Chapter Text
"Over here, Miss Skyla! Can I get a picture?"
"Oh, Miss Skyla! Can we have your picture?"
Candidly, Skyla's feeling pressed in. Though she remains smiling, waving happily to a clamouring crowd, blinking rapidly against myriad flashes of Rotom cameras, Skyla's breathing is increasingly short. She's not accustomed to such activity around her, all these eager fans encircling her, constantly taking pictures. It's been quite the event today, a double battle with Elesa against some of her girlfriend's rival models, and Skyla had thought the Pokemon's awesome fight would be the main focus. But no sooner had they put the Pokemon away, shook hands and bid a good battle, then the crowd came in and Skyla was surrounded.
Shyla never thought of herself particularly suited to being the centre of attention. Her career, her ambitions, they were hardly the type of crowd-drawing wonders that could be expected from her girlfriend. Skyla flew planes, delivered cargo, designed cannons- none of these were particularly engaging topics for the tabloids. The best Skyla ever got was a news credit from dedicated plane enthusiasts that she had surpassed her grandfather's talent.
But here on Pasio, dressed as fancifully as Elesa in a rare moment, Skyla understands exactly how quickly admiration can seem overwhelming. She had thought her purple qipao dress to be reasonable by all accounts, especially compared to Elesa's dazzling sygna suit; it was a simple one piece, not even particularly form fitting. More colour and decoration than any particular spectacle. Yet it drew quite the wonder of many awestruck viewers, all eager to have a photo and cement Skyla's place in the fashion world. Skyla had initially thought it refreshing, herself at the forefront of admiration when usually accustomed to keeping passively beside Elesa, but all too quickly she was frazzled by constant chatter and relentless photography.
"Hey Miss Skyla! Could you do that pose for this one?"
"Wait, Miss Skyla! Can we get a picture from this angle?"
Skyla's increasingly flustered, trying her best to keep up the charming grin as she turns from one eager fan to the next. Elesa's always told her to keep a cheerful face first, a calm face face second. The model mask suited her girlfriend, certainly, but Skyla's never had to put her own take on it to the test. She doesn't have the nerve to try and shove her way past the crowd or directly protest; she's never liked the idea of upsetting people who really only wanted a moment to admire a strong trainer in a gorgeous dress. But it's getting to be a bit much, too noisy, too enclosed, and not in any comfortable way like her airplanes or cannons.
Still the crowd clamours, and all those phones flash, apparently oblivious to Skyla's increasing discomfort. Skyla's often pondered how Elesa handles such attention, and now she could hardly fathom how her girlfriend eats up the spotlight, could deal with so many fans eager for attention. It's like she's being tuggered every which way, trying to accommodate every request, and still feeling overwhelming, breathing rapidly, irritated by every flash. Skyla almost has an urge to cry out, struck by a whim to run, but where could she run to in this dress? Too restricting, too eye-catching, and Skyla gulps hard as the fans seem to close in.
"Alright now, that's enough from you all. Give a woman a break, why don't we?"
And there she is. The commanding tone carries above the prattle, and the crowd immediately quiets, cowed, as Elesa saunters forward, flanked by her Zebstrika and Ampharos. Hers is a dazzling smile, matched by the radiance of her eyes and lovely expression, but none dare question the authority in her stance as Elesa slides an arm around Skyla. Skyla herself has no such concerns for Elesa's commanding aura, glad to relax and lean against her, content to be feel secure by her side. Elesa permits herself a beautiful smile, a reassuring squeeze to her waist, before turning her eyes to the humbled fans. There isn't anything explicitly imposing to her expression, but no doubt everyone watching feels they've crossed a line.
"I think Skyla's entertained enough. Don't forget, she's more aeronaut than photogenic, so let's give her some airspace."
The warning crackles of electricity from her Pokemon emphasize Elesa's ultimatum. With apologies, the crowd breaks apart, allowing Elesa to guide her frazzled girlfriend away, Zebstrika and Ampharos on their heel. Skyla's breathing eases as she leans into Elesa, smelling the exotic perfumes she liked, feeling the smoothness and faint warmth of her shoulder. Being in Elesa's grasp, held closely to her, never failed to push the concerns from Skyla's befuddled mind. She can relax, smile more sincerely, and murmur her thanks to her girlfriend.
"That was good timing, Elesa. I mean, I wasn't too frazzled at first, but there was so many requests being shouted out, you know? I don't know how you handle that day to day."
Elesa kisses her atop her head, making Skyla giggle with another squeeze. Leading Skyla to a quieter section of the courtyard, instructing Zebstrika and Ampharos to maintain boundaries around the pair, Elesa holds Skyla in front of her, arms around her waist and looking down upon her shorter girlfriend with that ever present affection. After being near blinded by so many cameras, Skyla feels content to gaze up at Elesa, seeing the light in her eyes and the love in her expression. It warmed her heart, truly, got it thudding hard in wonder, and Skyla is glad to embrace Elesa back and enjoy their contentment before her girlfriend spoke.
