I snuck into the room and chose a seat at the far back. I hung my purse off the back of the chair, set my cane down on the floor, and sat down. My earplugs were in snug, and the room was a just bearable dull roar. The room was packed and it was muggy despite the air conditioning running on full blast. I kept wriggling back and forth in my seat. There were probably twenty-ish other kids in the room with me. Lots of them had managed to drag their parents and older siblings with them, all of them eager to see their child, their sibling, their whatever getting their first pokemon.
It felt like I didn't belong. I was a rookie, I needed a starter, but I felt like a cheater because I already had my first pokemon. She sat next to me, a pretty Espeon wearing a red vest that marked her as an emotional support pet. According to League rules, that meant she couldn't fight in any trainer battles unless it was life or death, though, and thus I was here. She mewed softly and nuzzled against my hand. I tried to smile back at her, and I pet her. She purred and the jewel on her forehead shone. I tried to relax.
This was the last distribution session of the day. They'd been shuffling kids through here all day, trying to get them registered and out the door. The registration offices were technically open all year, but most of their volume was in the start of winter and summer, as kids decided whether they wanted to go back to another semester of school. During the busy seasons, the Trainer Registration Office in Santalune City set up a second outpost at the trainer's school to deal better with the increased traffic. The building was mostly empty, after all. We were in a classroom. There was a blackboard in the front of the room; the chairs had a metal rack below, and a writing surface bolted on the side, so you had to approach the chair from the side when you wanted to sit down. I felt uncomfortable. The atmosphere made me want to sit down, shut up, and have this be over as quickly as possible, like school always did.
I looked at the clock. It should be starting soon. Five minutes later, an aide stepped up to the front of the room, cleared his throat, and waited until the room quieted down. I half-listened to most of what he had to say. It didn't feel very important, though some of the kids, the younger ones especially, clung to his every word. You're about to receive your first pokemon, blah blah, partner for life, blah blah, huge responsibility. It meant very little since Violet and I had already been together for the past three years. I was just waiting until my name was called so I could get my pokedex and head to the next room for my starter. I tuned out some more until I heard it.
Do you want me to go with you? Violet asked.
I shook my head. It's okay, I thought back at her. I'll be right back.
Telepathy was weird. I still had no idea how it worked or what it's limits were even after three years of us being together. I wanted to say "and lots of people will probably freak out seeing a pokemon outside of her ball", since most of the room had in fact not noticed us yet. I didn't, because neither of us liked being reminded of how skittish people were around us, but I'm not sure how much bled through our connection.
I grabbed my cane and my purse, stood up awkwardly, and started to walk to the front of the room. There was an open path through the chairs, but it was just narrow enough to make navigating with the cane awkward. I mumbled quiet apologies as I made my way to the aide and I could feel the eyes of the whole room on me. When I got to the front, I showed the aide my ID card and paperwork. There was always that one person that clogged up the line because their paperwork didn't match up perfectly, and as he looked over my documents, I dug my fingernails into my palm, rocked back and forth on my heels, and prayed it wouldn't be me. The aide gave me my ID card back, though, and handed me a pokedex.
"Here you go, miss. Head out the door, take a left, and keep going until you reach the gymnasium. You'll pick your starter there."
I nodded, mouth dry, desperate to be out of the small crowded room. I walked back to my seat, grabbed Violet's leash, and walked with her out the door.
The gymnasium was packed full of pokemon. Little babies of every shape and size and type lay, sat, waddled, and ran through the wide open space. As I entered the room, I heard an aide shout, "Quick, close the door!"
I turned towards the sound and saw a Turtwig running straight at me, presumably trying to escape. I closed the door as soon as Violet was inside, and the Turtwig looked at me with betrayed eyes. The aide walked towards me and picked the little turtle up. "I'm sorry about that, he's been trying to escape all day. Mischievous little thing." I didn't know what to say, so I just watched her walk away and place the Turtwig in a pen nearby, which I assumed was for the more unruly pokemon.
I leaned down and scratched behind Violet's ears. There are so many. How are we going to pick someone to be with?
She started to walk towards a cluster of pokemon. Sit down, and wait, and see who shows up. It worked for us, didn't it?
I shrugged and made an 'mm' noise. I couldn't argue. I followed her. She chose a spot to sit down that was away from other people and baby pokemon started swarming her. I sat down on the floor next to her. A flare of pain shot up my leg, and it made me cringe. I cursed all the aides for taking the chairs for themselves. Once I sat down, Violet opened a telepathic link with the four or so pokemon swarming us, and I heard a barrage of voices.
When I grow up, can I be a cute Espeon like you?
When are they going to feed us again?
Do you want to play fetch?
Can you teach me more about telekinesis?
The voices were almost overwhelming. I started to put my fingers in my ears before I remembered that it obviously wouldn't do anything. The voices were in my head, after all. Violet caught the gesture, though, and poked at the Ralts and the Eevee. Let's come over to the side and I can answer your questions, she said, before closing off my link with them. Two loud, excited voices were a lot easier to deal with than four, though I still felt like I was right on the edge of overstimulation.
I turned to the Torchic first. I don't know when they're going to feed you, sweetie, I said to her, but I can ask if— The words died in my throat as she turned away and left. I was no longer useful to her, I supposed.
Do you want to play fetch? the Lillipup poked my leg with his nose.
May I scratch behind your ears? I asked, and he wagged his tail enthusiastically.
