FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

At nine the next morning, Skye was preparing to leave within the next hour after showering and applying perfume.

Ruki sat beside her in the restroom, watching her fix her hair in the mirror, pad concealer, and apply gloss. She had on a pair of black leggings, a long-sleeved light pink tee, and black fleece boots she'd pulled from her closet.

Skye turned her head and observed her hair from different angles. "Think it's good." She was about ready to leave with her outfit and hair done, but something came to mind while she stared into the mirror.

Skye had only experimented a little with anything more than concealer some years back. She opened a drawer on the dresser she stood over and took out her mother's small, circle-shaped container. She looked down at Ruki watching. "Only liner… Don't want to overdo it." Skye opened and took out its pen, dabbing its tip in ink and leaning over the counter.

Ruki scooted back to watch from a better angle. He saw her place her index finger near the corner of her right eye, holding it taut while lining the brush across her waterline.

Skye repeated this action with her other eye and took a breath as she'd been holding it to concentrate, brushing both over a couple more times. She observed her work through the mirror. She turned to Ruki. "I don't look like a zigzagoon, right?"

He gave it a moment before shaking his head. Ruki didn't know his way around makeup, but Skye looked cute wearing it, although she never sported black. It'd take some getting used to if she decided to start wearing the color.

Skye checked her watch. "We should get going." It neared 9:30.

She exited the restroom, grabbed her purse from her room, and then went to the living room with Ruki.

Her father was on the couch and her mother at the table on her laptop, wearing reading glasses. "I'm leaving," Skye said softly.

Her mother looked up with her head tilted down to see Skye and eyed her outfit. "New style, hon? A bit different..."

Skye shrugged. "Only for today."

She nodded. "Well, I know you've got a ton of colors in your closet waiting to be worn."

Skye grinned a little. Her mother wasn't wrong. Skye used to buy anything in the mall she saw that even slightly appealed to her.

"I hope it isn't influenced."

Skye turned back to her father and faded her grin. "Oh, n-no, of course not, Dad."

Ruki sat by her feet, his eyes shooting to and from everyone.

"That's fine. It's just easy to be amenable when it's your first. Don't be Cosmog. You have fun."

"Thanks." Skye glanced at her mother, who was back on her laptop, before beckoning Ruki and heading out the door. "Cosmog..." she muttered while walking the pavement. He'd said it because Cosmog was a known deity in Alolan history with an overly trusting nature toward people and pokémon regardless of their intentions to the point where it ended up in dangerous situations.

They arrived at the packed Marina close to fifteen minutes later, although the number of people present and pokémon didn't compare to Sinnoh's or a ferry full of people coming to tour Alola.

Skye paid for her ticket at the booth by the entrance and stood behind a small crowd under the sun, holding her purse. She couldn't wait to get a credit or debit card so she could reserve and pay online. "I also can't wait to see the resort again. I assume it's changed a lot over the years," she said, crouching by Ruki.

She didn't know where 'also' came from. She must have mixed her thoughts and words. "It's difficult to book a room in the first place. You usually have to like a year in advance."

Ruki didn't remember much about Hano since he was young when they'd last stayed, but he couldn't forget the massive structure overlooking a bigger beachfront than Hau'oli's. He could take it in properly now that he was older.

The crew shouted from atop the ferry's deck for all passengers at ground level to clear.

Skye had to back up with the crowd as the crew lowered the bridge. She and Ruki were among the first allowed on deck, and a few more groups had gathered behind during that time.

"We have a room, but it's windowless and lower deck. This'll be a short cruise, so we don't have to go down there." Skye leaned against the ferry's railing after stepping on deck and handing her ticket to the crew member in charge of collecting them.

Maybe not, but there were ways to pass an hour-long cruise by. Ruki saw some people enter double glass doors beneath the control room at the ship's center into what had to be a shop. He nudged Skye's leg.

"What?" Skye looked at him as he started forward. "Where could you possibly want to go?" She began following his lead and saw the doors. “Oh...”

Through the doors that beeped after they entered was an upmarket souvenir shop with shelved items, rotating stands, and encased jewelry. The other half of the store, divided by a sliding glass door, was a mini-mart where people could buy food, items, and snacks during the cruise.

Skye approached a stand to the right of the door holding small globes of iconic locations in Alola, such as various tropical routes and cities. She picked one up showcasing Malie City and shook it, filling the globe with glitter that shimmered while settling. "Bunch of overpriced tourist stuff…"

Ruki stood nearby, eyeing a basket full of pokémon plushies. He hadn't noticed that Skye had walked ahead until she called him over, to which his ears twitched. Ruki looked around until seeing her crouched beside a pendant stand; he trotted over.

"Come sit. I want you to try something on," said Skye, putting her purse over her shoulder and taking a hanging necklace with a shard pendant carved from an ice stone. It had been beside many Alola-themed accessories, from trumbeak mood rings to mini alolan vulpix anklets.

He sat and let her put it over his head. It fit perfectly around his neck, only dangling slightly.

"You look adorable in it. My handsome boy." She smiled, leaning and kissing him atop his head. "Do you want it?"

Ruki nodded. He'd wear it everywhere he went.

"Let’s go pay for it.”

He glanced over at the basket he was at before Skye had called him over and went to it, looking back at her.

"Hm?" Skye approached and looked inside, giggling. "Ruki, you know I have enough plushes. I've got like five." However, one hidden under a turtwig and ponyta caught her eye. She reached to grab it and pulled out a ninetales sitting upright with a smug grin.

