#diffusedink

She shook her head, realizing she was on a mental downward spiral. Nessa and Sage had slowly repaired their.... friendship? Letters exchanged with semi-regularity... granted, both had kept the contents generalized and vague. Sage didn't use social media much, and frequently let their phone battery hit 0%, so it was the only guaranteed way to stay semi-in contact.

She started fiddling with her rings to keep herself focused. Hours spent combing through...memory? Dreams? What exactly is this Hyperspace? How late was it by now? Looking around, Nessa realized there were no clocks in this office. A yawn slipped out her mouth.

"Getting bored, princess?" The backhanded title made her skin crawl. Corbeau didn't look up from his laptop. "You can take a break if it's too much-"

"I'm perfectly fine. Your Mob Boss routine won't work on me." Nessa stretched her arms.

A laugh disguised as a hum. "Sure. Tell yourself that."

"Ya'know, for someone who allegedly cares about Sage, you sure are antagonizing to those trying to help." She stood, finally facing him, "Do you even want to find them?"

Rage began to bubble in his stomach. Corbeau glared up from his screen. "What did you say to me?"

Got you. "You send in others to search in your place. You bully those trying to help. Do you even love Sage?"

Scolipede escaped the Pokeball on the desk, as if it sensed the man's anger. Corbeau shut his laptop, trying desperately to calm his rising heart-rate. His golden eyes looked as if they could kill the model where she stood.

Nessa felt the tension in the air. "Oh, you wanna throw down?! Been itching for a fight, yeah?" She opened her Pokeball. Drednaw cracked the marble beneath its weight.

This can be kept in order- "This is far too small for Galar's Dynamax-"

"Mags modified my band using Sage's notes." Nessa flexed a Key Stone on her bracelet. "Scared to lose?"

"Not at all." Light surrounded Corbeau's pin lit up white. He jumped on the table as Scolipede Mega Evolved and-

...

White light and rainbow-distorted buildings. Wavering walls of black and purple blocked the horizons. The duo, moments ago ready to all-out fight, now stood helplessly in an empty open street.

"Weren't we just in your office?" Nessa didn't hide her anxiety. She leaned on Drednaw for support.

"...Fuck." Corbeau balled his fists, momentarily disoriented. A quick glance around and he returned to his usual charms. "Welcome to Hyperspace, princess. A conglomerate of Lumiose's memories, dreams, and nightmares."

"...And Sage is here?"

"Sage is in... some pocket of this place." Corbeau recalled Scolipede. "This place waxes and wanes. The Team doesn't yet have a full map-"

"Then here's the starting point!" Drednaw chomped onto the nearest fire-hydrant, leaving a comically shaped bite mark. Nessa pointed down the street. "I'm going this way. Try to keep up."

It felt like hours. Or was it mere minutes? Time flowed so differently in this space... The duo managed to scout every alley. Not a fire hydrant or Iron-wrought fence was left unbitten. Frustration started to spark between them.

Nessa punched the wall. "We're going in circles!"

Corbeau sighed, "No sign of Sage or an exit.... Hyperspace is expanding faster than we thought..." He kicked a rock towards the swirling black and purple encompassing this space. It bounced hard and ricocheted into the canal waters below. Ripples expanded and slowly faded back into a simple flowing state.

Nessa raised an eyebrow. She kicked another stray rock into the water. Again, ripples expanded until fading back to the flow state.

By the fifth rock, Corbeau had to question the behavior. "Do the rocks here seem different than back home?"

Without warning, Nessa picked up another handful of rocks and chucked them forward. Corbeau ducked, arms covering his head. The black and purple spirals didn't budge as each rock bounced off.

A breath of hope. She whispered revelations to herself. "Oh, Sage.... Your silly little song just might save us."

Corbeau straightened his posture and adjusted his tie. "Share with the class?"

"Sage still hasn't told you? Or maybe you didn't do your homework." That smug look made his temple twitch. Nessa returned her gaze to the canal. "In their early research, they uncovered remnants of an ancient lullaby, or more accurately, a folk song of warning. Sage was so excited they practically locked me in the Archive to serenade me." Her hands drifted up like a conductor with an orchestra. "If you see strange things... follow the sound of water. Someone is waiting for you there~."

