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Chapter 45 - A Blooming Rivalry...?

Traveling throughout the island, Gerald showed off countless places to dine and shop, pointing out popular locations for people to hang out and relax as well... However, the more they traveled, the more anxious Servine became, at one point running around their feet like an enthusiastic child causing Gardevoir and Gerald to stumble over her several times. "My my... To have such energy again... Something to be said for a strong enthusiasm to experience things in life." he laughed nervously, wiping a bit of sweat off his face with a handkerchief and letting out a sigh. "Very energetic... Too energetic..." Gardevoir responded. Suddenly, she let out a slight grunt as her eyes began glowing, causing Servine to suddenly float up with a shout and flail before being sat firmly on Gardevoirs shoulder. "You sit... Stay... Get under feet too much..." she lectured, causing Servine to scowl and grumble as she tried to get off to no avail, seemingly stuck on Gardevoirs shoulder as if she was sitting on glue. Crossing her arms, she puffed out her cheeks and grumbled at being treated like a child once more. "I can sense... Getting tired... Need to stop?" Gardevoir asked Gerald, facing him as the old man waved his hand. "Oh heavens no! I'm not here to inconvenience madam! Please focus on enjoying your time!" he responded nervously. "No need to push... Big place, kind of hot... And you're old." she told Gerald, causing him to suddenly sulk and hang his head with an atmosphere of gloom about him. Picking up on his emotions, Gardevoir quickly pulled away and waved her hands. "Old not bad thing! Old mean experienced! Old means wise!" she told him before thinking about Chris and bowing as he would in the situation. "Sorry for rudeness..." she said, causing Gerald to blink and smile. "Ahh... No worries madam. I'll be the first to admit, I'm probably older than half the dirt on this planet by now." he responded, causing Gardevoir to raise up with a surprised look as she tilt her head. "THAT old?!" she asked, causing Gerald to sulk with a nervous laugh. "E... Expression madam... Not really but... Ah... Never mind." he said, causing Gardevoir to look at him confused before Servine pat her on the head and let out a shout, not wanting to stand around.

"L... Lets continue shall we? I'm quite alright." he told the two, helping Gardevoir hold onto his arm once again as they resumed their stroll. After a moment however, Gardevoir suddenly stopped with a gasp, her eyes going wide as she turned and faced the direction of the hospital. "...Chris? That you...?" she asked, causing Servine and Gerald to look at her confused. "We're in city... On island called Castelia... Why...?" she said, tilting her head as if she were having a conversation with him face to face. "Uhh... That really okay...? You sure it allowed...?" she asked, rubbing her head as if thinking something over. "Okay... If you want we will. Servine have to be controlled though..." she scowled, facing the Pokemon on her shoulder getting an irritated look from Servine in response, letting out a "What's that mean?!" sound. "Will do that... Thank you..." she said, facing the hospitals direction once again before turning away. "Chris reached out to me... We can use cards to buy things... Have a good time." she said, thinking she was facing Gerald as he stood behind her with a nervous smile. "Ah... Very well then madam..." he responded, tapping her on the shoulder so she would face the proper direction, causing her to turn and blush embarrassed. "Need to thank first... Lets get you drink." she told him, causing Gerald to quickly wave his hands once again. "P... Please madam! Its as I said I'm quite alright!" he told her, causing Gardevoir to scowl. "...Want to fly in the air again?" she warned, crossing her arms and causing Gerald to blink with a nervous bit of sweat on his face before letting out a sigh and bowing. "V... Very well... If you insist then I'll accept your offer. But... Please madam, don't squander your trai... Er... Master Chris's money on me..." he told her, causing Gardevoir to growl. "He would do the same. Even told me to get what you need to repay. So no complaining." she lectured, waving her finger at him as if she was even treating him as a child. Looking at him, Servine gave Gerald a "now you know how it feels" expression, crossing her arms once again as he laughed nervously. "Well... This is certainly to be an experience I'll not soon forget..." he told the two.