It was well made, too, with accurate proportions and a bundle of cute tails sticking up behind it. "Looky, it's your relative." Skye held it down to Ruki.

If she bought it, she'd only have a vulpix and alolan ninetales left to complete the family tree.

They left the store after paying up front; Skye sat in a wooden chair near the ship's railing with a small bag in her lap containing the ninetales plush. It'd be in her purse if it wouldn't take up most of the space.

Ruki sat beside her while watching other pokémon and people interact on the front deck. They'd been on the cruise for forty minutes and neared Akala. In that time, Skye had taken them to the mart to get snacks and drinks to pass the hour.

She rested her palm on the back of his neck while he watched a few pokémon play. "You don't get lonely, right?"

Ruki looked up at her and shook his head.

"Never?"

He again shook his head.

"Okay…"

---

Less than ten minutes from Akala, Skye stood to see the ferry approaching the docks in Heahea City. She dialed Aaron and brought the phone to her ear. "Hey," Skye said after he picked up.

"Hey, are you two here?"

"Not yet, but we're super close. I know how to get there, so no need to walk to the docks. Just meet us in front of the resort. I'll let you know."

"Waiting eagerly."

Skye grinned and hung up, slipping her phone into her pocket. "Let's go look, Ruki." She stood and walked to the front of the ship's railing where several other people were.

He followed behind, standing on his hind legs and placing his paws on the edge when they arrived.

"There it is." It resembled Hau'oli's strip, although it was a smaller city. Ahead was the ferry terminal, a large building by the docks, and the city's long stretch of asphalt lined with tropical palms and bushes. It included various shops and restaurants leading far east to Grand Hano.

Konikoni City's tall lighthouse sat a few miles south of Heahea, and a joint Alolan and Galarian naval base was farther north in the ocean. Both regions had tight relations. While Kalos and Sinnoh were allied with the Alliance, they didn't work as closely in terms of military operations. They both had been a part of the Accord once upon a time.

Ruki swished his tails while watching the view. He couldn't wait to see the island up close. More memories came from when he was last here as he took it in. Ruki recalled visiting Heahea Beach west of the city, and the Tide Song Hotel in the city's northern section. They hadn't gone inside but hung around outside the multi-floor high-class hotel with a pretty fountain and styled pavement lined with greenery.

When they arrived, Skye and Ruki waited by the ship's docking area to exit with everyone else. Fortunately, they were in front of most passengers, so they were in the first group to leave the ferry.

"I wonder if anything's changed at Hano. I wouldn't be surprised. Innovation is needed at a place that popular." Skye hoped that one restaurant she'd tried was still open. It had the best seadra and crawdaunt soup she had ever tasted: a delicious, steaming hot golden brew with bits of meat for additional flavor.

The moment they were freed from the crowds and at ground level, Ruki trotted ahead on the sidewalk and eyed the many buildings, palms, and people.

There was a two-way road for vehicles but barely any on it besides some parked ones in small lots and in front of markets. A truck was also stopped under a telephone pole with workers tending to wires on a lift.

Skye slipped her bag's handles on her wrist. "We'll be walking this strip for a while. Go on. I'm right behind you."

With her say, Ruki trotted ahead while she pulled out her phone. He looked into the windows of clothing stores, and restaurants.

He tilted his head upward and sniffed the air—coffee, but something about this particular scent lured his nose. He approached the Pokémon Center to their left while looking back at Skye, who had just put her phone in her pocket.

"A Pokémon Center, Ruki?" She stopped and eyed a couple of poster adverts on the center's walls. "Ah." One stated that they sold poké beans. Skye smiled. "I forget you have a nose too. C'mon."

He followed her inside the cozy environment with voices everywhere. He saw a customer leave the Mart's front counter to the far right and people coming from downstairs.

The second floor usually hosted trading centers, where certified rangers oversaw transactions, alongside international call centers if one wanted to make long-distance video or voice calls.

Ruki watched a trainer in a flashy outfit walk away from the Mart's counter while stuffing TM discs in his bag. Another pointed out a few type snacks on shelves behind the counter, where they were placed so children couldn't get their hands on them. Ruki strained his head at to see if they had any ice bites. It had been a while since he had those. They were sweet, crystallized balls with a perpetually frigid center many degrees cooler than his temperature, which blissfully chilled his mouth and stimulated his taste buds.

He'd trot over if his mind wasn't set on poké beans. He turned his head to the healing area.

A nurse in a white outfit and cap with an accompanying chansey healed a defeated trainer's set of pokémon behind the counter ahead. She placed four pokéballs in shaped grooves on a large, flat platform that fit them and pressed a button on the device, making the grooves grew a soft, pulsing pink resembling heal pulse.

A few trainers stood at PCs beside the main counter; others were at the small café with rows of wooden tables and chairs tucked to the left.

Some took calls, studied on laptops while listening to music, talked and laughed with drinks or pastries, or looked out the windows at passing society.

Skye approached the counter, where a young red-haired woman stood. Skye eyed the menu behind her. "Hm. Want one of each, Ruk'?"

He scanned the visual assortment: Red, indigo, sky blue, green, yellow, purple, and orange. "Nni." He nodded.

"We'll take one of each bean, please," Skye told her.

"Sure. How many pokémon do you have?" the woman asked.

"One… He just really eats sometimes."

