The Last Dance (Part 1)
It wasn't just art. It was tradition. It wasn't about expressing. It was about acknowledging. That he is part of the family. That he is of worth carrying the Safleur name. The family in which dancing is a must, and those who cannot shall leave. Grace. Poise. Emotions were set aside. These were the dances of the Safleur family. The son of the Safleur family, Lou Safleur, sadly does not have these. He lacks grace. He lacks poise. His emotions overpower him. The family was ashamed. Ashamed that they had such a horrible son, they would say.On the bustling street of Kroywen City, everyone was rushing to go to work. The honking of horns was an obvious sign that there was traffic in every corner. Meanwhile, a Gallade with a backpack rushed through the thick crowd, hurrying to his destination."Gah! I'm late! I'm late I'm late I'm late I'm super late!" he said as he pushed a pedestrian aside, earning him a glance he didn't notice, "Excuse me. One side. Coming through." he continued squeezing through the tight spaces until he bumped on someone and fell."Oh, sorry Lou. What's the rush?" the young Roselia asked as she lends a flower."Kinda in a hurry," the Gallade accepted the help and thanked her, "I gotta go, bye Lea!" he said waving in which the Roselia waves back, puzzled.He continued rushing until he reached his destination. The department store. He entered the department store and greeted the cashier."Hey, Roy, good morning," he said to the Meowstic who was leaning on the counter."I knew you'd be late, but I never thought you to be this late," he looks at his watch and shows it at the Gallade, "10:30. I mean, 2 hours and 30 minutes.""I know, I know. I just overslept," Lou replied as he produced an apron from his bag and put it on."You don't have to do this, you know. The morning shift, I mean," the Meowstic said."Well, I need the money," he replied as he went to the empty counter."Doesn't look like it. You haven't even checked in," he said as he glanced his eyes towards the time card machine."Shoot!" Lou said as he immediately produced his card, dashed towards the machine, and punched it in, "Thanks.""No thanks necessary. I'd
be sorry if you've been working all this time and you weren't even checked in," he said with a smirk."Yeah," he said as he walked back to the counter.The time passed by and Lou did his work fine. The department store wasn't really that busy. It was one of those day when there were only 5-10 customers buying snacks or daily items. It was 12PM, lunch break, when they changed shifts. The two went to staff room to eat their lunch."So, what do you need the extra money for?" Roy asked as he opened his lunch box containing a ham and cheese sandwich with an apple."Extra? You know I'm barely living in an apartment with mostly these food to satisfy my stomach," Lou replied as he opened his cup noodles and poured hot water on it."Yeah, now I think you do need the money," he said."I mean, I'm okay with this but... I'm saving money for something," the Gallade said, looking at the floor."None of my business to ask?""None," the Gallade said nonchalantly."Okay," he said as he took a bite of his sandwich."Hey," the Meowstic looked at Lou, "can I have some?" Lou pointed at the sandwich.Roy looked at his sandwich and raised it with his one hand, showing it to Lou. The sandwich looks so delicious that Lou was drooling. He doesn't get to eat something as delicious as that everyday. Roy continued showing off before took a large bite off it and continued on until it's all gone. Lou watched the horrific scene of not savoring such delicious food and broke his heart."Sorry, all out," he said as he closed his lunch box. Lou look at him blankly."Can I atleast have that apple?" Roy opened the lunch box and threw it at Lou, "Thank you," he said as he bowed."It's just an apple.""It's not just an apple, it's life!" he shouted."Well, whatever. Your cup noodle is probably done by now, so get ready.""But our shift won't end until 2PM, right?""Yes, but I gotta go somewhere. I need someone to accompany me," he said. That was unusual because Roy usually likes going alone."Yeah, sure. But where do you wanna go?" Lou said as he slurped the noodles."The bookstore. I wanna buy something," he sounded different. It was like he was indecisive of something."None of my business to ask?""None... well, once we're there, you'll probably know. Anyways, you done?" Roy asked."Almost," he replied before he took the last bite of the apple and threw it at the nearby trash bin.They arrived at the bookstore at 1PM. Roy loves reading books so it's no wonder that the cashier knows him. There were only 7 customers in the bookstore including the two. They were all at the Otaku section so they