Pokémon Obsidian | An Orre Fanfiction

Chapter 53: Monster

There was a chaotic atmosphere at the Pokémon HQ Lab. Scaffolding covered the laboratory wing. To expand the Purify Chamber further than ever, they needed more space. Hop, Lumir, Zane and Wisteria temporarily took care of the Shadow Pokémon there was no room for.

Hop didn't mind taking extra Pokémon while Lumir met Natalya. After a few weeks, though, he stopped disappearing so urgently. He was pale and looked permanently stupefied, as if he unexpectedly survived a tidal wave. Bianka called to ask if he was alright. It was now Lumir who arrived as late and left as early as possible.

'Are you sure you're alright?' Jovi asked, 'You look like you've just seen the ghost of Ardie.'

'I... might have inherited his lack of interest in sex. That, or...'

He feared he was a mere distraction for Natalya. She was already offering to divorce Jet, whatever the personal cost, but Lumir admittedly couldn't understand why when their relationship revolved so heavily around sex and nothing more.

'I don't think you're like Ardie. I think she's just, er, enjoying your company more than you're enjoying hers.'

'But... I used to love her company. I'm sure I still would if only we spoke more...'

'Have you said that?'

'I've tried, but... you can imagine how it ended. I feel terribly ungrateful... but I would like to be loved like a human being, not a dildo. And I truly believe, at this point, that she will regret this. I think she's upset because J– uh, you-know-who is in Cipher and she's getting carried away, trying to distract herself...'

'Oh, dear... I'm sure she does love you, Lumie. Maybe it's never been like this with hubby, so she's getting really, really into it with you? Still, I'm not gonna lie – it's not a good sign that you can't talk about it.'

'Indeed... but people change. Perhaps I, too, am guilty of putting my memories of our friendship on a pedestal that no real relationship can reach...'

'I dunno, dude. I don't think it's far-fetched to hope you can be friends, as well as lovers, who can talk about differing sex drives.'

'What should I do? I promised to meet her today, because I've been avoiding her all week, but... I don't think I can take any more. I feel like a piece of meat...'

'Tell her that. If she won't accept it, leave.'

'Want me to come with you?' Hop offered, 'In case you can't get away?'

Jovi grimaced. 'Jeez! If it's that bad, maybe you should be dumping her by text!'

'No. I can't do that. I'll go alone...'

Meanwhile, Wisteria let a Shadow Alcremie bake with her and Amaryllis. It blasted spoiled cream all over the kitchen. Their cupcakes were ruined. Alcremie ignored Wisteria, but when Amaryllis firmly explained what it did wrong, it seemed to acknowledge it and waddled off, embarrassed.

'See?' Hop said, 'Baking with her did help. She would've attacked a few hours ago.'

'I think I'm losing my touch if they'll listen to my 11 year-old sister and not me...'

'No. You trusted Alcremie. Then she listened to Amaryllis.'

Amaryllis salvaged one cupcake. She took it to Reira. Sitting on her bed in her comfortable Froslass pyjamas, she chewed gum as if it was urgent as she clicked at her laptop.

'Alcremie ruined most of the cakes, but I rescued this one for you.'

'Oh!'

Reira smiled. 'Thank you, Rillie. That's super sweet of you.'