I choose you.

[juuchanisu]

"Rest? Why would you ask that?" Riel frowned. Lance wanted to wait? The Lance wanted to wait? Something was wrong. "Are you alright? You usually never...suggest to wait," she hummed, poking his chest with a small grin. "I'm not tired, if that's what you're thinking. Six hours of sleep isn't much, but it works for me...at least for now," she laughed, then her face brighten.


"Plus, if we finished up the things we need to do today, we have the rest of the week to relax. No rushing, saving anybody or...anything like that! How long has it been since you actually settled down and relaxed?" the blonde asked, staring at Lance with her big, azure eyes.

 

[Syrrus]

"No, I was just thinking." Lance peered down at her finger poking his shirt. "It wouldn't be right of me to push someone around this much, after all this is my job not yours." He gazed into her eyes, smirking slightly and tilted his head, just a little. "It wouldn't be the right thing to do." Lance was all about the right thing to do, whatever that meant. Some had argued that 'the right thing to do' simply depended on the person who was judging the actions and Lance seemed to only believe that working hard was the right thing to do.


"I assume so, unless I get a emergency alert." The Dragon Master shrugged, it didn't happen often but there was a reason why he had his friends from different regions on speed dial.

 

[juuchanisu]

With a small laugh, Riel grabbed his hand and dragged him out of her house so she can lock up. "You ask me now? I'm fine. It's only been...I don't know; a few days," she shrugged. As they exited the apartment altogether, she gave a light smile. "I don't mind spending time with you, and you're not pushing me...much. At least, that's what I'm thinking."


Looking up at the sky, a soft hum left the blonde as she gave a gentle smile. "It's nice a day out," she commented as she continued to walk toward the lab.

 

[Syrrus]

"If you're certain..." He mumbled as he followed her, letting her drag him along. He was in fact feeling very attached to this girl, it was a strange feeling and he had to admit that it terrified him a little, mainly because he didn't wish to hurt anyone. Work came first, no matter his attachment to people. He wasn't going to lose his spot as one of the Elite Four and he wouldn't let the world go under either. Smiling slightly as he watched Riel drag him out on the street he wondered if she'd be able to stand it.


He looked around and up at the deep blue sky. "Yes, I suppose it is." She seemed to be able to enjoy simple things in life, that was always admirable. He wasn't as lucky.

 

[juuchanisu]

Riel gave a small giggle as she entered the large building of the Pokemon professor's lab. It had a nice homey-feeling on the outside, whilst the interior was built like many of the other building.


"Good morning—oh Riel! How nice it is to see you!" The lady at the front chirped.


Riel flashed her a smile, "Good morning! Is Sycamore here?" she asked with a sweet voice as she headed toward the elevator.


"Yep! He should be in the office," she smiled, still not noticing the male tagging along with Riel. However once she did, she stared at him like he didn't exist...then her eyes drifted to the linked hands. However, she didn't get to ask the female as the said blonde disappeared into the elevator with Lance.

 

[Syrrus]

Lance found it quite charming and perhaps a little bit strange that the young lady seem to knew most people in the city. Perhaps she had indeed lived there her entire life, that would after all explain a few things. He didn't even have time to great the lady who told them where they could find the professor before he was pulled along towards the elevator. It was quite endearing how pushy Riel was, perhaps it suited him for he could be just the same if the time was right.


"So... you come here often?" He asked as the doors went shut and they started to move upwards. He didn't much care for tight spaces.

 

[juuchanisu]

Riel looked up at Lance with her big blue eyes before a gentle smile was plastered on her lips and she nodded her head to confirm his answer. "Yep! That's the only reason why most of the staff members in Professor's Sycamore lab knows me because I'm either here or in the garden out back," she laughed. "I usually help out the professor whenever I can," she explained briefly. "But, it's mostly to see all the rare pokemon he has," she added sheepishly.


Her Dedenne gave a small chirp in agreement, climbing onto her head, irritating the blonde trainer. Once the elevator gave a soft ring and the door opened, the girl slipped out quickly (Her hands still intwine with Lance) and looked around for the professor. "Sycamore~?" she called out.


