Starlight: Redshift

by the-pieman


Chapter 44

After our swimming session and the three of us are all back outside the gym and dressed, I recall I never got that girl’s name, even though I made plans with her. “But I did say I’d introduce her to you two, so... let’s go get something to eat I suppose. We got about, ten minutes to kill until then.”

“Wait, you met a girl, darling?” Rarity asks, sounding intrigued.

“Yeah, met her back in the pool. She seemed pretty nice. We decided to go get some lunch, I said I’d bring you two and she liked the idea.”

“Well, keep going. Is she nice?” Rarity asks, smiling slightly. Well, broadly, actually.

“Yeah, she was pretty friendly, we chatted about what Pokémon we had, and she left, saying she’d like to get something to eat with me. I’m not one to say no to food.”

“Mmhmmm... She left, you said? Hmm... mumblemumblenotgood.”

I check my éTech. “Yeah, I got about nine minutes ‘til I gotta show up, might as well spend some of that time getting there. Come on, I think you’ll like her.”

The three of us get a move on, Rarity fussing over my hair for some reason. I guess her OCD just shows up differently from Twilight’s.

The mall is fairly easy to find, and the interior looks a lot more lively than just ‘a few NPCs walking around idly’ that the games always showed. Eh, probably just so the player didn’t have to hassle with crowds. Probably why an official Pokémon MMO never showed up, waiting in line for the Pokémon Center? Jesus Christ that would be horrific. I find the food court and it takes a bit of looking around, but I finally recognize the girl without her bright orange/white swimsuit on. I lead the humanized ponies with me to the table and sit down. She takes a moment, just standing there and looking at Twilight and Rarity.

“Hi there. Kinda funny, but I just realized we never got each other’s names earlier. I’m Anthony.” I hold out my hand across the table.

She looks a bit like she’s snapping out of a daze, and gets her attention on me.“Oh, right. I’m Starlet.” She looks back and forth for a moment, then sits down in the seat opposite me.

“And these are my friends, Twilight and Rarity.” I nod to them. “We aren’t exactly a close-knit team, but they’re nice to have around on adventures.”

“Uh-huh... Well, uhm, this is one of my favorite places in the mall, in case you’re wondering.” Starlet says, smiling again at me. About this time, a waiter comes over, and sets a quartet of menus/placemats on the table for us. There’s some burgers, some sandwiches, some- oh yeah, I made a deal. I look around and find a nearby empty tank filled with water. I toss Carvanha out into the container, plenty of space for her to move around in. “Alright, you held up your end of the bargain, now I’m gonna hold up mine. Two bloody-raw steaks coming up.”

I sit down at the table and turn back to the menu, to see what I’m getting. Where’d I leave off? Oh yeah, the sandwiches and different kinds of fries... the hell is a Smeargle Fry? Do I want to know?

... I’m morbidly curious. As I flag down a waiter, Starlet lets her own Pokémon out into the tank, and Twilight and Rarity let their own Pokémon free to wander, as at least a dozen other trainers have done as well. The restaurant is much more spacious, likely for this reason. Eh, might as well, but I keep Magomental and Geodude in their balls. One is a little... fucking disgusting, and the other is moody.

The waiter comes over and I ask about the Smeargle fries. Turns out, they’re sweet-potato fries that’re colored with Smeargle ink, which is safely edible and makes them taste better. They’re meant for kids, but they’re popular enough that they’re also served in larger amounts for adults and teens.

“I’ll try some of those, a roast beef sandwich, and a pair of uncooked steaks for Carvanha.” And the waiter doesn’t even bat an eye at me asking for meat let alone uncoo- right, not in happy-pony-vegan land. Keep forgetting even with all the humans around.

Sitting back for a moment, I get ready to talk, until I see Starlet’s face contort into an expression of horror, while looking over my shoulder.

I turn quickly, ready to fend off any attackers... and see only Carvanha and Starlet’s Marilurk goin’ at it in the tank.

