Anxiety Trials is a Pokemon Special sandbox RP. We are a friendly, no-fuss site where you don't have to worry about posting 24/7, but when you've got the muse. We are based loosely around the Pokemon Special/Adventures manga, though set in a slightly alternate universe. If you're looking for a fun place to explore what life with Pokemon would be like, hopefully we're the place for you!
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4th Feb 14
As those of you who have been with us for a while can see, we've done some updating on the site. To our new membes, welcome! We've reverted to our original name and are going to move forward with six month! See all our new, updated summaries in the "Need to Knows" section for a full run-down on what has happened!
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ANXIETY TRIALS was created by Fate. The skin which includes the Board Mod, Mini Profile and Sidebar are created by Dorothia @ Adoxography. The tabbed sidebar was created by kimset of RPG D'. Plug ins were made by their respective PB Support member. All other information which includes but is not limited to, Character Plots, Character Applications and more belong to their rightful owner. Pokemon/Pokemon Special is the property of Nintendo.
She wasn't supposed to go out, if you listened to Gold. She might risk being 'kidnapped' he said - that she might fall prey to some conman who convinced her to go with him. Nosiree, that was not Crystal. She was on a constant vigil for people who might look out of the ordinary, but there was very little that could slip past her. She wasn't an invalid just because she was pregnant. The very idea was laughable. Crystal had always been able to hold her own against the boys, she had always been self-sacrificing and had been just as important in their battles as they had. Which was why being suddenly cushioned so constantly was driving her absolutely insane.
She was not permitted to work, or run, or do any of things she was so used to doing. And not because her doctor had said so either, in fact, he was just as confused as she was about the reasoning behind Gold being so protective of her. It was quite common for women to continue their regular routines when they were pregnant, and Crystal's had always been so rigorous that doing nothing was making her crazy. For the weeks since she'd been asked - and agreed, begrudgingly - to stay at home and keep her work to a minimum she had been sending off constant e-mails to the only co-worker she knew who wouldn't spill the beans to Gold about the research she was doing.
Green.
And the main reason she knew he wouldn't tell her fiance was because he was as dedicated to his work as she had been. Since she'd joined Oak's team they had become quite companionable coworkers. Friends, even, more than the simple junion-senior relationship the dex holders regularly maintained with their groups. They knew the meaning of hard work and both appreciated their jobs.
Crystal actually missed his company. Though emotionally reserved he could be when they were just working in a companionable quiet, she enjoyed having someone around to bounce work related questions off or just half-heartedly talk to when the workload was dwindling.
The expectant mother had left the house with those exact thoughts in mind, donning her winter coat considering the cold season had well and truly set in. Preparing a small, wrapped gift for her friend, she had set out on a day's journey to the lab in order to visit and wish him a happy holidays. With Yellow missing, she had been worried about the entire group from Kanto. They were her family, after all, and Green was rarely one to receive well-wishes due to his less friendly nature. Crystal wanted to make sure that he was cared for too, and that he might be comforted should somewhere inside, he need it.
Pulling her scarf to loosen it from around her neck, she made her way up the stone steps towards the laboratory in Pallet Town, gift tucked away in her pocket. She pushed open the door, the fact it was unlocked alerting her that at least one of the Aides was in. "Anyone home? I've come to pay a visit," She called lightly, pulling her scarf off and hanging it on the coat rack at the entrace as she waited. Maybe she should leave her winter jacket on. Though only barely showing, the fact that she was at all would certainly be cause for questions.
Yes, she would keep her coat on for now. Now, where was everyone?
Last Edit: Dec 22, 2012 9:20:15 GMT 9.5 by CRYSTAL
[style=width: 330px; border-top: dotted 2px #356563; border-bottom: dotted 2px #356563; padding: 7px; margin-right: 2px;[/style][style=text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5px;][style=border-top: solid 3px #356563;][style=float: left; margin-right: 5px; border-left: 3px solid #408079; border-bottom: 3px solid #356563; border-right: 3px solid #356563;][/style][style=border-bottom: solid 2px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: bold;]moved by vengeance[/style] Yes, so the effects of this particular item... Green pondered, clutching a small bracer he had been researching. It had been a while since he had been back to Pallet Town, what with all of his nonsensical chasing the Dex Holders. He had no leads as to what the Knights were up to, who was involved with them, or if they had even done what the rumors accused them of, and that was frustrating. Over everything else, Green wanted nothing more than to hunt down whoever was responsible for destroying his Gym and show them-
Green sighed as he released the firm grip on the brace he had been studying. Now was not the time to idly sit and let his temper rage. He was an Oak; Green was one of the most brilliant minds on the planet and he had a reputation to upheld as such. He turned his attention back to his work, letting all anger and malice slip into an abyss of unconsciousness.
The particular invention that had crossed his research was called a 'Power Brace,' and was said to increase the physical strength of a Pokémon if worn while training. Green, being the best trainer there was, felt it necessary to run a few tests on the notoriety of the thing. His Scizor had been equipped with a similar device and had been making routine strikes against a large wooden pole at the same preconceived strength each hit. Of course, Green had recorded data previously that would serve as a control group, where the Scizor was without the device. As always, Green was thorough.
Hm. According to this information, there is a slight increase with each strike... Green reached for a notepad and jotted a note about the increase. His handwriting came out perfectly legible despite the alarming speed at which it was catalogued. Someone may have commented once about how neat it was, and how Green was lucky to have such a neat writing style, to which Green was infuriated. Nothing about Green was made from luck; everything Green put his mind and strength into was to be perfected. Diligence was more than a simple trait one developed, it was a chosen lifestyle.
Attentiveness was as well, because moments after chronicling his thoughts he felt a slight drop in temperature. The door had opened, and someone had presumably stepped in. Green glanced over to his partner Scizor, who reacted instantaneously by melding itself into the shadows of the optimally lit room. Green himself silently stood from his chair, quietly setting the bracer on the desk along with his notes. He wasn't afraid as he stepped forward to the entrance of the lab; he need not fear any intruder. All would fear him.
"Anyone home? I've come to pay a visit."
[/i]
...Except that one. Crystal had been absent from the lab for a while, and Green was concerned that he had scared her off. She was the one person, next to Red of course, that would not be intimidated by Green. He wasn't sure if that was a quandary or...
"You're late," he stated plainly, revealing himself from the darkness of the room. The light slowly crawled up his frame until he was fully recognized. Though she hadn't informed him she was coming, Green supposed it had been far too long since she had shown up in the Oak lab. He took a moment to look her over, analyzing for changes she may have made. She was wearing her coat, no doubt because of the cold; there was something in her pocket that bulged a little, but Green assumed it to be research related. She was looking stunning.
But Green didn't have time for that sort of thing anyway. [/style] [style=border-top: solid 3px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 11px; text-transform: lowercase]words, tags, ooc: 623 / Crystal / Daww, you got him a present <3 credits: ambassador tanz of pre & btn & ote[/style][/style][/td]
Releasing her firm hold on her coat, the blue-haired pokedex holder had begun her slow movement through the laborator, peering around certain corners in order to spy someone or other within the confines. Of course, she hoped that her companion and coworker would be in, but he might have been just as busy out on the field. Except that she could hear something striking a surface. Wood, perhaps. She listened again and it was definitely a timber something. Instead of seeking to fight against whatever it was - the other aides rarely got in depth with their research - she straightened her stance and moved towards the sound. Except it had stopped, so very quickly.
Typical Green to be on edge about someone coming indoors.
With a smile that few others could spare for the gruff member of the heroic group, Crystal heard the slightly brash response as she locked eyes with her friend. Her hands folded delicately together in front of her as she nodded. "You're probably right, I should have stopped in sooner but being under constant watch makes it very hard to sneak out. And when I do I swear alarm bells go off if I so much as think about coming here." She shrugged her shoulders, moving to perch herself on a nearby desk that was not his own. Her feet still firmly on the ground, she leant back a little to look him over.
He looked well, at least, if perhaps a little overworked. The fact that she'd been absent probably meant more work for him - she'd have to make sure he emailed her the fair share, even if it was just research and report work. She could type without Gold getting suspicious at least. "You forget how much you miss a place until you haven't been there in a while and then everything is like home. Honestly, being stuck away from the lab is going to give me a complex and the urge to cry every time I come back here," She half-grinned. Not exactly serious - though hormones did send her crying at the drop of the hat - it was more the fact that she felt at home within the walls. It was a place she belonged.
Gold not wanting her to work had definitely been hard on her.
"Hard at work as always I see though, Green, investigating something to do with training?" She had always been quick to deduce and good on detail. There was something interesting looking on his desk, and before he'd come out of the light she was sure that would have been where he'd been sitting. It almost always was. She tilted her head to make note of any changes herself, but Green seemed as comfortingly normal as ever. Unemotional, intelligent and someone she had a great deal of respect for. She was sure he knew about Yellow, though, and with the girl missing she did want to make sure he wasn't too worried.
You know, if she could ever get past his stoic features to find out how affected he actually was. Her hands released one another and she patted the box in her pocket to make sure it was still there. "I hope I'm not interrupting too much, I don't want to get in the way if you're on the verge of some great discovery," Crystal stated, flicking her head so the blue hair would fall back over her shoulders instead. It was almost plain, but with a slight incline in her voice to make certain that it was true. She knew how frustrating it was for someone to interrupt something important. Ah well, if he was busy she'd just leave the gift for later.
[style=width: 330px; border-top: dotted 2px #356563; border-bottom: dotted 2px #356563; padding: 7px; margin-right: 2px;[/style][style=text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5px;][style=border-top: solid 3px #356563;][style=float: left; margin-right: 5px; border-left: 3px solid #408079; border-bottom: 3px solid #356563; border-right: 3px solid #356563;][/style][style=border-bottom: solid 2px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: bold;]moved by vengeance[/style] Green almost felt a scoff coming, directed at the girl, but he held himself. This one was different than the rest of the Dex Holders. Crystal was hard working, diligent, and considerate of time. She didn't piddle or play when there was something that could be done. She was respectable.
Though, Green couldn't help but wonder why she was being held against her will. Not captive, obviously, but something was keeping her from coming more often. It had left a strain on Green to fill her half of the work, and he wasn't going to send her all of it, because most of it couldn't be done outside of the lab. She had said that she was under watch... by whom? Gold? And why would he care that she came to work in the Oak lab? Probably petty insecurity. Green mentally summed up, his impression of the boy not very high all ready. Why she was interested in that loser anyway? Green would never know.
As Crystal herself came over to claim a seat, Green followed suit. He returned back to his desk where he piled notes and typed away on a terminal. Crystal made some remark about missing her place in the lab, to which Green couldn't help but chuckle oh so lightly. "You may cry yet," He said, pointing to a desk parallel to his own. It may have been hard to recognize as a desk, really, because it was hidden amongst a mountain of papers, folders, and notebooks. It wouldn't take her long to realize just how long she had been gone. Obviously Green wouldn't have stopped work with her gone, but he wasn't going to do it alone either. The Aides had tried to help, but truth be told none of them could match his or Crystal's level of accomplishment.
"Hard at work as always I see though, Green, investigating something to do with training?"
[/i] She probed, no doubt inferring the Power Brace sitting upon his desk. Scizor had long since come out of the shadows and stood at Green's side. Green reached a hand out, undoing the snaps of the brace and setting it next to the one he was examining, and recalled Scizor to his Pokéball. He probably wouldn't be needing any more testing now that Crystal was here. "Yes," he answered, not providing much detail. She was attentive enough and could probably figure out what he was researching, so why waste breath? Especially during this time, where anyone could be listening. Green wasn't paranoid by any means, but he wasn't about to start taking chances. Crystal would understand; she was an intelligent girl who understood him and could read him very well. More so than any of the other Dex Holders, in fact.
"I hope I'm not interrupting too much, I don't want to get in the way if you're on the verge of some great discovery."[/i] Green internally slapped himself in the face. Of course she was interrupting him! She didn't email him that she was coming, she just showed up unexpectedly at the lab, which put Green on edge. She even pointed out what he was researching! Sometimes Green didn't know what to do; people could be so infuriating!
...But he decided to let it go this time. He hadn't really broken any new ground, it was a simple test to ensure if what had been said about the item was true. He couldn't be so harsh to Crystal, not to her. He had enough enemies and very few- a handful minus five - friends. "I'm... not that busy," said he, reluctantly.
Maybe Red was right. Maybe even geniuses needed a break now and again. [/style] [style=border-top: solid 3px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 11px; text-transform: lowercase]words, tags, ooc: 614 / Crystal / She can really read him well XD credits: ambassador tanz of pre & btn & ote[/style][/style][/td]
tagged for green, this is why you don't keep crys out of the lab
The chuckle was enough to make Crystal look up and a proper smile creep up onto the corners of her lips. She folded her arms as she cast her eyes sidelong at her desk. The piles and piles of paperwork that now covered her usually orderly desk laying untouched. Internally she twitched at the messiness and wanted to go, sit down, organise and start the catch up that was likely going to take months and months. She made a note to take some of the papers home with her. Even if it meant Gold told her off for working too much, some of it had to get done. Green couldn't be the only one working, he needed the help.
