Paralogue 3

Fascinating Fiction and Alluring Art

Team Marshwood takes on a mission that involves the procurement of a client's sketchpad.

As for what's in it…it turns out the art hits closer to home than either Kallias or Melchior would have anticipated.

"So you're Eponina, correct?" Kallias double-checked with a Grafaiai. "And you want us to get your sketchpad for you?"

It was the beginning of summer, and just like any other day, Kallias and Melchior of Team Marshwood had another mission on their plate. This one wasn't too far from Iria, thankfully; in the midland town of Miroslavsk, which involved a boat ride down the Miroslav Canal. Both were named for Tsar Miroslav, a tsar who lived some eighty years ago and wished to provide a link between Iria and the River Evor, the longest river in Selenia. Thus, a big infrastructure project began which saw the canal's construction as well as a new town in the Lada oblast, which became the centre of administration in that area. It was named Tsaritsin at first, but was later changed to Miroslavsk in the tsar's honour after he eventually passed on.

That was where Team Marshwood were today, to talk to a client that had requested help from the Irian Guild. Her name was Eponina, a Grafaiai, and she was a young adult, looking not too much older than an average teenager.

"Yeah, that's right," the lemur replied. The duo couldn't help but notice her nervousness as she spoke. "I was in the Emerald Grasslands just outside of town, writing and drawing my story…but then a feral came after me! I had to run, but I dropped my sketchpad while I got out of there."

"...Why were you in that Mystery Dungeon in the first place?" Melchior asked.

"It gives me good inspiration," Eponina answered. "A whole lot better than being stuck in my stuffy old house."

"Still…Mystery Dungeons can be dangerous, even those that seem harmless," the Swampert warned. "Take care in future."

"I know, I know," the Grafaiai replied, as if she'd heard this before. "Anyway…could you, um, go get my sketchpad? Please?"

"Of course. We're never one to keep a client waiting," Kallias stated. "We'll have your sketchpad back before long. Come on, Melchior. Let's go."

"...Alright then." And so the two headed off.

What they didn't see, though, was the Grafaiai looking at the two as they left. Once they were out of earshot…she let out a little squee.

"Eeee! I actually met them!" she cried out in excitement. "I actually met Team Marshwood! The Team Marshwood! I can't believe it! Fernblade Kallias and Mud Bomber Melchior…Oh, they're even better in the flesh than I imagined! If only I could sketch them and remember this moment forever…

"I guess I was fairly accurate," she observed. "Oh, what a dream, seeing them in person…I could see it now, the two of them together, taking out feral after feral like they're nothing. Then afterwards…" she fantasised romantically. "I need to get my sketchpad. Where - ?"

Then she remembered.

"...Oh, right. They're getting it back from the Dungeon. …Just wait, Eponina. Once you get it back, you'll have that storyline finished in no time…"

She looked down the road where the two went. The joy partially disappeared, and was replaced by the nervousness that was there before.

"...I hope they don't read it…"

Emerald Grasslands

4F

"Ah, there it is," Kallias said, pointing to a rectangular object on the floor. "That looks like a sketchpad to me."

Team Marshwood had an easy time travelling through the Mystery Dungeon. It was a fairly lenient Dungeon that even an amateur combatant could go through with ease. It was little wonder that Eponina came here often, if the ferals were weak enough for the average Pokémon to deal with.

They found the Grafaiai's item on the fourth floor, a few rooms from where they started. It was covered in paint patches, typical of a Grafaiai's possession, where the species' tendency had a common habit to lick their fingers and leave traces of their paint-like saliva on the surfaces they touched. Thankfully, apart from some dirt on the cover, it was perfectly intact with no damage.

"Well, nothing more to do," Melchior said. "Let's get out of here."

"Sure thing." Kallias held up his badge, and the two of them teleported out of the Dungeon.

They appeared at the entrance to the Emerald Grasslands Mystery Dungeon. It was a little ways out of town, and the duo would be back in the town in no more than ten minutes.

"Let's return this to Eponina," Kallias was saying. "That wasn't too hard at all. Maybe we could look around and see if there are any other - "

The Sceptile was holding the sketchpad in front of him, and this obscured his vision of the ground. Therefore, he didn't see a sudden drop in the terrain, and stumbled.

