Revival [OPEN TO ALL]

A familiar voice, smooth but sickly-sweet, caressed her ear. Even though it was a dangerous voice, it comforted Akane; almost as if her recent phenomenon of heartstrings began reaching out to the familiar sound. For the first time since her childhood, her loneliness scratched at the walls of her ribcage and she welcomed him more pleased and relieved than ever before. She had seen him, Zandrophin, several times during the two year span. He had become as much of a part of Celosia as she herself was. Normally a ruler would fear for their power, but Akane knew him better than that. As a ruler you’d have to let go of a lot of the shiny things you collect to ensure your position. As a businessmen? Very little of it has to leave your palm.

”Zandrophin. I’m pleased to see you here. I know Pyron City was not hit as hard as Enya was, but Enya’s a good market for you. I hope sales have not suffered, and I apologize for “asking” for your aid and supplies for them. You will be reimbursed shortly now that the last of the families’ homes have been rebuilt.” thankfully, Celosian trade was still keeping the kingdom afloat on funds. Gems never go out of style.

”As for Amir? Yes I suppose you can, but it’s exhausting in the face of smarmy politicians day after day. Also you have grown up with it, but the price? Were something to happen to Mentus, I’m sure something would happen to you soon after. Funny. As I say it, it sounds like a threat.” she laughed a hearty laugh, because not only is it true, but it’s also nearly impossible. The mere idea of an attempt at Zansrophin’s life is ridiculous in itself, ridiculous enough for a whole-hearted laugh. Not caring if anyone could hear her thoughts, she mused to herself “I surely dread the day we could become enemies.” Out loud she was still giggling, but stopped after their greeting banter when he nodded his bow.

"Lovely event...a shame it came in the wake of such an incident."

Reality was like a slap in the face, any traces of a smile faded and her guard went straight back up, a now natural response to reality. Houndoom sensed the change and growled at Mentus, before realizing she was just back to her serious poker face. Not that she needed it with Zandrophin because normally she hired him and therefore had to tell him pretty much everything anyway, it was just her nature. Doom apologized to the abra, ’Sorry. Natural response. It seems to instill fear in the inferior minds.’ He rested his muzzle back on his paws as he lay beside his trainer.

”Yes. It is wonderful having my lovely citizens back in the walls. This is their home as much as it is mine; it’s a shame when I need to close it to them. This event… It’s tough for me. That famous noble who perished in Enya happened to be one of my closest allies in this kingdom, and a popular figure for my citizens to follow, and frankly, my dance partner at events such as this. Change is tough, but as we are reminiscent of the Phoenix Moltres, we will be reborn out of the ashes, just like we always do.” again, her tone towards the end fell more angry at peace.

The room fell silent. The lead violinist began with a famous note for one of the Red Queen’s favorite songs. Now she wished to dance. Dance now, talk later, a philosophy of life she never cared to follow-putting one’s work behind pleasure-but as empty as she felt, she felt herself shedding the tight skin of a politician tongiht and extended her hand to the blonde man she even considered a good friend at times. ’Just for tonight, I wish upon Jirachi to be normal again.’

”Care to dance this one song with me?” She even smiled, not her normal fake, but sometimes creepy smile, but the smile of a lonely person offering their heart on their sleeve to another person. Not that her heart had much to offer to anyone, but she hoped he would accept because she needed someone else in her head right now. The thoughts of reality were weighing her down too much and without Chazz, or anyone right now really, she just needed a friendly face that was friendly out of true acceptance of her, not out of fear like most her subjects give her.

“Such complex humans.” Amir grumbled to Mentus alone, for he had tuned out the insignificant thoughts of the crowd, and focused solely on what bits Mentus slipped through of their conversation. He sipped the probably alcoholic liquid in the goblet he held.

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799 Words

Akane couldn’t help but chuckle at Zandrophin’s sickly sweet words. She knew that if she didn’t pay him back that she’d be indebted to him, something she knew would be a double-edged sword. Considering her options, she decided, ”I just simply can’t be indebted to you,” Her nasty political mask washed back her humanity, ’Mostly because you might use it against me later.’ A thought to herself, ”Perhaps we can make other arrangements later.””later” weighing heavier than any other word in the sentence.

Doom snorted at the trickster. After standing up, he bent his front knees slightly to form a bow, before he left to go explore the castle and sniff more things, not interested in any pokemon here and already having roared for announcements as he became an icon for. Besides, that stupid medicham was here watching her, and so was Adamantine, the Scizor. Right now she was even mega-evolved to look even more intimidating, the Queen’s “actual” bodyguard. ‘Oh, someone’s got an egg!’ And the hound was gone to investigate. Another of his jobs included protecting the queen’s prized rapidash and houndour eggs, and making sure nobody ran off with them. His eyes connected with the guard accused of letting one go by accident that was now demoted to watching the refreshments table. He never understood why Akane didn’t let him go after his foolish bout with Zandrophin.

