Secrets Without Shame (A Pokémon Fanfiction)

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

"That was awesome, Margaret!" Mira cried as she ran over to Margaret and Petunia enter the performers' room again.

"T-Thank you," Margaret stuttered, who was still shaking and twisting her hair with her hands. "I-I still can't believe I passed..."

"But you did! Now we just have the Freestyle Performance!"

Before Margaret could reply, there were two loud cries as Fletcher and Sowny ran up to her and hugged her. She yelped and fell over onto the ground from all the added weight. Petunia also gave a loud cry of happiness and joined in on the group hug.

"I-I know you all are excited, b-but I think you s-should let go for now!" Margaret gasped as Mira giggled over her.

Her pokemon all let go, but they still looked eager and excited. Margaret stood up shakely and straightened her dress. Even though she had gotten passed the first round, Margaret still felt uneasy about round two.

"S-So, Mira, have they said anything about the Freestyle Performance...?" Margaret asked her friend, stuttering a little.

"Well that dude, Monsieur Pierre, said that we now have a one hour break before the Freestyle Performance begins," Mira answered. "I guess it's so we can get ready for the next stage. I know some of the other remaining performers went out into the lobby. But you might want to wash the paint off Petunia's shell before anything else."

"Oh, I guess you're right," she agreed, glancing at Petunia's painted shell. "I'll clean her up right now."

She took Petunia by the hand and led the Wartortle over to one of the corners. There was a part of the room that had several dress tables for putting on makeup or for performer's to prepare their pokemon. Margaret could only see one person sitting at one of the tables. As she got closer, she recognized the performer as Maya, the steampunk performer.

Maya had her back to Margaret. She didn't even seen to notice that the other performer. Margaret saw that her Zoroark masquerade mask was on the table, but unfortunately she couldn't see Maya's true appearance. The steampunk trainer's black and crimson red hair and top hat prevented her from seeing the mirror. One of Maya's white gloved hands was holding her hair into a small, wolf-like tail, while the other tried clamping a very pale and sparkly blue orb around it. The added accessory increased her resemblance to the Zorua evolution line.

After Maya took up the mask and placed it over her eyes, she stepped back to check how she looked. She jumped after seeing Margaret and Petunia's reflection in the mirror, though they weren't that far from her. The steampunk performer whirled around, her gloved hands clasping the edge of the table behind her.

"I-I'm sorry, I-I didn't mean t-to startle you..." Margaret apologized hurriedly and looking at the floor instead.

She heard Maya's breathing steady a little. She risked a glance at her and saw the other performer straighten her mask.

"It's fine," Maya finally replied, making Margaret look up. "I've just been...paranoid. I won't keep you any further."

With that, Maya took her Pyroar walking stick that was propped up against the table before walking away. After she was out of earshot, Petunia looked up at Margaret and said, "She's a very weird performer."

"You can't judge a trainer or performer by their appearance," Margaret told her, lifting up Petunia shakely and setting her on the table.

"I already learned that lesson."

"You did...?"

"Yeah, with Sky Blue! I thought he was a pirate!"

"Oh, um, that's...nice..."