Double Bubble Disco Queen

2

Harlan was content as she sat with the two guys who'd made her trip here worth it. Exx had joined them later on, and the three were comparing their partner Pokémon. Harlan was still anxious about her father's uncharacteristic absence, but any chance to talk about Raiju she would take.

"I've had Raiju since I first came to Hoenn," she was saying. "Since then, she's been my partner. Right, Raiju?" Harlan prompted her blue beast. The Manectric stood on her hind legs, placing her forepaws on Harlan's chest and licking her face. Harlan laughed as her tongue tickled her.

"I actually stole Type: Full." Exx petted its head as he spoke. "It was the other missing experiment, along with the one Gladion took. I think he called its unmasked form Silvally. But I call mine the way it was named at creation. It has a long way to go before it unmasks itself." Harlan noticed the affection in Exx's voice and the gentleness of his headpats to the chimeric beast.

"You really love it, huh?" Harlan asked, also petting Raiju's head.

"It's gotten me out of a lot of trouble in the past. I owe it my life," Exx explained. He smiled, tipping his head. "Type: Full is a good Pokémon."

"Selene was assigned to me while I was in Team Magma. I met her on the first day I became a grunt." Ember's Mightyena was laying in his lap, her tail wagging as he pet her with long smooth strokes from her head to her back. "She only evolved recently. We weren't allowed to train the Poochyena because it would be unfair to the higher ranked members," he explained. "She and I didn't care for each other at first, but now we're closer than ever. She even has her normal-rank Tough ribbon." Ember didn't look up from the canid Pokémon as he pet her. "I too owe Selene my life, basically."

"Raiju has been my biggest form of emotional support over the years. I don't know how I survived without her," Harlan admitted, scratching the blue beast under the chin. "She used to be very timid. That's her nature. But she's grown so much - I don't think anything really scares my girl now."

"That's awesome." Ember finally looked up from Selene, smiling at the duo.

"Indeed," Exx said.

The three of them returned their respective Pokémon, getting ready to leave, until Harlan noticed someone come up behind Ember and tap his shoulder.

"Yes?" Ember asked, turning to look at the man.

"I heard you mention you were a part of Team Magma," the man said. "I thought you looked a little familiar. "I'm Brooke - an ex-member of Team Aqua."

"Small world, huh?" Ember said, sounding delighted.

"There was another team in Hoenn?" Harlan asked, bewildered.

"Oh, yeah. You didn't know?" Ember inquired, looking back at Harlan. "Oh... right. You never met anyone from Team Aqua, did you? Brooke, this is Harlan - she was our hostage for a little bit. You may remember."

"Thanks," Harlan muttered, a little hurt.

"I do remember - you and that other guy were captive, right?" Brooke asked. "And you... you look very familiar too," he continued, pointing at Exx. "You're the Alolan prince, ain't ya?"

"Me? Oh, no - you're thinking of Gladion." Exx shook his head, being quick to pocket Type: Full's ball. "I've been told we look quite alike - but no, I've never met the man." Harlan was impressed how smoothly Exx could lie about such an integral member of his family.

"Ahh, gotcha. It's nice to meet the three of ya. Mind if I tag along?" Brooke asked. Harlan was a little uneasy, but she shrugged, and the two men alongside her nodded.

"Come along," Exx said. "Harlan has got an apartment for us."

"You want to live with me, too? Man... I don't even know how big the place is," Harlan said, lighthearted exasperation in her tone. She walked alongside Exx, eyeing the two Hoennians over her shoulder. They were deep in conversation. She couldn't help but feel a little jealous, but why? It wasn't like she liked Ember like that. He might, but not her. She was still committed as far as she knew.

"We'll make room, yes?" Exx said, also lightheartedly.

"Sure, why not." Harlan led the way, grabbing Exx's gloved hand and walking along, swinging her arm. "Don't mind me. I have a thing for Aether boys," she joked, though making sure to be quiet so Brooke and Ember didn't hear.

"Not a problem. It's been very long since I've held hands with anyone, let alone a girl," Exx said, sounding a little shy.

"You ever been in a relationship?" Harlan asked.

"Ah - a very, very long time ago. Her name was Moon. I can remember that much." Exx shrugged. " I am admittedly not quite sure what became of her."

"Interesting," Harlan said.

"And you?" Exx asked. "I can see you're wedded, but remind me as to whom?"

"Ugh, I've got to take this stupid thing off," Harlan muttered, looking at her ring hand. "Your brother, actually. Blaise."

"Oh yes... you've told me, haven't you?"

"I mentioned it, I think." Harlan stopped at the stairs of the apartment building. "Come on, boys!" she called, finding the two Hoennians were lagging behind. She vaguely heard Ember say "See you soon," to Brooke, and pocket something before coming up to them.

"I got his Match Call number," Ember said.

"That's great," Harlan said. "Now, c'mon - the room isn't gonna finish itself."