Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or any of the characters
Red stopped in front of the pub where he was to meet the art collector he was hoping could hand him some information. The small weight of Yellow in his arms told him that he had to be careful tonight, he had to protect her. How she was able to convince him to take her to dealing, he couldn't comprehend, she seemed so innocent when he first met her but there seemed to be aspects of her sisters within her.
He made sure that Pika stopped fully before he dismounted from him to help Yellow as well. She was already sliding off the horse and Red quickly reached up to catch her. She placed a hand on his shoulder as she righted herself.
The noise of the pub drew her attention as she looked over the wooden building. She tilted her head at the tree growing oddly close besides the building. She imagined how the pub would look if that tree would overgrow into the actual building, if the two became one. Several men stumbled outside and Red pulled her closer to him as they passed.
He kept his arm around her as they entered the pub and she had to place her sleeve over her nose due to the stiffening smell of whisky. Red found a relatively uncrowded corner of the pub and pulled out a chair for her to sit. He gestured for a tavern wench to take their order, a simple meal for them to eat. Red kept his eyes on the door to watch for the man to enter.
"Here's your mother's broach," Yellow slid a piece of paper to him and he studied the detailed sketch she made. Between her sketches and his own memory, he was confident he would be able to spot a fake. She took the bread placed in front of her and asked, "Have you found any knew information on your parents' murderer? I recall you saying that the house we first went to were the Birches'."
"I was busy this week," Red told her. "I was seeing if there was a circus in town to see if I could find that man that tried to attack you. There wasn't any so I thought that the man must've been a part of one but to my knowledge, no one of the ton had been a part of circus. I just want to find that man who tried to hurt you and-"
Red stopped when he realized how angry he was getting. She tilted her head at him, confused at his sudden anger. He didn't understand how she could be so innocent and still bend him to her will. He reached over and dabbed the crumbs from the corner of her mouth. She blushed and ran her finger over the crumbs. "I was wondering how to add rough texture to my watercolour. I tried to do so with bread crumbs but they stuck in the paint in the worst way."
"Salt," He said softly and she raised a brow at him. "My mother used to use salt to create a rough texture to her paintings. The salt dissolves and leaves a texture. I remember my mother sitting me down for a portrait and being bored just sitting there. She liked to speak while painting."
"You enjoy sitting for an extended amount of time?" Yellow asked and he shook his head. He could see that she was disappointed and when he asked her why, she answered softly. "I wanted to paint... Pika. I know he wouldn't stand still without you so I thought you might help but since you…"
"We can come by for that picnic you told you wished to have with your family." Red offered.
"You will?" She smiled brightly and he couldn't help but return it. He looked over her shoulder to the door and saw a man enter, carrying a parcel under his arm. He reached across the table to squeeze her hand and silently prayed that she wouldn't turn to gather the attention of the dealer. "Is something wrong? You look so serious for a moment."
"He's here," He whispered to her. "I want you to stay here while I speak with him. I shall speak with him at the table behind us, if you need anything you only need to do is wave me."
Red was already out of his seat before she could say anything and she watched him move to the man at the door. She couldn't hear what they were saying until they sat at the table behind her, the man with his back to her. She listened intently to them and tried to memorize everything she could about him. There was something ominous about him and she fumbled with her skirt to get the knife Blue gave her.
There was something in his voice that spiked her recognition and she leaned closer to the pair to hear them better. Red was moving the broach between his fingers as he asked in a fake voice, "How did you come across this gem? It looks rather rare."
"That information is not needed," The man said quickly. "Are you willing to buy it? My price is rather generous for all the trouble I went through. I have several other offers so I suggest you buy it now."
"Are the Birches among them?" Red asked, studying the man with hooded eyes, careful to hide the rage building inside him. He had to shoot in the dark with this man and hope his aim stayed true. "They bought a wedding brand, I believe. They told me how you came to it as well."
"What did you say your name is again?" The man asked him, a little more careful.
"Gray Michael Vincent," Red replied with little hesitation. "Now can we continue with our dealing? Your price is much too high once we consider this is stolen goods and I take a great risk taking it from you. You also take a risk by letting me go angry. Who would you rather take the risk, you or I?"
