Housekeeping:

LOL changed the interlude again, because I finally decided what/who I wanted to focus on. I will post it separately sometime as an unhinged one shot since some of you liked it? I still didn't think it "fit." So I'm just going to move forward with this instead.

Still no set date on the next chapter; feeling a little tired and burnt out honestly. With ending my practicum being a bit more emotional than I expected, as well as having to deal with this wedding from this past week, I am drained. So I apologize if I'm also not as responsive as usual.

Interlude

They say that when it comes to their children, mothers may be the last to know but are always the first to understand. Delia Ketchum could not feel any more passionately about this when it came to Ash, who she seldom heard from, but who she really believed she understood completely…or at least, this had been so until the fateful day wherein all her pretenses about her son—whom she still struggled to see as a young man of almost nineteen—were shattered.

In the fall, Pallet Town became a little more temperate and breezy. Delia knew that there was something profound about the melting edges around summer and autumn. "Fall is the precipice of all change," Delia's own mother liked to say as though in preparation for the ending of another year. She didn't know why, but Delia always marked the beginning and ends of her years by the beginning and ends of summer. And while Delia Ketchum adored the summer, she did always feel as though there was something painfully gorgeous about the fall. Fall made her clinch her hands and tremble and repeat idiomatic sentences to herself. Perhaps it all had something to do with the fact that, nearly nine years ago, on this bleeding transition between seasons, Delia had taken Ash to get his first Pokémon.

The memory held such a strange, bittersweet taste. Every fall since then, Ash had always been traveling and Delia had always been excited for him.

Yes, there was something gorgeous about the fall.

As Delia reflected on this in the cozy confines of the Pallet House restaurant, she moved with practiced efficiency, her warm smile brightening the room as she effortlessly juggled multiple tasks. Her apron, adorned with a playful Pikachu print, hinted at her lifelong connection to Pokémon and to her son. Delia had been a staple in the small town for as long as anyone could remember, her presence as comforting and familiar as the gentle sea breeze that wafted through the village.

As the owner and operator of Pallet Town's only restaurant, Delia wore many hats, and today was no different. With a graceful flourish, she took orders from the bustling morning crowd, her friendly demeanor putting even the most indecisive patrons at ease. Her genuine interest in their preferences and well-being shone through in every interaction, earning her the adoration of locals and travelers alike.

In between taking orders and delivering plates of delicious homemade cuisine, Delia found a moment to chat with regulars, sharing stories and laughter over steaming cups of coffee or tea. Her genuine warmth and hospitality made the Pallet House not just a restaurant, but a cherished community hub where friendships flourished and memories were made. One could see how this congenial warmth and earnestness ran in the family.

Accompanying Delia in her duties was her faithful companion, Mimey. The Pokémon moved with a disjointed, though graceful, efficiency, assisting Delia in various tasks. Together, they were a dynamic duo, a well oiled machine.

Nearby, Professor Oak sat comfortably in one of the booths, his long-time favorite spot by the window where the morning sunlight filtered through, casting a warm glow over his breakfast. On the table in front of him was a hearty meal suited for a day full of research—rolled eggs, a side of toast spread with local Pecha berry jam, and a plate of fresh fruit that included slices of ripe melon and berries. This nourishing start was just what he needed for a day filled with intellectual endeavors.

"Good morning, Professor," Delia approached with the coffee pot, her movements smooth and practiced. She refilled his cup, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the homely scents of breakfast. Seeing all her customers satisfied for now, Delia took a seat across from her life-long friend and asked warmly, "What do you have planned today?"

Professor Oak, invigorated by the coffee and the company, responded with enthusiasm, "Well, I'm hoping to catalog some new Pokémon observations from the trainers out in the field. Then, I have a batch of data from recent evolutions that needs analyzing. It's quite fascinating how diverse the evolutionary paths are becoming with new discoveries!" His eyes twinkled behind his glasses at the thought of the day's possibilities.

"And how is Ash doing?" he inquired, sipping his warm beverage, always keen to hear updates about his most successful trainer.

Delia sighed softly, a mother's concern ever-present. "Oh, you know I hardly hear from him."

Despite Ash's lack of communication, Delia remained a steadfast source of support and encouragement, always eager to hear about his latest exploits. Of course, he had only just left for Paldea a month ago, so she knew it would be a while before she received an update.

"I told him to!" Oak chuckled, recalling his last conversation with Ash, which had included some practical life advice.

As Delia smiled, her thoughts drifted once again to Ash. She reflected on the young boy who once had barely any idea about Pokémon or the world outside Pallet Town, now grown into a Pokémon Master—Monarch of the World—exploring far-off regions and making a name for himself in a way his father never had. Delia was more than relieved by the stark differences between Ash and his father. Unlike his father, Ash at least always came back home, always called at least once. She couldn't say the same about his father, and she harbored a quiet hope that Ash would always remember to come home.

