avacynthia

[avacynthia]

(ooc. apologies for being sporadic here and on discord recently!! currently caught in a hectic cycle where I overwork myself throughout the week, burst into flames and confetti when it's over, and then slooowly rise from the ashes over the weekend. the grind is so real this month, but I'm hoping to find some relief over the next few weeks!!

[also, I'm playing PERSONA 3 RELOAD for the first time ever and I'm officially hooked...I'm almost finished now but wow what a journey--]

gonna be poking around on here and @coiledqueen today 😊)

#ooc #tbd #(gonna need to hold a conference to voice my thoughts on p3r when all is said and done. this game is so much)

[avacynthia]

(ooc. in RP--and for most things in life--if you want something done, you gotta go get it. worst thing that can happen is you get told 'no.' and that's okay. you gave it a shot, and life goes on. it never hurts to try. 😊)

#ooc #dash comm tba. #(it takes bravery to send that first ask/IM!!) #(but people shouldnt be expected to soul read each others intentions. communication is everything)

[avacynthia]

Poem for Earth Day. From Matthew Olzmann's book, Constellation Route. (Alice James Books, 2022)

#(happy earth day ❤️) #memo pad. (musings) #(queued.)

[avacynthia]

Hey...

Riley's soft voice cuts through Cynthia's foggy reverie, and the champion slowly raises her head from his chest, eyes widening as she takes in the reassuring glow of the aura guardian's palms. Of course. How could she forget?

Cynthia has seen those tireless hands heal, mend, and perform countless small miracles. And yet, the innocent display never gets old. Riley's aura-wielding abilities still fascinate her, and--even now--Cynthia feels her heart flutter within her chest. She wastes little time reaching up to interlock their fingers together again, and the familiar contact is as comforting as it is electrifying. The champion can feel her tired shoulders slump with relaxation as the healing pulse is channeled unto her. (For a fleeting moment, all of her worries seem to phase out of existence at once...)

God. All this heated, overdue intimacy, coupled with the proximity of their bodies, is driving Cynthia over the edge. She's been patient. She's shown considerable restraint. But, as she looks up at Riley's flustered face, Cynthia's glittering gaze is clouded with lust.

Her knight's whispered question barely registers before she nods with silent approval, wordlessly sliding upwards to straddle his lap once again. Cynthia's hips grind hard against his own, and she can both feel and see his excitement growing as she gazes at Riley with that playful, confident grin quirking her lips, continuing to press down into him as deft fingers undo her bra, the straps falling away to the side...

Still, with the utmost care, Cynthia takes Riley's wrist and gently guides his hand to her breast, a quickened heartbeat thundering against his palm. This vulnerability, this openness--it's never come so naturally to her before. She shudders with need under the intimate touch, and a low groan rumbles from her throat. Please.

Blonde hair is swept aside as the champion leans over Riley's shoulder, her hips still moving, her mischievous free hand casually fiddling with the waistbands of their pants, undoing buttons and loosening belts. Her breath falls hot and ragged on the guardian's ear.

"...Yes, touch me. Make me feel good..." Cynthia half-whispers, half-hisses, her tone playfully demanding as she nips him on the lobe, urging him on. "...That's an order. You want to please me, don't you...?"

The champion's command lingers, yet remains light, teasing, and curious. After all, Cynthia is still trying to figure out this new, fascinating side of Riley, and perhaps a more direct, dominant approach would push all the right buttons...

He treated each kiss with such reverence. Sweet sovereign, his brilliant monarch -… he’d show his exaltion with every more hungry press of lips. Light nips met with breathy murmurs and an explorative slip of his tongue at the bottom of her lip. Her moan rolling between them made him push into her a little more - so badly he wanted to please her. The grandeur of her aura pulling him in. Swells of desire and deep compassion met with ardor.

Did this make you feel good? How about this? Anything to make her aglow with as much adoration as he felt. Even her explorative touches made more of an impression then any scar hiding beneath his shirt. Cynthia was curious but thoughtful to a body that knew no loving touch. It…really made him feel so much more renewed in his duty.

It was getting a little harder to not be swept away. Whatever moments happened passed quicker then he was consciously aware for. Their parting had him blink hazy after her. Cynthia would have her eyeful of a rather silly looking and infatuated Riley looking alert moments after that teasing, devious smile of hers. Oh…

Oh-!

