Welcome to Gaia! ::

(Continuing from Five Island...)

Aiden couldn’t remember the last time he had felt like this… helpless, frightened, vulnerable… He hated that feeling… He had always tried to see the bright side even when his future looked grim, he had always tried to see the silver lining, and he had always tried to maintain a strong front for his friends despite the storm brewing inside of him… But now, after playing his mother’s song and reliving those memories again, it felt as though the great stalwart walls he had built up for so long had finally crumbled and come crashing down on top of him. After all, even the mightiest fortress could be easily brought down by a single crack within its foundation… He felt like a child again, crying after having injured himself and looking to his mother for comfort and guidance. Natalia’s words of how their tears was helping to mend their wounds, to ease the burdens and suffering their souls had undertaken all those years, and how his mother was helping them through her music spoke a resounding truth in his mind. Even now, it felt as though his mother was looking after them, even if she wasn’t physically right next to them.
After managing to collect himself enough to speak properly, Aiden voiced his agreement, saying that even now he could still feel his mother’s presence in this room when she wasn’t truly there. But as he mentioned that she may yet never return here again, a sickened feeling began to grow in his stomach. He never liked being pessimistic, but he couldn’t deny that it was a possibility that he couldn’t simply rule out just because he didn’t wish to face the truth, no matter how awful or grim it may be. Aiden pushed those thoughts aside, and offered Natalia a soft smile as he gently took hold of her hand upon saying that having her with him was helping all of this to not hurt as much. She seemed surprised at first, and he half-expected her to jerk her hand back or smack his hand away. However, she didn’t object to it, giving him a gentle smile back as she said that she was glad to be of help to him. When she reached a hand over and lightly wiped the tears from his cheeks, Aiden felt a soft heat suffuse his face at the gesture, pinkish hues surfacing atop fair skin. It was a strange feeling, having someone else there to help ease his pain when it was usually him doing that for them… but it was a nice feeling…
Natalia couldn’t help but notice the soft blush that covered Aiden’s cheeks, and began to regret allowing herself to wipe his tears away, but he was in so much pain… She wanted to help him, and she was, according to Aiden. Knowing that made her feel so happy, as if she were finally able to repay some of the debt she owed him. Not only that, but it felt… Nice to be needed. Some part of her deep down knew that she needed to reject these feelings and focus, but she allowed her hands to linger on his cheeks a little longer before lowering them back to the bench and standing.
The blonde’s gaze migrated downwards as Natalia withdrew her hand, the cushion of the bench shifting once more as she stood up. He gently ran his fingers along Serenity’s keys once more, as if bidding farewell to a friend that he might not see again for a long time. Natalia watched Aiden's longing trace, and felt a pang of guilt as she spoke up and suggested they start moving back to three island. She knew some part of him didn’t want to leave, as much as being here pained him. She understood. She would feel the same way if she ever returned to her own home in Littleroot. That was why she suggested that if there was anyplace else he wanted to see, she wouldn’t stop him. Aiden's gaze tore away from his mother's piano to meet Natalia’s as she spoke up.
Aiden gently lowered the piano’s case back down onto the keys, sealing them back into safety with a soft click before he rose from the bench. “I think I’m finished here for the most part…” He concluded quietly, taking a moment to look around the room and drink in the sight one last time before looking to Natalia and nodding, "Let’s get going then, shall we?" Natalia and Aria nodded quietly, the Delphox having remained silent the entire time, which was quite unlike her. But she didn’t know what to say, and had believed it was best left for Natalia and Aiden to resolve it among themselves when he had broken down. Still, she knew how much Aiden loved his family, and she knew that taking on the role of being a sort of ‘foster mother’ to him would not be an easy task. She knew that she could never truly replace his true mom, but she was going to damn well try her best to look after him. It’s what his mother would have wanted, right…? The Delphox moved to the door, carefully opening it and stepping outside of the room, moving off to the side to hold it open for them. Thalia looked between the two trainers, a mix of emotions clouding her pale blue orbs. She was still a bit confused, and all of this was so much to take in all at once… Still, she could sense the strong emotions radiating off of Natalia and Aiden, and it made her heart hurt knowing that she couldn’t do anything more to help them. For now, though, she stood between them, gently taking one of each of their hands with her feelers and giving them a gentle squeeze as a comforting gesture as she walked with them out of the room and out of the house.

