Hi all,
Here's the latest update for May, Gym Leader. Hope you like it :)
Chapter 21Standing near a woman with ash brown, wavy hair, whose gaze was intent on the newspaper, May sent her an apologetic glance before she answered the call, 'hello, May speaking.'
'May, it's good to hear you. I was almost worried with how long it was taking you to answer. How are you?' Steven's smooth voice beamed into the device, making her flush as she recalled her friend's eager teasing about the man.
She strongly reminded herself that Steven was only looking out for the interests of the Petalburg Gym as a member of The Hoenn League. He was far too accomplished to even look at her in that manner, and besides, she'd only just had her heart crushed by another, even if said culprit was oblivious to it.
Glancing at her friends, May saw they were all staring intently at her, any discussion with Ash apparently long forgotten. She could only imagine how much that would infuriate the man, though suppressed the urge to giggle at Ash's undoubtedly furious expression on the other side of their conversation.
Considering what her friends were doing in Petalburg, and why they were watching her quite so intently, May couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh. Realising that Steven was listening, May said, 'ugh, sorry Steven, I'm good, dandy.'
'Well that doesn't sound like you're being honest with me,' the man prompted, his tone laced with the subtlest hints of concern.
With a grimace, she responded, 'you're right. I'd love to say that things are ok, but they're not.'
'What's wrong? Is it the Gym? I can ask Wallace to step in if you need guidance,' Steven frowned, his voice sounding more concerned than she'd have expected from the man who was effectively her boss.
'No, no, no, it's not that. Honestly, that's the part of my life that's going fine. More than fine, even. I've had a few great pointers from Brendan, Roxanne and Brawly. No, it's not the Gym. My father's still not well, and then I've had a bit of a personal set back. It's nothing that I can't handle, I'm just a little on struggle-street at the moment,' May grimaced as she began tracing patterns into the pavement with her right foot as she spoke.
'Are you sure? Wallace can be there in a few days if you're really struggling. I'm sure he wouldn't mind cancelling his appointments for you,' Steven continued, sounding uncertain about May's obvious dejection.
'Honestly, Steven, it's nothing I can't handle. Brendan called some of my friends over and they're doing what they can for me. This whole saga has had me so drained that I haven't really been myself, but all of my friends are really pulling through for me. They're doing things I never would've thought they would, and it's making me feel so very grateful,' May smiled into the device as her gaze once again flickered to her friends, who were appearing to be deep in discussion with Ash.
Just watching her friends from various regions interacting together made her feel all the more grateful for having such great friends. She didn't even know what she would have done on her journey if she'd never encountered Ash. She was immensely lucky that her bicycle had been barbecued back then.
'I suppose these same friends are with you now,' the man questioned, his tone suddenly guarded.
'Yeah, they're calling another friend on their Xtransceiver, one I haven't seen a very long time,' May smiled, biting her bottom lip slightly as she saw Serena and Misty once again glaring at each other. No doubt they were once again on the verge of arguing over Ash Ketchum.
'So I suppose I should contact Juan then to deal with a disturbance this time,' he continued, sounding unusually disappointed.
'What? No, no, it's my duty. I'm sure my friends would understand. After all, there's a Kanto Gym Leader and an aspiring Unovan Gym Leader in there and I'm sure they'll be aware of a Gym Leader's duties as well as I. Besides, when you travel with Ash Ketchum, helping others becomes second nature to you,' May reassured the man, her eyes flickering to her friends. Catching Iris' maroon gaze in her own, May knew that the Unovan woman was aware of her impeding departure. The woman may act brash and hard, but she was incredibly perceptive and caring, even if she did have a tendency of teasing others a bit too much.
'Excellent, I really appreciate everything you do to help me, May. I'll have somebody pick you up soon,' the Champion grimaced, his voice laced with regret.
'You don't need to come to collect me, just give me the location and I'll ask Brendan to lend me one of his flying types,' May muttered, glancing back at her friends in uncertainty. She could already imagine how eager they would be at seeing none other than Steven Stone, Champion Extraordinaire of Hoenn, in the flesh. They'd probably give his large fan base a run for their money with their eager giggles and squeals.
'May, I insist in this as you are doing me a favour. Besides, I'm already on my way,' Steven said, his tone unusually sharp.
'Ok, well then you should know I'm not at the Gym at the moment. I'm at an ice cream parlour just on the outskirts of Petalburg. It's near the route to Littleroot,' May grimaced in response, trying to suppress her nerves about her friends' reactions to the Hoenn Champion's sudden appearance.
