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.
There was something adorabley charming about ferries, something that could make a girl feel like she was besting the world when really, she hadn't even seen the half of it! With wind whipping in her hair, a bubbly feeling of excitement in her gut and a slight hint of nerves eating away at her core, this fifteen year old couldn't have been expeirencing a better rush! The disembarkment into Ivy Town felt like she was stepping into unknown land, a place she hadn't even thought of exploring before- but it was a place where her life was truly gonna start!
And why, you might ask yourselves, is that? The answer is besides her, with long hair, golden eyes and a voice that constantly had the giddy teen mesmerised. Gabe Alim, her best friend, her boy friend, and her literal slice of paradise- aaaah, even looking at him had her heart thudding! And, all thanks to him, she was about to truly start living, and getting away from the dumbass assholes that called themselves her parents.
It was the picture perfect plan, they catch a boat or... something (truth be told Arietta wasn't the plan maker here) from Ivy to Alola and start out a new life there! She'd managed to fake going out and getting ready for school, shoving everything she'd ever need for a little runaway trip like perfume, hair curlers, some super cute clothes and a hell of a lot of makeup, into her super sweet pink backback. It was like she'd jumped right into her own teen movie, with Gabe as a co-star!
She couldn't deny her nerves that ate away at her center and her her smile fading ever so slightly. A few other people pushed past the dock, going on with their daily life in Ivy and for a split second she was unsure. A hand pushed through her hair, dyed purple weekly since purple was one of Gabe's favourite colours, and she glanced up at him. He was so... sure of himself! So- so she could do this! It wasn't like she was leaving behind anything important, anyways! Well... nothing she could think of, at least! But this was fine, this was like- so super romantic!
"Gaaabeee..." Her voice came out more of a whine than intended, and she reached up slightly to grab at his forearm with a hand, as if to bring his attention to her. She could do this! Arietta placed on her best smile and batted her eyelashes, the purple of her eyes (thanks contacts) searching his own. "You've got everything sorted, right? All the like, fake stuff- the location of where we find the boat? I literally have no idea where we are..."
He’d done it. They’d done it. Gabe stared out at the water and Ivy Island that steadily drew closer with each passing second. As soon as they got to Ivy, they’d catch another boat out of Arciel. And then he’d be free. Then they’d be free. Free of the torture and torment. Free of the troubles and tribulations. Free of every little question or consequence that had ever plagued either of them. It was a fresh start, and it itched in his throat, clawed through his chest, and rippled under his skin even as the sea breeze split by. Soon, they’d be free.
Gabe’s eyes pulled away from the island and reflected her instead. A goofy smile pulled across his features almost immediately. Arceus, Ara was so cute. Cute and silly and fun. And she was his.
By the time he looked forward again, they were there docking and going forth. Grabbing his own backpack and a duffle bag he’d managed to squirrel away without Mom asking questions, he started off the boat and onto the island proper. Right, they just needed to make sure the next boat schedule was on time, and then—
Oh cute…. Color touched Gabe’s features, and for half a second, he forgot what he was thinking. Didn’t even remember what she was asking either. “Uh…” Oh. Wait. “Right, yeah, the next boat out leaves this afternoon at 3:00, and we’ll be all the way in Alola in just a few days…” he grinned at her. “I’ve got it all planned out; don’t worry.” He’d only been planning this out for months now…. Even since before bringing it up to her.
He didn’t want to think about why. It didn’t matter now. “We need to go over to the boat check in, though and make sure our spots were reserved correctly. Remember, Gabe Lee, Ari Wright,” he grinned a little softly at that. Only partially fake names, but that was all that mattered right then anyways.
As Gabe looked down at her to answer her question the world around them seemed t stop for a few seconds, she could never get tired of how he looked at her, or the way eye contact alone leaves her brain feeling all mushy- ugh! Her hand remained on his arm as he spoke, a small 'o' forming on her lips as he answered her question. Right, at three, which left... an hour, or two? Arietta... didn't know the time, her phone had died a bit ago, but it was probably soon, right? She'd never... been on a boat before, or like, she'd been on a ferry once with her aunt! But like, a boat for days at a time?
