Chapter 11:

Oh, wow Jude thought as Lucy pushed him inside. For a place called The Jazz Valley, it was surprisingly cool. The interior was designed to look like, well an actual valley. The floor was covered in a layer of artificial grass, there was a landscape backdrop painted on each of the walls, and a wall of fans to simulate a breeze throughout the place.

Jude whistled at the site, causing Lucy to giggle. "I told you. This is one of my favorite places in the city." She pushed his wheelchair inside and walked up to the host, a Gallade. "Table for 2, please" she said, as the host motioned for them to follow behind him.

As they passed by some of the other Pokémon there, Jude couldn't help but be impressed. Maybe it was just the fact that he had been stuck in the hospital for several days, but this place seemed genuinely cool. There was even an actual jazz band playing music in the corner.

They stopped at a table near the window when Lucy whispered something into the hosts ear. Jude couldn't quite make out what she was saying when the host turned and left as Lucy took her seat opposite of Jude.

"So, what do you think?" she said as the host came back, putting down two menus for them. Jude was still trying to figure out exactly she had asked for, when he realized they were both adult menus. He looked up to see her wink at him, causing him to smile.

"I didn't want you to worry about being babied, so I took steps to make sure it wouldn't happen." She said. He quietly said thanks as he looked over the menu. It wasn't anything particularly special, just an average list of options for a diner.

Soon a waiter came by to take their orders. Lucy ordered the soup while Jude asked for the steak. The waiter took their menus and was about to leave when Lucy stopped him and whispered something into his ear. Jude took a wild guess that it was about how he would be treated as the waiter stood up and left.

"You didn't answer my question" Lucy said, snapping his attention back to her.

"Honestly, its pretty cool. I can't recall seeing anywhere like this before the Revolution."

"It's a recent addition. I go here every few weeks, I just can't get enough of it. Probably because I like the calm atmosphere so much. It's just so peaceful in here."

Jude had to agree with her on that front, the place was pretty chill. He was about to say something when he was suddenly cut off by a rather loud family that had just been seated beside them. It seemed to consist of a Meowstic mother, a Golurk father, a human son. Much to Jude's dismay the son was dressed just like an infant, in a blue onesie, and was sucking on a pacifier.

Lucy noticed the color drain from Jude's face as the family sat down next to him. She considered asking the waiter if they could move to another table when all of a sudden, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked over to see it was the Meowstic mother, who seemed to want to talk to her.

"Pardon me, but I couldn't help but notice your adorable son!" Lucy reeled in response to that statement, as Jude put his head down in shame. She stuttered to think of a response as the Meowstic continued.

"He just looks so cute in that outfit! Trying to look so mature with his grownup clothes, its adorable!" The Meowstic continued to coo at Jude as Lucy suddenly got up to find their waiter, stopping next to Jude to whisper into his ear.

"I am so sorry to leave you like this, but I'm gonna find our waiter so we can move to another table. Just play the 'mute' card and hopefully she will stop." She left before he could say something to stop her, catching himself before he muttered a word.

Shit, what have I gotten myself into? Jude thought as he tried to avoid eye contact with the Meowstic. He contemplated heading to the bathroom to stall for time when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his head. He put his hand on his forehead and groaned as he started hearing another voice in his head.

What's the matter little one? Cat got your tongue? Jude took a moment to realize that it was the Meowstic telepathically communicating with him. He tried to keep his mind blank so she would stop but she just kept going.

You look good in that outfit. Did you have an accident recently? You know, I think you would look better in a onesie, like my son. Jude was considering telling her to go fuck herself when one more thought came into his head from her.

Your mother must be so proud of you. When that thought entered his head, he dropped the glass he was holding, which hit the floor and shattered.

Lucy heard the glass shatter just as she had found their waiter. She turned around and saw Jude sitting motionless in the wheelchair, his eyes red with an emotion she could only imagine was around Pissed Off.

"Oh no, not again." She said, as she grabbed the waiter and rushed back to stop Jude before things got worse. She took a moment to shake him out of it, his eyes losing the anger within him as she leaned down and whispered to him. "We're moving to another table. I'm sorry that I left you alone with them." She grabbed the wheelchair and moved him away from there, as the Meowstic next to them waved goodbye.

As they settled down at the new table Lucy asked Jude what had happened while she was gone. One of his eyes was twitching as he stared at the floor, his eyes still red. "She wouldn't stop pestering me. I was about to leave for the bathroom when she…got inside my head…" His eyes lost the emotion they had earlier, as if he couldn't concentrate on anything.

Jeez, and here I thought this would help him relax she thought as she just watched him. Soon their food arrived, which helped to get him out of his slump. The two of them dug in and thankfully, he seemed to enjoy it. Well, at least he likes it she thought as she watched.

After awhile the two of them had polished off their lunch, both of them looking quite satisfied. That was great Jude thought as he wiped his face off. Definitely better than the crappy hospital food I've been stuck with for so long. Though as much as he enjoyed it, he couldn't shake that thought out of his head.

Why can't I stop thinking about that he thought as Lucy just stared at him.

"Is something wrong?" She asked as Jude just stared off into space. What did she say to him that shook him up this much? As she tried to figure out what he was thinking about the waiter came by with the check.

"Jude." She said, a bit more firmly this time, snapping in front of his face to get his attention. His eyes refocused on her as he took a moment to collect himself.

"Sorry, it's just…when that Meowstic started talking inside of my head, she said something that I just can't shake off." He put his left hand on his forehead, running his fingers through his hair. "It was the last thing she told me before you came back. She said…"

"What did she say?"

"…Your mother must be so proud of you." With that he put his other hand on his head as he groaned, rubbing his temples with his thumbs.

Lucy sat there in disbelief. Did she really say that to him? I know she mistook us as Mother and Son earlier, but that is just too far. How did she not pick up that he didn't want to talk to her? As she was about to continue that thought the waiter came back to collect the check, and another thought crossed her mind as he left.

…Where even are Jude's parents?