Skye bought the beans, and they were back on the road to Hano. She slipped the mini bag into her purse as they strolled past more stores. "Don't think we've ever bought these in their natural form."

Ruki was curious, too, though he just wanted to eat one later. He'd tasted the coffee they produced at Haponi's once, as the beans were pokémon-safe.

"About a twenty-minute walk from here."

The farther they ventured past Heahea's busy tourist-based strip, the quieter the environment got. More houses, greenery, and fewer people and stores surrounded them.

Ruki had been born and kept far from humans initially, but Skye had raised him around a concentrated civilization that he grew to love being a part of; however, the tranquil residential areas brought him peace. He usually went to his spot in Hau'oli when he needed a break.

As the homes beside them turned to greenery, Skye saw the road's end fading into an expansive beachfront overlooking the ocean a mile ahead. "Ruki, look."

Miles of thick trees planted atop light green grass encompassed the resort's grounds.

"Nine!" He grinned at what he could see of the towering beige structure in the distance. Hano presented itself exquisitely.

In ten minutes, they were off the road and strolling across Hano Beach's sand toward the resort's entrance with tourists in the water.

Of course, Ruki paced ahead, his paws padding and sifting through the gritty terrain as he neared a clearing among the trees. He reached a large, tiled platform underneath a flight of stairs and the Grand Resort.

The building spanned to the east and west extensively; he had to look way up to see the top of the structure in its entirety. He glanced back and saw Skye making her way to him.

“Thanks for waiting for me, baby,” she said after reaching him. Skye then stepped onto the tile and climbed the flight with him.

At the top was a larger platform. Two large pools of water were on the left and right sides of the surface, and Aaron stood between them before glass double doors.

He wore dark jeans and a zip-up jacket with letters on its sleeves writing out a brand. A few others stood by the pools or sat on benches lining the resort's walls.

Skye couldn't resist a timid grin while approaching.

Aaron met her halfway and embraced her waist, holding her and glancing over her legs and thighs. "Hey, Skye." He then looked at her wrist bag. "What's in there?"

She pressed her cheek to his chest and snaked her arms around his sides. "Mh, hi." Warmth filled her chest and forced a soft smile. She pulled away slightly and looked up at him. "Ninetales plushie."

"Cute. You like plushies?" He held her closer and looked down at her face, locked into her eyes.

"I collect them." She dropped her arms. "You wanna take me inside?"

"Oh, of course, and I like your liner." He let go and stepped back.

"Do you?" Her smile slowly grew.

"I do. Really embraces your blues."

She giggled a little. "Thank you." Skye turned around and saw Ruki sitting. "Come on, Ruki."

Ruki stood and followed them through the doors down a short, red-carpeted corridor into a convivial environment.

More carpeting covered the massive lobby; fancy leather seating with glass tables, potted plants, and mini flower bushes adorned the floors. Large crystal-clear windows displaying the beach and forest were a grand touch.

The reception desk sat ahead, a rounded wooden counter with an active water wall above it.

The lobby was teeming with pokémon and people either standing or sitting, mainly socializing.

"As priceless as I remembered." Skye stood with Aaron off to the side in the lobby.

Guests either wore casual clothing or dressy, classy outfits.

Aaron slipped his hand into his jacket pocket. "You know, this is about the best place I've ever stayed. I almost feel like I don't belong."

"You're fine. People travel from all over to stay at this resort. It's one of the best there is. Where's Sylmi, by the way?"

"He was asleep, so I left him up in the room. I'll go get him if he's awake, then we can eat. It's… really pricey."

"It really is. Ruki and I will be waiting here." She watched him walk down the east hall and enter the elevator. "Let's rest for now, Ruki." Skye went to sit on a bench by the doors.

He followed and sat by her, his eyes still on various pokémon, people, and activity all over.

A sylveon and a vulpix in a mini kilt ran circles around one of the lobby chairs while chasing each other before a young woman in a dainty dress snatched up the sylveon, glaring at it while the vulpix trotted back to its owner.

A few men in suits with expensive watches on their wrists stood and chatted by one of the windows overlooking the encompassing thick tropical forest.

A teen couple sat facing each other in the lobby chairs with their squirtle beside the boy's chair. The couple shared from a to-go box on the table, and the boy took an occasional fry from their meal and popped it in the squirtle's mouth, who always opened its mouth in preparation when it saw the food coming.

Ruki shifted his eyes to find more interesting situations and passed something briefly—only to snap his head back and fixate.

"You want a poké bean while we wait?" Skye stared at him. "Ruki."

He shot his eyes up at her.

"Poké bean?..."

He nodded while taking a couple more glances ahead.

Skye took a red bean out of the bag and held it beside his mouth. "Ruki, what're you looking at?" She scanned the lobby and sought out what his eyes were on in moments. "Ohh…" She smirked. "It's that espeon, hm?"

Ruki twitched his ear and swallowed, lowering his head. His gaze was, in fact, set on an espeon several seats ahead. He'd seen a few throughout his lifetime, but his heart fluttered upon seeing this one.

It had a lithe, slender frame with sleek lavender fur, had large ears that stood upright, and it wore a mini bow at the base of its tail's tips.

In Ruki sat a pinch of guilt while looking her way. Of course, it was because of his species' rule. It felt as if his mother and father were glaring at him.