Noooow she could feel the nerves creep in more, what was once a slight tickling in her gut seemed to be instead turning into more of a bubbling, but she pretended to not notice them, instead gently tearing her hand off Gabe's arm and instead moving to intertwine their hands, grinning up at him. "You always have everything planned out, that's why you're so super reliable!" If it was anybody else, adding 'super' would have made it seem less genuine, but Ara just adds what she wants to sentances. "It's kinda hot too, always being one step ahead, knowing what you're doing~" A laugh then, good natured as she leaned a little against his side.
She was tempted to start walking, but she had no idea where the boat they were supposed to go to was... his next works had a soft hum leaving her and she mumbled, "Oh, Right! Ari...Wright. Araaaaa...er....iiii... Wright." She mumbled it a few more times for good measure, wanting to drill it into her head over and over again, "Oh, oh! Have we got like fake backstories too? Thatd be so cool! Like- like when they make all the identities in the spy movies... not that I watch many, but I heard the..." A pause, she tilted her head to the side a little.
The girls. She'd heard the girls talk about spy movies during one huge lunch-time debate, trying to make her watch something other than the rom-coms that she consumed like they were candy. There was a soft intake of breath and she moved instead to her bag, shrugging it off one shoulder and letting go of Gabe's hand to glance through her belongings, bringing out obviously the cutest purse that ever did exist. "Sorry- I think my stomach rumbled... do they have food near the check-in place? We could get like... chips!"
Lacing their fingers together, Gabe briefly raised their hands up and kissed Ari’s. “You got that right,” he grinned a little at her choice of words. He’d planned it all out; all she had to do was stay at his side. A chuckle reverberated in him right after the next series of words. “You’re hot,” was all he answered back with. Hot and cute and perfect.
He chuckled as she went on about spy movies and the like. “If you want, just got to synchronize,” he answered. They could do whatever she wanted so long as he could figure out how to implement it. He considered how much was too much, how little was too little. Saying they were going to visit some friends and family in Alola was always good enough. If she had other ideas, though, he could probably figure something out. Anything for her.
“Huh?” Oh actually heh… “We have some time...Want to hit a restaurant?” He grinned looking around. A mini-date before the grand adventure. That sounded perfect, actually. “How about over there?” he pointed out a small restaurant named Byrd’s with a small sign over the front in the shape of a Wingull. “Bet they have something more substantial than just chips.” Did he have enough pen? Gabe considered it and mentally assured himself he did. So long as they stayed in a certain range, it should be fine. Everything would be fine.
Making a small head gesture that way, he started walking towards it. Coming inside, he could it mostly empty aside from a few older patrons. A small sign assured them they could sit anywhere, and he was quick to point over to a window seat that faced the water. A waitress was quick to come around and pass each a single page menu. There were in fact fries on the menu along with various ways to decorate them. And nothing on here was that expensive, good. Good. “Want to order whatever and split a large cheesy chip basket?” he asked.
His compliment had her giggling and nudging him, what a dork, turning her words on her like that. And then... as he said they could synchronise and work on the fake backstories Ari's eyes lit up- oh! Oh! She could think of a million different backstories right off the top of her head! Like, oh- what if she was a princess who didn't know she was a princess until her grandmama who she'd never known ebfore reveals she's heir to the throne and she ran away to Arciel with her... butler? Noo, that wasn't cute enough- and it was... too similar to the plot of like fkfty different princess movies. She'd just have to keep thinking!
Gabe's words drew her out of her internal debate over which romcom backstory to claim as her own, and she blinked a little. "Oh my arceus yessss- a resturant sounds so good right about now." Maybe that would make her stomach stop twisting uncontrollably? Yeah! She stayed besides him as the perfect location was scouted out and Arietta quickly nodded, "Yeah, maybe- i've got some cash from my last birthday if we wanna split?"
Yeah, given to you by your friends, because she'd been too busy to tell them what she wanted- what had she been doing again? Lips pursed in thought but like her ramblings, she was quick to switch into another internal topic. Resturaunts sounded pricey, especially since Arietta wasn't too sure what the conversion rate in Alola was... but... it'd be fine, right! Gabe chose the resturaunt, so she could trust him!
