Seasons of Fortune
A/N: I'm glad I made it in time, heh. We're finally going to see one of our male leads!
Please take note of this: I know I stated in the first chapter that the University of Kalos is in Lumiose City, but it's more accurate to say it's nearby. It's actually on Route 7, where the Battle Chateau is supposed to be, though it's way bigger, since there's no way a prestigious university has only 1 building and 2 floors!
Once again, this is written and dedicated to the Ikarishipping discord server, and especially, xXDiceyshippingXx! I truly hope all of you will have a cosy winter.
Disclaimer: The author does not own Pokémon, and fully respects the works and ingenuity of Satoshi Tajiri, Ken Sugimori and Junichi Masuda.
Chapter 2: Focus Pocus
Dawn, after finishing lunch with her friends and getting some school supplies, returned back to the dormitory room she shared with May. For the rest of the afternoon and evening, though she was busy organizing her space, she kept thinking about what the fortune-teller said.
"You will see plum blossoms in winter."
Even as she pulled her blankets up to her chest, those words kept replaying in her mind. And just like that, she fell asleep, dreaming about delicate ivory, pink and red blooms amidst the pristine white snow.
The next morning, she woke up early. Wrapped up in a baby blue coat that has three fluffy white pom-poms as decoration, the blunette was as adorable as a baby bluebird. It took her a while to select the most fitting accessories and fragrance, but she managed to do so before May even got out of the shower. After another 20 minutes, the two head out and meet Misty and Leaf by the elevator for a day around the city. Her careful preparations were for naught as other than May tripping over nothing and dropping her lumiose galette, nothing special really happened.
Still, Dawn was not deterred. As she always said, 'No need to worry!' In the next few days that followed, whether it was to visit the museums, cafe hopping or spinning around Lumiose's many boutiques, she woke up early and meticulously decorated herself, every day looking more beautiful and vibrant than the emerging buds lining Route 7.
On the 7th of February, which was a week after the visit to the fortune-teller, Dawn's spirits were a little… crushed.
"Winter's going to end in another 3 weeks or so and I haven't had my fateful meeting!" Dawn's expression didn't match the bright sunny yellow sweater she was wearing one bit. She took a long sip of tea before unwrapping her egg sandwich.
May, Misty and Leaf exchanged glances. The friends were currently having breakfast together in one of the university's cafeterias. They did notice their friend wasn't her usual chipper self, but didn't think too much about it since anyone could be a little quiet or sleepy in the morning.
Dawn missed the look of concern on her friends' faces as she despondently stared off into the distance and muttered, "No need to worry… hah."
"To be honest, Dawn," Misty started off. "I don't understand. Why are you so… so… how do I say it? So bothered by this?"
"Misty's right. It's unlike you." May rested her chin on her hand. "It's not like you've never dated before either. Why are you suddenly so into the idea of having a fateful encounter?"
'Oh.' Dawn blinked, and seemed to forget she had been gloomy till a few seconds ago. "Actually, now that you asked me about it, I don't know either."
"..."
"Eheheheh… It's just something kept staying on my mind."
Upon hearing that, the three girls blanked out for a moment, while Dawn laughed sheepishly.
"...Are you serious?" Leaf coughed out, looking flabbergasted. Misty nodded in agreement, having a similar expression.
"H-Hey! Don't look at me like that!" Dawn tried defending herself. "You know how I've always wanted to be part of a campus couple… It's just at the forefront of my mind recently thanks to the fortune teller…"
As her friends' dubious stares intensified, the cobalt-eyed girl continued nervously, "A-And, maybe it's because there's nothing else to do? Like, school hasn't started so there's nothing I could work on or be distracted with?" She gave an awkward laugh. "Yes, that's probably it?"
"I can't believe you…" May's face was crumpled as she said that. Then she sat upright, no longer resting her chin on her hand. "But this is soooo you! Being so ridiculously focused over weird things!"
"Yeah," Leaf agreed. "Remember, during our almost-daily video study sessions when we were taking high school finals? All Dawn talked about was chemistry, and how she must pass it!"
May agreed, saying, "Oh yes, I remember. There are other subjects, but she was so focused on chemistry that it was all she could think about. Even mumbling about it in her sleep!"
"Aww, come on guys, it's not that bad!" Although Dawn was pouting, her face was noticeably brighter than before.
"Oooo wait, remember this?" Misty's eyes glint mischievously. "In the week leading up to high school. Dawn practiced everyday to perfect her makeup!"
"Ugh… stop…" Dawn groaned.
"It's not just everyday, but a few times a day." Leaf supplemented.
Misty counted, tapping on her thumb, then her index finger. "Mhm, not to mention, forgetting to have lunch because she's too focused on practicing, taking about a hundred selfies for every 'look' and sending it to us to see if we find it nice…"
"Ahaha, that's right– cough! Cough!" May laughed, almost choking on her hot cocoa.
