A/N: Here's the next chapter of Traveler: Recollections! Sorry to anyone who was looking forward to the continuation of Hiro's story, but I'm going to be jumping around a bit between different stories. Some of this has to do with details of the plot that would end up being important or revealed in Traveler, others have to have to do with simply keeping things balanced. Rest assured that Hiro and Mamoru's story will be continued and finished in due time. There's going to be a lot of characters shown in this story, though I'll probably be keeping to four individual stories at a time to cycle through.

I hope you enjoy! It's a bit…different from anything else I've written in Traveler. But I think it's important considering the most recent chapter in Traveler.

"How do I look?"

Spencer raised a grey eyebrow as she stepped out of her room in a short, simple black dress that left most of her shoulders bare. She'd spent much more time getting ready for this event than he had – he'd been sitting out here for the better part of two hours now. If she weren't so nervous she'd take the time to appreciate the effort he'd put into dressing up as well.

The results were obvious. It wasn't often that she dressed up – she didn't have time for it, really, with their schedules – but she'd like to think that she cleaned up nicely. It was crazy the difference a little makeup could do! Trading her flannel shirt and denim shorts for the dress Mrs. Oak had offered her didn't hurt either!

She eyed him shyly and nervously played with one of the straps keeping her dress up.

Wait, maybe that wasn't the best idea.

"You look lovely, just like you did last time and the ten times before that," Spencer belted out a laugh. She blushed but stood up a little straighter, some of that awful worry in her belly finally dying down a little. The tall teenager smiled up at her. "Don't worry so much, Delia. Everything will be fine."

"Thanks, Spencer," Delia giggled. She couldn't help but toy with her hair a little bit – it was always so wild, she really hoped that it wouldn't get messed up at the ceremony. Half the time she'd spent getting ready was used on her hair. Spencer rolled his eyes and playfully caught her hand before she could ruin her hard work.

"That's enough of that," her friend smirked at her embarrassed flush. He let her go after that. "I am not waiting another hour for you to go fix your hair. You just know the Professor would blame the whole mess on me."

"No! He'd never!" She denied, though she crossed her arm with his when it was offered and tossed her hair a little. Delia looked up – Spencer was so tall! – as a soft smile played across her face. "You know you're his favorite."

Spencer shook his head and stayed quiet. He wasn't about to let that playful argument start up again. Delia's lips quirked up – he was just scared because he knew that she'd win just like every other time they argued. Her friend and partner was too sweet to really keep up in a dispute.

They were quiet as they walked out of the small living area Professor Oak had so generously given them when they first moved in. Delia's hands shook a little as they walked through the halls of Professor Oak's large house in Pallet Town. His wife always had been obsessive with keeping it neat and tidy.

"Relax," Spencer said softly, taking a moment to squeeze her in a one-armed hug. Delia hesitantly nodded and made sure to keep breathing nice and deep. She shouldn't be nervous – she should be excited!

"Sorry," she whispered. Delia squeezed the arm of his suit jacket tight. "I've just never been to anything like this before! What if I mess up? What if I embarrass the Professor – I don't want to –"

Spencer chuckled and gallantly opened a door and held it open for Delia. She smiled at his chivalry and stepped through, wobbling a bit on her high heels. That was one accessory she really could've done without! It was a good thing Mrs. Oak had been sure to walk her through it!

"You won't mess up. Just smile and be yourself," Spencer said warmly. He allowed her to take his arm again, standing still until he was certain she wouldn't trip. "We don't have to stay that long anyway. Once the Professor finishes his speech we'll head out if you want to." Her friend trailed off. "Trust me, it'll be over before you know it."

"I hope so!" She muttered. Still, she smiled up at him to let Spencer know just how much she appreciated that. Delia's nerves were so thin right now they might come undone at any moment…wouldn't that be embarrassing? She swore the second she got back she'd hop into a nice warm bubble bath and take a nap. After today she needed one! "Thanks, Spencer. You're sweet."

"You're welcome," came the immediate response, his manners hammered into him from his wealthy upbringing and a year at the side of Professor Oak and his family. Spencer opened one last door for her, the one that would take them into the Oaks' living room. "Ladies first!"

Delia shook her head and wobbled into the massive living room, full of rugs, furniture, and art probably worth more than everything she had to her name. Despite that it was clearly a room filled with love and many years of good memories. Pictures of the Oak family were absolutely everywhere – the famous Samuel, his wife Sarah, and daughter Samantha had their faces plastered all over the room. It was a testament to the charm of the family that it didn't come off as gaudy.