She was at his toes following quickly behind, moving to go through her backpack with a hand to check she had proper cash before her attention went back to her boyfriend, huh?? Oh! Oh, a table with a view! She was quick to nod and follow him, slipping into her seat across from him and glancing through the menu, though at his suggestion she was quick to agree. "That sounds amazing?? Yesss, let's split that... and...."She stared down at the menu for a second, biting down at her lip... "Uhh... A raspberry soda with ice, i'll have that for a drink!" She seemed to put however upon realizing her all time favourite dessert, wafles heaped with sugar, and probably ungodly amounts of both caramel and chocolate syrup.... but she wouldn't mention it, because splurging right now would kinda suck...
Mm... cheer up, Arietta! Oh- "Oh my arcues- Gabe!" She lightly poked his calf under the table with the tip of her shoe, eyes glancing up from the menu,"I have the perfect backstory! Hear me out, yeah?"She brought her hands up to rest her chin on and began enthusiastically reconting the plot to 10 things I hate about you, replacing the main characters with Gabe and Ara- it was probably so unrealistic it was laughable. She was ramblng a whole bunch, but, buuut, it was fine! Arietta was fine, because when she was fine she rambled! It's not like she remembers when Calliope introduced her to the movie for the first time or anything!
Gabe grinned. “Goooood….” Looking down at the menu, he hummed softly considering what he wanted. Cheesy chips, maybe some meat or something…. Actually hm— Hm? Glancing up at Ari as she spoke, Gabe snorted softly….
And listened. Resting his cheek in his hand, he listened. Arceus she was so cute when she smiled like that and went into such strange detail like that. He could have continued listening for hours if the waitress hadn’t cut in. Blinking back into reality, he turned and then looked down at the menu. “Ah we’ll be splitting the cheesy chips and I’ll have the fishsticks… water’s fine yeah,” he reasoned out with a nod before handing the menu back over to said waitress.
Turning back to Ari again, Gabe slowly grinned. “Ya know what the first thing we should do when we get to Alola is? Get Starter Pokemon… actual starter Pokemon….” his breath quaked a little. His eyes lit with something almost feral. “I’ve been looking into what they have over there, and Litten is very cool…”
Arietta was pretty deep into the philosophy of what made the fictional Gabe and Ari who they were, what they motivations were, how their highschool days played out exactly like a romance movie, her hands moved with ehr as she spoke and for a moment she was able to ignore everything, instead giggling to herself as her explanations were brought forth. Maybe... she got a little lost and forgot how to not ramble, since she almost didn't notice the waitress until Gabe started speaking and she cut herself off, a flush painting her cheeks. The lady probably thought she was like actually insane or something!
As Gabe ordered she quickly spoke up with, "I'll just have a Raspberry Soda, with ice!" And that was that! Her eyes watched the waitress go away and she was fairly close to asking Gabe for his opinion on her extremly thought out... and... probably copyrighted plan, at least until she noted a peculiar glimmer in Gabe's eyes, an expression familiar to her taking over his face. Head tilted, she blinked dumbly... starter pokemon, huh? Ara had no idea the options over there... or... even in Arciel... she wasn't very familiar with pokemon, except of course what they had taught in school, even then Arietta was awful at school, too busy chewing on the tip of her pen and dreaming about whoever she adored at the time!
"Oh?" She moved to bring a hand through her hair, seeking out the familiar gold streak that ran through it and twirling it around her finger. "...Litten, a fire type?" There was a hum that left her before she grinned, "Suits you! What other pokemon do they have- or- do they cost money? Can we afford them?" A pause and then, "Don't we have to be trainers to get pokemon from the lab there, or do I need to work that into our backstories?"
She fired a few questions before settling back into her chair, gaze moving out the window for a moment. Pokemon. She remembered talking with the girls abut them once, the plans for the idol group that'll never get to be. They wanted a theme or typing, poison, that was one of the ones decided on, she was sure! or... dark... something like that- not that it mattered! But it just reminded her of that- why was she even thinking, she had to forget! Letting the gold strand untangle from her finger she instead shifted in her chair and broguth a hand to her cheek. "Just tell me all about it, babe~ You've probably done a heap of research."
Gabe gave a small nod. “Yeah.” A Fire type. The assurance that it suited him had him brightening. “We can be trainers!” he answered practically bouncing in his seat then. “The age to get your first Pokemon is like 14 over there, no questions asked!” And Gabe was fifteen, so there would be no questions asked. Right? Well maybe a few, but Gabe would be ready for those.
