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Chapter 41Waking the next day, May let out a slight groan as she heard the unmistakeable noises of Serena and Dawn raiding her closet. It took her a moment to digest why this was the case—Dawn's Boutique would open today.
Dawn stood opposite her, in a simple white silk gown that hugged her curves, her hair pulled back in a Clampearl's gem's headband, with matching earrings and a necklace. Beside her Serena was trying to zip up a lace maroon dress, wobbling precariously on seven inch heeled boots.
Clambering out of bed, May did her best to stifle a yawn. She was seriously regretting the late night training, but didn't utter a word of protest as she climbed into the shower.
Going through the motions, she tried not to focus on the contest which was coming up, hoping to have mastered her appeal by the beginning.
'May, when you're out of the shower, we're dressing you,' Serena said in her warm voice, causing May to sigh and dry herself off, wearing plain nude coloured undergarments. You could never tell what those two came up with when they collaborated.
Once she'd climbed out of the bathroom, she saw Dawn hand her a simple blue dress, which hid May's curves modestly.
'I don't think we want you to draw attention to yourself with your date with Gary being gatecrashed by his sister,' Dawn mused, her blue eyes shining in delight.
'I'm telling you, it wasn't a date,' May grimaced, but pulled the dress on none the less. She knew better than to argue with Dawn or Serena about fashion, especially this early in the morning.
'Here, this belt will help give you some shape,' Serena grinned, wrapping a brown belt around May's waist and adjusting the dress so it sat above it.
'As for accessories, she's already got some jewellery,' Dawn winked again, causing May to take it out from her bag.
'Where did you get them from? It must have cost you an arm and a leg,' May grimaced as she wore the silver ring, as well as the earings and necklace.
'The ring was given to me by Blaziken after your quarrel with your rival. I'm not sure where your Blaziken got it from, though,' Dawn shrugged in response, appearing disinterested.
Frowning in response, May soon found herself once again at the behest of her friends, who were focusing on her makeup.
Once the women were pleased with her appearance, May felt thoroughly glammed up like a doll. However, rather than protest, she sent them a shy smile, knowing that anything else would dampen their spirits.
'Right, let's get this Boutique opening underway,' Dawn winked before ushering May and Serena out of the room.
'I hope it's ok that I've invited Wallace. He might have convinced some of my other friends to come,' May grimaced anxiously at her friend as they waited for an elevator of the dramatic hotel they were staying at.
'Nonsense, the more the better,' Dawn winked in response as she took either of her friends' arms in her own as the elevator doors slid open smoothly.
'I'm so excited!' Serena giggled, unable to contain her joy as she pressed the ground button and they waited for the doors to slide shut.
'The only negative thing I can think of is that it's so close to the Wallace Cup,' Dawn shrugged slightly, frowning at the possible loss of exposure her store would have in the impeding whirlwind of contest mania.
'Please, with Wallace himself at your opening, the papers will have a field day,' May nudged her friend with a sly grin as the elevator doors slid open and they exited the small cabin.
'You're right, of course!' Dawn grinned back, bouncing back almost instantly as they climbed down the extravagant stairs and into a waiting limousine.
'Wow, you really went all out with this one, didn't you?' May glanced around as she buckled herself into the leather seat, glancing at her other friends in disbelief.
'Of course. In this business, you have to fake it til you make it. Right, Serene?' Dawn grinned at the blonde woman, who nodded slightly.
'Are you still thinking about that professor's boy?' Dawn scowled at the woman, who blushed in response.
'I think it's cute, she's finally got a crush outside of Ash,' May muttered with a smile as she noticed Serena's wide eyed panic.
'Yes, like you have a crush outside of Drew,' Dawn scoffed lightly, still miffed that May hadn't admitted to her supposed crush on Gary Oak.
