4
"Oh, dear, what's happened here?" James's mother approached in the garden with a tone of concern, his father soon following, as a disheveled Jessie walked with James through the gate. "Jessebelle, it looks like your new dress is completely ruined. James, did you-"
Jessie could have sighed at having to deal with the parents on top of the rest of the day, but as a pro, she kept her cool and in character. "Mother, Father, I'm sorry," she began. "I know it's not proper. My dearest James was feeling better, and we decided to take a walk in the woods. And then, well, don't make me say exactly, it's neither the right time nor place, but, well, things got a bit intense." Jessie jovially turned toward James, hoping he'd play along.
"Yes," James said. He actually grabbed her hand, squeezing it as he gave her a weary but genuine-looking smile. "It was... Intense."
Jessie didn't know if it was the fact the parents certainly believed the false implications, or the man's attention, but her face heated up. Freeing herself from his stare, she only saw the parents pleased at both of their words. Positive regard was up all around, and she should be happy with that, but there was only embarrassment. As James dropped her hand, she relaxed somewhat.
"I'm tired," James said. "I'll go and rest up."
"Rest up then, dear," the mother said. Both parents smiled approvingly Jessie's way as James left. "I see my little James is finally growing up," the mother added.
It was definitely embarrassing to have them both be so into any kind of 'developments', Jessie considered. No wonder this guy was so messed up. Even so, this all seemed to be a turn for the better. Best to let it keep going. "I'm going to rest and clean up too. I'll look forward to seeing you at dinner."
Jessie did just what she'd said she was going to. There may have been ways she could better make use of her time, but she really was worn out from the guy's little stunt. A bath and an unmarred dress were just what she needed. Once dinner time came, she was all freshened up, in a clean outfit, and went out to the dining room.
James was already there, still with his default melancholy expression. Well, if he was serious about what he'd tried to do, there was no simple snapping out of it. Was he going to try that again? Jessie considered the idea, feeling her stomach knotting up. She sat down, becoming irritated at the thought. He ought to watch out if he did, she considered, depending on her mood maybe she'd just push him to get it over with. But he seemed alright, at least at the moment. He'd come on his own to a meal, which hadn't happened before, so he might not be as hung up on 'her' being there. However, he also didn't comment at all as small talk ensued.
That was fine, Jessie decided. Since it seemed he wasn't going to bring up any unsettling topics, she was free to try and direct the conversation as she wished. As the topic of Pokemon Contests came up, she felt she could naturally bring up what she wanted to. "Pokemon Contests are so fun, aren't they? I attended various Pokemon Showcases in Kalos."
"Oh, did you?" the mother said. "I'd heard that's their version of Pokemon Contests. How were they?"
"Everyone was so lovely!" Jessie exclaimed. "I especially liked how original everyone was when during the styling portion. They could really deck their pokemon out with cute accessories!"
"How nice. Perhaps those in Kalos would like the accessory line we've got. We're planning to invest quite a bit into talented designers, experienced coordinators," the father informed.
"Are you sponsoring someone?" Jessie asked.
"No, just beginning a designer line of pokemon accessories by the best coordinators, to sell for shows, or any other purpose," the mother informed.
"Well, I'm sure they're lovely, but I wonder if they will be a hit," Jessie mused.
"Aren't you sure they will? You've seen the power coordinators have over fashion," the mother said.
"Well, if you'll excuse my rudeness," Jessie began.
"Not at all," the mother said with a smile. "Do share your opinion, Jessebelle."
"Thank you, Mother," Jessie continued jovially. "Of course, I'm sure the designs are wonderful, even before I see them. But don't you think originality is important? In Pokemon Showcases, pokemon are accessorized on the spot with simple ribbons and paint. Even in Pokemon contests, any accessories are often handmade. Wouldn't a brand item be frowned upon? Participants would avoid them, and fans may not be able to afford the quality I'm sure you're expecting."
