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Chapter 3

Down in the Valley

1

The week slipped by as Jim's date with Cassidy approached. He'd take another week of preparation any day, as he had yet to plan out how he was going to woo her and spike her interest in him.

Thus, he was forced to seek council from his most trusted companions. Surely an input from someone looking from outside his perspective could provide some useful insight? It was a solid plan...

"You gotta eat her out before the clock strikes twelve."

... if his companions were just a tweak or two wiser. Or weren't all sex-obsessed males who laughed at Jim's expense.

Maybe I should ask a chick or two, _a voice told him, one that sounded a lot like Kendra. _I think she might be rubbing off on me.

"I said _useful _advice, dick-wad." Jim said over the noisy, beef-ridden air of the cafeteria.

"You didn't actually say useful, technically." Isaac's grin couldn't be more shit-eating if he tried. "Word your wishes carefully, Jimmy."

"I knew I shouldn't have said anything to you bunch of assholes." He ran a hand down his face.

"Hey! I had some valid points, didn't I?" Matty said. "Dragons like gems and stuff yeah? Get her a fancy necklace, a nice ring, and the dragon will open her legs soon enough."

"Just because she's a dragon doesn't make her a gold-digger," Gavin pointed out, his own uncertainty causing him to glance at Jim. "Right? She's not loaded, is she?"

"I don't know. Look guys, she's just a normal girl with scales, thorns, a tail, and the power to burn my wiener off if I do something stupid! So I'd appreciate it if you could all just give me something I can work with."

"Well let's brainstorm," Nate said, the only one who hadn't taken the opportunity to rib Jim this afternoon. "You said you don't know much about her, so we'll have to go off by generalisation. Anyone here know any dragons? Friends, or a distant cousin, even?"

Chins were scratched as the party took a moment to think. "Hey," Gavin said. "I had a friend back in primary who was a Zekrom. _Is, _I mean. He used to pick on me, until I socked him one right in the mouth. _Pow! _We were best buddies after that."

They all looked at him like he'd just spoken another language. "Dude," Isaac said. "Even _my _suggestion was more helpful than that."

"No no, there's something." Nate turned to Jim. "Dragons are proud, right? It's part of their biology, so if Gavin could befriend a bully by punching him, the same principal applies."

"So I should... strike her?" Jim blinked.

"No, _dolt, _be assertive with her. If girls like a direct guy, I'd say it goes double for a dragon. No empty words or gestures."

"Direct..." Jim tasted the word, finding the sense in it. "Okay, okay. Anything else?"

"If I may..." Isaac began. There were several rolls of eyes at this. "Hey if anyone here's an expert on pussy its ya boi'. Anyway, imagine how many guys have tried approaching a derg the careful way - _"Oh geez, mighty dragon, would you like to get something to eat? It's okay if you don't I'm just dirt compared to your draconic splendor." _Who's gonna respect that wimpy shit?"

"So you gotta outmatch her own pride. She's a proud dragon? You be proud-er. She's smug? Be smugger! She-dragons totally dig that, especially on a first date!"

"You ever actually date a dragon, Isaac?" Matty asked.

"Almost!" he replied.

"Besides that small detail," Matty continued. "Isaac may be right. It'll be the last thing she'll expect." He raised a cautious hand. "Just don't go too overboard, yeah? You're not that kind of guy, don't pretend you are or she'll see right through it."

Jim took this all with a grain of salt, not willing to admit he was... _nervous, _to put it lightly. Cassidy _did _have a lot of teeth. Pretty, clean, white teeth that sparkled when she smiled. Who knew what she was capable of when angered, even without using her Type?

But Isaac had a point (go figure) - he couldn't be scared of her just because she was a dragon. This wasn't the only reason why he was unsettled, but it was more superficial, so it was an easy scapegoat for Jim's deeper troubles.

"Wish we had more for you, Jim," Nate tried.

"Nah, it's something to think about, at least." Jim checked the time. "You guys doing anything this afternoon?" When they all answered with shrugs and negatives, Jim suggested they drop by the club with him.

Isaac blinked. "Wait, we have a theatre cl-"

"Yes, we do," Jim cut him off before he could get the whole thing out. "I've been helping them out and giving them some tips. I could use some backup."

Their reaction was about what one would expect from a bunch of uncultured jocks. Jim would have had the same reaction, if he hadn't been convinced by the prettiest dragon around.

"There's not any poetry is there?" Matty asked. "That shits boooring."

"There might be, and it's not boring. Some of them deliver a pretty good performance. You guys don't even have to analyze it, just cheer and clap every now and then. I don't want to have to keep going alone."

"I don't know, Jimbo." Isaac scratched his long hair. "You've got a reason to be there, tickle the derg puss and shit, but we don't."

"Most of the club is made up of girls and they're single."

"Yeah I'm down," Isaac said.

"Me too," Matty added.

"Couldn't hurt to at least hear them out," Nate pondered.

Gavin was grinning despite his disappointed shake of the head. "You guys are something else. I'll come with, just to see if any of you can score."

Jim and his Mythics buddies met up later and made their way across the campus, laughing and ribbing each other in a way only close friends could achieve.

Their volume seemed uncanny in the quietness that gripped this lower part of the university grounds, and Jim's companions noticed it.

"I haven't been down here since I tried my first blunt," Matty remarked, his neck craning up to examine the roof of the club hall. "And that was years ago. Been no reason too come here since."

"Well I'm here to change that," Jim replied, leading the way to the double doors. "And guys, before we go in, please try and act normal for once, huh? Just for an hour?"

"A _whole _hour?" Isaac asked. "That'll cost you extra. Like pointing out which girls are easy."

"Like that's gonna help you," Gavin said. "You got the personality of a dirty toilet brush."