'I'll see you soon,' Steven smiled before she heard the dial tone beeping into her ear.
With a soft sigh, she rejoined her friends, glancing apprehensively at their eager expressions.
'What?' Dawn frowned at May who grimaced at the Xtransceiver through which Ash was listening.
'Is May back?' Ash's voice sounded from the device, causing the brunette to smile.
'Yes, Ash, I'm here. Did you miss me?' May teased winking at Misty who rolled her eyes. They both knew just how much Misty missed the black haired man, though she would never admit it verbally.
'Yes, I did,' Ash responded plainly as Pikachu cried in agreement.
Smiling softly, May whispered, 'I missed you too.'
'Ash, we've got to go,' Iris frowned as Dawn watched May's troubled expression increase.
'Wait, what? Why are you leaving now that May's back? I want to talk to her, she's my friend too!' Ash glowered, his tone more bitter than May could ever recall hearing before. He clearly had missed her, and it made her feel all the more guilty for pushing him away.
'Because Ash, we have girl talk to do. And no, even Ashley won't be able to understand it because you're simply too thick. Now, Pikachu, remember that the ketchup bottle is always open for you in the Cerulean Gym,' Misty responded sweetly before pressing the end call button and frowning at May in an expectant manner.
'Spill it,' Iris drawled as she feigned an interest in her ice cream, her maroon eyes revealing her interest by flickering back up to the sapphire eyed woman before her.
'That was Steven,' May began, only to be met by a chorus of squeals.
'So, what did he want?' Serena teased, nudging May slightly so she blushed.
'Well, you see,' May muttered, poking her fingers together with clear anxiety.
'What is it?' Dawn questioned, arching a cool eyebrow at the brunette before her.
Letting out a heavy sigh, May glanced at her companions, just knowing how exaggerated their responses would be.
'He'll be coming here to pick me up. There's been a disturbance somewhere in Hoenn and he wants me to help out,' May muttered, glancing at Misty for support. However, the orange haired woman was too busy blinking, a smile devious enough to rival a Banette's filling her expression as her cerulean eyes met Dawn's blue.
As one, the duo began to squeal, quickly followed by Iris and Serena.
Letting out a heavy sigh, May muttered, 'Why did I even bother?'
She began to eat at her melting ice cream, not even glancing at her friends as others began to stare. She knew that, when the time was right, they would return to Hoenn and begin discussions again like civilised beings.
'Oh come on, May! He's personally coming here during your plight of need!' Misty sighed, her eyes sparkling at the romantic notion behind it all.
'Wow, he really is your knight in shining armour!' Dawn agreed, as Serena nodded and Iris grinned, 'R-o-m-a-n-c-e is in the air tonight!'
'Guys, it's not night, he's here on business, and it's not like that,' May growled, trying to keep an objective head as an all too familiar sleek silver car pulled up beside them. Why was the man so infuriatingly punctual in everything he did? Couldn't he at least give her some time to calm the storm which was set to burst at any moment?
A door opened as her friends were still cheering, to reveal the man in a black suit, his light blue hair styled to near perfection as he walked towards the group of young women, his gaze intent on a very flushed May.
First Brendan, now Steven. This was not going to plan at all, and she didn't even have one! She could see her friends all stare at him in wide eyed rapture, apparently too star struck to speak.
'Hi Steven,' May called as she stood up, hoping to remind her friends that they were in public. In response, Dawn clung onto Iris, who winced as someone, probably Misty, tried to kick them to return them to reality.
'May, were these the friends you were talking about?' Steven questioned as he offered the others a small smile that May could only describe as charming.
'Well, yes. There's Serena, the one with the honey coloured hair, Dawn is next to her, that's Iris and this is Misty,' May responded anxiously as she pointed to each of her friends.
'It's a pleasure to meet you,' Steven said, bowing slightly as Dawn squealed as quietly as she could. Yes, she was definitely becoming a fan of the Hoenn Champion. His impeccable manners would definitely result in the woman appreciating every minute detail about the man. May knew she'd never hear the end of it now.
'So, I hear you've been helping May settle into the challenging role of Gym Leader,' Misty questioned, her expression sceptical.
Oh no, May thought as she saw the woman's irritated scowl. She knew Misty's motives all too well, and there was definitely a flash of resentment in her eyes as she considered the man's confident stance. In the absence of her family, May knew that Misty, as the eldest of their group, would try to fulfil the role her own sisters in Cerulean City would for her.
