CHAPTER 27

Date: May 15th through June 2nd, 111 P.A. / 2115 C.E.

A week later after Arei's abduction and rescue, Mewtwo stared at his mate as she slept at his side, thinking of all she had told him several days past. The Rebels wanted their child, and that fact disturbed him rather enough to begin to make him wonder how he could prevent harm from coming to his lover and their child. But of all thoughts, once came most prominently out of the bunch—they needed a break from it all. From politics and war, from secrecy and threats. He already had an idea of what to be done about this. He kissed his Arei on the cheek, then teleported to the Northern Regions, conversing with the Goddess of Spirit. She and her Priestess were all too willing to be hosts to the weary God and his lover, and thinking them, he returned to his realm over the east many miles, making arrangements with the staff. When Arei awoke, the plans were set, even having taken numerous hours. Mewtwo cradled her against him warmly, telling her they were going on a trip…to the world, it was to ensure in a continuance of a truce between the two lands. For them, though, it was a break from all those who sought to control or tear them apart.

"We're going to my homeland, Mewtwo?"

"Yes. Your lineage is descended from a long line of some very free-willed people. I think you will enjoy our time there. They follow the same religion…but it's different in some intriguing ways."

Such as same sex holy leaders. When Arei had rested some more, she rose from the quarters she and her mate had been given when they had arrived, shivering at the chilled mountain air. Mewtwo and Regiice were in deep conversation, a Holy Child—a scyther—listening in on their conversation. The High Priestess was listening as well, carving a vaporeon from a chunk of dry oak wood. As she entered, they fell silent, Mewtwo surprised her by coming to her, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her gently. She savored it for a moment before pulling away, glancing at the others, who were pretending not to watch.

"Mewtwo, is it wise for us to—?"

"I have informed them of our relationship. They are not the type of people who mind oddities in the least…they are quite open-minded, and have sworn to keep silent about the matter."

Arei smiled in spite of herself, reaching up to touch his face. "So, we don't have to hide?"

"No…no in the least."

He pressed his forehead to her, nuzzling her quietly, and then left, apparently to go speak with someone. He guested she speak to the Priestess as a matter of interest, for Katrina was of her relative age and a kind creature at that. And so Arei stayed with a fellow High Priestess as Mewtwo left her, and watched as Katrina worked on her sculpture. The girl had short navy hair, and eyes the color of the blue of the night sky. Her skin, smoother and unblemished, was the same alabaster tone as Arei's…and she had similar robes, though they were a foggy azure, not pale lavender. Her hands, though, were littered with tiny white scars, doubtlessly from slipped blades. Without speaking, the young woman intrigued Arei. She had never met someone like her in position…it was always odd to find someone so similar to you, equal, in a hierarchy such as the one that ran this world. Katrina smiled at her from across the coffee table, and then asked if there was anything that she could get Arei.

Arei smiled, suddenly feeling shy, sheepish. "I am somewhat thirsty. Something cold would be nice."

Katrina gave her a nod and rose, getting some glacial melt water, and Arei tentatively reached out, examining the forming piece. The form was carved out now, and some of the general details raised and evident. It was actually quite impressive. Hints of fur, the scales on the frill, the ridge of the spine. Katrina noticed her actions, and returning from the kitchen area she handed the pregnant women a glass of water, taking the carving back.

"It's really quite good," Arei commented as she sipped her drink.

Katrina replied by saying, "Well yes, it's melted from pure ice—"

Arei grinned. "No, your sculpture. I'd never be able to make something like that."

The other human blushed faintly. "Well thank you. I've heard you're quite good at pottery yourself. Is that true?"

"I guess. I've had years of practice, though."

"Well, it's not as if I learned to carve overnight!"

They fell into a talk about the arts. They were quite popular in this country, for the education system encouraged it in its students. As Arei understood it, the schooling system was free here, unlike in her own realm, where it cost valuable time and money. For that reason, many children were trained in their parents' arts, not having any other real choice in their future occupation. These matters went into other political and economical differences. For the most part, their countries were very similar…though some which Katrina had visited were completely odd, having not one god at their head, but also an assortment of other pokémon in the place of Priests and Priestesses, and had to decipher their motions to convey a message, using auguries. It struck them both as a very complex waste of time, and eventually as differences were pointed out, Katrina commented, "I'm the daughter of the last priestess…my mother retired a couple of years ago. Unlike in your country, our choosing of our Priestesses is just which daughter have who is best suited for the job. As I understand it, your God chooses from the people, correct?"

