"Does it bother you?"
[Break][break]

Her voice cuts through the silenced darkness, a hand gently reaching out to touch her arm. Calliope stirs slowly, blinking the sleep out of her eyes to grant the voice all her attention.
[Break][break]

The smile that starts wavers only momentarily as she lays eyes upon her lover, the wedding band on her finger the sole reminder that it's just another dream. One she doesn't mind being present for a little longer. In the past week, dream upon dream, memories have come unbound, and Cal finds herself looking forward to them now– where they'd once been tormenting and unwelcome.
[Break][break]

She just couldn't deal with the emotions they called upon.

[Break][break]
Now however, they're a chance to talk with Emma once more. Dream or otherwise.
[Break][break]

"Sometimes." Calliope admits quietly, turning to face the Emma in her dreams. "I always thought they'd make things harder, but in the end I think I've missed these moments more than I actually want to admit."
[Break][break]

"As long as it helps."
[Break][break]

"You always do."
[Break][break]

Behind the curtains strands of bright, neon light filtered through; Castelia's skyline paling the Lilycove skyline she was used to seeing. It were all little things that reminded her it wasn't the reality she knew, but the one she had sought to have. One that would end every time the sun rose.
[Break][break]

"Remember when we went camping near Motostoke? Near the Bridge Field? The view at sunrise was just to die for."
[Break][break]

"And the Rookidee that kept harrassing you in the morning was a sight to see as well." Calliope laughed. "God, I wish we could do it all again…"






[break][break]

+ Dream prompt - REMINISCING - 270 (800 sleep score)[break]
+ Previous Dream prompts - Family / Love / Aspiration / ??

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

"Alecto, c'me here boy!"
[break][break]

The Mightyena bolting across the field skidded to a stop, turned, and bee-lined it towards his owner at breakneck speed. Calliope stood, watching as a handful of Poochyena followed in its wake, trying their hardest to keep up with their father. Alecto looked back a handful of times, but never slowed down until he was in front of Cal, sitting at her heel while the rest of his litter came wobbling over. She smiled as the pack of small canines finally reached her, yipping happily and trying to nip at each others -and her- ankles.
[break][break]

It had been one of the many things she and Emma had talked about putting on their to-do list, but with Emma gone, Calliope had all but given the list a second glance. It had been too painful to see their joint aspirations on the paper, knowing they'd never be able to do them together. Over time she'd even forgotten about it entirely.
[break][break]

Only when those weird dreams had started had she been reminded, and subsequently bothered looking for the list again. Sparking fond memories she had spent most of the day reminiscing about, the pale-haired model had decided to make work of at least some of the points on said list. Emma had always wanted a new friend for Alecto, a new puppy to raise and train and hike with.
[break][break]

She'd wanted to travel to the Orange Islands, take the scenic route through Kanto and Johto, visit Ecruteak's towers and explore the nightlife in Castelia and Lumiose City. And maybe, once they'd grown old enough to retire, start a pokémon spa so she could put that massage degree to good use. Calliope would have given her the world if she'd wished for it.
[break][break]

Calliope's world had come to a standstill with Emma's passing, and nothing else had mattered anymore. Joy had been an overrated emotion until recently. But now, with those strange dreams fanning that reminiscent flame, she realised what she was missing out on. On so many things that Emma would have most-likely ended up scolding her for letting them pass her by.

[break][break]
Well... here she was. Babysteps.



[break][break]

+ Dream prompt - Aspiration - 357 (600 sleep score)[break]
+ Previous Dream prompts - Family / Love / ??

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Emma’s hands felt just as shaky as hers when their fingers interlocked, but her smile, like her eyes, beamed with joy and pride. Forcing their gazes away from one another and towards the man officiating their wedding had been an act of pure willpower, but now they’d exchanged their vows, their rings, and sealed eternity with a kiss, Calliope could proudly call herself the happiest woman on earth.

[break][break]
The rest of the evening flashed by in a blur; the reception, buffet and dances had been lavish and many, but what she’d truly enjoyed was when -in the excitement of the party- Cal had managed to sneak off with Emma to wander the grounds of the venue they’d rented. Flower gardens, neatly kept. A gazebo near the edge of the forest lurking beyond the natural pond, with a little stream separating the two.

[break][break]
Cal tenderly pressed her lips against her wife’s knuckles, relishing their quiet time away from the masses. They’d planned all of it themselves, so she could only fault herself for the scale of the reception, but what she longed for now more than anything was not to celebrate her union with the world.

[break][break]
She wanted to celebrate her love with Emma, just the two of them. Their first night together as newly-weds would be just that; cuddled up together on a gazebo bench. Unaware of time, slowly nodding off as a sunset peeked across the horizon.

[break][break]

-------

[break][break][break][break]
In comparison the breakfast bar seemed all the more empty the day after, her sole company a cereal bowl and her reflection staring back at her from the dark depths of her coffee cup. Calliope sighed and stretched her legs, pushing herself away from the table. One dream was strange enough as is, but two, continuous to boot?

[break][break]
Stranger still was how it made her feel; equally content as it made her saddened. The happiness she’d felt within said dream, and when she’d woken up with the sun blinding her through the parted window drapes… that had been real. It made her yearn for that which her dreams had not been.

[break][break]
The corner of her mouth curled upward.

[break][break]
At least she now knew what it would have felt like to get married to the love of her life.



[break][break]

+ Dream prompt - Love - 378 words (400 sleep score)[break]
+ Previous Dream prompts - Family / ??

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

A night spent at the Main Foyer meant one of two things for Calliope as of late; making new connections, or making new enemies; all while sampling the bar’s finer beverages. She'd yet to do the latter, but she'd stepped on rather a few toes prior; not purposely, but her bad moods had always been legendary, especially when she tried to drown them.

