Chapter 3.
After what felt like a long walk, they arrived in the heart of Nimbasa Downtown, where the city's pulse beat with refined elegance. The towering skyscrapers of the prestigious Financial District loomed overhead, their sleek glass façades reflecting the vibrant energy of the bustling streets below. Exquisite Michelin-awarded restaurants and chic bistros lined the avenues, their tantalizing aromas blending with the faint scent of fresh flowers from nearby stalls.
As they strolled through the lively streets, the trio's destination soon came into view: a boutique that exuded an air of exclusivity even from the outside. Its sleek, minimalist exterior was adorned with delicate, golden lettering, subtly hinting at the luxury within.
Elesa turned to the twins with a smile. "Elesa turned to the twins with a bright smile. 'Here we are!' Her eyes sparkled as she led the way with confident purpose. "Come on, boys, let's go!" Ingo and Emmet followed closely, the former with quiet curiosity and the latter with his usual playful grin.
Upon entering, the soft glow of crystal chandeliers greeted them, mingling with the scent of polished wood and luxurious fabric. Rows of meticulously arranged outfits, each more stylish than the last, lined the walls. Ingo adjusted his cap, his eyes scanning the boutique with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Emmet, on the other hand, was already eyeing a sharp-looking suit with a mischievous gleam in his eye.
"Well, who do we have here?" A soft, purring voice echoed around them.
"Artie!" Elesa exclaimed, turning around to find the source of the voice. "Oh, it's so good to see you! Ugh, you're as gorgeous as ever!"
A tall, slender, and gracious man emerged from behind a wall of dresses, his presence as striking as the designs that surrounded him. Arturo "Artie" Gallant, with his flamboyant style and sassy demeanor, made an entrance as grand as his reputation in the fashion world. Clad in a vibrantly colored, impeccably tailored suit, he exuded an air of effortless chic, his every move a blend of grace and dramatic flair.
"I could very well say the same about you, darling," Artie purred, a playful glint in his eyes as he gracefully air-kissed Elesa.
"By the way," Elesa motioned towards the twins behind her, "you remember my friends, right? The Subway Bosses Ingo and Emmet?"
"Of course! The famously striking twin brothers from Battle Station—how could I ever forget such cute faces!" Artie declared with a flourish, sweeping over to the twins with open arms. He hugged and air-kissed each of them, his affectionate greeting both warm and extravagant.
"Hi, Artie! I am Emmet. Long time no see!" Emmet grinned, his usual playful energy matching Artie's exuberance.
"Good afternoon, Artie! It's nice to see you again, friend!" Ingo added with a polite nod, his tone upbeat but warm.
Since they started to work in the Battle Station as Bosses of said battle facility, they sort of became local celebrities. Suddenly going up the ranks from mere pretty tough Pokemon Trainers to famous and recognizable elite-level Battlers comparable with Gym Leaders and even the very Elite Four. This inevitably led them to share the spotlight with such celebrities, that's how they first met Elesa after all.
Ever since that fateful encounter when the Major first introduced them to her, they were also drawn into the glamorous world of fashion. Elesa had then connected them with Artie, when the Major was seeking publicity to promote the newly opened Battle Facility in Nimbasa City.
"Are you guys excited for the upcoming ball? It will be fabulous! And I, the great Artie, have exactly what you need to look nothing less than beautiful! Come, I'll take you to my private shop." He motioned graciously toward the end of the store. A beautiful pair of Pokémon—a Gallade and a Pink Flower Florges—opened the grand door that led to the back of the boutique.
The door to his private shop swung open, revealing a space that was as much an atelier as it was a sanctuary of style. Soft lighting bathed the room in a warm glow, reflecting off the rich velvet drapes and the sleek, polished wood of the custom workstations. Mannequins adorned in half-finished designs stood like sentinels, each one a testament to Artie's genius.
"Welcome," Artie announced with a flourish, "to the very heart of haute couture—where the magic is born."
Elesa's eyes sparkled with excitement as she took in the surroundings, her fingers already itching to explore the racks of meticulously crafted garments. Ingo and Emmet followed her lead, their curiosity piqued by the air of creative energy that seemed to permeate the room.
"Now," Artie continued, clapping his hands together, "let's get down to business. I have a few pieces that both my wonderful Elesa and I think will be absolutely perfect for each of you. Prepare to be dazzled, my darlings."
