Me: Well, I'm on a roll now! Sorry for the long delay of almost or over a year, everyone. But now, after listening to much music, getting into Undertale (Asriel is forever my favorite character) and Supernatural (I see why everyone ships Destiel, hehe), I have returned to writing from a massive writer's block!
Hal: Boss! You're back!
Me: How's my security guard doing?
Hal: You sonofabi- You left us all hanging and waiting to get back to action!
Me: Sorry. But hey, I'm back, and we're getting back up. Now then. I do not own Pokemon, nor Undertale and Supernatural (just thought I'd mention that since I DID mention them both.).
Chapter Seven
The Competition Begins
Sunlight streams into the massive dome of the Super Contest Hall in the center of Hearthome City, the roof wide open for natural lighting, and to allow spectators of the competition to see thee fireworks show that is supposed to mark the start of the event. I'm already seated with Liz, Bella, and the other three elite four members, while Ikuto and Siebold are busy with the other contestants in a hidden area of the hall to prepare.
I can see Sebastian, Tommy, and Mr. Farce all seated in a canopied VIP area a little bit to the left. Questions from what I learned last night are still floating around my head, but I won't be able to get any answers right now. Maybe after the events of the day are done, but until then, I'll just have to push them down and focus on supporting Ikuto and Siebold. I turn my attention back to the contest hall stage, where a two tables, one smaller than the other, have been set up. The larger table is likely where the contestants will be seated, because there is a little red button placed every few feet along the table. That leaves the smaller table to be for the judges.
A cheer courses through the entire hall as the center of the stage opens a trap door, a hidden lift raising with a single pokemon, an exploud. It lifts both hands, drawing silence across the hall.
"Welcome, one and all," it says with a deep feminine voice that rattles my eardrums, "to the first annual Inter-Regional Gourmet Flavors competition, hosted by the wonderful Farce corporation." She motions to the VIP area, and Mr. Farce nods slightly. The exploud coughs lightly before continuing. "I, Jules Streiss, shall be your commentator for this competition. Now then, I think it is time for us to meet the lovely judges of the event."
"First, we have local restaurant owner, gym leader, and ever fashionable food critic, Madame Fantina!" The mismagius from yesterday enters the stage from behind a curtained entrance by the judge's table, wearing a white and bright pink chef's hat and matching chef's coat. She waves an astral projected hand before seating herself on the left of the table. "Next, we have a true treat, and baking expert, Professor Sycamore from the Kalos region!" I recognize the Alakazam who comes through the curtain, as I have seen him a number of times whenever I was in Lumiose City, doing research and getting interviews with pokemon. He also wears a chef's hat and coat, and sends faked air kisses and waves into the crowd. One area of the stands screams, and Liz and I laugh a little; Sycamore always had fans, and a number of our fellow classmates in high school had posters of the Alakazam in lockers. "Last, but not least, we have Miss Helena Farce!" Helena follows in her own uniform, trimmed in a deep blue and black, before taking the center seat at the table.
Most of the spectators are either in a riot from excitement, or are flat out cheering over the judges, so Jules lets out a massive burst of sound, a Boomburst attack perhaps, silencing everyone as they cringe. "Now then. Let us begin introducing our competitors!"
Another cheer rises, and slowly, each establishment being represented is introduced, as well as those who are representing the locations. I recognize the gardevoir and galade from the restaurant, who are apparently Ruby and Ren Umbridge from Unova, and representing a small restaurant in Castelia City called Tasty Illusions. Not a very creative name, but then again, I can't judge. The elite four, Liz, Bella, and myself all stand up and cheer when Siebold and Ikuto are announced and enter the stage as the last group, right after a loan Emboar from Pewter City in Kanto.
Once all the contestants are seated, Jules speaks once more. "Now then, with introductions set, are we all ready to enjoy a delicious competition?" The roars of excitement are answer enough, and she claps once. "Then, let the first Gourmet Flavors annual competition begin!"
Fire type attacks and fireworks alike end up being shot high into the air above the dome, cranking the excitement factor up several notches. The display lasts a few minutes before ending with a number of flying type staff clearing the air with their wings.