The games had shut down for the most part, but the other festivities were still going, though it wouldn’t be for too long. With Thalia between them and Aria leading the way to open and hold the doors, the group exited the house and made their way towards the dock to board the next Seagallop bound for Three Island. Once on board the ferry, the ride to Three Island didn’t take very long at all. Several minutes later, the Seagallop was pulling into port. Aiden and Aria stepped off the ship, while Thalia remained behind to get off with Natalia, not that Aiden minded. Natalia was rather excited to see the wishing tree, hoping to expel some of her guilt onto the little slips of paper. As soon as they arrived, she let Aiden and Aria step off first, still holding onto Thalia’s feeler before stepping off next alongside the Sylveon. The walk through the island was silent, but serene. Aria glanced towards the blonde at her side, reaching a hand out and lightly resting it on his shoulder in a comforting gesture. She understood that they had been through quite the ordeal, it truly took courage for one to be able to look their own past right in the face like Aiden had. Still, she could tell that he was glad for doing so… Facing one’s past was never easy, but in some cases it was a necessary evil… Aiden gave a small smile to the Delphox, reaching a hand up and gently resting it on top of hers in a quiet thank you. Natalia noticed that Aiden and Aria seemed to be having some silent conversation with the way they smiled knowingly at each other, and Natalia felt herself smiling at the scene as well, stroking Thalia’s feeler with her thumb.
Turning his sky blue gaze towards the island, Aiden's eyes lit up when he spotted a familiar sight. There was a booth set up along the path leading towards Bond Bridge where festivalgoers could watch a little shadow puppet show depicting the origin story behind Tanabata. He remembered the story quite well from when he would watch the show with his parents every year Tanabata came around, it was a very sad but sweet tale that he loved hearing over and over again. “Hey, Natalia,” he said, looking over to her with a warm smile, “Think you’d be interested in seeing the shadow puppet show before we go to visit the Wishing Tree? It tells the story of how Tanabata came to be, I think you’d enjoy it~” He gestured towards the booth he had been eyeing earlier, giving a slight nod. “I mean, we don’t have to if you don’t want to, it’s only a suggestion,” he added quickly with a sheepish chuckle, in case she wasn’t interested in watching the show at all.
Natalia couldn't help but notice when Aiden seemed to spot something up ahead, and whatever it was made his eyes glimmer with life and warm memories. Before Aiden even asked, Natalia already knew her answer. How could she say no to that look? “A shadow puppet show? Sure~ Sounds interesting, and I would like to know more about the history of this festival.” She agreed, though Aiden mentioned that it was perfectly alright if she didn’t want to go. “Don’t be silly~ It really does sound like fun, I’d love to see it.” Natalia insisted, moving up with Thalia towards the booth stage area. The curtains were still drawn as preparations for the next show were being conducted. Many of the seats were empty, but slowly they were filling up, so Natalia ushered them up near the front to take their seats quickly, just as the curtains drew open. The show began with a soothing accompaniment to match the performance, though there were no words, so it was hard for someone like Natalia, who had never heard the tale, to follow exactly what was happening. Nevertheless, the paper cut out puppets were rather ornate, and eye catching in the way their shadows moved on the screen. There were two main characters, that much was clear. One man who looked more like a peasant or farmer, the other a high class lady. There was also a large man figure who seemed to keep them apart, though they longed to be together. They all seemed to walk on swirls of clouds and starry skies, and even though Natalia had no idea what was going on, she was completely entranced. She leaned a bit closer to Aiden so that she could whisper to him without disrupting the show. “So what’s happening in the story…?” She asked quietly, wanting to understand a bit better the legend of Tanabata.