If only Gold would just stop worrying so much, he wouldn't have to do it alone and then he would be less stressed. He had enough to deal with without having to complete all the work they shared on his own. "I'll take some of it home with me, I promise. I'll try to get some of it done and post it back to you if I get told not to come out again," Which would probably be the case, should her fiance find out that she had ventured all the way to the laboratory. It was the place he didn't want her to go most of all.
Honestly, he mustn't realise what it was she did for work, otherwise it wouldn't be such a big deal.
Blue gaze rested on the back of Green's head and she moved her feet a little, watching him work. It was easy being back in the lab, and it was just as easy to feel a warm companionship with the man she'd spent so much time with over the past few years while they investigated, governed over by his grandfather. She pushed herself off the unoccupied desk and moved over rest her hand on the back of his chair, leaning over a little to look at what he was doing. Of course there was his perfect handwriting, completely legibile despite how fast she knew he scrawled. "No one does better research than you, Green, I'm sure you'll figure out the best way to use it," She smiled, standing up straight again now.
She knew that he would be internally battling. The statement had more been to alert him that she was staying at least a little while than a true question. She didn't want to interrupt should it be something of great importance, but she did want to give him his present and would only leave it were he to be so incredibly busy that she couldn't interrupt. "Would you like me to make you a tea or coffee, you're probably mentally exhausted and I could use a tea to warm me up just as much,". Another request from Gold that she stop drinking so much coffee because it was bad for her and the baby.
Honestly, a lot of the things she liked had been taken away from her. She was realising as she stood just watching Green work how much she missed being there and being able to swoop over on her wheeled desk chair to point out a piece of her research to him and toss questions back and forth. Apparently he had been a better friend in her mind than she'd given him credit for. She genuinely missed his company. "I know it killed you to say that, so here," She reached into her pocket and struggled to pull out the small, wrapped box. Catching the seam on the inside, she had to tugg on it before she managed to pull it out, barely noticing that her coat had fallen open as she leant forward and placed the gift on his desk in front of him.
The box was wrapped to perfection. Red paper with a neat, green ribbon atop it. She had too much time on her hands the gift within was not storebought. Homemade treats in a variety of different colours and flavours. Sugary enough that they would give energy, but not so bittersweet that he'd be inclined to toss them out, she hoped. When you were stuck at home all the time you did a little too much cooking. Either way, she hoped he liked them. Or at least used them during the late nights when he wouldn't stop his research until the early hours of the morning. "Merry Christmas, Green. It's not much, but think of it as a thank you for sending me work while I'm at home. I'd be going insane without it." And it was true. She was mildly struck with the thought that her senior had been the one providing her with one of the few things she actually enjoyed doing while Gold would much have rathered she not do them all together.
And yet he wandered about, unsure of their relationship and interested in sleeping with Blue. She sighed aloud, not realising her expressions had slipped out publicly. She wasn't that girl, the girl who let a man walk all over her and hurt her heart. So why was she allowing it from Gold who was supposed to love her? She didn't know. Quickly, as an attempt to hide her suddenly less positive mood, she plastered a smile back onto her face, glancing around to where the kettle may have been moved to in her absense. Right, that hot drink.
[style=width: 330px; border-top: dotted 2px #356563; border-bottom: dotted 2px #356563; padding: 7px; margin-right: 2px;[/style][style=text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5px;][style=border-top: solid 3px #356563;][style=float: left; margin-right: 5px; border-left: 3px solid #408079; border-bottom: 3px solid #356563; border-right: 3px solid #356563;][/style][style=border-bottom: solid 2px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: bold;]moved by vengeance[/style] There was something about her smile that made Green satisfied. He wouldn't return the gesture, no, he had more control than that, but inside of him was a different story. Something about seeing the girl glad made him, well, glad. She had been gone for far too long, and Green remembered why he missed her so much: it was better to work together. It was a hard lesson that Red had taught him so many years ago and that Crystal had continued to develop long after Red became the Kanto Champion. He couldn't do nearly as much alone as he could when aided by others. For this, Green was eternally grateful for her being in his company. However, he hadn't been afforded that luxury as of late. The covered desk that they were both looking at was a testament of the fact.
She swore to take some of it back, but Green wished she wouldn't. He needed the help, and that was something that he wouldn't openly admit. Never in a lifetime; that didn't make it less true, though. He frowned- though more of a neutral dislike- at the statement, because it brought him a little discomfort. Green needed her to bounce theories off of, to correspond with other professors and their aids, to dig through the library of material that was available in the spacious laboratory. Even still, Green would never let her see how taxing it was on him; Green Oak would bear this burden, if it was the least he could do.
"No one does better research than you, Green, I'm sure you'll figure out the best way to use it." There she went, paying him homage and unnecessary compliments. To this, he actually frowned, folding his arms slowly. It wasn't true: Green was not the best researcher. He hadn't the time to claim such a title, ordinarily he was busy training his team for upcoming Gym Challenges. His reputation was grandiose, even legendary, but there were some things that he was not. Crystal, however, was an excellent researcher. Though she hadn't the experience as his grandfather did, her potential had gone unchallenged. Why, the girl had completed the Pokédex, something that Green himself hadn't been able to do- at least not yet. If anything, she was a greater researcher than he; Green felt it fitting to set her straight. "I'm not half as talented in that area as yourself." That would do fine. He turned himself in his chair, more or less facing her while they conversed.
Tea...? Green hadn't thought about that. It had been so very long since her last visit that he had moved the kettle to the other side of the room to clear the working area. Green didn't particularly care for the beverage, in all honesty, but he didn't not like it either. It was more of a nuisance for him to prepare on his own, but if Crystal wanted some... "Sure. I will fetch the kettle." He said, getting up for a moment from his desk to retrieve the thing. He didn't waste time keeping her waiting; it was only a short while before he returned with the item in hand. He also had found a canister of tea leaves that had peppermint in them. Most likely a remnant from another aide, but they weren't using it. He set the kettle and leaves on his desk and sat back down, returning to his work for a brief moment. The reports weren't going to write themselves.
Crystal wasn't finished talking, of course. "I know it killed you to say that, so here,"
[/i] she stated, leaning over his left shoulder and placing a small box in his field of vision. It was brightly wrapped in red paper that seemed to bring a new, energetic color to the room, and a green ribbon that gave a new definition to his namesake. He wondered for a moment if she expected him to open it immediately, or after she had left? "Merry Christmas, Green. It's not much, but think of it as a thank you for sending me work while I'm at home. I'd be going insane without it."[/i] Green could empathize. If he himself had been cooped in a room for the majority of his days, he might be going a little Zubatty as well. He once again turned in his seat to face her before speaking. "Thank you, Crystal. I-"
That's when it hit him. Why was she stuck in her home so often? Certainly it wasn't because of the threat of the Knights, in fact, she probably didn't even realize that female Dex Holders had been targeted other than Yellow. Gold wasn't that controlling, was he? Green looked her over once more, concerned with the sudden change in expressions on her face. She was certainly hiding something as she glanced over to the kettle. Her jacket had slid open so very subtly, revealing a small, yet slightly swollen, belly. Green knew.
"You're pregnant." He said, breaking the nice, friendly air of conversation they had been sharing. In its absence was a concerned, cold, and almost frightening aura radiating from Green. He reached his right hand over to hers, which was on the gift she had placed in front of him, to gently place his palm on her hand. Green realized that he was suddenly much closer to her than before, but didn't dare move; the uncomfortable closeness was an appropriate tactic for delivering his emotional reaction. She had done a marvelous job of hiding this information, but what good was their trust of one another if she couldn't share such an important matter with him? He suddenly knew the origins behind her case of cabin fever, but he wasn't sure if they were justified or mistaken.
No, if Gold was keeping her from doing work at the lab it was likely an over-exaggeration on his part. Even still, he felt somewhat betrayed. This gift was leaving a sour taste in his mouth after having to discover the information on his own. He withdrew his hand and turned to give her a cold shoulder for a moment. Even for Green, who was so detached from people, this was hard to swallow. "...For how long?" He loosed and while turning to her gaze he tried his hardest not to reveal the slight swelling in his eyes.
Whether it was from sorrow or joy, she would never know. [/style] [style=border-top: solid 3px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 11px; text-transform: lowercase]words, tags, ooc: 1073 / Crystal / she got me, she got me, she got me bad credits: ambassador tanz of pre & btn & ote[/style][/style][/td]
Colour flushed her cheeks at the compliment - even if it was simply Green stating a fact that he believed. She was a hard worker, and there was little she loved more than research and her work. She enjoyed travelling around the world, discovering Pokemon she hadn't met before and learning their weaknesses, then capturing them with her unfailing team. She had always been good at it, particularly with her pokemon - the group that had protected her when she was unable to do so herself as a child. She focused on a mark on the wall instead of his eyes, muttering a quiet: "Thank you," as she ran her hands along the back of the chair. It was unusual and highly flattering to receive any sort of praise from Green, so the fact that she had at all was humbling.
As he moved away from her she let her gaze follow him, thinking about the great number of days they had spent cooped up in this very room, throwing various theories around. He really was a good friend to her, she couldn't deny that. He was going out of his way to help her because he could empathise, something Gold couldn't do when it came to work. After all, he just wanted to be at home or at the Game Corner, gambling.
It was a horrid thought, but sometimes she worried that he was using his ability to cheat at games to bring home some of the money they were needing. She just hoped that wasn't the case.
She was smiling awkwardly as he accepted her gift graciously. Good, he hadn't turned it away, but he had certainly cut himself off very quickly. She wondered briefly what it was that he had been planning on saying before suddenly he was there, closer than she was used to from the friend who generally was concerned with his own personal space. Crystal blinked at him brefily, meeting his gaze as her hand had been taken in a very unfamiliar touch. Another blink, and her face flared with colour once more. Red as the shirt that their companion with the name sake wore, she bit down on her lower lip. "Y-yes."
Crystal barely managed to stutter the word out, wondering exactly why it was he'd gotten so close. She wondered if it had to do with the words he may or may not have been about to say earlier - things lost on her mind as the contact was broken as suddenly as it had occured. A breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding spilled out between her lips and Crystal realised exactly how silly she looked, standing there and staring at a man whom had just utterly confused her.
The female pokedex holder was intelligent. She had always been considered as such, and she liked to think that yes, she was smart enough to understand people a lot of the time. But right now she was utterly, completely confused. Her mind reeled as she noticed the distinct scent of Green leaving her person and moving away as he did so. She stared after him and quickly took a few steps back, hurriedly buttoning the coat back up so as to cover the very thing that had caused such a ruckus in the first place. As if covering it would change the fact that Green now knew what had happened - what was keeping her from her work.
Crystal looked down at the ground, awkwardly kicking her foot into the cement floor like it might do something to stop the guilt. She had been so excited about her pregnancy for a few days. The idea of being a mother had lit up her life until she realised exactly how much she was restricted by it. How much it had made her partner worry - too much, if you asked her - and how she was unable to anything she liked. She felt guilty for allowing even one night of risk. She felt like someone common and unworthy of praise, because she was supposed to be smart, but the cold shoulder she was receiving from her friend made her feel small.
And not because of anything he'd said. He made her feel small because just in his gaze she could feel her own disappointment in herself. She wrapped her arms around herself as she stood closer to a wall, finally daring to meet Green's eyes once more. Crystal steadied her voice before replying, wanting to be certain she didn't sound as horrified with herself as she now felt. "When I stopped coming in, that's when we found out," She looked down, "Gold thought I worked too hard already, and he wanted me to stay home in case I put the baby at risk.. It's still early days, we're near the end of the first trimester, but that's all."
Crys steeled her gaze to look back at him, "I should still be able to work, but he doesn't want me too,"and he's holding a mistake from two years ago over my head to boot, which is probably the only reason I'm going along with it."So I can't exactly go against his wishes.. I would have told you sooner, but-" But she was hoping it would all be well and truly over by the time she had to do so? She didn't know why she hadn't thought to tell him. Perhaps she didn't want him to think poorly of her. Whatever the reason, she just hoped at least professionally he wouldn't lose some of the respect he had for her. Even if he didn't agree with her decisions. But she didn't want to know how he'd react? She was confused by her own thought patterns in her head, putting them down to muddling due to the very thing they were discussing. "But it wasn't something I wanted to say by e-mail. You're too important to me for that."
Had those words really just slipped out? Where had they come from?
