I DON'T OWN POKEMON
Chapter 3: Romance By The Lake
While Ash and Serena were away in Lumiose City and enjoying dinner by candlelight, another romantic date was about to begin.
Greninja had been hopping from branch to branch in the forest for some time while he was still carrying Delphox in his arms.
"Greninja, we have been moving for quite some time now. When are we going to get there? And what are we going to be doing tonight?, Delphox asked Greninja while she snuggled her head against Grenenja's chest.
"We have arrived, Delphy.", said Greninja as he suddenly performed an extra high jump from one final branch.
When they landed on the ground softly, they arrived at a clearing. There was a green grassy field covering most of the clearing and a large lake connected to a river, flowing south. Flowers in the ground of all shapes and sizes were blooming with bright colours and some rose petals were flying in the wind.
In the sky, a full white moon shined upon everything it could reach and beyond, illuminating the darkest of nights. Shining stars that were afar glistened brightly in commemoration of a day like Valentines Day.
Nearby the lake, there appeared to be something set up. There were three tree stumps, one of them being the taller of the three and being in the centre, being covered in a white tablecloth. The two smaller stumps had what seemed to be green cushions on top of them. A tall, lit single red candle was in the centre of the tallest stump. Two white gleaming plates were resting on the table and some vegetables in a glittering turquoise bowl.
"Well, Delphy, what do you think?", asked Greninja.
"Grennie, this is absolutely beautiful and very well characterised, like at the fancy restaurants in Lumiose City. When did you set this up and where did you get all these items?", replied Delphox in excitement and joy.
"Oh, I just 'borrowed' some things from around the house and brought them here earlier this evening. And I picked the berries and vegetables fresh from the gardens. I thought that dining under the stars near the lakeside would be the best place around here. Also, I might have swiped some other foods from the refrigerator and pantry, but I seriously doubt Ash or Serena will notice.", said Greninja.
"Oh, sweetie. You did all this for me? Thank you very much, but you didn't really have to do all this just for me.", said Delphox.
"Delphy, I had to do this. Today is Valentines Day, the most romantic day of the year. It is also our Sixth Anniversary of being in a relationship since you kissed me that night. But, mainly, on such a special day like this, you deserve the best. And what could be better than dining under the stars by candlelight and near the most elegant lake in Kalos with the most beautiful Delphox I had ever seen in my life?", replied Greninja, with great confidence on saying the last part.
Dephox was in shock. She was never described as the most beautiful of her species before by anyone, not even Serena. She leapt forwards and planted a warm kiss on Greninja's cheek. He blushed furiously and his face turned into a shade of reddish purple before going back to normal. Greninja then guided Delphox while holding hands to the table and sat her down comfortably before sitting himself down in his chair.
"Grennie, are we going to be eating the vegetables whole? That doesn't sound like the right kind of meal on Valentines Day.", asked Delphox in confusion.
"Nope. Watch and learn.", said Greninja.
He grabbed out a couple of tomatoes, a green lettuce head, a red onion and a bundle of spinach and laid them all out on the side of the table. He quickly tore off the best leaves off the lettuce, took two handfuls of spinach and placed them in an empty bowl he picked up from the side. His hands then formed two short swords, or Cut, and began to use his fast ninja skills to rapidly slice and dice the tomatoes and onion until they were finely chopped and in perfect shape. He then scooped them up in his hands and dumped them with the other vegetables in the bowl. From the table, he grabbed the salt and pepper shakers, olive oil and balsamic vinegar and started to add them in together with the vegetables.
By the end of it, it almost looked ready. Greninja grabbed a wooden spoon and began to mix the contents, making sure that it all blended in. He then used that to spoon some of the salad onto his and Delphox's plates. Delphox was simply amazed by the stunning performance her boyfriend put on for her.
"For our first course, we are having my garden salad speciality. Freshly made from freshly picked vegetables.", said Greninja in an etiquette voice of a garcon.
"Wow. That was an incredible display you put on.", cheered Delphox as she clapped her hands. She then picked up her own fork and began to eat. At first, handling eating utensils and been hard for her and Greninja, but table manners are table manners and they were actually easy to use. Speaking of which, remembering his manners, Greninja unwrapped his tongue from around his neck and tucked it back in his mouth.
"Wow, this is so delicious. I know we may have tasted human food before many times, but this is just really good. You make really good food, Grennie.", said Delphox.
"Thanks, sweetie.", said Greninja.
Greninja offered to feed Delphox as a loving gesture. She accepted it and she even decided to feed her boyfriend. She fed each other their salads while chatting and laughing about their past adventures in the Kalos region and other regions when they were younger. Many feedings later, they finished their salads.
"Grennie, that was the most delicious salad I have ever eaten that was made by you.", complimented Delphox.
"Thank you. But I think you're going to enjoy this next dish.", said Greninja.
Delphox hadn't noticed it before, but there was a small pit dug right next to the table that was filled with ice and housed four covered up glass bowls of orange and pink. Greninja plucked out the orange bowls and set one for himself and one for Delphox. When he uncovered them, they revealed to contain a kind of stew. It looked green in colour and very thick with some small visible lumps.