"Ah!" he cried out, righting himself before he could fall. Unfortunately, the sketchpad slipped out of his hand and fell to the ground.

"Are you okay, Kallias?" Melchior asked.

"I'm fine. Just stumbled a bit," came Kallias's reply. He went to go pick up the sketchpad, fearing that it had gotten slightly more dirty with it coming into contact with the ground. Thankfully, the weather had been dry for the last while, and so the sketchpad wasn't on the receiving end of mud, instead only being marred with more dirt.

Kallias picked it up and wiped it down to rub off the excess dirt. However, as he was doing so, he accidentally opened the sketchpad…revealing what was on its pages.

And what was there caused the Sceptile to do a double take, as he realised in shock what was upon its pages.

It appeared to be a comic of some sort, with visible speech bubbles and illustrations depicted on each page. But this wasn't what shocked Kallias. Rather…it was who was illustrated in the comic.

One page depicted a scene of a Sceptile meeting a Swampert, who was sitting up in a bed with bandages on his body. Notably, both were drawn in quite a muscular fashion, as if they were bodybuilders. While the Sceptile had a leaner muscle complexion, the Swampert was incredibly buff, almost like a Machamp.

A Sceptile and a Swampert? Wait a minute…Are they…?

"You okay, Melchior?" the Sceptile asked. That was all the confirmation Kallias needed.

"...I'm fine now," the Swampert replied. "Nothing a bit of rest and relaxation can't solve."

"Good to hear. But then we're heroes! Even a Monster House can't keep us down!" A confident smile was depicted on the Sceptile. …Or rather…Kallias.

"Wh-What is this…?" the Sceptile in the flesh muttered in bewilderment.

"Kallias? Why are you looking through her sketchpad?" Melchior asked. "We shouldn't do that. It's an invasion of privacy."

"I know. But Melchior, look." Kallias pointed to the sketches, and the Swampert looked at them.

"...Wait, what?" Once he saw the sketches, Melchior had connected the dots, and was as flummoxed as his partner. The both of them subconsciously decided to keep reading, in spite of what the Swampert had said.

"Yeah. …I'm glad you were there to help me out of that jam," 'Melchior' replied. "I'm really lucky to have you around, Kallias."

"And so am I!" The illustrator sure loved depicting a shining smile on the Sceptile. "To think, when we started out on this journey, that we'd end up becoming as famous as we are, eh?"

"Yes…I sure couldn't have imagined it…" A slight blush was depicted on 'Melchior's cheeks. …Something that only confused the duo all the more.

"Nor could I. But here we are. And I'm glad I do have the strength to help others like you, Mel," 'Kallias' replied. "After all…you mean so much to me."

"...R-Really?" 'Melchior' seemed surprised. "Do you mean it?"

"Of course I do." 'Kallias's depicted smile in this one seemed more serene and warm. "You're my world. We wouldn't be where we are today if not for you. And…I'll be honest." The next image depicted the Sceptile with a similar blush to 'Melchior's. "I…really like you, Mel."

"..." The starstruck look on the Swampert's face had evidently rendered him speechless. The image of him was of him shocked, and the speech bubbles in that picture only read "..."

"W-Well…" The Swampert struggled to find his words. "I, um…I, er…" The next scene then depicted him with a more determined look on his face, as he found the words to reply to 'Kallias's confession.

"I really like you too, Kallias!" he boldly declared.

"...Thank you, Mel. I'm…glad to hear it." The Sceptile's expression looked as though he was touched. "I was a bit nervous you wouldn't return my feelings, but…I guess I don't have to worry any more."

"Don't worry. I do. I would follow you anywhere."

"Hm…" Then, 'Kallias' was depicted with a look as though he was challenging 'Melchior.' "...I wonder…would you follow me in doing this?"

What happened next was something that shocked both readers who were deeply engrossed in the story by this point.

'Kallias's lips puckered, as if to go in for a kiss.

W-Wait a minute…They're not going to…

But they were. And the next two pages depicted a scene between the two that could only be described as passionate. What was illustrated made Kallias and Melchior slightly look upon the drawings in slight disgust, for it involved two notable things: tongues, and the feeling up of one another's bodies.