"Guys!" Dawn protested. "I got it already! I got it… that I'm way too focused on certain things…"
"It isn't bad to be focused." Leaf gently corrected. "But being too focused on things that you can't control, like that fateful encounter, will do you more harm than good." The long-haired brunette paused for a moment, then added,
"And well, like I was saying a week ago, whether or not the fortunes are legit, plum blossoms don't have anything to do with romance."
May and Misty nodded, supporting Leaf's statement.
"..."
"Hmm?" Dawn tilted her head, processing the new information.
"Ah…? Wait? WHAT? Really?! REALLY!?"
She was stunned. 'I could've sworn I didn't hear her say that last week? If that's so, then… What have I been doing this whole week? What?! How did I not hear that?'
"Of course you wouldn't know, Dawn." Misty groaned and rolled her aquamarine eyes. "You were already off in your own world when Leaf said it."
"Mhm, like, planning your outfits…" May 'helpfully' added.
The stunned blunette's forehead crumpled, her mind was in a whirl. Then she pressed further. "No, wait, but really? It doesn't? I thought plum blossoms could symbolize love and female mystique?"
"No, oh, no." Leaf shook her head. "That's cherry blossoms. You've confused plum blossoms with cherry blossoms."
"T-Then what do plum blossoms symbolize?" Dawn asked. And as she did so, it began to sink in. 'W-Wait, so that means…'
"Plum blossoms come to life even while covered in frost. Since they are not bothered by the cold, they are associated with good health, strong endurance, and overcoming adversities." Leaf replied. "So you see, absolutely nothing to do with romance."
'Absolutely nothing to do with romance!?'
'Absolutely NOTHING to do with romance?!'
'ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with ROMANCE!?'
'Oh… What… How… Who… Why… ah, my aching head!'
While Dawn was still coming to terms with what Leaf said, Misty chuckled, saying: "You got carried away, but no need to worry!" The redhead's eyes curved as she used her friend's signature phrase. "It's not the first time!"
"Noooo!" Dawn whined and brought her hand to her forehead. "I can't believe it!"
"Believe it. This wouldn't happen if you listened in the first place…" Misty's eyes were still curved. "But, no need to worry! You'll get over it soon, as you always do!"
It seemed like no words could get into their distressed friend, who stared off into the distance and kept muttering to herself words like, "So what have I been doing the past week?" and "I could have slept more…"
Soon, her head snapped back towards the other three, almost giving them a shock. Her shock seemed to have worn off, but for some reason, there was a look of despair on her face. In a pitiful voice, she uttered,
"Guys… Does this mean I will never have my fateful encounter or university romance!?"
"..."
"Ahh…"
May, Misty and Leaf all sighed in unison and facepalmed.
"You're being wayyyy too dramatic!" Misty scolded, she raised her eyebrows and asked, "How did you even come to this conclusion?"
"Well–" Dawn started, but was cut off.
"That fortune doesn't dictate how your entire university life's going to be! We went for a general fortune, not one about our love lives!" Leaf snapped. "Oh, I told you guys we shouldn't have gone there! This fortune thing is doing more harm than good!"
"Well… I understand what you guys are saying, but I can't help being worried…" Dawn trailed off.
"Oh what kind of worry is this!? Ugh, for the love of–!"
Misty was about to rage, but May inadvertently put an end to this topic.
"What's there to be worried about?" May asked. There was not a single trace of mockery or malice in her voice. She blinked her sapphire-blue eyes and continued, "The people whom we have seen so far are not all the people in this university. In these few weeks, a lot of people are going to move in. You'll meet a ton of people in all your classes. I don't understand what's the big deal of being part of a campus couple, but you have four years to find or get to know someone..."
The rest were silent as May was speaking. Each of them were thinking something along the lines of, 'She's mostly carefree and easy-going, but May does think deeply and has a lot of thoughts' and 'Though I don't think she planned on giving such a long speech…'
"...so anyways, there's really no need to worry, Dawn." May concluded with a smile. Seeing that there's no response, she fiddled with her fingers a little and asked, "D-Did I say something wrong?"
"No!" Misty denied.
"No! You said it so well, May!" Leaf also denied.
"Y'know May," The corners of Dawn's lips were lifting as she spoke. "That was exactly what I needed to hear."
May returned the smile with one of her own. She lowered her gaze bashfully. "I'm glad I helped."
Then Dawn's smile widened into a grin as she said, "Now, let's try to finish our cold breakfast before lunch, shall we?"
"Oh, this was not how I imagined my day would go…"
Dawn muttered to herself as she frantically speed-walk around Lumiose Station. It had been a week since she faced reality about her fortune. Thankfully so. Because if she hadn't come to her senses, she would likely have to rush around in impractical clothes - perhaps a short skirt or fancy shoes.
