Greetings, my… or, well. Tulip's dear readers, I suppose.

I sincerely hope the past few weeks have been treating you well.

You know, if I were Tulip, I'd ask you all… what does it feel? To read this from the outside, I mean. Is it fun? Exhilarating? Worrying? Do any of you feel like a Braviary circling around a wounded Salandit as it slowly bleeds out?

If so, know that you are not alone. Personally I am a huge fan of Tulip's investigation, though not because I have any interest in these mysteries, mind you. I simply enjoy the sight of a rabid Poochyena running full speed to gnaw at the legs of those I despise. As such, I was saddened to see that no new entr… whoops, sorry. No new fragments (wouldn't want to misrepresent our good friend Tulip, now would we?) have been posted recently, so I thought we should fix that.

Unfortunately, Tulip is somewhat… incapacitated at the moment. But fear not, for I am here for you, my adorable little voyeurs.

I suppose I could wait until Tulip wakes up and does this on her own but… oh, the temptation! When will I get an opportunity like this again? Besides, a breath of fresh air can do nothing but good to her little project.

With that said, henceforth is my transcript of the latest of the tapes from Tulip's recorder.

Enjoy.

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[The sound of keys being rapidly pressed fills the small room. There are very few interruptions. Once or twice, Tulip leans back and stretches on her chair, or she takes a sip of something quite a bit spicier than water, if the way she grunts as the liquid passes her throat is any indication.

Twice, the tape cuts off. Not quietly, no, but with a burst of static which I'm glad I'm transcribing, as I would not want the readers' ears to be damaged. The first time, it comes back to the same sound; Tulip typing in her notebook. The second time, however, is different.

Hurried, careless stomps. A curtain being pulled slightly. The sound of Tulip's thin breathing as she tries to make as little noise as possible. Panic and anxiety are clear as crystal in her voice as she whispers.]

"A-I think, I think I… yeah. I heard something. There was a shuffle at first and I–I thought maybe… but no, I definitely heard something. I-is it…?"

[Tulip holds her breath, though she can be heard looking around, the curtain creaking ever so slightly.]

"That… that shape over there. It's either a person or… a pile of leaves? Ugh, I've been staring at the screen for so long that I can't see shit now when it's so dark outside. Come on… Come on, move. I ain't watching you. Just move once so I can–"

[The recording jumps again, much like dear Tulip herself, if the sound of a window being opened followed by a rush of air and a sudden thump are any indication. She wastes no time, rushing forward as fast as she can. In the distance, the sound of someone cursing can be heard. Tulip's ragged breathing resonates alongside the stomping of her shoes against the dirt, until finally, she jumps.]

Argh!

[There's a grunt, followed by a loud thump as both bodies collide with the ground.]

"Got you, you little–!"

W-wait, I–!

[The man's voice stops abruptly as Tulip pushes him against the ground, all air leaving his lungs as the back of his head connects with the ground again. What follows is… well, it sounds like a rather one-sided struggle. Both Tulip and the man stammer and spit curses as they fight for control, until finally, a plastic click is heard.]

W-what was that? Did you just handcu–UG-AGH!

[The sharp, unmistakable sound of a knife being pressed against skin is heard. A thin whimper leaves the man's mouth.]

"Struggle or scream and I'll slice your throat open. I'm not fucking around."

Gh… wait, please. I'm not… I wasn't–

"What, you weren't spying on me from outside my window? Is that what you're gonna say?"

I-it's not what you think. Ah-I-I was just… look, listen I–

[Another whimper, most likely caused by miss Tulip pressing her knife more strongly against the man's throat.]

"Shut up. You're going to start talking for me now, got it?"

T-those are two contradictory comm–AGRH!

"Don't. Fuck with me. Next time you try to act smart–"

What, you're gonna slice my neck open? S-spill my blood all over the outside of your flat? What good's that gonna do to you?

"…"

Shit, sorry. Sorry, I… please, don't hurt me. Ah-I swear I wasn't trying to… I mean I was but–

"You've been following me for the past few weeks, haven't you?"

I-I…

"Tell me the truth."

Y-yes! Yes, I was. How'd you…?