The next illustration depicted them pulling away. That scene was enough for Kallias, who closed the sketchpad.

"No," he said. "I am not reading any more of that."

It took Melchior a minute to find the right words. And when he did…he evidently was not in a calm frame of mind at all.

"Wh-What was that?!" he cried, flustered as anything. "I-In that, th-the t-two of us were…!"

"...Kissing and making out with each other," Kallias replied, more matter-of-fact but still as flustered as his partner.

"B-But…I don't see you in that way!" Melchior cried out. "I-I mean, no offence, Kallias, but…I-I would never…" He couldn't bring himself to say any more, his cheeks coloured a bright scarlet.

"...It's okay, Melchior. I feel the same way, if it helps," Kallias offered. His own face was crimson with embarrassment. "You…are a good friend of mine. And…a great partner, too."

"No! Don't say that!" Melchior's face was as hot as any Magcargo. "'Partner'...p-people will think we're…!"

"Damn…" Kallias realised the mistake. "Oh gods…I don't think I'm ever going to see that word in the same light again regarding us…"

"Wh-What'll we do? If people see that sketchpad, then...!"

"...Whatever the case, we still have a mission to do," he reminded Melchior.

"...That girl…Eponina, was it?" The Swampert was still visibly flustered. "...Wh-What do we do, Kallias? We can't just report this to someone! Word'll get out then!"

"I wouldn't go that far," Kallias said. "I do think we should let her know. But…let's go about it carefully."

"How so?"

"Well…I have an idea…"

"...Did you guys get it back?"

Eponina was waiting in the town square for Team Marshwood. As the duo approached, they noticed that she seemed a little bit jumpy and nervous.

"Indeed, we did. A little bit of dirt on it, but it's still in one piece." Kallias held the sketchpad out in front of him. The Grafaiai eagerly took it back.

"Thank you thank you thank you thank you!" she gushed gratefully, holding the sketchpad close to her. …A bit too close.

"No problem," the Sceptile returned. "Oh, but, um…the payment?"

"...O-Oh, right! Of course." Eponina dug about in her bag for some change before she gave the amount to Team Marshwood. "There you go."

"Thank you." Kallias filed it away in his own bag. "Now we must take our leave. It was a pleasure doing business with you, Miss Eponina."

"And it was great seeing you, Team Marshwood!" Eponina replied. "Thanks a bunch for helping me!"

"Anytime." With that parting word, the duo left to catch the boat back to Iria.

Once they were gone, the Grafaiai breathed a sigh of relief.

"Phew…they never brought up my sketches. Guess they didn't look at them…That would've been embarrassing…"

She went to open the sketchpad. However, as she did, a letter fell out from the side of it.

A letter? But I didn't have anything in this pad…

She picked it up off the ground. And the words on it made her freeze.

To Eponina

From Team Marshwood

It didn't take her long to connect the dots.

"Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no…they did read it! Noooooooo!"

"Okay, something's up here. What the hell is the matter with you two?"

It was evening, and Team Marshwood had returned to the Irian Guild. Normally, they would be quite looking forward to returning back to the Guild and divulging news about what missions they'd done that day over a piping hot dinner made by Aldebrand. And given the Turtonator's skill at cooking, it would never not be delicious.

However…what they'd seen in Eponina's sketchbook still ran through their minds. And it had done, all the way through that day's missions and the trip from Miroslavsk back to Iria. It still went through their minds now, and they were not intent on bringing it up to their peers.

Unfortunately, Rufina, as was her wont to voice oddities, noticed their strange behaviour, and called it out in front of Mitrofan, as well as Dalibor and Spiridon, with whom they were sharing a table. The Guild was rather quiet tonight - quiet enough that it was only the six of them in the canteen. A rare coincidence, undoubtedly.

"Quite right. There's barely been a peep out of the two of you," Is something the matter?"

"Is something the matter?" Kallias said "...I suppose you could say that." He paused to eat a mouthful of one of the pirozhki on his plate. Notably, he'd picked at his dinner, as had Melchior, whereas their dining companions had all gotten through at least one pirozhok. It was yet another delicious meal by Aldebrand, undoubtedly; but the Sceptile's mind was elsewhere.

"What, did you fail your mission today or something?" Spiridon wondered.