Sheepish embarrassment coming back again at every button freed and more of her revealed. What a mink in guise of a goddess taking her time just to prolong this; take in his quickly reddening face until she was completely topless save for her bra that flattered her chest perfectly another thought he felt almost guilty for imagining. But more then that there was the wash of scars scattered around her silhouette. Some he acknowledged almost like old friends, others he hadn’t seen and some came with pinches of worry. What happened and where was he when it did?

All these accounted and unaccounted scars in due to their titles. They were sharing a moment of intimacy together but Sinnoh will always have them completely and at costs. Riley was especially no stranger. It was Cynthia’s note of surprise that caught him off guard when it was his turn to slip from his shirt. A blink. …What’s wrong? The excited thrum felt in the waves changed a moment. Guilt and regrets… Was this about his own scars? Oh Cynthia.

“ hey..” A mumble but he was smiling. He slipped a hand free to show the soft blue glow of his palms. Heal Pulse…there was no hurt he experienced that couldn’t be healed. Amazing how much the guardian body endures. There was no blow he wouldn’t take if it gave her and their home peace. As many as possible even. And all of this his choice. All of me, yours. Please take it. Her kind lips acknowledging old battle wounds was all he needed. Shuttering ebbing into warmth…until the weight shifting from his excitement beneath made him quirk with a breathy haah-. Fingers twitched.

“ Cynthia…?” Still a little meek and face beat red. “ Can I…touch you?” Not fair he hadn’t pay penitence to her own battles marked on her soft skin…and maybe wonder about the shape of her graceful silhouette. All guilty thoughts at some point.

#nsft tw #auraspheres

[avacynthia]

"Cynthia?" A hum in the quiet peace. He tilted his head with eyes still looking out at the horizon. " What do you imagine your future to be like...? After passing the title and responsibility as Sinnoh's champion that is and the opportunities are endless."

"My future? Hm..."

Cynthia strokes her chin, brow furrowed as she takes a minute to turn Riley's question over in her mind. As always, it feels like there's no rush between them here, seated together atop one of Iron Island's many crags. There's no wind today, and the rare Sinnohan sun makes the sea shimmer as it gently laps against the shoreline beneath them.

"Truthfully, I've never really thought of what comes after..." she muses quietly, wearing a rueful smile. "Just as it's unhealthy to dwell in the past, I've always believed that it's equally unhealthy to overprepare for the future. But, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to plan ahead a little..."

"...I think I'd want to settle down somewhere far away from fame. I'd have a huge library, I could explore and research without being pestered, and I could raise Pokemon and just...be surrounded by those who love me. Perhaps even a family." Cynthia tilts her head upwards to stare at the clouds, a wistful expression on her face. 'If that sounds cliché, that's because it is--I've read too many storybook endings by now. But...something like that sounds nice."

It's the ideal ending, but...Cynthia is lying to herself. And she knows that Riley can see right through her. (He is perhaps the only one who can understand how she feels. How heavy her burdens are, and how incredibly reluctant she is to just...drop them.)

Sinnoh is Cynthia's everything, and her deep connection to the region feels timeless, important, even necessary. Her needs and Sinnoh's needs are intertwined by this point, and a future unmoored from that responsibility...?

Deep down, it terrifies her. There's still so much work to be done--how could she possibly rest? (And on the other side, was she just going to work until the end? Was this truly a lifelong commitment?)

Not so long ago, Cynthia would have been fine with such a selfless outcome--but Riley has thrown a wrench into everything. For the first time, her knight is causing Cynthia to truly weigh her own needs versus Sinnoh's. (Was it okay to be a little selfish...?)

How ironic! The ascendant champion and the last aura guardian, finally realizing feelings for each other while Sinnoh looms over them both like a jealous mistress. What would become of them? How many more perfect moments would they share together, before their duties inevitably swept them away? And was a 'normal life'--whatever that was--even possible for them to live...?

The future is so uncertain and time is so fleeting. Cynthia blinks hard, and is mercifully taken back to this perfect present. She hasn't spoken for awhile.

"...What about you?" the champion whispers quietly, and her hand finds his, finding much-needed solace in Riley's touch, the reassuring warmth of his palm. She's been thinking of him more as of late, even as her schedule takes her far away, like a leaf blown on the wind.

If only moments like these could last forever.

#auraspheres #(yeah yeah...I got carried away...) #(OUGH my heart!!!!!)