"And the haircut of one too," Jim said, hushing Isaac before he could think of a comeback. "Alright shut the fuck up guys, they might be rehearsing..."

He gripped the handle and pushed the doors open, friends by his flanks, confidence surging in his chest now that he was with company. By the way the club was arranged his suspicions were correct - it looked like it was Jasmine the Sylveon's turn to perform in front of everyone.

"Okay guys," _Jim whispered. _"Bags by the door and we'll slip into the back and-"

"Hey ladies!" Isaac called out, causing Jasmine to sputter mid-sentence. The man waved at them.

It need not be specified who among the club was most annoyed at the disturbance. Kendra's left eye twitched as she turned to see the group of boys intruding at the worst possible time. "Jesus Mary wept," she said under her breath, looking back at Jasmine and the others. "Take five, everyone, we've got ourselves a 'proper' audience now."

There were more than a few nodding heads and whispered praises at this (much to Kendra's chagrin). The Tyhplosion turned to meet the approaching group, Cassidy joining her side and giving her a light nudge.

"Told you he wouldn't come alone."

"It seems your admirer is determined to keep proving me wrong, Cass."

"You're not complaining."

"Hi Kendra, Cassidy," Jim's smile was more sincere for the latter. Kendra threw up a little in her mouth. He pointed a thumb over his shoulder. "I brought some buddies."

"I can see that, we're not blind." The Typhlosion gave each of the boys a once-over, each one less impressive than the last. "I was expecting at least double this amount."

"Baby steps, Ken'," Jim tried. "Everyone's gone home by now."

"Don't _"Ken'" _me, Jim." She scrutinized one of the Mythics for longer than the others. "And who's this? The one so brazen enough to interrupt our rehearsals?"

"Me?" Isaac asked.

"No, the other dog-faced loud mouth. I'm guessing you're the dumb one of the group? Do you always shout whenever you enter a room? Is it because you crave attention your daddy doesn't bother giving you?"

Each Mythic, Jim, Cassidy, and even a few observing Pokémon had little 'o' shaped mouths of astonishment. Isaac was the worst of them all, with an expression as slack as a slapped ass cheek.

"I- I will have you know," Isaac began. "That I have more friends than your club has members! You can't talk about attention."

Jim watched the squabble with a thoughtful look, realizing he'd gotten off easy, the first time he'd met Kendra. She was the most snide, rude, condescending she-devil he'd ever met. And it was actually... kind of hot.

And it seemed he wasn't alone in this conclusion. He heard Matty whisper to Gavin: "I want to be _her _friend." To which Gavin nodded agreement.

"Now that pleasantries are over," Cassidy said, stepping between the arguing duo. "Why don't you boys grab some seats? We nicked a few from F block so you don't have to sit all the way in the back. They're over in the corner."

Nate escorted one stunned Isaac with the other Mythics to where she pointed. Jim was about to join them when a talon pressed against his shoulder. It was Cassidy, and she asked him how he managed to convince his friends to come along.

"After Kendra told me about your vote, I had to go the extra mile."

"Vote?" She frowned. "What vote?"

"The... vote you all made to make me an honourary member?"

The Garchomp folded her arms. "I think I'd remember a group vote like that."

"Then that means... But Kendra, I thought you said-"

"Positions everyone!" Kendra shouted, drowning out Jim's questions. "Break time's over, chop chop!" She shooed Jim one way, Cassidy the other. "Keep your friends in line, Jim, if you can even manage that."

Jim stared at her back for a moment longer, a suspicious grin on his face. The sound of chair legs dragging across the floor drew his attention to his friends, and he went to join them as the club reoriented themselves for their 'auditions'.

When the Mythics were all seated and quiet, Kendra took center stage and addressed the boys. It was obvious it had been quite some time since she'd had to present before severaloutsiders. "Ahem. It is with some effort that I welcome our _new _'critics' to our individual rehearsals. We have a strict timetable at the moment so let's get down to it. Firstly-"

"Wait wait," Jim got up and gestured to his right. "Why are they still closed?"

Without waiting for an answer, he went over to the window that had once been the target of many a handball. The dusty, rugged curtains were still drawn over them. "No need for these anymore," he said, and with one great effort, heaved the curtain from left to right.

Soft, afternoon light flooded its way inside, presenting with it a clean view of the world outside. Jim sneezed on account of all the dust clinging to the velvet drapes, but apart from that it was a welcome sight to all.

-Save for one of course.

"Must you interrupt every single meeting at least once?" Kendra asked him, hands on her hips.

"Yes," he answered, pulling open the windows, letting the place get some fresh air. Once he was satisfied, he dusted his hands and took his place by his friends once more. "There we are. Better right?"

"Yeah I can actually see the stage now," Gavin said. "Continue please, hostess."

The Typhlosion furrowed her brow at the politeness, finding it odd coming from such brutes. "Ahem, yes. Starting us off this afternoon will be Jasmine, with her recital of some of John Keats works."

"Poetry? Fuuuck..." Matty groaned, but his attitude did a one eighty when Jim stamped his foot down on his toes. "Ow! I mean, wooo! Yeah!"

Jim was relieved his friends didn't go too overboard, their cheers and claps eliciting a shy smile from the little Sylveon. She had taken Jim's earlier notes to heart, speaking loud and clear, conveying just the right amount of emotion into her lines. It came as a pleasant surprise that she didn't really seem bothered being judged by multiple people. Even Matty admitted it wasn't half bad when she was finished.

One by one the club put themselves before their first real scrutiny from a group. Although his friends were honest with what they did and didn't like about each performance, Jim found his opinion a bit more sort after than the others. Maybe it was because he was a familiar face, or maybe he was fooling himself as well as the rest of the club that he actually knew what he was talking about when he criticised them.

Either way, it was humbling, and Jim even made a few new friends. Nothing short of Cassidy sweeping him off his feet and kissing him could make this afternoon much better.

