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Chapter 78 - Sailing Into Tomorrow

Early the next morning, Chris woke when he felt a slight chill in the room, sitting up slowly with a groan and looking towards the open balcony. "Ngh, that's right. Since we're heading north it's gonna start getting nippy the closer we get to the valley." he muttered, yawning with a stretch before checking the clock next to the bed. "Mmm... Still a bit before we gotta be on the bow. Guess it couldn't hurt to get ready ahead of time." he nodded before getting out of bed and tucking the girls in for a moment longer. Heading towards the balcony, Chris stepped out for a moment and felt the air. It hadn't dipped too much, but it wasn't hard to tell they were heading into their third day northward. With another yawn, Chris returned into their room and shut the doors, making his way towards the drawers and setting out his change of clothes. "Hmm... Come to think of it, being in the north and all it'll be the first time they've ever been somewhere as cold as that. First time they've seen snow and all too." he muttered while stripping and slipping on his outfit for the day. Heading for his coat and holding it up in front of him, Chris glanced towards the bed and raised an eyebrow. "They'll need something to help keep em' warm while we're there. But, does the ship even carry winter stuff? I mean, we're heading north so they're bound to I guess." he shrugged before standing in front of a mirror and fixing his hair. Feeling it was slightly wet, he groaned and glanced towards the bed again, wondering which of them was the culprit. Sighing and shaking his head, he tucked his comb away and took his staff in hand before returning to the bed. Watching the girls slumber, all three were cuddled together as he sat with a smirk. "You know, you don't make it easy. I kinda wish I could just let you sleep and keep enjoying this scene, but then I'll of troubled the Captain for nothing." he muttered with a sigh, shaking his head with a chuckle. "Ah well, all good things come to an end. Alright girls, up and at em!" he called out, nudging the three and getting groggy sounds in response.

"What waaaaannnnnt?" Serenity groaned in irritation, slowly sitting up and rubbing her eyes before looking around. "Still dark... Want sleep more." she grumbled before flopping back down. "Oh no you don't, the Captain has gone outta his was to help me set up something for you girls so time to get up!" he replied, nudging all three again. This time they sat up together, each rubbing their eyes and grumbling before scowling at him together. "Hey, not my fault. I can't control time so we gotta get goin'." he told them while motioning with his thumb towards the door. "My word, there's not a speck of light yet. Why on Earth must we go somewhere so early?" Alicia asked, squinting at the clock next to the bed. "Oh good lord no. I'm going back to sleep!" she added in irritation before slithering under the sheets. "H-hey!! Come on!! I went through a lot to do this for you!! The Captain did too so get up!!" he shout, quickly reaching under the sheets and trying to grab her only to wind up squeezing Serenity on the thigh causing her to jolt and let out a surprised shout, looking down at him as he quickly pulled away from the bed laughing nervously. "S-s-sorry!! Not intentional!!" he apologized, the Pokemon looking at him in silence before smiling with a slight blush while Alicia popped her head out from the sheets and grinned slyly, Chris scowling at her in response. "Nah, it okay. I not mind. In fact I like." Serenity giggled before yawning again and dragging her way towards the side of the bed. "So... Why ARE we getting up so early...?" Rose asked curiously, sitting next to Serenity on the side of the bed as well. "Lets just say I want to give you girls the view of a lifetime. We're gonna break some rules but the Captain gave us the okay so long as we make it quick." he explained, all three looking at one another confused. "We doing bad thing?" Serenity asked. "W-well yes and no. D-don't worry about it!! You'll understand soon enough." he assured with a thumbs up. "Well, if nothing else I suppose It'll be amusing should whatever you're about to do cause trouble, so I'll go just to see if you make a fool of yourself again." Alicia smirked before climbing out of the sheets with a yawn of her own. "O-ouch." Chris smiled nervously. "Oh please, what do you expect? You've woke us up far too early for something we've no clue about. A lady needs her rest, not just for beauty but for the sake of a better personality as well. Get in the way of a woman's rest and take what you get." she replied Serenity and Alicia looking at one another unable to disagree with her with guilty smiles, nodding at Chris simultaneously in a "she's right" kind of way.

Optional track to LWR - Listen While Reading - Soaring Aboard The S.S. Guardian https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObV4YcGkcQ8