As if on cue, the Gallade and Pink Flower Florges from before stepped forward, each holding a garment bag with the utmost care. The elegant Pokémon moved with grace, presenting the bags to Artie, who accepted them with a grateful nod.
"Thank you, my darlings. Let the tryouts begin!" Artie declared; his voice full of anticipation.
With that, the twins were ushered toward the dressing rooms, where they would soon discover what Artie had in store for them. The dressing rooms were designed to resemble a mini catwalk leading to a small plateau, surrounded by tall mirrors. Artie's Pokémon had dutifully prepared a set of chairs for both him and Elesa. An Alolan Ninetales appeared next to them, gracefully carrying a notebook.
"Thank you, my darling," Artie cooed, taking the notebook from the elegant Pokémon. "Now, let's see. We've got two different sets of suits for each of the brothers. As a personal favor to you, my dear, I've adhered to your requests down to the color palette. You know I never allow anyone but me to interfere with a final design. But how could I ever refuse the request of my beautiful muse? And I must say, you've got magnificent taste!"
"Aww, Artie, honey! How sweet of you! I know you're the best, which is why I trusted you to create nothing less than masterpieces."
"Oh, darling, flattery will get you everywhere—but with talent like mine, it's entirely unnecessary. Now, prepare yourself. You're about to witness pure fashion brilliance in motion." He clapped, and the lights dimmed as a pair of spotlights gleamed over the small plateau.
"We're waiting, darlings! Come out when you're ready!" Artie hollered, his voice echoing with anticipation. Elesa was ecstatic, barely able to contain her excitement as she eagerly awaited the twins' grand entrance.
The first to emerge was Emmet, striding carelessly across the small runway with his usual carefree attitude. "I like my Subway Boss uniform, but this is cool!" he exclaimed.
Emmet's ensemble was nothing short of striking. He wore a tailor-made tuxedo in an elegant dark teal that perfectly complemented his pale complexion. The jacket featured subtle, intricate embroidery along the lapels, catching the light with a faint shimmer. The fabric was rich and luxurious, a blend of silk and wool that flowed with every movement. His crisp white shirt was adorned with a thin black tie, while the cuffs of his sleeves were fastened with polished onyx cufflinks. The ensemble was completed with perfectly tailored trousers and sleek, black patent leather shoes that gleamed under the spotlight. Emmet's usual playful grin was accompanied by a glint of mischief in his eyes as if he was thoroughly enjoying this fashion moment.
Elesa squirmed with glee. "Oh, Artie! You've done it again! Emmet, you look positively electrifying! You're really turning heads like a Jolteon in a thunderstorm!"
Artie beamed, his eyes sparkling with pride. "I know, right? But credit where it's due—you absolutely nailed the color scheme and selection, darling." He gave her a playful wink.
"It seems Ingo is coming up next," Emmet remarked, a devilish grin spreading across his face as he side-glanced towards Artie and Elesa, his eyes focused on the pretty Gym Leader. Elesa's heart skipped a beat with anticipation.
The spotlight shifted as Ingo made his entrance, emerging from the dressing room with a composed, measured stride. His tuxedo, a mirror of Emmet's in design, was distinguished by its rich burgundy hue that exuded an air of refined sophistication. The tuxedo's sharp lines accentuated his tall, lean frame, and the luxurious fabric seemed to absorb and reflect the light in a manner that spoke to its high quality. Underneath, a crisp white shirt contrasted elegantly with the burgundy, its collar adorned with a slender black tie that added just the right amount of classic charm. His demeanor was calm and dignified, his expression stoic and inscrutable though a faint blush tinted his pale cheeks. Elesa's mouth hung agape.
Elesa's eyes sparkled with admiration as she took in the twins' appearance, her expression one of sheer delight. She leaned slightly forward, unable to hide her excitement. "Ingo, you look just… stunning," she said softly, her voice tinged with warmth. Her gaze lingered a moment longer, and a small, almost wistful smile curved her lips.
Both Artie and Emmet exchanged a conspiratorial glance at Elesa before sharing a knowing look.
"You two look fabulous! Now, how do you feel about those?" Artie asked, carefully evaluating and adjusting the brothers' ties and pocket handkerchiefs.
Emmet took a moment to consider his answer, studying his reflection in the multiple mirrors. " Verrry flashy. I like the colors, though. Feels comfy. Ingo?" Ingo, though less outwardly expressive, gave a small nod of approval.