Speaking of which...

"Dude I think your derg's up next," Isaac whispered to him. "What's she gonna do? A romantic poem? Dancing, maybe?"

"Dunno," Jim said. "but I've got a hunch she's going last for a reason."

"If I hear Shakespeare one more time I'm walking," Matty said. "Let's hope she does something with that hot bod' of hers. I'd be an all-time regular if that's the case."

Jim slapped him across the arm with his notebook. "Don't talk about my derg like that."

"Just being honest, man."

Before Jim could strike again, Kendra's voice drew the attention of all. "I'm afraid we're out of time for today, everyone."

The Mythic's were like a crowd of disappointed fans, seeing their favourite team lose a game because of a referee's poor decision. Hands were thrown up, faces were palmed, even Jim threw his notebook down in shame.

"There has been a change in plans," Kendra said, hands raised to try and calm them down. "The club needs to allocate more time to next week's performance. If you must insist on returning, you can come back then."

"We got our first game next week," Gavin said. Kendra's gaze alone told him how much she cared. "Well, I'll admit I had my doubts, but this was kinda cool, Jim."

"Told you. Wouldn't have been the same if it was just me here, so thanks guys. I'm sure the club appreciates it too."

Jim couldn't be closer to the truth. The whole club came down and mingled with the Mythics, the boys finding themselves bombarded with questions on how they did.

Jim politely excused himself from the cluster, a self-segregated Typhlosion catching his attention outside the bustle. Her usual cross-armed, agitated posture was there, but he could see that she was pleased, watching her club being so much _livelier _than usual.

He joined her side, watching with her the humans and Pokémon share an uncommon interest. "So, your friends," Kendra began. "How did they find it?"

"In general? I'd say they liked it. But they'd probably prefer a more _action _driven performance. You know, like bungee jumps and fights and crap."

"That's what you jocks find entertaining? How enlightening..."

"Well, I don't know, not as enlightening as say... a 'group' vote? One involving a certain new member?" He gave her a knowing look, which she met with a rolling of the eyes.

"Shut up." She grinned.

"Woah woah! What was that you just did with your mouth? You didn't just smile, did you?"

The Pokémon pushed her chin into her shoulder, anything that could help her look away from the human. "Indeed. Despite your beliefs I'm not entirely without a heart."

"Maybe you should show it more often. It looks weird, sure, but _good _weird."

"Jim, that's enough. If you came here to humiliate me you've made your point. You know the expression of kicking a dead horse?"

He was about to point out he wasn't trying to embarrass her, but decided to let it drop. He paused before continuing. "Anyway, you told the club about the principal's offer? And the stakes?"

"Only a few of them," Kendra replied, her tone flipping instantly back to normal. "Unnecessary pressure is the last thing we need. Best leave it for later."

"If you say so." Jim paused. "You thought of what kind of show you'll put on? Have some pretty good speakers in this little group. Maybe a play?"

"Of course we would do a play. The only problem is how to include everyone in at least one scene each."

"Don't forget the theme," Cassidy said, coming before the two, chops turned up in a smile. "Amazing friend's you have, Jim. They've given us some great insight."

"Really?" Jim and Kendra asked at the same time. They shared a confused look at the mutual question.

"Mm, in particular that Isaac. He was telling us about this prop store his uncle owns downtown. He might have something."

"Oh, he's got something alright." Over her thorny shoulder Jim could see Isaac talking to a human and Pokémon couple. He cleared his throat. "Hey, where was your time in the spotlight, Cassidy? That's twice now you've been bumped."

"I was part of Caius' group wasn't I?"

_You had like two lines, _he wanted to say.

"But today it was on purpose," the Garchomp continued. "My throat's a little sore today. I'd rather perform at my best than not."

"You'd better be at your best when the principal comes," Kendra said. "One slip up and it could well be our last performance before we exit stage left forever."

"You girls got a plot in mind or something?" Jim asked. "I can think of a few good books you can take inspiration from."

"What books, Spot the Dog?" Kendra asked. "Please. The plot is the easy part, what matters is what theme we want to focus on. I was thinking we move into our strengths with a story of perseverance, with a main character acting as a symbol of this very building, struggling through the hardships of a new age."

"A lot of us like the idea," Cassidy said. "but we also like the thought of something more light-hearted. Maybe a romantic comedy - everybody likes those. We just have no idea what the principal would like better."

"What do you think, Jim?"

He was a little taken back that the question had not only been aimed at him, but it was Kendra who had asked it. He glanced between the two Pokémon and frowned in thought. It was only until later that he realised to the full extent that the club's future rested on his answer.

"The principal seems like the kind of guy who could use a chuckle. He looked kind of excited to get a break from all his usual work, didn't he Kendra?"

The Typhlosion nodded. "It's likely he sees us only as a distraction from the real issues. Still, we should give our audience what they want, so a romantic comedy it is. I shall conceive a storyboard by next meeting."

"Need some help with it?" Cassidy offered.

"No, we shall tweak it later once I've informed the rest of the club. Until then, it would be best if you returned alone from now on, Jim."

"Hey?" he asked. "But I thought you like an audience? Everyone else does."

"Unfortunately this will only distract the club from practicing, and we are on a strict time limit with this very short notice."

"I guess that makes sense." He hoped the club's confidence had boosted enough from this singular visit. "Doubt we'll be able to get around to another visit anyway. Season's starting next week, so coach'll be reigning us in whenever he can."

"You'll still be able to make our meetings, right?" Cassidy asked.

"Oh I'll find a way." He wanted to add a wink to this but stopped halfway, feigning an itchy eye which he scratched.

"Good. Suppose the bus will be leaving soon. I'll see you later."

