Arc IV: Void VII: Lyra
DV- Another chapter of fun and excitement. We had thoughts about pushing this out before 2019 started, but we decided to just wait and chill over our holiday's, so yeah.
US- *Puts on sunglasses* because we're too cool for holiday releases. (Or too lazy, but shhhh. Don't spread that about). But yeah. The Happy Fun Time Story continues, with another thrilling chapter full of Plot goes down. And for the hashed in symbolism of the day… Lyra. This constellation has connotations with the Greek legend of Orpheus, whom descended into the underworld for someone he dearly loved, only to second doubt himself and look back- causing him to forever lose her.
DV- On another note, this chapter is solely Joseph content, with the next chapter after this solely Ben. Are there reasons for this? Yes. Are we telling you those reasons? No. Why? Spoilers.
Disclaimer: we own el zilcho. Honestly struggling to come up with a witty disclaimer. Maybe I should start recycling old ones? It's good for the (comedy) environment!
Joseph POV
I checked my Pokegear one last time, clarifying that yes, I was indeed on time for my appointment and had not missed it. 1:15 on the dot. My hands went for my belt, likewise checking that all three of my Pokegirls were there. Answer- they were. No more delays. "Finally time to make this whole damn trip worth it."
With that, I walked into the Gym for my battle- the one reason I was actually in Olivine in the first place.
"Joseph White?" Jasmine asked, rather casually from a plastic chair to one side of the battle arena. She had a magazine by her foot and was glancing at a metallic clipboard.
"That's me." I answered, keeping any tremble out of my voice. "I'm here for my battle."
"Right. One badge total, here for the second." She plopped down her board, and without any real effort moved over to the arena. Dumbfounded, I saw her take her spot on the other end of the rocky arena.
"Wait, that's it? No speech about 'bonds between Tamers and Pokegirls' or any of that?"
"No point really. We both know why we're here." She shrugged, tossing a Pokeball up in midair and catching it once more.
"Fair enough." I replied. "A little surprising considering how Whitney rabbited on, but there you go."
She snapped her fingers. "There we go! Was sure I knew that name. You're Whitney's little pet Tamer, aren't you?"
"... I resemble that comment, thank you very much." Friendships formed from blackmail are still kinda dubious, sadly.
Here she grinned. Just a little. "Well, I'll enjoy kicking your ass just a little bit then. It might be a little petty of me perhaps, but that woman is just so annoying. Always bothering me with that false, cutesy attitude of hers. Taxes this, giggle that. At least I don't pretend to be something I'm not."
"Which is?" I asked, a teensy bit curious.
Her face stilled. "A killer with a job. One that does it very well."
What a downer.
"L-let's just begin." I said, reaching for Amora's Pokeball, unwilling to keep the conversation going.
"Of course." She gave a small little curtsey, before lobbing her first of three battlers. "Come on out, Magnemite." My first thought of the Steel type was that she sure was short, barely reaching my solar plexus. Next was that a metallic coating seemed to cover a large amount of her displayed flesh, blending seamlessly with the magnets protruding from her the back of her hands. Finally, there was the same detached look on her face that Jasmine had- save for the small traces of bemusement in its single eye.
"Out you go, Amora." My troubled Pokegirl appeared, already in a position to brawl. She knew that when she'd next be summoned it would be to fight, so here we go. It would be her first battle that wasn't a spar, so I'd need to watch her actions closely. Things had been worryingly nontraumatic so far with the Flaaffy, so I was still waiting for the penny to drop.
"Right into Thunder Wave!" I ordered. Fun fact- Electric types aren't immune to Paralysis. Amora puffed her cheeks in concentration, before blasting out a wide wave of static energy from her mouth.
"Dodge." Jasmine replied, and then the Magnemite jumped. Magnemites might not get the ability Levitate, but that doesn't mean that they don't, because Jasmine's Pokegirl didn't even bother trying to come down to the floor. Instead, she narrowly weaved out of the way of the Status effect. "Counter with Sonic Boom."
The Steel type thrust with one Magnet-hand, and then I had to yell out at the sudden noise. Amora took the full brunt of the sonic attack, but stoically stood unflinching.
