All predictions that Miette would either freak out or become insufferably smug as far as Ash and Serena were concerned were roughly 100% accurate. Finding her, she had still been corrupted with the guilt of leaving her friends behind to save the Pokemon. Such a disposition didn't suit the blue haired baker. There hadn't been a particular moment in Serena's life that stood out as a time she saw Miette even remotely close to what she was seeing now. Miette was energetic, cheerful, ever so slightly arrogant, and confident. She wasn't the type to mope, at least not for as long as this.
Clearly, her actions had haunted her. She regretted them, obviously, and immensely.
It didn't suit her.
Serena couldn't even begin to blame her friend for the actions she took. It just wouldn't be fair to, at all. Three to one against bewilderingly powerful opponents, her own Pokemon not suited for combat, and the two people who had a reasonable amount of battle experience had been thrown down a cliff. What other options did she, realistically, have open to her?
None. That's why running was a smart move. The only move she could make.
But perhaps that was what had been bothering her.
Regardless of that, hearing about Ash and Serena's little misadventure had lifted her spirits to no end. She had quickly become the smug and lively girl that both of them knew.
God, the amount of jokes she had made in that short time-frame.
How red Serena, and even Ash, had been by the end of her joking session.
"Aw, look at how red you two are!" Miette practically squealed, pointing out the enormous blush the two of them were currently sharing. She gently Pokemon Serena's flustered cheek, and pinched Ash's. "If only I could have seen how red you two were, trapped inside a cave with only one another for company..."
Her insinuation clear, Serena's ruby face went up to crimson. "It - That - That never happened!"
"Spoken like someone trying to hide what happened."
"Miette!"
"I'm just throwing just observations here, sweetie."
"You - " Serena shook her head of her blush before she continued, a slight waver in her speaking. "I... Um.. We were hoping you could, um, you know..."
"No, I don't." Miette was enjoying this. Way, way too much.
"Uh..." Ash spoke up, so Serena didn't have to. "We were sorta hoping you could, uh... We wanted to go in a uh... Date, so..."
"So you want my help." She'd known all along what they wanted. It was just more fun to watch them squirm around the issue. Despite her clear enjoyment of everything, and how she would love to keep cracking jokes all day, Miette was more than willing to help. "Okay, sure thing."
"Se-Seriously?"
"What d'you need help with?"
"Well... Sort of everything." Ash admitted awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "Neither of us... Well... Know anything about dating."
Clapping her hands together and rubbing them together, Miette smirked. Her eyebrows furrowed into what could be called an evil face as she did so. "Oh boy, this is gonna be fun."
There was a lack of known ventures in the current town they were in. Miette had been here for a few days, but had never left the Pokemon Center, or the area immediately surrounding it, stressed about her friends' return. There weren't any fancy restaurants, or any traveling town attractions, or anything of the sort. Nothing that you could call a valid location for your typical date. Or your stereotypical date, anyway.
Miette wasn't what you'd call a stereotypical girl, however.
"You want the good news, or the bad news first?" She asked Ash after quickly surveying the town on a map. Both of them were sat at a table, both with a soft drink in hand, discussing what the plan was for his and Serena's date. This had been the primary thing that had needed to be discussed, and Miette had shooed Serena away while she and the Kantoean discussed the options they had.
They didn't have a lot.
Ash frowned. "Let's get the bad news over with..."
"Bad news is, there aren't a lot of tourist spots here. No spots stand out as 'date' hangouts."
"Well, great." Muttered Ash. "And the good news?"
"Good news is, I have a good eye." Smirked the blue haired girl. "There are a few spots and places that you should be able to take Serena to. Best part is, it shouldn't cost you anything."
"That... Seems sort of cheap, doesn't it?"
"Ash, after traveling with her for the last few months, I can promise you that Serena could not care less. She wants to spend time with you, and given the town we're in, I don't think that she'll be too upset with you for being 'cheap'."
"If you say so..."
"It's not like you've got much of a choice anyway." Miette added, showing him the map. "This place isn't exactly a tourist hot spot."
She wasn't lying, Ash discovered. This didn't even seem like a spot most typical travelers would be interested in to. There were no gyms further down this way, no battle areas, no challenges, no nothing. The area they were in was primarily deserted, in relation to the rest of Kalos, anyway. It reminded him of Pallet town in a sense. A small area, secluded away from the rest of the region. There were probably some young kids here who couldn't wait to begin their own journeys, like he hadn't been able to, all those years ago.
Unfortunately, there was also nothing here, like Pallet town. This place, Adorea Town, didn't have any sort of laboratory like Pallet Town had. God knows what they did for fun around here. Looking at the place, it wasn't a surprise no one often came here. Even the Pokemon centre was just obligatory at this point.
"Okay, so, what do we do?" Ash asked, his eyebrow raised as to just what the hell he could do on a date with Serena in this dead-end town.
"I'm glad you asked." Miette said with a smile. "There are a few parks and walking routes. There's a nice view at the edge of the town as well, so that should keep you two busy for a while."
"That's it? We just... Walk around?"