'Where is Platform H?'
'A. B, C, D… nope, not basement 1 then.'
Clad snuggly in a white pullover, light-washed denim jeans and soft boots, Dawn was on her way to Cyllage City to pick up a seat replacement for her bicycle. She normally would have opted for delivery, but she was kind of in a hurry to have it before orientation week starts. And anyway, from her experience going around the city and school these few weeks, she would definitely rather get it earlier than later. Her friends originally wanted to go along with her, but they each had something to do at the last minute.
'Nevermind. I can definitely get there in one piece… and on time. Probably.'
'Aha. There, Platform H.'
Dawn made it to the correct platform a few minutes before the train arrived. She tucked her ticket in her pocket as she got on, and started looking for a seat. Soon, she settled down onto a seat and dropped her yellow daypack into her lap. While waiting for the train to move, she mindlessly fiddled with her ribbon keychain.
Suddenly, a shadow casted over her, prompting her to look up. Dawn instinctively turned, but only saw a pair of long legs. She raised her gaze, following the line of those legs until she saw the face of the person standing on the aisle next to her.
It was a guy, who seemed to be about the same age as her. He was wearing black all over; the only accent colors were his own shaggy purple hair. There wasn't much expression on his face as he simply asked, "Excuse me, you might have sat in the wrong seat."
"H-Huh?" Dawn stuttered. "D-Did I?" She fumbled for her ticket. In her haste and nervousness, the small piece of paper slipped from her fingers, but before it landed on the floor, it was lightly caught by that guy.
He glanced at the ticket's description, and just barely, an eyebrow twitched. His onyx eyes soon shifted over to her, and he said, "You've purchased a standing ticket."
Dawn could feel the back of her neck heating up all the way to her ears. "Oh, I- I see! I- I didn't know that…"
'Oh, just stop stuttering already!'
As she started to lift her body off the seat, the guy stopped her plopping down in the seat next to her.
"Huh?" Dawn uttered, confused. "Excuse me, but aren't I sitting in your seat?"
His face turned towards her and answered in a dry, indifferent tone: "It's okay. You're getting off at the next stop anyway." Dawn was about to say something in response, but he noticed and smoothly continued, "The train's about to move, so I don't think there's anyone who booked the seat I'm currently on."
"Ah… Then. Thank you… very… much…"
Dawn trailed off awkwardly. She wanted to thank him energetically with a smile as it was the least she could do, but before she could even get the first word out of her mouth, she was already facing the back of his plum-colored head.
'Did he acknowledge my thanks with a 'hn'? I can't be sure…'
'Anyways, it's rare to see a guy with purple hair, I wonder if it's natural.'
The blunette snuck a few peeks at the guy quietly sitting next to her. He was pulling out his earpods and tapping on his phone - likely selecting a song.
'His hair reminds me of my fortune, hahaha.'
Dawn suppressed a giggle. If it leaked out, not only would he think she was clumsy, but crazy as well! Though they would most likely never see each other again, she refused to be embarrassed a second time.
She would have looked at the passing scenery, but at this time of the year, all she was going to see was more snow. Hence, she pulled her phone out of her yellow daypack. Pushing a ribbon from the keychain attached to the casing away from the screen, she began to text her friends in their group chat.
[The Fortune Hunters Squad!]
Dawn: Y'all, you wouldn't believe it! The guy sitting next to me on the train? He has plum-colored hair!
A message came almost immediately, it was from Leaf: Nononono, don't tell me you think he's your fated one.
Another one appeared a few seconds later, also from Leaf: And, when are we going to change this group chat name?
Dawn grimaced slightly as she momentarily thought of that dark week: Don't be silly! I did say I'm not going to worry about that.
Leaf sent a 'rolling eyes' emoji in response. Then two messages popped up one after another.
Misty: So, did something happen with him?
May: So, is he handsome?
Dawn's fingers moved furiously across the screen: I actually messed up with the tickets and seats, I'll tell you guys the whole story later. Ugh, I was so embarrassed…
She stopped typing and sneakily took another peek at the male who was immersed in listening to music before continuing to type: And, yes. He is quite handsome.
A few messages appeared after she sent that. An "Ooooo" message from May, a sighing emoji from Leaf, and a reminder from Misty to not miss her stop. Other topics gradually seeped into the chat group. Just ordinary stuff like their light weights and robot-vacuum arriving, when they should make another grocery run, and how Misty chanced upon two acquaintances from Kanto. Just then,
Ding, ding! This train has reached Cyllage City. This train has reached Cyllage City.
Hearing the automated message, Dawn immediately zipped up her bag and slipped her arms through its straps. Seconds before she stood up however, she impulsively brought her face within the kind stranger's field of vision and said in a lively voice,
"Well, thank you again! Hope you'll have a nice day!"