"Ten pounds then," The man negotiated.
"Fifteen and your card please, I have several more inquires I wish to ask of you. Such as, what family did you take this broach from and how much is still in your keeping?" Red needed to know where his other heirlooms were before he took the man's life in exchange for his parents'. "Maybe you can take me to where you keep them so I can see which one I would like."
"He has a gun!" Yellow called out to him when she saw them man reach for something in her pocket. The shape was that of a gun and at her scream, he turned on her. She pulled the knife from her boot and stabbed his shoulder, trying to get away. Still it didn't seem to affect him and what caught her attention was the lack of blood when she stabbed him.
He raised his hand to strike her but Red grabbed him before he could do so. He screamed for Yellow to run but she couldn't do so. She wished that she could do something to help him even as the fighting pair crashed through a table. When she swapped the broach from the table, the man turned his attention to her. She ran for the door even as the sound of gunfire erupted in her ear.
"Stay away from my sister," She looked up to see Ruby. Sapphire held a smoking pistol and lowered it.
"N?" Sapphire asked shocked to see the man that had took her home from her after her father's death. The man stared at her for a moment before moving forward and she couldn't find herself shooting her own family. The others were shocked that she knew him as well and that gave him a moment to run out the back door.
"Yellow, thank God we were able to save you," Ruby hugged his sister tightly before holding her at arm's length to examine her. "He didn't hurt you when he took you did he? I'm so glad that I had Sapphire watch over you and I was able to follow you in time."
"I'm fine Ruby," She told him through the tightening of her throat from him hug. She tapped his shoulder to tell him to let go and he did so. He noticed her turn to Red and raised a brow at the man he only just noticed. When he walked in, he saw Red restrained the man that attacked his sister.
"Thank you for saving my sister," Ruby reached out to shake the man's hand but Sapphire stopped him. She told him that Red was the man she saw take Yellow and Ruby's demeanour changed, pushing Yellow behind him. She huffed and moved in front of Ruby, to stop him from attacking Red.
"Stop brother, Red did not take me for I left with him," She told him and stepped back so that she was in front of Red. "Before you worry, I will tell you that I am safe with him and always had been. He had always protected me well and I never feel in danger when I am with him. Don't be angry with him since he is trying to help you as well."
"Help me?" he asked and she realized that she spoke the wrong words.
"If I help him, he will be able to help pay off your debt and-" She stopped when Ruby snapped at her.
"I do not need my sisters taking care of me!" He took her arm and began to pull her away, mumbling beneath his breath. He couldn't believe that in a matter of hours, he would have to speak these words. "Stay away from my sister. If you put her in any more danger, I shall have your head."
Blue moved towards the audience, her feet just inches from falling over the edge. She had total trust in others around her as the ground opened beneath her and she fell through the stage's trapdoor. Green caught her as White had instructed and she laughed as he set her on her feet. She noted his face was rather stoic as he told her that his sister was at the theater.
Platina was sitting at Blue's costume trunk when she entered. She didn't say word because her tears were enough for Blue to know her sister was in pain. She hugged her sister and was glad Green was respectful enough to close the door to leave them in privacy. "Now tell what's wrong."
"I just want your help with this chest I was trying to open," Platina lied. She desperately wanted to cry to her sister but didn't know if she could after so much years of silence between them. "I found this chest and I wanted to open it but since it's so old I didn't know if I could-"
She wasn't able to push the words through a fresh torrent of tears. Blue hugged her sister and noticed the crumpled paper in her hands. Even though her instincts told her to read the letter, she waited for Platina to tell her. She knew Platina was not one to be pushed and waited for her to be able to speak when she was ready.
"I loved him and he lied to me," She chocked on the words and hugged her sister, crying into her shoulder. "He made me love him and only gave me a sentence on why we shouldn't speak and a cryptic sentence at that! Don't I deserve the answers?"
Blue was quickly scanning the words Pearl had penned her and felt herself become angry. How dare someone play with her sisters feelings? She pulled her sister to her feet and swung the door open, "Green, get a carriage. We're going to Scotland!"
"What?" Platina looked up at her sister shocked.
