"It's too cold!" Phoebe exclaimed, her voice tinged with a dramatic flair as she wrapped her arms around herself. A shiver coursed through her body, making her teeth chatter and her cheeks flush a vibrant pink against the harsh chill in the air.
"It's December in Sinnoh, what did you expect?" Sidney huffed, his breath visible in the cold air as he pulled his hands deeper into his pockets, seeking warmth. The frosty wind whipped around him, rustling the bare trees and sending a shiver down his spine.
"Glacia enjoys it only because she trains ice types!" Phoebe whined. She reached over and started clinging to Glacia.
"We're only here for a week, so let's make the most of our time in Sinnoh." Steven urged his voice firm yet laced with a hint of amusement as he tried halfheartedly to rein in the restless league members. Despite his authoritative tone, he couldn't deny the truth in their grumbling. The icy fingers of December wrapped around them like an unwelcome shroud, making Sinnoh feel unfriendly and unwelcoming. He shivered at the thought, recalling how even during the balmy summer months, he barely enjoyed it.
"It was nice of Cynthia to invite us all this year." Glacia finally spoke up as she detached the teenager from her arm.
Steven was about to comment when his phone buzzed signaling their ride. The league was on the opposite side of the city and Cynthia has been kind enough to have someone meet them at the airport. He settled in quietly and listened to the other four chatter happily as they all piled into the two cars. Glacia and Drake betrayed him by taking the other car, leaving him with the louder, more excitable members.
"Steven, look at this!" Phoebe chirped while pointing to the flashing colored lights that decorated the buildings as they passed.
"They do this every year. There will be a huge festival two days before Christmas." Steven rested his cheek against his hand, propping it against the window, as he explained the upcoming events "It will be worth checking out." he continued to explain. He felt Wallace's fingers brush against his other hand.
"That sounds like a lot of fun!" Sidney exclaimed with bright eyes and a wide grin, his enthusiasm bubbling over.
"I can't wait! Can we go?" Phoebe exclaimed, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm as she turned to face Steven. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, reflecting the vibrant energy that coursed through her. She practically bounced in her seat, unable to contain the thrill of the moment.
Steven couldn't suppress a slight smile as he watched Phoebe burst with excitement. This was her first time beyond the familiar landscapes of Hoenn, and her enthusiasm was radiant. The biting chill of the air seemed to vanish for her, overshadowed by the dazzling array of buildings aglow with vibrant lights that twinkled like stars against the evening sky. Each illuminated facade passing by ignited her curiosity, drawing her attention away from the frosty atmosphere and immersing her in the magic of the moment. How could he possibly say no?
"Steven, look!" Phoebe squealed, her voice bubbling with excitement as she gestured towards the towering tree that stood majestically in the center of the square. It was adorned with shimmering white ornaments that sparkled like tiny stars, and vibrant, multicolored lights danced around its branches, casting a warm glow in the evening air. "That tree is absolutely huge!"
Steven nodded with a soft hum, the sound reflecting his admiration. The tree loomed majestically before him, its branches stretching toward the sky in a breathtaking display. He had first fallen under its spell during his initial Christmas visit with Cynthia, a magical time when the city was adorned with twinkling lights and festive cheer. Cynthia had eagerly suggested they venture out to explore the city, and it was on that enchanted tour that he encountered the tree for the first time. Towering at least three stories high, it was a magnificent sight, its vibrant ornaments shimmering like stars and its fragrant pine needles filling the air with the spirit of the season.
"It's like the one they have in Lilycove City." Sidney nodded as he snapped a picture with his phone "It's really cool they have this in the town square."
The remainder of the ride unfolded with an infectious energy, as Phoebe and Sidney animatedly exchanged their ideas for the week ahead, their voices bubbling with enthusiasm. They pointed out various landmarks and intriguing sights flitting by the window, sharing inside jokes and laughter that filled the vehicle with warmth. Meanwhile, Steven sat quietly, his gaze drifting outside as he soaked in the familiar yet ever-enchanting landscape. Each time he visited during the holidays, he found himself marveling at the beauty surrounding him, which never failed to leave a lasting impression.
As they approached the league, a sense of anticipation welled up inside him. He stretched his back with a deep sigh, mentally steeling himself for the events to come. Just ahead by the entrance, he spotted Lucian and Cynthia, bundled against the cool air in their lightweight winter jackets, their breath visible in the crisp atmosphere. The sight of them brought a sense of familiarity and comfort, signaling that the day was about to unfold with new adventures.
"Welcome to the Sinnoh League Headquarters," Cynthia said with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm as she greeted the six trainers standing before her. The spacious hall buzzed with energy, and the polished floors gleamed under the bright lights, creating an inviting atmosphere. Each trainer felt a mix of excitement and awe as they soaked in the glorious sight.
"We are happy to have you staying with us. Accommodations have been prepared for you on our floor. You will have access to everything you need." Lucian added "If you will follow us. The others are waiting upstairs."
"Thank you for having us," Steven said, his tone slightly formal, betraying a hint of his nervousness. He waved his hand invitingly, a subtle signal for the others to move forward in the wake of Lucian and Cynthia, who were already making their way into the room.
"You are welcome to let your Pokemon out at any point. There is a full kitchen in the common area as well." Lucian explained as they all stepped into the elevator.
"You are welcome to make yourselves at home," Cynthia said with a warm smile, her voice echoing gently in the spacious foyer. With a graceful gesture, she pointed down the long, elegantly adorned hallway that branched off to the left, leading to the guest wing. The soft, ambient light bathed the corridor in a welcoming glow, inviting them to explore their new surroundings as they stepped off the polished elevator. "Your rooms are just down that hall," she continued, her eyes sparkling with hospitality.