"This is important how?"

"We're in a pocket. This... bubble? It's blocking everything from leaving or entering." Nessa pointed to the canal. "Everything except the water. It's still flowing one way."

Gyarados was out in an instant. "I've misjudged you, Nessa."

"Most do, some offense taken~" Drednaw sent a high splash of water up as it jumped in. Nessa sat on its back; Corbeau jumped in on Gyrados next to her. Both took a deep breath as the Pokemon submerged in the canal.

---

It was a strange sensation... like poking one's finger through a barrier of cling wrap. The water's current gave the duo enough force to break out. Momentum carried them onto shore. Vast expanses of trees too tall to comprehend took over most of their sight. Jagged rocks obscured what remained of the horizon.

Corbeau turned around to gauge their distance from the Hyperspace pocket, but the river was gone. His gut churned with an otherworldly sense of unease.

Nessa wrung the last bit of water from her hair. "Hm... this reminds me of the forest behind the Archives."

"Then you'll know your way around?" He shrugged off his jacket. Water drenched the earth around him. Rainbow distortions glitched across their clothes, instantly drying them.

"Oh, piss off." She crossed her arms. "This isn't an exact copy, idiot-"

Torchlights spontaneously lit along the ground, immediately ceasing their squabble. Warm orange hues highlighted a figure in the clearing. A long white labcoat covered most of their frame. Both immediately stepped closer to investigate.

Nessa's face lit up in recognition, "Sage?"

They didn't turn around, instead rubbing their fingers through their short purple hair. "Nessa, you made our relationship clear. I'm sorry, but I'm busy." A Shuppet trilled beside them, eyes looking angry.

Corbeau furrowed his brow. No pink highlights... no meteorite keystone... Angostura escaped her ball and growled. "You aren't my Sage."

Nessa crossed her arms, "...You said hyperspace was a memory conglomerate?"

"Oh, correct! This was one of the last times you saw me them." Sage(?) turned around, eyes closed. "Is this not up-to-date?"

"Where's Sage?" Both said in unison. Angostura took a defensive stance.

"Right here." Sage(?) stepped out from behind the younger memory. Green sweater, black boots, Pendant fully intact... Banette stood to their right. "Is this better?" Eyes remained closed as their head tilted to the side. "Your memories clash together. Did we I get it right?" Rainbow distortions glitched through both bodies.

Corbeau reached for his satchel, only to find nothing on his belt. Angostura seemed to have vanished, too.

Nessa had the same revelation, daring glances around. She nervously shifted her weight over each foot. She locked eyes with his... Not a word breathed between them.

Both Sages(?) spoke in echoing unison. "Don't tell me you're scared? It'll be fine, loves... just look me us in the eyes and calm down-"

Corbeau grabbed Nessa's wrist and took off. "Fuck that!"

All the torches extinguished; the smoke bellowed as distgusting snaps of bone and flesh echoed behind them. A piercing shriek made Nessa stumble. She let go of Corbeau's hand and instinctively covered her ears.

Dirt kicked up as he slowed his run. Corbeau turned back, pulling Nessa forward with more intensity than before. Blood trickled out of her ears.

The ground shook as trees began to splinter and fall. More monstrous cries sent shivers through their bones. They were trapped in this forest. Again running in circles.

"I... can't..." Nessa tasted blood in her mouth. "It burns..." Respirations labored and heaved as she tried to breathe.

Movement caught his eye. Corbeau wordlessly shoved Nessa forward as a giant hand slammed down onto the ground. Skeletal fingers moved too quickly. It gripped his neck, forcing him to look up at-

Too many eyes over their body. Jaw unhinged, exposing monstrously distorted teeth. Corbeau winced as Not!Sage screamed directly at his face. Glasses cracked and blood started to drip out his ears. Blood pooled in his head. Air escaped him as the nightmare hand around his throat began to tighten.

Corbeau closed his eyes. I failed you... forgive me..

"METAL CLAW!"

The hand was chopped from his throat. Dust crumbled around him as he fell. A woman's voice? Vision too blurry to make out the scene before him. A glowing rainbow ring... Multiple Pokemon Mega'd? All Corbeau could focus on was being able to breathe again.