As Dawn stepped out onto the platform, she wondered why she did it - it was a whole lot sudden and awkward and weird now that she actually processed it. But she figured it wouldn't matter.
'Now, let's get what I came here for and maybe I'll make it back to Lumiose in time for the 3pm batch of galettes!'
'So much for buying the 3pm batch of galettes…'
As it was Dawn's first time in Cyllage City, it was little wonder that she made a few wrong turns on her way to the bicycle shop. Some kind locals guided her directly to the store front and within a few minutes, she got what she came here for. Thankfully, she was able to return back to the station in half the time it took for her to get to the shop. Unfortunately, even so, she only reached Lumiose City at 5pm.
'I can't possibly wait for the 9pm batch… But it's okay, there's always another day!'
Dawn became lost in her thoughts as she made quick steps on the paved road, occasionally voicing out a soft "hmm…" to herself.
'I shall go to Café Soleil and get all of us some of that special sunshine americano. Oh but it might be too late to be drinking coffee. We don't need to burn the midnight oil.'
'Was it parsley that we forgot to buy? Or was it oregano? Maybe I should swing by the Herboriste.'
'Ah, uh, where am I?'
Somehow, at some point in time, Dawn strayed from the main road and wandered into one of Lumiose's many alleyways.
"It's okay, no need to worry." She muttered to herself, raising her phone. The ribbon keychain swayed gently with her movements. "All I need is my phone, for the town map…"
"..."
"Of course, go figure." The blunette groaned, and pressed her lips into a thin line. "No signal." She stared up at the darkening blue sky. It's winter, so the sun was already beginning to set.
'I shouldn't be too far away from the main road. Let's try the right turn…'
Dead end.
'Okay, maybe not, let's go the other way… Ah, is that a café I see?'
As she turned her back against the wall, a glimmer of light flickered a fair distance down the other way, likely from a protruding store sign. It didn't matter if it was a café or some other store, as long as it's open, she would be able to ask for directions - and the light was a clear indication that it's open.
She took a few steps forward, but was forced to stop.
Because two figures were rapidly approaching her.
The pair was made up of a man and a woman, they seemed to be a couple of years older than her. The man's green hair and the woman's gold hair could be seen peeking out from under their beanies. Both of them were dressed entirely in black and wearing a long chain necklace with a big 'R' pendant. They approached with a threatening gait, lips pulled into a lopsided smirk and eyes sizing her up.
Dawn was certain she was in trouble. As much as Lumiose City was beautiful, clean, and highly popular with tourists, it was not without a few hoodlums. It's back alleys were particularly notorious for being the locations of a few gang hideouts.
"Hey kid." The man said, twisting his face into a sneer. "Hand over your wallet."
The blonde lady scanned Dawn from head to toe and added, "And your phone. Ah, but remove the micro-chip okay? We don't want that."
Dawn was scared stiff. She took a few feeble steps back, but it wasn't long before her back hit the dead-end wall. 'I'm in trouble…' Her mind was in shambles. 'W-What do I do!?'
Before she could gather her wits together, the woman stood in front of her and pushed her face close. She narrowed her eyes and snickered. "We don't have all day, kid, either you willingly give it to us, or we will get it from you ourselves."
'Do I run? Or do I scream?'
"Look, the poor girl is frozen." The woman drew back and said so to her partner. The man blinked his maroon-colored eyes and replied, "Then let's help ourselves."
'Or am I going to die here?'
The two reached their hands out towards her.
'Is this my end?'
Dawn's shoulders curved as shut her eyes tightly and covered her face with her hands. In her panicked, half-baked attempt to 'protect' herself, her phone dropped onto the ground.
BAM! POW!
"Ouch!"
"Argh!"
"Who are you!?"
'Huh? There's no pain. Those sounds, they're coming from those two.' When whatever terrible things she expected didn't come, Dawn cautiously peeked through the gaps between her fingers, and her field of vision was filled with this very scene:
The green-haired man was lying on the floor, he was conscious, but appeared to be very shaken up, his cheek sporting a nasty shade of purple. The blonde woman was trying to help her partner up, but her legs seemed to be failing her.
"You- you…" The lady spit out, her face burning red - though Dawn wasn't sure if it was from embarrassment, shame, or anger. "This isn't the last you've seen of us!"
After spitting out the typical words of a third-rate villain in novels, the lady dragged the man and ran away.
'I thought she was trembling just now…'
'Wait, what actually happened?'
As Dawn hastily turned her head, something was pushed into her line of sight.
It was her own phone.
Her eyes trailed up and saw a familiar face.
It was the guy with plum-colored hair who she met on the train.
Endnotes: Dawn finally met Paul! Though, she doesn't know his name is Paul just yet. The next part should appear in January. I'm hoping to finish the Ikarishipping portion before winter ends since it'll be fitting, no? As always, I'd really appreciate it if you would leave a review! See y'all next time!