"Well, I've always enjoyed being the centre of attention, being able to show everyone my take on style, my way of making dreams come true. It's like lightning, really; you just need to know how to build it up and let it strike. But while I am annoyed that they bothered you, in a way I can't say I blame them."
Elesa's smile widens, her expression radiant with an affection that makes Skyla feel flushed with heartwarming love, the thudding only strengthening with her delight. Elesa leans down now, quieting her tone to make her words more meaningful, and the impact of them makes Skyla feel like she was shuddered to her soul.
"You do look so beautiful, sweetie. You're always so beautiful, but right now, it's just sublime. Spectacular, splendid, superb. You're perfect, Skyla."
Such praise from Elesa, Elesa the dazzling, Elesa the glamorous, makes Skyla's head spin. She can't help but burst into laughter, pressing herself against her girlfriend as her body shook with the giggles. If Elesa was bemused by the outburst, she doesn't show it, simply laughing affectionately as she hugs Skyla tightly. Nothing could make Skyla feel happier in such a moment, complimented so sincerely and effectively by her girlfriend, made to feel just as marvellous as she was even if most wouldn't believe Skyla could really compare to Nimbasa's catwalk queen. When Skyla gains control of her laughter, she leans up on her toes to kiss Elesa, pressing her lips firmly to the berry taste of her girlfriend. It's all glitter between them, surprisingly sweet and soft to their lips, and Skyla nearly giggles again at how even kissing her girlfriend had an aesthetic dazzle.
Elesa reciprocates graciously, the quiet murmurs of affection sounding whenever they drew in air. Her embrace is tight, holding Skyla closer, and it's another benefit to being taller than her girlfriend that Elesa makes Skyla feel safely snug against her.
Her associates are close by, themselves having pushed the crowd away. Skyla can't help but feel bedazzled by how gorgeous these other models were- neither compared to Elesa, in Skyla's eyes, but no denying that they dressed just as fashionably. One is Nessa, from Galar, boasting a serene sapphire dress that emulated rolling waves, complementing her long hair perfectly. The other is Tulip, from Paldea, in a frilly pink get-up decorated with twinkling butterflies, her make-up glittering like amethysts. The two cheerfully greet Elesa, once more congratulating her on the battle, and when their eyes turn to Skyla, leaving her reasonably humbled by how positiviely they regard her, Elesa wastes no time in making it clear how much she herself regards her girlfriend.
"Nessa, Tulip, you know my girlfriend Skyla. Isn't she just marvellous?"
Elesa's praise rings out proudly, adoringly, and Skyla is fairly sure her face is as red as a blazing Darmanitan now, complimented so sincerely by Elesa in front of these two nigh equally elegant women. Even with her own fancy dress, Skyla feels quite plain next to Nessa and Tulip, lacking anything close to their flawless make-up or particular dazzle to their outfits; Skyla hasn't even changed her hairstyle while Nessa and Tulip clearly had plentiful style. But rather than have her feeling underwhelming compared to their natural charisma, Nessa and Tulip treat Skyla with as much impressment as they do Elesa.
"Oh absolutely. As superb in style as she is in battle. So many would be jealous of you, Elesa, to know such a charmer is happy to let you hold onto her."
Tulip speaks richly, fondly, and takes one of Skyla's hands into her own, affectionately kissing her knuckles on receiving an affirming nod from her. Skyla giggles, rather stunned by such graciousness from the other woman, a sentiment that extends to Nessa as well.
"Couldn't agree more. I'm amazed you haven't actually tried out modelling, Skyla. I swear you handle yourself even more confidently than Elesa in some ways."
Nessa is happy to settle on a handshake, flashing a cheeky grin at Elesa, who only grins back and affirms her luck by squeezing Skyla's waist, nuzzling her head fondly atop Skyla's. It's a contenting atmosphere with such positive camaraderie between them, the affirmative praise of women proud in their charisma. Skyla felt a bit out of her depth compared to these three professional models, but knowing they actually thought her dazzling in herself, enough so that she could model alongside Elesa, was staggeringly delightful. There has been a few times when Elesa's raised the point herself, coaxing Skyla to wonder what it would be like to strut a catwalk alongside her and while she certainly felt she wasn't good with crowds, Skyla did like the idea that people could really look up to her and think her just as dazzlingly inspirational as her girlfriend.
Elesa gives another kiss to Skyla's head, coaxing her to look up at her. Her hands on hers, her gaze unwavering, Elesa has the most contented smile on her face. Skyla is mesmerized by the adoration glowing in Elesa's eyes. Her girlfriend really does look at her like there could be no more sublime thing on this earth, and it has her heart nigh leaping in her chest, as if aching to take to the sky. Her blush brighter than ever, Skyla is glad to be blessed by Elesa kissing her once more, a softer touch that puts a spark in her body. Skyla enjoys the loving display, even if Nessa and Tulip's snickers make her feel a teeny bit awkward, and when Elesa is looking at her again, she really can't deny how happy her girlfriend's words make her feel.
"Honestly, Skyla, much fun as it would be to have you walk the same runway as me, I know you have me thunderstruck exactly as you are and want to be."