908.

Well that stung. It’s not like she was the most AMAZING cook in the world but gosh she at least thought that she could cook a decent curry. Well that wasn’t the case. Even still she takes her spoon and takes a bite. It was fine ? Well at least that was her opinion. Props on him for being so — Honest. It was a trait that she was ever to slowly getting use to the more time she spent with him, but that didn’t stop her feelings for being hurt.

❝ Oh, it’s not to your liking ? It is too sweet ? ❞

Well, It’s not like she could do much now, but at least for the next time -Oh, Uhm; if there was a next time she would know what he liked. Wait, not that it really mattered. Not that wanted a next time. She takes a moment for hazel hues to scan the scenery around, perhaps some spare berries on the tree would be able to help - save the dish. Even still she didn’t want to leave him hungry after she had offered some food.

“You used Pomeg berries, didn’t you?” It’s not like Bede was a master chef himself, but... his tastes were acute and he was picky to a fault. And while he was willing to eat literal burnt soil at times if it suited to satiate his hunger ; that doesn’t mean he couldn’t be critical of someone’s culinary work... when he felt up to it.

“It’s not that it’s too sweet, it’s ‘cause I know it’s supposed to be sweet, but the skin of the berries gave it this gross, bitter after-taste. Ugh,”

He groans as he trudges towards the direction Gloria had been quietly eyeing, hopping (pretty pathetically- needing to take a few tries,) before snapping some berries off of the branch.

“Catch,” he murmurs aloud as he trots back, saving one berry in his hand. “Might as well embrace this mess, yeah? Try these.”

Occa berries. “The hotness from the spice makes the sweetness even sweeter. Then add a pinch of salt. A pinch. Salt causes a chemical reaction that negates the bitterness and amplifies the sweetness... but only in small amounts. Add too much, and you’ll fuck it up even further.”

❝ Hm, well if your mother is half the businessman you are, then I guess it wouldn’t be a bad idea. You are fun. ❞

“ Oh, she’s great. You’ll love her. Her casserole? The best. Homemade bread? Economical. It’s great to think she’ll be less lonely now if you’re being serious. We wouldn’t need you to show up all the time, since I heard you already got a lotta kids. And bein’ the Circhester gym leader and all. I can handle myself. It’s mostly just my mom I’m worried about.

now that I have another mom, I don’t have to do as much stuff to help around (ideally)... which would mean more time to myself...

❝ Goodness, you don’t beat around the bush, do you ? ❞

  ❝ That does sound rather stressful. ❞ Being tall && rich now, those days were behind her. ❝Might I help in any way, dear? ❞

❛❛Well, Seems like you’ve gotten the wrong impression of me.❜❜

Fine. If he wanted to have this chat, so be it.

❛❛Don’t think so little of me, I’m afraid I don’t hurt so easily, also If you want me to leave that’s fine. Nothing wrong with expressing how you actually feel.❜❜ If he wasn’t charming then she was no damsel in distress she could take criticism, annoyance. She wasn’t a delicate flower that wilted in the heat. ❛❛ I never once expected you to be anything but yourself - pleasant or not.❜❜ There is a slight tapping of her hand on leg, to keep herself from getting up.  ❛❛No, actually you’d be the most ‘unpleasant’ and yet … ❜❜ Words trail, perhaps she’d just be wasting her time but unfortunately she chose to TRY and see the best in everyone.  

❛❛ Nevermind. ❜❜

“...Hey, c’mon...” ...

Siiiiigh. He leans back into the bench, wistfully looking forward. “See? I never know the right thing to say. Especially when it comes to you. Whatever. My point still stands. You asked me to explain, so I did.”

The silence lays heavily in the air, considering the fact that he refused to get up and leave even though Gloria invited him to.

       “Normal types, hm..?  Not what I would pick off the top but to each their own, not many would start with Bugs as I did, either.”

       “What should I address you by, then?  I go by Soleil around my reflections, or siblings as I prefer to call them.”

“Bugs? Bugs’re cool. Makes it sound like you swapped for something else, though.”

Momentarily her actions come to a halt, Boltund by her side following in the same steps. For even just a second it seems that the very statement had rendered her speechless. Brows knit as facial expression change all in the same notion, there’s a softness in the way her words are spoken, a harsh contrast on her usual OUTSPOKEN, headstrong self.  

❛❛ Not at all… ❜❜

Her opinion on him had purely formed their interactions thus far. He hadn’t been unpleasant by any means and in this moment she found that she had been enjoying herself rather. But sometimes how you see a person is not how they see themselves and perhaps in this instance that proved to be true. She takes a seat upon the bench - offering him a seat if he’d take it.

❛❛Well, do tell then. What have I gotten wrong ? ❜❜

“I just don’t like getting flattered over stupid stuff. Don’t look so shaken by that.” 

       “Another non-fairy Bede?  Interesting…what’s your type specialty then?”

It’s kinda weird having people refer to him as a Bede. Like, a Bede, of the Bedes.

“Best type born & raised.

... so you guys are like a little family, huh? that’s cute. i guess i could get the thing about bonds or whatever. doesn’t change the fact that it’s a little freaky, but it makes sense.

       “Not that hard of a concept to grasp really, yes the initial shock of learning you have alternates is there, however. you grow just as used to it as seeing your own reflection.  Having a large gathering of us to just sit and talk is actually quite relaxing you might find.” (that is, if no alcohol is involved.)

       “As for our pokemon it’s quite hard to mistake them for another’s, at least in my case, you’d have to ask the others for their point of view on it.  But I see my bond with my team as something like family, no two are alike.  Not to mention you must not think I could go waltzing off with another of my reflection’s Hatterene without my own causing an uproar?  Unthinkable, not that I would do that to my dear Blair, of course.”

       “You’ll come to learn in time, don’t worry.”

“...Yeah.” That’s him, more or less. And looking at the trainer who stood across from him, it wouldn’t be a longshot for anyone with good vision to mistake them to be him as well. Sure, there was some differences... the hair, for one. A lack of sunburns and freckles. But the eyes were most definitely his, and the way the stranger looked back in amusement was a bit unsettling.

“Yeah,” he repeats. If he was in front of any one else he’d likely curse about the vegetables and the stupid fucking forest, but that myth about seeing your reflection came to mind and hit a little too close to home.