"Here you go darlings, hope you enjoy" The waitress says as she sets down two sets of crepes on the table
"Thank you" I says looking up to her pulling my phone up to pay
"No no, its on the house, first dates always eat free" She says with a wink before walking away
"No well its not" I try to explain before sighing in-vain
Louise laughs before taking a bite
"Wow! This is amazing!" She cries with a huge smile
Rather than talking on the phone I had suggested Louise come to Paldea, with my scholarship I had quite a lot of free air miles to use so I paid for a plane ticket for her to come to Paldea. She after some convincing finally agreed and got the next flight from Lilycove City. She had got the next flight over and slept on the flight before arriving at Mesagoza airport.
"So do you want to talk about things" I question
She immediately tense up, pushing around the rest of her crepes on her plate
"Its stupid really" she murmurs
"Nothing stupid and I want to help if its bugging you" I say with a smile trying to reassure her
"It's just, I feel really deflated after the gran prix she says putting her head into her hands"
I raise my eyebrows in surprise. Its odd to see Louise like this ageing her crying on the phone had been really jarring, normally she is such an upbeat and energetic person so seeing her in tears came as a shock. Even now though she wasn't crying now it was still odd to she her down like this
"How come? You did great you came third" I question
"That's the problem though" she exclaims through her hands
Louise had come third overall in the contest grand prix, which for a first time of asking I would have thought she would have been pretty happy with that
"What do you mean?"
She sniffs and drop her hands her eyes filling up a little
"I beat the rank 1 and 2 coordinators to get to the semi and then lost. It's just I may never get that luck again in my match up"
"Luck?"
"Yeah, like my Pokemon did great but there's a little bit of beginners luck"
"That's not true you worked super hard! Luck had nothing to do with it I say sternly"
She chuckles wiping her eyes
"You're sweet"
"So is that all that got you down?"
She nods
"Yeah I just feel a little deflated I suppose, I've been asked back though. The next grand prix will start in 8 months. I was talking with Misha and they're adding the ability to use any Pokemon from the 9 registered regions with the PBL"
"Oh nice so you can use Alolan and Paldean Pokemon"
"Yeah"
"You shouldn't feel deflated too, I watch your performances and I thought you were great"
"You think?"
"1000 percent. That one with Golem exploding sending ice shards into the sky like fireworks was amazing"
She blushes
"Thanks, Golem and Blastoise match up really well since the early days"
"What Pokemon do you have now?"
Well I have Blastoise, Golem, Pidgeot and Butterfree from Kanto. Then while on the grand prix I've caught Banette, Roserade and Swoobat
"Oh cool super varied"
"I see you've got a whole Johto and Kanto team. Now your adding Paldea too?"
"Uh yeah, it was Ryan's suggestion to come here. What's your plans now?"
She shrugs
"I've got 8 months off, I don't really want to start another contest journey in another region. I'm a little tired so I'd like a break but I wanna still travel. If I mooch at home Mom will have me working in the shop"
"Ah Master Dustin, how lovely to see you"
I look up to see Director Clavell he is accompanied by a tall lady with jet black hair
"Director how are you?"
"I'm very well, I was just accompanying Ms Geeta for a sweet treat, Ms Geeta this is Dustin he has just joined the academy. Miss Poppy and Miss Nemona have been putting him through his paces"
"It's very nice too meet you young man she says holding her hand out to shake"
I shake it
"It's my pleasure"
"Ms Geeta is the region top champion and chairperson of the Pokemon league here in Paldea"
"Are you taking on the gym challenge here?"She questions
"Uh no I'm entering into the student competition to try and get rank one"
"Oh I see, well that would still make you eligible to take the Elite Four test. I look forward to see you in the future" she says before turning to Louise
"Excuse my bluntness but you look ever so familiar" she says to Louise
"Uh my names Louise I'm a Pokemon coordinator"
"Ah! I remember you were in the recent grand prix, we watched it together Director. You did the wonderful performance with Banette were it controlled you like a marionette"
Louise chuckles
"Uh yes that was me"
"What brings you to Paldea Miss Louise?"Clavell questions
"Well Dustin really, we set off on outlook journey at the same time and we're close friends"
"I see, you have lots of strong friends Dustin. Do you have plans on staying here?"Geeta questions
"Oh I think it's just a flying visit she laughs"
"A shame, we are looking to grow the popularity of contest in the region and having a star lime you here would have been a good start"
"Oh really? Well uh I could help but I'd need a place to stay"
"Well you're more than welcome to stay at the academy! It would be out pleasure to house such a talented individual" Clavell says with a laugh
"Are you sure?"She questions
"Of course, Master Dustin if you could bring Miss Louise by my office tomorrow we will get any paperwork signed. I will call the front desk at once and arrange a room for you. You can pick the keys up when you head back to the academy"
"Okay, are you okay with that Dustin?"
"Of course it'll be great having you around"
She blushes again
"Well sure I'd love to help out"
Clavell and Geeta bid there goodbyes and head off towards there meeting, Louise and I finish up our meals before we head out in the city, we walk around and get some supplies for Louise as she wasn't expecting to stay too long. She calls her Mom aswell to explain what she is doing now, her Mom seems really happy for her and says she had been worried a little about her. They have a little emotional talk while I grab her some things, I also poke my head in and say hi to her Mom who asks me to look out for Louise while she in Paldea which I promise to do. We then head up to the school, we get to the front desk and Louise key is ready, while we are picking up the bags we are met with a cry
"Dustin!"
I turn to see Nemona tearing down on me with Arven rushing behind her
"Oh hey Nemona" I stammer
"Nemona what do you need to say to Dustin" Poppy says almost in a condescending tone
"Oh ah yeah, sorry for bugging you so much about battling, it's just it so great to have two rivals!" She shrieks with eyes gleaming
I laugh
"It's okay, it's nice to have such strong opponents even if you have beat me every time, anyway let me introduce you to Louise, she's my friend from Kanto"
"Hi" Louise says a little timidly
"Hola, it's nice too meet you" Nemona says putting her hand out which Louise takes and shakes
"Oh your the contest star aren't you? I saw some of your performances with Penny. You may want to watch out she's a mega fan" Poppy warns
"Here's your keys" the receptionist advises handing Louise the set
Poppy peers in to look at the keys
"Oh 3D your in with me and Nemona. Come on we will show you the way and Dustin meet up with is here tomorrow and we will get you set up for the Student battle system"