NOTE: The Valen, Wes and Rui backstory took place prior to the events of Identity.
Dark matter is a mystery. Theories range from its very existence being a myth to a relation with Giratina and the Distortion World. They say no light reflects off of it, no light emits from it, and no light can be absorbed by it.
That's what Wes read while riding a train to Angel City. He's currently waiting for Valen in a public battlefield, but his mind decided to wander. It's hard to avoid a comparison between his current situation and what he read, even if it may seem melodramatic to some people.
His universe's been enshrouded in that mysterious substance called dark matter in the past. His guilt and his emotional breakdown led to arguments with Rui, meaning his universe's now enshrouded in the present.
Or is it?
After the nasty accusations Rui and him hurled at each other, he thought it was over. Not only did both Rui and Valen forgive him, he was offered to join that same group. A real group, unlike those lying Team Snagem bastards. So much for somewhere he belongs, but it's different this time. It feels like it's been longer than it actually is...could that be because of how much he missed her?
Might as well look around, he needs to distract himself from his cloudy mind. Lotta people and Pokémon are enjoying minute leisure that was once foreign to him, such as playing fetch in a park, strolling down a sidewalk, or sitting on a bench.
The roads are surprisingly light on traffic. A line of Ragulian and Galarian supercars draw the attention of many, the pack's lead by a grand tourer and a race car from 1950s. Nice rides, a certain someone would love this sight. The Pokémon seem very intrigued, none more so than the pair of Galarian Rapidash.
Bunch of medium-sized buildings in all directions. The two buildings shaped like Gengar and Typhlosion are easily the two biggest stand-outs. Reminds him of the Hippowdon-shaped building in Fountain Town, the suburb that Rui grew up in. Downtown's skyscrapers loom in the near distance, and they're taller than anything he's seen in Phenac City and Gaton Port. It's not uncommon for kids and teens in Orre to desire a visit to Angel City. Some simply want to have a blast. Others come for stardom, be it in the much larger pro battling circuit or Sunset Studios. Why not both?
"It's ya girl!"
What's more recognizable between her boisterous voice and her orange pigtails? Four fingers up, both hands sideways, and her face making her look like a mischievous Haunter. The jean jacket's typical of her, but he's never seen her rock a Team Skull shirt before.
Great, he unintentionally caused her lively nature to give way to a somber expression. After all that she's done for him, he can't even make sure that she remains happy.
"You look worried."
"...Rui, sorry for being slow." He does a hard swallow and forces himself to maintain a straight posture. "I'm not trying to delay-"
Silence. That's all he can muster now. Is Rui...actually caressing his arm?
"Not too long ago, Rosa told me one of the sweetest things anyone's ever done for her." Rui cups Wes' hands in-between hers. "Valen waited for her out of respect for her feelings, but they both knew how the other felt." Her tone's soft and whispery. "Valen helped her to get comfortable with romance again before asking her out."
A tingle shocks his body, his eyes widening immensely. This...isn't really happening...is it? Her tender lips are pressed against his lips, and it feels...it still feels warm.
"I decided that I'm going to do the same with you." Rui presses a fist against his upper chest. "I want you to be happy again."
That feeling's mutual, but how does he respond to this? Is this how Valen felt when he was shown this undying loyalty...this tender...care? This...unconditional love?
…Right, this is to be expected from Rui. That's one reason-
"Are you okay?"
Wes snaps out of his train of thought. He doesn't like that worried expression on Rui's face, that's not the Rui he developed an intimate relationship with. If only he knew-he does know what to say.
"Thank you for always being patient with me." He rubs her left shoulder. "Next time around, I'll promise that it'll different."
"I trust you, Wes." Another kiss on the lips. "I hope you'll remember more of the good times we've shared together—that's a big reason why I want to have a full battle with you."
No more words are needed, but were words even needed at all? They became as close as somebody can get with a friend before it turns into a romance, but it may've been a bit too soon for them. Curiously, the clouds obstructing the sunlight are drifting away. It's like the sun kicked the clouds away so it could illuminate Rui's adoring expression.
When he realized that Rui wanted to help him live a normal life…when she said he was her friend…it was a Thunder to the system. He wanted to cry but he was too afraid to be open. At her grandparents' house, he'd lie in bed and stare at the ceiling, trying not to get in his feelings.
