[prompt: Misty is so not ready for a reunion].
"So, like, Misty?" Daisy twists a strand of golden hair around her finger, examining her glossy pink nails. "There's, like, this challenger showing up, who has, like, a really strong Pokémon. Could you, like, beat him?"
Misty looks up from her book. "Daisy, couldn't Lily or Violet do it? I had a really long day, and – "
" – sorry, but, like, they're busy." Daisy pops her bubblegum, still playing with a curl.
Misty growls, but gets to her feet, grabs a few Pokéballs, and stomps downstairs, expression murderous.
She closes her eyes, and says loudly, "Alright, I'll challenge you, but – "
"SURPRISE!" a chorus of loud voices erupts, and Misty opens her eyes to see all of her friends – plus a few acquaintances and people she doesn't recognize – standing, holding up a giant sign, with her name scrawled on in messy orange lettering.
She feels her eyes well with tears, because they haven't forgotten her birthday after all.
And one person – someone she hasn't seen for a very long time – steps forward, league hat lopsidedly hanging off her head.
"Happy birthday, Myst," Ash Ketchum smiles – a loped, half–smile – and Misty feels like a floating balloon.
"Thank you, Ash," she replies, because she's too stunned to say anything else, and their connection was never about words anyway.
And, for now, it is enough.