"Hang in there." I said, in as reassuring a voice as I could. No reaction- that was fine. "Cotton Spore to slow her and remove her maneuverability, then end it in one blow."
She nodded, knowing what I wanted. She could do this without instruction, but alas, League regulation. All strategy must be described, while the Gym Leader must politely pretend to hear nothing.
"Hyaa!" Amora yelled, releasing her slowly wave of cotton. This time the Magnemite didn't bother dodging- knowing that it would be a futile effort. Instead, she floated forwards as quickly as she could in the circumstances.
"Magnet Bomb." Jasmine ordered, prompting a fast moving ball of metallic light to fling straight at Amora, who was rushing forwards to meet her. A flinch, a gritting of teeth, but Amora was unfortunately used to worse pain, and powered through. A powerful leap off a nearby rock to get some height, then-
"Brick Break!" I yelled in synch as Amora's arm glowed brightly before slamming right into the Magnemite's chin. It was a devastating uppercut, and it was apparent to see that when I said 'end it' that I meant it.
"A one hit KO. Borderline illegal move, but the delay between command and attack was long enough for it to count." Jasmine noted as Amora landed on one knee. "Hmmm… that's a trooper. Even a seasoned Pokegirl will flinch at a sonic attack even if they're strong enough for the damage to be negligent, but that Flaaffy… she didn't even blink."
"No." I agreed. "Amora's tough like that." Though, I really wished she hadn't had to be.
"And an unnatural move too. TM?"
"Her last… Tamer." I said. Back when Amora had been in the fighting pits she'd been taught that move to raise her 'value'. Admittedly it wasn't the best move she could have been taught considering Amora's strength seemed more on the Special side than the Physical, but I wasn't going to knock a Super Effective move, even if its origin was immoral to say the least. She knew the move, and her experience with it remains, even were I to never ask her to use it ever again.
"Hmmm. I see. That's enough chit chat, anyway." She finally got round to returning her unconscious Pokegirl. "You're up, Magnemite."
I looked at the new girl who was almost identical to the first one save for the length of her hair and nose shape. "Really? Another Magnemite?"
"Not my fault you're such a weakling that I can't pull out anything interesting." She noted. "Magnemites are common, so at least it's quick and easy to bring them in and train them for Tamers like you."
"That sounded way more condescending than it should have." Though to be fair, with Morty as the standard to hold Gym Leaders up to, she likely had great reason to feel superior.
"You up for another round?" I asked Amora, who just looked mildly offended at my words. I raised my hands in defeat. "Right. Another round then."
"Supersonic." Not even a single moments pause to announce the newest match, nor any repriese for Amora to get into position. Just the quick, sharp sting of a well delivered sucker punch.
And Amora for all her wariness cannot dodge noise. "Okay. Immediately confused. That's bad."
"Now sit back and fire off a Sonic Boom."
"Ahh. I see the strat. Confuse to keep her off guard and wary, then just chip away from a safe distance."
Then the Boom fired, and for a moment my ears ring, while on Amora's front her knees trembled from exertion even as her face remained calm. "Don't bother aiming." I declared. Mia had done a few similar tricks over the last few days, so I knew the best method wasn't to wait for the ailment to wear off but instead work to disrupt Jasmine's momentum- any hit would do. So wide and easy to fire shots it was. "Thunder Wave. Thunder Wave. Thunder Wave." Three orders- not spamming, thankies.
Through the confusion Amora's wide area assault was able to hit its mark. Magnemite fell to the floor- levitation temporarily short circuited as her body struggled to deal with its Paralysis.
"Now wait it out." I said. Yes, I was sacrificing initiative, but no Thunder Shock was gonna do jack shit. All I had were Brick Breaks- and when every problem is a brick…
"Patience, Magnemite. Fire a Magnet Bomb when you're ready." From the floor, Magnemite patiently waited for when its body was ready to act, began to glow silver, and then-
"Amora, use Brick Break to deflect." I said. There we go- an unconventional use of an attack, but hopefully easier to do with the world spinning around you than charging at someone and smacking them.
The Bomb fired, and Amora waited patiently, before- SMACK. A glowing palm lashed out, deflecting its path into a nearby boulder. "On the attack. Slowly- forwards."
