Set in the original region of Arciel, Legends Rising is a route-inspired, but not strictly route-based, Pokemon roleplay. Pick a faction, pick a class, and strike out into the wild to take on the League, master Contest coordination, research the mysteries of Pokemon and Arciel, and much, much more. Will you be a classic trainer? A criminal? A farmer? Choose your destiny on Legends Rising.
Arietta was out of it completely. Her mind was running 500 thoughts a second and she could barely focus on one- but she was just thankful that stupid PR meeting was over, with only minor casualties. Two people were fired, and the others sent on a social media tyrade. She still couldn't believe that the pictures had gotten out- surely it was going to be all that was brought up for the next few months at interviews, and it still...
Fuck her head hurts. She can't get the picture of such an upset, defeated Gabe out of her head- she still hadn't stopped shaking, and her throat was practically aching. She'd had to go home and grab a thick scarf before the PR meet, mainly to hide the already forming bruises. She just wanted to forget, maybe just go out in Bass and do something-
That was if Koray didn't pry. The texts had already sent her over the edge, it was hard enough playing off literally one of the most terrifying things to happen to her this year, to pretend that she wasn't going to burst into tears at any given second- everything was overwhelming, Somebody had almost... because of her- that somebody being somebody who'd practically ruined her life...
And yet why did she feel so bad for them- why did she keep trying to get him to not leave?! Whatever, literally whatever. Arietta was on her bike, freshly dusted with glitter over her recent spray job and incredibly girlish- and speedy. It'd get her to Cedar and back quickly, aaaand she could show off her new skills.
Besides, she didn't need to think much when pedaling. Fi had refused to go back to his pokeball after the incident, and sat guarding her phone in the front basket of her bike, glaring at anything that moves. Arietta was glad Fi was there, at the very least she was able to rant to him and he'd let out annoyed cries in response.
"-And they didn't even fire Stephanie!" Arietta's voice was annoyed, and a soft 'tsk' left her lips after, "She'd even reposted the picture to the PNG fanclub page for five minutes- do you now how many retweets it got?!" Fi let out an annoyed huff, his flame flickering, "I knoow... it's just... like... such bullshit."
Focusing on the PR meet was a great way to forget the ferry, to forget ivy. It didn't take her long at all to eventually reach the start of route 2, right by the entrance of Cedar... though she didn't exactly see Koray. Her head tilted, and she peered around more, swinging off her bike and leaning it against a nearby pole.
Did he forget? Maybe... The girl shifted, walking to the front of her bike and grabbing her phone off Fi, sending a quick, 'where you at?" text.
After the text exchange they had, Koray wasn't all that thrilled about meeting Ara in Cedar. But... a promise was a promise and like hell he was going to just sit idly by and do nothing after what he'd seen. He had no gotten on Freda and rode to Cedar as fast as he could. The poor Absol sensed that there was something wrong, but right then, Ara was the main focus on his mind. "Atta girl, just a little further... we're almost to Cedar..." Freda only huffed in response and continued on, moving faster than ever as she sense Koray's urgency.
The text chime on his phone was mostly ignored, but he only slowed once he made it through Cedar and to the other side that led to route 2. That was where he was supposed to meet Ara after all. Koray would spot Ara before even checking his phone and pulled her to a stop. "Right here, Ara." Koray stated, his voice perhaps a little colder than he intended at that moment.
Getting off Freda, he was relieved to see that Feanor was here. Good, that meant that she wasn't going to get away with lying repeatedly. "Hey there, Feanor~, nice to see you again~," Koray hummed, reaching down to pet the Litwick gently. It was nice to see him, especially after what he knew about what had happened. It took him a few moments to pull out some food and water for Freda. She deserved it after running all the way from Pine after all. "I just need to make sure Freda's ok first, then we'll leave. You sure you're alright?" Koray continued, smiling once Freda started to dig into the food he'd put out. He figured she'd be hungry after running that distance. Though the look she was giving Ara was dangerous to say the least of things. One wrong move and Freda wouldn't hesitate to attack.
