So I lied. I was going to finish the next chapter of Learning before I submitted this, but I decided to change my mind, contrary creature that I am. I swear though, Learning will be updated soon! In the meantime, enjoy more of Shauntal's world. Exploring the Elite Four is so much fun. They're barely mentioned in Black/White, so it's great to be able to invent my own version of their world.
…
Expectations
It was another hour before I was willing to move, and that was only because I was too hungry to hide in my Room any longer.
"Okay, lunch," I clutched my stomach as it rumbled. "Sounds like a plan," I told Jellicent. She waved an arm, and I left.
I didn't meet any of the others on the way to the restaurant where we often ate, but Caitlin was sitting inside when I got there.
"Can I join you?" I asked, standing with my hands behind my back. We Elitists are usually quite formal with each other. I would say it's a form of respect. Except for Marshal, who doesn't care at all about etiquette, and Alder, who is usually absent. Caitlin always acts like the lady she is, and Grimsley speaks very refined most of the time as well. Not that I really talk to him.
"That would be pleasant," Caitlin indicated the chair opposite her. "I was craving companionship," Her entree arrived, and I ordered my meal before the waiter vanished. The Pokemon League has a large amount of people under its employ, even though there are only five people who take challenges. There aren't many who are aware of that fact, and we often get amazed questions from challengers.
We chatted about various things until our meals arrived. I'd just ordered a basic sandwich, not really in the mood for gourmet food at the moment. Although one of the characters in my current book enjoys gourmet food; perhaps I should have ordered something different for research? Oh well, the moment of opportunity had passed.
Caitlin sighed suddenly, a forlorn look gracing her beautiful features.
"What's wrong?" I asked, not used to seeing her act anything other than calm and detached.
"I miss Darach," she said, looking down.
"Darach?" I'd never heard the name, and it interested me. Was he her boyfriend? Lover? Childhood friend lost years ago? The novelist part of me perked up immediately.
"My servant," Well, that makes sense...I suppose. "I... like him," she said in a low voice.
"Well, that's normal, I mean why would you have servants you didn't like?" I grinned at her silliness.
"I like, like him," Caitlin murmured.
I blinked and sat up straight. Unbelievable! Okay, that was definitely interesting. And unexpected.
"And that's against the rules, right?" I didn't know a lot about my fellow Elitist, but I knew Caitlin was a proper lady from another region, had lived in a castle battle-area, and seemed to be emotionless most of the time. She preferred to hide away all her feelings, leaving her unruffled for her battles.
"Yes," Caitlin moaned, pouting slightly.
"Is he your lover?" ...Yes, I can be blunt at times. The novelist in me seeks out stories relentlessly, and I was always researching for my books.
"Shauntal! That's quite rude!" I smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry, I know," I apologized, not wanting to offend her any more.
"In any case, no he isn't. I never actually admitted I felt anything for him. And when the opportunity arose for me to come here, he was encouraging. Almost as if he wanted me to leave," she looked slightly downhearted.
"Never!" I exclaimed, standing up and slamming a hand down on the table. "He was just trying to be supportive! No doubt he wished you would stay by his side, but could never compromise his position by admitting how he felt! The only thing he could do was let you go, off to where he couldn't follow!" My imagination was on fire, my mind spinning a wondrous tale of forbidden love lost and found, lovers separated by station and distance.
"Shauntal!" Caitlin leaned backwards, mild disgust on her face. "Must you shriek so loud? I do not appreciate having my personal life shouted to the world, thank you very much," I sat down quickly. She was right, but sometimes I couldn't help the flow of ideas. I was definitely going to go start writing some of this down; I was already plotting out storylines.
"You're right, I'm sorry Caitlin. Forgive me?" I blinked when I noticed the faint blush on her cheeks. Apparently this man really meant something to her, if he'd managed to get past her walls.
"Hmph. I know you cannot help it sometimes. I forgive you," I beamed at her.
"Hey, you don't mind if I use some of these ideas in my next story, do you?" I asked suddenly.
"As long as it isn't recognizable as me, that should be fine," I clapped my hands together happily, spinning around.
"Great! I have to go write that down now! Thank you for sharing lunch with me," I called back to Caitlin, before dashing back to my Room. I probably should have stayed and offered more reassurance or at least listened, but like I said, the novelist in me will not be ignored.
I eagerly grabbed a fresh notebook from my large supply and started writing.
Night had long ago fallen by the time I emerged from my fantasy world, blinking when I looked at the clock.
"Holy...wow I had no idea it was so late!" Chandelure chhhrrrr-ed from the corner. She was laughing at me, but I didn't mind. My new story was taking shape; I'd created most of my main characters and started to set the scenes.