Being with Rui again…being part of a friendly group…wouldn't that be something?
"Sorry to interrupt but you've got guests."
Hearing that voice causes Wes to jerk his head back. Were they so caught up in the moment that they didn't notice Valen?
Both Rui and him blush, trying to find words to quell this contretemps. This wouldn't be the first time they "zoned out" when spending time together. He cracks a faint smirk, but Rui's spontaneous and resonant laugh twists it into a smile. Rosa and Hilda's laughter notifies him of their presence.
"Mind if they watch our battle?" Valen walks towards the opposite end of the battlefield. "They really wanted to tag along."
"Nah." Wes tilts his head towards Rui. "If walking nightmare over here's going to watch, it's only fair to say yes to these two."
Her annoyed expression gets a snicker out of him. She looks like people made a big deal about her Suicune again.
Valen's got a Poké Ball in his hand. He presses the button to let out his Gengar, who zips into the ground. A purple shadow with his eyes and face materializes, and he sticks his tongue out. Wes cracks a faint smirk, his mind replaying the time Valen's Gengar jump scared Rui right into his bucket prank.
Wes reaches into his trench coat for a Poké Ball, then he chucks the ball above his head. Out comes his Froslass, who releases a chilly, orotund cackle.
"Ghost-type showdown, huh?" Valen folds his arms and cocks a brow. "This should be interesting."
None of Valen's team has battled Wes' Froslass. He doesn't fully remember what moves he had her use against Cipher and in casual battles.
Valen turns sideways to show off the Team Skull logo on his black jacket. It's the same one he wore to the BW Agency a couple of days ago. Rui's ear-to-ear grin over the jacket is what he expected from his fellow Team Skull member.
"Time to cause mayhem!" Valen shouts in a raring tone. "Use Dark Pulse!"
"Sucker Punch, then Shadow Ball."
Before Gengar can fire off his stream of purple and black circles, Froslass disappears and appears within a blink of the eye. She slams her entire figure into Gengar. She falls back and a purple ball with a thick, frosty white glow appears in front of her mouth. She launches the sphere, which strikes Gengar in the face.
Gengar sways from side to side, he's reeling but he's not concerned. He'll either win the battle, win because his trainer will be proud, or both.
"Use Crunch."
"Time for your own Sucker Punch, Gengar!"
Gengar vanishes into the ground, then appears under Froslass and strikes her with a right uppercut. She briefly loses her balance, leaving her wide open for another attack.
"Sludge Bomb!"
As she pulls herself together, Froslass is met with a barrage of blown sludge with a purple glow. No infliction occurs, will second time be the charm in this scenario?
"Will-O-Wisp!"
A spectral blue glow in Gengar's eyes causes a fireball to materialize. The spherical apparition encroaches toward Froslass and enshrouds her. She wails, her posture becoming limp as the ghostly flames singe her.
"Hex!"
Gengar's red eyes glow and his mouth drops open. A giant, menacing pair of blood red eyes appearing above him. The eyes begins to glow, and an ominous, phantasmal aura ensnares Froslass. A louder, eerily wail echoes throughout the field, and the aura grows thicker with more intensity. It's like Froslass' strength or vitality is being devoured straight out of her body.
The aura seemingly taunts Froslass with the logy pace of its evaporation. It eventually vanishes, and Froslass has to exert a high amount of force to avoid plummeting.
"You'll need more than that." Wes faintly smiles and folds his arms. "Use Psychic."
The air around the field gets thicker. Froslass unleashes a massive, pearly white wave of energy that makes the air shriek with a gale. Gengar's tossed behind his trainer like a frisbee. His body skips on the ground like a rock over a pond.
Gengar's got one eye closed and his mouth has flipped into a frown. He staggers and struggles to get back up.
"Ice Beam."
Froslass launches an frost white beam that's covered with an eerie, light blue aura. Gengar's struck in-between his eyes and mouth. He goes tumbling backward, his arms flailing like a Feebas.
"Thunderbolt."
White electricity covers Froslass' body. She fires a lightning bolt that knocks Gengar down, his body surrounded by crackling sparks.
Gengar lies on his back with of his eyes shut. Is this it? Has he lost against Froslass? …No, he's not going down like this. Not when his trainer's counting on him.