A moment later, I feel my face contort into an expression of horror as the thought sinks in. I know Carvanha isn’t the most civilized but... having a fuck while in the middle of a mall while everyone can see it? Granted that’s a sign of just how little Carvanha cares what others think but... oh geez. “Listen Starlet, I’m soooooo sorry, I have no idea what’s gotten into her.” Other than your Marilurk. He’s quite assuredly ‘gotten into’ Carvanha. Oh god, that’s what a Marilurk’s tentacle-bits are for? I’m not going to sleep well tonight, I can tell.

I shudder. “I’m... I’m just gonna recall everyone and go, I’m sorry.”

“Er, no, no... it’ll be fine... uhm, Finneon, make a Smokescreen in the tank, please. Sooner, please.” Starlet says, “I’d rather it happen sooner than later.”

Once the tank is clouded and it’s not visible what’s going on inside it from the other end of the food court, our food arrives. I set aside the slightly-bloody steaks in the little plastic wrap they came in. I’ve got a feeling she’ll be hungry in a few minutes. Or however long it takes. I just begin eating my sandwich, trying to avoid what is probably the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to me that I didn’t cause in some way.

“Ah, anyways... well, how far you planning to go with the League?” Starlet asks, looking at me.

I swallow what I’m chewing and reply. “I’m gonna aim for the Elite Four. Probably gonna take a while, but I think by that time I’d be able to give it a good try. I mean, if I’m gonna be collecting badges, no point in stopping halfway, right? I like to do my best.”

She giggles. “I’m sure you do. But I meant, are you planning on just doing the local circuit, or do you plan to go worldwide? The League isn’t just here in Otari, after all.”

“I know, I might go after the others too, but I’d just do it one at a time. Though if I do end up winning this circuit, I might go try my luck in the Johto League. Possibly Hoenn. Never been there personally but I know it’s a place worth checking out. So, what are your big plans for the future?”

“Well, I’m only training because strong Pokémon are beautiful Pokémon. And vice-versa, of course. Still, I plan to someday go and win it big in the Contests, with my dearest trio to conduct me ever higher... I mean, being a star is in my name, right? I can totally do that.”

“Being a star is... kind of second-nature to me as well in a way.” I grin. Yeah my powers are pretty much null now, but I still have the core. “And Rarity’s going for a coordinator too. Hey, maybe you’ll end up competing someday, I’d definitely see that!”

“Oh? Who would you be cheering for?” Starlet leans forward, towards me.

I think for a moment then shrug. “Well, I could say one thing now and end up cheering for the other later. I’m not sure. Both of you seem like you’d do well.”

Starlet looks rather taken aback by that answer, and sits back in her chair. After a few seconds, she taps Twilight and Rarity and makes a head gesture. “Ah, can I talk to you two for a moment?”

The two humanized ponies shrug and get up, following the human lady. I turn and notice the tank is no longer fogged up and our Pokémon are finished, Carvanha looking very... satiated. Well, a deal’s still a deal... I toss the slabs of meat into the tank in front of Carvanha who gobbles them up hungrily.

“Listen, next time you wanna, er, indulge,” Carvanha makes a weird purring noise at the back of her throat, “that’s fine just, come on, there are kids around here y’know? Do what you want just keep it subtle, okay? You wanna get laid, go for it, just don’t make a scene or anything, ‘kay?”

Carvanha just gives a nod and goes back to just idly floating, still coming down off of her escapade. Marilurk looks pretty happy too. Eh, Starlet can handle her own Pokémon. Not gonna act like I’m the boss of it.

After a while, I’ve nearly finished my sandwich and start on the fries. They are pretty good. I notice the girls coming back from their chat and they sit back down.

“Uh, so, I was kinda thinking something completely different was going on here... I’ll, uh, leave you my number, but I kinda need to get going. I’ll talk to you later.” She says, not meeting my eyes. She scribbles down a number on a napkin and leaves it with me, and taps her éTech to her plate to pay for it. Then, she recalls her Pokémon and leaves.

I have no idea what just happened. I turn to Twilight and Rarity. “You didn’t say anything too... pony-ish and set her off, did you?”

“No, no, it was, er, all you, darling.” Rarity assures me. Twilight nods in agreement. They both seem... embarrassed for some reason.

“Well thanks Rarity, making me look like a jerk. I was just trying to be friendly.” I sigh and pocket the napkin with her number on it, planning on registering it in my éTech later. When the girls finish the rest of their food, we decide to just leave.