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---

[break]

Once again, another day arrives, and the cool morning air brings a feeling that you can finally name - comfort, peace.[break]
The perfect day to paint a simple landscape, with the rustling trees and bird Pokemon beginning to awaken from their slumber, and perhaps even walk around the forest a bit, as Raphael places his head on your lap, resulting in a scratching between the ears.[break][break]
As you get up and prepare to make your way to the canvas room, you note the rest of your team - Artemisa holding one of your coffee cups (ever since you figured out your Meowscarada loved catnip tea, you brewed it at the same time you made your coffee), Vinci painting a small section of the kitchen minty green, Monet attempting to replace your teapot once again, which you stop with a light grip on the handle.[break] "No, Monet - we have guests today."[break]
And indeed you do! Two people, who you can't remember the names of for the life of you, are coming over for tea - and as much as the tea from Monet's teapot could be good, you do not wish to risk chills or harm. [break]
So, you place Monet on the top shelf.[break] Satisfied that the rest of your team will not get into trouble, you make your way into the canvas room - only to spot a canvas that you swear you hadn't painted on before.[break][break]
A canvas wide as you are tall, with streaks of different colours akin to stained glass in a circular pattern. On the top, four circles, each reflecting a memory that feels oh so clear in your mind:[break]
- the lilac tree in the back of your family's manor[break]
- the amusement park where you felt the wealth of kindness over cruelty[break]
- a abstract symbol - vinci's signature - a recreational activity connecting to your first friend[break]
- and a soft night sky littered with stars, the day you finally stepped up and did something with your life.[break][break]
Moving your eyes from the circles of memories, you let out a gasp.[break]
Right in the middle, in a dynamic pose, is you - you, Vinci and the rest of the team to be exact. And you can't help but smile.[break]
Even in the depths of confusion, in the depths of sorrow, your team will always be there with you.[break]
As you continue to stare at the canvas, you hear the doorbell ring, and a few knocks of the door. With a exhale of breath, and one last look of the canvas, you make your way to the entrance, a proud smile on your face.
"Coming!"[break][break]

You sit up in your bed with tears in your eyes and a gentle feeling in your heart, beating away. [break]A good ending to these few nights.

[attr="class","rigidw"]

day #4; stepping up

---

[break][break]
You take a quick glance around the room, and wonder if you have forgotten anything - going over the mental checklist:[break]
- changes of clothes and anything else you may need, check.[break]
- passport and secretly-bought tickets, check.[break]
- credit card linked to a separate banking account with some money in it, check.[break]
- watercolour set, double check.[break] [break]
Everything seems good, and looks all right as well. And your Pokemon are in their balls, as expected of them. [break]
The one thing (much to your sorrow) you can't take are the ripped up canvases that lay about your room - torn limb from limb as your brother smirked at you, Father and Mother's expressions cold as always as you grit your teeth behind a pleasant smile.[break]
So, as you sling the backpack over your shoulder and glance back, you don't notice you run into a golden haired sibling - one you really didn't want to see right now.[break]
"Helios."[break]
"Opaline. What's with the bag?"[break]
"I'm leaving, Helios. I've had enough."[break]
"Enough? Enough of what?! After all Mother and Father have done for us - done for you?!"[break]
"Don't even start, Helios. Don't start with-"[break] [break]
But it's way too late by now, and he begins his tantrum - stamping his feet, and whining and carrying on about how Ruby must have put you up to this, and that painting will never be good enough and that you need to listen to the family, By the Gods, this was why you didn't want to bump into him, he takes up so much time, and time is of the essence because if you don't leave now, you're never going to be able to-[break]
"And so, I challenge you to a battle! Right now!"[break]
...huh.[break] This wasn't what you were expecting. But, he's taking out his Dive Ball, and sending out Goldeen, so he must really want this to happen.[break]
You send out Raphael, prompting a whine of "No fair," which you counter with "You wanted a battle, right?"[break]
A Water Gun hits first, an angry growl from the now-soaked Poodle and he tries to move Goldeen close for a Horn Attack - countered with a Headbutt, knocking the fish away. The fish wavers - must not have a lot of stamina - before falling to the ground, called back with a beam of red.[break]
Then, Meowstic is sent out, and it doesn't waste any time with a Psychic, knocking Raphael to the ground before rushing forward. The yelp that's emitted hurts your heart, your mind thinking and thinking and maybe you should forfeit and give up now, family first family fir- but Helios's laughter cuts you. Grating at your nerves, mocking you and your misery.[break][break]
And it cuts you deep enough that you can't help but grit your teeth.[break][break]
What did Ruby say again...focus on the now. [break][break]
And right now, Meowstic is going to follow up with a Scratch. [break]Physical damage. You can counter that. [break][break]Much like how certain paints need to be blended together for effect, certain colours can be used for contrast. And you KNOW what contrasts an attack that quick.[break][break]
You need to be faster.[break]
You know what you have to do.[break]
"RAPHAEL! SUCKER PUNCH!"[break][break]
The Poodle moves faster than you've ever seen him, slamming into the blue and white feline with dark energy, slamming him to the ground, eyes swirled with exhaustion.[break]
Two pokemon down.[break] You win.[break]
You know what Helios would prepare to do now - the blond would prepare to scream, to whine to Mother and Father about your escape.[break]
You don't want to give him that chance - so, returning Raphael to his Pokeball, you book it.[break]
Your heart is hammering in your chest, breath quickening in double time, but a feeling creeps its way into your heart, prompting a smile so much like Ruby's; you've never felt so ALIVE.[break][break]
And speaking of Ruby - you spot her next, in the main doorway, eyes tired and posture slouched - but when she notices you, she straightens up.[break][break]
Her eyes look you over (once, twice), before enveloping you into a hug. "Don't forget to write - actually no wait...write when you're outta this joint, OK?"[break]
"I will."[break]
"I love you, you dork. You're doing the right thing."[break]
"Yeah, yeah," You begin, letting the hug drop away as you pull back. "...see you in Hoenn sometime?"[break]
"Oh, you can count on it - whenever I can get away, you'll be the first person I visit."[break]
"And that's a promise?"[break]
"On the Gods themselves."[break]
You nod, and surpress a thumbs up as you rush out into the cool night air. The lights flick on, and you are not home - moving to another airport while a empty taxi drives towards the one airport Mother Audrey and Father Chrysanthos think you know. By the rate of your walking speed, you should be able to make it to the plane right on time for boarding. [break]
You finally laugh, joyous and happy and oh so free. Hoenn, here you come.[break][break]

