LOG 24: The First Ever

Morning of another exhilarating day, I thought it would be astounding to spend my day-off in Nacrene City. After all, it was only one bridge away. I've read a lot of articles pertaining to the city, and according to some reviews, the city has a splendid view, a museum like on Oreburgh City, and also a grand library for books which is in fact also the gym leader's "secret" gym.

Despite only being one bridge away, I rode my Salamence to the city. It's been a long time since I used her in action, and also flew with her. I barely remember the date since I last sent out my Pokemon. They must be bored inside their little Pokeballs for quite some time now.

However, the more I bond with my Pokemon, the more I remember little Lily and the flower she gave me before her demise. I would cry often, and I fear it might be a depression that could never fade away. It's saddening to miss her redolence.

By the bench beside the museum, I stayed to groom my Pokemon. Absol and Mawile were happy as usual, knowing their hair would be groomed after a long time. 'One... Two... Three... Four... Five..." one by one I brushed them, counting them too. Five Pokemon in my team? I must find a sixth, not to replace Lily but to somehow patch up the whole in my group.

All those who I met before are now all gone except for the staff of the orphanage. I began to wonder again why I pulled the trigger in front of my mother. Nevertheless, that was in the past, Ms. Athena is dead, and now I have none.

After my little business with my grooming talent, I proceeded to the museum to "explore" when in fact, I really didn't know what to do anymore. I guess I got bored right away or am I just feeling down because Lily isn't here? Inside the museum, it was important for me to keep Salamence inside her Pokeball, so bad luck for her. She couldn't fit through, and worse, might ruin all the fossils and structures inside.

Contemplating all the "stuff" I didn't expect to see Logan talking to some officers. Finally, someone to break all the boredom away. Bit by bit, I walked to him, approaching him like a predator. I then surprised him by tapping his shoulder which accidentally made him jerk. Seeing him all messed up in the floor made me laugh.

"Oh, Luna? You're on your day-off again, aren't you?" he asked, rubbing his hair.

"Quite." I replied.

"So, Mr. what were you saying again?" the officers came to interrupt.

"The thieves of the fossil. It's no other than those Plasma crooks. They had this some sort of ruler with a king's outfit." said him, standing up slowly.

"Oh them again? First Team Rocket now Team Plasma? About Team Rocket have you seen them working alongside Team Plasma?" the second officer asked.

"Not that I have heard of any." Logan replied.

"Alright, thanks for telling us. We will make sure to fix the problem right away." said the officers as they left the museum.

He began to address me, "Luna, don't surprise me like that."

"What's the matter, Mr. grumpy?" I teased.

"You're on to your silly games aren't you?"

"No, I'm just bored." said I with a frown. "I always tried to have fun but then I kept on remembering her."

"You'll be fine in no time. Hey, I've got an idea. Why not we have a little lunch in the nearby restaurant? It always seems to make me feel exuberant for some reason."

For a moment, I paused. Seems like a decision I'm afraid of, especially when I haven't eaten with anyone who is not part of Team Rocket for a long time. The previous one was with my mommy in the orphanage and of course, that rascal Jenny. She hiding in plain sight is both intriguing and disturbing. Also, she's a total fraud.

"Um..." I uttered, staring at my feet.

"You seem shy, I've known you for quite some time now. Why are you shy all of a sudden?"

"What?! I'm not shy!"

"It's obvious. Is this your first time to eat with anyone except for your friends in your organization?" he asked.

"Um... yeah, I guess."

"Then come on! What are you waiting for?" he grabbed my hand and dashed outside the museum like what Charlotte and Virgo always do to me.

He led me to a nearby restaurant which made me even sweat harder. There were only a few people inside, I counted six, eight including the two of us. This trembling sensation inside my body was somewhat strange too. Plus, at the table in which the two of us are seated parallel to each other, I tried my best to block my sweaty face with the menu.

"So? Have you chosen any order? Or are you fine with me picking for you?" he inquired. His questions always made the already rampant beating of my heart faster as seconds go by.

"Yeah, I guess." I replied shyly again.

"Great!" said Logan, calling the waiter.

Waiting for our food, I tried to keep minimal eye contact on Logan, constantly gazing at either my menu or Rotom-Phone. By this point, the decision to start a conversation and to save us from boredom while waiting for the food falls on our mouths.

Seconds passed by and a notification appeared on my Rotom-Phone. Charlotte texted me again. It made me pout, knowing she was spying at me for all this time. Looking out to the window, I saw her by a tree, just glaring at me with an intense angry expression. I just pouted back at her.

She constantly chatted me, telling me why I'm doing things with Logan and she doesn't believe me that there is nothing in between the two of us. I totally forgot that I'm not the only one who has a day off today.

She rang my phone and I decided to answer it while Logan was busy minding his.

"Look I told you many times already!" I said.

"Oh, just you wait!" she said,"Luna Evergreen!" she added, boldly pronouncing my name. Shocked aroused when she declined the call of a sudden.

Minutes later, our food finally came. The meal overall was delicious, but things got awkward when Logan started a conversation with me. I can't hold my nervousness, my body really trembled hardly. Even when holding the spoon was intense.

"So, I heard Team Rocket has a new leader. Are the rumors true?" he asked.

Then something came up my mind. "Wait a minute! You're trying to receive information from me by luring me to eat in restaurant with you!"

"Of course not. Wow, after all these years, you still don't trust me?"

"Well, people change. Don't they? First you see them as friends, later, you see them as enemies."

"I am not your enemy, no matter what. You've got my word in Hoenn, I won't tell anything."

"And why is that? Are you interested in our organization all of a sudden? You can join if you want." I asked in a joking manner.

"No, I'm sticking to my dream to become a Pokemon Master! I can feel it, I can see myself being the next champion of Unova! I know it's close." he said ambitiously.

"Wow, I wish I was like you." I said. "Having a dream? Me, I only got Team Rocket."

The more we talked, the more confident I became. It was liked, I was used to him being around, but maybe I got too confident when suddenly my cheeks went out of control and would be filled with a pinkish color from time to time.

"I know, why not be a Pokemon trainer? You've got some strong Pokemon with you." he suggested.

"You really think I should?" I asked.

"Yes. A trainer obviously fits you."

"Thanks, but I'm still sticking with Team Rocket. They're my family."

"And what about that officer? Isn't she your best friend since your times as an orphan?"

"That was before, this is now." I replied.

After our little lunch together, we bade each other farewell as we continued on with what we really intended to do in the city. It was fun hanging out with Logan, and hopefully we get to hang out again. This might be the start of something.