Monday, June 19th, 1978, 1900

Vermilion City Citadel

Dani plucked idly at her sleeves as she evaluated herself in the nearby mirror, twirling about every which way with a critical eye. Her wishes had been granted; Liza hadn’t brought her a bright color, instead picking out a dark blue kimono that she suspected was produced of the finest silk money could buy.

“You look great, like, holy,” said Ellie from behind her. The girl was wearing a matching garment, except hers was a deep burnt orange that complimented her hair nicely. She looked completely at ease for someone in their situation. How is she so calm?

“You think so?” asked Dani, feeling distinctly uncomfortable as she looked at her reflection. Her face was tired, and a large scar marred her right cheekbone. It was impossible to miss. She had known the wound was there, of course, but looking at the ugly purple lump of flesh in contrast to her alabaster skin didn’t sit right with her. Her mother would probably be appalled when she next saw her. Oh well, not like I can do anything now. Best to just get used to it; it wasn’t like trainers were expected to go their entire careers without injuries.

“I know so,” Liza interjected with a smile. “You girls both look great! I haven’t lost my touch after all these years! I was never a front duty trainer, preferring to work behind the scenes to clothe the soldiers.”

The older woman waited by the door with a contented air, seeming like nothing more than a doting grandmother playing dress-up with daughters she only got to see on holidays. She had neatly shown the two girls how to put on the relatively complex garments, but it would be more accurate to say she had nearly dressed them in entirety, whirling them about dexterously as she fiddled with this and that, and before Dani knew it, she was wearing the beautiful robes without the slightest idea of how they worked.

“See,” smirked Ellie. “Liza agrees. The contrast between rugged and elegant is crazy hot on you, in my opinion.”

Dani shrugged but felt hints of warmth blossom on her cheeks at the blunt statement. “If you say so. I’ll have to take your word for it considering I’ve never worn something like this before. I feel…naked? Is there any need for the cloth itself to be so sheer?”

“It’s just the nature of the silk, dear. I assure you once you grow used to it you won’t want to wear anything else,” explained Liza. “Now, without further ado, let’s be off to dinner. Kuon has prepared one of our coziest dining rooms. He’s been excited for your arrival since Kiriel showed up a few days ago. He loves showing off, and I think he needs to let off some steam considering recent events wearing on him."

“Of course,” nodded Dani, falling into line behind Liza as she led them back through the maze of a complex. “Pardon my question, but are there any formalities we should be aware of? I hardly want to make a fool of myself in such august company.”

“That’s a good point,” mused Ellie ahead of her. “As long as we don’t embarrass ourselves, I think it should be considered a win, so anything that helps us avoid that would be great to hear. If you please.”

Liza laughed, then, the resonant sound easing the cold pit of anxiety in Dani’s gut somewhat. “You girls are thinking far too hard about this. I can’t speak for Kiriel, but my husband doesn’t bite. He’ll be overjoyed to have some new faces to tease. I suggest you simply ignore him and put him in his place if warranted. Sometimes he can push the line between appropriate or not, but I assure you, he means no harm.”

“So, he likes to mess with people, basically?” asked Ellie with a dismissive snort. “That doesn’t sound so bad. Anything else?”

Liza gave them a crooked smile. “If I thought so, I wouldn’t have stuck with him for the last five decades, but he can certainly be grating.” She paused, pondering. “But, I have to admit I’m a bit desensitized in many ways. I apologize up front if he offends you. As to what not to do, I would say just be yourselves. My husband has a very discerning eye contrary to his demeanor. If you’re lying or faking it, he’ll know. Not to mention, I would love to get to know you both better, as well. Mare is as dear to us as our own family.”

I didn't realize they were that close? I wonder why Mare neglected to mention we would be staying at the literal Vermilion Citadel of all places.

On that vaguely ominous note, they turned a corner and the hallway opened up into where Dani deduced they would be dining. True to Liza’s word, the location was quaint and cozy.

Rather than the huge dining hall she had envisioned, the room was moderately sized, with a large glass wall giving an expansive view of what looked like a flower garden. The room was decorated with a variety of tapestries, paintings, and even several antique-looking instruments she vaguely recognized.

In the center was simply a small dining table set for six, with a child sized chair set up at the end of the table for Anabelle. In contrast to what she expected, with the head of the clan taking the head of the table, it was set up far more intimately, with the seats directly facing each other. She gulped, imagining facing down two of Kanto's most iconic figures at a casual dinner like they were old friends.

I wonder what I would be doing had I never chosen to follow Mare after our first match? Loitering around with a bunch of inexperienced boys desperate to impress me? Certainly nothing so nerve-wracking as the table before her.

