Chapter Text
Diantha sighed and looked around, taking in her surroundings and marvelled at the thunderstorm raging on the other side of the glass panels. Flights with overlays were a specific kind of nightmare, but sometimes it just couldn’t be helped. There had been no direct connection from Kalos to Almia. At least the initial flight from Lumiose City to Jubilife City had been on time and landed at the Sinnohan airport shortly before the downpour began. Unfortunately, that meant Diantha was now stranded in Jubilife City’s airport until said storm had cleared and the flight to Pueltown could be boarded. Having eaten on the plane, sitting down in one of the expensive yet decidedly mediocre airport restaurants held little appeal for the woman.
Pondering her options, she headed over to one of the airport workers sitting at a counter. “Excuse me, please?” He didn’t look up from his phone, but Diantha didn’t mind. That meant one less person that would perhaps ask for an autograph. Inwardly, she scolded herself for this thought. Not everyone knew who she was and even if they did, it didn’t mean they were a fan. “Welcome to Jubilife Airport, Terminal B. How may I help you today?” The actress smiled, even though he didn’t look up to see it. “My flight is delayed and I would like to allow my Pokémon partner to stretch her legs as well. Could you point me to a place where I can do that?”
Most big international airports had special areas reserved for spending time with one’s Pokémon, and Diantha hoped that Jubilife Airport was no exception to that. Fortunately, the man nodded and gestured with one of his hands. “Sure. You go right and then follow the signs depicting a Pokéball and a tree. There are speakers and destination boards in the area, so don’t worry about missing your flight once the storm has cleared up.”
Thanking the man, Diantha followed his directions, glad that she would be able to release her Gardevoir. She didn’t like that she had to leave her other Pokémon back home in Lumiose City. While she knew that her friend Siebold would take very good care of them all, she simply missed having them around. She was by no means a Pokémon collector, but she did own a full team of six Pokémon. Still, Gardevoir was her closest partner, they had been together ever since Diantha had stumbled across a Ralts back when she was a girl.
She had been heading home from theatre club practice, bouncing with joy after securing the leading role she had spent so long practicing for. Humming to herself, going over the lines again, Diantha barely paid attention to the road, eventually stumbling as she walked right into a tiny, white Pokémon, sending it sprawling to the ground in front of her. Diantha herself barely managed to avoid falling down as well.
“Oh no! I am sorry, I didn’t see you. Are you hurt?” Diantha sincerely hoped that this wasn’t the case, as she knelt down and picked the small Pokémon – a Ralts - up. Cradling it gently, she stood up again. “Je suis désolé. I’ll take you to the nearest Pokémon Center as fast as I can.” Thankfully, it wouldn’t be too much of a detour on her way home. After making sure the Ralts was securely wrapped in her arms, the girl broke into a run.
“Excuse me, would you be able to help me? I wasn’t watching where I was going and I stumbled into this Ralts. I just want to make sure I didn’t hurt it.” Nurse Joy had smiled softly at the little girl, promising to take a look at the Pokémon. Unfortunately, that was easier said than done as it simply refused to let go of Diantha’s blouse. Nurse Joy smiled kindly at them as she stepped around the counter to lend a hand. “It seems to like you already. Ralts usually avoid people, unless they feel drawn to someone’s positive emotions.”
“I promise I’ll wait right here for you”, Diantha whispered, trying to soothe the tiny Pokémon. That seemed to do it, as it finally let go and allowed Nurse Joy to pick it up. She looked around while she waited, taking in the rather unfamiliar surroundings. Her tenth birthday had been last winter, but as she didn’t own any Pokémon, there was little reason to visit a Pokémon Center. Her parents had already told her that she was allowed to have one, but as neither Fennekin, Froakie nor Chespin had appealed to her when they studied the regular Kalosian starter Pokémon in biology, she didn’t have one yet.
After about ten minutes, the electric door slid open again, revealing Nurse Joy and Ralts. Smiling, the woman placed the Pokémon in front of Diantha. “I finished the examination, you don’t need to worry, she’s absolutely fine. I think she was just a bit surprised, nothing more.” A smile spread on Diantha’s face and she beamed at the Pokémon. “I am so glad you’re alright!” Bending down, she picked the Ralts up again, hugging it. Immediately, the Pokémon hugged her back.
Watching them intently, Nurse Joy smiled, holding out a Pokéball. “Since this Ralts is a wild Pokémon, do you want to keep her?”, she asked Diantha and the girl looked up before back at the Ralts. “Well, do you want to stay with me?” After a second, the Pokémon snuggled closer to her and Diantha interpreted that as a ‘yes’. Turning her attention back to Nurse Joy, she nodded, eagerly taking the offered Pokéball. “Oh yes, please!”