She'd said this to Kendra, who bid her farewell. Cassidy's long tail arched before Jim's waist as she moved past him, flashing him a quick look. Jim was right about to follow after the dragon, when something occurred to him.

"Hey, Kendra?" He turned.

"Hmm?" She was digging through her handbag.

"I was thinking." He gestured behind him. "Me and Cassidy are going out Friday."

The Pokémon gazed at him with a humourless grin. "If it weren't so ludicrous an event, I'd be impressed."

"Yeah I know. But you've known her for a long time, right? I was thinking about flowers, and wondered if you happened to know her favourite kind?"

She closed the clip on her bag, slinging it over her shoulder with a sigh. "Flowers? Are you serious?"

"Yes...? No?" Either answer seemed to anger her more.

"Flowers are the most cliché, overdone thing since the dark ages. You want to bore her, go right ahead, see what happens."

"Okay, no flowers. What about, uhm... a plant? Plants come from the ground, and since ground is her Type... you think that could work...?"

Kendra held the expression of one who's just been told that the Milky Way candy bar was named after a planet. "Simple ideas from a simple male," she sighed. "How can you find this so difficult? If you weren't so hopeless you'd see we women really aren't hard to understand."

"That's why I'm asking you. Call it a favour, for bringing my buds along this afternoon."

The Pokémon mumbled something under her breath, something derogatory, Jim guessed. "Fine. Shouldn't expect you'd do anything out of the kindness of your heart. Any girl wouldn't mind a stiff drink, but fortunately for you Cass is a romantic. She likes Ferrero Rocher's."

"Chocolate? If anything's cliché, its chocolate _that tops the list._"

"Nevertheless, she's grown a taste for them, probably because of her fondness of Italy, but don't give it to her right away, wait a while. A parting gift, preferably."

"Right, parting gift. Thanks, Kendra."

She made a gruff noise he presumed as a you're welcome, before shooing him away, claiming she had work to do. Cassidy was standing beside his discarded bag, watching. When he was close enough she asked: "What were you two talking about?"

"Oh, nothing just..." He picked up his bag. "I was asking if I had a part in this play for the principal."

"Oh? And?"

"And apparently lead bush has been taken. She offered me stump number two, but I think she was being sarcastic."

"Maybe one day we'll have an opening. Mind walking me to the bus?"

In the corner of his vision he saw his friends watching him. Isaac made a hole with his thumb and finger and with his other hand, dipped two fingers through the loop in rhythmic movements.

Jim flipped him the bird when Cassidy wasn't looking. "Sure. Gonna tell me what you would have done today if your throat wasn't sore?"

She did not.

2

Friday afternoon. Jim was glad that he could skip out on training so he didn't turn up to the date as a sweating mess, but he still caught the early bus home for a quick shower and a fresh pair of clothes.

He picked out some simple black pants and tee, contemplating one of his more expensive jackets, then dismissing it. They were going out shopping for _clothes, _all a jacket would do was make him look rich and spoiled.

Simple it was, he decided, spraying himself with another layer of cologne. He wondered what Cassidy would be wearing tonight. Her usual slim, sports-tops she wore during theatre were fine and all, but he was eager to see what else her wardrobe sported.

A knock on the door. "Jim? I've got a few clients I need to check on. I'll be back later."

"Me too," Jim said. He stepped over a discarded shirt and opened the door.

"Oh?" His father glanced at his attire. "Ah. Got a date with the dragon, hm?"

"Somehow."

Father didn't share in his uncertainty. "You'll do fine. You got keys to get in?"

"Yeah."

"Good. Remember: _pounce. _Good luck son."

"Yeah. You too."

Fifteen minutes later and Jim was outside the coffee lounge, right at the spot they'd parted just a few days earlier. He still remembered her hand upon his arm - the wicked claws mixed with the supple, tender touch of a woman had no comparison.

Sounds like poetry, that. Think I'm getting the hang of it.

He checked the clock on his phone. It was getting closer to their arranged time. Even though he turned up ten minutes early, his thoughts started turning for the worse. If she stood him up tonight, he swore he'd never even look at a girl again.

-Except those one's in the catalogues he kept tucked away underneath his mattress. They didn't count.

He was brought out of his thoughts when an approaching dragon caught his eye. There was no mistaking Cassidy's yellow snout and big horns, but the dress she wore made him do a double take. A dress with little aqua-green tree branches that wrapped around her waist and stomach in leafy lines. A frilly skirt that ended just below her knees rotated with each stride. Two straps over her shoulders supported the gown while leaving her arms bare, likely because her bicep thorns obstructed her ability to wear sleeves easily.

She gave him a wave and, to his surprise, pinched two ends of her skirt, and lowered herself into a curtsy one would see in... well, in a play.

"Hell-oo," Jim said, more to express his surprise than to actually greet her. He remembered some of the advice of the he'd received. "You look good." Not enough. "Great," he added.

"Thank you." She lifted out of the curtsy and clasped her hands before her stomach, handbag dangling over her left arm. "Shame we both had to miss out on club practice today."

Kendra's new timetable changes were as inconvenient as Mr. Bahril's were, though Jim supposed that was partly his fault - getting the principal interested in the first place.

"I think they can survive without us just this one time," Jim said.

"Maybe - we'll have to wait and see if it's worth it." She grinned a challenge at him, one Jim was happy to accept, even if he was more than a tad timid. "Well? Where to first?"

"Most of the good stuff's that way." He nodded over his shoulder. "I was thinking we could walk around until something strikes your fancy."

"Simple and sound. Lead the way." She gestured for him to go.

Jim watched her outstretched arm, swallowed a lump in his throat. Pounce, his father's voice echoed through his thoughts. _Who's gonna respect that wimpy shit? _Issacs's voice joined in. _Hormonal, disgusting, and entirely male._Even Kendra had added herself in, because why the hell not?