"A-anyways, come on already. We've got someplace to be." he told the group, helping them up and resting Alicia on his shoulders, the three yawning once more as he led them out the door and into the corridor. "We've just gotta head to the bow. I promise you can go right back to bed once we're finished if ya want, alright?" he assured them, the three looking at one another before nodding at him simultaneously. Making their way along, Chris glanced at one of the clocks they passed, murmuring to himself causing the girls to tilt their heads curiously. "O-oh, it's nothing. Just making sure we're on time." he point out, the three looking at the clock he'd been glancing at as they continued onward. "I'm kinda nervous. This is a one time thing so I've gotta do it right, there's no second chances." he smiled nervously. "What we... Doing?" Serenity asked, both curious and concerned. "Well, if I do everything right, we'll... Nah, better not spoil it." he smirked, rubbing her on the head causing the girls further confusion. Reaching the Grand Staircase, Chief Smith was waiting at the Cherub with a pocket watch in hand, yawning before hearing the groups footsteps and clearing his throat. "Good morning sir. The Captain has arranged everything as planned. I'll escort you myself and remain at your side until this little activity is complete." he explained, getting a nod from Chris in return while the girls looked between the two curiously. "Thanks a lot Mr. Smith, I really owe all of you for this." he bowed. "Just be cautious is all I ask. While personally I remain against it, I trust the Captains judgement and your ability to maintain a constant focus on safety." Smith replied with a hand up. "Now then, come along please." he added before turning and heading up the stairs. Following behind, Chris noticed Smith glancing at the plaque of the Arceanic with a somber expression on his face. "A-are you alright sir?" Chris asked, causing Smith to jolt and face forward. "Never you mind me. Come along." he replied, the girls raising an eyebrow from the cold response while Chris had a look of concern on his face.

Once they reached the deck, the group noticed how empty the ship looked without its seemingly endless passengers running about, giving it a slightly eerie feel as the ship silently made its way through the remaining night sky. "Looks like it's starting to rise." Chris muttered, looking towards the front of the ship as a dim light began spreading from the horizon ahead. "If you don't move along you'll miss your opportunity. I didn't involve myself with this for nothing." Smith reminded, motioning for them to follow with a stern look on his face. "He wake up on wrong side of bed." Serenity muttered with a scowl as they followed. "H-he does seem kinda... Too serious." Rose added with a nod. "Naturally, he's second in command of this ship. It goes with the job." Alicia point out. Looking at Chris expecting a comment from him as well, he remained silent as if lost in thought as they followed Smith along. "Alright, here we are. Just hold a moment while we prepare the ship." Smith ordered with an arm out, the group stopping as Chris blinked at Smiths arm in surprise, nearly walking into it as he walked further out onto the bow and turned towards the bridge. Watching silently, they saw him take out a small light and flash it towards the bridge, getting a flash of lights in response from the windows high above. "Alright! Hurry on out here!" he shout, motioning for them to come. "They're slowing her down as we speak so it'll be safer for you lot, just as the Captain promised. Do what you want to do so we can have you on your way before risking other passengers noticing this little favor and causing problems for giving you special treatment." he told them before walking off towards the other side of the bow. "Not like him." Serenity grumbled. "Shhh, he has his reasons." Chris replied, motioning with his hand to stay calm. "Remember it was his relative that was the Captain of the Arceanic, he's probably upset over that, not us." he reminded, the girls looking towards Smith and nodding silently.

Looking ahead of the ship, Chris saw the sun starting to rise bit by bit, smiling with a sigh of relief. "Good, perfect angle too." he chuckled before turning to the girls and setting Alicia on Serenity's shoulders. "Alright, now before anything else, I need you girls to put these on." he told them before pulling out some torn cloths from his coat pocket. "How we put those on?" Serenity asked. Turning her around, he slowly put it over her eyes and tied it, the Pokemon tilting her head and touching it curiously as he did the same to the others. "Can't see. How we supposed to do anything?" she asked. "That's an odd thing to hear coming from you!" Chris chuckled, causing her to jolt and scowl. "Aww, sorry, sorry. Just follow my lead. Trust me." he instructed, taking Serenity and Alicia by the hand while leaving his staff against the wall. Once they were at the tip of the bow, Smith raised an eyebrow while watching over them, muttering to himself as Chris rubbed the girls on the head. "Okay, you first Alicia. Just hold my hand, and hold onto that there..." he instructed, standing her on the point of the top rail. "Good, now keep your balance. Rose, you next. Climb up here, and hold onto... Good!" he chuckled, both she and Alicia remaining frozen as he held Serenity's hand. "Now you stand here, climb up a step. That's it... Now all three of you just keep your balance." he instructed, pulling himself up behind Serenity. "Alright, Alicia? Let out your vines, we'll use them as a belt to hold us." he ordered, the snake nodding as he took each in hand and pulled them behind his back, the three now strapped together. With Alicia's back against Rose, Rose's back against Serenity, and her back against Chris, he nodded while watching the sun peak out from ahead. "Alright girls, now, just follow my lead." he said calmly. Holding onto Serenity's arms, he had her lift them out to her sides before doing the same to Rose and Alicia, coaxing them into staying calm until all three had their arms fully outstretched. "Alright girls, just stay like that a little longer, it's almost time." he assured them, the three nodding nervously as the sun began rising more and more, bit by bit until its rays began glowing and shining towards them causing the girls to tilt their heads in response to seeing the light through the blindfolds. "Alright, here we go then!" he grinned.

