Cygnus.
After the incident with the car, Aria Shii and I found ourselves at the Pokemon research center where Sycamore currently served as head.
Our hands found each other as we walked into the massive building.
Upon entering, we found ourselves in the lobby of a rather opulent looking building. The decor was very much nuvou rich but had a sort of modesty to it. As if Sycamore had come from money, but used decoration to suit his prime purpose. A receptionist looked up, then tilted her head. Three Gardevoir walking in must have seemed exceptionally unusual to her to warrent an expression like that. I felt myself come up short, then give an apologetic smile to her as she suddenly spoke up.
"Oh, are you the Gingkos? Here to see Augustine?" She asked.
Shii began to speak up, but was silenced by me cutting her off, then rapidly beginning to talk.
"Yeah, that's right" I said hurridly.
A roil of disappointment emanated from Shii, indicating her displeasure at being able to correct the woman. While she spoke to us, letting us know the directions to his office, I could feel Aria mentally chastizing Shii for wanting to correct the receptionist. The Gist of her rebuke was that it didn't really matter all that much and that the woman was simply trying to do her job.
After departing and following the womans instructions, we found ourselves in a rather ornate, open office, where Augustine Sycamore was currently engaged in discussion with 5 youths. They all looked to be around 13 or 15... or so I thought, and they all seemed to be engaged in a discussion about their findings. Apparently, one was working on a pokedex completion, one was cataloging difference dance types and had made great progress... or something, while the other 3 seemed engaged in a mixed discussion about their travels and league challenges. Had we really been interested, we would likely have caught their names. However, to us, it was irrelevant really.
They had their tasks... we had our upcoming one.
As the 5 departed, one, a brown haired girl wearing a black dress and a red felt cap, stopped then examined us for a moment. She suddenly smiled brightly before she went along her way after a kid in a tracksuit with black hair called after her.
Arias hand slipped into mine as the sound of the elevator closing indicated we were once again alone with Augustine, who looked at us with an encouraging smile. In the time we had come to know him, we three realized that the expressions genuinely matched the emotions he felt at any given time, thus we were rather relieved to see such a placating smile.
"Isn't it great?" he asked, "seeing kids so eager to continue working even after their big adventure is done? One of them was the one who stopped the ultimate weapon a few years back believe it or not."
I looked in the direction they had gone, then smirked wryly. So that's what this was all about.
"You see" Augustine continued "when they were experimenting on fairy types, many Gardevoir were used and many died. You three kind of represent a sense of hope for them. Pokemon, and people, who have a new hope now that we have control of our own fates and do not have to suffer the sense of entitlement the previous generations carried."
I nodded for a moment, then looked at Aria. The Matriarchs mental words rang in my head as I considered his words. The hope of a new future... Aria and her mate. Was it possible that the Te Ze we had come to adopt as our home was one directly affected? If so, the dimensions of her words took on a greater complexity than previously thought.
Arias hand danced in mine as we freely felt ourselves musing on the significance of those words. Aria and I were utterly unaware of what had transpired in the past... We were essentially part of the newer generation that could work beyond whatever had happened to the Te Ze... We were the beginning of something newer, and better, than what had transpired before.
"Nor do we, it seems.." I replied finally after I dwelt in that moment with Aria.
Sycamore gave me an appraising look, then finally nodded his head in agreement.
"Right you are. All that you have to do really is justify the changes in your method of study. Seeing as how this was a settlement that was affected by team flare, the consequences of you coming to live with them should be lessened, is how I would direct your argument."
Trouble filled me. I had never been before a board of review as my work to this point had been exemplary.
"Which is a problem. I've never been before a review. How should I filter what is important and what isn't?" I asked.
Augustine suddenly broke out into a wide smile, then shook his head comfortingly.
"Oh, I wouldn't worry too much about that. Just present your findings and how the initial results were hampered by non interference. The results of your cultural education studies alone is your biggest justification. " He replied.
"But what about Tennyson?" I asked furiously.
The memory of what kind of power he held over the committee came rushing back in cruel waves. Memories more laced with emotion than I ever rememebered them having before. A pulse of anger wretched in its fury threatened to overflow.
"Tennyson... you hate him don't you?" Aria suddenly asked.
In our conversation... I am regretful to admit that Arias mental presence, so normal now, had become almost an afternote of sorts. An assumed presence that like the gentle humm of the pulsing of blood, I had regrettably taken for granted. It evoked a sense of saddness from me, that I could momentarily forget someone so near to me due to my own errant emotions.
"Hate isn't the word I'd use. I feel some measure of fear of that man. He threatens everything that we are because of his own selfish ambitions..." I said.
"It's all the more reason that youn understand just what kind of sway he holds. " Aria gently chastised, "If you loose sight of this during the board, he might use it against you"
I glanced down at my hands. This was... They were both seeking to have me mentally ready for the upcoming board. Their intents were so focused on my well being that I entirely misinterpreted the intention.
"You're right... " I muttered.
Aria giggled, then pulled me closer to her. She turned ever so slightly so that our cores graced one another. The calming sensation that she brought forth sent dazzling waves of joy through me.
"As a Gardevoir, we must always be aware and in control of our emotions. We feel things on levels that humans cannot imagine or comprehend. As you've discovered... that brings with it other consequences. As long as I'm here... I'll never let you forget that." She said whilst we shared that enrapturous moment.
