"RIGHT!" Nicholas raised his hand, fingers curled so he was pointing at the sky. "I need the final answer! Who's coming with me!"
A half dozen figures jostled for position as their voices mashed together into an unintelligible clamor. "I Me will am Mast-!"
"ENOUGH!" Silence fell from Nicholas' roar. "It's just a business lunch. All I asked for, was one single pokegirl who wanted to come be bored out of her mind." He glowered at the grinning group. "Sohn, you in particular I don't believe for a second to be coming so you can be bored."
"Well, I'm sure I'll be bored out of my skull," Sohn snickered. "That Karen on the other hand…"
"No," Nicholas hissed. "If you came along, you would have to do nothing to prank or irritate her. Since I know I can't trust you to do that, you're not coming." Sohn didn't even bother to look offended. She owned it with a massive grin. "Kary, I know you're thinking something similar. But I would assume your methods of getting back at Karen would be far more direct."
The Dragonite smirked. "Now why would you think that, Weyrleader?"
"Because you treat Sabrina the same way you treat me."
Kary's smirk vanished in favor of an enraged scowl with her fangs bared. "She harmed your mate."
Nicholas stepped up to her without changing his own expression from the barely intense visage he'd adopted to stare down Sohn. "She did. Which is why I will be defending her." Now his lips drew back slightly. "As is my right. Not yours."
Kary immediately backed off, growing a satisfied smile as she did to replace her fury. "Of course, Weyrleader."
Nicholas glanced at the other three still standing there. "Galina, something tells me your motives are just like these two." When the Marowak winked he shook his head and moved on. "Dahlia. Cathy. What ulterior motive do each of you have?"
Dahlia shrugged. "I believed it to be a good idea for me to be your companion, Master. I represent your interests best."
Nicholas nodded. "Cathy?"
The Miltank grunted. "You are the leader of my herd, Nicholas. It does them no good if you are not protected."
Nicholas blinked. "Protected? I'm just going to lunch."
"You go to battle," Cathy replied. "You will not be able to focus on it without someone watching your back."
Many heads turned at Cathy's quiet assertion, but it was Dahlia who spoke first. "Cathy, Master said he was not interested in a fight."
Cathy slowly turned her head in Dahlia's direction, staring silently at the Venusaur for a few moments before speaking again. "May I speak with Alpha Dahlia alone, Beta?"
Sohn nodded slightly. "I think Nicholas has made it clear he's not interested in us three, okay girls?" She glanced at Dahlia. "They're not mine, so I can't give any orders, but…"
"Go on, Galina, Kary." Dahlia was gazing back at Cathy. She waited for the other three to leave before raising an eyebrow, her vines spreading around her loosely. Not in a threatening position, but not at ease, either. "Well?"
Cathy snorted softly. "Do you believe me stupid, or one of them?"
Dahlia remained silent for a bit before her lips cracked in a smile and she began to chuckle. "You're certainly far more than the single-minded slab of beef you pretend to be."
"I could say the same to you."
That caused Dahlia to laugh out loud. She turned to Nicholas with a wide grin. "I think she'll do fine. Take Cathy with you today."
Nicholas was watching the two with an amused look. "Do you slip into that old pretend very often, Dahlia? I'd think by now the rest of the harem knows better."
"Most do. I still like to throw people off." Dahlia turned back to Cathy with a slight curtsy. "Protect him well in his battle with Karen, sister."
"In this one and in all of them to come," Cathy rumbled in reply.
Nicholas raised an eyebrow at that but didn't question what she meant. He had a feeling Cathy would elaborate soon enough. "Good. You need something to wear, though. Topless just won't work."
Cathy shrugged. "I could wear the leather harness the Mistress had me wear when we arrived."
"Hmm…" Nicholas rubbed his chin. "That did work well, but I don't think that's the kind of look you'd want if you're guarding me, right? It was meant to be this grand, showy outfit for the paparazzi. Have you seen what I put together for Kali?"
Cathy scowled. "There's no way I'd force something that… restrictive over my tits. The pressure would make me leak and stain the fabric anyways."
"Er, no. I don't mean a suit like hers." Nicholas gestured at Cathy's broad shoulders. "I was thinking more of an open jacket. I think… Yeah, remember what Sohn had from Sabrina? The detached sleeves? I was thinking we get you a jacket you'd wear open, giving the illusion of clothing, and then pop a bikini top over your nipples so you're technically dressed."
Cathy cocked her head. "With the intention being that this clothing would… what, exactly?"
"Being a celebrity is all about presentation," Nicholas explained. "Like it or not, I am one. So is Sabrina, and so by extension, that makes both of our harems celebrities as well. You care what others think of you, don't you Cathy? How would you feel if the entire world thought of you as nothing more than a big-breasted cow?"
Cathy gave him a flat stare. "You are attempting to manipulate me, Nicholas. You know to never use that word."
"Surely I'm not known for manipulating my pokegirls," Nicholas snickered, Dahlia hiding a smile of her own while Cathy's nostrils flared. "I just tell the truth, that's all."
"You believe this clothing will make me look strong."
"If I remember correctly, you've always wanted to wear what the other bulls do." Nicholas smiled slightly when Cathy's suppressed anger flashed to a laser-tight interest on him. "You may not be able to wear what they did back then, but I believe we can create something strong for you now. Something unique. Something they could never do." When Cathy's tail began swishing back and forth and the Miltank herself bared her teeth in an excited grin he gave her one right back. "What do you say, Cathy?"
"I would say," Cathy growled happily, "that your bull has no need for powerful things, as the others seem to. But she will gladly accept a powerful gift from the man who has shown her that."
"And one that will cause jealousy in those like she used to be, those too weak to know any better?" Nicholas smirked when Cathy's eyes lit up. "I figured as much." He turned to Dahlia. "Diana's harem is off doing something today, right? Do you know where? I need to ask who Sabrina had do the work Diana delivered to us on the ferry."
Dahlia opened her mouth, paused, then giggled and nodded. "Of course I do. How long until your lunch meeting?"
"Probably not long enough to get Cathy the final product, but I'd assume Sabrina had the work done at a costume shop. They're sure to have something good enough laying around." Nicholas smirked. "You were about to play innocent with me, weren't you?
