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.
She didn't speak for a solid minute after her last confession, since this is the first time she'd properly recounted it- at least to somebody else. Her eyes followed Elise as she got up, biting at her cheek now, smiling wiping off her face as Elise moved to further comfort her. "...and....that's only October..." she mumbled, albeit faintly. Elise was concerned, but Arietta really, really didn't want to worry her- though... guess it was too late for that. She leaned slightly into Elise then, she hadn't exactly realized when but she stared shaking again.
"...But... b-but... I- it's not good- nothings good..." She was mumbling softly, "...Why can't I, for a second be able to just... be happy- why- why does something always come and... a-and just... muck it up- i'd... finally been okay? I... I thought I'd gotten over... everything... And then Gabe- and Koray- and... I feel... I don't... I... don't know...." a hand moved to clutch at Elise's jumper. "...and... and then... November..."
Only October. There was still so much time unaccounted for. Elise shifted slightly, holding Arietta gently. I don’t know what to do… She had to listen. That’s what friends were for. I’m afraid to hear what happened in November… Elise gulped looking at Arietta and struggling to meet her gaze. She was crying, and Elise still wanted to cry. A small, shaky breath drew into her, and a hand reached up to gently brush a few tears away from Ari’s face. “What…. What happened in November?” she breathed.
Oh... had her tears started again? She hadn't exactly noticed properly until she felt Elise's fingers ever so tenderly brush her tears away. Right.. right. November was safe- November was uneventful.. except for... "...Gabe... started c-coming to the studio..." She shrugged a little, "..not... in a class I was teaching b-but a group one... a-and... I- I think I... I think..." She trailed off, "...maybe...I have a thing about people leaving- I... whenever... whenever he said he was leaving- I... held him back- a little- and... and... I don't know why..." she shrugged, "...whatever..." Why did she? Why did she? Months and months she still failed to understand why- Senara said she kept... dragging him back, right? But... that just wasn't the case at all... was it?
"...and...I m-met Senara in December, a bit after... what was supposed to be me and Gabe's l-last meeting..." she seems to skip a month forward now, and bites her lip slightly, "...uhm...oh- I... I forgot to mention- on... october... the night... Gabe said- y'know- that was... when he met his online girlfriend Senara for the first t-time in person."
Elise listened as Arietta started speaking again. She winced slightly on hearing Gabe had been in such direct contact with Ari over and over again. As she went on, though, even more concern pulled on Elise’s face. The terrified look Ari had had when they had gone to get her from the island years ago now was still burned in Elise’s mind, and when it came then to the forefront of it, she understood— or at least thought she did. She’d make a comment, but that would cut Ari off. So she waited and listened—
…..And got a little confused as months were rushed over. W-well? It was good nothing happened those months, right? Even the…. Even the back tracking just happened in October, so it was technically just the worst month all around. But then, of course, Elise realized something else. “He was doing all that when… when he has a girlfriend???” she squeaked.
As Elise spoke once more Arietta almost furiously nodded her head, "E-Exactly?! He- all when he- I... uh- w-we'll get to that I- I think- I forgot to mention... something but- u-uh... uh..." A head shake, and she shifted her hands to grip tighly to her tracksuit pants. She had stopped talking, as if recounting events in her mind- replaying them to try and figure out how to speak, if she even could manage it. "....it....it hurts, Ellie..." she said softly, gaze flicking back up to Eiise.
"S-So... in December I bumped into- uh- Gabe.. when on a gig for a magazine- y'know the meet the team thing that to PR membered got fired over? Because they let something slip that in an agreement wasn't... supposed to..." Oh. Oh Arietta couldn't stay still. She found herself rising from the best, she was upset, and she knew damn well tears pricked at her eyes- but she did what she did best, and slowly began pacing infront of the bed, voice softly carrying with her. "...Gabe...showed up on the shoot...a-and he... insinuated to reporters we were a thing- p-probably... without meaning to- or- o-or he did- but- reporters... reporters are reporters- and- and I almost had to take a photo with him- and- and h-he met- Gabbie- the- uh- y'know-Alto- Alto Gabbie- anyway- anyway- u-uh..."
