Though she had initially been put off by how quickly Tommy had cast his crush on her aside in favor of his new one on Nemona, Addison could not help but realize how much better for him Nemona might be. Though taller than him, she was closer to him in personality, style, articulation and age than she ever was. The two were hitting it off quite well, with Nemona explaining to her new "pupil" the kind of moves his Fuecoco could learn (as she has raised one of each of their Pokémon on her own at some point in her life), while Tommy soaked everything in. Even if she didn't understand everything Tommy was doing was in the name of his immense infatuation with her, particularly his insistence on her holding his hand, she could tell Nemona was happy to have someone to soak in what she knew. From what Addison could see as she delved into the girl's mind, she saw someone who didn't seem the best when it came to making friends. Considering how gung-ho she was to battle them even with them all having inexperienced Pokémon of their own, she could only imagine the desire for battle was not popular among her peers.

As for herself, Addison was getting surprisingly used to pretending to be a green student. After all, in her eyes, the days when she knew little about Pokémon were the best of her life. When it was just she, Ryan and Matthew planning out their own grand adventure across Arcana, little to know idea of how much the world would change them and tear their friendships apart. Before everything went wrong for them all...

I will find you, Ryan. I haven't forgotten you and I never will. She had initially feared that upon arriving in Paldea, she would begin to let her thoughts unintentionally drift away from the real mission to find Ryan and bring him home. The promise she'd made herself and to Countess Rosemary to finish the last of the Arcanan Prophecies and fulfill her duties as the White Mage to save the boy she loved from his fate. The obligation to bring Ryan back to the people who needed him, not just herself. But to his mother, his sister, his brother, to his friends, to Michael and Julia. Failure would not be an option for her. And if that meant she had to play pretend and act like a green trainer to appease those that helped her get to Paldea in the first place, so be it.

But she never had to doubt herself. In the face of everything new and exciting right in front of her, all she could think of was finding and reuniting with Ryan. Bringing him home and finally beginning their true life together. And giving her father a more...proper reasoning for the amethyst jewel she now wore on her finger. She didn't have the courage to tell him these last few months about how Ryan had basically asked her to promise herself to him. Half of her feared for how angry her father would be at the boy not asking his permission first, ignoring how he had been a fossil at the time. The other half was even more afraid that seeing his only daughter growing up so fast would break his heart. She kept quiet for his sake, but she could not keep it away for long. But she would take it as it came. Her father's return had saved their family, which was soon to add to it a baby brother or sister. Now, she had to be focused on her future family.

Now, while Tommy and Nemona basically ran up and down the hills outside of Los Platos, she, Morgan and Justin took a moment to rest and bond with their new Pokémon. While she and her Sprigatito had taken off quite well with one another, Morgan seemed to be struggling to develop the same kind of bond with her Quaxly, who seemed more intent on using her hair styling products on his aquatic pompadour. As for Justin, while he and his Pokémon seemed to be bonding, Addison could tell he was unsure of himself in another aspect of their duties there. So, while her Sprigatito climbed up and around onto her shoulder, she approached the young man as the Wooper hopped around on his lap as he sat on a rock.

"Something the matter, Justin?" she inquired.

Justin smiled faintly in her direction. "You act as if you don't already know the answer, Addison."

Realizing he knew all too well of her mind probing abilities, she chose instead to roll with it. "Well, you know I can help alleviate you when you're feeling stressed, right?'

He nodded. "I do. But this isn't something I think you can help with, I'm afraid."

"How so?"

Morgan approached his other side after allowing her Quaxly to use her comb to touch up his pompadour. But this seemed to only entice the curiosity of the Water Pokémon, who then waddled over to insist that Morgan hold him the same as Addison cradled her Sprigatito. Once Morgan took up her Quaxly in her arms, she joined in on assisting Justin with whatever dilemma he was enduring. "Why can't we help?"

Justin sighed. "I'm not the best when it comes to being...you know...dishonest."

