Private/Closed Days Gone By

[Softty]

@PentheWonderful

Lately, things haven't been going too well for her.
Lumiose City, in all its splendour, was dim in the reflection of her eyes. The streets were dull, their cold veins pumping the moving bodies mindless in their trajectories. It was loud, polluted in the rush, the movement, the voices and vehicles. Pinching her temples, Alice could remember her first visit here, her admiration and awe for the bustling city. It was without a doubt, a beauty. However with years clouding her innocent perspective of the world, she could only see the advertisement and market, screaming for the attention of consumers alike. She was familiar with this attraction, the pleasing and giving. Ironically, in the efforts to avoid this consumer society, she had gone out of her way to visit one of the most attractive tourist spots. The Lumiose Museum.
Still jet lagged from her flight, Alice sighed, an uncommon gesture from this composed lady. However the days series of events exhausted her. She stepped out into the streets from the police station after a long period of questions and inquiries. At her attempt of relaxation, the museum had been vandalized, an ancient artifact stolen. Coincidentally she had brushed shoulders with this thief, however his face a blur. A few people were taken into questioning and the case was unsolved.
Sadly, Alice hadn't had the chance to see past entrance of the museum. It was a shame, and a waste of the day. She walked down the street, fiddling with her pokeball, seeking some form of thrill. Above her, the setting sun painted the sky in warm colours of autumn leaves as the city noise began to soften.

 

[PentheWonderful]

Another one scratched off the list.

A tired sigh left Cassie as she allowed her hand to drop back to her side. The pen it held with it. Her silver eyes scanned the surface of the paper with very little interest. After all, it was just a list of available studio apartments in Lumoise City. Did she really need another area of settlement? No, she had a perfectly nice home in Anistar. A home she was born in. A peaceful, quiet, suburban house. But that was exactly the problem. It wasn't as secure as say, a high end apartment building full of renowned trainers, business owners, and celebrities who demand additional security and most likely have their own security systems installed. And no, Cassie wasn't paranoid. But even of she was, anyone would be if Team Rocket was after you.

All because of that ridiculous fiasco.

So far the apartments she'd seen weren't very secure. Cassie needed a space where, if it were attacked, everyone in the region would know. Hotel Richisshime was an option, but it wouldn't be a property investment. It was just rent. And how long could she possibly live at a hotel? Imagine the awful publicity that would bring! Yes, being quite a renowned ace trainer, one with eighteen badges and her picture on the Sinnoh League hall of fame brought quite a number of eyes on her. That, and being the daughter of a respected scientist and revered veteran trainer had it's own crushing pressure. One that forced her into the life of a trainer in the first place. Did she not enjoy it? No. But would it have been a first choice? Again, no. And now, it was the only thing she knew how to do. And do it well.

The streets of Lumoise was a familiar sight to her. She did most of her activities there anyway. 'How many left on the list?' Ryu, her overprotective Lucario asked. He was one of her two most trusted Pokemon. The other, her Ninetales, strode on her opposite side. He seemed quite tense. Just because he was worried a Rocket grunt might jump out at any moment.

'Not a lot, I hope. We've been out the whole day.' The fox Pokemon mumbled through his own telepathy. "No, not very much left. Which isn't a good thing either, mind you." Cassie responded, not taking her eyes off the list. The three of them rather unaware of another trainer walking down the street.

 

[Softty]

In a few hours, she had to face the music. The deafening chorus of pleasantries, the smiles several layers deep under the surface of skin. Alice mentally braced herself for tonight. She had perfected her speech and mannerism at a young age when facing such crowds, dripping in excitement to earn her trust and become involved in her affairs. Her affairs as in theirs; the highly sought prospect of becoming involved with the Dupré family. Tonight there was a party being held in celebration of Eris Dupré; the heir to the throne and her brother by definition. His success was ground breaking, stripping away the titles of many of his competitors. As a young man, he climbed his way from the bottom of the pyramid, gaining respect from those that questioned his ability. However, as the product of a world class contestant and CEO of a global enterprise, his brilliance was expected. It was always expected of him, from their parents to the people hes encountered, he had been placed a heavy burden. On the other hand, Alice had none of the sorts. Eris was kind to her, and treated her gently; however she knew that deep down hes always resented her for this.

Despite her reluctance to attend, Alice didn't resent such gatherings to an extent that she avoided every one of them. Tonight was a celebration held by Johnny English, a wealthy man that threw the best parties in Lumiose City. As the main event of the night, an auction was taking place to show off what high rollers these people were. Among what they were selling, Alice was interested in the real estate. Of course the property would be beautiful, and the finest of its kind throughout the region.

As she walked down the streets, she caught a glimpse of a passing stranger. She looked familiar, a reoccurring sense of déjà Vu one would experience when looking at a face among a crowd. However she recognized this lady, and without much thought Alice turned as the trainer passed her.
"Ms. Michaels?"