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POSTED ON Apr 2, 2021 18:11:48 GMT

It set him at ease to see Mr. and Mrs. Alfric interacting not unlike himself and Cait did, not unlike how his own parents did.

Michelle mentioned the duration of their courtship and Sénon was piqued by her use of the term 'arrangement'.

"I'm not sure I understand?"

They were here for an arrangement of sorts, if Mrs. Alfric was being colloquial, he wasn't quite catching on.

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POSTED ON Apr 2, 2021 20:43:38 GMT

there was a knowing look that was directed at sénon, the wife and mother standing a little straighter as her arms crossed before her.

"anyone outside of the tribe isn't brought here without a very good reason. outsiders are rarely given the chance to step foot on our property. our link to the outside world is gated."

cait appeared a touch nervous, her lips giving a light twitch at the corners.

"so i assume my daughter brought you here to fulfill some sort of purpose. and i have a feeling i might just know what her intentions are."

henry's brows raised for a moment, his eyes rounding slightly.

"how about we talk over something to eat instead of just standing around the kitchen," he suggested, tentatively.

eventually they were all seated, with the cobbler serving as their delectable centerpiece. pieces were divided and served upon ceramic plates, everyone gently urged to take a few bites by henry before they decided to press onwards with their conversation.

"we are here for a reason, mama. and it is a good one."

"are you two expecting? are we going to be grandparents?"

cait paused and then shook her head. a hint of disappointment shown on michelle's face, but it was quickly replaced by a ponderous look.

"well that's my first theory out of the window. but thankfully i had a second - were you considering a ceremony? you dropped the occasional hint over the phone - and i had a feeling you intended to soften the blow before showing your faces here."

"..."

her mother gave a victorious little smirk in response to cait's silence, taking another bite of her meal while her father appeared genuinely surprised; unaware of his partner's discovery.

"is that true? or is your mother taking shots in the dark here? you know how she is."

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POSTED ON Apr 2, 2021 21:52:38 GMT

Now he was up to speed.

There was a bit of a misunderstanding as he assumed Cait had already told her family about their desire to undergo her culture's ceremony. He thought they were only here to meet and get permission turned out they were here to make the announcement as well.

"Cait and I are moving a little fast." He couldn't help but frown slightly, his own reservations the same what they were when he and Cait spoke one on one about such things.

"I'm too serious about her to pretend I have any intentions of being without her in the future." His voice nor his gaze waved as he looked from mother to father. "That being said marriage as defined and upheld by the League is not something I'm not sure I believe in and not something we're ready for."

There were still things they had to learn of one another and work out. Frankly, so long as she was living in comforts provided to her by FERNANDO SILPH they weren't ready to married in the traditional sense.

But those were wrinkles for Sénon and Cait iron out, not Henry and Michelle.

"The Tree of Life Ceremony as Cait explained it sounded much closer to my own expectations for us." He had another thought as he turned to his partner. "Are you sure you're not..."

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POSTED ON Apr 3, 2021 4:14:35 GMT

she felt her cheeks grow hot under both her parent's and her beau's scrutiny.

"i'm not - "

cait sputtered a little, aware that she likely appeared a tad suspicious considering the circumstances. she had presented him with the idea of partaking in a bonding arrangement - she had decided to escort him to her tribe's private sanctuary - she had insisted on rushing their relationship to this point. her behavior pointed toward two separate things that didn't show her in an exceptionally good light.

either she was desperate to keep sénon within reach or she was pregnant.

admittedly, it was very much the former.

" - pregnant," she huffed.

while her bleeding cycle was irregular due to her implant and made for a poor tell, she still tested herself on a semi-frequent basis. cait kept pregnancy tests well-stocked and tucked out of sight of her boyfriend, aware that there was a 1% chance that it could occur. and with how frequently they slept together, there was always that chance that she'd find herself expecting.

"i check once a month," she said, assuring him. "as of twenty-six days ago i'm baby-free."

"regardless," henry said, politely cutting in. "while we can give you our blessing - i'm afraid we can't schedule a ceremony until the war between the league and rocket are over. we don't hold ceremonies in times like these - it's considered terrible luck."

"but you can say yes, at the very least?"

henry paused for a moment and gave a small nod.

"i suppose we can. what do you think, michelle?"

her mother eyed the pair.

"you're both adults. and we'd most certainly welcome you into our family with open arms, sénon. i think an engagement period will do you both some good while the region sorts out this awful business of theirs."

cait's eyes lit up.

"is that a yes?"

"if you last till the end of the war - it's a yes."

celebi's avatar gave a wide grin.

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POSTED ON Apr 3, 2021 5:09:03 GMT

Of course Cait would confirm no kid was on the way.

There was nothing revelatory being said or exchanged although two points of interest came up.

"Wartime bonds aren't accepted?" He was curious on the cultural reasoning behind such a thing. Where he came from the bonds forged in the face of war were treated as some of the strongest of all.

It made sense that such a peaceful and religious people thought bad luck came from such pairings but it was still interesting as hell that two cultures could find such opposing views about when it was appropriate to pledge love and loyalty.

