Love in the Time of Turmoil

Chapter 15: An Insider

I know the last Gym battle was a bit ambivalent, but hopefully this chapter is a little better for you all. At the very least, this will signal our end of the second act. Let's go, Chapter 15!

Chapter 15

An Insider

"So, you haven't heard anything from Gloria or Ash?"

Astrid leaned to the side, keeping her eyes on the screen that showed Serena's face. Though the call had been unexpected, it was no less welcome, but none of it prevented the blonde from showing how tired training had made her. "No. I'd imagine they must be busy if they've been in Ballonlea. Gym battle and all, you know."

"Oh, I haven't checked recently. Things have just been so busy here," Serena said. Astrid quirked an eyebrow, though less from Serena's statement and more the fact Pancham and Yamper were chasing some of the students in the background. "This is the first chance I've had to make a call. Tried reaching Gloria's phone, but she didn't answer."

"I get the feeling she'd forget to answer even if she wasn't in a Gym battle. She's a lot like Ash in that regard."

"So true," Serena said, unable to stop her own giggles from leaking out. They attracted the attention of her little pup, and Yamper ran over to nearly tackle Serena and begin licking at the screen of her phone. "Ah, Yamper, cut it out! I know you're happy to see Astrid, too, but please."

"Wampa!" Yamper tried to lick the screen again, but Serena pulled it away from him, holding him fast with one arm. His fur sparked, but with a quick brush of it, he wagged his tail and calmed down, barking again.

"Seems things are going well for you and Yamper."

"We've been trying," Serena said, continuing to brush Yamper's fur. He looked content, collapsing on her lap with the laziest eyes imaginable. "Some of the students here have helped out. He has a better handle on controlling the electricity at random intervals, but if there's any form of electricity nearby, he still has a problem with it."

"Sounds familiar..." Astrid rubbed at her eyes, trying to remove their exhaustion now that she was invested in the conversation. "The same is with Butterfree. He's still reckless and unthinking, especially when we're near a Power Spot. He'll listen to me just fine, but the second we Gigantamax..."

"I noticed you have a Dynamax Band." Astrid gave a grim nod, holding her wrist up to display the glittering band.

"Courtesy of Macro Cosmos, and one very shady Oleana."

"Shady?" Serena stopped petting Yamper, the dog hopping off her lap to rejoin Pancham and Sandshrew. "How do you mean? I know Ash was concerned about her, but..."

"Oh, it's probably nothing. Let's just say that our time in Stow-on-Side has been eventful. And Macro Cosmos has been extremely present during our time here." Astrid lowered her wrist, watching Serena's face for her thoughts on everything going on. She seemed to be carrying concerns of her own, but didn't voice them right away, polite enough to address Astrid's topic first. Or to let her finish. "I've been training with Bea, and she got me the Band, but had to go through Rose's very own assistant. Their bond is unshakable. He lets her handle everything."

"Everything?"

"Seems about. Disqualifications, cleanup, research, Dynamax...You name it, she has a hand in it, and she's protective of Rose, on top of it." Serena frowned at the notion. Astrid grimaced, feeling like she could have kicked herself for bringing up such worries to a woman with enough on her plate as it was.

"Do you think she might also handle...disappearances?"

It was Astrid's turn to knit her brow. "Disappearances? What do you mean?"