Her face is neutral)

...there's an unmistakable authority in the air. An urge to respect. An implied threat if provoked. It's an entirely alien feeling. Usually Shannon was the one that intimidated people, even before hosting Kyurem. So this is what it's like to be on the receiving end, huh?

Realizing that she's gaping, Shannon clears her throat.

"Mizuta will be here for dinner tonight. She'll help me do a final check of sorts. See if you're fit to be out in public and all that."

Iris nods.


Shortly after informing her about the impending visit, Shannon went back upstairs. Kind of abruptly in her opinion, but it was probably time to prep dinner.

"Mizuta…"

Iris had been wondering when she'd get to see her. She'd thought that Mizuta would be just as involved as Shannon. Well, as involved as one can be when they just come down to bring you meals and make sure you haven't destroyed the room. What would she think, seeing her now?

Mizuta was her parents' friend, often babysitting when they had to travel for work. While she hadn't been the best at relating to children, she told the best stories. The lilt of her voice drew you in until you were beside the characters themselves. In fact, it was Mizuta who had gotten Iris into being a vessel just by telling her the stories of the village's history. The tale of Calyx and Kyurem was one of her favorites!

[I feel like it needs some revisions though. It makes everything seem too nice and clean cut.]

-If I recall correctly, Shannon voiced the same complaint. She was told that adding in excessive details would take away from the message of the story.-

[Right. The ingenious solution of hiding you inside a human, solidifying the Village of Dragons as your true protectors. I mean, they already included some of the negative side effects. It's just kinda...ugh.]

-Indeed.-

Iris turns toward the stairs.

[More importantly, we'll be leaving soon. Once we get home, we have to dig through the attic.]

At first she couldn't believe it. Really? The attic. The keystones have been in their attic for at least a year!

After the movers finished transporting everything, Iris and Drayden got to start the oh-so-fun job of unpacking. There were quite a few boxes of stuff that she was sure didn't belong to either of them. Pieces of rubble and cracked clayware lovingly buried in bubble wrap and crates of display cases were taking up a good portion of the living room.

"Um. Dad? What are these?"

Drayden stares before chuckling and shaking his head.

"Goodness. She still hasn't picked those up, huh? Those are all artifacts that Cynthia excavated from Relic Castle. They haven't been evaluated yet. Normally, she'd send these things to Lenora, but the museum storeroom is full at the moment. That and Cynthia insists on being there personally for the evaluation."

"Oh, so we'll be keeping these until summer. Or indefinitely, knowing her schedule."

"That sounds about right."

With a sigh, he lifts up one of the boxes onto his shoulder.

"I suppose we can put this in the attic for now. Would you give me a hand, Iris?"

"Sure."

She squats down and carefully lifts one of the crates. Looking down, a pair of necklaces catch her eye. The monochrome-toned layers on the wedges pop against the yellow crystal that tops each of them. Cynthia must have been happy to find such well preserved artifacts.

Because of the change in appearance, it had taken some time before she realized that those necklaces and the keystones were one and the same. Why had they changed? She had asked Kyurem. Apparently, the keystones are a sort of seal. Remembering Kyurem's memories, Iris had thought that the keystones were pulling out the quality that each brother desired. But it was the opposite. The twins sought to rid the Original Dragon of the quality that the other valued, a true show of spite. With that gone, the succeeding brother could show Unova that the Original Dragon had no use for the other's beloved attribute and reign freely.

Well, at least that's what was supposed to happen, but something had gone wrong. Between the twin's equally strong wills and the Original Dragon's reluctance to take a side, the sealing was incomplete, each keystone only capturing a fragment. The traits of truth and ideals were pulled out completely, but secured just enough so that they could not return to the host. This allowed them to roam outside of Kyurem's body. Those sealed fragments must be something important. But what? Maybe once they found the keystones, they could figure it out.

Iris scrunches her face, trying to remember where exactly she'd placed that crate. But it's no good. There had been so many.

-Resigned already? Searching should not take more than half an hour. There only looked to be about twenty-one crates in your memory. Even then, the keystones were in a display case at the top of one of them. Thus there is no need to examine the full contents of each.-

Her legs shift uncomfortably and she frowns. This was a memory that she had summoned up for herself. She hadn't asked Kyurem to look at it. The way that Kyurem could view such details without having to be outright sucked into a memory and without her even knowing...It was probably trying to be helpful, but the lack of mental privacy was unsettling. Shaking her head, she continues.

[That part won't take long. But the attic is cramped! I'll have to move most of the stuff down, which means I can't do it when Dad's around because then he'll wonder why I'm rooting through precious artifacts. Then I also have to consider the time it takes to put everything back. And then we get to the even bigger dilemma.]

