Changes (Delia/Giovanni, for blackjackrocket)
Title: Changes
Rating: G
Verse: Anime
Characters: Delia, Giovanni, Ash
Pairings : Delia/Giovanni
Summary: What happens when the two people you care most for in your life find themselves in an unknown and potentially dangerous new surrounding?
Notes: pokeprompts Fic Exchange fic for blackjackrocket
Delia sat in Oak's Jeep, watching as Ash popped open the trunk and gathered his belongings. It was a moment the boy had been looking forward to- exploring the Unova region- and his excitement could be felt in the air. He'd be starting a new journey that day, and Delia couldn't be prouder, but for her, there was a different kind of excitement. Unbeknownst to Oak, and even Ash, there was another person in Delia's life who had also found himself drawn to Unova. A person she'd planned to meet that evening.
"Mom, I'm ready to go!" Ash said, his backpack slung over one shoulder. Delia got out of the car and gave him a hug.
"You've got everything?" she asked, doublechecking.
"Yes, Mom," he replied.
"Do your best for everyone in Pallet Town, okay Ash? We're all counting on you. And don't forget to change-"
"MOM!"
-
It was evening in Unova now and Delia was waiting outside a large office building. The sun was beginning to set behind the skyline, in shades of a brilliant red-orange, illuminating the clouds in front of it.
Delia checked her watch impatiently. She had delayed her return trip back for this and hoped he wasn't going to run too late- some lateness, she could excuse- because she'd worked her entire schedule prior to her departure from the region around tonight's date.
She had fears. About Ash, her son, who she'd just left to roam the region and continue his quest to become a master Pokemon trainer, but more importantly...
"Delia. Just as beautiful as the last time I saw you," an all too familiar voice echoed from behind her. She turned to the source of it, relieved. Giovanni stood behind her, the sunset casting a slight sheen on his dark brown hair and warm skintone. He wore a dark-colored suit, one that Delia had never seen before.
"Maybe more," he said, upon seeing her face. Delia wrapped him in an embrace, followed by a quick kiss on his cheek. "You certainly seem excited," he said to her.
"Gio, you're late by-" she checked her watch- "two minutes..." Two minutes that felt like an eternity.
"The driver caught traffic," Giovanni replied, his voice indicating he was clearly irritated by this. "I would have called but you wouldn't have been able to hear anything over the swearing from the front." He laughed.
"I'm just happy you're here. It's been so long," Delia said.
"I am too. I have so much catching up to do, and so little time," Giovanni replied. There was a hint of fatigue in his voice, one Delia could pick up slightly but paid little mind to at this point.
"I could say the same for you," she said, noticing his rather unusual choice of clothes. "What's the deal with the new look?" she asked, pointing to his suit, dark green with rows of buttons and dark red trim to accent it. It looked more like an old fashioned military uniform from the turn of the century than your typical date wear.
"Oh, this?" Giovanni asked. "You say that like it's a bad thing, my dear," he said slyly.
"No, no! I actually love it," Delia replied, quickly making her approval clear. "It brings out your eyes."
"It'll all be explained once we get inside," Giovanni said. "Quickly, get in before they see us together. I can't afford that many mindwipes right now."
-
The two were now in Giovanni's Unova office, a room that was nothing like the luxuriously furnished office Delia was used to in Kanto.
The entire floor at first bore the apprearance of a smooth violet fiberglass surface but upon closer inspection was a massive display screen. Even the one sign that someone as refined as Giovanni worked in here- the finely carved hardwood desk- was outfitted with all kinds of buttons and surrounded by various kinds of screens. It looked more like a science fiction movie set than something you'd expect someone to actually work in, and a chill went down Delia's spine as the reality of what her lover worked with hit her in full. It was so easy to write off the uncomfortable part, the Team Rocket part, when the typical business trappings were present, but now it was staring her in the face.
"So, what do you think of the new base?" Giovanni asked her. Something seemed different about Delia now- he could tell she had a sense of unease about her, perhaps from the new surroundings.
"It's... interesting," Delia said. "I've never seen this much technology outside of Oak's laboratory."
"Everything is state of the art," Giovanni said. "Now, I believe we have some catching up to do before the night is over. How's Ash taking Unova?"
