[Welcome to the Slateport Museum! It's usually a lot better when there aren't a bunch of clearly defeated grunts trying to catch their bearings from the apocalyptic asswhooping they received before they start to flee like their lives depend on it. Thankfully, the nice Museum ladies are happy to waive the fee for anyone coming in while they too gather their own bearings from the hurricane that seems to have rained down upon them, but they'll direct Corbeau upstairs...
Where thankfully, it seems, there's no more grunts to be found. In fact, the woman in the dark magenta suit seems almost disappointed, hands on her hips and pouting as she looks around. Her Altaria is still with her, but another Pokemon is out as well; a Dragalge who's highly alert, her gaze immediately flicking to Corbeau before Jacinthe even notices.]
Hmph. All of this hustle and bustle, and they couldn't even put one of their bosses at the helm of this operation? How rude, and deeply boring. Well, I suppose we ought to make sure we get one of them to take to the authorities, so let us away, girls. Chop chop--
[But then Jacinthe turns around properly, head in the clouds as ever as she flicks a short strand of hair out of her face, and she catches what she didn't expect.
She wanted him to pursue her, for once. She's always felt like she's been the mirror barely following his reflection, the little one barely toddling behind the footsteps of a much greater, kinder man who she wanted to emulate so badly it hurt. Who she...
Well, no time for that. Jacinthe crushes those thoughts easily as she fixes Corbeau a practiced, bright smile.]
Sir, it's rather dangerous to come in here, you know. You should go out where it's safe, hm?
[Maybe if she plays dumb and pretends enough, he'll go away. Or maybe he'll call her bluff; she's not entirely sure, but both of her partners stare at her and at Meowstic and her trainer, confused more than anything.]
[A nod of thanks, and they're on their way. Meowstic is barely keeping up with Corbeau at this point - despite his short stature, he takes the stairs two at a time and reaches the upper floor with ease, finding Jacinthe. He remains near the only exit as if to block her from trying to run, but... surely she wouldn't do that again. Not here and now. Not after five damn years. Even so, he won't give her the opportunity.
He knew that the woman Philippe described looked different, but seeing Jacinthe now... She's radiant. Well, she's always been radiant. But there's something about seeing her new appearance - short hair, new outfit, same bright smile - that makes him feel—
[Meowstic bristles beside him, gearing up for a fight, because clearly that's where this is headed. Corbeau doesn't get angry without good reason, and now he's yelling, so clearly—]
You're just gonna pretend like you don't know me, like that'll somehow make this all go away!?
[—orrrrrr not. Okay. She doesn't know what's going on anymore. She'll just wait for the cue to attack, she supposes.]
Somehow, deep in her heart of hearts, she knew he wasn't going to make this easy. She doesn't even try to hold up the facade anymore; her arms fold in front of her neatly, like she's the picture of prim and elegant perfection, but her eyes have gone that deeply distinct brand of unamused she gets when things don't go her way. Or maybe it's just a distance she wants to keep, because she made the mistake of letting her emotions guide her before. Never again.
When she speaks, it's more than a little sharp, barbs raised and her Pokemon looking even more confused as she speaks coldly.]
Oh, no. I simply thought it would be much easier if we attempted to start from scratch, but it seems that I was incorrect. I would watch my mouth, however, if I was you; I am in no mood to tolerate your attitude.
[Maybe if she pushes him away enough, he'll go. Let him think them enemies, because it'd be so much easier. He'll make that awful noise of disapproval and just make it all the easier to leave again, and he won't interfere with the new life she's so desperately tried to claw for herself.]
[Corbeau wants to stay mad. He wants to rise to the challenge she puts before him because it would be easier. It would be so much simpler to take the bait and get angry and maybe it'd just break things off for good. Then he wouldn't have to think about her ever again.
...But no, that's a childish and stupid way of looking at it. He knows himself better than that. He'd never be able to forgive himself for treating her so poorly. So Corbeau takes a breath and steadies himself. He adjusts his glasses. He tries again.]
