Seth thought he'd seen it all. He'd seen people keep Pokémon as pets, service Pokémon for people with disabilities or even therapy Pokémon for those who needed it. But there was a fine line between a pet and a guard Pokémon that was adamant against one getting anywhere near their owner's home. Seth found himself staring down a snarling Rhyhorn that was blowing steam out of his nostrils and lowering his head as if getting ready to charge.

"Is he really considering charging you, m'lord?" Cerise inquired almost in disbelief.

"It would seem that way wouldn't it? I mean... he's barring my path here..." Seth muttered, a hint of amusement in his eyes as he watched the Rhyhorn gear up to attack should Seth so much as take another step forward.

"Should I inform him that it wouldn't be wise to do so?"

"You could, but where's the fun in that? let him find out the hard way," Seth said with a shrug, taking a few more steps toward the defensive Rhyhorn.

Rhyhorn snorted and then bounded toward Seth at full speed. Seth stopped walking and waited for the beast to near. He began channeling through his body at a rapid pace until it manifested itself outwardly as a bright azure light around his body. The charging Rhyhorn suddenly dug his hind legs and front legs into the ground as if to slow his charge as he felt the intensity of the pressure building up around Seth. Rhyhorn found himself looking up into the glowing sapphire hues of the man before him, confusion and nervousness overtaking him completely.

The once aggressive beast was now hesitant to pursue his previous course of action due to uncertainty of what repercussions his actions might have. Seth knelt down in front of Rhyhorn and kept eye contact with him as he reached his hand out and gently stroked his forehead. Rhyhorn blinked, confusion setting in for but a moment before he realized that this man, Seth, was not a threat to his family.

"Taming the beast without the use of force, impressive. Then again... with as much as you were raising your aura, almost anything would bow the knee," Cerise chuckled as she watched Seth stroke the horned behemoth on his forehead.

"I'm here to discuss the ball with Serena, not beat up her Pokémon. I don't think her parents would take too kindly to that," Seth replied calmly.

"Rhyhorn!"

Seth looked up to see Serena standing in her doorway with her arms crossed, tapping one foot impatiently. The horned beast looked back at its owner and watched nervously as she walked from her house to where they were standing.

"How many times have I told you not to do that? I know you're trying to protect our home and everything but could you think before trying to charge someone like that!?" Serena scolded. Especially if that person is Seth, because I'm almost convinced he's not human!

"It's alright, Serena, no harm done. After all, it's like you said, he was only doing his duty," Seth replied, giving an encouraging nod toward Rhyhorn.

"Who said I was worried about you?" Serena murmured to herself, taking note of two hilts sticking out from behind Seth's back. "So... she finally evolved huh?"

Seth nodded saying, "she was insistant on doing so. It happened before I got here actually."

"I see. That's awesome! I'll have to see her in action sometime," Serena replied cheerfully. "So anyway, my uh... mom would like to meet you. Since she knows I'm going to the ball that Allie is throwing, she wants to meet the guy who asked me... which is why I asked you to come over."

"I had a feeling it was something like that. She does know we're going as friends, right?" Seth asked curiously.

"Of course! I mean, she was a bit skeptical at first since I've had boys ask me to dances before that have liked me as more than a friend," Serena sighed.

"Sounds like she needs a bit more convincing doesn't it?" Seth chuckled. "That shouldn't be too hard to do considering you're going with someone who's in the competition for Allie."

"Well yeah, but you know how some moms are. Once they hear you're doing anything remotely related to dating," Serena trailed off, tapping her chin in thought.

That's when the gravity of what Seth had just said finally hit her. Her head snapped in his direction, an eyebrow raised in question. Seth, knowing what the honey blonde was thinking, simply nodded a silent confirmation about what she was most likely thinking at that moment. A smirk crossed Serena's features. Placing her hands on her hips she said, "finally decided to go all in huh?"