And she just kept going, hands moving to cross, and uncross, then move when enthusing a word infront of her. Ara naturally was full of energy, and sitting or laying there in a slump was making it harder for her to speak- she had to be doing something, if only to distract her from breaking completely. "...and- and... he texted me- after- uh-- asked to... g-get dinner..." A pause, and she turned on her heel, body facing Elise as a self-depricating smile stretched onto her features, eyes watering. "...And- of course- of course- I said yes, Ellie."
A pause, where she sucked in a breath before crossing her arms over her chest, snifflng. "It... I thought-It was good- if not... a bit awkward- t-there were ribs- I love ribs..." She loved ribs. Maybe she won't eat them for a while. Maybe she got mad when her mum cooked them a little after, you'll never know. "A-And he... he apologized- for- the magazine stuff- a-and then just- talking- just- talking- and- a-and it was... the good type of talking-idle conversation- a-about haircare, about... about- he- I think- joked about... christmas... ling- aNYWAY-" A hand was brought up to push to her eye then, as if to test to see if it was still watering, of if her pacing had done anything- but no. Nope. They still existed, tracking down her cheeks like they wanted to let the whole world know how she felt.
"Then- it... got- deep- and- then- a little girl- a fan- s-she approached me and I got a photo- and- and then- and then- and-" Her voice broke and Arietta wobbled slightly on her feet, voice a little hoarse, "And- he said it again- three simple words- no explanation, a... a simple- a...an...an...an- an I love you- just- clean as the day."
She brought a hand through her hair, pushing it slightly to the side and her breath shuttered. "...and I could have said it back- I didn't I didn't- but- I- felt it- Ellie- it- and- and I said- because- what do you say- I said- have- I asked him if Jenga fucking helped get rid of his feeings?! If he'd try it?! Ellie- Ellie- there's something-" A hand left her hair and fell to her side, "I... swear, there's something wrong with me.... A-And- and he told me why- he told me why he loved me- and- and- then- then- then I paid and- he- he said it was cruel- and- he- he left- and- and he said- I won't see you later, bye."
Oh, she was hyperventilating, and all at once sat herself back down, oh it only got worse from here- it only would get worse. She didn't know how much she could go over right now. She hurt. She didn't want to hurt, the whole part of everything she did was not hurting- was avoiding hurting- she shouldn't hurt. She should be happy, be enjoying her life what she's got given- but now she's sucked back in and nothing happy that's supposed to be. "A-And, he... he left- bye."
Elise bit her lower lip hard enough to break skin. She winced but made no noise. Concerned. She was so concerned, but she didn’t even know what to say. What could be worse than what had already been said??? It hurts, Ellie— “Ari….” she murmured back and reached to pat her hand again trying just trying to be comforting. Was she bad at this? She had no way of knowing then. It was just so much ????
The meet the team thing the PR member got fired over? Elise backtracked trying to remember now when and where that was. After a moment, she nodded her head. She’d at least heard about it but never known the details— until now. Her eyes rose with Ari as the girl stood and started packing. Elise brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped both arms around them watching her friend pace. Elise was not so energetic as Arietta. She could only really sit and watch.
Gabe showed up. Of course, Gabe showed up. Gabe or Koray, yeah? Elise’s brows furrowed. And he just??? Decided that he was going to insert himself in something that was already set up and running??? How rude???? Gabbie? Oh, Alto??? Oh. The name clicked now, and she frowned. “And you went??” she breathe-squeaked when Ari spoke. “But—“ That didn’t make sense??? After he did that??? Why would she— Elise’s face contorted as something Arietta had already said clicked as well. She didn’t want him to just go? Is that it??? Oh dear….