He was quick to answer Ari’s questions thereafter, anything she wanted clarification on. He was… so excited! That he didn’t even really notice her hesitation, her uncertainty, her anything. It was his turn to ramble, thereafter, though, as he described the three starters Alola had to offer, significantly less options than Arciel, but enough either way. He talked on and on about the various Pokemon on Melemele island and various other factoids he was sure about (and some he was unsure about) on other islands. He was so ready to see the world, and this was a great place to start!
Gabe jolted by the time food and drink was set down between him and Ari, and for a few seconds, he had forgotten where he was. Looking at the waitress, he managed to thank her before looking back at Ari again. “Do you know what starter you want? Or what we should look for first or?” Or anything.
Fuck. Gabe's excitement was practically contagious.Arietta quickly found herself invested in his words, his voice, his everything. His shoukders moved as he spoke and his body seemed propelled to move on its own occord with his words as he spoke of an own starter, a seal started and a cat starter. His eyes practically shone, and every so often he spoke so much about topics that he'd obviously researched in great depth that he'd have to pause for breath and Arietta would have to hold back on a giggle- arceus fuck Gabe was adorable when he was like this. It was enough to have her forget her doubts, at least for the moment, and listen to him attentively, every so often gently nudging his foot with her own when she asked a question, a sly smile breaking on her face each time.
From what it sounded like Alola was a great place, the pokemon their lab offered sounded perfect. A fire kitten because arceus knows Gabe loves his fire types, and then a grass owl and a water seal- a water seal who sung apparently. Arietta found her questions debating just how a seal could harmonise and if she'd be able to harmoise properly with a seal if they sung- it seemed her mind was made up fairly quickly. There was so much chatter Arietta had forgotten about the food, at least until the waiter appeared in her peripheral vision.
She decided against nudging Gabe again, he was already so into answering her ladt question anyway. Arietta flashed a smile at the aproned woman before grabbing her drink and taking a solid sip of the sweet raspberry, peeking over the rim of her glass at Gabe as he spoke once more. Did she know what starter she would want? The glass was put down and she grinned, "Popplio sounds adorable, but the owner of the lab will have to convince me they can harmonise before i'm sold on the idea, the others are still on the table- maybe I could match with you and we both have fire kitties, how cute would that be??"
She moved to lean forward and take a bite of her chips then, matching types was such a cute idea, it'd be just like... what... the... plan had been... A loud crunch. Shut up, brain! Arietta threw some idle curses in her minds direction. He was so happy about everything, obviously there was no way she could not go through with going to Alola and leaving the last 15 years of her life behind, which was like, so many months! It would be like the last 6 years with her best friends never existed, wiping the slate clean.
Starting fresh. Starting new. She forced down her food. Singing with a pokemon and not actual humans. Maybe she could teach it to dance like she was going to teac- she grabbed another chip. This was ridiculous. "It's.... really tropical over there right? Maybe I could get a tan- or- uh... arceus I didn't pack a bikini, are they expensive over there??"
Popplio. Gabe had a feeling. He grinned a little and nodded his head. Perfect, perfect, perfect. This was going to be great. But as she mentioned matching, his features warmed. Oh. Oh, that would be so cute. Little fire fluffballs. Oh gosh. They could catch a Pikipek or two and look into a few others. He’d heard there were Bagon on the islands somewhere? How??? But either way, he couldn’t wait!!
And in his excitement, Gabe saw nothing wrong. Couldn’t even begin to comprehend Arietta’s hesitations. Not right then.
Oh, he was snickering. Gabe reached a hand up and covered his mouth. “Or you know we could find a nude beach….” he teased before waving off the words. “I’ll buy it! Whatever it is… whatever you want…” His eyes were alight with a fire again. “If you want a bikini, we’ll get one.” And then he finally realized there was food to be had and actively ate.
They talked for a little longer, but when Gabe happened to look down at the time, he practically jolted. “We’re not late yet! But we’ve gotta go.” He was quick to ask for the bill and made sure that was squared away. As they were leaving, he found himself looking around quickly. “There, right over that way is the right docks… let’s go.” His hand laced in hers, and he was quick to start walking.