"Oh, I haven't done that in years!" Dahlia cried. "I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about."
"And Nicholas doesn't manipulate anybody," Cathy muttered under her breath.
"You haven't done it in a few minutes, at least," Nicholas laughed. "Would you please go get that information from Diana?" He checked his watch. "I've got just over an hour."
With a quick nod Dahlia moved off towards the hotel, pausing and glancing at Cathy before she got too far. "Oh, and don't think I missed your little assertion, Cathy. We'll discuss it when you get back."
Nicholas shook his head with a sigh as Dahlia vanished into the building. Pokegirls.
.
.
"Right. We'll have to go immediately to the restaurant," Nicholas warned as he and Cathy hurried down a street. "Whatever we can get for you today won't be what you have to live with forever. Even if you find something you like I still intend on returning to this shop for properly fitted clothing."
Cathy smiled. "I remember something else temporary that you made for me, Nicholas. I will not mind whatever comes today."
"Something else I made…" Nicholas' eyes brightened. "Oh, your milking station."
"You know, some part of me prefers the one you made over the one you had made for me." Cathy shoved against him teasingly. "By the way…"
"You've gone from needing a session every week to every month," Nicholas chuckled. "We had a nice long one before leaving Kanto."
"Just because I don't need them as often doesn't mean I don't want them," Cathy muttered bashfully.
"We'll do something special the next time I tame you then."
Cathy perked up at that and all but skipped her way into the store behind Nicholas when they arrived.
"Welcome, come in, come in." A thin, yellow-skinned pokegirl bowed as the two entered the building. "May I assume you are my rush appointment?"
Nicholas smiled and nodded. "I believe so. I'm Nicholas, this is Cathy. And you?"
"Annabelle, of Sewaddling Garments." The pokegirl bowed again. Her body was wrapped in vivid green strips that flexed and moved with her every motion. They created a sort of pliable shell over her legs and torso, and as she straightened again Nicholas watched a few of the strips twist from the backs of her arms to form a pair of razor-thin hooked claws over her hands that the girl used to gesture Cathy closer. With the way she bent her arms to do so it was immediately apparent that those arms were designed for lightning-fast jabs and this pokegirl, despite her chosen profession, was of a powerful combat breed.
Cathy obviously recognized that as well, because she hesitated before taking another step. "Why?"
"I need to take your measurements, of course." The pokegirl placed one claw over the other and very slowly slid the bladed inner edge across the spine of the other, a thin fiber curling up as she did. "It is my understanding that you require a swimsuit?"
Cathy only moved forwards when the girl's blades went back to their dormant state and the pokegirl spread the length of fiber between her fingers expectantly. "Actually, my… Master, there, had an idea he thinks I'll like."
Annabelle smiled warmly at Nicholas as her hands began flashing across Cathy's exposed upper body, the thin length of what must be her own plant-like exoskeleton dancing back and forth between various points on the Miltank's skin. "And what would that be, good sir?"
"I think a greaser jacket would fit Cathy's preferences perfectly," Nicholas replied. "However, she doesn't like anything compressing her breasts, as you might expect with her being a Miltank. So I thought perhaps the jacket could be cut so that it was more of a sleeved back covering?"
"That is a wonderful expression! I would assume then that you are quite the ferocious pokegirl in the arena?" Annabelle asked Cathy.
Cathy noticeably puffed up from the other pokegirl's flattery. "I match horns with my Alpha."
"Then I must be right!" Annabelle stepped back and began balling up the fiber thread. "But, I was under the impression you were interested in a swimsuit…?" Her smile widened. "Ah, I see! Such a jacket would not provide any modesty, though I would think a pokegirl such as you would not care of such a thing."
Nicholas chuckled. "She doesn't, but she wants to accompany me on business meetings. Unfortunately I can't let her go topless for those."
"While a nice soft bikini top would satisfy that annoying social requirement without placing excess stress on miss Cathy's breasts!" Annabelle exclaimed. "You have certainly put a lot of thought into your pokegirl's comfort, mister Topolski. I can tell you are an excellent master."
"And you an excellent saleswoman," Nicholas said with a smile.
With a wink Annabelle turned to gesture them both further inside. "You are a solid pokegirl, but nothing I have not fit before," she was saying as they walked past a few racks of costumes. "CERYS!" A noise, then hurried footsteps until a girl had appeared through the fabric surrounding them. "I need our stock of pokegirl large bikini tops. Meet me in the second workshop." The other girl bobbed her head and quickly vanished again as Annabelle turned to chat with Nicholas. "A greaser, you say. Would it and the bikini be the only articles miss Cathy wears on her torso?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"Hm. In that case the leather of the jacket could easily lead to discomfort when it rubs against her bare skin." Annabelle tapped her arm thoughtfully. "I wonder…"
Nicholas waited for her to elaborate but she didn't until they'd entered a cluttered sewing room. Somehow, at some point, Annabelle had managed to pluck three leather jackets from the forest of clothing they'd walked through and she spread them out on a table while continuing to hum thoughtfully. After a few moments she turned to Cathy. "May I ask your comfort level in exposed skin? Considering you normally wear no top at all."
Cathy frowned slightly. "I have no issue with it."
"Not now, but have you ever worn something up there?" Annabelle pressed. "Many of my customers think they won't mind anything, especially those who come to me nude. But there is a great difference in wearing nothing and wearing only a little something."
Cathy shuffled uncomfortably. "Well… I've never had anything that fit. I don't know."
"We could always just take one of your unaltered pieces and return later," Nicholas tried. "I unfortunately-"
"Are rushing to a 12:45 appointment at Slammers. Yes, I am aware, sir," Annabelle interrupted. "I would not have taken your appointment if I believed I would be letting you leave with anything less than the very best, most perfect outfit for my customer. I do not do sloppy work." She turned without another word to take hold of one of the jackets. "Miss Cathy. Please try this on, and let me know exactly what it makes you feel."
Cathy shrugged into the jacket, making a face as she went for the second arm and the front panels dug into the side of her chest. "Ow."
