1. STOP PINNING THIS ON ME! YOU STARTED IT!
"Welcome back, gentle viewers, to another installment of May's Expeditions. Here in the forests just outside Viridian City, your beautiful hostess, Mystery May, and her trusty companions seek the elusive Shiny Bulbasaur!"
"You can cut that out now," Drew huffed.
"Oh, lighten up." May kept her hands up in a screen before her left eye as she led the party deeper into the woods.
"We'd have better luck finding this thing if you paid attention to the forest and not your made-up TV show," said Drew. "This is your expedition, after all."
May turned around to glare at him, hands on her hips, eyes narrowed. "That's right - my expedition. And I'm going to lead it however I want!"
"Alright, alright." Drew held up his hands in placation. "Lead the way, Mystery May. You don't have to argue."
"I don't have to argue? Don't pin this on me - you started it!"
"Wow," Misty said softly as she watched the two Coordinators bicker. She, Ash, and Pikachu were at the back of the party, a few feet from May and Drew and so out of range of any crossfire.
"Wow what, Misty?" asked Ash.
Misty chuckled softly. "I thought those two kids with the Nidorans were obvious, but this is ridiculous." From his spot on her shoulder, Pikachu let out a happy sigh of agreement.
"Huh? What's ridiculous? I don't get it."
"Don't you remember, Ash? How those two really liked each other but wouldn't admit it? May and Drew are even worse!"
"Really?" Ash looked over at his other friends. May's arms were flailing furiously above her head, while Drew was turned to the side, his arms folded and that knowing smirk on his face. It sure looked like a real argument to Ash. But - he does keep giving her those flowers…
He shrugged, and caught Pikachu as the mouse jumped back over to him. "If you say so, Misty."
"Yep. I'll bet they'll get together before the next - what do you mean, 'if you say so!?' You mean you still can't tell just by looking at them!?"
"I - sort of? What's the big deal?"
"Ash, you have to be able to tell if someone likes someone else but won't admit it! You have to!"
"Why?"
"Because! Because…aaaugh!" She threw her hands over her head. "Why is your head so thick!? I can't believe I have to argue about this with you!"
"Argue with…stop pinning this on me! You started it!"
2. STAY THE NIGHT. PLEASE?
Ash tilted his cap up slightly to scratch his head. "I don't get it, Misty," he said. "The last time I was here, Psyduck looked in better shape than ever."
"For battling, maybe," his friend sighed. "But he still can't swim! And the League Inspector is coming tomorrow, and I'm sure she'll want to see how all my Pokemon do in the water, and - oh, what did my sisters have to go and blow a couple of matches for!? I guess a three-day stay with your mom in Pallet Town is just too much to ask!"
"Misty, I don't think you have to worry -"
"I'll worry all I want to, Ash Ketchum!" she snapped.
"Fine, worry!" he snapped back. "Did you ask me here just so you had someone to yell at!?"
"No, I - " Misty drew back from him and looked down at the ground. Her right foot twisted back and forth on the toe, and a faint blush came to her cheeks. "Stay the night. Please?"
"Waaaa!?"
"I need someone to help me teach Psyduck, and we only have one night! Please, Ash - help me train my Pokemon?"
"So…you asked me here…because you need me?"
"Yes!"
"Need me…to train your Pokemon." The grin came to his face involuntarily, but he didn't even try to fight it.
"To - to help me, Mr. Pokemon Master!"
"That's right - I am the Pokemon Master! Or I will be, someday. And you need my help with your Pokemon!"
"Don't get full of yourself, Ash! Will you help me or not?"
He crossed his arms and turned away, still sneering at her from over his shoulder. "Are you sure? Last time I was here and I beat your Gyarados, you said I was still just a kid."
"Ash, please!"
"Hmm…I dunno…"
"ASH KETCHUM, YOU STAY THE NIGHT AND HELP ME WITH PSYDUCK OR YOU'RE GONNA GET A REMATCH WITH GYARADOS RIGHT NOW!"
Their Trainers were at it again, back and forth, back and forth. Ash seemed to be winning this time; he was certainly the calm one. Misty's whole face had gone red, and she looked ready to toss out Gyarados's ball at any moment.
("We'll stay to help,") Pikachu predicted confidently. ("He just likes rubbing it in when he has one up on her. And, good news - they'll probably be so worn out from arguing that you won't even have to try swimming.")
("Lucky for Psyduck,") his dopey friend agreed. ("While they flirt - you like to see new floaty?")
3. COULD I SIT HERE? ALL THE OTHER TABLES ARE FULL.
"C-c-could I s-sit here? All t-the other t-tables are f-f-full."
He was grateful that she didn't laugh. She just looked up at him with a small, curious smile. "Of course, Clemont. But you don't need to ask if you can sit next to me. This is our table."
"I know," Clemont sighed as he sat down. It was, as he said, the only table not full in the Pokemon Center's commissary. The upcoming Showcase had drawn a record turnout. "It's Bonnie - she got me all nervous."
At that, Serena did laugh, a very slight and gentle chuckle. "How did she do that?" she asked.
Clemont threw his hands "She kept insisting I ask to make sure it was alright that I sit here. Almost as if there was someone else you'd rather have over here."
"Oh." Serena put a hand to her mouth, and Clemont thought he noticed a blush appearing on her cheeks. "W-well - like I said, Clemont - you don't need to ask to sit next to me." She seemed just as nervous as he had been a moment ago.
"Are you worried about the Contest?" Clemont asked.
"Hmm? Oh - well, a little…I suppose…"
"You don't need to worry, Serena. You and Sylveon will be wonderful out there!"
Her blush deepened, but she smiled at him. "Thank you, Clemont. I'll be right back - I'm going to get some more to eat." She stood and hurried over to the buffet line.
"You know, it's too bad -"
"GAH!" Clemont jumped in his seat. "Bonnie! I've asked you not to sneak up on me like that!"
"I'm sorry, brother," Bonnie laughed, Dedenne joining along. "But I was just thinking - if it weren't for Serena's - well, you're as dense as he is - but if it wasn't for that - she'd be a great person to take care of you!"
"'Take care of -' Bonnie!"