I hope you like this chapter. BTW, don't expect Pokeshipping in this chapter. It has a bit of blushing but it's nothing. Still, I hope you like it.
"...I just want to be free in this world,
I hope that everyone understands.
I just want to be free and fly away
And smell all the flowers in my heart...
I want to feel the love in me.
I want to go, go, go, go away..."
-Be Free - Belinda
Chapter 10: Unexpected Visitor (Part 3)
The guys were now at the Pokemon Center, Ash, Brock, Max were in their room getting ready to rest in their bed. May was in Cynthia's room as they said hours before they would talk.
"So, that's what happened. But still, you guys were arguing. I don't get it." said May slightly confuse.
"We can't help it. Our relation has always been that way, always fighting. Or at least ninety percent of the time, we are." Cynthia sighed.
"Say, you were talking about a boy you liked in the morning. What's his name?" Asked Cynthia changing the subject.
May blushed slightly. "Uh...well, I guess since you told me I should, right?" she asked more to herself than Cynthia, who nodded. "H-he's name is Drew." She stuttered a bit.
"Drew?!" exclaimed Cynthia eyes wide opened. "He doesn't happen to have green hair, emerald eyes and a Roselia always with him, now, does he?" she inquired.
"Yes, he does." May replied truthfully. "Do you know him?" she asked curiously.
"If he is who I think he is, yah. I think I have a photo of him in my bag." She said as she got up from the bed, where they both were sitting and walked over to the chair in front of the desk.
She opened the bag and introduced her hand to take the picture out. She took several pictures out of the bag before taking out the one she was looking for. She put the ones that she didn't want over the desk neatly.
"Here." Said Cynthia handing the picture to May so she could look at it.
In the picture, there were two girls and a boy with green hair, who indeed was Drew. They were on a garden of the house she had been earlier today. One of the girls was Cynthia and the other one was her cousin Brisa. Brisa was in the middle and had an arm around both children. Drew had a small smile and the other girls were smiling happily.
"It is Drew..." Said May stunned. "How did you meet him?"
"Brisa taught Drew the basic things of being a Pokemon Co-ordinator. I met him during a summer when my mom sent me here to stay for awhile." Explained Cynthia. "He is very nice and easy to get along with." she commented.
"Oh. He was never arrogant with you?" asked May timidly.
"Well, no. He is only a bit arrogant when it comes to his fans since he doesn't know other way to act with them." Answered Cynthia. "Wait, is he arrogant to you?" she asked seriously.
May looked down at her hands, suddenly feeling a bit uncomfortable. She stayed silenced. Cynthia put both of her hands over hers.
"May..." she softly said. "I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable. You don't have to answer." I'Since it's obvious he is...That's utterly odd though...'/I she thought.
May looked up at her. "There's nothing to be sorry for. It's not your fault he is like that." She said a bit of sadness in her voice but force herself to smile.
Cynthia gave her a small smile. They remained quiet for a few minutes in an awkward silence waiting for the other to start a conversation. Actually, it was not few minutes but seconds and it wasn't that awkward since they were thinking about how to start a conversation.
"May… we're friends, right?" Cynthia suddenly asked as she broke the ice.
May looked at her with a taken aback expression. "Yes. We're friends." She answered surprise showing in her voice.
"Good. 'Cause I'm gonna need your help." said Cynthia cheerfully and winked.
"My help?" asked May confused.
"Yes. You see, Misty called me, and told me she'd come tomorrow." Cynthia started explaining to May.
May's face lightened up and smiled. "Really?!" she asked excitedly. "That's awesome!"
"Shh!" Cynthia motioned her to be quieted by putting her index finger over her lips, smiling. "You bet it is. You see I want to bring Ash and Misty together and I need your help to do that. I need some info, and for you to try and convince Ash and the guys to stay here for one more day." She said as May nodded. "She's coming because she's gonna help me with my mission, but I'm afraid my route and your route might be different and if it is; they may not see each other for some time. I'll try my best to get those two together and the best way it's if they are together... even if it is for very little time."
"I understand and you can count on me. I'm sure Brock and Max would help too."
Meanwhile, somewhere in Hoenn...
"Well, bye Sam. Night." Mary said as she hung up the phone.
Mary was sixteen years old, a very bright girl who liked mystery and playing jokes on people. She had auburn, curly hair that reached half her back; her eyes were crimson but not pure, they would look a bit orange too.
The girl who Mary had talked earlier now passed by her on a white night gown. Her hair long, reaching her waist and jumping with each step she walk.
"Mistress!" Exclaimed Mary as she bowed her head a bit.
"Mary, did you tell your friend?" Asked the girl and yawned.
Mary nodded solemnly. "Yes," answered Mary contently. "She would be the last pawn on the board before the game starts." Mary smirked.
"Good. It was about time." Thought the girl out loud. "I was going to ask you something but I forgot what it was. Well, I'm off to bed. See you in the morning." said the girl as she waved and walked towards her room.
There she started pacing around her dark room, there were few light on the wall illuminating it a bit but the darkness still remained. The room was very simple: a bed, a desk with a computer, few paintings and ornaments of fire and ground Pokemon.
II wonder why Mary is taking this so seriously. She'd done it before many times but this time she had planned it very carefully. But what really intrigues me is that she doesn't want me to see the person she is doing all this for. I've helped before but she did let me see the person and now... she won't. Why? I don't get it... Oh, well. She is very mysterious. /I She thought as she continued pacing.
Someone knocked on the door and she stopped walking.
"Come in." she said. The door opened and a boy entered the room, then he kneeled before the girl.
"Mistress, pray forgive me, my lady." said the boy sadly.
She kneeled in front of him and with a hand raised his chin so they're eyes met. His blue eyes looked into her caramel ones. She looked at him expressionless, then she at smiled at him tenderly.
"Don't worry, even if that wasn't the original plan it works all the same." She smiled sinisterly as she got up to her feet. "Still, you haven't told me anything." she stated turning her back to him.
"You will find out soon, my lady." said the boy as he got to his feet also and bowed his head.
"Why do you keep calling me "my lady"?" she asked. "I told you to call me by my name 'Mistress.' I hate formalities and you know it! Why if I call you by your first name must you call me 'my lady,' Eriol?" she turned around and faced him.
"I cannot tell you more than that... Mistress. Pray stop questioning; Mary will tell you, I assure you, but all in due time." he said calmly.
"And when would that be?!" she asked exasperated.