"Hm, that is a good point," the father said.
Excellent. They could be placating her, but they did seem to be seriously considering her words. Jessie decided to push forward. "Pokemon science seems like a good thing to invest in," she said. "Have you considered that?"
"Pokemon science?" the father repeated. "Is that a topic you find interesting, Jessebelle?"
"I do! I love to keep up with the latest in pokemon science, especially creating and discovering new pokemon. If I wasn't marrying darling James, I'd be right there working with everyone to make new discoveries." Jessie made the most dignified excited shriek she could. "If you sponsored it, I'd be able to keep up as part of the family. How exciting!"
"You're interested in wild Pokemon?" James asked, speaking up for the first time that meal.
If he was asking this question, that probably meant she shouldn't be. 'Wild' implied everything improper and atypical of their interests, was that it? Jessie tried to repair the misunderstanding. "I'm interested in the creation of new pokemon. Their skills and appearances are modified. Sometimes for power, other times for beauty. And 'wild', well, nothing that undignified. It's more like mysterious, rare. Pokemon science investigates those kinds of pokemon. Like Meloetta, the illusive legendary pokemon that inspired so many works of art in Unova!"
"Yes, I've heard of it. Well, this pokemon science really does sound exciting," the mother said.
"We'll have to look more into this topic," the father said.
"There's an event coming up you might be interested in," Jessie said.
"Let's make plans to go to it then, shall we?" the father considered.
There. There it was! She'd influenced them appropriately. Or so she could hope. It wasn't a success until they changed investments for real, shoveling money correctly to the Team Rocket affiliated pokemon scientists. Of course, she couldn't just run off back to headquarters from here. She might be there a while still. Jessie got on guard, ready to continually push this idea.
The next day was a success, the family making plans to definitely attend. Jessie spoke with Meowth afterward, who was excited that things were moving forward so quickly. Finishing the conversation, Jessie panicked a bit as she couldn't find her purse. As she went out to go retrieve it, she saw James in the connected sitting room, opening her bag and looking in.
"Hey!" was Jessie's automatic response. "Don't you know better than to look in a lady's bag?" She didn't remember how much she'd left in there. Was there some kind of clue that James could use to find her true identity?
He closed the bag and put it on the side table. "Only one pokeball?" was his sole comment.
Oh. If that was all, no problem. "That's right. I only have one right now," she said.
"So, you don't have your vileplume?"
Damn. Yes, Jessie recalled. Though she didn't remember everything Meowth had prattled on about, she recalled that the person she was impersonating was supposed to have a vileplume. Jessebelle had raised it as a child from an oddish, and the pokemon was a constant companion. They'd discussed this prior, and decided that a fully evolved pokemon like that would be better given to a field agent who was expected to battle, and not her, expected to peacefully fit in with this family and manipulate them. Even if they did get a vileplume, Meowth had reasoned, it might have a personality that was pretty far from the one that belonged to person she was supposed to imitate, and be a giveaway.
Maybe she should have insisted on it anyway. It wasn't like she couldn't just keep it in the pokeball most of the time. Just having it would help. Of course this guy who had known 'her' since 'she' was small would notice 'her' constant companion was gone!
"I didn't realize until now... I suppose I'd been anxious about seeing it," James muttered.
Oh. So that was it. He had mentioned he'd been poisoned and paralyzed, and the mentioned pokemon was the likely tool. "Who would do that to their lover," Jessie muttered. As she saw James's inquisitive glance, she shrugged. Perhaps the best thing to do would be to apologize, but she didn't feel like doing so for someone else again. "Maybe 'I' did some terrible things to you before. But five years is a long time. I've changed, got it?"
"You have. I never thought you'd exchange your sweet-looking pokemon for such a rough one," James commented, glancing toward the bag again.
"Huh?" Jessie clenched her jaw. She grabbed her bag and took out the pokeball, throwing it to release poor Ekans. "What about this pokemon is rough? It's sleek and dignified," she said.