A younger man's voice. "RAZOR LEAF!"

Wait...is that...

"BRAVEBIRD!" An older man's thick accent.

"Phi..." He coughed blood. Voice hoarse from the physical trauma of this dreamscape. His skin crawled and felt intensely itchy. This nightmare bubble of Hyperspace was beyond any prior comprehension.

Cries from beside him. Scolipede and Angostura returned. Corbeau didn't have the energy to question where this place had transported them.

Another strike from Korrina's Mega Lucario made the Nightmare thrash about. Another shriek sent waves through the branches of the trees. Another unwordly voice of warning from the shadows.

S T A Y A W A Y

And then silence. Not!Sage crumbled into dust.

Philippe helped Corbeau to his feet. Urbain offered a hand to Nessa. Angostura ignored all of them and angrily kicked at the dust. Shadow Claw sent many particles into the wind. Beneath the remnants, something shiny twinkled.

"C'mon!" Korrina called the Banette back. "We won't find Sage here!"

---

The portal closed behind Korrina; she made sure everyone else left before her exit.

Angostura rattled with more anger. She dove into the sand behind Corbeau's desk. More moves send it flying around the mini arena.

Nessa looked around. "Lida, cover Ansha's ears."

She didn't question the order. Ansha placed her own small hands over the dancer's

"What the actual FUCK, dude?!" Nessa grabbed her hair. "You lost Sage in THAT?!"

"Whoa, easy," Taunie stepped forward. "We don't know where-"

"Hyperspace is a literal nightmare landscape!" Nessa pointed to Angostura, who had returned to Corbeau's side. "All of their Pokemon are here! They're alone in that?!"

"Hyperspace is forming itself around Sage's direct influence." Philippe placed an ice pack over the heavy bruising on Corbeau's neck and shoulders. "We're trying to pinpoint exactly where they are."

"How did... you find us?" Corbeau's voice was still hoarse.

Urbain put his hands on his hips. "We were coming up to show Ansha's new donut recipes to ya."

"But the entire back arena was warped when we arrived." Naveen gestured to Lida to remove her hands. "Ansha noticed one of Nessa's bracelets on the table and had the bright idea to make a donut with it."

The child beamed. "A bracelet's justa donut you wear!" Hoopa spun behind her, clearly proud if it's effort.

"And now here we are!" Korrina crossed her arms. "Brilliant idea, Little Lady Chef!"

"I think I'm more a Baker..."

"Little Lady Baker-Chef in Chief!" Korrina returned the smile. Ansha giggled at the antic.

White noise filled the air as the Team talked amongst themselves. Moment of free opportunity- Angostura pat at Corbeau's leg. She held up something shiny in her paw.

"Swipe something again?" He tried to joke, but words failed him when he looked closer.

One of Sage's rings. They'd mentioned how the Archive staff each got one after 5 years of service... Half of the amethyst had been stained deep pink. How did this...

He cleared his throat, all conversation instantly silent. "Ansha... could you use this to power one of Hoopa's donuts?"

Ansha toddled over to inspect the object. "Oh, pretty pinky-purple..." the child looked up, "Is this Sage's?"

"Yes." Corbeau maintained a neutral face. "I think we could use it as a beacon... Find exactly where in Hyperspace Sage is."

Pre-Game

Galar Archives

Sage works as an archivist in Professor Magnolia's lab. They're tasked with primarily organization/preservation and have keys/access to specialized rooms for storage.

Sage usually works late nights. Since the Lab is studying Pokemon phenoma across multiple regions, they tend to pull double shifts. One midnight shift is interrupted by an intense meteor shower- only 10 meteorites survive the impact. Sage protected delicate information/artifacts during the storm so Magnolia gifted a meteorite to them. Sage wears it as a pendant like a badge of honor.

During another shift months later, ghost pokemon start haunting the halls. They're supposedly drawn in by the lab's increasing Phenomena artifacts. Security measures are put in place to protect staff and information.

Despite this... A trio of Ghastly start harassing Sage and corner them in a back hallway. Before any attacks land, a Shuppet crashes the party. She scares the Ghastlies away. This happens several times, until the Shuppet just starts following Sage around. After two months, Sage asks Shuppet to be their partner 'mon.

