Ch. 73
Imported from SF2 with no description.
Trainer (OT)
It wasn't quite a tearful goodbye, but Rillet and I had become something akin to fast friends, and there was a certain sense of melancholy to the quiet that came after he had left. Having spent the night together, the ache in my hips and my back was an almost nostalgic feeling, and my idle hands flipped through the stack of pictures he'd left. Souvenirs, to remind me of our good time. Souvenirs to tempt me into a discrete purchase or two. Honestly, he was a sweetie, and he'd got along so well with everyone. It was a welcome and so much needed change from some of the other "friends" we'd had to deal with lately. Rillet was the definition of 'what you see is what you get', and it was a refreshing kind of honesty that came with our time together.
I was glad that Helena and Sybil recorded so much of our fun, but our last moments together before he left had been just for us, in the shower. A gentle reminder from him that he was a studio pokemon, and no matter what, I couldn't keep him. A gentle reminder from me that even a studio pokemon could be made love to once in a while. The water a soothing cool, his body wonderfully warmer. I knew I'd remember the vivid blue of his tongue lolling out of his maw as I hefted him, eased him down on me once again. That he'd remember the way we moved from sweetness to me railing him so hard he could only cuss and squeal, and we'd both savor the gentle, loving blowjob he gave me in the aftermath before we were through. A soft embrace, his body coiled close to mine as we caught our breath. Sitting down in the tub, with him bouncing slowly on my lap as he stared into my eyes, kissed me, nuzzled into me, a wordless soft exhalation of pleasured 'va's as he pushed himself to another climax, the heat of his release against my chest, and again his sweet, precious tongue to lick me clean.
Tenderness, I thought, would be something he'd remember vividly for a long time in quiet moments. I knew with certainty I would.
But time waits for none, pokemon or human, and with a grudging squint, I found myself topside again, taking in the breeze and moving to the front of the ship, to spend a day lounging with Cocoa, Penance and Mira. I was ready to be off the ship, and the idle hours stretched on seemingly toward infinity. I hadn't planned for that, but it was a sentiment that Mira seemed to share, less and less interested in the ship's offerings of entertainment by the hour, it seemed. It was a fun diversion, at first. But we were all ready to go explore again.
Cocoa was more easy going, I knew. Still felt the novelty of it, even if looking out over the ocean frightened her. Penance didn't share her fear, but the two chatted about the discomfort of it, of situations like it. The idea of being alone and lost anywhere was disconcerting. Mira's quiet reflected a different understanding, her ribbons snaked up my arm as if to make sure I was there. She didn't need to say it, I understood. The snowy mountain and the dark mine were a scar we'd share together. Cocoa was happily distracted by all the things the ship had to offer, compared to the unpleasantness of thinking too long about something she was truly frightened by. Her cloven hand in mine, two lounge chairs pulled together, we chatted, about nothing and everything until we stumbled on the donphan in the room.
I could have wished time stopped rather than think about what was looming over the horizon. I knew that was a useless feeling, but I could have wished. All the effort we went to to get here, and I still hadn't figured out a way to not just unmake it, immediately. The instant I recharged that battery, turned on that tablet... the instant I visited a pokecenter, called family, anything. He'd know, right? He'd have to know.
He'd be looking for us, and there was nothing I could do to keep us hidden. Not really. He was going to catch up to us, not a question of if, but more of when. Would we be ready? Could we be?
Mira (OT's Sylveon)
I could feel his tension immediately. The way his heartbeat changed. The music in him faltering, discordant, an anxious tremolo. Fear. I felt his fear, so much I could almost taste it. My grip on him tightened, but I knew I couldn't just tug him back. Cocoa had asked the simplest question, what we'd do when we got there, and I could feel him churn with anxiety.
He sighed, and I could feel the tension in his fingers, as he caressed me. "Fuck it." He said, with a huff, and a shrug. His heart slowing, the moment passing. "Honestly, Cocoa? I don't have too many ideas. Same kinds of things we were doing here. Just maybe the asshole chasing us doesn't have home field advantage. Maybe we make new friends, settle in for the long fight. Make it hard for him to pursue us."
I was proud of him. Not just for battling back against it, but for being honest. For truly being honest with us. All I could do was hug him tight, and nuzzle into his chest. No need to say anything. He'd feel what I felt. I knew he always did. I was proud of him, and I loved him. He'd come such a long way, and I hoped he knew it. I wanted to make sure he knew it.
