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Wydon, Galar. Seven years ago.[break][break]

He’d stayed up far too late last night, hadn’t he?[break][break]

Bleary eyes cracked open to stare at the ceiling as late morning? or early afternoon? light filtered in from the windows on the opposite wall. A whine of protest slipped from Fern’s mouth, but there was no going back to sleep. No matter how much he tried to roll over and descend back under the covers.[break][break]

That was for the better, though. He hadn’t finished the project he’d stayed up working on, and he sorta needed the commission payout so it needed to get done. The likeness of all of the documents needed to be seamless. He kind of maybe needed to be awake to accomplish that much.[break][break]

With more grumbles, he pulled himself up and scooted to the end of the bed before fumbling for the first shirt he came across. It was way too large for his skinny shoulders, scrawny torso. So it hung, but that meant it wasn’t his exactly–already prompting an uptick in mood.[break][break]

Unless, of course, it’d been left behind. In which case that would sour his mood.[break][break]

Dragging a hand across his sleepy eyes, he shuffled out in the living room of his cramped flat, and completely disregarded the papers and pens and stamps scattered across his desk in the corner as soon as he locked onto the other person in his space.[break][break]

“Hey, did you stay over? Sorry I wasn’t too available last night,” he greeted drowsily as he leaned over the back of the couch where he found @girard . His arms draped around the other’s shoulders, face tucking into the crook of his neck. “...or this morning.” he amended, “what time is it?”

[break][break]

---

@girard

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[attr="class","star2"]It’s unflattering, they know it is. It’s a childish sort of reaction, but they don’t care. It reminds them of their anger at the gala months ago. How jealous they’d felt seeing him interact with every person that wasn’t them. But now it’s amplified–ugly and intense because it’s more than a conversation or a simple dance.[break][break]

The concept that he is referring to illeana reyes flies right over Fern’s head. After all, she isn’t the one who’s made some grand declarations to jayden cross today. So to them, the implication is that he’d like them to formally meet Chu-e.[break][break]

It makes their stomach burn with irritable discomfort.[break][break]

Their face crumples with displeasure. “Why would I ever want to meet him?”[break][break]

In the moment, meeting with Illeana feels like no more than a flimsy cover. It was a blunt statement, but it wasn’t refuted or rebuffed, either. It makes them feel small and slow. Like they were not quick enough and they’ve missed their slim chance to say anything at all.[break][break]

No wonder he doesn’t want to be around them as of late.[break][break]

It stings. It stings in a way that is far more familiar than Fern cares to admit to. Fern is not enough. And so something better has been found.[break][break]

Their arms fold across their chest neatly. Protectively. They lean further into the cushions and fix their eyes ahead on the tv screen and the images that they don’t truly register.[break][break]

“If you’d rather be elsewhere, don’t let me stop you.”


[break][break]

---

jayden cross // m: doubt[break]

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[attr="class","star2"] A quiet hum of approval is their only response. Approving of the machinations he uses, approving of the wholehearted attention he fixes upon them. That was all they had wanted tonight. Attention, devout and affectionate.[break][break]

It’s suddenly easy to forget they’d argued about it not long ago as their mouth parts for his willingly. As they sink into the feeling of him overwhelming their senses.[break][break]

Beyond the exhibit doors, the party went on in full swing. But none of that mattered. Maybe it should have– a fact they were reminded of as they breathed out noisily and the sound echoed in the empty room. But rather than shift toward embarrassment, Fern’s glance–heavy-lidded and playful, met jayden cross’s as they smiled.[break][break]

“More of that, and you’re going to get us caught,” they murmur, head settling back against the glass case as they observe him. It’s not a full retreat. Especially not, given the way their hands wander down mischievously.[break][break]

No, they don’t seem shamed enough to stop in the least.