Shuppet tried to jumpscare Sage and their coworkers at a work party. Instead, they knocked over the cocktail bar and ingredients. A bitters bottle landed on her head, earning her the name Angostura.

Team Flare's actions catapulted Sage's department's research into Mega Energy. Magnolia decides that sending Sage to Lumiose immediately after the incident would draw too much negative attention/put them more at risk.

The Breakup Event

Magnolia encourages Sage to take more time for themself. Sage wanders Galar for a weekend and finds/captures an Applin (Cider). Cider refuses to fight/do manual labor so she's Sage's fuckin weird cat.

The Archives take a weeklong vacation to Paldea. Sage finds and captures a Shiny Minior (Chip). Chip is an emotional support space rock the only moves they know are Protect and Endure.

Basically if Cider and Chip are in battle something is WRONG

It's around this time that Sage notices faint tingles/scarlines forming on their sternum. More curious than concerned, they start documenting everything related to their pendant in their journals (Starting in Journal #24)

Notably, the space radiation makes them more... malleable(?) to Angostura's attacks. Specifically Phantom Phase. Multiple experiments take place with all information recorded in journal #28

PLZA Game Start

Magnolia arranges for Sage to go to Lumiose on an vacation. Slight ulterior motive/hope that Sage will stumble into information about ME

Events of Trains and Trouble take place

Sage meets/joins Team MZ. They aren't super fond of battling, but Angostura likes the workout (Chip and Cider refuse to battle her bc they get smacked down so hard lol). To cover expenses, they also get a job at Mable's Lab(needed an archivist! How...convenient...)

The first few promotion matches are a breeze.

They catch Scallion, Sriracha, and Chai during this time.

Mable uses this opportunity to study Sage's pendant and how their body is being affected by ME. She already lives at the archives and Sage works late nights it all fits great:)

RME Absol

Angostura had found a Banettite stone discarded along the canal. She immediately clicked it into her zipper handle on her mouth and refused to let Sage remove it. (She LOVES shiny things lol)

The night of Absol's TME, Zygarde appears and stares Sage down. Angostura takes it as a challenge and chases it down the alley(re: Ghastlies in the Archives).

Zygarde jumps them both and puts them on the roof; Sage's pendant starts to hum. Angostura Mega Evolves, and the duo help calm the Absol

A Zygarde Cell sneaks into Sage's pocket

When AZ, Emma, and Urbain arrive, the remnants of the RME are being absorbed into Sage's pendant. Stretches of pink barely peek over their collar; Sage stomps the ground and ME crystals scatter across the rooftop.

Team MZ expands into RME crisis resolution. Emma begins investigating RME/ME information (which may or may not include breaking into Mable's lab)

Emma Mable Sage tomfoolery. Mable reveals her independent study of Sage. Emma tells about the RME Absol. Sage partially reveals how the pendant affects them.

Sage is a living battery that stores/releases Mega Energy.

Free use of fossil revive! Peppermint joins the party!

Quasartico Inc/Vinnie Battle

Taunie is Rank G, Lida+Naveen are Rank K, Urbain is Rank L, Sage is Rank V

QInc calls in Team MZ and discusses the RME crisis. Sage reports that they absorbed the energy. Vinnie offers the special promotion match to all of Team MZ to get them to Rank F

Lida and Naveen fail, but Urbain, Taunie, and Sage wipe the floor with him. 3/5 still passes lol

Canari

Naveen nerding out in Sage's ear is hilarious.

Angostura scares weirdo stalker fanboy during the Galette mission. Sage arrives first and doesnt have to fight him. They request a promotion match from holo-Canari

Tarragon and Canari fights go well. Sage doesnt want to reveal their abilities on the internet so they don't Phase OR use ME in the battle.

Canari is more embarassed than normal due to ME Elektross losing to a normal fucking banette like- girl.

-Sage catches Lemonbalm and Basil here-

Ivor

Gwynn is missing!