Arei was shocked at how blatantly she said all of this, and Katrina spotted this. "Hey did I say something wrong? Oh, crap…I'm sorry. I forgot the political situation in your kingdom, didn't I? Gods, I'm sorry…."

But Arei's eyes narrowed. "So…a Priestess here is allowed to have children and retire…is that right?"

"Well, yes. A High Priestess is of course holy, but she may marry in this country, and when she'd old enough, she may retire if she wishes to be with her family. I think that's why Abaddon brought you here."

Arei blinked. "What?"

Katrina blushed. "Um…well, he made it quite clear that you two are…intimate. But I think he wants to make it official for the sake of your child, and…."

Arei didn't hear how pitifully she trailed off. She understood what Katrina was trying to say. Abaddon wanted to bind them in law. They had talked about it once or twice, so as to make their child not a bastard. To stand as proof that what they shared, at least to Abaddon, meant more than sex and affection. He had murmured to her that if he could find a priest, he wished to marry her…to prove to her she was more to his heart than a mere Priestess who he savored sharing his bed with. Arei, having not thought he could find such an individual, had dismissed it as wishful thinking on his part. She hadn't thought he was serious.

She was DEFINITELY going to talk to him about this later!

Katrina's voice filtered back in. "Arei? Arei? Maybe I shouldn't have said any—"

"No, it's good that you have. I'll just have to talk to him is all."

Suddenly, Katrina smiled. "About that…even before Abaddon told us, we'd been hearing rumors of your closeness."

Arei froze, frightened to hear that. Did more than the Rebels know? Katrina gave her a reassuring smile, telling her to calm down. "I heard it through Goddess Regiice. She apparently heard it from Goddess Mew a few months ago. And Goddess Mew seems to know everything, it strikes me."

Arei relaxed, reclining, placing her hands over her navel. "And what did you hear?"

"She conveyed to me, in her own way, that he treats you as his equal, and speaks to you about personal matters that are only disclosed to you. That he values you deeply enough to reproach anyone who chastens you, and went into a rage when you disappeared from the grounds when the Rebels took you. Some think you've bewitched him so that he will stand by your side, touching you as he might a partner…which is true, of course, though many do not know this."

"They say you have strange powers that enchant him…tell me, is that true?"

Arei had to chuckle. "If you think arguing with him and sleeping with him are magical, then perhaps."

"Is it also true that he wiped out an army of Rebels who abducted you?"

Arei flushed. "That's an exaggeration. It was one squad, nothing more. But yes, he did fight for my sake…he is my guardian."

"And lover."

"Yes…that too," Arei admitted, feeling her baby stir softly inside her womb. Mewtwo's child…it was doing so well….

Katrina leaned back, closing her eyes, "My Priests keep pressing me to take one. They tease me that I'm going to turn into a wrinkled old prune of a bitter woman if I don't have some carnal entertainment once in a while. With all their wives, I'll bet they know exactly what they're talking about, though like hell I'll admit it."

"You mean your priests like you?" Arei felt ill at this aspect.

The other priestess gazed at her with one eye open. "Oh, that's right…your Priests are a bunch of old men elected from your noble houses. Nah, mine are my age, and we get along alright. I've heard yours are ambitious bastards who hate your guts, right?"

Arei bristled, suddenly despising how easy this woman apparently had things. No one was demanding for her blood, but back home…she had only Mewtwo to turn to, who she could really trust. Who she could care for. And her loyalty gave her far more enemies than friends…and every day, she felt fear for her baby. But Katrina would never have these worries.

Perhaps Arei truly was alone in her unique situation….and so, with a slight edge, she responded to Katrina's thoughtless inquiry. "That's a bit of an understatement. They want me dead, of that I am certain."

And while Arei wanted to rise and storm off, she had grown beyond such childish tantrums. Instead, she curled her arms around her stomach, continuing to talk with the other High Priestess who was so alike, yet so very different from her. In areas, the other woman was more mature, experienced, wiser…but in other matters, Arei could only view her as a child pretending to know what she was talking about. Despite these slips, Arei did enjoy her company as a friend. However, she was guiltily glad when Mewtwo returned and summons her away with him for a few hours. Eventually, they sat outside at a table in a lobby-way of the palace, gazing out at the mountains and glacial valleys. It was so beautiful and cool, the forests, the almost cloudless day. What vapor was in the air were in high, feathery, wispy white brush strokes in the azure sky. The townspeople, on what little village that was near the Temple, was having a summer festival. They watched them in silence, enjoying a meal of wild poultry and salads as evening began to fall…Mewtwo eventually donned a warmer cloak, Arei wrapping herself in a shawl.

