She couldn't get her Pokémon to fly.

Although she loved and adored her Fletchinder, she and the bird were too inexperienced to do so yet. This was making the trek back to the big city a mite harder than she had initially expected, as her and the other trainers had made their way down the rubble-studded overlooking mountains of Cyllage toward the coast. She had to meander her way back up the rocky cliffs and through the countryside towns, past the palace in order to get back to Lumiose.

She had to get some shopping done, certainly. Lumiose seemed the only place where there was any real selection of shop that had more than pokéballs and technical machines. At least, she was trying to reason with herself that she needed clothes to better suit the weather she was going into while also trying to reason that she needed an evaluation.

There was definitely hard work in catching Pokémon. Each day, she was venturing out into the fields and the flowers, wading through tall grass in order to find as many as possible. Day in, day out she just spent her time out there getting sweaty and training to the limits with her and her team. At this point, the five of them had only been out on the road for a few months, but she had already garnered 70 different Pokémon in her travels. The other trainers had so few, she would have liked to think that would be impressive. People so often noted that she was the daughter of Rhyhorn racer Grace that the feeling of high expectation always stayed with her. She wanted to confirm whether or not she was living up to that expectation... And hoped her efforts would be noticed.

Pushing her blonde hair back from her face, Serena walked through the gateway of route 5 into the stone-paved city of light. Half of the city was still shut down after a major outage, but luckily she didn't need anything on that side. The boutiques and cafés she cared for were on the south end of the city. Hurrying her pace, she walked on toward the lab. The faster she got this done, the faster she could get on with her day. Not a big deal. No sir.

Serena climbs the steps up to the Sycamore Laboratory, walking through the lobby and entering the small and somewhat disconcerting elevator. She presses the third floor button, waiting for the silvery doors to slide open. The red carpet of the Professor's office greeting her as daylight fades away into the distance. Looking around for signs of any person, she didn't see the Professor's assistants or any of the other lab workers around, but she knew he typically worked late in research. There was a small chance he wouldn't be there until the next morning, by which she could continue about the rest of her day as she intended and do her shopping. Maybe enjoy a coffee by herself at Café Soleil.

She wasn't that lucky. Serena laid eyes on the Professor and took her deepest breath, giving him her best public smile and feeling meek inside. He looks up from his research, tired gray eyes meeting hers and giving her a gentle smile, "To what do I owe this pleasure, mademoiselle Serena?"

She took a few more steps into his office, "I came to the city to relax and shop a little. I was hoping you could take a look at my Pokédex?" she said as she pulled the device from her little pink purse.

Pushing his chair out from his desk, Professor Sycamore stood up and stretched for a moment. "But of course," he said, scratching his hair and walking toward Serena, he took the Pokédex in hand and flipped it open. Flipping through it idly, he walks back over and takes a drink from the bottle sitting on his desk. "Hmm, this... this is very nice. How long ago did you leave with the Froakie and the Bulbasaur I gave you?"

"A couple months ago, I think?" Serena said, clenching her hands behind her back. Her eyes wandered to examine the piles of books that lay around the room, many volumes of studies and research journals. It seemed as though the Professor had horizontal surface syndrome, where every surface is covered in stuff.

The Professor leaned against the desk, scrolling through the entries. "You are most certainly your mother's daughter. The others have only caught... a dozen? Two? Well, my dear, please keep up the good work. I am sure to see great things from you."

Her face started to burn a little, warmth spreading to her cheeks as she tried to breathe slowly. "Thank you, Professor", she bowed to him very slightly, her eyes shifted toward the floor and arms behind her back. The Pokédex thrust into her line of vision and she looked up, meeting his friendly but tired eyes.

"So, what else are you up to today? Just to relax?" he said, the gentle smile spreading to the edges of his face, curious eyes exploring her shy, lightly flushed face.

Serena reached forward to take the Pokédex from his outstretched hands. She stepped back a pace from him, "I wanted to get some coffee. I can't find coffee in the country like there is here", she explained.

The Professor walked back over to his desk, leaning over the computer there to type something out on the keyboard. "This is very true, mademoiselle. Would you like to get some coffee with me?" he said as he straightened and looked back toward her. "I've reached a stopping point for the night, it is best if I leave now anyways."

Startled, she held up her hands as her face started to get warmer, "I really don't want to bother you, I'm sure you've got other more important things to do."