Continuing their walk, the three stopped by a stand along the way to pick up something to eat and drink as they explored the island, the three of them letting out sighs as they enjoyed their meals. "Its been many a year since I've been able to spend time with those I served so casually... Admittedly its a nice experience, being able to enjoy an atmosphere a little more... Relaxed... I suppose... I take it this is the same way you two feel when you travel with Master Chris?" he asked, the two of them thinking the question over for a moment with a nod. "Pokemon... Normally serve humans... Live to battle... Live to travel... Most humans let Pokemon come and go easy... Quick to trade Pokemon and store them away when not wanted... Some humans really bad... Abusive and able to abandon Pokemon easily... But Chris not like that. With him... We serve... But we also... Love... We respect and know he keep us at side no matter what... He never trade us away. Never abandon... Never make us do what we don't want... He pushes us to go beyond limits... But in nice way... In firm but... Good way... Chris different with his Pokemon... Not normal at all... This makes us follow him." she responded, smiling as she clutched the strap of his rucksack. "Humans... Keep us in Pokeballs, Chris never do that to us either. We travel at side... Never conveniently tucked away... He wants us to be completely free... Even told us so..." she said, facing down. "Amazing... Sounds like the two of you really are lucky indeed." he chuckled. "Yes... Chris tell us we can stay with him... And we can leave him... Whenever we wanted... That really inspire us... Most Pokemon don't get the option. Just kept or left at humans will... But him... He make it our right to do so ourselves... Another reason we stay with him. Never want to leave a human with such good heart... Such respect for us... Not likely to find that in another human easily..." she told him, facing up and smiling once again. "Chris good man... We love and follow forever... He do things for us no human ever would... He treat us ways no human would too... To him, we're family... And family always stay together..." she responded, facing back towards his rucksack behind her. "I think... Maybe we all he have now too." she said quietly, causing Gerald to look at her with a curious expression yet showing a proud look as well.

"I really do admire the relationship the three of you have... We have a lot of time left before the day is over and our little adventure is done... Would the two of you mind telling an old man the story of how you met? And perhaps... What your journey thus far has involved?" he asked, the two of them facing him silently for a moment before facing away with slight blushes. "Can tell... Not everything... But can tell..." Gardevoir smiled. Walking along, the two shared stories of their travels, Gardevoir translating for Servine naturally as the small Pokemon expressed her side of their life together with expressions and excited movements as she spoke in her Pokemon tongue, Gerald laughing due to how expressive and energetic she became when it concerned her life with Chris. "My my... When it comes to him you really do have an impressive spark of life light up inside you... Seems like the both of you hold Master Chris truly close to your hearts." he chuckled, causing Servine to freeze and quickly face away embarrassed as Gardevoir nodded. "Servine is really proud... Doesn't like expressing herself too much... Especially when it comes to Chris... This first time even I see her like this... Ever since we get in limo... Servine is usually really snooty type..." she told Gerald with a scowl, suddenly causing Servine to face her with a gasp with her jaw dropped from the insult. Waving her finger at Gardevoir, she gave her a lecture of her own, causing Gardevoir to cross her arms and shrug in response. "Its true... I've never seen you act different before... Since we got in limo you've acted like normal... Excited female... Then you act like child since we got on island... Its different... Good different though, even if you still act snooty too." she told Servine, causing the small Pokemon to grit her teeth, fists shaking in anger before facing away with her arms crossed in silence. "Wouldn't be angry if not the truth. Even treat Chris in snooty way..." she grumbled, causing Servine to go wide eyed and turn, ready to shout at her but instead shaking her head with a growl from the low blow and facing away once again. Looking at the two, Gerald laughed nervously and waved his hands. "Dear oh dear... Master Chris seems to be a very... Touchy subject for the two of you... I sense quite a few unsavory things coming out of this situation so why not let it go and lets just go about our merry way, shall we?" he suggested, Gardevoir shrugging as Servine faced back at her with a "tch" noise before nodding in agreement.