"We are going to visit that bastard and get some answers from him," Blue was adamant in her words. "He might have never told you where his estate was but no one can hide from an angry sister. I found his home long before now and I have some very choice words for that man when we meet him!"
"Thank you," She said through the tears. "But we cannot merely go unannounced and Ruby is already put out since Yellow left last night. And a trip to Pearl's home would take the better of the day to arrive. I cannot ask you to do that for me."
"Don't think on it," Blue waved away her sister's concern. "We shall tell Lyra where we are going and she shall tell Ruby where we are going. I know the trail well and there is no danger that I can't protect you from. Also, Green should be easily convinced to act as our escort. Now do not worry, you are my sister and I will do anything for you."
"No Emerald," Crystal sighed as the little boy cartwheeled down the hall with Gold. The pair came to a stop with a crash and she ran to the little boy's side and helped him to his feet even though he was laughing as she did so. She kissed the top of his head as a mother would. "There, all better."
"Do I get a kiss too?" Gold went to their side and tilted his head toward hers for a kiss. She rolled her eyes and called to Winypon who eagerly licked the side of his face. Watching him laugh, she wondered how he could appear so happy with the episode that occurred last night. They had been in the drawing room when Emerald came to them and they had been playing in the hall since then.
Gold laughed and kissed Crystal's cheek without a thought before or after since it seemed to be something so natural to do with her. She turned away from him and took Emerald around his waist, "I think it's time to teach you your letters."
"But-" Her stern look made him turned his face down. She gave him a loving pat as he gave Gold pleading eyes and he only stated that boys should learn their letters to help others when they're older. He was eager to do so after him saying so and ran off with Winypon at his side.
"You're great with him," Crystal told him, and he only shrugged in return.
"Horses, human, I find they're similar enough." Gold said referring to his time as a breeder and she wondered why he spoke so little about the time with his past. "Jhoto has a wonderful selection of horses but I think that it would become more diverse with breeding. It would be something I'll leave the boy after I give him the estate."
"You expect to have Emerald become the Marquis of Jhoto?" She asked him shocked. "He is only a child, you cannot expect him to be given such responsibilities and who says that your word holds any strength over the boy's future? I have decided to take responsibility for that boy and I shall give him the skills to be what he wishes when he comes of age."
"More time and choices than the world gave me," Gold said bitterly.
Crystal could see the emotion in his namesake eyes, something that he never seemed to be able hide. She wondered what it would like to be a creature of emotion and lay her hand over his strong jaw. As she was about to speak words of assurance to him, she saw Dia staring at them from the corner of her eyes and stepped away.
"I'm sorry," He blushed knowing that he was stepping into their privacy. "I was looking for Platina."
"You weren't there when Lyra came?" Dia shook his head and Crystal told him. "Blue is taking her to see Pearl."
Dia turned pale and Crystal was fearful that he might faint. Instead, he turned and called out that he was going to borrow a horse. Dia didn't bother to ask if he could, more intent on reaching Platina before she reached Scotland. He knew that letter would damn him! But now he needed to stop her from finding the truth and having her hate him for the rest of her life.
Poppy was picking the wildflowers near the gates of entrance when she saw the carriage road towards them and paled at the sight of the crest on the carriage. Dropping the basket she carried in shock, she turned and made her way into the estate using a secret passage she once used with a darker intent. It opened into the Pearl's study and he looked up at her shocked.
"Poppy, what's wrong?" Her frightened face sent rage through him since he knew that some still mistrusted her after previous events. He couldn't find himself condemning the soft spoken woman though and offered her refuge in his home, coming to love her in her time with him.
"The Berlitz," She started softly, her voice shaking slightly. "I say their carriage coming and-"
"My lord," There was a knock at the door and a butler entered. "Your fiancé has arrived, looking for you."
Pearl ran his hand through his hair, frustrated. What was he to do without condemning his best friend? Dia had told him that he would tell her the truth and the charade would end but that didn't seem to be the case as she was here, most likely looking for him, who she thought he was. He wished that he had the courage to tell her that he didn't love her years before but he couldn't find it in himself to break her heart.