'Need I mention Paul and Kenny? Don't you dare bring up anything to do with Drew, you don't know the half of it,' May snapped back, becoming quite tired of the insinuations that she would have any physical relations with her cousin, especially whilst she still felt terrible for Drew's current state. She shouldn't have left him to satiate her own curiosity.
'Sorry,' Dawn mumbled, her face flushing slightly at May's uncharacteristic reprimand.
When the limousine came to a halt in the centre of Vernal Avenue, Dawn said, 'smiles on, girls.'
Immediately, the trio of girls exited the car and were greeted by a string of reporters, taking their pictures.
Posing amiably, May forced a smile as she was blinded by the flashing lights of their cameras. She drastically hoped that Dawn and Serena's make up and clothing had done the trick to convince the world she was all right.
Her hand touched the concealed place under the belt where her pokéballs were placed. She felt Blaziken and Roserade's pokéballs quiver under her hand, but did nothing to appease them.
'Keep walking until we can reach the ribbon,' Dawn said as she lead the way, Serena and May flanking her sides.
Wondering what she was doing in Kalos of all places, May walked along the cobblestone steps, trying not to focus too much attention on the moss growing between the cracks.
As a hush filled the space behind them, May fertively glanced back to see Iris, wearing a similar purple dress with puffed sleeves and a high waisted blue belt, walking before a trio of males who could only be the Striaton City Gym Leaders. One had blue hair which covered his eye, another had red hair that was styled like fire and the last had vibrant green hair was styled up at the front. Their eyes matched their respective hair colour, and they all wore matching suits. Seeing them, May could finally understand why Iris was so smitten with the grass type Connoisseur.
The purple haired woman sent them a smug smile as she sauntered towards the trio of women, the men flanking her every move.
'Well, Iris, you always did have to be competitive,' Dawn giggled before pulling the woman into a tight hug.
'I couldn't just disappear for your big day, could I? What kind of a friend do you take me for, especially with May being here too!' Iris' deep voice chuckled before she hugged Serena and then May.
'Ladies,' the triplets said in unison, taking a hand of each of the women in their own and bringing it to their lips.
Having Cilan press his soft lips against her exposed hand made May's breath hitch in her throat as her thoughts returned to the chartreuse haired man that was struggling to wake up in Almia.
'My sincerest apologies for your grievances, May. If you need anything at all, rest assured that I will aid you, as surely as Pansage can find berries,' the man whispered, his voice filled with a friendliness that reminded May of Brock.
'Thank you, but I'm not the one who deserves your sympathy,' May responded quietly as her hand once again grazed a pokéball hidden under her belt.
The man nodded his head once as yet another limousine pulled out before them.
Opening the door revealed Brendan, Orlando and Wally, all three of them looking decidedly uncertain as two other figure appeared behind them—Calem Sycamore and Gary Oak, as suave as ever. They both looked perfectly at ease at the formal occasion, quite unlike the Hoenn men, who'd managed to avoid such prestigious events.
Smiling at the appearance of her childhood friend, May mouthed her gratitude to her cousin, who waved it off with a wink, appearing perfectly comfortable with the paparazzi taking images of him as he sauntered towards the women near the extravagant store.
Before the group of men even reached them, another limousine appeared, revealing Bonnie, dressed in a green dress which revealed the slim of her back. Beside her stood a woman with brown hair that May recognised from PokéVideos—Shauna, her pink dress as tight as Serena's. Tierno danced behind them, his burly body complimented by his white suit, Trevor adjusting his tie slightly as he clambered out of the vehicle. Last, but not least, was Clemont, smiling politely at the cameras.
'Are there going to be more visitors?' Orlando pouted to May, who rolled her eyes and pulled him into a hug.
'Orlando, honey, this is a new boutique created by a PokéStylist who is a Top Coordinator. Of course the lineup is going to be huge! This doesn't happen every day, you know!' His brother scoffed before pinching his cheek and wrapping an arm around May's slim waist, effectively pulling her away from his brother.