She'd been staring anxiously at her phone for all of half a minute when his voice cut clean through the air- it didn't sound warm, or at all what she needed at that very moment- but maybe that's just because he'd rode all that way. Pocketing the phone and turning on her heel, she did her best to send Koray a smile, moving to tug her scarf a little tighter. "Hiyaa~" she managed out, voice not as strong as it probably should have been- but it still carried. Did she sound fine? She was fine.
Fi was absolutely not happy, but seeing Koray definitely helped in calming him down. Fi was concerned, very concerned about Arietta, but also about Koray, and he made that known the best he could, flame flickering slightly as he stayed in the basket of the bike.
Ara fidgeted with the ends of her scarf as Koray went to take care of Freda, moving to grab at her bike again and hold onto it, almost for stability. The look Freda was sending was cold, it wasn't friendly- why was everything so cruel? Her hands fiddled with the rubber on the handle bars as she averted her gaze. "I'm really good, don't worry! Take care of Freda, sorry to ask for you to come all this way~"
It was called out in an attempt to ensure him she was fine, because she was! She'd just... been almost killed by a huge Charmeleon, been through one of the most stressful PR meetings of all time, visited her personal hell, got told that she was the reason somebody tried to off themselves, practically cussed out, watched somebody impload almost helplessly and then left crying, alone, once more. That was all part of a regular Friday night for Arietta, obviously. So yeah, she was doing great.
Really. Fi probably sent her the dirtiest glare imaginable hearing her, but for now she moved, gesturing to her bike with the most pathetic smile imaginable, "Do you like my new bike? I actually recently learned how to ride!" She forced her smile a little bigger, "Isn't that cool?"
Koray was tired for more than one reason at that moment. He'd been working all day after all and only managed a maybe 15 minute nap before having Freda run him down through Cedar to meet up with Ara. He wasn't exactly in the best of moods not helped by the fact that he hadn't been able to eat since that texting fiasco. Whatever, he'd be fine. Ara needed his help and so he'd come right away. Seeing Feanor helped considerably in knowing that he'd be able to see through Ara's typical bullshit techniques. Still, helping Freda gave him something to concentrate on and gave Koray a chance to take a breath and tried to calm down.
"It's fine," Koray murmured, stroking the Absol gently as he watched her get something to eat. Though hearing Ara say that she was fine earned a hard stare at her from Koray. If he hadn't made it clear in the texts earlier, he wasn't happy to hear that. It seemed Feanor felt the same way judging by that glare. Easy now... deep breath, just... relax... Closing his eyes briefly, Koray opened them just in time to hear Ara showing off her bike and bragging about riding and how cool it was.
"It's a nice bike," Koray said, his voice still fairly monotone before looking back into her eyes, "but you can't expect me to believe you're 'fine', Ara. I saw what happened. Please, don't lie to me," he continued, putting the food and water back in his bag once Freda was done. Climbing back onto the Absol in one swift motion, he waited until Ara was back on her bike before urging Freda onward. The Absol still wasn't exactly pleased to be around Ara, something she made all too clear, but Koray needed her right then and that took priority over her disdain from the miscreant on the ghastly pink bike.
He wasn't lightening up- he wasn't lightening up and Ara felt her stomach twist slightly, still attempting to keep on her pathetic attempt of a smile. It was okay, he'd seen that everything was chill and lighten up a little by Bass, and she could just forget everything, because that's what she needed to do! Forget- forget... yep! "I spray painted it and everything!" Was her response after the very faint compliment he responded with. She'd moved to get back on it now, only pausing to flinch at his next words and avert away from his gaze.
Fucks sake. The corner of her lips tightened and she gripped harshly onto the handlebars, she could see Fi-Fi staring at her harshly, as if telling her to choose her words wisely, hell was everybody glaring at her right now? She didn't want this, she just wanted softness and to be able to breathe and to not feel like she was on the verge of being killed on the spot-
Bad mental wording Ara! Because you were! A soft noise that sounded like a strangled laugh left her lips as she began slowly pedalling, "No, Koray you've only seen what the media wants you to see- I told you, really it's... okay!" She kept her gaze ahead on where she was going, hair billowing out around her. Fi was letting out what could have been a growl, but Arietta wasn't listening.