In this particular theoretical case, even though Ruki was no longer with his parents, he would be disappointing them by tainting his species' bloodline with eevee instead of continuing it with more ninetales, but it couldn't be that bad, could it? For instance, quadrupeds couldn't read and had the tendency not to be faithful to one lifelong mate, as he was taught, but that couldn't apply to all of them.

Ruki swallowed again, looking at what he assumed was a she. He could be wrong as he had been about Sylmi, but Ruki studied its features more. It sat by its teen brunette owner with long, loose curly hair, who looked native to Alola and wore a button-up top. It ended in a casual skirt, high socks, and boots.

"She is cute." Skye placed a hand on his head. She then saw Aaron and a sleepy Sylmi enter the lobby from the hall. “Maybe you can go say hi if she’s around later.”

---

Skye sat at a booth in an upscale restaurant playing pop music. It was down the resort's west corridor of lined shops. She had her plushie bag in her purse since she didn't need to access it. Aaron was sitting across from her with Sylmi while Ruki sat beside her.

Painted designs ranging from noodle bowls, sushi rolls, and chopsticks adorned the black walls; lamps hung from the ceiling over every table, dimly lighting them and casting a calming, welcome ambiance.

A couple of families and individuals sat around and behind them in the next booth, but they weren't too noisy. The music leveled out the excited young voices here and there.

"Glad we chose a not-so-packed restaurant," Skye said while scanning the menu on the table. She glanced ahead out of the windows and watched people and pokémon walk by.

Her favorite restaurant had been closed as of last year, so they'd found a decent-looking Fioreanese one nearby that she'd never seen. Unless she had forgotten it, there was a good chance it was a new addition.

"No twenty-minute wait times," Aaron replied.

Ruki looked over the menu laid in front of him and saw a small section for pokémon in the lower right corner. He could eat about anything Skye did, but that limited selection would be easier on his stomach, which she always pointed him to whenever a restaurant had it.

Sylmi already had eyes on something. He raised his ribbon and pointed out the berry rolls to Aaron.

They contained figy berry filling, which was mildly spicy.

"What do you want, Ruki?" Skye watched him stare at the menu.

There were only five options, but he wanted to make sure he chose something tasty. The deep-fried wishiwashi sushi rolls sounded best after much contemplation. "Nn." He leaned over and nudged the wording with his nose.

According to the description, they were compact and tangy-sweet with starf berry and cream cheese filling, covered in a rich original house sauce.

"Sure, baby. I'll have noodles and probably Lemoña to drink." Skye looked at Aaron. "How are you liking Alola so far?"

"Honestly, it might be the best region I've visited so far between weather and scenery… and because you're here, of course."

She grinned, locking their eyes. "Good…"

A young male waiter soon approached their table and collected everyone's order. Aaron ended up ordering the same thing Skye did.

"So, what do you do around Hau'oli?" Aaron asked after the waiter left.

"Uh, well, it's mainly the beach, District, mall, like I told you."

"Right, but... Okay, what'd you do growing up, then?"

"To an extent, I hung out with friends from school or went to the same places with Ruki. Those three used to be our second home and still kind of are, but after Sinnoh, I..." Skye trailed off. "Why don't you tell me what you did growing up? We rarely went that far back."

"Alright..." Aaron eyed her for a moment before speaking. "Before Sylmi and I started hopping on ferries every day, we were running around Johto whenever I had free time. I've always loved exploring, and I passed that trait to him. Not even my couple of friends could keep up with me. I liked studying how different parts of the world operated and witnessing their cultures, behaviors, food, and how they lived."

"It's great you're so committed. You have to be super experienced after being around the world." Skye wished she could have that under her belt. Maybe she could tag along with Aaron if they worked out. Traveling the world with someone she loved dearly sounded like a dream. "Maybe you'd want to pursue a career in something relating to that?"

He chuckled. "I don't know if it's something I want to mix with a career if that makes sense, and speaking of experience, that reminds me of the one time I learned to avoid tourist scams the hard way."

"Tell me." Skye had to hear this.

So did Ruki. He was all ears.

"So—and this was in Sinnoh, by the way, last year," Aaron started. "Sylmi and I got off at Sunyshore and headed to a major plaza where merchants were selling souvenirs, like bracelets, clothes, bags, and handing out free samples."

Sylmi grinned.

Aaron continued, "An old guy with shades and typical clothes, suspenders and all, comes up offering me a sample of homemade honey-glazed oat bars; it was in its pack and unopened. I didn't wanna tell the guy off, and what was the worst that could happen, right? It's a free product from someone trying to make a living."

Skye and Ruki had both leaned in and didn't look away even for a moment.

"So I take the bar, and he insists I try it in front of him to see if I like it. Again, I'd have felt bad to say no. It was kind of awkward, but I tore it open and took a bite. It wasn't bad either. It was sticky and broke apart in my mouth, but after that bite, he asks if I liked it. I say yes, then he asks if I'd like to buy more.

But I didn't like it that much, so I politely decline. That's when he said that was okay, but I had to pay for the one I opened."

Skye opened her mouth and briefly widened her eyes. "Oh my gosh. He tricked you? I've read about that stuff."

"One out of a hundred tourist traps. Anyway, he was demanding payment from clueless me while my heart raced. I looked around at people either watching or paying no mind, some shooting me dirty looks, and I didn't know how to get out of the situation since I had no proof. Another person bumps into me who I paid no mind to, but I did pick up Sylmi. The guy leaves a minute later without a word. I was shaken up but kept moving and went far from that area."

