#🌹 — threads.

[emilyscastlevania]

Stain glass window 🥀

[solifloris]

"even if he's the worst version of all the calebs from then to now, you still want him?"

lvl 51 affinity call — i still think about this call a lot not just because i have nightmares often too and i definitely would have called him too LMAO 😭 but because. this line... there's something so heartfelt about this exchange that i just 😭 my heart feels like it's twisting but /pos 😭

you can just. you can see how much he always wants to do for her, how much he's always wanted to do for her, even through everything that he has been doing already. bec he's been doing a lot!! so much!! it's how he's been trying to show love bc that's how it used to be!!

yet... the reality remains that things aren't how they used to be. and then he calls the him now the "worst version".

he knows. he knows that the person he is in the present isn't the person she's always had in the back of her mind, isn't the person she's familiar with, isn't the person she's the most fond of... is the person that has hurt her. he knows that she's been sensitive about the way he's been doing things, knows that sometimes the things he does doesn't make her happy.... and i think he really just... he sees it, you know? it's not something he just notices and then does nothing about... he's aware. aware that, making her happy, taking care of her like he used to... he doesn't know how to do it properly, doesn't know if he even can anymore. things are different this time. he's still learning to come to terms with that... still trying to deal with the struggles of presenting this whole self that he's very much aware of—without hurting her this time. and i think that a lot of the times :( like in this call :( he just really wants a certain reassurance from mc that he's doing something a little better...........

:( just :( the vulnerability jumps out so much here :( i really want to give him the biggest hug :(

it's such a myth callback... :( he makes me so ill i'm so sick to my stomach 😭 (/pos)

[radioiaci]

𝕭𝖑𝖔𝖔𝖉 𝕽𝖔𝖘𝖊 𝕸𝖆𝖘𝖖𝖚𝖊𝖗𝖆𝖉𝖊 𝕭𝖆𝖑𝖑 - Open Starter

[ Preface: Alastor is in attendance as Rosie's ( @cannibalxroses ) spouse in this universe. They have been both privately and publicly announced as a married pair. This thread is open for interaction with any others who are attending the ball and are okay with this setup! ] [ Alastor's Masquerade Outfit ]

He is hovering.

Though he's been in attendance at Rosie's side for the majority of the night, he has allowed her to drift and mingle as needed. But he is close by, only opting to speak in friendly candor when approached, but otherwise lingering like a stone monolith, both keeping an eye on the door for any unwanted intruders and on Rosie for any indications that he is needed at her side. But she is an expert in the art of the affair; he will not pretend that he is necessary to remain so rooted at her side.

Unless asked, of course.

In his hand, he nurses a drink, though it's not quite clear whether it's one of the red wine variety or if it is actually some of the offered blood beverage. He will keep all guessing as to which. Alastor will not be giving away the secret. (He enjoys just the touch of mystery, given that it is quite obvious as to who he is beneath the motif of his mask.)

But he is quite pleased that, thus far, the evening's festivities seem to be going off without a hitch. Pleased on Rosie's behalf, really.

As he orbits the room, he will continue to observe, looking for all of the world like a circling vulture to prey upon the corpse of any creature or thing that could threaten to subvert all of Rosie's work and dedication to the event.

He will not allow any of that, so long as he is watching.

And he will certainly enjoy the music and the fare in the meantime.

[mriciov]

#LIBRERÍA DAUNT: ANELIESE ( @hyann1e ) encuentra a MAURICIO leyendo y sentado en el suelo en uno de los pasillos, en la LIBRERÍA DAUNT.

cuando los pasos que escucha sobre el piso de madera del lugar no son los ligeros & conocidos de sus hijos le alerta es inmediata. por más que ama de llaves fuera con ellos a la librería, los encontró luego del trabajo, acompañandoles & ahora siendo abandonado allí. pero alza mirada, & con la clara autopercepción de ser un estorbo en medio del pasillo, comienza a levantarse. ' no tengo excusa, ' dice la verdad mejor con sonrisa percetible en carmines apretados, aclarando garganta después. ' ¿también busca recetas de comida? ' o al menos el pasillo era aquel, dejando el que tenía, de postres, en el anaquel alto.