"Royalty dancing with little more than a local merchant and showman? Why, it would be an honor! Now, the question isn't who will lead, but who will follow?" he gave a playful wink, and the queen thought she was seeing double. Not that Chazz was ever as cunning as Zandrophin, nor was he slender in the slightest, but the playful vibe made her shiver with joy. She missed the sensation of just dancing for the hell of it, and the accompanying witty banter. ’What have these past few months done to me?’ She couldn’t help but ask herself as she stepped forward into Zandrophin with her left foot, and lead him around a tight square on the floor, with gentle sways to the early beat.

After a few steps and several gawks from the crowd, murmurs of ”of course she would lead,” or comments on how elegant the duo must have looked, how “feminist the queen is” each step as purposeful as the last, until finally Akane untangled herself from Zandrophin’s previous hold and in a swift motion at the drop of the second bridge, she switched to him leading and her following as her right foot now began to follow his left. Several oo’s and ah’s and laughs of surprise roared through the hall. Akane knew Mentus was most likely aiding him in keeping up with her unpredictable nature, for he followed perfectly. Or perhaps, she mused, he knew her better than she thought he did.

”My my, the lowly merchant trader can keep up with Celosia’s greatest ruler? What has this world come to? I must be losing my edge.” She returned the wink, but less silly and more effeminately.

At least the crowd seemed entertained, their normally reserved and fierce leader was now dancing; dancing with the carefree spirit of a rapidash with the elegance of milotic and flare of a rising moltres as her dress rippled away from her battle-scarred legs. Especially the branding. Normally she would never wear a dress up so high, but why care anymore? She no longer worked as a slave, nor did she imagine anyone would recognize such a symbol. So why bother? She still looked beautiful and strong, and next to Zandrophin with his flowing coat tails, silky smooth blonde hair, sharp green eyes, and slender face the pair seemed too perfect to touch. Literally the crowd already back away, but as the music picked up, so did the ferocity and distance of their dancing forcing the crowd to back away.

’Perfect, this was just perfect.’ Akane couldn’t think about anything else if she wanted to keep up with the increasing beat and not miss a single one. Striving for perfection was hard when you had to only pick up on visual and body-cues. Fast or slow though, she was having fun even if she was unused to being the follower. Perhaps she would even mention ’that woman’ to him later…

The music was ending soon and she realized how easily she let that slip. She knew Mentus heard it, he’d have to be asleep not to, but oh how she regretted it. The fun she was having was soon to be dashed by more business, wasn’t it? But she wasn’t in the mood for it and as she and her dance partner ended the dance, she smiled proudly, but inside she realized that she’d probably have to say something. For now, hundreds of pairs of eyes on them, she would drink in the publicity of being next to such a glamorous man. ’Mentus, I beg you please let me have this moment. You can even have my favorite silver spoon if you wish. Just wait to tell him until the “right” time.”

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845 words

It was interesting how she had decided to come to this ball after having about a three hour debate with herself.  She wasn't even sure she wanted to interact with people at the moment, but she was sure that Akane would probably want her to be there for at least a little bit before she decided to retreat back to her home.  Looking down at her dress, she tried to straightening it out while making sure not to jostle the Pichu she had in her arms. 



The newest member of her family was unexpected, but had made herself at home within the confines of Nicole's home, with her hands constantly holding onto an everstone that had fallen out of the cave walls during one of Nicole's expeditions.  Said Pichu gave a pout at the movement of her owners hand and sent a small spark against the arm that was holding her.  "Ow...!  Morgan, I swear!  Don't do that!"  She hissed looking down at the Pokemon with a brief look of disappointment.  The Pichu gave Nicole a glare back, a huff sounding from her as she adjusted her grip on the everstone.  "Don't give me that."  Nicole hissed before moving towards the wall in order to start dodging most of the people in the room on her way towards the food tables.

Mariko was surprised when she received the invitation to the ball.  She hadn't thought that there was anything that important for her to be there, like a contest.  But, it would not have been polite for her to refuse to come out of mere confusion.  Now she was unsure of what to do.  She seemed to be stuck in a corner watching, unsure of whether or not she wished to step out to join those dancing on the dance floor.  Usually she was not such a wallflower, what with her upbringing, but this was an odd situation where she felt as though she did not truly know the people in the room.  After all, she had not seen many of her friends lately as they all had either disappeared (a certain man whom she refused to think about), or were to busy to visit.  It was true she had been busy herself, but that didn't mean she did not feel alone.  Looking down at her bracelet she moved her finger along her Pokeballs and gave a soft smile.  At least she had her Pokemon to keep her from being lonely on their side of the social equation.  She then glanced down at her kimono and frowned softly before moving to get rid of a wrinkle she had noticed.