In the end waiting a while for the ceremony didn't unnerve him the least, not on the surface. It gave himself and Cait time to keep getting to know each other while giving Cait some assurances in his intentions to stick around.

Although he was no fool, having to wait on the ceremony meant at some point Cait would get worked up from the fact that the war was getting in the way of her love-life in a very literal way.

Cue the mounting tensions and rash decision making.

Being engaged to be engaged surely had more stress to it than simply being engaged. Like always he tested Cait's resilience by playing giratina's advocate.

"What happens if Rocket and the League war for the next four years?"

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POSTED ON Apr 3, 2021 10:53:38 GMT

"then you'll be waiting for the next four years before anything can be set in stone. tradition is tradition, mister game."

michelle's overall tone of voice was firm yet not unkindly, the woman aware that no exceptions could be made on the couple's behalf.

"you won't be discouraged from living as a proper couple and any children you might have will be welcomed with open arms," henry added.

"i don't mind waiting, sénon."

cait was seated at sénon's side, her hand reaching to grasp at his larger paw. her voice was soft, the woman seeking out his gaze.

"you'll be my fiancée," she said. "and as soon as we're able... we'll preform the ceremony. okay?"

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POSTED ON Apr 3, 2021 13:01:07 GMT

Although he was asking the question to Cait, Michelle's answer and tone of answering reminded him how protective and assured those religious could be about their traditions.

Yet, there was something in her answer that raised another question.

"-and if the League loses the war?"

If they thought the ceremony would be ill-fated or even cursed for being made during a time of conflict, what would the outlook be if they tried to plant their tree during a time of lies and greed and insidious leadership.

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POSTED ON Apr 5, 2021 4:52:16 GMT

mother, father and daughter fell into a momentary silence - their expressions varying slightly; but all three appeared pensive.

"we'll still perform the ceremony because regardless of the outcome we'll still be together."

cait's tone of voice was tentative, but a glimmer of hope was present within her gaze. she ultimately sounded sure in her declaration, the woman seeking to comfort her husband-to-be.

"i should have told you about the caveats involved," she said, her tone apologetic. "but isn't this enough? that at the end of the road we at least have this to look forward to?"

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POSTED ON Apr 5, 2021 5:01:03 GMT

He searched her eyes for some glimpse into his future. Maybe Celebi might one day decide to give him some discreet favor for being so favored by its chosen proxy among humanity.

No vision came to him, but he was assured all the same.

"It's enough." The conditions getting in the way did undermine the sense of timing he'd had for this whole ceremony, but if Cait was happy and migraine free he would deal with the circumstances as they were.

Chopping away a section of his slice with a fork he let it sit on his buds and savored the taste, even if he had to pretend the hot piece wasn't burning his tongue.

Eventually he caved to manual cooling with his mouth.

Getting past the 'who' 'why' and 'when' there were still a few more questions to be covered. "So where exactly does the ceremony take place?"

His plate clean he gently sat down the fork.

"-and what kind of tree is it?"

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POSTED ON Apr 5, 2021 13:13:23 GMT

henry decided to answer sénon's inquiry, an underlying hint of excitement present within the man's tone of voice.

"the ceremony will take place within the compound proper. and you're very welcome to invite whomever you want. as for the tree..."

"... we're the ones who can pick out the species, baby. as long as it's not considered invasive."

"michelle and i picked a sycamore," he said, cheerily.

a grumpy mumble interrupted them, the raspy noise originating from the bulbasaur within cait's lap. the pokemon had been largely ignored, having snored softly as the conversation pressed onward as they talked over berry cobbler.

"did we wake you, bulba?"

the old creature squinted up at her as she crooned softly, appearing mildly bemused.

"how has bulba been? he's not as lively as he use to be."

the young woman's question was directed at both her father and mother - the latter responding verbally as the former frowned slightly.

"the healers say he's on his last legs, baby. a few months to a year at the most - and if we're lucky."

"... oh."

cait held onto the frail creature, her response one that betrayed her disappointment.

"he was middle-aged when you came around," her mother said, her tone comforting. "we've had him since well before we had you or even your brothers."

her first memories had been of bulba, it was strange to think he'd likely be gone in a short amount of time.

"..."

the young woman's lips give a small and barely perceptible wobble.

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POSTED ON Apr 5, 2021 16:06:19 GMT

Interesting, as much as he knew about fauna his flora knowledge was quite lacking. If they could pick their own tree, he had some research to do to find a perfect representation of their bond.

Cait bringing her attention back to the aging bulbasaur only to find in no uncertain terms that his time was almost up, Sénon slid a hand behind her; rubbing her back to soothe the vulnerability and anxiety she must have been feeling.

It was a tangled bag of emotional ropes to mourn a family member or loved one who died or was dying of old age. No one wanted to be without that which they loved but when the cause of loss was a life well lived there wasn't much one could do but cherish the time they had left.

It had never come up before but it was entirely likely Cait had never lost a pokémon before, let alone one so ingrained into her family dynamic and childhood.

Not willing to overstep his boundaries as a potential new member of the Alfric clan, Sénon casually broached the topic of relocation for the old seed pokémon. His tone less idealistically hopeful and more factually rooted.

