Forum Thread

Zaria's thoughts continued to race as she sat in the lab, her fingers still tapping away on the tablet. The events of the basement replayed in her mind like a broken record, each replay only fueling her anxiety. She heard a scuffling sound at the door, which drew her attention away from her thoughts. She watched as the door slowly opened, revealing Araceli on the other side.

For a moment, their eyes met, and Zaria's expression was a mix of surprise, resignation, and a tinge of gratitude. Without a word, she held the door open wider, silently inviting Araceli in. Zaria knew that Araceli had witnessed the confrontation, and she braced herself for the inevitable questions or comments. She had never been good at showing vulnerability, but in this moment, she couldn't muster the energy to keep up her usual facade.

As Araceli entered the lab, Zaria's gaze dropped to the floor, her fingers gripping the edge of the tablet. She was unsure of what to say, how to explain herself, or even if she should explain herself. The silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by the soft hum of machinery and the distant sounds of the facility. Zaria's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, emotions, and regrets, and she felt like she was on the edge of losing control.

Taking a deep breath, she finally looked up at Araceli, her eyes filled with a mix of exhaustion and uncertainty. She wanted to say something, to offer some explanation for her behavior, but the words caught in her throat. Instead, she simply waited, her expression a silent plea for understanding, for a connection amidst the chaos that had unfolded.

---

The silence wasn't broken by Araceli's words but instead by action. She had few questions, their entire conversation filled her in mostly. Sure, she didn't really know about Team Plasma or their backstories and all but she did not need to.

It seems like it all hit very close to home for Zaria and interrogating her seems like the worst thing she could do right now. It reminds her a little of when former friends meet after a falling out, it just wasn't healthy to watch. So, the chem-witch did the only thing she right now could do.

Embrace Zaria and close her eyes. "I know there is a lot on your mind." She whispers. "You don't have to explain yourself. I'm just here to make sure you'll be alright." She finishes with that and nods, adding a sound to the ambience now. Araceli's heart, it was pumping harder and faster.

---

Raising her eyebrow to Albe’s frustration, Abi turned back to the girl in front of her. “Yes, we can talk. Later though, if you don’t mind. I need to finish something. Come find me and I’ll be in my lab.” She turned and moved away from the scientist, back to her lab.

Her Ninetails was nudging her. “What? I’m busy, Nine.” Her stern voice made the fox-like creature wince. Then another careful push towards her hanging bag. “The Pokémon? Oh..” It had been a while since she’d let them all out, but whilst she was occupied with her experiments, it wouldn’t hurt to let them roam for a while. They wouldn’t cause any trouble now, would they?

One by one, Abi opened the Pokéballs and released her team of Pokémon. They all seemed happy to be out of their technological balls, which formed a small feeing of guilt for the responsibility of their confinement inside her. Unlocking the back door, letting in a cool and mild breeze, she turned to them. “Go. Have fun and if you find anything - anything at all - bring it back to me.” And in a blink, her Pokémon were gone. All except Ninetails, curled in sleep on the little sofa bed.

---

As the day winded down, the Legendary Pokemon and the Starters began to lead their Chosens to the newly made headquarters. They knew that they would likely need rest after such a monumental day.


Bump-bump... Bump-bump... Bump-bump... Error smiled as Eevee began pushing and pulling on her to get her to start moving. Such an eager little girl~. She allowed it to shepard her to the headquarters.

Jet was a bit startled when Geodude suddenly began trying to push her towards the newly made building at the center of the crater. Thankfully she understood quickly enough. Humans needed rest, and so did Pokemon as well. It was time to truly take in the new reality.

Emika walked the halls of the Lab quietly. The direction she was heading was ingrained for her, which allowed her to think as she moved...

It had happened so long ago... After becoming a licensed scientist, Emika had gone from lab to lab, searching for... Something. A project big enough to satiate her ambitions. One day she had received an enticing email. From someone simply called 'The Eyes'. They promised her the thing she had been searching for; a BIG ambitious project, that could change the world forever...


There... She was on her way... The Great Crater... Something big was coming... How thrilling~...

(Wow i finally post after a millenia? Impossible!)
Venomania Fluer
"I can't spit it back out."
After what seemed to be hours, I noticed that Eternatus and Salazzle were starting to walk towards a certain direction. Curious, I quickly followed right behind them.

---

Sirius Venus
"This world is nothing but a mere stageplay, And all Man and Women are Actors in it."
"Oh?" I look over to my right, seeing that Chien-Pao and Ninetails were walking towards a certain direction, along with what seemed to be the other Legendary Pokemon and everyone elses Starter Pokemon. I soon started to walk just right behind them.