"I'm not lying, with what happened i'm really as okay as I can be, see? I'm like, smiling and everything, if I wasn't okay I wouldn't be!" she glanced behind her for a sec as if to prove her point, almost slamming right into a rock and causing the girl to let out a soft shriek, veering her bike this way and that and almost losing balance until she was stable once more. Koray didn't even need Fi to confirm that she was lying, and Fi would probably be able to reiterate that she was crying not even 15 minutes ago from the stress of the PR meeting. A cough left her lips then as she tried to laugh away what happened- yeah she hadn't got the handle of bikes yet, and she just felt utterly uncomfortable with this atmosphere.
"A-Aha... Can we not talk about it?" Maybe that would lighten the mood?
Koray couldn't even manage a smile as Ara went on about the bike and how pretty it was. Yeah, it was cute enough he supposed but the paint job on a bike paled in comparison to what she went through. He supposed he should be more compassionate right then but well, the texts back and forth earlier had certainly put him in a foul mood to say the least of things. And then there was the excuses, the fact that the media was biased and only showed the bad. It was all he could do not to roll his eyes at the audacity of it.
Really, was that all Ara cared about? Her image? It made him sick and for a second, Koray could have sworn he was going to throw up. Of course, Rowan was there and the Phatnump's presence helped considerably but the main source of his discomfort was still there. Ara was still here and he didn't quite know how to face her after-... After everything that had happened. Why am I here? Because Ara needed him, because after all this time, after all she'd said and done, he was still willing to drop everything. All for her.
The request to not talk about it was responded to with a nod, hazel eyes trailing towards Feanor. What really happened on the ferry, Feanor? I know she's not ok. Even I can tell she's barely holding herself together. If there was anything good about his spirit sensing, it was his ability to connect with, and talk to other ghost pokemon.
Arietta was expecting an answer, or anything really, but instead he just... didn't respond. A shaky breath left her lips, no... no this wasn't okay. If there was silence she was forced to think, and she didn't wanna dwell on anything, she just wanted to relax and not think about how she was the reason that somebody could have died, and that her life could have ended just like that- that ivy town was just fucking cursed and her head was such a knotted mess that she was terrified she couldn't-
"There's a bunch of stuff we can do in Bass!" She started, breaking herself from her thoughts also desperately, "Since it's friday everythings cheaper! We could goo late night shopping, or to karaoke..." A pause, she blinked a few times... yeah... no... Karaoke was a bad idea. "A-Actually, no Karaoke! Bowling, maybe? Laser tag? Or... or... dinner!" as she spoke Fi found himself scowling in the front of her bike, jolting a little with every bump Arietta went over.
Fi's gaze moved to Koray as he heard his voice, and a agitated noise left his lips, adjusting himself slightly in the basket. Ari was about to make a call and making her way to a quieter area on the ferry when out of nowehere she got pinned by the neck by a Charmeleon against a wall, who tightened her grip more and more as Ari pleaded, seemed to be warming up for a flamethrower too at one point... there was a bunch of smoke- I couldn't do anything!
Fi shifted, his eyes flicking to Arietta, who continued talking despite herself, trying to fill the uncomfortable silence with suggestions. Just before she could... her trainer tackled her to the floor and Arietta fled, but way more happened then that, as you can see. His flame flicked slightly.
"Oh, oh! Or... glow in the dark minigolf, maybe?" Her voice was hopeful as she spoke, "Or even a dance club- or- wait..." Arietta fidgited, no... no... not... not at the moment, actually, especially not after she'd just figured out why Gabe was so spiteful over dancing- because he thought it was Ara and His thing...