Jim fought against all his own inner worries and moved his hand in an act of pure boldness. He'd already taken on the hard part - actually talking _to the dragon before him. Surely now came the simple things, and Jim was an expert on _simple.

He levelled his hand and angled his arm in a way that it formed a loop across his side. He didn't quite have the courage to place himself _on _her, but perhaps that was for the best. Heart hammering away, he looked down at his arm, then back at her in an invitation. "Come on then."

She stared at him, face blank as a rock. "Excuse me?"

It seemed he had no choice but to take the first step. He swallowed once more, and moved closer so that his arm was over hers until they were almost touching. "Take my arm," he said, as coolly as he could - which didn't sound very cool in all honesty.

"Oh!" She blinked in realisation, and then her claws clasped around his skin, just above the wrist. There her touch was again, warm and gentle and electric. Something in Jim's chest tightened up. "Sorry. I wasn't expecting... well..."

_Neither was I. _She let her sentence trail, until Jim picked it up while slowly beginning to walk. He had goosebumps all over, her nails slightly pricking his arm. Being so close now he picked up on her perfume - a slightly spicy smell, with something like cinnamon mixed into it. "Th-The night awaits! We should get going, yeah?"

He thought it would be a little awkward, given that he'd never actually held a woman with his arm in this kind of way, but he thought it would be much better than him walking in front of her, leading her on like he was some tour guide.

He was hesitant the first few blocks, both him and her not used to this kind of gesture, but as with anything, one eases slowly into a new experience, and Jim found his closeness with the dragon rather tantalising.

"Mind if we take a little detour?" he asked, and Cassidy responded with a polite shrug.

Rather than head right into the valley, Jim took a left and walked up a slight incline. Houses of the middle-class lined the streets, each land plot here probably costing a small fortune, being so close to the valley itself.

"Check this out," he said, rounding the corner of the street, hair flicking back as a strong gust bracketed the pair.

Cassidy was led to a view spanning over the lower echelons of the city. Sprawled before her lay the heart of the valley, purples and yellows and other exotic colours sprinkled throughout a carpet of capitalism. The structures and people became denser the further out she looked, until the land rose up again at a hill many miles away. Huge billboards and signs decorated with neon lingered over the more prosperous joints, sticking out like metal fingers from a ground of luxury.

All of this was basked in a pleasant afternoon orange glow and a purple, cloudless sky - the sun lowering itself to the western expanse of water, the clear horizon interrupted here and there by some not-so-distant archipelagos. Jim glanced at her when the Garchomp took in a sharp breath.

"Cool, right?" Jim watched the sights with her. "I like to come this way whenever I head down. Coming back up, though, that's a real bi... Uhm, hard part."

"It's amazing." With her free arm she pointed. "Those islands are so close!"

"The rainbow isles? Yeah, sometimes when the tide's low you can walk out to them, but I like to just row over."

"Row?" She blinked. "You have a boat?"

"Sorta. Some guys at the docks lend them out if you ask nicely. I'm a regular. Well... I was, ages ago."

The silence was welcoming as Cassidy took another moment to drink it all in. It was interesting to note she looked more towards the water than anywhere else. He waited until she decided she had enough. "So where are these shops you're going to show me?"

"Not far, just off to the right down there."

They moved across the street and downhill, the low hum of dense conversation becoming louder and louder, the number of cars driving by gradually increasing until it was a regular occurrence. The smell of engine fuel began to take hold as they delved into the outer valley. Cassidy clutched his arm just a tad tighter when they were absorbed into the hustle.

"Place is way too busy during the weekends," he told her, though he had to raise his voice to be heard. "But it's not so bad on Fridays."

"This isn't busy already?" she shouted back. Jim didn't appear to understand the question.

Several intersecting strips of roads lined with commerce all joined together at the main square. They moved through the outer quarter to the inner district. Cars had a way of powering through here once upon a time, but latest redesigns gave pedestrians the privilege of presence, and instead of the sounds of revving engines, hundreds of conversations took hold as the main commotion.

Hundreds of boots clicked against paved cobblestones, as people and Pokémon alike made their way from one branching avenue to another. At the centre of the square, stone depictions of dolphins mid-flight encircled a tall fountain spire, the noise of flowing water calming, if mostly drowned out by all else.

Jim stopped and took a moment to get his bearings. He pointed. "There's loads of good places down that way. Fashion Lane, I call it."

"How original."

They passed places cheap and expensive, but there were more of the latter than the former. Jim wasn't aware of how much she'd be willing to spend, but opted to wait until Cassidy chose something she liked.

"How about this one?" She stopped before a display window with several formal suits and dresses upon display, mannequins posed dramatically, jewellery hung over stiff wrists and necks.

He read the brass sign above with a frown. Not a cheap place, but he was pretty sure he got some stuff from here long ago.

"Sure, yeah."

All sorts of formal and informal wear crowded the front of the store, Cassidy casually letting his arm go to fiddle through the racks. The loss of her contact was disappointing, but he supposed holding onto her the whole night might come off as a little creepy.

"What sort of stuff you thinking?" he asked her, stepping aside when another customer brushed by. "Smart? Casual? Business? All of the above?"

"Oh, just something that can accentuate my personality without making me look desperate." She plucked a hanger from the rack and frowned at what hung from it.

"I think there's some good stuff in the back. They're Pokémon-friendly too. Tail-holes and things like that."

He led her past and through the next section, by some rows of shoes and sunglasses, to the women's section. The wall here was lined with dresses and tops, and even some underwear to the side, which Jim made sure to keep clear from.

"Mm. My my." The Garchomp felt the material of one of the clothes. "You certainly know your fashion, Jim. These look great."

"Presuming again, Cassidy?"

She flashed him a smile. He liked that way too much. "I can't help it. I don't think I know any boys who know even one thing about clothes."