"He loves it already," Delia said. "He already caught his first Pokemon, a-"
"Mamepato," Giovanni said. "Yes. I've been notified already. I'm proud of him, he's quite capable to be catching Pokemon in a region he's never seen before shortly after he gets there."
"I was surprised too," Delia replied. "He's already made some friends, as well."
"Good, that's what I was hoping for." He paused. "How have you been doing? How's Kanto this time of year?"
"Everything's great back home. I had to let go of Mimey though... he's staying with Oak now. He was getting too old to do the chores around the house. How's Persian?" she asked, looking at the cat wrapping himself around Giovanni's legs.
"Still a lazy, ungrateful ball of fur," Giovanni replied. "He didn't do too well in the move to Unova..." He stopped a moment. "Delia, something's wrong."
"No-" she said.
"You don't sound like yourself. At all. Something is bothering you and I want to know what it is. You're staring down-"
"-It's at Persian. I haven't seen-"
"Persian is getting a drink of water now," Giovanni said, pointing to the water bowl Persian was lapping from.
Delia realized she'd been called on her worries and had little choice but to explain. "It's Ash," Delia said. "I'm worried about him. And how he'll do out here. I can tell already this isn't like other regions. Your office is a war room now. You're wearing that... uniform... and I love it, but I know it's no suit. I know there's a reason. For all of this."
Giovanni cursed whatever deities cared about him and took a deep breath. Even though he'd set up his meeting with Delia as a way to explain his plans for the region and for their son with her, he'd wanted to wait until the wine was flowing and she was in a comfortable, calm mood. Not confronted like this. It sunk in, far too late, that holding this date in his office was probably not the best idea.
"...There's a good reason I sent the three over here right away, Delia," he said. "Unova is dangerous."
Delia went pale. "What do you mean, 'dangerous'?" she asked.
"Intelligence gathered on the region while researching the lore of the area's Pokemon revealed the activity of a highly dangerous cult. Not only are they a threat to Team Rocket's goals, we found they have plans in mind which may very well threaten humanity's existence."
He braced himself. Knowing Delia, she wouldn't take it well...
As expected, she went pale.
"You can see now why I felt it necessary to move operations here, correct Delia? Until this cult- Plasma- are eradicated, I don't feel comfortable having a base in Kanto that far away from our operations, especially with our son exploring the region."
"You never told me Unova was this dangerous," Delia said. "Now it all makes sense... the base... the uniform... everything..."
"You would be correct, Delia. This is nothing like I've ever seen before... we're talking about more than just my goals at stake, but everyone. Unova knows nothing of Team Rocket aside from a few stories passed off around here as urban legends. We're hoping the strategy of intimidation proves effective."
The response made sense to Delia. Still, one thing bothered her at her very core, and in the end, maternal instinct always won out.
"Are you sure Ash will be alright?"
"He's in good hands, Delia. I've already given the trio more than adequate means to contact me, whenever necessary, and I've arranged for one of the Gym Leaders in Sanyo City to be a traveling companion. He'll find himself with a rather nice compensation for his troubles. I may be retired as a Gym Leader, but I still have some pull within the Leagues."
Delia was torn. She knew if anyone would go out of their way to protect their boy, it'd be Giovanni, but...
"He's just a boy," Delia said.
"And he's growing up well. You've done a good job raising him and I know it's hard to believe but he's grown to a point where he's proven himself capable of taking care of himself. I promise you, Delia."
Delia wanted desperately to believe he was okay, but maternal instinct remained stronger than logic for her. Still... Giovanni had a point. Hadn't they both seen to it, in their own ways, that he grew up strong? Ultimately, the best thing she could do for Ash's sake was let him grow, and put her faith in him.
If even a man who had only seen his son through photos could tell Ash was that strong, then there was probably something to what he'd said. It took a lot of trust to go off just photos and hearsay about a person.
She looked off, deep in thought.
"Delia?" Giovanni asked.
Delia looked up, then just smiled and embraced him tightly, enjoying the moment for what it was and throwing aside any fears about the future. "I believe this was to be a date?" she asked.
-
A week later, back home in Pallet Town, Ash called Delia on the videophone to introduce her to a new friend.
"This is Dent," he said, pointing to the waving green haired boy on the screen. "He's one of the leaders of the Sanyo City gym and he's going to be travelling with me and Iris!"
Delia just smiled and remembered the discussion a week before. Things would be alright for Ash after all.
