July 20th 3130
Dawn.
I heard the thumping of helicopter blades about a minute before I saw the Helicopter itself.
The deep pulsing was initially just so that I emerged slowly from the dream Aria and I had been sharing. As I was roused by the noise, she slowly too began to emerge from slumber. In an instant, she saw my confusion, then sat up next to me. The slight chill of the morning drew the two of us together under orange tinged clouds as I looked around trying to understand the source of the sound.
Suddenly, the chopper burst from the woodline above our heads. While Aria clung to me in confusion, the others awoke with alarm. The Helicopter was painted white with stylistic mauve stripes running the length of it with a large symbol embedded on the side of it. I recognized it instantly as the symbol for lambda. The instant I saw that symbol, I knew what the game was.
I quickly jumped out of our hammock as The Helicopter began to circle the field, apparently looking for a spot to land. In no time, I found myself running towards the spring shirtless.
If the pilot was confused or uncertain, I could not detect it as I watched him slowly begin putting the Helicopter down. I felt her confusion and panic before I felt Arias presence as she rushed after me. Oddly enough, she had the frame of mind to have grabbed a shirt for me.
Over the din, I heard her speak to me plain as if we were in a quiet room.
Beh sze! When the rest of us run from danger you leap right for it! This isn't natural! I have heard of men who use these to capture us! She suddenly called out as she latched onto my arm then began tugging it insistently.
The others, having seen me race towards the Helicopter, rather than away from it, stood with their children in their hands and our child's egg in the middle of a semicircular formation. I could sense the confusion and fear easily from them.
Ses frau, listen to me. This is a helicopter from that Dr. Freeman that wanted me to do some research for him. This has to be the equipment we need to look into the effects he mentioned. I said that in a rushed tone. Lambda labs, the leading non-governmental research facility, was very concerned with the quantum effects of space-time. More specifically, how it was affected by high energy states. Their current research was centered on how to create a singularity like point that could be used to warp space enough to extend spaceflight travel and reduce time required.
After I said that, I turned my attention back to the Helicopter as it proceeded to make a final adjustment, then settle down onto the ground. The two of us were hit by a buffering wind as the helicopter settled to the ground. Aria leaned into me while I tilted my head down, partially burying my face in her aquamarine hair.
Coconuts... I blurted without thinking.
I felt her head adjust, as if she wanted to look at me in confusion, but instead, I pulled her face tighter to my chest then sent along a message Sorry, I will explain later.
Eventually, the wind died down enough that we were able to look back to the Helicopter. The whining noise dropped enough that when we saw multiple people getting out, there was little surprise while we separated to face the approaching men.
"Ah, Dr. Ginkgo!" Came a surprisingly jovial voice.
"Dr. Krafft?!" To say I was surprised to see the curly-haired geologist I greatly respected was an understatement. He walked out from under the blades, going from being hunched over to his full height in a very short time.
The two of us crossed the field to him as he was flanked by two other people. On one side, I realized it was Dr. Freeman himself. On the other side of him it was none other than Professor Sycamore.
As he approached me. I initially stuck my hand out to give him a handshake. However, he jerked me away from Arias arms and into a bear hug. As I felt his bear like arms squeeze me, I realized that my arm wasn't the only one that had gotten stuck in this hug.
A pained cry from Aria rang out as she realized that she had been drawn into the hug, partially. Her tiny arm was compressed next to mine, her fingers desperately grasping about to find a way out.
"Oh, I am sorry. " He suddenly said as he released the two of us from his death hug. Dr. Krafft was a Barrel chested man. In a lot of ways, his appearances were almost the opposite of mine. He was barrel chested and robust. I was thin and rather quick to tire. He had a great shaggy head of curled hair. Mine remained somewhat unkempt but was otherwise without significant volume. His eyes had a warm and friendly tone to it. Mine was simply green and distracting.
As Aria rubbed her arm, then seemed to withdraw behind me, Prof. Sycamores eyes seemed to flick between the two of us, but said nothing.
"I have to ask! I was expecting a parachute drop of the equipment and maybe a new holo conference suite, not a Helicopter with the three of you! Welcome to the te ze as it is called!" I swept my hand around the field, indicating back to where the others were clearly visible watching us. Then to Aria.
"Well, there's more to the visit than just dropping off equipment yes? Tell me, did any beer survive or should I break out the equipment and dig out a case?" Dr. Krafft asked, which earned him either a sharp cough or a light laugh from Dr. Freeman.
My excitement was quickly replaced with trepidation as I led them over to the te ze, then stood just outside of it with them. I could feel curiosity and defensiveness begin to arise from the Matriarch. Dr. Krafft made to step closer to them, but my arm stopped him before he made that mistake. Instead, I led them away from the entrance, to a small collection of boulders about 2 feet by 3 feet that I have since been calling my sitting stool.
As I sat down, Dr. Freeman and Dr. Krafft joined in while Prof. Sycamore kept standing, an eye on the settlement the entire time.
Aria, meanwhile had sat down on the same rock as I sat.
"Alright, so what's this about? The standard procedure for Gardevoir is to knock you all out and then make you wander off into the woods. If you are strongly disliked, then you usually end up without apparel. So, I need to know why you three showed up unannounced. If you had sent word ahead, I could have given them some warning." My stern tone was obvious.
