P:LF Ashley's Makeover

Jasmine's fingers worked through Ashley's hair, gently massaging his scalp as she shampooed. Ashley couldn't remember the last time they had their hair washed more than once in a single day but as the warm water and soothing motions made his eyelids grow heavy, he found himself happy for it.

"You have such lovely thick hair," Jasmine commented, working the product in.

Ashley nodded absently, watching in the mirror as she began sectioning his hair. The snip of scissors filled his ears as dark locks fell around the cape. With each cut, his reflection seemed to shift and soften, becoming more delicate, more...feminine.

"I don't want this. Why did I come here? How is this helping?" Ashley wondered as he waited.

Pikachu hopped onto the armrest of the salon chair, nuzzling Ashley's hand with obvious concern. Hypno stood nearby, practically bouncing with excitement.

"So, big date tonight?" Jasmine asked conversationally as she worked, having noticed the cute dress Ashley was wearing when he came in.

"Dinner," Ashley replied, still not sure why he was going on a date at all.

As she finished styling his newly cut hair she spun his chair from the mirror, "Now, just a little makeup to complete the look."

Ashley wanted to protest, confused as to why she would want to put makeup on him, but the words wouldn't come. Though it didn't make sense to him, she was going to help him get what he wanted. Cool brushes swept across his face as Jasmine worked her magic. When she finally spun the chair around to face the mirror, Ashley gasped.

The person staring back at him was...cute. Soft layers of black hair, dark lashes framing large eyes, and pink gloss made his lips look fuller than when he came into the salon. He looked...like a woman.

"What do you think?" Jasmine asked proudly.

"I..." Ashley couldn't speak and just touched his face and Jasmine took it as a compliment.

The bell chimed as new customers entered the salon. Ashley glanced at the clock and realized he needed to leave soon to meet Gary. His heart started racing again, not knowing how he was going to explain any of this.

He was frighteningly nervous, but something told him it was okay to be nervous. But why was it okay to be nervous when he was going on a date with Gary? He really liked Gary and he wanted the date to go well. But, why?

Though he hadn't had enough money for the medicine, he luckily had enough to pay Jasmine. He gathered his things and headed for the door, more uncertain than when he entered.

"Have fun tonight!" Jasmine called after him.

Outside, the street lamps were starting to flicker on as dusk settled over the city. Ashley checked his reflection one last time in a store window, hardly recognizing himself.

After staring for a long time, he softly spoke to his pokemon, "I guess it's time to meet Gary."

Hypno clapped his hands in delight while Pikachu's ears remained flat against his head. As they walked toward the restaurant, Ashley felt himself moving with a natural sway, as if his body finally knew exactly how to move in heels. The shopping bag of male clothes suddenly felt very heavy in his shaking hands.

The restaurant's warm lights beckoned ahead. Through the window, Ashley could see Gary already seated in the lobby, looking handsome in a blazer as he checked his watch.