"Do you even love me?!" Screamed an angry nine-tails, throwing a glass at a stone faced zoroark, Steven, narrowly missing his head. "You don't even say a simple hello when you get home" tears rolling down her face "what is it?! Don't you care anymore" she asked, pacing about the living room, integrating the zoroark who was sitting on the lounge. He gave a sigh. He himself didn't know himself "ever since we got engaged, you've been avoiding me and hardly speaking to me. Is there another woman or something" she fumed. Truth be told, there kind of was another woman zoroark was seeing. The old nine-tails, the Nina he knew before they got engaged only a year ago, back when she was playful and full of life, the one he knew for fifteen years, back in their school days. As soon as they got engaged, something just faded. She soon became more serious with commitment and slumped into a dreary woman, all her childish nature vanishing into a clouded wisp. As that happened, he just lost his love for her, despite her being a lovely woman, she was just not for him, being quite when together, avoiding eye contact when speaking and in general, trying to avoid her presence. He couldn't explain it, and pondered it in his own little world, zoning out on the lounge while his fiancée was having a breakdown. "Are you even listening to me?" She demanded. He just looked downcast, his gaze at the carpet that now had shattered glass. This wasn't what he wanted, it was all about what she wanted. Their relationship just made him feel like a void was in him and nothing she could do would fill it because nothing would come over to fill it. Furious at his silence she screamed "fine, if you are going to be so damn heartless, then we're through" she grabbed the ring on her hand threw it at him. It landed in his lap. He just picked it up and gazed at it curiously gazed at it before removing his own, pocketing them both, no point in throwing it away.
"I guess you're right" he said huskily, not making eye contact. She always had to be right. She just growled and stormed off up the stairs. All alone, Steven looked around at all the photos of the pair of them. Them on their first date, them at the park having a picnic, and one of them at their engagement party. He sighed, thinking over what to do now, seeing now that he had to move seeing this was her place, because in all honesty, she was the bread winner in the relationship, seeing she's a doctor, and he was an underpaid teacher in a low funded school. Getting up from the couch, he went to grab one last glass of water from the kitchen, his head aching from an unknown source, probably from her incessant nagging, stepping carefully over the glass. Before he could reach the doorway leading to the kitchen, Nina was already stomping back down the steps, bags in hand. She threw them at Steven, who caught all of them with ease, before giving a silent nod, understanding that she wanted him out and gone quickly.
"Get out" she said, tearfully "before I make you" and with that, Steven was walking out the door and into the rain. It always rained when he hated it the most. Now he was going to have to find a new home to live in, while in the rain.
Like rows of cannons, the rain bombarded, bouncing off Steven's umbrella as he stood at a bus bay, waiting for his lift to his new apartment that he was to be renting for probably a long time. He hated rain, as it always made him even more miserable and distressed which he already was, and often he would get soaked even if there was an umbrella. His brown coat going dark from raindrops, he shuddered into the shelter of what dry spots in his clothes he could find, the cold breeze trying to freeze him solid. He really hated the rain. Already it had soaked his bags that he awkwardly held in one hand, and his black shoes, going straight through into the socks. Heaving a sigh of defeat, he closed his eyes in an effort to escape into a mental happy land, his ears still primed to listening out for the bus as he would have hated to have missed the bus. As he stood, he couldn't help but feel something bump his leg. He ignored it, thinking that it was either just the rain or his own imagination. He grew curious when he felt it again, and again. Opening his eyes, he looked around, but no one was nearby or passing through, until he felt it again. Looking down, he could see a little riolu girl, looking no more than 12 years old, white cotton shirt and plaid skirt both soaked in the rain, her brown satchel clutched to her chest in her arms. She was tugging on his black trouser pants, obviously looking for refuge from the deluge.
"Excuse sir" she said, her voice barely a whisper "is it okay if I stay under here" how could Steven say no, the poor girl was probably cold, and besides, he really had nothing better to do. Thought in his mind, what really tipped the scales were her beautiful eyes. Her dazzling ruby red eyes
"Sure I guess..." He said awkwardly, moving his umbrella so it was in the middle of the two, half keeping them dry. Not wanting to make herself a nuisance, she clung to this strangers leg, trying to not take up room so he wouldn't have to move the umbrella, arms wrapped round tightly. His heart missing a beat, the sudden rush of this riolu cuddling his leg took him by surprise, not sure what to do in this situation. She was only a child, not even his own, but here she was now hugging his leg
"Sorry..." She said "I didn't want to impose on your hospitality, it's just I wanted to hide from the rain..." She looked down a little embarrassed "also... You're really warm" her cheeks red, almost tempted to let go now as she realised just how close she was to him.
"Okay then" Steven said, not me minding the little girls touch. For some reason it was... Calming and comforting, and gave warmth in this abysmal weather. They made an awkward couple, standing in the rain, an adult Zoroark with a handful of bags and a Riolu schoolgirl who was clutching her satchel. "Where are you going to?" he asked, trying hard to make small talk to break the silence.
"Oh, uh..." She fumbled around around in her satchel, pulling out a scarp of paper with messy handwriting scrawled all over it "Pallet Street" Steven was a little bit amazed at the coincidence of the situation, seeing that was where his new apartment was.
