The truth is, mentioning about Alexei's involvement doesn't acquit her off whatever charges they want to incriminate her for. And lucky for him, Selena is not the one to drop her friends off when things get ugly. That sounds like a pretty expensive lunch—or dinner—whatever floats his boat.

“Dinner looks nice when you're finally back in your home. I'm down.” Selena returns a smirk of contentment and comfort. “And girl, please, you're literally gay and I'm literally a bisexual. No homo—yeah, sure.”

But Alexei is not all about jokes tonight. There is obviously something he wants to share, specifically about how he sustained those injuries he's worn like a war trophy or avant-garde fashion.

“You mean like you're a royalty?”

There is an inkling of what he's saying that she actually understands but there is too much that needs to be confirmed only by Alexei himself.

---

SOCIAL: A LOST QUEENDOM BESIEGED
Alexei Ivanov

“That whole aura spiel actually sounds... offensive.” With brows raised, Selena understands Alexei is not like her trained to curate the words that come out of her mouth. However, she feels that there is a need to point it out, albeit with a chuckle.

“What's the problem with your blood?”

The whole royalty thing is supposed to be a joke: royalties do not get injured because that's the whole point of pawns and knights and other royal house staff. She thinks it has something to do with what the people call the royal disease—but it's not like everyone could easily get something of that rarity. But when Alexei starts saying something about blood...

Then maybe it is what it really is after all.

“Wait, is that why you're limp?”

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SOCIAL: A LOST QUEENDOM BESIEGED
Alexei Ivanov

“Non, I'm proud I'm playing for both teams so I don't actually feel complimented at all.” There is a brief eyerolling before she adds. “But that regal air you're saying: now that's a compliment!”

Selena gets up her feet and nudges her companion to follow. Despite being abandoned, there are still a few facilities open for her to stay. Most of the buildings are ordered to shut down considering the fact that their operational budget has already been depleted. She supposes the long walk around this empty playground can suffice the time Alexei needs to tell his story.

“What did the doctors say? So is it that disease?”

Two stab wounds can be deadly, all right, but this is no time for Selena to contest or argue. All information points towards the obvious fact that indeed Alexei may have that disease.

“That royal disease?”

---

SOCIAL: A LOST QUEENDOM BESIEGED
Alexei Ivanov

“Merde, that's something serious, Alex.”

Circe and Lares follow suit, the rotom eventually leading the way towards the facade of the old Lilycove Gym.

“I don't really follow health beats but from what I know there are treatments you can get to control that.” When she realizes he must have been doing those things already, she proposes another idea. “Or I don't know. This is Hoenn, Alexei. Hoenn attracts all sorts of strange phenomena. Maybe a Legendary pokemon can heal you, you know.”

Upon reaching the foyer, lights blaze up around their spot and slowly crawl around the courtyard, illuminating what appears to be the old arena then into the building's exterior, illustrating the postmodern Kalosian image of the fortress she once called home.

“BZZT! BZZT! EVERYTHING IZZZ ZZZET UP THE WAY YOU TOLD UZZZ, MADAMOIZZZELLE.”

The Kalosian looks back at Alexei, her lips tilting on one side as it forms a lopsided grin.

“And whatever it is that you do about it, you know I will always support you. But of course, only if you do the same for me.”

---

SOCIAL: A LOST QUEENDOM BESIEGED
Alexei Ivanov

After hearing what Alexei has to say, Selena responds with a smile. The corridors of the old gym is not as lengthy as it seems but Selena revels with every step she takes. There is appreciation with every stride, having arrived at her Vantage for the first time in four months.

“But there should be legendary pokemons who are capable of healing. Reason doesn't matter anymore when we're talking about these creatures: they are sentient beings that transcends reasons, after all. What you need is faith. Trust me, I was an avatar, remember?”

The pair together with Selena's pokemons ascend to the second floor and arrive in-front of Selena's office. Alexei will probably recognize the room where Selena celebrated her birthday with him. The place should be filled with dust and needs a little prepping, but surprisingly everything is in order and is neat.

“You're the first in line to witness a new chapter in Vantage and Selena's life. I am working on something anew.”

Lares starts to pulsate aggressively, prompting the rotom to hover in the air for a few seconds—loading new information into its memory—before its phantom body possesses the holographic screen on the office window: pictures of league officers, gym leaders—including Alexei, mayors, councilors, and even the commissioner herself pop up on the monitor. Arrows connect photos and information here and there; some pointong to a pile of Team Rocket paraphernalia on one side, but they all appear grey behind the huge red text that says "FOR FUTURE REFERENCES."

“I told you the journalist organization 'barred' me from writing. What I meant is that they influenced people to take out their shares from Vantage—and now my company's practically non-existent. I am working on that. But now, I can focus on myself.”

There is a dramatic pause as she takes a step forward, arms crossed as her eyes fixate on the flashing screen that illuminates the dim room.

“I have a new story to write.”

---

SOCIAL: A LOST QUEENDOM BESIEGED
Alexei Ivanov

“There's no need for it... yet.”

The words come like a calm breeze in a cold night; quiet but sending chills down the spine. Perhaps, it is one thing that Hoenn hasn't prepared themselves for when having Selena in their midst: what doesn't kill the Kalosian lady only makes her stronger.

“We save our best weapons last when it can actually serve its purpose. ”

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SOCIAL: A LOST QUEENDOM BESIEGED
Alexei Ivanov