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Sawyer woke up as the first sounds of activity from the Guild reached him, letting him know morning had come. He slowly stood and looked around to see if anyone else was up yet; maybe he had been the first one to wake up. Vivian was no longer on her bed, same as Abby and May...

"Where'd everyone go?" he spoke to himself.

He then noticed a small parchment next to the latter's bed. Giving in to curiosity, the Shinx quietly walked up to the Mareep's resting spot.

He saw a few ink-made prints which he assumed were the sheep's paw-writing... Maybe it was a letter? He thought of giving it a quick read, wondering what May might write about.

"Hi, Sam.

How's everything over at home? I hope the place hasn't fallen apart without me yet! How's ma doing? Is she getting better? I know you take good care of her, but I'm just checking. So, the big news! I got accepted into the Guild, and I didn't even have to take any exam! Kind of a long story, I'll tell you next time I come home. Met this Shinx, too. His name's Sawyer. Nice fella, I thin -"

"Felt like takin' a peek, did ya?"

May's voice right behind him made Sawyer's fur stand as he leapt three feet in the air and landed completely stiff right where he was. He slowly turned around to see the Mareep staring sternly at him.

"Could have just asked to take a read, y'know?" May took the letter in her paw.

"Sorry..." Sawyer looked down, "I just got curious. I wondered what you'd write about."

"It's a letter home," May replied, her expression softening, "Letting 'em know I made it into the Guild, that's all. I was gonna go drop it off for delivery, but we went to eat something first."

"So that's where everyone went..."

"Yup. Breakfast's being served right now, if you feel like getting something to eat," May nodded, "Vivian and Abby are still there, too. Couldn't believe how much food can go into one small Skitty without making her feel full."

"Thanks, May," Sawyer answered, "And... Sorry about the letter. I don't know what I was thinking."

"Don't let it get to ya," the Mareep smiled, "Come on, let's go get you some breakfast. I'll go hand this over for delivery later, if you wanna come with me."

"Sure," the Shinx nodded as May took her letter in her muzzle and the two headed out of their room.

The hallway was very well lit in comparison to the previous night; sun shone through the windows and illuminated everything as a few of the newly-accepted students walked about. Sawyer recognized the Pikachu from the day before as she went into her room.

"So... How'd you sleep last night?"

"Hmphhe," May looked at him and gestured at the letter in her muzzle.

"Right," Sawyer chuckled, "sorry!"

"Ah..." Abby puffed, leaning back slightly, "I'm stuffed!"

"You sure can eat..." Vivian commented, looking at the four empty plates at the opposite side of the table where the Skitty was eating, then modestly back at her own, single plate, in which she'd only put a small ration of berries for breakfast.

"It's the most important meal of the day, after all!" Abby energetically replied, "It's like my mom always said: Empty bellies bring nothing but frowns!"

"I guess you're right," Vivian smiled, "My mom always tells me to eat well, too... Though, for her 'well' is pretty much the amount I just ate."

"Really?" the Skitty asked, leaning her head to the side a bit, "But that's not even one fourth of a healthy ration! You must be starving!"

"Not really!" the Eevee blushed, smiling awkwardly, "I guess I've just grown used to it!"

"Well, as long as you're sure..." Abby answered, taking a skip away from the table while Vivian simply stepped back herself, "Can't have you helping the team out on an empty stomach!"

"Heh, yeah..." Vivian looked down, trying to hide her concerns from her new friend as the two headed back to their room.

"So, what does your family do?" Abby asked her as the two made their way through the green-floored hallway, with the hustle of the Guild's everyday activity on the rise, "Anything fun?"

"Well, mom's into catering," Vivian answered, "My other mom prefers to go help at the town store, though... Ever seen how fresh the berries and herbs are? She's the one that keeps them cooler so they don't spoil so quick!"

"Catering?" Abby's ears perked up, "No kidding?! Is your mom Anne the Espeon?"

"Yeah?" Vivian gave a curious nod, looking at the Skitty, waiting for her to continue.

"That's awesome!" Abby said out loud with a skip, startling a Rattata that was walking by at the time, "Sorry!" she told the rodent before looking back at Vivian, "My mom's Cheryl the Delcatty! She helps with the cooking!"

"Really?" Vivian seemed to lighten up, smiling softly, "That's nice! I bet they're talking about us already!"

Both girls reached their room once more, Abby opening the door with one paw and holding it so Vivian could get in. The Eevee walked up to a small bag by her bed and pulled out a small piece of parchment with her muzzle, placing it down next to her bed.

"Whatcha doing?" Abby moved in closer, looking at her friend.

"Writing a letter home," Vivian answered, pulling out a small bowl with ink and dipping her paw in it, "I want to tell mom I'm fine... She worries a lot."

"Well, Mister Barnes did say we had some free time before assembly, so, go right ahead!"

"How should I go about telling her what happened yesterday, though...?" Vivian tilted her head to the side, her paw still dipped into the bowl, "If I tell her just like that, she'd probably have me taken out of the guild..."

"But you shouldn't lie, either, right? I mean, they worry about you because they love you..."

"Y-yeah, you're right..." Vivian wasn't expecting to hear her friend give her that answer, "I'm sorry, I... I guess I should tell her the truth. I just need to-"

"-VIVIAN!" the Espeon darted into the room, taking the Eevee in her paws and hugging her tightly, "My sweet little baby, I heard about what happened! Are you all right?!"