---

Zaria's surprise at Araceli's action was evident in her eyes, but it quickly melted into a mixture of gratitude and relief. The hug was unexpected but oddly comforting, like a lifeline thrown to her amidst the storm of her own thoughts. She let out a shaky breath as she felt the warmth of Araceli's embrace, a small flicker of connection in the midst of her inner turmoil.

As Araceli whispered her words, Zaria closed her eyes and allowed herself to momentarily let go of the weight on her shoulders. The chaos in her mind seemed to quiet down, if only for a moment, and she felt a sense of safety in that simple gesture of comfort. She nodded, her voice a bit shaky as she responded, "Thank you... I just... I don't even know where to begin, Araceli."

Her grip on the tablet relaxed as she leaned into the embrace, her mind slowly starting to clear as she focused on the present moment. "I never thought it would come to this, you know? All these years, I thought I had everything under control, that I could keep my emotions in check. But seeing Magnus like that, the way he mocked everything... It just broke something inside me."

Zaria pulled away slightly from the hug, her eyes meeting Araceli's with a mixture of vulnerability and determination. "I don't want to be like them, Araceli. I don't want to become someone who values data and experiments over people. But I also don't want to be weak, to let my emotions control me. It's like I'm stuck in this endless loop of contradictions."

She let out a humorless chuckle, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "I just... I needed to know the truth, even if it meant using truth serum. But now I'm questioning everything. Was it worth it? Am I becoming a monster like them? And... what if I'm wrong about Magnus? What if there's more to his story?"

Zaria sighed, her shoulders slumping as she looked down at the floor. "I'm sorry, Araceli. I'm rambling. It's just... a lot to process."

---

Araceli let the turbulent girl speak, occasionally looking away from her eyes, just to make sure she does not feel glared at. A few acknowledging "mhms" and "I see"s are scattered in her ramblings but when she finishes, the chem-witch simply looks around and sits Zaria down in the nearest chair available. While doing so, she did her best to show no hostility, even crouching a little to make herself look smaller. It looks a little ridiculous but, heck, it helped in the past for others.

"A personality is often decorated in paradoxes." She smiles, her voice a little deeper to sound more calming. The resulting voice was... questionably close to being seductive. "Magnus is a very interesting personality but maybe his demeanor and behavior are a way of coping with his trauma. We cannot tell for now... but with enough time and patience, we might!"

Araceli reaches into her pocket and hands Zaria a gum. Mint flavor, of course. "Look, you should not be ashamed of your emotions. Nor should you try to be a cold machine or a emotional one. The key is to balance the salty and the sweet." Short pause. "... wait I think that's not how the saying goes..." "Ehh, what I mean is... don't aim for either extreme. Go for a healthy middle. Then, we can work together on closing that chapter in your life once and for all. And you emerge from it, more radiant than ever." Seems like Araceli's empathy influences her speech... for better or worse.

The chem-witch then puts her hand on Zaria's shoulder, her face now a confident, yet calm, smile. She could even see her teeth. "If you ever feel like you could use a helping hand, my lab doors are open. And the foyer before it has books, a punching bag, all that stuff. You know. Recreation." She smiles more now. "Anything else you would like to get off your shoulders? I am a good keeper of secrets."

---

Zaria listened intently to Araceli's words, her turbulent thoughts slowly being guided into a more manageable stream. Sitting down in the chair that Araceli offered, she took the mint gum and began unwrapping it with steady fingers. The combination of Araceli's calming tone and the physical act of unwrapping the gum seemed to ground her, pulling her back from the edge of her own emotions.

As Araceli spoke about Magnus, Zaria's gaze softened, and she nodded in agreement. "You're right... I shouldn't jump to conclusions. I know that people's actions can be shaped by their past experiences." She paused for a moment, letting the words settle in her mind before popping the gum into her mouth. She couldn't bring it inside the lab's quarantine zone, but she could chew it for a moment or two.

Araceli's attempt at a metaphor earned a small, genuine smile from Zaria, even though it was brief. "Balance, huh? That's easier said than done, but I'll keep that in mind." She appreciated the sentiment, even if she wasn't one to easily embrace emotional discussions.

When Araceli put her hand on Zaria's shoulder, the scientist's posture relaxed a fraction, and she met Araceli's confident smile with a slightly more at ease expression. She leaned into the touch slightly, rather stunned that someone was willing to listen to her. "Thanks, Araceli. I... I appreciate your offer." Zaria's words were straightforward, devoid of any extra sentiment but carrying a weight of sincerity.