Annabelle was already there and moving the leather out of the way. "I anticipated as much. Just to confirm, you would not like these extended to rest in front of your breasts?"
"I don't want anything pressing on them."
"Of course." Annabelle reached up and pinched the shoulder line. "How is the fit in the back? Do your shoulders feel tight? Are you able to move freely?"
Cathy twisted, growing angrily when the jacket jabbed her in the side again. "I think so but it's hard to tell with this annoying crap."
In a flash Annabelle's blades had appeared and the offending lengths of the jacket were crumpling to the floor. "Apologies. The shoulders?"
Cathy had frozen in place from the sudden movement and she slowly got back to twisting her upper body. This time the front flaps of the jacket did nothing but settle into the creases between her breast and pectorals. "It's… I think it's slightly too tight?"
"Is it tight in the arms, or the shoulder?" Annabelle asked, taking one of Cathy's arms and tugging slightly on the sleeve.
"Both, I think."
"As I expected, but it is always best to be sure." Annabelle gestured for Cathy to take the jacket off just as the other girl appeared in the door with an armful of fabric. "Cerys, there you are. Thank you." The other girl dropped her load and vanished with another quick bow. "Please try the next size."
Cathy pulled on the next jacket, bracing herself when the flaps dug in again. "The flaps again…"
With a smile Annabelle made the same cuts and firmly settled the altered jacket on Cathy's frame. "How is the fit?"
"It's…" Cathy twisted, raising an arm as she did before reaching across her body with the other. Only then did the leather seem to stretch at all. "It feels right, maybe a little loose?"
"Loose when?"
"When I stand still." Cathy did and raised an arm to show how the cuffs had slipped over the bottom of her hands. "Too big."
"Too big in the arms, yes. But the shoulders?" Annabelle pressed.
Cathy blinked. "Um. They feel good."
"One moment." Cathy resisted the urge to pull away when Annabelle took her hand, the blade sliding along her arm before cutting back out through the cuff. "Now?"
Cathy worked her arm with the length Annabelle had rolled out of the way and nodded. "That's good. I like that."
"Is there anything else you think about this jacket?" Annabelle asked. "Anything at all. Perhaps the way the hem sits against your skin."
Cathy twisted her head to look at the back of the jacket. "Now that you mention it, it's rubbing my tail. Maybe if it was shorter?"
"Shorter it is." A clean cut later and Cathy was standing with an open leather jacket, the sides barely reaching around her torso and the length similarly dropping only just to the base of her boobs. "Is this what you were hoping for?"
Cathy slowly made all the motions she could think of, a smile growing across her face as she did. "I like it. I like it a lot. Do you have a mirror?"
"I wouldn't dream of letting you see that tattered abomination," Annabelle scoffed. "Now take it off so I can use it as a reference for your actual jacket." Cathy pouted but complied, watching Annabelle turn to her workbench with a dismissive wave. "While I finish this, please choose a top from the pile Cerys brought. Don't worry about design; just find the one that fits best for you."
Nicholas moved over to help Cathy sort through the pile. "I think you'll like what you see in the mirror."
Cathy's eyes were distant as she sorted out a few bikinis to try. "I think so too."
She'd found one that fit well by the time Annabelle finished her work, a triangle cup design that was patterned in splotches of alternating black and white. Cathy was nervously playing with the shoulder straps as Annabelle turned to present the finished jacket to her. "There. Put that on, then I'll take you to a mirror."
Cathy quickly complied and they left the back area, Nicholas reaching up to run his fingers over the blank back of Cathy's new jacket. "You make patches here?"
"Anything and everything."
Nicholas smiled slightly. Cathy had glanced back quizzically. "I know you said you wouldn't let us leave until it's perfect, but Cathy's your customer, not me. I might be back in here later with a request for a little addition."
Annabelle giggled and swept her arm towards a mirrored length of the wall. "Of course. Miss Cathy - here you are."
Cathy slowly stepped in front of the mirror and stared. The pokegirl staring back at her was… familiar. She'd seen her many times before. But there was something more about her. Something different. Something… that long ago, she had once admired. Not in herself, but in others. The Tauros on the ranches she'd bounced through. They'd always dressed up, postured. As she remembered her tail lifted subconsciously, her arms coming up to flex at her sides. The pokegirl in the mirror was not just strong. She looked strong. Regardless of the rest of her, the jacket combined with the chiseled body its short length kept on display struck any doubt from her mind. She was looking at a bull. She was looking… at herself.
Nicholas jumped back when Cathy suddenly bugled, leaping forwards and roaring at full volume with her face just inches from the glass. She whirled, eyes aflame, and chased him down to engulf the man in a bone-crushing hug. "THANK YOU! I LOVE IT!"
Annabelle sketched a bow while Nicholas fought his way free of Cathy's embrace. "And it is just past half-past noon. I am confident my services were satisfactory today."
Nicholas finally managed to get back into the open air and glanced at her. "You're a miracle worker, Annabelle, that's what you are. I understand why Sabrina went to you for the rest of my harem's clothes and why she gave you such glowing praise."
Annabelle bowed again with another smile. "Miss Natsume is very kind."
"How would you like me to pay?"
"I believe you are in a hurry to make your next appointment?" Annabelle asked. "Then we can settle up another time. Perhaps when you return with your additions, and perhaps in search of some additional pieces?"
Nicholas chuckled and extended his hand to shake Annabelle's. "I suppose I have no choice but return. Thank you."
"It was my pleasure, mister Topolski."
Cathy was still swelling with excitement as they left and turned towards the burger bar Karen had directed Nicholas to for lunch. "This is SO MUCH BETTER than anything I saw in Solaceon."
"My only regret is that I never tried to find something for you sooner," Nicholas apologized. "I knew you wanted to wear something powerful. You told me the moment we met. I just… never did anything about it."
Cathy laughed out loud and tried to snag him in another hug but Nicholas dodged out of the way. "What does any of that matter? I have it now."
"You have it now," Nicholas agreed. "I'm very glad you do."
They arrived at the modest diner just a few minutes ahead of their reservation. Nicholas was originally going to inquire about Karen at the greeter stand but the Houndoom had been waiting for him, because as he approached she appeared from within the building.
