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Next part up! Floritt lays down the law! Woof!
Category Story / Pokemon
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 50 x 50px
File Size 92 kB
The Last of the Crossroaders: Charla Meets René
&&&
Floritt Baez the Smeargle, pissed off.
“Dat's enough frum da both of you two! If der's one ting I'm not gunna be standin' fer it's seein' two of me close friends bickerin' like lil' kids in front of me!” Floritt snapped at them. “Charla, you kno' darn right 'e got a point 'bout yer 'tude an' dis is one of da reasons why! Ya 'xpect too much frum folks but barely do anyting yerself ta earn DEIR friendship back! Befo' you start harpin' about people needin' ta earn yer friendship, try learning whut it takes ta earn one yerself!”
As fer you, René…” Floritt softened her stance some, but she still kept the harsh tone in her voice. “I ain't gonna try and defend Charla just 'cus she's in my team or my friend. But I'm still gonna say I'm disappointed in da way ya acted t'wards 'er. Yer STILL usin' dat incident ta judge Charla unfairly. Comparin' 'er to her mom was uncalled fer an ya kno' it. Now I can't be 'xpectin ya ta kiss an' make up an' be best friends f'evah or anyting, but I DO want ya guys ta at apologize ta each otha' fer dis. Is dat okay fer you? Charla?”
Charla kept her face low to not show her face right now. Her hoarse voice betrayed what she was doing, though. “F-fine...fine, I'm sorry...”
Meanwhile René was busy wiping his own tears away. “So am I...I'm so sorry. I was TOTALLY out of line Charla. I just...I don't make friends very often and...I worry a lot.” He looked away. “I worry when I think a friend is putting themselves in danger--yes, I still consider you a friend even though you threatened to shock me--and no that isn't calling your judgement or your ability to take of yourself into question. It just means that I worry. And...I'm sorry that I hurt you….You too Floritt. I am very, very sorry.”
“René, mon...” Floritt sighed gratefully as she hugged him from the side.
Charla sniffled. “Apology accepted. Just know one thing, okay?” She stood up, brushed the snow off herself and headed over to René. “Ya ease off on the worrying, you hear me? I'm a big cat, I can handle myself fine. The support's appreciated, tho'.” She added as she rubbed René's headfur. “It’s just…I’ve always felt that a sword stays sharp by thrusting forward, which is what I do.”
Floritt replied lowly. “Swords get dull doin' dat too much. But they last longah when dey got shields with 'em.” Charla just shook her head in clear amusement.
“...pheh. You're both ridiculous, you know that?” She asked.
“Ridiculous? Who me?” René asked innocently. “Maybe you’d think I was hot if I was like Rayon and didn’t wear a shirt. I mean...” He asked as he took off his shirt. “How weird is it that he just goes around topless like this?”
Floritt’s eyes widened. “R-René?”
Charla just looked over her shoulder...then turned around fully as she saw what René is up to...and was forced to clamp her mouth shut to keep from laughing. “You...*phfft*...Look, I....*phffffffft* it's not what you thi....oh, Gods, I'm sorry! Ahaahhahaha!” She wheezed as she dissolved into laughter.
René crossed his arms over his chest and pouted. “Nice to see what you think of my body...way to boost my self-esteem ladies...” He grumbled. “I think you both look great, by the way.”
Floritt pouted “I still tink it cute....”
“N-n...it's not that...that wasn't what made me laugh...” Charla hastily explained as she wiped her eyes. “Look...” She started as she finally regained her bearings to speak again. “Look, I'm serious, you have the wrong idea about what I'm doing. Of course I know Rayon's type, I've seen them before and, shockingly enough, he's not the first one I've said yes to. And I'm still standing with my pride and body fighting fit, thanks for noticing.” She nodded once more. “I know what I'm doing. And if this works, so will Nigel.”
“Well, I hope things work out the way you want them too.” René said, not knowing just what she really wanted. “You can get any guy you like. You’re great looking, by the way.”
Charla sighed in relief at the topic change...which then made her blink in surprise. “Oh, ah, thank you very much for that. I meant what I said before too, you are indeed cute!”
“Yeah, well...you are. In fact the first time I saw you I thought so...it was from this picture someone took.” René answered as he showed her said picture, from Team Crossroads and Team Reds’ visit to the hot springs. “...I still can't tell if Nigel's wearing a towel or not.” He added. “And if he is, why he's bothering.”
“...oh, hey, this is one of mine!” Charla exclaimed. “Had it set on a timer. I have like four other like that, though only this one really came out clear enough -- the others got ruined by the steam.” She smirked as she looked at Nigel. “And yes, I can safely say, that is a towel. That's not the funniest part, though. If memory serves, and it sure as heck doesn't when it comes to things like this, this went off minutes after he actually looked over where me and Meg were to ask us why we weren't goin' after Floritt for sittin' in that side of the baths. Swear to the Gods he turned so red seein' me you think he was being boiled alive! His first time seeing my lovely, "perky" side, if you catch my meaning.”
René went red at that last remark. “I still say you lot are weird. I could never EVER imagine myself being,” He looked around and lowered his voice. “Naked in public.” He shuddered.
“Well it'd be weirder if ya went ta a hot bath fully clothed!” Floritt pointed out.
“If it makes you feel better, Nigel didn't want to go at first either.” Charla told René. “It took alot, and I mean a LOT of convincing to get him to even consider it, let alone say yes.”
“An' ya made sure ta reward 'im for your efforts, of course.” Floritt grinned as she mouthed the word "perky."
Charla snickered. “Right. Maybe we should extend an invite to your team as well, René?”
The vulpix squirmed in lieu of answering. “I'm sure the girls would love to...” He said at last. “But it'd be a bit weird...I mean, Nigel's still got a 'skirt' around him to protect his modesty...even without a towel! What've I got?”
“Yer tails?” Floritt suggested.
“Your much-needed need to kill your shyness?” Charla chimed in. “And believe me, that skirt isn't as protective as you make it out to be. One well-placed jolt in the caboose...and joll, he freaks out, skirt does the Marylin Mon-roe and it's the most glorious sight imaginable!” Charla grinned dreamily.
“Why do I need to kill my shyness?” René asked instead of commenting on Charla’s littly daydream.
“You're kidding, right? Name me one good thing being shy has ever gotten you? And no, using it to "add to your cuteness" doesn't count.” Charla rolled her eyes.
“Even tho' it kinda werks.” Floritt did pipe up.
“Don't encourage him, Flo.” Charla said.
“Ummmm.....” René couldn’t think of anything. “Well it DOES! Okay, fine maybe being shy isn't the best thing in the world but I bet you two aren't as immodest as you pretend to be!”
“Mebbe...” Floritt stretched out.
“Or maybe not...” Charla chimed in.
“But at least we can fake it!” They said together.
“Weeeeeirdos!” René rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Fine. I'll take my team to the baths with yours sometime. Provided that you girls not do...well, any of that stuff that you do! I don't need a purple butt or to be electrocuted into a fuzzy ball of fluff!”
“Heeeey, we're supposed to be the ones telling you that. You guys are the guests, after all!” Charla snickered.
“An' anyway, Why would I paint ya perple again? I alreadeh lost count how many times I did it ta ya!” Floritt asked.
“Um...you won’t look, will you?” René squealed.
“I can't guarantee we won't look if you guys fail to cover up.” Charla leered.
“Has Floritt ever painted YOU purple?” René hastily asked, trying to draw attention away from his reddening face.
“Who says I'm purple? I'm as blue as a sapphire, with hints of light and dark covering my pelt, gold accenting where it lies—” Charla enthused.
“Ya got a Creative Writing class assignment, dun'tcha?” Floritt asked calmly.
Charla deflated “Yes yes, and it's a pain in the tail. Stupid class is rubbing off its evil on me now!”
“Well if you are going into photo-journalism, being able to turn a phrase can only help you.” René pointed out. Charla massaged her head.
“Yeah, I get that alot. And I DO like it, don't get me wrong. But you know how just because an artists like doing art doesn't mean they like art class?”
“Word, mon.” Floritt agreed bitterly.
“Plus the teacher looks to give the good grades by how well you can sound like you have something sticking up your tailhole, if you get my point.” Charla said dryly.
Floritt muttered. “Dey won't lemme have me headphones on in class...I can't werk without me music, mon!”