"Please, my dear, it would be my pleasure to treat you. You have done much work," he insisted. He slid his white lab coat off and placed it on the back of his chair, walking back to Serena. He slid an arm around her shoulders and pushed her toward the door. "What do you like?"

Her face felt like it couldn't get any hotter as he grasped her shoulders and led her to the elevator, "Thank you, sir, I was thinking of the café nearby. Their coffee is nice, and last time I went I got to see Diantha" she managed to stammer. She thought about the last time she was able to wander around the city, she remembered seeing Diantha and Lysandre in that café. It was really kind of awkward.

They stepped into the cramped space, shining silver and brushed metal walls gleaming. Serena couldn't edge away from the Professor. "You should not call me such names, I feel my age greater than I should" he exclaimed.

She apologized, "I-I didn't mean it like that I just-" her hands scratched at the pleats of her skirt.

He held a hand up, "I am only joking, ma chére". The doors slid open and he walked out of the elevator. He motioned toward the lobby doors, she noticed a smile upon his face as she looked up, blush evident. Serena hurried toward the doors so she would not have to continue looking as if she were a Deerling caught in the headlights of an oncoming car. The Professor walked on beside her. "So, how do you take your coffee?"

She adjusted her bag up to her shoulder, suddenly finding the store fronts of much interest to her as she looked away from the Professor. They walked left on the avenue to the nearest café, "I usually like mine cold and sweet... What about yours, Professor?"

"Dark. Strong as a dozen Tauros. Helps me to stay awake while I work," he explained.

Serena looked back toward him, "Is that why you look so tired?" a concerned look spread across her face as she eyed the gray around his eyes, stubble lining the corners of his face.

He smiled at her again, "I just get very focused, it is hard to draw my attention away from work. Between researching studies for evolution and mentoring you and the other trainers, I am easily busy all day."

"Do not fret over me, ma chére," he said, grasping her shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze.

The blush rushed back over her face as she turned right to face the café. Night had fallen over the city, lights flicking on to illuminate the streets and buildings of the south side of the city. She walked into the small store, sconces lining the beige and dark wood walls. Wandering over to the counter, Serena peered up at the pink haired maid on the other side. "May I take your order?"

The Professor stepped up next to Serena, glancing down at her. She gazed along the wall, blue eyes glittering. She was clearly not ready to order yet. "I'll have un café and whatever the young lady wants, s'il vous plaît," he volunteered to the girl at the counter.

Serena bit her lip, thinking for a moment. "Can I have an iced mocha, please?" she sounded a bit pleading.

"But of course," the girl responded, bowing and turning to make their order.

Professor Sycamore turned to one of the tables, pulling out a chair for Serena and motioning for her to sit down. She obliged and sat, hanging her bag on her chair. She tried to think about anything but being here, it felt so surreal. Her head was starting to feel light through the blushing and head turning. Idle hands stretched over the edges of her skirt, straightening each fold neatly as the Professor came back over to the table and sat opposite of her. He set the cold drink down in front of her.

"So your journey has brought you to the coast and back, what Pokémon do you feel you cannot live without?" He grasps his cup, taking a sip. He tapped the side of the cup waiting for a response as Serena's eyes slid over the room pensively.

"I think so far I can't live without my Froakie, and I couldn't imagine doing anything without Honedge," she replied as she gripped the cup, taking a long drink through whipped cream and wiping the rest from her lips.

"Those are strong choices. You do not seem to leave any gaps when it comes to your team," said the Professor.

She gave a half smile and cocked her head, "Well, I don't like to be caught off guard. Having too many weaknesses makes me feel vulnerable," she stopped and pursed her lips for a moment. She had always wondered why the Professor had chosen her to be a part of this team and given her the two Pokémon she had. "Professor, how do you know my mother?"

He smiled, "I got to know your mother and father a long time ago when I traveled in your home country. I was researching the varieties of Pokémon at that time and Grace was still a racer. I had the honor of meeting her while I was working on a project."

Serena frowned. It was hard to admit that so much high expectation made her a little resentful toward her mother, but she loved her. She felt a little confused at herself and jealous at her mother knowing the Professor... "But why me in particular? I'm sure there are plenty of other trainers that would jump at the chance," she asked.

