Ah! Sommeliershipping! I'm in love with this ship.

This is in Cabernet's- rather, Burgundy's- as I do not know every Pokemon's Japanese name so this is English-wise- POV.

I was in preparation for my exams to get through to be classified proudly, as a B-Class Sommeliere. Half way through, testing what sort of taste a wild Audino had, a voice cut through the misty air. An unpleasant voice. I clenched my fists. What did he what- to laugh at me, to correct me? Oh, he'd just love a chance to do that, puerile little git…

I didn't turn around immediately, and when I did, I acted as though the action greatly bothered me. The delicate truth was, though, that it was so difficult to face him with hate. When I see that contented calm expression of comfort, I don't know, I just lose the trail of cold white fury and bitter insults. I splutter horribly, and to my humiliation, a fierce crimson blush always appears on my cheeks. I have no idea why; I hate that boy! He's horrible! He's artificial! A filthy maggot!

…But why do I know I'm lying to myself, with those thoughts?

"What?" I snapped, avoiding his lime green eyes. "Burgundy, it's so nice to see you here." He told me. Pah. Liar. His friends were beside him, looking strangely anxious. "I see you're studying for the, ah- exams?" His lips bore into a little smile. Not that I was staring at them. I definitely was not looking at the slimy things. Don't be so preposterous. "So what if I am?" I tried to sound harsh and indifferent, but unfortunately, a little insecurity slipped out from my tongue. And, to add to that, he noticed. Observant evil imp. "If you're nervous," He stated, "I would very much like to help." Help me fail, that's where you want to help. I began to blush at the sincerity of his tone, however I did retaliate. "With your horrific tasting skills? I'd rather eat a Regigigas!" I turned on my heel to exit with triumph, but Cilan reached out a hand and placed it gently over my shoulder. An electric current ran through my entire body. I tensed. He stared at me, hard. I glanced away, pretending this did not bother me one bit. Ash and Iris were bored of our little chat, and were looking for berries, or something. "Can I watch you practice?" He asked, cordially. I began to think over it. "Fine…" I told him, "As long as you don't interrupt!" I felt victorious; finally, a real chance to prove that my tasting is just as good as his, perhaps even better! However, I was nervous; I didn't want to mess up and him to think that I'm a failure. "What about your friends, though?" I said scathingly. He was permitted to oversee my tasting; but until hell freezes over will I let those two see it as well. "They're allowed stay, they aren't under my control." He laughed, looking slightly exasperated. "They're not watching me." I told him shortly, and in a final tone. "Well, um, if you say so." He spoke placidly, and then added, chuckling, "I'm not sure if that's their thing anyways." I looked over at the two of them. Ash was busy, rooting for, probably another pokemon that wouldn't suit him at all. The Iris girl, however, was giving me a particularly dirty look, the sort that you usually reserve for when your Magikarp uses Splash for the fifteenth time in a row. What's her problem? "Iris! Ash!" He called, and I noticed how her face immediately softened at the tone of his voice. Wait… she's… oh wow, that's disgusting, why would anyone like that stringy worm? "Cabernet is going to taste a few Pokemon for me!" I froze at the "for me" in the sentence. Me? Tasting Pokemon for him? "Excuse me," I snapped at him. "But I'm doing this for me, not you." He smiled wearily. "Oh… Didn't mean to… what a noisy taste…" Ash seemed perfectly alright with this, to the point where I don't think he even knew what was going on, but Iris did not have any sort of agreement etched on her expression that she wore. "Why can't we come?" She demanded. "Burgundy doesn't want anyone else watching, but me." He replied calmly. She gave me that look again. Then I understood. She thinks I-I-

That's insane. I obviously don't. Or do I? No, of course not! He's my rival, and absolutely nothing more. I turned on my heel. I need to stay away from him, and organize these confusing matters. Yet, he followed me. My temper steadily rising, I told him "Cilan, I'm tasting alone. Leave. Now." Cilan stared at me, puzzled. "But- you gave me the permission t-to-"

"I changed my mind." I told him icily, before he could change my mind, I rushed off, back to where I was staying. I could hear his voice calling me, and I glimpsed him for a split moment. But I wished I didn't, due to the fact that as soon as my eyes found him, they also found Iris lingering at his shoulder, clearly satisfied with herself. I forced my head to swivel around, in case I burst into tears. Which, as unlikely as it was, did in fact, happen. They were rapid, and with such a salty toxic taste as they flowed mercilessly down my cheeks. Why did I let her do that? I'm stronger than this, to be thorn down by a kid like that. My Stoutland came over to me, and licked my cheeks comfortingly. I sensed what he was trying to say, and I smiled, my eyes still watery. "T-thank you, Stoutland." I told him softly, and then stood up. "No one is going to take me down."

Feisty woman.

I don't own Pokemon!

So, wait 'til Chapter 2. Review, please.

-DarkLikeitornot.