René thought this over. “You know you two are pretty artistic. I can only imagine what it's like being constrained by someone else's rules. Sometimes you just need to be free to express yourself...maybe that's why you two are so good with nudity. I'm a repressed book worm.”
“Hmm, never tought 'bout it like dat befo'...” Floritt thought it over.
“Well it's not like it's ever too late to get in touch with your inner naked artist, you know!” Charla winked.
“Ya, mon! You can learn ta be a certified naked artist!” Floritt enthused.
“...Flo, I'm not even going to ask.” The luxray groaned.
“Tee-hee!”
René blushed and covered himself, despite being clothed. “Stay away from me!”
“Aww, dun be like dat!” Floritt cooed as she rushed over to hug the little fox. She was pretty fast.
Charla rolled her eyes and laughed in amusement. “And that's why I call you a kid, kid.”
“Better a kid than a...than a...overgrown kitty!” René stuck his tongue out at her as he hugged Floritt back. Floritt proceeded to lock her arm around his head and noogie him.
“Dun you be startin' dat again, you!” She warned.
“Phfft, haven't been a "kitty" in a very long time, little kit.” Charla scoffed at him.
René feebly struggled against Floritt. “Now I’m a kit?” He asked Charla.
“Well you called me a kitty just now....which is wrong, by the way, I was a cub.” Charla replied. “You know, be thankful it's you, I usually don't take well to bein' called a "kitty" by anyone...”
“Dun make me go ova der an' noogie you too, Charla!” The smeargle warned.
“I was just saying.”
“Sorry.” René apologized. “Anyway Flo, I don't think you could noogie her...you'd have to find her head buried under all that hair! Which IS nice, I'll admit.”
“You know, Flo, your hand must be tired by now. Why don't I take over for you for a couple hours...?” Charla offered.
“Now you two quit dat!” Floritt clucked as she let René go, regardless. Her hand WAS tired.
“When do you guys usually go to the springs?” He asked her.
“An' usually on a weekend, aftah we finish a huge practice or test matchup. So prolly next week. 'Cerse, we sometimes go on our own time ev'ry now an' den.”
Charla just looked aside. “Yeah.”
“Sometin' wrong, Cha'?” Floritt asked.
“No, nothing.”
“Come on...you can tell us.” René urged her.
She stared at him. “Only on the condition you keep quiet about this. Both of you. Get me?” They both nodded. She sighed. “Fine. That's where me and Ray went to on our date the other day.”
“THERE?” Floritt exclaimed. “You crazy, Charla mon!”
Charla shrugged. “We did some sparring. We got sweaty. It felt like a Hot Springs kind of day.” She lowered her voice. “Besides, I wanted to see the kind of pearls the Diamond-mine owner was carrying, you know?” Floritt put her palm across her face.
“Oh, Charla, mon...” She moaned.
“Look, nothing actually happened, okay?”
“Yer kiddin'. Not even a kiss?” Floritt pressed.
“...nothing happened after the kiss, no.” Charla amended.
“Charla, mon! I dun wanna be questionin' how ya live yer life but is dis wise?”
Charla looked to her claws. “We're fighting his team soon, right? I can hook Meg up with what I learned from then and set up a strategy. Couldn't get much on the rest of them, but if we can at least take him down first, the morale-kill should cripple the others enough to finish them off.”
“Mon, you scare me sometimes. An' what about when Nigel goes to ask ya where you came up with dis strategy? Or da date, period?”
“He knows about the date already, so the strategy thing shouldn't be a surprise for him. However, details of what I did do during said date isn't his problem or Meg's...or anyone else's. You guys only know this much 'cuz you asked and because I'm trusting you to keep quiet about it. Rayon's not really a kiss 'n' tell type, so I don't worry about him.” Charla responded.
“Still dun like it. An' what if Nigel tries probin' Rayon fer info during the test fight? Ya kno' 'e will!” Charla hesitated before answering her.
“...no, he won't. You know how Nigel fights. He'll be too concentrated keeping those shields up he won't be able to focus on mind-probing Rayon long enough to pull that info out. I'm sure of it...”
René, who had kept silent since Charla’s revelation, struggled not to overreact. “I don't know...Nigel seemed pretty out of sorts, especially when HE comes up in conversation. I can't really think of anything to say that Floritt hasn't said...and that won't result in you shocking my tush.”
Floritt looked to René, her tail twisting to a knot as the rest of her cringed in worry. “'E's got a point, Cha' mon...”
“And that's why I didn't want to say anything on the matter.” She countered dryly. “Because I knew you guys woudn't get it.”
“Charla, dis ain't right and ya know it. It ain't fair ta Nigel OR Rayon!” Floritt insisted.
The luxray readied herself to walk away, knowing well where this was all going. “I don't recall asking for help on this. I know what I'm doing, ok? It's just...it's just hard to explain it to you guys, okay?”
“Nnngh...” Floritt groaned.
René just sighed knowing that she wasn't gonna listen to reason. PLUS he didn't want to bring up that this...less than moral intelligence gathering sounds like something her mother would do. She'd just beat the crap out of him and not listen anyway. “All right, we'll drop it.” He said at last. “The last thing I'll say on this matter is that doing things alone and never asking for help may not be the best policy. Anyway, I'll keep my mouth shut.”
Charla went silent for a while, either from lack of a response that would satisfy her or lack of one that would satisfy them. “Never said it was the best policy. Just that it was my policy.”
“Charla, mon...” The smeargle tried again.
“I think we've already established I'm not much of a team player. Never have been. So you'll forgive me if it takes me a bit to even consider it.”
“Do you ever…” René asked. “…talk to anyone? About stuff like this?”
“Not really.” Charla admitted. “I’m not very good at making friends to talk to about this kind of thing.”
“Are you ever happy? At all?” René asked. Charla bristled and became defensive.
“'Course I'm happy! What kind of question is that?” She demanded.
René flinched. “Sorry! It's just that so much of our conversations and talks seem to be ending in either anger or depression that I guess I was starting to wonder if we weren't ALL just a bunch of unhappy mons...except for Floritt that is. If you look up happy-go-lucky in the dictionary you'd see her picture.”
“Hardy har har.” Floritt drawled.
“What did you think of her when you first met her?” René asked Charla.
“Heh. Brutal honesty? Couldn't stand her. Couldn't understand just what made a girl like her work.”
Floritt just shrugged at Charla’s answer, crossing her arms behind her head. “I get dat alot.”
Charla continued. “And yet she just kept on...well, you know how she is, she kept on being HER that I ended up thinking she's not too bad.”
“I get DAT alot, too. It funny, I dun really go lookin' ta make dat many friends, but since I had ta git 'long with 'er 'cuz she was on me team, I just kept on pushin'.”
“And it worked. Not sure how, but it worked.” Charla shrugged.
“Pity dat pushin' dun werk on Nigel.” Floritt noted.
“...I woudn't be so sure on that...” She replied.
“Oh? That so? Nigel actually warming up to Flo?” René asked.
“I meant, the "pushing" strategy may still hold water with him.” Charla corrected. “Thing is finding out what'll get him to crack him open, as it were....That said, yeah, I think he is. I mean, if memory serves, it took him a while to even talk to Floritt.”
“'E healed me up in one of our last sparrin' matches.” She added.
“Wait, when was this?” Charla asked in surprise.
“Not long back. 'E needed a partnah fer practicin' for the test match.” Floritt explained. Charla was taken aback though.
“Nigel, taking the match exams seriously? That's a new one! And he healed you afterwards? How noble.” She said in surprise.
“'E ussed Healing Wish.” Floritt added.
“Oh.” After a pause Charled exclaimed. “WHAT!? What did he do to you?!”
“Nothin', really, jest some bruises 'ere an dere. 'E had a very, very bad day an' I guess 'e just wanted ta crash.” Floritt explained.
“...when was this?” She asked her.
Floritt eyed René. “Sometime aftah yer date. René c'n back me up on it if ya dun believe me.”
“That son of a...” Charla shook her head as she sat down, her fingers digging into her man.
“Charla, come clean, mon. You WANT Nigel ta beat Rayon, right? Dat whut dis is all 'bout, 'im provin' himself ta you?” She asked.
The luxray didn’t answer. René spoke up. “I was there Charla. Heck, I had to help Floritt drag his butt back to his room and tuck him in...Floritt did that part.”
