Starstruck

Now that the threat named Malamar is going to take care of itself, I can spend my focus on other projects. For example, how to ask Serena on a date when she gets back or making power generation match crystal capacitance.

Since I'm somewhat of a coward when it comes to love, I'm working on the second project. I have a new plan, probably won't work out, but it's a place to start. I need equipment though, and it isn't just stuff I can borrow from Clemont. No, I need to go to the Pokémon Research Lab and ask Professor Sycamore if I can use their stuff as well.

As I said before, bad plan, but there isn't anywhere better to start than the mystery of pokémon functionality.

However, my quest is cut short. Upon finding Professor Sycamore, I try to present my forthcoming argument, but…

"Prof—"

"Ah! Nicole! You have great timing. I have a very special guest eager to meet you. In fact, she just arrived!"

Sidetracked, once again but not by my own doing, I begin iterating through every single memory I have recently of something happening at the research lab that has to do with me.

Oh shit! Cynthia!

AHHHHH! What do I do? I'm not prepared to meet her! Do I look fine? Oh, will she notice the hand? Of course she will! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

"Great. I can meet her now," I reply automatically, smile plastered on my face.

Unknowing of my inner turmoil, Professor Sycamore confidently leads me towards my doom. Following my own internal map, I recognize that I'm being led towards one of the fancier waiting rooms, which has the added benefit of allowing me to count how many steps I have until I die of a stroke.

Sycamore stops before the fine oak door, opening it, and gesturing me inside.

As I step from the linoleum to the carpet and hear the click of Sycamore closing the door behind me, all I can focus on is the blond beauty sitting eloquently on the plush sofa to my left. Is that the right word? Is it possible for someone to sit eloquently?

AHHH!!!

I sit across from her, who has yet to open her eyes, as she slowly sips from a mug of mystery liquid.

"So, you're Nicole?"

"YES," I mistakenly yelp. Internally, I think I'm planning on using some scientific magic to wipe this day from the memory of every person.

She giggles, apparently amused by how high strung I am. "Oh, you don't need to worry about offending me. I'm here on a more informal visit since you have something, or rather, someone that intrigues me."

With that subtle reminder for the purpose of Cynthia's visit, I pull out Gwen's pokéball and release her on the small coffee table between us.

"Ra!" Gwen adorably waves her arms at the person causing me distress in an attempt to threaten Cynthia. The woman in question, however, coos at the adorableness of Gwen.

"They're as big as legends say they were," Cynthia says, fawning over Gwen who begins to love the attention she's receiving. Even if here for scientific curiosity, I guess Cynthia has a soft spot for cute things.

"Uh, Ms. Cynthia, may I—" Tentatively, I begin a question, but the champion cuts me off.

"Uh uh. None of that Ms. stuff around here. You can call me Cynthia if you want, Nicole. After all, Augustine has already told me plenty about you."

Forgetting my earlier inquiry, "H-How much has he told you?" I'm already dreading the answer.

"Oh. Plenty. Like that you may have a crush on me."

I'm going to kill that man and make it look like an accident.

"I…would take things Professor Sycamore says with a grain of salt," I offer, trying to save my image.

She shakes her head. "No. He was pretty forthcoming in details. In fact, he's told me almost everything he knows about you, including that he's told me almost everything about you."

"…" I have no words, only fury and embarrassment. Sycamore should count his days, for he is living his last.

"Anyway, semi-officially, I am here for this not-so-little one." She gestures to Gwen who raises her arms in cheer. "Having a living alpha pokémon could make you famous, Nicole."

"Uh huh, uh huh," I idly reply, planning how to give Sycamore a heart attack.

"Of course, I'll have to confirm if your Ralts really matches the legend."

"Uh huh, uh huh."