"Well, I will be direct. The other day my hand was forced by that Tennyson. He feels threatened by you and is pressuring the board to revoke your tenure and ensure that you never publish another research paper again. I realized that we had to placate him before he went too far." As he said that, his eyes had darted to Aria.
I felt hostility from her.
Ses frau?
He sits there and thinks that just explaining himself is enough... Aria said.
"Just so you know, Aria here, the very same Gardevoir from the meeting, can understand your words. She feels insulted that you did not stay afterwards as these two did and apologize while explaining" I said.
Please don't fluff what I say beh sze! I want him to feel my anger! She insisted.
Look he doesn't know better. He thinks an explanation so that I understand his intent is enough. I gently argued back. He doesn't realize that how he said it was wrong. I cannot get mad at him for honestly not knowing.
Ok, I modified what she said a little bit so that I could chastise him gently while suggesting improvements. He was not well-known for picking up on social cues after all... I looked at Prof. Sycamore who seemed to have brought his attention to Aria entirely by this point, then gave a small smile.
"Are you two speaking together while you are also speaking to Dr. Krafft?" Prof. Sycamore asked suddenly.
"Yes we are. " I replied simply.
With a smile, his right hand balled into a fist then fell into his other hand.
"Tell me, what is the depth of the bond you share with her?" He asked. There was an accusing tone there, but it was underlain by another emotion. He seemed curious. As if he were trying to puzzle out an answer based upon our response.
Our eyes flicked towards each other's. There was uncertainty and worry in our thoughts of each other, then we both simultaneously glanced back towards our te ze, more specifically, we glanced at the egg sitting in the center of the Gardevoir semi-circle. Then we looked back to each other.
Whatever preconceived notions the three of them had, the shock of realizing our synchronicity and the two of us looking directly at an egg then back to them was enough for at least Prof. Sycamore and Dr. Freeman to get. Trepidation began to creep in. Prof. Sycamore looked troubled for a moment. Dr. Freeman seemed unconcerned. Dr. Krafft took roughly 43 more seconds than the others to put the pieces together.
After a solid minute of sitting in silence, Aria and I allowing our hands to fall into one another's, there was finally a cough that came from Prof. Sycamore.
"Well... that should make the question I wanted to ask simple then..." He said after a moment.
He finally looked at us with a small grin, then looked back to the egg. After he exchanged a look with Dr. Freeman, he finally asked.
"When is your child due?"
By the way, this was roughly second 43. While I loved the guy to death. When it came to things beyond his wife and volcanoes, Dr. Krafft tended to be slow on the emotional uptake.
"His child? But he has been..."
Finally, Dr Krafft looked at the two of us, holding one another's hands, then allowed a smile to cross his face.
"Yeah? Now I am knowing why you stayed my friend! After you got better you fell in love with her yeah? And then you had a breakthrough somehow in your understanding of them! "He jovially said this as our eyes turned to Dr. Freeman who suddenly coughed.
"Yeah, this will make it easier then. Dr Ginkgo, the precise reason we came was because we both suspected you two had a relationship. As it turns out, this subjective element may in fact benefit the three of us greatly. "
I looked at Sycamore with confusion. Why would our relationship assist them in the development of their research? Sycamore was investigating correlation between mysterious jewels and the ability for various Pokémon to go one step further for brief periods of time. However, Dr. Freeman was studying gravitational anomalies. Someone's relationship seemed to be wholly superfluous to his studies.
"I'm afraid that I am not seeing the correlation here…" I muttered.
Dr. Freeman gave a slight cough before he began speaking.
"The Gardevoir species is currently the only known species who can affect space-time enough to create a gravitational anomaly that reaches a critical implosion limit necessary for formation and propagation of a singularity. What is unique about this is the conditions required for this to happen. Something the Gardevoir in Lambda have not been able to achieve on their own. See, in the pokedex itself, observational studies indicate that the Gardevoir must feel threatened or that its life is in danger. However, conditions also indicate that a primary bond can give rise to their more maternal natures. This results in the Gardevoir wanting to protect its trainer. Who the Gardevoir protects as though it is the trainers mother. We feel it has to do with the mental connection between the Gardevoir and human that acts as a channel to opening that neurological pathway. What we'd like to do is use this subjective relationship to understand this from a purely objective point of view. "
I honestly was not sure how to take this. To be frank, he was all but saying that he needed me to be put in extreme danger in order for her to develop a singularity? Wasn't there some other way to accomplish this that did not require us to be in harm's way? Could Arias mentality even take the idea of me being in danger? Could I take the idea that Aria could be in danger?
"So, you want to…what? Hold me at gunpoint, release a bunch of poochyheenas on me and let them try to kill me or something? It sounds like you are saying that the emotional response is the prime factor in this."
"Well, to be frank, I wanted to pursue your emotional state theory. I wonder if there aren't other paths towards this effect. In fact, as I was discussing emotional pathways with Dr. Sycamore the other day, we both realized that the possibility exists that other, altered, emotional states can exist which present similar endorphin cascades that result in the same possibilities being unlocked. What we would like to do, with both of your permissions, is to examine this possibility."
"More to the point, he wants your love to be the catalyst for a black hole and her mega evolution." Sycamore said simply.
"But don't you need those fancy jewels that some trainers have? Diantha, the current champion, and some kid who took her on recently, both had these jewels and that was the only way such forms were possible. How do you expect someone to do the same without these jewels?" I asked incredulously.