Charla gnawed on her knuckles as she slowly came to the realization that this was not going as smoothly as she expected. “Thing is...and I need you two quiet now, this is NOT easy for me to say....I was hoping Nigel would lose to him. Lose to Ray, think I'm not worth this and let me go on his own.”
René and Floritt were stunned. “Whuh...what da 'eck, I thought yer plan was ta get Nigel jealous enuff so 'ell finally open up ta ya an' tell ya 'e likes you!” Floritt yelped. Charla shook her head.
“Yes and no. See, if anything, I was sure this idea would be the very thing to get him to reconsider me and look elsewhere. I wanted this to not work...but if what you just said is right...he's finally putting his heart into this. He's doing this. He's going to be fighting for real for the first time since I've known him and...I'm not sure what to make of that.”
“Now I'm lost, mon. 'E's doing what ya want 'im ta do and yer not happy?” Floritt asked.
“It's not that I'm not happy, I'm just not ready!” Charla emphasized. “I actually take rejection alot better than acceptance when it comes to things like this. I'm used to rejection. And besides, think about it. You honestly think we'd work out? Our species can't breed, there's no future between us...And I suck at committing anyway.” She finished.
“So why not tell him dis instead?”
“Tell him what, Flo? "Whatever you're thinking, don't?" Not that easy! Plus he's my friend, I can't just say that...”
“Okay, dassit, I give up. René, you tell 'er she bein' an idiot?”
“You guys still don't get it...” Charla sighed.
“You're right, we don't.” René agreed. “And--I hate to say it--but I'm not sure that you do either. You want Nigel to simply write you off as a bad job?” He asked her. “As not being worth the effort? Charla...he really cares about you. If you don't feel that way...then you're going to hurt him no matter what.”
“But by not telling him...” René went on. “By resorting to a plan that sounds like something Lucy cooked up with Ethel one day while Ricky was at the club...then that's even worse. It's like you don't care enough about him--as a friend or as an individual--to tell him the truth. And if you're just flirting with Rayon to use him as a shield to keep Nigel away, then that's not fair to either one of them. Are you THAT afraid of letting people close to you?”
“Idiot.” Charla answered without rancor. “Think. Why go through all this... not face him upfront about it...if I didn't like him? Of COURSE I like him! More the reason why I can't just tell him no! Telling him no won't make him stop liking me, all it'll do is make him miserable because his feelings aren't returned. If he instead realizes it's a waste of time, though, he'll be upset, but he'll have the sense to look elsewhere without having to worry about that kind of heartbreak.”
“Thing is I'm not sure if I should. If I ever commit for real I want to have to go through the whole thing once, which is why I need to think long term. And I don't know if I can do that with him.” She finished.
“Charla, mon...” Floritt started.
“I underestimated him, ok? I didn't think he'd take it this far. I didn't think...” Charla said again.
“Yeh, tink we've established dat.” Floritt said flatly.
“Shut up. To answer your other question René, yes, I AM that afraid of letting people get too close. I don't care when people take anything else from me, even my body, but my heart isn't something I want to give away to just anyone. Having it crushed once by a family member was bad enough, I don't need it shattered yet again.”
“Befo' we go any ferther...what 'bout Rayon? Was he yer "long term" choice?”
“I'm open to the idea, if that's what you mean.” Charla answered. “He seems promising so far and he does have the bonus of being my same specie, so logic says I should give him a shot.”
“But…” Floritt asked.
“But...I...I don't know. I just don't know.” Charla groaned.
“Charla...” René sighed as he went over and hugged her. “I'm sorry, I'm SO sorry to be the one to have to tell you this but heartbreak isn't something you can avoid. Not Nigel's. Not yours. No one ever finds that special one straight off the bat and then goes off and lives happily ever after with him or her. It just doesn't happen. I'm so sorry your mom hurt you...I think she hurt you worse than she ever did me, but hurt and heartache is just part of life. And yes I KNOW how cliched this sounds and how little comfort this is...but it's the truth.”
Charla was taken by surprise by René's hug - and Floritt's, who joined in afterwards - and went silent. “..I...dammit, I know that. I KNOW that! I know I shouldn't bother, I should just let things happen and life will tell me if we're meant for each other or not...but I don't like the idea of having destiny dictate how I should deal with my love life. Which is why I did it. Why I'm doing this.” She covered her face in René's arm, a familiar moistness pressed against his fur. “I can't turn back even if I wanted to...”
“Oh Charla honey...” René sighed. “If you don't want destiny to dictate your life then DON'T. CHOOSE what you want and go for it. Maybe you'll suceed. Maybe you'll fail. But just choose. Making the decision is half the battle itself. Life does NOTHING by itself. Life is the actions and choices of people. Life isn't going to tell you the answer...you have to reach out and DECIDE what you want and how to get it. Now please...stop crying?” René asked. “I don't like to see a sad ol' putty-tat....”
Charla sniffled. “Call me a "putty-tat" one more time and I eat your arm off.”
“I tink she's gettin' back ta normal.” Floritt chuckled.
René grinned and needled Charla a bit. “Okay...how about pussy-wussy? Kitty-cat? Thing that goes YOW! when I step on its tail?”
“René, is there a specific reason you're suddenly feeling suicidal?
Charla asked with a raised brow.
“Heh.” He smirked. “I was just distracting you so I could do...THIS!” He exclaimed as he started tickling her.
“Do wha--AHAHAHAHA! Stoppit! Stop, don't!” Charla laughed. Floritt, of course, joined in. “No faaaair! Ahahahaha!” She shrieked in laughter.
“Who's a kid now? You are! Say it, say it!” René urged.
“No! Ahahah quit iiiiiiit! Ahahaha I hahaha mean it!” Charla squealed.
“Say iiiit. Say iiiit. Who's the kid?” René went on blithely. Floritt on the other hand saw what was coming and ducked.
“Uh-oh.” She gulped.
“Ahahaha I gahahaha said hahahahaha NO!” Floritt bellowed as she suddenly looked up at René with a Scary Face! A very, very Scary Face indeed!
“YAAAH!!” René shouted as he fell over and onto Floritt. “Don't do that! Jeezy creezy I almost wet myself!”
Charla breathed heavily for a minute or two after that, recovering her breath from all the laughing. “Kid. There, I said it.”
Floritt sniffed over René's tails. “Hope you right 'bout dat "almost", mon.” René glared at her in annoyance.
“You really are a mutt, you know?” Then he turned to Charla and said, “You. are. SCARY.”
“That's the idea.” She replied smugly.
“....'eeeey, no need fer name-callin'...” Floritt pouted.
“Sorry Flo.” René apologized.
“S'ok.” Then Floritt grinned. “Kit.” Charla snorted in laughter.
“Oh knock it off...” René grumbled. Then he tackled Floritt. “Pup!”
“Eep!” Floritt squeaked. “Kit kit kit!”
“Pup pup pup!” René returned as he rolled about on the ground with her. Floritt tried to roll her way back on top, tossing a "kit" to each one of René's "Pup" calls.
Charla, meanwhile, has taken great enjoyment of the spectacle. She was leaning back and slipping something small and cylindrical between her lip. René stopped calling Floritt pup long enough to ask, “Hey, what do you have there Charla?”
“Hmm? This?” She dangled between her lips was a "Denryu" brand AAA battery, colored mostly gold with brown and black accents. She was suckling on the pointed end, blue sparks harmlessly flickering out the sides of her mouth. “Nothin'.”
Floritt took the opportunity to rolls René back down while he was distracted. “'Ey, ain't dat one of da batt'ries yer dad makes, Cha'?”
Charla popped it out to speak. “Sort of. Grandpa's the actual creator, dad just makes and sell 'em on the side in his shop. Only place in the area that sells this brand, too.” She popped it back in her mouth. “I prefer the D's, but like they're so huge an' fat that I can't really enjoy 'em in public without lookin' like I'm sucklin' a really ugly pacifier!”
René, tapped Floritt on the shoulder, his voice a bit strained. “Uh Flo? Could you please move your knee? It's kind of in a...sensitive area.”
“Eh? ...OH! Oh, sorry, mon!” She sat on the floor and away from René and his poor crotch.
“Owww...that's why I hate being a guy....well, one of the reasons anyway. Yikes.” He winced as he tentatively gets up, albeit a bit hunched over. “I need an icepack.”
“Take it from me, that would have hurt even if it you actually were a woman.” Charla said.