Addison thought for a moment before responding. "I'm not the best when it comes to lying, either. But this is something we only have to do for a short while."

"How do you figure that?"

She shrugged. "If we do well in our schooling, the other students might be able to believe that we've acquired some powerful Pokémon through just wandering around Paldea. Then, we'll be able to convince Bridgette to give us some of our Pokémon back. Besides, Paldea has a lot of Pokémon we've never seen before, like your Wooper and little Sprigatito here. We may not know what these Pokémon are capable of. In some ways, we are rookie trainers." Her new Pokémon let out a content mew before nuzzling her arm.

"Yeah" Morgan agreed. "In a way, it's not like we're being completely false in saying we're rookies. I don't even know what Quaxly will look like if he evolves." Her Pokémon flipped his pompadour theatrically, prompting a bit of water to spray Morgan in the face. When her Pokémon giggled at that, she simply rolled her eyes and cradled him.

"I understand, but I can't say I'll be an exceptional...you know...liar" Justin warned.

"Just keep your head down and focus on your studies and maybe making some videos" Addison suggested. "The rest can come naturally."

"No one usually asks about these things unless we act super suspicious" Morgan added. "Just act normally and no one should catch on."

Justin nodded as his Wooper leaped onto the ground in front of him and kicked up some mud playfully in front of him. "I'll try."

Addison's mood saddened. Ordinarily, I'd say lying runs in his family, but I think Claude will be a soft spot for him for a long time. She recalled being repulsed the first time she heard the tale of Justin's birth. About how Claude was initially jubilant at the idea of another male being born in his family line, only to be disgusted when the initial diagnosis of the boy's autistic traits were revealed. How much she hated the dead man more than when he had been alive after learning he told his niece to drown her only child for being an "abomination". How could someone like Justin come from a family that had brought a despicable monster like Claude into the world. But she would gladly take Justin being who he was and not "normal" as he longed to be. Another Claude was something their already bruised world did not need.

"Oy!" Nemona called over to the group from down the hill. "Tommy and I will catch everything around here at this rate!" She waved to the three of them. "Come on! Let's go catch some Pokémon!"

Morgan giggled. "It's like she was tailor made for Tommy."

"I've always heard from my mother that 'opposites attract', though" Justin pointed out. "I mean, aren't the King and Queen basically opposites?"

"You have a point. I mean, Ethan and I weren't exactly diametrically in sync about everything, but we stuck it out for a while. We're on a break now, but-"

Addison blinked. "Wait, you and Ethan are on a break?"

Morgan, realizing she hadn't said it to her before, quickly changed subjects. "But the King and Queen are opposites. So are Matt and Annette. I don't think you have to be 100 percent in sync with one another, is what I'm saying. What matters is that you care about the person no matter what. And looking at those two, I think they'll grow to care about each other soon enough. We know Tommy's already there."

"Wouldn't he be more interested in someone more...quiet and reserved?" Justin theorized. "I mean, I'm not trying to say that's why he liked Addison before, but-"

"Be careful" Addison teased. "You and Maddie are opposites too, you know." This got the desired freakout from Justin as he scooped his Wooper into his hands and sprinted down to join Tommy and Nemona in catching Pokémon. Before Morgan could go down and join in, Addison caught her hand. "Hold up, Morgan. Why didn't you say anything about you and Ethan?"

Morgan shook her head. "Because it doesn't matter. What matters is-"

"It matters to me. Or are we not friends?"

"Of course we are" she replied, pulling her hand free from Addison's. "But I don't think-"

"Morgan" Addison insisted.

Morgan frowned. "Look, I know you're going through a lot and I don't want to burden you with what I'm going through." She rubbed her arm in shame. "No one but the two of us knew before this. Not even Jasmine. Nobody needs to be burdened by me." She made eye contact with her friend. "Least of all you. At least Ethan and I are in the same dimension. You and Ryan aren't. So don't worry about-"

Addison flung her arms around her friend. "I worry about all of my friends, Morgan. And if you ever feel like you need me to listen, don't hesitate to. I'm not too busy for a friend. Never have been, never will be."