[pcrdital]

#ENTRADA: DARIO ( @dariovs ) & PERDITA se encuentren en la entrada de la PANADERÍA PAIN & DOUCEUR.

' oh-, ' se percata a tiempo de casi ocluir la entrada de la panaderia a contrario, sonrisa es fugaz por disculpa, trayendo consigo a pfeffer que de un gimoteo obedece & queda detrás de ella. ' lo lamento, puede pasar. no entraremos los tres al mismo tiempo. ' dice con un poco de gracia, quitandose el audífono de cable del oído en el camino.

[phillnm]

PHILLIP está [ FUERA ] de turno pero encuentra una emergencia de los bomberos en su camino y se acerca a ayudar a @thepcrcmedic / @harpcrd / @ianrakis

❛ ¿donde tienes los guantes? ❜⠀es lo primero que pregunta, un paso de seguridad ha sido al reconocer perfil ajeno en medio de las sirenas & las camillas sin suficientes paramédicos. aún parece pedir permiso, duda que lo rechacen. ya ha dejado su café de la mañana sobre alguna superficie, día libre que solo usaba para dormir o leer uno que otro libro de medicina, le fue imposible ignorar escena.⠀❛ está poniendose azul, ¿que sucedió? ❜⠀

[jjmng]

@vshrs / @antonhfm : ' ya no sé en qué día vivimos. '

' me temo que, estamos cerca de acabar noviembre. ' dice cuidadosa, queriendo aún disimular lo documentado que tiene sus días. diestra va a peinar cabellos desde nacimientos en la nuca hasta el final, intentando disipar esa ansiedad en exhalar también. ' pero, diría que sobrevivimos solamente. ' corrige, viendo de soslayo a contrario. ¿estaba sonando muy azul?, hace un ademán de manos, mohín de labios. ' lo lamento, eso no fue muy madre serena de mi parte. '

[kiaanoff]

@xangelaherrera : ' después de los 30 ya no se tiene la misma agilidad. '

' ni el humor. ' admite, prefiriendo quedarse atrás en los entrenamientos, & tomar la oportunidad para ponerse al día en entrenamientos que no llevaba desde antes de su ultima misión. aún asi, el sudor cubre finamente su piel ahora mismo, ' ¿o estabas burlandote? ' debe constatar, buscando mirada ajena antes de menear cabeza.

[therosepetalrps]

@n0rthsqueen・❥・𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑

𝐀𝐒𝐊𝐄𝐃: for maeve : 〔𝕗𝕒𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕨. 𝕤𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕝𝕡 𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕖𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕠𝕤𝕖 𝕒𝕟 𝕠𝕦𝕥𝕗𝕚𝕥〕

『✣』 Three moons have done nothing to help Maeve adjust to Northern fashions. She doesn't think three thousand moons will make a difference. She is accustomed to cool silk gowns and velvet capes that serve little function. Castle Parchments faces much of the Stormlands' infamous weather — warm, and wet, and humid. She has seen snow only twice in her twenty-two years and — even in rain — has felt few chills as the wind blew hot against her face.

In the North, things are very different. These clothes are cumbersome: heavy lambswool and thick cloaks that make her feel like she is wrapped in bedding. And that is to say nothing of the smallclothes, and shifts, and underdresses, and stockings, and gloves, and fur mitts that make up the complete Northern attire.

Sansa carries the layers with such grace, moving as one with them and not waddling about like Maeve does. Despite her Tully palette, she belongs against the muted backdrop of snowdrifts and frost-encrusted foliage.

Maeve twists from side to side in front of the mirror, brow furrowed in uncharacteristic distress.

❝ 𝐈 𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐀𝐔𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄, ❞ she moans, looking to Sansa with wide, round eyes.