Fi continued, glancing back at Koray. The trainer was somebody she's familiar with, Gabe. He went after her to check on her and that... asshole of a Charmeleon threatened me before she was put in her place, figures. Another flame flicker, Fi was getting mad. And Ara was mad, and confused, and crying, and agitated, and she may have said a few things that set the trainer off...
Fi seemed hesitant to contniue, and glanced to Arietta. She found out she was partially the reason why this... Gabe person jumped off a Charizard with a high risk of death if not caught. I believe the trainer was crying too, but Ari was left crying on the ferry.
Fi seemed proud of what he'd recounted and bobbed his head. The PR meeting also went bad, and there was a lot of yelling, people got fired, Ari got chastised and got some sort of warning??.She went home to get her bike and practically screeched at her parents, I refuse to let her put me back in the ball. Feanor scowled at Arietta from the basket, as the girl obliviously kept on.
"No dancing- that's... that's a bad idea actually- uhm, but something, yeah!" her hands tightened on the grips of her bike for a second and she let out a very, very forced laugh, "Yeah..." she was getting anxious, and her throat was starting to hurt, "Koray I didn't invite you out here to just- stay silent, can you please say something?" The girl pedalled a little slower, tilting her head, "Like, please? Where do you wanna go in Bass?"
While Ara started to ramble on about what they could do in Bass, Koray wasn't really paying attention to her. He couldn't talk to her right then without possibly blowing a fuse. As Feanor explained however, Koray had to fight to keep a straight face. I think I'm going to be sick. This Charmeleon sounded dangerous... but there had to be a reason behind it. Pokemon rarely were so aggressive just out of the blue. It wasn't your fault, Feanor. Koray reassured, listening as the Litwick continued.
Ara was suggesting more things and Koray did look over at her as she suggested dancing. That was always a welcome suggestion but... well... it felt out of place given the situation. Feanor was explaining more though, and Gabe's name was brought up again. He didn't know if it was the same Gabe he knew, but he'd had a Charmander back then. Nah, it couldn't be. Or maybe he was just being willfully ignorant about what a new friend might really be like.
The news about Gabe jumping off a Charizard was... too much. But then the information about the PR meeting and a warning? Yeah, it was no wonder that Ara seemed so off. Arceus, aand he was going to be sick. "Freda, stop for a second," Koray murmured, just barely managing to get off before he lost his lunch. Had Ara seen that? No matter, he was back on Freda like nothing had happened. Nevermind that the retching had probably been obvious.
Freda was very concerned, as was Rowan, but with how conflicted and just utterly sick Koray felt right then, he wasn't exactly in a talkative mood. The plea to say something had Koray looking back at her, trying to figure out exactly what to say. The last time they'd met, she'd said she'd regretted leaving him. That she'd regretted a lot of things. And Koray? There were so many things he regretted and was beginning to wonder if being back in Ara's life was really worth it.
"I'm glad you're safe..." Koray finally managed, giving something of a smile, "But please. Drop the act? I know you're not alright. You don't need to pretend you're fine around me."
She waited with baited breath for him to say something, anything really. For the drop of a syllable, the crash of a sentence. And eventually, thankfully it came. She was watching him from over her shoulder, turning back every few seconds to steer herself before glancing back once more- and all at once her face fell. Her head turned back to the front and her hands were holding the handlebars so tight she was fearful she'd probably blister them. Right, of course he could tell- he was Koray. Of course- of... "...okay..." was mumbled out half-heartedly, as she cotinued pedalling, focusing on the very act.
It took her a few more seconds before she said anything else, "Maybe i'm not so fine, or whatever." A sour laugh left her lips but she shook her head, closing her eyes for a moment in a clear riding spot, feeling the wind hit her face. Hold yourself together Arietta, "But- but I don't wanna focus on it right now, okay?" Eyes opened, she continued forward. He didn't need to know the nitty-gritty, he didn't need to know that more than just being choked by a Charmeleon happened.