But now everything was so much worst. Looking down at Poppy, he only wanted to scream his rage. She knew the gentle storm in his eyes and wished she knew what she could tell him. The gentleness in her touch calmed him slightly as he turned to address his butler. "Let them into the drawing room, I shall speak with them in a moment."
Poppy nodded to him before he walked off into the drawing room to find the party already seated. Dreading what was to come, he reached out his hand to the man. "I presume that you are Ruby, it's an honour to meet you."
"Yes, speak with the brother rather than your fiancé first." Blue rolled her eyes and Green knew the words that would follow, she had told him about how she felt towards this man during their ride. "I am sure that you know the reason for our visit and I shall speak first before you can create some flowery story to break my sister's heart again. This is a cruel game to play and-"
"Please Blue, I wish to speak with him since I am the injured party." Platina said with an even voice even when the evidence of her tears still stained her cheeks. She studied Pearl with steady eyes and Pearl felt a little awkward under her gaze. He knew she expected him to say something but couldn't find the voice to do so. He was just as guilty for his knowledge and silence on the matter of the letters."
"Platina-"
"Who penned the letters?" She demanded and Blue looked at her in shock. She had been silence during the entire trip and didn't spoke to her about this subject. " 'My Princess', every letter greeted me as such and your failure to call so tells me that you were not the only one to take enjoyment in my heartache. If you did write those letters, tell me that you love me!"
There was a crash behind them and Pearl knew who it was even before he turned. Platina was puzzled by the fact that she couldn't see anyone behind him until Pearl opened a secret door and ran inside. She bit her lip, thinking that the answers she sought were running from her. She stormed to the entrance and screamed into it.
"Who is he?" She demanded as fresh tears emerged. "Who wrote me these words? 'My princess trapped in a tower, the day will come when I shall take you from that life. From there I shall take you an adventure through whatever ruins you wish as I know your love for history. I shall take you anywhere you wish for-"
"I love you." She turned back to the door to see Dia using the door for support, breathing heavily as if he had ran for several miles. He couldn't meet her eyes but his words pierced her heart because there was so much emotion in them that she couldn't classify as false or not. "I love you, from the first word, I had."
He was taken back when she slapped him across his face and ran out of the room.
Ruby sighed heavily to himself as he read his father's notes, wanting to damn the man for putting him in such a situation. He wanted to slam his head on his desk at how hopeless he was. He was so determined to return home quickly to protect them but in truth they were trying to protect him. He didn't lift his head from the table when someone entered the drawing room.
"Yellow's rather upset with ya," he looked up at Sapphire who stood at the door. He didn't say a word as she went to stand next to him. Annoyed at his senseless sulking, she pulled him to his feet and yelled. "Why are ya so sad that ya sister wanna help ya? Ya made all that effort to come be with your sisters but now ya too butt hurt to spend any time with them."
"It's not supposed to be this way! They shouldn't have to take care of me, and they shouldn't have to take those risks. Crystal has to put up with that man to tutor him and Lyra isn't home to take care of that man and Blue took Platina to who knows where and Yellow-"
"They all know their own minds," Sapphire hit him over his head. "Why shouldn't they take a risk for the ones they love? If you say it's because women canna' handle such things as helpin' their arrogant brother? Why are men so infuriatin'?"
"Wait Sapphire," He took her hand when she was about to storm out. "I know this isn't the best time to say this, but thank you for last night. I wouldn't have been able to find Yellow if I didn't have your help with your tracking skills. I just hate that she put herself in danger for my sake."
"She was rash," Sapphire had to agree with him. "But it's a human mistake and ya canna deny that it came from a lovin' place. Wha' I suggest ya do is to speak with them and make sure they know the danger you fear for them. You'll see that they might know wha' they're doing. They're smart and passionate people but ya must know that."
"It's just an adjustment. I've been gone for so long but I didn't think that they would change so much."
"But now you get to know them better," Sapphire's smile was bright and he couldn't help but return it. He took her hand and raised it to his lips in a sign of gratitude that made her cheeks turned crimson. He didn't understand why she always turned red as such. She moved away from him, "Yellow was tellin' me that she wished for a family picnic, maybe ya can do that for her."
"There is one more thing though." Ruby was sure to study her eyes, "You knew that man at the bar."