A giggle left Arietta's lips at that moment, the very idea of a nudist beach having her flushing. "Nooo- I don't think i could handle so many naked people!" A hand pressed to her heated cheek and her humoured expression became more genuine as he spoke more. He was so cool?? Like... "You don't have to buy me the stuff! If we're moving to another region we should save money for like... living expenses..." Her head tilted a little as her hand fell from her cheek, a cheeky grin creeping across her face now. "...but...if you insist!"
Idle conversation, Gabe's excitement, footsies under the table, it was normal, it was nice- fine. Fine. This was great! Super great... and then he said they had to go. Arietta gulped down the resp of her raspberry, her smile fading slightly... the feeling in her gut hadn't gone away, if anything it was worse. Her head pulsed every so often with phantom pains- what was this feeling? Why... why was it here?
She struggled to comprehend the guilt that ate at her, not entirely present as they up and left the resturaunt. The docks... over... in a direction. Her eyes moved as his hand encased hers and she thickly swallowed. She was awful. This was the chance of a lifetime, the chance to get away, to flee her life, her parents who gave no shits about her, to live with the most important person in her lifre and just... actually be able to breathe-
But.... but... that said, there were still people who cared about her. People who loved her who weren't Gabe- she had been busy the last few days, busy being excited and giddy, spamming Gabe in the wee hours of the night with emojis galore practically bouncing out of her bed in excitement- but now the excitement had made way to nervousness, nervousness and a realisation...
She... hadn't even said bye to the girls. They were probably waiting for her at school at their usual table, Ellie would probably have messaged her mum or something since Arietta never told the girls she'd be sick and she messaged them everything, and then her mum wouldn't respond becase she'd be teaching some snot nosed four year old the recorder- and the girls would visit her house after school only to find her gone. Gone with no answers- and... and they'd be... so sad...
So... sad... she was walking slower than usual, her eyes staring forwards, but not entirely seeing her surroundings. The docks. The docks. The docks. Her thoughts were eating at her, pulling at her insides. Why couldn't she enjoy this? Enjoy just... starting a new life? Why couldn't it be simple? Elise. Callie. Levy. Eliza. Faces flashed in her mind.
Her hand in Gabe's squeezed tightly, too tight. Her breathing was shallow, but still she looked ahead. Maybe she could pass it off as nerves, she'd be fine soon! She'd... be fine. Silence. SIlence. Arietta hated silence. Silence meant loneliness, silence meant she'd done something wrong. Words. She needed words. If she was in the quiet for too long she was going to keep remembering them, the girls. "Sooo...Ivy... is pretty..."
...Ara. Ara. For a girl of many words, you only said a few. But it's fine! Gabe's smart but he's excited, he probably'll just take it as nerves and now the gut-wretching feeling of guilt and terror that threatened to eat her alive.
Gabe snickered as Ari flustered. She was so cute. His features fell a little again as she mentioned living expenses. Yeah, he wouldn’t have his parents’ funds to fall back on anymore but— But if you insist. “Perfect.” Because he wanted to give her everything. Everything and more. And for as excited as he was, for as happy as he was, for as bright as he was, Gabe did not see what was going on in Arietta’s mind.
…And he did take it as nervousness once he even remotely registered it. Looking back at her, Gabe offered a reassuring smile and squeezed her hand again. “It’s alright,” he answered looking back towards the town side. “It’s just a bunch of researchers on an island, though. Alola’s got four big beautiful islands…” he answered looking back and winking.
Only to pause. “Hey... are… you ok?” he asked finally registering something as actually wrong.
He didn't notice anything off, this was totally fine. He started talking when she mentioned Ivy and stuff, something about how it was okay but obviously nothing in comparison to the place he obviously spent ages picking out just for them, the perfect escape- without anything. Anybody. She was huting now, a headache drumming into her as she tried desperately to ignore how utterly frightened she was of just... leaving.
...Apparently, she hadn't hidden how she felt good enough, she could feel his gaze on hers, the confusion in his voice as she asked if she was okay. Of course he'd figure it out. He was smart, he was attentive- he knew her. Her secrets, her faults- there was a sharp intake of breath and Arietta failed to meet his eyes, gaze snapping to the ground.