Pulling off Alicia's blindfold first, she winced and blinked confused before facing the sunrise in surprise. "Oh my, that's lovely..." she muttered as he removed Rose's as well. "Ooohhh preeeetty..." she said wide eyed. "Ha ha, your girls are my angels after all." he told them, causing the two to look back at him curiously. "Want see!! Want see!!" Serenity shout impatiently. "Easy, easy." Chris coaxed. "When you got that eye, it was so I could show you the wonders the world had to offer. What lies ahead of us is just one of the countless that exist. But it takes a special kind of person to really appreciate these wonders, otherwise they don't exist at all. But you girls ARE special, that's why I wanted to show you this because I knew you'd have the heart to not only see it, but feel it too. So take it all in." he smiled, slowly pulling off her blindfold as well while the sun continued to rise, Serenity going wide eyed with her mouth open in silence. "Just like I said, you girls are my angels... So go right on ahead and fly into that sunrise for as long as you want." he grinned, pointing out the scene ahead. "Ooohhhh!!! Now I get it!! It's like we really ARE flying!!" Rose giggled excitedly, a grin on her face as she moved her arms like a plane. "...Oh you idiot. THIS is what you dragged us out for?" Alicia sighed, looking back at him and smirking before facing forward. "Flying huh? I suppose this works. It is rather... Pretty." she added, swaying her arms slowly and enjoying the breeze with a smile. "Ha ha, good. I knew you'd like it." Chris nodded, tilting his head to look at Serenity. "Well? Wadaya...?" he asked, pausing as he saw tears welling up in her eyes as she watched the scene before them, the water slowly starting to shimmer more and more the higher the sun rose. Nodding silently, he stood behind the three with his hands on the railing as they took in the moment in their own ways, Smith continuing to watch before lighting a cigar. "...S'pose this wasn't too bad a request." he murmured, leaning against the rail and watching the sunrise himself in silence. After a moment, he suddenly jolt in surprise and nearly dropped his cigar when Dragonair slowly slithered past him up to the group, looking at them from behind curiously before looking at the sunrise as well and gently resting its Chin on top of Chris's head. "E-eh?" he jolt, looking up at her. "O-oh! Mornin'. You wanna watch too huh?" he asked, the Pokemon tilting its head and nodding in response before resting her chin on his head once more.

"Guess you never get to watch the sunrise with too many people besides Mr. Rostron and the crew you're with huh? If ya want I could come watch it with you again sometime before we reach the valley." he offered, Dragonair letting out a coo with a happy look on its face, twitching her ears while the ship continued sailing onward. Keeping an eye on his pocket watch, Chief Smith allowed the group to remain on the railing for some time, much longer than originally intended as they enjoyed the best part of the sunrise until it lift over the surface and hovered over the ocean. "Alright! You've had more time than promised, so time to come down! Passengers will be roaming about any moment!" Smith shout out, Chris jolting in surprise before looking back with a nod. "Alright girls, time to get down." he coaxed, easing them away from the railing and standing together on the deck once more. With Alicia in her usual place atop his shoulders, he led them back to where he left his staff and took it in hand before heading towards Smith as he signaled the bridge to resume higher speed, this time using his whistle and getting a whistle in response, nodding before facing the group. "Thanks a lot for the extra time sir. I really appreciate it." Chris thanked with a bow, Smith grunting and rubbing his beard in response. "No harm done. I suppose apologies are in order, I've not been as... Welcoming towards you as the Captain has, I'll admit." he told the group before facing the sea with his hands behind his back. "About before, you asked me if something was bothering me, correct?" he asked as Chris raised up and nodded before turning to Serenity and wiping her eyes, coaxing her into relaxing as she hicked and squeezed him, causing Chris to wheeze and turn a slight blue shade while Alicia and Rose shook their heads and sighed. "S-so, what's up?" he asked with a wheeze in his voice, trying to coax Serenity into loosening up as Smith glanced back at them.

"...Tomorrow marks the one hundredth anniversary of the day my ancestor, the original Captain Smith, was lost at sea. His ship, the Arceanic, along with his crew and every soul aboard his vessel, all gone without a trace." he began in a gruff tone. "After that, nobody in my family has taken on the role of Captain, even though we were once renowned the world over as a lineage consisting of the finest men and women to sail these seas. Yet we've all spent out lives on these waters nonetheless, serving Captains instead of becoming one ourselves." he went on, facing down with a sigh. "I'm the first in my family to come so close to that title ever since the Arceanic was lost, and it took a great deal of persuasion from Rostron to coax me into taking on this role as his Chief. We've all lived our lives under a self imposed curse of sorts, punishing ourselves one by one for what happened that night, feeling as though it's a disaster our bloodlines can never truly atone for." he added, facing back at the group. "I apologize for causing any unease by saying this, but in some form or another, most of us on this ship are cursed. Forever condemned to mourn over what happened back then and spend an eternity carrying the punishment for the loss of so many innocent lives." he continued before facing down with a somber look. "You see, this cruise was set up primarily for descendants of the Arceanic exclusively. You're on board thanks to connections, as are a select number of other passengers. Captain Rostron made these arrangements believing this voyage would help us all overcome the grief and self loathing we've carried throughout the generations. Every crew member is a descendant of somebody who passed away on that ship as well." he went on, looking up towards the bridge. "Throughout the years the Rostron family has been a blessing to many. An honorable lineage of men and women who've gone above and beyond for the sake of others. Even after that incident, they've not only carried their own burdens, but have continued putting other lives before their own, again and again, just as the Captain has by setting this up for everyone on board, hoping he can somehow heal the wounds we all carry, even if only slightly." he sighed, shaking his head as the girls looked at one another silently.