[unovasrose]

time capsule thread: plasma confession with @/luckynatured ft. @/twilightheater's moral support

summary: it's not right to keep secrets from people you love, so Rosa bites the bullet.

Have you ever kept a secret from someone you cared about just because you’re afraid that they won’t look at you the same way after?

Her own words to Red still haunt her, but it’s been almost two weeks and Rosa has moped enough.

While avoiding Hilbert had been a necessary evil while she recovered and got her head on straight, it’s only made her miss him more. She eyes her phone warily. She’s long since resigned herself to this conversation having a painful outcome; however, it still needs to happen if she even wants to continue being friends with him...

Besides, what would he do? That’s right, he’d just rip off the band-aid, like he always does, so she wouldn't have to angst for weeks on end over how this would affect their friendship.

A glance at her watch reminds her that it’s much too late for any reasonable person to be out and about but if she waits any longer, she’ll probably lose her nerve. She takes a deep breath and makes a grab for her phone.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Hilbert ] hey, I know it’s sorta late but… can we talk? like, in person

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Hilbert ] I can meet you somewhere if it makes things easier.

—

When he heard his phone vibrating, Hilbert didn’t expect to see Rosa’s name flashing on the screen. How long had it been since they last spoke with each other? He would be lying if he said that he hadn’t gotten worried as the days passed.

It was a surprise, but not an unwelcome one. As he read the contents of the texts, though, he got an uneasy feeling. He didn’t know why. This was Rosa, she’s never given him any reason to feel uneasy. Maybe it was because she asked to talk in person after they didn’t see each other for so long?

Yeah, that had to be it. What was it she wanted to talk about?

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Rosa ] Sure, I’m open to talk.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Rosa ] I’m in Black City if you want to meet around there? It’s close to Undella Town if that makes it easier for you.

Black City could get pretty crowded, so if Rosa wasn’t comfortable with talking about whatever it was there he was more than willing to go to Undella Town. It was starting to get pretty quiet around this time of year.

—

The buzzing of her phone rattles her more than she cares to admit. A small part of her — the nervous wreck within her — had been hoping that Hilbert had long since turned in for the night. But apparently, much like his hometown, Hilbert doesn’t sleep.

She glances back at her clock. It would take her much too long to fly to Black City from Village Bridge, but Undella would be a good middle ground. Elliot could make that flight in about twenty minutes... maybe even less if the winds are in their favor. Best of all, it’s finally fall, so the beach-side town will be relatively sleepy. If things go south, well... at least they won’t make a scene.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Hilbert ] Okay, thank you. Again, I’m sorry… I know it’s super late.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Hilbert ] Can I ask you to meet me in Undella? Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to make it to Black City ‘til about midnight. I can be there in 20.

Her hands are shaking so badly, she’d have dropped her phone ages ago if she hadn’t been firmly grasping it between both her hands.

—

Black City was a city that never slept, so it made sense that Hilbert would be up this late. As much of a morning person as he was, he found a certain kind of solace in being up this late. In fact, he wouldn’t consider this time of night ‘late’ at all, but that’s a whole other thing.

The fact remained, Rosa had agreed to Undella Town. That was probably the best bet. As previously mentioned, Black City never slept, so…there were still the couple of crowds that Hilbert had to squeeze through to make it to Undella Town (and that’s ignoring the fact that he’d still have to walk through Route 16).

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Rosa ] If I leave now I should be there in 20 to 30 minutes.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Rosa ] Depending on how long it takes me to get out of Black City; it’s still kinda active this time of night.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Rosa ] Be seeing you! :)

With that, Hilbert got his jacket and grabbed his keys. Then it crossed his mind that maybe he should bring Michelle with him. If only so he’ll have some counter for the wild Pokemon he could encounter on the way, but she loved swimming through Undella’s shores anyway.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Rosa ] Do you mind if I brought Michelle with me? She won’t listen in on our conversation or anything like that. She loves night swimming, so she’ll probably be too occupied to want to listen in anyway.