Sycamore smiled as I asked that. Then he looked at Aria with his clouded eyes. He then looked between us again, before he finally offered a small shrug.
"Well, those jewels seem to deepen a bond between Pokémon and trainer. However, if your hypothesis is correct, then the needed synchronicity can be achieved without those objects. If that is the case, then you will be able to do the same with her without needing an intermediary. The primary concern is how to regulate the release of energy that sparks the evolution without the regulatory effects of the jewel."
After he finished his explanation, I quickly turned to Aria, then began filling her in.
Something is up here, they want to have a more in person observation of the thing we talked about a few days ago. Also, the way they are acting is a little too... personal.
What do you think is going on? Aria suddenly asked.
I wish I could tell. I'm not too certain that they aren't just here building a case against me to be honest. However, those two did give me the task. So it makes sense that they are following up on it and want to do better research in person.
To an outsider, I conversation grew from a series of glances to more dynamic communication. As we spoke back and forth, our hands sought each other, then began to intricately dance again. Our gestures remained minimal despite this hand motion.
I'm nervous about them. So is everyone else.
Truth be told, if they wanted to, they would have done something by now. You and I couldn't really stop them on our own. I don't have anything beyond what you've given me and I know you don't fight very often. So I don't know what we can do.
Do you trust them?
I trust Dr. Krafft. I don't know if I trust Freeman very well. Sycamore though... I'm still undecided. He has a fair bit of a past with less than reputable sources. This cannot be ignored.
Beh sze, I say we entertain them for a while. We can give it a try, but if they begin feeling deceitful, then we should act quickly. The more you are around others, the more in tune with their emotions you will become. Aria looked at me with her eyes set to reflect the determination she radiated.
Ses frau... I found myself saying.
The two of us suddenly leaned into one another, then held each other. This simple sign of determination and trust, mixed with the two of us reaching a consensus might have looked untoward. However, by this time, I no longer really cared about what they would say. This simple action was beyond affection at this point. It was an expression of our feelings, our misgivings, and our resolution to accept their terms for the time being.
After a moment, though it felt much longer to us, We separated, though we kept our hands together as I turned back to them before nodding.
"Alright, so here's the deal, that chopper goes. If you three are staying for any period of time, I suggest setting up camp a little further out. It's well far enough away from the te ze that you will not be disturbed by us or the young. However, you do not approach without signaling your intentions. This is their home. You are only guests on it. But most importantly, do not treat any of us like animals. Gardevoir have their own culture, and there is a lot to be said for any group that resembles humanity in social dynamics. I don't know if your mega evolution research will really benefit. However, we are willing to at least try so as to help. " I said this all while also having Aria relay our message back to the Matriarch. She needed to be in the loop on this so that if she felt any further restrictions needed to be mentioned, they could be.
I could feel the Matriarchs assent to my suggestion though. However, I could sense that she was worried about them. I decided to add one last little note.
"Also, no touching the children. The young are commonly captured by passing trainers and we would all like to see the 3 ones all grow up without loosing any." I squeezed Arias hand as I said that.
It was understood that I also meant our growing child.
"Of course Rowan." Dr. Krafft suddenly spoke up. "These terms seem agreeable. However, shall we set up some beds for you and Aria? It might help to have you two closer to us. That way when we all set up to do the singularity experiments, you two don't have to travel so far."
I looked at Aria.
What do you think Ses frau? Should we stay with them?
I am uncertain. What do you want to do?
To be perfectly honest. I really enjoy sleeping in our hammock together. The closeness to you and the gentle suspension of the ropes has been wonderful for me I freely admitted.
I told you there was a good reason I liked it so much! We can sleep however we want but we always feel comfortable! She chirped in response.
After the quick exchange, the two of us looked back at them, then shook our heads.
"Sorry, we have our own bed that we greatly enjoy. Further, we help out around here and at night we tend to the egg. It is easier for us to simply walk over when we have to. Besides, it's only a short walk away. You could practically shout to us if you needed to say something. Well, ok, talk loudly. " I automatically corrected. "Though, I think that this communal area should be the division point. It keeps them feeling safe, we keep our privacy, you three have an open-work area, and no toes are tread on. "
Maurice smiled as I made that suggestion despite declining his invitation to stay with them at their camp for a while. With a vague thought, I looked back to the woodline where the remains of my original camp was. It was hard to believe that it's been over a month since I stayed there.
Aria felt my thoughts briefly drift to the long abandoned camp site, then gently took my hand in hers. There was a comfort but also the slightest excited reminder that I didn't need worry about that place.
Suddenly, it occurred to me why I had thought about that site in the first place.
"Oh, right!" I said as my free hand came up to my chest level, then made a slight fist.
"Alright, so if you guys need extra solar panels or battery buses, the old camp still has a few of those lying around under a tarp. I haven't used them save when I tried to use the Holocomm system that was sent with me, but they still work just fine.
Dr. Freeman gave a distracted grin as I made the suggestion but was beat to the chase by Prof. Sycamore.
"Actually, we should be fine. " He said reassuringly "Though I have to say, you seem to be doing fine out here with no power or anything."
I gave a slight laugh then gently rubbed Arias middle finger.
