Erika POV
I settle into my couch as soon as I return home. I wanted to collapse onto my couch as I felt mentally drained, but Grandma always taught me to sit properly, no matter how I felt at that moment. The heat from earlier that was causing my mental fog has lessened greatly during my trek home from the store, which let me actually review everything that happened tonight. I let out a long, slow breath, settling my high-strung nerves and allowing myself a chance to relax.
As I recall the scene from earlier, I find a number of issues with how I was acting. I wasn't in control of myself. I could blame it on a number of different factors, but in the end, it all comes back to a lack of control over my mind. I mean, sure, I was experimenting with new ingredients, not to mention a new Pokemon spooked me, as well as seeing sex on legs in front of me, but really. I had lost control.
I give my head a shake as I push away my self-deprecating thoughts and focus more on what matters. The girl is a relative of Professor Oak, likely one of his granddaughters, and she requested a special perfume blend. At the time, I had thought she just wanted a new scent or one of my limited edition types, but since she is related to the Pokemon Professor, I am sure she wanted one that has some type of effect to it. It isn't too big of a deal, really. I normally keep those regulated to those working for the League or Professors. Not like a trainer can't use them, it is just normal that they don't.
No, the biggest issue from tonight is the bet I agreed to. I mean, sure, it was only a verbal agreement, and I have a decent reason that I could use to back out, yet… I really do not want to. I don't know why, but the whole idea of me risking my reputation like this feels exciting. Risking everything I have built up over the years, my position as a Gym Leader, a respected Leader of this city, my perfume brand… all on the line over an impulsive bet. This isn't the first strip battle I have been in, not by a long shot, as I was a trainer once myself. I had my fair share of losses during my circuits, but I never really felt like this. Maybe it is because I didn't have anything of true value to lose.
As my mind starts to wander again, it circles around to the girl, Frost, as she stands clothed in only the light of the moon and the floral-scented breeze of the city. The images draw the dissipating embers of heat from earlier back to a slow-burning fire. Maybe… maybe the reason isn't that at all, but rather who is giving me the challenge. Those long, toned legs that seem to be crafted by an artisan's hands. That trim stomach with a hint of muscle underneath, those perfect orbs on her chest, the slight smile on her rose colored lips. Her eyes, the color of Ice stones, that seem to see right through me. That touch that sent my skin ablaze.
I feel myself getting hotter by the moment as I remember her. I try to brush away the incoming fog once more as I grab some cold water from my refrigerator, but it does nothing to quench the heat. I shake my head, trying to regain control of myself yet again.
"Maybe a cold shower will help…" I mutter to myself as I make my way to my bathroom and start disrobing. It is at this time that my phone suddenly starts to go off with a number of messages. I pick it up curiously and see that it is from Frost. Wondering why she is messaging me so soon, I open up the messages and start reading. It seems that everyone is on board to do a bit of testing soon, but then I notice that she sent some images. Clicking on the first one, as they are blurred out for some reason, my breath hitches as I take in what was sent to me.
Needless to say, my shower tonight is not going to cool me down anytime soon…
[See images on Discord]
Frost POV
Flannery grumbles lightly in her sleep as I slip out of the covers. Knowing that she would prefer to snooze away in our bed keeping our team's company, rather than wake up early for some exercise, meant that I had to learn to slip away without waking her. I quietly open my bag sitting on the desk and pull out a white sports bra and exercise shorts. I step into the shorts and pull them on, the elastic-like fabric stretches over my curves like a second skin and doesn't impede my movement. The sports bra is exactly the same, though the fabric is rather thin and doesn't hide anything. I've recently started to enjoy wearing these revealing outfits in public spaces.
The sun is just rising from the horizon as I get out of the Poke Center. A short jog brings me to an open park where I see Bea with her team members starting to warm up with stretches. With a little more than a nod, I join the group and start warming up as well. Ten or so quiet minutes later, Bea suddenly claps her hands together to draw our attention to her.
"Alright, now that we are warmed up, let's pair off! Tipsy and Maku, you two are training together today. Remember, only physical effort, no moves. Eevee, you are with me, and Machoke you get to train with Frost today." She says with the air of a seasoned instructor. I give her a nod as I move off to the side of the group, where Machoke is doing bodybuilder poses for some reason.
"Alright Machoke, let's do this! Shall we start with a light spar?" I ask the large grey Pokemon. He answers with a nod before shifting into a fairly common ready stance. In response, I shift my right foot back, making my profile smaller to hit and raise my hands in a relaxed manner.