I wanted to find you. It... didn't feel right, leaving things as they were. I want to know why you left and cut contact with everyone.
[He's quiet for a moment, eyes flicking away.]
Was it because of what happened that day? My reaction?
[Should he apologize? Would that even help at this point? He isn't exactly sorry, because he doesn't think he did anything wrong, but he doesn't really understand what happened. It seems foolish to offer an apology for something he's not sure warrants it. So... let's start with this and see where that takes us.]
[She doesn't want to think about this. She'd been so damn content to put this out of her mind for years, along with everything else. She was fine. Jacinthe was fine and now he's here and she can't escape it, and she's starting to shake--]
What on earth are you talking about? You didn't do anything wrong.
[It's out of her mouth before she can stop it, and maybe it's a little uncharacteristic of her, of all people, to take the blame. But it was her fault. It was her fault all of this happened, she screwed up with one of the few genuine friends she had and she panicked and--
Jacinthe wants to walk away so damn badly, because confronting this means confronting the puzzle of what she actually...feels, about Corbeau. And by the way her gaze seems to dart, she's...really not ready for that, and she finds herself shaking her head.]
--There's no reason to talk about this further. Your reaction made things quite clear that day, and I've been content to put it out of my mind and find my own way since. If anything, I should be thanking you for bringing me out of my silly little fantasy! It truly works wonders to clear the mind.
Now, if you will excuse me--
[So if you don't mind, she is going to try and walk past him--if he's this stubborn, she doesn't imagine he'll make this easy, but this is for the best. Surely he has to realize that?]
[She's shaking. Is she angry? Upset? Scared? He can't tell. Didn't he have an easier time reading her years ago? Or did he just delude himself into thinking he understood her better than he did? After all, he never would have imagined that she'd leave everything and everyone behind so suddenly, for a reason he can't see. She's given him another piece to the puzzle, but it's about as clear as anything without his glasses on: which is to say, it isn't clear at all.
Corbeau moves to block the stairs, reaching to call out Scolipede to ensure that she won't be getting past. The giant bug looks at Jacinthe with an expression that can best be summed up as !!! both because he likes her quite a bit and because this can only be a good thing for his trainer to have found her so soon, right?? Meowstic also stands beside him, but she's a willowy little thing who is not exactly great at blocking the stairs. She's doing her best!! But she'd be more useful if she was using her psychic powers and Corbeau's already told her not to.]
I still don't understand. What happened that day?
[He exhales, frustrated, and tries again.]
...I thought it was the sort of thing we'd talk about in a day or so, after the adrenaline wore off and things were taken care of with our respective groups. I didn't think it was all that big a deal. I didn't know how to feel about it in the moment, and when you took off, I assumed you just needed some time to calm down.
Is that what drove you away? My reaction to it?
[Is he the reason why she left? Why she never got to see her parents again? Things were complicated with them, sure, but...]
[Something in Jacinthe tenses when she realizes that oh. Corbeau is very serious about this, actually. There's a brief moment where her posture seems to tighten, and she can feel Altaria's worried eyes on her; Dragalge has seemingly tensed in kind, looking at Jacinthe like she's waiting for marching orders. Jacinthe could just force her way, as she always has. She wants to. She wants to so badly.
Of all of the things that get her to hesitate, it's the genuine joy that Scolipede looks at her with that actually gets her to consider against it. Because somehow, harming a creature that's looking at her with such joy feels...cruel, almost.
Her shaking hasn't stopped, but Jacinthe finally speaks up after a moment, closing her eyes.]
Zut alors...yes. Fine! It was your reaction that drove me away that day, at least in part; knowing just how little the SBC as a whole actually respects me contributed to such a factor as well. But I let myself get consumed by a flight of fancy that I still do not understand to this day, and I have put it out of my mind for years because I had assumed it was fairly cut and dry! I am still terribly sorry for springing such a thing upon you, but answer me this much:
Are you aware that I cannot tell what you are thinking, Corbeau?