"Well, we don't really need it. In the late season, everyone tends to begin moving south and larger settlements have interesting conveniences. For example, larger settlements use a piezoelectric crystal to generate light and some settlements have communal fires for general use. The absence of fire in this settlement is more a function of the environment. With lots of food supplies and a mild climate, there simply is no need for anything more complex. It's only when things turn cold and the days are shorter do such conveniences become needed. It's simple practicality. " I responded.
Eventually, the reunion began to break up. Dr. Krafft and Dr. Freeman returned to the helicopter, then began the load out. Aria and I began to get up but were stopped suddenly by Prof. Sycamore.
"Hang on you two" He said in an unreadable tone.
Uh oh... I said to Aria.
Truth be told, we expected a sterner talking to.
Do you think he will try anything? She asked. Worry was evident. It came off her in gentle pulses that were slowly trying to override her base curiosity.
"So, when you two did it..." He suddenly asked.
"Nope. I'm not discussing it. I will prepare a report on their mating habits but I am NOT having a face to face discussion about how we had intercourse!" I said a little more flustered than I realized.
"I was going to ask if it was much different from regular sex to be honest..." He said with a grin on his face.
"It was... more personal. I'll leave it at that" I simply said then made to stand up again.
"Relax! I was just messing with you!" He said as he chuckled in a low one of voice.
"But more to the point, I was wondering if you two ever felt in sync with one another. Like your thoughts happening at once, that kind of thing" He asked.
"Actually... As Gardevoirs continue the courtship past the initial mating, they begin functioning as one unit... At many times, our thoughts begin melding together. It sometimes becomes difficult to deduce where one persons thought ends and the other persons thought begins" I admitted.
The reaction I received next was... unsettling.
Sycamore took a long look at me, then narrowed his eyes slightly. Then he looked to Aria with an equally intense expression. I could faintly feel a deviousness there, but also the intense concentration of a man deep in contemplation. In a flash, the emotional awareness was gone. All that was left was the discomfort and worry that Aria expressed.
"Well then... " He said after a moment. "I wonder if there is not something to be pursued there..." He said more to himself than to us.
My hand gently clutched Arias as he spoke as a wave of nervousness arose. Finally, he seemed to come out of his contemplation then looked at us. His usual expression was back and the peculiar thoughts he all but broadcast had long since vanished.
"Oh it's nothing. I'm just wondering if this bond you two share and that syncing up has something to do with the whole matter. That's all" his smile was meant to dispel whatever worries lingered within us. However, coming from him, the expression seemed strangely hollow.
Within a few moments, he finally turned from us, then walked back to the Helicopter. As essential gear was loaded out, I noticed that Dr. Krafft was not getting back on the chopper. Instead, as the engine kicked back on and the blades began their roaring spin up, he ducked out from under the Helicopter, then slowly jogged over to the others.
Weird.
I gave Aria a confused look, which prompted a sudden round of conversation from us.
I expected him to get onto that chopper and fly off. I said.
Why would he? Aria asked.
Well, he's a Geologist first and foremost. His main concerns are rocks. Not what you and I would be up to.
She looked at me then smiled slightly as I had unknowingly equated the two of us.
Minor changes in speech like this were more common for me. Truth be told, until I got a wave of happiness from her out of nowhere, I wasn't even aware that I was doing it. It was only afterwards that I realized that my mindset had changed to thinking of this place as my only real home.
As Dr. Freeman and the others sat up, Aria and I finally walked back into and back to our te ze. In the communal area, the rest were sitting in a semi-circle. They knew that we needed to discuss this. With worry evident, I sat down, then looked at the Matriarch before I glanced down in apology.
I extended them the offer without directly consulting you.
And I allowed them to stay because they are not like that woman who came here once. You do not need to allow that guilt you feel to consume you. She suddenly said in a very kindly tone.
I looked up at her in a confused manner, only to be stopped.
When you came here, it was because it was you that you were able to stay. Gardevoir normally turn humans away and give them an instance of fear as well as a memory gap. The suggestion is usually placed in their heads that they just got into a bad battle. With you, I could sense your intent, so you were allowed to watch. I sensed how you felt about the others, the relief you had at seeing them, and the urge deep down to continue doing your work. Your troubles have been right there under the surface. You were fully aware of them, but you channeled them well to helping us rather than helping only yourself.
There was a sense of comfort that I felt as she said those somewhat confusing words. There was an implication that I had inadvertently acted as her vessel during the encounter. It would, after all, explain the flash of insight.
Anyways, I think that it would be best to keep them close. If something were to happen to friends of yours, I would much like them to be near at hand should assistance be needed. Further, given our needs as well, it works out best.
I couldn't help but to smile when she added that last sentence. It was obvious that she was referring to the fact that Aria and I have been helping out so much since the children have all hatched.
With this all said, the group of us fell back into conversation about Aria using her psionics in the coming days.
In the human world, Gardevoir that assist young trainers seem to have an understanding of using their powers to create a back hole. What has concerned people is the exact nature of this. What I worry about, is whether my ses frau will be ok. I readily voiced.
Aria looked down then away from me. I could feel the embarrassment burning brightly. However, buried under that was a sense of happiness that my thoughts were so bent on her well-being. With a grin, I pulled her hand into mine then readily, physically, communicated this fact to her.
She looked back at me then gave a small smile before she said to us all.