She heard a chair roll back, and a blob of brown hair popped out from behind the wall. He peered at Riel then smiled, "Ah! Riel!


C'est bon de te revoir!" he greeted in his native language. Riel smiled and greeted him as well. "What are you doing here Riel? I thought you were out on your pokemon journey, my dear." That was when the Professor's eyes drifted up to Lance. "Oh? What's this, Elite Four's Dragon Master?" Sycamore stated with quite interested as he swirled off his chair and walked over to the two. "May I ask what brings you here, Lance of the Elite Four?" he smiled.

 

[Syrrus]

Lance of the Elite four? What a title. It was his title obviously but it was a bit of a mouth full. Dragon Master was quite enough. He removed the bag which wasn't even his from his shoulder and gently placed it on the professors desk. "Afternoon professor, I am simply here to deliver some secret intelligence." He smile gently and placed his hands on his back. "I found a undated legendary Pokemon, not too long ago. Team Rocket were attempting to capture and use it for whatever purpose. Probably selling it on the black market, knowing them. I took care of them but left the pokemon were I found it. The information, photo and location can be found in that bag as well as some of Team Rocket's research. I am not one to interfere with every regions doing when it comes to their legendaries, I figured you would know what to do. I would also appreciate if you send a copy of the information to Professor Oak of Kanto, as I am unable to do so."


Lance sounded so formal, so... business-ie as if he was attempting to sell something to Sycamore, which he of course wasn't but it was important to get all the information across and to make sure nothing was left out.

 

[juuchanisu]

Riel laughed, Lance did indeed sound so formal. It amused both the professor and Riel as Sycamore began to look through the information. "Is that so? I heard rumors that there has been an evil organization then Team Flare, but I didn't think it was true," he laughed. As he traced his fingers on the surface of each picture and document, his brow furrowed. "Ah Zygarde? Must I say, I haven't heard that name in quite a while. I'll be glad to send another copy to the professor," he smiled, scooping up the documents and heading toward his desk. He set down the documents before turning back to Riel and Lance. "Is that all?"


Riel nodded, "I think so, unless you wanted to do something else?" she guessed, looking over at Lance with curious eyes.


"Oh Riel, I'm curious," Sycamore began, making the blonde look over. "What are you doing with an Elite Four?" he asked.


Riel laughed, "Long story..."

 

[Syrrus]

"She got kidnapped by Team Rocket, twice..." Lance peered over at Riel as he crossed his arms over his chest, grinning at her as if it was very amusing to him. "Or was it once... At least you got into trouble twice, that's all that counts." The man shrugged and then looked over to the professor and bowed his head. "That's all I got, I need to get going unless there is anything I need to know." He was always busy and even if he did indeed enjoy a conversation or two he still always longed to get out. Being indoors just reminded him of being stuck in the Elite Four and even if he loved his job it sure was nice to get out once in a while.

 

[juuchanisu]

"I-hey! It's just because they were hurting an innocent eevee! I couldn't help it! I mean, wouldn't you get mad if you saw somebody dressed in weird clothing abuse a small, innocent pokemon?" she defended herself, pouting as she crossed her arms. The girl didn't know how many times she had to explain herself. It wasn't like she was being reckless and throwing herself to Team Rocket on purpose! They were the one who jumped to conclusions first...


"How did that relate to kidnapping?" Sycamore asked with a chuckle as he tapped his foot a bit, looking at the slightly shorter blonde. The girl huffed as turned her face away.


"I don't know! They kidnapped me because Lance said they thought I knew something about him, or somewhere along those lines..." she mumbled, with a roll of her blue orbs. She turned to Sycamore, glaring at him for a bit. However, she wasn't mad for long as a smile broke out onto her lip and she laughed. "It was quite a mess" she admitted, rubbing the back of her head with her hand.


"I bet so~" the professor laughed, ruffling her blonde hair making the girl frown as she tried to fix her now ruffled hair. Once she calmed down, the next question the professor asked her surprised her. "When are you going to dye your hair again? It's been quite awhile since you last dyed your hair, right?" he had asked, referring to her change of hair color.