"Mister Topolski." Karen extended her hand, shaking his with a warm smile. She was being as pleasant as Annabelle, and he realized that he wasn't going to find much different here. It was show business in one of the most influential studios in the world. Anyone who didn't know how to flatter would have been chewed up and spat out long before they'd make it to the level of one of these two pokegirls. "I am so glad you could find time for my invitation today."
The silent Miltank at his shoulder had been absolutely right. His battle was starting immediately and he had no room to focus on anything except the sweetly smiling Houndoom in front of him. I set the time, she set the place, he thought quickly as he returned Karen's smile. "And I am so glad you could make a recommendation for our venue."
"Yes, I must admit Slammers is a guilty pleasure of mine," Karen confessed. "There's just something about the way they do the burgers, and I can't resist the temptation of some thick… juicy… meat."
Nicholas' smile firmed. So that's the avenue she was going to take. Kalmiya had done research on this Houndoom's career and had turned up many enlightening reviews. Karen was, by all standards, the perfect pokegirl for the various employers throughout Pokestar Studios. She could do it all. She had no qualms working within any industry, for any reason. She employed every strategy to influence both her clients and her targets. She was not a highly ranked officer within the USAG, but she was one. Probably the exact position she wanted – a steward. She was allowed to continue working in the industry, while also influencing union activities. In fact, discovering all of this about her had called his original suspicions into doubt. By all accounts Karen was simply one of the absolutely best representatives to have been assigned to Sabrina. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that all of this was true, and she had also been specifically chosen by the higher officers because of Sabrina's past. There was literally no better choice Kalmiya had been able to find than this Houndoom to squash the upstart foreigner.
So for her to have made such suggestive statements, for her to be leering at him now, he knew exactly what strategy she was looking to employ. She wanted to get back near Sabrina, and to do that, she was going to try and get in his pants. Once she could invite herself into the bed of Sabrina's fiancé that was just one small step away from the woman herself.
That revelation completely shut down the feelings Karen's actions were arousing. There was something much, much stronger within him than his lust for this admittedly incredible looking pokegirl. His desire to protect Sabrina.
"As you can see, I'm rather partial to some good beef," Nicholas joked, jabbing a thumb at Cathy. "Do we have a table?"
"Just inside," Karen replied, turning and intentionally taking a slow first step so that Nicholas had to work hard not to bump into her butt. But he managed, deftly sidestepping and waiting expectantly for the Houndoom to pick up the pace and lead them to their table.
"So, as I told you in my latest message, I'm here to discuss what it would take for Miss Natsume to accept your client's invitation," Nicholas said as they took their seats. "Before I begin, are there any new developments I should be aware of?"
"No, but must you launch into that already?" Karen huffed. "It's lunch. We haven't even ordered our drinks."
"I am sure we are both busy people, trying to multitask for more time in our days," Nicholas replied with a smile. "Otherwise why would you suggest having this meeting at a restaurant?"
That should have been a scowl. It was certainly a mental one as Karen shook her head. She was annoyed at how bluntly he was shutting her off from any flirtations. "I wanted this so I could take some time and relax. You're right, I'm very busy. Meals are sometimes my only breaks during the day."
Making a pity play. "I'm sorry. Then I chose a poor time for our meeting." Nicholas made to stand. "I should let you have your meal. We can reschedule."
"No. Mister Schpielbunk has no more time to delay," Karen immediately replied. "This is an excellent opportunity for your client. I believe it is in both our interests to have our meeting now."
Nicholas weighed her words and tone. From what he could discern she'd abandoned the ulterior motive, for now, and was urgently working to recover initiative regarding her primary job. Good enough. He settled back down. "Alright. Then may I begin?"
Karen settled back and crossed her hands in her lap. "Please."
"I would first like to extend a message of thanks from my client to your employer," Nicholas said. "Miss Natsume is flattered by Mister Schpielbunk's interest in her talents, and apologizes that her current schedule makes an immediate acceptance of his invitation an impossibility."
"I am sure he will be pleased by her kind words."
"With that being said, the first issue is of course one of time," Nicholas continued. "Miss Natsume is currently finishing rehearsals for her role in the upcoming Harbor production, which I am not at liberty to disclose any details of, you understand, and will be beginning production shortly. As of now, her schedule is quite full due to her primary role. Is Mister Schpielbunk prepared to have an actress who will not prioritize his production over another?"
"I have explained the situation to Mister Schpielbunk, yes, and at this time he is only looking for Miss Natsume's attendance at a closed audition," Karen replied. "Your client may not even be chosen for a part, of course. That would make any further planning moot and a waste of time."
"Then I believe, with the understanding that my client may require an alternative time for her audition, Miss Natsume would be happy to give Mister Schpielbunk her time," Nicholas said with a smile. "I will have her schedule sent to you after our meeting."
"In that case, do you not have any further questions on the points I outlined in my last message?" When Nicholas shook his head Karen's eyes glinted. "There, that wasn't so much, was it? The waiter hasn't even come back with our drinks."
Nicholas blinked and looked around. "I don't believe I'd ordered yet."
"No? Weren't you the responsible one taking only a nice glass of water?" Karen asked, her eyes sly. Almost as if on cue – or perhaps precisely so – a waiter rounded the corner and placed two glasses of water in front of Nicholas and Cathy, while depositing a tall goblet of murky green liquid in front of Karen. As the waiter stepped back Karen peered at her drink. "I ordered a Flaming Dragon."
"Rum and chartreuse, ma'am."
"Flaming, I tell them. They never listen." With a short puff a bright flame shot from Karen's lips and instantly lit the contents of the goblet. She raised it, still burning, to her face in a short salute. "Cheers, Mister Topolski."
Nicholas barely raised his glass as Karen tilted her head back and downed the entire goblet in one huge gulp, flames bursting from her mouth as she let out a satisfied sigh. She was back to trying to seduce him, and to his shame, she was doing a damn good job.
"Now then." Karen stifled a burp, another bright puff of flame escaping past her hand. "'scuse me. Alcohol always goes straight to my head. Ah, may we order? Then I'd like to ask you about your incredible career, Mister Topolski."