"I don't want anything to happen to anyone on this cruise, that's why I'm, admittedly, a bit unsavory towards others. Even the Captain has come to me several times himself, trying to calm my nerves. I've barely slept a wink since leaving dry land on this ship... I feel if I close my eyes, even briefly, everything will disappear, just like back then." he muttered. "The Captain wants to maintain a carefree atmosphere aboard this ship. I don't see how he does it but I'm doing my best to meet expectations. I suppose it's easy for him, the man who's the descendant of a hero, compared to myself, the man descended from someone the world doesn't know if it should honor or detest." he went on, looking down with a sigh. "One hundred years later, and here we are again. The descendants of those on board that ship, sailing the same course, just in a different vessel. It's an eerie sensation really, likely one many don't consider. But asides the fact we're on board the Guardian, everything else is an unsettling repeat of that disaster. I know the Captain set this up with the purest intentions, but I can't help feeling as though all of this is a horrid jinx on everyone here." he told the group. As the girls showed unsettled looks on their faces, Chris waved his hand, coaxing them into relaxing before facing Smith and walking up next to him. "I don't think anyone should detest the original Smith for what happened." he replied, the Chief raising an eyebrow curiously. "If he was amazing enough to become the Captain of a ship carrying so many people, especially the largest one in the world at the time, there's no reason the ship could have disappeared for any reason asides something no person on this planet could have prevented. Ya see sir, there's a passenger on this ship, Sally Hartley. She told us this story about how her ancestor, Wallace, made a solemn vow to play a special song for people if he were ever in a disaster." he began. "Wallace... Wallace Hartley? He was the bandleader aboard the Arceanic..." Smith muttered, Chris nodding in response. "She told us he was her hero, because she BELIEVES he stuck to his word until the very end, doing his best to bring peace to the people on that ship. She doesn't know anything about what happened, the same as you. She doesn't know if he really did that or not. He COULD have been a coward during the whole thing. But you see, she has faith in him. She feels deep down he was a man of his word until the very end. To be honest, I think you should be the same as her." he went on, the Chief looking down at the sea while leaning against the railing.

"Mr. Smith, nobody knows what happened. Nobody knows what anyone did or didn't do. But, in my opinion, I think the only thing you should consider is that he was the one man, out of a world full of sailors, they chose to take the helm of that ship. I don't know anything about him either, but I can't help feeling a man that special must have done his best for everyone on that ship. There had to be a ton of things on his resume that made him qualified to be the Captain of the Arceanic. Skill in sailing isn't the only thing that determines if you get that kind of position, right? It takes a special kind of heart too. I think he was just like Mr. Hartley until the very end, doing his best to protect and comfort everyone on board. I dunno how much it means coming from me but..." Chris paused before straightening up and giving the Chief a solute. "I think Captain Edward Smith died a noble hero, who put every ounce of his love and bravery towards the passengers on board that ship, and he deserves your admiration and respect sir!" he told the Chief with a stern look. Facing Chris in surprise, Chief Smith remained silent for a moment before his lips began trembling, trying to fight off a smile only to snicker and suddenly burst out in laughter causing Chris to jump in surprise, the girls tilting their heads confused as the old man clutched his stomach in tears. "Lad, you're a trip." the Chief replied, straightening up and taking a deep breath before patting Chris on the shoulder. "Gonna be honest, first time I've ever heard anyone talk so confidently about him. With that in mind, feels pretty good having that kind of reassurance, especially on this cruise... Thanks lad." he nodded, Chris smiling and nodding back. "Alright, you lot be on your way. I've got a job to get back to. Behave yourselves, and no more causing trouble, you hear?" he asked, looking at the girls causing them to jolt and nod, facing away nervously. After shaking the Chiefs hand, he tipped his hat and left the group on the bow, heading back towards the bridge leaving Chris with a smirk on his face. "That felt pretty good." he grinned as Serenity and Rose suddenly cuddled against his sides while Alicia slithered atop his shoulders.