Morgan hugged her back for a moment. "Thanks, Addy. It means a lot." The two looked down at their Pokémon, who were trying to imitate their trainer's affection, but with Sprigatito's usual feline instincts about refusing to get wet as well as Quaxly's fear of his pompadour being ruined, the two agreed for Quaxly to use his wing to shake the small Grass Pokémon's tail. Both trainers scooped their Pokémon into their arms and prepared to join the others with a new sense of resolve and friendship.

Before they could join the group, however, the two noticed a pair of eyes curiously staring at them from the inside of a bush. Sprigatito slipped out of Addison's arms and scurried over to the bush, sniffing curiously until she inhaled one final time and accidentally brought out one of the two Pokémon hiding. The Pokémon Sprigatito had encountered was a small, pink-colored ball with a thick blue wig-like feature atop its head, topped off by what Addison thought was a wizard's hat. It soon slumped backwards, revealing itself to be a tail. Both Pokémon were initially spooked by one another, prompting Sprigatito to meow worriedly and run behind Addison and the other Pokémon to burrow into her own hair.

Addison knelt down. "It's a Hattena." She held out her fingers. "It's alright, sweetie. I'm not gonna hurt you." Sprigatito growled at the other Pokémon, prompting Addison to giggle. "Oh, stop it, Sprigatito. She's not gonna hurt you."

Morgan approached as well, only for another Pokémon to emerge from the bushes. "AH! Oh, Misdreavus." Addison glanced upwards and saw a Ghost Pokémon she was quite familiar with, having raised one before. To the trainer's surprise, both of the Pokémon seemed to be close to one another, with Hattena looking up to Misdreavus and hopping behind her. The Ghost Pokémon eyed the two trainers curiously before floating down as if to shield the Hattena from the two. At the sight of the Misdreavus, Morgan's Quaxly nearly leaped out of her hands and followed Sprigatito in hiding behind his trainer.

"You're protecting her, aren't you, Misdreavus?" Addison inquired. The Ghost Pokémon nodded her head.

"Aw" Morgan cooed. "They're protecting each other. They're friends, just like us." She went down onto her knees in front of the Misdreavus. "Can you understand us? We're friends, just like you and Hattena, here. If you come with us, we promise you can learn how to protect each other. She glanced up at Addison. "We still look after each other, right?"

Addison nodded. "You bet. If you two come with us, we promise you all will stick together." She then went down towards Morgan's side. "Friends stick together." She looked down to her friend, who now wore a look of shame, having hidden the truth about her 'break' from Ethan. She gave Morgan's shoulder a reassuring pat as she returned her attention to the Pokémon. "And that friendship lasts forever."

Misdreavus seemed to be lost in thought before glancing down at the little Hattena. She let out a soft moan, prompting the little Hattena to hop back out into the open. Addison cupped her hands out for the Hattena to jump in, which the Pokémon obliged. When she and the Pokémon made contact, Addison suddenly felt her senses reopen. The two had made contact telepathically, as she and Galatea would.

I...I sense you're a good monster...

Addison giggled. The inner voice of the Hattena was almost child-like. She did not have the strongest connection with Galatea until after she had fully evolved. Could this suggest that Hattena had more mental prowess than a Ralts had at the same relative age? "I'm not a monster. I'm a trainer."

Wait? You're not a monster? And you can understand me?

"I have a gift for talking to connecting with Pokémon" she explained. "You're not the only one I've connected to."

Hattena cocked her head curiously. So...you'll look after us?

Addison nodded. "Of course we will. You'll never have to be scared."

I wish that were true...but I think we can trust you. She looked up to her friend in the Misdreaus and let out a soft yet joyful sound.