Nicholas was about to resign himself to who knows how long trapped with this devious pokegirl when Karen raised her hand to her ear. A few seconds passed and he watched her playful expression completely vanish. "Is something wrong?"
Karen stood. "I apologize, but we'll have to get lunch some other time, Mister Topolski. I'm needed elsewhere." She sighed and gave him a rueful shake of her head. "I told you. I never get time to relax."
Nicholas mentally shrugged and decided that, even if this was also part of the act, he'd bite the bullet in the hopes he might foster a little genuine goodwill with the Houndoom. "How about we reschedule our lunch for another time, and you can use me as an excuse to get some time to yourself."
He wasn't quite sure, but he thought his offer might have actually caught Karen by surprise. At least that was certainly the emotion she put on her face upon hearing it. "No business?"
"None."
"If I can justify it someday, I will certainly take you up on that offer," Karen replied. "But I really am needed elsewhere. I am terribly sorry for cutting our meeting short."
"I wasn't hungry anyways," Nicholas replied, standing and following her outside. "I hope your emergency can be resolved quickly."
"It won't be," Karen muttered. "There's a Plasma protest marching towards the front gate."
Nicholas frowned. "Plasma?"
"You want to come see?" Karen asked. "You're famous enough. You should draw some attention from whatever made-up grievance they have this time."
Nicholas blinked. He absolutely could be getting played harder than he'd ever been played in his life but Karen had dropped all pretenses and genuinely seemed to be asking for his help. Whoever or whatever this Plasma was seemed to be much more important to Karen as an annoyance than her goals of getting to Sabrina or even her paycheck. "I suppose I have to now, you've made me curious. What's Plasma?"
"Plasma is an organization who claim to be 'devoted to the liberation of all pokegirls'," Karen explained. "Sounds wonderful until you watch them in action. What they really want is the segregation of pokegirls and humans. They want to abolish the Unovan government to further that goal. They've even come out claiming to have a supposed prince of the original Unovan founding bloodline as their 'king'." She scowled. "I'd bet they're here to shout for all the pokegirls working jobs at the studio to walk out as a form of empowerment. They just can't understand that most of us are here because we want to be."
"The segregation of humans and pokegirls," Nicholas mused. "But… wouldn't that just lead to the entire pokegirl population going feral? How does that help anybody?"
"Precisely. It doesn't," Karen spat. "They've got a noble idea, I give them that. Humans control society, not pokegirls. But that's because we have no choice but be subservient." She glanced at him. "You're a powerful tamer. You understand that full well."
"I understand it and dislike it. If I had my way, no pokegirl would ever need to worry about going feral, with or without human contact. Unfortunately that's impossible, so I'd rather see every pokegirl paired with a human who will appreciate her."
Karen blinked at him. "You're definitely coming with me now. You'll melt these idiots' brains."
Nicholas chuckled and gestured ahead of them. "Lead the way."
They made their way to the gates Nicholas remembered driving through almost a week ago now and Karen raised a hand to wave at a man in a security uniform standing near the checkpoint, talking with the guards inside. "Alex!"
The man turned and raised his own hand in greeting. "Karen. They haven't arrived yet."
"Do we know what they're shouting about this time?"
"The usual. Destroy your pokeballs, let the pokegirls be free. Reject your humans, you don't need them, all the rest of it."
"Funny, I did that years ago and yet they still won't stop preaching to me," Karen growled. "Well, great. This is just how I wanted to spend my day."
Alex turned to Nicholas. "Champion Topolski. What brings you out here?"
"I was having a nice meeting with Miss Karen when she received word of the protest," Nicholas replied. "I was curious of what these Plasma activists are, so here I am. I like sticking my nose in places it doesn't belong."
Alex chuckled. "Well I will say it's good to have you here. The crowds don't usually get violent, but they'll try to force entry sometimes, and having a world-class tamer as backup is very welcome."
"Have you contacted the police?"
"Yes, but they won't intervene unless something happens," Alex explained. "Speech is heavily protected here in Unova, including demonstration. It ties its roots all the way back to the founding days of our region, when the two sons of the first king attempted to each lay claim to the throne. At the time, Unova was a fully feudal system. So the brothers had no choice but go to war." Alex shrugged. "That civil war is considered the most important and terrible moment in Unovan history. Ever since that day the right to peacefully voice your thoughts has been a cornerstone of our society."
"Karen considers Plasma idiots."
"Oh, I think they've got a lot wrong, but they still have the right to yell about it," Alex agreed. "'Cuz, the thing is, they've got some things right, too. That's an important thing to realize. People are seldom simply right or wrong. Everything is on a sliding scale between black and white."
Nicholas nodded. "You're well-schooled, Alex. Is that normal in Unova as well?"
"I mean, we've got pretentious philosophers and hardworking rural folk just like most places," Alex laughed. "I'm just horribly overqualified to be a security guard." He shrugged with a sheepish look. "Hey, have to pay for college somehow."
Nicholas snickered and patted the other man on the shoulder. "Just do what I did. Find a nice pokegirl and start winning."
"Yeah, for some reason that doesn't quite work out for the other 99% of us," Alex sighed. "I've thought about looking for a pokegirl before but my wage would only barely be able to support the two of us. Sure, there would be benefits, but I kind of like not being destitute."
"I hate to interrupt this wonderful conversation, but I can see banners," Karen remarked drily.
Nicholas moved up to the boom barrier and gazed off down the road. Sure enough, he could see a number of waving signs and before too long the people holding them could be seen as well. Along with multiple vehicles matching the marchers' pace. Many had a camera mounted to the roof and the others undoubtedly held reporters inside. He sighed. "Hey Alex! Is the oversaturation of paparazzi a Unovan thing too?"
"Hey, when anyone is encouraged to say anything, you can make a lot of money giving them a platform," Alex replied. "Especially around here."