On one side, she saw the familiar face of Kuon Kumire, patriarch of Vermilion City. He was talking animatedly, throwing his arms wide to emphasize this or that. His whole being shifted as they entered the room; his previously amused eyes were now sharp, and he was staring her down.

Appraising her, if she had to put a word to it.

She froze, not expecting the intense focus being directed her way out of nowhere. A second later, the moment passed, and his hard eyes shifted back to the mirth he exhibited prior to their arrival as if nothing had happened.

What the hell was that for? He can’t remember me, could he? She didn’t know what was going on but managed to match his stabbing gaze until it relented.

“Liza, my dear,” Kuon beamed, his eyes on his wife now. “I’m so glad to see you! It was getting lonely here without a feminine touch—especially now that Mare here is growing up. No beard, but he certainly looks more rugged, does he not? And he's really filled out nicely.”

"Kuon, please," groaned Mare as he turned their way with desperate eyes. "Liza! Thank goodness you're here! Tell him to drop this out-dated joke!"

Their hostess chuckled at his plea, turning to address her husband. “Happy to oblige you, idiot husband, if only to spare poor Mare,” said Liza tersely, but the hint of a smile on her face made it clear she had nothing but fond feelings for the man. “I come bearing flowers, as it were.”

She turned back to them, gesturing grandly as if their presence was cause for celebration. “On my left we have Daniella Fiore, Fuchsia native. On the right, we have Eleanor Rayne, and her trusty companion, Anabelle.”

“Hello,” waved Ellie brightly as she put on yet another radiant smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. Thank you for hosting us here!” The girl looked expectantly at Dani after her introduction.

“Dani Fiore,” she said with a bow, hoping it was formal enough for the foreign setting. Was I supposed to curtsy? Bow deeply? Grovel?

“Chans,” Anabelle chirped with the pokemon equivalent of a bow. Dani imagined it was difficult with the body type of a Chansey, after all.

“Lovely to meet you!” replied Kuon as he gestured across from himself to where two empty seats awaited. “I've heard a lot about you from Mare. Only good things, of course! Feel free to take a seat while we wait for Kiriel to arrive.”

Only as Dani moved to take a seat did she truly notice Mare as she finally caught her bearings. The Seiichi was seated on the far left of the table on the side closest to them wearing a lovely green robe in the same style as theirs, his hair hanging in lustrous waves down his shoulders. He had clearly taken advantage of the opportunity to take a bath considering the cacophony of herbal scents wafting off of him.

And he was staring at her, his eyes slightly wide, although she couldn’t tell if it was from shock or something else. She swore she could hear him gulp. Was he afraid? Gulps were hard to interpret, but she decided it was probably a good sign. Good sign for what? she wondered, still unsure of what she actually wanted. I wish Ellie had never told me anything.

As Dani was trying to figure out what she was feeling, something nudged her from behind. “Dude, go sit down,” said Ellie with a slight push. “Standing here like this is rude.”

“Right,” she replied, feeling sheepish at what probably looked like her just freezing up in the middle of the hallway. She walked forward, unsure of where to sit. On one hand, if she sat next to Mare, he might think it meant something, but on the other hand, if she sat on the far side, away from him, he would definitely think it meant something.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Her decision was made for her as Ellie sat down on the far-right side, leaving her to sit smack in the middle. And, more importantly, next to Mare. Only a few centimeters separated them now.

It was funny; she had spent weeks in near constant contact with him. Training, talking—walking for hour upon hour every day—and she hadn’t thought anything of it, feeling for the most part totally comfortable. He was just Mare, the boy she was traveling with to learn from. They got along well, and she even enjoyed the private conversations they snuck in here and there, although he sometimes made her feel like she was a pale imitation of a true trainer.

Now, though? She was acutely aware of his presence simply by virtue of Ellie informing her that he had feelings for her, even if the numbing energy dampened the effects. It made her whole body vibrate with nervous energy against her will as various irrational thoughts flitted around. What did he think of her attire? Was he happy to be sitting next to her? What was he thinking about?

Dani had to admit that he looked good dressed as he was. Although she and Ellie had sometimes given Mare a hard time about his clothes, he now looked born to wear elegant robes and attend fancy dinners, impressing people with the knowledge she knew he prided himself over. She could hardly imagine him in anything else, now. I guess that's the difference between the ruling clans and everyone else. She could already tell it would be difficult to go back to normal.

“You two look lovely,” Mare said, interrupting her thoughts. “I’m glad Liza managed to get you into a bath—it makes all the difference.”

Before Dani could respond, Ellie beat her to it.