“….” Oh, oh no. Oh no no no. A hand reached up to cover her mouth and then the other right after. Oh no, oh dear. Elise scrambled to standing as Ari wobbled, a hand reaching out to grasp her shoulder. She’d been about to say sit down. It wasn’t good to be walking right then. But what came after silenced her again. “Oh……” Elise’s eyes watered, but she wasn’t sure why then. There were plenty of reasons either way. Ari went on, though, and it just…. got worse. That was… that was so sad. Alexa play Despacito. Color hit Elise’s features. This was… not the time for memes, brain.
“B-breathe, Ari! Breathe!” Elise squeaked on realizing that shaky ragged breath was coming from Arietta. “I—“ She didn’t know what to say??? What did you say to someone who was so …. So …. Oh gods. This was Arietta, one of her closest friends. She had to say something!!! And then realization struck her. “Y-you didn’t … you… didn’t really love him though, right?? So?? It’s—“ Where was she going with this? Elise trailed off.
Last Edit: Feb 11, 2020 13:58:26 GMT by Elise Bell
Breathe? Breathe? She was trying. But she was so caught up in her head right now. In one, out seven, like a dance warm up- dance- dance. He thought dance was their thing. Hands went to her knees and she gripped on them a bit too tightly, leant over herself slightly as she just, tried to focus on breathing- as if she was getting in the zone for... a concert- a concert. With her best friends- a concert- with girls that he hated. He hated them- yeah. That's why... that's... and... Ara leaned sightly towards Elise without entirely realizing, her breathing seemed to even out after a few more seconds, but she didn't respond to Ellie's question,instead just, sitting... in silence/
She didn't know what to say to that, and brought one hand up to push at her cheek, trailing one of the water lines as if interested, sniffling and hiccuping ever so slightly. She didn't really love him, right? Right? Right? She couldn't find an answer. "...I did w-when I was younger... I loved him so much- he... h-he...I thought he was perfect..." But Elise knew this, of course she did. Still, Arietta sat in silence once more, if Elise listened carefuly Arietta was counting faintly under her breath, if only to ensure she evened out her breathing properly- she wasn't allowed to get like this. She'd done it enough- and...
Eyes flicked to Elise- she was tearing up. Arietta'd said too much- she'd said too much and yet. "...I...don't know Ellie. I... t-think i'm confused... I just... don't want to... t-to see him...hurt- and- and- I- f-feel awful- and..." A head shake, "I tried- so hard... s-so hard to help him- because- h-he was obviously i-in a situation he didn't w-wanna be in- and... and- dance- dance s-should distract him- o-or- or- or jenga- but... and- I knew better- a-and- I was scared... but..." She found herself trailing off, unable to finish what she was saying, or vocalise her thoughts. She instead let her head flop ever so slightly, almost defeated.
"...i-i'm... probably just confused... i-it's.. not everyday... a Gabe shows up... a-and- and he- he explained himself- and- and- and he- he looked at me, Ellie- and then- and then- it's like i'm constantly being throw back and b-back into.. into the same scenario- just- a constant repeat of- of one of the worst days of my life..." A soft sob left her then, "...fighting...leaving- seeing his back- his hair- yelling- crying- c-cryng- a-and I ust... I always want to yell- and make it stop- and... a-and why- why are they back now- why... and- and w-we're only- I haven't even gone over Senara- Ellie- o-or the ferry- or..."
Elise fidgeted. Her features and hand on Arietta’s shoulder weakened a little. She knew. She remembered pretty well that…. relationship. And how much it seemed like he was pulling her away from her closest friends! Elise included!! Her mouth opened to say something and immediately closed on hearing the next series of statements. Oh… Realization hit her like a truck.