Love permeated this room, not arrogance.

Family portraits, prizes, newspaper and magazine articles…the Oak family was a blessed one and they knew it well. She smiled seeing a few newer pictures of Scott, Samantha's husband of six years, and Daisy. Delia loved that little girl. If she ever had a daughter she'd love for her to be just like Daisy.

"Delia, darling, you look beautiful!"

She flashed a bright smile at Mrs. Oak as the older woman parted from her husband with elegance that could only come from decades of practice. Mrs. Oak returned the gesture beautifully – how were her teeth so white? – and squeezed Delia up in a hug she was happy to return.

"Oh I just knew that dress would look lovely on you!" Mrs. Oak gushed. Delia's chest filled up with warmth and she tried to put all the gratitude she felt for the older woman into the hug. The woman coughed out a laugh and Delia guiltily relaxed her hold a little. "I daresay you'll be turning heads tonight, dear! You'll be keeping that dress, I think!"

"But –" Delia protested, only to be cut off by Mrs. Oak shaking her head. She sighed, having had this conversation many, many times over the year since she'd joined Professor Oak as an assistant. There was no stopping Mrs. Oak…and Delia had to admit she was (secretly!) very glad for that.

"I won't hear it tonight, young lady!" Delia blushed at the sharp tone. Mrs. Oak put her hands on her hips and puffed up like a Quilfish. "Nobody else will do it justice! It's yours."

She nodded shyly. "Thank you, Mrs. Oak."

"You're welcome!" Mrs. Oak patted her shoulder fondly, though she soon fixed her with a stern look that made Delia freeze. "And I've told you before, dear, call me Sarah."

"Yes ma'am – Sarah!" She quickly corrected herself, though Mrs. Oak just smiled softly and gave her another light hug before detaching herself.

Spencer and the Professor were waiting patiently, she saw. Delia blushed a little at holding them up, though the men just looked a little amused. Everyone who met Mrs. Oak learned very quickly that she would have her way and it was better for everyone involved if they didn't fight her on it.

"If we have no more interruptions…" Professor Oak smirked, though it changed to a wince very quickly when Mrs. Oak frowned at him. He raised a hand to appease the stern woman. "Oh fine. I won't point out how late we are – I believe the award ceremony begins in an hour."

Delia fidgeted nervously. Mrs. Oak just snorted, an odd noise from such a proud, beautiful woman. "We both know you don't want to go in the first place. Though I'll never understand why not…honestly, you're getting the –"

"—Indigo League Decennial Award in Biotechnology for exemplary innovations in the field of Matter-to-Energy Conversion," the Professor finished drily. "Yes, I do recall what the notice said…and my side project for the past decade and a half."

Delia giggled as Mrs. Oak rolled her eyes and lightly swatted her husband, though the smirk never left the Professor's face. He just waved the blow off and chuckled for a few moments – Spencer's face was very red, like he was holding back the same.

The Professor shut his eyes for a moment. Delia yelped when the Professor's Alakazam appeared seamlessly between them all, ignoring her and Spencer as usual. Alakazam had always been a little…well, aloof would be the kindest way to describe the psychic.

"Is everyone ready?"

Delia didn't even have time to nod before Alakazam's twin spoons flashed with psychic energy – she found herself analyzing the intensity of the glow, impressed as usual at the unusual efficiency and speed with which Alakazam worked, placing her in at least the top percentile of her species –

And appeared outside a tall, elegant building supported by huge pillars of glistening white marble. It was fairly modern otherwise, almost surreal to look at with its sculpted curves, metallic sheen, and gracefully cut edges. The Viridian Conference Center was a seamless blend of the city's ancient heritage and modern aesthetic.

Alakazam vanished almost as quickly as she'd brought them there. That was too bad. Delia thought she was fascinating! Maybe one day she'd get Alakazam to talk to her! She bet there was so much she could learn from the aging psychic…the only other one she'd been able to communicate with was a rather crude Psyduck by the Corral's pond.

Delia shivered slightly at the brisk wind that whistled through – it was oddly cold for a June night. Spencer helpfully draped his coat around her shoulders and she smiled up at him gratefully, though she felt a little guilty for leaving him out in the chilly night.

