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Adaman was frustrated with himself, to say the least.
Usually, it was in his instincts to tackle any problems as soon as they appeared, lest they be left to fester and spiral as time fed them like weeds. He was never one to waste time - time was woven through every myth and teaching that the Diamond Clan believed in; wasting what time they had would be an insult to Almighty Sinnoh itself.
So it frustrated him immensely, hands fidgeting within the pockets of his haori, that he felt so stumped on what exactly to do.
He kicked away the sand that had coated his sandals, only for it to quickly swarm him again. The sands of Ginko Landing always seemed to get everywhere - no doubt he'd still have some clinging to him once he eventually returned to the Diamond Settlement - it only served to further sour Adaman's mood. Mai, of course, had nudged him into taking this little expedition to the Cobalt Coastlands. Adaman hadn't put up as much of a fight as he usually would have - he had internally hoped that the ocean breeze would help to clear his head if nothing else.
His Pokemon seemed to enjoy the change of scenery at least. Thyme and Miso were bobbing along the shallow waves of the beach, Thyme trying to keep up with the smoother movements of the Vaporeon. His Umbreon, Cosmo, chose to stay beside him, not quite fond of getting her short coat wet.
"These are confusing times we're going through, 'ey Cosmo?" The Umbreon responded to him with a low trill. Whether his partner Pokemon could understand him at all, he didn't know - but Adaman was appreciative of their company nonetheless.
"Mai probably thinks I'm going crazy - I just don't know..." Don't know what? "My head's been all over the place, your old man might be going mad," He laughed mostly to himself, scratching under Cosmo's chin as she purred.
"Do my eyes deceive me - or is that Leader Adaman?"
Adaman turned his head sharply, in a cascade of blue and bleached hair. His gaze softened when he met the familiar face. "The one and only."
Iscan returned his smile as he trudged through the yellow sands to meet him, his partner Gastrodon in tow. Okay, so perhaps the scenery itself wasn't the sole reason for Adaman's visit. As much as he loved his sister, Mai could certainly be blunt at times. And with how muddled and murky his state of mind was in, he needed a softer tone to hear him out.
"So you came to visit the Coastlands and didn't think to come say hello?" Iscan greeted him with a soft squeeze on his shoulder. Cosmo sniffed him and his Gastrodon in curiosity, which made Iscan's eyes light up. "And your little girl evolved? Adaman, you know they say that Umbreon are an insomniac's Pokemon."
"Please, Mai bashes my sleep schedule enough. Not you too," But Adaman's tone was lighthearted, observing the two Pokemon's interactions. Iscan's Gastrodon, Nina, seemed more interested in the water, and soon lost interest in the Umbreon as she chased after the waves. Iscan gestured for the two to sit down.
"And for the record, I was going to swing by your tent - I thought you didn't like unexpected visitors?" Adaman removed his hands from his pockets, only to have Cosmo nudge her way into his lap.
"You know you're always welcome, Adaman," Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Iscan leaning back, stretching. "It's been a while since we've properly met. What brings you here?"
Adaman took a breath, letting the ocean salt fill his lungs, glancing off towards the shore. Another breeze rolled up the beach, tugging at his hair. "Actually I was hoping you could smack some sense into me." He finally laughed out, admittedly awkwardly.
The Warden sat up again, crossing his arms in his lap as he looked at the younger man quizzically. "What do you mean?"
"I- I don't even know myself, honestly," It was so unlike him to be so unsure. "My thoughts have been bouncing all over the place - especially after that encounter at the Temple of Sinnoh."
"I believe the whole of Hisui was blindsided to such an outcome. I imagine it's only worse for you, having Almighty Sinnoh- no, I mean, Almighty Dialga speak to you directly."
Adaman pressed a palm to his forehead, eyebrows furrowed. It wasn't every day the deity you worshiped appeared to you, telepathically communicating with you - the Rift above Mount Coronet had closed up, yes, but Adaman had been left with even more questions than he had started with. So Almighty Sinnoh - or, more accurately, Almighty Dialga - did exist, but so did the Pearl Clan's own deity of space. So the war and tension that had existed between both Clans since Hisui had a name had been for what? Why had both deities appeared, maddened, frenzied before them? Would they have to try and reconcile with the Pearl Clan now - after so many lives had been lost? Would such a feat even be possible?