[Something in Jacinthe finally starts to actually anger at this, at the realization that. Oh, she's. Actually a lot madder about this than she thought--]
And do you know how demoralizing it is to have you have implied that I have been simply thinking too much, feeling as if I have been considered stupid for such a thing, only to have those events transpire with one of the few people who have shown me any sort of care without condition?
I am not considering myself entitled to you in the slightest, because I am not. You are your own man, and even though I have struggled with it, I am now my own woman, and...
[Maybe this much will get him to go away. Maybe this much will get him angry enough to fight back, and the bridge will fully burn away into nothing. Because she simply isn't good enough yet, not for him, not for anyone. All she wanted was to become strong, strong enough to surpass him so maybe he'd finally--]
...It was the motivation I needed, really. With nothing else to lose, what was stopping me from finally breaking out of the shell of some weak, delicate little damsel in need of protecting that you all see me as?
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sranks2025-10-22 06:33 pm
no subject
Where thankfully, it seems, there's no more grunts to be found. In fact, the woman in the dark magenta suit seems almost disappointed, hands on her hips and pouting as she looks around. Her Altaria is still with her, but another Pokemon is out as well; a Dragalge who's highly alert, her gaze immediately flicking to Corbeau before Jacinthe even notices.]
Hmph. All of this hustle and bustle, and they couldn't even put one of their bosses at the helm of this operation? How rude, and deeply boring. Well, I suppose we ought to make sure we get one of them to take to the authorities, so let us away, girls. Chop chop--
[But then Jacinthe turns around properly, head in the clouds as ever as she flicks a short strand of hair out of her face, and she catches what she didn't expect.
She wanted him to pursue her, for once. She's always felt like she's been the mirror barely following his reflection, the little one barely toddling behind the footsteps of a much greater, kinder man who she wanted to emulate so badly it hurt. Who she...
Well, no time for that. Jacinthe crushes those thoughts easily as she fixes Corbeau a practiced, bright smile.]
Sir, it's rather dangerous to come in here, you know. You should go out where it's safe, hm?
[Maybe if she plays dumb and pretends enough, he'll go away. Or maybe he'll call her bluff; she's not entirely sure, but both of her partners stare at her and at Meowstic and her trainer, confused more than anything.]
1 / 2
He knew that the woman Philippe described looked different, but seeing Jacinthe now... She's radiant. Well, she's always been radiant. But there's something about seeing her new appearance - short hair, new outfit, same bright smile - that makes him feel—
And then she opens her mouth.]
...
no subject
[Meowstic bristles beside him, gearing up for a fight, because clearly that's where this is headed. Corbeau doesn't get angry without good reason, and now he's yelling, so clearly—]
You're just gonna pretend like you don't know me, like that'll somehow make this all go away!?
[—orrrrrr not. Okay. She doesn't know what's going on anymore. She'll just wait for the cue to attack, she supposes.]
no subject
Somehow, deep in her heart of hearts, she knew he wasn't going to make this easy. She doesn't even try to hold up the facade anymore; her arms fold in front of her neatly, like she's the picture of prim and elegant perfection, but her eyes have gone that deeply distinct brand of unamused she gets when things don't go her way. Or maybe it's just a distance she wants to keep, because she made the mistake of letting her emotions guide her before. Never again.
When she speaks, it's more than a little sharp, barbs raised and her Pokemon looking even more confused as she speaks coldly.]
Oh, no. I simply thought it would be much easier if we attempted to start from scratch, but it seems that I was incorrect. I would watch my mouth, however, if I was you; I am in no mood to tolerate your attitude.
[Maybe if she pushes him away enough, he'll go. Let him think them enemies, because it'd be so much easier. He'll make that awful noise of disapproval and just make it all the easier to leave again, and he won't interfere with the new life she's so desperately tried to claw for herself.]
What exactly is it that you want?
no subject
...But no, that's a childish and stupid way of looking at it. He knows himself better than that. He'd never be able to forgive himself for treating her so poorly. So Corbeau takes a breath and steadies himself. He adjusts his glasses. He tries again.]
