Finding Truth Amongst The Lies

Chapter 10: Serena's POV

I was just about to turn away from the distraction when the motorcyclist's helmet turned slightly and it looked as if they were looking at Roisel and me. To my surprise, the rider eased the motorcycle to the side of the path and stopped a few feet from where Roisel and I were. I took a cautious step backward, not sure why a stranger would have stopped to talk to me. A brief panic entered me when I thought it might be a reporter who recognized me, but I pushed that thought aside. Sinnoh really didn't have a huge fan base for rhyhorn racing, I doubted that any reporters would care if they did see me.

Roisel's nose was twitching like crazy and she pushed against my chest to get a few inches closer to the motorcyclist, although she remained silent in her observation. With slight trepidation, I stood my ground. It didn't take too long before the motorcyclist popped his visor up, revealing just his hooded eyes within the padded helmet.

"Serena?" a muffled voice asked. I took a step back and narrowed my eyes at the stranger.

"Do I know you?" I asked suspiciously, tensing my muscles and getting ready to make a run for it if necessary. The person laughed inside his helmet and then reached up to undo the strap under his neck. He pulled off the helmet and instantly my body relaxed and I breathed out a sigh of relief and frustration.

"Aryan! You shouldn't scare people like that," I scolded, but couldn't help but let a smile spread across my lips. Aryan laughed again, resting his helmet on one of the handlebars of his motorcycle and expertly putting down the kickstand so he could leave his motorcycle on the side of the road.

"Sorry about that. What are you doing here?" he asked as he ambled over towards me with a relaxed smile.

"I was attempting to do some training with my new pokemon. Roisel, this is Aryan. Aryan, this is my new partner, Roisel." 

I stretched out my arm and Roisel immediately scampered down it on all fours with perfect balance. She stopped with her front paws on the back of my hand and her back paws gripped my forearm as she sniffed at Aryan with obvious interest. Aryan grinned widely and came closer to extend one of his hands for Roisel to sniff at, which she did exuberantly.

"That is one cute pokemon. I haven't seen a Roisel before," Aryan remarked before reaching out and rubbing the back of her ear. Her whole body stiffened for a moment and then all of a sudden went slack as she lowered her body slightly and began to let out a content, whistling purr. I made a mental note to scratch her behind her ear more often as I nodded towards Aryan.

"My friend Satoshi gave her to me. Apparently, she got into his work facility and his boss didn't like her," I explained with a sad sigh. "I don't know how anyone could be scared of such a cutie though."

"Where does your friend work?" Aryan asked curiously as he pulled his hand back. Roisel remained in her ultra-relaxed position for a few seconds before her ears twitched and she looked up at Aryan and gave a sad little whimper. I chuckled at her piteous act and pulled her back to me so I could take a turn scratching her ear, which made her sigh contentedly.

"I don't know, actually. He just said he worked at a facility and travels a lot for his job," I said with a small frown. I had been hoping that Satoshi would give me his contact information so I could go visit him during my journey, but when I had tried to hint at that possibility he seemed really uncomfortable. It made me wonder if he actually thought of me as a friend at all.

"Really? Then where did he give you Roisel?" Aryan asked with a baffled expression. I shrugged, feeling my cheeks heat up with embarrassment at the memory of how I had gone into Eterna Forest and called out his name like a crazy stalker.

"I... bumped into him in Eterna Forest. Honestly, I've only talked to him twice, but he reminds me of my childhood friend and is a really kind person. He saved me from an angry Ursaring." I didn't understand why I felt like I had to defend Satoshi, but as I rambled Aryan's eyes narrowed slightly before his open smile came back and he nodded agreeably.