Steven shot her a confused look. He had just assumed that he would stay in her room like always. He did his best to hide the hurt in his eyes.
"I arranged for everyone to have their own room. I figured that would be the most comfortable for you." Cynthia continued as if she didn't see Steven's look "Steven can show you the way. Unfortunately, I need to attend a meeting very soon."
Steven knew this was going to be different from the last time he had visited for Christmas. Reluctantly, he motioned for the others to follow him without a word. He should have expected this. The guest wing was larger than it probably needed to be. As he glanced at the wooden doors, he found they had already been assigned, small white nameplates indicated their assigned rooms.
As he stepped into his room, a sudden jolt of pain pierced through his right side, sharp and unexpected. He instinctively brought his hand to the area, rubbing it lightly as he tried to ease the discomfort. Just as swiftly as it had come, the pain vanished, leaving him momentarily stunned. He shook his head and pushed the unsettling sensation to the back of his mind, determined not to dwell on it. He rifled around in his bag before propping against the headboard with his laptop. If Cynthia was going to be productive then he might as be as well. He certainly wasn't sulking. He didn't sulk. He started aimlessly at the screen, motivation gone. The small numbers at the bottom of the screen read twelve after three. He felt far too tired for it to be so early in the afternoon.
The low hum of his phone vibrating against the plush mattress beside him jostled him from his thoughts. He looked down, a rush of excitement swirling in his stomach. There it was, glowing softly on the screen—Cynthia's name, a beacon that made his heart skip a beat. A slight smile crept across his lips as he read her brief, yet thoughtful message, each word resonating with warmth and familiarity. Almost instantly, another notification chimed in, this one outlining the dinner plans for their group. He let out a resigned sigh, choosing to hold off on replying to either message. With a gentle thud, he placed his phone back down on the bed, its brightness dimming in the fading light of the room.
He had time to kill before everyone was supposed to meet for dinner. He turned his attention back to the report glaring back from his screen, uninterested in what it had to say. Instead, he let his eyes close and leaned his head back. He stayed like that, never quite sleeping, until he knew he needed to start getting ready. He didn't bother changing clothes and settled for running a brush through his hair.
As he entered the common room Steven was surprised to see everyone already out. What he found perhaps more surprising was the presence of the Kalos league. He had figured Diantha would be there but the additional four people caught him off guard.
Steven rolled his eyes when he realized which sweater Sidney was wearing. It was red with a winter form Sawsbuck on it. The deer Pokemon was wearing a Christmas reef decorated with multicolored lights around his neck. Sidney loved it for a reason that Steven couldn't understand. He had a matching one that Diantha had found as a prank and had gotten him, but he refused to wear it outside of the house. He wasn't going to question the style choice, however, as he took note of the various holiday-themed clothing.
"Why don't you let your Pokemon out for a little bit?" Flint suggested as he tossed a berry at Infernape who eagerly munched on it "They deserve to relax too."
Steven exchanged a knowing glance with his team, a blend of curiosity and apprehension flickering in their eyes. As he took a deep breath, he released his team with a gesture that signaled both trust and caution. "Just a heads-up," he said, his tone laced with a hint of warning, "Skarmory has a bit of a tendency to bite."
"You'll be just fine, as long as you avoid trying to feed her," Sidney chuckled, a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes. "Just ask Wallace; he learned that lesson the hard way.
Steven rubbed his fingers against the bridge of his nose, his brow furrowing in frustration. "Sidney…" he began, his voice heavy with exasperation.
"What? I think it's a fair warning, boss." Sidney shrugged his shoulders in a relaxed manner, his expression a mix of nonchalance and sincerity.
Flint let out a soft chuckle, his eyes glinting mischievously as he shot a teasing glance at Bertha. "That's more of a warning than any of us received when we met Hippowdon," he remarked, a playful smirk dancing on his lips.
"But did you really have to bring up the incident with Wallace?" Steven groaned, his voice heavy with frustration as he sank into the soft cushions of the couch, burying his face in his hands. The weight of the memories pressed down on him, and he felt the exhaustion of the day wash over him.
"There's a story hidden in those words," Lucian remarked, his eyebrow arching with intrigue as he set his delicate teacup down on the polished table. He leaned forward, the warm glow of the evening sun highlighting the curiosity in his eyes, creating an inviting atmosphere. "I believe it's time for you to reveal it to us," he encouraged, a subtle smile playing on his lips, eager to hear what lay beneath the surface.
"It's better left untold," Diantha remarked, her voice laced with dry sarcasm as she cast a pointed gaze at Lucian. With an air of finality, she settled into her seat beside Steven, crossing her arms with a hint of defiance that suggested she had no intention of discussing whatever matter lingered in the air.
Steven felt an overwhelming wave of exhaustion wash over him, a fatigue that seemed to seep into his very bones. Whether it was the frantic pace of keeping up with his energetic companions or the relentless grip of jet lag that had been dragging him down, he couldn't tell. All he knew was that his body craved the comfort of a warm bed, a sanctuary away from the buzzing world around him. The thought of sinking into soft sheets and drifting into a deep, uninterrupted sleep was more tempting than anything else at that moment.
He was fine. He was jet-lagged. He shifted his weight, stretching the tender part of his back with a wince. Or maybe it was a pulled muscle. Either way, he was fine. What was becoming more of an issue than he cared for was the growing nausea that was churning his stomach.
Arahbo: As always I hope you enjoyed! If you did, please let me know with a comment! All comments are welcome!