Contemplation
#5 of Cassidy's Journey
About an hour had gone by, and Cassidy let her braixen, riolu, gardevoir, and liepard out to experience well-deserved freedom. They had been inside of their pokéballs for quite a while. Cassidy ditched her boots, socks, jacket, and gloves for now. She'd also gotten herself something to eat since she hadn't eaten adequately since battling Korrina. Cassidy didn't require a heavy intake of food, but it had been a day and a half.
While she was busy in the kitchen, Fenny was sitting on the couch in the living room nearby. His upper body was leaned against its right arm.
Cassidy's gardevoir slowly sat on the opposing side of him and gave a beat before turning to him. 'What's bothering you, Fenny?'
He turned his head to the right a bit and glanced at her. They were also able to communicate with one another using psychic. 'It's... nothing, Garna.' Fenny attempted to play it off but knew Garna could see right through him.
'Are you sure?' Garna never pressed him too hard, and she didn't have to. Fenny felt comfortable telling her what was on his mind, and she usually gave him useful advice.
'It's just... I used to be so close to Cass before I evolved. Our past bond... it isn't there anymore. I feel distant from her.' Fenny felt his upper body begin to sink but straightened himself out pretty quickly.
'You can still communicate with her, can't you?' she questioned, and Fenny gave her a silent nod. 'Have you told her about any of this?'
'I... I can't. It'd probably get all awkward and make everything about this worse.'
'You won't know until you try, Fenny. Give it some thought.'
Right after Garna gave him that extra bit of encouragement, Cassidy sat in between them on the couch. "Hey... we'll train some more in a day or two... maybe. I know everyone still needs to rest." Cassidy leaned her back against the couch. It didn't take her long to notice Fenny eyeing her from her left. "Hm?" She turned to acknowledge him, but he did nothing but turn away once she did. Cassidy didn't think much of it, either. Her mind was still focused on when she'd go after her next badge and various training techniques and strategies she could teach her pokémon throughout the week.
--
Fenny froze mentally at the mere thought of bringing his feelings up to Cassidy. It ate at his mind even after nightfall came. He had no idea why it was plaguing him so much recently, but Fenny figured loneliness was building inside of him, and if that were the case, it would only worsen as time passed. Garna was right; Fenny didn't know how Cassidy would react until he told her. He was laying on the couch, Garna leaned against the arm on the opposing side. Fenny usually slept in Cassidy's bed, but he couldn't tonight, not with how fragile his emotions toward her currently were. Her liepard was likely sprawled across the bottom of it, anyway. He pulled his tail from in between his legs and hugged it as he did the night before. Fenny would work on potential approaches to this situation. He knew he would have to address it eventually. He stared around the dark living room, ever so slowly falling into what would become a somewhat decent sleep.