Oneiromancy Is The Loneliest Number (Thel)

The remainder of the night goes by faster than Thel would like. Much of it he spends lying awake, listening to Em and Patience breathing softly. Despite the re-opening of the Pokemon Center to guests, it had been deemed too much of a hassle to make that transition on such an important night.

Morning came, with the girls making Thel breakfast for once, where the difficult night's sleep had seen him in bed late into the morning. Half dressed, and still trying to enjoy the now cool meal, Mable joined their gathering, and offered Thel an apologetic smile.

"In an... Interesting turn of events I will be the only one accompanying you today." Mable folded her arms under her breasts. "Celosia took sick, seems to be food poisoning... Bronry and Alicia are assisting Madame Papillon and Jasmine in assessing the damage to Olivine. They were very insistant it had to be done today."

There was a small smile at the corners of her mouth, but she graciously took a seat. Em gives Thel's shoulder a squeeze and excuses herself from the room. Patience busies brushing Serenity.

"We're not due till approaching Noon, you've a little but of time left. I'll see you shortly though?". Mable excused herself, seeming almost giddy, compared to her usual sullen mood. Patience, too, broke into a broad smile once the girl was gone but made no comment. There was mischief about her.

Thel found her in the gym lobby, sitting out of the way, her skirt bunched up in her hands, which wrung the fabric in her lap. "I'm not... not yet...". Her answer was strained. "I hope I will be...". Her brow furrowed.

"I didn't want you to see me worrying. I know there is tremendous pressure on you today, and my fears will only make it worse. I don't know what I could possibly say to make any of this better, either..."

Em rested her head on his shoulder, gently traced the contours of his fingers with hers, his palms, as though memorizing every line and crease. She seems to ground herself with that contact. "I'll put mine on when you come back." She announced solemnly.

"Everything I have ever read says this should be the happiest moment of our lives, but all I have in me is fear and sadness... With the tiniest glimmer of hope. I don't mind you wearing yours first... I just don't know if I'm strong enough."

A sad laugh, and a sniffle. "I would be honored to give you my ring... And accept yours when you return."

It was a short, sunlit morning walk to the shop, where their rings waited, engraved and paid for. As she slid the band onto Thel's finger, she leaned in and kissed him. "I will wait for you by the water, listening to the cries of the gulls and the lap of the waves."

"Doing nothing today is to the detriment of my health anyway, but I've put my trust in you." She stroked his cheek and leaned in to rest her head against his, deftly sliding the engraved ring onto the ring finger of Thel's right hand. "Be strong for us, and come home safe? I'll try not to cry too much when I see you again." She teased lightly, holding him for a long time.

Mable remained where she said she would be, her expression distant and passive. She wore the red dress Thel had seen in his dreams. They both knew why they were hiking the mountains that secluded Olivine, neither pleased, so few words were spared. The girl seemed satisfied the remainder of her troupe were stuck back in town.

An hour and a half into the woods, through a small natural cave, and they were in a clearing with the wilted rose that never dies. Crystaline, bound up tight like a flower ready to bloom. Lysander turned slowly towards Mable, hands folded behind his back.

He regarded her as one might an old friend, with warmth and familiarity, and Thel with intense curiosity, blue eyes glittering.

"I'd have asked you to stay in Olivine with the others, Mable, but then I couldn't have met your young friend.". The man stated in a rich tenor. "I know how hard this is for you, that you have been having second thoughts."

A deep breath. "But where are my manners, It is a pleasure to meet you Thel Lucasta. I am known as Lysander, I am the leader of a group of scientists known as Team Flair. The device you see behind me, is a beginning and an end."

"For every decision we do, or do not make, a paralell world comes into being. One where the only difference was that singular choice, and the impact it had globally. The smaller the decision, the smaller the change. Some long time ago now, in one of these worlds, myself, along with my wife, the girls you've become friends with, and my assistant Xerosic... We decided to seize and shape that world's existence on the decisions of the few. There would be no corrupt influences. Your situation wouldn't have come about. Nature could continue as it always had without the depravities of Man and the systems he forces upon the world.". He paced slowly as he explained.

"We wiped out slate clean. Built a eutopia, and from it, countless paralells. Gardens, where the enlightened made wise choices for the good of all.". His expression fell, brow settling low. "That is, until a man of ambition without limit, drew us here. He seeks conquest, while I only want peace for my chosen."

He approached Thel slowly and purposefully, clasping his hands at his waist. "You are a marvel of twisted science and personal growth, and it would be a high honor if you would join us."