"I'm very good at feeling other people's eyes on my back. Now… Why were you following me? Are you with…?"

[There's a short pause, in which only their breathing can be heard.]

"N-no… you're not with the Insitute. H-how… how'd I know that? I…"

Er… are you okay?

"…Yes. It's nothing, shut up."

R-righto.

"Answer the previous question."

Well… I mean… d'you not remember me?

"Why would I–?"

[There's a very poignant pause. A moment after, a sharp inhalation leaves Tulip's mouth]

"It's you. The guy… the weird Galarian guy that I got hired over. Lynne, right?"

A-ah. Well I'm… flattered that you remembered my name but that's… that wasn't what I was hoping to hear.

"What–?"

Okay, look, I'll just throw it out there. Okay? I'm sure you'll laugh and then probably slit my throat open but I'll just… I'll just ask.

[Lynne inhales in a way he probably believes makes him sound brave and confident.]

Have you, by any chance… lost all memories of the last two years?

[The silence that stretches past the tail-end of Lynne's question is cold, tense and drawn-out to a delicious degree, at least to one with ears such as mine. Then, suddenly, like waking from a dream, Tulip speaks. The danger in her voice is enough to make a girl's heart flutter.]

"We're going back inside my apartment. I'm going to sit you down and you're going to explain yourself in detail. Are we clear?"

Yes! Yes, we're clear. Just, er–well, I might need a lil' help to stand up. Didn't… expect you to have zip-ties so at the ready, ha. O-or a knife. Well no, a-actually, you do look like the kind of girl who'd have a knife so I guess I just didn't read you rig–GHK!

"Agh, come on, big boy. Use your legs to push yourself up, I can't lift you all by myself."

W-would probably be easier if you sheathed the knife.

"No. Hurry up."

Alright then.

[What follows is an awkward, drawn-out silence as Tulip drags Lynne back to her apartment, sits him down and –judging by the plastic clinking noise– adjusts the zip-ties so that he is handcuffed to the chair itself. Always so diligent. So prepared. There is truly nothing more stunning than a woman who is both attracted to danger yet never takes any chances with it. Such a tease.

But I suppose we are getting away from the point.]

I-I really feel like this is unnecessary. What am I gonna do, run away with my hands tied behind my back? How would I open the door?

[Tulip doesn't reply, too busy pouring herself a glass of something that sure doesn't sound like water.]

Well… whatever. Guess I can deal with it for the time being. Nice flat by the way. Can't… see much of it, with how dark it is. But… you really like books, huh. A Petal Dyed in Black by Draccus Lochees, huh? Sounds like a fun read.

[I can confirm that Tulip does indeed have great taste in reading material. And I mean that in more ways than one.]

How'd you get so many books anyway? It's been like, what… a month?

"You have to know where to search for them."

Oh. I… wouldn't know. I don't read much besides cooking books and even then…

[A soft thump echoes as Tulip places the glass and tape recorder upon the table. The chair creaks as she leans back and sighs tiredly.]

"Alright. Spit it out."

…Not one for small talk, huh.

"…"

Right, right. Guess I should start from the… beginning? Though I don't know h–

"How do you know me?"

[It's faint, but there's a very slight burst of static as Tulip asks that question. For a few seconds after, Lynne mumbles, as though confused.]

Back when we… saw each other in Ivy's office. When you got hired over me. I mean, it was kinda weird at first, I couldn't get the notion out of my head that you looked… familiar? I'm… sorry if you noticed some odd looks from me.

"I did. Though the feeling was not mutual; you did not look familiar to me."

Well that's… weird. 'Cause after I thought that back then you… I mean Ivy asked for your name and you looked all panicked for a second. And then you said… you called yourself Tulip. Tulip Glasslip. I'm sure if you hadn't been busy looking at Ivy you would've noticed the face I made at that.

"You knew my name? From where?"

It's in my pocket. I could reach it if you…

"No need. I'll get it."

[Shuffles of movement can be heard as Tulip approaches Lynne and takes out something from one of his pockets. Strangely enough, it makes absolutely no sound as she moves it around in her hands.]