Just as it had ended, the feeling subsided as she parted. This was equivalent to a light peck on the cheek for Gardevoir. Just shy of a full emotional kiss that was unlike anything humans ever shared. Still, the effect was the same. Powerful and yet calming at the same time.
I looked at her for a moment, a moment I wish could have continued had it not been interrupted by the soft cough of Sycamore.
With embarrassment that we forgot him in that moment, we both jerked apart slightly, though our hands remained in close contact.
"Quite done then?" He asked with a smirk in place, which demonstrated he was more amused by the process than anything.
Later in the evening, Aria Shii and I found ourselves in front of the door to my old apartment. A conversation about where we would be saying had arose, and while Sycamore had offered the use of the Lab for the next few days, I felt it fitting that we would at least stop by my apartment before making our decision.
Things... were unchanged in the 3 months I had been gone. The decor was spartan really. A few plants that were on automated watering systems, a couple of bookshelves which held the extensive research material I had accumulated over the years, a few chairs, a couch, and a rather spartan kitchen. As we stood there at the doorway looking over the place, Aria spoke up and voiced what we were both thinking.
"I guess i shouldn't be surprised that it's so empty..." She said.
"Well... I didn't have much to begin with..." I admitted sheepishly.
About the only thing of interest was a few photographs and a fossil collection I had on display. The photographs showed Maurice, Katia, and I on the slope of a volcano with Rick Hobblitt, a noted volcanologist. Others were of various people working, and still a third one sat far removed from the small display.
Sitting modestly on the sitting room table was a picture of my old family. Faded with age, it was a snapshot of the three of us on a beach when I was exceptionally young. It couldn't have been long before the pokemon incident that sparked their divorce. It was a sunny day, though we had somehow managed to capture the impressive clouds of a far off thunderstorm, which gave the picture a more expansive feeling than the self contained moment suggested.
Aria walked over, then picked it up. Her red eyes flicked as a moment of nostalgic happiness came over her... It was a feeling I was surprised she was feeling...
We never really spoke of her parents...
"You all look so happy in this moment.." Aria said as she held the picture up to me.
I walked over, then took the picture from her. My eyes glanced over the scenery as the emotions of that day... so long removed from my life now, momentarily came back.
"We had gone to the beach. Dad had gotten a promotion so we actually travelled to the resort by train... I remember I was so excited because it was the first time I had ever used a train. When we got there, we just played all day in the water and in the sand... I was so happy.."
Aria hummed as I explained the moment.
"That was the last time you three were all together wasn't it?" She asked.
"Yeah it was. I haven't seen my Dad since the fight and Mom... well she passed away from an illness after the fight between them..." I responded.
"Have you ever thought about getting in contact with him again?" Aria asked with a level of insistence I had not heard from her in some time.
"No not really. We never got along to begin with and... well I cannot say I love him anymore. Not after what he did to mom and me... those weren't actions of a loving father...I don't think he ever really saw me as his son. Like I was some stranger who his wife just happened to have..."
Aria looked downcast at my answer. Some...memory had stirred a sense of saddness in her. I would find out later though, that the memory was actually one of my own, transferred to he during my third night of unconciousness. It was a long suppressed memory and exemplified just what differences there were between the me of then and the me of now. I had no way of knowing it at the time, but on a certain night a few months ago, Aria relieved me of that trauma. Standing silouetted by the fading light of day, she looked as alien yet as elegant as an angel... yet besought by a mournful expression.
"My Ses Ain and Be Ka sent me away when I became a gardevoir. 'To help your mic tem grow' They said. I so wanted to stay with them... Since we were in a bigger Tet Ze, Father had the opportunity to be in posession of a dawn stone, but decided against it when he met Ses Ain... The feeling of having to walk away until I was fully an adult in their eyes was a painful moment. I would have given anything to stay with them..." Her expression lingered fo a moment before she then turned her gaze upon me.
"But then, I'd never have met you Beh Sze!"
I gave a small smile as she said that. Our eyes met in the dying light, her cherry red eyes seemed to draw me in. Yet, despite the intoxicating appeal, an Idea occurred to me.
"How about we go visit them once this is over? No matter what happens, I want to meet your ses ain and Be ka"
Arias smile became radiant as I made that casual suggestion. She all but skipped across the room to grasp my hand in hers. Her eyes met mine as she gave me a searching, hopeful look.
"Really Beh? You'd really do that for me?" She asked excitedly.
I suddenly felt the weight of her question strike me. Yet, where there could have been hesitancy in the past, I felt only resolve.
"Of course. The three of us shall go" I replied more than happily.
The joy that Aria felt was contagious. It seeped through our bond and filled the very essence of my being in its luminous splendor. Her arms encased me there in my old Apartment and I knew that these next few nights would be the last time I would ever stay here. This apartment was as alien to me now as Gardevoir culture had been when I first began this study. In that embrace, in a way, I stopped being just Rowan Gingko the researcher. I was Beh Rowan Mitt Gingko. The Gardevoir.
The next day...
