Gathering Storm - But Roses Gotta Wither [S]

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Isaac Merlo

Gathering Storm - But Roses Gotta Wither [S]

POSTED ON Jan 5, 2023 1:35:23 GMT

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[attr="class","skullhover"]

[attr="class","skullimg"]

[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skulloverlap"]BUT HOLD YOUR BREATH, GUESS WHO'S RUNNING THE SHOW?

[attr="class","skullbody"]"Hey, everyone's got hobbies," Isaac said, shrugging. "World would be a way more boring place if everyone just stood around looking cool all the time." If you found someone less badass just because of their hobbies, that sounded like a you problem![break][break]

Except him. He let Aurelie's observation slide off of him, even as his eyes nervously darted away from hers. It was hard to admit his own interests. Absorbing others' like a sponge came far more naturally to him.[break][break]

Aurelie was quick to dismiss herself as a protagonist, figuring herself far too simple for such a role. Ruby was equally quick to wave it off, seeing herself more like hired muscle than a leading lady. Briefly, Isaac's brow furrowed. "Oi, don't you two go looking at me," he said. For a second, he, too, looked ready to throw his own protagonist vote into the fire.[break][break]

Then he stopped himself. " 'Sides, if you can't be the protagonist of your own life, what can you be? C'mon, don't sell yourselves short."[break][break]

They weren't the only ones that shouldn't be dismissed. Ruby was quick to reject the value of learning from someone she disliked out of hand. "Far as I can tell, you don't get into a position like that without doing something to earn it," Isaac said. "And, more importantly, you don't stay in it without having some way of keeping it. Could be handy to know what that takes and see what makes him tick. Who knows? You might even learn a few things about what not to do."[break][break]

For example, threatening a child. If that's what it took to be a Beast, Ruby could learn the value of saying "fuck that" instead![break][break]

Part of why he was pissed was control. Ruby's Garchomp seemed like a berserker, more focused on raising hell than on listening to a word she said. "Sometimes, you just gotta set up that wall," Isaac said. "If not thinking gets you knocked on your ass enough times, you learn to start paying attention while you still can."[break][break]

By now, it was safe to say the three had doubts about Rocket's good intentions. Yet the intentions of the legendaries that occupied their world were just as mysterious. "Xerneas might not. But seems a bit hasty to say it like it's universal," Isaac said. "Figure legendaries are just as varied as any other Pokemon or people. And when you've got as much power as they do, they're probably quite used to doing as they please. Just gotta hope you meet a kind one, and not one that wants to eat you."[break][break]

What would they do if they had access to these legendaries? It was so easy to think that world peace, perfect strength, or access to all the do-overs they could want would let them fix everything wrong with the world. But was it really so simple? Ruby had a point. Nearly every story about these sorts of situations was quick to point out how easily they could go wrong.[break][break]

It was a nice fantasy, but maybe the fate of the world shouldn't be in the hands of a small pack of grunts.[break][break]

"Figure the problems start soon as two people have different ideas about what's right," Isaac said. "Shit. That really sums this whole mess up, doesn't it?"

[break][break]

[break]

[attr="class","skullinfo"]MOBILE POST / Aurelie Lefevre + Ruby Garcia

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Aurelie Lefevre

Gathering Storm - But Roses Gotta Wither [S]

POSTED ON Jan 10, 2023 21:42:05 GMT

[attr="class","aurelie"]

[attr="class","aurelie_lyrics"]Sometimes we all just need to vent.

[attr="class","aurelie_body"]Aurelie couldn't help but chuckle and feel a little warm and fuzzy when Ruby off-handedly but sincerely complimented her on being at least "pretty badass" from her perspective. "Thank you," the red-haired smith replied with genuine gratitude. "That means a lot, coming from you. Especially since you're probably the person I'd hide behind first if the ice cream parlor suddenly got attacked right now!"

She said that last part in jest, of course, but then, with the underground fight club in the basement, maybe sudden violence was a little more likely here than usual. In which case Aurelie really would be happy to seek shelter behind the woman who wielded a nail bat as a weapon.

