Nice and Spice

Pleasant Change

Bede was locked tightly in the grip of the taller males at his side. Struggling and fighting them did nothing to deter them. He heard the shy girl call after him.

"W-What do you think you're doing?! Bede??"

He was unable to respond, and quite shocked she'd attempt to stand up for him. Those words stuck in his mind as he was forced to stay still, seeing the authority figures of Oleana and Rose catch up. The disappointed stares bore into him, and he was carried onward back to Hammerlocke.

Finally he was released, massaging his arms from the pain of the grip they had on him.

"To think, a young prodigy such as yourself would stoop to such a level." Rose walked ahead, looking into the Dragon Gym's entrance.

Bede balled up his fists, stifling a cry. He wiped his face promptly. "I was just doing as you had asked! You wanted the Wishing Stars! Oleana even said-"

"I said you should act wisely when you search for them." She quickly cut him off, crossing her arms and looking toward the business man. It was quiet, Bede not knowing what to do other than defend himself. "Surely we can talk this out? I was just doing what you wanted. That's all I wanted to do. I was helping!"

He felt that pain building up inside him again, just like the night before. It really all was some quest to ruin him. His use was outlived. He had done what Oleana wanted, but at the cost of everything he had. He looked at the secretary with a displeased and mean stare. It didn't last long before hopelessness kicked in. He softened his gaze and stared at the rough cobbles he stood on.

"I don't want to make this move. This is one of business and precision." Rose began. Closing his eyes, Bede waited and expected the worst. He had reasoned all he could manage. Just like time and time again, he had proven nothing but a burden and inconvenience. He did it wrong. Even when he believed he was doing something right, it was all wrong.

"But Bede, I believe you must find somewhere else to stay. We can't keep you here. You'd give the public a bad idea of what we stand for. You have stained Galar's history with a mark of your own. I thank you for your service but that is all I can give. Oleana,"

"Yes sir?" The caramel blonde stepped forward.

"Please see him out and take all the Wishing Stars he had gotten from that mural. While he destroyed something of such high value, he did still find what we needed." Rose walked off into the gym, quickly stepping into the elevator.

Oleana ambled over to Bede, promptly taking what he had. The boy gave no fight, his emotions overriding him for the moment. He was stripped of all he had earned. All his efforts again, in vain. He wanted to cry as he listened to Oleana's steps grow distant, but he was in the center of Hammerlocke, eyes were on him. Breaking down in such a place in front of so many people would show nothing but weakness. He would do that no more.

"Bede?. ." A familiar voice shattered the depressing air. He huffed, closing his eyes before putting on his favorite act—acting as if he had it all together. "Come to gawk at me now that I've had my Challenge Band taken away and my Gym Challenger status revoked?" He placed a hand on his hip, eyeing the girl in a challenging way. "Can you really afford to waste time like this?"

Y/N shifted nervously. Bede only knew a few ways to react to things. She found his biting tone attractive—enjoying his sharp tongue, but she just genuinely wished to lighten his mood. "N-not really. ." She muttered, unsure of what to say.

Bede gave way to a very small and quick smile. "I commend your humility. It is appropriate for a Trainer of your. . . limited talents." He shifted, trying to emulate that confidence he had always shown her before, "I'll have you know, though, that I haven't given up!" The knowing glow of pride returned to his eyes. Mustering that arrogance made the girl before him giggle cutely. She smiled shyly as he continued on.