"You so sweet." Serenity giggled, trying to kiss his cheek causing Chris to jolt and lean away. "I-it's nothing! I was being honest!" he laughed nervously, noticing Rose wanting to kiss him as well with her lips puckered causing him to quickly jump out from between the two, both Serenity and Rose scowling at him. "That's not right! How can you do something so... Nice with us, then blow us off like that?! You're the one who set up this mood!" the rabbit lectured. "A-ah, y-yeah, I guess I kinda did." he muttered shyly. "I'll admit, it was rather flattering the way you set up such a view for us and whatnot. Even I'd like to..." Alicia nodded before jolting and cutting herself off, suddenly swatting him in the back of his head with her tail and blushing embarrassed. "O-ow!! What'd I do?!" he asked, rubbing the back of his head and grumbling as she crossed her arms and faced away shyly. Scowling at the snake, he faced the girls about to say something only to find them up close with their lips puckered, causing him to jolt and stumble back in surprise. Looking at the two, Chris flushed and tried to coax the two love struck Pokemon into settling down, only to frustrate them instead resulting in both Serenity and Rose trying to make a grab for him, suddenly playing a game of tackle on the bow causing Alicia to jump away safely onto the railing and watch the two chase him all over the deck. "...Lecherous dogs." she muttered before letting out a sigh and shaking her head. Towards the point of the bow, Dragonair remained on the deck as well, watching the three and tilting her head curiously before joining in the chase thinking it was a game. Darting in front of Chris, he ran into the towering Pokemon and fell back as she looked down at him with a smile before suddenly snatching both he and the girls together in a tight coil, hugging them together and rubbing her face against Chris's. "Wa-wa-wa-wadaya doing?!" he panicked, with Rose and Serenity squeezed tightly against him causing both Pokemon to flush and blink silently before suddenly smiling slyly in a "now you're trapped with us" kind of way.

"Mer-meh-mercy!! Merc-mph!!!" he panicked, only to find himself silenced as the two took turns kissing him all over the lips and face, Dragonair tilting her head intrigued before doing the same, giving Chris several pecks of her own. "D-d-don't get involved!! Y-you're not even wi-with us like that!! Be-besides you're a se-senior!! I-I-I'm not like th-that!!" he shout, trying to shove away all three while Alicia hissed silently and jealously waved her vines about, muttering "dog" repeatedly. Up at the bridge, Chief Smith finally reached the final step and walked inside, wiping his face with a handkerchief and a sigh. "I suppose it couldn't hurt to catch a wink of two..." he muttered, jolting when he saw the other Chiefs and Rostron smiling at him. "Well then, I take it the lad had an effect on you as well?" the Captain chuckled, Smith clearing his throat while tucking the handkerchief away. "He's interesting, I'll give him that. Certainly gives you something to think about." Smith replied, walking up to the kettle sitting on one of the desks to pour himself some coffee. "I think that's enough Mr. Smith, go tuck yourself in for a spell. Rest assured if any trouble pops up you'll be the first we alert." Rostron ordered, taking the kettle with a nod. "Not gonna give up, are you sir?" Smith grumbled before letting out another sigh and nodding. "Very well, perhaps I can actually lay still now, at least for a moment." he nodded, tipping his hat to the others before heading back out and stopping at the stairs, hearing the faint sound of the commotion towards the bow. "Rrgh, right after I told them no trouble." he muttered before calling for the Captain and motioning for his binoculars. "Lets see what the lads up to now." he said, Rostron raising a curious eyebrow while handing the binoculars over and sipping his own cup of coffee. Smelling its aroma, Smith scowled at him in irritation. "You're rubbing it in a tad sir." he told the Captain, causing Rostron to jolt and apologize while covering the steam with his hand. "So what seems to be the problem? There hasn't been an accident on the bow has there?" he asked in a slightly wary tone. Having a look for himself, Smith jolt and suddenly held the Captains binoculars out with a groan. "I'm goin' to bed." he grumbled, heading down the stairs while Rostron blinked bewildered. "The world...?" he muttered before having a look for himself. "D-Dra-DRAGONAIR?!!" he shout in surprise, pulling the binoculars away from his face wide eyed while his crew in the bridge looked at him with both, confusion and surprise mixed in their expressions while asking what was wrong.

"It's ah, nothing lads." he assured, raising his cup with a nervous smile as they looked at one another with a shrug. "Who knew the old girl still had that kind of spunk in her?" he laughed nervously, looking back down as Chris continued trying to lecture his Pokemon as well as Serenity and Rose, remaining ensnared in Dragonairs clingy coil despite his efforts to get away from the three. "Ha ha, that reminds me of when I was a lad myself." Rostron nodding before letting out a sigh and placing his cup on the rail. Placing his fingers at his mouth, Rostron let out several short high pitched whistles causing Dragonair to jolt and shoot up, twitching her ears before facing up towards the Captain, watching as he let out a long whistle followed by several more short ones. Nodding in response, she released the group and suddenly returned to the sea, leaping over the railing allowing Chris to taste freedom once more as he jumped away from the girls and pant. "Wha-whats with you girls?" he asked as they showed disappointed looks now that he got away before smiling and sticking out their tongues. "Have to show love sometimes!" Serenity replied with a peace sign. "Plus, I kinda liked being squeezed like that, it felt good in a... Way, so it made me lose it a little." Rose added with a slight blush, fidgeting causing Chris to raise an eyebrow at the rabbit. "You have, er, unique interests too." he muttered causing her to blush embarrassed. "Y-you should know. I mean, the way you were with me and all. I think I can still kinda feel it..." she replied quietly causing Serenity to raise an eyebrow as well and strut up to Chris with a scowl. "Speaking of, I want mate again too!" she told him in an irritated tone. "You not do it soon, I do it in your sleep!" she warned, flicking him on the nose causing him to jolt and flush. "N-n-no way!! No messing with people in their sleep!! Off limits!!" he lectured, making an X with his arms.

