Got another Victor/Marnie story, hot off the presses. Now in three parts for your Thanksgiving week pleasure!

Unlike "Battle of the Beaters," which was kind of a Pokemon Masters spin-off, this is a direct sequel to my story "Riverside Rendezvous," based on my ongoing time with the Crown Tundra DLC. If you haven't read the original story, I would highly recommend doing so first, but this one should work just as well as a standalone read.

The general premise is post-Galarian Star Tournament, since I couldn't avoid doing something related to choosing Marnie as a partner there. However, I don't delve too deep into the tourney itself. I'd recommend reading "A Punk's Blade for the Crowned Star" by The Master of Dimensions Jr [ID: 1797497] for that perspective, since that piece seems like it has a similar worldview to mine. It also inspired me to get off my ass and pull this together, so credit where it's due.

Enjoy!

A portly Poke Mart employee whistles along to the jovial Muzak wafting from speakers dotted around Crown Tundra Station. His hips bop back and forth under the hem of his blue company sweater as he re-organizes rows of Potions and Repels.

He slows as the sounds bouncing around the red brick interior begin to dull, giving way to a few plodding jingles. Though the clerk couldn't see from the enclosure of his kiosk beside the gates leading to the railway, the electronic arrivals board had a flashing line: 19:35 Wyndon Station — On time

The sounds of a high-speed vehicle grinding against frost-covered tracks grew louder as the incoming train pulls into the station. Knowing he could potentially be someone's first impression of the Crown Tundra, a snowy expanse tucked away in the southern tip of Galar, the Poke Mart clerk stands at attention with a smile, curious to see who would be aboard this late train. It was the last arrival of the day, and not many would want to be caught out in the snow at night.

When the gold-accented, navy blue digital train finally pulls to a complete stop, its metal chassis lets off a slight vapor while acclimating to the cold. Every window had an opaque frosty sheen, including the Pokeball-shaped fixture embedded in the lead car's double-doors.

As those doors slide open with a slight hiss, they expose the couple chatting on the other side.

"… know you were pretty worried that whole time, Marnie."

Victor had to raise his tone as the moan of the chilly air cut into their conversation. Marnie rolls her eyes at his comment.

"Maybe when Bea was battin' for us, but that's all I'm givin' you, Vic."

The punk girl steps off the train, crossing the small cobblestone platform between the tracks and the station. Her stride is as poised as ever, even while Victor takes a moment to ensure his knit grey cap is on snugly before skittering after her.

"You know you had your knickers in a twist when your bro showed up in the finals, innit."

Victor freezes up halfway across the platform when Marnie throws him an unimpressed glare over her shoulder. She says nothing and pushes through the yellow gate into Crown Tundra Station. Victor shivers to life before heading in after her.

"We got through it fine." Marnie responds, taking a moment to circle her gaze around the room.

The girl passes by a poster advertising Postwick to the rotating brochure stand beside the Poke Mart kiosk. Victor, meanwhile, takes another moment to acclimate to the cold, patting both cheeks with his palms while glancing at the snowflake pattern embedded in the floor in front of the platform gates. The emblem was worn down by frost, but the floral interpretation of Calyrex' bulbous head in the center stayed vibrant.

"Guess we make a good team or somethin'."

Victor looks to Marnie after she utters that, pretending like she was engrossed in the choice between pulling Fleeting Fairies of Ballonlea, Flying Taxis: Corviknight Care and You, or Kalosian Cruises for Vivillon Enthusiasts off the rack. He smiles and approaches the girl, gingerly wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Mm, guess we do. Was certainly luckier than a Chansey to catch you bumming about with no partner, or I'd have been stuck with Hop."

Marnie tenses up as his arms pull her studded leather jacket snug, but the girl's breathing steadies as she mindlessly peruses the same brochures. "He really so bad?"

Victor hums as he thinks about it, but winds up shaking his head. "Just a tad overwhelming, yeah?"

"Yeah."

Victor rests his chin on Marnie's shoulder, as if to get a better look at the rack of brochures, and tightens his hold. Marnie lets her tough exterior slip away as she closes her eyes and nuzzles their cheeks together. The nippy air about them made the skin-to-skin contact a little prickly, and a lot more electrifying.

Just a moment later she comes off her high, and playfully elbows him in the side so he would back off. His reluctance to do so falters as she turns to meet his gaze with a slightly bent brow — a clear sign of unbridled rage.

"Speakin' of overwhelmin'. Bloody hell's wrong with you anyway, showin' up to that tourney like a gaudy golden marshmallow?"

He shrinks away, rubbing his neck.

"Oi, not my fault Lee gave me a dodgy call, made me rush back before I could change. Coulda sworn Eternatus showed up for a second go."

Marnie crosses her arms, tapping the spiked heel of her right boot against the blue-and-white tiled floor.

"Well you know it'll be all over the telly tomorrow since we won, and I'll look like the nutter for hangin' with you." She swings an arm out in frustration. "How're we ever goin' t'come out in public if you keep muckin' it up!"

She starts to storm off to the exit across from the kiosk. The Poke Mart clerk's smile had faded, and Victor stands by trying to articulate any kind of coherent thought.

"Hang on, that's no fair Marn," he finally manages. "You know there'll be a quintillion more Star Tournaments for us to get a better picture!"

"Well you know better'n I that people only care for the first one."

As Marnie is about to head out to the Slippery Slope, the clerk reaches out through the open window of his kiosk.

"'Scuse me, miss." He stutters before clearing his throat, voice naturally jolly. "You might want to put on something a tad warmer, it's supposed to be nippy out there tonight."

She practically scowls at him, which causes both the clerk and Victor to recoil.

"You don't grow up in Spikemuth without gettin' used to breezes blowin' through a broken window or two, yeah?" Marnie scoffs and makes her way outside. "Shove off."

The clerk looks a bit downtrodden and drums his fingers against the windowsill. Victor passes walking backward to give the guy a half-hearted smile.

"Don't worry, she didn't mean nothing by it. Sure you're a right fine bloke."

As Victor twirls around again to run off after Marnie, the clerk waves with a reinvigorated smile. "Much obliged, Champ!"