I Want To Lay the Very Best!

230 – The Coalossal Weight of Missing No Talent

It was a relief to see Professor Joan's back, and not just because Morgan had been hiding her butt with her wings so only she could enjoy the sight. Shay's mom was surprisingly fun and smoking hot but was also really intense to be around. Professors were the best of the best, and Joan acted with a level of confidence that actually suited that position. Her body was flawless, and Brandy had the remarkable Joltik eyes that let her really check closely on it. Everything about her had been refined exactly to Joan's wishes; Brandy was seeing what a Trainer could accomplish with decades of inheritance, and it was both awe-inspiring and almost impossible not to envy. Professor Joan made Brandy feel small and awkward, which wasn't something Brandy was used to.

Her Partners were a real comfort to draw her back from that mood; she listened to them talk as they dressed and fell into their hugs. The first impression Joan made with her partners had been terrible, but she'd put in the work to turn it into a good mood before leaving. That was almost as good a lesson to learn from as the ones she'd openly shared, that you didn't have to let a bad experience poison a relationship if you were willing to work on it.

It made Brandy think of Maple and her team, especially Mahi. She wasn't exactly friends with the Goldeen now, but with Maple's prodding and a little more honesty between them, Brandy felt they might actually get there with time. Working on a relationship was tough, especially when you had some bad memories, but as Joan had proved, if you wanted it and put in the effort, you could turn things around.

Morgan was giving Brandy a final check over, making sure her shirt was on perfectly. This was mainly an excuse to tug at her Trainer's sides and sneak in a few nipping kisses on Brandy's earlobes. Brandy got fingers in the Murkrow tail and stroked them in return, the feathers swishing around her hand as Morgan hummed happily into her neck.

"I'm going to make things up to you," Brandy mumbled as Morgan's teeth grazed her ear. "A dream date, you'll see."

"You got nothing," Morgan whispered to Brandy. "But I know my Trainer is exceptional at improvising in a tight spot, so I'm looking forward to it."

"I love you, you know," Brandy whispered back, turning her head to look her partner in the eyes under the shade of her hat. "You've grown on me so fast. It's been so fun seeing you get to spread-."

"If you do a spread my wings metaphor, I'm going to introduce you to my new Sucker Punch," Morgan smirked back and patted Brandy's cheek. "I was a little upset at you, but right now, I am enjoying myself. You are forgiven. For now. However, make sure it's a really good date. I've expensive tastes."

Cheek. Brandy let Morgan go with a pat on the butt. See how she likes it for a change!

Turns out she liked it a lot because as soon as Brandy turned, Morgan ran back and slapped Brandy's ass, then ran past out onto the ship's deck cackling.

"Oh, that sucks!" Sparky grumped, "Now if I do that, I'll just be copying her."

"You could slap my ass?" Calcine said, turning to offer the side of it up to Sparky.

"Break my fingers," Sparky snorted, "And I'd have to find a ladder ... Brandy, come here!"

Brandy had just gotten her shirt neat and tidy, but her partners needed her, so she stepped up. Sparky gracefully clambered up her sides to sit on her shoulders and wind up her arm as her thighs pressed into Brandy's cheeks. The ass slap was so loud it made Brandy's ears ring, and she felt the squeeze on her head as Sparky's legs tightened and the bug bent over to rest her chest on the top of Brandy's head.

"Fuuuuuck," Sparky whined, "My palm feels like I tried to fist a stove."

"You won't get to do that on our date." Calcine said, "Unless you get me really drunk."

The silence that followed was incredibly worrying. Brandy knew Sparky was already calculating how many drinks it'd take to get a nine foot two woman of rock and fire drunk. She squeezed the piggybacking Joltik's hands, pressing her fingers into Sparky's palms.

"I like these hands. You two have to look after each other. Don't do anything I wouldn't."

"Wow," Sparky snorted. "What a huge list of things off the table for us, Calcine. How will we ever manage with all those rules?"

Brandy turned her head and got a nice bite on Sparky's thigh. It didn't help prove her responsibility, but the squeal she got was so gratifying it was worth it. Walking outside took some careful stepping, thanks to Brandy's passenger. Even sitting up on Brandy's shoulders, Sparky only reached the bottom of Calcine's chin. Sparky was taking a rare chance to lean against the giant Carkol's arm like some besotted lover. Which she kind of was. The pair of them were so earnestly sweet on each other that it was worth putting Brandy's shoulders through the effort of lugging the Joltik about.