"Well I'm not like most boys." He tried to sound humble but instead sounded cheesy. He cleared his throat and hoped she didn't hear him.

"Clearly not." Her eyes slowly drifted back to examine the dresses again. "What about this one? Or this one?"

She went from left to right, asking his opinions on the ones she picked out. He noticed that every step brought them closer to the underwear section. Jim remembered this one time, when he was like nine or something, he was at Target with his mum and at one point wondered off into the lingerie area. It was the first time he'd discovered the famed brazier, plucking one off its hook, and promptly wearing it like a hat. One of the staff found him and brought him back to an embarrassed, and rightly scolding mother.

Did that count as PTSD? Jim certainly felt nervous, the closer and closer Cassidy came to the undergarments. Jim feigned surprise and pointed the other way. "Woah, hey, look at that stuff over there! Let's check that out."

"In a moment, I see something here." She didn't see Jim's face scrunch up as he was forced closer, closer. Could he run away? Pretend he needed some fresh air?

"Oh, here we are," Cassidy said, lifting the strap of a bra. _Too late now. _"I could use some of these."

"Really?" He was trying to look anywhere else but the clothes. The rafters, the lights outside, the guy at the counter, anything.

"I haven't been swimming in forever."

"S-Swimming?" Against his instincts he looked down and blinked. Not underwear but swimwear. Still made him gulp, though.

"They're all so cute. Which one do you think?" She looked at him.

"Me?" He looked at a pair of swimming tops and tried not imagining Cassidy in one of them. "They're, uhm... you should pick them, who cares what I think?"

"But you've got good taste. Come on, help me out."

His laugh was raked with nerves. "Haha, okay..." The wall of spandex presented itself to him. Jim gulped, imagining what kind of reaction he'd get from Cassidy if he chose poorly. He tried looking for a Poké-friendly set to narrow down his search. He liked the contrast of her current green dress against her blue body, so maybe something green? "That one maybe?"

Cassidy reached over and pulled off the hanger. Dangling from it hung a green one-piece, with a long cut in the neck that would leave no cleavage to the imagination. The Garchomp tugged at the tag and squinted.

"M-Maybe something else will-"

"Where's the change rooms?" She looked around, spying a section of the shop branching off. "Ah, there. Come on, let's see if these fit."

"... What?" This time she was leading him through the shop. A clerk asked if they needed help, which Cassidy replied no.

"I might need to go a size up. Hope these silly thorns don't cut them up like my last ones." She looked for an unoccupied room. "Coming Jim?"

"What?"

"If there's anyone who's good at feedback, it's you. You should be the first to see how they look."

"... What?"

Jim felt increasingly alarmed when she led him to the change room door, then heaved a sigh of relief when she stepped in by herself, the door clicking as he flicked the lock. He leant against the wall and folded his arms, waited.

"How they look?" he asked after a few minutes. Fabric shuffled roughly as the Garchomp got changed.

"You tell me." The door opened and she stepped out. Gone was her green dress in favour of a slim blouse and denim jeans. Jim blinked when she gave him a twirl, her rump area holding a cut hole so her tail could swish about in the slow three-sixty.

"You look good." _You said that already. _"It suits you well," he said, nodding.

"I thought so too." She seemed satisfied with his answer, turning and closing the door again. More ruffling. "You going to get something as well, Jim?"

"Nah," he said, watching the door. "I'm good for clothes. Could do with a bite though."

"Good idea! I saw a cute sushi-train back at the square."

A few minutes and she was out again, this time in a skirt and long-sleeved top, one that allowed her thorns to show, although the fabric stretched unhealthily. Jim felt a little weird that he kept on telling her she looked nice, but really he had no complaints about his Garchomp friend. She could dress herself in velvet sweatpants and he'd still drool over her.

Not his fault she was busty in all the right places. The skirt hid most of her thick thighs, but her cheerleading outfit was more than generous in that regard.

"I'd like the sleeves if it weren't for these." From her bicep, her thorns poked out from the fabric. "They can never cut the holes just right. Usually I do it on my own with some scissors. Custom-fit, you know? I wish I didn't have them."

"Your thorns?" He could see how they can get in the way. "I don't know, they're different. Different good."

"You wouldn't be saying that if you had them." Her tone was a tad down, but by her smile he could tell she took it as a compliment. "Two keepers then."

Jim was wondering if she'd come out in the swimsuit next. There would be no complaints from him, of course, but surely he hadn't done _that _well so far, right? Thankfully the door didn't open when she spoke. "It's a little tight. Maybe one size up and it will be perfect."

"I'm... I'm glad?" he said.

It wasn't long before she left the changing room, back in her green dress. Her other clothes were clutched in her claws. She looked him up and down and giggled.

"What?" he asked. He checked his shirt for stains.

"Nothing. Pretty clothes aren't usually a guy's thing. It's different. Different good, as some would say_._" Jim felt heat in his cheeks from his own words being thrown back at him. "Anyway, suppose I better pick out one."

"One? Why not all three?"

"Oh, they're a pinch expensive. Not that I'm surprised."

"You can get them all, Cassidy. My shout."

She looked at him with eyes wide. "What? Oh, no, I couldn't let you spend this much money on me."

"Bah, money schmoney. Call it a gift."

"But I..." She saw his expression was not wavering. "Jim, it's too much."

"Who would I be if I didn't get my date a gift?" he asked. "Come on, to the checkout!"

He handed the clerk the clothes, who pressed the tags up against the scanner. Jim fished out a few notes from his wallet, thanking the guy when he handed back his change. The clothes were folded into a bag, which Jim handed to Cassidy.

She accepted it with a grin, her claw grazing over his hand a little longer than it should have. He met her golden eyes and smiled back. "So, uhm... hungry?"