—

Twenty to thirty minutes... no matter how long, she’d wait for him. If anything, it’ll give her time to steel her nerves.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Hilbert ] of course I don’t mind! I was planning on bringing at least Elliot with me… let’s meet at the beach in front of the pokécenter, okay? i’ll see you then.

As soon as she’s done scheduling a meeting time with Hilbert, she finally drops her phone in panic. The knots in her stomach are making her sick. Shit. Is she going to be able to do this? Frantically, she picks up her phone again and haphazardly smashes the keys as she texts the only person who’d understand what she’s feeling right now.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] Red, help… I think I fucked up!!!

His reply comes soon after.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] Okay first, can you tell me what happened?

Rosa forces herself to breathe a sigh. Thank Arceus that he responded. She has no idea what the time difference is between Johto and Unova but she’s glad that Dialga had been in her favor.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] I… messaged him on a whim tonight. asked him to meet up with me so I could tell him about… you know

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] not the feelings thing, but the other thing

She hides half her face in one hand. Hopefully, Red knows what she means.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] and now, I’m supposed to meet him in like 20 minutes to talk but I suddenly don’t feel like I can do this

She flops onto her bed spread-eagle like a defeated Staryu, moving only to check her phone when Red replies back.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] You can, and I know it’s hard to accept but you have to. [ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] It’s like we talked about, you just have to get it over with. Because the sooner you do, the sooner you can both move past it and go on with your friendship. [ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] but I know that’s much easier said than it is done. It’s going to be hard for you to do and I know it’s going to hurt. [ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] But from what I’ve gathered about the guy so far… I think he’ll end up being glad you told him in the end.

It’s what she expected to hear… and also the reality slap that she needs right now. Red’s absolutely right. Things just haven’t been the same between her and Hilbert since… pretty much the Hall of Origins, but especially since her conversation with the former Kantonian champion. The secret weighs down on her too much to even carry on with their friendship properly and she knows things won’t regain a sense of normalcy until she’s come clean… as if there’s anything normal about their situation anymore.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] yeah… I know what the right answer is. I’m just so afraid. He means so much to me, even as just a friend, and I don’t know what I’d do if he were to walk away from me after this.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] But also… it just doesn’t feel right being close to him and hiding this from him

She chews on her bottom lip, contemplating her next message. It’s something she almost accidentally brought up during their last conversation but, at the time, it had felt much too heavy and would have immediately outed her to Red as well. The situation hasn’t really changed but, but fuck it, if she’s going to be sharing secrets tonight, she might as well go all in.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] can I ask you something, Red?

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] if someone you have come to love and trust recently ever told you that they used to be a part of Team Rocket, like while you were actively fighting against them on your journey… how would you feel about it?

It takes a bit for Red’s next reply to come in, so much that her pulse actually spikes when her phone buzzes to life.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] Conflicted at first, I’ll admit. I’d wonder why but, personally the why and how aren’t all that important to me anyway. People end up part of these teams for lots of reasons, and though I do loathe Team Rocket not everyone who is part of it is necessarily a bad person. [ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] What would matter to me is what they do despite that old connection to the team I hate, but the problem is already pretty much solved by the key words about all of it: they used to be part of it. Not anymore, the person they were back then is likely not the same person they are today. With ties cut with Team Rocket in present day and assuming they're the type of person i could come to love and trust, I’d be able to forgive their involvement. [ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] I feel like it would speak volumes to me that they would’ve wanted to tell me the truth too even with that history. It shows how much they trust me. So in the end… [ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] it probably wouldn't change how I feel about them [ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] So if Hilbert is worth it, it won’t change how he views you either. He’d probably just need time.