Emma, Ivor, and Sage run investigations. They head to the sewers(thx Peppermint!) This is where Sage catches Absinthe

Gwynn and Sage have a cute moment around the occult but they still battle for the promotion match

Sage uses Mega Angostura to Phase and surprise Gwynn, which wins the match(theyre all underground and its just the 4 of them sure Sage'll mega evolve for the ghost type trainer)

Ivor Promotion match is a little more difficult, but Scallion grabs the victory. Sage wears full longsleeves/turtleneck for this match (FOJ trainees dont need to know their powers!) and Mega Evolves Scallion for this.

Corbeau

Since the RME Absol incident, Rust Syndicate has kept their eyes on Sage and MZ. This is Corbeau's fucking city and y'all'll do well to not cause trouble

Events of Late Nights and Mega Fights and Alternative Motives take place

C Promotion match seals Corbeau's intrigue/risk assessment about Sage. Debt forgiven.

RME increases in numbers and severity. Sage's experience with R/ME gets more instinctual/animalistic. They try very hard to not ME unless dire

Yay mafia jobs! And romance? Sage beat Corbeau's ass so badly he has no choice but to romance them.

Corbeau and Sage archives chat

For Their Sake

For My Sake

(Yes this starmie technically takes place in game during jacinthe's tournament but for sage canon it's before so sssshhhhhhhhhhhut up)

- a quick romantic episode where Beau and Sage get matching tattoos -

Jacinthe

This damn tournament....

Lida forces Sage and Taunie to dress up in complimentary outfits. They both go to Hotel Richissme in🌟style🌟

As the tournament starts, Taunie gets a call about RME activity. Sage stays behind while Taunie runs off to quell the 'Mons.

Jacinthe's pink zone goes up and Sage starts to have a panic attack. Cage? Pink = ME? Increased RME nearby? Yikes. Corbeau and Philippe try to calm them down. (Oooooo gosssippppp jacinthe is waaaatchiiiing)

Zygarde Tournament Interruption

Taunie returns and the tournament starts. Sage advances to the finale

Zygarde and L interrupt. Zygarde needs to study Sage's abilities. Another Cell sneaks into their pocket

L Cryptic shit. whatever you say redeemed(?) regretful weirdo homeless man

Jacinthe V Sage. Sage struggles but wins, ME's 3/6 'Mons. Their chest hurts.

Ange / Zygarde

Urbain and Taunie take Floette to the tower(safety in numbers, plus MZ can cover the ground).

Obv shit goes sideways

The ME surge knocks the wind out of Sage. They fall to their knees with fiery pain in their chest.

Path/Final Charge. Sage leaves their pokemon behind with each team

Ivor: RME Alphas+battle of strength

Canari: battle of dexterity

Jacinthe: battle of intelligence

Corbeau: battle of devotion (and yes they kiss before the human ladder)

Zygarde tested Sage multiple times throughout their stay in Lumiose. Always watching. Battling. Hells, the final Zygarde Cell was *in their fucking bag* observing them.

Zygarde needs a trainer to Mega Evolve. Sage is a conduit of Pure ME Energy, so Zygarde studied them enough to mimic

Sage gets to the roof and stares at a green Pokemon copy of themself

Zygarde's Mega Evolution erases the line between Trainer and Pokemon. Their bodies fuse into (essentially) one big battery. After Core Enforcer is fired again, they split. Sage's Keystone can't take the wild fluctuations and breaks

Mega Energy pulses out with no proper channel to ground itself. Combined with the meteroite fractals, the force is too much and tears the fabric of dimensions. Sage falls through the tear and one meteorite fractal imbeds into their chest.

Post-Game

Immediate Aftermath :)

Events of 0012, 1200, 0120 take place

This is a flashback of Corbeau/Sage's domestic life but the ending scene is postgame

Cogs in the machine. Teams looking for clues in every detail, every Hyperspace trek.

Evidence I Exist

Evidence I Persist

Rust Syndicate and Mable are tracking every spike in the city

International attention gets involved :)

If you see strange things...

Follow

the sound

of water

Nessa and Corbeau keep butting heads but only because Hyperspace keeps expanding and there's no sign of Sage

Someone is waiting for them there

Sage is home!