"Soon, I assure you." he said. "Please forgive me for not telling you but it's better for what you're about to learn... is difficult to comprehend..." he said seriously.
She looked at him worriedly. He opened his eyes, saw her face and smiled. "It's late. Oh, I almost forgot yo- I mean, Joseph recovered his lost memory. He is now in the hospital wing."
"Really?" her face brightened. "That's great! I'll go see him tomorrow first thing in the morning." she announced.
"No." he said firmly, shaking his head.
She looked stunned. "Why not?" she asked him surprised.
"I came to tell you that you are now prohibited to go to the hospital wind. Before I came I told Mary about it and she said that you cannot go and see him." Said Eriol firmly.
She got enraged at she heard him say and then she answered him as calm as she could though her temper was taking the best of her.
"What?!" she exclaimed. "She cannot prohibit me from visiting the man who took care of me as he was my father!" She said in outrage.
He looked surprised at her outburst but he merely looked down and nodded. "Please, calm down and try to understand." Said Eriol patiently.
"Understand?" she said skeptically. "Understand what?! What there is to understand?" she asked rhetorically. "I'm gonna go and see him first thing in the morning whether Mary likes it or not. I don't care if she is the boss, no one is gonna prohibit me for seeing him." She said in a very determine, challenging and stubborn voice.
Eriol sighed knowing this was coming. "I'm sorry," he said in a low voice. "But you leave me no choice but to lock you up." he concluded as he exited her room.
"No! You can't-" Mistress tried to prevent him from exiting her room but he was too fast and put the lock on. She started hitting the electric door with her fist but the metal door would budge and her wants got swollen.
She looked enraged at the door for a second before running and throwing herself to the bed and started to cry. I'I'm such an idiot!'/I
In the Pokemon Center...
Cynthia threw herself down and started to cry. May looked completely shocked at the girl crying.
"What's wrong?" asked May unsurely.
"I don't know. I'm just feeling happy but really sad, too." she cried.
"Now, breathe and try to calm down." said May kindly as she patted her on the back.
Cynthia sat up and tried to stop crying. "Thanks." she said sobbing. "I'm sorry, but I don't know what's gotten into me."
May hugged her trying to get the girl to calm down. That girl was strange and mysterious. After a few minutes she calmed down.
"Sorry, May." she apologized. "But when you mentioned your hometown and your parents...I don't know why I started to cry. I guess I just felt homesick. You see, I escaped from my house and left my mom without saying goodbye since we had fought the night before I left. We really didn't say a farewell and I don't have the guts to call her since she's probably awfully furious at me." she explained.
May looked at her sympathetically. "I'm sorry to hear that. I guess that makes it really hard, doesn't it? I mean, sometimes I feel homesick too but I guess being with my friends and my little brother makes it easier." said May.
Cynthia nodded. "Aye. It's better when you travel with someone because that way you never feel alone." She reflected.
"Uh-huh." agreed May.
"Well, you know what to do tomorrow, right?" Cynthia changed the subject and finished wiping her tears off.
"Yep. Hopefully, Ash will agree. He's so stubborn sometimes." said May.
"I know. Misty told me about it. But... I think Ash will agree to stay even if only for a day." commented Cynthia smiling.
"At what time was she coming?" asked May.
"She said she'd meet me at seven in here." she answered.
May nodded and made a mental note.
"Any questions before we go to sleep?" Cynthia asked putting a hand over her mouth as she yawned.
"Yeah. You mention you wanted to be a singer and songwriter at Brisa's house." said timidly May. "Could you sing a bit for me, please?" she pleaded excitedly.
"Well, I'm not that good really. I just like it." said Cynthia shyly.
"Please..." May said as a little girl who wants something and isn't going to stop until she gets it.
Cynthia sighed and nodded. "But just a part, okay?" May nodded. "Which song, though..." Cynthia asked to no one in particular.
"A song of yours?" suggested May.
Cynthia thought for a second before nodding. "Now, which one?" she asked to herself as she got up and walked to the desk.
She opened her backpack and took out a folder with papers, which had several songs. She looked over the lyrics of the first three.
"Okay, you choose. I'll tell you the title and you will tell me which one you want me to sing, okay?" Cynthia said as she placed the folder on her desk and held the three pieces of paper up. "The first one is 'Living,' then is 'Rebel' and the last one is 'Behind me.' So which one?"
May thought for a moment. "I don't know." she stated. "I'll just pick one, okay?" she asked as she picked one of the papers Cynthia had on her hands.
May turned it around and read it. "Rebel" she said as she started reading it. "Hmm, I like the lyrics. They're interesting." Complemented May. "Is this true or did the lyrics just crossed your mind or…?" May trailed off hoping for her friend would understand what she meant.
"I felt like that and I'm kind of like that." Cynthia said scratching her nape nervously.
May nodded. "Now, sing it please."
"Okay. Here it goes... if I do it awful please stop me." She said as she closed her eyes and concentrated on the unheard melody playing on the room.
"While my mind wonders where you are, Mother yells me once again... Saying I'm wasting my future and her peace; Being the way I want to be... Even if I still listening, I close my eyes and it's you who I start thinking." she sang softly at first and then started the chorus more forcefully. "And I'm a rebel, when I'm not with the rest. I am a rebel, when I love you till I'm upset. And I'm a rebel, when I don't think the same as yesterday. I am a rebel when I even risk everything...And I'm a rebel!" she finished.
"Wow." said May amazed. "That was-"
"Bad. I know I'm awful." said Cynthia sighing.
"No! I mean, no. It was great!" said May quickly. "I mean it. You have a really nice voice."
"Thank you very much, May." said Cynthia relived. "You have no idea what that means to me."
May smiled since she didn't know what else to say and after a few seconds of silence. "Well, I think I should go now. Night." Said May as she got out of the room.
"Night."
In the middle of the air (actually in a jet)...
'Soon, I'll be there in Hoenn. I miss them all so much. I just hope that I can see them soon.' Misty thought as she looked out the window and at the shiny full moon.
She breathed deeply and let out a sigh. Slowly, she closed her eyes and fell asleep. She had all night (or morning) to travel and there was nothing she could do but sleep. The sits were comfortable and since she had got up so early she was still sleepy. She had like half a day of fly and there was nothing she could do. Besides, taking care of a gym by herself isn't exactly an easy task! Getting up early in the morning… sometimes even before the rays of sun to start with all of her chores. Then there was training, paperwork, and the many duties of a gym leader. She had had so much work she had been working herself out, and now that she had finally the well-deserved chance to rest for a few hours... she was not about to let it waste away.