-Ah, yes. Your upcoming theft of the keystones. Not only a legal crime, but a damaging breach of trust with Cynthia. But even still, you will do it since you believe that they would be safer with you than on display in a museum. It is quite an unpleasant feeling.-

Iris crosses her arms and huffs.

[I kinda hate how in sync you are with my mind already. I understand why, but it's a little creepy.]

-My apologies.-

[Anyway...I'm worried about the attention their unveiling will bring. Remember those memories I showed you about Team Plasma? It proves that there are still people who want to use Unova's dragons for the worse. And also, their leader, Ghetsis was never caught. If the keystones go on display, it could reignite interest in the Original Dragon, and thus you. Just like when Team Plasma found out about the existence of Zekrom and Reshiram's Dragon Stones!]

The explanation is unnecessary. Kyurem suspects that Iris knows this as well, but to point that out would be tactless and perhaps a bit cruel. To some, to have one's thoughts and feelings already known is a convenience. To a great many others, the complete lack of privacy is horrific and distressing. Since Iris seems to be the latter, it decides to let her voice her thoughts. Accepting a vessel's preference is the respectful thing to do, after all.

[So the plan is to keep their location a secret. I just need to figure out where to keep them.]

The two went back and forth for a while, debating on where to keep the keystones. They had finally reached a decision just as Shannon returned.

"Iris, can you help set the table? I'll have you show me your mastery some more by making you conjure up some ice cu—"

She stops abruptly, raising an eyebrow.

"Damn. Have you been standing there the entire time? I know we've had you cooped up here so that you could bond with Kyurem, but try to act natural when you two talk. Seeing someone just staring into space like that really is kind of creepy."

"Ah! You're right. My bad."

Iris flushes, and jogs up behind her on the stairs. Her leg muscles sigh in relief, welcoming the movement after an hour of static standing. As they reach the top of the steps, the hearty scent of borscht and roast vegetables wafts tantalizingly. The marigold glow of the sunset shines through the pleated shade on the kitchen window. Iris almost asks if she can open it before remembering the need for privacy. At least she can steal glances at it as she gets the dishes from the cabinets.

-I also yearn for the evening air. It is one of life's simplest pleasures.-

[I'm just a bit burnt out with being indoors. As happy as I am to see Mizuta again, I want some quality time outside with everyone before I have to be stuck in a bus for a few hours.]

She pats her belt bag. Among her pokemon, Hydra, Nettle, and Labrys were the only ones that could be let out in the basement without hitting the ceiling. Even then, it was somewhat cramped. At her request, Shannon let the other three outside each day.

-Yet another event to look forward to. I hope that your other pokemon are as affable as them.-

All that's left to set out is the silverware. Carefully, she lines up the forks and knives.

[Well...Tanami may be a bit cold at first, but if you could handle Nettle, then I think you'll be fine with her.]

Kyurem hums in contemplation. Now that all the dishware and such are set out, all she has to do is make some ice cubes. Iris eyes the pitcher of barley tea set in the middle of the table. Raising her hand over it, she lets the ice seep from her fingertips. The frosty particles condense into rounded cubes that land in the liquid with a small 'plop.' Shannon gives a quick nod, barely pausing as she continues to move food into serving vessels. Wanting a more involved response, she conjures a variety of shapes. Hearts. Pentagons. Spirals. As a finishing touch, Iris shoots them into the three glasses she set out. Despite the speed, the ice clinks gently into each glass.

Mastery of formation and visualization! A show of speed and power, yet also control! It's sure to impress!

Shannon's eyes widen briefly and she chuckles.

"Show off. Though I'm not one to lecture you on that. It is a good way to release any excess energy."

A sharp knock brings both of them to attention. With a dash that makes Iris question her age, Shannon reaches the door. After a quick check through the peephole, she opens the door just wide enough to let the person on the other side sidle in.

Her navy hair has a few more gray streaks now, but her soft smile is the same as ever. Mizuta strolls over to the table and seats herself primly. She lifts her glass, rotating it and letting it catch the light at different angles.

"Only hints of cloudiness. Not bad. How quickly did you make these?"

Iris stumbles out an answer. It's a guesstimate.

"Um, about three seconds for the ones already in the glasses."

"No need to be so nervous, Iris. To be able to generate ice that quickly without many impurities is impressive. You do know that clear ice usually only occurs by freezing gradually, right? If you focus on forming it outwards from the center point, you should be able to push the impurities away. You'll get that beautiful pure ice."

"I think Kyurem mentioned something like that. I'll do that next time."

Nodding, Iris goes to takes her seat. Mizuta holds up a hand and gestures towards her.

"I need to inspect you as well. Kyurem can sometimes manifest in ways other than the ice. A consequence of having to contain such great power. I've heard that there was once a vessel that even generated scales. Luckily, they were able to pass it off as eczema."