Floritt took René's hand and held it up, slapping a handkerchief on his palm. Her tail leveled with the hand as the purple paint turned a familiar blue color. “I'm gonna Icy Wind yer hand a bit. Once ya tink ya got enuff frost on yer hand, just lemme kno'.” The Icy Wind kicked up again, frost forming on the hanky and palm. It stung like heck from the cold, but it should more than good enough to work as a makeshift icepack.
“Thanks.” René winced as he placed it on the insides of his pants. “YIIIE! That IS cold! But better, thanks.” He shook his head. “I’m DEFINITELY going to need to go to the hot springs now. We should go after the tests.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.” Charla agreed. “We’re going to seriously need to unwind.”
“Amen sisters.” René groaned. “My team is fighting Team 16. Team that loses buys dinner for the winners....and I'm going into battle against a girl I have a crush on...Nicole Zuna. How's that for awkward?
“Very.” Floritt confirmed. “But jest remembah what I told you 'bout usin' da test as a means of gettin' close ta her!”
“That's pretty bad, but...we're fighting Team Pearl. Rayon is the leader. Enough said.” Charla replied.
“Well you're not facing him, Nigel is.” René reminded her. “And I'm certainly gonna try my best to show Nicole than I can be something other than this,” He tossed his hair back. “INCREDIBLY cute and cuddly figure you see before you...but I think she's still gonna kick my butt.”
“Nigel facing him is the problem—” Charla started before she snorted in laughter again at the sight.
Floritt giggled. “I dunno, mon. Ya could always cutsify 'er inta submission!”
Encouraged by their laughter René clapped his hands and started to sway from side to side. “I'm too cute!” He said with the big bambi eyes. “Who's too cute? I am! I am!” He turned around and shook his tails and rear at them. “Too cute! I'm too cute!”
Floritt giggled some more. “You silly, mon.”
Charla proceeded to flick the now powerless battery at René's head. “You’re also a few other things, so knock it off!”
“Oh? Like what?” He asked as he continued to shake his tails. “What other things?”
“Like "you have an uncanny ability to make me want to Thunder Wave your six-tailed butt" for one!” Charla answered.
“Eww, I got me bum paralyzed once.” Floritt said. “Frum a cramp. Was da 'ole night grittin' me teef in agony an' me tail was all dead 'n' twitchy and felt horrible.”
“How'd that happen?”
“Ziggy, one of me brothas—” Floritt started.
“The one who wants to evolve into a ‘chan, right?” Charla asked.
“Yeh, him. He 'ad learned Thunder Punch dat dae an' we were sparring? I beat 'im eventually, but MOOOOON did dat sting! Been tryin' ta use it against me again evah since in hopes he can beat me wit 't!”
René blinked. “You have the most intersting stories Flo...I guess you slept on your belly that night, huh?” He snickered. “I guess...” He wheezed as he dissolved into laughter. “I guess you couldn’t ask your mom to kiss it and make it better!” René cracked up.
Both girls groaned at the bad joke. Charla asked aloud if she could improve René's comedy routine by making him dance with a well-placed Thunderbolt, to which Floritt quickly said no to.
René raised an eyebrow but not really bothered. “Awfully quick with the physical threats aren't you Charla?” He asked. “Besides you girls can't do anything to me...I'm too cute!” He looks up at them with REALLY big puppy eyes. “If you do all the other girls who like me will beat you up! Nyaaah!”
“Not unless we do it someplace where there's no witnesses.” Charla grinned evilly.
“Charla, noooo.” Floritt reproached her. “An' 'eeey, I dun wanna hert ya! 'Cuz you IS cute!”
“Indeed. Cute things are teeth-rotting.” Charla complained.
“See! Floritt thinks I'm cute!” René said triumphantly. He blew a raspberry at Charla. “You're just jealous 'cause I'm sweet, nice, and fluffy!”
“Meh, you're both nuts.” She shrugged as she dug into her pocket for another Denryu battery. “I used to be sweet 'n' fluffy, back when I was a lil' Shinx. Then I realized I'd rather grow up. Hence why I'm already at my last evolution before I even moved up from being a Freshman.” She said as she sucked on the battery some more.
“So you're saying that I'm not grown up because I haven't evolved? Real nice.” René snorted.
“Not what I meant.” Charla replied blandly as she gnawed a bit on the battery.
Floritt winced, thinking that hostilities were going to break out again. “Nnngh...”
“Kay, sorry. Just a little sore on the subject.” René apologized. “I mean I'm fine with the way I look--species wise not gender-wise--and don't see why being a vulpix should make people think that I'm just a little kid. Okay I'm short...and fluffy...and cute...but...where was I going with this?”
“No idea.” Charla shrugged. “Honestly, more power to you if you can make it as a kid. Some of us are just a bit more impatient than others in wanting to grow up, is all.”
“I fer one hope ya stay cute up 'til ya graduate an' stuff.” Floritt grinned at the vulpix. “Oh! Der's a question! Whatcha wanna try ta do once ya finish school?”
“I don't know for sure but I think I'd like to teach......what about you two?” René said.
“Good question...I’m probably going the photojournalist route, though barring that, I woudn't mind joining up with a pro combat team.” Charla answered.
“You too? 'Cerse, I also hope ta somedae do some teachin' myself, a performance arts teachah, mebbe. Or mebbe be a dance choreogi...choleo...” Floritt looked annoyed as she kept tripping on the word.
“Choreographer?” Charla suggested.
“Yeh!” Floritt nodded.
René grinned and turned to Charla. “Don't you just love that accent of hers?” He asked as he hugged Floritt.
Charla giggled. “I'll admit it, I'd miss the accent if she ever lost it.”
“Aww, dat's sweet!” Floritt grinned. René hugged her again and then went to hug Charla.
“Hey!” Charla exclaimed.
“No hugs?” René asked, pouting.
Charla shook her head. “ ...fine, little hug.” She yielded as she hugged him.
“Think Meghan'd believe how close I've gotten to you two?” René asked.
“Me, prolly.” Floritt anwered. “Charla? Ya'd kill 'er wit dat info!”
“Then this would be an awkward time to point out that she's behind us right?” René asked. Charla snorted.
“Nice try. kid. There's no way Meg can sneak up on Miss Rey!”
“Really, now.” Meghan asked dryly from behind Charla.
“--RAAE!” Charla yelped, jumping out of her seat and nearly swallowing the battery she had in her mouth. “When'd you get here?!”
“Just now.” Meghan answered. “Hey Floritt, René.”
“'Ey Meg!” Floritt waved.
René grinned. “Hi Meg. Guess what? I made some new friends!” He grabbed Charla and Floritt in a sideways hug, with himself in the middle. Meghan looked a little stunned.
“I see!...especially you, Charla. You guys didn't try blackmailing each other or something, did you?”
“No!” Charla protested. “I just...it's a long story.”
“You serprised I made a friend too?” Floritt asked.
“I'm going to guess it's because he lets you paint on him.” Meghan shrewdly guessed.
“Dat's mostly it, yeh!” The smeargle grinned.
“And we're cool...” René said. “Well Floritt and Charla are cool. I'm just 'cute'. I'm also in a huggy mood today, so...” He hugged Meghan.
“--Uh!” Meghan blinked. “W-well, nice to see you again, too!
“Is that safe? She's flammable!” Charla pointed out.
“Dey're both Fire-types, mon.” Floritt countered.
“Has Maggie mentioned me?” René asked having babysat Meghan’s little sister not long ago.
“She has. Often. In fact...GIRLS!” Meghan ordered.
“Eep!” Floritt and Charla squeaked.
Meghan smirked. “Practice is starting soon. René, you're welcome to come watch if you want -- you could learn something. Plus I need a favor done while we're there.”
&&&
&&&
Floritt Baez the Smeargle, pissed off.
“Dat's enough frum da both of you two! If der's one ting I'm not gunna be standin' fer it's seein' two of me close friends bickerin' like lil' kids in front of me!” Floritt snapped at them. “Charla, you kno' darn right 'e got a point 'bout yer 'tude an' dis is one of da reasons why! Ya 'xpect too much frum folks but barely do anyting yerself ta earn DEIR friendship back! Befo' you start harpin' about people needin' ta earn yer friendship, try learning whut it takes ta earn one yerself!”