[break][break]

---

jayden cross [break]
+ outfit // hair // dragapult isp. mask[break]

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The cogs in his mind had already begun to turn. Surprise to skepticism to opportunism and acceptance in moments. If @girard hadn’t already been familiar with his temperament, it might’ve proven confusing to keep pace with. Fern’s eyes darted up, beyond Girard toward the hall of the sub beyond him. Then the door clicked shut.[break][break]

And so his demeanor notably shifted.[break][break]

For all of his flourish and proclivity at putting on faces, Fern felt he was terrible at anything remotely somber and serious. That was more jayden cross’s wheelhouse, if he was being honest. Honesty–another rarity, but seeing Girard after some time was a chief reminder that falsity around the other wasn’t necessarily required.[break][break]

Girard knew him. Unfortunately.[break][break]

Or maybe fortunately, depending on the perspective he utilized. Pretending that he was not overworked wouldn’t do with the other man. There was no way Girard would buy the act, and though some of his irritation was legitimate, it was also not exactly something he could keep up on.[break][break]

He wasn’t truly mad with any sort of permanence. Not really.[break][break]

With a dramatic sigh of lamentation, Fern semi-collapsed in a heap on his papers before his head popped back up to be perched in a propped fist. “Oh, that is a terrible rumor,” he complained, tone airy (and a little whiny.) Fern flapped a hand at Girard, bottom lip poking out, “Refute it for me, I’m tired.”[break][break]

Of course, admitting as much only confirmed the fact that he was in need of help, but details, details. A smile curled at the corners of his mouth as he looked across the desk at Girard. “And how exactly do you intend to help me, then?”

[break][break]

---

@girard // m: recruitment act i (repeat)   

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[attr="class","ferntitle"]Fern

[attr="class","deltitle"]Delaney

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Their question is one that goes unanswered.[break][break]

Not that there’s much time for discussion as everything flows together, converging on the central point of the two Pokémon clashing. Through the snow whipping around them, though, Fern sees the falling meteors open up more.[break][break]

“Th—“ but before they can finish their declaration that the tomb is where they should focus, they’re being pulled into chaos and things go dark.[break][break]

They don’t realize that they’ve been thrown from the back of jayden cross ’s roaring moon until they come to, plunged in a drift of snow. Cecilia trills from where she hovers over them as they try to sit up. What?[break][break]

The hand that grips theirs pulls them free, and they blink snowflakes from their lashes and try to ignore the lopsided ringing in their head as they angle their better side toward jayden cross . “Yes, yes. I’m alright. Are you?” They spy others not far off— Felix Gallagher , and then the unmistakable bright blue of mint frost ’s gear.[break][break]

“The Crown Tundra..? You’re right, but how?” Unease settles in the center of their chest as they glance around and register the gloomy nature of their surroundings. As Zev Harcourt and Aurelie Lefevre join them, nods are sent their way. “Something doesn’t feel right.” A bit on the nose, but they may as well voice it regardless.[break][break]

And then BARNABY FINCH ’s voice cuts over the crackle of their comms. It’s unrelated to their intuitions, but equally as unappealing news.[break][break]

They’re all too familiar with what MATIAS SILPH is capable of, and they’re not keen on a repeat offense as arid, harsh light brightens above them and precipice blades begin to jut up through the earth through heavy layers of snow and icy crust.[break][break]

Banking on the wide guard set up by Zev Harcourt ’s toxapex to buffer the initial onslaught, they don’t duck and cover. Instead, their tongue clicks and their dragapult readies her attention again.[break][break]

“Let’s go.” Slipping onto her back, they lift into the air—hopefully quick enough to rise above the eruption. The heat of groudon’s drought is oppressive the higher they rise, but that’s fine.[break][break]

Particularly so, as the dragapult twists in the direction of the elite four member, maw opening to collect photosynthetic light before unleashing a SOLAR BEAM in his direction.