Her eyes widen a bit more with every text. When she had shot off that last loaded text of hers, her expectations of what she’d get back had been very different than what was on her screen now, even if she had been hoping that this would be the case. She holds no doubt that Red meant every word he said. Suddenly, the lump in her throat doesn’t seem so hard to swallow around.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] …I really, truly hope he feels the same way you do about this. i’d like to think that I’m a good person, Red. everything I did was because I wanted to protect pokémon… and I’ve fought tooth and nail to redeem the wrongs that I turned a blind eye on in the past. but of course, I can’t judge myself in the end.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] my entire life, I’ve been keeping secrets just to save my skin but I don’t want to keep secrets just to keep him. if I can’t be honest with him, I don’t deserve him.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] he’s suffered so much at the hands of my old group… some of which I’m surprised he’s shared with me at all. all the more reason why I can’t NOT return that type of honesty.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] so, I guess… I'm telling him tonight. let’s see where the chips fall.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] and Red? thank you so much for listening to me. you’re a good friend.

She didn't say all that just to get a pat on the back, so she's surprised by Red's incoming barrage of supportive texts. As she reads them, her smile grows wider.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] I can’t speak for him, but I think he will really. surely he values your friendship that much. It’s honestly what you deserve, don’t settle for anything less. [ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] Bad people don’t fight tooth and nail to right their wrongs like that, owning up to your mistakes honestly takes more effort than it does to just avoid making them in the first place. And people are bound to screw up, it’s a bump in the road. You’ll get through this Rosa. [ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] And it’s no problem, I’m on your side through this and I’ll help you get through it if I can at all. Keep me posted on how it goes if you can, okay? But no pressure if you can’t either, and good luck anyway. 🍀

Red probably doesn’t know it, but that small four-leaf clover at the end of his text means the world to her.

A quick glance at the clock reminds her that she'll be late if she doesn't leave soon.

Though it’s still early September and decently warm most days, the nights are starting to bring with them the inevitable chill of fall so she throws on a sweatshirt and slips on a pair of worn hi-tops. The sand’s bound to get everywhere anyway. Despite her nerves, she ventures a glance at herself in her bedroom mirror. Other than the subtle dark circles underneath her eyes, she at least looks… presentable. Not that it matters, anyway. She takes one last peek at her phone ��� Red’s last few texts — for strength and then heads out the door.

All she has is her courage and a green lucky charm to get her through this but at least, at the end of the night, she’ll be able to say she did it.

Once outside, she releases her Flygon amid a shower of sparkles. Elliot is more than thrilled at the opportunity to take a cool nighttime flight, so he cries out excitedly and offers his head down to his trainer for pets. A smile ghosts across her face as she strokes the smooth skin. Once she’s lavished enough TLC on the pokémon, she climbs up on his back and sets off for Undella.

Surprisingly, they manage to beat Hilbert and Michelle to their rendezvous point.

With Elliot returned to his Luxury Ball, she finds herself alone in the quiet of the shore. Undella’s normally turquoise waters are painted a deep indigo now, to the point where she can't tell where the ocean ends and the sky begins. Her only comforts are the stars and the moon overhead, casting their gentle glow down on the beach. She balls her hands into fists and shoves them into the pockets of her sweatshirt. Her heart is pounding so hard in her chest that she fears it'll break her ribs. Why does it feel like this is the most difficult thing she'll ever do?

After a few minutes of rolling waves and nighttime breeze, the eerie calm is broken by Hilbert and Michelle's arrival. She glances over her shoulder to greet them with a forced smile. Time to face the music.

—

It didn’t surprise Hilbert to find that Rosa had already beaten them to Undella. He didn’t know where she and Elliot had been coming from, but between the lingering crowds surrounding the Black City borders and the long walk through Route 16, he would have been shocked if he got here first.

Michelle had been walking alongside him too, which may have added to the time that it took Hilbert to get here. Samurott weren’t exactly known for their walking speed, after all. She had a solemn look on her face, but the warrior’s expression seemed to fade into glee when she took note of the water.

Once they got close enough to the shore, Hilbert stopped to give his starter a pat on the head, and then nodded. Michelle took that as her cue to dive right into the water.

