axd

[prismaticbleed]

 

Aegisshipping fanfic notes.


~Oracion~
(rough)

I followed her home that night.
It was one of the few things I had never dared attempt before… had never risked such a chance, but had always dreamed of it. Had always hoped for it.
It was a modest house, small but lovely, not too far from the garden itself. It surprised me how I had never known.
Small… two floors, a few balconies, flowers. It was typical of the city, but to me it was truly unique. To me it was truly special, as I knew who lived there. I was lucky enough.
The hour was late. I glanced up at the Space-Time towers, trying not to remember what had happened there almost a year ago. It was a few minutes after 9PM…
Slowly, silently, I faded into the shadows of the street, effortlessly gliding through the dark. I was invisible then, still hoping desperately that I would not be seen. I couldn’t understand why I was so nervous, even as I found the window I had been searching for. I quietly slipped through and materialized against the near wall, hoping I wouldn’t disturb her sleep.
Alice.
For years I had mistaken her as her grandmother. Alicia, her name had been. It wasn’t until that fateful day last year that I learned who she really was.
It didn’t change anything.
A few minutes passed then, as I did nothing but watch. The young woman did not awaken, did not seem to be suffering any nightmares. I was glad to see that, I realized as I took a cautious step closer. I didn’t want to cause her any pain.
Cautiously, with that thought in mind, I reached forward with a single shadowy hand, finally resting it softly on her head. I closed my icy eyes then, and hoped that for once in my life, I could cause a good dream…


“Tonio, hurry up! You’re going to get lost!” I laughed.
Of course, I knew that wasn’t true, as we had been playing together in this garden since we were children… but the weather was beautiful, I was happy, and I couldn’t help but tease him.
I laughed once more as I turned the corner and entered my favorite area of the garden: the large pond where so many strange events had been triggered, almost a year ago. I slowed down to gaze into its azure depths, the mirrored surface reflecting the clear sky back to me with a wink. I laughed again, indulging in life’s simple pleasures. “Tonio, have you ever seen such a beautiful day?” I sighed happily, lost in the glittering waters.
The silence caught me by surprise. “Tonio?” I began worriedly, and turned around to greet only empty air. “Tonio, where are you?”
I felt the first shiver of panic run down my spine as I ran to the other side of the clearing. He had been here just a second ago… could he have really gotten lost? Considering this, I was about to run back into the wooded area to search for him when I felt something strange. My nervousness spiking, I whirled around once more and noticed the dark creature where I had been only moments before. I recognized him at once.
“…Darkrai?” I began in disbelief, but my nerves had already begun to relax. Darkrai was a close friend of mine, after all. I had no reason to fear.
“Darkrai, have you seen Tonio?” I ventured, hoping my old friend could give me an answer, but once again my only reply was silence. Had he heard me?
“…Darkrai?” I tried again, when I suddenly heard him sob.
Shocked and now more worried than before, I quickly ran over to the nightmare monster’s side. Had I done something wrong? Was it something I said? My mind was racing, but Darkrai didn’t even open his eyes. I would have thought he was ignoring me if I didn’t feel so strange then. I tried once more.
“Darkrai… are you all right?”
“…No.”
I jumped slightly, not just at his immediate answer but because I didn’t expect so much pain in his voice. My expression softened in concern, and I took another step towards him, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. He was shaking slightly. “Darkra—”
I gasped in surprise as his shadowy arms suddenly pulled me close—too close, I realized almost immediately. It felt as if he was holding on to me for dear life, as if he feared I would fade away if he let me go in the slightest. I noticed what the shaking was, too… he was crying. Silently, sure, but there was nonetheless a terrible sorrow emanating from him as he held me close. Unsure what else to do, I slowly put my arms around his shadowy form as well, as his embrace tightened a little more.
I was completely confused and worried at the same time… Darkrai had never acted like this before. I could help but wonder why—
My heart skipped a beat as he suddenly let go, gently pulling me away to stand facing him once more. A single tear fell from his star-blue eyes, something I had never seen before, but held me transfixed. I couldn’t possibly break away from those pained eyes, even as I suddenly felt his black claws move from my shoulders to my face, softer than I could have imagined.
“Alice…” he began quietly, as I helplessly felt tears well up in my own eyes.
“…You’re my Oracion.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~masquerade notes~

“Kaze ni Notte”