NEXT DAY. POKEMON CENTER 6:50 A.M.
Cynthia had programmed her alarmed clock at six thirty of the morning. She was now dressed in her usual clothes; she sat on one of the many cushions waiting for Misty in the Pokemon Center lobby. The Pokemon Center was still officially close but in ten minutes it'll be open.
Nurse Joy entered the hall and saw the girl sitting there with her eyes close and leaning on the back of the chair. Nurse Joy walked up to her to see if she was sleeping. The girl opened her eyes and saw Nurse Joy in front of her.
"Good morning, nurse Joy." she said cheerfully with a big smile.
"Good morning." Nurse Joy greeted back. "I thought you were sleeping there." She said to the girl. "I have to open the Pokemon Center, and the cafeteria, order more food..." Nursed Joy started thinking out loud about all of her chores she had to do for the morning.
"Maybe I could help you with something, Nurse Joy?" Asked the girl interrupting Nurse Joy's thoughts as she got up on her feet.
"Thank you. Could you open the Pokemon Center for me, please?" said Nurse Joy as she looked on the pocket of her apron and gave the key to Cynthia, who nodded.
Five minutes later, the main door of the Pokemon Center was opened. The TV was on and a reporter was talking about the weather. May walked in and saw Cynthia carrying a box as she headed for the Cafeteria.
"Morning, Cyn." Greeted May. "Whatcha doin' with that box?" she asked.
"I'm helping Nurse Joy taking these boxes to the kitchen." she said as she motioned May towards the door next to Nurse Joy's desk.
"Oh. Okay. I'll help, too, then." Said May as she headed towards Nurse Joy.
"Thank you both." said a grateful Nurse Joy.
"You're welcome." said May as she lifted a small box and carried to the kitchen.
After they came from the kitchen after they had taken out some cans of food and placed them where Nurse Joy had told Cynthia; they came back to the lobby. There was a girl with orange hair standing in the middle of the lobby looking around as if looking for someone.
"Misty!" Exclaimed Cynthia happily as she ran towards her friend and hugged her. "I'm so glad to see you here!" she cheerfully whispered to her friend.
"I'm glad to be here too," said Misty in response and released.
Misty saw that besides Cynthia there was also another girl and winced at her.
"May?" Asked Misty not believing her eyes.
"Misty." said May and hugged her, too.
"It's so nice to see you here. I didn't know you guys were here." said Misty smiling happily.
"Yah. I thought it'd be a nice surprise for you and didn't tell you yesterday. I was planning on telling you but when you said you were coming I thought it would be better as a surprise." Explained Cynthia grinning.
"Yeah, and I'm surprise all right." said Misty smiling widely.
"Well, Misty I guess you must be exhausted after that trip that took all night. Why don't you rest?" said Cynthia as she started pushing Misty towards her room. May followed behind them as she guessed what Cynthia was thinking.
"Yeah, Misty. I think you should rest a bit. Ash and the others are still sleeping so you can rest a little. If you want we'll wake you up when they're up." Said May, playing along.
"Just make yourself comfortable and rest a bit, 'kay?" said Cynthia as she opened the door of her room and pushed Misty inside as she tried to protest and walk on her own.
"But-" tried Misty, again as sat on the bed.
"No buts, just rest, take a shower, or whatever but please don't go out yet." Pleaded Cynthia looking down at her.
"Why not?" asked Misty suspiciously.
"Because it's too early and everyone besides Nurse Joy, May, you and I are sleeping?" Cynthia lied although she made it sound as she was asking a question instead of making a statement.
May rolled her eyes as Misty sighed. The poor girl couldn't think of anything at the moment and when she didn't know what to say to cover the true... well, let's just say she couldn't lie very well. She had to have planned a story beforehand otherwise she was a lousy liar.
"You know, you are the worse liar I have ever met." Stated Misty with her eyes closed. "But you really did gave me a big surprise and I think you're gonna give me another one. Right?" asked Misty as she opened her eyes again to look at her friend.
Cynthia looked at May helplessly.
"Misty, I don't know what she is planning...if she is, but I think that traveling God knows how many hours it's tiring. You should rest." Lied may.
Misty sighed again and decided to do as they said. She felt a bit tired, well not tired but she wanted to stretch a bit and a hot bath sound very inviting at the moment. May and Cynthia left Misty alone and got out the room and back to the lobby.
Cynthia let out a sigh of relieve. "I almost messed it up!" hissed Cynthia quietly to herself when they were back in the reception of the Pokemon Center.
"Yeah. That was a close one although she is suspecting but that really is not important. I'm sure Max and Brock will agree." said May quietly.
In the room of Ash and Company...
Brock and Max were already up and dressed but because it was too early Max had convinced Brock to stay here; and away from Nurse Joy although Max had not said that. Brock was on his bed reading the latest issue of "Pokemon's Friend" magazine while Max was looking at the PokeNav analyzing their next destination.
Pikachu was sleeping just like his trainer, who was snoring quietly. Ash turned over and fell from his bed causing him to immediately wake from his slumber. Brock and Max looked up from what they were looking and reading to see their friend in the floor with a red mark on the face.
He groaned and then yawned. "What time is it?" he asked half-sleep.
Brock turned to his left to see a clock on the desk. "Seven o'five." he answered as he continued with his reading.
"I think I gonna get up now." He stated as he took his clothes and went to the bathroom.
Ten minutes later Ash got out of the bathroom with his usual clothes and yawning. "Where's May?" He asked acknowledging the absence of his female friend.
"Don't know." said Max. "She was gone when I woke up and I was second."
"Oh." exclaimed Ash. "Anyway, let's go get breakfast, okay? I'm starving." he said.
Max and Brock left what they were doing and headed to the cafeteria. On their way to the cafeteria they saw May and Cynthia sitting on two cushions talking oblivious of their presence. The three boys walked up to them and heard May said: "...will agree."
Neither May nor Cynthia had seen or hear the boys walking up to them and continued talking.
"Ash, in the other hand, will be the problem-"
"Why would I be a problem, May?" Asked Ash curiously, behind them which caused both girls to jumped up and looked at him wide-eyed.
May tried to say something but her mouth only move without emitting a sound. Cynthia looked as shocked as May and was breathing fast feeling her heart beat ten times faster than usual.