'May, I'm sorry. We shouldn't have let you two go off without us,' Brendan murmured into her ear, his red eyes filled with a regret she knew all too well.
Shaking her head, May murmured, 'it's done. He'll get better, he has to.'
Seeing yet another limousine appear, May blinked at the familiar appearance of Zoey, dressed in an orange suit with a black blouse. She winked once at the cameras before sauntering onwards, not once waiting for Nando to appear in a purple suit himself. The man, like Zoey, nodded his head to the papparazi before stalking away.
The third figure had May's breath hitch in her throat. Daisy-May clambered out uncertainly, her slim legs visible from a slit in her sensual black dress. She appeared quite uncertain, and May didn't think twice as Zinnia also climbed out of the vehicle.
Walking away from her friends, May was vaguely aware of Dawn chatting to Nando and Zoey as she walked down the aisle again. With a giant smile, she grinned, 'you came!'
The woman flushed delicately, but nodded all the same, faltering slightly as May kissed her cheek. After all, hadn't Daisy's brother mentioned something about following the Kalosian customs?
'So, let me introduce you to the star of the show,' May winked at her cousin before holding her hand, leading her to Dawn as she sent Zinnia a small smile, the woman shaking her head with an eager chuckle.
The chipper bluenette blinked once before smiling eagerly at Daisy, holding out a hand and greeting, 'thank you so much for coming to the opening of my boutique. My name is Dawn, who might you be?'
'I'm Daisy, Daisy-May Oak, Gary's sister,' Daisy smiled, shaking the woman's hand as another limousine arrived.
There was an awed hush as the door opened to reveal not just one, nor two, but the five Champions, some deposed, but mostly in their right.
'Wallace really pulled through,' Dawn squeaked as the man in question climbed out of the vehicle, holding a hand for Diantha and Cynthia. Whilst Diantha was still wearing her white playsuit and Cynthia was wearing her black business suit, both commanded an air of respect which left May feeling once again insignificant.
Considering her agreement with Steven, May once again felt a wave of gratitude for the man as she came eye to eye with the woman who would have wanted to use poison jab on May's eyes at least once.
'I'm happy you're both here,' May squeaked as the two women walked towards Dawn, kissing the cheeks of all three girls in greeting.
'Dawn, it's a pleasure to be here,' Cynthia beamed, though she sent a particularly steely glare to May, who almost yelped at the anger in the grey eyes. Thankfully, Steven and Wallace had trained her to somewhat handle her fear of the Sinnoh Champion.
'The honour is all mine, thank you so much, Cynthia, Diantha!' Dawn gushed as the Kalosian Champion's light blue eyes flickered from Cynthia to May with some amusement, apparently aware of the animosity between the two women.
'Ladies, I do hope you weren't missing our presence too much,' Alder's booming voice laughed as Iris visibly groaned. The man with explosive red hair seemed unaffected as the women surrounding him responded with flat stares, already aware of his womanising antics.
'Alder, please restrain yourself, there are paparazzi here,' Lance's calm voice chided as his yellow eyes flickered to May's sapphire orbs.
'May, if you would be so kind as to grace me with your presence after this event, I would be ever so grateful,' Lance bowed slightly, causing the young brunette to wince.
'Lance, now is not the time for this,' Cynthia glowered as Wallace casually leaned on a nearby column.
'Contrary to popular belief, Cynthia, now is the perfect time to discuss this. I understand that yourself and Steven have an arrangement in which she will only enact her duties when required, however I must insist that this barbaric practice be stopped. You know as well as I do that this is well overdue,' Wallace drawled, his turquoise eyes never leaving May's.
'No, I can't,' May grimaced as her friend and cousin watched on in confusion, surprised by her snubbing the important man.
Meeting eyes with Brendan's across the people, May subtly twitched her left eye, a signal she knew he'd understand.
The man didn't need to be told twice, extrapolating himself from his discussion with Gary and Calem, who watched him make a Beedrill line for her. Gary's lips pressed into a subtle frown as he watched the man's movements, aware of the unusuality of his actions.