"It's too bad it wasn't held in Indigo Plateau this year," the Professor murmured. His voice, though low, hung in the air for a few moments. He turned his eyes on the Conference Center. "This is just a decrepit shack in comparison."

She listened to the Professor reverently and played with the hem of her dress a little. It wasn't too often she got to hear the Professor talk about the Indigo Plateau! Delia knew he'd been a Champion at one time, though he never seemed too eager to bring it up.

And wasn't that crazy! Professor Oak, the man who'd given her the greatest opportunity of her life, had been a Champion! It was pretty easy to see, honestly. Even without knowing how strong his pokemon were he carried himself with the air of someone used to absolute respect.

Even so it was hard to see the loving husband and father in the same position as the notoriously cold Champion Marcus.

A small cluster of people appeared in a flash of light behind them. Mrs. Oak glanced over but didn't seem too impressed with the group. Not enough to greet them, anyway.

Delia looked around Viridian's night sky eagerly as they made their way up to the entrance, which was guarded by a few bored League trainers that looked like they really didn't want to be there. She'd missed these stars…Pallet was pretty close but the constellations were all in the wrong places.

But she frowned at the sudden flash of gleaming white fangs in the darkness around the towering shape of the Conference Center. Fierce red slits glared down at her, shifting erratically through the black before it settled down next to one of the trainers. The short man cocked his head to look at the Gengar and rolled his eyes.

She froze as it stared at her and licked its teeth. Blood dripped from the maw and she could smell poison and rot and –

A gentle hand stole her from her anxious stupor. Delia quickly jerked her head around to look into the calm blue eyes of Mrs. Oak. The soft touch of the woman drifted away.

"Best to keep your eyes on the road, dear," Mrs. Oak murmured. Delia nodded slowly, a little afraid now that she realized this place wasn't quite as unguarded as it appeared. Of course the League wouldn't let a gathering like this go unprotected…

They began their walk down the road. It was simple and plain. Delia dreamed about what it would've been like to show up at Indigo Plateau and walk the Road of Gold and Silver instead of this drab, plain path –

"Delia?" Professor Oak distracted her. Delia shivered and cocked her head as she met his concerned gaze. She stumbled and yelped, silently cursing her high heels even after all the work she'd done to be able to walk well in the stupid things!

"You should relax," her teacher her teacher chuckled as a strong, weathered hand caught her with ease. Delia blushed and muttered an apology as she glared down at her feet. Stupid shoes! The Professor just shook his head with his usual smirk.

Professor Oak stopped them and turned to face Spencer and Delia as the shadows outside the front door shifted and regarded them with gleaming white smiles full of serrated knives. Delia's heart beat faster than it ever had – she'd never been so close to a Gengar in her life. Ghosts were notoriously elusive, even more so when you wanted to study them…

Noted as B+ threats. Particularly mischievous with a tendency for casual cruelty, especially in specimens not properly socialized or trained. Rarely hunt humans, but have been known to kill if provoked or wounded.

One of the shadows smiled at her – the wind that whistled past smelled of old, drying blood and nearly made her gag – and its eyes flashed a malevolent red before it vanished into nothingness.

"Don't look too hard into the shadows. You might not like what you find," the Professor frowned at her and Spencer. Even her friend looked a little shaken – he was ghostly pale (she would've giggled at her pun if she wasn't trembling as much as he was). The Oaks looked completely at ease. This was just a normal Friday night for them. "Don't try to go off exploring. Stay in the main room. Mingle and have fun – if you want to leave early just find me. Alakazam will take you home."

Delia nodded hesitantly as she rubbed her arms. She didn't even question Oak's implied clout – it wasn't a surprise. If there was one thing she'd learned around the Professor it was that he could do anything he wanted. Who was going to stop him?

"Good. In that case," Professor Oak smiled and gestured grandly all around them, "welcome to the Indigo League's Eightieth Annual Viridian Conference!"

TR

"It's beautiful!" Delia whispered to Spencer as they stepped into the Viridian Conference Room. It stood out in sharp contrast to the atrium – her memory there was fuzzy, like she'd been drunk while she walked through.

"It is!"

Spencer's eyes were wide as he looked around the massive room. It looked like it went on forever! Delia's practically glittered in the dim light of the chandeliers and candles – everywhere she looked there were people dancing or laughing or talking…she'd never seen something like this and it was amazing!