Her thoughts assaulted like a tidal wave. He'd be able to tell if she was lying, not that she'd been able to get a little lie or two about her last exes past him but... he knew the quirks, the rambling, the lack of blinking as she tried to focus on a single calculated thought, the playing with her hair, the shuttered breaths. An 'im fine' wouldn't cut it- how could it? How could it even begin to cover half the thoughs that roared through her head?
They were getting closer to the dock, but she felt herself stop in the middle of the path, a thumb brushing over one of his knuckles as she attemtped to find a word, or two, or fifty. "...i'm..." Eyes trailed up from the grond and settled at his face then, she was shaking. "...uhm..." She didnt like to admit things that made her seem like less of a person, naturally she was proud, cheerful but terrified of showing that something was amiss and letting that build up until it blew forth in word vomit.
Word vomit... If she wasn't careful she'd start rambling and then she wouldn't stop. Then she wouldn't stop talking about... about... The girls. The girls who were probably already detective-ing it. Already looking for her. Who she'd left behind, she'd left behind their idol band dreams and their sleepovers and their happy faces and how she could proudly walk the halls with them- or used to- and- how- how....
Another breath. She was taking up time. Time. What was time? Time was precious, what was 6 years to 2? How could she let herself... why... Her breath hitched and she quickly took a deep breath. "...thinking." A lamd excuse, but... she wasn't done speaking.
"I can't stop thinking." Is what followed. She let her honey-gaze to move around her, to the sea, the wide expanse of space, to a family passing by, a mother in a lab coat, to somebody walking their skitty... how did she... how could she... "This... this whole time- Gabe- what about the girls?"
If she wasn't careful she'd start rambling and not be able to sto- "I mean, right- right- I'm- I didn't even tell them because obviously they'd try and stop me- like- they're different to my parents who probably give zero fucking shits about me- like- I just left behind a billion things we'd all been planning and knowing them they're probably imitating soemd etective movie and skipped school to go to my house and they'd let my parents know and then suddenly Allegro Ostinato'd be making TV appearances asking for her missing baby girl to come home- and- and then-" She wasn't done. Of course she wasn't As she spoke her words came quicker and quicker, Arietta was terrified.
"I'm never going to see them again, right? I- no goodbyes- I didn't even think for a second about these girls that i've known since I was little- and- and isn't that- i- I didn't even have a chance to think about them and now- now it's just- powpowpow in my head!" Her free hand moved to to tap her temple with her index finger before falling limp by her side, her hand unclasping from Gabe;s and moving to tangle through her hair, pulling, weaving. "I-It's not that I don't wanna run away! I do- I fucking... I hate my parents so much and an opportunity- and opportunity to just... fall away from that is- it's great- especially with this hunk of a arceus-damn god that i'm dating!" A hand moved out to gesture to Gabe, eyes finally moving back to him.
Her vision was blurry but she couldn't stop talking- because she was Arietta. "But it's just that there's so many... things I didn't aloow myself to think about and i'm terrified- and- and- why did I never get to talk to them? Was I... was I too busy?! Did... I don't..." She found herself trailing off, hands moving to adjust her school skirt and tug at her collar.
She couldn't say it out loud, but the closer the got to that boat the more her stomach twisted and clenched and threatened to expell everything. The more she allowed her mind the wonder the more questions she had for why she didn't get to speak to the girls, to... to the last few months in general. Arietta was a mess of open-ended thoughts with no solutions- she just wanted assurance, or comfort... or... or something.
But... just the opposite might start a violent fire that neither of them could put out.
Gabe’s features fell. His eyebrows knitted. Ari looked so sad all of a sudden? (Or maybe she had been sad and he hadn’t noticed until then??) “Ari? Baby?” He watched with an uncertain stare as she moved. She was just thinking? Thinking about what?
The… girls? “Huh?” Her friends? “What??” She was… why was she freaking out now about this? Why was she— I didn’t even think for a second about them— Yeah well, neither had Gabe. They weren’t valuable to him, not in the way Ari was. They were always sort of a side-piece, a group in the corner of his eye, and nothing more. Gabe’s features knitted together as he listened to her. The gesture to him earned a small uncertain half-smile back.
But this was clearly a problem. A big enough problem that she was bringing it up right then and there. A cog in the machine of something he’d been working on for forever. Why were they important now? Wasn’t he important enough to supersede? Wasn’t—
And then… the timeline slowly diverged.