The chanting was becoming audible now as the protesters got closer. The guards on duty got out of the guardhouse, moving to stand in the open spaces between the walls and the ends of the boom bars to fully indicate that there was to be no entry, while Nicholas leaned against the structure itself as he watched the crowd. The moment the protesters made it to the gates they swiveled, shouting and chanting for the cameras more than anyone standing on the ground of Pokestar Studios. Karen was standing in the middle of one of the entry roads, a fierce scowl etched into her face, while the news crews swarmed and mics began popping out in front of the more vocal members of the protest. It was almost surreal. A production, just like the works of fiction filmed within the place these people were condemning. "I assume they've learned not to break the law and force entry in an effort to directly address the pokegirls they want to reach," Nicholas murmured to Cathy, the Miltank having drifted more in front of him now to be in between her tamer and the crowd. "From what Alex was saying they'll gain more sympathy from the public if they don't get violent."
"HEY!" Nicholas was picking over the protesters, trying to get a feel for the demographics. All humans, he thought. "HEY! YOU! TOPPLE WHATEVER!"
Nicholas blinked. One of the sign-holding protesters near the edge of the crowd was staring directly at him. When Nicholas focused on him the man swore. "YEAH, IT'S YOU! BASTARD! A HANDFUL OF SLAVES WASN'T ENOUGH FOR YOU, WAS IT? HOW MANY POKEGIRLS WILL YOU IMPRISON BEFORE IT'S FINALLY ENOUGH?"
Nicholas frowned. The man's attention was drawing other eyes towards him. He knew he saw a few cameras moving in. "I would appreciate if you didn't insult me." When the protester made no move that he heard him Nicholas shook his head and moved closer to the barrier.
Instantly Cathy was trying to push him back and the protester began jeering. "LET HIM, POKEGIRL! DON'T FIGHT HIS BATTLES! YOU CAN BE FREE!"
"Cathy- Cathy, calm down!" Nicholas hissed. "I'm just trying to get closer so that guy can hear me. I'm not going to shout like him."
"I don't think that's wise, Nicholas," Cathy growled back. "We should leave."
"No. No, I can't leave." Nicholas took hold of Cathy's arm and stared into her eyes. "I can't heal the world if I run from every battle."
Slowly Cathy deflated. "I can't be in front of you if you take them."
"I think it would be best if you weren't anyways." Nicholas smiled softly. "Not right now. I'll be okay, I promise." Cathy finally took a few heavy steps to the side to let him walk up to the barrier arm. "Could you come over here?" Nicholas gestured at the other man, sighing when he just looked confused and gesturing him closer again. "I want to talk."
"Mate I can't hear a WORD you're saying!" the protester yelled. "Keep hiding behind your institutions, coward. WHEN WE TEAR THEM DOWN YOUR POKEGIRLS WILL BE FREE!"
Nicholas gave a deadpan stare in the man's direction for quite a while before suddenly ducking under the boom barrier and striking out towards the crowd.
"Nicholas-!" Cathy all but screamed.
The protester dropped his sign and spread his arms with a massive grin as Nicholas approached. "WATCH OUT! Here comes the foreigner! Witness the violence of the oppressors!"
"Would you stop yelling?" Nicholas growled. "And lower your arms, you look ridiculous." He stuck out a hand as the protester stared in shock. "Nicholas Topolski. And you are?"
"Er- Ah-" The cameras had swarmed in the instant Nicholas broke the barrier line and a large portion of the crowd had started circling around the two men already. "What are you…?"
"I'm introducing myself. Usually when you meet someone for the first time that's what you do," Nicholas interrupted. "I've never met you before. You are?"
The man's arms slowly fell to his sides. "I'm… Um, Paris. Paris Edwards."
"Don't leave me hanging, Paris," Nicholas said with a smile. "Won't you shake my hand?"
"…I'd rather not," Paris said after a moment. "Maybe if you freed all your pokegirls I'd think about it."
"Yeah, you were yelling about that, right?" Nicholas asked as he returned his hand to his side. "What makes you think I could do that?"
Paris' eyes narrowed. "Of course you can. They're your 'harem'. Yours. None of them are yours to control!"
Nicholas turned and gestured at Cathy. "I don't think I could be controlling a girl like her, do you? And before you argue that I could be using her pokeball as leverage," he shook out his shirt to display how he wasn't wearing any hidden belt, "I don't even have it on me."
"Oh, don't try to argue semantics with me," Paris snarled. "Whether you have that pokeball here or there, it's still YOUR choice to keep them caged. YOU should set them FREE!"
"I'm not arguing anything, actually," Nicholas replied pleasantly. "I'm trying to show you that I don't keep anyone caged. All of my pokegirls are free to roam as they please."
"You can claim whatever you want," Paris hissed, "but you can't deny what you've done. You've enslaved dozens of pokegirls. Publicly. More and more with every passing year. All so they can be used in your pursuit of power. Like tools. Pokegirls are not TOOLS for you to USE!"
Nicholas nodded. "I completely agree."
"AND FURTHERMORE-!" Paris stopped. "YOU- huh?"
"I said I agree with you." Nicholas kept his eyes on the stunned protester as the cameras began pressing in harder. "Pokegirls are not tools. They are living, breathing, thinking, sentient beings, the same as you and I. They have free will. They have the right to make their own choices." He glanced around. There were a number of protesters watching the exchange with rapt attention. "I admit. I've used pokeballs to capture feral pokegirls before. I've done what every tamer has at one point, and tamed a pokegirl without her express consent. I have only ever done so to give them their choice back. Do you know what some of them did?" Paris was still shocked into silence so Nicholas turned to the nearest camera. "Some of them chose to leave. I let them."
"That doesn't change the fact you keep all those pokegirls now!"
Nicholas turned in the direction of the latest voice. "I've already said I don't do that at all. There is nothing forcing any of my pokegirls to stick around. Each and every one chooses to be with me."
"You're lying!"
"Words are cheap," Nicholas agreed, "but words are all I can give you right now. The only pokegirl I have with me today is Cathy back there and if the way she's acting isn't enough for you, nothing would be."
"You're just keeping her in line using her pokeball!"
Nicholas sighed and raised his arms. "I already showed I have no pokeballs on me! Hell I don't even know where Cathy's is. She has it somewhere, or maybe her Alpha does, I don't know. I don't need to know. It's just a tool. The pokeball is the tool. Only to be used when needed. I have no use for it unless we're in a battle."
