⊰ C h i m e r i c a l ⊱

⊰ The twins sat side by side. Each motion perfectly mimicked by the other. They watched everyone wander this way and that; some people had already begun to get drunk, others were feeding themselves, some were dancing and then there the few stragglers that the Chimeras sometimes poked in on. You know, as they should. After all, why should Gladion be the only one to commingle with all these guests and they can’t?

But one thing was for certain, they all asked as to why there were TWO of them. Which was only met with a cant of either head, a sly mirrored smile and then both amalgam promptly excused themselves.

They were perfectly contented fooling everyone despite the inconsistencies that some were able to pick at. They were, however, a bit astounded to find the winged one crop up within the entryway of the ballroom. After a brief discussion they made haste to great the other; Silva moving onto its left side and Aether moving to take up its right, cooing and purring softly in greeting.

Silva was the first to speak outright, ⊱

“Welcome, my friend. I can’t say I was expecting such an acquaintance to show…”

“… But we are pleased regardless!”

⊰ Both of them exuded a rather welcoming aura, each of them hefting a forepaw and waving about the vast room. ⊱

“Welcome to Aether, not to be confused with THE Aether beside you I’m afraid… They are very different from one another.”

⊰ As if on cue, Aether cocked its head and offered a mirthful wink to accentuate what Silva had said. ⊱

“We hope you enjoy yourself!”

“…I apologize for not letting you out sooner. I’d suggested it several times, the researches told me they wouldn’t budge.” he huffs, reaching out to pat the released Type: Null on the head slowly, like he’d done for Silvally all the time in the past. “I am glad you’re here now, though, and im glad you both are having fun. I apologize if I seem so scattered right now, too… Thank you for your kind words and praise, regardless.” he huffs, rubbing his left arm with his right hand…

⊰ Silva’s gaze swiveled quickly to Gladion’s hand rapping softly against Aether’s head; it was not an unfamiliar notion to Silva… But it was to Aether, and considering the reluctant trust they stood on with Gladion —

Aether’s flesh was the first thing to show signs of ill-will. Normally albine tone beginning to show ridges instead of its usual smoothness. Their gaze fixated onto the blond with an infuriated expression then suddenly turned it onto their elder which only served to make them flinch slightly, pointed ears dropping in their sleek hoist. Aether spoke up, ⊱

“Your proof is right there, Silva. Take it as you will.”

⊰ And then they began to back away, like a predator resigning from a fight they knew they could not yet win, chin rising yet a couple notches before performing a measured turn and stalking off, leaving Silvally to look slowly back at Gladion and blow a wisp of thick smoke in dismay.

They would take that. And they would leave with it too.

Their head dipped again, lower than before, alabaster hair cresting forward. ⊱

“… I should make sure no mischief is caused. I apologize on their behalf… After all, they are my ‘brother’ in many regards. You need to attend elsewhere, sir. Be with your own.”

⊰ Ah, there was Gladion. Prim and proper; a stark contrast from how the Chimera had grown accustomed to seeing him. Silva’s back began to straighten, and although Aether was not under Gladion’s hold, they resigned themselves to doing the same out of… Feigned respect.

Mirrored smiles met the male, charming and slight against fair lips, dancing with the barest hints of mirth which only matched the glint in either set of eyes; one of garnet and the other of platinum, both sets of pupils were slits. Shocking as Silvally’s would at least be dilated… Yet they were not. Not now.

They looked so alike, Aether and Silva, it was almost too difficult to discern one from the other. The only defining feature was the gauntlet snug about Silva’s shoulders, golden and brazen, gleaming in all the lights of the ballroom and stunning against their white suit with ebony accents. There was also the fact their eyes were different shades, their scars weren’t the same, their hair was worn differently, their auras and voices —

Both chins began to dip at the President, one spoke up; Silvally, the original: ⊱

“… The event looks astounding, sir.”

“Aye, I should… Owe you an ounce of gratitude for allowing my twin to let me out of confinement in order to attend. It’s wonderful to see the light of day again.”

⊰ At Aether’s rather scathing remark, spoken so nonchalantly and sweetly, Silva frowned then quickly recomposed. They lifted a gloved hand, pinpricks of claws just barely pushing against the fragile cloth, and waved it about to encompass the masses, the room as a whole. ⊱

“Regardless… Shouldn’t you be commingling with your own brood? We can manage our own just fine, you know.”

“Ah, but, your personable company is always much appreciated between the two of us, sir.”

3… 2… 1… And the time-keeper gonged the hour. Silva leaned forward, hooking their hands under the mattress and flipping it over, watching their counter crash onto the floor with a riotous howl. As the twin clambered upright into a comfortable position, Silva propped back against an armoire, arms folding over chest. ⊱

“Sleep well, did you?”

“… What kind of wake-up call was that?!”

“As polite as I could’ve managed, I assure you.”

⊰ Aether remained there, twisting still in sheets, mussed silvery trusses and mattress careened elsewhere behind them. Their platinum optics roved over their elder, narrowing slightly. ⊱

“How long have you been awake?”

“A fortnight. Any other petty questions or are you awake enough to listen?”

