#kynim

I Think You’re Pretty Great

It had been a pretty great day, all things considered. Benga would have listed it in his top ten days of the year, really. He and N had gone on a long hike with his dad, and Matthias got to come too! There were so many nice things to see on the outskirts of Floccesy, and Benga had even befriended a wild Mareep that tried to steal his trail mix. N had laughed uproariously as Benga chased down the theif, and Benga had thought that good mood would last the whole day. 

Until they got home and Benga’s mom kissed his forehead as a greeting.

N suddenly went pale, well, paler than normal. Benga often thought he could use more time in the sun. But back to the point. N had reacted really weirdly, and withdrew into himself like he did in the first few days of him staying with Gramps. He was quiet throughout dinner, and when Benga suggested playing soccer out in the yard afterwards to make the most out of the summer sunlight, he opted to stay in and read.

“What do you think’s eating him?” Benga asked Matthias as the Zoroark blocked the soccer ball flying his way. 

Matthias was quiet for a minute as they kicked the ball back and forth. “…N’s mom died when he was six.”

The ball rolled past Benga’s feet and he stared at the ground. “…Oh.” 

“Yeah.” Matthias sighed. “He had a lot of stuff growing up, tons of toys and games and all that. But he didn’t have…he didn’t have what you have, is what I mean.”

“That sucks.” Benga walked over to pick up the ball. “What can I do to help?”

“I dunno. Usually he’d talk to me or one of our other Pokémon friends about it, but he stopped doing that a few years back.”

“Hmm.”

Eventually the sun dipped down below the horizon and Benga went back inside for the night. Matthias would follow after a little bit - he had a habit of patrolling the property at dusk. To look out for any dangers to N, Benga surmised. Flocessy was a pretty peaceful town though…Benga frowned as he closed the door. Maybe N wasn’t the only one with personal demons. 

Benga made his way down the hall towards his bedroom, bouncing the soccer ball a few more times on his knee. Just as he passed the guest room however, he paused.

It was open just a bit. It hadn’t been earlier, when N had locked himself in with his books. 

It took Benga all of five seconds to make his decision. Nudging open the door a bit more, Benga poked his head into the room.

“N?”

N was standing by the windowsill, looking out over the town. There was a book in one of his hands, hanging at his side. He didn’t seem to notice Benga as he entered the room.

“Hey man.”

N finally looked up. He didn’t seem upset that Benga had come in, so Benga took that as permission to walk up to him.

“…It’s a nice view, yeah?”

N nodded, turning back to the window. 

They stood there for a moment.

“My mother was often bedridden, in my memory.”

Benga blinked. “…Oh?”

“Yes. She was…not very strong, physically. So she rarely went outdoors. But she had a window, and there were hills in the distance. She said one day when she was stronger and the curse was broken, we could go out beyond those hills together.”

“The curse?”

“The curse of the Harmonias. That’s why she died - she tried to make amends to the Original Dragon. All so that I didn’t have to suffer the way she did, the way our ancestors did. That’s what Anthea and Concordia told me anyway.”

N leaned over on the windowsill, staring out towards something Benga couldn’t see. “Everything I did, I did in her honor. Fath...Ghetsis told me that becoming a hero would end the curse and fulfill my mother’s wish for me to live a good life. That I would become everything she wanted.” 

He sighed. “Sometimes I wonder, if she could see me now…what would she think of me?”

Benga stared at him for a while. Then, he scooted forward and wrapped his arms around N, hugging him from behind.

“Well…I think you’re pretty great.”

Rotom Mix-Up!

“Better get out of here quickly before those two make this even more complicated,” Colress muttered to himself as he maneuvered out of the warehouse district and towards the Virbank City ferry station. Hadron chittered at him as they emerged into the streets, and Colress rolled his eyes.

“Yes, yes, I’ll get you another paper cup later, okay?”

Luckily the crowds of people coming in and out of the station would quickly mask his presence, at least until Ghetsis’ brat and that aggressive friend of his notified the authorities. Which they probably were doing right now. Colress sighed and held up a pokeball.

“Well, time to go. Hadron, ret-“

“THERE YOU ARE!”

A person with dark hair and a white coat similar to Colress’ own was running full tilt at him. Colress frowned and reached into his pocket for another pokeball. Did those kids get someone on his case already? She looked more like a scientist than police, he thought, but he should probably prepare for a fight.

Except when she reached him, she didn’t even spare him a glance, instead going up to Hadron and putting her hands on her hips angrily. 

“I can’t believe you, running off at a time like this! Do you have any idea how worried I was?!”

