Kalos but no Cigar! IC II

[NeoSeraphi]

Mereda smiles. "Rush, your father called me today. He heard about the explosion and he's on the first plane out tomorrow. Hopefully he'll be here the morning after next."

Rush looks surprised. "Dad's coming home too?...Alright. I understand."

[Diachronos]

Rush's father is coming back? That means another person for him to catch up with, and who needs to hear about Irina's death... it's starting to look like Mei and Angela will need to continue without him for a while, or stay in Shalour for a while longer.

[NeoSeraphi]

Rush meets Mei's gaze. "Don't worry. I don't plan to delay your journey any longer than necessary. But -"

The phone in the kitchen rings. Enzo looks up in surprise. "Huh, that can't be a work call. The Leader would just come over and speak to me face to face. Mei, can you see who that is?"

[Diachronos]

Mei nods and gets up to answer the phone. "Hello?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"Hello, is this the Fille residence? I apologize for calling at this hour but I would like to speak to Mei, please. Is she available?"

[Diachronos]

Mei raises an eyebrow. Why does that voice sound familiar? "This is Mei."

[NeoSeraphi]

"Good evening, Mei. This is President Obscurite. We met in Lumiose City the other day."

[Diachronos]

This can't be good. "I recall. How can I help you, ma'am?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"A problem has arisen in Shalour City. I don't have any agents in the area and my daughter tells me you are a Pokémon Trainer with some skill. Can I ask you to intervene on the Bureau's behalf? You will be compensated fairly for your efforts."

[Diachronos]

Mei frowns. What's she being dragged into now? "What would I need to do, ma'am?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"I would prefer to discuss the details in person. Would you please come by my office in Lumiose tomorrow at noon? Once you've heard everything and we have discussed your pay you are free to decline if you wish."

[Diachronos]

"Alright. I'll come by tomorrow, then."

[NeoSeraphi]

"Splendid. Good evening."

She hangs up.

When Mei returns to the table she finds both of her parents looking horrified, Rush with his face in his palms, and Mereda excitedly telling a story.

"There you are, Mei! I was worried you were going to miss the best part! So anyway, I was left in Ecruteak with nothing but a hand grenade and a pinecone. And I said to myself 'there's two objects and two Rocket jerks that need a fistful of something right up their -"

"Mother? Why don't you talk about something else?" Rush suggests.

"Oh. Okay. This is the story of the Raikou, the Moltres, and my trusty Uzi..."

[Diachronos]

Mei isn't sure what's more disturbing: Mereda's story, or the gleeful expression on her face as she tells it. Her parents couldn't have known about her nature before inviting her over.

[NeoSeraphi]

"So then, I turn to the executive and I say, 'You couldn't figure out my plan? It's not exactly..." She takes a pair of sunglasses out of her pocket and puts them on, "Rocket science!"

Rush stands up. "Okay! Well, we are so happy you invited us over for dinner. We look forward to seeing you both again...sometime later." He pushes his mother out the door and walks away.

Linette and Enzo stare at each other.

"So...that's your boyfriend, huh?"

"He seems very sweet dear. If a bit...quiet."

[Diachronos]

Mei nods. "He's a nice guy. I think he was staying quiet because of his mom, though."

[NeoSeraphi]

Linette retires for the evening while Enzo and Mei wash the dishes and chat for a bit. Then Mei heads to bed.

In the morning she rises and sits up, only to discover Saisho sleeping next to her. He must have let himself out of his Ball.

[Diachronos]

Mei smiles and starts to lightly rub the Frogadier's bubble scarf. Why had he come out of his ball? Is he feeling neglected or lonely?

[NeoSeraphi]

"Froga? Froga!" He sits up as she wakes him up and smiles at her happily. "Frogadier. Froga. Froga."

Mei concentrates on his eyes and his motions. She determines that...he feels safer sleeping next to her than in his Ball.

[Diachronos]

Mei chuckles. "How about I just keep you out of your ball all the time, Saisho? Would that be better?"

[NeoSeraphi]

The Pokémon nods happily. Mei recalls that often Yuki came out of her Ball for all sorts of reasons with Rush. Usually those reasons were not battling. Come to think of it Mei doesn't normally interact with her Pokémon much at all outside of feeding them or when she needs their power. This difference...Mei thinks she understands a bit more about treating Pokémon as partners and not as weapons.

[Diachronos]

Mei closes her eyes, thinking back to all the times Rush and Yuki interacted. She was nothing like him... and that was probably the issue. Her Pokemon need more time in the sun, to run free and for her to get familiar with them. Saisho isn't the only one who should be allowed out of the Pokeball more often. Although... Magnus and Larxene's Pikachu may need a tighter leash at first; she's not sure how a Shadow Pokemon would act if she let it wander around outside of its Pokeball.

She gets dressed and heads downstairs to get ready for her trip to Lumiose.

[NeoSeraphi]

Enzo smiles as Mei comes downstairs. "Want some breakfast, ma petit?"

[Diachronos]

Mei nods and hugs her dad. "Yes, please."

[NeoSeraphi]

Enzo sets a plate of pancakes in front of her. "Are you going out today as well?"

[Diachronos]

Mei nods. "The woman who sold that dress to me wanted me to stop by today, so I'm heading back to Lumiose."

[NeoSeraphi]

Enzo kisses her cheek and nods, leaving her to enjoy her breakfast.

[Diachronos]

Mei finishes eating after a few minutes. She washes off her plate and puts it away, then heads out with Saisho.

[NeoSeraphi]

Mei heads out onto the Route, but she is stopped.

"Mei, after seeing how hard you fought against Rush yesterday...I decided I wanted to fight too. I want to know if I'm strong enough to travel with you. Please have a battle with me," Angela asks.

[Diachronos]

Mei tilts her head. "Okay, if you're sure." She turns to her Frogadier. "You're alright with it, right Saisho?"