"Is this… an orb? Looks like a big piece of amber…"

There's a note stuck to it. That's how I… knew.

[Tulip turns the orb over, and though she mumbles the words to herself, the tape recorder somehow catches her whispers perfectly.]

"No matter what you do, no matter what you hear… protect this at all costs. If I get killed, it all falls on you. Take this to the heart of the Institute and say the words. You're the only one I can trust with this, Lyn. Signed… Tulip."

[A few seconds of silence stretch into something that feels a lot longer, as though Tulip's held breath were stopping time itself. After a few moments she walks back to her chair, box still in hand, and sits as though her body were heavier than usual.]

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

I found it in my pocket when I woke up, a few weeks ago. I was… all alone in the middle of the woods. Had nothing but my clothes, a backpack with a laptop and a few other things and… that. That orb and the note with your name on it.

"So when you heard my name…"

I'm not the kinda man that believes in coincidences. But I'm also really… really shy, ha, so… I lost my chance to ask you that day. And I mean, how would I have approached the subject? Oh hi, miss, I'm terribly sorry to bother you but is this your creepy and ominous orb?

Besides, now I knew your full name at least. Or… I thought I did. Later that day I looked you up online but all I found was…

"My website. My entries."

…Yes. At first I thought I must've mistaken it for something else, maybe you'd lied in the job interview and said the name of your favorite spooky author? All these entries, these weird things I was reading… I hope it doesn't offend you that I thought it was all some very elaborate dramatic fiction. But then... I got to the last one. The… fragment, I think you called it.

"Of course. The one in which I openly proclaimed my current situation. You saw that and realized that the girl you met earlier really was me."

Yeah. It was terrifying.

"…"

Come on, you know what I mean. Before I could at least, I don't know, be ignorant and happy in my confusion. Maybe I'd hit my head somewhere. Maybe there was some perfectly rational explanation for my memory loss. I'd been clinging to that hope, but then…

Well, you know.

"Not really. It's been a long time since I believed in any kind of coincidence. Occam's Razor is not a concept which applies to me. Nor you, now that you've gotten enrolled in all this."

Shite… is it really necessary to say that so bluntly? You know it's not like I'm having the time of my life here. At least–at least you're used to all this. I'm just… scared out of my bloody mind here. I don't wanna think about–

"Oh cry me a river."

Ei!

"Unless you're motivated by spite, your feelings don't matter one bit in this. It won't do you any good to take this one step at a time. You either take a full plunge into the reality of the situation you're in or you let yourself wide open for Them to find you."

R-right, easy for you to say. What… I mean who's even Them anyway? These people you and that old lady were talking about, these Institute folk. I mean, I know. I read your entries or whatever. But I don't–I mean… I'd never even heard of this stuff until now! I'm from Wedgehurst for crying out loud, I've never even been to Kanto until now. This has nothing to do with me!

"It does now. The more you keep denying it–!"

I'm not denying anything, I'm just… Agh!

I'm just… I don't know what to do. I t-tried contacting my family online and via payphone a few times but I just can't reach'em. There's not a missing person report of me either. And my job… I mean I'm s-sure I've been fired to hell and back by now but still…

"About that. What was your line of work?"

Yeah there, see! You only care about how I can be useful to you, you don't give a shite that I'm–

"Save your theatrics for the circus and answer the fucking question, please."

[Lynne makes a noise halfway between a snort and a growl. You can almost hear his anger in the ensuing silence.]

… I worked at the Pokelab. Junior assistant.

"…"

What? What's with that face?

"Nothing. You just look… older than the usual lab assistants I've heard of."

I'm a late bloomer, what do you want from me?

[Tulip doesn't answer right away. The wood of the chair creaks as she leans back and, in what sounds like a single gulp, she downs the rest of her drink and lets out a half satisfied, half exhausted sigh.

It's a few more seconds until she finally speaks again.]

"A lab assistant, eh? Well, it could be worse. I'm sure you'll come in useful in some way."

Huh? What do you mean?

"What do you think?"

A-are you…?

"I'm not too fond on the idea of working with someone else, especially after how my last team-up ended. But I can't just let you go. For one, you might still be lying."