Rating: G
Verse: Anime
Characters: Delia, Giovanni, Ash
Pairings : Delia/Giovanni
Summary: What happens when the two people you care most for in your life find themselves in an unknown and potentially dangerous new surrounding?
Notes: pokeprompts Fic Exchange fic for blackjackrocket
Delia sat in Oak's Jeep, watching as Ash popped open the trunk and gathered his belongings. It was a moment the boy had been looking forward to- exploring the Unova region- and his excitement could be felt in the air. He'd be starting a new journey that day, and Delia couldn't be prouder, but for her, there was a different kind of excitement. Unbeknownst to Oak, and even Ash, there was another person in Delia's life who had also found himself drawn to Unova. A person she'd planned to meet that evening.
"Mom, I'm ready to go!" Ash said, his backpack slung over one shoulder. Delia got out of the car and gave him a hug.
"You've got everything?" she asked, doublechecking.
"Yes, Mom," he replied.
"Do your best for everyone in Pallet Town, okay Ash? We're all counting on you. And don't forget to change-"
"MOM!"
-
It was evening in Unova now and Delia was waiting outside a large office building. The sun was beginning to set behind the skyline, in shades of a brilliant red-orange, illuminating the clouds in front of it.
Delia checked her watch impatiently. She had delayed her return trip back for this and hoped he wasn't going to run too late- some lateness, she could excuse- because she'd worked her entire schedule prior to her departure from the region around tonight's date.
She had fears. About Ash, her son, who she'd just left to roam the region and continue his quest to become a master Pokemon trainer, but more importantly...
"Delia. Just as beautiful as the last time I saw you," an all too familiar voice echoed from behind her. She turned to the source of it, relieved. Giovanni stood behind her, the sunset casting a slight sheen on his dark brown hair and warm skintone. He wore a dark-colored suit, one that Delia had never seen before.
"Maybe more," he said, upon seeing her face. Delia wrapped him in an embrace, followed by a quick kiss on his cheek. "You certainly seem excited," he said to her.
"Gio, you're late by-" she checked her watch- "two minutes..." Two minutes that felt like an eternity.
"The driver caught traffic," Giovanni replied, his voice indicating he was clearly irritated by this. "I would have called but you wouldn't have been able to hear anything over the swearing from the front." He laughed.
"I'm just happy you're here. It's been so long," Delia said.
"I am too. I have so much catching up to do, and so little time," Giovanni replied. There was a hint of fatigue in his voice, one Delia could pick up slightly but paid little mind to at this point.
"I could say the same for you," she said, noticing his rather unusual choice of clothes. "What's the deal with the new look?" she asked, pointing to his suit, dark green with rows of buttons and dark red trim to accent it. It looked more like an old fashioned military uniform from the turn of the century than your typical date wear.
"Oh, this?" Giovanni asked. "You say that like it's a bad thing, my dear," he said slyly.
"No, no! I actually love it," Delia replied, quickly making her approval clear. "It brings out your eyes."
"It'll all be explained once we get inside," Giovanni said. "Quickly, get in before they see us together. I can't afford that many mindwipes right now."
-
The two were now in Giovanni's Unova office, a room that was nothing like the luxuriously furnished office Delia was used to in Kanto.
The entire floor at first bore the apprearance of a smooth violet fiberglass surface but upon closer inspection was a massive display screen. Even the one sign that someone as refined as Giovanni worked in here- the finely carved hardwood desk- was outfitted with all kinds of buttons and surrounded by various kinds of screens. It looked more like a science fiction movie set than something you'd expect someone to actually work in, and a chill went down Delia's spine as the reality of what her lover worked with hit her in full. It was so easy to write off the uncomfortable part, the Team Rocket part, when the typical business trappings were present, but now it was staring her in the face.
"So, what do you think of the new base?" Giovanni asked her. Something seemed different about Delia now- he could tell she had a sense of unease about her, perhaps from the new surroundings.
"It's... interesting," Delia said. "I've never seen this much technology outside of Oak's laboratory."
"Everything is state of the art," Giovanni said. "Now, I believe we have some catching up to do before the night is over. How's Ash taking Unova?"