And... why weren't those the biggest questions circling his mind? What was that white noise screaming over his thoughts?
"It's been a lot, yeah..." Was he... struggling to find his words? Since when did he hesitate so long on what to say next? "You'd think that would be the biggest thing on my mind but..."
Iscan leaned forward. "But?"
Adaman ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the ends gently, as if it would pull him back to reality. "Am I going crazy? I mean, you know the Clan is my top priority - but my mind keeps wandering elsewhere, I- am I going astray? What's happening to me?"
Iscan gave a deep sigh, sitting up straight to look at his friend. "I'm afraid you're still being quite vague. I can't help you if I don't know what's troubling you exactly to begin with. Let's start at the beginning - something about the Clan?"
"I- it's not about the Clan no," Did he just... stutter? "It should be about the Clan but, I feel so distracted."
"Do you know what by? Well, besides the obvious."
Adaman shook his head, eyes focused on the sea, the three Pokemon that took turns splashing each other. His thoughts churned like the ocean, drowning him.
"Something in particular that is bothering you?" He caught a sudden glint in Iscan's eyes, which seemed to bring Adaman back. "Maybe even, someone?"
"Someone?" Adaman echoed softly, brows furrowing slightly. His heart skipped a beat, his face felt flushed - had he fallen ill somehow?
Iscan looked at him as if he already knew what the reason was, and, stubbornly, didn't tell Adaman. "I remember now, the celebration at Jubilife Village."
"What about it?"
"I kept an eye on you most of the night - I was sure you were going to come say hi at some point, but your focus seemed to be elsewhere," Iscan nudged him, like he would somehow catch on to what he was implying. Cosmo shifted in Adaman's lap.
"I was helping Beni serve his potato mochi, yes..?" Adaman raised a brow, trying to piece together what Iscan was hinting at. Looking back on the night, he couldn't even recall seeing Iscan at all.
"Really? You don't remember that Ginko merchant you were gawking at for half the night?" Adaman could practically feel his face burning - Iscan stifling a laugh at his change of expression. "Every time I looked up you seemed to be staring in his direction."
"Is that true? I... Was I doing that?" Adaman couldn't help but let out an embarrassed chuckle. Was he really so unaware of himself? It wasn't like he had been staring at the merchant - Volo, that was his name - because he had been looking at him, perhaps Iscan was exaggerating, or it was just a coincidence. Either way, he hoped the redness in his cheeks wasn't as obvious as he feared.
Iscan actually laughed then, which made Adaman hide his face in his hands. "I don't think I've seen his face before, care to tell me a bit about your little crush?"
"I'm not-" Adaman paused, processing what Iscan had just said. Cosmo hopped off him then, disturbed by the commotion. "I mean, Volo's attractive, sure-"
"So that's his name? Volo?" Iscan's brows lifted teasingly, making Adaman roll his eyes in embarrassment. "Sorry, go on?"
"I mean, during the Lake Trials - we made small talk. He's very knowledgeable, he smiles a lot when talking about his passions. He seems so kind and genuine too, I mean, from what interactions we had. He adores his Pokemon, he's so selfless..." Adaman trailed off, shaking his head as he brought his eyes back to Iscan, who was smiling knowingly.
"You like him," It was more of a statement than a question.
"No! No. I mean..." Adaman scrambled to find some sort of excuse, some kind of explanation, but found himself coming up short. Was his heart rate getting faster?
"If only you could see yourself, Adaman," Iscan snickered at his bewildered expression. "Like a love struck teenager."
Adaman's head was spinning. "What do you mean? I- Cosmo, back me up here?"
The Umbreon snorted at him, curling up in the sand to sleep.
Adaman sighed, burying his face into his hands and groaning softly. How was this possible? Was Iscan right? If he theoretically did have a crush on the merchant Volo - was that really the reason he had been so distracted lately? It seemed absurd, but Adaman couldn't come up with an alternate reason.