Lost in thought, reminiscing about meeting her Gardevoir, Diantha smiled softly at the Pokéball. As long as her Gardevoir was with her, she would feel safe, no matter where she was. Ahead, she could see her destination, a little in-door park, complete with a fountain, trees and benches. When Diantha came closer, stepping on the grass, she noticed that she wasn’t alone.
Someone else was already standing in the area, her back turned in Diantha’s direction. The person was dressed in black, and long blonde hair was the only thing she could make out. In front of her stood a Pokémon that the actress recognized at once – a Garchomp. Kalosian biologist Augustine Sycamore owned one. This one looked far stronger than his, though. Still, there wasn’t anything to worry about, it wasn’t as if people were allowed to walk around an airport and simply start a Pokémon battle. Something she actually wished was possible, as she really liked Pokémon battling.
Touching the top of the Pokéball, her Gardevoir released herself, looking at the unfamiliar surroundings. The red light seemed to spark the Garchomp’s interest, as the dragon Pokémon turned away from its owner, looking in their direction. “Hmm? What’s up?” The voice sounded eerily familiar to Diantha, but it wasn’t until the woman turned around that she could place it.
Noticing that something behind her had sparked Garchomp’s interest, Cynthia turned around as well. Behind them stood a woman in white clothes, a Mega Charm hanging from her neck, and a Gardevoir next to her. The archaeologist barely noticed the Pokémon though, as the biggest part of her brain focused on the woman. A little bit shorter than Cynthia herself, she was holding herself with quite a bit of poise. Her brunette hair was styled in a braid that was pinned to her head, almost giving the impression of a pixie cut.
But most of all, Cynthia was mesmerized by her face. Her blue eyes, the line of her jaw, her cheekbones. The way her lip turned upwards into a smile. Without a doubt, she was likely the prettiest woman Cynthia had ever met. What someone like her was doing in Jubilife City’s airport was anyone’s guess. But as she and her Gardevoir came closer, the woman opened her mouth, addressing her.
“Excuse me…you don’t happen to be Doctor Cynthia Jenness, do you?” Cynthia gulped, no doubt blushing. Who was this woman and how did she knew her name? There was one thing Cynthia was at least vaguely confident about: She would remember that woman had their paths ever crossed before. Or at least she hoped as much, wondering how much alcohol she would have needed to forget meeting someone like her on a campus party. Then again, the slightest bit of an accent in her voice – not much, barely a hint, really – was distinctively not Sinnohan. Not that this meant anything, as Steven and Wallace were from Hoenn…
A snort from her Garchomp jolted her back to reality. Where were her manners? “Erm…yes, that’s me.” How utterly eloquent. Deciding to bite the bullet, Cynthia charged ahead, stretching out her hand with a slightly jerky movement. “But I don’t think we’ve met before. You are…?” Arceus help her if she had met her before and forgotten her. At least that could have only happened during her bachelor or PhD studies, considering that she had been in a committed relationship during her master studies.
Diantha had watched the interview, seen a few pictures and some of her lectures, but nothing came close to meeting her co-star in person. Even with her features displaying obvious confusion, she was doubtlessly gorgeous. The pictures hadn’t done her justice, unable to truly convey her expressive grey eyes. Like in the lectures, there was just the tiniest hint of a Sinnohan drawl in her voice – yet Diantha felt exactly the way she had when she first heard it online. She could listen to that voice for hours to no end.
The confusion in the blonde’s voice seemed to be genuine. It caught Diantha off guard, but at the same time, it was refreshing. This woman apparently had no idea who she was. Perhaps she should have felt offended, knowing that she likely hadn’t seen any of her movies then. Instead, Diantha felt a warm wave of…something. Very likely, Cynthia had refrained from a Porygoogle search, wanting to forge her own image of Diantha, and not one the tabloids painted. Reaching out, she shook the hand that was offered to her. The grip was warm and firm, but not unpleasantly so. “I am Diantha. Diantha Chevalier. It’s nice to meet you.”
Cynthia felt her heart sinking all the way to her stomach and then even further, letting go of the other woman’s hand. This was even worse than meeting her on a party, getting black-out drunk and forgetting her right after. In the back of her mind, she could almost feel Steven chuckle and Wallace snicker gleefully. Of all the names, all the persons on this planet, she had to be her co-star. Well, the lead, really. The very famous leading actress who had won prizes for her theatrical prowess. A person that had probably assumed that Cynthia knew who she was. Maybe her friends had been right, perhaps she should have simply looked at a picture before. If that would have made her dreading the movie shot even more or actually made her somewhat eager about it.
Thankfully enough, the Kalosian didn’t seem to be offended, instead, the woman – Diantha – looked up and offered her a brilliant smile that made her breath hitch. It should be illegal to look like that. Steven had claimed that she was the most beautiful woman in Kalos. Currently, Cynthia mused, Diantha was also the most beautiful woman in Sinnoh. Or in the whole world, really. With a slight shake of her head, she willed herself to speak.