"Looks like the Professor is talking to a few people," Spencer grabbed her attention and pointed to the Professor. He was oddly relaxed around some of the most powerful people in the Indigo League. Even though the Professor only wore a simple lab coat and his normal khaki pants there wasn't a single disdainful eye cast on him. He didn't need fancy clothes to command the respect of everyone in the room. Even the strongest walked on eggshells around him.

"Is that Professor Blaine? And Champion Marcus?!" Delia gasped, eyes locked on the bald Gym Leader's sneering face. The man was one of the few who didn't regard Professor Oak with something resembling awe – even the Champion himself didn't so blatantly disregard the One-Ringed Oak.

Spencer snorted. "Looks like the Champion wants to run away from him. I doubt Marcus even wants to be here. If it weren't for Professor Oak receiving the award…"

Delia frowned at him. He was always so cynical….though even she had to admit Champion Marcus didn't look too perky. Even when he was on the news he always looked like he'd just heard about something awful but here he looked downright mean!

Even though the Champion put a bit of a downer on everything – she still couldn't believe he was here! – Delia still felt her heart flutter as she saw all the people. There was so much glamour and everyone looked so fancy…she shifted uneasily when she realized just how out of place she must look. Some of the people here looked like they went to events like these every single day!

She picked out a few especially prominent faces. There was a tall, dark man brooding over in a corner she picked out as the Fuschia Gym Leader, Koga. He melded almost seamlessly into the shadows, like he was just an extension of them. Then there was something else…

Delia cooed softly once she realized the other little shape in the corner was a tiny girl, maybe two, holding onto Koga's fingers like they was the most important thing in the world. He looked much too dour to be with such an adorable baby girl but somehow that just made the whole thing even cuter.

"Spencer, look!" She dug her elbow into Spencer's side unapologetically. He winced and followed her gaze after he got past the unexpected jab. "It's Koga and a baby!"

"Adorable."

"Oh, don't be mad!" Delia teased. She patted him on the shoulder and his frown lightened. "You can admit that it's cute! I promise I won't tell anyone that big, manly Spencer has a soft spot."

He snorted. "You're too kind, Delia."

She smiled and nodded knowingly, though she quickly looked away to see if she could spot any other interesting people. Delia had heard that a few Gym Leaders would be here – the Viridian Gym Leader always made an appearance – but apparently Professor Oak receiving an award made this a big event!

It wasn't like she'd ever get to see these people ever again. Well, not outside of little brief meetings like these. She was no trainer and Delia wasn't sure if she'd ever be able to live up to the sort of reputation Professor Oak had…he was a genius.

She was just Delia.

"Oh, who's that?" Delia tugged on Spencer's sleeve. Her partner glanced over at the red-haired trainer she'd pointed out. He looked to be around thirteen or fourteen and was rather tall for his age, though he'd managed to dodge the normal lankiness. But what really caught her attention was the absolutely gigantic Dragonite standing at his side – it seemed to fill the entire corner of that room with its formidable bulk. Despite it all the Dragonite seemed utterly bored, yawning every now and then to expose its impressive fangs.

She had to resist the scientific urge to go over and ask the trainer if she could run a few tests on it. Dragonite were fantastically rare. Delia had been lucky enough to do a few behavioral analyses on Professor Oak's rugged old Dragonite but this specimen seemed much younger. It would be fascinating to compare the two…

The trainer, clad in surprisingly casual clothes for such a formal event, seemed quite loud and boastful if the adoring crowd hanging onto his every word was anything to go by. At least he looked like he could tell a good story! "He looks a little young to be here."

Spencer chuckled and cast her a knowing look, "My my, Delia. I never took you for a cradle robber."

Delia flushed a deep red that wouldn't have looked out of place on a Magmar. "What – you – ugh!" She stamped her foot on the smooth tile and nearly stumbled thanks to these stupid heels, though Spencer was quick enough to save her yet again. "You're impossible!"

"I couldn't help it," Spencer chuckled. One of his callused hands rubbed circles around her back to apologize. Delia's blush faded just a bit. "But to answer your question that's Lance. I've heard he's a real charmer," his eyebrows waggled suggestively. "Apparently Drake spends as much time protecting him from angry fathers as actually training him."

She just slapped his shoulder and got a laugh for her efforts. "He's the next Champion, right?" Delia asked. Her excitement led her to put their last exchange out of mind and she looked closer at the boy. He did have the potential to be a very handsome man, she had to admit, though she'd never let Spencer know her opinion.