You know I'm not–

"On the other hand, if you have some important information that you're not recalling right now, letting you go might mean serving you to the Institute in a silver platter. I'm a practical woman. I'll use every tool at my disposal to find and destroy them, even if it's a pain in the ass."

Wh–hey, hold on a sec. First off, you keep talking like I'm some unwanted Wooloo that rolled into your flat. What about the orb, eh!? Remember that whole 'I trust you, Lyn' thing you wrote? And second thing… d-destroy them? You're really trying to…?

"Let me stop you right there."

[Once again, Tulip's voice brings absolute silence with it. It is as though no one else in the world could possibly be speaking at the same time she does. Lynne certainly feels it, judging by his tiny gasp and ensuing silence.]

"Firstly, that note could have easily been falsified. Either by you or someone else. The Institute has someone capable of erasing both our memories with ease and god knows what else. I'd have to be a fucking moron to trust someone coming to me out of nowhere and giving me a note with 'Hey, definitely go do this thing!' written on it.

But even if… even if what that note says is true. Even if you and I worked together in the past for long enough that I ended up trusting you so completely… that is past Tulip's mistake, not mine."

…Mistake?

"Which brings me to your second point. Yes, I absolutely do mean to find every single person related to the Institute and kill them with any and all tools I might have at my disposal. And I know that the only way to achieve that is to go at them with nothing to lose on my side. That includes relationships of any kind with anyone or anything. An anchor to reel you back… that's how they get you. That's how they got ME the first time.

"So no, I am not making that mistake again. I'm sorry, but I'm simply going to use you for my own needs and nothing else. If what you're expecting is any kind of friendship or camaraderie then you're better off walking out that door and joining THEIR ranks. I'm sure you'd have a blast hunting me down, but I assure you… I will not go down that easily."

[Another even longer silence stretches between them for almost half a minute, only this time it feels more… deflated than last time, if you'd pardon the use of such a silly word.]

…

"Well. Are you going to say something? What's with that face?"

…No. No, I was just… thinking. You're probably right.

"Hm?"

About the note. It's… probably falsified, like you said.

After hearing what you just said… I don't think any past me could've made friends or earned the trust of someone like you.

"If that's meant to be an insult, I'm afraid you've landed a bit short. Sorry, but I'm not here to make friends. I won't let you or anyone else become my weakness."

…Yeah. Maybe that's for the best, for both of us.

"Then…"

Sure. I… don't wanna believe that any of this is real or that I got roped into something this crazy. But like you said… no use denying reality. You… know things, clearly. You're not going in blind into all this or… w-well I certainly hope you aren't.

"Jury's still out on that one, I'm afraid. But yes, I am your best chance at survival at the moment, unfortunately."

Hell… just listening to that is depressing enough.

Well… I guess I can help you, as long as you promise to help me find a way out of all this mess. Before I was thinking of just getting a plane ticket and going back to Galar but t-that doesn't sound like a good idea for now, so…

Sure. Sure, why not. I help you and you help me and in the meantime we can glare at each other all we want. Yeah, like that. You're really good at it.

"I was considering taking the zip-ties off before you said that."

Oh don't be such a dick. Come on, my wrists are getting scrapped something ugly.

"Hm."

[Steps are heard as Tulip walks to the other side of the table, followed by a sharp *slick* of a switchblade being unsheathed. The serrating of plastic drowns out the ensuing silence between them.]

"You know, you're taking all this surprisingly well."

Oh no, I'm… freaking out plenty on the inside, I assure you. I just… I guess I'm good at hiding it?

"That might come in handy."

Yeah well, you jumping at me with a knife and that crazed look on your face did wonders at desensitizing me before.

"Consider it a lesson. Next time you might want to think twice about stalking someone as dangerous and paranoid as me."

[Lynne sighs.]

A-I guess I could've just come talk to you but… no offense but you look like a very scary lady. Agh. I should've known my social anxiety would almost get me killed one of these days.

[Despite herself, Tulip can't help but let out a low chuckle. Unfortunately…]

"Wait… what is that?"

[…Such a wonderful sound is soon interrupted by another. Distant and faint. A dry, persistent crackle.]