Misdreavus then moved forward and nuzzled Morgan playfully. Morgan embraced her new friend. "Wow. I have got to learn how you do that, Addy."

"Only a few people have the ability to" she reminded Morgan. "Just the King and I do now. But there will be three of us who can before long, once we get Ryan back." She looked down the hill and noticed the others coming up to check on them. Sensing the growing alarm in Hattena's emotional pattern, Addison gently caressed her hair. "Don't worry. They're good humans too." Their new Pokémon friends seemed placated by this, but Addison knew to keep her guard up in case Tommy or Nemona got a bit too excited over them.

"Wow" Nemona remarked proudly as she approached them. "I don't think I've ever seen Wild Pokémon do that with a trainer. I think you guys have a gift for Pokémon training."

"Wow, Hattena and Misdreavus are here as well?" Justin exclaimed.

"Not all Pokémon in Paldea are different to those you've seen elsewhere, I'd imagine" their mentor pointed out. She then reached into her pocket and handed both Morgan and Addison two Poké Balls. "Here. If you both want to train those Pokémon, you'll need to catch them in these. The perfect tools for Pokémon catching."

Both girls took the Poké Balls from Nemona and looked at them curiously. Without much prompting, Misdreavus telekinetically picked up the ball with her mind and opened it, disappearing within the confines of Morgan's Poké Ball. Hattena seemed a bit less enthusiastic about it, but looked to Addison for a bit of reassurance. She remained cupped in Addison's hands.

Will you...will you promise I'll be okay?

Addison nodded. "I promise."

Nemona blinked. "Que? Did I miss something? Addy can-"

Addison went white, but before she could even think of an explanation, Tommy interjected with a loud shout. "Uh, HEY! Everyone! Look at the Applin that Nemona helped me catch!" He took out his Poké Ball and let it spit out an Applin, a small Grass/Dragon Pokémon in the shape of an apple he had caught from a nearby tree. This distracted everyone long enough for the Hattena to tap the Poké Ball and vanish within it. Once Tommy was sure she had snared it, he then looked to Nemona curiously. "You said I can't evolve it yet, right?"

Though the group was initially nervous that Nemona would not buy into it, she immediately reverted to being the mentor figure. "Si, mi compadre. You'll need to find a special item or two to evolve this little guy. A Tart Apple or a Sweet Apple. And I don't think they sell those out here. You'll have to find one out in Paldea." She then took stock of their situations. "But look at you guys. Barely an hour in Paldea and you already have two Pokémon each. Well, except for Justin."

"What happened?" Morgan asked.

Justin sighed, still not making eye contact as he fabricated his lack of Pokémon knowledge. "My Wooper got a little too excited and got a...what did you call it, Nemona?"

"A critical hit on a Bounsweet" she added. "But there'll be plenty of time to catch Pokémon, Justin." She pounded her hand into her fist. "Under my training, I'll make you all Pokémon Masters before long! And then, we'll BATTLE OUR MINDS OFF!"

Everyone jumped back at the startling scream. "Buh-battle?" Addison inquired. "My Sprigatito-"

Nemona looked around nervously and scratched the back of her head. "Oh. I guess I went a little overboard there." She then quickly reverted to being her usual quirky self. "But, no matter. I'll use every free period I can with Justin trying to figure out what his next Pokémon should be. And then, he'll catch it. And then...maybe...if there's time...I'll get you all into battling shape." She gestured towards the gates that would lead to Mesagoza. "But I think for now we need to make our way back to Mesagoza. There's a lot I should show you guys about before you even set foot in Uva Academy."

"That's why you're the best mentor ever!" Tommy exclaimed. Addison could tell how hardcore crushing on Nemona that the boy was, but was puzzled when she realized it was more infatuation than it was the kind of emotional connection he felt he had with her. Perhaps it was because he hardly knew her? Would it become true feelings developing between the two of them? Or was Justin's mentioning of opposites attracting perhaps a harbinger of things to come?