The two of us don't make any more movements for a moment before Machoke closes the distance in a quick movement, his right fist flashing towards my face. I shift some of my weight onto my back foot, and as I skim my front foot across the ground, causing his intended target to move. My right hand lands on his forearm, intercepting his incoming fist, and guides it past my repositioned head. My left hand clenches into a fist as I step closer to Machoke, ducking under his extended arm, aiming for his now open side.
Machoke takes advantage of his larger size and bulk by letting my fist land on his rock-like skin. He lifts his knee, aiming for my solar plexus to repay my aggressive approach, but I get my leg up first to block. The force of the collision ends up sending me sliding across the ground as I lose the strength matchup. Machoke watches me slide to a stop, deciding to not follow up from his knee strike, and motions for me to approach again.
I push myself back up to my feet, brushing off the dirt from my shorts. I flash him a competitive grin as I shift my stance again, this time moving into a more defensive position. My hands move into a guard with my left hand higher to protect my face and right hand lower and looser to react quickly. Machoke, seeing the change in my posture, mirrors it with his own, only he goes for a more aggressive boxer guard. Slowly, I circle around him, attempting to slip outside of his view. He tracks me with his eyes, but remains rooted in place, knowing that his bulky muscles will be better than speed.
Just as I reach the edge of his vision, I quickly step in, sliding directly behind him, as I toss a quick jab with my left hand. Machoke steps forward slightly, letting my hand brush against his rough skin ineffectively. His retaliation is swift and unforgiving as he reaches down and grabs my wrist. With a sudden pull and a just as sudden yelp on my part, on my arm, I find myself in the air; the wind ruffling my hair as it whizzes past. I notice that a tree on the edge of the area is getting too close for comfort, so using a move I have only seen in movies, I tuck myself into a ball and snap my body open, attempting to change my flight path.
Good news is that I was successful, bad news is that I am rocketing towards the ground face-first. In a panic, I throw my hands forward and push off with them the moment they touch, forcing another redirection of my momentum and end up cartwheeling a few times until I miss a loose bit of ground and end up on my ass. I land, somewhat softly, on the grass, but the sudden stop forces the air from my lungs. I just lay there, letting myself gather my scattered marbles.
The sound of someone clapping nearby draws my attention. I tilt my head back into the grass and look 'up' to see Green and Flannery standing nearby. Green is the one clapping excitedly as Flannery is just smiling at me. I smile at the two of them and slowly sit up before turning to them.
"Mornin'!" I call over to them with a small wave. Green waves back as she bounces over to Bea and starts gesturing wildly. Whatever she is attempting to say is getting lost in translation to me, causing me to shake my head and look at my girlfriend.
"Morning to you, too." She says as she comes closer and plops down next to me. "Productive morning?"
"Eh, not really. Still get my ass handed to me on the regular." I shrug as I nudge her shoulder. "You should join us for training. It never hurts to learn how to fight."
"I don't know… I know a tiny bit, but nothing like this. It would take me forever to learn anything. Plus, we have our Pokemon to train as well."
"Your choice, Flan. I was just giving you my opinion."
"And your opinion has been noted." She teases me as she sticks out her tongue. "What's first on the agenda for today?"
"I was thinking of signing up for the flying lessons and gym battles today. After that, maybe checking out the Undercity you told me about? It sounds interesting."
"Works for me, I don't have any real plans myself. We can make a date out of it."
"A date? That means I need to get all dolled up," I whine pitifully. Flannery just gives my arm a gentle punch before the two of us start to giggle. "Alright, fine. I will see what I can do. Maybe we can do a bit of shopping for some new clothes? I have a feeling that we might find something interesting here."
"Sure, I'll head up and get ready. Shall we meet in the lobby?"
"How about at the park?" I ask after thinking for a moment. She gives me a nod and dashes back into the Pokecenter. I watch her disappear as I start doing my cooldown and call out to our other friend. "Bea, Flannery, and I are headed out on a date. You want to come along?"
"Nah, it's cool. Green wants to show me something, so we are headed out as well." She calls back, and I can see Green smiling a huge, slightly predatory smile from over Bea's shoulder. I don't know if Bea knows what exactly Green has planned, but I'm sure it is fine.
"No prob! You two have fun!" I tell her as I finish my stretches and wave to the two of them as I head back to the Pokecenter myself. I wanted to make sure I gave Flannery enough time to get ready before I came up to our room. Luckily, the bath is before our room, giving me an excuse to 'miss' her leaving.