I want to try it still. I would like to see if it is possible for me to do so. I can create a shadow ball with little effort. What she did not say was the circumstances behind that attack. To clarify, when I was attacked, she used this skill along with one called dazzling gleam to subdue my attackers. I think it would be easy to continue to push it to the next level...
I looked at her then to Aitsu. He gave a simple nod before I spoke.
Aria, just realize that I am reluctant to let you do this. See, I don't want you to think like you have to fight or do what they would like because I would be disappointed. In fact, I'd really rather not have to burden you with this...
She looked at me, then smiled. Beh sze, there is also a matter of pride. It is said that we glow our brightest when we are driven by others. You cannot fight off the pokemon who would seek to kill you. In that way, you are weak. You protect my dreams but I need to protect your body so that we can both continue walking forward! She gave me a hopeful look as she asked this.
Rather, I could feel her conviction.
With a smile, I simply nodded, my assent given, all of us began eating. Asa this time had chosen to sit between us. Since she had been spending so much time with us lately, it was suspected that she was beginning to form a familial bond with us. Over the past month, her behavior has in fact changed. Where she was energetic but lacked focus, lately she has begun to emulate us in many ways. Much, actually, to the Matriarchs chagrin in my case.
Our nightly dances, in that regard, have been joined by her tiny form.
It was difficult at first though. When Aria and I conducted these dances, in a very real sense, the two of us were connecting our hearts and allowing a free exchange of emotion. This... had a tendency to escalate rather quickly. See, in that state, our deeper, baser instincts were also at work. Our curiosities at first ended up dominating the structured form at a point which resulted in... extra dancing activities. When Asa joined us, the usual quiet was interrupted by the curious emotions of a third presence.
After that, we tended to not allow our emotional intertwining to progress so far in her presence.
I gave a light laugh as we talked about such trivialities over our dinner. The dances Aria passed along to Asa were, after all, very important. Inevitably, Aria and I would depart, of that the te ze was certain. When we did, Asa would have to take on that role. She was, in a very real sense, learning how to become a teacher from Aria.
After we had finished our meal, Aria and I walked out into the clear night. It looked to be another full moon tonight. Which was good, to be frank, after the first time, I looked forward to full moons. Especially this one.
Low murmuring drew our attention away from the moons heavenly glory and onto more mundane matters. Our attention shifted to the new campsite, recently erected with 3 tents that were standard dome styles and a wall tent, resembling the one I had been using before the attack. Those three dome tents were arranged in a cross shape with the wall tent at one end. Aside from that, I could see a larger solar power generator was erected. By larger I mean that this one had 6 panels, all one meter by one meter, all secured to the ground on a gimballed tripod system that used small amounts of electricity to drive rotors to keep them aligned with the sun. By rough estimate, the meter panels had to easily be putting out 300 watts per panel. That meant that 1.2 KW of power per hour could be produced.
1.2 KW... That was a lot of power. Then it occurred to me: that satellite dish outside of the wall tent, along with a peculiar pole structure roughly 50 meters further away from the camp (And away from our te ze) all wired back to the generator system. They had a VSAT communication system as well as the equipment set up already. I was honestly impressed by their efficiency. A VSAT terminal is a miniature dish that is aligned with a geostationary satellite in orbit. Using a Ku band transponder, it has the capability to achieve 2048Mbps data rates. This is a standard EPT telecommunications standard for transmitting vital data along with telemetry data back to ground sites from various field sites. Occasionally, you would find a more complex one which uses MPEG encoding and HLV forwarding systems, but using an RTP protocol as a baseline carrier in a secondary channel, 22 channels can be allocated to transmitting data. All in all, serious equipment with a lot of power.
The other equipment... Well, Aria and I would have to find out later I guess. What was really pressing though was what was actually going on.
The three of them were sitting around a small campfire, engaged in discussion.
"I like how he doesn't even think it's wrong" Dr. Freeman said simply.
I tilted my head. Confusion was apparent on both of our faces, but especially noticable on mine.
Let's go see what they're talking about... I urged My ses frau.
"Well why would he? He was never around pokemon as a child. He doesn't know how they are seen. To him if it reasons like us, if it talks like us, and walks on two legs, there's no reason not to see it the same as us" Dr. Krafft said.
I'm not too certain... I don't know if we want to hear this... Aria said, her hesitation emphasizing her anxiety at knowing what their true thoughts about us were.
"Well if your university ever hears of this..." Professor Sycamore stated.
"He will be disbarred for good yes we know. I'm thinking about convincing them to let him set up a research outpost and keep funding allocated just for one person. That way he doesn't cause a scene..." Dr. Krafft replied.
Slowly, the two of us finally began to approach. Due to their positioning, until we were about 8 feet away, we likely would not be noticed. Our feet carried us lightly across the field, the sound of their voices growing ever louder.
"Still, the entire time we've been carrying on like this. He doesn't even realize pokephillias perception. Why did you two keep silent about this?" Dr. Freeman pushed.
"Why the hell should we? Did you see the way those two act? I've seen the occasional kid get all twisted up over his pet gardevoir, but can you honestly say that he's really pushing her into this? If anything, I'd say it was her leading him on" Professor Sycamore replied.
"I kept quiet because, to be honest, it's none of my damn business. I just worry about his future.." Dr. Krafft replied.
I couldn't help but to smile. That's Dr. Krafft for you! The man knew that the situation was more complex than Dr. Freeman was making it sound. My pride caused Aria to give me a curious look.