"Grennie, what is it? It sure looks very yummy, but I don't think I've ever seen this kind of dish before.", asked Delphox out of curiosity.
"This is lentil, berry and vegetable stew. Ash helped me make it today earlier in the afternoon before he and Serena went to get ready for their date. The stew itself is mostly mashed cooked lentils along with some other softer vegetables. The little lumps are actually chunks of savoury berries and vegetables that I thought would go very well. We even added some Tamato Berry sauce to give it that spicy zing.", explained Greninja.
"But we can't eat the stew while it's cold.", said Delphox.
"Yeeaaaah, about that,", said Greninja with nervousness. While rubbing the back of his neck in shame and embarrassment, "I didn't have enough time to get a small fire started so I could warm up the food before eating it. I was wondering, even though this is a date, could you-"
"Say no more, Grennie. Leave it to me.", said Delphox. She took the stick from out of her tail and ignited the tip of it with Ember. She then shot the flames at the two bowls heating up the food that was within them. Steam began to rise from the stews, showing that they were nice and warm. Greninja just stared at her in surprise and in shock that she helped with heating the food, even though it was a date and that he was supposed to be doing all the work and Delphox was meant to be relaxing. She extinguished the stick and put it back in her tail.
"I'm so sorry, Delphy. I know this would have been a better date if I had just-", said Greninja before he was stopped by Delphox's finger over his mouth. He silenced himself.
"Sshhh, it's alright. We all tend to make some mistakes sometimes and there's no shame in asking for or accepting help from others. Besides, you made the salad and I think I should return the favour by heating our next meal.", said Delphox nicely and gently.
"Thank you, Delphy. Go ahead and try the stew first. I want to hear what you have to say about the first stew I had ever made with Ash.", said Greninja as he handed Delphox a silver spoon.
Delphox took the spoon and carefully dipped it into the stew. She scooped up the spoonful of stew, brought it up to her mouth and fed herself the food. In that moment, an explosion of flavours burst in her mouth. So many flavours, blended in to one single serving of stew, were unbelievably yummy altogether. Words could not describe how much she was enjoying it.
"Greninja, this is absolutely marvellous. I don't know how many ingredients you suggested to Ash to put in this, but it tastes like you had picked very wisely and blended so many flavours of nature into one delicious result.", exclaimed Delphox as she quickly took another spoonful and fed it to her mouth.
"So I take it that you like it?", asked Greninja.
"No, I don't like it…", said Delphox, "…I LOVE it."
Greninja smiled. Delphox was eating rather quickly, so Greninja, not wanting to fall behind, grabbed his own spoon and began to eat his bowl of stew to catch up to Delphox. Both deciding to forget their table manner for just this once, they ravenously ate through their food, taking in the scrumptious flavours and spices.
When they finished their food, they both had stew blobs on their faces from eating quickly and rather messily. Greninja grabbed his napkin and began to wipe Delphox's face clean. Delphox did the same on Greninja. Greninja then took the plates off the table and placed them on the ground beside them. He also grabbed the remaining two bowls from the ice pit and laid them on the table.
"Grennie, I know you have done all this to make me happy on Valentines Day, but how far are we into this date? It feels like we have been here for days.", asked Delphox.
"Well, just this last course of our meal and then a little romantic event, so we are just about halfway done for the night.", said Greninja.
He took off the metal dome lids from the bowls. They revealed their contents to be dessert. Scoops of vanilla ice cream coated with caramel sauce, topped with chopped up nuts, shortbread biscuit crumbs, small berry dices and finished with whipped cream and cherries. As a bonus, they each had a pink pokèpuff in the shape of a heart on the side. Delphox gasped in amazement at the dessert served up by her boyfriend.
"Before you asked, Ash helped me make this as well. I even picked the berries that you loved best. The pokèpuffs were compliments of Serena. They both knew about our romantic current relationship, so they offered to help me out in preparing for tonight.", said Greninja.
"Wow. But did you come up with the whole idea for this date in the first place?", asked Delphox.
"I did. They found out about my plan when they caught me in the kitchen trying to bake the pokepuffs myself, but I nearly burned down the kitchen if Ash hadn't turned off the oven. I guess I'm never doing that ever again.", said Greninja in embarrassment.
Delphox gave off a small laugh, making Greninja seem even more silly than before. "It's okay. There are some things that people and pokemon just aren't meant to do. You're not good with baking and I'm not good at getting dirty, since I don't' like getting dirty at all."
"Anyway, open wide, here comes the love airplane.", said Greninja as he scooped some of his dessert in a teaspoon and piloted it to Delphox's mouth. Delphox giggled in delight as she opened her mouth wide and allowed the cold creamy treat go past her lips. She closed her mouth, taking off the ice cream from the spoon and letting it melt in her mouth. She licked her lips, taking in all the various sweet flavours.
"Thank you. Now it's your turn.", said Delphox as she did what Greninja did and fed some of her own ice cream to Greninja.