"Because I don't know what to even say- I just- need to breathe, and focus on the positives- like you!" Her fingers tapped against her handlebar now, face scrunched "Of course you don't seem very happy right now either..." she continued tapping, closing her eyes and taking a very, very deep breath. "I... don't know what to do, and I don't want to lose my shit- so I wanna do something fun so I don't have to think- is that okay?"
It was a relief when Ara finally did drop the act. She didn't need to pretend to be happy but well, at least she admitted it. That was a start at the very least. Koray nodded when she reluctantly admitted she didn't want to think about it, that she didn't know what to say. He wasn't exactly sure what to say at that moment, but it just hurt so much that she wouldn't trust him enough to just, be herself. Had things really changed that much? Of course it has. Arceus, why did he even care?
Ara had made it clear enough that she didn't want him back. Her image was much too important to her. In the end, being an idol was that important to her. More important than me. Koray's chest started to hurt and Rowan instantly settled into his lap, cooing comfortingly all while staring daggers at Ara. She needed to stop hurting Koray already! Dumb girl...
At Ara's observation that Koray didn't seem happy right then either, it was all he could do to keep from laughing bitterly. Instead, he ended up biting his lip, keeping back the retort that was on the tip of his tongue. "It's... ok to cry, you know, Ara. Better to just let it out. It's just us here, after all... no paparazzi, nobody, just us." Right, says the pot to the kettle. If Ara knew half the things that Koray was thinking, she would've already lost it by now.
Of course Koray wanted her to spill her guts rather then to just... forget. But that would hurt! She didn't wanna hurt anymore today, or ever. It's okay to cry- but? Was it? Arceus knows she'd balled her eyes out like thirty times today, probably. Why did she have to cry? What was the point of crying- better to just? Let it out? It was just them- right... right... it was just Koray. "...i'm sorry..." she mumbled out, probably for the word vomit that'd inevitably start pooling out of her, because arceus knows once it starts, it never stops.
She felt her hands tighten on the handlebars, and she gulped. Did she... really wanna do this? She just wanted to breathe, and recounting everything once more would just make her choke- she didn't wanna choke- she was just choked almost to fucking death, damn it! Fi was a little more concerned now, seeing her demeanor switch, and let out a coo, scowl gone from her features. "fuck...Kor... there's so much stupid ass shit that's happened- not even today..." Her voice was soft, like she was trying to convince herself not to say more, but it was Ara, obvioulsy she was going to.
Pedalling move, trying to focus on the goal ahead of her the mumbled, "...I remember why I hated Gabe so much now." Her hands were definately blistered from just how tightly she continued to hold onto the handlebars, "He- he has a girlfriend- right- a girlfriend... who he met in person because- it was... one of those internet things... like during the ball- the same ball where he said he still loved me- and then thinking it'd help i... I signed him up.. to the dance stuido... and... he- I had a magazine shoot and the reporters saw him, and they published..." she faltered, "stupid... stuff in the magazine- but- but after the shoot he asked me to go to dinner and I was like, yeah- then he- he said it again Korr?? And I'd... i'd offered other solutions, because... it- at the time I didn't know he had a girlfriend and what do I... what do I say to that? But- but he... he stormed out- and then i'd taken him out of the dance and distanced myself because what else could help-"
Oh she'd gotten into a roll now, that push from Koray had seemed to set her off completely, "A-And then- his girlfriend... showed up to the fucking... to the dance studio to return his ID- and- he has a girlfriend- Koray- and he- I don't understand- is- it's- if he had never met me at the ball he'd be able to have some stypid, crazy, loving relationship with..."
She fumbled over her words now, more and more, "With this girl- for fucks sakes, and then I... of course I ruined it- is- is it like cheating- like what... like...Shea... like Shea... and- and I was- I want to help her- we- organised to speak to him when she get's back in Arciel- she... she was understanding- and- and I... I thought..."
There was a distinct whine to her voice, and she could feel her face was wet, "I- I just- then- I was about to have a PR call after reading the magazine- and- a..." She choked, and her voice shut off. Words wouldn't formulate and she struggled to even pedal properly, eventually having to stop herself, ducking her head to stop and wipe at her eyes, "I was.... i'm so scared... Koray..."
