Diamond Only

"Chii? Pachi..." Pachirisu responded mildly. The remnants of tears made his eyes glisten in the light. He nodded lightly, agreeing to go along with Alice. As reluctant as he was, he knew it was time for him to move on as well. A sound at the door broke the silence.

The handle the door thumped loudly, door handle jiggling. Was it another ghost?! "Alice?" The voice was muffled, but recognizable. It was Danny! The door clicked open, and Danny was there clad in pastel clothing. "This dang door, I swear it sticks every-" he started, before his eyes fell on Alice and the Pachirisu. He scratched the back of his head, laughing nervously.

"I uh-heard you scream and came to check on things. This old house can be kind of scary sometimes, I know, but..." He tried reasoning, but the look on Alice's face was clear. "You know, huh?"

Danny frowned, Alice clearly wanting to leave post haste. And she did, the boy barely having time to step to the side before she made it out the door and back en route to the city. He sighed, hand against the door post as he watched her run off. He couldn't blame her, but still...

"I'm sorry dearie, she woke up..." Grams said, manifesting beside Danny. I've finally lulled her back to sleep, Gastly's voice echoed, as he appeared within the house. "Hopefully this one'll give you a call though," Grams encouraged.

"So I take it you played the game again?" Danny asked, in a rather condescending tone. Tohoho...

Meanwhile, Alice was making quick work of the route back to the city, Pachirisu in arm. It was nothing compared to the hike up the mountain, after all. As a matter of fact, she could see the road around her changing slowly, the dirt becoming more heavily packed. Once it became brick, she knew she'd arrived. 

A familiar face was approaching her from within the city. Three faces, actually. Her companions Raphael, Katie, and Shawn! "Alice!" Shawn shouted, rushing to meet her. The other two followed in stride. "We've been worried about you! I heard from the others that you were taking the Gym Challenge here, that can be really dangerous!" Shawn looked her up and down, clicking his tongue in a disapproving manner. "Look at the state of you...it's gonna take a miracle to cover up these bruises! But...at least you came back alive. How did it go? Oh- and who's Pachirisu is this?" 

"Ohhh, what a cute Pokémon!" Katie cooed, running up to pet the Pachirisu. She seemed engrossed in what she was doing, baby talking the Pokémon under Alice's voice. Raphael gave her a nod of acknowledgement before he pulled up his headphones again. The band were each obsessive in their own ways.

However, when Alice mentioned Danny and his...physical appeal, Shawn had no one to buffer the situation. He covered his mouth lightly with one hand's fingertips. However it was clear by the rosy hue on his cheeks, Alice had found one of his nerves. Not necessarily a bad one, though, as it was quite humorous to see.

He coughed, trying to make a more serious face to present as he lowered his hand. "Well, congratulations on your badge!" He spoke almost robotically, still a bit embarrassed apparently. "But we should really get you back to the hotel, and get you cleaned up!"

Pachirisu's cheeks sparked a bit as Katie pet him, but seemed alright for the most part. She was childish in nature, so probably not far off from what his previous owner had been like. "P'chii?" He asked, puzzled as he looked up at the enormous buildings. Nothing like that had been on this island before, his eyes were wide. He clearly didn't know what to think, and he shook in anticipation.

Shawn had been leading the group back, but he paused and scratched the back of his head when alice mentioned the move. "Uhm...you're kind out of luck there. None of my Pokémon know the move. Katie's Ponyta is lacking in the skill as well as Raphael's Pokémon..." He was sorry to say that, as even if it didn't heal them up completely the move would likely diminish their current appearance at least. "Don't worry though, we have some fantastic makeup artists!"

The walk back was pretty mundane, Katie continuously falling back a few steps then having to jog to catch back up. Shawn and Raphael kept a rather leisurely pace otherwise, making sure the girls weren't having troubles keeping up. Not that they needed any help. They were finally back at the hotel room,, and the glass elevator leading to paradise. Err, the suite, that is.

Pachirisu had been alright so far, albeit clearly frightened. His cheeks sparked a bit now and then, but he managed to contain himself. As Alice went to change, he noticed Cleffa's reaction, and realized at once what was happening. He too blushed, using his bushy tail to cover his eyes nervously.

He spent the duration of the shower time with the Cleffa, the two seeming to have formed a sibling like bond. The boys were in the main room, Raphael going through some of his new records as Shawn went through the preview catalogue for the upcoming fashion show. Katie was busy trying to organize a spot for the food cart, as her Ponyta nuzzled her for food. Loudred was setting the atmosphere with his improv music, being careful to keep his 'voice' at a tolerable level. It was basically a lot of base.

Still, the food had arrived, wafting the smell through the suite. "Pachi, paci!" The squirrel Pokémon chanted, now that Alice was out of the shower. His stomach grumbled. It had been such a long time since he'd had a real meal.

As the Pokémon ate their chow rather enthusiastically, the humans had a spot set around a table for them. Raphael chose to sit at the bench seat overlooking the city, one foot raised onto the seat with him. His right arm was draped over his knee, headphones around his neck in standby mode. Katie on the other hand sat in one of the chairs, smiling as she made herself a plate. Shawn just grabbed a dumpling and leaned against a counter as they conversed.

"Hmm? Oh, I got a few things when I went out shopping!" Katie beamed, reaching for a bag she'd tucked under the table. "I was going to wait until later to give these to you, but I was just too excited!" She handed over the bag, a small assortment of items inside. Included were a few various cutesy pokeball seals, some hairclips, and a small couture zip bag with your base makeup needs within.

"Music," Raphael casually stated, pointing to the many CDs he'd purchased over the last couple days. He seemed to have bought a couple books, written and signed by pretty well known musicians and DJs as well. "Pretty much just music."