'Yes, I remember how hard it was to suddenly receive the title of Champion after battling Wallace. I thought that with everything going on in May's life that I would offer her the little assistance I could. The role is challenging enough without adding everything else life has thrown at her into the mix,' Steven responded calmly, placing a reassuring hand on May's shoulder, who just blinked up at him.
Registering his touch, the woman couldn't help but flail internally. Did the man not see the avid expressions on her friends' faces? Was he clueless to their suddenly brighter smiles at his slight touch? Oh Celebi, she was going to regret this, wasn't she?
'I never had anyone help me back in Kanto, and I was only twelve,' Misty glared at the man, whose gaze flashed briefly with something May didn't recognise.
'Then I shall have to have words with Lance. Considering everything that May is going through, I thought it would be in everyone's interest to help her as much as possible. I'm sorry Lance did not personally extend this same care to you,' Steven frowned back at the orange haired woman, who blinked at the conviction in his voice.
'The only thing is that May wants to be a Top Coordinator. Aren't your interests a little wasted?' Iris frowned, causing May to glance down at her pink boots in shame. Whilst she personally agreed with the Unovan woman, she couldn't help but also wonder if her dream was still relevant.
'Nonsense, I'm just trying to aid May in the best way I know how. Besides, what she does with her dreams is up to her, and I will endeavour to support her in any way possible,' Steven responded as May began to blush, knowing exactly how her friends would perceive this line. Furthermore, she couldn't help but note that this sounded very much like a parent grilling a potential date, and that made her feel all the more embarrassed to be the subject of this very awkward conversation.
'Oh, so that means you'll let her travel to attend Contests?' Dawn grinned eagerly, slamming her hands on the table as her blue hair danced around her shoulders with her movements.
'She is her own person, for me to try to control her simply because she is a Gym Leader is ridiculous. Latios would strike me down if I tried anything so absurd,' Steven responded, shaking his head in disbelief.
'Latios?' May whispered as her mind flew back to her journey through Johto, which had been cut short by her father's illness. She could still smell the familiar air of the acorn trees in Ilex Forest, as well as see the Slowpoke at the Slowpoke Well in Azalea Town.
'Yes,' Steven offered her a smile as Serena frowned at their dialogue, appearing disturbed by something.
'So, you're the Champion of Hoenn?' Serena frowned, glancing him up and down.
'That is the title which I have spent quite a few years fighting to attain and keep,' Steven nodded once as he withdrew his hand from May's shoulder, who was more aware of Iris' scrutiny than anything else.
'And you need May to help you go about your duties?' Iris frowned thoughtfully as she scooped the dredges of her ice cream into the spoon and into her mouth.
'Yes, as Champion I can enlist the assistance of Gym Leaders. In this instance, I feel that May can grow in helping me,' the man smiled at the dragon tamer before him.
'Really? Cynthia never seemed to need anyone else's help,' Dawn frowned as she glanced at Iris, the other woman to have met the Sinnoh Champion.
'Yeah, she only needed our help once when she had to be in two places at once,' Iris frowned, her maroon gaze flicking up to the man before them, her expression laced with triumph.
'Cynthia is indecisive to the point of ridicule. She hasn't enlisted any one person's help because she cannot decide who that one person should be. I assure you that Lance also relies on another as surely as Alder relies on someone too, someone who I believe is here right now. As for Diantha, does she not have an assistant? She relies on others the most out of any of us,' Steven responded, for the first time appearing to lose his suave persona, surprising May.
'Wow, you really don't like Cynthia, do you?' Dawn murmured, causing the man to fight down a blush.
'Guys, that's enough. Steven came here to ask for my assistance, he doesn't need to be grilled on a woman who's not even in this region,' May scowled at her friends, who grimaced sheepishly. May was known for her patience and forgiveness, however she wasn't quick to chastise her friends unless they were really out of line.
'But May, he—' Serena began, only to be silenced by the brunette's glare.
'Steven is right, he can ask for someone else's assistance. There's nothing to prevent him from asking for help, it just shows that he's human and he knows his limits,' Misty murmured, defending the Champion, who sent her a grateful glance.
'May, as nice as it is to stand here and meet your friends, I regret that we must leave,' the man grimaced at her before turning his attention back to the car, his countenance as serious as ever.
'All right. Guys, thank you so much for coming all this way to help me out. I'm sorry I have to go so suddenly,' May grimaced as her friends sent small, understanding smiles.
'We'll see you when you get back, right?' Serena called as May followed Steven into the car.
'Sure,' May grinned back before clambering awkwardly into the pristine luxury car. Whilst Steven had helped her before, this made her feel all the more cautious.