James put up his hand in defence, taking a step back. Maybe he knew that Ekans also had the possibility to learn moves that might poison or paralyze. Despite his apprehension, he spoke. "How? I mean, just look at it," he said.
"I'm looking, and all I see is my adorable ekans," Jessie said, allowing the pokemon to slither on her lap and behind her as she sat down. "What about you, James dear? What sweet pokemon do you have?"
"Of course, I'm not allowed to have any," James said.
"But Growlithe-" Jessie began.
"The family's isn't the same as your own companion to train," James said.
So much 'she' ought to know and was possibly revealing she didn't, so Jessie decided to stop asking questions. The growlithe had seemed attached, so she'd assumed it was his, but it could just be a sort of pet of the family instead. "I just thought you might have caught your own by now," she decided to say.
"I haven't," James said.
"Well, what's stopping you? I mean if you want to?" Jessie said, unable to stop a smile from forming on her face. "There's a whole world of pokemon out there, and you can probably go buy a pokeball easily."
"Even if I do, most won't let themselves be caught unless you battle them first, right?" James said.
"So you want to borrow mine? Why don't you ask?" Jessie teased. She supposed she was being too much like herself, but she was trying to establish her alias as being a changed person.
"You'd really help me get one?" James asked.
"Yeah. Sounds fun," Jessie said, deciding not to throw in any over-the-top gushing about how nice it was to spend time with him. She could lax that act at least while the parents weren't around.
"Really?" James repeated in apparent disbelief, but of course, she'd already answered. "Where can we go?" he asked.
"Well," Jessie began before she paused, feeling a little weird about answering. She'd never exactly caught any pokemon herself, so what would she know? "There's some out in that forest. Yeah. That's as good a place as any. We'll get a pokeball and go there."
James stood up, clasping his hands together, the moody man looking genuinely happy for once. "Yes! Let's go then! Should we leave now?"
"Well, who knows how long we'll be looking around. Maybe tomorrow," Jessie said.
James sat down and gave an exaggerated nod. He stared Jessie's way, jumping as Ekans moved. So, the pokemon was what he was interested in. That was fine, Jessie decided.
"That ekans... Did someone special help you catch it?" James asked.
"Someone special- No. It was a gift," Jessie said.
"From the one who broke your heart?" James asked.
"No!" Jessie exclaimed as an image of Mondo's smiling face handing her the pokeball came into mind. Of course, he couldn't help but have a crush on her, and he might grow up handsome one day, but in the meantime, she wasn't into kids. Besides, the authority to give her the pokemon had come from the boss himself. "It was just someone I admire, like a teacher."
"Oh," James said. "It's fine if you had, or have someone else. It has been a long time. You don't have to hide it from me. I won't tell them."
Jessie rolled her eyes without meaning to. Was he suggesting what she thought? Did he really have that little amount of pride? How could he accept a fiancée knowing she had her heart set on someone else? "There's no one," Jessie affirmed. "What about you? Do you have anyone now?"
"No. Getting my heart broken once was enough."
She'd expected the question to catch him off guard, but instead he answered directly, making her feel awkward yet again. No need to stay on this line of conversation. Jessie stood up, returning ekans to the pokeball. "Well, I'll be sure to wear something fitting tomorrow. You do so as well," she said, tapping his hand.
As James pulled his hand away suddenly, she realized she'd made a mistake. She took a step back, turning to the door to try and politely ignore his reaction.
"Um, Jessebelle?"
"Yes?" Jessie said, turning back to James who still seemed tense.
"Even if you say you're different, I'd rather you didn't touch me so suddenly."
Ah. She'd almost slipped up and forgotten she wasn't really herself right then. Of course this guy wanted some distance from 'her', despite making the decision to tolerate her now. It was unnerving, but she could deal with it. "That's fine," she said. "Good night then."