With the dawning of the new day, Aria and I found ourselves waking up slowly in my old bed. Our bodies were entangled as the previous night had brought us to that point. However, despite the lingering ecstasy we felt, there was worry that began to press in. In a few hours, we would be before the committee and I would have to defend my actions.
I pulled myself ever so gently away from Aria, then looked at her in the morning light. The gentle rays of the sun cast her body in a spectacular silouette that left her feeling more ethereal than real. Her head turned to look upon me, then smiled as she brought the sheet up to her chest, then clutched it to her.
"Beh sze, I was just thinking... that this could be a very comfortable bed... yet also alien. did you always sleep in it like this?" She asked.
"Yes, though the comfort of the bed never was an issue to me... right now... it feels very soft, but... " I trailed off as I searched for the right word.
"Like it belongs to someone else entirely" She asked.
I gave a small nod, "I am used... to our bed... in our Te Ze... It is more comforting than this could ever be..."
Aria giggled a light, bell like, giggle, then gently tugged on my bare arm, pulling me subtly closer, "That is because our bed has more good emotions connoted to it than this ever will... " She suddenly gave it an intense studying gaze before she looked back at me.
"What will happen to this place? Will we move here after the hearing?" She quizzically asked.
There was no pause in my actions as I vigorously shook my head in denial. Rapidly so.
"No... I suppose I will sell this stuff off. We have no need for it in our te ze" I said as I moved closer to her, then pulled her into my arms. My anxiety was on full display, yet the discussion seemed to take a small amount of edge off of that anxiety, allowing it to exist as a form of nervousness that seemed present, yet envigorated me to be ever more protective of the ones I held dearest. The relief was comforting in that moment, though through our bond, I knew that she was reluctant to just go along with my idea. This was made all too clear as she gently nudged my body so that I turned slightly.
"I don't know," She said as I realized her eyes were travelling over a few trinkets on shelves "Why not take a few things with us when we leave? They are important parts of your life, even if they no longer are needed aren't they? Don't you feel an emotional connection to those photographs and books which gave you the knowledge that helped to let you see the world in a swirl of emotions? To see the world as a Gardevoir"
My thoughts spun to a halt. I... hadn't considered the emotional attachment those memories and keepsakes held for me. Sure, they were small things for the most part and could be taken with us, save for the books. But... was I really that willing to just cast off my past with no thoughts to the contrary? My surprise mixed with the growing confusion but was short circuited by a flowing sense of relief and reassurance from Aria. She happily detached from my arms, then picked up an Omanyte fossil that was on display, then held it out for me to see.
"You see, as Gardevoir, we are entirely in the here and now. While we are forward looking beings, the moment and the full experience of it define our existence as much as the bonds we share. Your mind has been becoming more Gardevoirian in the past few months... so it is no surprise that you didn't even realize that such a change had happened. Though, it's important to have those things in your life that can serve as a reminder of who you are. They are lessons that we carry with us throughout our lives and help to shape our experiences."
Aria gave me a kind smile as I reached out, then took the Fossil from her. In a flash, I remembered my freshman year of college in my historical Geology course. Where we had gone into the mountains and learned about the geology and history of those mountains. It was cold and snowy that day, yet I was one of the few people who was adequetly dressed and used to such... uncomfortable conditions. I briefly earned the nickname of "The Skiddo" due to how inclined I was to go climbing seemingly difficult stone facies with apparent ease. I had crested the top of one small overhang and as I leaned against an outcrop, I ended up knocking a chunk of stone away. In that stone, was a very well preserved Helix fossil which I later identified as being an Omanyte fossil.
A feeling of contentment spread from me as I recalled that moment. It seemed so long ago now, yet the feelings of that day came through to my mind exceptionally clear.
"You see?" She asked.
I palmed the Fossil, then gently placed it back on the shelf before I finally turned back to face her, then offered a small smile of understanding.
"I do, but let's be honest. The furniture has to go. I don't think we need a couch and a coffee table out in the Tet Ze." I replied jokingly.
Her point was well made, and as we moved together to embrace, the reassurance had by then entirely replaced the anxiety. Even though I was a few hours away from the hearing, I felt refreshed and enlivend. A sense of ennervation and eagerness began to grow in the void left by the sensation of anxiety andfilled me with a feeling of confidence. For a brief moment, I forgot that I was supposed to be afraid or even worried about the Tennyson matter. My perspective changed enough in the last few months that I knew that I could only go in there and show them precisely how this shift in perception helped my understanding of Gardevoir.
At 12pm the Ethics committe had convened. For Aria and I, this meant that we were taken to a lecture hall on campus in the natural sciences department. As classes had not begun yet, there were no students and thus no classes that were being interrupted. So, as the two of us entered the lecture hall, we were surprised to find that there were a fair few people already on hand. At the front of the lecture hall, seated before a few tables with stacks of paper at 5 positions, were heads of the department, the Dean Matt Teague, Vice Dean James Wylder, my advisor Rick Krane, Tennyson, and Martin Rayburn, the ethics head. Aria and I found that two chairs and a desk had also been set out for us. Shii, on the other hand, was directed to sit in the front row, where Maurice And Dr. Freeman were also sitting.