"I'm afraid of what comes next. Afraid he'll hurt you. Hurt any of us. Take Helena away. Worse." He admitted. "I'm terrified I won't be able to keep any of you safe, no matter how hard I try. I'm afraid splitting away like this made Wendy a better target. I hope she's taken my advice and kept her tablet off. Stopped doing things that needed her league ID until we make landfall. I want to believe she's stuck to the plan but I can't know it until then."
Every sentence brought his pulse back up. One fear building on the next. Still, he kept himself steady, walked us through what was eating at him in the quiet moments. It was hard won progress, but it was progress won.
Cocoa (OT's Miltank)
Were a lot of things that frightened me. Hated when lightnin' was too close, or the winds picked up all of a sudden. Saw a few twisters tear up the place, an' while we were always kept safe, weren't no gentle spring rain we got to listen to in the dark. Ocean scared me. The thought o' bein' out there all alone, lost an' cold, no idea where to go, an' too far to have any hope of it anyway.
Frightened me, the first time I really had to fight. That anxious feelin' wellin' up, enough t'make me wanna be sick. Frightened me when he put me in the gym battle way back. Worried I was gonna let him down, let them all down. Kept me up at night for a little after. When the rush o' winnin' wore off. Lot of nights I spent holdin' that precious little pin, thinkin' on what it took, how easily it could'a gone a different way. Bein' damned grateful I didn't have to know.
Lot o' big scary things in the world. But I don't think I ever felt a fear as big as his.
I hadn't meant to. Hell, I knew it weren't my fault. Was a simple question, just wonderin' what he was thinkin' about bein' back on solid ground. What he had in mind for us. Hadn't talked much about it, was all wound up over just gettin' away from where we were before. Felt dumb. Felt damn dumb. Stupid girl, stupid question, stupid of me to ask.
Was mighty glad Mira pulled the truth out of him, I hated when he smiled like that. Hated when I knew he was lyin', an' tryin' to keep us from worryin'. Couldn'a been mad at him, not really. Ain't never told us a falsehood, I don't think. Just sometimes had feelin' that were bigger than he knew how to say. I got that, surely. Wide wild skies above, did I ever know that feelin'.
Sometimes it's hard to talk about what scares us. Sometimes we'd rather pretend it didn't, 'cause we don't know what else to do. 'Cause we ain't got words for it. 'Cause we ain't got a thing but a feelin' what can't be as simple as a whisper.
What can we do then, aside from just keepin' our head down and hope the storm goes by without us.
But this one weren't gonna, an' he knew it. We knew it. He was more'n scared by that. But not me. Not this time. So I wrapped him up in my arms, and held him while he clenched his jaw. As if he were chewin' over somethin' he didn't wanna swallow. People didn't see, or pretended not to. Maybe that was the real problem. Knowin' somethin's wrong an' pretendin' you don't see so you don't have to do nothin'.
Maybe that was the worst part o' people.
"Hush, love. Mama's got you." I whispered, as I held him tight. "Don't matter what tomorrow brings. We'll deal with it as it comes. You, me, all of us. Y'ain't doin' it alone. I promise."
It took time, for him to relax, to calm himself back down, but he did, half buried beneath the three of us, while people either ignored us, or murmured to each other as they walked past. Let 'em talk. I knew where I needed to be.
Wendy
Woke up on the wrong side of the bed, and knew it comin' up to face the morning sun. Dreamed about him again. About his kiss, his hand in mine, the way he held me, when I wasn't sure what I wanted. The way he made love to me when I was. Dreamed about him, and about Penance. Arceus but she was the smart one between us. Goin' with him. I should've fought harder for it. I missed him. I knew I was going to, I didn't know how much.
Missed him like rain, when the crops were dryin' an' dyin'. Missed him like the wind in my hair at harvest. Missed him like the first rain of spring. Missed him with all my heart and it damn near broke me to wake up thinking about it. But he needed me to keep it together. So did my team. So with a sigh and a growl I forced myself through the motions. Morning coffee, pack up for the trip, make sure Rein was settled comfortably, and off we went.