A woman in a skimpy outfit with platinum blonde hair shoved to the front of the crowd. "Don't bother listening to this guy," she loudly exclaimed. "He's just trying to make himself look good. All tamers are the same! They need to be stopped!"
"All tamers?" Nicholas asked curiously.
The woman rounded on him. "Anyone who touches a pokegirl," she affirmed. "Human contact is poisonous for pokegirls! It rots their minds, smothers them until they can do nothing but serve the human. They should be free!"
"If no human ever touched a pokegirl, their minds would not simply rot. They would be lost," Nicholas growled. "That is the feral state. Without human contact, pokegirls lose their sapience. They lose their free will."
"HA! Justifying your slavery." The woman glared at him and Nicholas suddenly felt as if he'd bitten off more than he could chew. There was an intelligent glint in this woman's eye that did not belong to the beach girl she seemed to be. "Every week a tamer is discovered who mistreats the pokegirls in his 'harem'. You know what those pokegirls say? 'He wasn't so bad'. Even as they're being rescued, they scream and they cry because their precious human is gone." Nicholas could hear the murmurs of assent from the crowd around them. "No pokegirl should have her mind twisted like that. All pokegirls should be free! Free of humanity!"
"I wish they could be."
The woman's eyes narrowed slightly. "You do?"
"I do. It would make things so much easier, wouldn't it?" Nicholas asked. "Nobody would have to wonder whether pokegirls and humans coexist naturally. There would be much more parity. Our species could exist together, instead of being defined by the lines of our biology." He raised his hand, cupped in a beckoning pose. "I want that. But… I am not our creator. I do not have the ability to simply wave my hand and change everything I wish to change in our reality. None of use have that power." He swept his hand around the circle, letting his eyes travel away from the woman in front of him to wander over every watching set. "The only power I hold is a limited power over those around me. I can not change that pokegirls are biologically linked to me as a human. I can not change the terrible dependency I am for them. But I can relieve it. I can give them their chance. Grant them the power they have had ripped from them, denied by their own birth. Even if it's only for a time. A few days, maybe weeks. I can work to help them, to support them, to create situations where they feel safe. Where they have the opportunity to be safe. To be free." He had returned to the woman now. "Once a pokegirl has been tamed, she can last without humans. It's not perfect, but as long as she is strong willed and constantly stimulating the aspects of her self that keep her mind sharp then she can get by with other pokegirl contact alone, if she so chooses. But that's not enough for most of them. That life is like living in a haze, I've been told. Aware, yes, but it's no way to live. The ones who want more, who want to live – for those who make the choice to lead their lives with me as their tamer, their cure to the disease that threatens every pokegirl, there is only one thing I can do." He closed his hand. "I can be everything they need, and also nothing more. You claim I imprison my pokegirls. My harem. I say you're wrong. I do not cage them. I do not chain them. I do not control them, or force them to serve me. That's no way to treat your cherished friends." He locked eyes calmly with the woman. "It's no way for any human to treat any pokegirl. In that, miss, I believe we're in agreement."
A hush had fallen over the crowd as he gave his speech and now as Nicholas fell silent there was just the sound of feet shuffling. He was looking around when someone stumbled forwards and a hand shot in his direction. It was Paris. The original heckler. "Um." Paris awkwardly held his hand, not quite extended, but definitely raised for a handshake. "I think… I'll shake on that one, mister Champion."
Nicholas smiled and reached out to take Paris' hand. When the two shook the cameras started going wild. "All of you here fight for a noble cause," Nicholas said, raising his voice and enunciating each word to make sure the reporters would pick it up clearly on their equipment. "Even though we might not agree on how it should be done, we all want a better future for the pokegirls of our world. I would like all of you to continue fighting for that ideal. I will too." He turned to find the nearest camera and looked directly into it. "I hope one day every human will strive to help, rather than harm, the pokegirls who live alongside us. We are stronger together. Together, we can become something greater than human or pokegirl. Instead of two broken halves, together we become whole." He let go of Paris' hand. "That is why I will continue fighting your methods, Paris, but I will not deny your ideal. Thank you for speaking to me today." He glanced in the woman's direction, but she had melted back into the crowd. Well, he wasn't going to convince everyone with a single speech. But this was a start.
Now the reporters and paparazzi were pressing in. Multiple microphones were being shoved in his face as Cathy finally couldn't stand it anymore and leapt over the boom barrier, shoving her way into the crowd and covering Nicholas protectively. Nicholas just laughed, and in front of the whole crowd and the cameras soothed her, putting actions to his words.
The woman had slipped through the crowd until she was free of the far side, only then glancing back at the massive Miltank towering over every other human there. After a moment a smile grew across her lips.
"You said there was nobody else, but I've finally found one," Eris whispered gleefully. "I've found one, N. A human who will understand you."
.
.
"Well you certainly defused that entire protest," Karen was saying as they walked back along the street in the waning sunlight. Nicholas had remained with the protesters for hours. Long enough that many had wandered off on their own accord. It was only the setting sun that had triggered the rest to call it a day and return home for dinner.
"I just took an opportunity."
"You had a good speech." Karen came to a halt and waited for Nicholas to turn. "I wonder if that tongue of yours is the secret to your success."
Nicholas smiled and shrugged. "So I've been told."
"Yeah?" Karen gave him a sly look. "What else can it do?"
And we're back here already, Nicholas thought amusedly. Well, with the 'threat' of the protesters neutralized it made perfect sense for Karen to be going for her other goals again. "All of the expected things, I hope. Like taste food. I'm starting to regret our lunch meeting was cut so short."
Karen took a moment to process how he'd just very adroitly deflected her flirtation AGAIN before nodding. "We'll have to figure something out another day." Finally she seemed to be giving up as she took a step away and raised her hand. "Have a good night, Nicholas."
"And you, Karen." Once Karen had actually turned and committed to walking away Nicholas glanced at Cathy, raising an eyebrow and giving her a smirk after a moment. "She's good."
Cathy grinned, leaning down to nuzzle his cheek. "But you are better, Nicholas. You won this battle, and she knows it."
