let me show you my truth

          She hears it. That notorious rumble, the telltale sign of an empty stomach. Truth be told, all the flying she performed earlier did tucker her out as well. A bit of food was necessary to help keep the two of them from getting to cranky. An almost sly smile grows on her face when she turns to N to acknowledge his sudden hunger sprout. “ That is fine with me, “ she responds, lifting her head again to catch whiff of the human delectables she can sense nearby. No doubt N also knew where the scent was coming from. Growing up the same way Pokemon did tended to help heighten one’s own senses in a game of survival.

          She pays little mind to the happenings of the children around them, but does feel something from N as he observes them himself. So much to think on, she thinks to herself, knowing truly just how much information his mind may be processing at this moment. Of course, most of that is being pushed to the side in favor for a delicious meal. One that was pointed out when N points a finger in the direction of a cafe. It’s not too big, just the perfect size for a couple of quiet people like them. An affirmative nod is given before she begins to walk towards it. “ I think it’s just right for the two of us. “ A smile is passed to him over her shoulder, and she expects him to follow. A king he may not be, but a friend, a partner all the same. Aside from the obvious allure of baked goods, Shojiki can also smell fruits and vegetables. Some which are more potent than others, and others, simply a small addition to the overall experience.

          Shojiki is the first to enter, though she does pay mind to hold the door open for N as he passes through behind her. When the door closes, it cuts off the sounds of the public outside and encases them in the gentle vibes of the cafe, soft music playing from speakers hidden in the corners of the room, gentle conversations between some of the patrons, and plenty of open seats for them to choose from, including two right beside the bar should they seek to take them.

          “ Where would you like to sit? Anywhere is fine for me. “ With not as much present to stimulate his mind, she thinks he will have a much easier time collecting his thoughts in the soft serenity of the cafe.

    N trails after Shojiki, taking in the fragrance as he steps into the warm cafe. They are immediately cocooned in a more serene atmosphere; N is content to watch people cluster outside the glass windows, excitedly chatting amongst themselves, lips mouthing unknown words for him to guess. He wants to linger in the sun a bit longer, so N gestures to a small table pressed up against the glass. Instead of saying anything, he inclines his head towards her curiously, then when she gives her assent, N steps over to it and lowers himself into the white wired chair.

    Almost immediately a waiter descends upon the two of them with menus. N takes one gratefully, tugs his hat a little lower around fauna-colored fringe, and begins to peruse it. He really is hungry.

    Crepes seem to be a specialty of this Lilycove cafe. N glances from the menu up to Shojiki. “The banana-strawberry crepe sounds good,” he tries, the awkwardness of small talk bumbling along on his tongue. He has never been good at this sort of stuff, but at least with the Pokemon of Truth it felt a little less awkward.

There’s a pause.

     ❝ … ❞

this was a first. nobody had ever came to her for work. mainly because back home, everyone knew she didn’t accept help in most cases. she was far too stubborn to accept it, telling everyone she needed nobodys help ever. but when he requests this of her, she is kind of taken aback. 

     ❝ … uh. ❞

he can understand pokemon … like her? or is it … different, she wonders.  it was one of the main reasons she does so well. the fact that she can talk to them. understand them. 

     ❝ you don’t need to work for it.         you can stay here and i can take care of you. ❞

she really doesn’t like the thought of someone doing her job. a stranger, no less.

    Oh.

    That’s easier than he expected. N’s expression recoils a bit with surprise, eyes widening just marginally, mouth falling slightly ajar. Truth be told, he’s almost disappointed with how easy it had been. Maybe he’d underestimated how good people could be; years spent in Team Plasma’s castle had taught him time and time again that humans were cruel beings that took advantage of every opportunity they could.

    He’s so surprised that he entirely misses her body language, or the fact that she bristles slightly when he offers to work for her, so he tries again: “Are you certain? It would be no trouble...” Maybe she needs proof. But the only Pokemon that N still has is his Zoroark, and he’d never been particularly talkative. Sure, there were cues from body language, but...anyone could read that.

    People aren’t formulas to be interjected into his world.

    So N just kind of stands there, awkwardly, not sure what else to do or say.

    “...Thank you?”

Name: N (no given name in this world; he adopts Nathaniel after the 5yr timeskip) Age: 18 (pre-timeskip), 23 (post-timeskip) Class: Noble -> Holy Knight Alignment: No default verse alignment (is part of the Blue Lions pre-timeskip)

          To not mention his ‘caretakers’ name would have been a greater crime than omitting it. To become the hero of truths is to understand that not every truth, not every honest input, is safe to hear. Her expression strains slightly upon seeing him stiffen, coming to the point where she can feel the distress within him boiling up… only to simmer down seconds after. Her frown forms into a small, gentle smile and her hand leaves his shoulder. She keeps up her pace beside him, minding everything around her with the utmost curiosity.