"Bravo! Excellent! The fit is perfect and is quite comfortable. Thank you Artie!" Ingo added as he adjusted the cuffs of his jacket, appreciating the fine details of his burgundy suit. Artie beamed at the praise; his eyes gleaming with pride while still assessing the twins from head to toe, mentally noting potential design improvements and ideas.
"I'm delighted you both like it! A well-tailored suit can make all the difference—especially for a grand event like this ball. But don't think for a moment that I'm done yet!" With a dramatic flourish, Artie spun on his heels, descending from the plateau with his usual flamboyance. As he did, he turned to Elesa.
"Darling, are you ready to be wowed by ensemble number two?" Artie called out, his voice brimming with enthusiasm, but Elesa didn't reply immediately.
"Darling?" Artie repeated a note of playful impatience in his voice. Elesa blinked, realizing she had been lost in thought.
"Oh! Yes, of course. Sorry, I was just... nevermind. Let's see what you have next!" She smiled warmly, her eyes flickering briefly to Ingo before returning to Artie as she quickly composed herself. Elesa's brief lapse in attention didn't go unnoticed. Artie, ever the keen observer, let out a soft chuckle, the glint of mischief still dancing in his eyes.
"Well, darlings, as much as I could gaze at you both all day," Artie began, his tone light and teasing, "we're only halfway through our little fashion show. It's time to take it up a notch."
He clapped his hands together, the sound echoing through the boutique. "Let's see what ensemble number two has in store for you. I promise it will be even more dazzling!"
With a graceful wave, Artie gestured toward the dressing rooms, where the next set of meticulously crafted outfits awaited. The twins exchanged a quick glance, their curiosity piqued once more, before heading off to discover their next look.
As the twins disappeared behind the dressing room doors, Artie turned to Elesa with a knowing smile, his excitement palpable. "Now, darling, prepare yourself. If you thought the first outfits were showstoppers, wait until you see what's next."
Elesa could hardly contain her anticipation, her eyes glued to the dressing room entrance. Moments later, the sound of shuffling fabric and the faint click of polished shoes echoed from behind the curtain.
The soft glow of the boutique's lighting shifted once more as the curtain drew back, revealing Emmet stepping out with his signature carefree stride. This time, his ensemble was a striking combination of classic elegance and modern flair. He wore a dark teal dress shirt that complemented his complexion, paired with a finely tailored black waistcoat adorned with a subtle damask pattern. Over this, a sleek black tuxedo jacket and matching trousers completed the look, the ensemble punctuated by a black tie and black gloves that added an air of refined sophistication.
Emmet's playful grin was still firmly in place as he reached the small plateau, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he spun around to give everyone a full view.
"Dandy!" Emmet exclaimed. "I like this one. Pretty slick right? Ingo! Are you ready?"
A moment of silence passed before the curtain rustled again, drawing everyone's attention. The anticipation in the room grew as Ingo stepped out with his usual composed demeanor. His ensemble mirrored Emmet's in design once more, but the rich burgundy of his dress shirt added a touch of understated elegance that perfectly suited his more reserved nature.
Ingo approached the small plateau with measured strides, the subtle sheen of the damask pattern on his waistcoat catched the light. The sleek black tuxedo jacket and trousers framed his tall figure with precision, exuding an air of quiet sophistication. He adjusted his black tie slightly, his expression calm and collected, though a faint blush colored his cheeks as he met Elesa's gaze. He couldn't quite get used to this kind of attention as naturally as Elesa did. She thrived in the spotlight, and even Emmet enjoyed showing off every once in a while. Although Ingo didn't mind being recognized in public, something about being the actual center of attention stirred a hint of bashfulness in him.
"I concur with Emmet—this ensemble is quite intriguing. What do you think?" he asked, his tone steady, though the faint blush on his cheeks hinted at his discomfort in the spotlight as everyone's gazes focused on him.
As Ingo's voice echoed through the room, Elesa's eyes lit up with appreciation. She watched him closely, noting how the ensemble accentuated his formal demeanor. Her smile grew warmer, and for a moment, her gaze lingered on his flushed cheeks. The subtle discomfort in his posture was a stark contrast to the confidence he exuded on the battlefield.