See? Like a father figure! He understands what's going on! I said.
"Of course you would. The damn kid sees you as his dad. In fact, I bet if you said something to him he would seriously try to break it off."
"Don't you tell me what to do you stoic atom watching half wit. " Dr. KRafft suddenly snapped.
"Hey you two. The real concern is making sure that Tennyson doesn't come down here and cause trouble. That's the entire reason we are here anyways..."
"Well still, I didn't... I mean, I should have seen this coming when I read that he stayed. But.. what the hell even is this?" Dr. Krafft said.
"Well, that's been bugging me to be honest... See, in the kids who seem to fall for their gardevoir, the whole issue really seems to spring from psychological dependence and the Gardevoir coming to see their captors as saviors of a sort. They capture them, give them an easy life, they grow quickly, develop their powers, become strong. The whole time there is this kid helping them through it all. The kid becomes more attracted to them because of that latent Elektra complex that most boys had. However, while she helped him out, there was something going on before. As I reread the notes leading up to the attack, that could be seen..."
"Well that's just it! What caused him to go so wrong?" Dr Krafft asked.
"I kind of wish he kept a separate set of notes. Your universities regulations for what can and cannot go into field notes leaves much to be desired. In fact, wasn't that part of the problem to begin with? If he was allowed to keep better, more situation oriented notes, you could probably have let him include transcripts of the first real contact made between them!"
Professor sycamore lapsed into silence as Dr. Krafft broke open a bottle of beer, then began to sip at it. The silence began to protract as it appeared as though none were certain about how to proceed.
"You could just ask you know" I suddenly spoke up.
Upon saying those words, Aria and I walked up to the campfire. She continued holding my hand while I placed my free one on my waist.
"Ah, Rowan we didn't know you could hear us..." Dr. Freeman said.
"We are sitting in the middle of a field, in the middle of the night, with nothing else around us but some trees and gardevoir who use telepathy to speak instead of primarily vocalized sounds. Suffice to say, there isn't much to drown you out" I replied.
"Well, look it's just that.." Dr. Krafft began.
"You realize that what you are doing is a violation of not only dbp code but also your universities regulations right?" Professor Sycamore asked suddenly.
"Codes that pre-supposed that humans were the smartest species and obviously knew what was best for fully sentient and rational beings. Sounds like certain laws we had on the books in the past concerning other people." I said in a very pointed manner.
It was obvious at that point what I meant.
"Look, against the law or not, the fact remains that the two of us wanted this. She approached me, She initiated contact with me, we both began to communicate, we both felt attraction as a function of that. Our falling in love was serendipitous in a way. Illegal? Sure, why the hell not? But that's just it. We both want this. Besides, what changes laws? Facts right?"
"Well yes sure but..." Dr. Krafft began.
"Well the current facts we have are woefully outdated. We see gardevoir as being tied only to their emotions. The current view attributes them no advanced reasoning skill. Yet look at where we are! We have a settlement of them, a clear structure, primary interest in a basic social structure, a teacher for crying out loud! Advanced mythology and cultural traditions. The only thing that separates them from us is .6%. So, either A, we revise our laws based upon what the facts say. Or B we ignore the fac-"
"Don't you realize who you pissed off?!" Dr. Freeman said.
"Of course I do!" I suddenly exclaimed.
Beh sze, calm down... you are starting to feedback... Aria suddenly said, though I realized I was growing too angry to really care at this point.
"I pissed off a guy who is so stuck up with pride over his own research that he doesn't even want to consider the fact that he is wrong!" I angrily said.
"You should have tried a different approach!" Dr. Freeman suddenly said.
"Different approach? Like what? Walk in there, have her just link to each and every one of you at once and explain in detail? The best I can do is present my findings! If they're wrong, someone else should be able to test my theories!"
"The only ones who would are perverts" Dr Freeman said.
"Oh? So now I'm a pervert. First unprofessional was enough to condemn me because we don't want to think outside of the box but now I'm a pervert?! Do you think I walked out here to just cruise for a ralts and raise it like one of his little trainers?" I asked then pointed to Professor Sycamore.
"Hey leave me out of this..." He said as he took a beer from Dr. Krafft.
I felt arias hand try to find mine, but I realized I had long since detached from her. Still, I could feel her trying to push through, but I felt offended, defensive, and invalidated. I didn't understand why, but I kept on.
"I bet you'd love for that wouldn't you? "Dr. Rowan is just some pervert. Don't listen to him, all he cared about was making love to his gardevoir. I'm the one who did the work" Wouldn't that be perfect? Sometimes it pisses me off when assholes like you walk over people and disregard their feelings just to promote yourself. "
Dr. Freeman stepped forward, threatening to reach across the fire and grab me.
"You little shit. The reason why I care is because I want you to succeed. I want you two to live happily. The problem is that you never once thought about what you were walking into. You had forgotten just why you're out here! You aren't here to become one of them. Yet look at you! You're thin enough that people wouldn't even notice if not for your skin tone and hair. But you sit here apparently completely happy to go on oblivious of the serious mistakes you are making by just sitting here and not worrying about the fact that unless if the review board decides your insights are sufficient to keep you on, you stand to lose your career. But you don't care do you? You don't care about the fact that your career now hangs in the balance. You just care about that gardevoir and her little friends back there. Your priorities have been screwed up since the day you woke up from your attack. You were meant to observe and that's it. Not become one of them. Your experiment failed that day. Now I will allow that you were able to gain critical new insights, but from the very get go, you should have framed your presentation to best represent those insights! Yet all you did was trying to downplay your failings. Until you get it through your head that you failed yourself and the university, you can just go back to screwing that Gardevoir all you want."