"Indeed. I think that's Steven Stone with him too," her partner pointed out a bored silver-haired boy. Steven didn't seem nearly as interested in the teenage girls circling the duo of Lance and Steven – two Champions in the making. "He's awfully pretty for a guy. Maybe his balls haven't dropped yet?"

"Spencer!" Delia giggled behind the hand covering her mouth. She didn't slap him this time. "Oh, you're the worst! Maybe you should go tell him that to his face."

"I'd rather not get eaten by his Metagross," came the scoffing response. Delia just flashed Spencer a brilliant smile. Metagross had been known to consume humans when presented with few other options. "But I bet you could get away with it. If Lance thinks it's funny you might get in his good graces."

It was Delia's turn to roll her eyes. "Please, Spencer," she said good-naturedly, "Mrs. Oak would kill me if I didn't pick someone from her list of prospects. I think she's spent more time on that thing than taking care of the Professor lately…"

"It'll include every man in Kanto if she keeps it up," Spencer shook his head ruefully. "I'd say she was obsessed but that seems to be the norm for an Oak. Even one that married into the family."

"Maybe it's infectious," Delia whispered. Spencer snickered. She transitioned seamlessly into Professor Oak's 'teaching voice', "The Oak STD, commonly knows as Mad Obsession, or insanit nimiam –"

Spencer's face went pale and he sharply jabbed her in the ribs with his bony elbows. Delia frowned, but wheeled around to see whatever had spooked him so much. She may or may not have squeezed her eyes shut. She'd never claimed to be brave.

Please don't be Professor Oak, please don't be Professor Oak, please don't be Professor Oak – or even worse, Mrs. Oak, or she'd be absolutely mortified. She might just go walk into the woods where all the Gengar were stationed if that was the case. It would be less painful.

"Oh don't stop on my account. It's been too long since anyone's had the balls to poke fun at the senile old bastard," came an amused snarl that sent shivers down Delia's spine. She peeked from behind her hands and saw Professor Blaine's old bald head. How was it so shiny? Did he buff it? Professor Blaine eyed them curiously as he took a long pull from a flask that was more of a jug than anything.

This was the famous Blaze of Cinnabar who had liberated Cinnabar from the invading Unovans with tactics so fierce and brutal he'd been given a flee-on-sight order? The man who held a position on both the Indigo Elite Four and helped found the illustrious Cinnabar Institute? The living legend who'd forged the field of cloning practically singlehandedly?

She took a second to process the question that came out as more of a snarl. "You're Oak's brats?" Professor Blaine sipped again from his flask. He wasn't shy at all about breathing right into their faces…Delia felt sick from the alcoholic fumes. She'd had a few too many bad nights with vodka to appreciate that.

"We're his newest assistants," Spencer's chest puffed up. He reached forward to shake Professor Blaine's hand but the old man didn't bother taking it. Blaine just stared at them both until Spencer hesitantly pulled his hand back.

Eventually Professor Blaine grunted, "Well, you aren't too terrible, I suppose. He's recruited worse. What are your specialties? Human-pokemon interaction like the old man?"

If it were anyone else Delia would've snapped at the ornery old Elite Four member. But the Ninetales lurking just behind him, watching with eyes reminiscent of blood, stilled her tongue. Professor Oak wouldn't want her to cause a scene, she reasoned. That was her story and she was sticking with it!

Or maybe she was just being a coward. Something uneasy lurched in her gut.

"I am, actually," came the quick reply from Spencer. Delia had always admired the way his eyes lit up whenever he talked about his work. True, genuine passion was one of the most beautiful things in the world. "I'm planning on specializing in the influence of pokemon on ancient human societies. There are all sorts of mysteries out there that have only just been scratched – the Unown, perhaps what the myths describe as Legendaries –"

"Sounds pointless to me," Blaine leered. He shook his head. "But I'm sure Oak's over the moon for you. He's always had a soft spot for shit like that. And a good eye for talent," the Professor grudgingly acknowledged. He eyed an indignant Delia with a bit more interest. "What about you? Are you interested in pursuing real science instead of the crap your boyfriend is going for?"

Delia bristled. Legendary man or not she wasn't about to let someone talk down to Spencer like that. She barely noticed the little boyfriend jab. "Excuse me?"