"Something I wouldn't have been able to so confidently do without you watching my back," Nicholas replied. "By the way. The thing you said this morning. You said for this battle, and for every other to come." He gave her a look. "Dahlia didn't seem to like it. Explain."
Cathy pulled back. "Perhaps it would be best if we returned to the hotel."
"Avoiding the question?"
"While I am confident I can give you an answer, it is not one that is completely set in stone," Cathy explained. "Would you be willing to be patient for just a little longer?"
Nicholas tapped his fingers along his hip. "Sure. Sure, I can be patient. Let's head back then."
When they walked into the hotel lobby they were greeted by a dozen pokegirls. A handful of curious onlookers, and every single Alpha and Beta within Nicholas' harem.
Dahlia, of course, was the first to approach him. "You really know how to talk to a camera, don't you Master?" she growled. "You're on every single news channel across Unova. Kalmiya says your pokedex has been blowing up for hours."
Nicholas looked around at the assembled pokegirls. "You brought everyone down here to intercept me because I managed to stick my face in front of a camera?" He blinked and looked down at where his pokedex hung from his belt. "And hold on a second, it has? Kalmiya?"
Kalmiya spoke. "I've been suppressing all notifications. Nothing was important enough to bother you with, Master."
"We're not down here just because of that," Dahlia said. "How did it go? Did Cathy perform properly, or did she let her ego get the better of her?"
Nicholas frowned. "Um, well, I'd say she was almost invisible, at least to me. She did step in at the protest but I can't blame her for that, I was kind of in a stupid spot. Otherwise no, she was just there." He looked at the waiting Miltank. "Her presence made me feel perfectly secure."
Dahlia nodded, and around the room the others were as well. "Any votes against?" When the lobby remained silent Dahlia inclined her head slightly to Cathy. "I forfeit my claim. Don't make me regret it."
Nicholas watched Cathy step over and take Dahlia's hand. "I won't, Alpha Dahlia," she rumbled before suddenly yanking the Venusaur into a crushing hug. "Thank you."
"Are we sneaking around behind the tamer's back again?" Nicholas complained. "Come on, someone fill me in."
Dahlia pushed Cathy's arms apart and stepped free. "After our meeting where you advocated for Kali to protect Mistress Sabrina, Master, we decided to talk about you." Nicholas nodded. He saw where this was going. "This morning wasn't just the pokegirls who had volunteered to go with you to your lunch today. It was also the two who had made the strongest arguments to become your permanent bodyguard."
"You and Cathy."
"That's right." Dahlia glanced at the Miltank. "Cathy, obviously, felt much more strongly about remaining at your side than I did. I had to consider my other duties as well."
"I won't disappoint you, Alpha Dahlia," Cathy repeated.
"I know you won't," Dahlia said kindly as she patted Cathy on the shoulder. "So, Master. She's not as monstrous as Kali, but do you think you can accept your new permanent guard?"
Nicholas chuckled. "Sabrina is a psychic and monstrously powerful woman. She has to be to be my future wife, right?" The other pokegirls let out scattered chuckles. "Kali was the only one who could keep up with her. But me, I'm mister brawn, right?" He turned and reached to find Cathy's hand, immediately shifting to a death grip and whooping when the Miltank tensed, her eyes flashing while a grin split her face and her fingers tightened back down on his. "I think Cathy is the perfect choice for the big strong tamer."
"Just don't try and emulate us," Zisela quickly said when Cathy and Nicholas folded their arms to bring their bodies slamming into each other. "You don't have horns even though you're a Drake, Weyrleader."
"Yeah, I'd probably just get cut," Nicholas said, before his grin turned into a smirk. "Unless…" Cathy's eyes filled with unrestrained joy when Nicholas' aura sprouted from his scalp and he smacked the constructs against her own horns, locking them together so they were staring straight into each other's eyes. "Unless I did something like this. Now you've locked horns with even your tamer, Cathy." He let his smirk slip back to a gentle smile. "The greatest respect either of us can give."
Zisela was slowly circling towards them. "Weyrleader…"
Nicholas pulled back from Cathy and turned, quickly lowering his head to meet Zisela when she charged for him. Her eyes were on fire when he did the same for her as he'd done for Cathy and they locked gazes. "Just couldn't stand to be left out, could you?" he whispered. "Don't tell me you thought you could finally claim a victory over your Dragon?"
Zisela let out a throaty chuckle and bared her fangs at him. "My Drake has at least grown out of his failure as a Wyrm, but he has still not yet regained his status as a Dragon."
"Then neither are you."
"I am not," Zisela agreed quietly. "I will not regain my pride until René lies broken at my feet."
Nicholas' eyes were drawn to the ring on her finger. "We will not."
Zisela's burning gaze drilled into him as she growled out her response. "No. We will not, Weyrleader. And neither will my harem. We are ready."
"Then I suppose I know what's going to happen as soon as we have the chance."
They broke apart, Nicholas' aura fading to return his appearance to normal. Zisela and Sohn both were staring at him when it did. "When?" Sohn asked.
"I don't know, but I promise you both." Nicholas turned to look at Cathy. "Each of you, and the others you call sister. If you are ready, then we will find Cynthia again, and I will not let it be much longer."
Sohn's eyes lit up and she surreptitiously put a few steps between herself and Zisela before speaking again. "Better not be. Otherwise my Alpha will be weighed down by the egg she was too weak to resist." With a bloodcurdling roar Zisela swung for Sohn but the Infernape was already sprinting for the stairs and Zisela followed, Nicholas in hot pursuit as he tried his best to calm the raging Garchomp before she caused any property damage in her single-minded fury for her cackling Beta.
.
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CELEBRITY PROFILE OVERVIEW
Cathy – Miltank
One of Nicholas Topolski's stranger harem members, Cathy the Miltank is a support pokegirl known for their ability to produce healing milk from their breasts. Due to their purpose as pokegirl healers Miltank are not often seen in combat harems, and even when they are their awkward bodies mean they do not like to fight, choosing instead to let their harem sisters carry their weight. From what is known of Cathy, she is the same way, as she has yet to make any major appearance in battle for Nicholas Topolski. An odd choice for the self-proclaimed 'World Champion' to waste a slot of his harem with a milking cow.