#side note: notttt sure how to write Kanon dialogue. I imagine he’s a bit more into polite talk than casual

[cursezoroark]

> Sneak Out!

> Make your presence known.

Mona: (It’s too risky. I have to break for it.)

{The hum of their PC quickly shuts off as Mona fumbles for their pokeball. A popping noise emits as a hisuian zoroark emerges from her ball, looking disheveled but alert. Based on her expression, it doesnt seem like Mona looks much better.}

Mona: …you too?

Xenon: ……

(She doesn’t seem too amused.)

Mona: Get me out of here. No one should see me leave, and then….stay here.

Xenon: Graough?

Mona: This is just a chance to test yourself. I need an alibi. I’m heading to the Night Market for about 30 minutes. 2 hours maximum. Can you do it?

(Xenon hesitates. She looks unsure.)

Xenon: Raoh….

Mona: Don’t hesitate.

(Click….Click…Click)

{In an instant, Xenon’s ears twitched, now alert to the footsteps outside. Both monster and trainer held their breaths as they listened to their surroundings, analyzing. It was getting closer.}

Mona: Xenon….

{The H-Zoroark’s expression stayed stagnant, but her movements did not. Mona pressed their body as close to Xenon’s fur as possible, wrapping their arms around and into their front scruff for her to lift them up. Keen hissing echoed through the lockers as Xenon’s maintained curls began to extend to their fullest amount, completely shrouding Mona and a good portion of the room. To a normal eye, the pair looked blurry, something you would see from the peripheral rather than straight ahead.}

[The pair remained still. Xenon waited.]

Mona: Through the first doors you see, right, up, then right again.

{Immediately, the Zoroark hunched over and began to melt into the corners of the wall. Carefully, trudging, the pair slipped back into the dorm rooms. Soft snoring was echoing. Whether it was Melia or even Venam was up for debate. Though, Mona considered, with how frantic everyone was these days, it could be anyone. Yet, it failed to mask the ongoing footprints from the hallway, trudging near the room.}

Mona: (Xenon's strong but..... I'm still baggage. We need to get this over with, quick.)

Mona: (Please don't let it be Damien.)

{Xenon carefully followed the directions Mona gave, safely leading into the dark, yet broad hallway of the training facility. Despite the lack of light, it was easy to make out the faint white tufts of hair that padded across, carrying a faint flowery scent.}

Mona: (Kanon?)

Mona: (It's not his usual time to meet Cera. Unless he's here for Erin. But he's not headed towards the meeting center. What if-)

{A slight hiss in the air quickly halted Mona's thoughts, and they fought back the urge to sigh in frustration. Already, the first warning? It was something to workshop again.}

Mona: Xenon.

(Nothing but the flattening of her ears gave any sort of apology, or even recognition to Mona's disappointment.)

Mona: G-

Kanon: Is anyone there?

SHIT.

{There must be some magical otherworldly merit to being a "Servant", or whatever he detailed at a meeting, Mona doesn't remember. Or sharpened senses, who cares. Immediately, Mona tightened their grip on Xenon's back, carefully melting into the fur with ease, feeling Xenon's heartbeat begin to pick up.}

Mona: (Worst case scenario, Xenon has an aggression episode. She hasn't acclimated to everyone just yet. Best case, we get out of here without notice.)

{Carefully, the pair watched Kanon pause, studying the yawning expanse of the hallway. In his hands were two steaming mugs of Something, which broke any hopes of Mona getting out without trouble. Hot air and cold fog don't mix.}

Kanon: That's strange. The air feels more heavier here than the rooms....

{The tufts of hair got closer, tauntingly slow, eventually reaching to the point where Mona could see Kanon as a whole. He looked a bit miffed, but the better ones than the worst for wear. Holding two steaming cups of what they could now clearly smell as...tea- Flower tea, Some sort of tea they have trouble remembering-and dressed in a rather comfortable nightgown.}

{Mona could feel Xenon's heartbeat continue thumping, faster and lighter, her wisps starting to whip and ripple the images of the walls, the tell-tale signs of agitation under layers of exhaustion. And from the looks of it Kanon could sense it as well, his shoulders rising in anticipation and growing wariness. Carefully, he trudged towards them, and Mona felt their heart sink. If this gets to Melia....}

Xenon: BAOF!!!!!

Kanon: AH!

{ Xenon's bark jumped everyone's conscious spines. Kanon swivelled his head, surprisingly steady with the hot tea mugs to face Xenon, who was now visible to him.}

Kanon: Ah....you're Mona's pokemon. Where's Mona?

Xenon: Grau....

Kanon: They're not here? Did they leave you behind?

Mona: (He can't see me?)

{From Mona's guess, judging from how they were indeed close to shivering, they were completely shrouded. Fur bundled around Mona in more dense curls, giving the illusion of icy silk. Xenon concentrated their illusions around their trainer’s body, as tightly as possible.}

Kanon: How could they? ...No. They wouldn't do that to you, I know it. Especially you.

{The pair continued to stare at each other, trying to decipher the other's intentions. As silence retook the room, Mona felt the wisps thin more and more, patches of thread being plucked apart by stress. A second hiss signaled the halfway limit.}

(Xenon took a step back, cautious.)

Kanon: Where are you going?

(Xenon took another, never taking her eyes off Kanon.)

Kanon: Are you going back to them, wherever they are?

Xenon: ...

(And another.)

Kanon: Let me come with you then! I just need to give t Erin her tea an-

Xenon: Grrrrrrr......

Kanon: ....We're just worried about them. No harm will come to them, I swear. I just want to talk to them, and I won’t tell Erin about…whatever they’re doing for the moment.

Kanon: Actually, I’m not even sure if they’ll let me, so I think it’s safe to at least consider it.

Mona: (….)

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