'I don't see what the problem is, she won, didn't she?' Alder pressed, glowering at Cynthia.
'I must say, I agree with Alder on this,' Diantha agreed as May felt herself become faint, her eyes flickering to a new car, much more modest than her own transportation to the event.
The door opened to reveal a familiar mop of purple hair, the grumpy black eyes flickering across the people as Dawn squeaked, 'oh Arceus, he's here.'
'Who is?' Daisy frowned as Dawn hurriedly excused herself.
'Listen,' May scowled at the other members of the conversation as Brendan reached her, his eyes filled with concern.
'Oh, so you'll talk now, will you?' Cynthia mocked, arching an eyebrow at the younger woman's sudden anger.
'We all know what happened in that hall, but we also know that I was set up. I do not want the title, nor do I want any of the responsibility. Give me until I actually reach my dream and then I'll do yours, ok? Cut the bullying, it's unnecessary. At least give me the time to do what I want before I submit to Steven's gaol sentence,' May scowled at the Champions, not once flinching under their gaze.
'And what if someone else manages to overthrow Steven?' Diantha drawled as Daisy and Brendan both gaped at May.
'That's not my problem. It's not like I actually wanted the cursed job, did I? He took advantage of my naïveté, he used me and now I'm done with him. Yes, he's still a good friend of mine, but he's never going to pull that on me again, and he knows it,' May growled at them her eyes intent on Cynthia's.
'Isn't it cute, Steven is having a lover's quarrel,' Cynthia scoffed, causing Wallace's eyes to narrow in anger.
'I'll give you a lover's quarrel—what you and him are doing. Otherwise decide you're together, or end it. Neither of you are doing yourselves any favours by this yo-yoing business! I know where my affections lie, and that's got absolutely nothing to do with you!' May hissed back, stomping her foot once before stalking away, Brendan and Daisy following her to escape the animosity of the Champions.
'May, what the fuck just happened?' Brendan snapped as Daisy glanced around them to ensure no one could overhear.
'I'm Champion of Hoenn, have been for years,' May grimaced, her eyes intent on her shoes. She didn't notice as Paul rigidly kissed Dawn's cheek, nor her friend's face flushing ten different shades of red.
'And you were going to tell us when?' Brendan continued, arching an eyebrow at his childhood friend.
'I don't know, I didn't exactly ask for this,' May grimaced as she glanced up at her childhood friend and long lost cousin.
'Look, you didn't ask for it but now it's happened. Are you going to slap the man in the face after everything he's done for you? May, I was there when he found out about Drew, and he looked crushed. He's still in love with you, maybe he never got over you. From Cynthia's angry glare, she knows it, too,' Brendan said, his eyes focused on hers, not seeing Daisy frown at their words.
'Well I never asked for his help. You know as well as I do that he and Wallace just showed up at the Gym,' May stubbornly argued, crossing her arms as Daisy giggled.
'What's so funny?' Brendan scowled at her, eyes narrowed in anger.
'May's just so adorable! And she's got to be strong to take out Steven Stone. Oh, Gary is going to be beyond jealous! He always said he was the best Oak, but May's giving him a run for his money!' Daisy grinned before crushing May into a tight hug.
'Dawn—Daisy, can't breathe. Sorry,' May squeaked, saying her Sinnoh friend's name out of instinct.
'Oops, I'm just so proud of you! Just wait until gramps hears! May, you're just incredible!' Daisy grinned as May's eyes flickered past her to see Dawn cutting the ribbon which held her boutique shut.
With a small smile, May mused, 'neither of you fancy on sneaking out, do you?'
'Won't your friend mind?' Brendan frowned as he glanced at Dawn.
'I doubt it,' May grimaced as Dawn's blue eyes flickered to Paul's black, a small smile playing on her lips as Zinnia poked Orlando before an amused Wally.