Pokémon Police Force Chapter 36: Date Night

We spent the next few days in Winoa, taking in the sights and actually getting to know each other for once. Winoa was a huge town about the size of Bastion, but way more spread out.

There were high hills, terraces and windmills all around. Instead of the Dutch look you would expect to see here, the town was oddly Celtic. I soon found out why the town was named Winoa.

There was a steady, pleasant breeze constantly blowing through the town, but occasionally we would experience extremely short bursts of hurricane force winds. It was never enough to do any lasting damage, but it did catch us off-guard and knocked us and the townsfolk down every so often.

I even learned something about Sal during this time. Apparently, she had discovered her talent for making drugs by accident. She was bored and began mashing dried berries together. The result was a fine powder that would make anyone that breathed it in lethargic. However, over the past three years, she shifted gears and began making medicine instead of drugs.

At the dawn of the second day, everyone had gone into town to buy supplies for the journey ahead. It was just Emerald and I alone on the street. Well, alone if you don't count the many other Pokémon going about their daily business.

"What do you say about tonight?" I asked.

"What about tonight?"

"Our date. Want to do it tonight?"

"We're about to go after Team PWNK. Is this really the best time?"

"We're going against Yveltal. This may be the only time."

"Argyle, I don't know-"

"Emerald, that's the thing about dating. We don't know. It's an opportunity to explore our own feelings, let our hearts do the talking. To be fair, I'm not in a hurry to have a girlfriend right now, after Jessie…"

"You're right, talking is cheap. I guess I have something new to investigate."

"Emerald, do me a favor."

"Anything."

"Leave Lieutenant Emerald behind. I want to date Emerald the Braixen instead."

Emerald smirked.

"I'll try."

The rest of the day pretty much followed the same pattern as before, with a couple of exceptions. For one, Emerald was insisting on remaining by my side and Sheriashuu began making really inappropriate jokes around us.

When the sun had begun to fall, and evening was upon us, it was time for our date. After Emerald brushed her fur, we headed for the restaurant district. Well, we would've if it hadn't been for a familiar voice behind us.

"Going out on your date?"

We spun around to find a familiar white Pokémon with green, flowing hair and a black dress.

"Meloetta! What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I live here now," she said, "your police friends are using my house as a base. Who did you think lent them the house?"

"You live here?" Asked Emerald, "what about that oracle gig?"

"Oh, I quit," Meloetta said, "those hours were just torture. I'm overworked."

"The hours? You set your own schedule!" I said.

"You were just lonely, weren't you?" Asked Emerald, smirking.

"I will neither confirm nor deny that."

"So, why did you come to this town, specifically?" I asked.

"I knew you'd be here. I wanted to give you this."

Meloetta handed me a small charm on a chain.

"What's that?" Asked Emerald.

"It's a good luck charm, to wear around your ankle," said Meloetta, "I made it myself. For your journey."

"Thank you for the thought," I said.

I kneeled down and clasped it around my right ankle. Surprisingly, it was the perfect size.

"I gotta say, I like the new accessory, a Razor Claw, is it?"

I stood up and began examining the item closer. A claw-shaped stone, hanging from a cord around my neck.

"I honestly forgot I had this thing."

"You had it around your neck for several years now and you forgot?" Asked Emerald, "I gave that to you!"

"Things have been… complicated," I said, "you know that."

"Well, I won't keep you two Luvdisc any longer," said Meloetta, "go on, enjoy yourselves. Good luck."

We said our goodbyes and parted ways with Meloetta. I led her to a restaurant I found to sound very interesting.

"The Poached Primarina?" Asked Emerald, "a seafood place?"

"That's what I thought at first, but I think you'll like it," I said, "come on."

I opened the door and gestured her inside. She walked inside and I followed her. The inside looked like a sushi place. The Japanese style was all over. The tables and seats were actually embedded holes in the ground, so you had to get down to sit down. At the entrance, was a podium with a posh-looking Serperior standing behind it.

"Do you have a reservation, sir?" The Serperior asked, his voice taking on a British tone.

(What even is this town?)

"Five PM," I said, "under the name of Plaid."

"Let's see… ah, here it is! Table for two. Right this way, sirs."

Serperior led us to a small table near the back of the restaurant. I helped Emerald down into her seat and then plopped down into my own on the other side of the table. Surprisingly, the chairs were actually large cushions, almost like bean bags and the table was just the perfect height for us.

"I am Serperior and I will be your waiter this evening," Serperior said, "can I start you off with some wine?"

"I'll let Arg- I mean, Plaid choose for me," I said, "he's the wine expert."

"She'll take a red wine with Tamato juice," said Argyle, "and I'll take the same, but with Aspear juice."

"Aspear? Isn't that a little sour?"

"I like my drinks to have a bit of a kick."

"I'll be back with your wine and the menus," said Serperior before bowing and slithering off.

"So, Plaid huh?"

"Even if we're on another continent, I need to be careful."

"The police are watching, aren't they?"

"Yeah, but back to the date, do you like the place?"

"It's rather upscale, how did you get-? You snuck your name on the list, didn't you?"

"I have absolutely no idea what you may be implying," he said with a wink of his left eye.