Addison gulped. "Or does that mean he's gonna double down on his crush on me?!" she asked herself.

She nervously looked over to Tommy, who was not at all interested in her at the moment and was instead being a 'good gentleman' by leading their mentor up the pathway. With Nemona still blissfully unaware of Tommy's crush on her, Addison could only fold her arms as they walked to try and catch up with the adorable non-couple. "How long do you all think it will take Nemona to realize there's no Arcanan tradition of holding hands like this?"

"She doesn't seem to grasp situations like these too well" Morgan pointed out.

"I don't either" Justin laughed, "but even I know that's not a custom."

"Did Madeline Kingston teach you that?"

At the sound of that name, Justin sprinted up the pathway as if the girl who had once fawned over him was somehow not back in Arcana but had stalked him all the way to Paldea. Morgan and Addison laughed to one another as Justin even blew past Nemona and Tommy.

"Lizzie and Madeline must make him absolutely terrified of girls" Morgan pointed out.

Addison, her thoughts on the clear depth of feeling that might grow between him and a certain golden-haired surfer girl, only gave her friend a cheeky smile. "Who knows what Paldea has in store for us?" She then looked to Morgan. "Well, now that Tommy is taken care of, I guess that means I have to find you someone to fall for."

Morgan quickly waved her hands at this. "No no no no. I don't think I need to-"

"Nonsense!" Addison boasted. "I'm Addison, the love doctor extraordinaire! If Tommy finds romance here and I get Ryan back soon, who's to say you can't find love for yourself?!" Without warning, she grabbed Morgan's hand and pulled her up the pathway, despite her friend panicking at the idea of Addison setting her up on some kind of blind date.

{}

After finally catching up to Amanda inside of Uva Academy's spacious library, Bridgette found out that Director Clavell had left to attend to some kind of student affair and would thus be unavailable for the time being to continue the tour. With Lizzie off already doing her own thing and Billy having seemingly vanished off the face of the earth with the "Primera" girl he had battled, this left her with only Amanda as help in unraveling the truth about why Paldea had isolated itself from the rest of the world. And Amanda was of no help to her, constantly darting from section to section trying to soak in all of the knowledge she could. Bridgette could only keep her eyes on her for so long as she read books at almost superhuman speed, jotting down notes and taking in all that the library had to offer. Things got so frustrating for her that she had to step out to get some fresh air. She walked out and stood by the entrance of the Academy and made the disappointing call to her oldest and dearest friend in the world.

"Nothing yet?" Michael asked on the other line.

"Nothing" Bridgette spoke sadly. "And good luck getting anyone else to help me with this. They're all off doing their own thing."

"Well, it wasn't a mandatory thing" he assured her. "Just a simple curiosity. My only concern is ensuring this whole thing isn't just a temporary situation."

"The kids definitely did their part. Addison and Morgan have been perfectly well behaved. The Queensbury kid already seems to be taking a shining to the place. And Billy is off making his own kind of diplomacy with the region's leadership. Can't say the same for the rest of us."

"Justin isn't with you?"

Bridgette blushed furiously. "Why would he be with me, Michael?!"

"I asked you to mentor him about diplomacy, remember?"

Realizing Michael wasn't insinuating anything, she sighed. "Sorry. Things are just a bit tense right now. Lizzie was shooting me death glares half the flight here whenever I so much as spoke to him. He's off with Tommy and the others learning about Pokémon from the region's Champion, so we'll have to talk later unless Lizzie hijacks him." She looked back towards the Academy and chuckled. "And I don't think a Machamp could pry Amanda away from the massive stack of books she has on the table. So I think we'll all be busy here for a while."

"Good" her friend replied. "Take some time to enjoy yourself, Bridge."

"I'd rather be home with my family" she said softly. "My godson needs me. My boys need me."