There was murmurs as my appearance was taken in. By contrast to how I left the place a few months ago, I was much thinner and very pale. My face was rounder though, which seemed odd to them no doubt, and despite the best work I could do with my hair style, it was clear that my hair seemed less naturally colored than it used to be. Most striking, no doubt, were my eyes. The normal coloration had been subverted with an increasing range of hues that shifted more towards red. If it weren't for my clothing of choice, one of the few suits I owned, perhaps the assembled members of the committe and the people sitting in observation would have already figured out what was really going on. Instead, my advisor Rick Krane simply gave me a worried look before asking his own question off the record.
"You ok there Gingko? You look sick and pale. If you want, we can reschedule this..." Worry was evident. I considered him enough of a friend that the emotional bond we shared was enough for me as a new Gardevoir, to pick up on his emotional state.
"No, " I said, "It's just this light I think" I added the most reassuring smile I could before the sound of Dr. Tennyson coughing seemed to cut through the din.
As the noise settled down, Matt Teague, the Dean, spoke up.
"I would like for it to be entered onto record that as we begin this hearing, I would like to understand exactly-and I thought I did but I am not so sure that I do any more-understand the future plans of the committee are today, and tomorrow. Could you, Dr. Wylder, explain those as far as they are known at this time?"
I gave a mental groan that Aria picked up on. Her hand subtly traversed the inch or two seperating our hands, then took my palm in hers. Through this, I felt her question of what I was groaning over clearly. My lip twitched as I communicated annoyance at how there was so much that they did which was more for beuracracy than actual fact finding.
After I had communicated that, Dr. Wylder spoke up.
"We have to finish with this board today, the intent is simply a review of evidence concerning allegations of professional mismanagement and failure to adhere to ethics committee regulations concerning the observation and documentation of field subjects. This examination is meant to determine if Doctor Gingko violated the terms of his field study and compromised data, or if his actions were justified based upon the situation as it is outlined and substantiated in his medical evaluation. Further, we will be hearing testimony from a Doctor Gordon Freeman of the Lambda institute describing the justification clauses. Finally, we will have Professor Sycamore go onto record concerning data integrity allegations. Officially, we will be examining whether Doctor GIngkos actions satisfy the sentient observation statute laid out by the Kalos congressional institute. In order to accomplish this, we will take his testimony, then cross examine his reports to determine whether his field data was compromised. This will consist of interviews of not only him, but also of a one "Aria" a Gardevoir who is capable of sentient communication, as well as a "Shii" who is also a Gardevoir, who was tasked by a Doctor Gordon Freeman to substantiate Doctor Gingkos examination of Behavioral characteristics."
Dr. Tennyson then spoke up, going on record as he turned to Dr Wylder.
" Would it bo possible for the individual members to ask additional questions of the subjects being interviewed"
Dr Wylder examined a few sheets of paper, then nodded before he answered.
"It will be possible for individual menbers to ask any witness and the committee will decide whether we want it to be entered into the record or not based upon relevance."
Dr. Tennyson seemed to grin despite the professional setting before the Dean then spoke up once more.
"As this is an investigation panel, I wanted to first begin by asking you a few questions on your final write up of behavioral dynamics. I want you, Dr Gingko, to begin by describing what your observations before interaction and after interaction with the Gardevoir you were tasked to study revealed. More specifically, I would like you to describe how your conclusions about questions you set out to answer were shaped by your interactions with the subjects in question. I understand that you were also seriously injured and that this was part of how you came to live with them. So let's begin by addressing your mission objectives, what were they? And how were you supposed to accomplish them?"
Teagues old eyes sparkled slightly as he asked that question. From what I knew of the Dean, he was forever a curious old man who seemed to be fascinated by the many different research programs that were coming out of the University, so it came as no surprise to me to find that the curiosity that he held was mixed with an actual eagerness to learn my own objectives and discoveries.
I slowly stood up, though my hand was still being clutched by Arias. In this way, she was also able to understand what they were saying. It also had the effect of providing me with a sort of comfort that kept me from feeling the creep of nervousness.
"Thank you Dr. Teague for asking that. My objectives were to Evaluate the Gardevoir and answer a simple question: Do Gardevoir have complex behavior that indicates an ordered social structure? If so, then what form of social structure exists, and how intricate is it? If not, then what conclusions can be drawn from behavior? My main objective was to observe and document individual behavior over time. How each member moved within the manifold of their territory, who did what, and what conclusions we could draw based upon their movements."
Dr. Wylder then spoke up.
"And based upon your initial observations, can you describe your initial hypothesis to us? "
"Initial observations revealed an ordered structure in which a group spatially organizes itself into what appeared at the time to be a family group. This was due to the actions each played in terms of that family group. Each had specific objectives for the day that had to be completed, and they seemed to share this responsibility, though I detected no clear pattern initially. From the outset, the initial conclusion was that this was a chaotic sense of self organization in which multiple variant clusters of data in hyperspace coalesce to produce systematic responses to external and internal stimuli. My hypothesis for the first few days was that the self organizing principles at play were entirely instinctual based upon genetic programming, and that they were much like instinctual pack predation means in Mankey groups."
Dr. Krane then spoke up.
"Before we continue, I just wanted you to describe your initial observational area and how it was utilized before your attack. I feel it is worth examination for later field examinations in which there could be a risk of attack by other wild pokemon and what can be done to prevent repeats of life threatening situations."
