BE MY ESCAPE | ended

[Elysia]

serenity is not stillness.
● ● ● ●

but peace within a raging storm and the serendipity that can be found within the storm

The sun climbed the massive expanse of blue sky with strong strokes, casting warmth and light across all of Andalusst. The only break in eternal blue was the airbrushed strokes of fog on the horizon, a never-ending reminder that they were all trapped in Andalusst. Advertised as a safe-haven but more a prison, the over-populated city made it so that everyone could come in but no one could come out. The beacon that stood proud in the middle of the city was a scarecrow for the fog, but Elysia couldn't help but wonder what it was keeping out; of course, the fog, but what else? the Shinx didn't think the answer was that simple. Maybe she was just being superstitious, but she knew something was wrong and that something was being withheld. The question was, what was being kept from them?

A frustrated sigh forced it's way out her throat as she slapped a paw onto the surface of the rushing river, angry that she didn't know all the answers. The calm bubble and gentle melody of fresh-water across riverbed pebbles didn't even ease her worries about the city, Andalusst, and Parai in general. Usually, the quiet burble of the stream would calm her, but as she stood upon slippery stones that jutted from the slow water, she found that all the area did was frustrate her more. Elysia frowned and rocked on her heels, not usually one to get so up-tight about something, as she was usually enjoying a laid-back life. Perhaps what she needed to do was go somewhere else.

Sighing, she rose from her seated position, angling electric eyes towards smooth, slippery stones that served as stepping stones in her path. taking in a deep breath, she stepped into the routine of leaping across the stones, retracing steps she had walked a million times before.

tags
337 words
notes

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOX 2.0

[Vanitas]

The river, a perfect spot to rest the soul after times of trepidation. Or of course to rest after an exhausting dojo-training session in a sky dungeon, which was now the case. A fighter soul knew that rest had to be taken to allow your body to heal and build strength from training. Pushing oneself over the edge and beyond was fine and all, but suffering would only inflict pain and damage upon your body. Knowing when to quit was half the battle. And he had quitted to simply enjoy his free time a little. No better balm for the soul than a place of serene tranquility like the river.

Van felt the gentle warmth of the rising sun on his thin, dark hide, like the gentle embrace of a mother. He had learned to accept the veil of fog in the distance, at least for as long as he would find a way to blow it away. If it meant destroying a device or vanquishing the origin of a legend, it mattered not to him. Whatever it would take, he would keep on fighting to set everyone free. 

From afar, he noticed a Shinx on the other side of the river at unrest, probably aggravated about the same questions concerning the fog as everyone else was. Fortunately, it did not interfere with serene melody of the river's flow that allowed Van's mind to come to rest. Calmly, he saw down and restet his feet inside the water, folding his arms and leaning over to observe the occurences within the river. It was fascinating in how many ways motion, and with that life, could exist. 

Only briefly, he tilted his head to see the Shinx leaping from stone to stone, perhabs to cross the river. He figured it was the other Pokemon's business, so there did not seem a reason to interrupt it. Sighing once, though with pleasure and not frustration, he felt the water stream fast his feet, like a suave massage. Their home was a little paradise, but... it was still a prison. 

[Elysia]

serenity is not stillness.
● ● ● ●

but peace within a raging storm and the serendipity that can be found within the storm

Her electric yellow eyes trained on her nimble paws as she leapt from slippery stone to stone, a frustrated frown playing on her face. She knew not to get distracted in such a task, but her mind couldn't help from straying and wandering back to her previous angers. A sigh shuddered from her maw as she glanced up, her optics beginning to look at the clustered fog in the distance. She couldn't help but ask why it was there, ponder what sort of punishment it might have been, when she felt her paw slip, and with that, the rest of her body disappeared in the water.

Luckily, the river was not so fast as to sweep her away, but it was enough to instill panic in her pounding heart. Head breaking the surface, the Shinx's inner electricity began to go haywire as she began to frantically paddle towards the shore, eyes wide and panicked. Her fur was like heavy armor; it threatened to drag her down into dark water and lay her on the riverbed as fish food. Her breath was heavy and scared as she got closer to the shore, where a Sneasel happened to be resting from a long session at the dojo. Her paws sought purchase as she neared shore, pulling herself onto the slimy pebbles and laying herself onto her back.

She remained in silence for a moment, barely seeming to notice Vanitas, of whom let the gentle water rush over his feet. She coughed and spluttered, Elysia making the small fall a bit more dramatic than it needed to be. As soon as she caught her breath and made sure to expel every ounce of fresh-water from her lungs, she coughed out a small, "Dangit." and rested her head on the smooth pebble beneath her, fur soaked and heavy.

Vanitas
335 words
notes

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOX 2.0

[Vanitas]

A sudden splash got him our of this mental state of calm felicity, causing Van to tilt his head towards the noise's origin. It was the Shinx who had managed to lose balance and fell into the water. This made Van get up on his feet rather hastily to observe if the Shinx could manage herself, or if she needed help. Her head returned to the surface, allowing her to breath and letting him now that she was capeable of staying afloat. Struck with shock, he beheld how the Shinx attempted to paddle towards the shore, panic overtaking everything. 

But she managed to get out, though she was not moving much when she rested on the shore. This made the Sneasel rush towards her and kneel down next to her, gazing at her face while she was laying there on her back to take in heavy breaths. She then coughed out all the water she had swallowed, causing Van to back off an inch as to not get spit and water on his hide. 

Eventually, she was done, resting her head on the soft pebbles beneath her. She was still capeable of talking, despite it being colloquial words, which was a good sign. Analyzing her briefly, he saw no obvious damaged, so an ambush she did not notice had likely not happened. He went from kneeling next to her to sitting next to her, looking at her with an expression of slight concern, though he knew that the Shinx seemed like someone who could handle herself.