"I'm not sure if deciding that I like her more constitutes as going all in," Seth replied shrugging.

"Riiiiight. You're not all in just like Trevor didn't buy a gift for Shauna yesterday," Serena replied sharply, jabbing an accusing finger his way. "Admit it, you're wanting more than what you told us when we first started this journey, aren't you?"

"I think that much was implied the night I took her to one of her favorite restaurants in Kalos," Seth responded calmly.

"And just how exactly did you know it was her favorite beforehand, hmmm? did you ask directly or did you do a little digging?" Serena asked with a sly grin.

"Even I'm smart enough to know how surprises work. Asking her directly would have made things too obvious," Seth said casually.

"Which proves my point that you're in it to win it, and since that's the case I'll be the one who makes certain that you crush it at the ball!" Serena declared with a fire of excitement in her eyes.

"Someone's excited."

"Oh I'm more than excited. To be perfectly honest, I was kinda hoping you'd ask me to it, even though you could have easily picked Shauna or someone else for that matter. Since I'm your date to it I had to inform Allie about it so she can mark me on the guest list. So far it looks like everyone's registered and set to go," Serena chirped, taking out her holocaster to pull up the list as well as the rules that were sent to her inbox.

"Looks like she's serious about weeding people out during this ball. Then again, we are at the half-way point," said Seth as he read the email over again. "I have to hand it to Allie on this one. It actually saves her from conducting every visit before the deadline and it gives her a clear picture of who meets the set standards and who doesn't."

"Which is why we need to make sure you are still standing by the end of it. That being said, why don't you come inside. Mom's been preparing a lot of food so I hope you're hungry," Serena said with a smile.

Reaching down and giving Rhyhorn a pat on the head, she turned around and headed toward her front door with Seth following behind.

"Mom, Seth's here!" Serena called out to her mother in the kitchen.

"He is!? great timing, the food's just about done. Come on into the dining room and take a seat!" her mom called out.

Seth looked around at Serena's house. It wasn't anything over-the-top. The structure was very much like his own home with the exception of a bigger living room. There was a trophy case in the living room, along with several medals on the wall, each of them being for Rhyhorn Racing related events. Taking off his shoes, he followed Serena into the dining room and sat down in the chair beside her. Without much direction, Cerise returned herself to her own ball so as not to look out of place at a dinner table.

On the table was a large salad bowl with many leafy greens and colorful vegetables. The main dish, which consisted of crispy tofu topped with spicy oran berry sauce intermingled with noodles and stir-fry vegetables.

"And here we are!" Serena's mother said, wiping her brow in relief.

"This looks delicious mom!" Serena exclaimed, salavating at the food in front of her.

"Well, it is one of your favorites. And it's fitting that I make it considering we've a guest over," Serena's mother replied with a smile, turning her eyes toward said guest. "You must be Seth. My daugther's told me a lot about you, young man. You may call me Grace."

"Thank you for having me over, Grace. Tepig-backing off what Serena just said, this does look really good," Seth complimented.

"I'm very happy to hear that, Seth. Help yourself, there's plenty more should you want any," Grace added, sitting down and gesturing for him to fill his plate.

After everyone had gotten their food, they all began to eat, Seth and Serena exchanging stories of the many events that happened during their adventure together with the other three. Laughter filled the air at the more lighthearted tales of their exploits. As they finished up eating, they began discussing how the ball would play out.

"This ball sounds like it's going to be really something else," Grace said, setting down her fork and placing her chin between her hands as she spoke. "Is there anything I can do to help?" Grace asked curiously.

"At present, I'm not sure. I've already bought my dress, and Seth has his suit already so there's nothing we need in terms of apparel. We're also going to have rides to the palace so that's taken care of as well," Serena responded.

"Sounds like you two have everything under control then. Still, if you do find that you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. Now then, if everyone's done, I'll take care of the dishes," Grace announced.