"Oh." Riel pondered for a moment, then looked up at Sycamore. "I was thinking about doing that sometime this week, after Lance left," she said, then glanced over at Lance who seem to be wanting to leave the lab quickly. She laughed gently, "Looks like we're leaving. Bye bye Professor~!" she chirped as she waved goodbye, grabbing Lance's hand with her free hand.


The professor smiled and waved goodbye to the energetic girl before glancing over to Lance, "Thank you for the information. And take care of Riel, okay? She's a big ball of energy right there," he laughed before going back to his desk on the other side of the wall. He gave a quick farewell wave, before he disappeared.


Riel stood there for a moment, pondering on what he just said. "I don't know if I should take that as a good thing or not..." Riel finally mumbled as she looked at Lance with a small laugh, walking over to the elevators. "Anyways, where to next?"

 

[Syrrus]

Lance looked between the two in silence, he wondered for a moment how a girl that had so many friends was just a unknown pokemon trainer, perhaps she didn't want to be more or perhaps she wasn't strong enough. He mumbled something to himself under his breath. He wanted to battle her, though that would hardly be fair. He was the Dragon Master of Kanto, Kanto were the region which people were told Heroes where born. Lance pretty much knew off by heart, even if he didn't wish to admit it, that he could wipe the floor with Kalos Dragon Master any day. Kanto worked differently after all.


He watch on, starting to get restless and it was then he once again was pulled along, gesturing a goodbye to the professor he joined Riel in the elevator, smiling to himself. "I suppose I need to get myself some normal clothing, though I wouldn't know where to begin with that... I don't do much cloth shopping. Unless you want the paparazzi to find us and make us into an Item that would be... fun.. for you..." Lance trailed off. What had he done? If someone actually did find out that he stayed in Kalos because of a pretty little girl he'd end up in big trouble, not him personally but she would. She hadn't asked to become famous and she would be swiped with him as if nobody's business.

 

[juuchanisu]

The tip of Riel's ears flushed at the mention of being an "Item." If Riel spoke honest words (which she does, but sometime a lie slips through past her lips a few time), she would gladly admit to being with Lance on her free will, and his if he wanted to...not just to please her but because he truly did really like her from his heart. At the thought, by now Riel's face was really warm and when girl touched her cheek just to feel how warm it was.


"I...uh...I rather not. I don't like the spotlight," Riel mustered up the courage to reply, a nervous smile on her lips. Oh, how badly she wanted to say something about being with Lance as more than just friends, but she kept quiet, afraid it would be quite awkward during his few days before he left. Avoiding the subject, Riel moved onto the first topic he was talking about. "We can begin at Luminose Boutique store if you're looking for designer clothing...I get all my clothing from Laverre City and Snowbelle because they such cute clothing," she laughed. "Really, I can help with a lot of most of the stores...I tend to go shopping a lot."

 

[Syrrus]

Lance peered at him and couldn't help put to grin, he would have folded his arms if she didn't hold such a tight grip of his hand. She was sweet, he hadn't met many girls who were sweet, he had met a bunch of attractive ones but never really gone much into thought about it. He scratched the back of his head, wondering in silence if he perhaps should say something to make the awkward silence die however, it seemed like she did it herself.


"I rather just get something about now, I need to do something about the mess I call hair to... Lumiose seems to have everything I need." He walked out on the street, holding her hand a little tighter before letting go trying to avoid the eyes of any onlooker. "Let's just go to the shop, shall we?" He was going to miss his cape something terrible, that was for sure. Continue walking he turned right and entered the store, the clerk instantly recognized him and rand forward to aid in his shopping.

 

[juuchanisu]

"Alrighty then," she smiled, feeling a bit empty as Lance let go of her hand. One thing for sure was that her hand felt cold, she just folded both her hands behind her back as she followed the Dragon Master, who was slightly...significantly taller than the eighteen year old girl. However once they stepped into the store, the clerk had rushed to Lance's aid and Riel thought he would be fine by himself (at least she hoped), and bounced over to the rack of cute clothing that was on sale for the day. She did stay near Lance, however.