"And sure, the world would be a more boring place if everyone was the same and equally as cool as each other," Aurelie acknowledged, turning to Isaac and nodding. Then she shrugged and threw her hands up in the air. "But has that ever stopped people—at least, the idiotic people—from judging and looking down on others who are different from them or who like different things than they do? I don't think so!"

Then she paused and leaned back against the counter, smiling at Isaac and Ruby in turn. "But I appreciate that neither of you are the judgmental type, except in fun. At least, unless you're judging a person for being far more willing to start wars and put lots of people's lives in danger. But then, that's a little more serious than a hobby," the red-haired smith added, her tone turning acerbic as she continued, "Though for all we know, maybe it really is a hobby for Walsh!"

Aurelie chuckled at the memory of the little heist she and Ruby had pulled off in Lilycove City. "I guess that technically was punching our way to ores, you're right. Well, punching and sneaking and running around and making things up as we went. I think if someone wrote a story about that, they'd probably leave out a lot of the terror and panicking that actually happened, because it wouldn't be much fun to read about."

When Isaac started lecturing Ruby about the value of learning from someone even if she didn't like him, Aurelie frowned at the concept. "Learning what makes someone you dislike tick and how they keep their high position sounds like a lovely idea in theory, but I feel like in practice, your distaste will get in the way of any actual learning," she disagreed, shaking her head. "That's not very efficient! Unless there are literally no other teachers out there, surely there's someone else who could train you without having that extra baggage to deal with."

Then her eyebrow rose slightly in puzzled surmise as she thought a little more about Ruby learning from a "pissed-off Beast". "Wait, which Beast was it that you were talking about working with against the Groudon cult? I don't think you ever shared their name. Was it...were you referring to...?"

She faltered, thinking about how angry Ruby had felt about the Rocket Beast who'd threatened to fight the young girl. How strongly she'd reacted, how personally affected she had been by it. Certainly far more so than Aurelie, to whom everyone involved was a complete stranger. But perhaps they hadn't been strangers to Ruby.

"Don't say if you'd rather not," Aurelie added hastily, holding up her hand. "I don't want to pry."

When the conversation shifted to the Legendary Pokemon, Aurelie simply shrugged and let out a sigh. "I'm glad you guys are both knowledgeable enough trainers to be able to throw around lore and knowledge about the Legendary Pokemon so easily, because I've never really paid much attention to that stuff," she admitted, spreading her work-callused, fire-singed hands wide. "So, shocking though it is, I really didn't know about Celebi's time travel, and I only have a foggy idea about Xerneas. What's common knowledge to you is news to me. I'm learning a lot just listening to the two of you right now!"

As a child, she had heard a few stories about Xerneas and Yveltal, and her father had venerated some of the Fire-type Legendaries, like Moltres and Heatran. That was pretty much the extent of Aurelie's not-very-formal education of the Legendary Pokemon. "But it makes sense that they'd have different motivations and goals than the rest of us. With their sheer power, you wouldn't even think they would need avatars to work through, but they apparently do. Maybe," she added with a sudden smile, "they just like our company, or they find us entertaining, like a good movie or TV show."

Again, she leaned back on her stool with her elbows resting on the counter behind her and looked back and forth between Isaac and Ruby. "Actually, you guys probably would know the answer. Why do the Legendary Pokemon take avatars? And what kind of things usually catch the Legendary's eye? Strength? Hard work? Sheer force of will? Good looks and charisma?"

When Isaac started his opinion on people disagreeing on what was right being why problems arose, Aurelie shrugged and frowned. "Weren't you just saying that the world would be boring if we all had the same hobbies? If we all thought the same way? People disagree on what's right or wrong all the time. We wouldn't be human if we didn't. But we can change each other's minds or figure out a compromise; we don't have to launch into conflicts over differences in opinions or ideas. Yet, for some reason, we still do."