"You can do it, Gengar!" Valen bends his elbows and tightens his fists. "Show them your Shadow Ball!"
Gengar sharply opens his eyes, and he musters up the strength he needs to leap back into action. He extends his hands, and a black and purple sphere of energy materializes in-between them. He shoots it toward Froslass, who's blasted directly in the face. The attack's force nearly causes her to fall.
"Another Psychic."
Valen's smile has become a lopsided grin. "Not this time, Wes!" He slams his right fist into his left palm. "Use Phantom Force!"
Gengar's laugh could send a Frost Breath down one's spine. He hastily disappears in a congregation of blood red fog. Froslass is about to launch another wave of energy, but the fog grips onto Froslass like a pair of monstrous hands. Gengar emerges from it and rams head-first into Froslass. She wails and falls onto the battlefield.
Wes's eyes slightly widen and he bears his clenched teeth. This isn't good, that move did a number on Froslass. Her struggle to float again is severe, this Gengar's even stronger than they thought.
"You better win this because you're not going to win against me."
Wes sports a flat-eyed expression, his unamused glare locking onto Rui. In typical walking nightmare fashion, her response is to stick her tongue out.
"Why are you such a pain in the ass?"
"Because shut up."
Wes smacks his face with left palm. Back to the battle, Froslass has gotten back up. Her pants grow heavier which each passing second, but she's still got enough in her to continue the fight. She's also enjoying facing a strong opponent.
"Slug em with Fire Punch!"
Spectral red flames surround Gengar's fists. He strikes Froslass over and over again with a series of uppercuts, just like the Hitmonchan in one of his favorite cartoons.
"Ice Punch."
A frosty white jab flings Gengar away, but he lands on his feet. He floats up and charges towards Froslass, his fists surrounded by flames again. A boxing match breaks out between the two specters. They swerve left and right as they try to land a blow.
Eventually, they clobber each other in the face. Both are sent flying backward, but retain their floating.
They charge at each other again, trying to land more blows with their respective punching attacks. It's like the Mortal Battle video game series came to life.
Several more blows are exchanged, then the try one more time. They punching attacks collide, the force behind them the highest level possible. It caused a small detonation, and a minute amount of smoke briefly obstructs the center of the battlefield.
"Use Dark Pulse!"
Before Froslass has a chance to counter, a stream of purple and black circles slam into her face. The strike flings her behind Wes and onto the ground. She staggers upwards, her panting growing heavy by the second. Gengar's panting is rather heavy as well, it's down to the wire.
"Shadow Ball!"
"Hurry, counter with Confuse Ray!"
A darker hue of white emits from Froslass' eyes. Gengar wobbles around in an unpredictable series of movements. In his daze, he fires his purple and black sphere into the battlefield.
Wes faintly smiles, he's almost got this one locked up. Barely, he might not be so lucky next time.
"Use Hex."
Froslass' eyes emit an ominous hue of dark blue. A ghostly hand materializes and grabs Gengar above his legs. The icicle-like fingers extend and ensnare his body. Gengar shuts his eyes, his grunting becoming more apparent as the hand squeeze him with increased pressure.
"Finish this with Crunch."
Gengar's suddenly in-between the icicle-like teeth of an spectral white jaw. The apparition closes in on him, the pressure topping him onto his face.
Gengar tries to stand up, but he's out of it. Underneath his heavy panting, Gengar thanks Froslass for the battle. He falls back down, at least his trainer's proud of him.
"Heh." Valen shrugs with a grin. "Can't win em all." He approaches Gengar, commending, "That's my boy." A fist bump and a shared laugh is forms a triple win in his book.
"You almost won," Wes points out. "Good battle."
"I'll win next time." Valen offers Wes a handshake, his smile widening when he accepts. "I had fun."
As expected, Valen's not leaving any indicators of how strong he really is. Wes knows that he's Le Moissonneur Noir, or Valen the Reaper from watching pro circuit battles, but he hasn't said much about his trainer skills.
"Both of you are strong enough to enter Calvana's pro circuit," Valen comments. "Have you ever considered it?"
The others continue to chat, while Wes silently ponders whether he should give the pro circuit a shot. He's considered trying his hand at it in the past. He's a little surprised that Rui hasn't already done so. After all, she managed to complete the Gym Challenge in Galar.