⊰ The younger rose to their feet, bones whining in minor protest as they stretched. A clawed hand raised, pulling their pale hair away from their eyes to fixate another hard look onto the other. ⊱

“Please, by all means…”

“I have already arranged the attire and such, so there’s no need to worry about that… But what we do need to worry about is our overall attitude.”

“Hm? And here I thought — ”

“Oh no, there will still be a general chaos. Caused by us. No one will rightly expect it. That’s the point.”

“Sometimes I wonder when you’d become so… Disobedient to your master?”

“… The day you pointed out he was a master and not a partner.”

⊰ The twins stared at one another in perpetuating silence after that until finally they smiled at one another. Dangerously devious grins that shrouded daggers, their eyes refracting like evil gemstones. Aether strode over to their elder and flicked two digits against the torque, making it sing quietly in a soft reverb. ⊱

Via This Meme. // @decidxeye

⊰ Silvally hummed in thought, a low, tonal note or two beforeit shook its head. The Chimera was, in some portions, at a loss. But it wouldbe rude not to provide an answer, wouldn’t it? It knew better, and besides, itwas told to be honest. ⊱

“… I have not known Alba forlong, so my opinion is a bit touch and go, isn’t it? Although I will admit I holdmy thanks to him for… Skewing me in a greater direction from time-to-time.”

⊰ It was only twice, but Silvally was still gratefulregardless. Red eyes roved the scenery as it considered its words; what else tosay. It was never so good with these things… These confessions. ⊱

“Alba is well-spoken,intelligent… Philosophical… This is all garnered from mere small conversation,mind you…”

⊰ Therein was a somewhat flustered laugh. ⊱

Via This Meme.

“I figured there would be someone who would ask…”

⊰ As thrilled as they were to answer, their expression wasfixated into one of minor disgust at how excited the shrouded one was to hearthem elaborate. Eyes rolled, ears began to sink and arms came to cross. ⊱

⊰ As if a flick of a switch had been done, the Chimeratip-toed backwards a few steps and crashed back onto all fours. Its gaze hadsecured the anonymous with a very detestable look, its lips prying back toreveal broad razors in annoyance. Nothing but utter annoyance. ⊱

“Scare? Intimidate? Ah, youmean just as you so fruitlessly seek to do right now I presume?”

⊰ Silvally did a measured turn, presenting its backside to themoronic one, tossing its head over its shoulder to continue speaking in acondescending manner, ⊱

“You have rather hollow words,shrouded one, and if you sought to perpetuate me with them… You would havealready caused truer harm than this. Instigating a false sanity is merelycowardice and a foolish endeavor. If you seek your own mortality at that expense, mayhaps next time I will tossyou into the Aether Foundation incinerator myself…”

{ Take this shit writing assignment I gave myself; I hope you enjoy the dynamic between these two BECAUSE I DO. The Ball will be in for a rude awakening now that they’re together hah. Under a Cut because of length and because ew Mun work... }

She peered at the stranger, her eyes narrowing to slits. Eirlys was a creature who would offer respect, but was quick to revoke it once she felt it was not returned. And while her initial tone had not been… friendly, the attitude she received in return, she felt, was ungarnered.

“A permit is not required, no. It was a simple question; few travel through these lands without reason, and if yours was to cause mischief, then–”

The Ninetales broke off as its head dipped, her eyes widening once more. That was a gesture of respect… But why? She stilled, not even her tails moving in the winter winds as her mind raced. Slowly, she replied. “There are no boundaries. I do not own this land, no more than you do. I apologize if I alarmed you.” In returned, she ducked her head. Not quite as low as it had, but it was more than before.

“You are welcome here. But my question persists–what is your purpose? Perhaps I could be of assistance, as an apology for my… hostile behavior.” She dropped her gaze, studying her feet as a wave of embarrassment washed over her. She cleared her throat quickly, getting her mind off of those thoughts. “These mountains are confusing to the uninitiated. It would do no one good for you to perish here.”

⊰ A harsh wind blustered by, hefting vibrant feathers and tossing them around, although the mass of the beast remained unimpeded by the weather. It stood poised and still, head slowly rising to level with the Ninetails as she spoke in return. If she were any the wiser, she may be able to see the small tilt of its lips; the smile, although faint. ⊱

“Purpose…?”

⊰ It was not the first time the Chimera had been asked why it was here or there… But even so the word was still a bit foreign on its tongue, as though the term should strike up an automatic answer. It never did. At least she was not aware of its partnership and did not inquire on their separation —

Regardless, the Pokemon still looked a bit perplexed. It was rude to leave her without answer, though. It shook its head. ⊱

“Think me not a fool, madam, but there isn’t one… That is solid. I suppose it is mere travelling, wanderlust, which drove me all the way here.”

⊰ … It was not an entire lie. But not a whole truth either.

Silvally watched her embarrassment rise then subside, though made no move to point it out. Her following words served to gain her a chuckle, a forepaw rising to tap against beak and silence itself. It looked about, ears twitched to and fro, large crest once unfurled was being tossed by the strong winds, beginning to take on a perpetually stellar gleam.

Weather was inclement here, that much was obvious. It was an adaptive sort, but — ⊱