As fer you, René…” Floritt softened her stance some, but she still kept the harsh tone in her voice. “I ain't gonna try and defend Charla just 'cus she's in my team or my friend. But I'm still gonna say I'm disappointed in da way ya acted t'wards 'er. Yer STILL usin' dat incident ta judge Charla unfairly. Comparin' 'er to her mom was uncalled fer an ya kno' it. Now I can't be 'xpectin ya ta kiss an' make up an' be best friends f'evah or anyting, but I DO want ya guys ta at apologize ta each otha' fer dis. Is dat okay fer you? Charla?”
Charla kept her face low to not show her face right now. Her hoarse voice betrayed what she was doing, though. “F-fine...fine, I'm sorry...”
Meanwhile René was busy wiping his own tears away. “So am I...I'm so sorry. I was TOTALLY out of line Charla. I just...I don't make friends very often and...I worry a lot.” He looked away. “I worry when I think a friend is putting themselves in danger--yes, I still consider you a friend even though you threatened to shock me--and no that isn't calling your judgement or your ability to take of yourself into question. It just means that I worry. And...I'm sorry that I hurt you….You too Floritt. I am very, very sorry.”
“René, mon...” Floritt sighed gratefully as she hugged him from the side.
Charla sniffled. “Apology accepted. Just know one thing, okay?” She stood up, brushed the snow off herself and headed over to René. “Ya ease off on the worrying, you hear me? I'm a big cat, I can handle myself fine. The support's appreciated, tho'.” She added as she rubbed René's headfur. “It’s just…I’ve always felt that a sword stays sharp by thrusting forward, which is what I do.”
Floritt replied lowly. “Swords get dull doin' dat too much. But they last longah when dey got shields with 'em.” Charla just shook her head in clear amusement.
“...pheh. You're both ridiculous, you know that?” She asked.
“Ridiculous? Who me?” René asked innocently. “Maybe you’d think I was hot if I was like Rayon and didn’t wear a shirt. I mean...” He asked as he took off his shirt. “How weird is it that he just goes around topless like this?”
Floritt’s eyes widened. “R-René?”
Charla just looked over her shoulder...then turned around fully as she saw what René is up to...and was forced to clamp her mouth shut to keep from laughing. “You...*phfft*...Look, I....*phffffffft* it's not what you thi....oh, Gods, I'm sorry! Ahaahhahaha!” She wheezed as she dissolved into laughter.
René crossed his arms over his chest and pouted. “Nice to see what you think of my body...way to boost my self-esteem ladies...” He grumbled. “I think you both look great, by the way.”
Floritt pouted “I still tink it cute....”
“N-n...it's not that...that wasn't what made me laugh...” Charla hastily explained as she wiped her eyes. “Look...” She started as she finally regained her bearings to speak again. “Look, I'm serious, you have the wrong idea about what I'm doing. Of course I know Rayon's type, I've seen them before and, shockingly enough, he's not the first one I've said yes to. And I'm still standing with my pride and body fighting fit, thanks for noticing.” She nodded once more. “I know what I'm doing. And if this works, so will Nigel.”
“Well, I hope things work out the way you want them too.” René said, not knowing just what she really wanted. “You can get any guy you like. You’re great looking, by the way.”
Charla sighed in relief at the topic change...which then made her blink in surprise. “Oh, ah, thank you very much for that. I meant what I said before too, you are indeed cute!”
“Yeah, well...you are. In fact the first time I saw you I thought so...it was from this picture someone took.” René answered as he showed her said picture, from Team Crossroads and Team Reds’ visit to the hot springs. “...I still can't tell if Nigel's wearing a towel or not.” He added. “And if he is, why he's bothering.”
“...oh, hey, this is one of mine!” Charla exclaimed. “Had it set on a timer. I have like four other like that, though only this one really came out clear enough -- the others got ruined by the steam.” She smirked as she looked at Nigel. “And yes, I can safely say, that is a towel. That's not the funniest part, though. If memory serves, and it sure as heck doesn't when it comes to things like this, this went off minutes after he actually looked over where me and Meg were to ask us why we weren't goin' after Floritt for sittin' in that side of the baths. Swear to the Gods he turned so red seein' me you think he was being boiled alive! His first time seeing my lovely, "perky" side, if you catch my meaning.”
René went red at that last remark. “I still say you lot are weird. I could never EVER imagine myself being,” He looked around and lowered his voice. “Naked in public.” He shuddered.
“Well it'd be weirder if ya went ta a hot bath fully clothed!” Floritt pointed out.
“If it makes you feel better, Nigel didn't want to go at first either.” Charla told René. “It took alot, and I mean a LOT of convincing to get him to even consider it, let alone say yes.”
“An' ya made sure ta reward 'im for your efforts, of course.” Floritt grinned as she mouthed the word "perky."
Charla snickered. “Right. Maybe we should extend an invite to your team as well, René?”
The vulpix squirmed in lieu of answering. “I'm sure the girls would love to...” He said at last. “But it'd be a bit weird...I mean, Nigel's still got a 'skirt' around him to protect his modesty...even without a towel! What've I got?”
“Yer tails?” Floritt suggested.
“Your much-needed need to kill your shyness?” Charla chimed in. “And believe me, that skirt isn't as protective as you make it out to be. One well-placed jolt in the caboose...and joll, he freaks out, skirt does the Marylin Mon-roe and it's the most glorious sight imaginable!” Charla grinned dreamily.
“Why do I need to kill my shyness?” René asked instead of commenting on Charla’s littly daydream.
“You're kidding, right? Name me one good thing being shy has ever gotten you? And no, using it to "add to your cuteness" doesn't count.” Charla rolled her eyes.
“Even tho' it kinda werks.” Floritt did pipe up.
“Don't encourage him, Flo.” Charla said.
“Ummmm.....” René couldn’t think of anything. “Well it DOES! Okay, fine maybe being shy isn't the best thing in the world but I bet you two aren't as immodest as you pretend to be!”
“Mebbe...” Floritt stretched out.
“Or maybe not...” Charla chimed in.
“But at least we can fake it!” They said together.
“Weeeeeirdos!” René rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Fine. I'll take my team to the baths with yours sometime. Provided that you girls not do...well, any of that stuff that you do! I don't need a purple butt or to be electrocuted into a fuzzy ball of fluff!”
“Heeeey, we're supposed to be the ones telling you that. You guys are the guests, after all!” Charla snickered.
“An' anyway, Why would I paint ya perple again? I alreadeh lost count how many times I did it ta ya!” Floritt asked.
“Um...you won’t look, will you?” René squealed.
“I can't guarantee we won't look if you guys fail to cover up.” Charla leered.
“Has Floritt ever painted YOU purple?” René hastily asked, trying to draw attention away from his reddening face.
“Who says I'm purple? I'm as blue as a sapphire, with hints of light and dark covering my pelt, gold accenting where it lies—” Charla enthused.
“Ya got a Creative Writing class assignment, dun'tcha?” Floritt asked calmly.
Charla deflated “Yes yes, and it's a pain in the tail. Stupid class is rubbing off its evil on me now!”
“Well if you are going into photo-journalism, being able to turn a phrase can only help you.” René pointed out. Charla massaged her head.
“Yeah, I get that alot. And I DO like it, don't get me wrong. But you know how just because an artists like doing art doesn't mean they like art class?”
“Word, mon.” Floritt agreed bitterly.
“Plus the teacher looks to give the good grades by how well you can sound like you have something sticking up your tailhole, if you get my point.” Charla said dryly.
Floritt muttered. “Dey won't lemme have me headphones on in class...I can't werk without me music, mon!”
René thought this over. “You know you two are pretty artistic. I can only imagine what it's like being constrained by someone else's rules. Sometimes you just need to be free to express yourself...maybe that's why you two are so good with nudity. I'm a repressed book worm.”
“Hmm, never tought 'bout it like dat befo'...” Floritt thought it over.
“Well it's not like it's ever too late to get in touch with your inner naked artist, you know!” Charla winked.
“Ya, mon! You can learn ta be a certified naked artist!” Floritt enthused.
“...Flo, I'm not even going to ask.” The luxray groaned.
“Tee-hee!”
René blushed and covered himself, despite being clothed. “Stay away from me!”
“Aww, dun be like dat!” Floritt cooed as she rushed over to hug the little fox. She was pretty fast.
Charla rolled her eyes and laughed in amusement. “And that's why I call you a kid, kid.”
“Better a kid than a...than a...overgrown kitty!” René stuck his tongue out at her as he hugged Floritt back. Floritt proceeded to lock her arm around his head and noogie him.