They sat across from each other, and Arei asked, quietly, "Did you find the priest you were looking for?"

His face registered surprise, for only a moment, and then he did not ask how she knew. "I did."

"…Were you going to ask me before he…?"

"Yes. I still will. However…when I do, I want it to be a surprise."

She sighed. "I could give you an answer now, and save you the trouble."

He rose, taking her hands, drawing her to him. He touched her face, his eyes shimmering like the glacial lakes and the Temple. "I would prefer to ask you…and anyhow, I want you to truly think about it. Do not feel obligated to…if you do not care for the idea…I can accept that."

And that was precisely what Arei did for the next several hours. She thought about it…and let it slip her mind as Mewtwo led her around the village, and they hiked into the forests, savoring the beautiful scenery around them. More than once, they rested on a cliff, gazing out over wide expanses of fields and lakes, unto mountains with snowy caps and into shimmering lakes. They spoke with the locals, and despite the acceptance their God and Priestess had displayed, was careful to make their relationship appear platonic. Finally, when he felt his priestess was distracted enough, watching birds wheels and perform elaborate dances in the air above the forests, he knelt to her, submit to her, and kissed her left hand…it was a human gesture, yet she was human herself…and he cared so for her….

"Arei…would you be willing to be my mate? My wife?" He used both the pokémon and human terms, for they both were of those kinds, and he asked the actual question, "Would you marry me, my Priestess?"

She stared down at him quietly, contemplating these questions. She would not be with him because it would make their union official, for it would never be shared with the world. And she knew it would not be wise to marry only for the sake of her child, for she knew Mewtwo would care for it anyhow. She knelt beside him, holding his paw in her hands, and leaned forwards, kissing his muzzle.

She would be his for both of them. For him, and for herself.

"Yes, Mewtwo…and I say that because I want to."

She wanted him as her true partner, her husband. She did not care what others would think…she did not care that he would outlive her and perhaps found someone else to replace her and bear more children on her. She had known for some time that her affections for him were no longer daughterly, nor a frivolous, jealous crush of adolescence…. No…she hesitated to name the emotion, but she wanted him as her companion, and she knew that her loyalty would not sway from him, no matter his form and the inevitable doomed status of their relationship. She knew the world was going to despise her for it…she knew she was committing herself not only to him, but truly to any chance of life…but….

She was willing to make an enemy of the world to be next to him. To hold him, and to be held by him. At the very least, her child would know her for this act of both bravery and low. She would be Mewtwo's…just his.

It was what she'd wanted for some time now….

And so, as evening approached of the next day, Arei stood before him in a rather plane, white dress, saying her vows along with him. The Priestess Katrina, the Holy scyther, the Goddess Regiice stood as witnesses to the private, secret ceremony that the world would never know occurred. The room was a small one in a small church, the sunset casting light through the colorful glass windows as the Priest of the local monastery bound them together. The pews were empty, the only decoration thing strands of tiny snow flowers. As the ceremony was concluded, Arei and her mate exchange their rings…Mewtwo slipping hers, a thin band of silver and platinum, unto the ring finger of her left hand; Arei placing his unto a thin chain, slipping the necklace over his head, where it glittered upon his chest. There were no diamonds, no gold, nothing that obviously indicated marriage…yet the meaning was there all the same.

Had Arei ever imagined herself marrying, she though it might be something like this. Small, modest…though she could have never guessed her partner would not be human. Yet she touched his cheek gently, kissing him, feeling him draw her up into his arms so he could carry her. She tossed the bouquet of white roses to Katrina, who caught it with a delighted grin. Then, they were gone, to their quarters to celebrate their binding….

The room was actually quite sparring…but as wide and pretty as the hanging fabrics and decorations were, the bed what all she took in. He set her in the silks gently, kissing her softly with a sign, smiling at the ring she wore, at the warm way she gazed up at him. With ease, they slid her from the dress and undergarments, setting them aside with patient slowness. Mewtwo pressed his forehead to hers, drawing her into his hold, laying beside her was they began to truly consummate their union. Softly, gently…as he kissed down her body, he paused at her abdomen, before nuzzling her there gently, stroking her belly, mindful of the child who stirred there. Arei stroked his face, gazing down at him as he kissed her belly, then continued on….

When they made love, the liaison was gentle, slow in an almost agonizing way. They breathed shuddering gasps together, hearts beating against one another as they held each other, moving together towards true ecstasy. Arei, limbs wrapped around him as he moved up into her, sighed, pressing her cheek to his, savoring the connection, the completeness she felt in this moment that was anything but illicit. Wonder…joy…bliss…perhaps even love. Yes…after their union was complete, as they lay together, resting, he stroked her hair, and kissed her cheek, realizing this. He loved her…he never wanted for another….