Michael chuckled at this. "James is perfectly fine right now, napping his troubles away. And your boys are in capable hands as we speak. Chris and Piper are off on their honeymoon, after all. And rest assured that both Jenna and my wife are giving me more than enough care. Even my beloved little Princess is chipping in to the best of her ability. You ought to focus more on yourself for a bit Bridge. Find something worth smiling about. We used to say you had the prettiest smile in all of Arcana."

Bridgette rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh yeah? You and Chris?"

"Nope. Malcolm and I."

She held her hand close to her heart and smiled sadly. That little boy I adored is still in there. And we'll get him out one day. "I promise you I will. But let's be real here, Michael. The best smile was always your own as a kid. So you'd better work on it by the time I'm back home. Promise me?"

"Promise, Bridge. Love you."

"Love you" she replied casually before ending the call. She had barely managed to put the Poké Gear back into her pocket before she was bowled over by someone rushing away from something. The two landed on the ground with a thud. She would have chewed out the person for crashing into her, had she not realized it was Justin. Instead of yelling, she gulped and did everything she could to suppress her red cheeks from the young man who had caught her off guard more than enough times more than a fair amount of times since they met. "Ju-Justin?!"

Justin glanced up at her and panicked. "Oh my-Lady-uh Bridgette! Sorry! I know you hate being called that!" He frantically scrambled off of her and dusted himself off. "I am so sorry."

"What got you all spooked?" she inquired, her head still spinning from the collision.

He laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "I'm ashamed to even speak of it."

"Well, make sure you watch where you're sprinting, next time."

"Please forgive me, My-ahem...Bridgette."

Your Bridgette?! She felt the color rising to her face at that, before grunting in frustration. STOP IT! NO MORE ROMANCE! She was so busy arguing internally that she had not noticed Justin lean down and pull her to her feet before she realized they were both only separated by perhaps an inch or two. She only came completely to her senses when she noticed him speaking, but she could not hear what words were said. "Hm? You say something?"

"I asked if you were okay" he replied nervously.

Bridgette smiled contently. "I'm fine. Just be careful next time."

Justin cocked his head. "Are you sure you're fine?"

"Be more worried about making yourself a good diplomat and less about me" she teased. "It's almost like you're distracted by me."

His eyes widened at this. "Oh, uh, I'm not trying to be. It's not easy when you know someone so-what I mean to say is...I'm sorry I bumped into you."

"As I said before, you're fine" she replied. "But I think we need to start working you on diplomacy. Based on how quickly you ran away from...whatever it was you ran from, I think you need a bit more tact and grace." Upon realizing the two were still well into the other's personal space, she backed away a step and pulled her arms from his grasp. She wouldn't have even noticed he was holding her otherwise. His hands were so gentle...cradling her like she'd dreamed of...

"I'll do so, but only because His Grace asked it of me" the young man admitted. "I can barely form coherent sentences with others most of the time."

"And yet you run a highly successful vlogging channel."

"That's different. I often have a script, a plan, something to keep my head on straight. When it's just...me..."

Though her brain was telling her the most obvious solution to Justin's problem, evidently Bridgette's emotions were dictating how things were going to go between them at this moment. "Well, I have the perfect way to fix your issues. Every evening around dinner time, you and I are going to go through the Mesagoza. And in these sessions, we'll help you break out of your shell and become the exact kind of man you're expected to be."

"Sessions?!"

"The King wants me to help you become a good diplomat, and I intend on fulfilling my end. By the time we're done, you'll be a distinguished and honorable gentleman." Justin looked weirded out by what Bridgette was saying, prompting her to dial it back momentarily. "You know, if you'll allow me to."

"Of course, Bridgette" he replied. "I was just thinking...if we're going around Mesagoza together, won't that be technically considered going out...you know...on dates?!"

Before Bridgette's more logical side could agree and alter the plan, her emotional side stomped it out and reaffirmed control. "That's not how we'll look at it. It's more like special studying sessions."