[break][break]

[break][break]
[break][break]

---

tldr;[break]
+ standing by the statue squad!![break]
+ fern thinks this place is sus[break]
+ not amused by the work of groudon, jumps on dragapult’s back to go up into the air to avoid explosion[break]
+ dragapult makes use of the drought overhead to utilize a one turn solar beam, aimed at MATIAS SILPH . Thanks buddy!!
[break][break]

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[attr="class","ftag"] jayden cross

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[attr="class","star2"]Fern has not taken to bed rest well. They’re too active and restless for it. But they’re stupidly worn out, and with the awkward bandaging around their head and the new side effects of the injury, they don’t have much else to do but stay there and sleep. And stew.[break][break]

Granted, jayden cross has been a good and faithful distraction.[break][break]

Burrowed down deep in their bed, one eye sullenly cracks open as their phone buzzes and the screen lights up. They don’t particularly feel like answering someone’s messages right now. They’d rather retreat under their blankets again. But the name that’s bolded is mint frost’s saving grace.[break][break]

Mint and Marza are probably the only two who’d get a pass. And Marza Volchitsa is a notoriously bad texter. jayden cross’s hardly left their side since they woke up in the infirmary.[break][break]

They snatch the device and swipe open the screen, awkwardly juggling it between their good hand and the one that’s stiffly stitched in the center of their palm, then bandaged to high heavens. Blue eyes dart sideways toward jayden cross as they fumble to tap out a reply.[break][break]

“Mint’s coming.”[break][break]

And then they hunker back down under their bedding, not doing much else but silently watch their partner work through half-lidded eyes.[break][break]

Upon entry, Zabaglione would be met with Fern’s eevee, Rhiannon. A small, undersized creature that their dragapult has taken to as her own. Long, vulpine ears twitch in curiosity before it peers up at Mint and scampers back toward the bedroom where Ceci is sprawled out on the end of the bed over Fern’s feet.
[break][break]

---

jayden cross mint frost // m: post-postdorm (repeat)[break]

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[attr="class","star2"]“What? No, I don’t need—“[break][break]

What would normally be regarded as a sweet gesture suddenly makes them feel childish and unkempt. Like they can’t be expected to take care of themself. What they’d like to do is swat his hand away, but they still allow him to blot the pasta sauce. Though their eyes do avert from his. They fixate on the dark red of the wine set to the side.[break][break]

That ugly feeling continues to rise, resentment twisting in their stomach at whatever conversation is about to occur. Fern’s arms fold as they sit back against the couch once their plate has been transferred to the coffee table as well. All they want is to sink down into the cushions and disappear.[break][break]

Suddenly, it makes sense.[break][break]

The distance. The avoidance. The fight in the border and the gap they haven’t felt able to cross since then. They’ve never met a Chu-e. They’ve only gained an understanding through the reports they’ve read.[break][break]

Their glance darts sideways—looking at Jayden, but refusing to meet his eye. It gives off an air of suspicion. “Why were you in Evergrande? Your office isn’t there.”

[break][break]

---

jayden cross // m: doubt[break]

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[attr="class","star2"]He hasn’t been back since the day the rift split the blue above sky pillar. Or well, he hasn’t traveled within the rift again. But he stood among the ruins of the draconid spire, staring up.[break][break]

Wondering. Curious, but distrusting.[break][break]

Ultimately, it’s the former that wins out in his mind. But even with his wariness of the rifts, Fern knows this one is different from the border. Maybe that’s the effect of having carried the shard for so long. He doesn’t know.[break][break]

It’s just something he felt.[break][break]

“I can try to recall where I went when I was here the first time,” Fern remarks to the group once they’ve landed within the crumbling city. “But admittedly, I didn’t stay long.”[break][break]

A nod is directed in Cillian Quinn ’s direction. “I’ll default to your leadership.” From his pocket, he produces the remnants of the shard that had revealed this whole place. “Pity this won’t seem to help.” He turned the pale sliver of crystal in his palm. No longer warm, though it still caught whatever lowlight there was, producing a short lived glimmer of brightness.[break][break]

As they take those tentative beginning steps into the strange, decrepit city, Fern cannot shake that same odd feeling he felt the first time moved through the abandoned streets. That burning sense of being watched from afar. Observed, perhaps, by something equally as curious as himself.[break][break]

In the distance behind them, flashes of muted orange clash with the darkened urban sprawl. Darting in the stretch of every shadow from afar.[break][break]

---

Cillian Quinn Tempest Quinn Calpurnia Kubrick // let’s goooooo tapu kokooooo[break]