“It’s nice to meet you. I didn’t expect that we’d…happen to meet before the filming.” In her peripheral vision, Cynthia noticed that her Garchomp had sat down by one of the fountains, the Gardevoir perched on the bricks next to her, both Pokémon looking in their direction. “Me neither”, Diantha replied, “but I suppose that means this storm was at least good for something.” She paused. “I am actually unsure about the formalities. How shall we refer to each other? Our first names? Or would you prefer being addressed with your doctoral degree and surname?”
Smiling, Cynthia shook her head. “There’s really no need for that. Even most people at our department just refer to me as Cynthia.” That admission came with a sharp reminder, but Cynthia pushed it away. Looking deeply into the blue eyes in front of her was far more preferable anyway. “Très bien. Well, hello then, Cynthia.” “Hello Diantha.” She savoured the name, speaking it out loud for the first time.
“Would you mind sitting down while we wait?” Diantha asked, hoping the other woman would agree. Normally, she would have preferred to wait for the flight alone – or rather with her Gardevoir – but she wouldn’t pass the chance to get to know her co-star a bit better. Or get to know her at all. “Of course.” Cynthia pointed to the left. “Judging from the destination board, it might take a while.” Indeed, there wasn’t even a time displayed anymore next to the flights – just a judgmental DELAYED that was glaring at them.
Sitting down on a bench, neither was quite sure on how to proceed. Deciding to go with a hopefully safe question, Cynthia looked at the woman next to her. “So, have you ever been to Almia before?” From what little she had gathered, Diantha was famous and probably spent most of her time flying and filming to every imaginable location. With a soft smile, the actress shook her head, though. “Actually, no. I’ve never been to a Ranger Union region before, if I am being honest.” The rules regarding taking Pokémon with her stopped her from ever travelling there in her leisure time and there hadn’t been a shooting scheduled yet.
“Have you been there? It is close to Sinnoh, after all…” Diantha continued and Cynthia shook her head. “No, me neither. I have been to the Fiore Region before, though.” Fiore was also part of the Ranger Union regions and was a bit western from Johto. “On vacation?” Diantha probed, but Cynthia started laughing. “I wish. No. I was there during an excavation when I wrote my Bachelor’s thesis.” She stared into the air, absent-mindedly, obviously remembering. “In the southern parts of Fiore lies the Olive Jungle. There are ancient ruins on top of a mountain in that forest – the Jungle Relict.”
Cynthia was warming up to the topic, a smile ghosting on her lips. “It was just so hot. I was on the verge of a heatstroke the whole time – that humidity was insane. But the Jungle Relict…just thinking of its beauty…it is famous for the carving of four challenges. If all of them are completed, a catastrophe will occur…” Trailing off, she shook her head. “Anyway. Fiore has the same stupid stipulations regarding travelling with Pokémon. So only Garchomp came with me, and she had to stay inside her Pokéball almost the whole time. Looking over at her partner, the fondness was evident in Cynthia’s smile.
“Normally, she helps me carrying the equipment. I was lucky that someone tipped me off about this rule, so I could plan ahead. Made sure I had a motorcycle license, so I could at least drive through the jungle instead of carrying everything.” “Well, you won’t have to worry about carrying anything during the shooting.” “What a relief”, the blonde replied, with the tiniest bit of sarcasm in her voice. While this made Diantha want to ask about how she ended up in the project, she stopped herself at the last second.
From what Kathi Lee had implied, Cynthia had been very reluctant to accept the offer and the last thing she wanted was offending the other woman before they even began filming the first scene. Instead, looking over at her Gardevoir and Cynthia’s Garchomp, Diantha chose safer territory. “You said that only your Garchomp came with you. I take it that I’m not the only one here who generally carries more than one Pokémon?” The one visible eyebrow rose in surprise. “You have a whole team?”, Cynthia asked back, with obvious interest.
Nodding, Diantha gave her a soft smile. “Yes, I do have a full team. Gardevoir is my closest partner and my first Pokémon. That’s why she’s here with me. We haven’t parted for about 19 years. If I had been forbidden from bringing her, too, I would have declined working in this project.” From the way she sounded, Cynthia felt confident that Diantha wasn’t lying. Enjoying the topic, Diantha launched into telling the tale of how she met her most trusted Pokémon partner.
Cynthia’s mental image of the Kalosian had just gotten even better – apparently, she cared way more about her Pokémon than just about fame and fortune. “What other Pokémon do you have?”, the archaeologist wanted to know, already raring for a match. Inwardly, she scolded herself. Few people liked Pokémon battles, and while Diantha did have a full team, this was no guarantee that she was a battler in her leisure time. “My second Pokémon was a Pumpkaboo. She tried to battle my Ralts and lost spectacularly. She pouted a lot after that loss, but was so cute at the same time, so I added her to the team.”