“Dun you be startin' dat again, you!” She warned.
“Phfft, haven't been a "kitty" in a very long time, little kit.” Charla scoffed at him.
René feebly struggled against Floritt. “Now I’m a kit?” He asked Charla.
“Well you called me a kitty just now....which is wrong, by the way, I was a cub.” Charla replied. “You know, be thankful it's you, I usually don't take well to bein' called a "kitty" by anyone...”
“Dun make me go ova der an' noogie you too, Charla!” The smeargle warned.
“I was just saying.”
“Sorry.” René apologized. “Anyway Flo, I don't think you could noogie her...you'd have to find her head buried under all that hair! Which IS nice, I'll admit.”
“You know, Flo, your hand must be tired by now. Why don't I take over for you for a couple hours...?” Charla offered.
“Now you two quit dat!” Floritt clucked as she let René go, regardless. Her hand WAS tired.
“When do you guys usually go to the springs?” He asked her.
“An' usually on a weekend, aftah we finish a huge practice or test matchup. So prolly next week. 'Cerse, we sometimes go on our own time ev'ry now an' den.”
Charla just looked aside. “Yeah.”
“Sometin' wrong, Cha'?” Floritt asked.
“No, nothing.”
“Come on...you can tell us.” René urged her.
She stared at him. “Only on the condition you keep quiet about this. Both of you. Get me?” They both nodded. She sighed. “Fine. That's where me and Ray went to on our date the other day.”
“THERE?” Floritt exclaimed. “You crazy, Charla mon!”
Charla shrugged. “We did some sparring. We got sweaty. It felt like a Hot Springs kind of day.” She lowered her voice. “Besides, I wanted to see the kind of pearls the Diamond-mine owner was carrying, you know?” Floritt put her palm across her face.
“Oh, Charla, mon...” She moaned.
“Look, nothing actually happened, okay?”
“Yer kiddin'. Not even a kiss?” Floritt pressed.
“...nothing happened after the kiss, no.” Charla amended.
“Charla, mon! I dun wanna be questionin' how ya live yer life but is dis wise?”
Charla looked to her claws. “We're fighting his team soon, right? I can hook Meg up with what I learned from then and set up a strategy. Couldn't get much on the rest of them, but if we can at least take him down first, the morale-kill should cripple the others enough to finish them off.”
“Mon, you scare me sometimes. An' what about when Nigel goes to ask ya where you came up with dis strategy? Or da date, period?”
“He knows about the date already, so the strategy thing shouldn't be a surprise for him. However, details of what I did do during said date isn't his problem or Meg's...or anyone else's. You guys only know this much 'cuz you asked and because I'm trusting you to keep quiet about it. Rayon's not really a kiss 'n' tell type, so I don't worry about him.” Charla responded.
“Still dun like it. An' what if Nigel tries probin' Rayon fer info during the test fight? Ya kno' 'e will!” Charla hesitated before answering her.
“...no, he won't. You know how Nigel fights. He'll be too concentrated keeping those shields up he won't be able to focus on mind-probing Rayon long enough to pull that info out. I'm sure of it...”
René, who had kept silent since Charla’s revelation, struggled not to overreact. “I don't know...Nigel seemed pretty out of sorts, especially when HE comes up in conversation. I can't really think of anything to say that Floritt hasn't said...and that won't result in you shocking my tush.”
Floritt looked to René, her tail twisting to a knot as the rest of her cringed in worry. “'E's got a point, Cha' mon...”
“And that's why I didn't want to say anything on the matter.” She countered dryly. “Because I knew you guys woudn't get it.”
“Charla, dis ain't right and ya know it. It ain't fair ta Nigel OR Rayon!” Floritt insisted.
The luxray readied herself to walk away, knowing well where this was all going. “I don't recall asking for help on this. I know what I'm doing, ok? It's just...it's just hard to explain it to you guys, okay?”
“Nnngh...” Floritt groaned.
René just sighed knowing that she wasn't gonna listen to reason. PLUS he didn't want to bring up that this...less than moral intelligence gathering sounds like something her mother would do. She'd just beat the crap out of him and not listen anyway. “All right, we'll drop it.” He said at last. “The last thing I'll say on this matter is that doing things alone and never asking for help may not be the best policy. Anyway, I'll keep my mouth shut.”
Charla went silent for a while, either from lack of a response that would satisfy her or lack of one that would satisfy them. “Never said it was the best policy. Just that it was my policy.”
“Charla, mon...” The smeargle tried again.
“I think we've already established I'm not much of a team player. Never have been. So you'll forgive me if it takes me a bit to even consider it.”
“Do you ever…” René asked. “…talk to anyone? About stuff like this?”
“Not really.” Charla admitted. “I’m not very good at making friends to talk to about this kind of thing.”
“Are you ever happy? At all?” René asked. Charla bristled and became defensive.
“'Course I'm happy! What kind of question is that?” She demanded.
René flinched. “Sorry! It's just that so much of our conversations and talks seem to be ending in either anger or depression that I guess I was starting to wonder if we weren't ALL just a bunch of unhappy mons...except for Floritt that is. If you look up happy-go-lucky in the dictionary you'd see her picture.”
“Hardy har har.” Floritt drawled.
“What did you think of her when you first met her?” René asked Charla.
“Heh. Brutal honesty? Couldn't stand her. Couldn't understand just what made a girl like her work.”
Floritt just shrugged at Charla’s answer, crossing her arms behind her head. “I get dat alot.”
Charla continued. “And yet she just kept on...well, you know how she is, she kept on being HER that I ended up thinking she's not too bad.”
“I get DAT alot, too. It funny, I dun really go lookin' ta make dat many friends, but since I had ta git 'long with 'er 'cuz she was on me team, I just kept on pushin'.”
“And it worked. Not sure how, but it worked.” Charla shrugged.
“Pity dat pushin' dun werk on Nigel.” Floritt noted.
“...I woudn't be so sure on that...” She replied.
“Oh? That so? Nigel actually warming up to Flo?” René asked.
“I meant, the "pushing" strategy may still hold water with him.” Charla corrected. “Thing is finding out what'll get him to crack him open, as it were....That said, yeah, I think he is. I mean, if memory serves, it took him a while to even talk to Floritt.”
“'E healed me up in one of our last sparrin' matches.” She added.
“Wait, when was this?” Charla asked in surprise.
“Not long back. 'E needed a partnah fer practicin' for the test match.” Floritt explained. Charla was taken aback though.
“Nigel, taking the match exams seriously? That's a new one! And he healed you afterwards? How noble.” She said in surprise.
“'E ussed Healing Wish.” Floritt added.
“Oh.” After a pause Charled exclaimed. “WHAT!? What did he do to you?!”
“Nothin', really, jest some bruises 'ere an dere. 'E had a very, very bad day an' I guess 'e just wanted ta crash.” Floritt explained.
“...when was this?” She asked her.
Floritt eyed René. “Sometime aftah yer date. René c'n back me up on it if ya dun believe me.”
“That son of a...” Charla shook her head as she sat down, her fingers digging into her man.
“Charla, come clean, mon. You WANT Nigel ta beat Rayon, right? Dat whut dis is all 'bout, 'im provin' himself ta you?” She asked.
The luxray didn’t answer. René spoke up. “I was there Charla. Heck, I had to help Floritt drag his butt back to his room and tuck him in...Floritt did that part.”
Charla gnawed on her knuckles as she slowly came to the realization that this was not going as smoothly as she expected. “Thing is...and I need you two quiet now, this is NOT easy for me to say....I was hoping Nigel would lose to him. Lose to Ray, think I'm not worth this and let me go on his own.”
René and Floritt were stunned. “Whuh...what da 'eck, I thought yer plan was ta get Nigel jealous enuff so 'ell finally open up ta ya an' tell ya 'e likes you!” Floritt yelped. Charla shook her head.
“Yes and no. See, if anything, I was sure this idea would be the very thing to get him to reconsider me and look elsewhere. I wanted this to not work...but if what you just said is right...he's finally putting his heart into this. He's doing this. He's going to be fighting for real for the first time since I've known him and...I'm not sure what to make of that.”
“Now I'm lost, mon. 'E's doing what ya want 'im ta do and yer not happy?” Floritt asked.