For a moment, the memories of the hide and the first few days came back to me. A warm sensation of joy passed between Aria and I as we both re-experienced that particular day, when we first met one another.
"The hide was a camoflaged system using a gille netting to disrupt profile and give the appearance of detritus. It was built into a natural low spot, that is to say a raised depression that lowered our silouette and provided concealment from the Gardevoir group. It was arranged at the downwind western corner of their indicated territory and thus initially out of their protected area. The camp was set a further 350 meters back from that, with a small rise between us and the hide to provide concealment of the base camp itself. The materials used in the hide were standard canvas and matte black aluminum cross struts to provide structural support. In our case, we also utilized nearbye foliage and detritus to enhance the concealment."
Dr. Krane gave me a knowing look before he continued.
"What I mean is, do you feel the equipment provided adequete defense against a potential attack?"
I grimaced internally as he asked that before giving a reluctant answer.
"Negative. It was designed for low risk observations in areas where major predators are not prevalent. The Santalune area was rated as high in bug, bird, and feline Pokemon, with the Gardevoir and Ralts subjects being the only higher tier pokemon thought to be located there. Surveys indicated a noted lack of major predators. Thus, given the survey results, it was a fair conclusion to interpret the supplies as being minimalist in physical harm protection. "
Dr. Krane nodded before Dr Teague spoke up again.
"That brings me to the the next question. Your report and medical examination indicate you were attacked. This happened shortly after you made contact with a Gardevoir inadvertantly. I would like details on the circumstances which resulted in contact with a wild Gardevoir and then your attack."
This was really the moment I had worried over. The first contact between Aria and I were really the initial bits which set off this entire circumstance. A chance glance perhaps...
No, I knew exactly what it was.
"The circumstances that led to first contact came 2 days before initial contact with the adult Gardevoir, known as Aria and sitting next to me by the way. Upon our arrival in the field site where we were to locate and track a target, Amelia, my assigned assistant for this mission, and I encountered a lone ralts, whom we later learned to be known as Asa who was playing in the field. Due to the suddenness of the encounter, were were unable to engage it as a trainer would normally. It had advanced, then seemingly hugged my leg. Afterwards, it engaged us directly. At that point, we were already engaged and thus unable to render the Ralts unconscious long enough to tag and track without being discovered. However, given the apparent friendliness, there seemed to be no danger."
Tennyson quickly spoke up as I said the word danger.
"No danger other than the matter of compromising your mission requirements. Am I incorrect?"
At this, I bristled slightly, only to be urged by Aria to maintain my composure.
"Mission requirements indicated that we should not attempt to change the situation if we can avoid it. As you are well aware, the Ralts evolutionary line has connections to emotions that extend into the higher harmonics of empaths. They are able to sense emotions and intent. If we had broken off and engaged the Ralts as instructed, then it would have returned and compromised the family unit. The family unit would grow defensive and seek to remove us as they would see us as threats. Thus, it was imperitive that we acted to ensure that we would not be targeted or hunted."
"And you think that is sufficient?" He snapped.
Annoyance flashed in me, but was deflected away, "I will not argue that I directly went against regulation at the time in that regard. However, the regulation indicated clearly that we were to not take action that would put us in unneccesary risk. For that reason, interaction with the Ralts was a better decision and had the higher chance for success of all other primary mission objectives." I said tersely.
Martin Rayburn suddenly spoke up.
"And through this interaction how was it perceived when Dr. Gingko entered entered into the Gardevoirs territory?" He asked with a curious air.
"Well I-" I began but was swiftly cut off.
"I was asking the Gardevoir you brought with you. She is one of the residents of the Settlement you were studying is she not? I find it curious that you bring a Gardevoir with you but she has not been given the opportunity to answer our questions. Especially if they are as sentient as you assert them to be. May we possibly hear what she has to say about this?" he asked.
I felt embarassment flood me as I realized Aria had indeed not been given the opportunity to speak. However, she stood up suddenly upon realizing the question was addressed at her.
Tennyson, on the other hand, suddenly sat back with a contented grin on his face. I realized that in this moment, he expected some kind of reaction from me that indicated she couldn't speak in a normal manner and thus was not qualifying of the exceptions that the regulations outlined. However, Aria, for her part, looked nonplussed. In fact, I felt a little nervousness as she fidgeted prior to answering. I turned my head to look at her with surprise and curiosity as she began to speak aloud in her native tongue.
"Shushefei raha Ses Asa, bugehei beh. Mic tem bugehei kefun shoui sho. Seo Ses Hermestas baguhei shushefei. vehgahe wejhi caimen caimwa squ faheiji" She said quite happily in both a telepathic voice as well as a spoken voice, sounding quite peculiar.
There was a commotion in the lecture hall as Aria spoke aloud. Her language... was never heard by humans save for the 5 of us in the room with her. Dr. Teague suddenly brought down a small gavel in an attempt to bring order to the room.
"Dr. Gingko" he said quietly as the din died down, "I am quite perplexed, that Gardevoir clearly just spoke to us, yet for the life of me, I could have sworn that was some form of language, would you care to explain?" He asked.
