When the lights were cut from a nearby lamp, all Shauntal could hear was the soft tapping of the evening rain against her bedroom window. The sound of rain would calm her as it soothed her racing mind. Tonight, a gentleman Elite captivated her attention as the rain served as white noise. Hands comfortably settled on his chest, Shauntal leaned into him as she was pulled into a loving embrace. She admired how gentle he was, taking care to ensure that he never overstepped her boundaries.
Lips but mere inches apart, she leaned into him as he lived up to a promise he uttered earlier that evening -- to provide a distraction that would make her forget the horrors she dealt with just days ago. So few approached her to see if she was handling the assault she was involved in during her latest book tour in Galar well enough. Those that did, she thanked and considered as decent folk, heartwarming friends. Even now, the events of that night replayed in the back of her mind. . . .
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It was a cool evening and the second to last night she was staying in Galar. She was excited to see how Galar differed from Unova. The sun had set hours ago but she still wanted to go for a walk. Being a visitor to Galar was a tremendous honor! She had a chance to interview so many trainers and meet many of her fans.
However, she learned quite quickly that not everyone was happy that she was there. Going on a late-night walk, she heard footsteps near her. Having her Chandelure follow beside her, she illuminated the road as Shauntal looked around.
She saw that there was a trio of gentlemen that were clearly drunk. They spouted slurs about her attire and demanded that she 'pay tribute' for passing their side of the road with her being on her knees.
Immediately refusing, she backed away as her Chandelure protected her. She spun about, attempting to scare off the drunks with her will-o-wisps.
Shauntal was so worried about not being a target for them that she didn't notice an unknown fourth man behind her. He held a knife to her throat. In the back of her head, she's scolding herself for not asking either Marshal or Grimsley for accompanying her on this trip. She couldn't ask Lucian as she knew he was busy with challenges this week.
Shauntal was so desperate to prove that she had grown out of her inverted ways that she placed herself in harm's way.
The way this man dared to degrade her made her want to throw up. Hands curling at her sides, she quickly took hold of his wrist and elbowed his chest, giving her a chance to return the blade back to its owner in his face, but not without a struggle and the loss of her glasses. She unfortunately also had a slight cut across her neck, which certainly burned like hell, and was currently staining the bow collar she wore with blood.
Shaken by the violence, she took a few shaky steps back before falling to her knees as her velvet gloves were quickly covered in blood from holding her neck...
Her world went black for what felt like a few seconds before waking on a hospital bed. She ended up getting stitches and having to cancel the rest of her tour.
Since returning home, she struggled with keeping focus. After learning what happened after she blacked out, she felt thankful that a traveling performer stepped in with his Umbreon.
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When she was able to return back to Unova, Shauntal made a point to call Lucian as soon as possible, preferably when she was alone in her room. Once she explained her situation to him, she had no use for her phone. He appeared within arms reach.
Lucian welcomed her into his arms as he ran his hand against her cheek. She found herself clinging to him as he whispered words of reassurance. No Shadows of the night nor threats that lingered in the evening would cross her path tonight. She was in the arms of an Elite that could possibly shame her own rank with his abilities as a Pokemon Trainer.
Taking a deep breath as he draped his red jacket around her shoulders. Shauntal took in the scent of his cologne as she took comfort in the thought that she wouldn't be alone tonight. So long as she could feel him close by, she would be content and her paranoia kept at bay.