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day #3; recreation

---

[break]
from this humming, opaline heard it.[break]
a squeak. no...two squeaks.[break]
from the bushes, ran two little mice holding hands, catching Raphael and Opaline's attention as they attempted to use Pound on Raphael--right before the Poodle lunged at them with a sucker punch, knocking the little things to the ground. Fishing from her bag a Pokeball, she threw it at the two creatures, hoping to at the very least, catch them, as she scratched the Furfrou behind the ears. "Good boy, Raphael! Nice hustle! Extra treats tonight!"

[attr="class","rigidw"]

day #3; recreation

---

[break]
You tilt your head, and squint your eyes, but the canvas doesn't exclaim any secrets. You had wanted to paint Ruby, her sleeping Wartortle, and the lilac tree in which they're resting underneath, but every single time you prepare to raise the paintbrush - you do not want to waste this watercolor set - something in your mind stops you.[break] Your mother, your father...Helios.[break]
"Oi. Opal."[break] You glance around the still solemnly blank canvas to see her rubbing the top of the Turtle Pokemon's head as she stares right at you, expression a mixture of mirth and a bit of concern.[break]
"It's been 5 hours since you took that thing out," she begins, motioning to the canvas. "and you still seem stressed - isn't painting supposed to be...ya'know. Relaxing?"[break]
"Yes, Ruby - it's supposed to be relaxing but..."[break]
"But?"[break]
The words die in your throat before they have the chance to bloom. Ruby's expression shifts. "...Penny for your thoughts?"[break]
You sigh. "You know Helios?"[break]
"By the gods, I wish I didn't, but continue."[break]
And so, your thoughts bloom forth.[break][break]
Ever since the park incident, where you got this watercolor set in the first place, Helios has been acting less like the older brother you expect him to be, and more like - and Ruby would laugh when you said this - a whiny brat.[break] And Mother and Father don't even seem to be doing anything, and he's getting worse, and you don't want him to be the shadow that's cast over your family name, your own self when all you want to do is pain-[break]
"Opaline!"[break]
You stop. [break]To Ruby, you have always been Opal - to hear her say your full name, when not in the company of Mother and Father, prompts you to look over to her, unknown of what your expression even is.[break]
"Ok, so - it is my professional opinion," [break]("You, professional?")[break] "Shut up - anyways, it is my opinion that you are under the effects of 'too-much-thinking' disease."[break]
"Which is...?"[break]
"Look, I'm just gonna say it - you're thinking about all these things that we don't know are going to happen yet! Why don't you be like, uh...that Smeargle over there?"[break]
She points to the back of the tree, and as you follow her gaze, you notice the beagle-like Pokemon painting way, symbols in a nice shade of green.[break]
"Look at him paint! He has no thoughts, no worries - he's just living in the moment, focusing on his painting. Like you should be doing! Focus on the now, not the thoughts!"[break]
A inhale.[break] An exhale.[break]
"All right."[break]
"Perfect! Now I'm going to go and lay down. You do what you need to do."[break] [break]
You give a nod of thanks, and Ruby responds with a thumbs up as you turn your attention back to the canvas. And following your sisters advice, you push all thoughts of Helios, of his behavior, of your parents accepting and praising this behavior, out of your mind.[break]
Instead, you begin to paint.[break]
Everything feels a bit easier when your painting, occasionally glancing outside the canvas to get a clearer view. It is on one of these peeks that you notice something.[break]
The Smeargle is gone from his painting. The symbol remains, but he is gone.[break]
When you turn your gaze back to the painting, the tan and brown beagle is right beside you, reaching with his long tail to paint the grass a nice shade of green. [break]
You work together after that, and by the time the sun is fading to the shades of a late afternoon, the painting is complete - you and the Smeargle admire your masterpiece as you feel a presence behind you.[break]
Ruby looks at the image with an almost excited grin.[break] "Aw, this looks sick! Good job you...two!"[break][break] You laugh, and the Smeargle appears to prepare to walk away, before Ruby hands you a red and white sphere. [break]A Pokeball.[break]
She motions you towards the beagle.[break] You blink.[break] "You two worked well together - and who am I to prevent my dear sister from getting her first Pokemon?"[break]
Your eyes widen and you can't help but give your sister a tight squeeze of a hug before motioning the Smeargle over again. As it slowly approaches, you hold out the Pokeball, and motion to yourself. "Would you...like to be my Pokemon? We could do a lot of things together - including paint!"[break]
The Smeargle appears to think about it, before standing still with a nod. You believe that's as much of a yes as any.[break]
And as the Pokeball shakes three times, with a satisfying clik sound, you give the recreational sound of joy - a cheer.[break] [break]