"Tentative steps now. Need to know when the confusion wears off. Not banking anything on Amora acting, but closing the distance so a Brick Break is easier next time."
"Sonic Boom." If it's not broke, no point changing it. The painful attack launched, and again my Electric type trembled from the force even as she shakily moved forwards. Now, with purpose, and a ferocious gait. I knew now that Amora was at the metaphorical red zone- she wasn't going to be taking any more attacks. Then again, she also wasn't Confused any more either.
"Brick Break!" metal tore and a Pokegirl fell- a feeble blocking attempt halted by the Brick Break that went straight into her solar plexus. Magnemite was on the ground. 1… 2… 3…
The countdown slowly passed- the Steel type tried thrice to rise, but each time fell short. Finally- 8… 9… and 10.
"Good job." Jasmine said, and called back her Pokegirl. She knew the round was over- if you're down for the count for a full, uninterrupted ten seconds then you're out. One last Pokegirl to go.
"You're done too Amora."
"I can… still… fight." She insisted.
"Yes, but I don't want you breaking your back for this dumb match either." I replied. "I know you don't think I care, but I care enough. You've taken out two. That's pretty damn good. So you're done."
A moment where I wondered if Amora was going to protest (Where part of me really hoped that she would protest), but finally her shoulders eased and she came down to her knees. No point to keep up the pretence of strength. "Rest up, yeah? We have a party to go to after this."
"A party? How confident. You still need to win first." Jasmine reminded me as I returned Amora. "Out you come, Shieldon." Now this was a surprise. The Sinnoh Fossil Pokegirl emerged triumphantly, standing on all four limbs like some kind of gymnast. No- that attitude and posture and the look in her eyes- savage. I don't use the word lightly, but she felt a little more animal and feral than most Tame Pokegirls I'd seen. Her large, metallic face didn't help with that impression- especially as it made her seem quite inhuman to have such a bizarre facial feature.
"Impressive." I said.
"Isn't she? I got her imported from Sinnoh. It's amazing how technology is starting to advance in so many bizarre ways, while in others we are oh so behind. Oh well, all progress comes with time." She sighed. "Now, are you going to throw someone out, or throw the match?"
"She's coming." I confirmed. It was just a matter of who. Initially my plan had been for Sophie to be my number two, to finish off anyone Amora couldn't take down, or to do some chip damage and try and war out Pokegirl number 3's stamina. But Shieldon… those have ridiculous defence. "Sophie will be literally useless. And while I know she'll feel bad for being left out, she's also sensible enough to know that seeing her get her ass handed to her would make me feel just as bad."
"Keiko." Was my only introduction for the only real choice I could make. My trump card emerged in a triumphant light, standing proud and ready for battle.
"Let us win this, darling." She said with a bounce in her step as she shadow boxed the quietly growling girl on the floor.
"We'll win." Keiko had the type advantage… wait a sec. It hit me- ordinarily, yes, Fire beats Steel. I'd been saving Keiko specifically because her typing gave her and advantage. "Welp, crap baskets. She's a Rock Type too."
"Ah." Here Keiko's confident smile slipped a little. Ground/Steel… now Fire isn't Super Effective, but rather neutral. Things had gotten a little trickier. "We'll keep up the pace then. No reprieve. We'll do enough attacks that we might as well be 2 times effective."
"Right." Pep talk down, it was time for battle. This time Jasmine seemed to be in no rush to sucker punch us. Nah- Shieldon's advantage was in pure tankiness. Letting us take the offensive only really served her purposes.
I took a deep breath. This would be the deciding fight. Because while Sophie was still too fight, we both knew that there was very little she had to leverage with her pure Normal type moves. This battle would hinge on Keiko. "Quick Attack into Flare Blitz, counter anything with a Payback."
My Pokegirl saw my plan- knowing my typical style from the training we'd recently done together. I didn't like her any more than before, but at least some teamwork was actually present as a result of sparring. Dash in quickly so no setup or stat buffing could result, hit as hard as I could and rely on an up close battle to prevent any distance from forming.
"Wait." Jasmine barked sharply. "Protect."
The flame-wreathed Vulpix literally bounced off the green shield, causing me to wince as a follow up order of Tackle led to the shaken Keiko taking the first hit.