3

Despite the booming business, they found a booth without waiting all that long. Cassidy got stuck in right away, accumulating more plates than he could hope to match. Not that he minded - he knew a couple girls who ate barely anything all day and still worried about their weight, and Cassidy was a good contrast to that.

"My, this is amazing! Mmm!" She handled her chopsticks with surprising dexterity, given her claws. "Oh you must try this, Jim."

He plucked the offered piece of pork and chewed, grinning when Cassidy didn't even watch his reaction, just digging right back into her dish. Sitting beside her was the bag of clothes she'd picked out earlier, and upon seeing it, he couldn't help but feel pleased with himself, having bought something for someone else for a change. There was just something about getting a girl a gift that made him feel a little nostalgic. And of course, _eager, _to see what she looked like in that swimsuit...

"Could you hand me that red one please?" The Garchomp settled her plate against her stack. "Jim?"

"Yeah. Uh, here. How're you liking the valley so far?"

She nodded while inhaling her new dish, not that he really needed an answer to that, he just wanted to small-talk. They both ate quietly for a while, Jim going to speak when she was almost done eating.

"So, uhm, call me curious, but what got you into the whole theatre shebang?" he asked, twirling his chopsticks around idly. "You seem pretty into it, even though I haven't seen you perform yet."

"Your loss, Curious." A grin played on her chops. "Bad joke. It's been my hobby ever since I was little. I think it started back in grade four, I think? I never really suffered from stage-fright. That's what made me stand out from my peers."

"You ever think about becoming a full-on actress? Hollywood level?"

"It has crossed my mind, yes, though I've yet to receive my big break." She eyed the passing train with a keen gaze. "A lot of the main leads from movies now come from modelling backgrounds, maybe I could branch out that way."

"You've certainly got the thighs for it-" He realised he was speaking aloud and stuffed his face into his water, sputtering when he choked.

"What's that, Jim?"

"Uhm, I said you've certainly got it all planned out! Excuse me." He cleared his throat.

"Mm... Planned." She looked away. "Not really. Truth is I just do it for fun. An acting career seems so far-fetched, especially when I say it out loud."

"Not really," he said. "Fun is good. And if you enjoy doing something, you can't let anything get in the way of that."

Cassidy eyed him suddenly. "You really think so?"

"Well, give me a second." He tapped a finger to his chin, pondered. "Yep. I really think so."

The Garchomp rewarded his little joke with a girlish titter. She lost that little droop in her gaze, which he liked. "What about you Jim? Tell me something I don't know about you."

"Ah, well..." He shrugged. "I'm a pretty boring guy, to be honest."

"I find that hard to believe, Jim the Poetic Critic. What about you and sports? Have you always been an athletic kind of guy?"

On the word _athletic, _her eyes had run down his arm before coming back to his face. All that brutal training by Mr. Bahril had finally given something back, although Jim wasn't as fit as some of the mid-fielders. "I guess so, yeah. I used to always get picked last whenever we had sports class, back in primary."

"Really?" she asked.

"Yep. It sucks, let me tell you. One day I got fed up with it and asked my dad for some gym stuff, and one birthday I got a set of weights. Still have them today - they're these tiny pink ones, about this big. Combine that and a bit of running round the block a few times a week, suddenly everyone's picking me first cause I could run like the wind. One day I try out left wing, and it's been my go-to position ever since."

"And now all those sponsors are floating around universities, looking for the best. You must be excited."

"There's a bit of bias there, huh? You never hear anything about drama sponsorships."

"Sports has always been more popular than theatre." She huffed. "People like watching sweaty guys chase balls, don't they? And lucky me, I get a front seat as your cheerleader!"

They shared a laugh at the absurd accuracy, Jim having never really thought of it in that light before. For a while they talked about school, but quickly they grew bored of the topic, having to think about it enough already while _in _campus.

"There's still some places I'd like to show you, if you're up for it."

Cassidy agreed. When Jim went to pay the bill, Cassidy grabbed his hand before he could. "Oh, no no, you already bought me something tonight."

"Cassidy..."

"Jim~" She surprised him by singing his name. "Look how much I had compared to you. It's only fair."

Her plate stack was a bit more than double his own. He frowned at the plates, then at her. The draconic sternness in her face told him she wouldn't be as easy to convince this time. "Halves then," he said. "Can't get more fair than that."

Although reluctant, she agreed, much to the pleasure of an impatient waiter. When they left the sushi-train, Jim found he didn't need to offer his arm. He watched a clawed, warm hand slip past his waist automatically, the little bumps of her forearm scales rubbing pleasantly against his flesh.

Jim couldn't help feeling proud, managing to keep this dragon entertained and laughing through the night. The added bonus of her being a foreigner around here meant there was always a sense of wonder with her even in the places he visited regularly. Even his nerves had taken a step back the more time he spent with her.

The night flew by, and at one point the Garchomp glanced at her phone. "It's getting pretty late, Jim."

He looked down at the screen. "Nine already? Alright, we're not too far from the lounge. You got a ride?"

"Not at this hour. I'll just walk, my place isn't far. Have to work off that sushi, anyway."

"Me too. So which way?"

Her golden eyes blinked at him. "Oh, that's sweet of you, but it's not necessary. Wont your parents be getting worried?"

"Worried schmorried. Come on, I know a quick way out of here."

Cassidy could tell by now she couldn't exactly dissuade Jim. So she directed him towards where she lived, once the valley's lights were shining on their backs.

Jim presumed they'd head in the vague direction of where he lived, but after a few turns they were heading the opposite way. The suburbs here were quiet, almost eerily so compared to the volume of the valley. Fences had one or two boards missing, clothes were hung from wires strung up before porches, obstructing the view of the many wooden houses sat upon rotting supports around here.

Jim blinked when he remembered his father driving past here not that long ago.