"Is everything fine? Can you get up?" He asked her, making sure she did not feel any pain from injuries he might have overlooked. Sometimes, they were difficult to spot, especially under hide and fur. Though he did not believe he needed to get help from a professional healer, he still wanted to make sure this Shinx was alright. 

[Elysia]

serenity is not stillness.
● ● ● ●

but peace within a raging storm and the serendipity that can be found within the storm

Her electric eyes stared up into the vast expanse of blue above her for a moment, the sun peering down onto her and slowly drying up the water that soaked her fur and made her similarly blue pelt cling to her toned body. Her chest heaved with every breath, each inhale feeling like needles were poking her fragile, damp lungs. Eyes closed and open, only to reveal a dark blob that put shade over her face and blocked sunlight from reaching her visage. She jumped back, heat suddenly crawling up he rneck as she realized her little mishap had been witnessed. Perhaps he had come to scorn her. Of course he did, why wouldn't he have? Elysia might've done the same.

She rose to her paws in a hurry, claws outstretched and beginning to quite nervously scrape against the smooth pebbles, despite the calm facade she had adorned. She was perhaps one who might volunteer to be a leader, but that did not excuse her from shy and timid tendencies, for she had many. She couldn't walk in a crowd without freaking out, introducing ehrself to strangers was a bust, most of the time she just kept to herself and waited for the day she might finally make a friend. Perhaps she was not driven enough, but the young Shinx abhorred small talk and strengthening bonds, mostly because it limited her speech to petty small talk and luxuries.

Her eyes glanced back up to the Sneasel and she paled, giving a slight nod. "Yeah, i guess." she responded, forcing her voice to be level and for her heart rate to calm down. "T-Thanks for checking, I guess?" she responded, though her statement sounded more like a question than a confident show of gratitude.

Vanitas
324 words
notes

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOX 2.0

[Vanitas]

Gosh, despite her seeming alive, it appeared that each breath and each bit of movement she took was an act of suffering. Had she injured herself after all, or was it just psychosomatic? Was difficult to tell, though he was already readying his mind to get on his feet and run as fast as possible to seek help. Though, once the Shinx seemed to have realized Van's presence, it managed to jump back. What a strange little Shinx. But it at least answered his question if she could get up, which was fine he supposed. Didn't seem like verbal communication was quite working yet.

She seemed in a hurry, probably because of shame due to her misstep. A fragile ego perhabs mixed with hyper-awareness perhabs? She definetly tried to compose herself, which she did rather quickly, but Van had seen enough to know she was embarassed about the entire situation, though in his eyes there was no reason to be. He waited for her to fully calm down, getting back up on his feet again as well and looking at her rather calm and serene.

"Good to know." He responded calmly, happy that she seemed fine after all. "And no problem." He added when she displayed marginal gratitude towards him checking up on her. It was at least something he figured, also believing that social interaction was not the Shinx's greatest strength. "So then... I guess that was that. See ya around." He said with a brief wave of his claw, turning around to sit down on the shore again, gentle streams of water running past his feet. 

The Shinx had not seemed like someone who wanted to talk with him, which was fine. If she wanted to leave the situation be now, he would not mind. 

[Elysia]

serenity is not stillness.
● ● ● ●

but peace within a raging storm and the serendipity that can be found within the storm

She stared at Vanitas with wide, electric eyes. She wanted to be a leader, someone people might depend on, but she was finding it hard when she acted like this. She was shy and timid and only brought out another side when she was engrossed in another task, something that could keep her mind off all the people staring at her, watching her every move and searching her behavior for any mistake. Perhaps it was just a too-far goal, something that might never be obtained; but, that had to be wrong, right? She was doubting it, with her awkward nature, timid personality, and rather explosive temper, despite her shyness.

He stared back at her, and Elysia tried to steel herself, but ultimately, a few little bits of her timidity shone through an act she struggled to keep up. She became vaguely aware of the cool breeze against the back of her neck and the faint gleam of the river as the shone caught on it's gentle waves. She tried to keep her eyes from narrowing; how was he so... Calm? She was unsure she could ever reach that level of level-headedness. It took her a while to notice his cool words were directed at her. "Oh! Uh, yeah." she responded, paling slightly. "Yeah, I'm just... Gonna go."

With that, she turned on her heel and stalked off, secretly hoping that she didn't see him again, if to preserve her dignity. She didn't think she would survive if that situation was brought up again, as water dripped into the grass beneath her, making a trail. As she walked further off, her shoulders dropped and she quickly decided to never go to the river again.

Vanitas
314 words
notes

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOX 2.0

[Vanitas]

This had been a rather awkward moment for the Sneasel, but he played it off as simply one of those things that occasionally occured in life. He had made sure that the Shinx was in good condition and that was that. Not every interaction necessitated a bond to create between two individuals. Sometimes, two souls simply met each other, wished each other a good day, and said goodbye again. Van was too level-headed to be affected by such an innocuous situation, likely due to his dark and ice type nature.

And since the Shinx seemed to handle herself well again, there was no reason to impose his presence on her. It was likely rather embarassing for her, though he was nobody who made fun of another. He likely would want her to stay quiet about this, and the likelyhood of Van simply forgetting about this situation was rather high anyway. Soon, it will merely become another hazy memory in his mind.

Resting on his hands, he leanded back a little and closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation of the sun's warmth and the water's cold engulfing him like a manifestation of Ying & Yan. It was not truly meditation, but he found peace and rest within himself nonetheless. And in the end... it was his escape. 

[End Thread]