pokemod | "Taking the First Step" by Abarero for Mirroreuler

Recipient:

mirroreuler
Title: Taking the First Step
Author:

abarero
Rating: G
Verse: Games (Kalos and Unova relevant)
Characters/Pairings: Shauna/Serena, N/BW protagonist (gender not mentioned)
Summary: Sometimes it takes a stranger to understand yourself
Notes: Ended up blending two prompts here a bit, but it’s all good (hopefully). Happy Holidays!

“I guess I’ll just have to tell her?”

Shauna looked down at the poké ball that contained the traded pokémon she had just received from Serena. She’d worked it all out in her mind- the perfect moment to ask her if she’d be interested in well…her. But at the last minute, she’d gotten cold feet. It was supposed to be a trade of pokémon and a start of a new relationship; instead it was just a trade and a bundle of worries.

She felt the poké ball wriggle in her palm and she clicked it open. “Come on out, Eevee.”

The small bundle of tan fur let out a trill as it bounded out onto Shauna’s bed. With a smile, Shauna pushed her worries aside for the moment. “I think I’ll call you Evelyn.”

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Shauna knew she was creating distractions. First she decided on a whim that she needed to start training her team, on the off chance that Serena wanted a partner for battles at the Battle Maison. But that just created another distraction. Was she really good enough to be a partner to the savior of Kalos? The one who had pretty much leveled everyone from the Pokémon League to the leader of Team Flare?

And so, she trained hard. She dodged holo cast messages and took the money she’d been setting aside for a nice dinner with Serena and put it into items to better her team. Evelyn grew up in what seemed like a blink of an eye, transforming from a rambunctious little eevee to a proud and strong sylveon.

With little more to do when she rested, Shauna found herself talking a lot to Evelyn. The small pokémon would listen attentively and settle itself in Shauna’s lap to be petted while she talked.

“Sometimes I think it won’t be worth it, Evelyn. And that really scares me. But you and Goomer are becoming so strong, and Chessie has gotten even stronger, so I guess at least you guys are happy, right?”

Evelyn nuzzled her head against Shauna’s hand and looked up at her with wide eyes. Shauna gave her a small smile.

“Y-Yeah. Even if it doesn’t work, at least I have you. You’ll be my friends forever.” She leaned forward and pulled the pokémon into a hug, relieved when she felt the soft tongue licking the tears that had slid down her cheeks away.

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It had been after her 50^th singles win at the Battle Maison when he approached her. At first, she figured it was another fan or even an admirer come to ask her out. She’d been on such a strong winning streak that she’d gathered quite the interesting crowd around her after all. But as the man drew closer she realized she’d never seen him before.

With long green hair pulled back in a ponytail and a soft smile, the man- no young man- offered his hand somewhat awkwardly.

“I wish to congratulate you on a well-executed match.”

She took the hand and gave it a hearty shake. “Thank you.”

“It’s not often you see a trainer listening to their pokémon as well as you do, you really seem to know them well.”

Shauna blushed at the compliment. “They’re like my friends, so I guess I’ve noticed some of their habits here and there.”

The man chuckled softly. “The truth you have found is a rare gem, don’t let it go. To reach an emotional oneness with your friends is something I greatly admire in you. It’s not something just anyone can do even if they strive to. Like creating a perfect circle, it takes thought and precision before the lines are laid down, forming the ideal pattern.”

“Oh.” She blinked, uncertain as to where this was headed.

The man sighed, rubbing the side of his head. “Sorry, I seem to have lost you. My dear friend often said I spoke too much with too many silly words and I fear perhaps they were right.” He straightened up his posture and gave the slightest incline of his head, almost like king or noble would.

“What I am trying to say is that you are a very good trainer and your pokémon highly respect you and value your kindness towards them.”

Shauna glanced down at the poke balls at her waist. “And they told you all that?”

He seemed a bit uneasy for a moment, as if he’d been asked something similar many times before, before answering. “Yes, they did.”

But much to his surprise, Shauna smiled at this. “I’m so glad to hear that. I try to listen to them, since they put up with me talking their ears off, but I’m not always certain I’m translating their reactions right. Can you really understand them?”

The man nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. “I seem to have a gift for understanding them, yes. And your friends love you very much, but…” he hesitated.

“But what?”

He cleared his throat and looked aside. “It seems they are all rather distressed about you, actually. Someone named Serena keeps getting mentioned as well. And Evelyn says if she could she’d just tell her for you.”

What little doubt Shauna had about the man’s talent was quashed as he spoke words she knew no other living soul would know. She’d never let on to any of the boys, simply cheerfully telling them everything was okay and that she was just busy. But he knew, he knew the secrets she’d told her pokémon friends because…because they were worried about her.

Shauna shakily rested her hand over her poke balls. “I didn’t mean to worry them,” she said, guilty.

“I’m certain they know that. But friendship is like that, sometimes you inadvertently end up worrying your friends simply because they care about you. The best course of action would be to directly confront the worry.”

As his words sank in, she noticed his expression shifting as he spoke. A knowing smile crept on to her lips. “It sounds like that might be advice you should be taking as well.”

He blinked, then a small peal of laughter escaped his lips before they quirked into a small smile. “Perhaps it is. I have a feeling my dear friend is tired of waiting on me to come around as well.”

Shauna extended her hand. “Then let’s both promise to go deal with those problems head on so our pokémon friends don’t worry about us anymore.”

“Sounds like a fair offer.” He gave her hand a shake and started to turn away. “Tell your pokémon friends to come find me in Unova if you want to check in and ensure I’ve held my part of the bargain.”

“Okay. I’m sure your friends know where to find me as well. Good luck!”

And as he drifted into the crowd, Shauna felt her blood pumping eagerly in her chest. She could do this. She could call Serena and ask her out. And she had funny feeling that Serena would return her feelings, despite months of doubt before now.

Because if there was one thing Shauna trusted to lead her right, it was her pokémon.

“Okay Evelyn, I’m going to call Serena now and invite her out to some place nice. If I don’t manage the nerve to say anything, you and Goomer and Chessie can all come out and do it for me, okay?”

And it might sound silly, but Shauna swore that she heard a chorus of “Okay” in response from her team.

"Taking the First Step" by Abarero for Mirroreuler

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