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#4 of Cassidy's Journey
Nightfall arrived hours ago. Fenny was currently the only one awake. He was in the same bed as Cassidy but struggled to fall asleep. Añu was in a deep sleep on the floor, but the riolu tended to get hot at night and preferred it. Cassidy's two other pokémon were returned and kept inside their pokéballs for the night, so only Fenny and Añu were out. He gazed up at Cassidy from where he was lying at the bottom half of the bed. He was hugged up to his bushy tail while resting on his right side since it was all he had to hold onto. Fenny remembered when he and Cassidy used to snuggle together. That was back when he was a fennekin. Once he evolved, their physical relationship became a lot more distant. He yearned to experience Cassidy's hold again but would never outright ask of it. That could make things awkward between them. He sighed to himself, forgot about it for the time being, and slowly closed his eyes.</p>
--
"Fen."
His ears twitched, and when he looked up from his slumber, Cassidy was sitting over him. Early morning sunlight shone through the window.
"We're gonna head back home in a bit. I think we all need a break from battling." She looked at Fenny and traced her right hand down his furry tail. "Did you sleep well?" Cassidy asked.
'Mhm...' He wanted to tell her it could have been better, but he didn't have the courage.
"Good, I have poké puffs for everyone... I'll hand them out before we go."
Fenny sat up and glanced at Cassidy while she dressed and proceeded to wake Añu. Fenny didn't want much else but to be returned to his pokéball. He'd probably never bring up how he truly felt to Cassidy, which only meant their relationship would stay the way it's been. It depressed him quite a bit. Fenny wanted time alone before Cassidy caught onto his mood.
Fortunately for him, everyone was fed and placed into temporary captivity fifteen minutes later. After gathering her items, Cassidy checked out of Coumarine's hotel and stepped outside. A long walk was ahead of her, but it was therapeutic for Cassidy, and she would especially enjoy strolling through the vibrant metropolis that was Lumiose on the way home. With the entire day ahead of her, she began to walk to Coumarine City's exit. It led to Route 13, which then led to Lumiose. Already, she thought of her next gym battle. It was tempting enough that the next gym Cassidy had to face was in Lumiose City, but she had to give her pokémon a break, not to mention they needed extra training beforehand. All of this made her think of the social life she didn't have. Cassidy was always focused on her pokémon or battling gyms. She was a very private and reserved person, but Cassidy preferred it. Of course, a part of her wanted a physical relationship, but it wasn't needed, and she wouldn't pursue anyone for it.
--
Her thoughts darted around in her mind while she progressed, and by late afternoon, Cassidy made it to Snowbelle City. Her legs needed desperate rest, but Couriway was only one more route over. She briskly carried on through the snowy environment, crossing Route 19's bridge and dirt paths toward her hometown. It took close to twenty minutes, and Cassidy felt much relief upon entering her town. Somewhat resembling Coumarine, Couriway was a town built on top of the ocean as well. It was home to many tall rocky mountains sitting in deep water with grassy terrain and trees residing atop them surrounding its outskirts. Each mountain had multiple waterfalls running down them constantly on all sides. Cassidy lived west, miles within the town. She strolled down its narrow stone bridges and walkways, watching the still water over the ends. People usually leaned over them to view, or to fish. Her town never failed to keep her eye. Cassidy took a sharp right fifteen houses down and walked up a flight of stone stairs leading to her home on elevated ground. Cassidy wasted no time unlocking her front door and stepping inside of her residence.
It felt comforting to be back in the place she knew most. Cassidy was alone, closed off from civilization. She threw herself onto the soft, black blanketed bed in her room without getting undressed. There was time for that and letting her pokémon out later, but for now, Cassidy would lay on her stomach and unwind. A wooden wardrobe sat against the wall on the left side of the room, and a nightstand and mini lamp on it by her bed. Cassidy had a TV, but she kept it in the living room for her gardevoir instead. She spent too much time outdoors to indulge in it.