"You know living on the compound might restore of his vitality." It was a unique talent all rangers picked up over time, to speak with such authority. "New sights, new smells, new grounds to explore alongside a loved one he hardly gets to see."

Of course her parents would surly miss him, and he them, and there was very little getting around that.

"Have you two given any thought to who 'takes up the guard' when he passes?" If it was any bit helpful, he could find them the new family member to fill in the void that losing their bulbasaur would create.

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POSTED ON Apr 12, 2021 6:27:57 GMT

the idea had very briefly crossed her mind. but she hadn't worked up the courage to ask, aware that her parent's claim on the elderly pokemon was just as valid as her own.

"i don't see why not," henry responded.

his tone carried a hint of hesitance, the man sharing a considering look with his spouse.

"and we've been talking about adopting one of the eggs are neighbor's meganium laid a few days ago."

as cait's father spoke, her mother appeared conflicted; her gaze shifting from the mumbling bulbasaur to her daughter's face. the woman immediately noticed the hopeful look that tugged at her child's features, michelle giving a small and barely noticeable nod as she quickly reached a decision.

"maybe that would be for the best best. i know bulba's missed you," the older woman said. "he kept looking for you after you left."

cait visibly brightened, her eyes stinging with a slight wetness that was blinked away.

"thank you. i'll take care of him. i promise."

"but when he passes - bring him back here to us, cait. this was where he was born and raised, after all."

"i will."

with the cobbler partially demolished, henry sought to liven the mood somewhat as he stood from his chair.

"now that we've eaten, how about we move to the living room? you have got to see cait's baby photos. she was the cutest little girl you've ever seen this side of hoenn."

cait released a noise akin to a groan, a grimace replacing the happy look she previously wore.

- - -

on the living area's couch, sénon would find himself with an plump album placed within his hands. his newfound fiancée would be seated beside him, with henry on the other side pointing out pictures and offering context to each scene depicted. her mother had moved to her bedroom to change out of her work's attire, informing them she'd return after her bath.

quite a few of the first pages were filled with her brothers and so on - cait having come along sometime later in the form of an infant swaddled in a baby blue blanket. as a tiny child she was placed in onesies aplenty, her arms either around mineie the shroomish doll or a younger bulba.

her expressions were initially frowns and pouts as she suckled her bib, but they'd eventually transition into smiles as she grew older. cait's mane was, strangely enough, brown during her first few years - with wisps of green beginning to emerge as she grew older. her eyes also started off as such, dark and brown in infancy before they transitioned into a green as she developed into a young woman.

a few pictures documented her interests, though she appeared to have a violin within her possession in a decent number of them.

"have you been practicing at all, cait? your old violin is still in your closet."

cait shook her head, absently petting the bulbasaur in her lap.

"i stopped after i left."

henry frowned a little, surprised by the admission.

"now why is that? you were pretty good."

she gave a shrug, dismissive.

"busy, i guess? i had work, pokemon and school to take care of. when i was a gym leader i barely had time to study - let alone play."

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POSTED ON Apr 28, 2021 4:08:42 GMT

It was kind of Henry and Michelle to relinquish custody of 'bulba' to Cait.

Although she never talked about him before it was easy to read her emotions regrading the old grass type.

If he was coming back with them Sénon would do all he could to prolong the life and ignite the joys it had left.

Settling down on the couch to look through photo albums he took his first but, unofficial trip through time with Cait. He found it charmingly strange most of women's hair changed from common browns to lush greens during maturation.

There was room there for some kind of metaphor about bare soils becoming fertile with time and care.

Looking through the pictures it seemed the smaller she was meaner she was. With pictures telling a thousand words there were enough photos here to make an affidavit in the case against baby cait.

The pictures being viewed and contextualized moving forward through time seemed to tell the story of a girl who started out certain and the more she learned about the world it seemed to inform upon her just how little she knew of anything at all.

The way he saw it, she had come a long way from whoever she was when she left this home.

The violin came as a bit of a shock; something about her knowing how to play one string made him thirst to get her to learn to play another.

Only in the dopiest of his dreams did Cait coo notes at him from her soft lips and the thoughtful tickling of her harp. "Did I know you could play?"

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POSTED ON May 15, 2021 9:23:19 GMT

"no you didn't."

she shook her head, ignoring the way her father arched an inquisitive brow at her.

"i didn't think it was really worth mentioning. i left all of my instruments at home."

"of course it's worth mentioning, sweetheart. you and your mother use to play together all the time."

cait gave a shrug, thinking back to the moments she would play almost excessively in hopes of outperforming her mother one day.

she never managed it.

so she naturally shifted her focus elsewhere.

"do you have bulba's pokeball?"

her father took this question into consideration, visibly mulling over the probable location of the orb.

"should be somewhere in our room. i'll fish it out for you. i'll be right back."

he left the pair by their lonesome, cait claiming the photo album for herself in his absence whilst scooting closer to sénon.

"i want to see your baby pictures next. it's only fair."

she shut the book and offered him a playful little smirk.

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