I stood up as well, then subtly placed her hand in my own. "The Gardevoir have a complex language in which emotional connotations are intricately woven into the fabric of how they enunciate. The sentance and grammatical structure shows a verb subject adverb and emotional connotation structure, for instance when certain emotions are invoked, usually associated with formality, a more complex structure is used, Instead of saying I am X the Gardevoir would then say "My due title, reflective of the heart that binds me to others is X" So Her name is Aria, in her language this would become "Ses Aria mitt Rupicola," Which breaks out to Ses being feminine in structure, Aria, mitt being the word structure for belonging to, Rupicola which is her family name."
"That would be Gingko beh sze..." Aria privately corrected me by reminding her that she had stopped belonging to the Guheja family name when our hearts connected.
I gave a slight blush but did not respond. The feeling of being flustered was apparently enough for her as a small pulse of joy sufficed to communicate the tiny victory she felt.
Dr Wylder began flipping through his stack of papers, then began flicking his eyes across the contents of whatever page was given.
"Dr. Tennyson, I couldn't help but to observe that you had failed to make note of this. Were you unable to establish a language structure in use by Gardevoir?" he asked.
In surprise, Tennyson looked down the row at Dr. Wylder before he hastily responded, "Gardevoir do not have a language structure. Examinations of their frontal lobe indicate that they don't have a well developed reasoning and speech system in place." He responded coldly.
Dr Teague gave a cough in annoyance before he responded "Dr. Tennyson, I think your research could stand review. Clearly the Gardevoir before us just spoke. A wild one nonetheless."
"For all we know it could very well be gobbledegook taught to it by Rowan here as a means of trying to trick us." He replied tersely.
Doctor Wylder nodded at this, then gave a look down the row at Dr. Kane, "Doctor Kane, if I recall right, you have a psychic type who is recognized for its exceptional I.Q. and ability to decipher patterns in almost real time. Is it possible then for you to utilize it to see if this is, in fact, a native tongue or just a construct?"
Tennyson had apparently not been expecting that. A look of dread filled his face but was quickly replaced with a poker face expression.
Dr Kane nodded, then withdrew a pokeball from his bag. He then pressed the activator button, revealing an Alakazam. Aria flinched from the use of the pokeball. To be fair though, she had never seen one before. Living in isolation meant that she was not entirely familiar with the ways of humans and the use of pokeballs was one such aspect of human culture that seemed to be mysterious to her.
The Alakazam gave an affectionate cry to Dr. Kane before Dr. Teague then spoke up.
"Let the records indicate that at 12:30 a pokemon was utilized by Dr. Kane to establish the validity of the Gardevoirs use of language. This will be entered into the record as an attempt to verify a claim made by Dr. GIngko."
Dr Kane repeated to the Alakazam what was about to happen. In that moment, I also explained to Aria what was to happen.
"What he's going to do is examine your mind briefly to ensure that what you say is in fact your words. While it can be insulting, we have to allow them to verify my claims independently. So please don't get upset at him alright?"
Aria looked at me as understanding flooded from her. "I understand Beh sze" She spoke to me telepathically.
The Alakazam then walked over, then placed its hand over her Mic tem. Instantly, I could feel the trepidation flow from her as worry gave rise to anxiety then coalesced into a feeling of revulsion that was soon quieted.
In an instant, I understood why.
Through my link with Aria, I too could feel the proing fingers of the Alakazams psychic probing of her mind. It felt foreign, as if hallways of memories were being pushed open freely with no real resistance. Manifolds were examined and exploited with nary a pause of consideration.
It felt like a violation...
After a few moments of this, the telepathic voice of the Alakazam boomed in the audiences mind.
"The female Gardevoir learned her native tongue at the age of 2 years. It has spoken it since."
Dr Teague was the first to recover from the mental assault that such powerful telepathy held.
"Let the records show that examination of the female Gardevoir found substantiation for Dr. GIngkos claims... "
Dr. Kane then turned to the other 4 then spoke.
"I would like to submit for the record that either Dr Gingko, the third Gardevoir, or the Alakazam should act as a translator for the duration of the Gardevoirs examination."
With 3 nods and a poker faced response, Dr. Kane then turned to me.
"Dr. Gingko, I would like for you to go ahead and act as translator for the Gardevoir. What precisely did she say just now?"
Fumbling at being addressed so suddenly, I thought for a moment about what she said, then responded.
"She said that 'When he showed understanding for the Child Ses Asa, his heart reflected no intent to do harm. He was allowed by Hermestas to remain and learn about us. He was received warmly and his desire to watch from a distance was respected.' meaning I was allowed to observe and not be interfered with. Page 5 of the field notes indicates that I had been mentally probed by the Matriarch. Indicating their ability to read intent, which was not previously documented by previous research. "
Tennyson seemed put off by this remark, but decided apparently to ignore it as he then flipped a number of pages before sighing theatrically.
"So, going over the events again," Tennyson stated, "You were attacked by a pack of... Poochyenas?"
"That's correct" I responded simply.
"And this "tet Ze" as you call them, of Gardevoir took you in and nursed you back to health? Am I understanding this sequence of events correctly Dr. Gingko?" he asked, suddenly cold.
"Again, correct" I responded simply.
Tennyson suddenly began rifling through the paperwork he had, then began reading off of one list.
"You see, I ask because I have before me Graham et al 3120 and the revised research for this year, do you recall the predominate species found in the santalune north area?"