"Well. That caught me off guard." Keiko said, prodding where the savage Pokegirls full body tackle had landed. "That won't happen again. Tamer, your orders."
"Keep on Quick Attack-ing around her." With luck, she'd spin circles around the much slower Rock Type. "Then, when you see a chance, fire an Ember." Shieldon's Special Defence was lower. Keiko's Special Attack was also lower, but I felt it cancelled out.
From her cyclone of blurring motion, several small balls of fire was thrown. Jasmine bared her teeth. "Break the encirclement- Iron Head." With a roar, Shieldon charged straight forwards- unheeding of whether Keiko would be there. Luckily, Keiko was no amateur and made she sure she wasn't.
"Quick Attack again into a backstab! Flare Blitz!" A quick blur of motion, straight into a hastily engaged ball of moving fire and muscle. Right into the back of the charging Shieldon.
"Hyaaaa!" Keiko skidded across the floor with the force of her spin, not delivering her normal punching but instead directing all momentum and force into a shoulder tackle. The Steel types legs digged into the ground, but the force was too much. Shieldon slammed face down into the floor.
"Roll." Jasmine didn't miss a beat. "Tackle."
Close quarters fighting helps both parties, and even Keiko didn't have the speed to properly evade the charging mass tearing for her from the floor.
"Tch. I'm here to fight a Pokegirl, not a beast." She huffed, rolling one shoulder while her other arm was occupied in gripping the Tackling girl.
"Payback." With a smile Keiko gratefully performed the move she had been waiting for my command to pull off. A blackened fist- straight into the stomach. "And Payback again!" Punch- this one actually having force enough to briefly lift the heavy Pokegirl off her feet. "Now Quick Attack!"
"Protect." The third part of Keiko's combo- to drive her enemy back was blocked. "Iron Head."
"Devastating." That was all I could describe it as. A deliberating move- straight to the chin. "Shit! You okay."
"Fucc!" Keiko actually cursed, nursing the bleeding jaw. Her words were actually slurring at this point- I feared the jaw was dislocated or something as bad as that. "Ca go'n."
"Verbal permission given. Another Iron Head!"
"Hold back!" I ordered. We were hitting the final leg of this race. It always comes down to those final drops of HP in a Pokemon game- so it didn't surprise me that both sides were looking remarkably worn out.
As predictable as I was… I wanted to go for one last decisive blow. I waited… and I waited… and- "Vault over her charge! Flare Blitz!"
Keiko nodded, grabbing the thick handhold which was Shieldon's head, and then kicked off the front. She literally jumped over the attack, landing lightly in the Shieldon's very own blind spot. A quick build up, and then one last flaming punch- right into the base of the spine.
A decisive blow. Even Jasmine couldn't let the match continue after that.
"Looks like you're going to that party after all." She noted impassionately- as if she didn't really care either way. "Though I suppose you should go to the Pokecenter first."
"Yeah, because you broke her jaw." I pointed out, returning Keiko to get some rest.
"Grow up and put your big boy pants on. Battles hurt. Whoops."
"You're a bit of a bitch." I pointed out.
Here, she laughed. "Wow, you really don't know much about me, do you, if you thought that would actually hurt? I know what I am, and I don't care. I've never tried to pretend to be anything but the cold iron ruler of this little coastside city."
"No. You haven't." She'd been impassioned and bitchy from the beginning- because she was powerful enough that she could afford to be. In this entire region, only five people technically had power over her- what she says goes. So in many ways, I could see where she was coming from. Why put in the effort of civility when nobody can do anything to stop you?
"Still a bitch." I said, merely because I could.
"You're lucky I don't care." She remarked, casually walking back to the chair I first found her at to pick back up her geology magazine. "It's totally legal for me to shank you with a Skarmory for your sass."
"No you wouldn't, because not even you're dumb enough to cause needless trouble with another Gym Leader."
She laughed. "You may represent her and she may like you, but don't think that means anything. She knows enough to not risk her city for a little nobody like you. Remember, we're both Gym Leaders. Whitney is exactly the same as I am… she just pretends to hide the blood on her hands. That's why I loathe her. Because she tries to blend back into those Mareeps in her little shepherd's flock, when she's more a Mightena than anything." Welp, that was a wolf in sheep's clothing analogy and a half.