As she swam further and further into the ocean, that was when Hilbert finally caught sight of Rosa. He jogged over with a smile, absolutely oblivious to her inner turmoil.

“Hey! Hope you didn’t wait too long.” The fact that Rosa’s smile seemed forced didn’t escape him. He wasn’t going to pry about it, though. Whatever it was she wanted to say, he wanted to make sure there was no pressure or anything like that.

—

“No worries. We got here not too long ago.” The corners of her lips twitch upward a bit more, more genuine this time around.

Hilbert’s smile does all sorts of unfair things to her, though he truly has no idea, does he? She inhales sharply and turns her back to him in an attempt to steel her nerves.

“Thanks for coming, especially on such short notice,” she says softly, digging one of her heels in the sand. “First, I wanna apologize if things have seemed kinda weird between us lately.” The avoidance, mainly. After being used to spending so much time together, it had been jarring even for her. She can only imagine how he must’ve felt... if he had noticed, that is.

“I've had a lot on my mind and it was just easier to…” Run? Hide? She's been doing both pretty well up to this point.

She shifts uncomfortably and slides her trembling hands into the pockets of her sweatshirt before they betray how terrified she is. “Anyway…”

Why does it feel like it would be easier to confess her feelings to him right now than to have this conversation? Even with how terrified she is of rejection, she would take that a thousand times over what's bound to be his reaction when she finally comes clean. However, a confession like that would be meaningless in the shadows of what she needs to say.

“Listen, Hilbert...” she turns to face him suddenly, her eyes finding his. “I need to tell you something important, something that I should have probably told you long ago, but I was so scared to...”

Her bottom lip quivers. Arceus, please, don't let her cry now.

“Even now I'm so terrified because there's no way you'll ever look at me the same way once you know. But I don't want to keep secrets... not from you. You're too important to me.” Her hands are balled into fists so tight that her nails are digging crescents into her skin. Just rip the bandaid off, Rosa.

She unclenches her fists, her eyes downcast. “I… used to be a part of the original Team Plasma.”

The Plasma that Hilbert fought fiercely against during his journey. The Plasma that killed Jude and tried to kill him. The Plasma that might very well end their friendship for good.

—

Of course, Hilbert noticed when Rosa hadn’t been talking to him lately — after spending so much time together, how could he not? He just figured she wanted space for some reason, and didn’t want to pry too much.

Not that he could work out why she’d need space in the first place, but that’s a whole other issue.

“Rosa?” It did make him worry when Rosa said that she had been scared to tell him…well, whatever it was. The thought that she’d be scared to tell him anything stung a bit, but after how hard it was to tell her about Jude…well, he really wouldn’t be one to talk, would he?

Hilbert’s smile had faded gradually as Rosa spoke, but it was gone by the time Rosa got to the point. What replaced it was this mixture of shock and confusion.

…Well. That’s definitely some kind of secret to keep.

And she wasn’t lying. That much was obvious; she had avoided him for weeks leading up to this, she literally just said that she was terrified to even be telling him this in the first place, why would any of that lead up to a lie? Especially about something like this, and especially when she knew that he lost a dear friend to them?

The only answer to that question was simple: she wouldn’t. A lie would be crueler than keeping the truth from him, and Rosa wasn’t a cruel person.

As much as he appreciated her being honest about this, it’s not something he would’ve ever suspected. Rosa was nothing but kind to him and his pokémon, for the entire time they’d known each other. He couldn’t have thought up a person who was the furthest from the Plasma Grunts he fought if he tried.

The group he met in Driftveil crossed his mind, and things started to make a little more sense from there. Maybe she fell into that category too — good intentions that had been taken advantage of? He couldn’t be certain unless she chose to elaborate, but he just…couldn’t see her be anything but kind towards pokémon. Rosa was probably expecting him to be angry, but Hilbert was honestly more confused than anything.

“…The original Team Plasma. As in, the one I fought.” It’s more statement than question.