Diantha paused for a second. “She stayed unevolved for the longest time, actually, she was my last Pokémon to evolve. We both wanted that, but it was hard to find the right conditions. In the end, I traded her back and forth with a traveller from Alola who wanted to evolve his Alolan Graveler.” Both of them had been happy to immediately trade the Pokémon back, which they had agreed upon.
“My third Pokémon was a Goomy, which I found during a school trip. We all had to write a report about a Pokémon living in the area we visited, and I chose Goomy. She was extremely ticklish back then, and we spent a lot of time laughing together. So when it was time to leave, she decided to come with me.” Diantha closed her eyes for a second, remembering. “She was my first Pokémon to fully evolve. I had won a battle with someone, when she evolved into Sliggoo. Just a few weeks later, we were training outside when it started to rain and she evolved again into a Goodra.”
Looking over to Gardevoir, she couldn’t help but laugh lightly. “My forth member is an Hawlucha.” She could basically feel Gardevoir chuckle through their mental bond. “She jumped out of a tree, trying to attack me from above to steal the orange I was eating. And I say ‘trying’ because my Gardevoir – back, when she was a Kirlia – froze the Hawlucha mid-jump. We all became good friends, though.” It had taken some work, true enough, but was definitely worth it. Training her team and growing closer to her Pokémon was something she always treasured. Whenever a show had gone well, her team celebrated with her. But she could also count on them to cheer her up during the times she failed in a casting. “The final two members came a lot later, when I had my sights set on an acting career.”
Cynthia lifted an eyebrow, while the other Pokémon seemed to be wild, maybe they had been gifts? “I was working as an extra in some movie featuring a research station for prehistoric Pokémon. Most people were afraid of the Pokémon in the station, but they were such darlings! I enjoyed helping the regular workers with them and in the end, they allowed me to keep the two Pokémon I helped the most with - a Tyrunt and an Amaura. Unfortunately, both Tyrantrum and Aurorus are too big to have them out with me regularly, but I try my best to spend time with them in the backyard.”
“It sounds like you had an eventful journey of meeting them”, Cynthia stated, thinking about her own Pokémon friends. “Well, I told you all about my team, I’d say it’s only fair that you tell me about yours.” A shrug and a smile. “Garchomp was my first partner. I hatched her from an egg, actually. I was so overjoyed when I first held my Gible in my arms. Oh but, she'd gnaw on fabric, books, and even tables! It was a pain to deal with at the time, but she was just so cute...my grandma really couldn’t be angry with her any more than she was with me about that.”
Cynthia knew that the reason behind this leeway had been how happy she had been with Gible. “We went fishing one day, and I actually managed to catch a Feebas. It was really hard to pull it out of the water, I almost feel, but Gible helped me. They became close friends, despite the fact, that Gible initially tried to eat her…” The Sinnohan woman trailed off for a moment and Diantha laughed. “It sounds like they were a handful.”
“Oh, you don’t know half of it. My third Pokémon…yeah…I found him in the mountains near my hometown. Even back then, when he was a Riolu, he could sense the feelings of both humans and Pokémon around him.” She trailed off again, crossing her arms, a frown on her face. “That made it difficult to become close at first. He knew everything, every last secret within my heart and mind, even my greatest flaws. But we worked hard together and became a great team. It was during this time that my Gible became a Gabite, too.”
Her team had only grown since then. “I obtained another Pokémon egg when I visited Hearthome City with my grandma and hatched a Togepi. Gabite was fascinated with him and how small he was. She was a wonderful big sister, and soon enough, he evolved to a Togetic. Riolu and Feebas followed suit soon enough. I found a stray Budew soon after, and knowing that this would be a type combination I hadn’t obtained, I added her to my team, too.”
The break that followed after adding Budew – who had evolved twice since then – was something Cynthia decided to skip. Maybe – unlikely – she’d tell Diantha about it one day, but not now. “I was doing an internship in school, having my sights set on becoming an archaeologist, when I found my sixth permanent team member. Nobody of the crew was eager to battle or catch her, so I stepped up and added a Spiritomb to my team. That one liked to play pranks at first, but me my Garchomp were having none of that.” A low chuckle reminded Cynthia of the fact that Garchomp was listening intently to their conversation and she gave the dragon a warm smile. “The next one was an Eevee, which I-“
An announcement interrupted the women. The storm had passed and their flight would be ready for boarding soon. “Tell me later?”, Diantha suggested and Cynthia nodded. “Sure”, she promised. They would certainly have enough time to finish that during the scheduled filming time. Recalling their respective Pokémon, they made their way to the gate, ready for their flight to Pueltown, Almia. But with the trough of low pressure still over Sinnoh, their flight would certainly be turbulent.