Hadron chirped, looking at Colress expectantly. 

“…Miss, I think you’re mistaken,” he said, frowning. “This Rotom belongs to me.” She blinked and stared at him, then squinted through her glasses at Hadron.

“…Oh. You’re not Kama.”

Hadron went to hover over Colress’ shoulder, buzzing. The stranger groaned, looking rather exasperated.

“Aw man, sorry about that. Have you seen another Rotom around here though?”

Colress recalled Hadron into its pokeball. “I’m afraid not. Now if you’ll excuse me, I really must be going-“

Suddenly, he felt a prickling sensation on the top of his head. Glancing up, he saw the grinning face of another little orange creature as it played with the blue curl coming out of his hair.

“What the-“

The scientist gasped. “Kama!” Hearing its name, the little Rotom turned and buzzed cheerfully, floating over to its owner. 

“Oh you are in so much trouble,” she said sternly. “What did I tell you about wandering off in the middle of a crowd? Honestly…”

The Rotom chirped as if it was laughing, floating up to land in its trainer’s hair and flicking her ponytail from side to side. She sighed in a mix of what sounded like exasperation and fondness.

“Little imp.”

She turned and began to walk away, waving at Colress as she did. “Sorry again about the mix-up, have a good day!”

Colress raised an eyebrow as he turned to follow the crowd into the ferry station.

Agape

Remil was never really one for large parties. He’d always known, of course, that as both prince and now king he’d have to attend quite a few, but that didn’t mean he had to enjoy every single one.

That said, he thought as he swirled the last dregs of wine in his goblet, this one wasn’t too bad. He could hardly believe it, his cousin, married! The new couple had been surrounded by well wishers ever since the mingling had begun, and Remil noted the flush of pink on Kyuvos’ face as Lord Luthien made a comment to him with a jolly grin. Lady Aris Praestigia was slightly more clever, hiding her expression with her goblet as she took a careful sip. 

Remil smiled into his own cup. It was…honestly kind of nice to have all the attention on just Kyuvos for a change. Everyone at court had been so excited ever since the engagement was announced, and barely anyone had come to him with offers for their daughters’ hands in months. After all, no one would want to take away from Kyuvos’ big day. Remil liked that. Besides, Kyuvos was far more natural at maneuvering energized conversation. Remil was content to stand by the sidelines and watch. 

“Ah, your Majesty!” 

Well. It was peaceful while it lasted, Remil sighed internally. Lord Luthien had evidently decided he was done teasing Kyuvos and was walking towards Remil with a wide grin. 

“Evening, Lord Luthien,” he said politely. The man laughed and glanced back towards Kyuvos, who was whispering to Lady Praestigia. 

“A fine match, I should say! Those two seem as if they were made for each other!”

“Indeed,” Remil said. “Lady Praestigia and my cousin get along quite famously. We are all honored to welcome her into the royal family.”

“The Praestigia women are all great beauties of admirable skill,” Luthien continued. “Tell me, your Majesty, what do you believe is the most attractive feature of a genteel?”

Remil blinked. “Ah. Well…” he mentally flipped through years of conversations with Kyuvos about this very topic, none of which had been very helpful to him. Trying not to panic, he blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “The eyes…are said to be windows to the soul.”

“Very poetic,” Lord Luthien smiled. Remil nodded, deciding not to mention that his response was indeed, straight out of a book of poetry that Kyuvos had been reading during his failed attempt at composing something for Lady Praestigia. Which he’d been sworn not to speak of.

“You’ll attract all the pretty youths with that sort of flowery talk!” Luthien laughed, and suddenly Remil felt very sweaty. 

“Will you excuse me, Lord Luthien? The summer heat is a bit stifling tonight, I think I’ll go get some fresh air.” 

Luthien nodded to him and went to bother some other high ranking noble. Remil immediately left the reception hall and headed for the gardens after handing his goblet off to a servant, trying not to look like he was in too much of a hurry. 

As the cool breeze of the evening washed over him, Remil let out a long sigh. He could barely hear the party from here, with all the shrubs and trees to block the sound. It was just perfect.

He navigated through the gardens, heading for his favorite spot. As he approached, however, his eye caught a flash of purple, and he froze. 

“Um-“

The woman sitting on the bench flinched and turned around. She was several years older than Remil, and her violet hair fell around her shoulders in a way similar to the woman who had just married his cousin.

“Ah. Lieutenant Praestigia,” he said, bowing his head. “I apologize, I did not know anyone was out here.”