Blaine grinned – no, that was being too generous. It was more like he bared his teeth. So did Ninetales. He stepped a little closer. His breath reeked of cheap vodka. If she lit a match in front of her she'd probably have her eyebrows seared off – fitting, she guessed.

"Delia…" came the expected warning. Spencer's warm hand on her bare arm distracted her for just a moment. "Come on, it's not worth it. You know Professor Oak wouldn't want this."

Her chest rose and fell as she hesitated. Ugh, she wanted nothing more tan to give the rude old man a piece of her mind! The only thing stopping her was the Ninetales lurking behind Blaine. She might not be a trainer but some primal part of her knew not to test the vulpine creature.

Ninetales were famed for several things: their sharp minds, great age, fierce pride, and habit of holding grudges across the long centuries. It would never tolerate disrespect for the one it deigned to call master.

It sat back on its white haunches. All nine tails splayed lazily around the floor. Several of the colored tips brushed lazily against Blaine's pant legs. That alone showed how much it cared for the crotchety old man. .

She looked around for help but nobody would come near them. The humans milling about nearby instinctively stayed far, far away from the Ninetales' greatest treasures. They knew that all myths had a grain of truth.

Blaine huffed and folded his arms across his chest. "Disappointing," he sneered. Delia blinked in surprise. He was actually being honest. The living legend glanced past her at nothing in particular. Blaine didn't even deign to look her in the eyes. "And here I thought this little Skitty had some claws. Then again, what should I have expected Oak's little acorns? He lost his –"

"If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say it," her icy retort cut Blaine off. He actually blinked. Ninetales' hackles raised. Delia stared right at Blaine. She didn't dare look at Ninetales. Not when the gorgeous tails began to flutter… "We won't listen to you insult our teacher, Professor Blaine!"

Spencer's grip tightened. Delia just waited for Blaine to stop looking at her like an Arcanine eying steak – she didn't dare break their impromptu staring contest first.

If she were in a more generous mood she would've called the odd quirk of Blaine's lips a smile. But right now she wasn't feeling too partial to the crotchety old scientist. So she called it like it was – an ugly sneer.

The snarl fit too easily on his face, Delia grimaced. It was like he'd forgotten how to plaster anything on his face but an ugly sneer that would fit right on a Gengar.

At long last he broke it off and inclined his head ever so slightly. Ninetales kept its haughty snout higher than ever. Tiny golden sparks cascaded down its tails. "Very well, miss…" he looked at her expectantly.

"Ketchum," she said stiffly. Delia just hoped her voice didn't shake too much after whatever that was. She'd heard the Blaze of Cinnabar was strange but was he always so weird? Everyone said that strong trainers were a little off but this was new. "Delia Ketchum."

"A pleasure," Blaine downed another long pull from his so-called flask. He frowned as he shook the last drops of clear liquor out onto his tongue. "And a shame, it seems."

Even as Blaine clipped the oversized bottle (seriously, how did he drink all of that?) back onto his belt Delia tried to prepare for another awkward exchange. She just didn't want to talk to him anymore – literally anyone else would be better! Maybe she should look for one of those surly trainers with a Gengar…

Nobody would help. The high society crowd awkwardly watching just shifted and tried their best not to meet her wide, pleading eyes. Once they recognized who she and Spencer were stuck with they just nervously glanced away. Delia huffed…was it too much to ask for one of the young men to rescue her from Blaine's dastardly clutches? She could use a knight in shining armor right about now.

Fate must have been watching over her tonight.

She caught a pair of pitch black eyes that refused to stray away. They narrowed. Their owner paused as he passed by and his large hand came to rest on the head of an absolutely monstrous Persian. Its head rested comfortable at Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome's navel.

Delia held his gaze. If she was in one of Mrs. Oak's cheesy romance novels (which she might've read a few times out of scientific curiosity) she'd say that there was something between them. It was electric, exhilarating, and altogether intriguing.

Blaine didn't notice her distraction as he started up again. Spencer was his unlucky target this time, but for once Delia didn't even pretend to listen. There was someone – something – else on her mind.

She couldn't help but blush as the tall man actually smiled at her. Her hands anxiously twisted at one another – oh sweet Mew above he was actually walking over here! Was this better or worse than Blaine?

Wait that was a stupid question. Better! She actually got her hero and oh no this always happened when she got nervous…she babbled and it made her look so dumb and oh he was getting closer.

Was it getting hot in here or was it just her?