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Fern was entirely convinced that he might go mad if he was required to read another word. It wasn’t that he was incapable of dealing with the coordination of the various smuggling rings situated around the region. It was simply that he hadn’t had adequate time to work the additional task into his schedule. When crammed in alongside his other tasks, it became a bit difficult to keep everything in proper order. And there was, unfortunately, a lot of everything.[break][break]

A soft knock on the door to his office had alerted Fern of @girard ’s presence. Looking up from the report he’d been sifting through, his face went slack with surprise. But just as quickly, a taut smile settled on his face to cover it up. “Ah, Girard. It’s been quite some time since you’ve darkened my doorway.” As his smile reached his eyes, it seemed a bit too saccharine. Forced.[break][break]

But he felt no need to force amiability. Not with matters so personal crowding the space between them.[break][break]

Tossing his pen down on the desktop, Fern leaned back in his only somewhat comfortable office chair, and crossed one knee over the other before his hands drooped lazily into his lap. He sighed (though was it out of exasperation or exhaustion?) Briefly, his glance drifted to an electric teapot resting on a table in the corner. “I would offer you tea, but I’m afraid my kettle may have run cold some time ago.” The dregs of his own cup had been long abandoned to the far side of his desk. Lonely next to a stapler and a dish of paperclips. But even then, there was a trite lilt to his words as if he, perhaps, didn’t really feel bad at all.[break][break]

“No matter. What is it that I can help you with today…Mr. Fraser?” The formality bestowed on his old flame felt sour on his tongue, and Fern grimaced immediately. In spite of himself, he was curious, even if this welcomed the potential of a chaotic wrecking ball into his affairs.
[break][break]

---

@girard // m: recruitment act i (repeat)   

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What Fern expects is a casual answer. Probably something formal, very efficient and work-oriented despite Temp’s personable, upbeat demeanor. Of course, this isn’t what happens and it takes them by surprise. They cover this up quickly though, as curiosity crowds the emotion out. It could be suspected that Fern is only just a tad bit…nosy.[break][break]

The trailing of his response prompted a look from Fern. Cool blue turned away from the path ahead and the swirl of the mist around them to fix on Temp carefully. The hesitation struck them as curious, but it wasn’t closed off, either. Fern liked to think that they maintained an aura of approachability, but they’re not about to get ahead of themself, either.[break][break]

A brow lifts, patient yet expectant for what they surmise is a vulnerable answer to an innocently asked question.[break][break]

There is color under his skin, and sheepishness in his words. Like a magpie eyeing something gold and shiny, they gather up the information, the impression, the response, and tuck it away in their mind for later reflection. Perhaps use, if necessary.[break][break]

But when they speak, they yield to their sympathy. “Oh. I’m sure you’re not.” They smile, and despite their silent reaction, it’s not unkind. “I can understand feeling as if there are big expectations you should be meeting.”

[break][break]

---

Tempest Quinn

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[attr="class","star2"] Fern is completely, blissfully unaware. Any strangeness in Jayden’s demeanor is attributed to exhaustion from overwork. Okay, so there’s still a cord of tension from the borders. His distance and standoffish treatment.[break][break]

But that was what rarer nights like this one were for. Fern could fix things.[break][break]

They waffle between flipping through options on the remote, and shoveling pasta into their mouth. Not quite a delicate eater when Jayden isn’t looking their way.[break][break]

His voice carries over the sound of the tap running, though, and of course it’s when their mouth is full. Fern swivels around halfway to look at him over the back of the couch. But Jayden is still facing the sink.[break][break]

”Huh??” The confused sound is muffled by the pasta, cheeks puffed out like a skwovet’s as they stare at him with wide eyes. “Chewee?”[break][break]

Something cold sluices into their veins. Why is he telling them this? Now? Tonight? It makes them want to spit their food back onto the plate as the puzzle pieces of their guesswork start clicking together.[break][break]

It makes their stomach turn over, but they force the food down.[break][break]

They don’t ask anything else.

[break][break]

---

jayden cross // m: doubt[break]

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