"Ash." His name was all May was finally able to say. "Well, I...um... you see... err... um, I..." May tried to say something but couldn't put her thoughts in order.
Cynthia saw May stammering. She swallowed hard and hope for the best that her words will come out right.
"Ash, we were talking about if... if it were possible for all of you to stay here for one more day." She said shyly.
Ash's focus on May changed to Cynthia and looked at her surprise.
"May was telling me that convincing Max and Brock will be easier and they would agree but that you really wanted to go as soon as possible to the next gym and because of that it would be more difficult to convince..." she continued.
Ash raised an eyebrow. "And why would you want us to stay here for one more day?" he asked but never did he get an answer from her mouth.
"Ash!" yelled Misty happily as she entered the lobby from the hallway they had just walked. "Brock, Max! I'm so happy to see you." she said as she walked up to them.
"Misty?" asked Ash surprised and happy.
May and Cynthia stood up and looked at each other from the corner of their eyes as they grinned widely. 'Excellent timing.' They thought simultaneously.
"Hi Misty!" said Max excitedly as he smiled at her.
"Good to see you, Misty." Greeted Brock at his old friend.
Misty smiled at them warmly before focusing her attention to Ash who had not say a word to her yet, but her name.
"Are you gonna just keep staring at me or are you gonna say something else besides my name, Ash?" said Misty with a mock annoyance.
Everyone besides Ash and Misty grinned trying hard not to chuckle. Ash put a hand on his nape and scratched it as Misty continued to look at him waiting for him to greet her.
"Sorry, Mist. It's nice to see you too." He finally answered. "It's just I'm a bit shock. I never expected to ran into you here." he explained.
"Yeah, I never thought I'd run into you guys here, either. I was shock when I saw May with Cynthia talking earlier." She confessed as she sat down on the coach along with May and Cynthia, who had sat back down.
They boys followed their lead and also sat on the cushions. Then Cynthia got up and said something about going to her room to do something. As she walked away they resumed their conversation. She actually felt a bit of an outsider 'beside I have things to do.' She thought as she retired to her room.
"So how you've been?" asked Brock casually.
"I'm fine." she said. "How you guys' been?"
"We're all fine. Ash yesterday got his sixth badge and May has three ribbons so far." Said Brock.
"Congratulations, Ash." said Misty happily at her friend.
"Thanks Mist." he answered.
"So how's the gym, Mist?" Asked Ash.
"There really isn't much to tell, really. Most trainers would just go because they'd think it's easy to win and when they'd challenged me or my assistance would end in complete shock." Said Misty proudly.
"Your assistance?" Asked Ash, Brock, May and May in unison.
"I see. She didn't tell you about it." Thought Misty out loud. "Well, I met her about three months ago. She came to the gym and asked me if I could help her training. I wasn't very sure at first but her enthusiasm was what convinced me to help her. She learned quickly. I was really impressed because her Pokemon were strong but she didn't have much confidence in herself once she started getting confidence she became almost unstoppable." Misty recalled the weeks she and Cynthia spent in the gym and all the work. "She helped me improve my battle techniques as she improved her own battle techniques. I think I learned more from her than she from me. We became really good friends especially because I found out she and I had many things in common." said Misty grinning.
"Wow." They all, but Ash, said surprised.
"Oh." Said Ash. "And what's her name?" He asked curiously.
Everyone sweat-dropped, except Misty who just chuckled as she shook her head. She sighed as she thought 'Good ol' Ash, he hasn't change.'
"She's talking about Cynthia!" Exclaimed May.
"Really?" Asked Ash blankly.
May rolled her eyes while Max banged his hand against his head and Brock just shook his head.
"Yes, Ash. Cynth was my assistance." said Misty calmly.
Cynthia's room...
ACHOO!
Cynthia sneezed. "Someone must be talking about me... either that or I'm about to get a cold." She murmured to herself as she continued examining her PokeNav and the badges she had.
She put her FEATHERBADGE along with the badges she had gotten form Mary's house. She was calculating the distance, time and what route Misty, Sam and herself should follow to meet soon with Ash and company. She had found out from May what would their route be like but they didn't have many cities or towns in common but two: Sootopolis and Lillycove.
Yesterday at Brisa's house she had received a phone from her friend Sam, who had told her about something that Mary had forgotten.
Cynthia answered her PokeNav as she walked a bit away from Chaud and started ignoring him.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Cyn. It's me Sam." said a female voice which belonged to her friend.
"Oh, Sam!" Cynthia exclaimed but before she could asked what her friend wanted Sam told her.
"Listen, Mary called me and she said I'll pick you and Misty the day after tomorrow. I'll be going with you too but only till you get all the badges." Said Sam. "By the way, you'll have to return to me the gift I gave you for you b-day." said Sam jokingly but Cynthia didn't get the joke.
"What?" Cynthia asked surprised.
"Just kidding. I can't believe you actually bought it" said Sam laughing. "By the way, since you're so good with math and calculating and know where we are going. You choose the route." Said Sam seriously now.
"oh, okay" Said Cynthia mildly surprise.
"By the way, Mary also told me she forgot to tell you that you're gonna hafta buy some stuff: a escape rope, eight super potion, and eight full health. Oh, and would you buy me Pokedoll, please?" Asked Sam.
"Yeah, sure." answered Cynthia.
"I'll pay you the day we'll meet again. Don't forget, the day after tomorrow in the same place I left you, okay?" Said Sam.
"'Kay." Cynthia answered.
"I'll see you." said Sam.
"See you then. Bye." and she hung up.
Cynthia finally finished taking notes and found the route they will be taking. Since Ash and his friends will walk and they will go in a yacht, which was very fast; they will be meeting in the two Cities both groups had in common. She will make sure Ash and Misty got some time alone and will try her best to prepare the best mood possible for the lovebirds.
She turned off the PokeNav and put her notes on her bag. She stood from her desk and threw herself into the bed as she submerged her face into the pillow. She turned over and looked at the ceiling as the familiar face of her rival, friend, and crush appeared in there. She shook her head.
"No. I have to take him out of my head!" she whispered to herself furiously. 'I just can't fall for him! And I won't.
Back with the gang...
They were now all sitting still sitting in the lobby of the Pokemon Center which now had more people.
"I wonder how they get all information. How can they know when someone is gonna steal Pokemon." Wondered Max out loud.
"I don't think it's very accurate, though." Ash butted in. "I mean, Team Rocket is on the loose and they're always after us."