[attr="class","rigidw"]
'A walk in the forest was just what I needed.'[break][break]

That was the thought crossing through Opaline's mind as she listened to the leaves crush under her foot.[break][break]

Ever since she had that strange dream - no, two familiar dreams in a row, of which she could remember every detail, the blonde's mind had been racing with a cocktail of emotions - confusion, wistfulness, sorrow, shock - and while they did make for good inspiration, right now, she doubted that she could even put a stroke on a canvas.[break][break]

So, there she was, walking through the forest and keeping time with the Furfrou walking right beside her, in a effort to quell the thoughts swirling around her mind. Eventually, she started to hum, filling the silence and rustle of the forest with something more...audible.[break][break]

[attr="class","rigidw"]

day #2; wealth

[break][break]
The theme park was quiet today - nobody walking along the sidewalks, no one clogging up the lines; the perfect time for a family to go out.
Father had called one of his Friends after supper this day, who had rented out the entire park just so the family could enjoy a 'day out together'.[break]
Ruby, who's neck appears to be on a swivel with all the different things to do, following Helios who seems to be following Father's teachings with how cold his expression is - so cold in fact, that makes you, following close behind as always, suppress a shudder. It feels like holding Never Melt Ice, as the three of you approach a carnival game. It's a simple game by the look of things. You have to pick up a rubber Ducklett, check the bottom for a symbol, and the symbol connects to a certain prize.[break]And there seem to be a lot of the Water Duck Pokemon toys, moving around the little moat as a worker waves the three of you ever closer.[break]
"Step right up, step right up! You sir - care to win a prize?"[break][break]
Boredom creeps close around the blonde as she watches her brother pay for the game, her eyes moving to the other, more interesting rides. There's a strawberry game that involves spinning a wheel, there's a log splash mountain game...there's her brother shouting at the employee-[break]
Wait, what.[break][break]
Boredom quickly fades, as your eyes move towards your brother, throwing down a red star marked duck and yelling at him in Kalosian - something about not wanting that prize with the red star, and wanting the prize he wants NOW; he's older than you and he's having a tantrum like a upset Mudsdale, something that has been happening more often lately as you watch him kick the little moat - made out of metal of some sort, but the vibrations send some ducks into the air - and yelling.[break] You catch some sentence fragments - "Don't you know who I am", "I'll buy out your entire park," and even the dreaded "I'm Argyris!"[break][break]
It is that last line that pales the employee, as Helios continues his angry rant - the last line that results in the employee getting his attention and handing him his 'prize' (is it a prize if it's won by ill-gotten means?), her brother's sarcastic and mocking "Merci," being all she notes of him as he stalks away to another attraction, a pleased expression on his face as he looks at the toy before smirking at Ruby and her. Ruby exhales sharply. Your eyes meet a sad sight.[break][break]
Some of the rubber Duckletts are on the ground, drops of condensation almost mirroring tears. Ruby moves first to pick them up, making sure not to look at the bottoms, before motioning in a silent plea for assistance - something not too unlike her.[break][break]
And so here you are now, picking up ducks, as you both apologize profusely (though you're apologizing more, a embarrassed blush speckled across your face from the way heat falls upon your ears). Ruby seems more upset about Helios than anything else, muttering something about a 'Anger Point Primeape', though worry about the employee is on your mind, as he watches the scene with emotions you can't even describe as you continue your duty.[break][break]
Eventually, all the Duckletts are in a row as you place them back into the moat. The employee makes a motion to wait and after glancing both ways to ensure no one else is watching, hands you both Duckletts - bright purplish-pink. He then laughs and says aloud: "Well, lookie here! You ladies got the Shiny Duckletts! Pick a prize, any prize!"[break][break]
There are a lot of, some dollar store knicknacks - but what really catches your eye is a pallet, with 9 colours in a plastic shell, with a nice-looking paintbrush. A watercolour set. Ruby has already picked out her prize (a toy ukulele, which as you rest in your room after a day like today, you can't help but joke that the instrument probably for younger kids, with its pink exterior and flowery finish. This results in a light rib and a cheerful remark of "I'm 19 already, miss 'i'm-16-year-old'; I'm already young at heart!", prompting laughter out of the two of you), so when she spots your selection, she grins almost like a Sharpedo, nodding enthusiastically. [break][break]As you both walk away, prizes in hand, to go to another attraction, you can't help but glance back to the booth. The employee is mouthing out "Thank you!" You give a cheery thumbs up and mouth out "No problem!"[break][break]



