A Love -Hate Relationship

11

The Influence Of Motostoke

A/N: This Fan Fiction is based on the Galar region and games (Sword/Shield) featuring CanonXOC

"Oh, ho ho so SHINY~!" Hop beamed as he threw himself onto Anani's bed after helping her into her room,"Seems they roomed us separate, neighbor." he stated,"My number is right next door."

"Probably for the sake of the Competition." said Anani as she dropped her bags and threw herself onto the bed, laying beside him,"All of us Gym Challengers are rivals now." she stated,"Can't exactly have rivals rooming together, all up in each other's space and learning strategies." she teased.

"True." Hop chuckled,"Still camping together in the Wild Area was fun!"

"Maybe so." Anani laughed,"But after sleeping on a futon mattress in your shed, and the cold uneven ground in a tent, it will sure be nice to have a bed." she grinned.

"Right well, I'll leave you to it then." Hop chuckled as he sat up,"I'm gonna go settle up in my own room, then after maybe we can go out and experience a bit of Motosoke together, aye?"

"Sounds good, Hop." she chuckled as she rolled to her side and curled in her bed,"Mmm but take your time...this is mighty comfy."

"Right so hurry up then? Got it!" he teased and left out of the room with a wave. She was alone now in her room. and her 4 small Poke'mon were free of their confinement to wander the room too...given they behaved thmselves. Which was hard for Punkoon to do...

It was a nice suite. Very spacious and elgantly decorated. She almost didn't want to leave it. But Hop was never known for his patience...so she figured she better polish herself up too. Though...a small power nap wouldn't hurt.

XXXXX

"Top of the morning, Anani!"

"Top of the morning, Hop." she stated,"Though it's more close to lunch time I think."

"Bah, well it's still early enough." he chuckled."The opening ceremony isn't until tomorrow." he said,"Our journey begins the day after, so..." he blinked,"We still have two days to spare, what do you suppose Motostoke can have to offer us in that time?" he asked as he began scrolling through his phone for ideas.

Uh-Oh...Hop's getting that look he gets when he gas a "brilliant" idea...

"Here's a brilliant idea!" he said.

There he goes!

She thought. And without even explaining himself further he quickly grasped her hand in his and took off in a dash.

"Let's wander the sights!" he grinned, "And...maybe eat at a real restuarant for a change."

"Hop, are you sure about this!?" Anani huffed, trying to speak while running with Hop was hard.

"Why not?" he asked, "Do you not want to go?"

On the contrary really...

She was thrilled with the idea.

"I don't know just...don't you think it would be sort of like...a date?" she whispered out the last part, an awkward heat adding flush to her softly colored cheeks.

"Say what, now?" Hop blinked. Of course...right over his head.

"Well, come on then

"What about the Gym Challenge?" she asked.

"We've got plenty of time." said Hop,"It's still early in the day, and the opening ceremony isn't until tomorrow." he stated.

"Well...all right then..." she said awkwardly.

"Brilliant!" Hop grinned and clasped her hand in his, "Let's go then!"

XXX

"Easy does it, mate!" Hop laughed as she tripped over her own boots. Maybe it could be she was just tired...

But something felt different this time the was Hop casually placed an arm draped warmly around her shoulders while he pointed out the sights. "This is...amazing!" Anani beamed, with her hands o the rails as they looked out over all of Motostoke.

"Sure beats Potswick eh, mate?" Hop hummed, "This city is the heart of Galar." he explained, "It's right in the middle and connects to every city and town we will be visiting on our Journey." he said softly, "All of it...it's rather exciting don't you think!?"

It was a pleasant time spent really. Goofing off in the Boutique in silly outfits and browsing the shops. The scones of Motostoke were to die for and definitely made for a pleasant lunch. It was hard to tell where the time went as they watched the sky change color over the the bride that hung over yet another part of the Wild Area, still left unexplored beneath their feet. They settled with a nice dinner at a restraunt on the lower level of the city and sighed.

"That's enough exploring, you think?" the boy asked softly as night fell over them while they treaded slowly back toward the Hotel, "We've got an early rise for tomorrow's ceremony."

"Yeah..." Anani agreed softly, "We say we're rivals now...yet the competition hasn't even begun yet." she hummed, "More than just you and me, there's Marnie, tt guy in the pink and so many other people inbetween all going for the same goalpost."

"Sorta gets your blood pumping, right!?" Hop beamed, "Which is why we better sleep tight tonight- because who knows when we'll have the chance again for some decent shut eye?"

Anani smiled. Even she could agree to that. After all, come tomorrow...the day they spent today will all seem like just a passing dream...

To Be Continued