Spiderweb Splendour
Written for Femslashfete on Dreamwidth
- Prompt: Gossamer
- Title: Spiderweb Splendour
- Ship: Acerola/Lillie
- Fandom: Pokemon Sun and Moon
- Word Count: 1,973
- Rating: T
- Warnings: None
- Tags: Lusamine’s A+ Parenting, Light Angst, Fluff, Mid-Canon, Developing Relationship, Confusing Feelings, Dialogue Heavy, Handholding, Dates
“Ah-ha, I thought I’d find you here.”
Lillie squeaked in surprise and leapt to the side of the doorway to the library. Her bag jostled in the motion as she looked for the source of her voice to the left of her and it was none other than Acerola, smiling like a Meowth as she stood in seeming wait of her specifically.
“Ooh, Acerola, you gave me a heart attack.” Lillie complained but she tried not to hold it against Acerola as she was… an odd one is how Lillie would put it politely.
[[MORE]]
Acerola stared. She had eccentric eyes and a mischievous mouth. She wore a raggy dress matched with gold. She had an air of mystery and an affinity with Ghost Type Pokemon. All of this to say that she seemed the exact opposite of the folks that Lillie had been around since birth: stark white clothing, spick and span, an expression which always implied nothing was ever her business so stay away.
Thus this openness that Acerola seemingly had had caused the two girls to click and Lillie felt as though she could count Acerola amongst her friends. Few as they were given that she could practically count them on one hand.
Still, the above and beyond friendliness that Acerola showed, even now, meant a lot to Lillie. It was getting late and the library practically had to kick her out. She hadn’t even had dinner yet and her accommodation was quite far.
“How’s your research going?” Acerola asked pleasantly.
“It’s derailed.” Lillie sighed. “I start reading one thing and end up entirely elsewhere.”
“I think its great that you have so many interests, such thirst to learn.” Acerola replied. “I’m sure the variety of topics will serve you well in the end.”
“That’s kind of you to say, Acerola,” Lillie smiled, “but for the time being it is awfully inconvenient and I think I best be going. It is late after all.” She sounded half-hearted about these observations, though.
She devoured books easily. Even ones which were for an older age group, Lillie rose to the challenge within the depths of the library. And as for how late it was, the illumination of the streetlights combined with the twinkle of the moon and stars would keep her path bright enough as she made her way back.
“Aw, I was hoping to hang out,” Acerola playfully complained, she put her hands behind her head, her elbows up and swayed a little on her foot to convey casualness, “there’s something I want to show you, at Malie Garden. I think you’ll really like it.”
“I can go see it tomorrow.” Lillie offered.
Acerola shook her head, “You can only see it during the night time.”
“Oh, well, in that case…” Lillie murmured reluctantly.
“Don’t worry, since it’ll be our little date, I’ll treat ya to dinner after our little stroll.” Acerola teased her.
“Our what?!” Lillie jittered but it was too late.
“Our date!” Acerola cheered and she took Lillie’s hand suddenly.
She grabbed it and off they went down the shadowed streets of Malie City together. They dashed down the asphalt and concrete, past the plants that grew in the cracks, and into the depths of the night where the world famous Malie Garden grew just over yonder, beyond the tall, terraced buildings that made up the Johto–inspired skyline.
Lillie’s heart pounded. Acerola’s hand was spindly and slender, yet utterly secure over her wrist. She reeled with untold joys despite the hour of the night, she was gleeful and brimming with tricks as they soared through the streets to arrive in front of the imposing, golden gates of Malie Garden.
“We’re almost here.” Acerola assured Lillie.
It was here that they slowed down. Thank goodness. Lillie was all out of breath from this jog that Acerola had her on. She bent over and panted, to recentre herself, whilst Acerola lazily looked left to right, as though trying to remember where exactly it was that she wanted to take Lillie but she seemed to be pretending. She perked right up once Lillie had caught her breath and together, they walked into the heart of the garden.
Malie Garden was spectacular any time of day. Morning, midday, evening, and even at night. It teemed with life. People, Pokemon, it seemed that there could be no quenching the adventure that it presented within its four walls, elaborate as they were. They walked the winding, weaving path of stone, over the bridge and past gold plated statues of Gyarados and Seaking.
Acerola took them in a north-westerly direction and more importantly, off of that all too safe path which was wide and speckled. Lillie shuddered as Acerola stepped off onto it and onto the lawn: neat, trimmed, and where there was a sign saying not to do that.
All on account of where the grass was neither neat nor trimmed, just beyond the ring of what was tame and groomed, where it was tall and swayed in the pleasantly cool breeze, set against thick trees and dangerous Pokemon were sure to lurk. It made Lillie nervous as she watched Acerola march on without so much as a shadow of a doubt.
Acerola paused when she realised that Lillie hadn’t followed, she twisted and hailed Lillie over with a big hand gesture.
“C’mon, it’s not much farther.”
“B-But the tall grass.”
“Your with me, you’ll be fine.”
Acerola’s assurance was self-important but she was a powerful Trainer given her status as Trial Captain. Selene was off galivanting somewhere in preparation of Acerola’s Trial, making sure her team was in tip, top shape but still. Lillie couldn’t shake her nerves.