"No, we didn't fail it," Melchior replied, fearing the creep ever closer to revealing the answer.

"Then what's causing this behaviour?" Mitrofan demanded. "As your Guildmaster, I have a right to know what perturbs the mercenaries in my command. If there's something wrong, then spill it."

"Well…" Kallias considered his answer. "...It sounds crazy, and you probably wouldn't believe it."

"Try me. I've heard all kinds of ridiculous stories throughout the years." The Aggron was unfazed. "Besides, neither of you are not the type to lie."

"...If we do tell this story…" Melchior thought to make a request. "Please don't judge us."

"Judge you?" Dalibor was confused. "Why would we judge you?"

"Okay, you have to tell us now," Rufina urged. "Why are you acting all cagey?"

Team Marshwood looked at each other. Kallias thought it best for him to begin.

"Today, we went to Miroslavsk. There was a young Grafaiai there looking for her sketchpad, which she'd lost in a nearby Mystery Dungeon. Obviously, she contacted the Guild, we took the mission, and went into the Dungeon to get it. It was an easy mission - in and out just like that.

"However, on the way back, I accidentally dropped the sketchpad, and it opened on one of the pages. On it…" Kallias paused, knowing that this was where things got weird.

"On it…?" Rufina said. "Go on. What was on the page?"

"It was a story. And it depicted…us."

"You?" Dalibor was puzzled. "...Is that a surprise? You two are possibly the most popular mercenaries in Ardalion."

"That's nice, isn't it?" Spiridon was just as confused. "Artwork of you two. …What's the problem?"

"There's nothing wrong with normal artwork," Kallias replied. "But…the sketchpad's art depicted the two of us…"

"...Kissing amorously like we were lovers!" Melchior blurted.

Everyone stood bolt upright at this.

"...I beg your pardon?" Mitrofan said, not sure if he'd heard correctly.

"What?" Spiridon was taken aback.

"Sorry, sorry, run that by me again," a flabbergasted Rufina requested. "There was artwork of the two of you snogging?"

"Yes!" Kallias could feel his cheeks begin to burn.

"That's…That's gotta be weird," Dalibor commented. "Seeing yourself making out with your partner like that…"

"It was weird!" Melchior said. "K-Kallias and I…we're not like that!"

"You know, there's nothing wrong with admitting it," Rufina lightly cajoled. "A fair share of men do that kind of thing. Oh, and women too!"

"Th-This has nothing to do with that!" Kallias's cheeks were unbelievably red now, as if he'd eaten an unripe tamato berry. "I have nothing against people of that kind of sexual persuasion. I'm all for their freedom and against attempts by Church types to clamp down on them."

"But Kallias and I don't see each other that way!" Melchior's blush was just as deep a red as his partner. "More to the point, we're married, and to women, at that! Kallias even has a daughter!"

"Exactly! It would be cheating if the two of us had those kind of relations!" Kallias denounced. "And I would never betray Zenobia like that!"

"...Some people go both ways." Rufina wasn't letting up, though. "I didn't exactly mind women back in the day, you know. …But then I saw Mitt evolved, and suddenly, they were all nothing compared to him.'" She caressed her husband's metallic cheek. "Love you, my big hunk of metal…"

"I've told you before, Rufina. Stop calling me that in public," Mitrofan requested, before turning to Team Marshwood. "You two…let me clarify something. You looked at a client's work that you were requested to retrieve?"

"...Yes?" Kallias replied, realising where this was going. Oh dear…

"That's an invasion of privacy, you two," the Aggron sternly reprimanded. "It goes against guild regulations."

"I know, and I'm sorry. Curiosity got the better of me," the Sceptile apologised. "We won't do it again."

"Good." Mitrofan leaned back in his chair. "At least you two are experienced enough to know better. So I'll let you off this time."

"Thanks, Mitt."

"...You know, that's not the first time I've heard that kind of talk," Dalibor mentioned. "I've heard rumours about the two of you being…y'know. Lovers."

"...What?" Melchior asked, hoping he'd heard incorrectly.

"I'd believe them," Spiridon piped up. "Have you heard yourselves talk after a mission? 'Oh, Kallias, you were so good in that Dungeon.' 'No, Melchior, it was you who saved me from that feral.' Stuff like that."