"Actually, if you don't mind mom, I'll take care of them. I need to talk to Seth a bit more anyway and I might as well busy myself with something while doing so," Serena offered.

"Are you sure about that?" Grace asked, raising a brow at her daughter's proposition.

"Of course! you've had a long week and haven't gotten much rest since the training camp for all those upcoming racers. You need a break. Seth and I will take care of it," Serena insisted, shooing her mother out of the kitchen.

"Well, when you put it that way," Grace giggled, "I suppose I can't refuse. I really could use a good bath right about now, now that I think of it. If you need me, just hollar," Grace replied before heading to their bathroom for a nice soak.

"Your mom and mine are a lot alike," Seth said, standing up with his plate to take it to the sink.

Serena sighed and shook her head as she joined Seth at the sink with her plate.

"I swear, she does not know the meaning of relax. I love her to death but she really needs to take a vacation every once in a while," Serena grumbled as she turned the water on to start scrubbing the dishes.

The two began to clean the dishes, putting leftovers into containers before placing them in the fridge. While they cleaned up the kitchen, they discussed how the ball would play out as far as what they'd be doing at the events that were scheduled to take place. Even after the dishes were finished, they continued conversing in the living room.

"And that's the plan. Everything has a competitive side to it from what I can see. Then again, we don't know everything that's going to happen because some details were excluded. I can see why though. Having everyone know everything about what will be going on would be a bit boring wouldn't it? there has to be some sort of element of surprise," Serena said with an exasperated sigh while leaning back in her chair. "Still, there's so much thought put into this. It's hard to believe that just a few months ago I didn't like her very much."

"Yeah... same here," Seth mused, placing a hand on his cheek as the memory of her lips pressed against his face passed through his mind.

"But that's all in the past now. After seeing what kind of person she really is, and after being on a journey with you for as long as we have so far, there's no doubt in my mind that you two would be good together," Serena proclaimed.

"You think so, huh?" Seth replied with a nervous laugh.

"Oh come on, I caught the glances you were giving her during your gym matches. She helped you out and is part of the reason Vespisol exists in the first place. It's almost like a representation of a bond you formed with her in a way," Serena said smiling.

Now that Seth thought about it, it was mostly her strategy that gave him the win against Korrina. She'd even pushed him to battle Gogoat and capture him as well. Had that not happened, Litleo wouldn't have evolved into Pyroar that day. Seth had a lot to be thankful for when it came to Allie, including the fun day Allie showed his sister which he still had yet to thank her for.

"You're right, Allie is pretty great isn't she?" Seth said finally, a smile curving onto his face at his own words.

"Starting to get it now pauper?" Serena teased.

Seth furrowed his brow at her statement.

"You know there's only one person who can call me that," Seth muttered.

"I know, but Allie told me to call you that whenever appropriate. Besides, I think it's a cute nickname that she's given you. Reminds me of a folktale I once read," Serena mused. "But you understand right?"

"Of course I do. If I'm being honest with myself, I do want more than what the queen offered me that day. It was either Allie's heart or money for my family. Who's to say I can't have both?"

"Does this mean what I think it means?" Serena asked hopefully.

Seth said nothing and flashed her a reassuring smile. He didn't need to say a word because Serena had known him long enough to be able to read his expression. From what she could tell, Seth had resolved to get more serious about the competition. His face said it all. He could tell a lot had changed since the date he had with Allie. He no longer viewed her as insufferable. Instead, he admired her and desired to know more. All he'd gotten was a glimpse of what made Allie, Allie. From Serena's viewpoint, Seth didn't seem content with just a glimpse.

It was said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. They show what people are unwilling to say themselves. And what Seth's eyes were saying, was that he wanted a deeper knowledge of the woman who had unknowingly drawn him in with her snarky remarks, heated temperment, passionate dancing, and indescribable beauty that captured his eyes every time he saw her. Seth desired more, and he would do everything possible in order to reach the goal he had set for himself just now.