Wasn't sure our destination, just had to avoid cities for a couple more weeks. Suited me fine. I didn't feel like dealing with people, especially not knowing where that son of a bitch was lurking. Besides, I'd meant to make more friends, and today felt promising, despite it all.
So Stacky carried me over rolling hills, windswept grass moving like rolling waves. Beautiful, though I knew a storm was brewin'. Could see it creeping in on the horizon, and knew it was gonna be a good one. Loved the wide, wild skies, though. Found myself riding for it, without much care in the world.
Found myself a bit of a chatterbox, talking to Rein. Stacky seemed to be of a mind to just enjoy the trip and not listen too much to what I had to say. Couldn't blame him. My mind was on friends far away, the farm we'd left behind. Days like today where all the work that was gonna get done had to get done early. Which meant skippin' breakfast an' hittin' the trail with coffee and whatever we could grab at door.
I didn't know the area at all, and without the ease of the local map to guide me, we found ourselves following the edge of a lake I didn't know existed. Was content to walk the water's edge, let Stacky take a rest, and give Sprinter a chance to live up to his namesake, stretch his legs and burn some energy. He kept close enough he could hear my shout, but the boy loved his moments of independence, and I wouldn't take that from him. Rein even tagged along, content to sit atop his head and hold on tight while he made his way up the hills ahead of us. The lake turned into a small river, nothing to write home about, maybe. A few stray traces meandering from the meadow below into the woodland ahead of us. Would be rough going once the storm hit us, so I brought us up close to the treeline, enough into the hills the water would run down from us, but not so high up the winds would knock over our tent.
Damned if I didn't miss havin' my lover at my side right about then though. Drivin' stakes was not as easy as he'd made it look. Still, I'd gave myself enough time, and Stacky didn't hesitate none helpin me pull my lines tight. We'd have a safe place to rest, for all we might need to wait a day or two for things to dry up 'fore we carried on.
The temptation to send him a message, take pictures of the lake below us, or anything besides sit and wait was driving me insane. Hiding out didn't suit me at all, even when it made sense to. In a way I knew he was the lucky bastard. He was hiding out just the same, but he had plenty of fun things to do besides listen to the rain.
Sometimes I wasn't sure if I wanted to fuck him or fight him.
Sprinter (Wendy's Lopunny)
Moody, moody! I knew that look. Caused it enough times to know it pretty damn well. Wasn't my fault though. This time, at least. She'd spent most of the evening grumbling about whatever. Didn't want to talk about it, and as horrible as it sounds, it suited me fine to not have to listen to it. So I got Rein settled in atop my head and we went down to check out the river before the storm pulled us back for the night.
She spent a lot of time nestled in with Wendy, and that was all well and good, but Wendy treated her like a kid, and I knew it irked her. Humans judge too much on appearances, and don't ask enough questions. It was kindly meant, so I know Rein wasn't really mad about it, but as we made our way to water's edge, she let out a sigh that I understood more than anything.
"Rough day, huh?" I asked, as I flicked a twig off into the stream, watching it drift away, and somehow, a few of my troubles with it. A stone followed, splashing softly over the sound of flowing water.
"Rough week." She replied, a blade of grass following on the wind. "Was he really that great? She mutters about him in her sleep. Keeps me up." A Second blade of grass followed the first, before being knocked down into the water by a gust of wind. The trees above rustled, their branches bowed and swung in the rising storm. It was going to be a good one, from the smell in the air.
"Your guess is as good as mine." I admitted. "All I have are stories. Staccato doesn't seem to like him. Wendy can't seem to make it through a day without him. Don't know much more."
Rein (Wendy's Bounsweet)
Arceus but it was good to get away, if only for a little while. I didn't hold it against her, maybe I should have, but it wasn't like I didn't have a first love who drifted away. A second. A fifth. It doesn't get easier. Sprinter had done me a huge favor, getting me some space, and I was happy to return that with my own, pointing out some ripe berries he could reach without too much trouble. Her cooking wasn't as bad as it used to be, the way I heard it. It had improved from what Staccato knew, but we all knew it wasn't great.
So we meandered down by the water, close enough to get back quickly when the storm broke, but meandered still, until a glint of shimmering blue darted from between the rocks and poked up from the surface of the water to stare at us as we watched from the muddy river bank.
