Day after day of jobs and missions predominantly ending in disaster—courtesy of a few, certain Poison-types: That is how we spend our time until the morning the names of the apprentices chosen to go on the expedition are announced.
These past several days… really aren't our best… Not just because of Team Salacious sabotaging us, but because of our actions when we're supposed to be a team. It's not like we're hostile to each other, but our arguments have grown more heated. I insist on fighting them and confronting Wigglytuff about them directly: He insists on holding back and waiting for them to get in trouble by themselves. I did make a promise and I know I can't face the three of them by myself in a battle, but just sitting around and taking their bullying has gotten on my nerves more than they have themselves!
There are a couple of nights when we go without dinner again, so we started sneaking out past curfew to scavenge the nearby woods for food. Although Ri's not fond of it, the alternative is something that neither of us can rest easy with. If this continues, if we get into trouble for it, then I'll just take the blame: I don't care what punishment I might get and it was my idea in the first place anyway. And to be honest, at this point I don't even want anything from the Guild. I've been eating whatever I find or buy myself. Ri's not as stubborn as I am there, but I think he's taken to doing it too out of either frustration or a newfound habit.
At least if we don't get to go on the expedition, we'll finally catch a break… It's delusional though to think that there's any 'if' to it. We've tried our best, but it won't be enough—Skuntank's seen to that. Even though I wanted to go, I could live without the trip: I just know how badly Ri wanted to go. He'll be crushed if he misses it. All I really hoped for was being useful in some way and maybe finding out more about that ability of mine to see into the past and future.
Come to think of it… I haven't had any dizzy spells from the ability in a while now. The visions mostly seem to occur at times when a situation is most dire, so I'm a little glad I haven't been getting them; however, it's also frustrating that I can't control them. If I could, then maybe I could've helped us avoid all the times Team Salacious sabotaged us. Maybe I could've turned things around so we could've proven what kind of people Zubat, Koffing, and Skuntank really are.
Ri says nothing as he shuffles in place uneasily beside me, where we usually stand at the ready for the morning address. We haven't said much of anything to one another outside of what's been necessary for our jobs, and for a couple days we even took chores separately here at the Guild instead of going out together on missions. A definite wall has been formed between us…
I flit my gaze away from him as Ri notices my staring, folding my arms across my chest as my mouth twists into a frown out of disgruntlement from being caught. I'm still mad at him, so I'm not going to give in just because we won't get to go on the trip. We'll have plenty of time alone together anyway, since we'll be left behind to mind the compound with whoever else is left as well. Maybe if we had stood up for ourselves more we could've gone, I'm tempted to reminding him. I may be hot-headed, but at least I wouldn't back down so easily. Team Salacious is already making us look bad, so what's fighting with them really going to change in the eyes of the Guildmaster?
"Now then," Chatot clears his throat as he wraps up the last bit of the morning report, "I shall announce the expedition members at this time. Guildmaster, the memo please."
As the list of names is handed off to the Flying-type, I can't help but take a breath of apprehension. This is it: The moment we've both been dreading finally has arrived… As the names are announced, one by one, those going on the expedition line up front. First is Loudred, then Corphfish, then Bidoof—I don't know how he managed to get picked since he mostly only does errands, but I guess he deserves the chance to do more—and finally Sunflora and Chimecho.
I look at the remaining apprentices around me. Half and half: An even split between those going and staying. And most of the ones going are the ones that spend the most time on jobs, so I know if it hadn't been for Skuntank sabotaging us that we would've made it. I glare at them from across the room, my temper flaring as I eye the smug grins tugging on their faces. Ri seems to wince alongside me, which only stokes the feeling further, and it takes a measure of self-control for me to hold my tongue.
"So that's it for the expedition members," Chatot continues, but before he gives any further instruction his eyes narrow in confusion down at the paper and he flips it around in his hold. "Erm… What's this?"
Everyone's gaze falls back on him with intrigue as he goes silent, squinting down at whatever is written on the memo and fiddling with it in order to read it from the best angle. If his expression wasn't enough of a giveaway, it's obvious by the drawn out period in which it takes him to decipher the sheet that he's struggling.