"So you got away? Well, of course you did, but..."

"I got away, but then I stop at a store afterward for a water and take out my wallet to pay. Zero cash. Nothing except my I.D. and some business cards."

Skye giggled and bit her lip harder to suppress it. "Sorry, but ghh. I couldn't imagine. I'd be freaking out."

Aaron laughed after her. "My eyes popped, and I couldn't breathe. Everything went numb; I ran out of the store without the water and phoned my mom. Luckily, they didn't take that. Skilled pickpocketer, though. My mom gave me the scolding of a lifetime at first and had to block a few of her cards she'd let me take for extra money, but she was more understanding after it was said and done."

"Wait, but what about your trip? Did you stay, or?"

Ruki glanced at her after the question, then focused back on Aaron.

"We were able to stay since I had more cash in my front pocket, but not for the entire week. I wasn't allowed to leave Kalos for a while after that."

"That's so messed up," Skye said. "At least you knew what to look out for after that."

"That's never happening again, but there are some lessons I'd rather not learn by becoming the victim of one."

"You've got that right."

---

They were through with lunch in the next forty minutes; Skye had tipped the waiter well since he'd checked on them often.

As they exited the restaurant, she spotted a room farther down the corridor on the left side among rows of businesses. The sign above it read: 'Lounge.' "Huh... that wasn't here some years back."

"Wanna check it out?" Aaron asked.

"Yeah, let's." Skye walked with Ruki between crowds and past multiple food and tempting dessert stands that pulled her nose. She ignored them, as a sugary waffle cone, shaved ice cone, or funnel cake would only add to her weight, even though part of her just wanted to live.

She peeked inside the doorway when they arrived.

It was a cozier version of the lobby, with twenty leather couches lining one end of the wall, wall-mounted TVs, and a snack bar at the end of the room.

"So, a rest area." Aaron stood with her.

Sylmi squeezed past them and entered the spacious room.

There was an eevee with styled beads in its mane sitting in its pre-teen female owner's lap in one of the chairs and a chatot and fennekin on the floor.

"It's a cute spot," Skye added.

Sylmi hopped into a vacant chair and patted the one beside him with a ribbon while eyeing Ruki.

Ruki noticed but looked up at Skye first.

"Go ahead," she replied, watching him go and hop up beside Sylmi. "I'm really glad they get along."

"Makes everything easier too."

Skye leaned her shoulder against Aaron's chest while watching. "Mhm, lots."

"Sylv." Sylmi hopped down to greet the pokémon in front of them. He shot a few glances at Ruki.

Ruki didn't want to join, but Sylmi obviously wanted him to. Ugh. Ruki got down and sat away, watching Sylmi pat the grinning eevee's head with his ribbon, who'd also joined the group.

However, Ruki's distancing wasn't helping him avoid interaction, as something abruptly tugged on one of his tails. He flinched. He turned his head and saw the chatot standing by his rear, and it pulled at another tail with its beak.

"Nine!" Ruki stood and turned to face it with a glare.

"Cha…" It cowered under the pokémon towering over him.

Sylmi watched with a small grimace.

Skye was busy giggling. "Ruki never gets annoyed. That's adorable."

"Not as tolerant with other pokémon, huh? Sylmi is really social," Aaron said.

"He was very social as a vulpix. I'm guessing his evolution made him more uptight."

"Tales…" Ruki apologized to the chatot and softened up after seeing its reaction.

"You want to see the room me and Sylmi are staying in? It has a good view," Aaron asked.

"Of course, but let me tell our babies first." Skye entered and crouched beside them. Ruki was sitting a bit closer now, grinning subtly at the eevee pawing at Sylmi's ribbons that he dangled in the air for it. "You two, Aaron is taking me to see the room. Want to come?"

"Vee." Sylmi shook his head.

Ruki wanted to, but he wasn't having that bad of a time after settling in, and Ruki didn't know when he'd see Sylmi after this trip, so he shook his head as well. Skye should be enjoying time with Aaron too.

"We'll be about ten minutes, then. Stay put." Skye walked and passed Aaron, tugging his arm.

He caught up and walked beside her.

"What floor are you on?"

"Six. It's the highest one here. I tend to like heights." As they entered the busy lobby, he offered his hand to Skye.

She took it and smiled a little while intertwining their fingers.

Meanwhile, Ruki had grown somewhat tolerant of the chatot. It was now perched atop his head. He would rather it not stand there, but it was preferable to having his tails yanked.

The eevee had left the lounge with its owner, so Sylmi was now watching the chatot and fennekin.

Less than a second later, however, a pokémon entering the room with its owner stole Ruki's breath.

A familiar lavender-colored creature with a young woman passed Ruki and Sylmi and went to the snack bar, and the espeon had double-glanced at the chatot on Ruki's head—so much for first impressions. He couldn't help looking at its cute features and form several times while it sat by the counter, its tail swaying elegantly.

"Syl, Sylve?" Sylmi shot looks between Ruki and the espeon, focused on Ruki's expression, then asked Ruki if he found the espeon attractive.

He swallowed and turned to Sylmi, finally shaking the chatot off his head. "Nin…" Ruki nodded. It was love at first sight, and he had no idea how it worked. To want another while they barely knew he existed ate at him. That's what he did know.

Ruki would never see this espeon again. He wouldn't even be in this situation right now if Skye hadn't used the one chance she had in Sinnoh.