Koray kept Freda at a decent pace, making sure they kept up with Ara as well as making sure that she didn't actually fall from the obvious emotion she was feeling. This... wasn't what he had in mind when he'd pushed Ara to let it out. Of course this was Ara and he should've known better than to expect otherwise. As she started to explain and even apologized, Koray raised an eyebrow but stayed silent. That was... unexpected, but ah well.
Turned out that Gabe was the subject of discussion this time as Ara vented about how much she hated Gabe. Even stated that he had a girlfriend that... he apparently had semi cheated on with Ara from the sounds of it. The details that were explained thereafter were quite unexpected but well, it sounded like everything was crumbling down just by the sheer amount of things that happened. Oh... and then the girlfriend showed up to return Gabe's ID and... Shit, no wonder she's so upset...
Taking a deep breath, Koray tried to remain focused, grateful that he could trust Freda to stay on the path. If he had to try and listen to Ara and keep the Absol on the right path, he might have very well fallen off a long time ago. At the suggestion that she was like Shea, Koray quickly shook his head. Telling Freda to speed up a bit, Koray was able to stop the bike and quickly took Ara into his arms. He didn't think about it, just knew that she needed to stop, even for just a moment, and let it out.
"You're nothing like Shea," Koray began, gently rubbing Ara's back as he spoke, "You didn't willfully cheat on someone. You're allowed to be scared, just, let it out Ara..." He'd hold her like this as long as he needed to.
She hadn't paid any attention to where Koray's current location was, to busy weeping over her thoughts, she didn't want to cry again- this was the opposite of what she wanted, but she just... couldn't stop, especially now facing the fact that she was utterly overwhelmed with everything going on. So when she felt herself be pulled slightly into a familiar grasp, arms wrapping around her she only managed a soft whimper before pressing her face into his shoulder, as if to hide her current state.
Fi remained in the basket of her bike, concerned and unsure what to do, or what he could do. A series of soft coo's left his lips, imitating support. At least she had managed to get the start out, right? His flame flickered slightly as he peered over the edge of the basket, arceus.
How was she nothing like Shea? The situations had parallels, and the last thing she wanted to do was to hurt somebody over it, she didn't want somebody else to spend time crying over something like that- even if Senara had said it wasn't like that, she knew better than anybody not to just... look at the surface of things. Arietta probably would have rebutted what he had said, had it not been for the gentle rubbing at her back, coaxing her to calm down slightly.
She still shook, and she still sobbed, but her whimpers dyed down enough for words to finally be able to further formulate. Was she allowed to be scared, though? Was that really okay- when she had so much to focus on? She managed to shake her head against his shoulder, but couldn't verbally express what she was thinking. "I... I shouldn't be..."
So instead, she found herself mumbling softly, "...I...I almost died... I... I could have..." She sucked in a soft breath, her hands clasping tighter around Koray. "a-and... and... and... s-somebody almost... because of..." her words fell flat and she only began to sob harder.
At least she's not pushing me away. That was something, if nothing else. Koray kept holding her, kept rubbing her back just like this. His words probably didn't make much of an impact but at the same time, he believed every word and tried to show Ara that in his actions as well. Already her sobs were beginning to die down which was a relief to say the least of things.
Holding Ara a little tighter, Koray set his chin on her shoulder and nuzzled her. It felt like... normal... or at least back when things were a little happier. Even an action just like this made his heart hurt. Sure, Ara was calming down some but well... it was an ever present reminder that he wasn't good enough. That she was this upset because of her image. Because of the scare and... several other things. Was she this upset after she left me? Wait, where had that question come from? Nope, not addressing that right now, moving on.
At Ara's first words, Koray frowned and shook his head. Instead of just allowing Ara to cry after her insistence that she shouldn't be allowed to have normal human feelings, Koray pulled back enough to force her to look at him. "That's right. You almost died. You very well could have and have every right to be scared. You're only human, Ara. Stop trying to be brave for once and just let it out," he said in a firm, but gentle voice. Only after Ara acknowledged his words would he resume holding her tightly again. "I was scared too you know..."