[style=width: 330px; border-top: dotted 2px #356563; border-bottom: dotted 2px #356563; padding: 7px; margin-right: 2px;[/style][style=text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5px;][style=border-top: solid 3px #356563;][style=float: left; margin-right: 5px; border-left: 3px solid #408079; border-bottom: 3px solid #356563; border-right: 3px solid #356563;][/style][style=border-bottom: solid 2px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: bold;]moved by vengeance[/style] "Y-yes. " came her reply, as stammering as humanly possible. I knew it, Green thought to himself almost in a victorious manner. All of the signs had lead up to this, and he had finally figured it out. Although, truth be told, it was so unlike Crystal for this to happen so expectantly. It certainly was an unlikely event... Green doubted himself. Maybe he didn't know it. Maybe he didn't even see it coming.
Green couldn't believe this. How could he not have known? He cast his gaze into the corner of the room, hiding away in thought as she backed away. In hindsight, the signs were more than obvious; his observation must not have been sharp enough. If he had missed such an obvious thing, what about the more subtle ones? Perhaps he had been bugged for information or someone had poisoned him, for all it mattered he could have been sleeping for the past few months! He should have known better, he should have...
What should he have done? What could he have done? This was a result of her relationship with Gold, and even if Green was her ally and coworker in the Oak lab he had no sway in that relationship. What Gold and Crystal did was their own business, and he was not one to intrude on that right. Certainly, he was going to have a lot more work to do on his own now, and he probably couldn't rely on her skills when it came to hunting down the missing Dex Holders. This didn't bode well for his plans. Of course, it wasn't the first time his plans had been hindered by the selfish actions of others.
Green looked up at the girl- the woman- who was before him. He sighed deeply, burying his face in a palm and massaging his temples with one hand. This wasn't about him, and he was a fool to believe it was, even for a moment. Crystal stood there, kicking the ground softly, clearly wallowing in shame and guilt. Green was never skilled at compassion, and he didn't think he had words to offer, but he had to take some kind of action. He sat in his chair, pondering to himself for a stretch of time. What would Red or Yellow have done? Here she was, standing uncomfortably alone and probably feeling like dirt, and all Green could do was sit and strategize. It dawned on him that he, of all people, was to be most pitied.
As she continued to explain the situation, Green couldn't help but slowly gravitate towards anger. Not at her, heavens no, but at himself. Of course he could never stay angry at himself for too long, Green would not torture himself when he had so much time to change things. His anger was more directed to his inaction in the past... and toward Gold. How could Gold be so unconcerned with Crystal's needs? Cooping her up like a household pet... it was infuriating. He thought she worked too hard? That was complete and utter ridiculousness. Even if she was near the end of the term, she could still do paperwork and reports. Did Gold not realize the importance of what she did?
But that was Green being selfish again. Inwardly he was struggling. She had been gone for nearly three whole months now, and Green had picked up the slack just fine. Why was he complaining so much? It wasn't like he hadn't been able to do the work without her.
Why was he defending her so vehemently, then?
"I would have told you sooner, but-" But what? But she didn't have the time? Impossible. If Crystal had been in her home this entire time unable to leave, she would have more than enough time to send him a message letting him know. But Gold wouldn't allow her to? Improbable. Gold was the type to go around and tell anything that could walk and repeat it to someone else. But she didn't think it would matter? Absolutely ridiculous. Crystal was a brilliant woman with more sense than the rest of the Dex Holders, excluding Green himself, combined.
"But it wasn't something I wanted to say by e-mail. You're too important to me for that."
[/i]
...She said what?
Green was instantly taken aback by her words, unknowing what to say. His eyes literally grew large from the shock of the statement. He was still looking at her, even in all of his bewilderment, and had to keep his mouth from dropping. What does she mean...? Green analyzed, trying his hardest to determine where her words would have originated. Crystal was NOT some girl who would throw around her phrases unknowingly; each syllable would have a purpose. This was part of the reason they got along so well, such efficiency working together in harmony made for great results. But this... This threw a wrench in the works.
Green took a moment for himself to recover. Whatever she meant he wasn't sure. If it was important, she would explain, but he wouldn't go searching for meaning that wasn't there. What was important now was to ensure his friend was not damaged by the actions of another. Gold had done such harm by not letting her come to this lab to complete her work; it was apparent to Green that such a thing was loved by Crystal- possibly even more than Gold himself. She would already be feeling the effects of pregnancy by now and would be in an emotionally compromised state. He had to take action, for her sake. Think, Oak, what would Red do. Rattata, I was never good with this...
He took a stand from his chair and stood eerily for a while, his eyes cast down at the floor and a shadow covering his face. He wasn't going to do anything drastic or dramatic, that would only suit to disrupt Gold's already shaky relationship with Crystal. Green was no scum, and would not disrespect the wishes of others and their personal lives so quickly. It was hard enough for Green to speak kind and caring words, and impossible for him to truly convey compassion.
But as Green wrapped his arms around Crystal gently in silence- and nearly trembling- he attempted the impossible. [/style] [style=border-top: solid 3px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 11px; text-transform: lowercase]words, tags, ooc: 1050 / Crystal / Better write this one down as the day you broke green oak credits: ambassador tanz of pre & btn & ote[/style][/style][/td] [td][atrb=style,border-left: 12px #356563 double;][/td] [atrb=width,4px][/td][/tr][/table][/center]
It was awkward, now. She could sense the unease that was between them and within her miind, the portion of her body that controlled her emotions - addled by the fact that she had hormones coursing through her body at any given moment- gave her the distinct urge to flee. Go home and have forgotten about giving Green a Christmas Gift, have forgotten about everything. Pretend like everything was the same between them and she wasn't pregnant. She didn't like the feelings that were running through her mind, and she didn't like the thought that things might be different after today. That Green might have lost respect for her.
That she would be like veryone else.
She bit down on the inside of her lip as she moved towards the kettle, taking it in her hands and putting it on to boil. The scents of peppermint from the tea he'd provided caught her nose and she relaxed a little - comforted by the sweet scent that was so natural and so delicious. She fiddled absently with the cup while she felt his eyes on her. Emotions came all too easy to the young woman now she was pregnant. She half-assumed that almost everything came down to that, but it still didn't stop that sinking feeling in her stomach that by being pregnant, she had spoiled the chances for something else. She just couldn't put her finger on what.
"Just cause I'm pregnant doesn't mean I don't want to help though, Green. I know that Yellow is missing and I want to do my best to help look for her. Whatever that takes." She was almost reading his mind, expecting him to be checking the lists off on what he could no longer ask of her. But Crystal was tired of being cooped up, she was tired of being the good little housewife. It had never been her role in life, as good as she may have been at the tasks, she had always planned on working and working hard.
Especially if the work involved the safety of one of her best friends.
She stilled a little as she sensed the tension rising in the room. He seemed angry at something - she could tell from the fact that he seemed tenser where he sat. "He's just worried about me," she told herself as much as she told her friend, leaving the tea unattended as she moved to look back at him. She wanted something to alert her that everything was okay between them, that they were still friends and her own moment of foolishness had not ruined the companionship they had developed over the years. "I'm sure he'll realise soon enough that the Professor you need me, that I need to be here too." She shook her head again, and Crystal's eyes moved down to her feet where they remained.
Crystal had desperately hoped that when those final words had slipped out that he would take them at a minimal value, but somewhere behind his green gaze - a gaze that had certainly widened significantly - she knew that he had wondered what she meant. And for once, she didn't know. She was lost for words, lost for an excuse as to why something like that would spill from her lips at t a time like this, when she needed proper words more than ever. He was so paused, so firm where he stood that she wondered if he was going to tell her to leave. She was prepared for him to do so, completely unsure how he was going to react to any of the happenings of the afternoon.
What she hadn't expected was his arms around her, folding her into a hug.
Crystal almost laughed, letting out a slightly choked sound as her hands swept up to rest on his chest, her face falling down upon her fingertips as she paused there. It was surreal. Green Oak was hugging her. He didn't hug anyone without a good reason, he avoided them, for the most part. But he was hugging her.
A new wave of emotions began building up, crashing down over the girl's head and wiped her face on her hands to cover the tears that she didn't know when had started falling. She nibbled on her lip, quiet crying only noticeable by the slight shaking of her shoulders. She leant against him, enjoying the embrace, the comfort, in a way she hadn't been able to enjoy much before. After all, she had been so caught up in the problems that she and Gold had been having that she hadn't given herself time to recover before another cropped up. And now there was Green, supportive and good and strong, and hugging her, something she wasn't sure she'd ever seen him do to another human being before. She tilted her head up a little ways, so that her voice wasn't muted into his shoulder as she mumbled a short, "I'm sorry, Green." And stepped away from his arms.
She wiped hurriedly at her eyes, trying to laugh away her tears for her shambled relationship and the guilt she felt for managing to fall pregnant so young. She took a deep breath to calm down, looking up at him with clearly splotchy eyes - definitely not a pretty crier- and showing him that she was calm. That all was fine.
"Silly pregnancy hormones.. I guess I got overwhelmed." She didn't even believe herself when she said it. Sure, the pregnancy made annything she felt tenfold, but she hadn't had such issues that she cried at nothing,. She was still Crystal, after all. Somewhere in the back of her mind, a twinge told her to move back into the hug and to savour it while it lasted because of how nice it had felt. How safe. How fitting. "I.. I still want to help with the work, even if Gold doesn't want me here. I'm sure I can do something at least. Even if it's not a lot." And by Arceus, she'd try.
Last Edit: Dec 23, 2012 15:43:17 GMT 9.5 by CRYSTAL
[style=width: 330px; border-top: dotted 2px #356563; border-bottom: dotted 2px #356563; padding: 7px; margin-right: 2px;[/style][style=text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5px;][style=border-top: solid 3px #356563;][style=float: left; margin-right: 5px; border-left: 3px solid #408079; border-bottom: 3px solid #356563; border-right: 3px solid #356563;][/style][style=border-bottom: solid 2px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: bold;]moved by vengeance[/style] She laughed at him. Green put all of his courage and reputation as a hardened Trainer on the line for something he was completely uncomfortable with, and she laughed at him. Sure, she did her best to hide it, but Green wasn't so easily fooled. She thought him humorous.
Green Oak had never been so pleased to play the clown.
For a very diminutive amount of time, Green did nothing but keep himself from shaking. Physical touch was not something he was very fond of, but he knew of no other expression to display that would convey what he wanted to communicate. Things like 'hugging' seemed so strange to him, but even the hardened Green Oak seemed to soften while Crystal was in his embrace. It was an absolute foreign feeling to him. Foreign, but comfortable.
For once in his life, Green decided not to think about anything. His mind was a complete slate as she leaned against his chest, or at least it was until he felt her shaking. His already tilted head peered down at her in his arms, quietly sobbing and hiding her tears from him. At that moment, he wondered what it was exactly that had caused her to start. Certainly it hadn't been him. Perhaps it was the stress from putting up with Gold? Green could understand that, the child was very unstable and obviously not the support that Crystal needed, but that wasn't Green's call to make. Maybe it was her missing the lab? Green could understand being frustrated if he wasn't able to train his Pokémon or take on challenges for no good reason, so he empathized. Or possibly it was something else entirely? Green internally shook his head, deciding it was best not to let his mind drift too far.
It was only a minute or two before Crystal willingly stepped away from his grasp with a soft apology covering her footsteps. No, I'm sorry, he thought solitarily as she left him standing there. Green wasn't sure what to expect, but he felt his heart slowly sink into his chest; had it been beating at that incredible pace earlier? He hadn't noticed. "Silly pregnancy hormones... I guess I got overwhelmed."
[/i] Crystal softly said after wiping her tears. Green wasn't so positive that the hormones had much of anything to do with it, but he let her speak.
She wanted work. That... was all? Green felt embarrassed, his face burning scarlet as he stared into her deep purples eyes with confusion. Though he was blushing, he still had the same face of serenity and composure. Sure, he wanted to hide from her and get his thoughts straight- and possibly his pulse at a regular rate- but that would be foolish. Instead, Green opted to offer her a chair. He pulled one up his desk, not terribly far off from his own but certainly a measurable distance. It was going to take some time before he was ready to be that close to anyone again. Most assuredly, Green would have sooner taken on ten leagues of Rocket grunts before he hugged Crystal again. How can people do this as a friendly gesture? Green mused.
Green considered saying something, he truly did. Something to assure his friend that everything would be okay, something that would bring her comfort, something that would give her the confidence she needed to push on. But no words came. He simply could not find them. Instead, he did something else he wasn't known for, using those muscles so long ago abandoned: Green Oak smiled. Not a forced or pushed smile, a genuine, heart-warming grin. Today must have been a circus performance from Crystal's perspective, because Green was putting on a show of his own variety. He could imagine the posters, Witness the fool among jesters, Oak the Oaf! Why, if he didn't know any better Green would think himself the pregnant one.
He finally managed to dampen his dry throat for a word; had he forgotten to swallow this entire time? "Sit," he suggested, pointing to the chair he previously provided with an unfolded hand. He took his own seat, though still following her with his eyes. If she wanted work, he would make sure she had more than enough to keep her busy, even if she was held hostage in her own home. There was always work to be done, and Green was certainly relieved that he was going to have help...