"Hahaha, they don't want that smoke!" Rui angles her hands sideways, holding up both pairs of index and ring fingers. "I'm just messing around!"
Wes tilts his head back and scoffs. "Didn't it take you three tries to beat both Kabu and Raihan?" he jabs. "You said that the Gym Challenge didn't want smoke upon registration."
Rui's face burns up, she spins away with her hands on her hips. "I went easy on them."
"Sure you did."
"Shut up, Sir Grumpalot."
"Make me."
Froslass snickers with Gengar, thanking him for a good fight. She asks if Gengar will be okay, but Gengar says that she doesn't need to worry.
She tells Gengar that Wes felt he'd cross paths with Rui and Valen if he kept battling. It's what kept him going. Gengar admits that his trainer was in a similar situation. All Valen had was his love for art and the team, or so he thought. If Valen can see the error of his thinking, why can't Wes?
Froslass smiles and thanks Gengar, who raises his right hand in a victory pose. Froslass giggles that Gengar's a real cutie. Gengar's grin turn sheepish and his purple face a faint shade of red. She tells him to chill out, but Gengar does his best Luxray impression via retorting that he's not cute. They happily close their eyes. the duo bursting out in hysterics.
Having noticed that the Ghost-types are chatting, Valen and Wes decide against recalling them.
Rosa and Hilda have managed to sneak up behind Valen. Well, they almost did. Did they really think that would work? It's kinda hard not to notice the crazy wholesome minds when they radiate Gigantamax levels of energy.
Oh no, the horror of the cheek bops. He's so scared, please have mercy on him.
"Heeeeey, he's smiling!"
"Say it again." Rosa and Hilda's faces are so close to his that he faintly yelps. "Say that you had fun again."
Their cute grins too powerful, but he doesn't fly into dorky mode this time. "I had fun."
"Woo-hoo!" Rosa celebrates with a twirl. "One of my biggest wishes is for Valey to have lots and lots and lots of fun!"
"She means one of our biggest wishes." Hilda grips both of Valen's hands, her right cheek pressed up against his chest. "She's not the only one who can tell you a tooth-rotting story." She titters over his faint yelp. "He's always there to lift us up."
Valen might be blushing to some degree, but it doesn't stop him from wrapping his arms around Hilda's midsection.
The endothermic sensation of unconditional love is phenomenal to experience, and he's confident that Rui will make Wes remember that more and more. He's got faith in them, they can vanquish the shadows and heal together.
He wasn't exactly in the clear when he battled Silver at that event, but his experiences prior re-ignited the flames of passion within him. He was proven wrong multiple times, and now he's back in control of his life
Huh, did he miss the joke? Why does Wes have a palm covering his face? What threw Rosa, Hilda, and Rui into hysterics? What did Wes do this time? It wasn't the story about Rui having a bucket fall onto her head, otherwise Wes and Rui would have swapped expressions.
"All I asked is about what Hilda told me a few days ago," Wes grumbles with an annoyed scowl. "Something about Silver."
An amused grunt is Valen's answer. Silver's been more discreet than usual as of late, but it's obvious what Hilda told Wes.
"They're...all here."
Kris can't think of any other words to describe the awe she's experiencing. She's got to fight back her tears of joy, but this is a dream come true. From Adalbert Dürer and Reyer van der Weyden to league painters Simona Anguissola and Lucia Fontana, many big names within the world of Renaissance painting await her and the visitors strolling past her. Artists that are less familiar to the general public, such as Domenico Dossi and Pasquale di Cosimo, also have representation hanging on these walls.
She came here to construct a provenance document for one of Salvator Botticelli's finest works. Good thing she can also explore, because she can't proceed without a quick peek at everything. She prolongs each step and deep breath, trying to take it the grandeur of this amazing array of masterpieces. She supposes this is what happens when three influential families join forces to create the grandest museum possible.
It starts with artists like Holbein, van Eyck, and Bosch. It ends with Mannerism and the three titans of the High Renaissance: Michelangelo Bellincioni, Raphael Sadoletto, and Leonardo Da Vinti This museum is one of just three to house examples of both Michelangelo's frescoes and oil on wood paintings, two of each in this case. Eleven Raphael paintings and four Leonardo paintings round it out.