A moment passed as he absorbed the information before he spoke again, “And, uh…why tell me this now? Is it because I told you about what happened with…?”

—

“W-what?”

Like the wild card that he is, Hilbert manages to throw her off with his response. Knowing of his well-placed disdain and hate toward Team Plasma, she’d been expecting him to be upset, even angry… not confused and as oddly calm as he seems. As to why she decided to tell him, well…

“To tell you the truth, I didn’t always plan on telling you. When you opened up to me about Jude, you made me not want to tell you even more at first. And I mean, how could I? Team Plasma hurt you and your pokémon so much through your journey. They took a close friend and teammate from you… I figured that if I were to tell you that I was once one of them, you’d hate me. You and Carmen especially… and that would have broken my heart.”

Two hot tears suddenly streak down her cheek and she swipes them away with the sleeve of her sweatshirt. Arceus dammit, can she please make it through this conversation without turning into a complete mess?

“But then, the more I thought about it…” some of that with Red’s gentle prodding, “I realized that this is NOT a secret I want to keep from you. You trusted me enough to open up about something so deeply personal and painful, and that meant so much to me. I’ve wanted so badly for you to trust me because I lo-…” she pauses, her lips forming around a word she most definitely shouldn’t say right now. “…I-I care about you so much.”

“And, secrets like this? They tear people apart when they come to light unexpectedly.” She would know. Just look at her very missing father. “At the end of the day, no matter what you think of me, at least you heard this from me. Because I chose to tell you. Because I trust you.”

—

Hilbert was quiet as Rosa explained herself. It was hard not to be, he just needed to absorb the information he was just given.

So…originally, she didn’t want to tell him about her former affiliation, especially after he told her about Jude. As much as he might hate to admit it, that was probably fair. The fact that he lost a pokémon to Team Plasma wasn’t really a secret, and neither was the fact that it was the reason he fought as fiercely as he did in the first place. There was a point in time where his main reason for beating Team Plasma had been soley to avenge Jude.

And it was true that he hated all of them in that time, but then he stormed N’s Castle and learned the truth about Team Plasma. That not everyone in Team Plasma was llike the one who killed Jude. That the whole thing was Ghetsis’ doing; how he had manipulated not only N, but the people that joined Team Plasma because they genuinely believed in that ideal.

Between that and observing Rood’s group in Driftveil for that week, it was safe to say that his opinion about Team Plasma had changed, somewhat. The split between Rood’s Plasma and Neo-Team Plasma admittedly made that change a little easier. He could direct any hatred or anger at Neo Plasma, while Rood’s Plasma had taken a more sympathetic light.

And Rosa? Maybe the same could be said for her too — after all, she used to be a part of the Plasma he had fought. Not only that, didn’t she help fight Neo Plasma when they tried to freeze Unova over? He wasn’t sure why she’d think he’d hate her if she fought against the team she used to be a part of.

And honestly? It was a little heartwarming that she trusted him with that big a secret. He wondered if that’s how she felt when she told him about Jude.

“Well…” He couldn’t think of anything to say for a moment.

“Thanks for telling me. I really appreciate that level of honesty, you know? I’d much rather hear it from you than just find out about it somewhere down the line.”

—

Her shoulders slump slightly, most of the tension bunched up beneath her shoulder blades suddenly released. That’s… it?

Granted, she hadn’t expected much of a response in the way of words. She’d just dropped a hell of a bomb on him and he’d taken it in surprising stride. But what shocks her the most is the emotion behind his words, across his face. He doesn’t seem... angry. Not even a little.

She has never been as confused and conflicted as she is at this very moment.

“I... you’re welcome...?” she replies uncertainly.

In none of her nightmares, in none of the versions she’d concocted in her mind of this very moment does this conversation end like this. Maybe she’s sorely miscalculated Hilbert’s anger toward Plasma all along...

I feel like it would speak volumes to me that they would’ve wanted to tell me the truth too even with that history. It shows how much they trust me. So in the end... it probably wouldn't change how I feel about them. So if Hilbert is worth it, it won’t change how he views you either...