"Again, you don't have much choice." Miette pointed out, taking a long guzzle of her drink. She let out a long, refreshed sigh as she jabbed a finger onto the map to the next town along, Récit Town. "You could wait until the next town, but given what you told me... You two have some things to clear up."
She had a valid point, once again. Ash didn't like it too much. He felt like Serena deserved better. She was owed a far better excuse of a date than this, but he wasn't exactly swimming in options. And just calling off the date he had promised... That just felt like a jerk thing to do. He wouldn't do that to her.
So this was where he was at.
"...You really think she won't mind?"
"Serena isn't shallow, Ketchum." Miette warned, in an amused tone. "I promise you that she won't mind. She's an understanding girl. She isn't going to hold something you can't control against you."
"Alright." He sighed, not seeing another option. He'd take Miette's word for it, for whatever it was worth. "So... What's next?"
"Your outfit."
"Oh God."
Similar conversations were had with Serena, regarding the plans that Miette had set up. Of course, Serena had understood. It would have been unfair if she hadn't understood. She was just happy Ash had been serious about actually going out with her. She had been convinced, well and truly, that something would have come up to prevent it. The fact it was going ahead... That alone filled her with joy.
Of course, knowing that there wasn't exactly a lot to do here broadened her outfit choices. Since it was casual, there really wasn't a reason to go in a dress. She hardly expected Ash to be in a tuxedo for what was just walking around the place, so she didn't think a dress was needed either.
She was met with the dilemma of both wanting to look good, but also be practical and modest about it too. She spent maybe an hour going over various combinations of the clothes she owned, trying to find a set that worked.
In the end, she ended up choosing an outfit that made her look ever so slightly rugged. Seeing who she was about to go out with, it made a certain kind of sense. The outfit consisted of a deep scarlet red jacket, not unlike her overcoat, except this one had long sleeves that reached her wrists, and a zipper at the front, with a Pokeball icon located just on top of her right collarbone. Underneath that, a charcoal black shirt, to keep her warm if it got too cold out. Leg wise, she wore skin tight pants, grey in colour.
The outfit was intended to be more practical than it was appealing in all honesty, but looking at herself in a mirror, Serena had to say, she didn't look bad at all. Maybe more so than she could have done in a dress.
It wasn't like she even had dresses to go in anyway. She didn't carry them around much anymore, since the Performances were stopping for the time being. Whenever she needed one, she would ask her mother to send her one of the many she kept at home. Given the time frame, circumstance, and what she had to work with, this was probably the best alternative she could offer.
She spent a few minutes making sure that this makeshift look was at least as perfect as it was going to get as she stood in the reception area.
"You nervous?" Serena recognized that monotonous, indifferent tone as Paul. The skilled battler from the tournament. The one who's Ash had told her about his rivalry with him. He didn't seem particularly interested. More bored than anything.
"A bit..." She admitted. 'A bit' was an understatement. She was anxious as holy hell.
"Don't be." Paul said, flipping the page of his book. "He's as simple as they come. I don't even have a reason to care, and even I noticed. You'll be fine."
His words themselves were encouraging, but something about how this guy said them made Serena unsure. Perhaps it was because she didn't know him, and how his mind worked, but Serena couldn't figure out this purple haired boy. Something about him seemed... Off, and at the same time, he seemed on the up-and-up. It was weird.
Miette had mentioned how heroic he had been in helping her find them... But now he was cold.
"Uh... Serena?" Ash's voice filling the room caused the blonde girl to turn her head instantly, already having forgotten what she had been thinking about the stoic Sinnoh native.
From an objective stance, Ash's outfit was just the same, but with different colors. Instead of blue, his jacket was now fully grey, with black around the zippers and the holes that made up his pockets. Like Serena's, this went to his wrists. Like Serena, his pants were grey also, except they weren't skin tight. They were slightly more baggy, especially towards the bottom. His head was capless, and his hair still unkempt. That was fine though. Serena didn't mind that.
"Hey..."
"Hey..."
Neither could really say 'You look nice' to the other. Both were in, and they knew this fully well, what was essentially weekend-hiking clothing. Saying that would sound disingenuous.
Still, Ash tried. "I uh... You look... Good in red?" 'What was that?!'
"Th - Thanks... A - All grey, huh?..." 'What the heck am I saying?!'
"Yeah... Miette said it was the closest thing to a tux she could think of, so..."
"Do you two plan on being awkward there all day?" Miette asked, peeking her head from around the door. A grin plastered onto her face, enjoying this all too much. "Get the hell out there!"
Hopefully updates will be out weekly since college started. I write a lot when travelling, and Loyalty is what I write the most. Miraculous is what I write a lot of when I'm at home, so you Pokemon guys will finally be getting your fair share ^_^
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and if you did, be sure to follow my Wattpad, GamingEmpire , for more stories!
You can also follow My YouTube, TheGamingEmpire for games, anime, and a planned review of Miraculous Ladybug!
You can also follow my Tumblr, GamingEmpire, for blogs, artwork, sneak peaks, and more!
Links to everything are in the profile as always, and I will see you in the next chapter of whatever it is I do indeed decide to write next. See ya!