The man didn't hesitate. His long strides took him quickly through the crowd. The onlookers parted around him without so much as an "excuse me" from the man. They all knew the look of a man on a mission. Many shied away as soon as he drew near. Maybe Persian's massive fangs had something to do with that…

Ooh she wished she had a mirror right now! What if her dress looked weird or her makeup was starting to come off? She knew she should've gotten another opinion besides Spencer he was a man and was probably just trying to make her happy and if she looked like an idiot she was going to be so so so mad!

Because Mr. Mysterious over there looked…well, she wasn't sure she should be thinking that. She didn't even know him yet. But everything from the way his every movement screamed confidence to his sharp black eyes to –

Okay, she was getting ahead of herself. Just breathe and maybe she should look away and stop staring at him. There were plenty of reasons he was coming over here. Maybe he thought she looked familiar? Maybe he hadn't felt the spark she had.

Maybe –

"Excuse me," Mr. Dreamboat (oh no she had been reading too many of Mrs. Oak's books!) cut into the conversation as casually as though he'd been here the entire time. One of his shiny black shoes just barely missed stepping on one of Ninetales' tails. He didn't acknowledge the vulpine's bared teeth."Ignore my interruption, Blaine. I'd hate to interrupt your…interrogation," black eyes glittered.

Blaine just sneered at Mr. Oh No She Was Done With the Stupid Names She Promised and folded his arms. There was a silver lining to this since he'd started ignoring Spencer now! Delia finally broke away from the newcomer to glance over at her partner.

"Are you okay?" She whispered as Ninetales rose in a swish of gold and took up next to its master. The vulpine fire-type looked so, so small next to Mr. Black Eyes' giant of a Persian. It looked like a single swipe from the feline's paws (easily as large as one of Mrs. Oak's treasured crystal plates) would tear Ninetales apart.

Spencer flashed a strained smile her way. Delia didn't believe it for a moment. If he hadn't pointedly looked back at Blaine and the only man here who dared to speak to him as an equal she would've tried to say something else.

"There's no need to be so rude," Mr. Broad Shoulders (damn it she said she was done!) dismissed the Elite Four member. He turned away from Blaine and smiled at Delia. "Why don't you introduce me to your companions?"

Blaine's expression could have frozen an entire ocean. His dark eyes locked unnervingly on the newcomer. Delia and Spencer were forgotten. "Delia Ketchum and Acorn. Oak's newest brats."

"It's a pleasure, Miss Ketchum," the man lightly took her hand. Delia desperately tried to think of anything besides how warm they were… "I'm Giovanni Sakaki, Viridian City Gym Leader."

"That's very impressive! It's nice to meet you too!" She said a little too quickly. Why why why did she have to stumble over her words like that? Delia dearly hoped he hadn't noticed but the quirk of his lips said otherwise. "Uh, you can just call me Delia!"

Giovanni's smile grew. "Of course, Delia. You may call me Giovanni," he offered as her small hand was allowed to slip free. His fingers brushed against her own and if her face got any redder she could heat this whole room by herself!

The handsome Gym Leader looked over at Acorn – Spencer, damnit! Stupid Blaine. She was way too flustered for this.

"We've met before, have we not?" Delia could tell Giovanni wasn't really asking a question. The tall man just waited for Spencer's reply – he practically oozed confidence. Some miracle kept him just shy of arrogance and Delia envied that so much. How'd he do it?

Spencer shook Giovanni's hand. "We have," he confirmed. Delia couldn't help a surge of pride for her friend as he looked at Giovanni unflinchingly. She wished she had Spencer's iron nerves. "Last year at Greenfield at the Hale Mansion, if I remember correctly."

There was a spark in Giovanni's onyx eyes. Delia smiled. They looked nice like that. "Spencer Hale. I remember now."

Delia might've lost track of the conversation when a velvety soft nose brushed her fingers. Giovanni's Persian lazily glanced up at her and kept sniffing. She froze. What was she supposed to do? Persian were so temperamental it was impossible to know. It might be mad if she inched away or furious if she looked it in the eyes...Persian's fangs were on full display as it yawned with a knowing look in its eyes.

She got the strangest feeling that Persian enjoyed toying with her.

"It's not often Persian takes to people so quickly," Giovanni said, suddenly much closer. He looked pleased. "He can be temperamental, to say the least."