She says it straightforwardly in the tone that Iris knows means she's not exaggerating. It's a little reassuring somehow. Even though she's had a rocky start so far as Kyurem's new vessel, at least she doesn't have something like that happening. Mizuta carefully grabs Iris's hand, calloused fingers softly squeezing.

"Your body temperature seems to be fine right now. I know that we've gone over this throughout the years, but make sure that you find a way to use its ice powers if you ever feel your extremities start to get cold and numb."

"I'm pretty sure those pictures and case studies on frostbite are engraved into my brain at this point."

"Good."

At Mizuta's request, Iris squats down a bit so that they're face to face. Roaming over her skin, Mizuta's eyes stop and stare when they meet hers. There's the slightest twitch of a frown, but it smooths out quickly. If Iris hadn't been awkwardly staring back, she would have missed it the second she blinked.

"Your eyes are still holding some of Kyurem's yellow. Troublesome, but not overly so. It blends well with your eye color, and I've heard that cosmetic contacts are common in the cities if you need an excuse for it."

She had noticed it whenever she entered the bathroom. The inner ring of her iris had taken on Kyurem's pale yellow, blending outwards into amber before her own chestnut brown took over again. It was jarring, but kind of cool too. And she couldn't think of many people that would be suspicious of her hiding Kyurem just based on a minor eye color change. That would take quite a few leaps in logic. Mizuta sits back and smiles. Evidently, she shares her line of thought.

"Shannon has been telling me about your progress throughout your time here. And based on what I've seen tonight, I think you're good to go. Congratulations Iris. You'll be a wonderful vessel."

"Thank you!"

Iris beams. Validation is certainly welcome, especially after all the unexpected difficulties of the trip. Shannon ushers her to her seat and gives a few rough pats on her shoulder. Iris resists the urge to wince. Even without Kyurem, she's a beast.

"You did well, kid. Now enough vessel talk. Don't let my dinner go to waste."

Despite her seemingly dismissive words, Iris can see the smile peeking out from her face. Finally getting to sit, she feels heavy. Sure, some of it is the relief of Mizuta's approval letting her shoulders sag, but now her responsibility as a vessel is trickling in. It has only just started, but there's so much to do.

Keep Kyurem hidden for almost the rest of my life.

Steal from a friend, and hide the keystones.

Although they're only two objectives, they both have so many other little parts to them. For one thing, unlike Shannon, she would have to keep her status incognito in the big cities of Unova. Drayden hadn't passed the mantle down yet, but the time was coming up. Then she'd be Opelucid's new Gym Leader, public eye upon her, her privacy a goner. Well, it was already gone, wasn't it?

Iris tugs a lock of hair. Quickly, she spoons herself a sizable portion of borscht and roast vegetables. Putting the food into her mouth, she chews, barely savoring the flavor. At the appropriate intervals, she chirps out 'delicious' and other vague smalltalk. She just can't get into it. Why? After all this focus on being a good vessel, shouldn't she enjoy something normal like this?

The light of the setting sun catches on the ice in her glass, accentuating the unnatural shapes. It hits her that there is no 'normal' now, no turning back. Just like when her parents died, her life is now irrevocably changed. That same sense of isolation is creeping back. But rather than the awkwardness of acknowledging death and grief, it is the need for secrecy holding her back. Would others really understand anyway? There's Shannon, but Iris gets the feeling that she views being a vessel quite differently. She sighs and turns her attention back to her food.


Soon enough, dinner is over and farewells are exchanged. There's a few hours before the night bus arrives, perfect for relaxing outside. Iris sits, leaning against Cadenza. Despite being sprawled out in grass rather than her preferred environment of water, the lapras is as serene as ever. Hydra and Tanami fly low in the air, almost silently circling around the area. Well, it's more that Hydra is trying to match Tanami's stealth. It's difficult to zip through the air nimbly like a flygon when you're as wide as a hydregion. It would be a little more peaceful if Labrys and Nettle weren't engaged in a contest of strength, but Iris knows that they won't mess up the terrain.

At least, not too much.

Gently, she pets Peach, who is curled at her side so that her snout can rest in Iris's lap. Another sigh slips past her lips. She knows that it does no good to ruminate, but the thoughts keep returning. Kyurem has been quiet for a while now. Hopefully, it's not listening. Peach nuzzles into her side carefully so that she won't scratch with her horn. Iris tries to keep a straight face, but a few giggles escape anyway. A surprisingly low-pitched 'la la' fills her ears. Hearty vibrations bounce at her back. She doesn't need to look to know that Cadenza is laughing with her. It's enough to chase away her somber mood for a while.

"Thanks guys."

That's right. Even though she can't share her feelings with people, she still has her pokemon. Maybe things won't be so bad.


The journey home yields no unpleasant surprises or unexpected revelations. It's the best bus ride ever.