"Arei…you are aware that this marriage of ours…means that I will only want you into forever, yes?"

She gazed at him quietly. "I think so…do you mean that?"

It was echo of what he had once asked her. "Yes…and I…."

He kissed her softly, pressing his forehead to hers. "I love you, my Arei. Believe me…."

Had he been a self-conscious creature, he might have flushed and looked away. But he wanted her to know he meant it…and so looked directly at her, into her eyes, conveying the truth. She gazed right back, then closed her eyes, curling up to him, cuddling her body to his….

"That you…I needed to hear that from you, my Mewtwo…."

It was a good enough answer for him…he cradled her close, kissing her hair, and slipped into sleep with his wife.

Over the next few days, they continued to explore the area, flying to areas unable to be reached by foot. Eventually, they wandered high above the town and Temple area, in a small mountain valley…it took maybe an hour to cross from one end to the other, and was in the shape of an oval. A river of ice melt ran through it, meadows flowering in the area, slightly hilly, with various glades of trees. It was wonderful, sunny, and full of flowers, and if you climbed the peak surrounding it, you had views for miles, and many storms did not flow over their height, instead sinking through the lower altitudes. Her ears rang, and she could not run without loosing her breath in the thin air, but it was comfortable, and like a place from a dream…. Mewtwo enjoyed it as well, and walking through it with Arei, an idea began to formulate in his mind. When she saw him smiling, she touched his necklace, asking him why he was grinning. He kissed her forehead.

"You like it here, Arei?"

"Yes, but…that wasn't an answer."

"Do you think if I built a home for us here, that you would be willing to live here?"

She sighed, looking around. "…Yeah. It would have to be over there, between those hills, near the river. And if we needed anything, we could always make a way to hike down to the village. It would be a long walk, but…yes, Mewtwo, if we could, I would like that very much. I think our little one would enjoy it here…and I don't think any of the pokémon would mind."

"But…we couldn't. We have to go back, and…well, when would we have the opportunity?"

He thought about this…and said, quietly. "Arei…do not think I have not thought of the people against us. Against you. I do not want to lose you, or our child…. Perhaps there is a way around them. A way I could smuggle you here, and we would never have to worry about any of them, and could raise our child in peace."

"But how? Mewtwo, I just don't see how we could!"

"…Perhaps we could fake your death, and our baby's."

She gazed at him in shock, but then let the idea turn over in her head. "…Could we really do that? Mewtwo, you'd have to have a new Priestess…you would have to stay, and just visit us. Could you live like that?"

He gazed at her, nodding. "If it would mean you were safe? I could, Arei. And as their god, I may change the law without holding the worry of hurting you somehow. I merely will not choose again. Byron may take your place…there need not be another priestess. They cannot harm me for choosing such. They dare not. And I can be here during the nights…they will not ask if I disappear. Perhaps I may even assign you a pokémon as a guardian…there must be some willing to defeat us, despite all. Like that scyther…."

She leaned against him, breathing in his scent…and for the first time in what felt like too long, she felt…hope. Hope for them. Hope for their child. Hope for herself…. "I'd like that, Mewtwo. I'd like that a lot."

He smiled. "Then the next time we come here, we will build ourselves a home…plant a garden. We will arrange it, and this shall be our place. I will purchase this area for ourselves…Regiice should be willing to give it to us…and it will be our home…a place for us to be free of them all…a place to raise our child."

She kissed him, truly happy at the idea. He held her, and held onto that dream. In the follow day, he arranged the purchase with the fellow god…finding that she had one condition: they would not settle there until half a year after the child was born. She did not wish for Arei to be without doctors during her time, and if she was sighted before then in this nearby kingdom, their plans would fall apart. Besides, the child should be weaned before experiencing such a change in environment. That way, someone could bottle feed the child as Arei and her mate worked to set up their home. It made sense, but the wait inside both the parents to be nervous. Five months after the two-year marker…it was risky, yet…they had lasted this long. And it would be safer for their child if the move was in spring, when it was warmer. During winter, they would be cozy and well-stocked. Yes, for the possibility of such choice security, for such a dream, they would risk it.

Two more weeks passed, and the couple admitted a reluctant return to their kingdom, back to the empire which in the same moment it worshiped them, sought to tear them down. No one asked about the rings they wore, and likewise, they never explained. And that was the way it needed to be if they were to create their dream and make it a reality….