“You…do…. still… care about him a little…” Elise whispered more to herself than to Arietta. Oh no…. She didn’t understand all of what Arietta was trying to convey thereafter, but Elise at least understood…. Some of the sentiment. Not …. Good…. Not good at all. Met a Gabe. Yeah. He was a Type, and this ached Elise in a way she couldn’t describe. The way Ari described everything just…. made it seem like there was no point, no upswing, no nothing…to this. Just endless sort of…suffering over a Type….
And it wasn’t even over. It wasn’t even close to being over? How much more did they still have to get through? Elise shifted a little, hugging Ari sideways tightly. “We can take a break if you…. If you want?” she mumbled. “We could order room service or watch a movie or…”
Elise had her in a side-hug now, and Arietta just sat there a few seconds. She didn't say much, but the offer of a break? That... that might help- and she'd be able to speak clearer and not cry, she'd probably need to be able to do that to actually get her words to... not sound like a stuttered, rambled mess. A shaky intake of breath, followed by a slight nod. "...Y-You think they have cookies?" eyes flicked over to where Elise sat, "Or... maybe tea, actually- I... think my throat might uh- be going hoarse, and I still- uhm- have a bit to go over...I guess... u-uhm..."
She did. A lot to touch on, to go over, to understand. It was just... so much, at one point, just to keep going and going- and it's not like she'd come to an end anytime soon- Elise would learn that she's... still technically in contact and decent terms with Koray- and she didn't know if she'd be able to talk about the ferry issue on an empty stomach.
Cookies? Tea? “Y-yeah! I bet they have stuff like that!” Elise answered quickly. “Lemme just…. make a quick call downstairs.” Elise let go of Ari only for the moment as she scrambled over to the phone by the bed, picked it up, and pressed the quick dial number to the hotel service. “Hello? Hi! Yes. Could you bring tea and some cookies— yeah! Chocolate chip’ll be fine— to Room 408? That’s perfect, thanks.” After a moment more, Elise hung up and scurried back over to Arietta. “They’re going to bring up some tea and some cookies and milk.” That… that would help, right? After all this heavy talk, having some nice sweets would be comforting….yeah?
Arietta sat hunched up on the edge of the bed, already feeling a lacking sense of warmth as she scurried off to the phone. Her hands moved to cradel herself, wrapping securely around her chest as she drew her eyes instead to her lap and just waited for the girl to return, her voice for now just background noise to Ariettas cycling thoughts- it's like she was momentarily forced right back to where she didn't want to be, doing something she tried her hardest never to get into- she didn't like breaking down, or being seen like this, because she knew it was pathetic- why wouldn't it be?
She was hurting all because she allowed her past to get to her, all because she hadn't tried hard enough to put everything behind her- because even now she could still visually see him leaving, or anybody she was with just... going away- she could see herself becoming distant from her friends, she could see Koray's face when she left him, she could hear herself being cursed out and called things by Gabe that she couldn't bare to remember.
She didn't want this. She didn't want this. Her head bowed further and she sniffled again, once twice before a loud sob left her. Cookies and milk sounded great. "...o-okay..."
Elise’s eyes watered involuntarily. Ari looked so hurt, so broken, so bad…. What could she do? Elise sat down next to Arietta again and gently pulled her back into a sideways hug again absently petting her hair. What could she say? What could she do? She wasn’t sure she wanted to drag Ari through more pain by asking what happened next, but what else could she say? Elise gulped. “It’s…. It’s ok,” she mumbled. “Whatever you’re feeling right now…. Even… even if it sucks, it’s ok… to feel like that….” That was what her dad always said. That was what she always wanted to hear when upset. But was it enough for all of this? The last few months of their lives??? Already Elise knew the answer: no.
Elise was back, and Arietta automatically leaned into her, whimpering ever so slightly. This was nice, this was comfortable.Ellie wasn't going to leave her. As the girl began gently running her hands through her hair Arietta just ducked her head further, knees moving closer to the girls body. Ellie's voice was soft, but immediately Arietta had things to say. "...b-but I don't wanna f-fell like this- that's why... t-thats why i'm... thats..." A slightly head shake and a frustrated sob, "It really, r-really hurts- and it's not fair of me to hurt like this- b-because- because..." she trailed off, instead pushing her face into her knees.