were probably just a band of friends, or Otakus, hanging out. He asked Lou to follow him towards the section filled with tips on how to love a girl right."Wait, what?" Lou shouted."Shh, I don't want anyone else to know about it," he said as he looked around, "She lives right next to my apartment. She is a very beautiful Meowstic but I don't know... what to do in front of her," he started to blush. That's also unusual because he's usually cool-headed and secretive."Yeah, but why resort to these kinds of things?" Lou said as he picked up a "Love Her Right" magazine, "I mean, why not just, talk to her?""Are you kidding me?!" he shouted. He realized that people were staring at him and lowered his voice, "I work in a department store. She's... I dunno where she works but she's beautiful. I mean, gosh, who would even date someone like me?" he leaned on the side of a bookshelf, covering his face. Lou looked at him with furrowed brows and pat his shoulder."That's why you just talk to her. I never told you to date her immediately. Things start with a casual relationship, you know?" Lou said as he put back the magazine."Yeah, I guess... I'm still gonna buy at least one--," he extended his paw in attempt to get the magazine."You could just give me some money instead of buying something like this.""Or, I could just not buy this, so that I won't give you any money," he said sarcastically."Fine, be that way, you scaredy-cat," Lou stuck out his tongue."Shut up," he did a friendly punch at the arm of the Gallade, "Anyways, thanks for spending time with me. I really appreciate it.""Any tip from my love tips?" Lou asked sarcastically while rubbing both his thumb and index finger together."Don't push it, money-face," Roy jokingly pushed him aside."Hey, I'm saving money, not spending them," Lou replied. The two laughed together, just loud enough for them not to think they're crazy. They left the bookstore and went back to their work at 2PM.Meanwhile, at the train station. A train just pulled up. A Gardevoir emerged from it and along with a Bellossom. The Gardevoir was carrying a backpack filled with her clothes and sleeping materials. The Bellossom was carrying just a humble handbag."Aah! The scenes were so wonderful. I've never danced in such a wonderful stage before! It was amazingly awesome," the Gardevoir said gleefully as she danced around."Well, I'm glad that we had a chance to dance together, again. It was rather fun," the Bellossom said in a calm and charming voice."Aw, leaving already, c'mon! We still have lots to explore here!" she said as she put her hands in the air."I'm sorry, but I'm going to my mother's. I'll be staying there for now on. I'm stopping on becoming a dancer," the Bellossom closed her eyes, "She was the reason I aimed for this. But I won't forget that she was the one who tended me back when I was still an Oddish," she turned towards the Gardevoir, "That's why I have to repay her kindness.""Wow, you're so nice," the Gardevoir went silent. "I wish... I could have a mom... or a dad," Silence came between the two."I'm sorry, Mel," the Bellossom hugs the Gardevoir."It's okay. I did got you, even though you're leaving right now. I also did other collaborations, so I wasn't that lonely. And I still do have my fans, even if I do have to hide my identity, and y'know," she said, winking and giggling."Hehe, you're so fun. I do hope we'll have another chance to dance again," the Bellossom said."True. Well, you're going to your mother's, right? You shouldn't keep her waiting." she said as she flailed her hand, ushering her to leave."Well, I bid you farewell, Mel," she said as she bowed and took her leave."Goodbye, Belle!" Mel said as she waved goodbye. "Alright, time to get some snacks. If I remember correctly, Eleven-7 is close by," she started walking past the crowd and exited the station."Well, it's not just because she's beautiful. She's also very kind," the Meowstic said as he punched his card in the time card machine."How do you know?" Lou asked as he also punched his card."Well, I've been... stalking, her and whenever I see her, she has that smile that was so, wow, and she tends to help those around her," he said as he put on his apron."Wait, you've been stalking on her? I never knew you were such a creep to do that." Lou said as he also put his apron on."Shut up. I just have lots of free time. To coincidentally bump into her." he said as he went to his assigned counter. Lou followed."Bump into her? You just said a while ago you were stalking her," Lou smirked as he also went to his assigned counter."Shut. Up!" the Meowstic stammered. The Gallade went silent but after a while, just burst into laughter."Man, you look so funny when you're angry. But seriously, that girl is