"Intriguing? Ingo, you look incredibly dashing!" she finally exclaimed, her tone soft yet full of genuine admiration. There was a tenderness in her voice that deepened Ingo's blush, and she couldn't help but smile even wider at his endearing reaction.
"Magnificent! Utterly stunning!" Artie exclaimed, clapping his hands in delight. "You both look positively gallant if I do say so myself!."
Elesa couldn't help but smile as she watched the twins admire themselves in the mirror. Her heart swelled with pride—Artie had truly outdone himself. Ingo and Emmet looked every bit the part of distinguished gentlemen, their usual battle-hardened exteriors softened by the elegance of their attire. Artie turned to Elesa, his expression softening slightly.
"And you, my dear, have an impeccable eye for fashion. You know just what works for these two—and I must say, your influence has made this all the more special."
Elesa blushed at the compliment, her smile growing warmer. "Oh, Artie, you've always had the magic touch. I just knew you'd make them look amazing."
"Well, it's easy when I've got such fine subjects to work with, like these two very handsome gentlemen" Artie replied with a wink, his tone light and teasing.
Something about Artie's words resonated with Elesa. He was right; the twins were handsome—very handsome, in fact. As she looked at them now, standing side by side in their tailored suits, the full impact of their striking appearances hit her.
Ingo, tall and commanding, exuded a quiet strength. His neatly combed silver hair framed sharp, defined features, softened only by the faintest hint of a smile. Emmet, equally tall, had mischief dancing in his eyes, his usual grin accentuated by the playful contrast of his tousled hair against his brother's composed demeanor. Though mirror images, each possessed a unique allure that was impossible to ignore. Ingo's understated elegance complemented Emmet's mischievous charm, making them a captivating pair. Elesa's gaze lingered on Ingo, a warmth unexpectedly spreading through her. There was something about the way he held himself, the quiet strength that shone through his kind, warm manner. His eyes—those intense, deep, and astonishingly expressive silver eyes—seemed to smile for him when his lips couldn't, endearing him to those around him.
Artie clapped his hands once more and stood up from his chair, breaking Elesa's train of thought. "Well, it's decided then! The black tuxedos it is! Now, let's make sure everything fits perfectly."
Elesa blinked, bringing herself back to the present as Artie's voice pulled her from her thoughts.
"I do believe my job here is done. You're both ready to dazzle, and I couldn't be prouder. I'll have the final adjustments done, and you can pick them up tomorrow." Artie stepped back, surveying his work with a satisfied smile.
As the Gallade and Florges moved to help the twins out of their attire, Artie's Alolan Ninetales appeared again, this time carrying a tray with glasses of sparkling water and a plate of delicate, colorful macarons. Artie gestured for them all to take a glass, his smile warm and inviting.
"To a successful fitting and an unforgettable evening ahead," Artie declared, raising his glass. "Cheers!"
"Cheers!" Elesa, Ingo, and Emmet echoed, raising their glasses in unison.
They all took a sip, savoring the moment. The atmosphere in the room was one of quiet celebration. As they finished their drinks, Artie handed Elesa a small, elegantly wrapped package.
"A little something for you, my dear," he said with a twinkle in his eye. "Consider it a thank-you for trusting me with your boys."
Elesa accepted the gift with a surprised smile. "Oh, Artie, you didn't have to—thank you!"
Artie waved her gratitude away with a graceful hand. "Nonsense, darling! It's the least I could do." He purred as he hugged her.
With a final round of thanks and farewells, Elesa and the twins made their way out of the boutique, the late afternoon sun casting a warm, golden light over Nimbasa Downtown. As they walked, Elesa found herself glancing at Ingo, her thoughts lingering on the subtle changes she'd noticed in him lately. His absences, his quiet moments of introspection—there was something beneath the surface that she couldn't quite put her finger on. But for now, she pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the excitement of the upcoming ball.
Ingo, walking beside her, seemed lost in thought as well. He occasionally glanced at her, his expression unreadable. The warmth of the sunlight and her smile seemed to affect him more than usual, though he quickly looked away each time, his face tinted with an almost unnoticeable blush. Emmet, always attuned to the undercurrents between his brother and their friend, watched them both with a knowing smile. He said nothing, but his eyes gleamed with his ever-present mischief.
Together, they made their way back through the bustling streets of Nimbasa, the bond between them stronger than ever as they prepared for a night that would be unforgettable in more ways than one.