"...Ellie..." It was mumbled ever so softly, against the cold fabric over her skin. "...s-somebody b-basically attempted to k-kill themselves because of me- s-so it's... it's not fair for me to be hurting like this- I d-don't wanna..." A soft nose-breath left her. "...I can't... describe i-it...again i-i'm confused."
Elise’s eyes scrunched closed for a second before opening slowly. She didn’t want Arietta to fell like this either. She didn’t want to second-hand feel these things. But …. But…. Elise bi her bottom lip in silence as she listened to Ari speak. It hurt. Of course, it hurt. Elise hurt just from listening to it. And there’s more…. How much more? How much more could there be to this?
Arietta’s last few words…. didn’t make sense. Elise blinked a moment wondering if she had misheard them. Someone tried to…. Tried to…. Tried…. Oh gosh…. Elise hugged Ari tight. “Of course it’s fair for you to be hurting!” she squeaked out so forcefully and shakily that she could barely understand her own words. “That would hurt anyone, anywhere, all time!” Her heart thudded in her throat, and she fought it down as it attempted to close up entirely.
“You don’t— s-shouldn’t— force yourself not to…. F-feel bad when bad things happen…” Her voice was small now, shaky and awkward. All at once, she felt like a little kid on the playground. But what else did she say? What else could she?
Her friends grip on her tightened and Arietta raised her head at the sheer volume of weight they carried, Ellie sounded so... sure of her words. But yet she sounded so... upset by everything she'd said she'd wondered if she should even bother carrying on. Yeah, maybe... it would hurt anyone. But nobody wanted to get hurt. Arietta's spent her whole life, from elementary onwards trying her hardest to avoid it, because that's all she felt when at home, that's what happened with Soph- she didn't want to be hurt by outside forces. She didn't want any more than was necessary- and it wasn't fair that she felt it now of all times. "...I... guess..."
Her next words had Arietta sniffling once more, pushing her lips together tightly to around more sobs or hiccups ..She shouldn't... force herself to not feel bad when they do happen? "B-But... But... I- I feel so guilty and I don't even know what i've done..." The last bit was mumbled as her head fell once again, arms moving to wrap around Ellie and gently scrunch into the fabric of her sweater.
"And... A-And..." She trailed off again and instead shook her head, moving toinstead burry her face in Ellie's shoulder. She couldn't even formulate the words right now- maybe after cookies she could wrap her head around just what she was thinking about. "...and...and i've...t-tried so hard to... just- forget- and be- be so busy that I don't need to focus..." A harsh breath, followed by, "...I...I c-could have died- and- and- I could have- and- what would I have done- if i'd have died- and- a-and- Ellie... I dont wanna leave you girls again... i-i'm sorry..."
She's a bit all over the place, mind jumping from thought to thought without so much of a direction, the girl being suddenly so overwhelmed she has no idea what to even touch on, how to describe anything.
Guilty? Elise frowned not understanding. And I don’t even know what I’ve done… Her brows squished together. She immediately held Arietta again as she started to cry more rubbing her back this time. I don’t….. Get it. That— That wasn’t a good way to handle that. Even Elise knew that. The last part, though, had her eyes welling anew. Ari. Elise just… didn’t know what to do. She didn’t fully understand, and she felt the confused stressed feelings mix with concern and fear. Ari could have died. Ari could have died. And…. and…. and….
A knock came to the door, and Elise’s eyes shot up briefly to it and then down to Arietta again. She gave her a quick hug tightly. “Milk and cookies and tea will help…” she said trying to reassure them both in that moment and probably reassuring neither. Slowly, she pulled back and made her way to the door where she peered through the peep hole before opening it. A young bellhop with a weird haircut was standing there with a small grin on his face and a platter in one hand. He lowered it with a small bow, and Elise took it gingerly before tipping him and closing the door again.