"What surprise, I'm heading there to." He said, then realised how suspicious he sounded, judging by the concerned look on the girls face, eyes shaking a little, worried I might now be following her "I am renting an apartment there" he said, trying to assure her. She nodded slowly, not looking so worried. Before they could continue their awkwardly pleasant conversation, their bus had arrived. Detaching from his leg, she stepped on the bus, closely followed by the Zoroark who was just close my his umbrella. Getting some strange looks from a few of the passengers, mainly that of the females, eying me, seeing what he was doing with this child. He tried to ignore them, following this girl, who found two empty seats, patting the one next to her without out looking at her. He wasn't sure if he should sit next to her, sure it was just a sign of friendly hospitality, but the fact remained, they hardly knew each other. But the way she was just so kind as to save a seat for a man she didn't even know, he couldn't help but accept her seat. Setting himself comfortably in the seat without bumping into her, he looked up to see a female blaziken giving me the evil eye, trying to intimidate him, thinking he might of been a child predator, stalking this little girl. He gulped, trying to avoid her eye, but couldn't help but notice her looking like she was about to say something to him, before the Riolu hugged his arm, resting her on his shoulder. Backing down, the Blaziken kept glaring at him, still a little wary of this Zoroark.
"Wake me up when we get there mister" she asked, her eyelids drooping
"I promise" he said, hand over his chest "and thanks for stopping that woman from squawking at me"
"It was *yawn* the least I could do..." She said, falling asleep on his arm. He just smiled at this little cute spectacle, resting on his arm. She really was a kind kid, even if she was a stranger. Steven stroked the fur on her head, and which was soft and warm, a comfort for his cold rigid hands. Without thinking, his hand started to indulge in the feeling of her fur, creeping down to the back of her head, and soon along her arm. Before this could go any further, he heard a sarcastic clearing of the throat. His hand retreated back to her head, and he turned his own to see who was "coughing". It was Delphox, and she was staring intently at both him and his little friend.
"Is she yours?" She asked, curious
"N-n-no, she is just my friends daughter" he lied, a cold head of sweat forming in his head. This Delphox, Diana, was one of his co-workers at school, and if word got around of him being suspicious around a child, his career would burn to the ground.
"Oh, I guess that would be right, Nina is a nine tails, and this little one here is a riolu" she said, stroking her chin "by the way, how are you two going"
"... We broke up" he said, still trying not to think about her
"Oh what? You guys were amazing together as everything" she was shocked
"We just... Had a fallout" he said bluntly and coldly, trying not to talk to her.
"Oh... Well I suppose you are moving out then" before she gave the riolu one last look. "Tell little Rachael I said hi when she wakes up"
"Wait, how did you you...?" Steven was about to asked before being cut off
"I'm a psychic" she smirked, before leaning over to his ear to whisper "you don't know her but I understand the situation, your career is safe... For now" those words were at first comforting, except for those last few words, which sent shivers down Steven's spine. Before he could say anything, she looked over her shoulder to see where the bus was stopping. "Looks like you two get off here" she said, taking a back step to let him through. He looked over to be sure, before waking up Rachael, who's blurred little eyes batted a few times, before she let out a small yawn.
"We're here" he said, trying to resist saying her name. He didn't want her to think he was a stalker. She rubbed her eyes while getting up from her seat, her first few steps a little wobbly. Before she could stumble over, Steven scooped her arm with one arm, carrying her while she then cuddled his neck. Trying to avoid any stares that the passengers gave, he walked out of the bus, and to his relief, the rain had stopped pouring. He carried her a few more steps until the bus had moved away, then knelt down "down you get" he said, and the riolu reluctantly let go, not wanting to constantly walk anymore. Getting her balance in check, her feet a little wobbly from sleep, she gave a small bow.
"Thank you sir" she said, before turning to walk down the streets "I'm heading home" she continued. She was heading towards the apartments, the exact same ones as he was renting. He felt awkward walking in the same direction of someone of her age, but had no choice. Walking down behind her, she shifted her eyes to try and look as far back as she could without turning her head, her peripheral vision seeing him following her, her pace picking up. She sped walked up to the hotel door, rummaged in her bag for her card hastily, before swiping in and dashing inside. Her little heart fluttering, she felt uneasy now. At first, she was hesitant to approach him, then comfortable when on the bus, but now, she felt like this was too much of a coincidence for him to be following her around. She wanted to go take the elevator, but it was in use and near the tallest floor. She looked back at the glass door, to see him pressing the buzzer, before saying something she couldn't hear. He was replied with the door unlocking for him. Walking inside, she was a little scared now, the Zoroark walking towards, his dark mane gave him a portrait of mysterious menace, before turning to the counter, talking to the Meinshao behind it.
"Hello, I'm Steven Coles, I'm here for my room card, number 23" he said. 23. That was the room across from her's, the coincidence starting to become menacing, and she was going to head toward the stairs when he spoke, taking his card "sorry little one, if I am scaring you, but be assured, it's all just coincidence, I'm not a stalker" for someone reason, despite how ridiculous it seemed, she trusted him, and waited for him at the base of the stairs, now a little curious to know this stranger, this "Steven". After he signed the papers verifying his identity, he turned to see Rachael waiting for him. Giving a friendly smile, he proceeded to walk up the stairs, with Rachael walking right beside him. At first, the two were silent, only the sound of their footsteps being heard, before Rachael spoke.
"My names Rachael, in case you were wondering" she spoke, properly introducing herself
"Steven, but I figured you already know that" he said, introducing himself. "I'm the teacher at the local school, I teach the sixth grade"
"I see, well... I'm new in town so I haven't gone to school yet." She replied "but I am in the sixth grade, so suppose I will be seeing you a lot this year." They both grew quiet when she said that. After reaching their floor, they both went to their rooms, before turning around to see the other. They both cracked a small smile when they saw there room were right across from each other
"See you soon neighbour" they both said, before entering their rooms. Entering his room, he gave sigh, as he threw down his bags in the barren room.
"Rachael..." He said, the word bouncing around his head as he started to unpack "Rachael... The girl next door..."