I decided that I absolutely couldn't live without eating something. Fortunately we have a phone used for the express purpose of ordering meals when we didn't want to eat at the restaurant.
Perfect for novelists who get sidetracked by their stories a lot.
I called up for Room service (another Elitist inside joke) and asked them to bring me whatever the special was that night, since I didn't really want to stop writing.
A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door, and I raced over to get it. You can imagine how surprised I was to find Grimsley standing outside instead of the waiter.
"Uhh, since when have you been a waiter?" I asked without thinking, and almost died on the spot. Shauntal you ditz. Control yourself!
Grimsley blinked, a bit taken aback by my sudden statement.
"I am not a waiter," he raised an eyebrow and handed me something. I looked down to find my book.
"Are you finished already?" I was amazed, he must have been reading pretty much non-stop to have finished already.
"Yes, it was very absorbing, and well written," he said, surprising me. "May I borrow the next one?" I went over and picked it up, handing it to him wordlessly, amazed and confused that he actually liked my books. And he didn't even question me about anything that was in them!
"Unrequited?" he asked, seeming amused. I was a little worried about his reactions, but nodded anyway.
"Uhh, y-yes. Umm..." A voice from behind him saved me from further stupidity.
"Delivery for Miss Shauntal?"
"Yes!" I cried gratefully, my voice rather high pitched. I grabbed the plate and retreated back into the room. "Uhh, goodnight Grimsley," I didn't quite slam the door, but it was close. I felt slightly guilty, it was hardly fair of me to behave so badly, but it was almost an instinctive need to escape.
I munched on a bite of fish, scribbling down lines as I ate.
I ended up abandoning the rest of my meal as storylines began to twist and turn. I was riveted; this was my favourite part of story writing, admiring all of the possibilities, choosing what paths my characters would follow...
By the time I stopped writing, my clock proclaimed it to be...ridiculously early in the morning. I yawned, deciding that maybe I should get some sleep before I collapsed.
Chrrrr chrrrr, Chandelure gave her version of a chuckle, floating around the window as I yawned again.
"Night," I mumbled, falling into bed.
...
By the time I finally woke up, it was past midday. I wasn't hungry enough to leave, so I rolled over and grabbed my notebook and pen, deciding that since I was in a good mood, I would keep writing.
Chandelure floated in at one point, as did Jellicent, but I was too focussed on my book to pay much attention. I eventually called for dinner, once again choosing to stay in my room while I ate. I hadn't really left my bed since I'd woken up barring bathroom breaks and calling for dinner. Hmm, maybe I should get a phone installed in my bedroom for times like this? It would make life easier when I was trapped in my imagination.
I checked my emails while I ate, giggling when I saw Cynthia's response. She's praised the latest chapter, cursed me because I left a slight cliffhanger, "drooled" -her words, I swear- on her keyboard reading the "spicy sex scenes". I couldn't help snickering happily and typing a quick thank you back to her.
I finished eating and turned off my laptop, choosing to save power. I was still plotting out my new story, so I didn't need my laptop anytime soon. It wasn't that I'd abandoned my other story; I just wanted to work on this one while the ideas were fresh.
The characters were so vivid in my mind, the scenes so exciting and interesting that I couldn't not write about them. However, I was pretty sure I was going to have to do some research shortly, to accurately portray the settings I had decided to use, and that would slow down my writing for a little while.
I was awake until about four in the morning writing. I'd finally started to map out the first couple of chapters, and they were coming along nicely. Beginnings are very important for novels; they set up the entire book to follow.
I yawned and placed my notebook onto my bedside table, before switching off the lights. If I kept this up, I was going to end up nocturnal.
It was even later the next afternoon by the time I dragged myself out of bed. A look at my clock showed that it was nearly dinner time. I decided that it might be a good idea to actually show up for dinner. The other members of the Elite Four might have news. Not that a lot happened around here, we didn't get challengers very often.
I got dressed and brushed my messy hair out, before making my way to the Elite restaurant, trying not to yawn.
"Shauntal!" Marshal called, waving at me when I entered. All three of the others were there, sitting at a table against the back wall, next to the curtained window. "Heeeeey!" I sat down next to Caitlin, across from Marshal and Grimsley in the chair closest to the window.
"We thought you'd disappeared," Caitlin informed me, a slight curving of her lips indicating she was teasing me.
"Hehe, sorry about that. I got so involved with this new story that I've been staying up really late. Then I sleep in so much that it's pretty much night again before I get up," I tucked my hair behind my ears.