But something's different

Trauma Response 1

Aria Evelyn - Hero of Kvatch, Listener (Oblivion/Skyrim) Playlist

Celaena Raijin, Aed Thana - The Dragonborn and her Genius Wife (Technically Oblivion? Mainly Skyrim) Playlist

Iris - Botany Witch, Tetraforce, Harmony Piece Holder (Twilight Princess, Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom) Playlist

Mardea Lin - Worldbreaker, Energy Hero (BNHA) (i have not interacted with bnha in literal years but mardea is very special to me so shhhhh) Playlist

Kaledia Myst, Rho Avri - Dark Urge and Tav (Baldur's Gate 3) Playlist

Vale - A star housing a Stellaron (Honkai: Star Rail) Playlist

Thyme Uchiumi - Water Weaver, Sign of the Crimson Body (Yugioh 5Ds) Playlist - Main Thymeline

Sage Umbra - Archivist, Mega Energy Battery (Pokemon: Legends ZA) Playlist - Main Timeline

Opal "Opalite" Weaveslight - Arane D&D character for a campaign i'm in. Not as many stories as there are updates. Playlist

November "Nove" Itsuaki - Escape Artist (Gachiakuta) Playlist

------

Ships:

Frostblood - Aria x Lucien

Carnelianshipping - Celaena x Aed (tbh i hardly write one without the other. This is self explanatory lmao)

Bloomingknight - Iris x Link

Thermodynamicshipping - Mardea x Shoto

Kineticenergyshipping - Mardea x Bakugo (this was a one-off/AU type shit)

Hauntedtones - Kaledia x Astarion

Inkflame - Rho x Shadowheart x Karlach

Starhymn - Vale x Dan Heng

Continuumshipping - Thyme x Yusei

Venomicshadows - Sage x Corbeau

Diffusedink - Sage x Nessa (they broke up lmao)

-----

"You're a persistant thorn in my side." Corbeau kept his hands carefully interlocked on the desk. "Letters, spam calls, and now just barging in? Things too boring back home? Have to meddle in another region's affairs?"

"Mags said you were the last point of contact. Sage hasn't responded to my letters, isn't responding to texts, and has fully dropped off the map." Nessa tightened her grip on her totebag. "So where are they?"

His temple twitched. "Maybe they don't want to talk to you? Your relationship ended quite a while ago-"

Grit teeth. "I'm well aware of our current dynamic-"

"Yet you still sport that topaz ring." Corbeau pointed to Nessa's hand. "Right beneath your new engagement ring, too- congrats, by the way. Does your fiance know you're here looking for an ex?Can't be a good look for-"

"You're stalling. You have no idea where Sage is." Teal eyes glanced around the room at half-obscured data maps. "You're just as lost as I am."

If Corbeau was surprised by her observation, he didn't show it. He's been in this business too long to let one sentence crack his facade. The silence stretched for too long as both parties stared each other down. Maybe stubborn-natured people were Sage's type.

Nessa broke eye contact first. She set her bag on the desk and began rummaging. "I can help-"

"Kalosian affairs have no need of Galarian assistance-"

Hands slowly pulled the blanket up her bare shoulders. Nessa didn't wake at the motion. Sage dared a kiss to her forehead, arms pulling her closer into a warm embrace.

It's been close to a year since their first meeting. Just once- Nessa had originally said in between heated passionate kisses. Hands gripped Sage's shoulders like a lifeline as their mouth and hands started to explore her body. Just for fun- she tried to anchor herself against the bedframe on the fifth meetup.

Just for you. As the days turned into months, their relationship grew. Sage had taken her on a proper date before their their seventh meetup and it spiraled from there. Nessa found herself wanting to be openly affectionate in public. By month four it was evident to anyone important that the two were in a relationship.

In a little over a month, it would be their anniversary. Sage's mind ran wild with ideas. Which restaurant, what outfits, a certain gift-

"I wanna marry you...." barely audible whispers into her hair. The scent of clean salt air still lingered.

"... let's do it."

Sage almost jumped out of their skin. Lavender eyes found teal in the darkness. "You're awake?" Blush partly of embarrassment, partly of how intimate these nights always were.

"I was suddenly warmed up by strong loving arms~" slender fingers ghosted up their chest, making them shiver. Hands found purchase on their cheek; Nessa had a playful sleepy smile, "I'd love to spend my life with you."