[avacynthia]

enchanted evening

#watch the throne. (pictures & aes) #(rebecca guay 🥰)

[avacynthia]

(ooc. gooood morning!! just popping in to share that I ran into an optional boss encounter earlier today…)

FEAR HIM. 😤 (I wisely chose to flee. Aura too powerful)

#ooc #tbd #(wild pokemon theme starts playing) #(or giratina battle LMAO)

[avacynthia]

He actually has no idea how he got here. He walks in with a confused look, unprompted.

*piano theme immediately begins to play*

#(UNDELLA BAY ENCOUNTER!! UNDELLA BAY ENCOUNTER-) #(crack tag tba.) #blastburned

[avacynthia]

[ @busygirlgcttagc ] There's a moment of hesitation. The Champion is, needless to say, a powerhouse... but would she actually survive maze like jungles, cold deserts of the north and ancient tombs filled to the brim with traps? After a few seconds of consideration, Lara lifts an eyebrow and smirk. "Now, that's something I would love to see" she says, just half jokingly "Remind me to invite you to my next expedition"

Even now, there's no denying the LARA CROFT seems superhuman. The renowned archeologist remains adventure personified, and her many quests have yielded some truly unprecedented finds. Cynthia, an accomplished historian in her own right, often finds herself lodged within libraries and museums, poring with fascination over the explorer's latest discoveries. She respects Lara to a great degree.

With that being said, something about Lara's hesitance and tone just reignites the competitive fire within her. Cynthia had conquered all of Sinnoh as a teenager, scaling mountains, plunging through tunnels, and braving the region's harsh elements--and even harsher Pokemon inhabitants. Sure, nowadays she's more confined to desks and conference rooms than she'd like to be, but Cynthia is still so confident in her ability to keep pace with anybody--even Ms. Croft.

Even at the peak of her influence, the champion still sports a chip on her shoulder. Her gaze twinkles, her practiced smile hiding the determination smoldering beneath.

"What a tempting opportunity--I'm sure that I would enjoy myself," Cynthia retorts lightly, adding in a playful wink. "Just say the word, and I'll pencil you in."

#busygirlgcttagc #(tysm for the ask gio!!) #(powerful combo...)

[avacynthia]

Why did you pick up this muse?

Ever since I started indie RPing in 2020, I have always tended to find myself writing minor canon muses (Clair, Jupiter), muses who are 'sillier' (Barry, Marlon), or OCs that occupy minor roles within the Pokeverse.

I did this because I love expanding on minor character lore, and I love giving my thread partners the spotlight and support to shine and build out their arcs. But, deep down, I was also scared to play any bigger roles. For some reason, I felt like I wasn't 'worthy' of playing these larger roles, even though I wanted to (The pandemic, mixed with academia's impostor syndrome, did not help there. I was just...hanging in there, clinging onto my writing.)

Fast forward to last year, and something just...clicked in my life. Maybe it was finally therapy. Maybe it was routinely dragging my ass to the gym. But I started saying 'why not?' and 'why worry?' and yes to infinitely more things. Playing tabletop games? Yes. Slowly opening up to more people and being more spontaneous? Yes. Embracing my strengths and doing what I want creatively? Yes.

So, enter Cynthia. When I finally picked her up as a muse, there was no hesitation--it just felt like a no-brainer. Why not? She's always been my favorite champion, and now I finally feel confident enough to write her here, and it's been a total blast. I feel like my minor characters are thriving too--see Bruno, and lately Pike Queen Lucy--but Cynthia feels like a culmination of a journey to me, inside and outside of RP. In many ways, she feels like my 'final' muse, if that makes sense. I can't wait to keep playing her and others, and I can't wait to see what's next for me. ❤️

#ooc #(got a bit emotional reflecting and writing this ngl. thanks gio. you always come in clutch with these 😊) #(dont know where im headed next. but for right now? its all good)

[avacynthia]

(pssssst...hey hey, I'm quietly entering my Frontier Brain era with a lil' sideblog for PIKE QUEEN LUCY. 🐍

take a look if you have a chance and want to interact! rules/bio are in the pinned post if you're interested!)

#ooc #(just one more here for the evening crowd...!)

[avacynthia]

As Grusha grapples with the magnitude of her words, Cynthia can't help but feel the subtle sting of guilt within her heart. She had meant to tell Grusha the honest, uncut truth about the events transpiring back home, had meant to inspire some renewed hope for their eventual return...but had she said too much? Pushed too hard?

(Even nowadays, Sinnoh's well-intentioned champion could still get so carried away sometimes.)