"A-anyways!! Lets just get back to the room, alright? I promised I'd let you girls get more shut eye." he reminded, looking around and finding Alicia on the railing nearby. "There you are. You ready to g...!!" he paused, freezing up and slightly pale as he saw her malicious grin and noticed her vines waving about. "Y-yo. What's uh, what's up Alicia?" he asked with a nervous smile as she suddenly snapped a vine around his neck and jerked his face in front of hers. "After what I permit you to do, here you are putting on a make-out show before me with three other women, one old enough to be my ancestor. You really have no shame, do you?" she asked, suddenly giving him an enraged sneer as he gulped and apologized, only for Alicia to hold one of her vines and give it a snap in front of him with a grin causing Chris to jolt and laugh nervously. "C-come on, really?" he asked, the snake scowling at him before glancing away. "I suppose you could make it up to me." she replied, retracting her vines before jumping into his arms. "Since you made me watch, now you make the lecherous dogs watch." she smirked as he turned slightly pale, Serenity and Rose tilting their heads before walking up. Once they were just a few steps away, Alicia suddenly snapped her vines around his neck and jerked him in for a kiss of her own, causing the two Pokemon to freeze wide eyed while Alicia opened her eye and glanced at them slyly with a smirk, pulling her lips away from his. "That will do. Good boy." she praised, looking at the girls again before giving Chris a lick on the cheek. "Not a bad taste for a mongrel." she added, Serenity's jaw dropping before puffing out her cheeks in irritation, Rose doing the same while crossing their arms. "Oh please, you two can't compare to me. I told you my time would come." she reminded, grinning at Serenity before patting Chris on the cheek. "He's already declared his preference for me so you've already fallen behind. He probably just pities you two is all so he continues letting you hump all over him. Still, your envy is satisfying, do keep showing me those faces." she went on before laughing at the two with the back of her hand under her chin.

"O-oy!! Don't say things like that!!" Chris lectured, looking at Serenity and Rose as they scowled at him before turning their backs. "You tell her you like her best?" Serenity asked. "You told us you didn't play favorites, we're supposed to be equal..." Rose added. "Y-you ARE equal!! I wasn't even talking about that when I told her... I mean we were doing, er, so I..." he tried to explain, only for the two girls to look back at him before putting their noses up and walking off. "C-come on!! I wasn't saying I loved her more than you two at all!!" he shout, running up behind the two while trying to apologize, following them along the deck while Alicia rest along his shoulders, snickering and enjoying being the one they were jealous over for a change. "Now you try to explain to us how you mate with her? That not helping your case." Serenity replied with her arms crossed. "You told her you liked her best while doing something like that. It's cruel." Rose scowled. "W-well yeah! I mean, you should always make a girl feel, ya know, special..." he replied, poking his fingers nervously. "Well, did you mean it when you said you liked me the most?" Alicia asked, causing him to jolt and sweat slightly. "I-I was just talking about..." he paused, his voice fading into a quiet murmur. "The taste..." he added. "Excuse me? What was that? I'm right here and not even I could hear you." Alicia replied, leaning her ear towards him. "I-I-I..." he tried to say, stuttering while the others turned back. "I s-said... I uh... I..." he said, fidgeting and blushing out of humiliation. "C-can't you stop picking on me...?" he asked, glancing away from the girls as they raised an eyebrow at him while continuing to scowl. "S-seriously. What I do with each of you shouldn't be anyone else's business but your own. If you're gonna rub what I do and say to each of you in the heat of the moment in one anothers faces I won't do anything with any of you ever again..." he added, Serenity and Rose looking at him silently before facing one another and letting out a sigh, nodding in response. Looking at the twos passive behavior, Alicia let out a disappointed "hrmph!" before sighing as well. "Way to kill the fun." she muttered. "It's not fun if it's at someone else's expense! Didn't I tell you that?" Chris lectured, reminding her of the incident with Serenity causing the snake to slump and mutter an apology.

