The water felt nice, especially after wandering about on land on day. Marill purred, letting her body go loose enough for the currents to snap her away. The riotous churn of the river currents were dangerously fast but floated easily, zipping down the river, delighted.
"Where are they?! Oh, jeez. I know they're here!"
The panicked shouts broke through the easy clouds of delight. Marill turned, throwing herself onto shore, curiosity piqued. She caught sight of a grey-white creature floating in midair. There were strange human toys attached on her body, jingling as she turned here and there.
"My momma says we're not 'spose to take human things," Marill chirped, crawling close enough that the creature could hear.
The toys rattled, irritated and Marill found herself on the end of a glower.
"I do not take things! I am Lady Penelope, fifth of the Klefki lineage and I protect the keys," the Klefki rattled, voice pitched high and inching ever closer to hysteria.
"'s a long name," Marill bubbled, unperturbed.
The Klefki stared at her in stunned silence before letting out a wail, "Well it's all I have left now!"
Marill jumped, watching helplessly as the Klefki burst into tears, dropping into the grass.
"I lost it!" Penelope was shouting, the words broken up by her sobs, "They'll never trust me again! Oh gosh, I'm g-going to be r-r-released!"
Marill puffed up at that – there was nothing wrong with being wild. Her momma had had trainers and her momma had preferred the river beds. Even if humans had food everyday and pettings; they didn't have fast rivers and cool water.
Still she kept her mouth shut. Her momma had always told her to be nice. If she made the Kleki thing cry any more, that would definitely not be nice.
Uncertain as to what to do, she sat back on her heels, hovering nearby.
"I can help?" she finally offered when the Klefki showed no signs of stopping. The tears were really starting to get very annoying very quickly.
Penelope only ignored her, wailing into the grass. She seemed determined not to be cheered up.
Marill sighed and crept slowly closer. Penelope shook her toys angrily at her at one point but seemed to give that up for more crying, allowing Marill to edge ever closer. She circled the Klefki until something bright sparkled in her periphery.
Marill dove into the waters before she could think, only vaguely aware of the fact that she had splashed Penelope and that the Klefki was probably going to cry even more now. Who knew human pets were such crybabies.
Her tail stretched out behind her, orb keeping afloat even as she darted further and further downwards until she reached the bottom. She nudged at the dirt, loosening it until the shiny thing was uncovered. Sure enough, it was a near replica of Penelope's human toys. Marill uttered a sound of triumph, snatching it up in her mouth. She kicked up her feet, allowing her tail to snap back, slingshotting her into the air.
She flew in a wide arc over Penelope's head, taking great pleasure in the open mouthed stare the Klefki was giving her. Twisting her body, Marill released a stream of bubbles, slowing her descent and cushioning her landing.
" 's this it?" she asked and Penelope tackled her to the ground, snatching it up with bright damp eyes.
"You found it! Oh, you're my knight in shining armor–"
" 'm not really–"
"My azure champion–"
"I was just–"
"I dub thee Lady Marill of Kalo–"
"You can't name me!"
"Oh, thank you thank you thank you!"
Marill gave up arguing, allowing the Klefki to nuzzle her for a moment. Penelope darted off after that, rocketing towards that big castle in the distance and Marill waved after her absently.
Human pets could be so dramatic, she decided, jumping back into the waters and letting the current zip her away.
Marill B/W dex: The oil-filled end of its tail floats on water. It keeps Marill from drowning even in a strong current.
Klefki Y dex: It never lets go of a key that it likes, so people give it the keys to vaults and safes as a way to prevent crime.