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[attr="class","rigidw"]

day #1; family

[break][break]
Once again, another day(?) arrives, and the cool morning air brings a feeling that Opaline can't name.
The perfect day to paint a simple landscape, with the rustling trees and bird Pokemon beginning to awaken from their slumber - always a comfort.
yet, when she goes to prepare yet another canvas, she spots it. A canvas, white as the light of the sun, as wide as she is tall.
There are whispers seemingly coming from it, familiar yet not, and with it comes the desire to touch the rough surface, to feel it, to-

---

[break][break]
Opaline wakes up underneath the big lilac tree outside of the Manor, and wonders how long her nap was. She knows that naps are important, but Mother always says that too much beauty sleep is bad for your health because of the dark circles underneath your eyes. Yet, the amount of time she was asleep didn't feel *too* long, so perhaps it wasn't just a nap after all, but instead that one term Father uses occasionally - a Power Nap. Power Naps sound so much more interesting then beauty sleep, why don't other ladies just call it that? Much like how the clouds, fluffy and white in the clear blue sky, look like different shapes, and Mother and Father couldn't ever under-[break][break]
Suddenly, cold water splashes across her face, as she looks up to see Ruby with her Squirtle, a inelegant smile upon her face, toothy and everything that she is Not.[break] She laughs ("Ah, and so the Komala awakens!") before running off into the Manor, with you following in ever-hot pursuit.[break]
The manor is just how you remember it. Taller than you in every sense of the word, and coloured in the shades of your family name - blueish gray.[break][break] Silver.[break][break]
Father sits in in the foyer on his phone, talking about Adult Things, while Mother watches from the entertainment area, a poised smile that she was never able to mimic as she sees you following Ruby. As soon as her gaze locks upon yours, you know what to do: back straight, hands clasped, walk slower.[break] She gives a small nod to you and Ruby, smiling lighter at your oldest sibling, before responding.[break] "Have you two decided to come in for supper?"[break]
"Yes, mother," Ruby replies, ever so dutiful - as if it were her idea to lead you inside, rather than spray water on your face in a effort to pester and bother. "I have brought Opaline in the manor as well, for it is getting quite late, don't you agree?"[break]
Her gaze lingers on yours, mocking yet remaining neutral.[break]
You hide a sigh (for it is Improper to sigh loudly), and respond to Mother, as expected and as requested. "Yes, sister - I agree, it was getting late, and I should not have been out earlier. Where is Helios?"[break]
A nod from Ruby, a silent approval. "He is out working at the convenience store. Such a diligent brother we have, unlike some people." [break]
She rolls her eyes, a playful motion hidden to all but you as Mother walks away to prepare for another etiquette lesson, even as Father continues to talk, words unintelligible.[break]
Supper cannot come soon enough.[break][break]

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