The two pokemon fed each other their ice creams continued this process until they finished dessert. They even fed each other their pokepuffs, since they were identical and not different in any way.
"Grennie, I think that was the best gourmet meal by candlelight I have ever had. It's better since it was a Valentines Day dinner and the best part was that I had it with you.", said Delphox as she leaned over the table and kissed Greninja.
"Thank you very much, Delphy.", said Greninja as he returned the kiss with one of his own. Delphox blushed and silently giggled to herself.
"So, I was wondering. What is this little romantic activity that you were planning for us to enjoy together, hmm?", asked Dephox in a seductive sort of voice.
She and Greninja stood from their seats, but not before Greninja extinguished the still-burning candle that was on the table. He then took Delphox's hand and then walked her over to the edge of the little lake.
"This.", said Greninja. He opened his wide mouth and fired an Ice Beam from his mouth and into the lake. The lake started to slowly turn into a cold icy surface. Luckily, there were no pokemon inhabiting the lake, so it was safe to do so and that nobody would get frozen in. After a few minutes and a few exhausting pants from Greninja, the entire lake was frozen into an ice rink. It was still lumpy and bumpy, however. So he produced multiple Water Shurikens in his hands and threw them across the icy surface. In a matter of minutes, the water stars had cut down the lumps in the ice, making it as smooth as polished wood.
"I thought that for our special date we could go ice skating together. It would be the perfect ending to our date tonight.", said Greninja.
"Wow, you really do know how to impress me.", said Delphox, admiring Greninja's handiwork.
Greninja walked her over to the ice. Careful not to make her slip, Greninja held her hand tight. The ice underneath their feet felt cool and smooth without any need for ice skates.
"Are you ready?", asked Greninja.
'Yes. Yes I am.", said Delphox.
And then they took off.
Sliding their feet across the ice, they moved silently and gracefully against the lake's solid surface. Holding their hands tightly, they moved in sync at the same speed while maintaining balance.
Not knowing in which direction to slide in, they continued to go forward, going in circles around the ice rink. Greninja suddenly took Delphox by surprise when he pulled her in front of him, grabbed both sides of her waist, lifted her up and spun her in mid air several times in circles. She enjoyed it as much as she felt the wind in her hair until she was put back down on the ice and they continued their skating routine.
"Whooaaa, Grennie! That was totally uncalled for. But that was also very nice. Thank you.", said Delphox.
"You're welcome, but we're not done yet.", said Greninja.
Slowing down and making a sudden stop, grabbing her hand, Greninja lifted his arm above Delphox. Getting the idea, Delphox twirled around on one foot like at a formal ball. Greninja couldn't help, but look at and admire her spinning beauty. She stopped soon.
They both held all their hands together with their opposite counterparts. The two lovers looked deeply into each other's eyes, feeling the pure love they held for each other.
"Grennie, thank you. Thank you for the most wonderful date of my life. You have really given me everything this very night and I'm forever grateful.", said Delphox.
"You are very welcome, sweetheart. Do you think we'll be together forever? Even if we are apart for a little while?", asked Greninja.
"Grennie, that is such a silly question.", said Delphox in a teasing and giggling voice, "Of course we will be together forever."
Greninja gently leaned his head forward and gave her a warm kiss on her right cheek. Delphox just put her hands on her hips with an expression on her face that looked both happy and frustrating.
"C'mon, Grennie. You can do better than that. Give me a real, loving kiss.", insisted Delphox.
"W-wh-what do you mean, Delphy? I don't know any other way other than a normal mouth-to-mouth kiss. Is that what you want?", asked a worried, sweatdropping Greninja.
"No. That's not the one I want either. Not a normal one anyway. Here, open your mouth and stick out your tongue.", said Delphox with her right hand extended and open.
Doing as he was told, Greninja opening his mouth wide and stuck out his tongue a little. To his surprise, Delphox grabbed the tip of his tongue and pulled more of it out his mouth until it could extend no more.
"U-uh, Delphy, w-wh-what are you doing?", said Greninja in panic and sweat.
"Showing you how to really do a romantic kiss for the one you love, Grennie. Just relax and let me do all the work.", said Delphox in a seductive tone.
The tension and panic eased from Greninja a little, but he was still uneasy. Delphox wrapped the tongue around her neck and Greninja's like a scarf that was meant for two.
"Are YOU ready, sweetie?", asked Delphox.
"Uh-", but before Greninja could finish what he was going to say, Delphox closed her eyes and tugged on the tongue. It tightened around the two pokemon and it brought their faces together.
More importantly, it brought their lips together into the most magical and loving kiss of their lives. Greninja, now fully eased, closed his eyes and returned the surprise kiss from his girlfriend. He even grabbed her up and carried her in his arms back to the grassy terrain. Delphox, not paying any attention, continued to kiss Greninja, completely lost in the moment with the love of her life.
Greninja sat down on the grass with Delphox now on his lap, still making out. They soon fell tired and fell into a deep slumber, with Delphox using his chest as a soft pillow. Greninja unwrapped his tongue and it slid back into his mouth.
"Goodnight, sweetheart.", said Greninja before dozing off completely.