"Yeah, I mean, c'mon!" Rufina said. "No wonder people talk about the two of you in that way! Can you blame them? …I've heard my own share of rumours. Like how your scarves are there to hide the hickeys."

"What?!" Melchior reacted, nearly falling off his chair.

"Ha! No, I made that up. …The look on your face, though!" the Haxorus laughed. "Oh, that's one for the books!"

"Don't make fun of them, Rufina," Mitrofan admonished. "Accusations like that can be dangerous. In the past, spreading rumours about upstanding people like Kallias and Melchior like that could lead to their reputations being ruined. And though we live in a society that is more tolerant of such a lifestyle…it's still reviled in some circles. There's still the potential of tarnishing their name. You might not mean it, but you could all do great damage by entertaining such rumours." He addressed Team Hair Trigger as well. "We accept all here at the Guild. We do not make sexuality a laughing matter, especially if it's at the expense of someone else. There will be no more talk like this again. Have I made myself clear?"

Any lightheartedness from Rufina and Team Hair Trigger disappeared when faced with the Guildmaster's sternness. They all nodded wordlessly.

"Good. You're dismissed for the evening."

The three took the opportunity to leave. But Team Marshwood stayed behind, for they still had more to say.

"If I'm honest, Mitrofan…I don't think the client meant anything bad by it," Kallias said. "She was just a Grafaiai with a passion for art. She wasn't a criminal or anything."

"...Even if she meant no harm by her art, that doesn't mean there was no danger," Mitrofan replied. "Word better not get out about this. That would be the spark that would set off a blaze…"

"We requested she keep it secret," Melchior mentioned.

"Did you now? …Can she be trusted?" The Aggron remained in doubt.

"Hopefully. I can't imagine she would want to alienate her heroes," Kallias pointed out. "Though I admit…I don't want to look at her in a bad way either. If nothing else…her art was pretty good."

"Was it?" Melchior pulled a face. "Her drawing of me wasn't accurate. My muscles aren't that big! You'd think I was Mega Evolved!"

"True, true. But I don't want to suppress artistic talent," the Sceptile replied. "Part of me wants to keep in touch with her, to see where she goes with her skills."

"Far away from art like that, I hope," the Swampert grumbled.

"Yes…I hope so too," admitted Kallias. "But I like young ones with aspiring talent. I hope she goes somewhere. …After all, why do you think I keep encouraging Elvira to follow her dreams?"

"...Whatever you say, Kallias." Melchior didn't sound fully on board.

"...I'd be careful," warned Mitrofan. "You have a crystal-clean image to keep up. You risk muddying it by associating with that artist."

"We'll be careful, Mitt, don't worry," assured Kallias. "We get a fair amount of flak too. Don't tell me you aren't aware of that?"

"...I am," the Aggron responded. "...Now I have work to do. I must go."

"Of course," Kallias accepted. "Come on, Melchior. Let's go."

And so the three left the canteen.

Five days later…

Another day, another round of missions. After a week of doing fairly easier missions, though, Team Marshwood were ready to go at a harder one tomorrow. Right now, they were looking forward to another tasty meal by Aldebrand.

They went down the ladder. To their surprise, when they reached the bottom…Mitrofan was waiting for them.

"Ah. You two. Good to see you," he began. "Come to my office. There's someone who wants to see you."

He walked towards his office. Kallias and Melchior looked at each other.

Who could it be?

They followed the Aggron to his office. When they walked inside…a surprise awaited them.

Sitting on one of the chairs was a familiar face.

"Eponina?" Kallias blinked at the sight of the Grafaiai. "What are you doing here?"

"I…I wanted to say sorry," she said. "For…you know…"

"Let them sit down and we can discuss it," Mitrofan said, behind his desk.

Kallias and Melchior sat down, opposite Eponina. Mitrofan then spoke.

"Eponina. Tell them why you came all the way here."

"…I came here to…say sorry," the Grafaiai answered. "For…doing that story about you. I read your letter and…I'm sorry. I didn't think…I didn't think you would actually read it…I mean, what are the chances?"

"Very slim," Kallias replied. Looking at her, she did seem genuinely sorry. "...Why did you make it in the first place?"