"He loves it already," Delia said. "He already caught his first Pokemon, a-"
"Mamepato," Giovanni said. "Yes. I've been notified already. I'm proud of him, he's quite capable to be catching Pokemon in a region he's never seen before shortly after he gets there."
"I was surprised too," Delia replied. "He's already made some friends, as well."
"Good, that's what I was hoping for." He paused. "How have you been doing? How's Kanto this time of year?"
"Everything's great back home. I had to let go of Mimey though... he's staying with Oak now. He was getting too old to do the chores around the house. How's Persian?" she asked, looking at the cat wrapping himself around Giovanni's legs.
"Still a lazy, ungrateful ball of fur," Giovanni replied. "He didn't do too well in the move to Unova..." He stopped a moment. "Delia, something's wrong."
"No-" she said.
"You don't sound like yourself. At all. Something is bothering you and I want to know what it is. You're staring down-"
"-It's at Persian. I haven't seen-"
"Persian is getting a drink of water now," Giovanni said, pointing to the water bowl Persian was lapping from.
Delia realized she'd been called on her worries and had little choice but to explain. "It's Ash," Delia said. "I'm worried about him. And how he'll do out here. I can tell already this isn't like other regions. Your office is a war room now. You're wearing that... uniform... and I love it, but I know it's no suit. I know there's a reason. For all of this."
Giovanni cursed whatever deities cared about him and took a deep breath. Even though he'd set up his meeting with Delia as a way to explain his plans for the region and for their son with her, he'd wanted to wait until the wine was flowing and she was in a comfortable, calm mood. Not confronted like this. It sunk in, far too late, that holding this date in his office was probably not the best idea.
"...There's a good reason I sent the three over here right away, Delia," he said. "Unova is dangerous."
Delia went pale. "What do you mean, 'dangerous'?" she asked.
"Intelligence gathered on the region while researching the lore of the area's Pokemon revealed the activity of a highly dangerous cult. Not only are they a threat to Team Rocket's goals, we found they have plans in mind which may very well threaten humanity's existence."
He braced himself. Knowing Delia, she wouldn't take it well...
As expected, she went pale.
"You can see now why I felt it necessary to move operations here, correct Delia? Until this cult- Plasma- are eradicated, I don't feel comfortable having a base in Kanto that far away from our operations, especially with our son exploring the region."
"You never told me Unova was this dangerous," Delia said. "Now it all makes sense... the base... the uniform... everything..."
"You would be correct, Delia. This is nothing like I've ever seen before... we're talking about more than just my goals at stake, but everyone. Unova knows nothing of Team Rocket aside from a few stories passed off around here as urban legends. We're hoping the strategy of intimidation proves effective."
The response made sense to Delia. Still, one thing bothered her at her very core, and in the end, maternal instinct always won out.
"Are you sure Ash will be alright?"
"He's in good hands, Delia. I've already given the trio more than adequate means to contact me, whenever necessary, and I've arranged for one of the Gym Leaders in Sanyo City to be a traveling companion. He'll find himself with a rather nice compensation for his troubles. I may be retired as a Gym Leader, but I still have some pull within the Leagues."
Delia was torn. She knew if anyone would go out of their way to protect their boy, it'd be Giovanni, but...
"He's just a boy," Delia said.
"And he's growing up well. You've done a good job raising him and I know it's hard to believe but he's grown to a point where he's proven himself capable of taking care of himself. I promise you, Delia."
Delia wanted desperately to believe he was okay, but maternal instinct remained stronger than logic for her. Still... Giovanni had a point. Hadn't they both seen to it, in their own ways, that he grew up strong? Ultimately, the best thing she could do for Ash's sake was let him grow, and put her faith in him.
If even a man who had only seen his son through photos could tell Ash was that strong, then there was probably something to what he'd said. It took a lot of trust to go off just photos and hearsay about a person.
She looked off, deep in thought.
"Delia?" Giovanni asked.
Delia looked up, then just smiled and embraced him tightly, enjoying the moment for what it was and throwing aside any fears about the future. "I believe this was to be a date?" she asked.
-
A week later, back home in Pallet Town, Ash called Delia on the videophone to introduce her to a new friend.
"This is Dent," he said, pointing to the waving green haired boy on the screen. "He's one of the leaders of the Sanyo City gym and he's going to be travelling with me and Iris!"
Delia just smiled and remembered the discussion a week before. Things would be alright for Ash after all.