Night has come to the town of Heroto, but it doesn’t stop the pokemon from enjoying time out. Many pokemon flock to the theatre, taking their seats in the booths, awaiting the show. Betty peeks out from behind the curtains and takes notice of the riolu with the pachirisu, seated toward the back corner of the playhouse. She recoils when a voice calls for her from behind. “Here, Elle!”
Elle flies up to her. “Everything all right? You’re not nervous, are you?”
“Nervous? Me? Never! Just surveying the audience to see if anyone I know has appeared.”
“Oh… Are you expecting someone?”
“No… I was just curious…”
“Well, we’re about to start. You should get to your position.”
“I will… Thanks.” Elle smiles before flying away. Betty looks back at the curtains. Elle appears out onto the stage, greeted with applauds as she makes her announcement. During the time she speaks, Betty gets to her spot by Manny.
“You okay, Betty?” asks the manchamp.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she responds. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You look worried. Something on your mind?”
“No… Not at all. My thoughts are clear and I’m ready to put on a show. You ready?”
“As always.”
“Now,” continues Elle. “Let me present to you the great Betty the Brionne with Manny the Manchamp! Enjoy the show!” The audience clap and cheer once again as she clears the stage. The curtains draw back to reveal Betty and Manny. They ready themselves for the first part of their act: dancing while using their moves to show off to the crowd. Everyone watches with amazement and fascination; except for Zach, who turns away with arms crossed. Betty takes notice during her performance, giving a slight frown when she looks toward him every now and then.
***
Once the show ends and the curtains close, Betty and Manny get greeted with cheers and positive comments from the others. They smile and thank them for their performance before their coworkers all disperse and leave them as they retreat back to their dressing rooms.
“Hey!” shouts a voice. The two pokemon turn to see the pachirisu come up to them with Zach by her side. “I loved your performance! You two were great!”
“Oh, why thank you,” says Manny. He takes notice of the riolu. “Oh, hello, Zach.”
“Manny,” Zach utters. He then turns to the brionne, giving a nod. “Betty…”
“Zach,” Betty starts. “Such a surprise to see you here. What brings you to the show?”
“My girlfriend’s a huge fan of you… I thought I’d take her to see you perform…”
Betty points to Julie. “Your girlfriend, huh? She’s quite lovely.”
“Aw, thank you so much, Miss Betty!” spurts Julie, smiling and failing to contain her excitement. “It means so much to hear that from you!”
Betty gives a smile. “You’re welcome.”
Julie turns to Zach. “I’ll just be right back. Just need to wash my paws!” Zach musters an “okay” as she turns and heads off.
“Lucky girl,” comments Betty. “How long have you two been going out?”
“Betty!” calls the shiny celebi, flying over. “You and Manny were amazing out there! They all loved you both. You guys deserve-” She pauses, taking notice of the riolu. “Zach…?”
“Elle,” Zach responds, respectively.
“What are you doing here? I hope you aren’t trying to take me back like you’ve tried doing with my sister…”
“Not at all,” he tells her. “As much as I would like, I cannot… I need to move on… Besides, I have someone new…”
“Really…? Who might that be?”
“Hey, guys!” Gloria comes stomping in. “You’ll never guess who was-” She takes notice of the riolu. “Oh, it’s you…”
“Gloria,” says Zach. “Fair ‘hello’ to you, too…”
“Why are you here? I hope you don’t plan to seduce and steal my Elle from me!”
“He’s not,” Betty adds. “Zach was just coming to greet me and Manny.”
“Yes,” Zach adds. “My girlfriend wanted to meet Betty, and I decided to take her to see the famous brionne...”
“Really? You have a new girlfriend? And where is this ‘girlfriend’ of yours? Hm?” She then spots the pachirisu rejoining the group and standing next to Zach. “Julie? What are you doing here?”
“Oh, hello, Gloria,” Julie spurts. “Fancy meeting you here…”
“Elle and I own this place. Why are you here?”
“I’m here because my new boyfriend took me.”
“New boyfriend…? You have a new boyfriend? Who is it?”
Julie extends her arm toward Zach. “Right here.”
Gloria freezes. “What…? The riolu is your new boyfriend…? Surely, this has to be a joke…”
“It is no joke. Zach IS my new boyfriend. We started going out and we became close.” She wraps her arm around Zach. “Right, Zach?”
“Yeah,” Zach answers, agreeing with her.
“Both of you…?” asks Gloria. “You two, together…? Are you sure about that?”
“Gloria, I’m tired of you always ignoring me and pushing me away, all for your mate. I needed someone to satisfy my attention and needs since you’re ‘too busy with your mate and new child.’ That’s why I’ve decided to be with this riolu.”
“Julie…”
“Gloria, hold it,” says Elle, grabbing her by the arm. “I know she’s your friend, but, maybe she’s right…”
Gloria faces her mate. “You’re siding with her, now?”
“No… I’m saying it’s her choice to be with whoever she wants… Same applies to Zach.” Gloria stares at her. “What does it matter to you? We made our choices, and they made theirs… We need to respect that. We’re not their parents…”
Gloria turns back to her friend. “Very well… I hope the both of you cherish your time together…” She then looks to Zach. “You… better not do anything bad to her…”
“I have no intention,” says Zach.
“Come on, Honey,” Elle tells Gloria. “Let’s get Cinella and head home.” Gloria agrees, following her away from the stage.
Betty looks back toward the riolu. “Well, it was nice to see you again, Zach.”
Zach turns to her. “Yeah, you as well…” He then looks to his girlfriend. “Can we please go?”
“You okay?”
“I’m not sure…”
“Okay, let’s go.” Julie faces Betty. “Such a pleasure to meet you! Love your work, as always!”
“Why, thank you,” Betty responds. Showing a smile, Julie then turns and walks out with Zach. Betty keeps staring at the two as they disappear.
Manny looks to his coworker. “What’s with you?”
She turns to him. “Huh? Nothing… Why?”
“Are you jealous or something?”
“What?! What makes you think that?!”
“I noticed the way you were looking at him, and the way you talked…”
“I don’t like Zach in that way, if that’s what you’re implying!” She looks back at the doors where the riolu and pachirisu exited. “It’s just… He seems different… Not really happy with how his life is… I understand that, especially after everything that has happened to him… I wonder…”