I thought for a moment, then picked up a twinge of warning from Aria.
It was a trick meant to throw me off. Yet there was nothing I could really do but to let him attempt to trap me.
"Primarily bug types. Ladybas, spudews, Skitties, Flabebes, and obviously Ralts. " I responded.
"And why do Ralts seem to be more prolific in this one area Dr. Gingko?" He asked.
Without missing a beat I responded. "The natural enemies of the Ralts evolutionary line consists of the Absol and Poochyena families. Though sableeye and other dark types tended to have a history of giving it trouble as well, especially in regions where the Fairy type genetic aberration is not readily present. At this time, the only natural predators which pose a significant threat are the so called "Steel types" of which there are none in that area either"
Tennyson gave a slight nod, then sprang his trap.
"And don't you find it odd that there were Poochyenas there?" He asked.
"Odd certainly, but not outside of the realm of possibility. In fact, as video file 1a21-003 demonstrates, the attack itself can be seen."
Tennyson suddenly gave a loud snort of contempt, then turned to one of the clerks who was assigned to the review computers, which could display video on the projector at will.
"Roll it" was all he said.
The lights suddenly dimmed as the projector began playing the full video file that recorded the attack.
"With this spatial pattern the... Gardevoir family group is... I hazard to suspect that there is division of labor..." My voice was uncertain in this scene. If I recall right, I was making the narration in the process of having something of a moral panic...
"It.. They eat fruits...are obligate frugavores..." I seemingly went silent for a moment, then rustling could be heard. Arias memory provided the blank. I had sat back and was panicking in that moment. She was in the midst of telling me that she would be over, and then smiled. At that point, the video suddenly picked up on growling And my cries of pain.
The video cut as the camera went tumbling to the ground, then cut out as the aperture itself was destroyed by the resulting commotion. There was silence in the lecture hall as the lights came up.
"Dr. Gingko, did you notice anything unusual about that moment? Something missing perhaps?" He asked simply.
"I'm afraid that I need clarfication here..." I replied.
"In your report, you allege to being attacked by poochyenas, yet when we just watched that footage, I noticed a distinct lack of video evidence of this alleged pack." He responded.
There was doubt in the air about Tennysons words. I could feel it manifest as uncertainty, even confusion. The mans attempts to cloud the issue resulted in a negative emotional backlash. Without his rejoiner, the video file clearly had stirred a sense of sympathy, even pride that the Sequence of events led to Gardevoir taking me in and treating my injuries. So, to them, this allegation seemed ambiguous though not without merit of consideration.
"It's interesting is it not?" Tennyson asked over the light din of scattered, muted, conversation, "That a species that is not recorded as having a presence in that particular location somehow manages to show up and cause harm to you? Don't you find this odd at the least Dr. Gingko?"
"There are no recorded attacks by any packs of poochyenas, there has never been an observed sighting of Poochyenas, and there certainly have been no trainers, the types who go rooting through these places searching high and low to add to their little collections of pets, recording captures in this area. Yet here you sit before us, with a far fetched, to say the least, allegation of attack and rescue. Why, it's almost heroic in nature. But it is not without flaws."
He then raised his hand, then pointed his finger to Aria.
"It almost seems too good to be true. You get attacked and saved by this one here, who proceeds to brainwash you into believing a particular sequence of events by using a combination of hypnosis and post cognitive suggestion formed by the collapse of the neural sequence which produces dreams. You come to believe that she rescued you daringly and she entices you to remain. It's well known that Gardevoir like to collect the occasional human and attempt to use it as a pet. " He sneered vehemently.
I felt my hand grip at the table, then clenched the wood dangerously. I felt my fingernails digging into the teak wood, leaving a tiny white line as each nail dragged laborously across the wood paneling. Anger raged within me. It struck me as offensive that he would even dare make such an abstract suggestion in the middle of a hearing.
"What proof do you have?" I finally asked.
With that, Tennyson grinned.
"Your psychological profile says it all. The trauma led to a certain level of acceptance and self defeating victimization which le to a cyclic sequence of acceptance and reliance. Certainly you are aware that you have this issue are you not?" He asked sarcastically, "I have it right here, your own medical records from when you were a child after your father accidentally killed your mother and you were carted off to live with your mothers parents. THe reports clearly show that you blamed yourself and felt your father was justified since you were not normal. That something was wrong with you. Admit it Dr. Gingko, the possibility certainly exists. Especially with a species that is well known to psychologically trick humans into believing they feel romantic inclinations towards them. "
With this allegation, he leaned dangerously over his desk, seemingly staring directly at Aria.
"Isn't that right you little witch? You are here because he is your puppet. " Tennyson sneared.
Aria suddenly slammed her hands upon the desk, rage building within her mind, threatening to spill out in a psychic attack upon the mans own mind.
However, my firmly clenched hand found hers. I felt myself attempting to send calming waves of emotion. Without articulating full telepathy, I communicated my desire for her not to rise to his bait.
Miffed that Aria did not react as fully as he wanted, he directed his gaze back at me.
"Tell me Dr. Gingko, you are aware of the concept of Occhams Razor are you not?" he asked.