Justin nodded as his thoughts came to a similar conclusion. "I suppose you're right. So long as it's not dates, I don't need to panic. And if I can get used to talking to a gorgeous woman like you, then there's no limit to what I might be able to accomplish."

Bridgette was, this time, completely unable to hide the redness flushing her cheeks. She simply took a deep breath to calm herself. "Yes. And I hope we'll see what you accomplish."

"Is everything alright? Your face is all red."

Bridgette hid her cheeks into her hands. "Sorry. Must be having a-cough-allergic reaction to something. COUGH! I'll just go and get some Fresh Water for myself. Once you've gotten into your dorm, I'll take you out on the dat-STUDY SESSION!" She nervously patted him on the shoulder before sprinting off and back towards Mesagoza. Once Justin was far from sight, she slumped against a lamp post and put her head into her hands. Nice going, Bridge. I suppose during the first study date you'll start talking about wedding rings?!

{}

The looks Billy was getting by the locals as he and Geeta went out on their "date" were in most cases a combination of jealousy and intrigue. Jealous looks from the various people who no doubt wanted a moment with "La Primera" or perhaps to be the one she'd be taking out on a personal and intimate tour of Mesagoza with. Intrigue, perhaps for who the person was she had chosen or perhaps with regards to what her true intent was with being involved with someone from beyond the ordinarily sealed off borders of Paldea. So any amount of privacy was immediately withheld as curious gazes and spectators followed them wherever Geeta took them. He would have been put off by all of the lack of privacy if he wasn't so perplexed by what Geeta found so endearing about him.

She was too immersed by his presence, showing off everything she could and demonstrating everything Mesagoza had to offer. And in this entire time, she would not let go of his arm. He would have felt himself smothered had he not felt a calming sense of duty and determination coming from her. She had the same kind of aura of all of the Champions he had come to know and befriend over the years. As if she, despite being in a region that was cut off from the world for half a century, had been right there in Arcana alongside the likes of Diantha, Iris, Leon or Cynthia. Poise, grace, kindness and leadership that not only fit her title as the region's greatest Champion, but also of its Princess. In fact, while her character did remind him of Michael, her looks definitely resonated with the Pines girls to him now more than ever. Her general looks reminded him of Piper, but her eyes showed a kind of passion he only ever saw from Julia when she was studying or mentoring Amanda. He could not deny how beautiful she was. But he also could not deny how awkward he felt on a date with someone besides Amanda.

Geeta seemed to take notice of this and so, after she showed off the pathway that would lead to the Paldean Pokémon League, she brought him to the hotel where he and the other chaperones would be staying. "So tell me, William. Does Arcana have any cities quite like Mesagoza?"

Billy nodded. "A few small towns and massive cities. But we tend to not hold history to such high degrees back home. Arcana doesn't have the best history."

She smiled. "So I see. Paldea is a region that bases itself almost solely on its history, yet we have ignored the future for a long time. Conversely, you claim Arcana is a region that looks squarely to the future due to a tragic and sorrowful past." She let out a sigh as the two neared the block where the hotel was supposed to be. "I do not know everything that transpired in Arcana, but from what I learned from the maiden I spoke with, I understand you all are responsible for the well-being of our world."

Billy, knowing Geeta may be probing him about Addison's involvement in the clash with Mewtwo, decided to do what he could to protect her from any potential repercussions. "We did what we had to in order to protect the world. But it cost us a great deal. My father died in the fighting, as did my cousin Cameron. And the maiden you spoke with on the phone now has a husband who was crippled by the fighting."

Geeta shook her head. "It's a shame I was not allowed to open our region during this dark time. We might have been able to assist in stopping this monster. Mewtwo, you called him?"

"What matters is that Mewtwo is gone. And bringing both of our regions into the future should help a great deal."

She squeezed his arm tenderly. "You're quite a stoic man in the face of adversity, William."

Billy laughed nervously. "I should warn you, La Primera, that I do have a girlfriend."

