Chapter 4
Rue watched me carefully. Our eyes met, making her smile slightly. Rue took a step toward me," Rose I must ask, what is your full name?"
I opened my mouth and immediately shut it. I stood with my arms wrapped around my stomach, preparing for the questions," My name is Roselia… Sharfenburg."
"The Roselia that won the championship five years ago?" Rue tilted her head with a tired smile on her face.
"…Yes." I replied as I started fidgeting with my hands.
Rue's mouth quite literally dropped. Moro walked over and nuzzled the underside of my arm. I patted her head and massaged her ears. I sighed as I looked at Rue," Something really… bad happened. I couldn't go back."
When I spoke Rue motioned down her Togekiss. The Pokemon swooped down close to Rue and levitated near her left shoulder. Rue looked at me as she idly stroked her Pokemon's back," I'm guessing it had to be something real bad. You seemed like you were enjoying yourself." I watched as Rue whispered something to the Togekiss. The Pokemon nodded, and proceeded to fly swiftly away. She then quickly focused her attention back to me," You work at a shitty job, for shitty pay, and for a shitty boss. After seeing what you and your Pokemon are capable of, I think I can get you a new job."
Moro met my eyes when I hesitated to respond. Naru barked at me as he sat on my feet and looked up with a goofy grin. I sighed as I felt a wave of emotion go through me. I looked up at the night sky with the absence of light. When Rue's Togekiss left, the sky lighted up with stars. The lights of the city made them duller, but they were still beautiful.
"I… I don't know. I um…" I looked down to regain whatever pride I had and bit my lip. Naru nudged me, and I looked down to see the Naru that was there for me in the very beginning as a little pup. His eyes were burning for some adventure.
"What do you have in mind?" I asked Rue.
Rue looked at me with a mischievous smile. She motioned for me to follow her back inside of my house. Moro and Naru happily followed her with me trailing behind. We walked through the back sliding door, with me closing and locking the door when everyone was in. Rue made herself comfortable on my couch with her legs crossed on my coffee table. She looked up to see me staring at her. I blushed. She looked very beautiful with the way her hair was brushing her cheeks. I hid in the kitchen running for the alcohol.
"Would you like a drink Rue?" I asked Rue from the kitchen. I grabbed some absinthe from my spirit cabinet and started to drip a sugar cube into my drink.
"Yeah, I'll have whatever you're having. Do you have Wifi here?" Rue asked as I poured some chips in a bowl.
"Yes. Look for 'NotYourAverageNetwork' all together. No password and caps with each word." I walked into the living room with the bowl of chips. Moro and Naru looked at me expectantly and then looked at the chips. I shook my head, and put the bowl near Rue's feet.
Rue glanced at me and smiled a perfect smile, "Thank you."
I nodded and went to grab our drinks. I made Rue's drink very light as absinthe is known for its potency. When I got back to the living room, Rue was petting Naru's ears. Moro tilted her head towards Rue and shook her head. This usually meant something was off, which I already knew. I nodded at Moro then walked to Rue to hand her her drink. I sat down next to her as I nursed my drink.
"So," I put my drink down on the coffee table, "What job offer do you have for me?"
Rue sniffed her drink, and then downed her whole glass. I froze in shock as she put the glass on the table then she met my eyes with a vicious grin," Me and my good friend are opening a Pokemon Training Center. We have been looking for someone that is well versed in Pokemon battles for a while. You are the first person I've met in this city that can beat me."
I tilted my head, "You want to open a Pokemon Gym here? The last one-"
"Got burned down by Human extremists. Yeah, we know. The difference here is that my good friend is very… Well loved by the Pokemon here. Despite his secretive nature, they protect him at all costs. By extension you of course if you so choose to work with us." Rue sat back into the couch with her blue eyes trained on me.
"So you think the Pokemon will keep the Pokemon haters at bay?" I asked.
"No I think that they will leave him alone for the most part. He really doesn't care for people, and he has a very short fuse and is really powerful…" Rue trailed off with an exaggerated look on her face.
"Powerful? As in a good trainer?" I asked.
Rue gave me a look, "Yeah, that's what I mean."
"Is he better than you?" I leaned back on the couch and eyed her carefully.
Rue rolled her eyes, "He claims that he is superior to me in battle and in body. In my opinion, he's a megalomaniac."
"So he is a narcissist?"
"Oh no. He's pretty far from it, considering how much he cares for his Pokemon. He just thinks he's so smart. He sometimes has to be reminded who is the real boss."
My mind wondered to a curious thought, and normally I would have kept my mouth shut but the absinthe was already getting to my brain. I chugged my drink down then looked at Rue and asked, "You and your friend sound close. I wouldn't want to be a third wheel."
Rue tossed her head back and let out a full hearted laugh. She was gasping for air by the time she found her voice, her face beet red.
"HA HA HA! That is so ridiculous its fucking hilarious! NO no no no, there is nothing between Two and I. He's like an innocent bumblebee, and way too smart assy. He's the shyest creature this world has to offer, like he would be interested in that crap. Besides, he's not…"
"Two is an interesting name. Is that a nickname?" I grinned.
Rue's laughter subsided, then she gave me a knowing look, "You… You little sneak. You got me to open up about Two."
I smirked and grabbed the bowl of chips, not saying anything. After her mentioning her friend many times and not saying his name, it gave me a clue about the type of secrecy they wanted. My instincts were right about there being something fishy, and Rue's confession proved it. I just don't know why they need the secrecy. Rue's perfect look has to have something to do with it; no one can resist perfection. Is it that they wanted me so badly they felt they had to send someone to manipulate me to take the job? Rue sounded a little stunned when she spoke after about a minute of silence.
"I have to be honest, you certainly aren't an average human. I think you are worthy of meeting my friend."
"You say that as if humans are different than yourself."
Rue smirked, "I'll pick you up tomorrow at 8. Be sure to be awake."
I gave her an alarmed look, "You mean in the morning? I have work."
Rue got up suddenly and pulled out her phone, walking towards the front door. I followed her to get the door for her. As I opened the door Rue looked up from her phone with an evil look.
"I think you might find that your boss is going to let you have the rest of the week off. Your welcome!" And Rue ran out the door, leaving me alone with a bewildered look.
Moro walked up behind me and nuzzled my hand. I sighed, and walked back inside. 'What have I gotten myself into?' I looked at the photo of my parents and smiled. Maybe this will be worth it in the end. I emptied the rest of the absinthe bottle and blacked out with happy thoughts.
~I'm a bit low on cash and time. So more will be released based on popularity and desire.
Sulivaas