As for secrets, Zaria hesitated for a moment, her analytical mind weighing the pros and cons of opening up further. In the end, she decided to take a step, albeit a cautious one. "There's... something else bothering me. It's not as intense as the whole Magnus situation, but... I've been having strange dreams lately. Vague memories, flashes of faces I don't recognize. I don't know if it's just stress or something more." She glanced at Araceli, her expression a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. "Maybe it's just my mind playing tricks on me, but I thought I'd mention it."

---

"Well, I'm not one who thinks dreams are prophetic but..." Araceli held her tongue for a bit, shrugging. "If those dreams persist, maybe it is something in the past reaching out. Or something from the future. Have you tried writing down your dreams, like in those diaries?" She asked, eating a gum herself now. "I have a blank book downstairs, if you like."

The chem-witch looks at Zaria, eyeing her a little. With a past like that and now Magnus around, she is concerned that Zaria won't get any sleep to begin with. And the last thing this lab needs is more insomniacs. "... I am already meaning to fetch some sleeping pills for you. I can bring it along no problem."

---

Araceli's suggestion of writing down her dreams made sense, and Zaria nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I've been trying to jot down the details whenever I wake up. Maybe it'll help me make some sense of them, even if they're just random fragments." She appreciated Araceli's offer of a blank book, though she didn't want to trouble her further by asking for it right now.

But then Araceli mentioned sleeping pills, and Zaria's expression shifted to one of hesitation. She remembered the last time she had taken sleeping pills, the eerie dreams that followed, and the lingering unease it left her with. Her brain felt fuzzy, her thoughts felt thick and oozing, her limbs feeling like lead. Allowing herself to be lead over to a corner by... someone, she felt relief in escaping the pounding music. A warm hand, a gentle touch, a rush of happiness, and she was climbing stairs to a cozy room. And then a shadowy figure loomed over her, and-

She quickly shook her head, her voice firm. "No, that's alright. I've had a bad experience with sleeping pills before... I'd rather not take them." She smiled weakly, grateful for Araceli's concern but not wanting to risk repeating that unsettling episode.

When Zaria asked Araceli to stay with her for a bit, her voice was almost a whisper, laced with a hint of vulnerability. "Would... would you mind staying here with me for a while? Just until my mind settles a bit more?" She looked at Araceli, her gaze holding a mixture of appreciation and a touch of embarrassment at her own neediness.

---

"Yeah, yeah, I get you. Sleeping pills aren't an exact science for most people. Especially pharmacists..." Araceli rolls her eyes a little. "I get you though. If you want, I have some incense though. It's not an exact thing either but whatever helps you sleep at night." She hears the request of Zaria and nods, smiling. Kind of poetic that she wants her around, given her and her father's... relation.

Then, when she notices the weird look on Zaria, she just kneels down a little, to match her eye level. "Zaria, you don't need to feel weak or ashamed for wanting someone nearby, you know? It actually shows strength to admit that you are not strong enough, as weird as it sounds. I'll stay longer, I finished my part of the job a few hours ago." She smiles, a pink strand of hair falling in front of her face.

---

Araceli's offer of incense was met with a small, appreciative smile from Zaria. "Thank you, Araceli. It's worth a try, at least. Anything that might help me get a decent night's sleep." She knew that dealing with sleep disturbances was often a trial-and-error process, and she was willing to give different methods a shot if they had the potential to bring her some relief.

As Araceli knelt down to her eye level and offered her reassuring words, Zaria's expression softened. She listened carefully, her usual stubbornness momentarily giving way to a sense of vulnerability. It was strange how Araceli's kindness and empathy were able to break through her defenses, making her feel like maybe it was okay to lean on someone else for support.

So she did just that. Unquestioning, not overthinking. Zaria hugged Araceli, hoping she wasn't overstepping.

The touch was grounding, a reminder that she wasn't alone in her struggles. She let herself lean into the embrace, allowing herself to be held, to be vulnerable. She could feel the warmth of Araceli's presence, a stark contrast to the cold walls she had built around herself. Her eyes burned with unshed tears, and she closed them, allowing the momentary solace to wash over her.

---

Araceli felt Zaria's inner turmoil, her heart aching just as hers did. Her thoughts wandered for a little, eyes wandering a bit and then she embraces Zaria again. This time though, she rests her chin on her shoulder, making her unable to see her face. And she could tell, it was intentional. An embrace, where Zaria could do anything she likes.

Her arms tighten a little, her throat was now on her shoulder instead and arms around, locking her in the embrace and the chair. She always had the option to get out, of course, but somehow... she could tell Zaria did not want to. "I got you. It's dark anyway and nobody is here to watch. Perfect opportunity to let loose."

A short pause again. "... you know exactly how I meant it and not anything else." Damn this language and their double entrendres!