Lady Praestigia’s elder sister relaxed her shoulders and stood up from the bench. “The apology is mine, your Majesty. Please, do not allow me to disturb you.” She began to walk off, but Remil found himself stepping forward.

“Wait-“

She turned back to him, an impassive look on her face.

“It…I didn’t mean to interrupt you either,” he said. “Please do not feel like you must leave on my account.”

The lieutenant stared at him for a moment. Then, she sat back down on the bench she’d been occupying. Remil walked past it to look up at the statue she’d been observing. It was of a Braviary, its wings spread out over a trio of smaller Pokémon at its feet - a Rufflet, a Pidove, and a Ducklett.

“Do you like this statue as well, Lieutenant?”

She was silent for a moment, as if surprised he continued to speak. “…Yes. The Braviary reminds me of my own companion.” She paused briefly. “Aris likes the one in the east side of the garden.”

“Ah, the…two lovers,” Remil said. “An elegant piece. My cousin enjoys it too.”

More silence. And then, Remil found himself speaking again, to his own surprise. 

“They are…quite happy together.”

“The…you mean the bride and groom? Yes, I should say so.”

Remil took a deep breath, turning to the lieutenant. “You…you are married as well.”

“Yes.” 

“And you have a child.”

“Yes.” 

The young king looked up at her. “What is it like?”

Her head inclined just barely. Then, she patted the spot on the bench next to her. 

Remil hesitated before walking over and taking the offered seat. Lieutenant Praestigia folded her hands over her robes. 

“Marriage is above all else, a partnership,” she said. “A joining of families, and of individuals, who will care for one another until the end of their lives.”

She looked out into the garden. “Some matches are unlucky, filled with anger and discord. Plenty are fortuitous, and bring love and light into the families. But they say it takes time, and dedication.”

“How…how much time?” Remil asked. “Your husband…he was a stranger to you, wasn’t he?”

Praestigia fixed him with a cool but not unkind stare. “Yes, I was sixteen when I met him for the first time. We did not even know each other’s faces before then.”

“Then…” Remil fiddled with the edge of his sleeve. “…how long did it take for you to learn to love him? Was it hard?”

She sighed. “If I am to be honest, I believe I am still learning.”

Remil frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I…do not feel for Elyias what my sister does for Kyuvos,” she said carefully. “Or at least, I believe I do not. The passion spoken of in poetry, the honey sweet words in the novels, I do not feel as if any of that can describe my marriage.”

“Make no mistake,” she said quickly, in a tone so sharp it caught Remil off guard, “I am devoted to my husband. He is kind, and gentle, and has never asked anything of me in eight years of marriage. In that sense, I am very lucky - it was a good match. He takes care of me, and in return I care for him and have given him a son.”

“But you do not…you do not love him?” Remil blinked. 

Praestigia sighed. “I do not know if I am capable of that affection,” she said softly. “Sometimes I wish I could do it, for Elyias’ sake. But he would never ask it of me, and I am still dedicated to him and to taking care of our son. For him…for us, that is enough.”

“And your son?”

Her eyes went to the statue Rufflet cuddled at the foot of the stone Braviary. “Motherhood did not come naturally.”

“But.” She turned back to meet Remil’s gaze. “I would slay a thousand armies to keep him from harm. He is a good child, clever and kind, and he deserves as much. His only fault is that I am his mother.” 

“…You seem rather hard on yourself,” Remil said softly. 

“It is the nature of us warriors to carry more burdens than others would think necessary,” she replied. 

Silence fell on the garden, and Remil looked  up at the statue with a solemn expression.

“I don’t know how much more I can carry before I break.” He murmured.

Praestigia turned to him, and Remil met her gaze. 

“We do what we must,” she said. “And we do our best to make the most of it. But we do not do it alone.”

Remil stared at her.

“I have my parents, my sister, my husband, and my son,” she said. “You have your mother, your uncle, your cousin, and now Aris. Which means, upon the joining of these families, you now have me as well.” 

She stood, robe fluttering slightly in the light breeze. “Come, little cousin. I must have a word with my new brother-in-law.”

Remil joined her side as she began to walk back into the palace. “Do you really mean that?”

“I have been told I am quite terrible at jokes,” she scoffed. “Yes, I mean it. Family looks after family.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” Remil murmured. She nodded. 

Breakfast With the Family

“Lilion won’t be joining us for breakfast this morning?” Reshai asked as Zekrias took his seat at the table. 

