Port in the Storm - PW-R-047

Port in the Storm


"So this is Canterville!" As her Dragonite shot through the air overhead, Cass turned back to her sister and noted, "You didn't mention how small it is! It's charming!"

Alex smiled and countered, "Just wait until you meet the folks living here!" Hot Shot landed softly near the small town's Pokémon Center, and the two sisters slid off his back. As Cass recalled him, Alex continued, "Getting to Rachel's boutique or the Smith farm from here shouldn't be a problem. Worst case scenario, I can ask for directions."

"Assuming one of the locals doesn't realize who you are and calls in the press, anyway." At her sister's uneasy shrug, Cass added, "Hey, it could happen."

"Well, I'm hoping it doesn't. Dealing with the paparazzi at home is bad enough, but dealing with them here? That'd be even worse." She put the thought aside and continued, "Anyway, the folks I know won't be in a big rush to draw attention to anyone, let alone me. I'm sure we'll be fine."

"Look! It's Alex Masters!"

A look of complete and utter terror at having shot herself in the foot flashed across Alex's face before she was mobbed by the press, surrounded by cameramen and reporters, a flurry of questions going her way.

"How do you feel about the court decision regarding your recent actions?"
"Can you justify your actions in regards to Lawrence Alexander and his associates?"
"Is it true you've been approached to do a spread for…?"

Alex held her arms up in protest and shouted as loud as she could. "Everyone, please!" The questions ceased, and she quietly continued, "First off, the actions I took are not ones that I'm proud of, and nor are they ones I'm eager to repeat or encourage in others. That said, I won't deny those actions, and I'm going to have to live with them for the rest of my days. Now that's all I'm going to say on the subject." As the gathered mob of journalists attempted to probe further, she made a point of marching off as quickly as possible, her sister following.

"Suddenly glad you've finished your badge journey through Hoenn?"

"Oh, more than ever."

-

"Um, sis, we've got a crowd outside."

"A crowd? Really?" An eager and excited look appeared on her face, and Rachel swiftly came to the window. "Oh this is so sudden! I'm not sure I'll be able to handle this many customers!"

Sarah quickly corrected her sibling and pointed at the woman at the head of the pack, "I don't think they're customers."

She immediately realized what was going on, then charged directly to the door of her business, practically tore it open and ushered the two women at the head of the pack inside. "Alexandria, darling, quickly, inside!" She waited for them to make a quick dash into her business, and then with satisfaction that they were safe called to the crowd outside, "Keep back, you bloodsucking journalistic ruffians!" before slamming the door in their faces, locking it, and flipping around her sign from "Open" to "Closed" for good measure. She took a moment to take a breath, then turned to her guests and said, "Alexandria, dearest, it's so good to see you again! I do apologize for the reception you received; I'd have thought the rest of the citizenry wouldn't resort to such depravity."

"No need to apologize, Rachel. I'm just hoping this storm blows over before too long." She then made a quick introduction. "My sister, Cassandra."

"Cass is fine. Alex tells me you're a talented clothing designer."

"Oh, one doesn't like to brag, but 'talented' is a fair estimate." Rachel paused and looked nervous as she asked, "Forgive me for asking, but your hair…"

"I'm a natural redhead. Alex and I have the same mom, but biologically, we have different fathers. Don't worry, people ask that all the time."

"Well, one can only assume that both of you inherited your mother's good looks. Anyway, come along Alexandria; I've completed a couple outfits for you that I hope will be more than satisfactory."

As Rachel led Alex off, Cass found herself alone with the dressmaker's sister. "Sarah, right?"

"Uh-huh. So you're Alex's sister?"

"Older by a couple years, yeah. Trust me, it was a little freaky when she had her growth spurt and she ended up taller than me for a while. Not to mention the stuff she didn't get from Mom alone."

"I'll bet."

-

"I will admit, it isn't much. Your current fashion choices might be a bit pedestrian, but given you went for practicality more than anything and you have managed to pull it off, I don't feel comfortable in prompting you towards something else." Rachel opened a set of drapes and added, "Nonetheless, I do have some designs that will look fabulous on you, as well as one small thing that I think you'll enjoy."

Alex's eyes went wide at the two mannequins before her, the one on her lefthand side prompting her attention. Resting upon it was a long cheongsam dress with short sleeves, predominantly blue but decorated with green detailing, accented by blue gloves. "Wow…this is beautiful." She slipped off one of her gauntlets and gently touched the dress. "Cotton?"