And so, Cynthia takes a sip of peppermint tea, sits back and mercifully allows the moment to breathe in silence, hands clasped upon her lap as she patiently offers Grusha time to digest everything. They deserve that much, at the very least. (Take as long as you need.)

When Grusha does reply, their murmured, uncertain words are accompanied by hesitant pauses and weary sighs. It's as if they're reasoning everything out in real time, on the fly, and Cynthia drinks in every offered detail with rapt, almost fascinated attention.

She understands the importance, the weight of this cabin-conversation. The metaphorical ice is thawing, and Grusha is finally beginning to open up to her--painful introspections and all.

Cynthia gently listens to every difficult word, and her heart truly aches for them. Baring one's soul, being so vulnerable...it's never easy for anyone.

Waka-ush slides against her legs--a small, needed comfort--and she casually runs a hand through the Glaceon's glossy fur, silvery focus still resting upon the red-faced features of her host. It's a while before she speaks again.

"...I can't ever fully comprehend the burden that you must carry, but part of me understands how you feel, I think," Cynthia murmurs, her voice soft against the crackling of the fire. Her head bows solemnly, gaze staring into the smoldering embers. "That fear of losing everything, of not having worth--I feel it too."

(After all, was it not her own negligence that had almost brought Sinnoh--and the world--to absolute ruin? If it weren't for a group of upstart heroes and a hefty supply of divine intervention atop the Spear Pillar...she and Grusha would not be having this conversation.)

Another beat of silence passes, and Cynthia's hair cascades around her lowered face.

"This fear, the trauma--it's not something we can ever truly eliminate. But we mustn't let it blind us to future possibilities and opened paths. A life lived paralyzed by fear is a sad one."

The champion raises her eyes to meet Grusha's again, a reassuring smile upon her lips once more. "I'm impressed with how much you've accomplished already. Becoming a Gym Leader is no easy feat in any region, and you've even made a cozy home for yourself here." Her grin widens as she reaches over to fluff Toboe's mane.

"I didn't visit to convince you of anything. By all means, you may continue to build a foundation here, continue to heal. But I still sense that restlessness, that hunger deep within you--so I think it's helpful to remind you that there's countless options for your future. Countless paths for you to wander down, and people who care about you along the way."

Cynthia's Poketch buzzes rapidly around her wrist, blowing up with frantic messages, missed calls and voicemails upon receiving just a single second of reception. The champion sighs, casually leaning back to crack her back.

"...Looks like my security detail is onto me," she remarks ruefully, rising slowly to her feet. "I'm not usually allowed to be unattended for this long. Much less climbing mountains on my own."

Cynthia takes one last sip of peppermint tea before looking down at her host with appreciation.

"Your hospitality is unmatched--thank you. Truly," she offers with a slight, respectful bow, stepping carefully out of the guest slippers. Her smile is back, and she winks. "If you do decide to visit Sinnoh someday, I hope you'll allow me to return the favor."

"thank you." the words are released in a manner that would be considered strangled were the volume greater than scarce above a whisper. their mind's flooded with memories of the day cynthia had found them within the temple of snowpoint shortly after their release from hospital; the gym leader is certain there's understanding from that perspective, but more than anything else he assumes her adamant refusal to allow the project's fruition for the reasons she elaborates upon without hesitation.

his permission… his own say over his life & the depiction of it for those beyond the realm of his former followers to consume…

"… thank you," their fingers manage to curl slightly against her own before she draws away -- it's too quick, they wish they'd acted faster to convey their gratitude. her slim digits slip through their own practically like liquid, grusha's brought comfort by the fact that at least a fragment of their appreciation has been conveyed in a manner identical to the reassurance. "for giving them the response you did, and informing me meanwhile. i think i need to sleep on it at the very least." at last their eyes drift to her, though the light in them dims, faintly, as her question's voiced after the comforting quiet they've shared.

"if i'm being honest, my mind wasn't set on being a gym leader despite my pursuit of it once i knew of the availability here." the fingers which had only briefly been allowed to curl against her own now twine toboe's mane betwixt knuckles, "i…" it's difficult to phrase. their eyes fall to her knees, a momentary surge of frustration flickering across their eyes. it clears after they blink a couple times, but the hint of a furrowed brow betrays their struggle. "… i felt… i had nothing left to offer the world… besides being a gym leader."

such a sentiment still rings true years later. giving voice to it… he's able to scratch the surface, at least.

he's avoided thinking about it too intensely; as such the dialogue he could utilize here has not yet been rehearsed.

