Go back to Chapter 36?

Some more information on Amour, anyone? Well, here's a plot development chapter. Something to wash down all those sex chapters.

CHAPTER 37

“Quite an elegant array of cuisine you have here.” Amour said, examining the salad, fries, and a couple of berry pies.

“It’s what was in the market.” I said, pushing the appropriate portion size onto the cardboard dining piece. A second received the same dishings, and the duo found their way onto the living room table. Once they were set, I took my spot on the long couch, letting Amour plant herself beside me.

“So, what will it be?” I asked her, rolling the remote in my fingers.

“Actually, I would like to talk instead.” Amour said.

“About what?”

“Things, you know.”

“Such as?”

“What is love?”

“That’s a very deep question.”

“Do you have an answer?”

"...Well, no. That's a good thing. Love is objective. You can apply whatever reasoning and values you want, but they really mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. You don't even get to choose if and when you find someone at all."

"But isn't that how love works? By choosing someone over everyone else?"

"I was told that you don't just choose who you fall for. It happens on its own."

"Then how would we have gotten here?"

"Sometimes it just clicks, I guess. You wiped my pessimistic view in a few days, after all. I just couldn't put two and two together."

"I didn't do anything. You did that yourself."

"Well, what about the whole bonding thing? Is that evidence enough?"

"It only happened twice, and all that happened was that you gained the ability to not get hurt by me and I gained the ability to be useless."

"I wouldn't say anything about you being useless."

"You could've had a better time with a more stable Pokemon, let alone a human."

"But could you have?"

Amour's expression changed away from depression as her eyes widened and mouth lead agape. A part of me wanted to make some stupid face in response, but I instead chose to cross my arms while I stiffened my brow and flattened my lips.

"Well, no." Amour responded.

"Because something inside you knows that not a single soul could satisfy you as much as I have."

"And because I'm not really nice OR attractive."

"I want you to slow down with your negativity and tell me what's really bothering you."

"What's bothering me is that I'm confused, and I don't want to be."

"That's what being human is like." I reached over to pick up one of the plastic forks, waving it as I talked. "All my species ever does, including me, is be curious. We wonder why this or that exists, what it means, and we try to make sense out of it. We might put the craziest of conclusions on something, but as long as we can be satisfied with the result, we'll do it. Hence if we can't find any solutions to our confusion, sometimes we hit on ourselves because that's the best option at the time, especially for someone like William who had a very dedicated past."

"Would you say that I had a similar background?"

"I would. Perhaps talking would relive some of that stress."

"Okay."

*****

Another ball of fire flew past my cheek, dissipating into the air behind me. That wasn't to say I was unharmed. Every time the concentrated balls of heat grazed my skin, countless cells screamed in agony. Some were fortunate, but other scumbed to the embers and fell lifeless. I couldn't move an inch of my being, for if I did, I might take the full force of one of the blasts.

"Your aim is garbage!" The larger male, hailing from the Growlithe species, said.

"I'm missing on purpose, idiot!" My assailant said, firing another salva of superheated air.

"I thought we were punishing 'er for taking your rounds." The observer said. Just seeing him taunting me burned me harder than any of the fire did, and I wasn't going to take a second more.

"That was my food that you stole from me!" I yelled. In a flash I found myself on the ground, my arms pinned to the ground by the leader. It was literally a flash: no time was given to me to react, and my brain didn't even see him charging until he had succeeded.

"Missy, you need to understand." The Growlithe started. "We're your guests here, and as guests, we get treated with hospitality. Since you're not doing your job, we helped you out."

"I haven't eaten in three days!" I cried.

"Such a 'ad song." He said. "You really should shut your squeaky, jittery mouth up."

"My voice is perfectly fine!" I yelled into his face.

"If you think it's so 'ine, let's hear it s'more." Growlithe said. He removed his muzzle from my face, turning to his right to spit onto my blue rose. That by itself didn't do much, but that wasn't the extent of the damage. A small flame erupted from one of my petals, quickly growing larger to consume more of the sea-blue color. Satisfied with his work, the Pokemon stepped off of me, walking away.

I started to cry. Out of everything to do, including to stop the raging flames, all I wanted to do was sob. Not because it was painful, but because it was the peak of all the Pokemon who had hurt me. At least if the fire killed me, there would be one less worthless orphan to deal with...

*****

"But that didn't happen." I said.

"No, it didn't." Amour replied.

"Wouldn't you say that was a positive?"

"No, I wouldn't."

"Why?"

"Because even when we're trying to have a nice night together, I'm just going in and ruining everything with my stupid monologues. "

"I asked you to make it."

"That doesn't change anything."

"It changes everything." I reached my hand under Amour's chin, At the touch of my fingers, she relaxed her head, letting my palm hold her in the air.

"We both have some things wrong with our past." I said. "But remembering won't do us any good. What we can do is make the most out of every moment, and have some fun. …So, I have a task for you."

"What is it?" The Roserade asked.

"I want you to stop being so confident."

"Hmm?"

"You're forcing a veil of confidence on yourself, because you think you need to to gain my affection, am I correct?"

"I don't know."

"Whatever the case, don't try so hard. Just relax."

"Alright." Amour raised her head, nodding. "Thank you for listening."

"It helps both of us." I said, picking up a slice of pie. "So, what would you like to watch?"

"I'm down for whatever you're fine with."

"Random channels it is."

*****

…

…

"Good evening."

"Likewise, my friend.

"What brings you here so late?"

"I just wanted to check up on her. I have some things to report."

"Such as?"

"I bet she will tell you later.

"Right. Have a good night."

"You too."

…

…

"Mind if I come in?"

"As if you would have went away if I asked."

"Is something the matter?"

"Yes and no."

"I have the time. Please explain."

"I know what you're here to do."

"I don't know what you mean."

"A response I expected. Don't worry, I have something to say first."

"Please."

"I don't much like your plans. I think that Pokemon and Humans need to rely on each other for us to succeed. However, as your mentor, I have to say that your words have validity. It's only because of these super-powerful Pokemon that so much havoc has been caused in the last few years. You're also correct that we do little to stop it."

"What then?"

"I'm going to let you go through with this. My time was going to end eventually anyways."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. This is, unfortunately, the only way your dreams are going to be realized. Just know that you can always decide not to do this, and we can continue on like nothing ever happened.

"You know we can't."

"Yes, I know. Well, everything's in order. Who will be doing the honors."

…

"Ah. I see."

"It's as painless as it can get."

"I appreciate your concern. Good luck with your goals.

"Thank you."

…

"Chandelure, Hex."

Continue On to Chapter 38?