☆38.8☆

[tearsofademon]

[For some time now, Rose has been wondering if her dear partner has been hiding something from her. It's not really all that much to go off of - a never-ending streak of unexplained depression here, a mention of the mysterious term "Alpha Stigma" there - and surely it can't be anything huge, because she knows Ryner isn't good at hiding big things at all... but it's enough to make Rose curious.

Lori can't tell her anything. She may be a psychic type, but Xatus can't use telepathy. If only she could! That would make things so much easier. But alas, Rose has simply had to make do with being curious.

...That is, until today.

There's been a Munna following them since yesterday. There sure are a lot more psychic types around than usual, but in particular, there's that Munna, trying to stay a good enough distance away as to not be noticed, but following nonetheless.

When she confronts the Munna during one of their breaks, it turns out he's a little shy, but just the help she needs. She brings up her problem, and he does have a solution. It's... unconventional, and could be dangerous depending, but upon hearing it, Rose likes the idea. And surely, there wouldn't be any danger in her dear partner's dream, right? :)]

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.
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Rose? Where'd you go?

[Just great, Rose ran off somewhere. Ryner sighs.]

Ahh, what a pain. Only ever does what she wants to do...

["Fairy!" ...Oh there she is, leaping right up onto his back as she usually does.]

There you are. Come on, we're--

["Clef clefairy fairy clef clefairy!" But she's ignoring him, instead calling out to someone else behind him.]

...Rose? Is everything...

[He turns around, and sees a Munna floating there.

...A Munna that then starts breathing pink smoke in his face.]

...The hell? What're you... What is...

[But he starts coughing as the smoke envelops him, and it isn't long before he crashes to the ground, out cold. Rose follows, passing out while still clinging to his cloak.]

Comments

[tearsofademon]

[The waves wash up peacefully on a sunny beach. Not a seashell to be seen for miles around, but plenty of sand and water!

Rose is sitting a distance away from the water, building a fairly elaborate sandcastle and humming cheerfully to herself. It's got towers and a moat and indented walls and everything!]

[tearsofademon]

[Suddenly, from seemingly out of nowhere, a raft washes up on shore.

On it, there is a Mime Jr., who looks like he may be a little bit ill from being out in the sun too long.]

[tearsofademon]

[Gasp! Someone's in trouble! Though carefully to avoid damaging her artwork, Rose gets up and runs over to him.]

Hey! Hey, are you okay?

[tearsofademon]

[He opens his eyes a little and groans.]

Ugghh... Where am I?

[tearsofademon]

Are you okay? You look like you're kind of sick... You washed up on shore, but where did you come from?

[tearsofademon]

[He blinks blearily and brings his hand to his head. And as he sees it, something about it seems... off? He can't place why, it's on the tip of his tongue, but...]

...so hard to think...

[tearsofademon]

Oh, you really are sick, aren't you... What do I do, what do I do? My dear partner would know, if he were here...

[tearsofademon]

[Before he can even try to say anything, his stomach growls.]

[tearsofademon]

...Food! Of course! You've been out on the water a long time, right? So you probably haven't eaten in a while, right?

[tearsofademon]

...I don't remember...

[It really is that hard to think.

It's a sudden, yet subtle change, that neither of them even notice, but the beach gives way to a flowering field. They sit on a dirt road, down which stands a single shop.

The sign reads "DANGO".]

[tearsofademon]

You wait here, okay? I'll go buy us something to eat.

[Without even waiting for a response, she's up and running to the little shop.]

[tearsofademon]

...okay...?

[Sure, he'll just stay here. Not like there's anywhere else for him to go...]

[tearsofademon]

[A little bell rings as Rose enters the dango shop, and a warm, female voice calls out from behind the counter.]

Welcome!

[It's a Bellossom.]

[tearsofademon]

Hi! I'd like to buy two boxes of hanami dango, please!

[It's partly her dream, they totally sell it this time of year.]

[tearsofademon]

Of course, dear.

In return... Would you show me some magic that only you can do?

[tearsofademon]

Only I can do?

[tearsofademon]

Yes.

[tearsofademon]

...I'll do this, then!

[She starts waggling her finger and singing.]

I call upon the mystic power of the mother Moon
to grant her humble daughter just a trifle of her boon~
Metronome!

[Rose used Metronome!

Rose used Miracle Eye!]

[tearsofademon]

[For the briefest of moments, Rose sees not a Bellossom, but a human woman. Long, black hair, gentle dark green eyes, a kind smile. Something about her seems...

But then, she's a Bellossom again, as though nothing had happened.]

Wonderful! He's certainly taught you well.

[tearsofademon]

Hmm?

[Rose is confused, by the human, and by, well, who is "he"?]

[tearsofademon]

And you're so adorable~ I'm so glad he has someone like you.

[She produces two boxes of dango, as promised.]

Take care of him for me, okay?

[tearsofademon]

[She accepts the dango boxes, but...]

Who's "he"?

[tearsofademon]

You already know, dear.

[tearsofademon]

I don't get it...

But thank you!

[And outside she goes with the dango.]

[tearsofademon]

[The Mime Jr. is still where Rose left him, laying on his back, staring up at the sky, trying to think but it's not really working.]