“It's not that I'm not happy, I'm just not ready!” Charla emphasized. “I actually take rejection alot better than acceptance when it comes to things like this. I'm used to rejection. And besides, think about it. You honestly think we'd work out? Our species can't breed, there's no future between us...And I suck at committing anyway.” She finished.
“So why not tell him dis instead?”
“Tell him what, Flo? "Whatever you're thinking, don't?" Not that easy! Plus he's my friend, I can't just say that...”
“Okay, dassit, I give up. René, you tell 'er she bein' an idiot?”
“You guys still don't get it...” Charla sighed.
“You're right, we don't.” René agreed. “And--I hate to say it--but I'm not sure that you do either. You want Nigel to simply write you off as a bad job?” He asked her. “As not being worth the effort? Charla...he really cares about you. If you don't feel that way...then you're going to hurt him no matter what.”
“But by not telling him...” René went on. “By resorting to a plan that sounds like something Lucy cooked up with Ethel one day while Ricky was at the club...then that's even worse. It's like you don't care enough about him--as a friend or as an individual--to tell him the truth. And if you're just flirting with Rayon to use him as a shield to keep Nigel away, then that's not fair to either one of them. Are you THAT afraid of letting people close to you?”
“Idiot.” Charla answered without rancor. “Think. Why go through all this... not face him upfront about it...if I didn't like him? Of COURSE I like him! More the reason why I can't just tell him no! Telling him no won't make him stop liking me, all it'll do is make him miserable because his feelings aren't returned. If he instead realizes it's a waste of time, though, he'll be upset, but he'll have the sense to look elsewhere without having to worry about that kind of heartbreak.”
“Thing is I'm not sure if I should. If I ever commit for real I want to have to go through the whole thing once, which is why I need to think long term. And I don't know if I can do that with him.” She finished.
“Charla, mon...” Floritt started.
“I underestimated him, ok? I didn't think he'd take it this far. I didn't think...” Charla said again.
“Yeh, tink we've established dat.” Floritt said flatly.
“Shut up. To answer your other question René, yes, I AM that afraid of letting people get too close. I don't care when people take anything else from me, even my body, but my heart isn't something I want to give away to just anyone. Having it crushed once by a family member was bad enough, I don't need it shattered yet again.”
“Befo' we go any ferther...what 'bout Rayon? Was he yer "long term" choice?”
“I'm open to the idea, if that's what you mean.” Charla answered. “He seems promising so far and he does have the bonus of being my same specie, so logic says I should give him a shot.”
“But…” Floritt asked.
“But...I...I don't know. I just don't know.” Charla groaned.
“Charla...” René sighed as he went over and hugged her. “I'm sorry, I'm SO sorry to be the one to have to tell you this but heartbreak isn't something you can avoid. Not Nigel's. Not yours. No one ever finds that special one straight off the bat and then goes off and lives happily ever after with him or her. It just doesn't happen. I'm so sorry your mom hurt you...I think she hurt you worse than she ever did me, but hurt and heartache is just part of life. And yes I KNOW how cliched this sounds and how little comfort this is...but it's the truth.”
Charla was taken by surprise by René's hug - and Floritt's, who joined in afterwards - and went silent. “..I...dammit, I know that. I KNOW that! I know I shouldn't bother, I should just let things happen and life will tell me if we're meant for each other or not...but I don't like the idea of having destiny dictate how I should deal with my love life. Which is why I did it. Why I'm doing this.” She covered her face in René's arm, a familiar moistness pressed against his fur. “I can't turn back even if I wanted to...”
“Oh Charla honey...” René sighed. “If you don't want destiny to dictate your life then DON'T. CHOOSE what you want and go for it. Maybe you'll suceed. Maybe you'll fail. But just choose. Making the decision is half the battle itself. Life does NOTHING by itself. Life is the actions and choices of people. Life isn't going to tell you the answer...you have to reach out and DECIDE what you want and how to get it. Now please...stop crying?” René asked. “I don't like to see a sad ol' putty-tat....”
Charla sniffled. “Call me a "putty-tat" one more time and I eat your arm off.”
“I tink she's gettin' back ta normal.” Floritt chuckled.
René grinned and needled Charla a bit. “Okay...how about pussy-wussy? Kitty-cat? Thing that goes YOW! when I step on its tail?”
“René, is there a specific reason you're suddenly feeling suicidal?
Charla asked with a raised brow.
“Heh.” He smirked. “I was just distracting you so I could do...THIS!” He exclaimed as he started tickling her.
“Do wha--AHAHAHAHA! Stoppit! Stop, don't!” Charla laughed. Floritt, of course, joined in. “No faaaair! Ahahahaha!” She shrieked in laughter.
“Who's a kid now? You are! Say it, say it!” René urged.
“No! Ahahah quit iiiiiiit! Ahahaha I hahaha mean it!” Charla squealed.
“Say iiiit. Say iiiit. Who's the kid?” René went on blithely. Floritt on the other hand saw what was coming and ducked.
“Uh-oh.” She gulped.
“Ahahaha I gahahaha said hahahahaha NO!” Floritt bellowed as she suddenly looked up at René with a Scary Face! A very, very Scary Face indeed!
“YAAAH!!” René shouted as he fell over and onto Floritt. “Don't do that! Jeezy creezy I almost wet myself!”
Charla breathed heavily for a minute or two after that, recovering her breath from all the laughing. “Kid. There, I said it.”
Floritt sniffed over René's tails. “Hope you right 'bout dat "almost", mon.” René glared at her in annoyance.
“You really are a mutt, you know?” Then he turned to Charla and said, “You. are. SCARY.”
“That's the idea.” She replied smugly.
“....'eeeey, no need fer name-callin'...” Floritt pouted.
“Sorry Flo.” René apologized.
“S'ok.” Then Floritt grinned. “Kit.” Charla snorted in laughter.
“Oh knock it off...” René grumbled. Then he tackled Floritt. “Pup!”
“Eep!” Floritt squeaked. “Kit kit kit!”
“Pup pup pup!” René returned as he rolled about on the ground with her. Floritt tried to roll her way back on top, tossing a "kit" to each one of René's "Pup" calls.
Charla, meanwhile, has taken great enjoyment of the spectacle. She was leaning back and slipping something small and cylindrical between her lip. René stopped calling Floritt pup long enough to ask, “Hey, what do you have there Charla?”
“Hmm? This?” She dangled between her lips was a "Denryu" brand AAA battery, colored mostly gold with brown and black accents. She was suckling on the pointed end, blue sparks harmlessly flickering out the sides of her mouth. “Nothin'.”
Floritt took the opportunity to rolls René back down while he was distracted. “'Ey, ain't dat one of da batt'ries yer dad makes, Cha'?”
Charla popped it out to speak. “Sort of. Grandpa's the actual creator, dad just makes and sell 'em on the side in his shop. Only place in the area that sells this brand, too.” She popped it back in her mouth. “I prefer the D's, but like they're so huge an' fat that I can't really enjoy 'em in public without lookin' like I'm sucklin' a really ugly pacifier!”
René, tapped Floritt on the shoulder, his voice a bit strained. “Uh Flo? Could you please move your knee? It's kind of in a...sensitive area.”
“Eh? ...OH! Oh, sorry, mon!” She sat on the floor and away from René and his poor crotch.
“Owww...that's why I hate being a guy....well, one of the reasons anyway. Yikes.” He winced as he tentatively gets up, albeit a bit hunched over. “I need an icepack.”
“Take it from me, that would have hurt even if it you actually were a woman.” Charla said.
Floritt took René's hand and held it up, slapping a handkerchief on his palm. Her tail leveled with the hand as the purple paint turned a familiar blue color. “I'm gonna Icy Wind yer hand a bit. Once ya tink ya got enuff frost on yer hand, just lemme kno'.” The Icy Wind kicked up again, frost forming on the hanky and palm. It stung like heck from the cold, but it should more than good enough to work as a makeshift icepack.
“Thanks.” René winced as he placed it on the insides of his pants. “YIIIE! That IS cold! But better, thanks.” He shook his head. “I’m DEFINITELY going to need to go to the hot springs now. We should go after the tests.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.” Charla agreed. “We’re going to seriously need to unwind.”
“Amen sisters.” René groaned. “My team is fighting Team 16. Team that loses buys dinner for the winners....and I'm going into battle against a girl I have a crush on...Nicole Zuna. How's that for awkward?
“Very.” Floritt confirmed. “But jest remembah what I told you 'bout usin' da test as a means of gettin' close ta her!”