"i know --" the free hand lifts, having returned the tea cup to the end table it now silently asks for pause, had her instinct been to contradict. "-- it's unlikely you agree with my perception of my self-worth and what i need to do to maintain it." grusha exhales quietly, the lifted hand's fingers now curling into a fist he's able to lean his temple against. two-color irises drift to whereabouts his knees are through toboe's form. "i'm reminded each time i'm evaluated here: nobody thinks as critically of me - or my ability to defend my station - as i do."

the exhale from moments earlier is redoubled with a sigh.

"since my --" every word that's ever been used to mention it has felt sour on his tongue, "-- injury, i…" it's getting difficult again; they're trying, "… grew more and more desperate… to prove to myself i can still do something. valuable." their eyes close, and they need to take a few moments to regain themselves / steady their breath / slow their heart.

toboe whimpers quietly, warm head lowered so a pink tongue can flick against his owners knuckles. a single charcoal eye casts a meaningful look to sinnoh's champion.

"teaching…" his heart's torn two ways at the thought now that he addresses it. it's not as intense a feeling as it has been in the past, but they still cannot deny it. "… i have considered it. it's…" grusha chews their lip as eyes open once more.

perhaps an alternative explanation will be easier.

"in paldea, it's uncommon for gym leaders to have a series of trainers waiting for challengers to complete. to my knowledge, only one leader besides me has them; the alternative -" additional, in grusha's case, but they don't waste her time with that, "- is some form of challenge that incorporates the theme of the location, gym leader, or type. hopefuls to face me… i challenge them to navigate one of their pokemon down part of glaseado's incline through a series of checkpoints within a time limit."

it requires trainers to draw upon trust, control, environmental awareness, self-confidence, communication, and pokemon capable of tolerating the environment.

in some ways, it is a straightforward task. in others… plenty have failed to complete it.

they force their gaze back to her, though cannot stop it from falling to her knees periodically with their admittance, and each time they force it back to meet the self-assuredness of her silver, "… i watch them from within the gym." he's certain she was able to observe its height from where he'd found her, "as long as doing so continues to fill me with longing for the dream i once had, i think i'm unfit to be coaching anybody."

#gruusha #(drops a whole book on u.....) #long post

[avacynthia]

(pssssst...hey hey, I'm quietly entering my Frontier Brain era with a lil' sideblog for PIKE QUEEN LUCY. 🐍

take a look if you have a chance and want to interact! rules/bio are in the pinned post if you're interested!)

#ooc #(theres a prompt list on the blog as well if you wanna send something 😊)

[avacynthia]

#airwaves ascended. (music) #(currently playing thru this for the first time ever so ofc im letting it bleed over here lmao) #(spring has sprung 🌸)

[avacynthia]

(ooc. went to the gym this morning and going on a hike this afternoon. it's so lovely out, spring has finally sprung, and it's amazing how the season change can brighten everything up...seasonal doldrums begone 😤)

(writing here later!!)

#ooc #tbd #(great vibes today. im powering up...) #(sometimes i wish i lived somewhere where the weather was nice and warm year round. but then i dont think id appreciate the sun as much LOL

[avacynthia]

Pokemon Journeys Episode 132

Cynthia and Diantha had a battle off-screen!!!

#watch the throne. (pictures & aes) #(revisited these eps recently for inspo and wanted to see this battle so bad) #(loved their tunnel hype up scenes) #(diantha underrated. z-a redemption arc incoming???)

[avacynthia]

" CynthiiiiaaaAa...does my hat offend you in any way?? 😩 "

"...Hm? Where is this coming from, all of the sudden?"

Cynthia wears a bemused grin as she casually reaches up to straighten out the aura guardian's famous hat, a twinkle sparkling in her eye.

"I like it, Riley. Now--I don't think you should use the hat as an excuse to avoid running a comb through your hair every once in awhile, nor do I think you need to wear it everywhere you go...but it makes you look distinguished. It's part of your signature look at this point--even I have trouble imagining you without it."

She laughs, offering him a small wink.

"Believe me, if your hat offended me in any way...I'd tell you right away. No words minced."

#(pats riley. hes gotta stop talking with fumiko LMAO) #(cyn vc: you could at least TRY to tame the ghibli hair every once in awhile you know) #auraspheres