But next time, it would be Green paying the visit. [/style] [style=border-top: solid 3px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 11px; text-transform: lowercase]words, tags, ooc: 753 / Crystal / We're not done here because Green gave you a hug credits: ambassador tanz of pre & btn & ote[/style][/style][/td]
The best way you could have described what they were doing, standing there, was almost cuddling. It had passed a simple hug, considering her crying and his consoling her. He wasn't quite wiping away her tears and hushing her, telling her how much he cared, but there was more intimacy in that moment than she had ever expected from Green. It was always cordial moments, occssional smiles when they were working, things that had never been more than just friendly. But now her body was up against his and she could feel his heart beneath her hands.
And it was exhilarating.
Crystal fiddled with her coat, making sure her slight baby bump was well and truly concealed beneath the winter warms as she did so. She didn't want him to see again, to be repulsed by the woman she'd become. Her teeth grazed over the inside of her lip unconcsiously and she felt her own blush heat her cheeks as a stoic-faced by very clearly blushing Green looked at her. She fussed over the hem of her coat, wanting desperately for him not to have noticed her own pulse's elevated levels. She didn't know why she wanted to be so close to him, but even as she moved away she wanted to shuffle back into his arms.
Crystal wanted to be there again because it was safe. It was comfortable. And above all, it felt more right than she had thought possible. Not that she wanted to say that out loud, really.
She didn't want to tell him about the struggles she was having with Gold. She didn't want to admit to someone like Green that her partner had decided openly to tell her he was having second thoughts after he had shared a passionate encounter with Blue.F or one thing, Crystal wasn't sure that Green didn't like Blue. An ounce - just a tad - of bitterness flashed through her mind at the thought of both Gold AND Green liking the brunette, but she forced it away. If Green liked Blue, well, that was his choice.
The blunette watched as he moved a chair up near his. Not close, not in a way that might indicate anything, but the fact that he was blushing already had her mind wandering as to why. But then again, he didn't extactly give or receive hugs. He was probably just feeling awkward because of it. Either that or he didn't like it when girls cried. Lots of boys got awkward when girls cried in front of them, and she was not usually one to burst into tears. That had to be it. Because Green definitely wouldn't be embarrassed by hugging her. His heart's thundering had to have just been because they were so close. His pulse probably just naturally raced high.
That had to be it. It just had to.
Her fingers curled around the fabric, working it as she moved over to the kettle and started to pour the now boiling water through the leaves in order to infuse the flavour. She lifted the pair of cups as Green through her off balance a second time - this time with a smile, something rare and to be treasured from the Trainer of the Dex Holders. You could not force one out of him, he had to want to do so, and there he was, smiling at her. Her tears forgotten with that momentary smile, she offered one back and placed the tea down on his desk, right beside the gift that had gone unnoticed since their shared embrace.
His gruff, simple statement was enough for her to put her own drink down. sitting properly would be awkward in her coat - and he knew now already, she supposed, as self conscious as she might be about it, it wouldn't be comfortable. She walked back around the the back of the chair he'd brought for her and slung the coat off her shoulders. Her movements made the curve of her stomach more apparent as she hung it on the back of the chair and moved into the seat, her hand automatically finding the rise of her belly and resting there instinctively.
Ankles crossed beneath herself as she assumed a position similar to the one she worked in. Her hand flattened the creased fabric of her shirt as she looked back up at him. "I know I said I wanted work, but.. would you open your gift? It's really nothing special, but I want to know if you like them, so if you don't I can get you something different and more suitable." She mumbled quietly, a soft laugh staggering her words. She was just so thrown by the whole situation. Smiling, hugging, fussing over her. well, she couldn't help it. "I do hope they're okay though, being cooped up at home has made me quite domestic."
She had been cooking as much as she had been sitting around doing nothing.
[style=width: 330px; border-top: dotted 2px #356563; border-bottom: dotted 2px #356563; padding: 7px; margin-right: 2px;[/style][style=text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5px;][style=border-top: solid 3px #356563;][style=float: left; margin-right: 5px; border-left: 3px solid #408079; border-bottom: 3px solid #356563; border-right: 3px solid #356563;][/style][style=border-bottom: solid 2px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: bold;]moved by vengeance[/style] Green had developed a reputation as a mind reader of sorts. It was basic intuition really; the Dex Holder had spent many years sharpening his senses and perception to be able to figure out motives and actions before they had come to fruition in others. Truth be told, it was a skill that was highly valued by many others, one that Green took a small amount of pride in as well. Not everyone could make claim to such a talent. However, even Green had a short list of people he couldn't get a lock on.
Crystal was currently storming her way to the top of that list.
That didn't stop him from trying, of course. His eyes scanned her for clues, as if examining a crime scene. What was troubling Crystal, that was the name of the game. She was biting her lip an awful lot, that was surely a sign of regret or possible reluctance. She too had begun to blush nearly the time he felt his own cheeks glow; Green was going to assume it was reactionary from his own body language, and not really try to dissect the meaning behind it. Too complicated, even for a genius like himself. Then she started to tug at the seams of her jacket. That had to be from his noticing her ever so small belly. To think that there was a child growing inside of that tiny stomach...
Green wasn't sure what to think about that. That was to say he wasn't sure what to think of her having a child. He had thought about his future, of course, but he would never allow even an inkling of it to escape his mind. Especially not now, it wouldn't be appropriate. His chance had been taken years ago when he lost it due to idle hands and petty inaction. Why, had he simply stood up and spoke his mind, maybe...
Why was he thinking about this? Green shook down the strange feelings inside of him. Butterfree caught in the stomach was something children were plagued with.
There she was, standing and pouring a cup of tea for him in the lab, and Green felt a aura of peace and serenity start to form between them. He wasn't sure what she had on her mind, and he might never know, but that was all right. Green wasn't even sure what was on his own mind, but that was okay too. Things were returning to some semblance of normality, and that was all he could ask for in this dark time of uncertainty. He took the tea she so graciously prepared for him- strategically bringing his attention back to the gift, don't think he didn't notice- and took a sip. The peppermints were sweet, but the bitterness of the usual tea leaves were strong enough to block most of that out.
His jaded gaze followed her as she took the seat he provided a moment earlier. She seemed to reluctantly discard her coat, which Green thought somewhat foolhardy at first. It wasn't cold inside the lab, so why would she show such concern. Oh, the child. He remembered, feeling the same sting of distrust he felt when he first discovered the fact not minutes ago. He could see her stomach fully now, not that he was intently staring, but he wondered how it was affecting her physique. She had a slight bump, but it was still very small. Noticeable if you knew Crystal already, but possibly easy to mistake for a natural figure if unfamiliar with the woman. It was a petite little arch, and if Green didn't know any better he would have thought it somewhat... cute.
She had beckoned him to open her gift, which Green was expecting ever since she directed his attention to it with the tea cup. Nothing special, huh... Green pondered while he stared at the excellent craftsmanship of the wrapped package, Then why bring it and interrupt research? He simply couldn't figure Crystal out today! He nodded at her request, picking up the delicate present and gently unfolding the paper. Green wouldn't be one to rip the thing to shreds, he wasn't so inconsiderate as to tear apart something Crystal had spent so much time constructing. Green was raised with at least some etiquette, even if it was unconventional at times.
Finally reaching the lid of the box, Green lifted it as if handling a fossil found in Mount Moon. To his surprise, he found an arrangement of sweet things- cookies, chocolates, miniature sweet rolls- all packed with care of different designs and makings. Green wasn't quite sure what to think of this gift, but he was pleased someone had thought to bring him a gift at all. Crystal was... someone special.
"This was very considerate of you," He said in his calm voice, no longer struggling to speak. Sugar is a stimulate after all; these treats would certainly give him an edge to complete research in a faster and more efficient time frame, provided he didn't consume them in a gluttonous rampage. But... how did they taste? He was almost hesitant to try one, thinking it might be a bit rude to eat one in front of her, but he decided he couldn't truly be thankful unless he tried them. Green took one that looked a little more on the plain side and took the teensiest of nibbles.
Instantly he regretted it. A burst of sweet flavoring filled his taste buds and made him almost grimace. Though a powerful biological substance, boosting the brain's power by a pinch, the sugary snacks were certainly too much for him. However... Crystal couldn't have possibly known of his dislike for the taste, and he wasn't about to tell her that he didn't like her gift... Green threw the remainder of the cookie and tossed it into his mouth whole, quickly devouring the morsel.
Of course, this had a side effect. His face grew beat red, his disgust of the taste easily mistaken as a blush. "Th-thank you, Crystal." He choked, a tiny and insignificant smile stretched on his embarrassed face. He hoped she would buy this ruse, and not take this time to use what she had learned from his mind reading against him. [/style] [style=border-top: solid 3px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 11px; text-transform: lowercase]words, tags, ooc: 1046 / Crystal / poor green ;-; credits: ambassador tanz of pre & btn & ote[/style][/style]
He was investigating her as if she was a piece of important research, she noticed as she moved. Blue eyes glanced sidelong at him, cheeks still ruddy from her own strange emotions. She didn't know what had changed in those moments, but something had and she suddenly didn't want him to find a single flaw in her appearance. She flattened the pleated skirt she'd been seen in for many years - particularly around the lab - and adjusted the tight sweater that had proven to bee too tight to hide her swelling stomach. She knew he was examining her and was trying to find the cause of her sadness, but she didn't want him to get too much out of her, so she kept her fiddling going as if moving would stop him getting any kind of lock on the strange emotions.
If she could read his mind, if she knew that he was thinking about the what-ifs, and whether or not he could have been the father of her child - well, that was what might have been his thoughts - she would probably have been a lot redder than she was right there. And probably very embarrassed. After all, that was a very intimate thing to share.
She didn't even know he thought she was stunning, after all.
Her hands rested absently on either side of her teacup, inhaling the pleasant aroma - one known to calm uneasy stomachs, even - before she bothered to sip it. It was still hot, and so far things that were scorching the baby tended to react to in rather an unpleasant way. Her lips formed a soft 'o' as she blew the steam from atop the the liquid and she watched as he began to open the present. Her ankles folded together, she sat back in the chair and smiled as he pulled at the paper on her gift.
Wordlessly she hoped he liked it. Once more a knot formed in her gut and she wondered briefly how she could have thought something homemade was good for him. Sure, sugard helped the work levels, but there was nothing else that she figured he'd enjoy about it. She probably had been too liberal with the sugar. She had been presumptuous to think he'd like home cooked sweets, too.
But he was blushing, and he was smiling a little. She wasn't sure what it meant. It didn't really seem like he'd enjoyed it, but he was sending her mixed signals. She chewed on the inside of her lip. If it had been Gold he would have told her outright that he hadn't enjoyed her cooking, but Green was considerate and subtle. She made a mental note not to cook for him unless he really wanted her to do so, simply unsure of what he might like. Her conscious brain questioned her briefly why she might be cooking for her friend again, but she merely brushed it off with the other odd feelings she'd been having.
"You're welcome, Green. It's a thank you more than anything, for helping me by giving me work and things. I don't think I'd cope without you." Hands made soft cups over the raised portion of her belly, and she looked down into her cup once more, the feeling that he might not truly appreciate her gift giving her slight concern but really completely bewildered. He was blunt about everything else, regardless of his etiquette which meant she was wondering why exactly he wouldn't hve told her ouright otherwise.
Crystal smiled, "I know it's probably rough not being able to have me to help out.. but Gold-"shouldn't be in control, is holding things over my head, wants to cheat on me so this is my way of keeping him around - the answers whirled through her mind, but she settled with, "Would rather I keep the baby safe, I guess. Maybe when he realises I won't push it.. For now all I can do is reports and paperwork from home. I can say though, I have missed your company. I didn't realise how long it had been since I'd seen you, and how much I like it when you're around.." Her feet kicked at the base of the chair she was perched on. "I hope when he gets over everything you and the professor will let me come back to work with you again."
[style=width: 330px; border-top: dotted 2px #356563; border-bottom: dotted 2px #356563; padding: 7px; margin-right: 2px;[/style][style=text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5px;][style=border-top: solid 3px #356563;][style=float: left; margin-right: 5px; border-left: 3px solid #408079; border-bottom: 3px solid #356563; border-right: 3px solid #356563;][/style][style=border-bottom: solid 2px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: bold;]moved by vengeance[/style] As Green looked over at Crystal with a squint, he felt as though his charade had properly persuaded her that he enjoyed the taste of her gift. She was biting the inside of her lip again though, which wasn't a good sign. For good measure, he took a second candy and plopped it in his mouth.
It was delightfully horrible.