I wanted to find you. It... didn't feel right, leaving things as they were. I want to know why you left and cut contact with everyone.
[He's quiet for a moment, eyes flicking away.]
Was it because of what happened that day? My reaction?
[Should he apologize? Would that even help at this point? He isn't exactly sorry, because he doesn't think he did anything wrong, but he doesn't really understand what happened. It seems foolish to offer an apology for something he's not sure warrants it. So... let's start with this and see where that takes us.]
no subject
What on earth are you talking about? You didn't do anything wrong.
[It's out of her mouth before she can stop it, and maybe it's a little uncharacteristic of her, of all people, to take the blame. But it was her fault. It was her fault all of this happened, she screwed up with one of the few genuine friends she had and she panicked and--
Jacinthe wants to walk away so damn badly, because confronting this means confronting the puzzle of what she actually...feels, about Corbeau. And by the way her gaze seems to dart, she's...really not ready for that, and she finds herself shaking her head.]
--There's no reason to talk about this further. Your reaction made things quite clear that day, and I've been content to put it out of my mind and find my own way since. If anything, I should be thanking you for bringing me out of my silly little fantasy! It truly works wonders to clear the mind.
Now, if you will excuse me--
[So if you don't mind, she is going to try and walk past him--if he's this stubborn, she doesn't imagine he'll make this easy, but this is for the best. Surely he has to realize that?]
no subject
Corbeau moves to block the stairs, reaching to call out Scolipede to ensure that she won't be getting past. The giant bug looks at Jacinthe with an expression that can best be summed up as !!! both because he likes her quite a bit and because this can only be a good thing for his trainer to have found her so soon, right?? Meowstic also stands beside him, but she's a willowy little thing who is not exactly great at blocking the stairs. She's doing her best!! But she'd be more useful if she was using her psychic powers and Corbeau's already told her not to.]
I still don't understand. What happened that day?
[He exhales, frustrated, and tries again.]
...I thought it was the sort of thing we'd talk about in a day or so, after the adrenaline wore off and things were taken care of with our respective groups. I didn't think it was all that big a deal. I didn't know how to feel about it in the moment, and when you took off, I assumed you just needed some time to calm down.
Is that what drove you away? My reaction to it?
[Is he the reason why she left? Why she never got to see her parents again? Things were complicated with them, sure, but...]
no subject
Of all of the things that get her to hesitate, it's the genuine joy that Scolipede looks at her with that actually gets her to consider against it. Because somehow, harming a creature that's looking at her with such joy feels...cruel, almost.
Her shaking hasn't stopped, but Jacinthe finally speaks up after a moment, closing her eyes.]
Zut alors...yes. Fine! It was your reaction that drove me away that day, at least in part; knowing just how little the SBC as a whole actually respects me contributed to such a factor as well. But I let myself get consumed by a flight of fancy that I still do not understand to this day, and I have put it out of my mind for years because I had assumed it was fairly cut and dry! I am still terribly sorry for springing such a thing upon you, but answer me this much:
Are you aware that I cannot tell what you are thinking, Corbeau?
[Something in Jacinthe finally starts to actually anger at this, at the realization that. Oh, she's. Actually a lot madder about this than she thought--]
And do you know how demoralizing it is to have you have implied that I have been simply thinking too much, feeling as if I have been considered stupid for such a thing, only to have those events transpire with one of the few people who have shown me any sort of care without condition?
I am not considering myself entitled to you in the slightest, because I am not. You are your own man, and even though I have struggled with it, I am now my own woman, and...
[Maybe this much will get him to go away. Maybe this much will get him angry enough to fight back, and the bridge will fully burn away into nothing. Because she simply isn't good enough yet, not for him, not for anyone. All she wanted was to become strong, strong enough to surpass him so maybe he'd finally--]
...It was the motivation I needed, really. With nothing else to lose, what was stopping me from finally breaking out of the shell of some weak, delicate little damsel in need of protecting that you all see me as?