It was always a bittersweet realization to reflect on how much Ash had grown and how the adventures that took him away only brought him closer to becoming the person he was meant to be. Sitting there with Professor Oak, Delia felt a mix of pride and nostalgia, acknowledging that her little boy—again, now a young man—was out there somewhere, making his dreams come true, just as she had always hoped.

"Oh!" Professor Oak's attention shifted to the TV, where a news ticker flashed Ash's name, his reaction quickly turned from intrigue to concern. "It seems he's made the news yet again. I bet it's… Oh… oh my," he stammered, glancing at Delia with a worried expression.

Delia again sighed again deeply and lifted her eyes to the television. She expected to see some news segment that showed footage of Ash in some dramatic battle against a Legendary Pokémon. That was somewhat the norm. And while Delia's heart always skipped a beat hearing about these escapades, she had grown accustomed to her son's perilous lifestyle while remaining confident in his abilities. Therefore, as she turned to the TV, Delia's face remained calm, a practiced mask of mild concern.

Of course, Delia was not prepared to see Ash standing beside a very pretty girl, intimately holding her…as it seemed. Delia tilted her head, not computing the significance of this right away. Instead, she deflected to studying the young woman next to her son. "Oh, what a beautiful young girl." Her tone was thoughtful, tinged with curiosity but also a hint of recognition, as if trying to place where she might have seen this girl before. "She looks so familiar."

Ash had plenty of friends. Very pretty friends, Delia had always noted. This girl was no exception, though Delia had to admit she surpassed the mere category of "pretty." Of course, Delia, as much as she had been waiting for him to, knew that Ash was never one to act upon physical attraction, and she wondered if he had yet to notice such things…

But…

The way Ash was…dancing? Was he dancing in that picture? The way Ash was dancing—or holding—this girl, smiling down at her, suggested a closeness that went beyond mere friendship. Honestly, Delia had never seen that look on her son before. Just from that one picture, she saw that Ash and this girl had felt themselves alone in that crowded room. On Ash's face, always so firm and independent, Delia saw that look that had struck her: a look of complete adoration and of an uncharacteristic gentleness. And there was a light in his eyes—which looked down softly at the girl—and he was smiling but in a way that made it seem as though he were out of breath. The honey blonde, Delia noted, seemed to be making an effort to control herself, to try not to reflect Ash's expression, but it came out on her face all the same in a brilliant, though restrained smile.

And still, Delia didn't seem to compute what she saw. She was just trying to figure out how she knew the girl…and thank goodness Ash wasn't in any danger…and…

Professor Oak, noticing Delia's puzzled look, tried to offer a bit more information while nervously chewing on his eggs. "Er… she does look familiar," he said, scratching the back of his neck, a telltale sign of his discomfort with the unfolding news. "Perhaps he traveled with her before? Wait, do I know her from somewhere?"

"My goodness, what a pretty girl," Delia murmured, still not fully grasping the context of the news broadcast. She looked down at her pot of coffee.

Oak exchanged worried glances with Mimey, who was also catching on to the situation, before responding cautiously, "Yes…"

Delia continued, her thoughts trailing off as she tried to piece together the puzzle, "Perhaps she's from…" Her voice faded as the realization began to dawn on her.

The TV continued, "Love might be in the air for Monarch of the World, Ash Ketchum, and the Kalos Queen, Serena…"

Delia turned sharply towards the TV, then back to Oak, her expression shifting between disbelief and ecstasy in her moment of panic . "I'm sorry, Professor, but is the TV telling me that Ash is…dating…dating that very pretty girl? My Ash?" Delia then began to laugh, and she sounded a little bit manic. "Did the TV say love?!"

"It appears so…" Oak nodded slowly, equally stunned by the news and by Delia's reaction. "I know, I'm quite surprised myself!" He grunted and cleared his throat. "Um, would you like me to write a poem about this?" He offered, not sure whether he should be comforting Delia or supporting this. She was making it very hard for him to decide.

Delia, seemingly lost in her thoughts and not really hearing Oak's offer, repeated to herself, "Ash is dating…"

A female customer nearby, overhearing the conversation and watching the news, chimed in cheerfully, "Congratulations! She's a very pretty girl! Good for him!"

"Ash and Serena…" Delia, still trying to process the information, repeated almost to herself, "Serena—the girl from Kalos? Wait, you know her…?" She pointed to Oak and then her hand went to her head, "Ash is dating…"

Observing the distant and clouded look in her eyes, Oak cautiously began to move to Delia's side, "…are you…?"

Before he could finish his question, Delia's eyes rolled back slightly as she fainted.