~"It's been two days already. It goes by so fast," Skye said while they stood in the elevator going up.

"That's how I felt while you were in Sinnoh." Aaron leaned against the wall. "And I was afraid I'd lose you. I could have died of anxiety during the last couple of days."

"Really?" She giggled. "You should've told me sooner. Nearly did."

The elevator doors opened, and they exited, Aaron leading down the west hall. "Yeah, but I was stuck on everything I liked about you; it kept increasing the more time I spent around you… That made it intimidating for me." Aaron stopped at his door and reached into his pocket for the keycard, then looked over at Skye, whose eyes were on him.

Skye's eyes glowed, and her cheeks wore a faint pink blush. "Go ahead."

Aaron took out the card and slipped it into the reader on the door, looking her face over for a second. He pushed it open and stepped aside. "You first."

"Thank you." Skye entered and looked around. "The rooms are different from when I was last here."

The kitchen consisted of a marble floor with an island at its center. The room had a queen-size mattress and a nightstand holding a pricey ceramic lamp and telephone. Two TVs were wall-mounted above the kitchen's entrance. In front of her must be the view Aaron referred to, a large window draped with curtains.

~Ruki still hadn't budged from his spot. He hadn't a clue how to approach the espeon. He felt a tap on his lower back and turned his head.

"Syl, veon." Sylmi attempted to give Ruki some courage.

Ruki watched the espeon's owner exchange money for some items. He may have to take Sylmi's advice and go for it, but that was getting increasingly difficult the longer he stared. Would that espeon even consider him? Ruki wasn't exactly exhibiting confidence.

~Skye walked to the window and pushed the curtain over, letting in some sun. "You were right." She set her purse on the floor. Beyond were massive rocky mountains encompassing expansive grassy fields. Located slightly west was Royal Avenue, housing the Battle Royal Dome and some civilization.

People walked a strip of road extending for about a mile lined with shops. In the center of said strip was an extensive courtyard of pavement and a fountain with a large elevated pokéball in its center.

Lawns, bushes, trees, and a few streetlights surrounded it. They were all placed before more pavement leading to the massive Battle Royal Dome structure with blue, red, yellow, and green flags, four single-colored ones in total, draping over the entrance.

The Dome was where trainers went to test themselves by signing up for the challenge. Four ranks were available: normal, super, hyper, and master, in that order. Initially, only normal was available to trainers who hadn't proved themselves. The following ranks opened after the trainer won the challenge's five battles in a row in each rank.

Skye would sufficiently marvel at the prospect and people-watch if they had more time.

"Priceless, right?" Aaron stood next to her. "I watched it a couple of times with Sylmi."

"I've never seen Royal Avenue like this. My parents and I didn't stay on this side last time we came. We overlooked the beach instead."

She held his wrist after a moment of silence. "Aaron, do you remember when we were in front of my parents' door..." She turned and eyed his face. "And you kissed me?"

"I'll never forget." Aaron met her and granted his undivided attention.

"Kiss me again, properly," Skye nearly whispered.

He hugged her waist with his arm, pulled her to him, then reached his free hand and brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear.

Skye very much loved him holding and touching her, especially directing her, filling her with delicious electrifying frissons. She leaned in. Her phone vibrated in her pocket, which was likely her parents or a push message.

Aaron pressed his lips to hers and pulled her closer so their stomachs touched while delicately kissing her mouth. He handled her as gently as possible and returned her kisses while holding and rubbing her hip.

Skye tilted her head and deepened it, closing her eyes and leaning her cheek on his hand, where she nuzzled against his skin. Gosh, it was so intimate; the setting made it better, making out in an upmarket room.

"Nhmh..." She placed her palm on his chest and breathed against his mouth, letting out subtle moans now and again. Skye listened to the soft, lovely smacks their lips made while pressing on and off each other.

He shut his eyes and continued, their breaths meeting and quickening by the second, which encouraged their pace.

She moved her hand from his chest and grabbed his wrist, slipping his hand under her shirt.

Aaron smirked timidly. He first pulled her a step from the window and set her back against the wall, where he broke their kiss and caught his breath with her.

Skye glanced at his hand as he drew his fingers up from her hip and pressed them into her bare side. She exhaled against his digits tickling her side and arching into his touch. She rested her head against the wall while eyeing him with a vulnerable gaze and a lip bite.

~The espeon's owner and the cashier had struck up a friendly conversation, which bought Ruki more time to think of an approach, but he officially had no more. He shifted his forepaws as they walked in his direction, and just after the espeon passed, Ruki squeezed out a word, "Ni!—" a rushed greeting.

The espeon perked its ears and stopped, turning around to look at him.

Well, that froze him in place. Seeing its stunning face up close while it stared blanked his brain. Ruki fought to get another word out, but nothing came; in his throat was a knot he couldn't untie no matter how desperately he tugged.

"Vivi!" its owner called from the doorway, and Ruki watched the espeon turn and slip away. Just like that.

Vivi was its name, attracting him twice more.

He sulked enough to melt into a puddle of depression. His heart went cold, and pressure in his lungs made him wheeze against every breath he took. Ruki's second impression had been no better. He'd failed already as a male—right in front of them. Vivi must be sneering at how weak he was, scrambling for words.

~"Huh." Skye pushed her hips out and took steady breaths through her mouth while Aaron held both of her sides and drew his hands up her skin. He ran them slowly up her waist, pulling her shirt up in the process. He stopped at her chest beneath her bra, pressing her skin until it dimpled.