Arceus fucking damn it she was a mess. Her throat was starting to hurt slightly, pulsing with pain which caused her to further whimper, and when she found herself trying to finish what she said before she just felt herself sobbing more. So, she opted to not try speak, and just to focus on the guy holding her and keeping her grounded- more-so drenching his jacket in tears- or at least that had been the plan, until she felt him pull back slightly and was forced to face him.
Arietta had wanted to avert her gaze, knowing full way her face was probably a red, puffy atrocity, and tears freely trailed down her cheeks, however she forced herself to look up at him, a choked noise leaving her. Her hands held at his jacket, as if scared he'd suddenly leave, widened slightly, however that sudden fear was quenched as he spoke. Arceus fuck she was pathetic, wasn't she? The girls breath quivered as his words swum in her mind for a moment, she's... allowed to be scared. But... but does she... really have that right? Why should she be scared, when somebody else could have died because of her, should she even get that right? Or should she just feel guilty-
No. Ara. He's right. It's alright. You're allowed to feel like this. Her hands further tightened and she managed a nod, not trusting herself to respond with words at that very moment. It seemed that was enough though, as Koray drew her back into a tight hold. She found herself curling slightly and pressing her head into his chest, another sob leaving her lips.
At his next words she hiccuped, her grasp loosening slightly so she could peer up at him, eyes wide, another sniffle and her head tilted ever so gently, as if prompting him to continue.
Arceus, this hurt. Even admitting that he'd been scared wasn't something Koray cared for. His chest still hurt from everything but he tried to convince himself that it was ok. Ara was ok... so everything would be alright. Seeing her tear stained face hurt more than Koray thought it would. He wished that he could hold her like this forever to protect her and make sure that things like this would never happen again.
That was an impossibility though, and Koray knew it all too well. Running a hand through her hair, Koray hummed and tried to comfort her. He didn't like seeing this side of Ara and it was making it harder and harder to stay strong. Of course, that was when he let slip how scared he'd been. Judging by the look on her face, Ara clearly wanted him to continue. Closing his eyes, Koray took a deep, shaky breath and smiled lightly, trying to lighten the mood.
"Why so surprised? I care about you Ara..." Koray began, hugging her close again, "I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you..."I love you too much... Wait, no, that was a thought for another time. Or not at all. At least he hadn't said that little tidbit out loud.
At least Koray's soothing mannerisms seemed to help her calm down a little bit more. She felt her breathing evening out despite the various sobs and hiccups that left her, this was safe, this was okay. This was a solid months worth of repressed bullshit, and as much as she hated to admit it, and as embarrassed as she felt, she was okay with this. Looking up at him now, she tried her hardest to hold off more tears and sobs, waiting instead for a response, for an understanding of why he was scared, as if it wasn't obvious.
The slight smile on his face had the girl attempting to mimic one of her own, however she didn't really have it in her right now and just blinked back another onset of tears. She wasn't surprised, more-so just conflicted and struggling to process much else other then the gazillion things prodding at her head. She felt herself being pulled right back into the embrace and her hand very gently traced an pattern on his back, a wordless insurance and the best attempt she had of ensuring him that she was fine. "...i-i'm sorry.." it was very softly drawn out, and the process of talking hurt her throat further, causing the girl to wince a little, another hiccup left her lips before she continued, not exactly knowing what words to say "mm...-h-here now in o-one piece..."
Koray's chest felt tight. Even as strong as he was trying to be for Ara, the panic and worry he'd felt when he'd heard what had happened just wouldn't go away. At least she was smiling...or trying to mimic him. It was all he could do not to start crying. Rowan was on beside him, cooing softly. The Phantump was perhaps the only reason why Koray wasn't breaking down right then and there.