“That's pretty bad, but...we're fighting Team Pearl. Rayon is the leader. Enough said.” Charla replied.
“Well you're not facing him, Nigel is.” René reminded her. “And I'm certainly gonna try my best to show Nicole than I can be something other than this,” He tossed his hair back. “INCREDIBLY cute and cuddly figure you see before you...but I think she's still gonna kick my butt.”
“Nigel facing him is the problem—” Charla started before she snorted in laughter again at the sight.
Floritt giggled. “I dunno, mon. Ya could always cutsify 'er inta submission!”
Encouraged by their laughter René clapped his hands and started to sway from side to side. “I'm too cute!” He said with the big bambi eyes. “Who's too cute? I am! I am!” He turned around and shook his tails and rear at them. “Too cute! I'm too cute!”
Floritt giggled some more. “You silly, mon.”
Charla proceeded to flick the now powerless battery at René's head. “You’re also a few other things, so knock it off!”
“Oh? Like what?” He asked as he continued to shake his tails. “What other things?”
“Like "you have an uncanny ability to make me want to Thunder Wave your six-tailed butt" for one!” Charla answered.
“Eww, I got me bum paralyzed once.” Floritt said. “Frum a cramp. Was da 'ole night grittin' me teef in agony an' me tail was all dead 'n' twitchy and felt horrible.”
“How'd that happen?”
“Ziggy, one of me brothas—” Floritt started.
“The one who wants to evolve into a ‘chan, right?” Charla asked.
“Yeh, him. He 'ad learned Thunder Punch dat dae an' we were sparring? I beat 'im eventually, but MOOOOON did dat sting! Been tryin' ta use it against me again evah since in hopes he can beat me wit 't!”
René blinked. “You have the most intersting stories Flo...I guess you slept on your belly that night, huh?” He snickered. “I guess...” He wheezed as he dissolved into laughter. “I guess you couldn’t ask your mom to kiss it and make it better!” René cracked up.
Both girls groaned at the bad joke. Charla asked aloud if she could improve René's comedy routine by making him dance with a well-placed Thunderbolt, to which Floritt quickly said no to.
René raised an eyebrow but not really bothered. “Awfully quick with the physical threats aren't you Charla?” He asked. “Besides you girls can't do anything to me...I'm too cute!” He looks up at them with REALLY big puppy eyes. “If you do all the other girls who like me will beat you up! Nyaaah!”
“Not unless we do it someplace where there's no witnesses.” Charla grinned evilly.
“Charla, noooo.” Floritt reproached her. “An' 'eeey, I dun wanna hert ya! 'Cuz you IS cute!”
“Indeed. Cute things are teeth-rotting.” Charla complained.
“See! Floritt thinks I'm cute!” René said triumphantly. He blew a raspberry at Charla. “You're just jealous 'cause I'm sweet, nice, and fluffy!”
“Meh, you're both nuts.” She shrugged as she dug into her pocket for another Denryu battery. “I used to be sweet 'n' fluffy, back when I was a lil' Shinx. Then I realized I'd rather grow up. Hence why I'm already at my last evolution before I even moved up from being a Freshman.” She said as she sucked on the battery some more.
“So you're saying that I'm not grown up because I haven't evolved? Real nice.” René snorted.
“Not what I meant.” Charla replied blandly as she gnawed a bit on the battery.
Floritt winced, thinking that hostilities were going to break out again. “Nnngh...”
“Kay, sorry. Just a little sore on the subject.” René apologized. “I mean I'm fine with the way I look--species wise not gender-wise--and don't see why being a vulpix should make people think that I'm just a little kid. Okay I'm short...and fluffy...and cute...but...where was I going with this?”
“No idea.” Charla shrugged. “Honestly, more power to you if you can make it as a kid. Some of us are just a bit more impatient than others in wanting to grow up, is all.”
“I fer one hope ya stay cute up 'til ya graduate an' stuff.” Floritt grinned at the vulpix. “Oh! Der's a question! Whatcha wanna try ta do once ya finish school?”
“I don't know for sure but I think I'd like to teach......what about you two?” René said.
“Good question...I’m probably going the photojournalist route, though barring that, I woudn't mind joining up with a pro combat team.” Charla answered.
“You too? 'Cerse, I also hope ta somedae do some teachin' myself, a performance arts teachah, mebbe. Or mebbe be a dance choreogi...choleo...” Floritt looked annoyed as she kept tripping on the word.
“Choreographer?” Charla suggested.
“Yeh!” Floritt nodded.
René grinned and turned to Charla. “Don't you just love that accent of hers?” He asked as he hugged Floritt.
Charla giggled. “I'll admit it, I'd miss the accent if she ever lost it.”
“Aww, dat's sweet!” Floritt grinned. René hugged her again and then went to hug Charla.
“Hey!” Charla exclaimed.
“No hugs?” René asked, pouting.
Charla shook her head. “ ...fine, little hug.” She yielded as she hugged him.
“Think Meghan'd believe how close I've gotten to you two?” René asked.
“Me, prolly.” Floritt anwered. “Charla? Ya'd kill 'er wit dat info!”
“Then this would be an awkward time to point out that she's behind us right?” René asked. Charla snorted.
“Nice try. kid. There's no way Meg can sneak up on Miss Rey!”
“Really, now.” Meghan asked dryly from behind Charla.
“--RAAE!” Charla yelped, jumping out of her seat and nearly swallowing the battery she had in her mouth. “When'd you get here?!”
“Just now.” Meghan answered. “Hey Floritt, René.”
“'Ey Meg!” Floritt waved.
René grinned. “Hi Meg. Guess what? I made some new friends!” He grabbed Charla and Floritt in a sideways hug, with himself in the middle. Meghan looked a little stunned.
“I see!...especially you, Charla. You guys didn't try blackmailing each other or something, did you?”
“No!” Charla protested. “I just...it's a long story.”
“You serprised I made a friend too?” Floritt asked.
“I'm going to guess it's because he lets you paint on him.” Meghan shrewdly guessed.
“Dat's mostly it, yeh!” The smeargle grinned.
“And we're cool...” René said. “Well Floritt and Charla are cool. I'm just 'cute'. I'm also in a huggy mood today, so...” He hugged Meghan.
“--Uh!” Meghan blinked. “W-well, nice to see you again, too!
“Is that safe? She's flammable!” Charla pointed out.
“Dey're both Fire-types, mon.” Floritt countered.
“Has Maggie mentioned me?” René asked having babysat Meghan’s little sister not long ago.
“She has. Often. In fact...GIRLS!” Meghan ordered.
“Eep!” Floritt and Charla squeaked.
Meghan smirked. “Practice is starting soon. René, you're welcome to come watch if you want -- you could learn something. Plus I need a favor done while we're there.”
&&&
Nicolas would have probably known by that point. After all, if you disregard the whole twin "inner connection" thing, those ears on his head aren't just for decoration. The boy can hear a flea fart at 20 paces. Whispers are not safe with him.
Her dad would tease her a little bit, but he would be happy to see his daughter find somebody. He does like Rene, because he reminds him a little of when he was dating Big Momma. He is not too nervous because he knows his daughter could defend herself if he tried anything she didn't like.
Big Momma just loves him to bits. Nuff said.
Nicole's friends in the dojo may have mixed reviews. Many expected her to find a muscular jock-like male (like Zap or Crunch), and seeing her hug Rene would cause double takes ("b...but He's a push over."). Some believed her to be a butch lesbian, so as soon as they find out Rene is not a girl, their jaws will hit the floor. The rest of them would probably do the typical "thats sweet, do you think they get freaky?" conversations. Her mentors would only show concern if her performance starts to slip.
Her dad would tease her a little bit, but he would be happy to see his daughter find somebody. He does like Rene, because he reminds him a little of when he was dating Big Momma. He is not too nervous because he knows his daughter could defend herself if he tried anything she didn't like.
Big Momma just loves him to bits. Nuff said.
Nicole's friends in the dojo may have mixed reviews. Many expected her to find a muscular jock-like male (like Zap or Crunch), and seeing her hug Rene would cause double takes ("b...but He's a push over."). Some believed her to be a butch lesbian, so as soon as they find out Rene is not a girl, their jaws will hit the floor. The rest of them would probably do the typical "thats sweet, do you think they get freaky?" conversations. Her mentors would only show concern if her performance starts to slip.
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