It's time to get back to business—this future curator's gotta get her game on. If she actually gets to work here, it wouldn't even be work. It'd be a hobby.
Kris enters the medium-sized room with Botticelli's paintings, her choice being Xerneas e la Primavera. Unlike many of the works here, this one's not an oil painting. Tempera from a Chansey's egg was painted on a wooden panel. Love and beauty are represented with great vividness, a testament to the consummate artistic ability of an Old Master like Botticelli.
Yveltal rests atop a beautiful and blossoming garden, his wings are spread out and his expression's collected and placid. Xerneas has her head lowered, her tender smile and gleaming eyes are directly in the center of the work. In a touching moment of intimacy, Xerneas plops a Geomancy-infused kiss onto the top of Yveltal's head, a vibrant glow finished in malachite representing Geomancy. The glow roots into the ground, causing flowers to blossom and trees to extend in height.
Mew and Celebi are in-between the foreground and background, they're forming an arch with one hand each. Zygarde's puppy form frolics in the garden with both two Shaymin, one Land Forme and one Sky Forme.
Fittingly, Botticelli's earlier portrait of the patron, Champion Niccolaio de' Medici, is to the right. Right of that is the Botticelli portrait of the patron's brother, Professor Salvino de' Medici. All three were among the first paintings to grace these walls when the museum first opened in 1795.
It's time for the artist that led her down this path many years ago. She weaves through the throng of people and Pokémon and ends up close to the Jorgel van Eyck works. Right next door are three works by Heinricus Bosch.
Kris rubs her blue hair from front to back, her smile confident and her brilliance radiant. She envisions herself in a gorgeous red suit made by Valerie, giving a presentation on the wacky world of Bosch paintings. He's been mistakenly called a medieval painter, but he was a contemporary of Botticelli and Leonardo.
Silver's in the audience, he's bragging about personally knowing her. It's her fantasy and she can envision whatever she wants. Silver's got better taste than people realize, so there's that factor too.
"If he ain't sweet, I ain't looking for him." Her tone increases in sass, her giggling faint but evident. "He better be artsy if he's checking on me."
All silliness aside, she was ten years old when she first laid eyes on Bosch's The Garden of The Balancers. It was a little bit scary, but fascination outweighed fear by a wide margin. It's a triptych oil painting, so the work's split up in-between three panels. The two panels on the left and right are foldable, but the museum displays the work with those two fully open. There are hundreds of Pokémon and dozens of humans present. She loves how Bosch utilized both linear and aerial perspective. If one took a photo of the work and drew lines above the various Pokémon and other elements, all of the lines would meet where Zygarde is.
The left panel consists of a vibrant, lush forest in the foreground and half of the middle. A town lies in the other half of the middle and in half the background. The sky above is crystal clear, the pigment used being the lightest shade of ultramarine blue. In the foreground, Xerneas towers like the majestic gazelle she knows she is. Two dozen Eevee and puppy Zygarde are snuggling up to her, the ground under their feet glowing with a beautiful white light. A large, sparkling lake in the middle contains multiple specimen of the Poliwag line and other Water-type Pokémon.
There are less than twenty Pokémon in the right panel. Tree stumps are scattered throughout the withering, lifeless grass. The lake has dried up, leaving only splotches of water. The town's desolate and its buildings are decaying. Yveltal soars in the sky, which is finished in the darkest shade of ultramarine. It's accompanied by Zygarde's Complete Forme, and both legendaries are surrounded by a battalion made up of Hydreigon, Obstagoon and Pangoro. Running from them is a tall man and small legion of soldiers. All of them have either terrified or despondent expressions.
The two backgrounds extend into the center panel, but the colors are different. The lighter shades of ultramarine and malachite grow darker from left to right. Zygarde towers in the center of a desert and rocky-like terrain. Several Haxorus, Flygon, and Garchomp surround it. Dozens of each Pokémon's pre-evolutions, plus other Dragon-types and Ground-types, are scattered throughout the middle panel.
"I can never keep a straight face over what's going on in the town in this panel." Her tone's high-pitched, and her cheeks are slightly red. "I love how bizarre a typical Bosch work can be."