living like a saint.""Or an angel," Roy sighed, "I dunno if I can even fit with her. I mean, she's like an angel and look at me,""You're a Meowstic. She's a Meowstic. You're both Meowstics. At least it's not a different Pokemon. I'm still confused on how two different Pokemons can give birth to a different Pokemon--""Hey now, that's rude!" Roy cut him off."Oops, sorry. I guess I kinda went overboard, there." the Gallade blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. A Roselia then came into view with two bottles of 500ml Cola."Oh, hi Lou, didn't know you worked here," the Roselia said as she put the Colas on Roy's counter."Oh, yeah, I used to be at the night shift but right now, I'm doing the morning and afternoon shift. Gives more money. I think," Lou replied, "Oh, and sorry for bumping into you this morning,""Oh, it's okay. I have
Safeguard always on so I'm free of danger," she said."Wow, I'm amazed you can learn such a move," Lou said. Lea just laughed."What're the Colas for anyways, Lea?" Roy asked."Oh, my brother drank two bottles last night without me and our parents knowing. It's to keep it a secret since they don't allow us drinking more than one glass. Parents were out then he suddenly went rebellious and now I'm here to cover it up," the Roselia said."Wow, such a great sister," his tone was sarcastic but with a bit of envy. He slide the bottles to the scanner and pushed some buttons on the cash register, "That'll be 5.98," he said as he put the bottles inside a plastic bag. Roselia gave the money and told him to keep the change. "Thanks for coming to Eleven-7.""Thank you, too," the Roselia waved goodbye as she exited. After a while, a Gardevoir entered. Roy eyed her suspiciously, like she was a secret agent being obvious but he decided to just shrug it off.After a while, the Gardevoir came to the Gallade's counter along with 2 bags of Rays and a can of Cola, "I'd like to buy these, please. Mr. Safleur..." she watched Lou's name tag agape, "You're a... Safleur...?" she said, pointing at his tag."Uh... yes...?" Lou's reply made the Gallade start screaming. She jumped up and down like she was a little kid who is having a sugar rush."You gotta show me your dance!" she yelled."Uh, no, so these are the only things you're gonna buy?" Lou asked, trying to keep a straight face."C'mon, just a little dance. I'm, like, a big fan of the Safleur's," she insisted but he just slid the bags and can to the scanner and pushed some buttons on the register."That'll be 9.97, ma'am," he replied, keeping that straight face."Aw, please! There isn't anyone else here," she flailed her arms at the open space of the store."Here you go, ma'am," his tone was running out of patience. Roy was tensed watching."Please, just a little!" she kept on insisting that it snapped Lou's patience."I CAN'T DANCE!" he slammed the counter with his fists, "I can't..." he started to tear up and sob."O-oh... well, I thought... you were a Safleur...
I'm sorry," she was embarrassed on what she did."No, no. It's okay," he said as he wiped away his tears, "Sorry for screaming like that." Silence followed."Uh... here," he gave the money to Lou, "and keep the chance. I'm gonna go now," she said as she hurriedly took the bag. She was about to exit the store when Lou told him to wait."You know about us?" he asked."Well, yeah. As a dancer, I should know how amazing you guys dance, but..." she clenched her fist and inhaled deeply, "It's just... things like these, it doesn't happen everyday. Meeting a Safleur," she went back to the counter and placed the bag on it, "So, why won't you dance?""It's not that I won't, it's that I can't," he said."Then why can't you dance?" she asked."I... just don't know... I just can't seem to... dance," he said as he rubbed his elbow."W-Well, I... uh, hope to see you again soon," she said as she went to the door."Y-Yeah... see ya," he waved at her goodbye."My name's Melanie Floria, friends call me Mel," she said as she opened the door."My name's Lou. Lou Safleur," he said. Mel exited the store then he faceplanted on the counter. Roy was just there, thinking on how he can cope on something like this when this happens to him. Or when this happens to him when he talks to her.After work, which was just waiting around until someone wants to buy something, Lou went home emotionally dead tired. He didn't expect for anything like this. He arrived at the apartment, but he was puzzled why the Kangaskhan landlady wasn't around. He just shrugged it off and went to his room. He was shocked to see that the door was opened so he readied his arm, turning it into a Leaf Blade. Slowly, he creeps in and he sees something unbelievable."Hey there, Lou. Glad to see you again," a female voice was heard.