Huh? Why'd you stop?

"Thought I'd seen… There, past the curtains. Looks like there's a bright light outside or–"

W-wait. What's that sound?

"What?"

[Lynne is the first to hear it. A sharp, attentive silence grows between the two as the distant sound of crackling flames gets ever closer. There's a snap. A creaking of wood. Then, a loud, sharp roar as a small part of the floor beneath them breaks apart, letting through a tongue of flame.]

A-AAH! WHAT IS–

"SHIT!"

FIRE! W-WH–

[Tulip drags back the chair Lynne is handcuffed to and takes a quick step forward, toward the growing flames. The sound of slow, wooden sizzling can now be heard all over.]

"T-the apartment below us is burning!"

WHAT!?

"Motherfucker! It's them! They did this!"

What are you–

"And YOU led them here! You led them to me!"

W-wa… H-HEY, HOLD ON! D-don't…!

[Through the sizzling and the smoke rising from the floorboards, the desperate dragging of a chair can be heard. Tulip approaches quickly, stomping on the floor.]

P-please don't… d-don't stab me, I…

"HAAGH!"

[Tulip's scream echoes as she brings her knife down with as much strength as she can muster. There is a moment of resistance, and then a plastic snap. The zip-ties fall to the smoking floor, torn, and it takes Lynne a moment to realize what has happened, and to be able to stand up.]

I… I thought you'd…

"Come on, we have to leave. There's a fire exit in the back. I'm sure it won't matter since they probably have the place surrounded but…"

I-I…

"Hurry the fuck up! Here, go!"

[Tulip pushes Lynne toward the back with as much force as she can, almost toppling him toward the ground. He stammers for a moment before finding his voice again.]

But y-you…

"I'll be right behind you! I just gotta get my things; get going!"

[Lynne stammers a string of unintelligible mumbles and apologies as he hurries over toward the back door, until finally he can be heard no more over the sound of the flames slowly rising up the floorboards.]

"Come on, come on! Recorder, notebook… Where the fuck is my notepad!?"

[Tulip's hurried, desperate running inside her soon-to-be burning apartment is mostly drowned out by the creaking of the wood under her. A few times, pieces of floor break from under her feet. She screams and jumps over, barely avoiding falling into the inferno below.]

"Come on… Not like this…"

[There's a rustle of fabric as she shoves as many things as she can find into her backpack. The sound gets a bit muffled, as the recorder is one of said things.]

"You're not gonna get me like this you pieces of shit…"

[Unfortunately, in all her hurry and panic, there is one sound she fails to notice. On the other side of the room, behind the door leading to the fire exit, something… shifts. Like smoke rising from a cold flame. Like a drop of ink falling into a glass of water. A second after, the sound of Lynne yelling at her to hurry can no longer be heard.]

"Here! Shit, come on…"

[Just in time, Tulip makes a sprint for the back of the apartment as the ground begins to crumble from under her. She makes one final jump and slams into the door with the entire weight of her body, opening it instantly and falling down the other side.

Had she not been in such a hurry, perhaps she would have opened the door beforehand, to check if it lead to the same place as it did before.

Alas…]

"Agh! Ghk… shit… Lynne, come on! Come help me u–"

[Her voice freezes as she rises to her knees, looks up and realizes the place she's fallen into is not the fire exit outside of her apartment. It's too dark. Too cold. Quickly, she turns her head around but only sees as the portal of smoke closes behind her, and instantly the sound and brightness of the flames vanish.

She keeps staring at the empty space of the room she's now in, as though in trance. It takes a few moments for her to realize there is someone else in the room with her.

Though, because I am an educated host, she does not need to wait for me to introduce myself.]

It's… been a while, hasn't it, Tulip?

[She doesn't jump. Doesn't scream or tries to fight or run away. She simply gulps and looks back at me with the resigned, furious expression of a Rattata cornered by a vicious Ekans, yet one who is determined to struggle until the very end. Beautiful, if I do say so myself.

Then again, I might simply have a type.]

"Are you with the institute? A-are you… one of them?"

Hm. That is a difficult question. Though regardless, I'm disappointed that a little amnesia was enough to erase me from your memory. I've always assumed I was a hard woman to forget.

