Caitlin wants to understand ghost-type trainers better and invites Morty to a dance.

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Caitlin was a woman who always got what she wanted. All her life she had grown up surrounded by the best products money could buy. She had multiple houses, and many butlers to attend to her every need, but despite this, there was an ache in her heart. A hole that had yet to be filled. A yearning for something more – for companionship.

Money couldn't buy love. It wasn't that she hadn't tried – she had gone on many dates with men before, but none of them seemed interested in her. They just hoped to get their hands on her money. So here she was now throwing away yet another woman's magazine into the bin. Placing her elbows on the table, she buried her face in her hands.

"Are there any good men around?"

Grimsley, who was sitting directly across from her, peered over his newspaper, and frowned. "I'm good."

She rolled her eyes. "You're a Dracula-wannabe with a previous gambling addiction."

"You make that sound like a bad thing," he drawled, placing a hand over his heart as if he had been struck by an arrow. He sighed. "Why don't you come along to my ball tonight? It'll be a blast, I promise."

"Why would I want to do that?"

Grimsley frowned. "Aren't you looking for love?"

Caitlin bit her lower lip. Despite having the best of everything, there was an empty hole in her heart, and it only became more apparent every time she saw couples doing couple-things like holding hands, kissing, and other cutesy things. No one had ever given her anything on Valentine's Day. No one had ever whispered sweet nothings into her ear. She hadn't even been kissed yet. What a travesty!

"And you think I'll find one at your party?"

He rolled his eyes. "You should give it a try you know. Maybe change your whole look. I mean, the whole psychic thing is a bit off-putting. Sure, it'd be nice to know what people are thinking…. But where's the fun in that? It's all about the hunt." A smirk spread across his face.

"Hunting? That sounds so… barbaric."

Grimsley shrugged. "Well, that's what the dating game is all about, Caitlin. You visit a place, and you scout the crowd, keeping your eyes peeled for a potential partner you'd like to hook in. When you find them… Well, that's when the games begin. The flirting game." A smirk crossed his face.

Caitlin pouted. "Right."

"I'm not surprised you're not familiar with the concept. You don't get very far in your games."

She glared. "Have you seen the available men? All the good ones are taken, not interested in women, and well beneath me." All she received in return was laughter. That bastard. He found her suffering amusing!

"No offense or anything Caitlin – you're like a younger sister to me – but you are just too selective. You judge men on their appearance and the size of their wallets. Not every single guy out there wants to be with you for your money you know."

Great. Grimsley, Dracula-wannabe, was giving her advice on how to find love. How desperate had she become? But he was right. She was judgemental. Never be with a man who had less money than herself and that ruled out almost everyone. The only people with a decent sized bank account were the Champion, celebrities, and of course, the rich CEOs of the world. "So, what do you suggest? That I settle for a beggar or some lowly trainer?" She shuddered, fake headlines running through her mind. Elite Four Master Caitlin spotted with some no-name trainer. The shame.

Grimsley sighed. "Other skilled trainers. Think bigger. Gym leaders."

"A lowly gym leader?" Caitlin replied, arching a brow. "I'm an Elite Four member."

"Yes, I'm aware of that, but there are quality gym leaders. You know many gym leaders can become part of the Elite Four… They just don't want that lifestyle." He stood up from his chair and walked towards her. "I think your look needs an update."

Caitlin glanced down at her dress then looked up. Furrowing her brows, she said, "What's wrong with the way I dress? At least I look stylish."

"No, no, that will not do." Grimsley turned his back and exited the room.

All Caitlin could do was stare at the door. Was he implying her taste in fashion was poor? Him? A person with no taste whatsoever? She grumbled, folding her arms across her chest. "He's probably going to choose some corpse bride dress…" A visible shudder raced down her spine.

"Ah, this will do!" Grimsley exclaimed, his voice echoing throughout the building.

The man returned a few moments later carrying short, black dress with no sleeves and a pair of red tights. He was also carrying some red heels, a red rose, and some black arm sleeves with red edges around the wrists. Was she supposed to be some gothic rebel?

"What is that?" Caitlin said.

Grimsley held the dress up. "I think it'll bring out your eyes perfectly well! I've always thought you should don the bright princess look and opt for something more… dark. It really suits you."

Caitlin took the clothing from his hands and stood before the wall-length mirror in the corner. She held it before her and admired herself. Giving Grimsley credit was something she tried to avoid – the man often let compliments get to his head – but he had chosen well. She really did look dapper. "Of course I look good. I always look good." At least, that's what she liked to tell herself, but had she been wrong all this time?

"You can thank me by scoring a date." He leaned against the wall, arms folded across his chest, a smirk plastered on his face. "Hope you bring him home. I'd like to meet the lucky man." He winked.