Jules smiles and begins to speak once more, grabbing an envelope from Helena. "Now, I will explain how the competition will work. We will have a total of 5 rounds for the competition, but only the judges and myself will know exactly what each round is before announcing it. One round will be held every day, with the winners being announced and rewarded with a large check for one million dollars and free advertisement by the Farce corporation on the sixth day. Each round will eliminate various establishments from the competition, but only if they score too low. Otherwise, all the represented establishments remain in the competition until the announcement of the winner is made.
"The first round will be a Quick Quiz. The judges will ask various culinary questions, from safety up to specific spices and preparations. The first representative of any establishment to hit the buzzer will have thirty seconds to give an answer. If they give a wrong answer, another establishment may make the steal. If they answer right, they will be granted one point, which will add to their total score. Any team scoring less than five points will be booted from the competition."
I wince at the thought of being on stage right now. I feel awful for everyone on stage. Bella nudges me, frowning lightly, so I turn to her. "Is something wrong?"
"I gotta go. Can you move for a moment?" I nod quickly and stand, letting her pass. She only has to ask me, since my legs are the only ones that would be in her way, being so large. Liz stifles a laugh as I sit back down, and I send a glare at her.
Several minutes pass, in which time Ikuto and Siebold are able to get three points, while the other points are spread out to other areas, leaving Fanciful Tastes in the lead. I look around, frowning, as Bella has yet to return, when someone gets in her seat.
"Um, excuse me, that seat's s-" I stop speaking and scowl when I turn to see Sebastian in Bella's seat, smiling at me. "What are you doing?"
"Your sister wanted to trade places so she could talk with Thomas while watching. Obviously, she knew you wouldn't move to the VIP area and trade spots with my brother, so I let her have my seat and she gave me hers." He sits back and points towards the area he'd been sitting in, and sure enough, my little sister is there watching the competition and chatting away with the giratina.
I shake my head with a sigh and turn my focus back to the competition as Ikuto scores another point after stealing from an excadrill. Or at least, I try to, before Liz elbows me in the side. Just one look tells me what she's thinking; Bella rubbed off on her, and Liz always insisted I either get back with Sebastian or find myself "a good man to settle with."
"I am not doing that," I whisper, and she furrows her brow.
"Well at least stop being so rude to him. If you don't be nice to him, I'll set you two up on a date."
That gets me. The last thing I want is that, because not only will it be with Sebastian, but she'll probably make it something overly romantic to try and make me not only forgive him, but also fall for him. Not that falling for him would be hard; he still affects me sometimes, even if I deny it.
"Fine. But only if you stay out of it. I'm not getting back together with him."
She nods and focuses on the stage again, and I let out a soft sigh. The dialga catches it and eyes me with a lowered curve to the lip. I have to mentally scold myself as I recall what those lips are capable of.
"Is something wrong, Aries?"
"No, not at all. Let's just watch." I try my best to ignore him as he shrugs. It's not a success, given that he stretches, his suit bulging slightly from muscles moving, and he places an arm, of all places, across my shoulders. Whether he is doing this to flirt, or it's just casual, I don't really know. I just know I have to get away when I have the chance.
I begin to move to get up, but he moves his arm away, resting his hand against my legs instead, a shiver racing through me from the point of contact. Fuck, the last time I was touched in any way was when I was still dating the dialga. I blush and face him, and his expression is, pleading? Of all the looks he could give me, he's got this pleading expression aimed towards me.
"Please, stay, Aries. I'm not here to do anything more than watch the competition. If anything makes you uncomfortable, just let me know."
That comment. He said it during our first time. Damn the memories that spring forth at it. But I can't just go when he made it. One thing that he always did was keep his word, except for not being at the funeral until it was over. That was the only time he ever failed to keep his word, and that does arouse questions that sprang forth after talking to Tommy.
Sitting back down, I face him completely, keeping a straight face as well as I can, just as Liz and the others cheer; that means Siebold and ikuto are at five points and heading to the next round. "Fine, I'll stay Sebastian. After the event is done for the day, though, I need to ask you something important."
He smirks; bloody hell, that's still pretty hot. "Well then, how about we do that somewhere nice? I could show you around while we talk."
I scowl for a moment but look away and calm myself. "Fine. We'll meet in the hotel lobby, okay?"
"It's a date." He winks and I blush hard, every feather on my body standing on end in embarrassment.
Me: Could have been played out better, but I liked how it turned out.
Hal: Just don't leave everyone hanging. We need to be paid, and your readers are in need of updates.