"Because I love heroes like you," Eponina replied. "The idea of dashing vigilantes, beating the snot out of evildoers and saving people in need…I love those kinds of stories. And they came in spades from you. So…obviously I idolise you."

"But why did you make it a love story?" Melchior questioned.

"Because…um…I-I l-like stories of love between men," the lemur replied, with embarrassment. "And…some people do think the two of you are a couple. An idea for a love story came into my head, and I…couldn't get those thoughts out of my head. So I had to put them down on paper in some way." She looked down in shame. "But I didn't mean anything bad by it. I didn't mean to insult you...I'm sorry…"

She was sounding more emotional, as if she would burst into tears at any moment. Kallias decided to intervene before this could happen.

"...At least it was innocent intentions," he said. "Perhaps you could consider this a lesson in consent. Don't paint others without asking them first. Especially if it's art like…what you painted. That stuff should be kept private."

"...A-Alright…"

"If the characters are fictional, that probably wouldn't be a problem," Melchior pointed out. "But if they're real and living…that's a different story."

"...O-Okay…I'll do that from now on. I'll ask people first for their permission."

"And as much I hate to break it to you, Eponina," Kallias brought up. "Melchior and I aren't lovers like you depicted. Yes, we're longtime mercenary partners and good friends with one another."

"But lovers?" Melchior shook his head. "No. We're both married…but to wives."

"...Really?" Eponina's eyes widened.

"Yes. It's the truth."

"...Guess I shouldn't have listened to those rumours, then…" the Grafaiai murmured sadly.

"It's alright. It's easy to get swept up in those kinds of things," Kallias assured. "...How about we just agree to put this all behind us, hm?"

"Yeah," Eponina agreed. "I…don't want my heroes to hate me…"

"We would never hate you," Melchior replied. "Not unless you were actually looking to drag our names through the mud."

"But you seem like an honest young lady," Kallias replied. "With a good talent for art."

"Really? You think so?"

"I do. …Maybe we could've done with a little less muscle, but if nothing else about that story, the art was good."

"Oh, thank you, Fernblade Kallias! Art's my passion. I love drawing and painting." Eponina seemed to be in more of an upbeat mood now. "And coming up with stories. My three favourite things to do."

"I wouldn't want to suppress talent like yours. Perhaps you could put it to better use?" suggested the Sceptile. "Like…hmm…"

At that point, an idea came to him.

"Do you do commissions, Eponina?"

"Uhh…Sure. I…kinda want to make money off my paintings," the Grafaiai admitted.

"Well…I have something in mind. …Can you come with me to Ozerograd tomorrow evening?"

"Ozerograd? …I might be able to make it," Eponina considered. "But why do you want to go there?"

"...You'll see."

Two days later…

"...This is brilliant." Kallias couldn't take his eyes off the painting. "It's…It's even better than I thought it would be."

It had been a day since the Sceptile had brought Eponina to Ozerograd for her to paint what he had wanted her to paint. And that was…

Him and his family, depicted in the sunset.

It came out even better than he had anticipated. And Zenobia and Elvira loved it, too. He therefore gave the Grafaiai her dues, before inviting her back to his house to spend the night.

She had gone home that morning. But Kallias hadn't forgotten her painting, this one done on a canvas. After she went, he immediately went to hang it up in the living room so that everyone could see it.

Zenobia was looking up at the painting too. Elvira wasn't there, alas; she was at school.

"...How talented," the Heliolisk remarked. "And she was young, too…I hope she goes far."

"I hope so too."

"...By the way, how did you meet that girl?"

"Oh, Eponina?" Kallias considered his answer, before uttering it.

"She's just a client Melchior and I had for a mission. You don't need to worry about her, Zen."

Notes

This paralogue was inspired by dialogue I wrote in Special Episode 1: Part 2. It inspired this little origin story of sorts to that.

Tsaritsin is a corruption of Tsaritsyn, an old name for the city of Volgograd. Intriguingly, its etymology has nothing to do with the tsar, but rather its location next to the River Tsaritsa. In the context of this fic, though, it is named for the tsar.

Eponina is a nod to Nina from Fire Emblem Fates, whose Japanese name is Éponine. And the whole 'fantasising over men' part of her personality? Yeah, that carries over too. Granted, this girl is a bit more meek and less conniving.