Chapter Text
Penny got off the boat, a little sea-sick after such a long ride. She was currently being hoisted by Nemona, who was rubbing their back as she had essentially just vomited when they arrived.
“Fuckin’... Hate boat rides… Why can’t we just fly next time…” She muttered, taking the water Nemona gave her and swishing it in her mouth, then spitting it out onto the floor. Like hell she’s drinking her own bile.
“Shh, it’s fine, cariña, I’ve got you. I always will.” Nemona comforted, but Penny shot her a fake glare.
“Don’t make me throw up again, dummy.” She barked, and Nemona couldn’t help but laugh. Nemona has been making… a lot of use out of the fact that Penny had confessed their attraction to her recently, and has essentially been over the moon with it. They had like, maybe a month between the confession and now, and Penny has lost track of all of the dates and battles and battle-dates that they had. They didn’t even make anything official, and Nemona was acting like they were on their honeymoon.
“I know you love it, though!” Nemona said, sighing dreamily after she cooled down from her laugh. Penny couldn’t help but lean into Nemona as she said this. It’s true, regardless of how much she acts like the doting and mushy affection bothered them, she loved it, and in the rare moments they were behind closed doors together, Penny was fully intent on reciprocating the ‘stupid mushy romance rubbish.’
“Shut up…” Penny smiled, and Nemona’s arm went from their back to their shoulder.
“Um, hey lovebirds? Can you save this for later?” Juliana asked, “We’re almost there…”
Nemona sighed, and reluctantly let go of Penny. She was able to walk steady by this time at least, but admittedly did want to just cling back to Nemona. Regardless, she sighed, and walked on. Glancing over to Nemona, she could tell there was a similar internal dialogue just from her eyes.
The ‘there’ in question was the Blueberry Academy. They’ve all been there a couple of times from Juliana’s suggestion (and, for some reason, Iono was also there about 75% of the time), but they all decided to just visit again to meet up with friends. Well, Juliana wanted to meet with her friends, and wanted to bring her ‘best friends’ along with her. Penny knew this was just to make Arven shut up about being paranoid that his ‘little buddy’ is being taken from him, and it would be weird if just the two of them went. Nemona didn't mind, as she was hoping to battle the people of Blueberry Academy for a while, and Penny… well, she'd rather stay home, but Nemona practically got on her hands and knees to make them come along, and Penny ‘suddenly found themself free from any schedule at work’ (Rika saw Nemona praying to Geeta to clear Penny's schedule for the week), so why not? (Penny thought it was funny to scroll through the various begging texts Nemona had made. About 43 pleading emojis were sent.)
As they made it to the gates, Juliana went off to talk to the receptionist, and Nemona went to analyze the battle arena. This just left Penny and Arven, the latter looking around cautiously.
“... So.” Penny started. “Are you still scared that Kieran's taking away your ‘little buddy?’” Penny jabbed at Arven, who flinched.
“H-hey! No, I'll have you know I'm not intimidated in the slightest!” Arven huffed. “Me and Julie have been through a lot, so I'm confident I'm her best friend!”
“Mhm, and you're admitting you do worry about competition? Aren't you desperate, sandwich boy?” Penny continued, and Arven glared at them.
“You're crazy. There's nothing romantic about being concerned about who your best friend surrounds herself with.” Arven spoke, and Penny shook her head.
“Yeah, sure, whatever helps you sleep at night.” Penny rolled their eyes. “Anyway, I'll go check on Nemona. Go check on your girl, or whatever.”
Arven, figuring that there's no point trying to defend, sighed and did as he was told. Penny went over to Nemona, leaning on a nearby rail. She saw her hand her suitcase off to a staff member, and soon after she analyzed the field.
“Hey, Nem. Is the field to your liking?” Penny asked, and Nemona's head snapped over to them.
“Oh, hey Pen. Yeah, I like it! Though, perhaps it could look more natural? This ground isn't as friendly to the natural traction of a lot of Pokémon. But maybe it's better than it looks? This is a battle-centric academy after all, so I'd imagine…”
And Nemona was off, geeking about the ideal battle arena and whatever. Penny wasn't really listening, only really caring about the fact that she could hear Nemona's voice. A part of Penny reprimanded the old themself for seeing Nemona's ramblings as annoying, because it was honestly adorable to just watch her ramble on and on about her passion. Not that she'd admit it, but she felt that she found more enjoyment watching Nemona ramble than Nemona did when they rambled to her about nothing in particular. Penny has their Team Star group to talk to about their passions, but Nemona only really has them, and that makes Penny feel a mix of sadness and adoration. Maybe a past Penny would call it pity, but they didn't know how attraction changes things. So fuck them.
Nemona was clearly not done with her derailed recounting of a Pokémon battle she watched when Penny noticed that someone had seemingly manifested behind Nemona. It seems like they are simply waiting for Nemona to finish, which made Penny wonder just how long they were there.
“... Hey, Nemona?”
“Yes?” Nemona immediately halted her rambling and was awaiting whatever Penny had to say.
“Behind you.”
Nemona turned around, and flinched slightly at Amarys’ presence. “Oh! Hello, Amarys! I must've been holding you up, huh? Sorry!”
“I do not mind. I am here to inform you two that you have been checked in. The league club room is open for you two, and you will receive your keys for your temporary rooms at the reception. That is all.” Amarys nodded, and walked away.
“See you Amarys!” Nemona waved, and grabbed at Penny's wrist. “C'mon, let's go to the others!”
---
Amarys swiped her card and entered the elevator. She had always been terrible at names, but given the description that Carmine gave off matched perfectly. Short, colorful hair, round glasses, Eevee bag… that had to be Penny. Yes she had seen them before, but she was never good with names, so she never asked. Amarys gripped her fists slightly, but relaxed them soon after.
“It is nothing.” Amarys whispered to herself. “Penny is not a threat. Penny is not a bad person. You can tolerate it.”
Amarys took a deep breath, and released when the elevator stopped. Returning to her normal composure, she entered the club room.