He eyed her cute and fairly slim tummy, then leaned in and kissed her lips once more while holding her.

Skye leaned in and held it for several seconds, sighing after he broke it. She wanted so much to tell Aaron to run his hands over her more, maybe unclip her bra. "We should go back..."

~Ruki couldn't even look Sylmi's way.

"Vee… Sylvi." Sylmi eyed him with sorrow and placed a ribbon on his back.

Ruki kept his eyes on the floor. He could have had a small chance with at least some confidence, but he couldn't muster even a pinch.

Skye exited the elevator with Aaron behind her and paced toward the lounge. "I know they're fine. I just never leave him on his own for long."

"I get it. Sylmi is usually with me too." Aaron matched her speed.

The espeon and its owner Ruki had seen earlier passed her and Aaron as they strolled through the lobby.

Ruki hoped Skye would return soon because he wanted to leave the lounge. Fortunately, he saw her appear in the doorway in moments.

"Hey, Ruki!" She grinned at first but noted his posture and demeanor, causing her grin to falter and fade just as quickly. Skye approached and crouched before him while Aaron watched some feet away. "Ruki… what's wrong? What happened?"

He scooted closer and leaned his forehead on her chest.

"Baby… Give me something." She tilted his chin up with her hand. "Please."

Ruki's eyes held hopelessness. He wanted to go home and never look back. Maybe in another couple of years when he understood anything and was less of a vulpix. Maybe Chaddy was right.

That's when the espeon came to Skye's mind. They had to have come from the lounge. "Was it the espy from earlier?"

Ruki looked off to the side and shut his eyes at the mention.

"Ruki..."

Sylmi caught her eye from behind and nodded.

"Damn it," Skye mumbled and stood, jogging past Aaron out the doorway and looking into the busy lobby. She walked and entered it, scanning the packed and noisy room.

She returned to the lounge. "Excuse me... sorry," Skye said while squeezing families and couples, approaching Aaron after making it through. "What time is it?"

"Nearly four. Is something up? Is Ruki okay?"

"Ruki saw this espeon earlier that he seemed to be into, and they were in here. Something happened between them when we left, but I'm sure I could have helped. It's not like Ruki can talk to a person. I feel like the worst owner." Skye watched Sylmi rub Ruki's back with his ribbon and attempt some more words of reassurance.

"Well, when are you two leaving?" Aaron asked.

"Before dark, so in around two hours."

"We still have time, then. They could show up. Why don't we wait?" Aaron took her hand.

"It makes it worse because he evolved months ago. He and I are close, but I know he needs more than me. I know it." She stared at Ruki with a heavy heart.

"We're assuming the espeon likes him back, right?"

"Either way, I know he didn't get a proper chance..."

Minutes later, they were sitting in the lobby chairs. Skye and Ruki sat a few tables from Aaron and Sylmi since she had wanted a moment with him.

"Ruki, you aren't upset, right?" she asked. "Be honest with me."

He looked up at her and shook his head. Skye didn't know that would happen. She had simply been away at a bad time.

She slid off of the chair and kneeled by him. "I'm still sorry, okay? I should have been there. That's why I'm here..." Skye placed her palm on his neck.

“Nine." Ruki grinned slightly and leaned in to nuzzle her arm.

“I’m gonna call and buy our ticket for a quarter to six, so we’ve got two hours left.” She pulled her phone out of her pocket and beckoned Aaron and Sylmi over with her hand.

As they approached, Ruki noticed Sylmi sit beside Aaron, who was next to Skye, but Sylmi had taken a few glances at Ruki beforehand. "Nin!" Ruki called him over.

Sylmi perked and trotted over, sitting before Ruki.

"Nin, nine." He leaned and gave Sylmi a soft nuzzle atop his head. It was a thank you for his encouragement and reassurance earlier. Even though it hadn't gone as planned, Sylmi had cared enough to try.

Sylmi grinned warmly and pressed his cheek to Ruki's chest, shutting his eyes.

Skye leaned against Aaron's shoulder with her hand resting atop his. She traced her nails over his skin while using her phone now that there was a free moment. She read a text from her mother, checking in on her. Skye replied to it with 'yes', told her it was going great, and a heart emote. "I can't wait to be in my bed." She put her cell away.

Aaron hugged her waist with his arm. "You'll sleep well. You were active all day."

"Mhm..."

---

Time passed, close to thirty minutes, and Skye had dozed off against Aaron.

He hadn't moved an inch during it and ensured he'd held her so she wouldn't fall while gazing at her face. Her hair rested against his chest and arm.

She woke up shortly after, still beat. Aaron had offered to buy her a coffee for a small burst of energy, and Skye stayed behind with Ruki and Sylmi this time while he went. She had to give him instructions and repeat them twice over since they were specific.

So, now she was sitting beside him with a caramel frappuccino in hand. "Thanks again for the coffee. I needed it more than I thought." She had also given Ruki and Sylmi a pokébean.

"I could tell. You should take at least two days to rest."

"Maybe, but I don't want your time here going to waste." Skye sipped her drink through its straw and stirred the whipped cream, then held it up. "Sip?"

"All yours. Also, it won't. Me and Sylmi will go out and explore the island too. We'll keep busy." Aaron glanced at Ruki but double-looked at him staring at the reception desk. “Skye…" he said after following Ruki's eyes.