Lyra latched the window closed and took the candle to help her find her way to Silver's room. She had been in his company so long that she didn't need the candle but the light gave her some assurance that no one would attack her around the corner. She found Silver sitting at his desk, flipping through a book and she once again felt that guilt.
"Is it that late?" He asked and she nodded before realizing that he couldn't see her. She had spoken with Blue earlier and promised that this would be the night that she told him the truth.
"I just wanted to tell you a story tonight," He could tell that her voice was breaking and he wondered what importance the story had to her to bring such hesitation in her. Maybe it was relating to that man that came earlier that week. He nodded and moved to sit on his bed, counting his steps as he did so. He knew the moment she sat next to him and didn't take her into his arms to comfort her as he wanted.
"First I want to ask you if you are still angry about your blindness. You have every right to be but Blue wished to know if you're still consumed with this. Since I cannot speak for you, I wanted to ask you."
After a moment, he answered her. "Tell her that I have adjusted well enough and thank her for being patient with me. I know that I have not been the best company during this adjustment. I am sorry for that and not only to her, but to you. You have been by my side this entire experience and I don't know if I would've been able to adjust without you. Thank you for everything you've done."
When she let out a little sob, he pulled her into his side. Though, he was not one for romances he still knew how to express so in little ways no matter how inexperience he was with such gestures. "Everything is going to be okay. Now read to me that story you wish to."
He felt her nod against his chest. "I just want you to promise that you won't interrupt me when I'm telling you this story and you will wait until I'm finished telling you this story to speak."
"Once upon a time…" He didn't hear the turn of any pages and wondered at that fact.
"That's a rather cliché way to start," He said rather jokingly into her hair but felt guilty for his words when hot tears fell onto his shoulder. He pulled her onto his lap, "I'm sorry. It is only that you start your novels with more finesse than that."
Lyra continued as if he hadn't spoken. "A little poet was trying to find inspiration in a forest when she saw a Viking come towards her. It was rather improper for her to be there alone so she kept quiet and hoped that he would not come upon her but that blasted slipper came off and caught his attention. When she looked down at him, she thought she could find inspiration from him and went down to speak to him.
"When she did so, she found that he was a publisher and her joy only raised for it had always been a dream of hers to have her work published." Her voice cracked and she was so lost in her story that she didn't realize that his hands had dropped to his side. "So later that day she went to visit him and something terrible happened.
"She didn't think that he would reject her work but worst, she had hurt him. She was afraid that he would hurt her and so she pushed him. She didn't mean for him to become blind, she was just scared. She knew he would hate her afterwards but her sister told her that she should amends for her mistakes by helping adjust to this unfortunate turn of events. So she did."
"Star," He said under his breath to himself rather than her. "Her last sister's name was a constellation."
"I'm so sorry Silver. It was truly an accident and I was so afraid to tell you since I knew how angry you were. Even more I was afraid of losing what I was feeling towards you. I know this is a school girl thing to say but I lo-"
"Get out," He said in a hard voice and she froze for a moment at the chill that surrounded her. He wasn't rough when he set her away from him but she felt his rejection nevertheless. She didn't want to cry in front of him, knowing that they wouldn't change anything. She stood, going to the door and when she looked back, and saw the anger cloud his face before he kicked his bedside table, sending a glass globe to the ground.
"Be careful, I'll get a dustpan and-"
"Get out!" He said much more savagely. "I would say 'I never want to see your face again' but you have seen to that. Not I must say, 'I never want to hear your voice again'. Whatever I say, the end is true and it does not involve you! Get out of my home and my life!"
Lyra pressed a sleeve to her mouth to stifle the tears that threatened to burst and she ran from the house. She didn't know where she was going and there was no way she could find her way home in the night where outlaws was most likely litter the trail. She found herself stumbling through the dark, not knowing how far she walked until she came upon a tower.
Not questioning its presence, she forced open the door and walked up the steps until she collapsed on the pallet already there. Her restless emotions wouldn't allow her to sleep though and she buried her heart in the pillow, wishing that her love for the man would flow out of her with the tears she shed.
Not even going to follow the word limit I put on myself XD Just needed everything in this chapter and didn't feel like putting it in the next. Just two more chapters before I start my next project