Turning back and carrying the platter to the bed, she set it down and opened it. Cookies lined one plate while a tea pot and teacups sat off to one side. A small jug of milk and another pair of cups waited on the other. Elise looked up to Ari and forced a smile. “It… it looks good, doesn’t it?” She fished up the tea cup and poured some into both cups right after.
Arietta was all but ready to dissolve into a violent fit of tears when a knock on the door at least brought her a little to her sense. Ellie was up again, letting go of the girl to get what was ordered while Arietta forcefuly gulped down whatever she was about to do, instead she shifted a little to make room for the food, eyes grazing over what was offered for a moment before sniffling.. yeah, it looked good.
Cookies and tea are good. If she's stuffing her face she doesn't have to talk, especially with chocolate of all things. "....T-Thanks Ellie- it looks nice..." Was mumbled out, fairly softy. Half of her had wanted to ask for sugar coated waffes but then that would mirror the hotel situation with Koray, and Kor...
She picked up a cookie and took a large bite of it, focusing on the taste,on the chocolate, how it ever so gently melted in her mouth, and how the batter was awfully sweet. Of course, she'd had better cookies, how oculd she not when she dated a Chef- the cookies in the lakehouse we-
The... lakeho- oh fuck off Arietta. The girl let out a whimper aganst her cookie and took another bite, she couldn't stand this silence, she was just thinking too much. "...they're... they're good..."
Elise dunked a cookie in some hot tea and then took a bite. She didn’t realize just how hungry she was until the moment after. Being anxious and stressed really did a number on one’s stomach! The whimper from Arietta was enough to stop her in her tracks, though. Pinkish purple eyes raised to stare quietly forward. “Oh… uh… good….” she mumbled softly.
An awkward pause and a slow sip of tea before she went on. “I… know you wanna tell me everything?” she ask-stated looking at Ari for confirmation before going on. “B-but don’t make it like you h-have to or anything….” She didn’t want to force her down that path, but…. She also wondered if it would help? To air it all out now that it had apparently been bottled up for so long. “We…. Could talk about anything!” she offered. “Like… like the concert even or….” She shrugged a little lamely.
The brunette was finishing up her cookie and making a move to grab at her tea when Elise spoke up, momentarily pausing to blink at her. Ellie was right, Arietta did want to tell her everything, or well... at least to explain things but there was.. so much, and she hadn't exactly dwelled on half of what happened properly yet. "...I... want to." It was said softly, "Y-You need context, right? And... and it'll only get worse if I... don't... talk about it..." she moved to grab at her tea then, taking a small, tentative sip. Right? And once Arietta began talking, and rambling, she just couldn't... stop.
As Ellie said they could speak about anything Arietta closed her eyes a second, focusing on the warmth of the tea before opening her eyes once more, ignoring how her eyelashes clumped together for a moment at their wetness. "...the concert..." She echoed, sniffling softly before attempting her best smile which... just kinda looked pathetic. "...o-okay, while we eat... uhm- did Callie tell you w-what ticket sales were... uh...like?" .
Elise’s lips pursed together, and her brows furrowed right after. It’ll only get worse…if I don’t talk about it… She was… she was glad they were on the same wavelength about that, at least? A small nod was given in response. I just don’t want to cause her pain…. Maybe, though, just maybe it was like ripping off a bandaid though. It stung for only a little while.
Still, she was grateful for the small reprieve of conversation at least while they ate. Elise munched another cookie and hummed at the question. What ticket sales were like? Recently? She was pretty sure if Callie had, Elise wouldn’t have known anyways. It wasn’t on her radar at all. A small head shake was given in response before she gulped it down. “I think she said they were going up?” she ask-stated back. Was that what she had said or was that a month or two back? “I know we’re…. looking into a merch store?” Was that right? PNG paraphernalia and all that jazz?
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