You can understand me? he said as I started to scritch him. I nodded at him and smiled and he wagged his tail faster. Nobody ever understands us. He barked a little to attract other pokemon. She can understand us! he said. I was assaulted by voices again, but I tried just to focus on one pokemon at a time. The less things to pay attention to, the less chance of getting overwhelmed again.
After about a minute of playing with him, he asked to play fetch again. I don't have anything to play fetch with, dear, sorry.
Okay! he licked my hand and went over to a boy on the other side of the room. Do you want to play fetch? I heard one last time before Violet cut off our link.
New pokemon kept coming close to replace the steady flow leaving. I never had more than a few seconds of peace before someone new came and took up my attention. About an hour later, I was no closer to finding a partner. An aide came over to me and offered me a bottle of water. I took it gratefully, took a few sips, then turned back to the Squirtle I'd been talking to.
The aide didn't leave, though. "You're one of the problem children, aren't you?" I turned away from the pokemon and gave him a confused look. I didn't know, was I doing something wrong? "You're not going to leave until you have the perfect pokemon, aren't you?"
"Well, no, I just—"
"A word of advice? There is no perfect pokemon. Just pick one. You'll be okay in the end." he said. I think he thought he was being helpful, but I was just slightly annoyed. I didn't ask for his advice.
"I just want to choose a pokemon that wants to come with me too."
"You'll never be certain they really want to go with you, at the start." I gave him a look and pointed at Violet. "Oh, the Espeon's with you? So that's why you're so popular. Yeah, a psychic pokemon would help with that. Most of us don't have that certainty, though, and we manage just fine. They'll warm up to you in time."
Something in that line of reasoning bugged me, but I couldn't pin down exactly what. I frowned and made an unsatisfied sound.
"Good luck," he said and started to walk away. I turned back to where the Squirtle was and found she'd walked away. I took a sip of water and waited for another pokemon to come up to me.
As more pokemon started to swarm me, I spotted a Cyndaquil at the edge of the crowd. She looked kind of anxious and I didn't know why. I pointed her out to Violet and she opened a telepathic link. Hello? I said.
She flinched and I wanted to apologize. She took a step back and thought very quietly, Hello.
I absently scritched a Fennekin behind the ears as I talked to her. I'm sorry. I thought the others would have warned you. Violet and I had been treated as novelties by most of the pokemon, except for the psychic types. I think it was refreshing to be understood. Communication with pokemon was very one-directional, and I guess that means pokemon get very lonely. I can stop talking to you if you'd like.
No! she replied almost immediately. I just... am surprised you wanted to talk to me. May I ask you a question? I nodded. What's it like outside?
The question struck me off guard. I took a second and then answered, It's kind of warm, and I'm hoping for rain so some of the humidity clears off—
No, I mean... What's the world outside like? There is one, right? There was this Piplup and he was saying that the world outside is a myth and no-one's coming to be with us, and he was lying, right?
Yeah. The outside world is... loud and scary sometimes. There are lots of really beautiful places, though. I hear there's a cave where it shines like mirrors, and another one where all you can hear is Zubat flapping their wings and it's almost deafening. There's a giant waterfall where the light splits and you can see a rainbow in the haze. There's also a lot of battles, and a lot of pokemon to grow with and interact.
A lot of it depends on your trainer, and the people you're with, Violet butted in to say. There is far too much luck involved, but my little dork is alright.
Can I see it all if I go with you? she said. I think she tensed up a little, but it didn't seem like anxiety anymore. Anticipation?
Give me a second, little Cyndaquil, I said.
I looked over at Violet and signed that I wanted a private conversation. You've obviously been listening. What do you think?
She seems shy and hesitant. I don't think she'll be very demanding, and we need that. I've been turning away lots of pokemon for being too excitable. I don't object.
We've only known her for a few minutes.
Most trainers know their pokemon for even less before they pick them. Most trainers also don't have the benefit of telepathy. She gave me a small lick on the cheek. Also, you're stalling. It doesn't get easier if you try to put off the decision. Make a choice.
I turned to the Cyndaquil again. Are you sure you actually like us?
I can understand you. That's more than most humans. And you seem nice.
I guessed that would have to be good enough for me. This was the problem with picking a starter. Unless you grew up with a pokemon and you knew each other for years, it always comes down to how much chemistry you first have, and how lucky you are. They sell translators at the Pokemon Mart, or at least they do in fancy stores on Vernal Avenue, but they weren't widely in use. I didn't know why. I stowed those thoughts back, though, as I headed over to a table close to the exit, so I could register my choice with the aides.
The Cyndaquil — she really needs a name — and Violet talked while I filled out paperwork. I heard her gush about all the sights we were going to see, and all the different food to eat, and of course it figured that I would choose a pokemon that's sensory seeking. I filled out the form completely, and was given a pokeball. This is going to feel a little strange, Violet said, before I pressed the center button and sucked the Cyndaquil in. I immediately let her back out and she giggled.
That was such a weird feeling! Could we do it again?
I picked her up and cradled her in my arms as I walked towards the pokemon center. This was a huge violation of city ordinances, blah blah blah, I couldn't do this ever again, blah blah blah, but the city was busy, and loud, and the sun was starting to set. It was a rush of input and sensation, and I thought the Cyndaquil would enjoy it. I heard her gasp and squee as she took in the sights and I knew I'd made the right call.
My name is Violet, by the way. The tall thing carrying you is called Kira. I stuck my tongue out at Violet, who walked next to me. What's your name?
My favorite person at the lab was called Raine. He was nice and gave me lots of pets. Can I be called Raine?
I giggled a little and pet her softly. Sure. Raine it is. Welcome to the team.