“Mareeee,” she groaned. “When you say it like that it makes it sound like we only look good because we took a bath.” She threw her hands up in the air dramatically, looking at Liza and Kuon in turn. “Has he always been like this? Unable to give anything but a twisted compliment?”

Kuon guffawed, with Liza joining in more subtly. “I’m afraid so, Miss Rayne,” he said, shaking his head theatrically to match Ellie’s playful energy. “Although, I can’t blame him; Kiriel, who should have arrived by now, is much the same. I’d say it was a Seiichi thing if not for Sula and Jamie, who are natural social Butterfrees.”

“Let me correct myself,” protested a frowning Mare as he looked their way, his face serious. "I didn't mean it that way. You both look lovely—and you look lovely whether or not you’re covered in mud, blood, or glass—a bath simply serves to make you shine all the brighter, if only due to the smiles on your faces after weeks on the road.” He turned to Kuon and Liza with a smirk. “How was that? Better?”

It was better, she had to admit—especially considering he had seen them covered in all three of those substances.

The couple looked at each other consideringly—an entire conversation passing between them in an instant after decades of marriage. “Better,” agreed Liza with a nod and twitching lips as she directed her gaze back to Dani and Ellie in turn. “Or do we disagree, ladies?”

“Meh, shameless suck up,” laughed Ellie. “But I’ll admit it was a bit of an improvement. If I didn’t know him better, I’d think he was a womanizer, what with his fancy clothes and pretty hair!”

Kuon nodded in agreement before once again catching her eyes. “And you, Dani? Do you approve of Mare’s second attempt, or shall we have him try again?”

Dani cleared her throat, searching for the right words that wouldn’t leave her looking like a fool, eventually settling on the safe route. “It was fine, I thought?”

At her comment, she felt, rather than saw, Mare deflate beside her. Why did he react that like that? Fine means fine, doesn’t it? I can't very well say too much in a situation like this, can I? Still, Dani somehow knew she had given an incorrect answer.

“I see,” said Kuon, voice neutral. “Looks like you’re off the hook, dear boy! Well said; there's something special about a woman that looks just as good covered in blood."

Liza rolled her eyes, elbowing Kuon who gave a startled yelp. "Ignore him, Mare."

“What a relief,” replied Mare as his face relaxed into a smile. "Glad we're continuing the annoying trend of giving me a hard time no matter the setting. Yay."

“Of course! It’s a time-honored tradition that promotes resilience! You know this as good as I,” said Kuon with a wink, although his attention shifted as an unfamiliar woman entered from the far side of the room.

Well, not entirely unfamiliar, insofar as Dani could tell immediately who it was even had she not know who to expect. With the raven hair, dark eyes, and intense air, Mare was practically a carbon copy of his mother. Although she could tell immediately something was off.

In every interview she had ever seen of Kiriel, the woman had been cold and detached, somehow managing to convey a sense of unadulterated competency with every word, instilling confidence in her charges that everything would be okay simply because she would make it so by sheer force of will.

People knew her as a war hero that had managed Fuchsia for the last several decades, bearing them through wars, famines, and a complete overhaul of how pokemon and humans interacted via the league circuit system.

Now, though? The woman that Dani had grown up seeing was gone, and she was unsure what remained in her place. Kiriel’s subtle makeup was in disarray, eyes red-rimmed and puffy—unequivocal signs of a hard cry, something she could hardly rectify with her mental image of the hardened Gym Leader.

Kiriel smiled gently as she sat down to Kuon’s right, who nodded in greeting, although Dani could tell he was offput as well. “I apologize for my tardiness; something came up and I needed to take a moment to myself. Thank you all for your patience.”

Next to her, Mare’s body had stiffened, hands clenched at his sides beneath the table where only she could see.

Is he upset? Did something happen between them? It had to be a shock to find out his mom was here out of the blue, after all.

After a moment of quiet as everyone processed Kiriel’s arrival, Liza spoke up, her voice tentative. “Not a problem at all, Kiriel. We were just making casual conversation while we were waiting.” She paused, thinking for a moment before turning to Kiriel. “I hope you were able to resolve whatever came up?”

Kiriel nodded, a sad smile surfacing on her face and lingering there. “I was, I think. Thank you for your concern, Liza.”

“Not a problem at all, dear."

Kuon cleared his throat. “Now that we’re all here, let’s finish up introductions and get some food and drink rolling.” When he seemed satisfied he had their attention, he continued, “Before we get into things, I want to be clear what this dinner is about; we’re here to celebrate you folks arriving here alive. Given that civilians were going missing in the Fuchsia Peninsula, we’ve all been worried sick. And I, for one, am grateful to have happy news in a time it seems rarer and rarer. So please. Drink. Eat. Tell stories. Be merry, at least for the next few hours.”