His twin shook his head. “She’ll be down in a moment, she just wanted to sleep in a little longer. The baby will be here any day now, so…”

“Well, it’ll be good for her to get some sleep while she still can,” Navos chuckled. “Isn’t that right, Kyuvos?”

The toddler in his arms turned to look up at him curiously at the sound of his name. “Ababa?”

“Don’t play innocent,” Reshai teased, poking his son’s cheek. “Not when you stole away so many of Papa and Daddy’s much needed rest.”

Kyuvos batted at Reshai’s hand and giggled, causing all three men to let out an involuntary coo of endearment.

“You better watch out Resh,” Zekrias grinned as he began to pile fruits onto his plate. “I bet my baby’s going to be even cuter than little Kyuvos. They’ll be the envy of the entire court, that’s for sure!”

“With your looks? Please,” Reshai snorted, passing the bread basket to Navos. Zekrias put a palm to his chest and gasped theatrically.

“How could you? My own brother!”

Reshai rolled his eyes as Zekrias adopted a look of intense betrayal. “You’re so dramatic,” he said, tearing open a roll. 

“Oh come on, I’m definitely the handsome twin,” Zekrias insisted. “Besides, Lilion is the most beautiful woman in all of Unova, there’s no way our child won’t be just as lovely.”

“Hard to argue with that, dear,” Navos remarked. Reshai sighed.

“Well, we shall pray that Lilion’s features balance out yours then,” he shrugged. “Navos, would you pass the jam?”

As Navos reached over Kyuvos to hand the jar to his husband, the toddler turned to stare at Lilion’s empty chair. 

“Aunee?” he asked, looking up at Navos.

“Auntie is resting, love,” Reshai said gently. “She’s very tired, so-“

Suddenly, the doors to the banquet hall flew open with a SLAM!

“GREAT DRAGON I AM STARVING!” 

“Erm, good morning honey,” Zekrias said blankly as he stood up to pull out a chair for his very pregnant wife. Lilion scoffed.

“I’m pregnant, Zekrias, not an invalid!” She marched over confidently, but as she attempted to sit down her knees gave out on her and she grabbed her husband’s arm for support with a flush of frustration across her face.

“I feel like a bloated Pignite,” she grumbled as Zekrias poured her a cup of steaming green liquid. “Tea again?”

“You know wine isn’t good for you right now,” Zekrias reminded her. “And the healers said this blend is good for cramps.”

“I can attest to its effectiveness, even if it is far too bitter for my tastes,” Reshai remarked. Lilion groaned. 

“Aunee!” Kyuvos waved, and instantly her face shifted to a much sweeter expression. 

“Good morning darling! I bet you’re excited to get a new playmate soon!”

Kyuvos blinked at her curiously. “Eeh?”

“Don’t you remember, Kyuvos?” Navos bounced the toddler on his lap. “Auntie Lilion is going to have a baby!”

Kyuvos’ eyes widened. “Bebbi?” 

Lilion grinned. “Yes sweetie, a baby! They’re in my belly right now!” She patted her rounded midsection, and Kyuvos stared.

“Bebbi…dere?” He pointed at Lilion’s stomach, and she nodded. 

The toddler tilted his head to the side, as if thinking. “Kuvo…dere?”

Zekrias burst out laughing. “Oh no, Kyuvos, you came from a different belly!”

“Ah?” Kyuvos blinked. Reshai sighed at his brother’s antics.

“You came from Daddy’s tummy, love,” he said, tucking a lock of green hair behind Kyuvos’ ear. The toddler gasped.

“Daddy tummy?” Reshai nodded, and Kyuvos looked between his fathers in amazement.

“Woooow!”

Zekrias snickered. “I feel like we’ve had to explain this a hundred times now!”

“You can’t blame him for forgetting,” Reshai shrugged. “He’s not even two years old yet.”

“Kyuvos sweetie, do you want to say hello to Auntie’s baby?” Lilion asked. 

Kyuvos gasped and stretched his little arms out towards his aunt. “Abah!”

She laughed, beckoning forward. “Come on then, love.” 

Navos stood up and carried Kyuvos over to Lilion’s chair, and she gently placed his tiny hands over her stomach. Kyuvos patted her pregnant belly gently.

“Bebbi,” he said, fascinated. “Play?”

“Not quite yet,” Navos smiled. “But soon, yes! You’re going to be a big cousin, Kyuvos!”

Kyuvos let out a babble of excitement, throwing his arms around the bump. All four adults gasped at the sheer overwhelming cuteness.

“Mine is still gonna be cuter,” Zekrias muttered to Reshai. His brother reached over and flicked his shoulder.