Suddenly, he turned then walked away.
I could feel my frustration still simmering. I wanted to continue this, but I suddenly became very aware of a very strong presence in my mind.
Strong presence is... putting it lightly. Rather, I was feeling my own anger being reflected back towards me.
Startled, I turned my attention to Aria who was looking at me with intense eyes. Without a word, she pulled me to her, then I felt the world close in around us. I felt as though my entire being had been compressed into an infinite point, then suddenly expanded again. I felt ta sudden rush of perception. The wind in the trees, the dappled moonlight, the effects of gravity threatening to pull me downwards as I felt my legs suddenly try buckling, her scent as she continued holding me close.
We had teleported.
Truth be told, this is the first time I had ever seen her use that ability.
Calm yourself beh sze. She suddenly said.
Her red eyes pierced into mine as I realized that my breathing was accelerated. I could feel a slow volley of ever-increasing anger. No, it was more than anger. I felt embarrassed, humiliated, anxious, incensed, frustrated. All of these. They were wrestling for control and dominance and my breathing was not slowing down at all.
How can I? After all he said?! Of course I know the experiment failed! Doesn't he realiz-
BEH SZE CALM DOWN BEFORE YOU BEGIN FALLING! She suddenly shouted in my mind.
The force of her words took me by surprise. The emotional imprint left me momentarily blinded with a headache as my mind suddenly found itself trying to make sense of everything. I became aware, at that point, of just how garbled my thoughts were becoming.
I felt her tiny hands clench my arms as if to steady me. I looked up at her then realized that there was one emotion I was feeling strongest of all.
Fear.
What's happening to me? I feel like I'm having a panic attack or something... I suddenly said.
Your feeding back your emotions towards yourself. Your anger at how he treated you and I is threatening to slip out of control. Look at me. Look at my eyes and focus. She said rather forcefully.
I looked into her eyes, then began to be aware of how calm she seemed in comparison.
Let me calm you. She said simply.
Suddenly, I felt my eyes grow heavy as I was suddenly inundated in a wave of peacefulness. I felt my arms go limp as her emotions intruded into my own, slowly pulsing my anger away.
He's right you know? I found myself saying in a somewhat defeated tone, I can't go back. Not anymore. No matter what my research could do, no matter what it could do for Gardevoir in general, it's irrelevant now. Because I let my feelings interfere, because I acted on my feelings for you and stayed, there is no way that I can present my findings and expect someone not to call me biased. All I wanted was to understand Gardevoir... you... better. However, in doing so, I screwed up all chances of it making a lick of difference. Take a good hard look at me. Your Beh Sze is something of a failure.
I wasn't entirely sure why I said that. It just kind of erupted. The sudden tailing off of emotions left me drained mentally. I found that whatever I felt would just freely flow.
You aren't a failure. I kn-
hold on, before you say anything, just know that I know that I've done good here...
I wasn't finished She squeaked out. Her expression intensified.
You aren't a failure. I know that what you did was important. I could feel your pride when you talk about what you did at that university. However, what I do know is that you feel as if you have failed because you approached it from one perspective and that failed. When you began learning our ways, it was only after just watching left you more confused that you began to approach your understanding of me differently. That day when I came to you while you hid in your box, you expressed your desire to understand me. Not our te ze so much, but me. When we shared our emotions, you experienced a sense of similarity for a reason. Remember what that reason was?
We are both eager, curious people... I said. I shook my head, then made to sit down. It's more than that though. We wanted to know more about each other. But not for the reasons we presented. It wasn't me just trying to learn about Gardevoir. It was understanding why you were so fearless and wanted to seek my companionship. You weren't trying to learn why I was watching you. You were wondering why I hid when I could have walked out. We are both just trying to understand our similarities while trying to negotiate our differences.
She smiled. Our hands found one another as an emotional bond began to form again.
More importantly than that, I honestly thought you were attractive. Just don't tell that Freeman guy that. She said with a small smile.
I paid closer attention to you because of your hair coloration. I found myself blurting out. It's a favorite color of mine. It reminds me of this memory... heck, it's probably just a dream. But I'm floating just beneath the surface of the water. It's hot and the water itself is cool. But everything is the color of your hair, yet I didn't feel afraid. I felt... comforted.
She giggled then ran her free hand through her hair as I said that. It's actually considered unattractive unless if you are one of the odd ones. What do humans call them? When they are entirely different than usual?
What? You mean the genetic mutation shiny? That's seen as albinism but is valued by collectors. I said with honest surprise.
That's the one. While they are not really well liked by males, they tend to be seen as closest to the spirits. But unless if you are one of them, different colors means you are not as well liked. She admitted.
Well... you know what I think I said.
With a smile, she looked me over one last time, then finally asked.
Do you feel better now?
I considered her words for a moment, then looked around. Things were...more vivid than usual. The moon seemed brighter. Her white skin seemed more porcelain like than usual, the slightest rustling was clearly audible. Further, if I really focused, I could just about feel her...
Um... I think something is wrong. I admitted.