"Talking about team rocket, they haven't appeared since the day before yesterday. Wonder where they are." May wondered out loud.
"I hope they finally have given up on trying to steal Pikachu. Though, I highly doubt it." commented Brock.
"Agree." said Ash.
"Me too." said the siblings together.
"I agree with you too. They're not likely to ever give up." said Misty shaking her head. "I give them credit for that."
"Yeah, we gotta admit they're pretty persistent but annoying." Said Ash.
They all nodded in agreement.
Outside the Pokemon Center...
The trio of villains was hidden in the woods and was looking for a way to spy on Ash and his friends without being seen. However, two of the members were reluctant to do so since their stomachs were in an uproar for food.
"I think we should eat something, Jesse." Said James to his comrade.
"Yeah, I'm starving!" agreed Meowth.
Jesse hit them both with a white fan. "There's no time to lose. We have to think of a way to steal Pikachu from the twerps!" she said angrily.
"But Jesse..." whined James.
"We're hungry!" completed Meowth as Jesse's stomach grumbled.
She sweat-dropped shamefully. "Well, okay. Let's eat!" she exclaimed as she started taking the food out of nowhere.
"YAY!" cheered her companion and the cat-like Pokemon.
Brisa's house...
Chaud and Brisa were outside in the garden giving their Pokemon their respective food. Brisa was looking at Chaud intently as he put a plate of food and Pokeblock in front of his Swampert and accidentally kicked it accidentally and threw all the food into the floor. He murmured an apology to his Pokemon and cursed as he lowered himself to clean up. Brisa couldn't help but smirk at him teasingly. She was wanted to say something but, why ruin her fun? She was torturing him silently and without him even noticing!
"Could you stop staring?! It's getting annoying, ya know." said an irritable Chaud as he got up.
"Well, it's not as it can be help." she answered him with an innocent voice.
"What do you mean?" he asked confused as he started walking towards the fountain to get some more food for his Pokemon.
Brisa has her eyes closed but on her mind she rolled her eyes. "What I mean is that it's not my fault you overslept and that now you're irritable because you broke your promise to your girlfriend." She said calmly.
Chaud almost trip for what Brisa just said. "W-what are you talking about?! she is not my girlfriend! Okay?"
'Denial.' Brisa thought.
"I know what you're thinking! And I'm not in denial!" he said aggressively.
Brisa raised an eyebrow as she looked at him. "Okay. So... you are not in denial, right?" she said calmly. "Then, what about a... bet?"
Chaud looked surprised and with wide-eyed expression. "B-but she's your cousin!" he exclaimed.
"So?" she asked with a calm voice.
"'So?!' What if she finds out?! She'd kill you for betting over her! And me too!" he said exasperated.
"Chaud, I know... but I really want to see you and her with the right person. And I think you are both made for each other." She said in a low serious voice.
"Bee, let's not talk about it. Really, I'm not in the mood to talk about that. And just for the record, there's nothing going on between us." He said seriously. "She and I cannot be together anyway." he sighed.
Brisa opened her mouth to ask the reason but Chaud said it before she could even ask. "Because we'd ended up killing each other. I'll see you." He stood up from the chair.
"Where're you going?" asked Brisa.
"I need some fresh air. Plus, I'm gotta go to the Pokemon Center to pick up your package, right?" He drunk the last of him juice. "Don't forget to call mum and dad!" He said before leaving the house.
Back in the cafeteria...
ACHOO! Sneezed Cynthia quietly as she entered the lobby. 'Okay, I might be getting sick.' She thought as she spotted her friends and beckoned May to come to where she was. Luckily for Cynthia and May neither Max nor Brock noticed them. Ash and Misty were so wrapped up with each other that the rest of the world didn't exist. The two girls walked away to the other side of the lobby which was a bit noisier and the trainers were on the way of vision of Ash, Brock, Max and Misty so they wouldn't be spotted by them.
"Did you wanted to tell me something?" asked May.
"Not exactly." Cynthia said as she handed a piece of paper to May. "Here. This is the route that we will be taking. I've also written the places and the time we will be there approximately. Oh, and the places where the "accidental" meetings could take place. I just wanted to check if those places were okay with you or if you know a better place for each city." Explained Cynthia as May looked over at the paper.
"I think those places are fine. Other wise, Ash might suspect." Commented May. "I mean, he is dense but no one can be that dense."
"I know. Well, did you talk with Brock and Max?" Asked Cynthia.
May shook her head. "Not yet. I haven't had a chance." she replied.
"Why don't we ask them now?" suggested Cynthia. "Did you notice the lovebirds? They're so wrapped up with each other I doubt they have noticed you're missing." said Cynthia smirking.
"Yeah." sighed May. "They're so in love. Anyway, I'm gonna call them to come over and we'll ask them." Said May as she stood up and went back to her friends.
Back with Team Rocket...
"Look!" Exclaimed Meowth. "Isn't dat the twerpette?"
They disguised themselves as reporters and went inside the Pokemon Center. They saw that Misty and Ash were talking doing most of the talking while Brock and Max were making a few comments here and there. May came walking up to their spot, said something to the Brock and Max and the three of them left Ash and Misty alone. This two never noticed their friends leaving, even Pikachu decided to leave them alone and followed May with the other two boys.
"The twerpette is back!" Said Jesse. "Great! We'll steal her Gyarados too!"
"Jesse," said James a bit worried. "Don't you think that it'll be harder if we don't have a good plan?" he asked.
Jesse turned to face him. "But we have a good plan." she said calmly.
"But didn't we tried this before?" asked James dumbfounded.
"No. That plan was to steal everyone's Pokemon. We will concentrate to steal only the twerps' now." Said Jesse matter-of-factly.
"I don't know why but I have a bad feeling about this..." murmured Meowth to himself.
Back in the Pokemon Center, Lobby...
The four friends were sitting in the reception. "...so that's the plan, so far." Finished May her explanation.
Brock pondered as did Max. "It might work...but it might not." Analyzed Brock.
"I agree with Brock." chimed in Max. "Besides, Team Rocket could show up and ruin everything. They're always ruining the most important moments."
"I know." Cynthia said agreeing with them. "But we have to try at least."
"I agree with her. We will make sure they confess their love to each other before Ash's tournament, or at least we'll try." said May.
"I don't know. I'm not very sure about this..." said Brock a bit hesitant about the girl's plan. "...but I'm in." he said with a smile before adding jokingly. "I want to see them together before I die."