Kuon snapped his fingers and the attendants waiting along the edges of the room scurried into motion to carry out his commands. “Kiriel, I believe the only introduction left is between you and Miss Daniella here,” he said, waving a hand her way.

“Indeed,” Kiriel confirmed before looking Dani’s way, her eyes probing, but not with the same intensity as Kuon. “You must be Daniella Fiore.”

Dani nodded woodenly, still nervous about being face to face with the Seiichi clan leader. “Yes, that’s me,” she confirmed. "Dani is fine, though."

“Kiriel Seiichi. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Dani. Mare said you saved his life. For that, I am more grateful than I can express with words.”

Before Dani could begin to respond, Kiriel bowed her head formally, dropping it much lower than someone of her station would ever be expected to, nearly perpendicular to the table.

What is she doing?! What is happening?

“No—please, raise your head, you’re making me uncomfortable,” Dani squeaked out, panicking at the bizarre situation. She didn’t seem to be the only one; the others at the table were looking at Kiriel with jaws that were all but dropped to the floor—except for Mare. His face was fixed into a hard mask that made her heart ache even as she tried to make the awkward situation go away.

She waved her hands, all but begging Kiriel to raise her head. “I didn’t do anything special! I’ve heard a lot about you so it’s nice to finally meet you! Please, let’s just move on? Miss Seiichi?"

Another long moment passed before Kiriel finally raised her head, wearing a crooked smile that suggested she knew just how much her actions caught everyone off guard. “I said I couldn’t express it with words, didn’t I? Although I apologize for making you uncomfortable; you need not be so skittish around me. It's not like I bite, after all," she said, looking around curiously at the uncomfortable chuckle that rippled around the table at her comment, stopping at Mare.

Does she really not know her own reputation? It seemed unlikely, so her reaction only left Dani feeling confused.

“I…” Dani stammered. “Yes? I guess?”

They were saved from further awkwardness by Ellie’s timely interjection. “Woah, Miss Seiichi, you seem wayyy different from the last time I saw you. It’s an improvement—for sure.”

Next to her, Mare’s head jerked their way, his eyes burning as he stared at Ellie, but he didn’t say anything.

What is he thinking about? Is he angry? Dani couldn't read his facial expression, even though she personally thought she had gotten pretty good at interpreting his mannerisms.

“Thank you, Eleanor. It’s been a long few weeks,” Kiriel told them, seeming unperturbed by the relatively thoughtless comment. “Nothing like adversity to build character. Isn’t that right, Mare?”

“That’s what you always say, Kiriel; I wasn’t sure if you simply meant that solely for me or if the concept applied to someone with such esteemed character as yourself,” Mare replied, his tone dry and detached as he stared his mother down.

“Anyone can build character, son. Myself included,” Kiriel said, her voice soft.

Even with Ellie’s attempt to derail how sideways the dinner already seemed, the tension in the room was so thick Dani thought she might choke. Clearly, Mare and Kiriel were going through something, and the rest of them were simply along for the ride whether they liked it or not.

“Anyway,” said Liza delicately. “It looks like the food is here! Nothing like a little sake to lighten the mood, yes?”

Thank Arceus they're here, Dani thought, imagining how it might have gone had they not had the Kumire couple to move things along. It was not pretty.

“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” agreed Kuon with an amused smile. He seemed to be the least affected by the tense undertones. In fact, Dani surmised he might even be enjoying it for some reason.

After the attendants finished setting up the dinner table, Kuon made a big event of pouring out six measured shots of sake to pass around. “For tonight, we have three courses that I hope you’ll all enjoy; our chef was quite excited. But first, a toast, if you’ll join me in sampling a locally produced vintage sourced from ingredients harvested entirely from within the Citadel.”

“It’s lovely,” chimed in Liza. “You’re all too young to be drinking, I imagine, but it’s traditionally served at celebrations in the Kumire Clan, so I hope you’ll partake.”

“Of course; it would be our pleasure,” Mare said, glancing at Dani expectantly. Why is he looking at me like that?

She shrugged. A few shots of sake weren’t that big of a deal. Her father used to drink a lot, so she was no stranger to the traditional beverage. There seemed no reason to refuse, and she had to admit she was curious how it might impact the emotional numbness she was experiencing. “No problem from me.”

“I’ve always wanted to try sake,” mused Ellie, earning some laughs from the adults. “My dad is super strict about it so I’ve never had the chance.”

“Lovely,” beamed Kuon. “On that note, who would like to make the first toast?”