(music playing)
(Alice & Tonio are dancing & laughing)
(person at microphone) “All right, everyone, time to switch partners!”
Tonio: I’ll see you, Alice!
Alice: See you, Tonio!
(almost immediately a black-gloved hand takes Alice’s)
Alice: Oh… hi… *surprised*
???: *smiling* Hey. What’s your name?
Alice: Alice—oh!
???: *has just done that dance move where you both move backwards while holding one hand* I’m Derek. Derek Nox. *pulls her close into a waltz position*
Alice: *laughing* It’s a pleasure to meet you, Derek.
Derek: No, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Alice. I don’t think I’ve ever met a girl as beautiful as you… and I’ve been dancing here all night! *laughs*
Alice: *also laughing lightheartedly* Oh, I’m sure you say that to every girl you meet, Derek.
Derek: *looking away slightly* No… I don’t. *turns back to Alice, his expression is very sincere but sad*
Alice: … *flattered but unsure how to react*
(Just now, Alberto dances by them with a human-disguised Cresselia; she’s laughing and having a good time while he’s struggling to keep up)
Derek: …Alice?
Alice: Yes?
Derek: Would you mind… meeting me after the dance? *quickly* Just after this song is over—by the windows, overlooking the town. Would you mind?
Alice: Oh, no, I wouldn’t mind.
Derek: *smiles* Thank you, Alice.
(announcer again) All right, everyone! Let’s switch partners one more time!
Derek: I guess I’ll be seeing you, then?
Alice: Uh-huh. It was nice meeting you, Derek.
Derek: I’m glad I met you, too, Alice.
(He gently swings her over to the right and lets go of her hands—as soon as he does, the music stops.)
Alice: … (Looks strangely lost as Tonio takes her hand again and they go back to dancing)

“
--garden scene—rough notes.
(this is later on in the scene.)

Derek: *sighs, looks down noticeably, looks very distressed* Alice, I’ve missed you so much…
Alice: *slight laugh, but unsurely* But—Derek, you just saw me last night. *after a slight vocal catch* We just met last night!
Derek: *shakes head vehemently, continues quickly* No, Alice, you don’t understand—!
Alice: *is silent, a little concerned but very curious*
Derek: *after a heavy pause* I’ve… seen you around before. I live in this city, too, of course… and we’ve actually crossed paths several times, whether you remember those times or not. *visibly upset now* I’ve always been watching you from afar, Alice. You’re one of the most kind, amazing people I’ve ever had the honor to know, but never personally. I’ve always dreamed of being able to meet you like this, just to tell you how much I admire you, and how much you’ve grown to mean to me. *sighs again, but very sadly* I’m sorry if this seems sudden to you…
Alice: *quickly, apparently she’s sympathetic* No, Derek, I’m the one who should be sorry! I had… no idea. I wish I had known; maybe I could have—
Derek: *cuts her off* It’s all right. I just… have one question for you, Alice.
Alice: *softly, it’s apparent she’s beginning to open up to him* Yes?
Derek: *visibly very nervous* It’s… actually about the garden we’re in… have you ever heard of a Pokemon named Darkrai? I’ve heard so many people talking about it, and I’ve been wondering if you know anything about—
Alice: *cuts him off now* Oh no, he’s not anything like what they say! I… I’ve actually met him before, and—
Derek: You have?
Alice: *nods* Yes, several times. He’s not evil like everyone seems to think… he’s actually… he saved my life when I was a little girl. *smiles, laughing* He saved my life again just last year, too!
Derek: Really?
Alice: Yeah… *nostalgic smile* I’m glad I got to know him.
Derek: It sounds like he cares about you.
Alice: *seems slightly surprised, then seems to ponder this* He might… *straightens up* Well, I care about him. He’s a good friend of mine, and I don’t want to see anything bad happening to him… so if you ever hear anyone speaking ill of him again, you let them know the truth, all right?
Derek: Do… do you really mean that?
Alice: *slightly indignant* Of course I do! Why wouldn’t I?
Derek: *closes eyes tightly, apparently fighting off tears, then looks down again* Alice…
Alice: *softening immediately, worried* Yes, Derek?
Derek: … *reaches up with his right hand, runs it through his hair from the back and, in doing so, pulls a fair amount down over his right eye*
Derek: …If he ever told you that he loved you… *looks up at her, openly crying now, right hand still in his hair* …Do you think you could try and love him back?
Alice: *the sudden resemblance strikes her immediately, obviously shocked, but her expression isn’t harsh—it’s understanding* Darkrai?