Pulling her close again, he felt the way Ara was tracing something on his back. It... felt like he'd been transported backwards in time to a place where they were both in love again. When they were both happy. A sob almost broke in his throat right then and there. At least that was before he heard her apology and had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from saying anything.
His arms tightened around her, hiding his face against her neck. Koray's breath was shaky, even at that reassurance that she was alright, he couldn't face the fact that he'd almost lost her. If Gabe had been one moment slower in stopping the Charmeleon... I love you, Ara. The words echoed in his mind again, practically screaming to be said. He refused to say them, locking them behind a door that would never again see the light of day.
He wouldn't speak, couldn't right then. Koray knew if he did, that he would surely break and that wasn't what Ara needed from him now. She needed him to be strong. Breaking down wasn't being strong. Hold it together. That was all he had to do. Easy enough... right?
The boy before her tightened his grip further and something seemed to change, as if his admission from before had unlocked something inside of him that was threatening to break free, she wanted to say something, to assure him that once again she was fine, that she'd be fine, that she was alive and here, or anything- but he moved to push his head into the nook of her neck and the girl fought back a sharp intake of breath at the slight knock of one of the harsh forming bruises, his breathing was uneven and she could hear Rowan attempting to further comfort him.
It was focusing on the little things further that helped her further calm down, her sobs died down to soft hiccups and despite the soft trail of tears that continued to rake down her face she'd managed to at least stop herself from breaking further. A hand moved very cautiously to cradle Koray's head and guide it away from her neck, towards her chest, a hand weaving through his dark locks as another stayed wrapped around him. "....y-y'know you're allowed to cry, right?"
She peered at him now, he was warm, he was safe- his hair was soft, it always has been, and this feeling was hauntingly familiar. She refused to acknowledge it, instead waiting a moment to find words, having to push through the raw pain in her throat, "it's..." Her voice croaked and she swallowed spit in an attempt to help her.
She found herself echoing his words softly, voice barely a whisper "...it's okay to... cry..." She moved to pull him back a little, moving a hand to brush some hair out of his face as if to check just how he was holding up in a very cautious gesture before attempting to push back another hiccup, "...i c-can't speak too much... sorry..." lips formed into a tight light before she moved to sit instead in the middle of the path they were in, guiding him down with her.
The floor was much more comfortable. Repeating herself once more, she attempted her best smile, sniffling slightly, "...but im alive, it's okay. t-thank you." It wasn't like they needed to be in bass for a while anyway, she didn't wanna... walk into the city looking the way she did, she didn't even know what she wanted to do- she just wanted to stop thinking, if only for a second and ignore the million things bumbling around her head threatening another wave of tears.
Stop it. As many times as he kept telling himself that, Koray couldn't quite reign in his emotions this time. Rowan was helping, but there was no doubt Ara would be able to feel him shaking at this point. If I had lost her... Koray didn't know what he would do, especially since he'd just gotten her back into his life not all that long ago. Not that it's done a lot of good. Shut up. That wasn't something he wanted to dwell on right then and there. Not when Ara needed him to be strong.
He could feel Ara move his head down further towards her chest. Could feel her hands weave through his hair... For a moment, Koray's breath hitched and he had to bite the inside of his mouth to keep from doing exactly what Ara was suggesting. But I don't have the right to. Not now. Not after what she'd been through. A little fear didn't give him the right to just break down when Ara needed him the most.
A slight shake of his head is all the answer Koray would give, before eventually pulling away, choosing to focus on the last words Ara'd said instead. She was alive, and everything was ok... or it would be ok... It has to be. Even as he was pulled off Freda and onto the floor, Koray just held her, taking a few deep breaths before eventually pulling away. "No," he said firmly but not coldly, "We're alright, we're alive... everything will be... just fine..." he continued, kissing her forehead lightly while brushing a few locks of hair out of her eyes.
Freda growled low, not all too pleased with this turn of events. Regardless, the Absol laid down by Koray, putting her head in his lap almost a little forcefully if only to separate the two of them. Koray laughed a bit and shifted to instead give Ara a side hug, rubbing her shoulder lightly.
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