Pressing on, Gardevoir eventually stopped and faced different directions, sniffing the air before suddenly pulling away from Gerald and following the scent, her arms out to feel around until she suddenly felt something soft and froze. "Oh... You like flowers?" Gerald asked, walking up with Servine, still remaining silent as she looked at the stand full of various types on display. "Flowers...? Yes... I do like... Feel good... Smell really nice..." she responded, touching several flowers before suddenly letting out a shout and sucking on her finger. "Ha ha... Indeed. There are seemingly endless types in existence... But its a fact every rose has its thorn, so with some you must be very cautions when touching." he explained, looking over her hand. "Now now... It looks fine. They make rather nice gifts you know. People get flowers for those they appreciate for endless reasons as well, be them happy, or sad... They do make a fine gift for someone feeling unwell." he chuckled, causing both Pokemon to jolt and think over his words for a moment. "So... Good gift for Chris?" she asked, slightly blushing and scratching her cheek shyly. "Indeed! Given what you've told me, I do believe anything coming from the two of you for the sake of showing your appreciation would make him ecstatic. Could be just the thing to help him recover all the faster as well! Having your feelings expressed in such a way that is." he told the two, causing both Pokemon to smile and nod. Going through the stand first, Gerald helped Gardevoir put together her own arrangement, going by smell rather than sight in her case causing her bouquet to come out extremely jumbled up, to the point where messy would be an understatement... Trying to hold them all as she continued randomly tossing flowers together, Gerald eventually wound up nearly swamped in them, struggling to hold them all together as they loomed over his head. "M... Madam Gardevoir!! Your enthusiasm is admirable b... But I'm afraid any more and not only will your bouquet fall apart, but I'll be buried alive!!" he told her, causing Gardevoir to suddenly pause and back away from the stand with a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of her head as the owner of the stand looked at how many she had put together in shock. "S... Sorry... Thought the more he got the faster he would feel better..." she responded, poking her fingers together with a grin and a blush. Shaking her head, Servine let out a sigh and shrugged, motioning for them to move aside as she walked past and climbed her way onto the stand, slithering through the flowers herself. Going through them all, Servine didn't focus too heavily on scents and quantity, but rather quality, picking through various types until she had an admittedly striking set picked out, quickly looking through the available decorative wrapping paper and string to arrange them with. Once she was finished, she held up her own bouquet like that of a torch, smirking with her nose up proudly before scowling at Gardevoir who clumsily wrapped her own with excessive paper and string, Gerald busy struggling to hold it together as he too wound up wrapped in paper in the end...

"W... Well then ladies... D... Do you think this will do for Master Chris?" he asked with a nervous laugh, Gardevoir clapping while jumping up and down and giggling in response. Looking at her arrangement, Servine hopped down from the stand and looked over her own bouquet for a moment before nodding as well, comparing it to Gardevoirs and smirking in satisfaction. "V... Very well then... I'm afraid you'll have to be sure to pay the owner though before we leave!" he reminded, causing Gardevoir to put up a finger with a loud "oh!!" as she pulled off the rucksack and motioned for Servine to help her get the card they needed. Nodding, she made her way inside and finally pulled out his wallet, looking through until she found the right card and climbed up the stand, handing it to the owner. Ringing everything up, he gave it back and waved at the three, watching them walk off with a dumbfounded look on his face, simply saying "...thanks for your business..." in response before looking at the stand, now half empty. "W... Well then... I suppose we should have a look through the Millennium Mall before we leave... Shall we?" he asked, Servine looking towards the towering structure with an excited look on her face as Gardevoir thought it over silently before shaking her head. "Should save... Do when Chris can be with..." she responded, causing Servine to look at her with an "awww!!" sound. And yet... Looking over her own bouquet, she let out a sigh and nodded in agreement in the end, Gerald looking at the two in surprise. "Oh...? Well... Are you for certain...? The two of you were very excited about it when we left the hospital." he reminded them. "It is exciting... But we should save some stuff... Not fair or fun for Chris if we do everything without him." she told Gerald. "Well... If that's what you wish madam... Is there anything else the two of you would like to do here on the island before we leave then?" he asked while looking around. "Yes... Get Chris good food... The hospital food is... Disgusting..." she responded with a sour look, Servine sticking out her tongue with a "blech" noise and nodding in agreement. "Very good... I do believe I know just the place Master Chris would enjoy a treat from... The two of you should likely pick a fine dinner out for yourselves as well." he told them, getting a nod from the two in response as they walked around. Eventually, both Gerald and Servine noticed an impressive looking oriental diner, deciding on it as Gardevoir admittedly enjoyed the smells coming from the building as well. Once inside, they went up to the front counter and looked over the menu, Servine looking at the pictures curiously as Gerald read through the menu, with Gardevoir facing endless directions as the scent of countless foods waft around her face, especially when waiters and waitresses carried trays past her causing Gardevoir to smile and drool slightly.

