-Terry POV, FP-
"Go, Pokeball!" I shout, as I throw the red, white and black orb at the patrat, who was unconscious on the ground under a nearby tree. Angel the Kirlia stands close by, breathing deeply after the fight. I watch as the ball hits the wild pokemon, before it opens up and a red light swallows the Patrat and seals it inside. The ball shakes once… twice… thrice… "YES! WE DID IT!" I raise the pokeball in victory, my other arm cradling Angel, who has a happy smile on her face but is still short of breath. Through our mental bond, I feel her mixed emotions of joy, happiness, tiredness and pain. Concern for her replaces some of my positivity.
I put the pokeball into my bag, which I set on the ground at the base of the tree. Gently, I lift Angel off my chest, feeling her stiffen as I touch her side by mistake, were the patrat bit her. I sit down on the little hill and lay back a bit. She immediately assumes her favorite position and lays with her back against my chest, closing her eyes as we both go into a calm state of mind. We aren't even an hour away from Nuvema Town and already Physical Reassurance is proving useful. I thought to myself. I know I need to treat Angel's wound, so once she has calmed down and regained her breath, I carefully, while avoiding the bite area, set her on the grass at my side. As I'm getting out my medical equipment from my bag, a 10 year old boy by the name of Alex, and his male Kirlia, Nicky, approach us.
"I saw what happened. I was going to come and assist with Angels bandages, but you guys laid down first, so I backed off. Are you ready to start, and do you need any help?" He asked, concern lacing his voice.
I look up at Alex. Even though he is only 10, he knows a lot about the bonds between a trainer and their partner. "Thanks for backing off, I only did that first because when I lifted her up, I accidentally injured her further…" I admit, feeling a bit depressed at the thought. "I did that so I could get Angel into a calm state of mind before I did any bandaging. I don't think I need your help, unless you wouldnt mind topping off my water bottle from the stream? I know I just did it but I won't be the only one using it now." Alex nods, grabs the bottle and walks off, leaving us in quiet. I return my focus to Angel, who is stiff as a board, but I can tell that the pain has eased off now that she's not moving. I stroke her forehead softly, her light blue hair covering the sunset orange of her eyes looks just as amazing as ever. I remove a roll of bandages from my bag, and start unwinding them. When I get enough out, I mentally converse with Angel.
"You can hear me clearly, right? I need to lift your back up a little so I can get your bandages on." I get a mix of calm and worried emotions that aren't my own in response, but I respond by applying a small bit of force to my stroking. The added pressure through her hair acts as a massaging effect, and her nervousness dies down. Slowly, I lift her up a little and begin wrapping her middle with medical tape, putting tissue over the small teeth marks. When I have wrapped it a few times, I set her back down and sit up. She breathes deeply before closing her eyes and falling into a light sleep. I smile at her slim form, knowing she feels safe and sound if she is able to fall asleep like that, as shy and timid as she is.
I look up as Alex and Nicky are coming back, and quickly put a finger to my lips. Both immediately quiet down. Alex kneels down and looks from me to Angel in turn. "Is she ok?" He whispers softly.
"Yeah, she fell asleep as I finished bandaging her, I could sense her battle adrenaline taper off. I quietly replied. After I put away my medical equipment, I pick up Angel. Even asleep in my arms, she moves slightly so that her head is over my heart, a sign of our bond. I give a thumbs up to Alex, and we continue on our way to Accumula Town.
As we walk into town, I point out the Pokemon Center to Alex, and we make a beeline to it. When the doors open, one of them makes a loud screeching sound, like it needs to be oiled. Regardless of the reason, it scares the shit out of me and Alex, both of us jumping badly. The sudden movements jar Angel awake, and, panicked by the the sudden charge of fear in my emotions, releases a telekinetic blast that pushes me away from the doors and causes me to fall to the ground. I am able to tuck my head to my chest and shield Angel with my body, though, so no real damage was done. I lay on the ground and compose myself and my emotions quickly before checking on Angel, as I wanted our mental exchange to be calm.
