she’d gathered nothing from the look on his face. regardless of her suspicions of humanity, she wasn’t the best read of people. in the end, she figured he didn’t know.

“everything going on at the lighthouse,” she explained vaguely. the distorted roar of whatever it was out there rang in her head. “decker and i recently communicated with something in outer space.”

THEO BECKETT

☉

that managed to stun him a little, though it really shouldn't have for the existence of ultra space and of megalopolans proved that there was life out there. it just might not be life they should interact with.

regardless, curiosity got the better of him.

"what did it say?"

Lulu Flint

☉

she thought for a moment, that she could go to get her phone but… the shadows had changed. getting back on the roof, while not impossible, would be very awkward and undoubtedly silly.

her eyes hung on the sunrise. though she’d sat there for hours already, she didn’t yet want to leave.

“it—” how to even describe it? … “it was some kind of a roar. there was distortion, though. not the best signal…” her head tilted from one side to the other, looking at him with the trace of a smile. “but i’m pretty chuffed it worked.”

THEO BECKETT

☉

"a roar."

he echoed, unsure what to feel besides concern. because things that roar aren't often friendly. but then again, what sounded like a roar could mean something entirely else to them.

"that's exciting. have you heard anything else besides that?"

Lulu Flint

☉

lulu liked that it sounded angry. anger was easily weaponized. she had shown him that she very much did still fear things, arguably much less significant than an unknown celestial being. about this, the look in her eye was devil-may-care.

“yes.” and then, that look turned to one that scrutinized for a reaction again. “a message about a meteoroid, headed for hoenn. two messages, actually.” she paused, lingering on a breath, gaze continuing to study his own curiously.

“the first said that it would hit in ten years. the second said five.”

THEO BECKETT

☉

after the soiree, it should come as no surprise when his lips quirked into a soft smile of sorts. five years and ten years — that didn't sound so bad.

but what would that mean for everyone else?

for those he loved?

the smile faded.

"do you believe it? them?"

Lulu Flint

☉

he smiled, and her own smile faltered, because even after the soiree, it wasn’t what she’d been expecting. she hadn’t asked him about it, really. too uncomfortable. even while she was beginning to warm up to him more in ways, she didn’t care to talk about feelings so much.

his smile fell, then, and she noted that too.

“i don’t know. not really sure who or what we were talking to.” she shrugged. “it does exist, though. they knew it by the number we recognize it as. it’s real and recorded, and it is close to us. 99943. meteno.”

“it’s either a warning, or a threat. whoever it is, they’ve at least witnessed something like...” time travel? she blinked. was it dialga? “that we haven’t witnessed before—at least not that the league told us. and that’s another thing.” her lips pressed in a flat line. “the league knew 99934 was close. surely if the messages are true, they know the progress it’s made, and they aren’t saying anything.”

THEO BECKETT

☉

were the league simply accepting the fate that awaits them in five, ten years? he wondered.

"when the time comes, if the league have yet to act, would you?"

he looked at her rosy skin.

"could you?"

Lulu Flint

☉

could she? her ego said yes. but would she? if given the moment, would lulu take a shot to be the hero, and save all of humanity?

of course not.

while the answer was clear as pre-apocalyptic day in her head, looking at theo, she found it hard to tell him. her jaw tilted at the difficulty.

"hm. i'm not sure that i could."

THEO BECKETT

☉

"i couldn't either."

he found it easier to admit than he had thought. but even if he could, if he had the power to stop it, a part of him knew he wouldn't.

it was a thought best left unsaid.

"we best leave for ultra space before then."

Lulu Flint

☉

she wasn't surprised by his first answer, merely pursing her lips the smallest bit. obviously.

but his urgency about leaving surprised her. her brow furrowed at him, but she didn't look offended.

"and what? leave everyone behind?"

THEO BECKETT

☉

"why not?"

though he questioned, he didn't sound nor look offended either.

"if it meant we survived, why wouldn't we?"

he could think of a few reasons.

Lulu Flint

☉

she stared at him, unsure if he was messing with her or not. she'd never known theo to joke, though, really.

what did this mean? that he would set out on a one-way journey with her alone? she supposed it shouldn't mean much, if it was that or certain death.

"no, you're right."

THEO BECKETT

☉