"I'm in, too." said Max. "You'll need all the help you can get."
"Thanks!" both girls thanked them taking the hands of both boys on theirs. Cynthia took Brock's and May took Max's.
The door of the Pokemon Center opened widely and a familiar blue-eyed boy entered and the first thing he saw was Brock and Cynthia with their hands together. He glared at the older boy as he made his way to meet up with them. He had not seen May and Max talking with them.
"Okay. We'll meet behind the Pokemon Center at seven o'clock." said Cynthia to her friends. "Now, we only-"
"Only what?" asked Chaud rudely.
The four guys looked up to see Chaud standing behind them and in front of the two girls.
"Chaud." whispered Cynthia breathlessly, obviously surprise to see him. "What-" She never finished her sentence because she remembered he had said he will meet them today in the morning. "Forget about it." she whispered.
"Hi, Chaud." greeted May cheerfully.
"Hey." greeted Max.
Chaud looked at them and greeted them.
"Hi." Greeted Brock as he received a glared from the blue-eyed boy although he didn't notice it.
"Hey, Cyn, why don't we tell Chaud about it? I mean, he could help distracting them." said May grinning widely.
Cynthia looked at her doubtfully. "I don't know."
"What are you talking about?" Chaud asked curiously as he sat next to Cynthia.
"Well," started May. "We were-"
"No, May, please." Interrupted Cynthia shaking her head. "There won't be much he could do anyway."
"But-" May tried to object.
Cynthia gave her a look which said 'I rather not get him involve.' "May, he won't be traveling with neither group." She tried to reason.
May pondered for a moment as Brock and Max let them handle the situation. After all, it was their plan so they should be the ones to decide. Chaud did the only thing he could do: wait.
May sighed. "Yeah, you're right."
"Could you now tell me what are you talking about?" Asked Chaud impatiently but not quite showing it.
"It's nothing. Forget it." Cynthia replied dismissingly.
"Tell me." Chaud insisted.
He definitely was not the type of guy who would give up that easily. Cynthia just gave him a look and he understood that she would not tell him no matter what. If he was stubborn she would surely win against him by over a mile.
"Anyway, what are you here Chaud?" Asked Brock trying to cool things down a little.
"I came to pick up something for Brisa." He simply answered as he stood up. "I'll do that now." he said before walking off to Nurse Joy.
"Okay. So, we'll meet later in the evening." Stated Cynthia. "The only problem is going to be Ash and Misty. They might get suspicious, or at least, I know Misty will." She added.
"True." Agreed Brock as May and Max nodded their heads.
"Hey! What about if we ask Chaud and Brisa for help?" suggested Max. "Like invent an excuse for us to go and see them later."
"I think that's a good idea." said Brock.
May nodded. "Yeah. That's a great idea. Now, we only have to ask them for help and hope they'd agree." Said May.
Cynthia looked unsurely. I'I didn't want to talk or even be around Chaud and now... oh, well...'/I She thought. "Uh-huh." Nodded Cynthia. "I'll ask Brisa, after all she invited all of us to breakfast." she added.
"We'll what do you think if we get going then." Said Max as he stood up and looked at where Ash and Misty were still talking animatedly. "Uh-oh." He said as he looked at them.
"What's the matter, Max?" Asked his sister worriedly.
"What about Misty?" he asked.
"What about her?" Asked a confused May.
"Well, Brisa invited us but Misty wasn't here then. Would it be okay if she goes too?" asked Max to Cynthia.
Cynthia nodded. "I'm sure there won't be any problem. As you saw, Bee is very friendly. She likes to meet new people and make new friends so I don't think there will be any problem." Answered Cynthia. "In any case, I'll call her right now to ask her. I'll be back in a minute. I have to go to my room to get the number." She said as she walked away a bit before being stop by Max's voice.
"Why don't you just ask Chaud? I think he is still talking with Nurse Joy."
"I rather not." She said nervously as she started sweating. "Besides, I wanna call my friend Sam, too! And with all this noise, it would be difficult to talk to her." She added as she walked away.
//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\
Ash and Misty continued with their conversation. They knew they had been left alone and also where their friends were.
"I'm really sorry I missed your gym battle, Ash." Apologized Misty as she started playing with her hands over her lap. "If I had known-"
"Don't worry about it, Mist." Ash reassured the red-haired girl. "I'm just glad you are here with me," said Ash but quickly corrected himself while blushing slightly. "err, I meant us. I'm glad you are here with us. I, err, we missed you." He blushed slightly.
Misty didn't notice his blush and just smiled at him. "I missed you, too." She confessed to him.
Of course, Ash being as oblivious as only he is, did not understand the true meaning of her words. He thought she meant he and the others when she had meant she had missed him. Of course she had missed everyone, but she had missed Ash more since he was her closest friend.
After a few seconds of silence, Ash decided to break the ice. "So, any new Pokemon?"
"Well, I have Luvdisc and an egg." She said calmly.
"Oh, and do you have Luvdisc now? Could I see it?" asked and excited Ash.
"Sorry, Ash. But he had to stay for the shows." Explained Misty.
//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\
Cynthia entered her room and looked inside her backpack for a small agenda where she had Brisa's phone number. Then she added to her Pokegear memory and called her cousin.
"Good morning, Bee. It's Cynthia." she greeted. "Um, Brisa, err...my friend Misty has just come. So, um, could she come with us to your house later?" She asked unsurely hoping Brisa would agree.
She had told the guys Brisa would agree, and she usually did but it was better to ask and make sure. No one can be one-hundred percent sure about things. She waited less than a second to hear the affirmative response. She smiled, even though her cousin could not see her and mustered a 'thank you' and a 'see you later' before hanging up.
Then she called her friend. She asked her if she knew how to contact Mary and that she needed to speak with her. Sam asked why did she want to speak with her and Cynthia told her that it was to make sure that collecting badges was everything she was going to be doing for now.
"Oh, that?" said Sam. "You don't need to call Mary for that. I can answer you. Yes, you will be collecting badges for now. I think it'll take like month and a half the latest." Her friend answered.
Cynthia made a mental note. "Okay, thank you. Well, I'll see you." She said trying to put an end to the conversation.
"Why did you want to know, by the way?" asked Sam curiously.
"Oh, well... you know, just thought I ought to?" stated Cynthia but ended more like a question.