"Are you ok?" I ask her. "I'm sorry I scared you like that, Angel. The door screeched really loudly and it scared me half to death. I jumped really badly." She looks up at me from her position on my chest, still the same from before we fell. Her emotional river tapers off as she mentally composes herself, then answers.
"I forgive you. I'm sorry for lashing out like I did, But to be honest I don't think I'm the only one that blasted." She points to Alex and Nicky, who are on the ground near by, no doubt dealing with the blast as well. I wouldn't be surprised if they both freaked out like that, Nicky was on edge about entering the city as well, due to the crowds. At that moment Nurse Joy appears in the doorway of the center.
"My goodness, are you boys alright? That stupid door, it's always screeching like that. I had a warning sign out but it must have been blown away by the wind. Please, come in." She adds, helping Alex and I to our feet. As we follow her inside, Alex gives me a small nod, which I take as a sign that Nicky and he are ok. I return the nod.
Inside the pokemon center, a small crowd is gathered, some reading magazines, others tending to their pokemon, going about their business. I'm not entirely surprised when people look up as we enter, nor when they stare at Angel, some with hungry eyes. I feel Angel put her face against my shirt and her mind fill with fear. I stop and look at the crowd with a stare that would scare off a fully grown Ursaring. "Angel is not for sale, nor is she an object to be collected. Back off, or you will regret it," I say, my voice dripping in venom.
"He won't be alone, Nicky and I will attack as well," I hear Alex say as he stands next to me. I keep up my stare until all of them look down, then walk swiftly but casually over to an unoccupied couch, away from the other trainers. Alex hands Nicky over to Nurse Joy for treatment, then joins me.
He looks me in the eye, then reaches out and squeezes my shoulder. The friendly gesture snaps me out of my mood and I give him a look of thanks, before sitting down on the couch with Angel. Alex gives us space as I stretch out a bit and allow Angel to lay on my chest. I can tell she is scared, but also grateful that I made those people back off.
Alex leans over and whispers in my ear, "I'm going to get us some food from the cafe next door. In the meantime, you should practice Physical Reassurance. You're really damn tense, Terry, and I doubt it's helping either of you. Relax." Without another word, he turns on heel and walks out the door.
I know he is right and I agree with him, so I wave a hand to one of the assistants. "I'm going to relax in a PR position, can you get a small sign that warns others to back off? I have a feeling that they wouldn't mind breaking rules to take Angel here." The assistant smiles, nods, and walks into one of the storage rooms. He returns moments later with a sign in bold writing saying "Psychic PR, Do Not Disturb." Below that is a definition of Physical Reassurance for psychic types. I thank the man and lay on the couch, allowing Angel to rest in the crook of my arm. I get a small, weighted blanket from my pack and place it over her. Her mind is cluttered, she is scared and confused and shy, and it almost feels like she might bolt out the door and start running. I didn't think she would be this afraid. In an attempt to distract her, I start a mental conversation.
"Relax. Alex will be back here in a few minutes, then I'll get us a private room. We can have Nurse Joy treat you in there, away from the other people and pokemon." I sit up a bit more and start rocking back and forth a little, to help calm her agitated nerves. It works a small bit, but not much.
She looks down. "I'm scared, Terry. Those people wanted to own me, but none of them had any love in their eyes. They had murderous thoughts when you talked like you did." Her mental voice is accompanied by a sob from her mouth as she continues, tears in her eyes. "They want to hurt us, and the Pokemon Centers level of security is the only thing stopping them." She can't talk anymore and cries quietly into my shirt. I shift so I can massage her neck and head, applying gentle pressure and mentally conversing with soothing gestures, while I wait for Alex.
A few minutes later he walks back in, his arms filled with take-out. As he looks in our direction, his expression changes from happy to shocked to understanding to calm in the space of a few seconds. I get a look of understanding and give him one of thanks, as he drops the food next to me and goes to Nurse Joy. I watch as Nicky is returned and they acquire a room key. Walking back, he picks up the food and beckons for me to follow. While I slowly get up and follow him out of the room, I can feel every pair of eyes in the center lobby follow our backs as we walk down the hall and out of sight.