[attr="class","aurelie_tag"]

Ruby Garcia | Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","cred"]VEL OF PIXEL PERFECT

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Ruby Garcia

Gathering Storm - But Roses Gotta Wither [S]

POSTED ON Jan 11, 2023 18:15:22 GMT

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[attr="class","ruby"]

[attr="class","rubyw"]

Ruby felt a blush dust her cheeks at Aurelie's genuine gratitude. Argh, why did that keep catching her off-guard?! "Please, like you wouldn't come up with some off-the-wall plan to get us out of it," Ruby said. It was partially to deflect from her own bashfulness, but she wouldn't be surprised if Aurelie really did somehow use ice cream to get them out of a scrap. She was resourceful like that.

[break][break]Isaac gave his thoughts on what would make the world a boring place. "Yeah, it'd be way less entertaining," Ruby said to him with a grin. She, on the other hand, would continue looking cool 24/7.

[break][break]Ruby hadn't thought of herself as non-judgmental before; actually, she figured she was the opposite. But her first impressions had been proven wrong plenty of times already, both of her tablemates being prime examples. Besides, she had proof that Aurelie was a certified badass in her own way. Ignoring that just because she liked "nerd" stuff would have been dumb.

[break][break]"I wouldn't be surprised if it was his hobby." What else was the boss of a crime syndicate supposed to do in his spare time? Pick flowers in the meadow? Now that was a hell of a mental image.

[break][break]The thought of being the protagonist of her own life just made Ruby huff sardonically. Yeah, right. If she were the protagonist of her own life, she wouldn't be where she was now.

[break][break]Isaac had a point about learning from someone Ruby didn't like, especially if they were in a position of power. But Aurelie had an even better point. "Exactly," Ruby said. "I'd be too busy thinking about what an asshole he is."

[break][break]She hadn't actually said his name out loud, had she? He'd come up in the conversation before, though, so Aurelie was able to connect the dots. "It was the Kyogre cult, actually," Ruby said. "Dumbasses waltzed right into Sootopolis and thought they could do whatever they wanted. Ended up working with Delarosa to drive them out." He'd done most of the work thanks to Xerneas's powers, though.

[break][break]Ruby let out a brief hum in response to Isaac's training suggestion. Finding a wall that even Delphi couldn't break down with brute force... Dammit, why did Delarosa seem like a good idea for that, too? What could be more powerful than an Avatar and his Legendary patron? Even Delphi would struggle against that.

[break][break]"I know someone who's really into Legendary stuff." She shot a glance at Isaac, who'd actually met Jade before. "So I've picked up a few things. Besides, Celebi's a pretty big deal back in Orre. Makes sense I'd hear about it."

[break][break]Aurelie's question about what Legendaries even needed Avatars for got a shrug. "Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe you're right: Maybe they just find it entertaining to give us little mortals their powers and see what we do with them."

[break][break]The issue of what was right and the conflicts that arose was too philosophical for Ruby's tastes. So she took a different route: "Some people just don't care about what's right or wrong or whatever and just wanna get ahead, no matter what it takes. You don't make a whole-ass crime syndicate because you think it's 'good.'"

[attr="class","rubytag"]Isaac Merlo, Aurelie Lefevre

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The Liberator

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April 10

Lavaridge Town

Figuring it Out

Penitent

Renegade

I've got a, I've got a

Pocket fulla sunshine

Short King height

Turned on my friends and brought them pain. I have no right to show I can change. But I gotta try!

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Isaac Merlo

Gathering Storm - But Roses Gotta Wither [S]

POSTED ON Jan 12, 2023 4:47:37 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","skullhover"]

[attr="class","skullimg"]

[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skulloverlap"]BUT HOLD YOUR BREATH, GUESS WHO'S RUNNING THE SHOW?

