my first pokémon game was platinum, so it holds a special place in my heart!
Diamond has always been a bit of a mess: a kind, lovable, eccentric, hungry mess. Of course, that's not so terrible, especially compared to his two best friends — one of whom is of one of the richest families in Sinnoh, the other an even messier mess with a mouth to put gym leaders to shame. But the reason he's matched so well with Platinum's heart of steel and Pearl's head of stone is that he's always been happy to go with the flow. It's easier that way, and he's never felt the need to be some Great figure. Just a Good person.
Until now.
Right now, he's feeling like it's time to engage in a bit of hand-to-hand combat, and if it makes him a hero? Well. Alright, then.
He's sitting bolt upright in one of the Berlitz Mansion's three grand rooms, foot tapping incessantly against the polished floor. Platinum is seated in a couch to his right, face stony and closed-off as she stares directly into her current suitor's eyes.
The dweeb of the hour is dressed smartly in a lavender suit and coiffed hair, whose shine was outplayed only by his shoes. In his own everyday gear and a pair of very worn-out but newly cleaned running shoes, Dia had never felt simultaneously more underdressed and smug at the same time.
Finally, the suitor stops droning on about the state of the atmospheric fluxes above Solaceon — that's hardly news, for one thing; and for another, Dia's pretty sure the guy's arguments being made both originate in the same encyclopedia. It's very unimpressive, especially since Mrs. Yanase Berlitz, Platinum's research-expert mom, proved both accounts incorrect some fifteen years ago. The guy must not be trying very hard, which is a shame. Dia's getting bored with these sorts of suitors; at least the ones who are desperate for money and dowry love are funny, even if they make his usually chill blood boil.
So why is he here?
Easy. What sort of secret boyfriend would make their even more secret girlfriend suffer a clown-car train of suitors alone? Probably a smarter one, one who doesn't actually want everyone to figure out the secret relationship's secret existence, but Dia finds he cares a bit less about that fuss after the third day of nonstop pontificating. So far, nobody's really questioned his place in the room, which is as refreshing as it is insulting.
"I see," Platinum says stiffly, and Dia feels a smile tugging at his mouth because that woman could make snow-tipped Mt. Coronet come down with a cold.
He idly flips a page in the book he's not really reading. During the last suitor's visit, he had started making fun of the guy behind his back, which was funny until the security team stationed unobtrusively by the door noticed, and then it was hilarious, because sometimes they would join in, but only ever one at a time and never when Platinum was watching.
Dia's gotten to know her security team pretty well this summer, well enough to know who tolerates him being here and who likes how he makes Platinum smile and who thinks Platinum should turn him out on his peasant butt. He also knows that most, if not all and sundry, know about his secret relationship. The only person who doesn't is Mr. Berlitz, away in the Kanto region with Mrs. Berlitz as they investigate the movement and interaction of inter-region Pokémon.
Now that sounds interesting. Much more than the stock market, which is so dull he kind of wants to put his face in his hat and scream. That, or investigate the man's briefcase bag. The security team had already combed through it while the guy gave Platinum "Lilies. Your favorite." and she had them put in a cheap vase that they bought specifically so she could break it out the window.
(Lilies are not her favorite.)
"I fear our time together today runs short," Platinum says as soon as there is a pause in the man's speech. He can read the distaste in her eyes, the disgust, that a familial need for connections and money have put her in such a position that it would unacceptable to battle the suited sadman and wipe the floor with him. "I have an appointment later this evening that I'm afraid I did not take into consideration when I called on you."
Fear? Afraid? Platinum? Oh, that's likely. What's even better about her sharp politeness is what she's using it to hide. Said appointment is gonna look an awful lot like Dia seducing her with corny jokes and some recipes he's put together over the last couple years.
The suitor has the gall to look disappointed.
"Ah," he says, before a sudden inspiration seems to light in his eyes. "Well, please, if I may make a bargain." Dia's got a bad feeling that the man is going to start trying now.
She sweeps a hand in front of her, between them — she's seated as far as is possible a distance on a loveseat — in a move so imperious he decides she could be royalty.
"In the world of business," the guy says, and Dia shakes his head, "investment is crucial. As is finance, and respect, and a certain amount of independent thinking. Lady Berlitz, you would represent the best of us in such matters." The chump stands up then, and reaches into his pocket, and Dia raises an eyebrow so high and so hard that it hurts. The nan produces a small box.
Dia sighs audibly. The man is undeterred.
"Would you do me the most prestigious honor, Lady Berlitz, of joining my own House with yours?" The guy opens the little box and Dia can see glittering from here. The stone alone probably costs more than his house.
Platinum, formal and well-trained as anybody, holds the man in unflinching regard.
"Thank you, sir," she says, and he smirks, wondering if she remembers the guy's name. "I and mine are flattered by your bid. Please know that your compliments shall rest heavily in my final decision at a later date."
The guy drops into a bow, thoroughly dismissed, and backs out of the room in much the same fashion. As soon as the current security rotation closes the door behind him, Dia starts clapping.
"Bravo, Lady Berlitz," Dia says, affecting an old-money accent that even she only puts on when she needs it. "Bravo." He stands up and takes the guy's place with one knee on the loveseat next to her.
"I'm so very exhausted, Diamond. This phase my father is in could last for months," she bemoans. He hums agreeably.
"Yep."
"I thank you for your reassurance," she says sarcastically.
"You're welcome, Miss Lady. Now, shall we head off to your appointment of the evening?" He extends one hand to her and she takes it, standing. In these heels, she towers over him by a whole two inches.
"Presently," she affirms, but her eyes are trained on his and he can feel a smile showing up wide. He takes her other hand then and she kisses him lightly.
"My Lady," he whispers, and returns the kiss soundly. In the inside pocket of his jacket, a small box sits at his waist.
Not for tonight, though.
But soon.