Shawn laughed, "I just got some needed work done. I went down to the show to help set up as well, and double checked to make sure your name was on the roster. Everything is golden," he noted, taking another bite of his 'meal'.

"Really? I'm so glad you like it!" Katie squeaked happily. "I hope those colors are alright for you, I thought they would look nice!" She added before going back to her meal. She was obviously pleased with herself, having received thanks from Alice.

Shawn nodded, "The show stage is looking great. I even convinced them that they shouldn't let the setup go to waste! After you shoot the commercial, they're gonna put on a fashion show!" He clutched the magazine in his hand, an almost prized possession as the show was coming up. "That way we get to dress you up in more than one outfit!" He teased.

Raphael finished his food, pushing the plate to the side. Katie quickly scooped up the empty dishes, stacking them on the lower shelf of the cart. It wasn't really her job, since the suite was considered full service, but more a habitual manner she learned growing up.

"Oh good, I wasn't sure if you used seals or not," Katie sighed in relief. Meanwhile shawn set his fashion catalogue on the table, rather loudly. He smirked, looking at Alice as she stuttered. It was obviously a big moment for her.

"That's exactly what it means, Alice!" Shawn assured, flipping open the booklet. "And we have all this at our disposal to make sure you give a great show!" He slid the catalogue to her, allowing her to glance through the newest fashions set to release next spring.

Shawn took a seat, folding his hands neatly as he crossed one leg over the other. "It's gonna be a busy day, Alice. So make sure you rest up, it wont be easy," he chuckled. Raphael shrugged, looking at Alice with a I don't think he's a super villain, but his monologue is making me wonder... face before he pulled up his headphones awkwardly.

Shawn nodded, giving Alice a once over, "how do you fare in heels?" He asked, rushing around the room to find a book. "It might seem cliché, but try walking with the book balanced on your head. It reflects good posture, and balance!" He suggested, apparently willing to work with her. "Then we can work on your gait and turn. Don't forget to give them a good look! Your face is just as important as the clothes you're showing off!"

Shawn nodded, "I didn't mean to say your posture is bad or anything," he reassured. "Still, we could all do with a reminder every now and then. Let's get to work." The photographer began teaching Alice everything he knew, and rather strictly at that. It was as though the usually friendly guy had undergone a personality swap with some critic. Still, everything he said was meant in a constructive way, to make Alice the best she could be in the short time they had.

At first Raphael and Katie watched interested, but as time passed the two became bored and began finding different things to do. Shawn even worked with Alice in her beauty regime, giving her a special hair conditioner and face lotion to use. They worked for hours relentlessly, and at last it was getting dark. Raphael had since moved on to taking notes as he listened to music and read, Katie choosing to play with Alice's Pokémon, especially Cleffa and Pachirisu.

Shawn was pretty well satisfied with the work he'd done with Alice. Even if she couldn't tell herself, she'd improved tremendously. That would have to do for now, as they both needed to rest for the big day. Especially Alice, after foolishly challenging the Gym first. He chuckled to himself again, thinking about it. No other mode, would dare do something like that, especially not just days before they were to be on camera.

Pachirisu stared up at Alice meekly, listening as she walked and talked. He found it interesting that she chose to speak to them as though they were humans, though they couldn't communicate back as freely. Still, here they were, alone in the bedroom. When she presented the Heal Ball he examined it curiously. Still, as she explained things he realized it was a capsule like the one he'd spent the last few decades sleeping away in.

"Chii..." He said warily, not wanting to be stuck again, should something happen. When she mentioned how he would be let out to wander freely though, it didn't sound so bad. It wasn't as if he hated his old ball, but the way the old capsules were designed they required human interaction to open. This one seemed a lot nicer anyway, and the idea of seals was foreign but interesting nevertheless. He nodded in agreement, touching his paw to the button to bind himself to it genetically.

Pachirisu was captured! Officially, anyway. He popped right back out of his ball for now, appearing in his new minty green light. He smiled at Alice, chanting his name. It had been a long time since he had a partner. It could be the adventure he was waiting for.

"Alice it's getting late. I'm headed to bed, you should do the same soon!" Shawn called from the other room, before heading to the men's quarters. Raphael followed soon after, Katie having passed out on the couch.

The last couple days had been mostly recouping from Alice's injuries, though shawn found it hard to keep her down. She was off, spending her hard earned money on fancy little seals for her Pokémon. Then again, he couldn't blame her, being a Pokémon trainer was exciting and everyone enjoyed them in their own ways.

Even so, it didn't mean they were to be easy days. He still worked with her on and off, making sure she retained the knowledge he had worked so hard to implant. Now the day was finally here, the moment of truth. As was usual, Shawn was first up and around. He was showered and groomed before the others stirred.

He knocked on the door for Alice. "Alice, come on, time to get up you lazy bum!" He teased. "Today's the day, get in the shower so we can get you down to the show!" He clapped his hands demandingly. "Don't skip the conditioner or lotion, either!" He knew how easy it was to fall out of a new regiment. 

Shawn gave Alice a hearty pat on the back, "All in due time, Alice. For now let's focus on the task at hand, eh? Hopefully my makeup artists can cover up those bruises!" He laughed, finishing off a piece of wheat toast spread with razz berry preserves.

"We'll be in the audience, so we don't distract you," Katie spoke up, grabbing Raphael by the arm and shaking him. He looked grouchy, clearly upset about waking so early. He was quite the night owl, after all. "But we better get going, they're expecting you in less than an hour now, right?" She asked, looking to Shawn.

He glanced at his watch, rubbing his head. "Yeah, Katie's right. You do tend to take pretty long showers though, so I guess I should have planned for that. Still, best we be moving. Grab your things, yeah?" He motioned with his head in a 'come on' manner, and packed up his day bag with water bottles, pokeballs, the usual.