Finally, she seemed to respond to him, explaining that the gift was a 'thank you' present for working without her. He didn't truly understand why she would thank him for doing her portion of the research, but he wasn't about to question her; the sweet concoction was still poison in his mouth. Then she went and said something else: "I don't think I'd cope without you." Another puzzling statement from Crystal? It wasn't like her to be this mysterious in her messages. Green was stumped again as to what this could mean, and he slightly furrowed his brow in thought. Recap, he thought, She already said that she wanted work. Now she says she is glad I did her work. Also, she couldn't cope unless I did the work that she wants me to give her? Green was utterly confused, but she was speaking again.
"I know it's probably rough not being able to have me help out... but Gold-"
[/i] -is a baby? Can't keep himself out of trouble let alone protect someone near to him? Isn't worth the Pokédex that was gifted to him by my grandfather? Green brooded; there were so many possible endings to that sentence even he had trouble calculating them all. "Would rather I keep the baby safe, I guess." Well, that was one way to say it. Green forgot about the syrupy taste in his mouth and found a new, bitter one to focus on. Gold was ever the child. Green wasn't entirely sure that he was competent enough to be a guardian of Johto, let alone a father. Why, if Green were-
If Green were... what?
The Kanto Dex Holder shut his eyes for a moment, letting the thought pass over. He was stepping into things that simply were none of his business. Crystal had Gold, and that was the end of- "...I've missed your company. I didn't realize how long it had been since I'd seen you, and how much I like it when you're around..."[/i] Had Green just heard that, or was his deceitful mind playing tricks on him? He couldn't contain it this time: his cheeks instantly shaded two colors darker without hesitation. He put his hands in his pockets while sitting, trying to keep himself as still as possible without her noticing his slight shaking. Green needed something to chill his nerves after this encounter today. A cold shower, maybe, he thought idly before reverting his attention back to Crystal.
She seemed to doubt that Oak would want her to come back and work with them, which made no sense. She was still the brightest mind next to Oak himself; why would she doubt her own abilities? It must have been the pregnancy fooling her rationality. Green cleared his throat quietly and spoke, "You can come back any time you like."As soon as you can, Green thought. For the research, of course.
He looked at a clock on the distant wall and noticed that they had been sitting for nearly an hour or so, conversing. This was no big deal to him, but the return trip to Johto would likely take a number of hours, even by flight. Green reached to put a hand on her shoulder softly before speaking. "We should probably get you on your way. If Gold is this..." Uptight? Restricting? Paranoid? "...concerned, he may start to worry." And if he didn't start treating Crystal with more care, Green would give the kid something to worry about all right. Crystal was one of the few that Green could say- well, consider in his thoughts at least- was one of his true friends.
And he wasn't about to lose her to some power-hungry punk. [/style] [style=border-top: solid 3px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 11px; text-transform: lowercase]words, tags, ooc: 678 / Crystal / You got his heart beat runnin' away <3 credits: ambassador tanz of pre & btn & ote[/style][/style][/td]
teehee, can't you just see them, standing there, his hand on her shoulder and hers wrapped around it.
It was probably a good thing that the brains of two of the greatest minds of their generation were not connected for the thoughts and moments flying around between them. Secret wonderings, pauses in concern for what exactly might have been. Crystal had finished her tea in a few sips as something she said caused her friend and companion to turn rather an interesting shade of pink. She wasn't sure how she'd managed to make Green blush at all, let alone multiple times in a day, but she was sure that something in his mind was troubling him. She could have played a similar game as he did, to find out exactly what was on his mind, but she knew that if it was cause for concern, Green would say it.
Another thing she lo-- where had that come from? - liked about him.
Her fingers danced along the sides of a stack of paperwork that was clearly waiting for Green to take it. She did the next best thing, however, and pulled her satchel up to stuff a few folders easily into the calico fabric bag. Worried as she may have been, Green's reassurance that she would be allowed back in the lab warmed her heart. As she clicked the clasp into place, the blunette let her hands settle over that very spot in her chest, smiling over at him through her lashes. "Thank you. It means a lot. This place is more than home to me sometimes. I hope the professor feels the same though, I wouldn't want him to be frustrated by my absense. I swear no one can be more irritated about it than me."
At the idea of going home, Crystal mentally cringed. She would already be in trouble for wandering off to the lab. Gold didn't like it at all, and there was bound to be a fight about it. Either that or he would say he was leaving the house for the night. Never wanted to hurt the baby, he said, wanted the baby to stay safe. She couldn't fault his instincts as a father to protect his child, unborn as it may be, however he did not quite see the value in she herself anymore. A carrier, really, she thought. It was always for the good of the child that she wasn't allowed to do anything. Somewhere along the way he'd lost track of what was right for her. She nodded once as she glanced over to the clock he had just indicated.
Crystal took her time in actually registering how long she had been there, instead dwelling momentarily on the thoughts that may or may not be going through Green's mind. Perhaps he too thought that she was frustrating and should be at home. No, he had enough sense to know that she was still able to perform menial tasks, if not full field work. It wasn't like she hadn't been fit prior to falling pregnant at any time.
It was the contact that brought her out of her stupor, and Crystal physically blushed. She had been so focused on her thoughts that she hadn't noticed her own hand creep up to rest atop her friend's on her shoulder, lightly wrapped around the tips of his fingers. It was a strangely different sensation to the feeling of Gold's hands, and not an entirely unpleasant one. But by the time she registered, a few long moments had passed and she hurriedly stood up with a nod. "He's not going to like it, but I suppose he'll have to deal with it today. I can probably make it home by myself, if you're too busy, Green. I made it here okay," She tried to coax, worried that he was going to give up precious time to escort her.
He may have appeared somewhat rude and may have occassionally seemed somewhat standoffish, but he had always treated her with kindness and she had the distinct feeling he was not going to allow her to fly home on her own. "I'll be fine, I already interrupted plenty, so you should probably sit back down and enjoy your tea and sweets. I've made the journey a hundred times before, day and night time."
[style=width: 330px; border-top: dotted 2px #356563; border-bottom: dotted 2px #356563; padding: 7px; margin-right: 2px;[/style][style=text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5px;][style=border-top: solid 3px #356563;][style=float: left; margin-right: 5px; border-left: 3px solid #408079; border-bottom: 3px solid #356563; border-right: 3px solid #356563;][/style][style=border-bottom: solid 2px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: bold;]moved by vengeance[/style] Green hadn’t really even noticed that he had put his hand squarely on her shoulder. He mindlessly held it there, allowing himself to let it rest for just a moment while he was speaking. What he did notice was Crystal’s hand creep up to meet his, slowly folding over his fingers softly as if in some sort of sweet embrace. He almost jerked it back immediately, but the girl didn’t even realize she had done it until she stood up from her chair at his observation of the passing hour.
Green was certain his face was going to be stuck in the color red.
When she did stand, Green took his own hand back with a little bit of force. He shoved it in his pocket quickly, almost afraid she would grab it again had he not hidden it from sight. A hug, although uncomfortable it was for Green, was something that friends were expected to share; most assuredly holding hands was a step in the wrong direction, and simply asking for trouble from Gold. Of course, Green didn’t care if Gold held something against him, it was Crystal that he had to be worried about. The boy was already a tad too controlling, had he seen any of that he certainly would have flipped. Green made a note to be much more cautious of how liberal he was when it came to showing his emotions.
Speaking of the kid, Crystal was passively taking a stand against his reign of tyranny by staying even this long. She was attempting to convince him to stay in the lab and do work, that she could return home by herself. While it was true that she had rode here alone today, she wasn’t fully aware of the threat that the Knights had placed on Dex Holders such as herself. Green meant to speak up on the matter before, but she had caught his attention with other endeavors, and it simply never came to be. He could have mentioned it now, but he didn’t want her to be worried about anything… Green just kept the matter to himself.
Still, he decided he was certainly going to escort her back home. It simply wasn’t safe, and she certainly was not as talented of a battler as he. She was strong, yes, even Green would grant her that, but her Pokémon had not been trained like his. ”No, I am going.” He said simply, choosing to leave as few words out as he could. Besides, he needed to ensure not only her safety, but the safety of the research that she would be bringing along with her as well.
In the subject of such research, Green had prepared for her several topics. The Oak lab had been looking at a certain phenomenon in Pokémon that were causing them to be strangely discolored. It differed for each species, but Green couldn’t seem to find a cause or a meaning behind it, and it was so rare to encounter as well. There were tons of reports on the matter, but Green hadn’t the time to sort them all out or draw any connections between them. Then, on a different matter, Green had been researching the Power Brace… he still hadn’t finished with those reports either. There were other things that had been left over from other projects that Green hadn’t the time to check out as well, but Crystal certainly would make best use of her time and see to them being finished.
Green took a moment of time to prepared a few boxes and fill them with reports. Crystal had grabbed some herself, stuffing a few things into her bag, but Green was going to load her down so that she would have plenty to do. The idea was that she would be so upset that she had so much work to do at home she would sneak out more often to get more of it done at the lab. After all, there was better equipment and a more pleasant environment… and well, Green could always use the ‘assistance’.
After he was finished, Green stacked the research- what he could fit in what he had, anyway- making a neat pallet. He took some cable that was lying around from other tests and wrapped up the boxes tightly enough to be attached to a Pokémon in flight. The pallet was laid out near the door, and wasn’t too large to be pushed outside, but Green figured he would just tie the cable to Charizard before having him take off. ”Do you have all of your things?” He asked quietly, putting a hand on his Pokéball, ready to call Charizard at an instant. [/style] [style=border-top: solid 3px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 11px; text-transform: lowercase]words, tags, ooc: 784 / Crystal / Just like a man to be ready to leave credits: ambassador tanz of pre & btn & ote[/style][/style]
Though many things to do with Green's flusteredness passed straight over her head, the colour that flushed his cheeks and the force that he withdrew his hand with after she had held it was enough for the female dex holder to notice. She had once more embarrassed herself in front of her most respected senior, and breathed out slowly as she made the effort to stand and wrap her coat around her shoulders, securing it around the waist so as to once more conceal her baby bump. She could blame all these sudden raging hormones and embarrassing baby brain. She could, and she would. She was not going to let a bit of silliness ruin the professional relationship she and Green shared.
Crystal began to fuss around the room as he seemed to hurry her. Still stalling purposely, she paused at her covered desk and began to sort through a few piles to pull a very specific pen from within the pages of one folder. It took a few moments - almost a whole minute - with the pen in her hand before she slipped it into her coat pocket and patted it. Fingers deftly secured a button over that very pocket and she mumbled - still loud enough for Green to hear, though not directed at him, "I can't lose you," before nodding and moving to do what she could in terms of tidying up before she left.
In more ways than one Crystal felt bad for leaving Green alone to the lab. He was a fantastic-- well, pretty much everything, but there was paperwork everywhere. She had always done a much better job of finishing reports than he had, and he was clearly struggling to get a lot of it finished. Her fingers curled into one of her twin tails, tangling the strands of blue hair around the digits there. She wanted to stay for longer, to maybe enjoy some time to relax and then go home later, but Green was insisting. And he was extra quiet after he told her he was definitely attending her on her flight home.
Honestly, anyone would think he fancied her with how careful he was being of her.
She dropped her hands to her sides to look over Green's shoulder briefly at the collection of research he was piling into the crate. She breathed out. It was going to be a lot of work - he obviously didn't want her to come back to the lab, he was giving her enough work to last for as long as she'd need when she was at home. That was sad, she had hoped he might have liked having her company and assistance back at the laboratory. She had no idea that he was planning the opposite, now certain that he really did want to get rid of her.
"Right, yes, I think I'm ready." Crystal mumbled as she made her way over to the coat rack and pulled off the scarf she had removed earlier. She found a pair of gloves in her pocket, pulling them onto her hands as she wrapped the scarf well and truly around her neck. Gold would kill her if she got a sniffle. THe baby wouldn't like it if she was sick. She mentally scoffed, breathing out quietly as she nodded over at Green once more. "Yes, I've got everything now. Are you sure about this? I don't mind just going on my own. Natee and Arckee could handle it if need be, I'm certain." She bit down on her lip, watching him.
It was probably a good thing that she wasn't fully aware of the kidnappings, only that she had to be on alert. "At least Violet City is on the closer part of Johto to Kanto." She laughed a little, sighing softly. And now she had to go back home to Gold. "Have you got warm clothes? The skies will be freezing tonight."
[style=width: 330px; border-top: dotted 2px #356563; border-bottom: dotted 2px #356563; padding: 7px; margin-right: 2px;[/style][style=text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5px;][style=border-top: solid 3px #356563;][style=float: left; margin-right: 5px; border-left: 3px solid #408079; border-bottom: 3px solid #356563; border-right: 3px solid #356563;][/style][style=border-bottom: solid 2px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: bold;]moved by vengeance[/style] It was normal for Green to be standing there, supremely motionless. He wasn't known for moving too often or even making much of a swift movement, but for his deliberation and precise actions. Why, it would come to no one's surprise to see that he was standing still, analyzing Crystal's every move without being phased in the slightest. As she put on her jacket, he was static. While she wrapped her scarf, he was statuesque. When she whispered, "I can't lose you..."