[attr="class","skullbody"]The argument that Aurelie agreed with and the argument that Aurelie balked at were really two sides of the same coin. It could be as trivial as your favorite pizza topping or as important as the development of the Hoenn region. Nobody could agree on perfection, but there would always be people willing to fight for the closest thing.[break][break]

"You're right. And I'm always gonna try. But that doesn't mean we're always gonna succeed," Isaac said. "There are gonna be times compromise just doesn't work. Someone picking a hill to die on and refusing to get off. Or asking you to turn your back on something you hold dear."[break][break]

Ruby, while not one for philosophy, had a surprisingly solid insight as well. "Or maybe it's because they're just not coming at you in good faith. There are times where we're either gonna have to fight for our truth, or swallow our pride and let it slide."[break][break]

Maybe that was why Isaac saw so much value in learning from those he distrusted. He couldn't change everyone's mind, no matter how badly he wanted to. But if he couldn't talk them into his truth, he could at least understand theirs. Why did they believe what they did? Why did they pick their priorities? What made them the way they are? And, if he needed to defend himself from them, how could he best stop them?[break][break]

bryan delarosa was proof of that nothing was ever as it seemed. He was a brute that threatened children with a malice unnerving even by Rocket standards. He took lives so freely that the god of life choosing him felt like some kind of sick cosmic joke. He was also a man that had been plagued by the loss of loved ones and burdened with the curse of immortality. Not even someone as vicious as him deserved to feel the burning desire to tear out chunks of his mind just to ease the pain. Would Ruby and Aurelie ever know? If they did, would they even care?[break][break]

Everyone had a story. Isaac was still trying to figure out the point in that story when men became monsters.[break][break]

Life was complicated. It was messy. It was full of disagreements that flared up into conflicts, tragedies that gave birth to monsters, and noble intentions that got pushed to their very limits. Yet, in a way, it was beautiful. It was precious. It was worth fighting for and believing in, no matter the cost.[break][break]

It was a double edged sword. He knew the time would come where he'd need to take a stand. Perhaps it would be to defend the world Aurelie envisioned; Arceus knows he'd pick that over this mess of a war, any time, any day. But where would he even stand to protect her vision? Behind the madman who sought to plunge the region in flame and those who toddled behind him for their own gain? Or under the iron grip of the status quo, even as it choked the life out of the region, its people, and eventually itself?[break][break]

"Fuck. I know life's not easy, but we're really playing on hard mode, huh?"

[break][break]

[break]

[attr="class","skullinfo"]MOBILE POST / Aurelie Lefevre + Ruby Garcia

[attr="class","skullcredits"]TAIKO!

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Anistar City, Kalos

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Aurelie Lefevre

Gathering Storm - But Roses Gotta Wither [S]

POSTED ON Jan 19, 2023 23:04:47 GMT

[attr="class","aurelie"]

[attr="class","aurelie_lyrics"]Sometimes we all just need to vent.

[attr="class","aurelie_body"]Aurelie could sense the conversation starting to slow a little bit, while also becoming more introspective and thoughtful in nature as the three of them finished their ice cream and transitioned from venting to whimsical hypotheticals and philosophical pondering alike. Or perhaps it was just her brain that was slowing down as the energy from the emotional aftermath of the Sootopolis Summit and then from the sugar rush of her sundae wore off. Especially as the conversation shifted to thorny issues of ethics, morality, and the conflicts that sprung up thereby, Aurelie felt like a Magikarp flopping ineptly on dry land.

The sight of Ruby blushing did make her smile, though. It was rather charming to see how easily the tough, blunt woman could be flustered by a simple compliment or thank-you. Aurelie was finding that she rather enjoyed having that effect on Ruby.

She nodded in understanding when Ruby agreed about trying to learn from the Rocket Beast Delarosa despite her dislike for him. "Right?" the red-haired smith exclaimed. "But I don't know, I'm just a simple person with a simple brain. Maybe Isaac can learn both how to fight and how to delve deep into someone's psyche at the same time to grasp the innermost secrets of what makes them tick, but I prefer to just focus on one thing at a time when I'm learning something new."