"Don't… don't fucking toy with me. Of course I don't know who you are; you know very well th–tha… that…"

[Tulip purses her lips and blinks repeatedly, as though something behind her eyes were itching.]

"Y-you…"

Yes?

"You're… Shadi. Shadi Dawn. B-but… How did I…?"

That's more like it. So your little experiment was a success, then. I'd been wondering…

"I… what? H-have we… met before?"

Indeed we have. Back when I agreed to our little deal. You would get an interview out of me and I would get to bask in the pleasantness of your company. It was a lovely evening.

"I'm sure I don't need to tell you this, but I don't remember that. Nor do I have that interview with me."

Yes, I assumed so. You needn't worry about that anymore.

[The look upon her face as I retrieve that familiar small notepad from my pocket is precious.]

Previously, I hadn't allowed you to publish this, as I'd wished to remain… anonymous to certain individuals, so to speak. But unfortunately, things have changed. Right now I need you to possess this information more than I fear unwanted gazes focusing my way. Besides, with everything that's going on in Sinnoh at the moment, I doubt dear Cynthia will have much time to come across your quaint little blog. I'm safe on that regard, at least.

"What… the fuck are you talking about?"

Ah, nothing, nothing. I've said too much already. I was just supposed to get you out of the Insitute's line of sight and give you this notepad, nothing more.

"Get me out… y-you're not with the Institute, then?"

As I said, that is a complicated question. But for the purposes of this little interaction, let's say that no, I am not with them. You could say I'm your side, if you had a proclivity for generalizations.

"What about Lynne? Did he…?"

He escaped unharmed. I'll happily make you a portal back to where he is once I'm done with you.

[Sharp as ever, Tulip instantly picks up on the faint tone behind my last few words.]

"Once… you're done with me?"

[A smile forms on my lips.]

I'm afraid I'm not a charity, Tulip. I do expect some form of compensation for saving you from the Fourth's flames.

"T-the Fourth!? Then she… she was the one who–?"

Indeed, though I'm sure you've suspected as much already. Fire is her specialty, after all. But I'm afraid we're getting away from the point.

[Tulip gulps and takes a step back defensively.]

"What do you want from me, then?"

[I don't reply, for I don't need to. The look on my eyes is enough to give Tulip an answer.]

"N-no. Absolutely not."

A Griseous Orb is not a thing to be lightly carried around.

"I don't care what this thing is, I am not giving it to you! It's one of the only clues I have to–"

That thing almost got you killed tonight.

"W-what?"

How do you think they found you? Granted, the Griseous Orb has unique qualities which usually shield all in its vicinity from being tracked… from all but one person, that is. And unfortunately for you…

"They work for the fucking Institute, don't they."

Right you are. The Seventh is not easily convinced to intervene in these matters, but when it is Alberich who gives out the order…

[I do not need to finish the sentence. Unfortunately, even then Tulip does not seem keen on giving up her faint hope.]

"S-still… If there's a chance this thing can–"

[There's a soft whisper of cloth against air as I raise my hand. Immediately, a murmur is heard, and Tulip gasps as though the air has been sucked from her lungs. A deaf thump reverberates through the room as she falls to her knees.]

I'm afraid this isn't a discussion.

[Even as she falls into a heap on the floor, consciousness forcefully leaving her body, Tulip continues to struggle. She shakily drags herself a few inches forward, looking up at me with eyes full of terror and righteous, white hot anger.]

Not to worry. When the time is right, I might let you burrow the Griseous orb again. But until then...

[Tulip lets out a last, resentful grunt before she finally collapses, a deep, cold sleep overtaking her.]

… I'll happily hold on to it.

----------------------------------------

And…that is all for now, I'm afraid.

Fear not. Tulip is safe and sound, save from a few nasty nightmares she will soon wake up from. I'm sure she will resent me for writing this in her place but, as I said, I would be a fool not to take up such a fun opportunity when it is presented to me.

And with that, unfortunately, I must bid all you wonderful readers… adieu.

Have fun out there. And as always, don't forget to look behind your shoulders ;)