Gabe had a thought.
“We can invite them to Alola?” Gabe stated. “Once we’ve got everything settled there, it’s not like they can’t come over! Heck, even if they don’t live there, we can have a house and a guest room for whenever they show up and stuff???” Gabe talked quickly turning to step in front of Ari to get her to stop walking for a second. “We just have to get everything together first! You still have their numbers on your phone, yeah? Once we get you a new one, you can just plug those in and ask them to be quiet or— uh…..”
Gabe paused looking around at the various shops in the area before immediately checking the time. “It’s going to be expensive…” he had to preface that because she’d already expressed her worries, and he couldn’t deny them now. “But we can get you an international phone so you don’t have to lose contact even on the boat…. Ok???’
Hands scrunched and unscrunched the bottom of her skirt as she nervously staring at Gabe. Tears threatened to spill after literally just spewing words in his general direction- she didn't know how he'd react, what he'd do, and not knowing that was the worst thing of them all. He could berate her, yel at her, ignore her and keep walking- he could say she was being stupid or something or.... the possibilities made her kinda feel ill. Her pace was slow, deliberate, every inch closer to the boat was an inch closer to being away from the girls- from- from everything she'd know, and if tht wasn't terrifying!
But... then Gabe moved. He was infront of her, and her eyes treked him, folowing his movements. A shaky breath came, and then left. And whatever she'd been expecting, whatever she was sure he'd do... was not this. Eyes were wide as he spoke, her brain slowly processing his words. "...We...can?" They can visit? Get a house? Guest room? New phone?
She blinked, almost in awe at how... quickly he'd through everything up, a perfect solution... She didn't have to ignore them, or pretend they didn't exist. She could let them know everything once she was in the clear so they wouldn't interefere while also being able to keep talking to them! Maybe- maybe she could even still do like... video calls and choreograph for them if they're going ahead with the idol stuff still- they'd understand! Right?
Right! Lips pressed together and formed something similar to a smile, hands that had been fiddling with her skirt moved instead to gently tug at the cuffs of her sleeves, almost embarresed that she'd made so big of a deal of it. "...O-Okay.." Locking eyes with Gabe then she managed a nod. "...That sounds... good, actually. And- and with a new one my parnets can't track me- and- and it's not like we'll struggle to make money in Alola, right? Like... traners can make money?" Eyes flicked over to where he'd been looking before, the shops.
"...Sorry...I... didn't mean to get so worked up..." Her head tilted then and she stepped closer, reaching out to grab his hand once more, her shaking had died down and breathing was working, phew! "What would I do without you?"
As Arietta perked up again, Gabe couldn’t help but smile! There! That was the face he loved to see! As she thought aloud, he nodded a couple of times. “Right! We’ll be just fine; there are a lot of people who get by just by challenging the island trials so we just have to do that!” he talked quickly grinning again.
Her apology had him smiling a little softer. As she grabbed his hand, he held it back and raised it to his lips briefly. “It’s alright; it just shows you care,” he answered softly now before a devilish look came to his features. “We don’t have to find out now do we?” He teased softly. “C’mon, we can go see if we can’t get a phone bought before the boat leaves!” he encouraged before starting to tug her off to the shops instead. They were already crunched for time, but if this was what she wanted, this was what she was going to get!
Her face tinted further red as his lips pressed to her hand, eyes sparkling with adoration, a feeling not uncommon to Arietta. Despite her hesitance, the idea of still being able to contact her girls had sated most of it, and now everything just felt... right. "You're such a dork... but like not the nerdy kind the hot kind." This was where she was meant to be, this was what she was meant to do. All her years of binging shitty rom-com had lead to to this, her own happily every after- fuck you mum and dad, the main character never gives them an afterthought in this situation! She found her hand squeezing his own back, an excited giggle bubbling up from her chest.
"Nope! We don't ever have to find out! Cuz i'm gonna stay right here." A pep now in her step she followed after him, she was even gonna get a new phone! She wouldn't let him pay for it all though, that wouldn't feel good at all, she had... maybe thirty bucks in her wallet to spare? Ari didn't know she just grabbed whatever from the counter before rushing out that morning, but it was fine! "I hope I can like transfer pictures over... or emails and stuff... isn't there like a special thingy for that?"