As Ruby briefly described her experience working with Delarosa in the past, Aurelie let out a low whistle and shook her head admiringly. "Wow, you both had some memorable adventures against those cultists," she marveled. "I almost wish I were more of a battler, so I could help fight alongside you guys and take on miscreants like that. Maybe next time, or someday in the future."

A faint, grim smile flickered across her lips as her one-eyed gaze rested on each of them in turn. "Hmm, I guess you two are both headed for even more adventures soon, if you're signing up for the Primal Point attacks or even the meteoroid mining." She raised her empty sundae bowl in the air in an ironic little toast. "Here's to hoping you both come back from that with big dumb cult knives, cool stories, a nice scar or two, and nothing worse than that."

She set the bowl back down on the counter and nodded along with Isaac as he started describing the various reasons why conflict arose between different people. If they disagreed and weren't willing to compromise, if they refused to change their mind, if you weren't willing to change your mind, or if they weren't approaching you in good faith... That all made sense.

Everyone had their own reasons and their own experiences, of course, but still, it didn't mean they should be hurting anyone over them. Or so she thought, anyway.

Watching Isaac fall into silence and ruminate over unspoken, abstruse thoughts for several minutes, Aurelie pursed her lips and shrugged. He seemed to be struggling deeply over a vast number of issues of which she had no knowledge and no particular desire to pry into at the moment. Whatever he was brooding moodily on, it seemed private and serious enough not to be shared immediately, and that was fine with her.

At his final comment, Aurelie snorted. "Oh well, aren't we always? If it's not war with the League, it's interdimensional rifts or portals to mysterious new worlds or destructive Legendary Pokemon or something else. Or it's just paying taxes and making rent and scrounging enough food to keep from starving. Or all of those things at the same time! There's always something.

"But..." She turned her head and gestured to the burly, intimidating-looking proprietor of the ice cream shop, beckoning him toward their trio. "Since we have this peaceful respite for now, does anyone want a second round of ice cream? Or a soft drink or something? My treat this time."

[attr="class","aurelie_tag"]

Ruby Garcia | Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","cred"]VEL OF PIXEL PERFECT

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Alicia Jewel

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October 18

Pyrite Town, Orre

bisexual

"Freelancer" (Rocket)

Elite

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i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

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Ruby Garcia

Gathering Storm - But Roses Gotta Wither [S]

POSTED ON Jan 21, 2023 17:14:36 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","ruby"]

[attr="class","rubyw"]

As much as Ruby wanted to make a joke about Isaac delving deep into someone's psyche, Aurelie was probably right on the money. Isaac was scarily good at getting into the nitty-gritty of what made people tick—hell, he'd even figured out Ruby's hang-ups with service Pokémon after just one meeting—and he would absolutely be able to do that while dealing with whatever Delarosa's training was. "Yeah, I'd rather focus on not getting myself killed or something," Ruby settled on saying.

[break][break]Aurelie's mention of becoming a better battler gave Ruby an idea. "Hey, if you ever need a sparring partner, you know how to reach me," she said with a confident smile. Aurelie was already good at coming up with creative solutions to problems on the fly; if she had some practice, she could totally translate that into battle prowess.

[break][break]Unfortunately, Ruby's choice of cone meant she didn't have anything to toast with now that she'd devoured it. The best she could do was offer a crooked, sardonic smile and a "Here, here."

[break][break]As Isaac spoke, Ruby wondered if he would wear himself out trying so hard to fight for whatever his "truth" was. "You make it sound so complicated when it's just people being selfish assholes," she said. Then Isaac fell into an unusual silence that had Ruby looking to Aurelie and shrugging right along with her. Finally, Isaac spoke again.

[break][break]"No fucking kidding," Ruby grumbled. "Doesn't matter which side you're on when everything keeps going to hell." And goddamn, if that didn't hit right in the heart.

[break][break]Aurelie attempted to lighten the mood by offering seconds. Ruby wasn't keen on filling up with more sugary sweets, but... "Eh, what the hell, I'll try an egg cream. Might as well see what the big deal is."