Sam sighed. "Boy, do you need lessons to lie, don't you?" Sam commented jokingly.
Cynthia glared at the Pokegear. "Okay. I'll tell you..." she made a pause and whispered. "...someday."
"You are mean."
"Love you too, bye." Said Cynthia on a cheery and mocking-tone of voice and hung up as she made her way back to the hall way.
//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\
Chaud had picked up a package from Nurse Joy. It was a large, bright-yellow paper bag. He was making his way to where Brock, May, and Max were but then he saw a certain red-haired girl talking with Ash. She looked familiar to him and even though she had her back towards him, he recognized her as Misty after a few seconds of thinking.
He wondered what the girl was doing here and so far away from her gym and hometown. As a gym leader, she could not be as irresponsible and leave the gym alone, he knew that. He also thought that Misty was the kind of girl who would leave the gym alone. He didn't think for a single a moment she was irresponsible. Still, the curiosity grew in him. He wanted to know why she was here. With that in mind, he made his way towards Ash and Misty.
"That's incredible. I can't believe you defeated so many trainers in one day!" Exclaimed an excited Ash.
"Believe it or not. I did." confirmed Misty.
"Excuse me, am I interrupting something?" Asked Chaud unsurely.
"It's okay. Hi." greeted Ash.
"Hi." Said Chaud bowing his head slightly.
"Hey, Chaud." greeted Misty. "How you doing?"
'They know each other?' thought Ash as he looked at Chaud then at Misty and back again, with a confuse expression on his face. He started wondering how did they meet and when.
"I didn't know you knew each other." Stated Ash.
Chaud sit next to Misty and put the package on the coffee table.
"We met on gym." Answered Misty simply.
"Ohh."
"You don't look the least surprise to see me, Misty." commented Chaud.
"Cynth told me you found her." Responded Misty and Chaud nodded in understanding.
"By the way, I think we should be going." Said Chaud as he stood up and took the bag.
"Go? Where?" Asked Ash tilting his head slightly.
"To my house?" Asked Chaud trying to make Ash remember about the invitation.
"Oh, right. I forgot." Confessed Ash. "Misty can come too, right?"
"Of course. She is a special guest as far as it concerns me. She is the only one who had actually given me a hard time during a match." Said Chaud.
"What about yesterday?" Asked Ash. "I think Cyn, gave you a pretty hard time too."
"I was just letting her win." he said with a cocky attitude.
Misty rolled her eyes and shook her head. Ash looked blankly.
"You were letting me win, huh?" said a familiar female voice in his ear.
Shock was written all over Chaud's face and well as embarrassment. His face was flushing and had a wide-eyed, bewildered expression. Misty stared at the scene a bit amused. Ash, in the other hand, was a bit shocked and surprised.
"Did I scare you?" said the same voice mockingly as Chaud turned around he found Cynthia with her hands on her hips and looking at him coldly.
"I thought you knew her better. I learned that she hates when people don't battle with everything they got against her." Said Misty teasingly with a grin. She sighed.
Chaud gaped at her and then shook his head as he tried to regain his composure. Cynthia glared at him hard before burst laughing. Misty joined her too. Ash looked confuse and Chaud was thinking 'what did I miss?'
"I really regret I didn't have a camera with me five seconds ago." Said Cynthia once she stopped laughing with Misty. "'Cause you're face back then was priceless."
Meanwhile in Lima, Orange Islands...
The living room was decorated with few paintings of different sceneries. There were many ornaments and furniture decorating the room, which make it warm and welcoming. However, for the woman who owned the house it felt cold and lonely. She was a woman on her early forties, who looked at least ten years older than her twin sister. The years had fallen on her as rain in the middle of a storm, heavy. She had long, wavy, dirty-blond hair which was tied neatly in a perfect bun on top of her head. Her skin was a light shade of brown and her eyes were like Cynthia's. She had a dark blue business suit on.
"We are very worried about you." Said her twin sister. She also had long, wavy, dirty-blond hair but she had it loose. Her skin was a very light color and her eyes were gray. They were the kind of gray that makes you remember the ocean after a storm, calm and lovely.
"Lucia, remember you have all of our support. We are not leaving you alone in this we are here with you." Said a man to the woman in front of him.
"We are your friends and we would never leave you when you need us." said the man sitting next to her as he took on of her hand in his and squeezed it giving her conform.
The woman with the bun looked at them tiredly and forlornly. "Thank you." She said with deep appreciation. "Thank you, Rina. Thank you for being here in a time like this. Thank you, Alexander for everything. You have indeed turned into a brother to me and I am glad you are my sister's husband." She gave a weak smile. "Andrew, sincerely I do not know how to thank you enough for being here. You are a true friend. I thank the three of you for being here." Cynthia's mother, Lucia, ended her speech of gratitude.
They gave her a small smile, which meant "There is nothing to thank us for," and "do not worry because everything is going to be fine."
"I do not know what else I can do." Lucia confessed. "I have contracted private detective, I have sent reports to the police, I have offered money for any information of my daughter and not a single person has called in the last week."
"I thought you said you found out she was living with the gym leader of the Cerulean City." Brisa's mother, Rina, said.
"Yes, she was. She has now gone some other place. I people I employed to get her back said that they have arrived to the town but she was gone. No one knew where she had gone to, they asked everyone but no one knew. Even Chaud, who had arrived there earlier, had not found her." She explained. "My daughter could be in any part of the world in danger." she said in a verge of tears. "This happened because I-I became very d-distance to her and b-barely see h-her since the a-accident." She had started to cried and put a hand over her mouth with a handkerchief.
"That is not true. You did the best you could." Said her sister forcefully as she stood up and hugged her sister. "You just could not bare to see her since she resembles her father more than she resembles you."
"I am very sorry for what I am going to say, but it's futile to be thinking if you are responsible or not. Cynthia is missing and we should concentrate on finding her." Said Andrew.
Andrew is a man who is in his late thirties. He has brown hair and emerald-green eyes. His is wearing a black suit. He is a close friend of the family and runs a chain of Hotels call "L'Rose."
"For what you have told us, she could be in grave danger..." He said as he started looking down at the floor. "Such reckless girl..."
This caused Lucia to start sobbing harder. Rina glared at him for saying which they believe to be true but which should have not been said since Lucia was in such bad condition.
"Andrew..." Said Rina in an imperceptible scolding tone that only Andrew noticed and nodded in understanding.