"She's different." I insisted… though I didn't even succeed in fooling myself, let alone her. After all, I remembered Morty, and I remembered the more serious glimpses of the woman I sometimes called friend…
"You're a fun one. Try not to die." She said with a sharp expression. Her hand slipped inside a pocket to grab something, before she threw it at me like a throwing knife. The second badge struck my shoulder, bounced off and clanged to the floor. "I'd pick that up if I was you."
"Bitch." I whispered, bending down to grab my proof of victory. Without another word, I rose and stormed for the door. I didn't want to hear any more- because Jasmine had said enough. They were truths I deep down already acknowledged… but I didn't like doing it. I really didn't.
"If the ground swallowed her up right this second, I sure wouldn't complain." I groaned under my breath as I shuffled away to the Pokecenter. I just knew was going to be in a bad mood all day now. I just hoped that Mia's little 'party' would improve my mood.
"At least I have my second Gym Badge, anyway. That's money for my paycheck, and proof that all this stupid trauma hasn't been for nothing." Ah- the sunk cost fallacy. How familiar I was with ye.
XXXXXXXXXX
"Welp, here's to your victory, oh Kohai mine!" Mia announced rather proudly, a pint of beer raised high to the sky along with everyone else. It was a rather flamboyant action- but I'd come to realise that Mia was really just a big ol' Ham beneath the surface of respected Tamer. Still, I probably looked just as dumb with my own dopey expression on my face and a pint of cider that I was acutely aware of having accidentally spilled a lot of in the process of the clanking.
"Cheers!" We all said, and while to many it seemed dumb to celebrate so much for something so little, I had to disagree. "You have to find happiness when and where you can. And in a world like this, you have to grasp those chances tightly, and smile."
"Now, we've got this room booked up for the evening, so make sure you all drink enough that the purchase doesn't seem nearly as foolhardy as it obviously was." Because only Mia would actually go out and set up the victory party she had jokingly suggested.
With a round of agreements, the party properly started. It was actually quite rowdy once you actually did a headcount. Me and Mia, my three Pokegirls, and her five girls: Ayame the Gardevoir, a Luxray, Machamp, Mightyena and Sandslash. Ten of us in all. And if I'd had my way, I would have made the total number 13- if only Ben had been free this evening.
Naturally, me and Mia eventually ended up sitting away from the others, nursing our drinks at a table by the door. For a few precious moments, we simply watched the festivities in silence. Keiko was the center of attention to nobodies surprise and was actually mingling with a lot of Mia's party (Doing a drinking game of some kind- though I couldn't help but notice how Keiko's gaze kept on flickering back to me), while off to the side Sophie and Amora had ended up chatting with a grumpy Ayame.
"Thanks for setting this up." I said, finally breaking the pleasant silence.
"Not a problem." She replied, waving me off. "Honestly, it's rare for me to find a reason to celebrate. While Gym battles might be a little mundane to me now, even I can acknowledge that this is a big step for you. Hit three badges and I might even be willing to admit that you've joined the big boy table."
I rolled my eyes. "I guess that I've had to grow quite a bit from that doofus you first met on the conoy to Ecruteak."
"Now, I wouldn't ever call him a doofus. And it hasn't been that long since then." She sighed. "All seriousness though, don't change too much. I know you laugh when I call you adorable, but it really is nice to see someone who isn't quite as disillusioned about this career as me yet."
I gave her a pointed look- one which clearly said how much I disagreed with that final assessment. Afterall, to call me anything but disillusioned would be a great disservice after all the shit I was already dealing with.
"I repeat, someone who isn't quite as disillusioned."
"Ah." Correction accepted. "To be honest, you don't really come across as disillusioned. Not when you're often so cheery."
"Something my mum once told me. 'Mia, the best time to smile is when you have nothing to smile about altogether'. I have to keep up a strong face for my girls. Only Ayame really gets just how hard it is for me sometimes…"
"Ayame and me." I interjected. "I know I'm not nearly as experienced as you, but we're both Tamers, and we've both probably seen a lot of shit."