[break][break]Her phone rang in her pocket with a surprisingly light, cheery ringtone. "Wait, shit, one sec," she said as she scrambled up and went to a far corner to answer it. She returned a short while later, looking a combination of relieved and confused. "Make it to go. Sounds like I've got somewhere to be."

[attr="class","rubytag"]Isaac Merlo, Aurelie Lefevre

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Pocket fulla sunshine

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Turned on my friends and brought them pain. I have no right to show I can change. But I gotta try!

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Isaac Merlo

Gathering Storm - But Roses Gotta Wither [S]

POSTED ON Jan 30, 2023 0:22:33 GMT

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[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skulloverlap"]BUT HOLD YOUR BREATH, GUESS WHO'S RUNNING THE SHOW?

[attr="class","skullbody"]Aurelie and Ruby both agreed that thinking and training at the same time was a rough combo. Frankly, to Isaac, they were two halves of the same whole. If he wasn't thinking about what he was doing, it wasn't going to properly stick with him. And if he was already thinking, he was going to be casting the net wide to make sure he wasn't missing anything. Ruby and Aurelie had a stronger focus than he. He just hoped they didn't miss any forests for any trees along the way.[break][break]

"S'all good. Different people, different plans," Isaac said, shrugging the difference off. "All the more reason why we'd make a real mean team, if we put our heads together." Isaac could be the far-flung mastermind. Ruby, while not one for plans herself, could make a huge impact when acting out one. Aurelie had a focus as iron as he forge, allowing her to ground Isaac when he went off on a ramble. Three strategies, three people, one unstoppable core.[break][break]

Aurelie didn't seem the fighty type, but that didn't mean she didn't want to learn. Ruby's offer to be a sparring partner got Isaac's eyebrow rising. "I'll throw my hat into the ring, too. After all, I kinda owe ya." To be put through the crucible by the Mega Ring she helped forge . . . how poetic.[break][break]

Isaac would be through a crucible of his own. Aurelie, trying to lighten the group up, suggested they keep safe and find adventure in their circumstances. Ruby, ever the cynic, agreed that war was hell. To Isaac, it was something completely different from either of the two's answers, but he had no idea how to place his feelings. He raised a spoon to Aurelie's toast, so as to at least not let it go unanswered, but he wished he could even figure his thoughts out.[break][break]

Maybe Aurelie was right. Maybe in a sense, life was war, and the little moments like this were what made that war worth fighting. "Hell yeah. In a few weeks, we dine in hell. Today, we dine on ice cream," Isaac said, ready to shamelessly bury his stresses in cold, creamy dessert.[break][break]

A shame Ruby couldn't make it. "Ah, heck. She finally realized she's too cool for us," Isaac teased, before snickering the thought away. "Nah, nah. I'm just messing around. Catch ya later, alright, Ruby?"

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[attr="class","skullinfo"]MOBILE POST / Aurelie Lefevre + Ruby Garcia

[attr="class","skullcredits"]TAIKO!

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dreamflower

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December 12

Anistar City, Kalos

Bisexual

Blacksmith, bladesmith

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Art is risk

Tempered by wisdom

5'7"/170 cm height

A keen mind cuts deeper than even the sharpest sword.

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Aurelie Lefevre

Gathering Storm - But Roses Gotta Wither [S]

POSTED ON Feb 8, 2023 0:13:42 GMT

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[attr="class","aurelie_lyrics"]Sometimes we all just need to vent.

[attr="class","aurelie_body"]Aurelie's expression grew thoughtful after Ruby confidently offered her services as a battling partner, as the red-haired smith quickly recalled several instances of seeing how skillful and competent Ruby and her Pokemon were in confrontations. It was enough to make her wonder how she hadn't thought of asking Ruby before now. Admittedly, she'd worried about looking bad or making a fool of herself in front of her fellow Rocket member, but such fears seemed silly considering how much better they knew each other now.