---

"We can't do this anymore."

Everything on the beach froze. Even the sun seemed to pause its descent over the horizon. Sage's eyes widened as fear gripped their heart. "I... what?"

Just a week ago the couple had gone ring shopping. Just a day ago they'd started looking where to elope. Just an hour ago they had kissed and said I love you-

Now that Sage thought about it... Nessa hasn't looked them in the eye all evening. She barely held their hand, either.

Nessa looked at her feet, face forcing a neutral gaze. Her shoulders trembled as she pulled the ring off her finger. "... Mother is right. I'm the new Water Gym Leader and I will be travelling for my-"

"That doesn't-"

"Sage, we're naïve to think this was long-term." Those darling teal eyes... Sage thought the light went out of them. "This was fun while it lasted. But we're both traveling down different paths in our lives and careers." Practiced, rehersed. How long had she been sitting on this?

"Nessa, I... I thought..."

Eyes closed, voice cracked as she spoke. "Please don't make this difficult."

Their voice caught in their throat. Sage took a moment before shaking their head. "I will respect your decision. But please, keep it."

"I-"

"This is not denial or possessiveness. You never have to see me again if it makes this easier. But please... keep it." No arguing, acceptance born from love. "A tangible memory of the fun we had." Sage bit back the urge to reach for her. Comfort her.

Tears trickled down her cheeks. Her hand returned to her chest, clutching the ring tightly. "...Sage, I... I'm sorry...."

"... I am, too." Sand gave way as they took a step backward. "... love is everchanging. You will have my support, no matter where you go. Send me a postcard wherever you land."

And then they were gone. Nessa fully let herself cry then, placing the ring onto her right middle finger. Poetic... the sun disappeared behind the horizon. She didn't look up at the stars.

---

Galar Archives were quiet. Too quiet. Well, aside from the ruffling of scattered miscellaneous papers, clinking of glass and crystals, and murmurs escaping the archivist's mouth.

It'd been two weeks since the breakup. Sage had fully dived into their work. Entry guards swore they only saw them enter once, not exit. Piles of overdue things to sort had, almost magically, been properly sorted and archived.

The new space and sudden checks off the general lab's "To-Do" list drew the Head Professor's attention. Magnolia's cane echoed with her footsteps down the hallway. She held a gasp when she entered the archives.

Sage's office was a mess. Trash from microwave vending meals scattered in piles along the floorboards. Scraps of crumpled paper balls covered half the desk. Pink crystals and an open package from a Kalosian address held the archivist's attention.

"Umbra."

They startled, dropping a crystal onto the floor. Pink wispy energy hummed in tandem with their pendant. "Yes, ma'am?"

Professor Magnolia shook her head. "Have you left this room at all?"

"For food and bathroom breaks." A sarcastic undertone unintentionally slipped. "I know what you're gonna say, but I'm fine. Work has never flowed more smoothly!"

"What about you, dear?"

"What about me?"

"Are you... avoiding personal troubles?" She tilted her head, treading carefully. "I heard about Nessa."

No response. Sage closed their eyes and shook the influx of thoughts and emotions from their head. Scribbles of pencils filled the vacant silence.

Minutes passed. Almost a testament of wills on who would break first. Given Sage's current momentum, they weren't gonna crack anytime soon. The Director knew how stubborn they could get, especially when they were deep in the trenches of their research.

She sighed. "Archivist Umbra, I'm not one to pull rank often-"

"What?" Sage spun around, curious.

"But as your friend, immediate boss, and overall Director of the Galar Archives-"

"Wait, are you-"

"I'm mandating you to go outside." Magnolia stomped her cane on the ground. "Go, as the kids say, touch grass."

Sage crossed their arms. "Mags, that is the cringiest thing you could've said to me." They turned back to the desk. "Listen I'm close to a breakthrough. These crystals from Kalos-"

"Umbra." Her voice was suddenly sharp and grating. They turned again to face the professor. "If I see you in this building, for any reason, in the next 5 days, I will personally defund all your Mega Research projects. You have 15 minutes to leave the premises."

A shaky laugh. "Surely you jest, Mags."

"14 minutes." Emerald eyes pierced their soul. "See you Saturday."