"S-seriously. It's humiliating having someone spill the beans about what you do in private with that person. From now on just don't go spouting things about personal stuff. Since you had to gloat about what I said, I may as well be honest and tell them I said that to make up for how much I thought you'd felt ignored and all. Treating someone special on occasion doesn't mean anything if that person just rubs it in other peoples faces the moment they get the chance to." he lectured, Alicia jolting and facing down silently while Serenity smirked. "Ha!! See? He just being nice to you. Not favorite at all." she scoffed, waving her hand while Rose looked at Alicia's somber expression and fidget nervously. "I-I think we should drop it now." she added, Chris glancing at Alicia before letting out a sigh and nodding. "Yeah, come on." he told them before walking ahead, Serenity crossing her arms with an "I knew it" kind of smirk on her face. "You didn't have to say something like that you know. Saying you told me that just to be nice actually hurt a bit." the snake muttered to him. "Yeah well, you were trying to hurt them by being insensitive. I didn't mind you wanting to kiss in front of them but you went too far with the gloating and mocking. I don't go for that." he lectured. "What we do and what I say in private should stay between us. I trust you girls to take one another into at least THAT much consideration. Having that sort of relationship with all three of you should be a good thing that makes everyone happy and feel equal, don't make it stressful instead by acting all haughty over the time we spend together and stirring up negative behavior. I know you can show better respect towards all of us than that. I don't mind you showing how happy you are being that way with me, since they do it pretty frequent, but don't go revealing unnecessary things you know will set them off in a bad way. You're different from them as well so when it comes to you I have higher expectations. You have the looks, the attitude and the posture of nobility, don't let your behavior ruin it. Being honest, I'd like you to work on your composure since it's been slipping lately." he reminded, causing Alicia to blush slightly with a surprised look before nodding. "Y-yes, my apologies." she replied, facing away shyly. "Nobility huh?" she thought to herself, a slight smirk on her face.

Behind them, Serenity was scowling as the two talked, suddenly walking up and taking Chris by the arm. "When we get back to room, you lay down with me right?" she asked with a smile, butting in causing Alicia to grumble in irritation before facing away with a sigh. "Work on composure, right." she reminded herself. "Y-yeah, I need to do a bit of research on something anyways. Since we're arriving at that site tomorrow I'd like to, well, it'll be a surprise." he smirked, the girls giving him curious looks before scowling. "Don't worry, this surprise isn't for any of you. But I still hope you like it though." he assured causing them to look at one another all the more bewildered. Once they were back in their room, Chris set his staff against the wall and rest his coat over the back of the couch, taking out the Pokedex before heading towards the bed with the girls, sitting and removing his shoes as they climbed in around him. "So what gonna to do?" Serenity asked, crawling up behind him and resting her chin on his shoulder curiously. "O-oh. I just need to look into a few things about the Arceanic is all. I wanna make sure I get this right." he smiled as she raised an eyebrow. "You really are strange when you plan surprises. You're so secretive and all. it'd be nice if you spoiled something at least once in a while." Rose smiled nervously, plopping down on her back next to him with her ears hanging off the bed. "Well, at least it's not a surprise for us this time. I'd say that's a good thing." Alicia added with a nod. "H-hey!! Most of my surprises are good and you know it!" he shout in irritation, scowling causing all three to smile and laugh. "Not be mad. You right, you do give good surprise once in while." Serenity agreed, rubbing her cheek against his and giving it a peck causing Chris to jolt and smile slightly. "B-bah, don't be a kiss up you." he smirked. "Being kiss up fun though! Kiss you up all over..." she giggled slyly, holding her hands up in a grabbing motion with a sly grin while Rose did the same. "S-seriously now, let me do what I wanna do." he smiled nervously, waving his hand and holding up the Pokedex. "Mrrr... Fine." Serenity scowled before sitting with a plop and her arms crossed. With a chuckle, Chris shook his head and tucked the three in before laying on top of the sheets and turning on the Pokedex, putting it in silent mode while thinking over what he'd look up.

Watching quietly, Serenity and Rose curled up against his sides while Alicia slithered out from under the sheets and curled up on his lap, all three letting out a yawn as he fidget with the device. "Lets see... Caterpithia model please." he asked, the device flashing before displaying a hologram of Captain Rostrons ship. "Oohhh, this is good. I didn't think I'd get something so detailed." he muttered, using his fingers to swirl the ship around and zoom into it. "Could you also show the rescue record of the Arceanic?" he asked, the device suddenly flashing several holograms into view displaying various records. "Alright, I can see everything at once, awesome." he smirked as the girls continued watching curiously. "Come on, tell whatcha doin'." Serenity said, letting out a yawn. "Ha ha, I'm setting up a little something for the Captain, and whoever else is around when I do this." he smiled, rubbing her on the head. "I wanna lift everyone's spirits in some way, especially the crew. Do somethin' really special since they've had so many troubles on their minds throughout the years." he chuckled, the girls looking at one another and smiling. "You're always doing stuff for people, even when you don't really know them... I wish everyone in the world was like that. it's why I feel so special since I'm here now." Rose giggled causing him to jolt and blush slightly. "Th-thanks, but it's no big deal." he replied, rubbing the rabbit on the head as well. "You and that heart, always on your sleeve. You're so troublesome." Alicia scowled. "Buuuut that's why ya love me, right?" he grinned, giving the snake a gentle noogie causing her to blush slightly. "B-be quiet." she grumbled before curling up in a different direction. Continuing to examine the model and browse the records of the incident, the girls eventually dozed off while curled up all around him. "Boy, about time..." he muttered with a sigh before lowering the Pokedex and looking around. "Hey, Ninetails! You got a minute?" he called out in a hushed tone. Looking around once again, he called for the Pokemon a second time before feeling a sudden ping run through his head. "Just call on me as you please now, don't you?" a voice echoed in his mind. After a moment, her aura came into view before forming a transparent version of herself, sitting on the floor next to the bed.