Her eyes widen as Red’s texts suddenly come back to mind. What he’d said, how he would’ve reacted had he been in Hilbert’s shoes… it’s mirrored in Hilbert’s own words.

What if her miscalculation hadn’t been just about Hilbert’s thoughts of Plasma, but also about how much he cares about her?

Briefly, she presses her palm to her heart... still wildly beating, like she’d just finished running for her life. A heart that beats for him, whatever the reason... Arceus, what does she do now?

Realizing that he probably thinks she’s acting super-weird right now, she shakes her head and takes a step back.

“I guess I should be thanking you too… for being so understanding about it, I mean. You have more right than anyone else to be mad, and you’re not…” A pause, in which she takes a deep breath. “So… thank you for not turning your back on me. I can't fully express how much that means.”

[rhodophoria]

someone please tell my brain that i don't need any more bad sanses wips

[princessonia]

//hello! please like this post if you’re interested in interacting, and i will dm you!🌹

[sereina]

how are you color coded?

RED CODED

red, a study in being in love with the thrill, the ticking of a broken clock, and hearing your heartbeat in your ears. you've become addicted to the thrill of danger and living life recklessly. you've managed to make people believe that you're untouchable, that you live life so dangerously and yet so precisely that the world revolves around you and only you. but it doesn't. it moves without you, it will continue to move when you stop, and it will always move on when you never move again. the world is uncaring. and you have to match that energy. you can't stop moving, or you'll end up dead.

[mriciov]

#CALIENTE: MAURICIO tiró accidentalmente una bebida caliente encima a ARCHIBALD ( @archieths ) , en el CAFÉ MONTAGNE.

diestra con el móvil & con la otra el café, mirada yendo por inercia al camino despejado o eso creía, pues revisando el correo un corretear frente suyo le hace levantar el vaso para evitar un desastre, maldición en idioma natal entre dientes, terminando por causar otro desastre detrás suyo. ve al culpable de no más de diez años recoger su pedido & al segundo siguiente, al notar menos peso en su vaso, al agraviado. debe inspirar hondo, para intentar hablar primero antes de cualquier problema, ' puede mandarme la factura de la tintorería, realmente lo lamento. ' aclara, buscando alguna mirada del servicio, en busca de ayuda para el desastre en el suelo & se deshagan de su vaso semivacio. ' ¿se lastimó?. '

[pcrdital]

#ALCOHOL: KAYN ( @kaynsv ) / ANELIESE ( @hyann1e ) & PERDITA se encuentran embriagándose juntes en el LUXE BAR.

saliendo de una reunión tardía en el trabajo que no la dejó tomarse ese autodenominado dias libres de la sociedad, claro que terminaría allí en lugar de ir a casa. de soslayo reconoce facciones ajenas de los eventos pasados, siendo un poco la razón de sentarse cerca, & en espera por bebida que ya pidió ( un golden ale coffee ) otro de servicio deja una copa en medio de ambos, indicado que lo envía otro cliente, de cortesía. cejas de la pelirroja se alzan, pero no llega a notar a quien se dirige, dejan que espalda llegue a respaldar sin prisa, grácil, se dirige a contrarie ' llevas más aquí, debe ser tuya. '

[eunciia-a]

TW: Abuse

Meet Rosie O'Dale, a college student going to school for botany to follow in her father's footsteps. Perhaps it was her father that instilled her great love of plants in her heart, but she figured it had to also do with the years of abuse she had endured from her mother, taking more of a liking to her father and attaching herself to him every chance she got at a young age. That was when he was home. Once he found out about the abuse, he did move Rosie away from her mom, but not soon enough to not have a lasting effect on her. Rosie is decently friendly to pretty much anyone that walks up to her. She's good at keeping friends, but has a hard time with confrontation.

Rosie is officially updated and available to be requested. You can read his full bio here or by going to the roster link on my blog.