Here she laughed a little bitterly. "I hope you don't ever see as much as me. I know you've had problems with Keiko, and that you went through that Feral attack at Ecruteak and even left with a few scars, but believe me when I say that there is a lot of shit that I've seen."
I placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder- grounding her. Because sometimes you get lost in your own crappy memories, and it's nice to have a reminder that you're in the here and now. "Well, if you ever want to talk…"
"Geez, look at you, mister dependable. Isn't this party supposed to be all about your triumphant defeat of that bitch Jasmine? Shouldn't you be drinking with the others instead of wallowing in the corner here with me?"
Tempting, but no thanks. "Never really been one for parties. It's more for the people I'm going with. And… well… I do enjoy talking with you." It's embarrassing to admit, but Mia arguably has the best bits of Sophie and Whitney in her. She has the experienced air of the latter that let you know that she always had the right answers, and the down-to-earth-ness of Sophie that actually lets her be approachable. I really respected the hell out of her.
"Ahaha. You'll make me blush." Again, she waved me off, before rising from her seat. "Now, excuse me, but I need to rush off to the little girls room. Try not to burn the room down while I'm gone."
The middle finger I gave her was definitely earned, as was the little laugh that she returned as she peaced out, leaving me to watch the party alone. At least until the next person came to bother me.
"Hey Joseph~" Keiko slid into Mia's seat without so much as a qualm, already sliding a pair of glasses onto the table. Her own gin and tonic, and what was obviously a refill for me. I accepted the cool cider- I feared I was going to need it.
"Enjoying yourself?" I asked.
"Well of course. Though, I couldn't help but pop over. To be alone at a party is a sad thing indeed."
"If you say so." Now, if only she would cut to the chase.
"So, would you care to come with me and join the others? I'm sure Amora would appreciate a familiar face."
"Maybe she would." I agreed. One of the reasons I'd chosen to sit to one side was so that I could keep an objective eye on her, after all. So far she seemed a little overwhelmed by her surroundings and being around so many virtual strangers, but she seemed to be handling it well. The fact that she was off to one side with only one 'stranger' probably helped things. "Then again, she shouldn't spend her life with me hanging over her shoulder. Maybe this will be good for her. To make connections outside our small circle. If it looks like she starts to flounder, then I'll jump right in."
"I see." She smiled, though her eyes were clearly frowning. "Then will you come join for the game with the others?"
"Maybe in a bit." I conceded. "The party is kinda getting to me a little. I'll see how I feel after another pint or two."
"Fucking hell, you're stubborn." Keiko threw her hands up in resignation- finally to the point. Good. "Look, are you REALLY planning to spend your whole evening with that tart?"
"Tart?" Was she- was she talking shit about Mia?
"Yes, I'm talking about Mia." She said like it was obvious- which it was. "So, are you?"
"And what would the problem with that be? Surely I can spend my free time however I so choose to do so, with whatever friends I deem fit?" I crossed my arms and leaned forwards- very much projecting an aura of 'don't fuck with me on this one'.
"The problem is that this party is about us. Our victory. And you should be spending this party with your Pokegirls. Us!" Though, reading the undertones, she really meant I should be spending it with her.
"I really don't see why you have a problem. My friends are MY business. Why don't you try to make some of your own, eh?" The passive-aggressive was strong with me tonight. In my defence, I was slightly inebriated. And Keiko was also a bitch.
She flushed red at my words, and her hands were clenched tightly- and I could see the hint of claw sticking out. She was angry. "I can hardly go out looking for friends when I haven't even got a proper relationship yet with my Tamer, can I?"
"And who's fault do you think that is!" I snapped, voice raised enough for other heads to briefly turn my away before I looked away in embarrassment. "Look, this isn't the time for that. Do you have a fucking point you want to get to, or can I assume that this whole thing is that just another bitchy moment courtesy of bitchy mc bitch?"
"You want the point? Fine." She spat. "In my position as your Alpha, I am informing you that you aren't taking your duties seriously. Your little crush on that Tamer is getting far too out of hand, especially when you already have three girls you aren't giving your full attention to. If you want romance, then seek it closer to home or not-at-all."
My… my crush? Did she think- between me and Mia- that we were- that I was… but that was absurd! Ridiculous, even! "There's nothing going on between us. NOTHING. We're friends. Good ones. You're just being paranoid."