[/i]
Okay, he couldn't help but shiver a little at that remark. Hopefully it wasn't noticable.
Although he had broken his self-promises of 'not-dwelling-on-that' in the past hour, this time Green kept himself in line. He quickly dismissed the statement, because it wasn't truly directed at him. Besides, had he allowed any more of those confusing lines to penetrate his mental defenses, his walls might have come crashing down and brought forth an attitude of arrogant anger. Not at her- Arceus, he could never find himself mad at Crystal- but upset with himself. He would let one woman, who was just his friend really, tear down his hardened barriers against unneccessary emotion? Quite ridiculous. He could just hear his rival tearing him to shreads over the matter.
Green truly didn't want to let Crystal leave. He needed her for work. Why, if the two of them put their minds together, this residual paperwork would have been cleared in no more than a night and a morning. She had an uncanny sense for organization, one which Green was still attempting to immitate and master. He wasn't joking earlier when he complimented her brilliance, she truly was a mind capable of matching wits with his own. I hope she comes back, he thought quickly. He was certain she would though, there was no way she couldn't with all of the reports he had lined up in those crates... and if the sheer size of the work wasn't enough, he purposely left peices out so she wouldn't be able to finish them. Always have a back up plan, Green noted in his mind, a small smirk cropping up on his face.
Sure, Gold wouldn't be happy that she would need to come back, and he would certainly find out that she had left to begin with, but Crystal was her own woman. Green couldn't stand someone dominating over another, especially over something so trivial as this. He fought Team Rocket and saw the terrible things they did, how could he hold his girlfriend- fiancé?- against her own wishes? It was despicable. Still... Green had to respect Gold's choices just like anyone else, until he proved himself incapable of making logical decisions. Green was eagerly awaiting that day.
"Right, yes, I think I'm ready."[/i] Crystal had said to signal to Green. She was trying to convince him to stay, but if the truth was told even Green was a little tired of staying cooped up in the lab. He had been spending nearly as much time researching as she had spent at home; all that he had accomplished so far had come from diligent hours working nonstop after all. Crystal bit down softly on her lip- was she anticipating something?- and assured him it wouldn't take long to reach her home in Violet. He knew the trip, and it was still near an hour's flight to cross the border... They would be in the air for a while.
Green pulled a Pokéball from his hip, releasing Charizard from the chamber inside. It roared fiercely, showing its strength as if awaiting a challenger. Green hurridly attatched the cables to its chest in a harness-like fashion, making a criss-crossing pattern over the creature's belly. As they flew it would float along behind the creature, a number of feet past it's tail. "Have you got warm clothes? The skies will be freezing tonight,"[/i] Crystal asked him, ever concerned about his well being. He noticed she was completely bundled up, mostly out of concern for the child than herself.
Now that he thought about it, no, he hadn't any clothes to keep himself warm. He had flown in a number of days ago on a nice sunny day, so he hadn't felt the need to grab anything. It wasn't like him to be this unprepared... but he wasn't about to let that fact known to Crystal. "No, but I will be fine." He said shortly, waving a hand to show his apathy. He looked at her with a furrowed brow, almost worried about her response before asking, "Do you mind riding on Charizard,"with me, he thought during a short pause... "or should I call Pidgeot for you?"
It was Green biting his lip now, awaiting an answer yet lacking his patented patience. [/style] [style=border-top: solid 3px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 11px; text-transform: lowercase]words, tags, ooc: 796 / Crystal / I hope she doesn't read him wrong this time :[ credits: ambassador tanz of pre & btn & ote[/style][/style][/td]
his lucky strike is starting to dwell, oh deary me~
It could be said that it was both lucky and unlucky for Green as he shivered. Though she saw the soft shiver that shook his shoulders, she merely took it for the cold, and knew that he was not about to give up the fact that he would "be fine" on their journey. Once a man like Green had decided something you weren't about to change his mind all that easily. Not that Crystal really ever tried to change his mind - the only time she'd ever really combat it was when they were presenting counter arguements to the same piece of research - but still, if he said he'd be fine she wasn't going to waste time trying to tell him he wasn't.
She'd just have to keep him warm herself.
Blue eyes flicked over the crates of paperwork and she hummed softly to herself. She hoped, if he so didn't want her to return, that everything was in there. She wouldn't have wanted to interrupt him again. Though he seemed fine on this particular occassion - perhaps somewhere inside him, Green had some Christmas Cheer - she wondered if he would be so welcoming the next time she chose to pay a surprise visit to the lab. Perhaps instead of a surprise she would e-mail or phone him prior. That might be better. Then she could still visit, and see him now and again. You know, if it weren't for the fact that Gold was factored into all of this. Which was the other trouble.
As if on cue, the flaming dragon materialised before them and Crystal stepped forward to offer a greeting to the Pokemon. He was well trained - well, he was Green's pokemon, so of course he was well trained - but she still felt it necessary to give him some chance to understand who would be riding with him. Other times they'd flown together, Green and Crystal had been separated by their own pokemon. Xatee could have handled her, Crystal knew, but the jerkiness of being clutched between claws for flight was not really the greatest for someone with a queasy stomach. Pregnancy had limited her abilities by quite the amount already. She was not pleased.
Crystal stared up at the sky as she pulled her coat tighter around her. How her friend would deal with the cold she wouldn't know, but the least she could do would be to ride with him. As he asked, she turned to him with a warm - perhaps slightly more affectionate than was really necessary, but that was those darned hormones again - and agreeable smile. "I would rather not wear out both of your Pokemon in this weather,"and I'd like to be close to you, her brain teased, and she flushed dark enough to have to bury her face in her scarf, "so I'd be perfectly fine to fly with you on Charizard."
She noticed in her glance towards him however, that he was biting down on his lower lip. Concern struck her face and she blushed slightly darker. It couldn't possibly be that he wanted to ride with her, could it?
No, no, of course it couldn't. Green had never thought of Crystal as anything more than the less annoying of the Johto trio. They were friends, of course, and coworkers. But he would never wait with anticipation for her response. Maybe he wanted her to insist on riding Arckee home or something, the way she had waited for him to do the same with bated breath. But somewhere in her heart she didn't want to. She didn't want to ride along the ground when the air was so much faster, and she wanted - just for a moment, perhaps, as they had only an hour earlier - to have her arms around him in a comfortable embrace.
After all, Crystal wouldn't be able to do that for quite some time again. If ever. Just this once.
[style=width: 330px; border-top: dotted 2px #356563; border-bottom: dotted 2px #356563; padding: 7px; margin-right: 2px;[/style][style=text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5px;][style=border-top: solid 3px #356563;][style=float: left; margin-right: 5px; border-left: 3px solid #408079; border-bottom: 3px solid #356563; border-right: 3px solid #356563;][/style][style=border-bottom: solid 2px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: bold;]moved by vengeance[/style] As they were stepping outside, Green could tell he would regret not having proper protective clothing. His skin was already starting to rise with little bumps popping up as the wind blew across his face. It was cold, but there was no way he would admit weakness over something so trivial as weather. Crystal approached the creature, letting Charizard become familiar with her. Green wasn’t sure why at first; certainly Charizard was under his control and his only, and wouldn’t dare harm a hair on her head. Then the answer revealed itself. Crystal, as concerned as ever for his own sake, suggested they fly together to spare his Pokémon from losing health. That was sweet of her. And it was exactly what Green was hopi-
She was blushing darkly. He hadn’t noticed it, but Green was doing the same. Crystal was trying to hide it in her scarf, which was clever, but Green had nothing to stick his face in to try and mask his… embarrassment? No, Green wasn’t embarrassed, per say… Well then, what was it? Not fear, anger, or jealousy; no emotion Green could recall was causing him to change the shade of his face. That smile of hers was a shining star, radiating heat on such a cold day as this. Could it be…
No, that couldn’t be the one. Not… yet.
Charizard broke the silence with a loud and thunderous roar, splitting the air as if it were ripping through a large sheet of paper. He was getting impatient, and Green understood the sign. It was freezing, Green knew all too well, and Charizard longed to get moving. His mannerisms had rubbed off onto his Pokémon after years of training with them. They understood each other, and shared a bond, despite how harsh people thought he treated them. Red had his ways, playing all day in the sun, but Green saw the strength in raising them with discipline. It had prepared him for the journey of being a trainer, and he had used it to prepare his team for any danger in their way. They understood this, and Green knew they were friends. Despite popular opinion.
Green was sure of his status with his Pokémon, so then… what was his and Crystal’s relationship? She was probably the smartest person- his age- he had ever met, and he truly felt at ease around her. With the exception of today, of course. Green wasn’t sure what was wrong with him today. He felt as though… this cold air was keeping him from thinking straight, to put it to words… almost like Crystal had challenged him to a Pokémon battle in his mind, and she was literally mopping the floor with his own emotions. It was one of the strangest powers he had ever seen utilized, and an absolute mystery to control. The sensation was wracking his brain like a riddle without an answer.
Green loved a challenge.
Taking Charizard’s cue, he stuck a leg on its hind haunch, lifting himself up onto the ridge of its back gently. Oh, for how long Green had flown on the back of Charizard, and how many miles they had traveled together. Through snowy days like this one or blazing hot sun they had traveled. The weight of one, two, or ten Trainers riding it was nothing after years of the intense strength training that it had been through. It certainly could handle the light shipping and extra passenger, though Green was not going to neglect the rest it would deserve at the end of the journey.
Now safely planted on the Pokémon’s back, Green turned his cold- though somehow friendly- gaze to his company, Crystal. "C-climb on up-p," he stuttered chillingly with a small- yet valuable- smile on his face. He wasn’t sure where he got the idea, but he then held his arm out stiffly for her to grab… and shivered. Though he was strong and ready to pull her up, he was still cold, and his skin was quickly matching the outside temperature… but he would endure.
For Crystal, Green would endure. [/style] [style=border-top: solid 3px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 11px; text-transform: lowercase]words, tags, ooc: 683 / Crystal / “do you trust me?” credits: ambassador tanz of pre & btn & ote[/style][/style]
Her lips curled upwards at the edges as she watched him shiver from the cold. She was mentally mumbling her "I told you so" but didn't dare voice it out loud. At least when it was in her brain she could smile about it without irritating him. Though she might have liked to have seen him fight her accusations of the cold were they to take the mountain ranges. She doubted he'd go through the sheer cold of the mountain tops - only Red was silly enough to brave Mount Silver at this time of the year.
They were caught in a moment very briefly, eyes locked on one another as they stood and Charizard waited. She wanted to make sure the pokemon was okay before she climbed on, wanted to be sure the fire type was ready, but her eyes were stuck on Green and that ridiculously adorable blush he had on his face. Who knew that Green could be cute? She mused as she stood, perfectly still with her hands by her sides. She could certainly say he was handsome and definitely attractive, but she had never thought him cute until their matching blushes had caused them to pause.
The impatience of the fire lizard woke her from her thoughts and she smiled at it, "They do say like trainer, like Pokemon, I understand your impatience, Charizard. I'm sorry we kept you waiting." She mumbled softly and gently to the creature that was not her own. Better to at least be respectful, that was for sure.
She watched Green climb aboard his Pokemon the way she was absolutely certain he had done hundred of times before and was momentarily awed. They really were very compatible. She paused, almost not wanting to interrupt the moment between the pair before his hand was out, offered to her in a way that made her laugh. It seemed like something out of a love montage in a Pokewood movie, but that was not for Green and she, no. His shivers made her blink and she wrapped her hand around his, using it to pull herself up into the position in front of him on the Charizard. Normally she would have sat behind him.
But normally she wasn't battling an internal mind-creature that was desperately seeking hugs. Hugs were all good when they were from behind, but this way she could half-watch his reactions too. Today, Green's reactions had been as priceless as his rare smiles. "Thanks," she stated simply as an arm snaked around his waist and she rested against him. "Sorry, I figure I can keep you warmer from here, too, I know you said you'll be fine, but it can't hurt, right?" She spoke gently, looking upwards in her expected flightpath.
If they took the coast it would still be cold. Not as cold as the mountains, but still cold. And there was no better way to get warm than with body heat.
Without second though, she used one hand to gently unwind her scarf from around her neck to wrap it around his. "I have a coat, so you could use this more than I could." The young pokedex holder stated, shaking her head, "I'm not taking no for an answer either. You can bring it back the next time you see me, or when I manage to come to the lab again, but you'll need it to fly safely. The last thing I want to hear is that you caught pneumonia taking care of me. I'm sure I can find a jacket or something for you to wear when we get to my house too, if you don't spend the night in Johto."
Crystal smiled at him as she curled her fingers into his shirt, a clearly tight grip as her arms then both secured themselves around him. She cast a momentary glance back at the laboratory as they were preparing to take off, wanting to mentally tell the place that it was her home.