She held her bag a little tighter, chewed her bottom lip, and furrowed her eyebrows. Fine. She huffed. She made that one, daring little step off the path and into the grass. It crunched underfoot and sure enough. Nothing bad happened. So, encouraged that Lillie wasn’t barreled away by police for trespassing, she took another step. Then another and another until she was side by side with Acerola.
Acerola affectionately nudged up against her. Then, they continued walking. Acerola’s hand snaked outwards and she intertwined her fingers with Lillie.
“This is a date, remember.” Acerola whispered.
“Yes, well, about that…” Lillie helplessly protested.
She couldn’t tell if Acerola was being tricksy or not with this. She had such an easygoing personality. Maybe she meant it, maybe she didn’t. Either way, it confused Lillie. All she knew for certain was that Acerola’s hand felt nice to hold. She was firm and supple, took the lead, and through that skin to skin contact, Lillie felt courage and she needed it as Acerola finally showed her what she wanted Lillie to see.
They ventured into the wildest corner of the garden. Where wild Pokemon lurked and sure enough, there was one which watched with huge, gleaming eyes. Curious not necessarily hostile but Lillie felt uncomfortable with all its legs and its pincers and such.
“Ariados…” Lillie breathed as it regarded her as warily as she did it.
“Aw, don’t worry, this one’s a sweetie.” Acerola assured her. “And a real artist, too, c’mon, look up.”
With her other hand, Acerola pointed out the spiderweb that this particular Ariados had created and Lillie looked up. She followed the guideline of Acerola’s finger and gasped.
“It’s beautiful!”
Acerola giggled, “I know, right?”
The spiderweb glittered in the late night with dew that congregated along the gossamer, white thread that Ariados had concocted. It was silken and soft, the purest white, but looked sturdy, like it wouldn’t be ruined with the buffet of a breeze. There was such artistry to the concentrial hexagons that Ariados layered and layered to create its nest.
And all of it was illuminated by the moon behind it.
The spiderweb was weaved between two thick elm trees, there was space behind it to allow the night sky to peek through. This caused the dew to look like stars descended, collected by Ariados just for Lillie and Acerola’s viewing pleasure. It was nothing less than splendid and to see it stirred Lillie’s heart in a way a painting in an art gallery had never.
“Not once did I ever think… I would find such a thing beautiful, thank you, Acerola.” Lillie spoke in a breathless, awestruck voice.
“You’re welcome.” Acerola said.
She leaned in, over Lillie’s shoulder and against her face. A nuzzle. Lillie shivered but it was a good shiver. She wasn’t used to such casual touches but it felt good when Acerola did it.
“I’m… I’m still learning who I am, what I like…” Lillie admitted in a tiny voice.
“Mm, I did have a hunch it’d do you some good to show you different points of view.” Acerola admitted.
“It has. I appreciate it.” Lillie replied quietly.
She let go of Acerola’s hand and hid under her hat. She held it down by the brim over her face so Acerola couldn’t see her as she breathed her vulnerabilities. She even sank to her knees, to a crouch, she curled up all but into a ball.
“I really… I really admire how brave and sure you are, Acerola.” Lillie said. Her voice only got smaller and smaller. “I’ve met so many self assured people lately. You, Selene, Hapu… I appreciate it, it’s made my world a little bigger and…”
Lillie clenched as Ariados approached.
They were eye level with each other. Lillie looked deep into its huge, glassy eyes. They were inquisitive and kind if she could be so bold to think. Ariados didn’t think her as a threat and so, she thought that she could be so graceful in turn: Ariados was not a threat to her.
“I like cute Pokemon.” Lillie mumbled. “I’ve always thought Clefairy is the cutest but I see now… There’s beauty everywhere.”
Acerola smiled and once more, she took Lillie’s hand. She bent over but this time, she was gentle. This was a big leap for Lillie to take and so, Acerola knew to be careful. She took Lillie’s hand and she made Lillie pet Ariados’ head.
It had a shiny feeling to its exoskeleton. Sleek and shelled. It felt weird but Lillie smiled, she giggled.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ariados.” Lillie said, her voice a bit bigger, a bit surer than before.
Acerola let go but Lillie kept petting Ariados. One, two, three more strokes. Oh, it was exhilarating. Ariados appeared to like it, too, it trilled cutely for Lillie and she giggled. She’d had enough and so, she reeled back to her full height. She glanced at Acerola and Acerola smiled for her.
“Good job.” Acerola praised her.
Lillie smiled and she glanced back at the spiderweb. She was once more entranced by the splendour of its moonlit, gossamer threads.
“C’mon,” Acerola said, “let’s keep our date going and go grab a bite to eat. Then, I’ll escort you back to your hotel and we can kiss on the steeple.”
“Wh-Wh-What?!” Lillie shrilly exclaimed.
Acerola laughed, “I’m joking, I’m joking, except about having dinner. I’m in the mood for gyoza. What about you?”
“I’ve never had gyoza before, what’s that?” Lillie asked.
“Oh, I’ve got much to show you about the city, young flower.” Acerola replied. “But trust me, gyoza is soooo yummy, it’s a type of dumpling.”
“I would love to try it.” Lillie said.
Ariados trilled in a manner which implied it was saying goodbye, as though understanding that Lillie and Acerola were about to make their exit. In turn, the two girls gave Ariados their farewell and a thank you, too, for showing them something so beautiful such as its nest.
Then, together, Lillie and Acerola returned to the stone path that wove through Malie Garden and this time, Lillie took Acerola’s hand.
