Tia and Aidan spend time together in the Sevii Islands, while Aidan agonizes over his past.
It was exhilarating to fly.
Tia sat on the back of a shiny, black Charizard, enjoying the wind flowing through her hair and the sun warming her face. She looked at Aidan behind her. He smiled, and tightened his grip around her. She smiled back. It was comforting to be with someone who you knew would never let you fall.
“Let’s go a little faster, Blaze!” Aidan said, grinning.
They both laughed as Blaze did a somersault in midair, then a loop-de-loop. Aidan let out a whoop and Tia a small scream as Blaze dove down.
“He’s showing off for you,” Aidan called out, “He isn’t usually like this when it’s just me!”
The tiny outline of Seven Island appeared among the blue-green waves below. “It’s time,” Aidan said, “Take us down, Blaze!”
They landed, and before Aidan could return Blaze to his Poke Ball, Blaze turned toward Tia and nuzzled her.
“Aww!” Tia said, stroking Blaze’s snout. “He really likes me!”
“Because you’re such a likeable person,” Aidan answered.
Tia laughed. “Flatterer.” She gave Blaze a kiss on the snout.
“Do I get one too?” Aidan asked, returning Blaze to his Poke Ball and mock-pouting.
Tia smiled, and with both arms behind her back, gave him a short peck on the cheek. Then she skipped away. Aidan put a hand over his cheek, and ran to catch up with her. Tia giggled and grabbed hold of his arm.
They were reaching the end of their trip, and Tia, selfishly, didn’t want it to end.
She knew she had to return home and start writing up her dissertation, though at the moment she wished she could put it off just a little longer. It was scary to realize just how secondary her research ended up being during this trip.
They walked down the main street of Seven Island’s largest town, weaving their way between the crowds of tourists. Many of them were Trainers, there to challenge the Trainer Tower to the north. Tia and Aidan was looking forward to exploring the Tanoby Ruins to the south.
They continued walking until Tia suddenly stopped. “Wait, Aidan!” she said, “Let’s take a picture!” She pointed to the Portrait Studio they just passed.
The studio specialized in old-style photographs, in both color and sepia tones. Tia and Aidan took a picture together, him standing and her sitting in an ornate metal chair.
“Let me take one more picture,” Tia told the photographer, “Just me this time.”
Aidan stood behind the photographer, and stared at Tia as she posed in front of the background, an icy chill clenching at his heart. This was it. The picture he had of her. He slipped a hand into his pocket, fingering the picture.
Tia finished with the photographer and got both pictures in return. “There we are,” she said, looking at both pictures. “One for us, and the other to send to Shun!”
“Your… trading partner?” Aidan said, struggling to get the words out.
“Yes.” She looked up at him and frowned. “Are you okay, Aidan? You look like you’ve seen a ghost!”
“Uh… no,” he stammered, “I… think I ate something earlier that didn’t agree with me.”
“Oh. Well, let’s go back to the Pokemon Center then, so you can rest! We can visit the ruins a little later.”
They arrived at the Pokemon Center, and Tia gestured to one of the chairs in the lobby. “Just wait there a few moments while I go upstairs. I want to make sure Shun gets this before I forget!” She held up her picture and a Poke Ball.
Aidan waited while she made the trade with Shun, agonizing over what to tell her. His thoughts continued to haunt him as they hiked through Sevault Canyon, on the way to the ruins.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Tia asked, frowning. “You’ve been quiet for a while.”
“I’m fine. Just… thinking.”
“About what?”
How to explain myself to you. “That’s classified.”
Tia laughed. “Are you some sort of secret agent now?”
Aidan smirked. “Of course. But now that you’ve blown my cover, the Men in Black will have to come take you away!”
Tia snorted. “All right, fine. Don’t tell me. But then you won’t know what Shun wrote to me. It’s really interesting!”
Aidan just stared at her.
Tia laughed. “The look on your face just now. You jealous?”
“No!” Aidan retorted, much too quickly.
“You totally are!” Tia replied, giggling.
“No, I’m not!”
Tia opened her mouth to tease him again when she saw the agitated look on his face. “I’m sorry,” she said contritely, “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Aidan tried to smile. “It’s okay. I’m just… not feeling like myself today, that’s all.”
“I guess everyone has their off-days,” Tia replied. “But maybe after exploring the Tanoby Ruins, you’ll feel better!” She grabbed hold of his hand. “Come on!”
Aidan allowed her to pull him along, and his agitation slowly faded away. He decided instead to focus on the warmth of Tia’s hand in his, and the happiness they both shared at this moment. His past could wait a little longer.