Z-Moves Allowed

After taking a few moments to think, you hesitantly reply, "I-If I'm taking part in your customs, then I should abide by all of them. It would be an inauthentic experience if I requested special treatment that unfairly restricted your options. Even if I have no equivalent technique to use, experiencing that difference is vital for understanding what our regions might prioritize in their Pokemon Teams to account for--"

You trail off as Hau looks at you with wide, surprised eyes. Your face flushes red in embarrassment but he quickly gives you a toothy grin as he says, "Dang. They told me Kanto's Professor would probably send someone different than the others but I didn't expect you to sound just like our Professor Kukui!"

"That's... a good thing, right?"

"Oh yeah! Most of the trainers who got off before you were puffing their chests at their guides, wanting to puff their guides chests, or both. And then there was that Galarian chick in the punk rocker gear who actually brought along a whole loud-ass fan club!"

A meek smile comes to your lips, happy you are making a good impression with the first Alolan you have met, but a part of your mind cannot help but wonder if just letting things be is going to be a good idea after all.

Hau seems to notice the uncertainty in your eyes again and places a hand on your shoulder. "Hey man. However it goes, I really do appreciate you taking this thing seriously. And you can change your mind any time before the ceremonies start, okay?"

Your smile turns sheepish as you nod, Hau's honest willingness to offer you an out somehow solidifying your determination to not take it. It is surprising how easily this guy seems to be able to read you. He probably makes friends really easily, something which has always been tricky for you, and you can admire that skill. It makes the trip to the hotel a pleasant one as you chat about some of the local history, what places might be good to find food at later, and even getting some footage of an incredibly TALL Alolan Exeggutor ambling along the shoreline.

"Amazing," you marvel as you try to keep as much of the Pokemon in focus as possible.

"I know, right?" Hau chuckles, "I've seen pictures of how those guys look in other places and they aren't quite as impressive."

"Wish I had time to observe them more," you sigh as you put your camera down but still cannot bring yourself to look away and move on just yet.

"Well hey," your guide says as he places his hands behind his head and joins you in looking off into the distance, "I'm sure you'll have plenty of time afterwards. And I'd really like having a new friend to show around my homeland, y'know?"

You look at him in surprise. "A... friend?"

"Yeah! You seem like the quiet but loyal type. And if it's battling or exploring, it's always a better time when you're doing it with a friend, right? So lets have some good times while you're here!"

Pokemon Battling is not your favorite activity in the world, but Hau's infectious energy is such that you find yourself actually looking forward to this one and whatever may come afterwards despite knowing what you know.

When you reach the hotel, you have just enough time to get your few days worth of clothes put away in your room and catch a quick shower before it is time to head for the arena with your new friend/soon to be opponent.

As you make your way along the streets of Hau'oli City, you keep your eyes open to your surroundings and notice something curious as you go along. There are a LOT more female Pokemon Trainers openly moving about than back home. It is not as if there are no male Trainers, and many of those male Trainers are giving the female ones the kind of looks you have seen them give in Kanto, yet they limit themselves to just looking. There are no cat calls or bawdy threats, no attempts to lead female Trainers off alone to areas where battle was allowed, and all female Trainers moved at unhurried paces instead of that quick-but-trying-to-look-casual walk you had needed to follow Amber at more than once when her Pokemon had been weakened or mostly knocked out.

Hau notices your curiosity and chuckles. "What's up? Don't have that many lady Trainers back home?"

"We have plenty," you reply, trying to think of how to word the difference in the vibe you are feeling, "But not as many feel they can be so... open."

Hau raises an eyebrow at that. "I've heard you Kantoians are a bit rougher on your ladies than us, but is it really that bad, Green?"

"Sometimes," you admit, thinking back on some of the more harrowing moments during your time with Amber, "Not as bad as they say it is in Sinnoh but..."

Hau snorts, rolling his eyes. "NOBODY is as bad as Sinnoh, man. Can you believe they don't even let female Trainers COMPETE unless they're already someone's ****?!"

"I know," you reply, though a sudden pang of worry shoots through you and you look away sadly, "Though I guess no region is free from its own... issues."

Hau pauses to watch you as you think, your mind bringing up the fact that sex slavery IS permissible in Kanto under certain conditions... and that Blue had bragged to you in confidence once or twice that making Amber his permanent sex toy was one of his first orders of business if he ever won the Pokemon League. You hope she is okay.

"Damn, you're cute."

The unexpected compliment from your guide shocks you back to the present and you can only sputter as you turn to face Hau again. "What?" he says with a playful innocence, "It's true! And you were getting distracted there, so I needed to get your attention back. Now c'mon! We're gonna be late!"

You can only grunt and blush as Hau suddenly grabs you by the arm and starts to all but drag you the rest of the way to the very recently constructed, first of its kind, Aloan Pokemon Arena.