"In sleep he sang to me…in dreams he came." Lena sang softly, trailing a finger over the ledge of the bridge she walked over from one part of Nimbasa to another. "That voice that calls to me…and speaks my name…"
Behind her Cye and Phantom followed, listening to the melody their trainer was singing against the early morning sky. So early in fact that the City wasn't even awake yet.
After two weeks of being in Nimbasa, Lena had learned the quietest times of Nimbasa. The places she could actually be alone and free. The areas where her only audience was the river and a spare Pidove or two.
"And do I dream again…for now I find…" Lena stopped at a particular part of the bridge and looked down, gazing into the sparkling waters reflecting the stars and the city lights. She paused at the reflection staring back at her…
…she swore she was staring at her mother in her reflection…
Lena gave off a slow sigh and rested her arms on the edge of the bridge, only looking at her reflection…
This is going to be hard on him, Selena…this will be hard for all of you…You will be strong, won't you my song of the sea? My beautiful song of Lugia? You will love your Father and your Brother for me? Be strong…keep singing for them…keep being you…no one else…
Lena slowly narrowed her eyes as she heard her mothers last wish echoing in her head. The very last conversation they had ever had…
...the promise that even she couldn't keep…do to the multiple promises unkempt…
…tch…I'm such a hypocrite…
"Don't stop now!"
Lena's pupils shrunk and she jumped at least five feet into the air, spinning around and seeing a girl dressed in yellow and black, an Emolga sitting on her shoulder.
Cye and Phantom, both looking rather spooked, slowly stepped in front of Lena, but looked more puzzled than angry.
The girl took a step up towards Lena, a large grin on her face. "It's supposed to end with the Phantom of the Opera inside your mind!"
"O-Oh!" Lena blushed darkly and put a hand to her face. "I'm- I- I had no idea there was anyone UP this early aside from Officer Jenny's crew!" She cleared her throat and folded her hands. "I'm sorry. I'll head back to my-"
"No no no!" The blonde haired girl waved her hands in the air frantically, grinning. "Your voice is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!"
Lena blushed darkly, looking taken aback.
The girl grinned widely. "I envy your Pokemon!" she quickly looked towards Cye and Phantom, who were still trying to process this girl. "I bet you boys get to hear this angel sing every DAY don't'cha?"
There was a pause of awkward silence as Lena and her Pokemon glanced at each other.
"Ah- Where are my manners? Of course it's awkward for a complete stranger to just come out of nowhere at 5 in the morning and start talking to you." The girl rubbed her head slightly and offered her hand. "I'm Elesa. Gym Leader of Nimbasa"
"Oh….OH!" Lena let a wave of relief hit her, before she smiled and took Elesa's hand, shaking it gently. She should have recognized this girl from the beginning! There were a MILLION ads around Nimbasa with her picture on it, it was almost embarrassing!
"It's very nice to meet you, miss Elesa. I wasn't expecting to meet you so early."
"Well the league hasn't started just yet, so Emolga and I like to enjoy morning walks before heading to the studio for a shoot." Elesa put her hands on her hips and glanced towards her electric/flying pokemon. "She's very demanding about the morning ritual."
Lena chuckled softly and gave a small wave towards the Emolga, and looked back towards Elesa. "Of course, You're a model aren't you?"
No wonder there's a million pictures of you everywhere…
"You bet I am!" Elesa gave the girl a peace sign. "Though we are doing recruitments next week. Wanna sign up?" She gave Lena a sly look. "With a voice like yours, you'd be a regular supermodel."
Lena felt a rush of anxiety hit her as she thought of ALL THE WAYS Morty could find her if she actually took Elesa's offer on this. She put up a hand and gave a weak chuckle. "I'm flattered! But Phantom, Cye and myself are trying to focus for the upcoming league challenge."
She glanced towards her Pokemon briefly. "Though….it is getting tiring waiting for a month to pass…"
"That's right, there's still a whole month to go, isn't there?" Elesa looked thoughtful…and smiled. "I have an idea. Why don't you do a little part time work for me?"
"Part time work?" Lena looked baffled. "What…could I possibly have to offer you?"
"Well, you have a stellar voice. Some of my recruits could really use someone who knows how to keep a beat and a melody to walk to one recruit days." Elesa put a finger in the air. "On other days, I could really use a part-time delivery person to my best clients."
The gym leader waited for an answer and gave Lena a thumbs up. "It would only be until I have enough recruits. That way you can head off for the gym challenge once it starts up."
Lena was silent for a while…and smiled slightly. "Well…we honestly were getting a little board…so why not? I'd be glad to work for someone as influencing as you."
"Ha!" Elesa rubbed her head. "I don't know about influencing!"
She got sarcastic looks from Lena and both of her pokemon, who simultaneously pointed towards the DOZENS of billboards, screens and posters around Nimbasa…with her face on them.
Elesa paused…and rubbed her head. "Hah…I suppose that's fair."