She rolled her eyes, hugging the dress close to her chest. "You might scare him off."

He chuckled. "See you around."

Without saying another word, Caitlin headed to her dressing room to get changed.

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Morty wasn't an Elite Four member. Rumour was that he had been offered a position to join the Johto League, but the man had turned down the position preferring a more stress-easy life in the quiet town of Ecruteak as a gym leader. He was standing in the corner near the punch bowl, dressed in a black and white suit like all the other men.

Caitlin ran a finger across her lower lip. He was pretty hot, especially in that penguin suit. Definitely one of the better-looking men in Johto. She had never realized just how stunning the man really was. Fine dominant facial features, those luscious golden locks of hair, and who could forget that mysterious look in his eyes. Unfortunately, only one eye was clearly visible thanks to the headband covering the other. The man even had a cape of all things. He looked more like a vampire lord than Grimsley did.

Morty wasn't a trainer she had interacted with. For starters, he never really went to parties unless it was something to do with the dead, and she preferred lively ones. The truth was she didn't really know much about him at all. How on earth was she going to appeal to his senses? Did he have a type? Was he even interested in women? Time to find out. She ran a hand through her golden locks of hair, making sure not a single strand was out of place. Drawing in a deep breath, she approached the blond male. "Morty." Why was her heart fluttering? Even her stomach felt alive with butterflies!

He smiled at her. "Caitlin. I'm surprised to see you here. Forgive me, but I didn't think this would be quite your… scenery if you know what I mean." He gestured to decorations around them.

It wasn't even Halloween but Grimsley had made it look like it was. The place had a very ghoulish look to it – pumpkin lanterns, coffins for tables, gravestone-shaped chairs, and blood-coloured drinks. In fact, most of the food and drinks shared a common colour of red.

She smiled. "Well, I've had a change of heart."

He raised an eyebrow. "I suppose living with Shauntal and Grimsley can leave their mark."

"Well, yes, they're certainly piqued my interest in the dark side." She gestured to the long coffin table behind him. There was an assortment of ghost-shaped cookies on the table. "Grimsley really went all out on the Halloween theme. Maybe a little too overboard."

Morty nodded. "Perhaps, but it's quite pleasant. So… you have an interest in the dark side?"

She smiled, twirling a lock of hair around a slender finger. "I want to learn so much more about ghost pokémon and the people that train them," she said, lying through her teeth. Well, a partial lie. Becoming an Elite Four trainer meant learning as much as you could about other types but studying ghost-types wasn't an easy task when they spent most of their time hidden away. Shauntal wasn't accommodating either.

Lifting a brow, Morty said, "Their trainers too?"

She nodded. "Yes. Having become one myself, nothing would make me happier."

"You're a ghost-type trainer? You? The master of psychics?"

"Well… Not really," she said, giving him a sheepish grin. "Truth be told, I've always been quite frightened by both dark and ghost-type pokémon. But I'd like to learn more about them, and Shauntal isn't much help."

"I see… I'm glad to hear that." He grinned and held his arms out to the side. "Welcome to the wonderful world of ghost pokémon, Caitlin! All I ask is that you come with an open mind. You do not need to fear ghost-types." He extended a hand towards her.

She took it. "Just make sure your dancing isn't so yawn-inducing that I grow bored." She faked a yawn and giggled. Actually giggled! Like a schoolgirl with a silly little crush.

Morty raised an eyebrow seemingly taken aback. "Dancing? I, uh… I've never been much of a dancer…"

Had she blown it already by coming on too strong? She drew back, releasing his hand. "Oh! I mean, even with the creepy environment and all, we are still at a ball and dancing is what you do. I can show you how to dance. I think it's a fair deal."

"I… You present a fine deal that I can't refuse." He offered a hand to her once more. "Very well, my lady. Show me these movements."

She pulled him away from the coffin table and guided him towards the dance floor. In the corner of her eye, she spotted Grimsley hiding in the darkest corner of the room, a smirk on his smug face. He caught her eye and winked. Warmth rushed to her cheeks. The smirking bastard. She turned her attention away and focused on Morty.

"You look beautiful tonight," he said.

He was just being polite, but still, it was nice to hear such words. "Thank you." She moved his right hand to her left shoulder and moved his other hand to her waist. The boy didn't even flinch. "I have to say, this whole look vampire-lord look suits you quite well. But… I have one minor complaint."

"Oh?" He raised a brow.

She moved his headband up so both eyes could be seen. "Much better."

More of a 'testing the waters' type story. This is a shipping I've always kinda liked before the whole Pokemon Masters thing, so I wanted to have a slight crack at it. I may do a sequel, so if you want to see more, let me know by dropping a comment and a like!