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.
Koray's stern nod had her blinking, confused for a few moments and sniffling in response. Had she... misjudged? She stared at him through puffy eyes for a brief moment, waiting for the follow up words that were inevitable. Everything would be just fine. She'd opened her mouth to say something, but the words died on her tongue as a kiss was placed gently on her head, followed by a few strands of her that'd become stuck to her wet face being brushed away.
Ara blinked slowly, sniffling once more as the merely watching him in contemplation. Fuck. A very soft smile reached her face, amidst everything else that was going to shit, she really could trust him to just... be there... She'd moved to reach a hand up to her eye, pushing away more tears and taking in a deep, shaky breath, but before anything could be said or done the Absol nestled herself in and onto Koray's lap. An arm was snaked around still, though, holding her close because Arceus knows she needed the contact.
Arceus, what if... something she'd said led to Koray thinking about doing what Gabe did- what if he tried to... she felt tears welling up, hot, and barely allowed them to trek down her face before she shoved the thought away. Don't you fucking dare think about that, see? He was here, he was fine. Stop shaking.
She swallowed once more, eyes closing as she hiccuped as she just attempted to focus on his touch, the gentle rubbing of her shoulder, don't think about anything else, if you do Arceus knows you'd go full circle and end up crying again. She found herself leaning against him, head settling instead into his side. After a few beats she mumbled very softly, "...w...what do you wanna do in bass?"
Even as Koray acted calm, his thoughts were tumultuous to say the least of things. He couldn't think straight, especially with Ara so close. She was the source of all his problems. Maybe it would've been better if I had just walked away that day. Sure, he'd been a wreck, but surely it would've been better than going through this living hell. Ara didn't realize what this 'friendship' (if you could call it that) was doing to him. The longer Koray stayed around her, the more he found himself feeling miserable. This isn't how it's supposed to be, is it?
At that point, Koray had no clue how to act or what to do. He kept rubbing Ara's shoulder lightly, almost robotically as he stuffed down his own emotions. No matter how conflicted he was right then, he wasn't about to break. He wouldn't allow himself to, not now... maybe not ever. I'm not sure I can do this... Koray mumbled something in Kantosian, wishing that this entire situation could've been avoided. Rowan cooed beside him, drawing a slight smile from him. The Phantump assured Koray he wasn't alone and that... helped. Even if his heart felt like it was about to shatter into a million pieces.
The fact that Ara had no interest in getting back together hadn't escaped Koray. That ship had apparently sailed and there was no getting those moments back. Then there was this... physical relationship he'd talked himself into. Of course, the rewards were there... but... at what cost? It would be Ara's voice that interrupted his thoughts, drawing hazel eyes to golden ones. "That's up to you, my dear~," Koray mused, smiling brighter than he truly felt right then, "I came here for you, not for whatever entertainment Bass may hold," he reminded her, shifting just enough to let Freda know it was time to go.
While the Absol wasn't pleased about it, but stood to her feet regardless, shaking out her fur before turning to let Koray get back on again. Slowly, Koray helped Ara to stand and would only let go of her once he was certain she wouldn't fall. "Can you ride? I could maybe get Sauron out..." Koray asked, already trying to figure out how to control the Deino if Ara said no. Either way, he'd wait until Ara was ready before getting back on Freda again.
Arietta's eyes had shut as she willed herself to stop crying, and just... breathe. Koray just being here alone was some kind of comfort, and her loud sobs very nearly turned into soft sniffles. She found herself being drawn out of her head at he spoke, eyes peering open to meet his, a large smile greeting her. Safe. Happy. "...I do have to drop my... b-bike off first- and then... maybe like a food truck?" she sounded a little bit hopeful, and brought a hand to her face to push the tears away.
She found herself being led to her feet and it took everything not to wobble off balance, legs feeling like jelly and body just... heavy. But it was okay- she could walk! She... she may have trouble speaking for a while, and arceus does it hurt to breathe sometimes, but at least her legs didn't get mauled or something. "Thanks- uhm... I should be okay."
It takes her a little to actually hoist herself back up onto the bike, slightly wobbly and unbalanced, but she looks like she'll be able to ride. Fi stares at her for a few seconds in the basket, a coo leaving his lips, and all the girl can manage is a shaky smile. She'll be okay.
A glance back to where Koray was now, "...So... l-let's go..."
EAt Ara's first words, Koray simply nodded, giving his best smile despite how much his heart still hurt to see her like this. While a food truck wouldn't be his first choice, he reminded himself that this was for Ara. Whatever he might want didn't matter right then and there. "Of course~," Koray murmured, using his thumb to push some of her tears away as well, "Whatever you would like."
After helping Ara to her feet, he did finally get back on Freda again. The Absol was impatient and wanted to be away from the witch. Koray was able to hold her back only long enough to be sure that she was on her bike again before she took off. Thank you, Freda... As much as Koray was trying to be strong, he knew that he wouldn't have been able to save face in front of Ara for very long. Already he could feel the knot in his throat that threatened to choke off his words. His chest hurt and if it wasn't for Rowan being right there with him, Koray surely would've broke already. Is it really supposed to be this hard?
Back on her bike now, and shuddering for breath Arietta was back to trying her best to pedal. She was wobbly, her makeup was a true nightmare- her neck ached, and she just... truly didn't want to feel like utter shit. There was so much going wrong in her life right now, so many negatives to focus on, and yet here she was, with somebody who actually seemed to care about her, and she was a total fucking mess! All the girls would chatise her, probably give her an earful and yet somehow being in Koray's presence was comforting. It was what she needed right now.
Because Koray wasn't Gabe. Koray wouldn't let any of his mons hurt her- he wouldn't leave her alone when she's hurting, he wouldn't be able to stand there stiff as a brick and watch her break down in tears. Even if she'd hurt him- even if she'd done some... bad things he was still... somehow here? And he still claimed he was a friend- he still claimed he loved her unconditionally, not romantically.
Everything was fine, and okay. She could breathe- and she could pedal. Forwards and forwards. "...bass...is- u-uh- coming up...." she managed out, voice much softer than anticipated- the end of the route in sight- she was determined, in one way or another, to try enjoy herself, to try focus on one positive thing she had in her life right now, because Arceus forbid she let herself spiral out of control and end up drunk at somebodies apartment, fresh from a club in an unfamiliar place again.
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