“Nah, not really my kind of thing,” he replied, “Munna are just pin cute, and Staryu and I have known each other since I was three.” He looked over at the starfish fondly. “They just waltzed out of the water to watch me build a sand castle one day. Every time I was on the beach after that, they would help me with them.”
He gently smiled as he further recalled childhood memories, “I think I was six when my mom asked if they wanted to be my Pokemon.” He held up a dive ball, “I guess it’s obvious what he decided to do from there.”
“Besides,” he went on to expin, “while the two families share a type, they have different capabilities. Starmies are generally a bit of a jack of all trades, and Musharnas tend to fill a more supportive role.”
“You’ve done your research on this.” I commented, “Any other ideas for team members?”
“I want to try and get a day pass for Liberty Garden in Castelia, I don’t have any specific pns for a specific Pokemon, but it still sounds interesting.”
Lani looked over in confusion, “Why would you need a day pass?”
“It’s ‘cause of the protection order Burgh put in pce a year or so after the Second Psma Incident.” Adrian replied, “Liberty Garden has a lot of fairly uncommon Pokemon that are sought after, so he added some rules for how you can catch Pokemon there.” He grimaced, “it’s a bit of a pain, but it helps stop over catching.”
He looked back at us, “What about you two? Any pns for team members?”
“I want to stop at Wellspring Cave to catch a Pokemon there.” Lani responded with a grin, “I haven’t thought any further than that though.”
I took a bit longer to answer. I hadn’t even really thought of adding more Pokemon to my team yet. And especially if I could give a few rescued Shadow Pokemon a home on my team, I’d rather prioritize that over wild catches.
“I don’t really have any sort of pn yet,” I sheepishly replied, “Right now my team is fairly well rounded so I don’t feel the need to look for anything right now? I’ll probably wait until after my first gym match so I can try and find what gap needs filling.”
With all our answers out there, the conversation petered out a bit. Not one to let the silence st for too long, Lani threw out the next topic of discussion. Which turned out to be her asking where we would sit on a Gyrados if we ever had to fly on one.
***
Soon enough we reached the outskirts of Striaton, the city’s collective music a gentle tune. I felt both nostalgic and nervous at the same time.
Jason had said I stole from them after all, and while I had evidence to back myself up. The potential sword hanging over my head had me just a little bit anxious.
There were plenty of kids around, either pying, or watching the trainers getting ready for the circuit which was set to begin in only two weeks.
Luckily we weren’t staying here for too long, just enough time for Adrian to go out to the Dreamyard tomorrow and ask a Munna to join his team.
I was broken out of my musing by a tug on my sleeve.
“Excuse me miss, but can I pet your Emolga?”
I looked down to see a young boy, maybe around seven or eight years old. He was looking up at Oxide in wonder.
I spoke up to my companion, “That’s up to you Oxide.”
Oxide, making her decision, jumped down from my head and glided around both of us a few times before nding in between us with a flourish.
“Just pet her gently right here between the ears.” I instructed as I lightly guided the boy’s hand to Oxide’s favorite spot. “She’ll let you know if you’re doing it right or not.”
I gestured to Lani and Adrian that they could go ahead without me, and I would catch up. They both nodded, and walked off in search of a Pokemon Center to stay in.
Returning my attention to the kid, I found him awkwardly smooshing her ears ft. It took a few more moments for him to get used to petting her, but once he found the right pressure and rhythm Oxide melted on the spot.
“Have I seen you before?” he asked while continuing to pet the blissed out Oxide. “You look familiar.”
“You might’ve,” I answered with a smile, “I grew up here.”
He looked up at me with childish confusion, “Why did you leave?”
I thought for a moment about what to say, and settled on a small white lie built on truth, “I wanted to travel down to Nuvema before I went out on my journey.” I gestured down to the Oxide puddle, “I met Oxide right after I left.”
“That’s so cool!” he whispered to himself, “I want to go on my journey, but Mommy says I can’t until I’m bigger.”
I nodded, “Your Mommy is right, you’re still a bit small to be going out on your journey right now.”
He looked up at me with fire in his eyes, “And when I’m old enough, I’m gonna ask Musharna for help getting a partner and we’re gonna beat everyone!”
Noticing that he was finished petting Oxide, I gently eased her off the ground. “Oh? What Pokemon do you want as your partner?” I asked while standing up with Oxide cradled in my arms.
“I want a Sewaddle!” He decred, “They’re so cute! And when they evolve they’re so nice to everyone!”
I nodded, “That’s very important to think about, just be sure to give them plenty of friends okay?”
“I will Miss!” He turned to leave before stopping, “Um, what’s your name? I want to see you battle on TV!”
“My name is Psyche,” I replied with a smile. “Do you want me to write it down for you so you don’t forget?”
“Uh huh!”
I quickly got out a pad of paper and a pen from my backpack, while Oxide moved back up to the top of my head. “What’s your name?”
“Tommy!”
I quickly jotted down a note addressed to his Mommy about who I was and why he had a note from me, and handed it to him.
“Don’t lose it okay?” I warned, “It’s also getting te so you should be running home, okay Tommy?”
He yawned then nodded, “Okay Psyche! Bye! Thank you for letting me pet Oxide!”
“You're welcome!” I called back before letting out a sigh of relief. The interaction felt wholesome and nice, but it was also a bit nerve-wracking. Interacting with kids always made me feel like I was handling gss.
Feeling it buzz, I checked my phone and found exactly what I was hoping for.
The Center next to the Route Gate had plenty of rooms left over for all of us.
***
“There you are!” Lani greeted me upon entering. “How’d it go with the kid?”
“Oh it went good enough I think?“ I replied while adjusting my gsses, “He asked for my name so he could watch me on TV.”
Lani suppressed a ugh, “Not even a gym battle under your belt, and you’ve already got a fan! How does it feel to be a superstar?”
Oxide grunted in compint, which had Lani professing that ‘truly you are also a superstar as well Ms. Oxide!’ while the Pokemon in question struck a few poses while getting praised.
I shrugged, “a little intimidating I guess? Nothing too stressful.” Gncing around the lobby I noticed our third was missing, “Adrian go somewhere?”
“Went to the cafeteria early so he could get to bed,” she replied, “seems to enjoy sleeping a lot.”
I shrugged as I walked up to the counter, “might not be used to all the physical activity maybe?”
“Maybe,” she mused for a bit before shrugging, “none of our business anyway.”
“Fair enough,” I replied before focusing on the small line of trainers waiting to check in for the night, “how’s the space situation going on here?”
“It’s been a bit busy, but the nurse said that they should have more than enough space here for the trainers out on Route Two,” Lani answered.
A small bit of relief washed over me, it seemed that most of the Concert Night goers had flown or teleported instead of walked as per usual.
A quick check in for a room, and the handing over of my Pokemon for a medical check up ter, and I was finished with my business at the counter for now. I walked back to the seating area and shrugged off my backpack before sitting down in a booth next to Lani who had gotten her Pokemon back while I was checking in.
“Hey there Vulpix,” I greeted as I gave her a few strokes down her back, “Lani treating you alright while I was gone?”
The Pokemon was able to give a sound of agreement between the pleased sounds of enjoyment my petting was prompting.
“Hey now,” Lani teased, “I’m sitting right here.”
I grinned at her, “Oh I know, teasing you is fun after all.”
I got the satisfaction of getting a blush out of her, before Vulpix voiced a compint that I had stopped petting her. I acquiesced to her wish for more headpats, as my phone buzzed.
Unfortunately for Vulpix, it looked like the pettings had a time limit regardless.
DeliriousSprite