Chapter 10: Going South
In the following hours of the new morning, Malie headed back to the center to gather her things and awaiting for the call from Professor Kukui. Once everything was packed up and books set for being taken back to the library, was around when Kanoa got a warning that Kukui was waiting. Malie rushed out of the room quickly and heading over to the phones, dialing up his number. In a matter of seconds, his face was shown on the screen, greeting her warmly, even though by the late hour his being was begging for sleep from what Malie could see.
"Alola Malie, from how bound you look. I take it you are ready for your next assignment. What I'm saying, yes you are." Kukui muttered out, grin in place, as off screen tapping could be heard, while his eyes looked above where the screen Malie used could not see.
"Yes. Alola to you too, sir. Did all the proper paper work make it to you safety?"
"Doing some last readings on it now. Impresses to see on what given, proud of you, kid."
"Thank you, sir."
Another set of tapping happen, Malie awaited. Her spare hand fiddling with her pants leg. Keeping calm seemed to be more of chore that was given. Hearing a sigh from the professor wasn't anything to worry about, as seeing it was night, was the likely outcome of Kukui's lack of energy he normally had.
"You're next assignment is in Ambrette Town, there is a lab there that has a full log on fossil research there."
"Fossils? Odd, but what for? Alola isn't much known for that, sir."
"Well, that's the thing, cousin. It's just like that, Alola doesn't have much background on fossils on the islands and by honest know-how isn't even enough to start a class for future trainers alone. Anything you are able to bring back, will hopefully give the school a chance to open up a small class or even a lab here for funding subject matters for just that. One of the workers there has been grateful enough to open a spot to give a tour and details. With any kind insight this could bring, we'll be on par with some of the labs from other areas. I was hoping to have another student do it on the moment I gotten word of this, but they choose to do something Kanto instead. With you in the area and so far the nearest one as of now. It's perfect."
"I would have to agree with you on that one, sir. Honestly not a subject I enjoy all that much, but I will gladly take it."
"Great. Have your tech ready for the download questions and image details needed. It should only take a week or so to get there. I already warn them of the delay there could be, in case something comes up. So don't rush yourself."
"Of course."
A few more taps were heard, before he spoke again. "One last thing to bring up. When you can, stop by Shalour City. A breeder friend of mine has been kind lately, branching some of his practice business, and letting new trainers adopt Pokémon newly hatched or in need of a home. Not that you have to go there, but just putting that out for you."
Malie gave a small smile to that, before replying with. "That's very nice. I'll have Kanoa put that in her planner."
"Thinking about it now; how has your starter been in your care?"
The young woman, glanced at her side hip pocket, where in the pouch lied the holder for the Pokéballs. Trying not to frown at the sudden thought rushing through her head, soon looking back at the professor.
"I guess well enough."
The professor had a glum look etched on his face, but choose not to pry on the matter further. Leaving it at that, before wishing her well and calling it a night for himself. Leaving for Malie to hang-up, concern echoing loudly from her eyes, getting up from her seat and swiftly heading back to her room to gather her things. Kanoa right behind her every step, not saying a word. Sparing a moment at the front desk for Kanoa to get the much needed data implanted beforehand. Resting and solar charging in her bag. It wasn't long before they checked out and headed to the library.
Passing through one of the shopping areas, was when she met up with Louis, doing some last minute buys. Louis caught sight of her first, having her wander his way through the thickly crowds. Careful as she could be not to drop any of the books. Tripping at the last few steps, though able regain her bearings in time by the few inches between them.
"Got enough books there?" Louis asked, good nature smirk on his face as the two passed by some vendors.
"Just some light reading. I wanted to make sure I return these ones without trouble."
Louis gave a huff of a laugh to her but said nothing as they walked in the direction of the library. Though now and then, he would catch her glancing at some of the stores. Mostly those that sold bags.
"You could just buy one, you know? Enough with the window shopping."
"I don't see a reason at the moment to do so, once I return these. I won't have carrying problems."
Louis rolled his eyes at her tone, but didn't a make word on said issue she was choosing to ignore. Though, in a quick grab, he got most of the heavier books out of her hands. Malie was going to say something, but once glance back him, wearing the face of something readily with a comeback. Silent herself as they kept moving along. Two stops later, they were back at his house, greeted warmly by his little brother.
Louis lifted up his brother with ease, holding him close on the welcoming hug. Henri giving a happy yelp of greeting to Malie, though her grin didn't last when he spoke.
"Where's your Pokémon? I wanted to play with him."
Malie gave a wary sigh before replying back with. "He's not feeling well at the moment. He's resting in his Pokéball right now."
Louis set his brother down when he heard a voice, likely his father by the low tone of it, call for him from the living room, looking at Malie, who gave a nod that he could go. Leaving her and Henri be at the opening hallway. Malie making haste on closing the door behind her, before being lightly pulled along by Henri to follow after his brother.
"Did you take him to a center?"
"I did. He's fine, just needs a lot of rest now. That's all."
Henri a little upset at the answer, but was able to go with it as they were reaching the living room. Seeing Louis and his father chatting away. Louis's mother already gone off to work as they saw her a bit before they headed out themselves.
"Pleasure to see you are doing well, Malie. How's your family?"
Malie gave a warm smile to the elder gentleman. "Very well, Mr. Auclair. My family has been doing the same as I. The farmland has been easier to tend to after the storms lighten up."