And someday, she'd be back for good.
Last Edit: Dec 30, 2012 14:07:29 GMT 9.5 by CRYSTAL
[style=width: 330px; border-top: dotted 2px #356563; border-bottom: dotted 2px #356563; padding: 7px; margin-right: 2px;[/style][style=text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5px;][style=border-top: solid 3px #356563;][style=float: left; margin-right: 5px; border-left: 3px solid #408079; border-bottom: 3px solid #356563; border-right: 3px solid #356563;][/style][style=border-bottom: solid 2px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: bold;]moved by vengeance[/style] Every time Crystal laughed at him, he wasn’t sure if he was being ridiculous or charming. Why would I be charming? Certainly she thought him a fool, and to that he couldn’t help but make sure he was consistently foolish by keeping the blush painted freshly across his cheeks. Certainly his many years of respect and work with the girl were all being flushed down the drain in this one encounter. Pathetic.
When Crystal took his hand, it felt as if an electric spark was sent through his entire nervous system, starting from that point and returning to her grasp. This sensation sent another wave of shivers coursing through his body, though not much like the ones caused from cold they were still foreign to him. The strain on his arm reminded him that he was supposed to pull her up, waking him from a stasis as he pulled her from the ground. He was strong enough to lift her by himself, but he instead allowed her to use her own strength to climb the beast. When she did, Green was surprised to see her jump in front of him.
He wasn’t planning on that.
As she extended her thanks, Green felt an arm wrap around his waist and lower back. His first instinct was to step away, but he was sitting on top of a giant lizard; there would be no running away from this. It wasn’t long after that surprise when he felt a second blow: Crystal rested herself against his body in a sort of half-hug. Green had planned for them to ride together to Johto, sure, but what sort of mess did he get himself into? She claimed it was to keep him warm in the cold. Green called it a trap. Well, Green thought, trying to fight the shock of her touching him so many times in such a short instance, I guess it couldn’t hurt… could it? He was unsure, but there wasn’t much he could do about it now, was there?
It took Green a second to register, but he eventually tapped a spot on Charizard’s belly with his foot, signaling for them to leave. ”Slow and steady,” he said aloud, almost a sigh, commanding his Pokémon to be careful. His eyes were trained on Charizard, trying not to think too much about the girl wrapped around him. The great dragon lifted its wings forcefully, the wings fully extended to catch as much air as possible before slamming them against the ground to create a lift. It wasn’t strong enough at first, but eventually there was a slight hop off of the ground, and a slow ascending into the air.
Before they took off, Green felt a tug on his neck. Crystal was wrapping her scarf around him in attempt to keep him from freezing. He wasn’t sure whether to be moved or scream at the top of his lungs, but he was certain that neither response was appropriate for him at this time. He would have refused her, but she knew that he would have done so, so she carefully worded herself to guard against that response. Oh Dratini, she is clever. As if he would be so careless to get sick out here in the cold… Well, without a jacket, he probably would, so she was as smart as she was clever. After he decided there was no point in arguing, he nodded lightly saying, ”Thank you.” Even if he didn’t think he needed it, Green saw it fit to thank the girl.
Just as he thought he was adjusting to her being so close and clingy, he felt a couple of icy fingers sneak up the bottom of his shirt. She was gripping him tightly with both arms now. Green knew that something different was coming, a new touch to his pallet: his breath crawled back into his rib cage and deposited itself there, accompanied with a rising heat flooding to his head. Certainly, if anyone else saw the color of his face he would be scolded for life. Maybe his grandfather would strip him of his Oak name and heritage. The possibilities for shaming him were endless. This was different from Green hugging Crystal; Crystal was hugging him, and there wasn’t any way to stop it.
Yet… he didn’t really feel the need to interrupt. It was… pleasant. That was the word that came to his mind, at least. It wasn’t exactly anything he was used to: serenity, peace, tranquility, a sound mind, a strong body, and a fiery spirit. Instead, it was quite the opposite: disruptive, uncomfortable, irritating, confusing, bone crushing, and mushy. Though… it was nice.
Charizard had slowly begun to fly off, the cargo trailing a short distance behind him, and Green was grasping for words. He wanted to say something to Crystal, but he couldn’t find the thought. His mouth opened and closed, without his say so, as he struggled internally. Gold would not approve of this, he would muse. Who cares what he thinks anyway. He’s just bossing the girl around. He isn’t fit to hold a Pokédex, let alone her hand! Well then, who was? I… I could… He could what? And what would Gold think? It… it doesn’t matter what he thinks… But she…
What sort of thoughts he was diving into, even he didn’t know. All that he knew is it would be a long, long trip if he didn’t say something. And quick. [/style] [style=border-top: solid 3px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 11px; text-transform: lowercase]words, tags, ooc: 913 / Crystal / Hhrrrnnnnnn <333 credits: ambassador tanz of pre & btn & ote[/style][/style]
Green did not seem relaxed. And she could tell - her body pressed up against him so closely. She could feel the tension in his body, could feel his trembling, though for the most part mistook it, as most would, for the cold of the air. She was now certain he was going to freeze, completely unaware of the true nature of his trembling. She didn't even think for a minute that her touch could have been what set him off. Who would ever have assumed that of someone whom you had treated as a senior and respected friend? Well, definitely not her, that was for sure.
As she felt the beating of the wings, Crystal realised exactly how tired she had made herself on the journey. Curled up comfortably under the care of Green - she had no need to take control of the Charizard, Green would know his way around enough - she closed her eyes and let the wave of tiredness wash over her. One eye peeked open as she smelled her own perfume on the piece of fabric that would keep him from pneumonia - or so she hoped.
His lack of arguement pleased her, and she smiled as her cheek came to rest gently on his cheek. She had once more proved her own wit and ability to speak faster than most men could argue with - a trait she had long since welcomed of herself. It meant that she could mother her friends without complaint, and she nodded at his thanks. Of course. What else would she do for someone she cared so much about? Her heartstrings tugged at her mind as she wondered why exactly she cared so much about him all of a sudden, why the very thought of him being sick set her stomach lower in her abdomen. "You're welcome. I'm not about to let one of my best friends get sick," she mumbled against him. Right, definitely not.
Whatever the reason, she would keep him warm with her arms. And with that very thought, those same arms tightened around him, locking in place as she let out a soft sigh - a yawn, perhaps - and began to wonder exactly why she was so comfortable and felt so safe considering she was in the air. She was tired enough that this darker blush was completely unknown to her, bordering on the edge of sleep without even trying.
Even though she was still only barely pregnant, she found herself more tired that she had been in months. If she'd been allowed to stay in Kanto with Green, she'd have still been used to the work. It wouldn't have been such a shock to the system. Her nose wrinkled, "I wish I could be at the lab with you more often," she uttered aloud without realising that her voice was moving towards him, thinking mostly that she was still internalising her thoughts, "To stay there with you. I don't know why Gold thinks it's me that needs to be taken care of, he's the one who wanted to sleep with Blue. He told me he nearly did, twice. That he wanted us both.. And I just let him. I thought if I let him do what he wanted, he'd still care about me."
Fingers tightened in his shirt and Crystal breathed out softly, the puff of air creating a small cloud of steam each time from the cold. "But how can I believe he really wants me and the baby if he can't even decide it's me he wants to sleep with.. I guess I'm not worth much." She focused on the warmth of the body she was cradled against, and shuffled that small amount closer. "And he was out, busy, when the earthquake hit.. I hadn't felt safe until now. You make me feel safe, Green," If Crystal were more conscious, she would be humiliated. As it was, she felt herself dreamily drifting half-in and half-out of sleep, the altitudes making her mind slightly fuzzy.
And Green's closeness making her stomach do backflips. "Thank you, for protecting me. For taking care of me. "
[style=width: 330px; border-top: dotted 2px #356563; border-bottom: dotted 2px #356563; padding: 7px; margin-right: 2px;[/style][style=text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5px;][style=border-top: solid 3px #356563;][style=float: left; margin-right: 5px; border-left: 3px solid #408079; border-bottom: 3px solid #356563; border-right: 3px solid #356563;][/style][style=border-bottom: solid 2px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: bold;]moved by vengeance[/style] Green would have held his breath the entire trip to Violet City if he could have, and he was making good progress doing so as well. It wasn’t until he felt his cheek connect with another, much warmer cheek that he released the clutch in his lungs, slow exhaling as if there was a leak in his lungs. The warm fog puffed down between their two faces- which were much closer than Green would have ever imagined- and floated off into the distance as they were being carried away. This made Green somewhat conscious of his own breath, but he wasn’t going to make a repeat performance of holding his breath any time soon.
And now that he could breathe, he found the sweet scent of Crystal’s scarf somewhat… alluring.
Best friends…? Was that an answer to his previous question? Perhaps they were- no, it didn’t matter anymore. Maybe it was being up in the air, with lower oxygen levels, combined with his already beaten emotional state, but Green felt much more at ease with the spread of feelings he was beginning to learn. At least he was until he heard a yawn and a consequential tightening around him. What am I, a pillow? he reflected while she grasped him a little more closely than he was comfortable with. She was obviously about to drift into a dreaming state- probably from the burden of pregnancy along with the tiring trip to Pallet- so Green would also have to endure that as well.
Green had to admit though: had Crystal not come up with this idea of using her own body heat to keep him warm, he was certain to be an Oak-cicle by now. While he wasn’t sure if it was right, if he was betraying the respect of Gold or anyone else- Arceus, what would Red think?- Green thought it was nice. Nice to have what he had seen so many others seek. Nice to feel something so warm, yet chilling to the bone. Nice to have her with him. Green had never been this close to anyone before, and it was nice to finally be ahead of the curve. Even if for only a short while. He thought to smile, but that might disrupt the drowsy Crystal who was already so close to falling asleep. She began to speak, which surprised him at first; Green fully expected her to doze off without another word. ”I wish I could be at the lab with you more often,”
[/i] she began.
This was going to be nothing but trouble.
It seemed like an eternity of confession, though in truth it was only a few seconds. Green was baffled by the things she was saying; not necessarily at her, but the situation of it all. Green had no idea that Gold was interested in anyone except Crystal! That was what the protective attitude was for, right? He was beginning to have doubts on that, now concluding that the reason Gold was keeping Crystal away from anyone else was to keep her from running, firmly stuck under his palm while he had relations with anyone willing. Green had nearly lost all respect for him as a man, and he didn’t think too much of him as a Trainer either.
Green could once again feel those fingers squeezing inside of his shirt as a breath came from Crystal, a dainty and delicate breath against his face. Gold is making her feel worthless… Green grimaced, realizing how big of a stress this relationship was on her. Green had to keep convincing himself not to intervene, that this not his territory and he was overstepping clear boundaries. It’s none of my business. I should stay out of their way. It’s none of my…
”You make me feel safe, Green.”
Screw it. It was none of Gold’s business now. Green was disgusted by his actions- like a child at a candy store- and he would take no more of these silly games from him. Crystal was under Green’s protection now; it had taken him long enough to set his mind on this path but the concrete had settled. There was no going back for Green Oak. She had already thanked him for his protection before he had even provided it, and it was now his turn to man up and fit the bill.
Crystal was small in against him, fragile and precious in his sight. He didn’t have words to comfort her with, nor would he ever. Green wasn’t sure what to even do at first, but after a short moment, instinct kicked in. As if he had been trained to do so, Green’s left arm reached under her right, cradling the arm that was gripping on to him for dear life with his hand supporting her elbow. He then draped his left hand over her right shoulder, snaking up her back diagonally giving her a rest not only against his torso, but now his arm’s length. He aimed to ensure she was being held with a firm, yet tender touch; Green’s way of saying “I am with you, have always been, and will always be.” Gold wasn’t here to hurt her with his inconsiderate actions. Instead, there was only affection that until a moment ago was too shy to reveal itself.
In his time, Green had delivered a number of parcels. Some of them large, encumbering things that took weeks to exchange; others small, and only passed around by hand. Crystal was the most important parcel he had ever took into his care, and under his watch Green was not going to allow any harm befall this angel. [/style] [style=border-top: solid 3px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 11px; text-transform: lowercase]words, tags, ooc: 942 / Crystal / SO MANY FEELS WRITING THIS credits: ambassador tanz of pre & btn & ote[/style][/style][/td]
I expect squeeing from this post. xD Or you being like 'sdgfsjgjfef' so here we go.
Crystal had not been conscious of the thoughts that plagued Green's mind so easily. She hadn't known how strange her closeness made him feel, especially as her cheek rested against his for warmth. It was very intimate, very strange, and remarkably comfortable - well, for her, anyways. She had no idea what Green was thinking as she snuggled herself up against him, instinctively seeking body heat to keep her warm. Sharing body heat was after all, the best way to prevent illness.