"You are right." Said Lucia in a very low voice. Everyone looked at her surprise. "There is no point in feeling guilty if I do not do anything to find my daughter." She said as she wiped out her tears.
"Well..." started Alexander. "Where should we start searching? By that I mean, in which part of Hoenn since we know she went there." He said.
"Unfortunately, she is very smart and she could go either the places she would never go since she would think we won't look there. Also she could go to the most obvious places since they would be so obvious it would be too easy to find her." Thought Lucia out-loud.
"I always said she was too smart for her own good." Agreed Brisa as she let out a sigh.
BRISA'S HOUSE. FORTREE CITY. HOENN. 7:55 A.M
Brisa was wearing a strapless light blue dress with a small short-sleeve sweater of the same color as her dress with matching sandals and her hair was braided. She was sitting on the sofa next to the old-fashion telephone as she dialed her aunt Lucia phone number at her house in Orange Island. The last thing she knew about her was that she had decided to go there to "relax." Actually, she had hoped to find her daughter there since she seemed to have banished from the world.
"Good morning. May I speak with my mother, Mrs. Maelstrom? I'm her daughter, Brisa." She said to the woman who answered the phone. "Yes. I'll wait." she replied and waited patiently for her mother to answer the phone. "Hello, mom. We are perfectly fine." She said in a bored tone. "How was the flight? I hope it was good." She said as she glanced around the room.
Her eyes landed at her clock, which was on her bedside table. She saw the time and gasped. It was already seven fifty nine and her new friends, along with her brother and cousin will arrive in any second! She had to tell her mother and rush downstairs before they arrive.
"Mom, I'm sorry but I have to hang up now. You see, some friends are coming over for breakfast." She said hesitantly.
Now, was the right moment to tell her mother where Cynthia was so she could tell her aunt but... she felt something holding her back. Would she be doing the right thing? Ratting out on her cousin? Wouldn't that be betraying her? She could only imagine the pain and distress of her aunt but... 'what should I do?' she thought desperately as her mom wish her a nice day and started saying her farewell.
"Mom, listen." Brisa began as she cut her mother. "C-Cynthia is here." She said hesitantly, then she made a small pause but immediately regretted since her mother started scolding her for not telling her that before. "Mom, listen to me!" Brisa said exasperated as the bell rang.
She looked at her closed door before closing her eyes taking a deep breath to relax. "Listen, she said she wants no one to know and I'm betraying her. I told you because I thought it would be better... for everyone." She sighed. "I can only imagine the distress of my aunt and I want her to suffer no more. So, please, tell her she is perfectly fine. I implore you stop looking for her because you won't find her this is her last day in the city. Try and convince aunt Lucia to stop the search because it's futile." She stopped as Joseph started knocking on her door telling her that her friends had arrive and that everyone was waiting for her.
She told Joseph to tell them she would be down in a minute. "Mom, all she ever wanted was her life to be normal. She wanted to be a singer and she still does but has accepted her mother's decision and won't become one. Now, she only wants to be a trainer and now is her one and only chance. I have to go now, they are waiting for me. Send my greetings to everyone and take care. Bye mom." Said Brisa as she hung up.
She remained sit for a couple of seconds as she put both of her hands over her chest and sighed. She felt lighter as she had just taken something of her chest. She quickly stood up and went downstairs.
Meanwhile, Lima, Orange Islands...
Rina put the black, cordless phone down on her lap as she sighed and let out a small smiled before she started talking.
"Who was it, honey?" Asked Alexander and he went up next to his wife.
"That was Brisa," she started. "She told me something... but before I tell you what it is you must promise me you will listen to me throughout." She said slowly trying to get her message and making sure everyone understood what she meant.
She looked at everyone and she received nods back from everyone. "Brisa told me Cynthia is in Fortree City." She stated but before she could continue Lucia stood up surprise and was about to take the phone before her sister stop her. "Listen to me first." She struggled as Lucia tried to get the phone. "She is leaving the city today!" exclaimed Rina and Lucia immediately let go of the phone.
"What?!" she asked bewildered.
"She is leaving the city today." Rina repeated more serenely. "Brisa also made me see that looking for Cynthia is useless. She moves from place to place and never stays too long, fearing to be found." Rina tried to reason with her sister. "She wants to be a normal kid. Brisa told me she still wants to be a singer-"
"Outrageous! She cannot be a singer! She has a business to run when I retire!" Exclaimed Lucia as she went back to her sit but remained standing.
"Pray, allow me to finish," she requested. "I have given up her dream of being a singer for you but now the only thing she wants is to be a Pokemon trainer. She is much too young to run the business yet and she already knows everything there is to know. She had been studying most of her life, inside a cold room. Please, permit her see the world before coming back to her golden cage." Rina beseeched her sister for Cynthia's sake. "Neither you or I went through what she had to go through. We were free and did everything we want... she has always been in your grasp doing what you wanted." She finished hoping that her words will be persuasive enough to convince her stubborn sister.
Lucia had been paying attention to every single words coming out of Rina's mouth. She had been thinking about what she was saying as she was speaking and found her words to be truth. She had always done what she wanted when she was Cynthia's age. Maybe, just maybe, she had been over protective on her daughter's well-being.
Lucia sighed as the two men thought about the words and agreed with Rina. "I guess, I could allow her to become a trainer..." She said in defeat. "...Ibut/I only for few years."
Rina hugged her sister and smiled. "She is fine. Let her be free and happy." she whispered in her ear. Lucia closed her eyes.
The two men smiled to themselves proud of their friend's choice. She had finally given in to something, or in this case, to someone. And that person was not exactly, Rina who had been the one talking but Cynthia who had the desire, passion, determination, and stubbornness. After all, she had won her mother's permission to do what she wanted although she did not know it.
Author's Note:
1. Mistress in this story is also a name. I just wanted to clarify in case someone got confuse.
2. In Japan, there's a belief that when someone is being talk about they sneeze, in case you didn't know.
3. I'm so sorry I have forgotten about Team Rocket! How could I forget about them? Oh, well, here they were. This is their first appearance.
4. Hopefully, you have already guessed who Andrew is, if not well you'll find out.
5. I'm sorry because this chapter wasn't as Pokeshipping as I wanted but I don't think they would say or act too mushy with each other on their first meeting after such long time. Not to mention, in front of so many people!
BTW, I've forgotten to ask: what do you think of the characters I'm creating? Personally, Brisa is my favorite of all. Unfortunately she won't be appearing much on future chapters.