His rich voice filled her ears and Delia shivered just a tad. Giovanni smiled down at her. Delia was struck again by his sheer height – he was tall.

"You can pet him. He enjoys the attention."

Delia's face lit up and she forgot all about Giovanni for a moment. How could she turn an offer like that down?

Persian flicked his tail and ever so slightly extended his neck as she crouched down close. She held her breath as she cautiously reached out. The feline rolled his eyes before forcefully headbutting her hand – it nearly knocked her over.

She marveled at the texture of his thick, soft fur. Delia had thought it'd be a bit coarser. It would match the Persian's prickly personality.

Delia jerked away at Persian's sudden, guttural purr. She hadn't moved an inch before Persian's lovely soft paws caught her hand before she could blink. They felt like one of her favorite blankets…though a light flex reminded her that Persian hid claws as sharp as any knife in those massive sheathes.

"Just avoid the gem," Giovanni murmured as she became a bit bolder. Persian's purrs had started shaking her whole body. Delia hardly even noticed that Blaine and the eerie Ninetales were long gone. "Persian doesn't enjoy it being touched."

"Of course! It's how Persian communicate with each other," Delia babbled as she brushed her fingers through Persian's fur. She didn't miss how Giovanni's hand ran over Persian's sensitive whiskers, an unspoken reminder to behave. "It's believed that the gem –"

"Is able to emit light at wavelengths many humans and pokemon can't see, allowing Persian hunting in pairs to coordinate exceptionally well," the Gym Leader finished for her. Delia's lips curved up in a genuine smile. Some of her anxiety melted away.

"Yes, exactly!" Her eyes lit up and she almost forgot to keep petting Persian. Almost. His left paw's bared claws were enough to keep her focused. She couldn't help but see Giovanni in a new light now. It was hard to remember that Gym Leaders weren't just all brawn. "New research also suggests they're also used for complex social signals, like a human's sclera!"

Giovanni smiled and offered a strong hand to her. She wasn't about to turn it down. Delia knew herself too well to risk standing up in an undignified stumble. Not with him barely a foot away! Delia squeaked when she didn't get her hand back immediately, though quickly enough to avoid any sort of impropriety.

She couldn't help the silly little grin that came over her when she looked back at Giovanni. It wasn't too often she got to meet people outside of Pallet who cared more about pokemon than just getting them to beat the snot out of each other. He might be a Gym Leader but he knew his stuff! That research couldn't have come out more than a few months ago!

He was just getting better and better.

"We have some time before the ceremony," Giovanni observed as his black eyes traced the ballroom. Persian's eyes snapped open. She might need to leave him alone for a few minutes if he was this mad about not being pet anymore. His species was vicious at the best of times.

Delia just absentmindedly nodded.

"You should come and sit at my table for a while," the Gym Leader offered. Delia followed his gesture to an empty table in the first row closest to the stage. Viridian's emblem was painstakingly stitched onto its pale green tablecloth that reminded her of a vegetable.

"I'd love to!" Delia couldn't help the mad grin. How could she say no? Giovanni seemed like an interesting man. If she was really lucky he'd be on that list Mrs. Oak kept adding to… "Spencer?"

Spencer shook his head. "Go ahead," he looked over at the crowd Professor Oak still commanded. "I need to talk to the Professor in a little while. I won't be done for a while and the ceremony will start soon."

"Okay!" She chirped. Once Spencer had disappeared into the throngs of people she looked back to the man who'd caught her interest. "So…"

"Just this way," Giovanni offered her his arm. Delia stared for a moment before remembering her manners. She squeezed her eyes shut as she looped her arm through his own. Nobody had ever treated her like this before. She didn't miss Persian's nasty glare. The feline very intentionally stretched, forcing several passersby to leap out of the way lest they irritate the gigantic creature.

Delia felt warmer than usual as Giovanni casually led her through the crowd. Could tonight get any better?

A/N: It's been a while. I've actually been sitting on this for a while and just decided to finish rewriting this tonight. This chapter is a far cry from the usual sort of thing I write but hopefully it turned out alright. Delia's a hard character to get down – it's a hell of a lot easier to write her reactions from someone else's perspective.

That said I'm fairly happy with how the majority of this chapter turned out. I think it offers an interesting perspective and a glimpse into the Pokemon World from someone who isn't a trainer.

Anyways, I hope everyone enjoyed! If this wasn't your cup of tea I promise the next few chapters will have plenty of action.