Briefly her eyes flicked open to look up at him, clearly weary from the lidded gaze she gave him in those few short moments. Indeed, to Crystal, Green had become a pillow as she closed her eyes once more. She didn't even think to remove her arms from around him, to release the fabric of his shirt from her grip. All she wanted to do was lean against him, this warm, comfortable protection, and stay there for as long as she was permitted. She had not experienced the need to stay so closely by someone in a long while, had not expected her hormone-ridden brain to attatch to Green..
But then again, how had she not considered it before?
As her spiels of comments drew to a close, and she settled gently. There was a pause in time where she began - if only slightly - to realise that she had confessed her innermost thoughts to Green, and wondered why she had not thought to do so when she was left burdened with them in the first place. Was he not the best person for advice? Had he not taken her under his wing when she had joined the ranks in the lab, even if she had soared above most of them when she had been given the opportunity? Green had always been safety. He had always been logic. Why she hadn't thought to ask him questions the same way she would with research? Or at least rhetorical ones she already knew the answer to.
She had been about to voice her mind when she found herself pulled against him, supported, embraced and she released another soft sigh, This is perfect, she thought absently, resting her face once more against his. Crystal's heart beat quicker than the norm, pounding against her chest as she softened her grip on him, settling where she was held. Protected. She had not thought Green was so tender - so gentle - nor that he would ever even consider to hold her in such a way. All the thoughts that had plagued her, that had made her wonder through their short visit together, came crashing back down upon her. What had everything meant? She was too tired to work it out, though she was sure her addled mind now would be quick and able to work through the mess of thoughts in the morning.
"It could always have been you," Crystal's emotion-ridden, desperately seeking sleep mind forced out of her lips, a whisper against Green's ear, "Maybe it always was. Thank you." She muttered, lips finding a spot on his cheek, close to his ear, where they pressed a single, gentle kiss. It was a moment of weakness, for sure, a moment dazed by the thin air and the inability to control her emotions. She prayed to Arceus to let this moment continue, positive that after they left the air everything would go back to the norm.
She let out a soft, quiet whimper as she considered how long it wold be before they landed. "I'm tired," she mumbled against his cheek, clearly stating the obvious. What made it moreso was the fact that as she breathed out only moments afterwards, it was clear that she had drifted off into sleep.
[style=width: 330px; border-top: dotted 2px #356563; border-bottom: dotted 2px #356563; padding: 7px; margin-right: 2px;[/style][style=text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5px;][style=border-top: solid 3px #356563;][style=float: left; margin-right: 5px; border-left: 3px solid #408079; border-bottom: 3px solid #356563; border-right: 3px solid #356563;][/style][style=border-bottom: solid 2px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: bold;]moved by vengeance[/style] Holding Crystal like this made Green want to cringe from injustice, in a very small sense. He never could stand those that interfered with the personal lives of others; a hypocritical itch began to form on his conscious because of the matter. Even with his slight twinge of guilt, Green did not deviate from his thoughts: he was finished seeing Gold torture Crystal over such menial things as deskwork. The constant touch between his cold arms to her warmth reminded him that he was her protector , and that was what changed things.
It didn’t matter that he was struggling internally, wrestling with thoughts of how he felt and how Crystal felt about him. It wasn’t important to figure everything out at this point; what was important was the fact that he had a duty to Crystal at this very instant. He was to guard her, keep her safe from all harm through the night’s rest. Arceus condemn him if he failed. As if repeating himself, his thoughts circled back around to what was in Crystal’s mind… He worked so hard to crack the toughest riddles, and his intellect was nothing to be mocked. Why couldn’t he understand what was going through her head at the time? Why was she being so different; certainly it wasn’t solely the pregnancy that was making her act this way. Why was she putting up with Gold, and- he fought himself to think of it- never Green instead?
As if to answer his thoughts, Crystal murmured to him, her words flowing sweetly into his ear. It could have been… me? Green returned again to his logical questioning, yet ensuring himself to devote plenty of mental resource to keeping the girl comfortable in his arms. ”Maybe it always was. Thank you.”
[/i] What was that supposed to mean? Why, didn’t she have Gold for things like-
It was at that moment that Green felt the tender tingle of her delicate kiss, making a lasting impression on his upper jaw like setting a slab of concrete into a pathway. It was a tickling feeling, and even minutes after the moment had passed Green could still feel it traced upon his cheek. His ears ran hot almost simultaneous with contact. Green even lost control of his jaw for a second, his breath pouring out of an open mouth into the cold winter air. He was already at a loss for words, but now even his thoughts were stunned, electrified by her touch. Even while she was near sleep, Crystal knew how to drive him absolutely bonkers.
”I’m tired,[/i] came a whisper from Crystal, though Green hardly heard it was her words were muffled when she spoke into his cheek. As quickly as she had spoken to him, she was completely unconscious, entranced in a deep slumber. Green was certain she didn’t even need to be counting Mareep before she knocked out; literally seconds after her last words she had gone somewhat limp. Though she was relaxed, her arms still hugged his waist; Crystal was frozen in comfort while Green was petrified by his own emotional state. How she had actually managed to sleep was beyond Green’s comprehension; the wind rushing past the two of them accompanied by the occasional flapping of Charizard’s great wings were both irritants that would wake any normal person from a simple nap… She must be truly exhausted, pondered Green. He looked down at her in a fond observation, smiling at the girl in her vulnerable state.
He had finally come to terms with it himself: Green knew she was beautiful. It wasn’t something he said, but something he had come to know after years of spending time with her in the lab and on the field. He didn’t just admire her outward appearance, no, that wasn’t what he understood about her beauty. Green saw past her obvious striking looks and into her mind; Crystal was elegance in rare form. She was kind, considerate, and though sometimes child-like, Green admired her for all that she was. This must be the attraction that Gold feels, he worried; soon that contemplation was tossed out of the window. Green would cross that road when he arrived.
It certainly hadn’t taken Crystal long before she had fallen asleep- the journey toward Violet City had only just begun. Oh well… Near two hours remained. At least I will have plenty to think about during the trip. Green smiled as he quietly watched her snooze, not daring to remove his gaze until they were on ground once more.
---Cut to Violet City, Crystal’s Home---
It had been a long two hours, but Green had made it through with much examination. Though he had calmed himself, and was now quite comfortable while Crystal was wrapped around him for warmth, he decided to wait until another day to pry answers from her. The questions he had simply could not be answered on his own. Charizard touched down directly in front of the house belonging to Crystal. The landing was smooth, even for such a grand creature; the packaging was lying a few yards from the lizard. Green decided to deal with those later… for now, he had to do something with the problem at hand: getting Crystal into her bed.
What a day this has become…
He sat for a moment, paused, unsure of how to approach the situation before finally concluding it was best not to wake her. He knew how cranky Daisy was after being woken from an incomplete resting period; it was a mystery by what power the effects were multiplied while in pregnancy. Green slowly slid his arm underneath her knees while keeping his other arm wrapped across her back, he would have to carry her inside himself. He made sure he could lift her completely- she was light, even though she was carrying- before he slowly descended from his companion. ”Wait here,” his order came in whisper, and the beast blinked in agreement; Charizard would watch the house in the night. Light steps were taken to ensure that Crystal was sleeping soundly as he crept up to the door.
Green reached with his right hand- careful with her head!- to open the door, and thankfully it was unlocked. He was unsure whether or not that was Crystal’s doing or if Gold had come to check on her while absent… Green hoped for the former. The door closed behind him, which was a relief because Green was uncertain which hand he would use to accomplish that task. He positioned himself diagonally as he snuck into the house with Crystal reclined in his arms, gently held up against his torso. As he searched for the room that belonged to her, he would glance down at her from time to time, only to ensure that she was soundly asleep. Cute… He couldn’t catch the thought to keep it under control, and thankfully Crystal wasn’t awake to make a snide remark about the blush crawling its way across his face.
Eventually the room was found, and Green swept his way inside of it as well. He made special care not to disturb any of her arrangements and tried his hardest not to take any specific details in, which was a feat in its own right. He wasn’t going to have an awkward interrogation in any near future where she would question what he saw in her room, not that she would do such a thing. Still, to be safe. Green immediately found her bed and with his left hand peeled back the comforter and sheets afresh, slowly slipping Crystal into them from her feet first. It was almost like performing a heart transplant, Green felt, nervously depositing her into her bed. When he had finished, he slowly took his hands out from under her, the bed now performing its duties. By then, it was appropriate to pull the covers back over the sleeping princess, Green looming over her- a gentle giant.
A smile. Today had been… something else. Certainly this encounter would bring him remembrance of fond memories: an unexpected visit, gracious gift, warm embrace. Green would treasure it. Who knew where they would go from here; the events of the night were certainly milestones to Green, but he worried that Crystal would return to the cruel comfort that Gold would offer. The difference now being that Green would be there, watching for his mistakes.
She appeared so delicate as she slept. Green flushed with the weight of emotion he had experienced tonight, and stood silently at her bedside. Maybe… He leaned over slowly until his face- more scarlet than flesh colored now- was inches from her own. He hovered there for a more than a moment; What am I doing? Another question without an answer. He softly exhaled, ensuring he wouldn’t disturb her sleep, and whispered a short, ”Goodnight, Crystal.”
He then stepped away from her side and retreated to the living area. That took care of one problem, and now the next: Where was he going to stay tonight? He was much too paranoid about sleeping in her house without direct permission… but he wasn’t about to go against her wishes to keep out of the cold, either. His hand gravitated up to the scarf she had provided him. I guess I can keep watch from here, he mused, eyeing a sofa to relax on. It was going to be a long night…
But Crystal was worth the wait. [/style] [style=border-top: solid 3px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 11px; text-transform: lowercase]words, tags, ooc: 1581 / Crystal / Whatever happens next is up to you, dearie <3 credits: ambassador tanz of pre & btn & ote[/style][/style][/td]
We could always end it here and say she cooked him breakfast but they were too awkward to talk, or.. anything. Let me know, lovey, what you want to do.
Crystal had not stirred since she had fallen asleep. She had dreamt dreams of flying and dreams of embraces she should not have been dreaming about. Her entire night however, she barely moved - her only motion had been her body's instant reaction to kick her shoes out of the bed. She had turned over then, and cuddled against her pillow as she slept. It was a good number of hours before she woke up and noticed exactly where she was.
The Researcher and Pokedex Holder sat up slowly as she noticed the tightness that had developed around her through the night with her tossing and turning - she was not used to wearing a coat and slacks to bed, after all, and slowly peeled back the covers to look down at her clothed body. For a few moments she was shocked and very disorientated - she had no idea how she'd managed to get from the lab back to her house - and then everything from the night before came rushing back to her. Including the fact that she had fallen fast asleep against Green.
Oh, Arceus, she had fallen asleep against Green! And not just in a heap on Charizard, either, she had spouted things to him that he probably didn't appreciate her saying. She was humiliated, she was horrified. She had admitted that she had feelings for him. Feelings that she had barely recognised having until they had spilled out of her lips in the middle of a cold, dark flight. Her legs swung out of the bed, and she felt her face flush darkly. How was she going to make it up to him?
As she began to pull off layer after layer of clothing - leaving on only her casual (and very wrinkled) pieces. Barefoot, she pulled her hair out of it's twin tails and it fell down around her shoulders, slightly messy but better than how it looked when it had been up. She made her way towards the door, glad to think about food as she walked. Something delicious. Something cooked. She was lucky, really, that no true morning sickness had kicked in.
She hoped it didn't at all, really.
It was as she made her way through the lounge that she saw someone asleep on the couch. Someone who wasn't Gold. Green, her mind instantly breathed - causing a sigh to pass through her lips aloud - and her cheeks flared brightly. He must have brought her inside. He must have tucked her into bed so tenderly. And now he had fallen asleep on the couch, waiting for her. Crystal's eyes flicked around the room until she found her blanket - the one she used when she was sitting and reading in relaxation - and she walked over towards it.
Gathering it up in her arms, she made her way over to her friend and shook it out. She wanted to cover him up, to let him sleep a while longer. She couldn't have adjusted him if she tried - not without stirring him, anyways, and Crystal softly draped the warm, dark blue blanket over his body, making certain to leave none of his torso uncovered.
An affectionate, adoring smile briefly flew up onto her lips and she turned away quickly, unsure if her actions would have caused the young man to stir. Crystal instantly threw herself into the kitchen, deciding that she would let him rest a while longer, cook him breakfast and then send him on his journey home. Well, that was her idea, anyways. She may turn around and he already be out the door out of sheer embarrassment and irritation at her. Perhaps he had thought she'd been ill when she passed out. She didn't know why else he would stay, after all.
"Stay, Green," She mumbled under her breath, before - very quietly- starting her work around the kitchen. They could talk again when he woke to the smell of a nutritious breakfast - something he probably didn't eat enough of when he was in the labs.
Last Edit: Jan 1, 2013 21:25:57 GMT 9.5 by CRYSTAL
[/style][style=border-bottom: solid 2px #356563; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: bold;]moved by vengeance[/style]
