There’s a few newer attractions in Hoenn she hadn’t had the pleasure of visiting yet. The Natural History Museum was one. Which really was quite a shame considering her love of biology and nature. She didn’t count attending the gala as a proper visit. She didn’t get to spend time exploring the exhibits and appreciating them in the light they deserved.

An emerald gaze lifted to view the delicate architecture of the lobby and the banners highlighting exciting additions and temporary exhibits to come. A small smile creased her lips at the thought, knowing that with the barrier down things like that could happen again.

Slow, steady steps dragged her forward towards the desk to purchase a ticket. Surprisingly, a familiar face turned to greet her, “Oh, Elisabeth,” she remembered her form their briefly time spent together in the lab. She stood thanks to her contribution to her research on Hisuian pokemon, “What a pleasant surprise,” her greeting is warm enough despite a cold, broken soul that lies beneath the mask she wears.

---

Elisabeth Fiorelli

Matias had mentioned, at some point, that he had arranged for the flowers to be taken care of for the wedding. Being the trusting fiancé she is (and dreadful at wedding planning) she was relieved and didn’t think to question it further. She assumed a local Lilycove florist, not the beautiful blonde standing before her.

In response, she nodded to Elisabeth’s assumption, “Yeah, I’ve been meaning to come here since the gala. I’ve just been quite busy,” Eva reached up to tuck a stray strand of blonde hair behind her ear, “Company would be greatly appreciated,” her smile brightened at the thought. It’s certainly better than being alone, something she had gotten far too used to lately, “Have you been here before?”

---

Elisabeth Fiorelli

The name sounds familiar: Dr. GIDEON GRAVES. She’d think on it more later. Right now, she was happy to spend an afternoon with someone who seemed to enjoy the nerdiness about to unfold.

“Sounds like you’ll make an excellent tour guide,” she grins, signing Elisabeth up for the job she unknowingly volunteered for, “I was hoping to see whatever I could this afternoon. I’m partial to anything biology related,” she admits, knowing it was likely not surprising coming from a doctor, “The insectarium sounds like a lovely place to start,” she motions for Elisabeth to lead the way.

---

Elisabeth Fiorelli

Eva had always found bug-type fascinating – and quite under-rated. The had some of the most incredible adaptive physiology of any of the pokemon types. Plus, she had a soft spot for invertebrates, also gravely under-rated. It isn’t the garden that brings her solace, it’s the pokemon. Each species had to evolve and adapt to become the perfect version of themselves that they are today. Humans did that, but on a smaller scale throughout their short lifetime. It gave her a shimmer of hope. Perhaps she’s just still evolving into something better. A version of herself worth something more. An Eva Morales that was enough.

“It really is beautiful,” she agreed, walking alongside the florist, “I can see how it could be . . . restorative,” she decided, recognizing the necessity to recuperate when the world became too much. She used to find her peace when thinking about her future with MATIAS SILPH, but now it was so uncertain, “Knowledge is my safe space,” she decided, sharing something equally as personal as Elisabeth had just shared with her, “When there is so much uncertainty, it’s comforting to find consistency in facts,” she doesn’t look as convinced though, “The trouble is, facts are always changing,” and so is the world, her world, constantly spinning out of control and she can’t manage to catch up. Will she ever find peace again? “But I guess that’s the most certain thing of all: change.”

---

Elisabeth Fiorelli

If change was so consistent, why was it so hard to accept? It should come as second nature by now. 30 years in this world and nothing stayed the same. Even people changed, so why couldn’t she believe that MATIAS SILPH had? She realized the reason as Elisabeth spoke of positive change and progression. That was much easier to accept than the opposite.

Eva didn’t believe MATIAS SILPH and changed that much. No, there was something else at work, something more sinister. Perhaps that was her own resistance to accept still bubbling dangerously close to her heart but logic brought her to a similar conclusion when she spent many sleepless nights in Kanto going over the possibilities time and time again.

“What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right?” wasn’t that how the saying went? A soft smile and nod relays feigned agreement. Her eyes tell a different story: not so bright and full, tired and dry, exhaustion both physical and emotional leeks through every now and then when she isn’t paying attention. She’s survived a war only to find herself right back in it. War convinced her not to love but she did anyway and now she was scrambling to find her way back to herself. In a way, she felts more like a fool than anything.

---

Elisabeth Fiorelli

Eva lowered herself on the bench beside Elisabeth, her gaze reaching to slowly scan the unique vantage point given of the Insectarium. She watched the Butterfree that had recently evolved joint he others. They appeared to welcome their new companion with a enthusiasm and a fluttering dance.

Elisabeth’s question caught her off guard. It drew her gaze back over towards the blonde sitting beside her. What a strange question to ask. Eva wondered why she felt the need to ask her.

“I’m here so . . . yes,” That seemed to be the most superficial answer she could give. There was no way of knowing that Elisabeth had been privy to her more personal struggles. Despite the tribulations plaguing her day to day now-a-days she was still alive. Not thriving, but alive.

---

Elisabeth Fiorelli

The more Elisabeth spoke, the more curiosity plagued her. She had an inkling that it wasn’t coming from simply genuine concern for an acquaintance. Her brows furrowed at the explanation she assumes is an excuse for why she gently prods into Eva’s well-being.

“I don’t seek appreciation or recognition,” she admits. She had never been one to do so. A pillar on which her foundation is built is service to others. It required sacrifices she was too willing to give. Even now, in the midst of the abyss she was falling through she still dreamed of happiness for him: the one that pushed her. Selfless to her own detriment.

She shrugs her shoulders lightly, turning just her wide emerald eyes to glance at Elisabeth’s silhouette, “Being taken for granted is part of the sacrifice, I suppose,” it’s never bothered her when gratitude isn’t given, “Just knowing we survived and knowing the world is better for it is enough.”

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Elisabeth Fiorelli