“Hm?”

“Look.”

She scanned the lobby, and her eyes then fell onto the espeon and its owner talking to the receptionist at the counter. The owner held a small briefcase and was likely checking out.

Meanwhile, Ruki was in mental turmoil. He had given Vivi terrible impressions already, and a million thoughts filled his head about the plethora of negative things they could see him as, considering they turned him away, but she—hopefully—was so cute.

Ruki also tried his best to push his parents out of his head, who reprimanded him merely for considering approaching an eeveelution; however, something inside him couldn't let this espeon go. He couldn't live his life avoiding love that wasn't with another ninetales. Ruki had already missed out once in his life. He'd let Iva go.

Maybe his parents would understand.

So, Ruki stood, looking over at Skye, who gave him a slight smile and eyes encouraging him to go for it.

What could go wrong? Well, everything, but on the bright side, he’d never see this espeon again if he failed twice in a row.

Ruki started, slipping through individuals and a small crowd before making it to the end of the resting area, where people passed his eyes without rest.

The desk was right in front of him, but his stomach churned. Vivi could send him back with his tails dragging along the floor.

Before Ruki could contemplate, they turned around and looked at him.

Vivi glanced up at its owner, but she was currently busy, so Vivi approached an anxious Ruki and stood several feet away.

“He knows what he’s doing. He helped me a lot.” Skye kept her grin.

Aaron's eyes were glued to Ruki and Vivi's interaction. "With what? What do you mean?"

"Ah, don't worry about it."

“N-Nine. Ninetales," he greeted for a second time, this time with his name. "Nine nin-t-tales nine... tales." Ruki told Vivi about how he'd seen them throughout the day and found them beautiful, which was the hardest part.

“Espe," Vivi replied in an effeminate voice. She grinned, creeping in from the corners of her mouth while she studied him.

“Vivi—huh?” Her owner turned around and saw Ruki, this time going and kneeling beside Vivi. “You must really like my girl.” She had a thick Alolan accent.

“That’s my cue! Here.” Skye handed Aaron her purse and drink quickly enough that he almost scrambled to take them before she got up and jogged over.

“Do you have an owner?” Vivi's owner asked.

"He does. Hi," Skye said upon walking up.

Ruki looked at Skye and took a deep breath.

"I... think your pokémon may like my espeon? I've seen them like twice around her now." Vivi's owner watched their interaction.

"So, could I pull you over here for a moment?" asked Skye.

"Uh, sure." They stepped aside so their pokémon weren't within earshot.

"I know this is sudden, but Ruki, my ninetales, evolved months ago and is a hundred and one percent new to the idea of love and attraction. He saw your espeon a few times today, and I could tell she cast a spell over him—Oh, my name is Skye, by the way."

“Ohh, okay. That makes sense. I thought he was lost or something at first." She stuck her hand out. "Lexi, nice 't meet you.”

Lexi saw Vivi’s tail sway from side to side while talking to Ruki. “Do you live in this region?”

“Hau’oli," Skye replied.

“Oh, we’re in Konikoni. It’s some miles west. Kay kay… so we’re both in Alola. Why don’t we exchange numbers? Vivi's always been a bit of a loner, so this is interesting. She reads natures and personalities. It's like a cheat code.”

“That sounds great." Skye pulled out her phone.

“I'll be eighteen in a month." Lexi shrugged. "Maybe we can work something out then."

“I know how that is. Recently turned eighteen myself.” They exchanged numbers and saved them; then, there was a beat of silence. ”Well, I don’t mean to keep you two from being on your way. Have a safe trip home.”

“You too. Come on, Vivi,” Lexi called and headed toward the exit.

Vivi followed, grinning back at Ruki.

Skye waited until they were out the door before crouching in front of him. “Yess, oh my gosh, Rukii! I’m so proud of you, baby.” She poked his chest multiple times with her index fingers and took his cheeks into her palms while giggling, planting quick kisses all over his face. "Mwah, mwah. You just needed a bit of confidence and kindness. Your looks and charm did the rest."

And her. He needed her. “Nini!” Ruki’s tails swayed quicker than usual. He exhaled shakily. That went way better than he'd expected. He felt like a new ninetales.

“We shared numbers. Hopefully, we keep in touch.” Skye kissed his head and stood, walking back toward Aaron with him.

She spent the next half-hour with Aaron and Ruki with Sylmi. With the Vivi situation solved, Skye wanted to leave early to ensure they didn't miss the ferry. They now stood out front by the pools under the setting evening sky tinged with scarlet.

Skye was facing Aaron. "It sucks we have to go, but we had suchh an amazing day."

"For sure. Today was the most fun I've had in Alola so far. I'm glad it worked out between Ruki and Vivi in the end too. I'd like updates if you're willing… Want me to walk you two to the ferry, by the way?"

"It's fine. You and Sylmi go rest. I know Akala, so there's no need to worry." She held his wrists and smiled. "And yes, you'll get text and call updates if and when I get them. You helped it happen too."

"Thank you." He smiled back. "Can you at least call me when you two are safely on board?"

"Mhm. Bye for now." Skye leaned up and gave his lips a quick parting kiss.

Aaron leaned into it at the last second, so he got more of a graze from her lips. "Bye." He grinned.

Ruki and Sylmi exchanged their usual paw-to-ribbon shake, and he again thanked Sylmi for being with him earlier.

After that, Ruki followed Skye down the steps, and they were on their way.