"I'm fine, mom!" Vivian mewled, feeling embarrassed to be seen by Abby at the time, "I really am!"

"I knew it was a bad idea to have you go out and see such dangers..."

"Anne, please," Barnes walked into the room, seeing his sister's display, "I assure you, she is safe within these walls. Even as she was abducted yesterday, she was brought back safe and sound by some of our new students... No harm will come to her."

"Give her a shot to show everyone what she's made of, already!" Alexandrine followed Barnes inside and approached Anne and Vivian as Abby just sat against a wall, the Skitty watching the family reunion with interest.

"But... If anything were to happen..."

"Mom, I'll be fine," Vivian smiled as she nuzzled her mother, partly hoping her uncle and other mother had softened her enough that she'd be willing to let her stay, "Give me another chance? Please?"

The Espeon let go of her daughter and looked into her eyes, showing longing for an adventure, but also shimmering with care and concern over her mother's own... She closed her eyes, looked down, and gave a deep sigh...

"Viv... Do you promise you'll stay safe?" she asked, running a paw down the side of her daughter's cheek, her expression a very soft one.

The Eevee looked at her mother, for the slightest moment trying to make sure she wasn't imagining things and the Espeon was actually considering letting her stay. "I promise, mom..." she replied, nuzzling her mother's chest again, "I'm sorry I made you feel so worried...!"

Anne spoke no answer, wrapping her paw around her daughter and tenderly nuzzling her back, both staying like that for a moment while Barnes, Alexandrine and Abby looked from the side.

"You can stay," Anne nodded with a smile, finally letting go of her daughter, "Be safe, baby..."

"I promise..."

"-Think that's why they're called Dugtrio," May finished speaking as she and Sawyer entered the room, stopping at the sight of the reunion that was taking place.

"Bit crowded, isn't it?" Sawyer murmured at his friend, looking around, "What's up?"

"Anne," Barnes called to his sister, "These are Sawyer and May. They're the ones who saved Vivian yesterday."

"Oh!" The Espeon walked up to the Shinx and Mareep, "You are the ones? I really appreciate what you did! I don't think I can repay you enough!" She spoke with a slight bow, "I hate to be a bother, but... Would it be too much of me if I requested that you take care of my Vivian while she is with you?"

"N-Not at all, ma'am," Sawyer nodded awkwardly at the Espeon, "We'll try our best."

"We will," May added with a nod of her own.

"I'll do my best, too!" Abby bounced next to her friends and looked at the older feline, "Vivi will be safe here with us! Don't worry!"

"Oh, thank you," Anne replied with a sigh, looking at the Skitty, "You're Abby, right? Cheryl's girl?"

"I sure am!" The kitten spoke with her usual energy, giving a small hop.

"I figured... You're a lot like her when she was your age!" the Espeon smiled, "She sends her love... Oh, and you can expect some cake over the weekend, too."

"GREAT!" Abby squealed, "Thanks a lot! I'll look forward to it!"

Anne laughed softly before adding, "But I think we should go for now... Alexandrine?"

"Yeah, comin'," The Glaceon replied, giving her daughter a soft nuzzle followed by a slight ruff to her hair with her paw before heading off on her way, "Show 'em all, kiddo!"

"I will! Thanks!" Vivian smiled.

"You should see them off, dear," Barnes told the Eevee, watching both older evolutions go, "There's some time left before assembly, so there's no rush."

"R-right!" Vivian nodded, taking off after her parents.

"In a half-hour," Barnes looked at the other three, "At the Guild's main garden area." He stepped out himself, "Be sure to arrive early!"

The next twenty minutes had gone by fast, and Sawyer, May and Abby were now making their way to the main garden as instructed. The hustle and bustle from the earlier hours of the morning had gone by, as most students were now in their respective classes and training.

"Hey," a Sneasel signaled the passing three, both him and a Quilava he was chatting with focusing their attention on the younger ones, "You're some of the new kids, right?"

"They ain't just some of the new kids, though," The Quilava added, "They're the ones who pulled off a rescue mission instead of their exam."

"That's us, alright!" Abby answered, "Or, well... Them, really, because I did pass my exam, but I got into their team anyways and I was there when they finished their rescue, too!"

"That's a lot of cheer you've got there," the Sneasel replied with a chuckle, "That's good. Sure enough, most of your classes are fun and pretty lighthearted... Just wait 'til Saturday when you get to Outdoors, though."

"What's that?" Sawyer asked, the words getting his attention.

"It's where you're trained on everything you'll really need to be an adventurer. And you get tested on it, too. Harshly." The Quilava replied, "You sort of get used to it, but trust me: It ain't pretty at first."

"Sounds intense," May mused, "We'll just have to see just how harsh it is for ourselves.... Thanks for the heads-up, but I think we should mosey on to assembly before we're late!"

"By all means," the Quilava gave a nod, turning back to his friend.

As they kept on, Sawyer could swear he heard the two start discussing what they thought of the new recruits, but he paid them no real heed. Assembly was about to start, and with it would come his first official day as a Guild student. He wouldn't admit it, but he was feeling rather anxious... Eager as he was to learn, he really didn't know what he was going up against... But he'd be fine. They'd all be. He had his new friends with him, after all... May, Abby... Even Vivian, scaredy and shy as she seemed to be... He was sure they'd be fine as long as they stuck together as a team.

...Right?