          She felt his enthusiasm increasing every second. What was once disgust and disinterest dissolved and became something new. A fascination, an understanding. He was slowly but surely becoming aware of the world around him, learning to accept it for what it truly is, and not what had been twisted into his mind.

          “ I do not need your apologies, N. “ Her eyes close, gentle clicks of her tongue filling the air as she picks up on a rather enticing scent. The smell of freshly baked goods and something savory. Mmm. Distractions.

          “ You are still learning. You are still coming to terms with the truth, with reality itself. Your understanding is all the apology I require.”

    The frustration begins to fade; N fully transforms back into the quiet observer, eyes eagerly taking in the sights as they push forward into the harbor. He’s about to protest Shojiki’s point when he catches the same scent. Sugar and sweet things dust the salted air, and N’s stomach rumbles.

    Eyebrows form small peaks of surprise; N has to laugh, stifling his chuckle by pressing his knuckles to his lips. He grins at himself. “I’m hungry,” is the admission of guilt, his eyes darting over to Shojiki. “Let’s stop somewhere. We can’t do much thinking on an empty stomach.” Afterwards they should stop by the library and do some research. Truth and ideals...how can they work in tandem? Why did the myths function to pit these concepts against each other? It’s as if the Unova mythos were hiding something; the real Truth. The truth Shojiki possesses and has imparted onto N.

    Groups of children push through the streets, giggling and laughing--”race you!” one squeals, and the other jams an elbow against their friend, “that’s cheating!” another complains. ( N feels that he has been robbed , with memories of closed walls and hurt Pokemon and people who only herald him as a king for company )

❛ i’d like to think that our world is beautiful the way it is , o’ king . ❜            there is something that moves again , the god’s shadow within tobias’ own .                 ❛ if it is a meeting between gods that you sought , then i’m certain that your patron would be more than capable of reaching me , & reaching darkrai . ❜           darkrai , who senses how uneasy tobias is . of course he is . despite three gods’ blessings , tobias was only human . before him was someone who was a king — he was a king in his own right , too , but that was something he knew not . not yet , at least .             ❛ you want to know about nightmare . it’s the ability of darkrai to send any being who sleeps nearby into a dark , warped dream . however , i’d like to think that the inspiration that comes of it is meaningful as well . have you ever journeyed to alamos town ? ❜

❛ i suppose , it started there … darkrai met a girl in the alamos gardens . i’ve heard this story from my patron many times . her name was alice . in the garden , there were other pokemon who hated darkrai for the ability , nightmare . but … for alice , darkrai opened their heart . ❜          their story was something similar , darkrai met tobias in the garden when he was a little boy . when he was crying because he’d been taunted by other children . when they’d thrown a pokeball at him to see if he’d change back into the demon , darkrai . because they didn’t understand .

                   ❛ nightmare is the ability that also brought the inspiration to godey to build the space - time basilica . it is also the largest musical instrument in the world , capable of calming the rage of the gods . ❜                 oración means prayer .                 he moves to pick up a music box , winding it a few times before letting the melody play .                   ❛ if you fall asleep near me , the same thing will happen . but , maybe you will be like godey , or like my abuelito , & instead of seeing it as a nightmare , it will be a vision of what you must do for the future . you traveled a long way … so i guess if you’d like , you can stay over . it’s the best way to learn . ❜

    The words o’king stir both pride and shame within N’s chest; how odd it is to hear those words spring from someone else’s lips. He is no longer a King... but it is nice to pretend he is. Still, he shakes his head firmly: “I am not a King. Not anymore. There...there’s no need for that sort of speech...I’m just N...” it’s said meekly. But he’d rather be N than Ghetsis’s puppet. He must revoke Ghetsis’s rights to his soul.

    And then he smiles almost apologetically at Tobias’s accusation, hands dismissing the thought. “We’re searching for something even Reshiram doesn’t know the answer to. It wants to be reunited.” With Zekrom. Truth and ideals. They were once one thing. To free Reshiram and Zekrom from this loop of carnage they needed to be merged once again. Only that way would they be released and able to live in peace.

    No Pokemon should suffer on behalf of a human’s ill intentions. How many murders have they witnessed only to fall back into a sleep? How many lives have been claimed on behalf of truth and ideals? How many sacrifices were they forced to accept when they never even wanted them?                         It kills N, to know that he could have so easily played into that destiny.

    Ice-cool eyes brighten. Alamos Town. A beautiful town; N had only been there once, briefly, but he thought it rather enchanting. “Fascinating! How extraordinary Pokemon can be if people just open their hearts to them. Instead humans shun the weak and focus only on the strong or the cute or the cool ones...” his voice trails off with fervor as N retreats back in on himself, gaze turning to a land far away. “I am happy that Darkrai was able to find people who appreciate it so fully.”

    N crosses to Tobias, curiously peering over his shoulder at the small music box, although the lines of inquisition embed themselves into his lips and never in the creases by his eyes. It is as if his eyes are always passively observing; while N’s heart may actively engage with the world, his mind pushes into itself.