---

Araceli's comforting embrace enveloped Zaria, providing a sense of security that she hadn't felt in a long time. The weight of her emotions felt a bit lighter within those arms, and she let herself relax into the moment. The close proximity, the warmth, it all felt strangely comforting. Zaria was still unused to such displays of affection, but in this moment, it was exactly what she needed.As Araceli rested her chin on Zaria's shoulder, Zaria couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle, the tension in her chest easing just a little. The reassurance in Araceli's words was like a balm to her wounded soul. The closeness they shared felt genuine, a rare connection that she was learning to embrace. With her face half-hidden against Araceli's shoulder, Zaria allowed herself to let go, if only for a moment. She closed her eyes, letting her guard down as her fingers clung to the fabric of Araceli's clothes. The vulnerability of the moment was liberating in its own way, a chance to release the pent-up emotions that had been building within her.

As Ara's words danced in the air, Zaria let out a soft, breathy laugh, the sound muffled against Araceli's shoulder. "You would like that, Ara, wouldn't you?" She smiled slightly.

---

"... that's for you to figure out." Araceli replies, choosing the more playful route instead. She keeps the embrace going, still doing her best to comfort Zaria. The chem-witch could feel how alien this must be for her but, at the same time, she does not object or show any signs of discomfort. So, she must be doing something right, right?

"There you go, Zaria, let it out. Don't be afraid that others will see or judge you. It's just you and me right now." She whispers, tightening the hug slightly but otherwise staying the same. Their heartbeats differed heavily, with Zaria's racing heart against Araceli's rather leisurely-paced heart rate.

---

As Araceli's whispered words reached her ears, Zaria felt a lump forming in her throat. It was a strange sensation, to be given permission to let go, to allow her vulnerability to surface without fear of judgment. And in that moment, as their heartbeats danced to a different rhythm, Zaria realized that she didn't have to carry the weight of her pain alone. It was a revelation that both comforted and surprised her.

"Ugh, why do I have to do all the work? I figure enough things out..." she said trailing off. Ara's banter was surprisingly distracting, allowing Zaria to ignore her promblfir a little longer.

Slowly, Zaria released her hold on the embrace, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She looked into Araceli's eyes, her gaze lingering for a moment longer than usual. There was a connection there, something unspoken but deeply felt. Zaria wasn't sure what it meant, but she knew that in this basement laboratory, with the chem-witch who had offered her solace, she had found a safe haven.

---

Araceli chuckles a little, staring back into Zaria's eyes. Secretly, she hoped that Zaria does not mind her heterochromia... stupid chemical formula changing half her body hair and Iris pink. Weird how it's consistent too, just... odd.

"You can give a seed the best fertilizer and sunlight, but the blossoming still comes from the seed." Araceli laughs a little. "Sorry. That one's from a friend, she had a strong green thumb. Well, strong and a strong green thumb." She turns away slightly, just to laugh a little but then turns back to face her. "Do you feel better?"

---

Zaria found herself drawn into Araceli's eyes, momentarily captivated by the unique blend of colors that seemed to mirror the chem-witch's vibrant personality. There was a sense of warmth in those eyes, a kindred understanding that reached beyond words. She listened to Araceli's words, a small smile playing on her lips. The analogy resonated with her, a reminder that healing and growth were processes that couldn't be rushed or forced.

As Araceli laughed, Zaria's smile widened, her tense shoulders relaxing. There was something infectious about the chem-witch's laughter, a lightness that eased the heaviness that had been weighing on her. When Araceli turned back to face her, asking if she felt better, Zaria nodded. "Yeah, I do. Thank you for being here, for listening." Her gratitude was sincere, a genuine appreciation for the unexpected connection she had found.

Zaria's gaze softened as she continued, her tone more serious. "I need to apologize to Magnus. My approach earlier... it wasn't fair to him." She sighed, raking a hand through her hair. "I'll make it right, but I need to find the right words."

Curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn't help but ask, "And you, Araceli? Do you feel better?" There was a genuine concern in her voice, a desire to ensure that the person who had offered her comfort was also finding solace in their interaction.

---

"I never felt bad to begin with." Araceli chuckles, waving her hand dismissively. "I actually felt a little better when you all were down in my rooms. The life in my homey walls is so much better than the cold upstairs." She shivers a little and then rubs her own shoulders, imitating a freezing gesture.

"If you want to apologize, I recommend you just speak out your heart. Magnus seems very free-spirited, so a long-winded text won't help much. Or not yield much." The chem-witch smiles, Zaria was also very nice company to have. She could stand seeing her face more often in the lower floors.

---