[break][break]
And that was before she'd been usurped into Rocket once more. The first time had not been by her own wishes, and an attempt at breaking the chains that bound her to the organisation had seemed fruitful… or so she had been led to believe. But now, like a dog, she'd been forced to crawl back into their clutches, seeing no other way than to accept their embrace once more.

[break][break]
Embrace. Ha.

[break][break]
Calliope smirked at the thought as she tapped the bar's surface restlessly, waiting for someone to take her order. When they appeared, she was curt.

[break][break]
"The strongest of whatever you have."

[break][break]
The tapping, once restless, now smoothed into something more rhythmic as they disappeared to prepare her drink. She'd turn around in a second and survey her surroundings for a potential conversational partner. But for now, Calliope allowed the ambience to lull her mind into a sense of ataraxia.




[break][break]

+ PETRA MONROE

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

The old doors that had been keeping the winds -and prying eyes- at bay slammed open with a bang, startling the silverhaired woman out of her focus. Several sets of footsteps rushing towards her, arms already wrapping around her before she could properly turn around.

[break][break]
The arms squeezed around her tightly.

[break][break]
"Auntie Cal!"

[break][break]
The shrill cry of an overexcited child filled the room, and the chuckle bubbling in the back of the woman's throat turned into laughter as the young girl's brother joined the tackle-hug around her waist, nearly making her tumble backwards. Calliope grinned at her niece and nephew, gathering them up in a bearhug strong enough to make the twins squeal in delight. 

[break][break]
Behind them someone cleared his throat. "Come on kids, leave your aunt be! The ceremony's about to start and you still need to get your flower baskets from your father!"

[break][break]
"But grandpaaaaa!"

[break][break]
"Out, you little monkies! Shoo!" Dmitri ushered his grandchildren out of the room, his voice only hinting at the sternness he'd used to wield. When the greying man turned at her she could see the fondness in his eyes; the fondness reflected in hers a he drew her into a hug of his own. His body seemed frail, but she could feel the strength hiding in his back and shoulders as she wrapped her arms around him. 

[break][break]
"I'm so proud of you, зайка," He'd whisper, his voice thick with emotion. "I'll miss you."

[break][break]
Calliope smiled against his shoulder, rocking him gently. "Oh please, папа, I'm getting married, not leaving the country!" When she released him she took a step back, regarding the man she'd learnt to call 'father' with kind eyes. She'd never been his flesh and blood, but he'd made her feel like it regardless.

[break][break]
They just stood there for a few moments, stuck in mutual silence before Dmitri spoke again. "Come, зайка, it's time." He'd lead her out of her designated room, and they strolled through the hallway in peaceful silence, arm in arm. Dmitri only stopped twice; to pick up her bouquet, and to await the cue to start walking Calliope down the aisle. 

[break][break]
The nervous jitters were finally starting to get to her as they slowly progressed towards the altar; she was the first to arrive, Emma would follow suit right after her. Cal hadn't seen her since this morning, but soon she'd be able to lay eyes on her beautiful bride. Her eyes flicked across the many rows of invitees, and she couldn't help but grin at jayden cross as her brother positively beamed at her from the first row. 

[break][break]
Had this been any other event she would've pulled a silly face or stuck out her tongue, but for once she refrained. Too nervous for shenanigans, she figured. As they arrived at the altar, her father squeezed her hands tightly, smiled and moved away from her.

[break][break]
"папа?" she asked as Dmitri left her in front of the altar to go back to his seat. "I'll miss you too."

[break][break]
He smiled at her, then sat, becoming one with the crowd.

[break][break]
I'll miss you too?

[break][break][break]
Why did those words feel so... wrong?


[break][break]

+ Dream prompt - Family - 522 words (200 sleep score)

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

The bushes hold more than man traversing its thicket; wolves, for example. A Mightyena stalks forth from the shrubbery, fangs bared and eyes sharp upon the trainer carelessly sipping from the container. They flicker from man to 'mon before a snarl rumbles from its chest; an ample warning not to move.

[break][break]
Or else.

[break][break]
What follows behind the Mightyena is a whole lot less intimidating in its gestures. A head of silver peaks beyond, clicks her tongue at the wolf and lightly swats her hand at its muzzle, prompting it to quiet down almost instantly. "Stop that at once, Alecto," The woman reprimands her partner as if it's mere innocent shenanigans, then settles her gaze upon the woman and her Glimmora before her.

[break][break]
"Apologies for his drama-king antiques, he sometimes forgets we're not the only ones traversing the woods." There's an apologetic (?) nod at the twosome, the Mightyena placing itself at her heel but refusing to sit until a painted nail softly scratches its head.

[break][break]

+ Sansa Arouet || DW normal/psychic

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

It's funny how the fires of hatred burned so brightly that one could physically feel it burning into one's skin— less funny, she realised, when she turned around and faced the sizzling heat of a Moltres barreling their way. 

[break][break]

Her instincts fight a battle with her raging mind as she sees River Marx doing the exact same thing as she does; stare at the incoming fire, and curse. Cal bares her teeth at the spectral phoenix, but an invisible hand pushes her forth where she was ready to stand and fight it, with bare fists if needed.

[break][break]

The spirits see things differently. It's enough for Calliope to start moving, tackling River Marx out of the fire's way and crashing into the ground with him. There's a glare at the Moltres when she gets back on her feet, her hands tapping one of the pokéballs in her waistband. Alecto, her Mightyena, appears before her, fangs glistening as it sets itself in front of its mistress. 

[break][break]

"Get ready to fight the fiery chicken wing, Marx." she tells her fellow Rocket.

[break][break]

+ Selena Desmarais River Marx