"So you've said" she replied flirtatiously. "And yet, in this entire time you and I have been together, has she even messaged you?"

Billy glanced at his Poké Gear and shook his head. Man, it's going to be harder than I thought to get her to focus on me. "I guess not."

Geeta took the initiative. "It would also be quite uncalled for to turn down an audience with Paldea's..." she giggled before she concluded her thought. "...what did you call me? Princess?" As they approached the entrance to the hotel, she stopped their progression. "Perhaps you would like to call your girlfriend over so that I may be able to meet her as well? This hotel where you all will be staying has a very renowned restaurant inside. And I just so happen to have reservations for myself. As I am La Primera, I can have those amended to include another guest..."

Billy was tempted to call Amanda, but knowing how she had basically dismissed him the entire time since learning about the trip, he guessed the likely answer he would get from her. "I don't think we'll be able to get her out of Uva Academy's library anytime soon. I guess I'll be dining alone, tonight."

Geeta smirked. "Or with a member of Paldean Royalty?"

He waved his hands nervously. "I don't want to impose, Geeta. I-"

"It is not an imposition if I offered it" she insisted. "Besides, there is much more I'd like to know about you, William. You are quite an intriguing man." She gently nudged Billy back a step to allow the hotel doorman to open the doors for them. Before Billy could react, Geeta pulled him along inside the hotel and into the lobby. "You need not worry about checking in. We've taken care of it. Let's continue our special tour."

"Gee, La Primera-"

"This restaurant serves the finest meals in all of Mesagoza" she continued, ignoring his nerves as she led him towards the large doorway that would lead into the very private and dimly lit restaurant. A Maitre'd stood at attention in front of the main seated area and did not take his eyes off of the papers in front of him to even spare them another look. Geeta's arm gently squeezed Billy's as she gave out a polite "ahem" to the man.

"Ah, La Primera" the finely dressed man replied to her. "Your reserved table is prepared for-"

"Would it be possible to add this fine gentleman to my reservation?" Geeta inquired, using her other hand to tap Billy's forearm. "He is an esteemed guest from Arcana, after all."

"Of course, La Primera." He made a few quick marks with a pen on his papers and stood at attention. "We would be honored to serve La Primera and her date this evening."

"Whoa" Billy tried to interject. "I-uh-we-what I mean is-"

Geeta giggled. "William, you are among friends here. There is no need for such nerves. Casual evenings dining are perfectly acceptable to be referred to as 'dates'. It is not as if you are being asked to become the next King of Paldea." The Maitre'd began walking in front of them, with Geeta remaining glued to Billy's side.

Billy felt as stiff as a board. He barely knew Geeta, yet here she was acting as if they had been friends all their lives. The sheer pride and confidence with which she spoke, the gentle tones she took with him, the flirtatious ways she'd glance in his direction, she was a natural charmer. He had not been around someone so intoxicating in his entire life. He'd been on dates before Amanda, but never had he encountered someone with such self-confidence. Someone who could casually toss around banter and flirt with someone who has repeatedly mentioned was spoken for. If he wasn't as in love with Amanda as he was, he figured Geeta could have made him out to be the kind of simp that Chris used to be around girls. But perhaps that was what was drawing Geeta to him more? The idea that someone she was clearly interested in not being available to her, a Princess of sorts? Or was she simply being a very open and courteous host? After all, that girl Nemona had been the same with Tommy being the one fawning over her. He couldn't figure her out, but knew he'd have to very soon before he unintentionally incurred his girlfriend's wrath.

But no sooner had he concluded his intent to figure out what Geeta was after, then she had chosen to lean up and whisper in his ear. "You don't have to be so nervous, William. I promise you are in good hands." Billy felt himself tense up even more, the hairs on the back of his neck sticking up high for anyone to see. He even felt his legs lock up and nearly made him and Geeta slip. Geeta's smile never left her face as her grip slid down towards his hand and she continued to lead him towards their date.