So sorry for the long wait, I've just been busy. Or lazy. Or both.
Anyway, thanks again to JayEyedWolf for her good editing, though I am not amused at her locking Loki up in a cage. Don't ask.
Disclaimer: I don't own Nintendo or Pokemon.
Touko ripped off the blindfold and clambered out of the International Police car (disguised, of course), muttering a "thanks" to the driver before gulping in fresh air. She had spent far too much time in that stuffy car, unable to look outside or do anything to pass the time. Talking to N was awkward, and she didn't try. Well, of course, now that she didn't talk to him in the car, it was going to be awkward out here, too.
N gently untied his blindfold, shook the driver's hand (still fascinated by the concept), and stepped out. Touko had wandered towards the statue in the center of the small meadow just before the entrance bridge to Driftveil City. It was golden, with ridges all along the sides, and curved upwards. It looked like a feather that had been thrown away and was now riding the wind, but not as... feathery. How philosophical, Touko thought sarcastically.
"Thank you," N murmured quietly. Touko jumped, not knowing he had crept up beside her.
"I didn't do anything," Touko responded automatically, still examining the statue. The sunlight bounced off the surface, illuminating the gold and throwing the ridges into sharp relief.
"Maybe it seemed that way to you, but to me, you helped tremendously." N's voice was fast, but his words were mumbled. Touko could barely make them out.
"You're welcome, then?"
N's lips curved upwards in a slight smile before dropping again. "I've never told anyone about my past before," he admitted, eyes also trained on the statue.
"Well, it's dead depressing," Touko said bluntly.
N tugged at a loose strand of hair, his delicate (good Lord, did she really just think that?) mouth staying firmly shut.
Touko cleared her throat. "I, um, am going to go see what they're doing to Driftveil. It's pretty much being remodeled."
No duh. Workmen and strong Pokémon were bustling about, shouting orders at one another and wiping off grease on their overalls. Planks of wood were being hauled from one point to another, the crash of brick on concrete could be heard for miles, and cranes were creaking and swaying in the wind. It didn't take a genius to figure out what was going on.
N's expression darkened momentarily. "Why are they using Pokémon? Can't they just do it themselves?"
Touko looked away from the statue and towards N. "Some Pokémon feel obligated to, or they do it because they want to be with their trainer. Or maybe they just like working."
N made a noncommittal grunt.
"Anyway," Touko said, turning away from the statue, "I'm going to go examine one of the new hotels. Do you want to come with me?"
Idiot! What are you doing, asking him to tag along with you? Idiot, idiot, stupid idiot—
"Into—into the city?" N asked, his hesitancy clear in his voice.
"Yes, but of course, if you don't want to be around all the people..." And of course he wouldn't want to be around those strange things called humans, so then he'd leave and Touko would be fine.
But then N replied, "Um. I should... to... learn more. About people. It might be interesting."
Touko blinked. "Okay then," she managed, chewing her bottom lip. "Well. I'll just lead the way, shall I?" She cleared her throat and began walking towards the bridge, N following her like a lost puppy. A lost, green-haired puppy.
Touko glanced behind her what seemed like every other second to make sure N hadn't done something stupid. He kept marveling at even the smallest things—"Why are they holding hands?" "What's a strip club?" (Touko hurriedly steered him away from said club)— which she explained exasperatedly, already beginning to get tired of N's voice.
After several minutes of N examining the Driftveil Market (since when was he the one dragging her around?), Touko finally pulled him away and wandered towards the entrance to Cold Storage.
But it wasn't the Cold Storage anymore. "What is—?"
"It's the Pokémon World Tournament," a familiar rough voice with a thick country accent said from behind them.
Touko and N turned, a smile brightening Touko's face, while N seemed to visibly shrink back at the sight of Clay. Touko hurriedly shoved N behind her, knowing it wouldn't do much good (there was the whole N-being-five-eleven-and-Touko-being-five-six-thing), before greeting the Driftveil Gym leader. "Nice to see you, Clay."
"Mhm. You too. Who's the fella you hidin' behind your back? Ya don't need to be ashamed of havin' a boyfriend," Clay rumbled, trying to peer behind Touko's back.
"Oh, no, he's not—we're not—no way—I mean—"
N sidestepped around Touko. "I am not going to hide," he said, straightening his back and looking Clay squarely in the eye. "I'm done running and hiding."
Touko grimaced, her face paling and pulse pounding. "Be careful," she hissed.
N ignored her. Of course. "Clay, right?"
Clay nodded, a wary look crossing his face. Touko tilted her head up and looked at the sky, taking a deep breath and steeling herself for whatever came next. "Try ta speak a little slower, son. These old ears can't understand you." He paused, the wary look being replaced by pity. "Now, I know who ya are, but I think you should get a fresh start. I'm Clay, the Gym Leader 'round this parts."
N licked his lips, and held out his hand. "I'm N." He didn't elaborate.
Clay nodded and shook N's pale hand. "Nice ta meet ya, N," he said, clapping him heartily on the shoulder. "Now, as I was sayin', this here is the Pokémon World Tournament. The name says it all. It should be finished in 'round five months' time."
"Well, it's certainly changed from when I was here last," Touko said.
"It'll be the pride o' Driftveil. People will come from all 'round to see this." Clay beamed at them. "Now, I'm gonna let you two get on with your date."
Touko looked like she was about to explode. "We are not dating," she said, voice rising vehemently. "Why would I date him, anyway? Do you really think my taste in men is that bad?"
Oh, shit.
Clay's radiant smile dropped and was replaced by a look of surprise, and worry. N began to back away from Touko, hurt evident in his eyes.
Shit. First, N had to talk about his painful past, and now Touko had just insulted him. Badly.
Shit.
Touko whipped her head from side to side, from Clay to N, eyes wide. "No, I—I didn't mean that you were bad, or anything, I just—"
"Yes, you did," N said softly. "And you're right. I'm not a good person. If we were... dating, as you called it... you would deserve better. Thanks for reminding me."
Touko blanched. "N, I don't—please..." She threw her hands up in the air, at a loss for words. "Look, I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry. I didn't mean that."
N didn't meet her eyes. Clay did only for a second, to shoot Touko the disappointed look that hurt more than yells and punches.
Touko visibly shrank back and began to blink rapidly. She opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again, and then, with a terrified look on her face, dashed towards the statue she had stood next to earlier. She slammed her palms against the concrete slab it was sitting atop of, ignoring the pain. She put her head between her shoulders, ponytail flopping down beside her shoulder, and set about convincing herself the ground was not getting blurry. No way. Touko took a deep breath, stood up straight, squared her shoulders, and wiped her gritty palms off on her shirt. She looked back over her shoulder towards the Cold Storage—no, the Pokémon World Tournament—but N and Clay were nowhere to be found.
She bit her lip, fighting back the tears that threatened to spring to her eyes. "Damn," she whispered, bringing her hands up to her cheeks, covering her face, and breathing deeply. "Dammit." Touko withdrew her hands from her face and fumbled for a Poké Ball. Her hands slipped as she did so, not able to get a firm grip on one. "Damn," she hissed, finally managing to snag a Poké Ball. There was a flash of light, and with a cry, her Braviary Godric appeared, the motion of his wings flattening the nearby grass blades.
"Take me home," Touko mumbled, resting her hand on Godric's neck, entwining her fingers in his feathers. "I'm an idiot, Godric. I need some chocolate and reality TV." Godric pressed his face against hers, nudging it gently.
"Oh, it's not that bad," Touko said, swatting him away gently before she clambered on his back. "But I would love to watch TV shows about people who have worse lives than mine, so let's go."