 

[Syrrus]

The clerk would drag him along, force him to try this and that and tried her hardest to match his clothing with his 'fiery hair and personality' whatever that meant. Lance had never seen her before, he was certain. So how the heck could she know a single thing about his personality?! It almost frustrated him so much then she tossed him the fifth jacket and continued to talk loudly to herself that he shouted at her, he didn't of course; that would have been awfully rude. Instead he let her work and soon walked up to Riel, tired with new cloths - which he was already wearing, with his old ones tucked away in a bag.


Lance was now wearing casual dark trousers - not very different from his old ones. A pair of dark colours trainers, more comfy than his usual shoes but other than that with little difference. A blue t-shirt with some weird Kalos printing on it which apparently was very 'in' right now and a jacket, that one black with a silver coloured sipper and high collar. His hair even looked different, seeing as the Clerk couldn't keep her hands off of him. It was now slicked back and he caught himself looking a bit too much like a ginger Steven for his own liking. "...Done.. I hope... What are you looking at?"

 

[juuchanisu]

The blonde girl glanced over to Lance, who had approached her. When she looked at him, she kept her mouth close as she looked over Lance's new appearance. She cocked her head to the side. He looked different. Not a bad different, a good different yes yes but...difference. Riel enjoyed his new outfit, but preferred the flame-styled and cape Lance better. "You look nice," she complimented. "For a moment I didn't even recognize you," she laughed. That was a lie. She could recognize Lance even if he dyed his hair and took on a whole different personality. His voice...his voice would never chance and that's how she'd recognize him. His voice and piercing brown orbs.


Riel had almost forgotten that she had asked her a question. She turned to the rack of clothing, "Nothing much. Just some clothing," she laughed, as she picked off a cute white and pink colored dress, with small black bows sewed onto sleeves. She smiled, "What do you think? I have a thing for really cute clothing," she laughed.

 

[Syrrus]

Lance blinked, she was staring at him. Did he really look that stupid? He peered over at his on reflection in the mirror and frowned slightly. He would go straight back to look like himself, as soon as he went back to Kanto, this was just to keep the press away from Riel, he didn't want her to become gossip, she was too important for that and he was worried it'd scare her away.


The Dragon Master pulled on his sunglasses, the black shades rested on top of his forehead and he pushed them down over his eyes. He looked like a prick. Sighing heavily when realizing he looked like a Gym Trainer wearing attires like this he gestured towards something he was holding in his hands. "I bought rollerblades, apparently that's how you get around in Kalos? Not sure I can use them... But I can't use Dragonite around these parts if I'm trying to pretend to be someone else."


He then looked at the dress that she was holding up. Yes it sure looked cute. He looked back at Riel, realizing that this place was quite pricy. He pulled out his valet from his pocket, suddenly feeling the rush to spoil her. "Do you want it? I can buy it for you, if you like. This place is more expensive than my hotel room." He grinned and pushed his glasses back up on his head. "Anything else you'd like?"

 

[juuchanisu]

Riel grinned, "Don't worry I can help! After all, being in Kalos you're whole life...you're gonna have some tricks," she said. However, once Lance offered to buy her something, she felt her ears go red and shook her head. "No, no. You just said the reason; it's too expensive..." she muttered. "I don't want you to waste your money on me," Riel laughed softly.


She grabbed Lance's hand, "Buuuut...if you're done here, mind if we stop the Hair Salon? I've been wanting to get my hair dyed again for awhile, and I have just the right amount of money~" she grinned. "But, if you don't mind...do you mind paying for me? The Hair Salon's price is much cheaper than the dresses here~"

 

[Syrrus]

"But--" He blinked at her and then started frowning. Lance quickly caught the attention of the clerk and quickly gestured towards the dress. He wouldn't take no for an answer. "Money is no problem Riel, I promise." He winked down at her but when she mentioned the hair salon he couldn't help to get a little nervous. She wasn't going to cut-- No, she wasn't good. "Sure, I don't mind paying for you. See it as me treat and a apology for pulling you around on this strange adventure. Anything else you'd like?"