Outside, Morgan had already found trouble, taking the center spot in a small flock of Wingull women who were absolutely barraging her with compliments and offering her bites from their chip cones. They were all wearing brand-new straw sunhats and practically bouncing excitedly as they barraged the Murkrow with questions. Morgan's takeover of the local bird gang was a little side adventure Brandy hadn't really paid much attention to, but maybe she could include them in her date. Chip cones were cheap. She was confident she could buy them enough to rope them into some kind of scheme.

Something to think about.

The deck was packed with people who'd come to watch the fights or take the chance to pick up women in a crowd, and with drinks flowing freely, the atmosphere was pretty wild. The glowing arena walls had a "Next Fight Soon!" message glittering over them, and people were making their own entertainment while they waited. There was music playing from a boombox someone had set up, and a couple of people were dancing with a Cinccino, at least three different women using her long fluffy tail as both scarf and rope and shamelessly rubbing themselves against her. One of the ship's railings was buckling under the weight of a Carracosta who'd risen out of the water and was having a blast showing off. Her powerful arms and cool spiky shell mask were being admired by a few blushing women in swimsuits who looked like they were one flex away from fainting.

No wonder tournaments were so popular. It got people so hyped up they were drawing in Pokémon.

"Brandy! Brandy!"

Turning to the calling voices, Brandy only got a glimpse of white before being consumed by an onrushing wooly tide. She stumbled, nearly falling to the deck, kept up by Calcine's large hand on her side as the Coalossal refused to be moved by the mob of Wooloo who'd jumped them. It didn't save her from the noise, an endless barrage of excitedly squealed statements.

"It's the Joltik too! Aw, look at the little cutie!"

"She's got such nice definition now. She's inherited!"

"The Carkol was not this tall before! Were we just far away?"

"I want her to bite my fingers!"

"Oh, I know her mom, she's really friendly. Like, really, really friendly~"

"Brandy Shots! Brandy Shots!"

"Hey, hey, ladies, slow down!" Brandy laughed, waving her arms. "You must be my fan club?"

The Wooloo all fell silent, staring at her with big golden eyes. Brandy had the briefest moment of fear at being the center of that much attention before their sheepish expressions turned into the most adorable, toothy smiles. "She made us official!"

They sounded so proudly possessive about it that. Calcine patted a few Wooloo on the head as her grip tightened on Brandy, just in case she needed saving.

"Are you all from Lea's gym? I think I see some new faces." Sparky said, "I'll let you all kiss Brandy if I get one too."

"No!" Calcine snapped quickly as the Wooloo all leaned in, ready to pounce, "Ladies. As lovely as this is, we'd like to enjoy the tournament. We've got a friend to support."

There was a theatrical 'Ooh' at that, and one of the wooly women called out, "That's Maple! I know that Brandy fact!"

Brandy fact?

"Maple, let me eat her out at her gym challenge," another said proudly. "She called me a good girl. I supported her friend!"

This brought on a chorus of cheers that Brandy couldn't help but laugh at. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and while her Steam Engine was purring along nicely after a shower, emotionally, Brandy really wanted a moment of calm and a drink.

"Ladies!" Brandy said, raising her voice and patting Sparky's thighs loudly until they all settled down. "We're going to be in Hulberry for a bit. Come find me tomorrow, and I'll be happy to get properly introduced."

"But for today," a voice called out, "She's mine."

Parting the Wooloo seas, Maple's blonde hair caught the sun in a perfect golden glow. She strode through the crowd and grabbed Brandy by the arm. "Come on, there's private areas for the Trainers. You should get there before more people mob you. You are very popular right now."

"People liked my fight?" Brandy grinned.

"Brandy," Maple tutted, "You've made it almost impossible for me to follow your show. Come on, Marina's getting drinks. I think you've earned a few."

"Can we do body shots?" Calcine asked.

"Well, that's on you to convince Brandy. I still have a fight, so I can't drink."

"Brandy let us taunt Maple with body shots," Sparky said. "She's going to be so envious."

The things she did for these dopes. She'd just got dressed!