Once the receptionist came up to the counter, they were asked if they were dining in or taking out. "We take out. Taking to hospital for human we travel with." Gardevoir responded, causing the receptionist to look at her in shock. "Th... That's new... V... Very well then... What do you wish to order?" they were asked, the three of them unsure of how to answer. "What human males like most?" Gardevoir asked, the receptionist once again looking at her curiously. "...Oohhh. Telepathy... Ahh... Ha ha... Forgive me. Its an amazing thing to experience first hand... Well... Gentlemen like many things on our menu basically. So... its hard to say... To each their own taste..." they were told, the three of them nodding with "ooohh yeah..." expressions. After a moment however, a waiter suddenly walked by with a platter of noodles, causing Gardevoir to follow the scent and jolt wide eyed. "That one!! I order that for him!!" she told the receptionist with a grin. "H... Ha ha... I see... So you would like an order of our teriyaki seafood medley special... Excellent choice." they were told as Gardevoir sniffed the air again. "Make it two order!!" she grinned, the receptionist blinking at her and smiling. "My... I wish all of our guests had such an enthusiastic spirit. Alright then, two orders of that... Anything else?" they were asked as Gerald and Servine continued looking over the menu themselves. Seeing pictures of various desserts, Servine suddenly jumped onto the counter and pointed at one of the pictures showing slices of cake. Confused, the receptionist looked behind them for a moment before figuring out what Servine wanted. "Oohh!! The picture of the cheesecake!! Many love the recipe we use for ours... Not sure how well it would mix with the previous order however... But if that is what you would like, I'll put it in the order for you!" the receptionist smiled, Servine nodding and holding up two fingers. "Ah... Another double order... Very well then. Always good to have a sweet tooth. And what about the gentleman accompanying you?" they were asked, causing Gerald to blink and wave his free hand. "N... No thank you. I'm merely looking after them as their chauffeur here in the city." he responded, the two Pokemon looking at him for a moment before Servine suddenly put up a third finger. "Hmm... Three orders of the cake then? Very well." the receptionist responded, Gardevoir nodding in agreement as Gerald sweat slightly, reminding them not to worry over him with only stern looks being given by the two in response, causing Gerald to nod and admit defeat yet again with a sigh.

After paying for the food, the three waited near the entrance, Gerald slowly growing a bit weak from holding Gardevoirs massive arrangement of flowers. Picking up on this, she suddenly used her psychic abilities to lift them into the air next to her. "Thank you for holding. No need to worry. I can handle! You carry the food?" she asked as Gerald relaxed his arms. "Really, you two do too much... But if you wish to trade who carries what, I'll handle the meal for you." he responded, Gardevoir patting him on the head. "Good! You learning! No need to do more than can handle!" she smiled, causing Gerald to sweat slightly. "Still... The two of you really should permit me to handle more. I'm here to be a convenience for you." he reminded them, causing Gardevoir to shrug. "You've been plenty convenience. Drive us in limo and walk us all over island. Not letting us get lost. You do just fine already." she reassured him, Servine nodding in agreement as Gerald sighed and nodded. "Well... Thank you. I'm glad to be as much help as I can." he told the two with a smile. After a moment, a waiter came out with their order, bagging it up and handing it to Gerald as Gardevoir and Servine paid for the food, the receptionist telling them both how smart they are causing the two Pokemon to laugh and rub their heads embarrassed before leaving with Gerald, the three of them returning to the limo as the sun finally began to set just above the buildings. "Well... That was an interesting day... Rather mellow, the youth would call it... If this is how it will be caring for the two of you, I can honestly say I wholeheartedly look forward to our time together!" he chuckled, helping the two get into the limo and carefully working with Gardevoir to put her massive bouquet inside as well. Once done, he gave the two their food and climbed into the front, leading the two back towards the bridge leading towards the main part of the city. "There's still plenty more to enjoy on that island and throughout the rest of the city. Amusement parks... Museums... Even our very own advanced laboratory where you can experience the world of tomorrow!" he told the two, causing them both to show curious expressions. "But all in due time... For now, lets get the two of you back to Master Chris. I'm sure he's looking forward to hearing all about your day on the island!" he chuckled, the two showing a smile from ear to ear as they held their flowers and the food.

Although... It wasn't long before they were giving one another that... "Mine will be better" look as the limo made its way through the city...