 

[juuchanisu]

Riel just rolled her eyes whilst smiling, "Finneee. You're so stubborn, Lance," she teased gently. She looked around the store, before shrugging, "To be honest, I don't really like the Lumiose Boutique's clothing. I prefer the ones in Laverre or Snowbell. They have really cute clothing," she said. The girl followed the clerk to the check out, "And strange adventure is right, even though we had to end it so early," she sighed.


Riel tightened her ponytail then looked up to Lance. "Thanks for letting me stick around you," she smiled, "This adventure might have been strange but it was a lot of fun! Certainly scary, yes but fun no less."

 

[Syrrus]

"Team Rocket isn't very hard to handle, they're pretty basic." Lance shrugged as he followed Riel to the cash out and paid for the dress without a second thought. The Dragon Master was never very worried about money, he earned a lot of it from being part of the Elite Four, more than he could spend. Perhaps having a girlfriend to spoil wasn't the worst idea. "Perhaps we should go there then? Can't say I've been to Snowbell." The master shrugged as he carried the bags for her, like a good boy.


"Thank you for finally joining me, took you long enough." He grinned down at her as he walked towards the exit.

 

[juuchanisu]

Riel sighed, but smiled. She was glad she was on Lance's mind, it meant she had some sort of chance of being with him. What she didn't know is that he did all this; shopping and changing his look for her. She just thought he wanted to try something new. "I haven't been to Snowbell either," she laughed. "My mum always visits Snowbell and always come back with these really cute clothing," she said.


As she listened to Lance, she couldn't help but laugh. "I was tired okay! Plus, you acted all cocky and stuff, making me have to stick around you. At least I know you're not some creepy champion dude." She shrugged, leaving the store. She smiled at the sound of busy Lumiose. "Wanna go drop off everything at my apartment then head to Snowbell, or somewhere? Or I can teach you how to use those roller skates of yours~!"

 

[Syrrus]

"Eh? Creepy... Champion dude...?" He peered down at her as he walked through the street of Lumios. HE certainly hoped that he didn't come off as creepy, no matter what. Lance looked around, trying to find something to talk about. Smalltalk wasn't his strength. Usually he just sat, when not working, and watched the sky while someone else would either talk at him or not at all. "You weren't that much better, acting like a spoiled little brat~" He smirked down at her. "This is it isn't it?" HE nodded towards a shop, which clearly were a hair salon.

 

[juuchanisu]

Riel pouted when he called her a brat. "I believe the one who wants to spoil me is you," she shot back, glancing up at Lance. "And I'm not that little! I'm eighteen, an adult!" she huffed, crossing her arms. However, once she saw made eye contact with him, she laughed. She looked at the shop entrance, and yes in fact it was the salon she always visited when she dyed her hair.


"Mhm! Come on!" Riel grinned, grabbing his hand and dragging him into the salon.


Because she had visited the salon so many time, most of the employees had greeted her as they were great friends. However, there was one stylist, with dyed pink hair, and styled up to the side with a few curls. He was dressed in a white tux and he couldn't help but squeal Riel's name as he ran across the salon and embraced the smaller adult.


"A-Ah!" Riel squeaked when the significantly older guy embraced her tightly. "F-Fabio! I can't breathe!" she squeaked out, the male hugging her tightly. "Fabio!!"


Fabio let go of Riel and grinned, "Riel! Darrrrling!" he rolled his r's in 'darling', kissing Riel's cheek on both side, "I missed you my dear! You haven't visited moi in forever!" he whined. "Are you here for your monthly trim? Or do you want to get your hair dyed? Or..."


"My hair dyed, Fabio. Just my hair dyed," she laughed. Then she remembered she still had Lance with her. "Oh! This is Fabio. Fabio meet Lance!"


"Lance? Laaance, what a lovely name. Nice to meet you!" he grinned, going in to embrace the trainer.