unovan rose act 38

In the weeks following that showing, Rose couldn’t help but feel… skittish. Something felt off and the actress couldn’t put her finger on what it might be. Yes, her performances before and after were perhaps the best she had ever done, but that didn’t change the fact that something was different and was avoiding her at every turn..

“BRAVO. BRAVO.” a voice announced and the actress stopped. Spinning around, she was met with IT. Forgoing the cocktail dress this time, she was instead dressed in her usual attire.

“What do you want?” Rose announced, taking a moment to focus on the person who set everything in motion. Standing in this hallway, she looked stupid.

“I WANTED TO CONGRATULATE YOU. YOU ACTUALLY DID IT. COLOR ME IMPRESSED.” IT announced and Rose raised an eyebrow. Closing her eyes and trying to recall, she had the vaguest of memories of the catalyst for this whole mess.

“So you’re going to tell me why you had to eat Pikachu then?” Rose accused and looked around for a place to have conversation where they wouldn’t be disrupted for whatever reason. Thankfully, there was a room off to the side that would do nicely. Grabbing hold of IT, she was met with a strange plastic sensation. Ignoring it for now, she managed to pull the stylist then.

“FOR STARTERS, THEY ARE QUITE A MEAL. BUT THAT ISN’T WHY I TOOK THAT ONE.” IT answered and Rose raised an eyebrow.

“Then why go through all that trouble when there are bound to be easier ways to get Pikachu?” Rose countered, trying to maintain her tone here in the face of the confusion that was threatening to take hold. Nonetheless, she closed the door and faced IT.

“BECAUSE YOU OF ALL PEOPLE DESERVE A CHANCE TO LIVE… GRANDM- MISS ROSE.” IT answered and looked away. There, she said it. Perhaps things would be right. They probably weren’t.

“That’s it? You do realize just how silly of an answer that came across as… right?” Rose explained, her thoughts turning to that of the old woman. While she hadn’t seen her in some time, the last time had been outside of Dragonspiral Tower… “Crud.”

IT held in a chuckle.

“IT’S OKAY TO FEEL LIKE AN IDIOT. IT HAPPENS TO THE BEST OF US.” IT answered and looked around for somewhere. Finding no such spot, a sigh escaped her lips. Instead, she leaned against a wall. “BEYOND THAT, JUST DON’T DIE…. YET. HER RADIANCE WOULD BE MAD IF YOU JUST DIED HERE AND NOW. I HAVE ENOUGH PROBLEMS WITHOUT ADDING THAT STUPID PRIESTESS AND HER NEED TO MODERATE ‘THE TAPESTRY’ THAT IS OUR LIFE.”

IT announced and was met with a raised eyebrow from Rose here. While it was tempting to ask IT to explain herself here, the actress had a feeling that her question was not going to be answered here. At least, not without some backup. Yet, Rose couldn’t help but try. If she guessed correctly, perhaps IT would actually answer.

“Her Radiance? As in… Ho-Oh? What does she have to do with this?” Rose countered and IT stared down at the floor. Muttering something at it, she forced her gaze back to her audience.

“BEATS ME. THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN ANSWER THAT IS HER." IT answered and met Rose’s gaze once more. Getting a look from the actress here, she gave a wave. "BUT I’VE WASTED ENOUGH OF YOUR TIME NOW. GO ON AHEAD. THE DIRECTOR IS WAITING FOR YOU."

With that, she disappeared. Leaving Rose to her own devices, the actress sighed. Leave it to her to have more questions than answers. Taking a moment to calm herself, she cracked a smile. For now, this information could be kept to herself. At least until she had a better grasp.

Exiting the room, Rose didn’t need to look far for her pokemon.

“There you are!” Zekrom announced, proudly showing off their new gown. Recently ordered from Celadon City, it was a lolita-style ballgown. A tiny doll hat hung to their head, secured in place by a headband of sorts. Haxorus was following right behind, dressed in a beautiful blue ballgown. Taking the utmost care to not drag the train of the dress against the floor, their attention shifted

“Sorry. IT decided to pop in to have a chat.” Rose announced and Haxorus approached. Reaching out to her hand, the actress grabbed hold of their claw. Squeezing it tight, her attention shifted to the hallway ahead. “I won.”

Haxorus raised an eyebrow. Happy as they were to hear that, further questions were raised. Questions that they likely couldn’t answer right now. Unless Miss Rose wished to disclose that stuff. For now, they let that thought fade as Rose headed for the main office. Following right behind, a sense of unease fell over the trio. While Haxorus couldn’t remember whether or not they had met the boss, they at least seemed nice. But that all could all easily change as they reached the door. Rose pulled it open, taking care to pull her dress through as two of her pokemon followed right behind. Spinning around to meet the boss, the actress was met with an older woman. Different from the one that was supposed to be her, there was an air of grace and elegance to her.

“Good to see you, Ms Chandler. What do you want from me?” Rose inquired and Ms Chandler chuckled. Watching Rose take a seat, Haxorus and Zekrom took their places beside the chair. Staring at Ms Chandler, a chuckle escaped her lips.

“I would like you to succeed me as head of the Flower Garden Theater Troupe.” Ms Chandler announced and Rose froze. This was so unreal.

“I would be happy to accept.” Rose announced and caught both of her pokemon by surprise. Getting nods right after, their attention turned back to Ms Chandler. Watching a smile form on her face, that put them at ease. For once, it felt like things were looking up…