For starters, the outskirts contain a Dragonite that's slapping another Dragonite for falling asleep. How can anyone not love that? Near the market, there's an unamused princess with a Swablu on her head and an Alakazam's whacking a Greedent and its with its spoons. Those ripe berries scattered around them must have been taken by the former. And then there's an angry Tsareena whom got smacked where sun don't shine by a devious Haunter. In all three panels, the stained-glass windows and extravagant spires indicate that the town's buildings are Gothic-style architecture.
She'll save Attack of the Flying Magikarp and The Odd Herd for another time. Why did Bosch paint a squadron of giant Magikarp with Salamence wings that know Hyper Beam? What compelled him to paint hybrids of Oddish and Tauros? All she knows for sure is that he did and it's wonderful.
Fineeeee, she'll admit to herself that she wants to check out one of the three Bruegel paintings too. After Bosch came Bruegel, and that led to a chance encounter with Rembrandt's works. Rembrandt's become her all time favorite painter, but Bruegel and Bosch are easily second and third.
Her favorite Bruegel, The Bountiful Harvest, is among them. It's how she learned about Calyrex and his noble steeds. Sightings of all three aren't that unusual in the grand scheme of things, but there's more than one Glastrier and Spectrier. If there wasn't, how would the head of the Liniya Corporation have a Spectrier?
Oh? She's got text-hmph! Look who finally showed himself! Silver better have a good reason why he didn't tell anybody what's been he up to. It's not like she gets really happy whenever they talk...or enjoys his company...she's just the boss, that's all!
She rolls her eyes with a faint, annoyed scowl. Is she really supposed to believe that he accidentally...set foot into Nimbasa Fashions?! He happened to end up...where those Wallace Kors accessories are?!
Her wide-eyed stare hones in on the series of photos he's sending. They've got the necklace. the watch...and everything else from the set featuring Galatea's Grace. Wait a minute, when did Wallace release another set featuring Xerneas e la Primavera?
...He asked Serena on the downlow-timeout! Mega Evolve the timeout! Dynamax the timeout!
A wild blush appears on her face, her jaw dropping halfway. He's offering to buy BOTH necklaces for her?! Wha-who's this and what did he do to the real Silver?! What's going on here?!
"Um...ah...errr."
She takes a hard deep breath, shaking her head in a futile attempt to toss her blushing aside.
Is he seriously...does he even know who Botticelli...this isn't actually happening...right? He didn't...did he...actually...remember...it's just a coincidence! She'll take him up on his offer, but it's not like she finds this super sweet or anything They're just friends, nothing more to see here!
Hahahaha...ha...ha...ha...ha...ha...calm down, you silly gal! It's just a convenient series of coincidences! Quickly, go check out the works painted by Perceval Bruegel the Elder! He's in this room too! She changed her mind, time to look at all five!
Wait, she should finish constructing provenance for the Botticelli! Go back and look at the other Botticelli works too! Look at the two Perugino works in the same room! Stop blushing over an accidental occurrence and focus on the amazing painting that surround you!
…Do Rosa and Hilda know about those necklaces? They don't follow new releases of jewelry and accessories as frequently as she does, but they'd love to own one each! Serena's not here, so it's up to her to make sure everyone's stylish!
Faint, nervous cries ping-pong off of black walls in the second-floor hallway of Valen, Rosa, and Hilda's house. Hilda's Umbreon's face is bright red, her movements unsteady as she attempts to walk in Hilda's high heels. Why can't they make high heels for her kind?! What if she trips in front of her crush?!
At least wearing this fabulous jewelry is easier, it's as pretty as those white patterns on the walls. Strut your stuff, show off all three of Hilda's gold necklaces! She somehow managed to use paint to make her paws look like Hilda's red nails! There's no way Luxray won't fall head over paws for her!
More paintings were added to the hallway...including that Umbreon painting she gawked at in the museum?! Right next to the painting of a super majestic Luxray?! Even human art supports Luxray and her!
Music suddenly blares from the hangout room, that means it's time for an edgelord's edition of a musical. She listens in on Luxray hissing "crawling in my fur, my pride will never heal! Pspsps is how I fall, those kitten photos aren't real!"
Yes they are, silly proud feline! She's seen then and she adores them! Just like she adores that old fancy table that depicts his species looking all cool and majestic!
"Umbreon, why'd you raid my part of the closet?"