The dratini seemed oddly out of place for where we were, and idly swam against the current, keeping pace with the water easily enough. A hundred questions, all the usual inane things one might ask a traveler. Where we came from, where we're going, who's our trainer, is it fun. I'm glad Sprinter felt up to answering them. I just felt grumpy being bothered. Kept the smile on my face I usually reserved for Wendy.
When Sprinter invited her to follow us back, she practically leapt at the chance. Clever bastard, I'm sure it would score him points with Wendy, and I knew he'd be quick to cash them in for whatever he wanted her to do for him. Seemed it would be another night in a pokeball, but it was better than having to try to ignore those two going at it like nidorans.
I hated that we made it back to the tent before the first drops of rain fell. I could have stayed out another hour, but he had to go make Wendy a new friend. So there I was, in the corner of that tent, trying my best to be invisible and just listen to the rain until I fell asleep. What a long week.
Still, maybe she'd give me a little space and focus on the energetic water snake for a while.
Wendy
Stroke. Of. Luck. Don't know where they found the precious baby, but with little more than a wink and a grin, Sprinter had put a dratini in one of my pokeballs, and handed it to me. For a moment I wasn't sure if it had happened or if I had imagined it. Bein' honest, I'd hesitated hitting the button, but when I did, the little dragon slid through the grass and wound its way up my leg.
A dratini! Gorgeous topaz blue serpent, bright curious eyes, nudgin' at and sniffing the pokeball as if still trying to figure out the trick to it. Couldn't hear my own thoughts for the roar of my heartbeat in my head. I couldn't believe it! Here, of all places? And to just land on my doorstep, like the most ordinary thing in the world. He'd never believe it. I'd never believe it.
It hurt that I couldn't share the moment with him, but even though there was a bittersweet taste to it, I couldn't have stopped smiling. The little darling had already made a game of winding around my arms, climbing me as I moved. Didn't realize they were so soft! I expected something closer to serpent scales but apparently dratini were closer to a well treated leather!
Sleep was long in coming, but eventually the dratini had wound down and curled up at my chest. I'm sure Sprinter didn't mind the show, the way he winked and looked me over before settling in, himself. I knew without asking that he'd be wanting a reward, and I'd not have much choice but to really give him one, would I?
Didn't mind really. Wasn't like we'd have anything else to do tomorrow. Except maybe think of a name.
Arceus, but what a day it had been!
Penance (OT's Arcanine)
I got him alone that night. A favor asked, a favor given. The others just insisted I take good care of him. Anything he needs. Everything he wants. As if they had to ask. He spent the longest time just petting me. Just running his hand through my fur as he nestled in next to me, the two of us taking up the whole bed together. My weight kept him pinned close, one paw wrapped around his back. Just let him be with me, and his thoughts until his hand began to wander.
I didn't mind it, if that's what he needed, I'd let him take the lead. I rolled to my back just a little, to show the man I loved my belly. To show him I was his, I was safe with him. To show him that he was welcomed to me. I loved that he took his time. That he didn't just rush into it. Loved the way he teased me. Played with me. I loved how he made me feel. Loved. Safe. Wanted.
When I told him so, he just stared into my eyes for the longest time, before his lips brushed against my cheek, my forehead, my ear.
"And I'm safe with you. Even if all we can do is run away, I know you won't let anything happen to me." He said, as he brushed his hand against my jaw, a wordless request for my tongue, that he could tease it with his, a tender little kiss, a human affection. I loved the taste of it, and I didn't mind the way the tears pricked at my eyes. He was relying on me. He trusted me. He understood.
"I'd fight for you. Fire and fangs, to the very end. But if you think we should run, I'll carry you anywhere you want to go." I murmured, as I wrapped him up in my paws, pulled him in. "So don't be afraid. Don't be afraid of what's out there. The only thing you need to know is I'm right here."
I promised myself to him. Promised I would love him forever. And sometimes that was hard, I didn't know what to say like the others seemed to. I spent so long not saying anything, it seemed hard to start. I relied on him to talk first.
Tonight... tonight I'd let my body do the talking. I'd let the heat of my love tell him everything I needed him to know. I'd follow his lead and then he'd follow mine. I'd give him everything I was, until he was too exhausted from the pleasure to even consider worrying anymore.
I'd keep him safe, and I wouldn't let him close his heart up. Didn't matter who we had to face, I'd never let anyone take that away from him.