"Long time no see human. What is it this time?" she asked as he grinned. "You came out! That's pretty awesome." he chuckled before slowly easing his way away from the girls and standing. "Yes well, don't expect me to appear at your beck and call too often. Now what is it?" she asked, looking up at him and tilting her head. "Well, it's about using your power again. I'd like your permission to use it for a little while tomorrow night if that's alright. I know I gave my word about emergencies and all, but I'd really like to do something really neat for everyone on the ship." he explained as Ninetails looked around and walked towards the balcony. "Ah yes, you're heading for... Good boy." she nodded. "Err, I'm not a dog you know." he laughed nervously. "Servant, dog, same thing. I own you anyways so I can title you whatever I wish. Be thankful for the praise." she replied while facing him and sitting down once more. "Remember your place in our situation. It's also not my place to answer your calls, so remember to be grateful for this audience with me as well." she added causing him to jolt and sulk slightly. "H-ha ha, riiiight." he muttered before clearing his throat and straightening up. "A-anyways, please Ninetails. It's not an emergency or anything but it'd mean a lot to me if you'd let me use your power again. I'd really owe you one." he told her with a bow, the Pokemon raising an eyebrow. "Owe me one? Fool, you owe me your life." she scoffed, facing away with her nose up. "T-then uh, I'd do whatever you wa..." he tried to say. "You'll do whatever I command when I command it, no need to finish that sentence." she told him. "E-err, w-well I..." he tried to reply, only for Ninetails to shake her head. "You're so easy to intimidate, no wonder you live such an abused life with those females." she sighed, causing him to blink at her in surprise and tilt his head. "You may use it. It couldn't hurt to reward you I suppose." she told him, causing Chris to grin excitedly. "You're the best!" he replied before running up to her and trying to hug the Pokemon, only to fade through her and fall flat on his face. "...You idiot. This is an astral body." she reminded, shaking her head with a groan as he sat up rubbing his face, now red from the carpet with an embarrassed laugh. "S-sorry. But seriously, you really are the best." he repeat with a thumbs up, the Pokemon facing away. "You're a strange one. If that's all, I'll be on my way." she replied.

Not hearing a response, Ninetails faced his direction again only to see his face just inches from hers, a grin still spread across it causing the Pokemon to blink wide eyed before suddenly falling back in surprise. "Wha-wa-h-how dare you!! Don't do that!!" she lectured, quickly sitting back up as he chuckled. "Pull tricks like that and I give you my word I'll burn you alive." she warned with an irritated look on her face. "Oh take it easy, it's only natural for a guy to wanna be close to someone he considers a mother figure." he replied with a wave. Looking at him silently for a moment, Ninetails faced away with a scowl and just the slightest blush on her face. "Again with that bizarre way of speaking, what's with that?" she asked as he stood back up. "Oh, it's nothing. It's like I told you before, you practically raised me too so a persons gonna feel excited seeing the one they consider another parent again, especially if that certain someone is nice to them and does them a favor. It just makes me feel good is all." he chuckled as Ninetails looked up at him and shook her head. "Whatever, It's as I said, don't abuse the privilege." she reminded as he gave her a solute. "Yes ma'am!!" he replied, causing the Pokemon to jolt and groan. "You tire me, I'll be going now." she sighed. "Heh, see you again soon then." he smiled, giving Ninetails a wave as she turned and walked off, slowly fading away until disappearing altogether. "Cold on the outside, but a good heart deep down. Just like another girl I know." he smirked, glancing at Alicia as she lay sprawled out over the sheets atop the girls, all three continuing to snooze away. Heading out onto the balcony, Chris continued his research in silence, enjoying the scenery and the breeze as well since it had warmed up slightly with the sun now over the horizon.

"Yep, gonna be getting colder and colder from here on. Passengers probably won't be able to use the pools and all after today." he muttered, glancing back in the room. "Better take them up and let them have some fun while they still can, that being the case. We've still got the spas though so there's that I guess." he shrugged. "By the time evening comes it'll probably be around ten degrees cooler, even with the sun up it's still gonna drop bit by bit." he added, looking up the weather on his Pokedex along the path they were headed. "It's gonna be so weird. From cozy weather and a big city to freezing snow and wide open tundras. Those girls are gonna be in for a real trip." he chuckled, leaning against the railing while looking over the Caterpithia model and notes once more.

"You know, I still haven't given Gerald and the others a call yet... I did promise I would." he thought to himself before looking through the contacts registered within his Pokedex. "With the girls out cold, guess now's as good a time as ever. Hope it's not too early." he smiled nervously before tapping on Geralds number...