The ghetto? _he thought, looking at the dragon. _But... the way she talks, I thought... huh.

She caught him looking and he quickly changed his expression to a happy one. Was this why she didn't want him to walk her home? He found himself feeling guilty having bought her some expensive clothes, she might have gotten the wrong kind of message.

"Well, this is me," Cassidy said, stopping before a house. The lights were on upstairs, illuminating a patchy tiled roof that sheltered a wooden porch. Beside the garage he got a bit of a look at the yard beyond. Apart from the patchwork grass it was too dark to see much else.

"Alright, feedback time." He grinned. "How did I do? Pretty good right?"

"I had a lot of fun." She chuckled when he made a victorious fist-pump. "This place seems a lot more interesting than I first thought."

"We didn't even scratch the surface of the valley," he said. "there's still the clubs, the beaches, the isles..."

"You already planning our second date?" She leaned on her hip.

He blinked. "Oh, uhm... that is, if you... just a thought..."

She laughed at his blabbering. "I was teasing again. You were so brimming with confidence not ten seconds ago. You should see your face."

"P-Pretty girls always make me nervous," he said sheepishly.

"And such a way with words! How could I say no?"

She pulled out her phone and they exchanged numbers. Jim breathed a sigh of relief seeing that line of numbers stored on his contacts. "Cool, uhm... Oh! I almost forgot! I got you something."

"Another gift?" Although her tone was confused, she looked on with excitement as Jim reached behind him. At one point he'd excused himself to go to the bathroom, only to sneak off and buy something before returning.

"Yep. Here you go." He offered her a little box decorated with a little red ribbon. Through the plastic top she could see the contents, her chops turned up in a smile.

"Ferrero Rocher?" He placed the box in her scaly palm, feeling proud at her reaction. "I haven't had one in forever! How'd you know I like them?"

"I have my ways," he said, waving an elusive hand.

"Mhm. A way of asking Kendra what my favourite things are." She winked at him. Jim felt a blush on his face, having been caught out. He started mumbling out an apology.

"No, don't apologise, silly, I'm just relieved you didn't get me flowers or something like that."

"Yeah, ha! Talk about boring, right? Haha!" He coughed into his hand, reminding himself to properly thank Kendra later. "Well, anyway, uh... I guess I'll text you? Later?

"Okay," she said, slightly turning on her heels, but not leaving just yet. In the following silence a part of him said that if there was any time to pounce, it was now.

He remembered the last time he'd gone in for a kiss on the first date. Bold, sure, and perhaps would have been the right move, but the memory of that time, and the results that followed after, gave him pause.

Thankfully his date made the move for him. Bending down slightly so her chin was level with his shoulder. Suddenly he found himself embraced by her strong, scaly arms wrapping over his back, and a pinching sensation on his waist as her leg thorns pressed up against him, along with the rest of the Garchomp's body.

_So warm, _he thought, graciously returning the hug. It was like being embraced by a big, scaly blanket, one that smelled of soft spices. He felt a little disappointed when she pulled away, if only at the idea he could have met her lips with his if he hadn't hesitated.

"Good night, Jim," she said, pulling away, but not before leaning across his face. One of her golden eyes filled his vision, as she let her tongue drag across his cheek for one, blissful moment. She released him, then, one of her horns bumping into the side of his temple. "Sorry."

"Ow. It's okay," he replied. "Good night." He waved when Cassidy turned and walked over the driveway, shoes clipping against the stone path leading up to her porch, his gifts clutched in her hands. Jim could see a silhouette shaded against one of the front windows, spying the shape of horns sat upon a large draconic crown. Whether it was the mother or father he could not tell from here.

His hand tentatively went to his cheek, but he dared not touch it out of fear of disturbing the skin. Not as good as a kiss, but he'd take it.

"Not washing this side of my face again," he said, floating off the ground as he made his way home.

4

The lights were on when Jim walked up the driveway, unlocking the front door with his key. Father was on the couch, watching some late-night program, teetering on the edge of sleep.

The young man leaned an arm on the other living room chair, frowning at a joke the co-caster made. Father noticed Jim's presence and clicked the remote, the little volume bar on the screen going down a few blocks.

"Welcome back. How did you go?"

"Good. Very good." His cheek was still tingling.

"Did you pounce?"

"Sure," Jim said.

"Am I right to assume you have something planned next week?"

"I got her number, so yeah. Maybe the weekend."

"Good. And if I might assume correctly again, and all goes well, I think now would be a good time to discuss other matters."

_Other matters? _Jim thought.

His father noted his confusion. "I am of course talking about visiting arrangements. She is welcome here if you wish to invite her over for dinner. But dinner is _all _I will allow. I understand the growing hormones of young adults, but that's not something I want to wake up to when I'm trying to catch some sleep. Smooches and spooning are the limit - and not while at the table, obviously."

Jim's face was redder than ketchup, and for the moment he was unable to form comprehensible sentences as he tried to silence his father.

"You may have more luck with her own home, though I imagine her parents are of the same opinion as mine. So it's up to you to find out where and how to procreate without me around. If you somehow have the house to yourselves, I trust you'll keep things confined to your room, and clean up when-"

"Okay, okay! Geez, dad, I get the picture!" Jim's palms buried into his eyes.

"I'm just making sure I make myself clear."

"Yes, crystal. Christ..."

Jim didn't bother trying to linger, deciding to turn in for the night. Lying in bed, Jim flipped open his phone and opened Cassidy's number, contemplating on a text he had in mind.

_Too soon, my man, _a voice told him. Eventually he decided the voice was right, and instead opted to look up more poems and commit them to memory. Surely one of them would give him an up in the world of wooing with words.

It wasn't long before he collapsed from exhaustion, a little grin on his face as he slept, which was a first in a long time for the young man.