Oh no, Hilda's found her! She needs to find a place to hide! This hallway needs more furniture that she can hide behind or under! Luxray will see this, she'll look like a fool in front of her crush!
This is the worst possible moment to trip, but onto the ornate carpeting she plummets.
"Umbreon, look at me." Hilda's fists are on her hips, her scowl and glare that of an unamused mother. "I go out for a walk and I come back to this?"
A silence befalls the hallway and both occupied rooms. Luxray's already taken notice and is slowly walking out of the room. Umbreon pictures him walking in the slowest motion possible. Her face's even redder now and all four of her legs tremble.
Tittering breaks the silence. Hilda's now grinning with her eyes closed. Umbreon breathes a sigh of relief, even though this is no time to be kidding.
"You should've approached me first, silly!" She jumps and clasps her hands over her right shoulder. "I'd have helped you out!"
Hilda dashes towards her, but ends up tripping over herself. She flails her arms and tries to grab onto a fancy desk, but down onto her bottom she goes.
"Aieeeeeee, I'm such a klutz!"
Arms are suddenly wrapped around Hilda's midsection, she's being hoisted upwards by Valen. Good save...sort of...it's too funny not to snicker at!
Umbreon's snickering scurries away like a Wimpod when she realizes what Luxray's reaction is. His cheeks are red and puffed out, and he's got a paw in front of her mouth.
Her shocked scream fills up the hallway, causing Valen's Gardevoir to appear via Teleport. Her arms are folded like she means business. However, she bursts out laughing upon seeing Valen and Hilda tumble onto the carpet.
Gardevoir should know that this is no laughing-Luxray did not just say that! How can he find the high heels and triple necklaces look ridiculous?! She looks a-m-azing! Come on, you're supposed to be falling head over paws for her!
...Really? Luxray...thinks she's fine the way she is? She's not a Flareon, yet her face's become redder than a Flareon's face.
Luxray's purrs and closes his eyes, his teammate's angelic cry a sign of her approval. Closer and closer his face moves…and then it happens. Her world gets thrown into a chaos of celebration.
Her crush just kissed her cheek.
She leaps out of the high heels, her squeal attracting the attention of Gengar and Serperior. All three Pokémon encourage her and Gardevoir cackles that Luxray's a sweetheart on the inside. Luxray doesn't mind, he can't be an edgelord all the time.
Umbreon places a paw atop one of Luxray's paws and rests her head under his chin. Luxray kisses the top of her head, whispering that she's a cutie. Her squealing's louder this time and she wants to hear that again times hundred.
Hilda's bubbly voice can he heard by Valen from the master bedroom. Guess the orange glow seeping through the window isn't enough of a ray of sunshine. He's not gonna complain, why would he ever complain? Their voices are a melody for the mind and soul.
She's gushing about Calvana having it's own Battle Frontier within the agency's biggest project to date. She's also elated for the musical that's taking place in a few days. That's going to be a lot of fun.
Rosa went out for a walk after starting a painting, but he decided to relax and read books. chosen five extensively detailed books, the one he's reading is a monograph of Caravaggio. Books on Vermeer and Bruegel is on the round surface of his walnut table. A second surface that lies in-between is where he's placed larger sized books on Rembrandt and Poussin.
Before he sat down to read, he re-organized the awards that Rosa, Hilda, and him have won over the years that are in ornate cabinets. The trophy and ribbon from the last tournament and contest he won have been placed in their appropriate sections. The centerpieces are their league conference trophies, the Pokémon Masters League trophy, and their symbols from Hoenn's Battle Frontier. Rosa and Hilda have never entered the Calvanian Grand Performance, otherwise the contest shelf would have three giant ribbons instead of one.
Another ornate cabinet contain troves of precious memories captured in photographs. The latest addition is of Lisia, him, and their Pokémon. Next to it is a photo of Serena and him in Lilycove City, and in-between is a gift he received from her at the Lilycove Museum. It's fitting that one coordinator gifted another coordinator a ukiyo-e print of a kabuki trainer with a Salamence and a Hisuian Typhlosion.
There's the trotting, but he only hears a giggle. Arms suddenly encircle his neck, warmth's surging through him.
"Roar, Rosa used Wrap!" She leaps up onto the bed and bops his legs with her feet. "Grrr, feel Rosa's power!"