"Guess going out with you has its benefits."

"Aren't gonna arrest me?"

"I told the lieutenant to stay home."

We both shared a laugh at that. Serperior arrived back at our table shortly afterward, a tray with two wine glasses and a bottle of wine perfectly balanced on the tip of his tail.

"Your wine."

Serperior placed the tray on the table with barely a wobble. He handed us our glasses with his tail and then uncorked the bottle. With years of experience, he poured us glasses and left us the bottle. Finally, he took the requested berries and squeezed the juice in our drinks and gave us a tail full of more berries. Another flourish, and he picked up the tray with his tail and with the same movement, passed us a couple of menus.

"That was amazing," I said, "you're quite good."

"Thank you, I got my start in a little bar in Mystery City."

"Miltank's place?" Asked Argyle.

"The very one," said Serperior, "I was just a Snivy then. How has Miltank been?"

"Same as always," Argyle responded.

"I should visit sometime, catch up. Take some time to look over the menus. I'll be by later to take your orders."

I glanced down at the menu. I've never heard of any of these dishes, but they all use common ingredients that you'd find in any kitchen.

"Anything catch your eye?" Asked Argyle.

"I don't know… nothing sounds familiar."

"That's why I chose this place. They have a reputation for using common ingredients in very uncommon ways. Every dish is an adventure."

"An adventure…? I think I know what I want."

"Okay, then let's wait for Serperior."

I took a sip of wine. The natural flavors of the wine melded with the spicy juice of the Tamato Berry in a way that just made a cornucopia of flavor just exploded in my mouth.

"You look happy."

"This is the most delicious wine I've ever had," I admitted.

"I knew you'd love spiced wine."

Argyle took a drink of his and began gagging.

"You okay?"

"Boy, that's strong!"

I laughed at Argyle's misfortune as Serperior slithered back to us.

"Have time to look through the menus?" He asked.

"I'll take the flambé mignon on the Pyukumuku scalloped potatoes with a side of kyurmabasa," I said.

Serperior placed a notepad on the table and began writing down the order.

"I see you're a fan of spicy food," Serperior said.

"I've always enjoyed hot and spicy food."

"And for you, sir?"

"Le Poisson Torchic scramble on brioche with a slight maramox sauce and a side of latiasarno."

"Sweet and sour it is," said Serperior, "I'll be by with your food later."

"Nice job with all that French, there," I said.

"Anytime, mademoiselle."

We exchanged a laugh and then a bit of light conversation before Serperior brought our food. The food was delicious. The best spicy food I've ever had. I've got to find this recipe! We finished with equally delicious dessert.

After the dinner, Emerald and I walked up to the front desk to pay the bill.

"The tab is 4,450 Poké."

"I hope you have enough," said Emerald.

I reached into the bag and pulled out a Nugget of gold.

"How long have you had that in there?" Asked Emerald.

"I don't know," I admitted, "I didn't even know I had this. Will this cover it?"

Serperior grabbed it and studied it.

"It shall, it looks to be worth 5,000 Poké," he said, "I'll give you change."

"Keep it," I said, "consider that your tip."

"Very generous of you, sir. Would you like a receipt?"

"Nah, we're good."

"Enjoy the rest of your date."

"Is it really that obvious?" Asked Emerald.

"We get couples here all the time," said Serperior, "I know what to look for. If I may say, you two make a cute couple."

Emerald blushed cutely at this comment. We left the restaurant and began walking to the next place on our trip. It wasn't any place grand, just a hill overlooking the sea.

"Why'd you bring me here?"

"Thought we could watch the sunset together."

We sat down on the crest of the hill and I began watching the sea as it met the sky. We stayed quiet for the longest time before Emerald spoke.

"You've really surprised me tonight," Emerald said suddenly.

"How so?"

"I thought I had you figured out, but now I've seen a new side of you."

"Not exactly flowers and chocolate, but I know how to show a woman a good time."

"Surprised you didn't take me dancing."

"You don't exactly strike me as the type to go to a rave."

"I guess I'll have to take you out next time. I might surprise you."

"Sounds like you enjoyed the dinner."

"You got me to eat artichokes! I hate those and I loved that meal."

Emerald smiled at me, a sweet icing on top of a perfect day.

"Argyle, never change."

"Where did that come from?"

"All my life I felt that something was missing, that I was meant for greater things. That's why I joined the police. Then I met you."

She began staring at the falling sun.

"You changed me. I never would've thought about being friends with an outlaw before, but here we are, and now we're going to save the whole world."

The sun began kissing the horizon.

"I'm not sure I'm willing to start seriously dating you, let alone marrying you, but I must-"

I cut her off by pulling her into a surprise kiss. She let me kiss her until I broke it off.

"Emerald, you talk too much."

Emerald stared at me for a bit and then withdrew her Sun Symbol from her tail. She held it toward the setting sun.

"I am resolved," she said, "no matter what happens, I'll fight by your side."

"This- it's never gonna be the same between us, will it?" I asked.

"Hopefully for the better," she said, putting the charm back in her tail.

"Here's hoping," I said as the sun finally dropped behind the horizon.