"Your mother is an exceptional Pokémon trainer and an even more exceptional woman. It is not unusual for someone to be like their parents. You have proven me right, maybe even more than I expected." The gaze of the Professor settled on Serena for a long moment, smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Her chest tightened, hand clenching around the cold mug in her hand. The heat rose in her face again and she stared up as his gray eyes for what felt like forever, before the tightness became too much and looked down into her mug.

He eyed her with a quizzical look. She has been acting like this all night, when she seemed fine in the past. "Are you okay, Serena? You seem very tense," he cooed to her gently, trying not to pry. He reached across the table to push her fine blonde hair back, as so much of it fell down in front of her face. She seemed startled by the gesture as she looked back up to meet his gaze.

"I... I'm fine," she said as she tried to manage her best smile. She was scared of the way she felt, the tightness in her chest and the heat in her face. Gripping her cup tighter, she finished the rest of her coffee and shakily placed the mug on the table. "I guess I should go get my shopping done before the stores close," Serena pushed her chair out to stand.

The Professor stood to follow her out, stepping through the low doorway into the blue-white of the city lights. They turned the corner to pass the windows of the café as he asked, concerned, "I do not mean to press, but I am here if you need any help, ma chére."

Serena bowed very slightly, "Thank you," and was surprised by his grabbing her hand, pressing his lips to her fingers. She looked straight up into his eyes, which might have been a mistake. She inadvertently smiled as she took in his features. Gentle and knowing, soft eyes searching for answers to questions she couldn't figure out.

He suddenly felt very weak, blood rushing to his head as he looked back at her. Something felt wrong in the way he was thinking, but he couldn't hear his thoughts over his pounding heart. She was impressive, he could admit that. Her motivation and knowledge already greater than most, she held an air that commanded power and a beauty that even other trainers were aware of. She had soft, gold hair and sparkling blue eyes that he couldn't look away from. For a long moment they stood there silently, Professor Sycamore holding the fingertips of Serena's hand.

He let out a deep breath into the warm air of the night. "I am probably going to regret this," he whispered.

"What do you mean?" Serena asked, but before she could linger on the question he pulled her hand toward him, his left hand caressing her neck. Her eyes went wide as she felt his lips press against hers. She felt startled and limp at first, not knowing what to do, but her quickly beating heart pushed her need to embrace him. Arms wrapping around his ribs, she fell into his kiss.

She was dazed and confused, overwhelmed with her senses. He pulled his lips away, though they still held each other, he was taken aback by his own actions. "Tu es tres belle..." he gasped. "I mean, I am sorry. That was wrong of me and I should let you get—", he began to babble, breathing deeply as Serena interrupted him and pulled him back to her. She just wanted to keep doing this, it was wonderful. His soft lips pressed against hers again and again. She caressed his face, brushing the stubble and his dark hair with her right hand.

The Professor was dizzy, and after what seemed like the whole evening he pulled away again to look her in the eyes. Looking her over just differently from the moments before in the café. He ran a hand through her hair, "I should let you go."

For a moment, her eyes pleaded. She just wanted to stay, but she knew that more gyms and her Pokémon awaited her. "Alright," she resigned herself, "I should get that shopping done."

"We will talk again soon, ma chérie," he said, shortly before greedily pulling her into one last kiss. They let go of each other reluctantly. "Be safe."

Serena pulled away and wished him a short "Good night, Professor", but her head was reeling. She couldn't take in all the warmth and surprise she felt. Her heart raced and she couldn't control her thoughts as she looked at a boutique for jeans and a swimsuit to take with her. Just going over his gray eyes again, the feel of his skin, she just wanted to stay.

She had found a hotel to stay the night and packed up her new belongings to get ready for more adventures in the field. She lay in bed to rest, but couldn't bring herself to stop thinking. She eventually drifted away to sleep in a haze of emotion she couldn't sort through.

Professor Sycamore held a similar situation. His mind wandered back over what he'd done. How much he enjoyed being close to Serena, how perfect she felt in his arms. At the same time he was revolted at the way he acted. He was old enough to be her father, friends with her own parents. He turned this thought over and over in his mind. He couldn't stop wanting her, but he didn't want to interrupt the work either of them did or to damage their images.

He sat on the couch in his flat, floors above the city streets of Lumiose. He tried to avoid thinking about her and the ramifications that might meet him if he continued into a relationship with her. Daydreaming instead about what he might do with her, he preoccupied himself all through the night with work and projects he had set aside. Anything but the feel of her...