"I knew you were coming, ball of fluff." He rests his palms on her back. "Excelling at painting again?"
"Tee-hee, yeeeeep!"
Ooooh, he's reading the Caravaggio book with a complete catalogue of the painter's work It's close-ups and fold outs too! The Vermeer's book presented in the same way, and big boy's got two big books on the three leaf clover!
Noooooooooooow, if Valey thinks Super Detective Roooosa didn't notice what's on the desk, he's mistaken! Among the four new painting prints is her favorite Poussin work, The Speech of Critias!
...Right, it's time to for a serious matter. Valen seems to be doing okay, but what's on the surface may be different than what lurks underneath. The creaking of the door rings through her ears, but the door doesn't close before Valen and her acknowledge Gardevoir and Gengar.
"Sweetie, I want to ask you something." Rosa begins to caress his right cheek. "How do you feel about yourself?"
"Much better...but-" He takes a deep breath and scratches the back of his head. "I occasionally...worry about the worst-case scenario...eh heh."
It's not hard to figure out why this question came about—he's going to give a presentation about a museum painting in the near future.
Rosa slides her other hand over his left hand. Her touch is soothing for the body and mind. Her loving gaze stares deep into his eyes, no tension can withstand her love and care.
"There's no mountain that can't be climbed when we've got each other."
Her lullaby-like tone is music to his ears. Her sweet smile carries a fuzzy sensation that invades his body.
"I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was." He raises a fist near his right shoulder. "I will climb the tallest mountain with those most precious to me."
"That's my Valey!" She closes her eyes, her face glowing. "Buuuut you said one of the best is more appropriate!" she giggles and wagging her right finger. "Are you being a bad boy, hmmmm?"
"It's more accurate, but it doesn't sound as cool."
"Yay, I won again!" She presses her palms together. "Keep smiling for us, kay?"
"As long as I've got those closest to me, that can be arranged."
He pulls her in for a in for a brief kissing session. They prefer to take in each other's affection slowly. It's a massage for their mind and body. They want to stay in each other's arms forever, same applies to Hilda.
"I've told you about Leon's younger brother before, do you remember his name?"
"Hop, right?" he asks. "Rising star among researchers, just started a small lab in the Ériu region."
"Yep, but what I didn't tell you is that he desperately wanted to become champion."
"Intriguing," he remarks, "Leon's still the champ of Galar."
"Hop lost to Victor, but his brother was still proud of him," she says. "When Chairman Rose unleashed havoc upon Galar, Hop ended up with Zamazenta."
"Impressive."
"I told you that because no matter what, we're proud of you too."
"Thank you, that means a lot." He rubs the top of her head. "I like how passionate Leon is about battling and his home region," he remarks. "He's a good role model for trainers."
"He's a cool guy, but his sense of direction is worse than Silver's crush denial."
Rosa and Valen laugh, then she snuggles up to him and kisses his right cheek. Her left arm's around his neck, his right arm's around her waist.
She extends the fold-out of The Calling of Pokémon Battles, this one being a close up of the work's details. There's no rush for painting prints because a number of these art books have beautiful photographs like these in them. That being said, they don't judge books by whether the photographs are in color or not, nor do they judge a book over how many pictures it has.
As they read, they quickly glance at each other over and over again. There's a heaviness in the air, but it's not worry or fear. No, the air's weighed down by a warm, sensual feeling.
The minutes tick by on the antique gilt clock that rests in one of the bookshelves. Beyond that, the silence has made an encore. It's so quiet that the sound of glossy pages rubbing against each other and their fingertips can be heard without much intrusion.
After several more pages, the heaviness evolves a Rhydon. After eyeing several more paintings, it evolves into a Rhyperior. Could also be Numel and Camerupt, because it's getting hot in here. Onto the table the book goes, they'll engage in their umpteenth reading marathon with Hilda later on. Valen runs one hand through her hair, his other hand on her back. She wraps her other arm around his neck. Down on the bed they go as they resume kissing with heightened intensity.
What are your thoughts on the chapter? Did you like the tender moments? What about the battle and the Kris scene?
And are you Team Luxray/Umbreon or Team Salamence/Milotic? :P
I'd like to reference more female artists. That's why I decided to add two here and two in Chapter 4.