"Of course! I've never been one for artificial fabrics. I hope you don't mind the design; I was aiming for ease of movement more than anything else. Admittedly, this was meant for formal wear, but given the sorts of things you tend to find yourself in…"

"Don't worry, I understand." Despite herself, Alex had a hard time not looking at the gown, a grin spreading across her face as she kept her eyes upon it. "I really don't like the idea of getting into a fight in one of these, but I'm glad I can if I have to." It took everything she had to turn her attention away from the formal dress and towards the other designs, but she quickly settled on the least prominent of the three. "I'm guessing this is for more casual wear."

"Yes. I remembered what you said about alternating between a jacket and a vest, and I found myself thinking there may be a way to simplify that." Rachel approached the brown jacket sitting upon the mannequin and demonstrated, pulling back a flap over one sleeve to reveal a zipper. "Admittedly, you could find something on the market that does the same, but I also remembered the gold detailing you had on yours. It's a striking contrast with the brown leather, and if nothing else, this will save you the trouble of getting it detailed yourself."

Indeed, the new jacket managed to maintain the gold detailing that Alex had eventually added to her vest's trim and collar, remaining clear enough to be noticed but subtle enough to not be overwhelming. Aside from that, it had clear padding on the shoulders and elbows, reminding its intended wearer of something worn while riding a motorcycle. She smiled and noted, "I love it."

"Well, I'm glad you're pleased with it. Now, as for the third outfit you requested…"

"Third outfit?" Alex looked at the designer with surprise. "I thought you were just going to do formal attire and something casual."

Rachel looked at her with surprise. "Then that wasn't you who contacted me about this outfit?" She pulled aside another set of drapes and explained as she revealed the third outfit, "I thought it was a bit suspicious at first, based on the description I was given. Still, it was an interesting challenge, and I found I couldn't resist." She looked to Alex and noticed the shocked expression on her face. "Is something wrong?"

"No." Alex approached the outfit and ran her bare hand along it. "No, I just recognize it. A leather suit like something worn by a motorcyclist, mostly black but with some blue around the waist and down the sleeves and legs. Add in a black longcoat and high-heeled boots, and it's practically like something out of a comic book." She turned back to Rachel and asked, "How were you contacted with the particulars for this? E-mail?"

"Telephone. The voice at the other end was yours, or something reasonably close." The designer approached and gave the taller young woman a curious look. "Are you saying that you know something about this?"

"Yeah, but you wouldn't believe me if I told you." At the girl's almost demanding counter, Alex sighed and attempted, "Off and on over the last few months, up until I finished my little detour through Orre, I'd been running into a mercenary named Schwester Schatten."

An arched eyebrow. "'Sister Shadow'? Sounds like some sort of alias."

"It was. Officially, she was employed by Team Aqua, but I get the feeling she was more of a free agent. She saved my butt more than once. Anyway, this outfit you made for me? Add in the longcoat and boots, and the only thing missing from her look is a fancy helmet right out of a Japanese action series."

"Well, I can understand why she didn't mention that. As good as I am with most fabrics, I'm horrible with anything that could be used to make a helmet. But why would this Schatten woman contact me about making you an outfit like hers? And how could she speak with your voice?"

"Not sure about the former, but I know the exact answer for the latter. And that's the part that you'll have a hard time believing." A nervous shrug, and Alex admitted, "She's me from about two decades in the future."

Rachel looked at Alex with some disbelief, but soon turned thoughtful. "Well, I will admit, that is rather far-fetched. And Twyla has mentioned something about time travel once or twice, and everyone knows the stories about Celebi. Still, the idea of you traveling back in time to protect yourself…"

"I know, it's a stretch." She looked the outfit over one more time and added, "Still, I'll take it. I'm gonna need it eventually, assuming I can ever get out of this place."

"You will, dearest." Rachel approached and flashed a comforting smile. "All of this will pass with time, I assure you." Her tone turned saddened as she added, "Though I don't envy the things you'll apparently see, assuming you're right about all of that. You've had enough trauma to last a lifetime, and if what you've said is true, then…"

"Rachel, don't worry." Alex smiled in turn and admitted, "You can't appreciate the good times without some bad times coming your way. And if I can survive what I've been through, then I think I'll be fine." The smile turned into a grin as she continued, "That said, moral support doesn't hurt. And I wouldn't mind too much if I could see everyone here in town again before I got back on the road."

A beaming, determined expression, and Rachel promised, "Then Arceus as my witness, you and your sister will have a pleasant evening with all of us! A Canterville night to remember!" She paused, then quickly admitted, "Though given the short notice, perhaps a small intimate dinner will be fine."

Alex laughed. "That'll be perfect."