"No, I'm not." She said, sadly. A lot of the venom in her voice was gone now. Now she seemed more resigned, than bitter. "You're just being as oblivious as ever."
"Keiko, either you can fuck off and carry on partying and everything is hunky dory, or you can continue bothering me and be returned to your Pokeball like a child." Because I was getting sick and tired of her shit- and I only had so much tolerance for her. Especially when she starts acting like a delusional stalker! As if she really had any right to complain, after all that's happened…
"I'll go." She decided quickly, turning on her heel. "Don't want to ruin the atmosphere of this little 'party'. But that doesn't mean that we're done here, Joseph, or that I'm any less correct. Darling, try looking at your recent actions for me, would you?"
Then she was gone, and I was left to wallow in my own seething rage. "How dare she accuse me of that. I've never ONCE shown any indication that I'm romantically interested in her. Especially as I'm pretty sure she's actively in a relationship with her Pokegirl party. And me- I'm nowhere near ready for a relationship. Not after what KEIKO did. I just like spending so much time with Mia because she cares."
Still- it didn't matter what Keiko thought. She was wrong. That was all there was to it.
"Wow, what Lillipup died while I was gone?" speak of the devil- Mia's back.
"N-nothing." I stuttered, taking a quick chug of my drink to try and cool myself down and slow my beating heart. "Just Keiko being a bitch again."
She frowned cutely, slipping back onto her seat. "Shame she has to ruin things for you."
"I'm used to it. Really, she was just talking a lot of hot air. Get it- because she's a Fire type?"
"Come back with a diploma in the comic arts, and then I'll laugh."
"So cruel." We shared a smile, and I couldn't help but acknowledge how beautiful she looked when she had an honest grin on her face. Heck, now that I was looking, I just couldn't stop looking. I hadn't really been paying too much attention when I first got dragged out tonight, but Mia really did look good. She had a tasteful cocktail dress on, her hair looked like it had been recently cut and she was actually wearing makeup for a change.
She pouted and snapped her fingers, bringing me back to attention. "Has my lipstick smudged or do I have some food stuck between my teeth or something, or is there some other reason why you're staring so intently at my lips?"
I was staring? "N-no. No real reason." Even as I spoke, I already knew I was lying. "I think I need to go to the toilet now."
She gestured to the door. "Go on. I'll keep an eye on things here."
"Thanks." I said, rushing for the door- I almost ran to the bathroom.
I splashed tap water on my face in an attempt to wake myself up a little- to bring some clarity to my mind. "Damn it, drinking always messes me up…"
Because even as I stared into my own tired looking reflection, my thoughts couldn't help but drift. To drift to something that I'd been considering for a long time, but had never actually consciously acknowledged. No- perhaps it was more accurate to say that I hadn't let myself think it.
Yet now, I couldn't stop. What Keiko said… about me and Mia… "Fuck me. Keiko actually might actually have a point."
It was undeniable. Ever since Keiko had mentioned it, I couldn't help but see the evidence everywhere. I couldn't stop thinking of it- of her. "Shit. I do actually have a crush on Mia."
For awhile now, it had been simmering, but only now had it been thrown into the limelight. "Shit. Why oh why do I have a crush on her!? I'm in no position to be having a crush on anyone- I can't even handle proper intimacy at this point! This is literally the last thing that I need right now considering the interpersonal mess I'm presently living in!"
And yet the heart wants what it wants, no matter how much the mind knows otherwise. Mia was kind and pretty, I liked spending time with her and she seemed to like spending it with me, and most importantly… she cared. She was outside my little Pokegirl circle. She spent time with me because she wanted to. In many ways, it was almost inevitable that a lonely teen like me would become 'attached' to her considering how much time we'd been spending together recently.
"I like her." I whispered to myself, noting the way my face twisted in the mirror as I acknowledged it. "Maybe not sexually, and it sure isn't love, but I like Mia. Maybe even a lot."
And I just knew that this was going to complicate my life even further than it presently was. Especially since I was going to have to leave this restroom soon and act like nothing was out of the ordinary when I got back. "The bad decision train really doesn't have any breaks, does it?."