"Okay, fine, sure, he's young and attractive and whatever. That doesn't mean I'm crushing on him," He glanced sideways at Iscan, whose grin was growing wider by the second. "I don't sound convincing, do I?"
"Ah, the innocent beauty of young love..." Iscan teased, brushing off the question. "I can see it now - your wedding will be spectacular-"
Adaman punched his arm in embarrassment, which only made Iscan snort with laughter. "Shut up, I barely even know him. And besides, it's not like that!" He huffed.
"You're smitten and you know it," Iscan laughed, watching Adaman turn away. He placed a hand on his shoulder. "I don't think I've seen you like someone like this before. What's stopping you from confessing?"
Adaman shrugged, pulling his knees close to his chest and hugging himself tightly. There was no point trying to deny himself any further. "He's not Diamond kin. He's part of the Ginko Guild - I don't know how the Clan would look at me if we did become a thing." The idea of it brought a sheepish smile to his face. Volo and him.
"We live in changing times. Perhaps you can be the first to finally break tradition," Iscan's grip on his shoulder tightened - his eyes looked somewhat sad? "I mean, it's the Ginko Guild, it could be much worse."
"What do you mean..?" Adaman tilted his head to the side, "Worse?"
That made Iscan's smile fade. His hand slipped from his shoulder, the Warden instead turning his gaze out to sea. "Never mind that."
"Are you alright, Iscan?" Adaman asked, his voice soft. He sensed the aura around them shift. The feeling of unease that followed Iscan made Adaman shift closer towards him.
Iscan's gaze fell, and he curled into himself. "Admittedly, I'm in a similar dilemma to you."
There was silence for a moment, heavy in the air as the two of them stared at the waves lapping against the shore. "You mean... you like someone?" Adaman ventured.
Iscan nodded, shifting around a bit. "Yes. But... I know it'll never work."
"How come?" Adaman questioned softly. He moved his legs a few inches, enough so that he could put a hand on Iscan's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
A sigh came from Iscan. He shook his head slowly, looking down. "She's Pearl kin."
"Oh, shit."
The water seemed to take on a darker shade, then. Admittedly, it was beginning to grow late - the pair's Pokemon making their way up the shoreline. It was silent between them, only broken up by the wind and the gentle crash of the waves.
Adaman exhaled, finally turning back to Iscan, clearing his throat. "And... so what?"
Iscan's gaze snapped to his, eyes wide in surprise. "What?"
"So what if she's in the Pearl Clan?" Adaman swallowed, watching Iscan's expression. "I know our Clans have a history of conflict, but like you said, we live in changing times. It would be foolish of us to waste time dwelling on the past when we could be looking towards our future."
Iscan grabbed him, which made Adaman stiffen in shock, before the Warden pulled him into a desperate, tight hug. For a brief moment, Adaman was startled, before he was finally able to reciprocate the gesture.
"Thank you, thank you, Adaman-" He could hear Iscan sniffling - he hadn't expected him to become so emotional. "You don't know how much that m-means to me."
Adaman patted his back gently, feeling his own tears welling up behind his eyes, blinking them back into hiding. "Of course, I mean, why would I object? If you love her you should be with her."
"Adaman…" Iscan pulled away, wiping at his face. "You're the leader of our Clan, t-that means so so much, t-thank you..."
Adaman smiled at him in reassurance. He felt a wet snout poke at his side, and he diverted his gaze to see a soaked Thyme staring up at him. "Oh, Sinnoh..."
The two of them laughed then, as Thyme shook himself, flicking salt water over them both. Miso and Nina enjoyed the sprinkling rain, but Cosmo scampered away with a cry of complaint. The group sat in silence for a moment then, before Adaman decided to speak again.
"Say..." He began, turning his attention back towards Iscan. "How about we both finally break tradition?"
The Warden didn't respond initially, still processing their conversation prior. After several seconds he nodded hesitantly, a nervous grin spreading across his lips. "You'll have to introduce me to that Volo merchant."
"And you'll have to introduce your lady love," Iscan turned his gaze away, bashfully. Adaman nudged him before continuing.
"Jot this moment down for the history books. A new dawn is upon us."