"Jeez, Shauntal! What would have happened if we'd needed you? I came by to announce a new challenger –who thankfully was beaten before we needed you-, but you didn't answer, Caitlin wanted to ask you something, and Grimsley tried to return your book, but you ignored all of us! For all we knew, something might have happened to you!"
I looked down at the table. "It hasn't been that long," I flicked the table's edge. "It's not like you missed me, or I was needed or anything. So what if I wanted to stay in my room? It was, what? Only three days, hardly important."
"Don't be silly, Shauntal," Caitlin said, waving dismissively. A waiter came past and I ordered another sandwich. "We enjoy your company,"
I didn't respond, brushing my hair behind my ear. There was an awkward silence broken only by Marshal and Caitlin's meals arriving. I stared off into the distance, ignoring their conversations. My mind returned to my characters, as I thought about how to begin the first chapter. Have her standing on the beach, maybe? I was thinking about setting it in a large port town, with massive ships sailing in and out, bustling markets and a very festive overall feel. I would set the scene during late afternoon, with a beautiful sunset that she would admire.
I didn't notice the others trying to get my attention until Marshal's hand snapped in front of my face.
"Earth to Shauntal!" I flinched and rocked backwards.
"Huh?" I said fuzzily, unwilling to return to the real world.
"Shauntal, you're such a ditz. We've been talking to you for the past five minutes!" Marshal exclaimed, as Caitlin shook her head.
"What were you thinking about?" Grimsley asked curiously, his gaze studying my face. I looked away, trying to hide my sudden flushed cheeks.
"Uhh...j-just...planning out parts of my new s-story," I mumbled, biting my lip.
"Fascinating. It's terribly interesting to see an author put her stories together," he smiled, resting his head against a hand. I immediately averted my eyes, staring at the table instead.
"...It's not that interesting," I whispered. "I stare into space and daydream," I found it easier to talk to him if I wasn't looking in his direction.
"Even so," he responded easily, as if staring into space was actually exciting to watch.
"So, what were you daydreaming about then?" Caitlin asked, something resembling mischief in her eyes.
"Uhh, nothing much," I shrugged, wishing they would drop the subject. Until Grimsley had started reading them, none of the Elitists had ever read any of my books. I was...sort of a private person. I was happy to share my finished works, but I was very awkward when it came to allowing people to know about the stories before they were completed. Even the chapters I sent to Cynthia were very nearly finished.
"Doesn't sound that way to me, hmm?" Marshal smirked at me. I was beginning to get a bad feeling about this. Why the sudden interest in my novels? "There must be something good going on in your mind,"
"No, not really. I was just thinking about how my main characters would meet," There, that was safe and boring. Maybe they would change the subject now.
"Oh ho, what about just throwing them together for a romp under the sheets?" Marshal leered at me. I gasped.
I hadn't seen that coming at all.
"I mean, come on! Grimsley was just telling us about all the steamy love scenes in your book, share the secret!" I glared, taking in the expressions of the other two. Caitlin's lips were tilted up slightly in her version of a smirk, and Grimsley looked like he wanted to hit something. "Oh c'mon Shauntal, you really had us going! We thought you were all innocent and sweet, but damn girl, you got a dirty mind," Marshal laughed, kicking back in his chair.
I felt my face go bright red. "I will write whatever I so choose to!" I clenched my fist on my leg.
"So who's your boyfriend? Sorry, lover. He had to be pretty damn good for you to write those kinds of sex scenes!"
I stood up in a hurry, pushing my chair back in a huff.
"None of your business, you jerks!" I shrieked, moving backwards. The leg of my chair got caught in the draping curtains and yanked it forwards.
There was a horrible screeching sound as the curtain rod broke free from its rest on the wall.
I stood frozen in horror, as the curtain rod seemed to descend in slow motion, aimed directly at me.
There was a terrible cracking sound a second before excruciating pain that shot through me from my forehead.
And then everything went black.
...
Shauntal...Shauntal!
I heard a voice calling me.
Shauntal! Can you hear me? A different voice asked a second after the first.
Yes, I tried to say, but the word stuck in my throat.
Shauntal! This voice sounded worried, and I wondered what had happened to make it sound so afraid.
I'm here, I'm all right! I was starting to panic. I couldn't feel anything, couldn't see anything.
Where am I?
Shauntal, please... the third voice begged. Please wake up...
I tried to answer, but no sound emerged from my throat.
Help...I cried silently, to no avail.
Please...
I felt myself starting to drift, and closed my eyes.
Shauntal...please...
Wake up...
...
Gasp! I know, poor Shauntal. Don't worry, she'll be fine, I swear. Stay tuned for my next updates!
-Aerococonut