"That's good. And how are you liking Kalos so far? Must be different, yes?"
"Very. But I'm doing fine so far. Being here has a much needed breath of realization for me." Malie gave back in honest reply.
Malie however gave a flitch when feeling the intense started to play through the room, though Henri paid no mind to it and pretty was pulling at her arm to show something in his room. Comply and with a sage ration from Louis's dad, left to the two men be in the living room. Once Malie and Henri were out of the room, Louis's father turned to him, wary look leaking heavily in seeing his son trying to ignore the look. Louis on the other hand, while ignoring, was making note of certain as well of outcomes between themselves. Unsaid with words, but the feeling of ground locked hastily and breakable between them.
"Anything else you like to add that your mother left out?"
"Not anything that is coming to mind, no, why?"
Louis's father gave a sigh, taking it upon himself to have a seat on the sofa, having his dark eyes looking into his son's dark green ones. Louis stood tall and still, arms crossed.
"Would it be wise to go out there with her?"
"I would. Rather than leaving her by herself out there. Malie knows a lot of things but can't manage them well, you know that."
"I do indeed. Remember very well of a young girl and her two friends, another girl and a boy, playing in the forest to their hearts content. With no care in the world, with creatures that fiction can't contain, and then the last thing I knew, I almost lost my son and his friend paid for the price because of it. And at what cost is worth that?"
"Dad, please don't. You'll down right scare the poor girl at this rate if she heard you."
"I may not have been there at times, but I know she is no child, Louis, so don't think I am talking down about her and her conditions. And I am well aware that she can take a few hits and get back up. You on the other hand, not so much. You two might be late bloomers in this so call game of yours, but it doesn't mean your mother and I will be any less worry. Louis, I have seen many cases of people like Malie, sure son, you'll be able to find something to work around certain problems but the moment those triggers happen, you'll be on your own."
"And so will she if I don't go. At the park was a fluke, she said it herself and I believe her, I'm not going to let it get to me. In less of a week or so, Ren will be here with us, and things will be like they use to be. We need this. Don't make it big as you think it might be."
"One way or another, things are going to go south. Live in your fantasy that things are going to be fine forever and whatever happen in the past was a lie. But let me say this, you're not kids anymore and some times there are things you are going to have to walk away from."
Louis glared at his father, in return kept his father kept an eerily calm stare.
"I want to do this, dad. With or without Malie I would have done it. Yet, she's my friend and wants me around despite everything. I'm not going to push her away because of you thinking I have a hero complex or whatever you called it."
"PSTD is a normal side effect reaction for what happen to you as children and wanting to whatever it takes to keep those terries away. It would be more worrisome if it didn't happen. Just be careful. Both of you and Ren when she comes."
"Yeah, I will. All of us. I'll be sure to train Goomy to her full potential and keep the egg healthy while out there. Skiddo will be a force unstoppable, just you wait."
"And what of your Froakie? He is your starter after all or was it more to keep a friend happy?"
"I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. Been a good partnership but it's only a matter of time before this fades."
Not long later Malie finally came back, holding Louis's incubator egg in hand, but Henri nowhere in sight, she quickly told them that after some play time, Henri was out like a light and is taking a nap. Mr. Auclair was grateful for that, as he had some documentations to handled, and worry free of his children around his neck was going to be a breather. Rushing out of the living and off to his private study to do just that, leaving the two friends in the room.
"Saw this in Henri's room, thought you like to make sure it was with you at all times." Malie replied with a smile, handing the egg over to Louis at the most gentle she could.
"Thanks."
"Do you want to stay a little longer or are you ready to go?"
"No, we pretty much had our goodbyes a little bit after you left. Where are we heading?"
"Ambrette Town or Shalour City. Likely the former as that is work related. The other is more of a side quest the professor wants me to choose on my own time."
"And what would that be?"
Malie shrugged, swiftly just saying it was something to mostly push her buttons and nothing more. Louis wanted to question it further, but the warning beeping from Malie's Dex within her backpack inform them of the latest time and giving it was best for them to get going. Louis leading the way but not before stopping a small vendor that was close to being calling it night, Malie going ahead and checking the bus times that lead to nearest outskirts of the city. When Louis returned he held out a bag to her. Malie gave him a look of disproval.
"Call this your first sign of training under me lead here. A trainer always makes sure they have everything cover. That means having the ways of carrying what they need. You'll pull your back out carrying everything in one bag. Just put the smaller things in this one. Work with me here, Malie."
"Your father got to you that bad, huh?"
"You heard." Louis blamably stared, letting her take the for now empty bag and having the strap settle around her waist, just on the mirroring side of her Pokéball pouch.
She gave a reassuring look, before looking back to the bus time temple.
"How much did you hear?"
"The next bus will be here soon, be ready." Malie said, before taking a seat the bench near them.
"Malie . . ."
"Only what I needed to hear. Nothing to be ashamed about. As you said: we're not perfect, Louis. Our past is our and we'll do what we can with it. Going south I'm sure is the least of our worries here."
The rumbling of the bus was coming down the street, slowing down in speed to stop in front of them. A hiss and engine steam releasing all at once.
"And what's the real worry here?"
"Ren. That's who, silly." Malie answered with a giggle and gladly enough was returned with a hallow laugh from him, and soon they were boarded the long and weathered down blue automobile heading west.