"Of course." I simply replied. Refusing to allow my emotions to rise to the bait myself. Arias Sharp glare suggested that while she was more calm, there was an intent to psychologically damage the weaselly man who sat before us and attempted to make such perverse suggestions.
"What is more likely, I ask you?" He ased, "That you were attacked despite no direct visual references of the attack other than bad camera work and sound that could have been artificially generated? Or that you were attacked by this bitch sitting next to you, and brainwashed into believing that you were attacked?"
"There are psychological indicators that would show if I have been brainwashed. If you wish to submit me for testing, go on ahead" I responded evenly, refusing to give him the pleasure of a simple either or answer.
Tennyson gave a slight huff of annoyance before his eyes flickered slightly. Joy built at realization gave to inspiration. He seemed to allow his gaze to settle on my hand, connected with hers, then looked back at us.
"Just one more little note and I will turn over the floor to the rest of the committee.." he said.
"It occurs to me that you two have been interacting via skin contact this entire time. Given that I have studied Gardevoir myself in the wild, untainted by biases I might add, I notice that your hand interaction seems to suggest a sort of... shall we call it intimacy?"
He then ruffled a few papers, then looked back at us.
"What was it that Gardevoir called one another when they mate?" he asked.
"Beh Sze and Ses Frau" I responded.
"Right right... So would you say that you two share such a bond?"
"Of course." I answered without hesitation, sending a round of startled conversation.
"And is it not true that the loyalty that a Gardevoir feels towards its mate suggests a type of personality known as the over protective enforcement or mother bear personality?" he asked.
"It works both ways." I simply responded, not letting him have the dignity of seeing me squirm.
"Then you confess that her personality is protective of you, a person she sees as a mate. Do you not?"
At this, I was the one who scoffed, this game of wits was finally beginning to irritate me.
"Are you seriously going to suggest without submitting me to testing that Aria here has been manipulating and brainwashing me this entire time? That she kidnapped me and made me her mate against my will? Do YOU have any proof?"
At this, Tennyson seethed, then went in for the kill.
"Look at you, you are so deluded that you think that the ruse isn't exposed for all to see. Rowan Gingko, formerly of the Geophysics department, now an alleged expert on behavioral studies, you are acting like you are one part of this Gardevoirs pairing. You are acting like you think you are Gardevoir. Tell me, you've bedded her haven't you? Answer me!"
The surprise must have registered more strongly on my face than I realized for as I began to respond, I felt Arias temper suddenly flare. I felt a twitch from my core as her emotions crossed the ego barrier, then began to escalate my own sense of anger.
"So what if I have? Eve-"
I did not get the chance to finish my response when she suddenly cut in with an irate screeching yell.
"I would never do that to my Beh Sze you filthy monsterous pig!"
Even though I never doubted her, it was clear by the level of offense that she projected into the room, that she was not the type who would have committed such a sin.
"She said she wouldn't ever do that to me. Also you are a filthy pig. Which is a great offence to be called in Gardevoirian." I responded.
"And how much credance can we put in the words of a less than sentient pokemon? Who doesn't even have the intellect to create a high society such as the one we have here? I find her words to be less than compelling in nature. Even if they do have a language, that does not mean that they can reason anywhere near our level" He retorted instantly.
"Compared to what? Compared to you? Compared to unnovans who used that same logic to enact a mass genocide against their native residents because they did not have brick and mortar houses? What metric do you use to judge another species by Dr. Tennyson?"
"I'm asking the questions here, not you Rowan" He responded icily before continuing, " We are talking about a species which has no concept of the words respect trust and consent. This thing cannot even reason, yet you allege that your work is better than mine? I think not. You've done nothing to prove that my research was in any way ever flawed."
"I wouldn't be so certain about that Dr. Tennyson" Came the voice of Augustine Sycamore.
The entire audience turned to look back to the main lecture hall entrance where three figures stood. Augustine Sycamore stood in the center, with the Famous Eite 4 member Malva to one side, and Xerosic, clapped in manacles and leg chains on his other.
"You see, I happen to have it on good authority that this little charade of superiority is about to fall apart.." He said as he began to walk down the aisle.
Hope filled me as I realized that the information Amelia had gotten from that man had in fact helped Sycamore, and as he walked towards the main podium at the front, the entire day would change drastically.
I couldn't help but think of a few lyrics from an old song I once heard, though I changed the lyrics slightly in my mind to accomodate this:
Come on sycamore and rescue me...
To Be continued.
Ok, I have no real good excuses for why this took so long. I had to do some serious overhauls and re evaluations before I could even begin writing this. Then, as I began the actual scene, I realized that this needed to be shaped slightly better. I took out the book Darkness at Noon, then drew inspiration from that. This is it though. 2 more chapters that actually need to be typed, and one chapter that needs to be revised again, then the story comes to an end. After this one, I am going to be working on a bit of a lighthearted story that gives Aria and Rowan a bit of a break. I apologize that Shii did not get a bit of a workout in this chapter. But I suspect that the next few chapters will more than make up for what she's been through.
Also, the Rowan turning into a gardevoir plot trouble is finally resolved. The full explanation will appear in the next chapter so stay tuned. Within 4 days this story will come to its close, and so will close the chapter on the greatest amount of dedicated writing I have ever done.
Follow me for updates on my tumblr gardycoral.
Dani