She exuded waves of worry as I tried to focus on the sensation.
Everything is... sharp. I'm just more hyper aware than I usually am. That's the best way to describe it. I confessed to her.
With a vocalized laugh following by a gentle humming noise, I felt her arms wrap around me as I was pulled into a hug.
It's just the effects of your feedback. Since you are heavily tied into your emotions now, a side effect is that when you have moments like this, everything tends to be different for a while.
I gave a nod while giving a nervous laugh I'm not going to grow a horn and have to wear a dress all the time am I?
With a laugh that seemed to ring like bells, she gave great pleasure at the thought. Oh I would certainly hope not. But we will see. No matter what, remember that you aren't alone. Your anger is mine and vice versa.
I gave a slight nod. I realized in that moment that I tried to take on too much alone when Freeman and I got into our fight. I tried to keep it about me, but really, it was just as much about the woman sitting in front of me. It was stupid of me really. She was truly the most important person in my life. I could not just try to fight alone. We aren't people who need protecting. We are people who need to stand side by side when we need to fight. We help one another, but we do so with mutual respect and love.
By the way I suddenly said, breaking our momentary reverie, Where the hell are we?
She looked around for a moment, then smiled. She stood up quickly, then gently tugged on my arms. Almost too quickly, I found myself on my feet and being led along by her. Within seconds I found myself standing in a field. The full moon was still high in the sky and I could make out hedges and flower beds. Further along was an occasional person walking along. They had a sense of boredom mixed with nervousness at traveling during the night. However, other than that person, we were empty.
Then, it occurred to me.
This is where you and that woman met Asa. Aria said as she led me slowly over to the flower patch, then fell down into them.
I fell down next to her. My body kicked up a few loose petals that fluttered in the gentle night wind. With our bodies touching, I realized that this was the most isolated we had been in a fair few days. I felt regret that we had to escape in a fit of anger just to find some needed solitude. I wrapped one arm around her shoulders. Her smaller hand reached up to my chest, then held onto me as we both fell backwards to lay in the flowers themselves.
Above us, the Milky way shone the brilliant backbone of night. Casting the gentlest light that accentuated perfectly the new atmosphere we seemed to find ourselves in.
We find ourselves back here a lot these days... I suddenly said.
I think it's because when I grabbed you, I was thinking of a happy place that we could get calmed down. She said.
We? I asked.
She gave a bashful look as she played at the flower with her unoccupied hand.
It's... hard not to be affected when my bhe sze is about to cause both of us to feedback. She admitted.
In that moment, I felt guilty.
I'm sorry... I'm sorry I let my emotions begin getting out of control. I'm... not used to such surges. How do you even control it when so much piles on at once?
She gave a small smile If you had been born a ralts, it would have been a normal part of your life. In fact, you'd have been taught how to by someone like me. I keep forgetting that unlike me, you didn't grow up with so many emotions ruling your life. She said.
No, you were able to pull me back before it got too bad. I can never thank you enough for that I said.
She looked away, then she tilted her head against mine. Her extended lobes tickled against my ears. The three points eventually burying themselves into my hair. I suppressed a small laugh. The sensation left me aware that my skin was more sensitive than I originally thought.
You know though. She said after a while of us just sitting here.
Yeah what?
She grinned as she suddenly rolled onto her side, gently tugging my arm to pull me to face her.
We've become closer... I have never felt this way with anyone. So for that, I am happiest. She said.
As the night overtook us, we eventually returned to our te ze.
By the time we had gotten back, the fire over at the other camp site had died down and the others had gone to bed. We found ourselves to be the only ones awake as we slipped into our shared bed that night. Even though we could have stayed there longer that night, falling asleep in each others arms, sharing a dream that neither of us remembered the next morning seemed the closest we had ever been in our lives.
A/N: And that's this chapter. I've set up a few things for the coming chapters, and I have begun bringing things mentioned in the past back into play. There is a lot that needs to be resolved and tended to over the next 6 chapters. However, as I began escalating Dr. Freemans and Rowans argument, I suddenly felt like they needed to duke this out right then and there. Rowan needed to understand that yes, he was in fact wrong. So I had fun going back and adding in little things after the fact. However, the entire wording of the argument was very organic in its nature.
The idea has humorously occurred to me to make rowan go full gardevoir, but I really wanted to just toss little things that suggest fridge horror. However, I'm not really sure why something like that would be needed. So, more than anything, whenever I call attention to that, I'm suggesting the reader go back and look at something a little closer.
The next 2 chapters will bring back a form of field notes. Rather, I wanted to describe from an objective standpoint observations about what is going to happen after having it be described. The reason for everyones presence is really obvious by now~ Not everyone has pure intents.
This chapter was for the most part done on Thursday, but I think I added a quarter of it within the last few hours. I wanted to thank another author DrVillain2654 gave me a flash of insight that shifted the story slightly. I wanted to bring a little more dialouge into play that is fridge in nature. We've come to a series of conclusions about what can be done and what is just too...tropey. So thanks to him for giving me some ideas.
The next chapters... well I can't wait to write them. I'm going to do a main story conclusion around 20 or 21. Then do up a special report like write up. Like one would see in the national geographic, that summarizes the events but also compendiums the essential ralts line.
To be honest, this is the furthest I have gotten in writing in well over 8 years. I'm impressed that I'm still going. I look forward to riding this train to completion!
Dani