"You know, I might just take you up on that," she replied reflectively, rubbing her chin in thought. "And I'll try not to be so incompetent that you have to hold my hand the entire time—well, unless you like that sort of thing, that is." She flashed a mischievous grin at Ruby.

"And you too," she added when Isaac also offered to help teach her. "Assuming you have time in your busy schedule between fighting cultists, going tomb-raiding, bartending, and making out with your motorcycle-building girlfriend." Oh, and whatever Rocket threw him and Ruby into, of course, though that hardly needed saying after everything they had just been venting about together.

When Ruby told Isaac that he made everything overly complicated when it was just people being selfish assholes, Aurelie found herself nodding vehemently in agreement. In many ways, Isaac himself seemed a lot more complicated than either Ruby or Aurelie in general—or maybe he was just more prone to emotional agonizing and mental circumvolutions than they were. It made him smart, though, and a natural peacemaker. Add that to Ruby's strength, determination, and bravery, and they made a formidable pair.

Aurelie surveyed her two friends appreciatively, with the quiet hope that they would keep their strengths and unique quirks if they survived the meteoroid and the conflict to come. Sadly, she didn't have much time to admire them together, as Ruby's phone rang and she took off like a shot to answer it. When she returned, she announced she had to go. Aurelie chuckled at Isaac's jest that she'd finally decided she was too cool to hang out with them any further.

"Definitely too cool for the likes of us," Aurelie agreed, nodding her head with mock-solemnity. "Oh well, it was good to see you again, Ruby. And to hear your thoughts on everything that just happened at the summit. Take care of yourself, and don't be a stranger!"

She debated getting up to kiss her on the cheek again in Kalosian fashion, before instead settling on a neutral wave of goodbye as the other woman prepared to leave. Glancing over at Isaac, she added, "And it's good to see you too, Isaac. Thanks for inviting both of us to hang out and talk like this. It helps. It helps a lot. Even if it's just knowing that I'm not alone in thinking that we're not the ones going crazy—it's just the rest of the world that's already been crazy and is getting even crazier all the time."

Turning to the proprietor of the ice cream shop, she beckoned him over. "All right, one egg cream to go for the lady here. And hmm, two of those big chocolate chip cookies, one for me and him, please. Thank you!"

As the proprietor hurried off to fetch her order, Aurelie smiled wryly at Isaac. "After all, after starting the day with announcements of doom and gloom, we might as well end it with some well-deserved chocolate, right?"

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Ruby Garcia | Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","cred"]VEL OF PIXEL PERFECT

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Alicia Jewel

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October 18

Pyrite Town, Orre

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"Freelancer" (Rocket)

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i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

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Ruby Garcia

Gathering Storm - But Roses Gotta Wither [S]

POSTED ON Feb 8, 2023 23:03:43 GMT

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Isaac was optimistic about the three's differing thoughts and opinions on certain matters. Where some people—including Ruby, admittedly—would have seen that as a road to conflict, Isaac saw it as a chance for everyone to put their heads together and use those differences to come up with a grand plan or something. It was a nice thought, and with the three of them, it might work. With anyone else, especially their fellow Rockets? Ruby had her doubts.

[break][break]Ruby scoffed good-naturedly at Aurelie's hand-holding quip. "Nah, don't expect me to go easy on you. Besides, I've seen what you can do."

[break][break]Once she was back from her phone call, the other two commented on how she was too cool for them. "Psh, definitely too cool for you," Ruby said to Isaac. Then, to Aurelie: "You get a pass, though." She flashed a smirk and a wink.

[break][break]"I'm just glad I'm not taking crazy pills or something. I know there were some protests, but there were way too many people who were totally okay with going along with this plan. Being able to bitch about it felt good."

[break][break]She got an egg cream in a take-out cup courtesy of Aurelie, then raised it as thanks before she left. "Try not to die out there," she said in parting. Now, what was so important yet not bad that Jade wanted her home right away?

[break][break]If only she'd checked the date and remembered her own birthday.

[attr="class","rubytag"]Isaac Merlo, Aurelie Lefevre

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What's inside?