Of course, in Arietta fashion and without the nerves she began talking. And talking. Towards the store and with a giddy grin on her face. "Oh- oh! Does everybody speak common in Alola? Or... or are we gonna need to learn like... Alolan- i'm super bad with languages..." A soft pout came across her lips, before she had even realised she was being rushed over to some sort of tech store. "...Do you think they'd have cute pink universal phones? Even if it doesn't have a touchscreen- pink would be so cute!" A giggle then. "...It doesn't have to be pink though- I wouldn't even know what exactly a proper universal phone was... I know you'll grab a good one- oh- and I have some cash too!"
Gabe beamed at Arietta. She was so lovely, so wonderful, so perfect. He was so lucky to have her. This was happening. This was happening. “They should! Or you can back it up to the Cloud, I think… we’ll see what the store person says,” he nodded sagely as they walked.
As Ari continued talking, Gabe could only chuckle in adoration. “I am pretty sure Common is common everywhere,” he answered. “Even back in Arro, Common is common.” He couldn’t imagine a place where it wasn’t. He immediately snickered right after at her words. “We’ll have to see, if there’s pink, we’ll find pink….” No matter what, he’d do everything to make them happy.
Getting into the store, Gabe was quick to look around. “Hmmm……” Paruzing the options, he came to an aisle he was looking for. “Here! Any of these should work.” They weren’t the cutest of phones, but there were phones cases that could go on top of them that were rather cute…. And rather expensive… Still. For her. “Pick out a phone and a case!” Anything for her.
Ooooh, right yeah aha. Common is obviously common everywhere! But like, learning Alola would be sooo cool. Like, one of those travel handbook things with phrases in the regions native language or something! Not that Arietta was good at learning things that didn't have to do with like gymnastics or dance or kissing or... actually, she was good at some things! Anyway! She was super excited for a cute pink universal phone, and for her parents not to be able to track her down... would the put out a missing childrens report? Would they even care?
Probably not. They never cared. If Ari was raised by her aunt, that'd be a whole 'nother story! But, obviously, it wasn't the case, and she was stuck with half-wits who'd rather go on book tours promoting some pullshit music therapy while their child was looking for love in things that weren't them- great parents, Ostinato's! Her thoughts wavered slightly as they began through the store, Arietta at Gabe's side staring around the store obliviously.
She had no idea what type of phone would actually work and stuff. As she was introduced to her options she took in what was available, eyes squinting... she wasn't looking at technical specifications, nuh-uh, Arietta was looking for the cutest, pudgiest phone. A slightly wider wilver one was picked, with room to maybe one day out a cute little chain on, and she eagerly mvoed to pick out a case, choosing the most obnoxiously pink one with a cute little whisker face on it.
"These!" She showed her picks to Gabe with as much enthusiasm as a fifteen year old girl could muster up. "You might need to show me how to properly set them up when we get the chance, so that I can tell the girls not to worry and start a witch-hunt! Oh! I have money in my purse too, for when we get to the register?"
Oh, oh no she was so cute holding up that phone and smiling so much and…. and his heart was so warm. Gabe grinned. “Sure thing, it can’t be too hard,” he reassured again. At the mention of money, he nodded a bit. “Sounds good, let’s hurry and pay for it,” he grinned clasping her hand and heading over to the register. Thankfully the cashier was some disinterested teenager who would rather not ask questions and made the purchase easy enough. It was quite a lot of money, but it was going to be fine, just fine.
Once they had left, Gabe checked the time. “We gotta get moving,” he thumbed back the way to the boat. “I can show you how to set it up once we’re onboard!” Walking down the boardwalk, they came to the boat… large and looming and ready to go. It was not entirely a cruise ship by any means, but it wasn’t some simple cargo ship either. Good enough, it was good enough. As they got up to the line, got their tickets processed, and got onboard, Gabe finally took a breath. Made it… They made it. It would be smooth sailing from there on out. They’d get to Alola, start up a new life, and live happily ever after. Finally…
After making sure to stuff some items in their room below deck, Gabe suggested they get up top and watch the water for a while (and give him time to help her with her phone). Now they were at the bow just looking out for a moment at the water and the Pokemon…. “The sea air… feels rather nice…” Gabe realized aloud.