Eventually, however, he says something that manages to catch the whole of us off-guard. "It seems that there more expedition members. The others are… Diglett, Dugtrio and Croagunk," he pauses yet again, turning the sheet lengthwise, "Oh! And Ri and Lira."
The chamber falls so silent that you could hear a pin drop as we all gape at the Guild's second-in-command. The only way I can respond at first is with disbelief. We must've heard wrong, right? There's gotta be some kind of mistake. Nevertheless, it's impossible to dismiss that he had called anyone else: We're the only apprentices who have actual names instead of going by our species. Despite how we've been acting, Ri and I still manage to share a look of surprise with one another. We actually get to go. I tighten my grip around the strap of our Treasure Bag, wringing it out of habit. We're going on the expedition…
There's one more conclusion that we both reach almost simultaneously that only turns our shock into confusion: If Diglett, Dugtrio, and Croagunk are also going, then that means—
"Wait a second! What?!" Chatot cries in a flabbergasted mess, coming to the same realization as we have. "Guildmaster, this list seems to include every member of the Guild!"
"Yup, that's right!" Wigglytuff nods with a smile, his expression so innocent that I don't think he has any idea of the bafflement he's caused. Then again, maybe this is his idea of a joke and he just finds our reaction funny.
"Well then, it seems that the whole selection process was meaningless!" Chatot continues to fuss, "Moreover, if we were to all go, we would be leaving the Guild empty!" As much as I hate to admit it, he does have a point there: Other than for the Guildmaster and himself, we apprentices are the only members of the Guild that actually live here. I mean, graduates and affiliate explorers will always come in to look at the boards for work and sometimes spend the night, but other than that there really is no one to watch after the place. Anyone else that would come by regularly would usually have their own home somewhere in or around town. "Are you sure it will be alright to leave with no one to look after the Guild?"
"It'll be fine: We'll lock up properly," Wigglytuff dismisses. I guess it's not like anyone would try to break in while we're gone anyway. The way people revere the Guildmaster, I don't think anyone would have the nerve to.
Of course, a certain someone would also have something against everyone going—or rather, just us since we've been his targets. Taking a few steps forward, Skuntank argues, "Guildmaster, I also have some misgivings. Do you think perhaps we may have too many members for the expedition?"
Wigglytuff tilts his head with a furrowed brow. "When a friend asks something like that, I have to wonder why…" Finally, it seems like he might be noticing Team Salacious' true colors! Good luck digging yourselves out of this hole, you jerks!
He maintains his composure, but it's obvious that even he's struggling to back up his argument by his words alone. "I mean, first of all, why does everyone have to go? What's the point in having everyone participate?" What wouldn't be the point? Ri and I had imagined that the point of having a selection process was to ascertain everyone's skills in case the trip was going to be too dangerous for any of us. Other than that, I don't see any reason why not.
"Huh? Of course there's a point! If everyone went, it would be more fun!" I'm not at all surprised by the Guildmaster's answer and silently applaud him in my mind for it. "We'll be noisy and excited and having fun! I started thinking about it and it made me so excited that I couldn't sleep!"
As Skuntank falters to respond, I find him glancing over at us subtly. With everyone's gaze turned his and Wigglytuff's direction, I manage a bit of mischief—gently pulling down my eyelid with one finger and sticking my tongue out at him mockingly. I can almost see the electric sparks buzzing from him at my gesture, but he keeps quiet. Just like how we can't pick a fight with Team Salacious in public, he, Zubat, and Koffing also have to play nice for appearance's sake.
"So that's how it is everyone!" announces Wigglytuff to the group as a whole, "We're all going on the expedition, and it will be fun, fun, fun! So let's all do our best!"
Chatot still hasn't seemed to have fully recovered from the confusion from earlier, but he releases a heavy sigh and goes through with giving out the rest of everyone's directions. "Well, then, let me explain about this expedition. First, the objective: the exploration of Fogbound Lake. It is said to be located to the Far East; however, it is perpetually enshrouded by a dense fog. As such, its actual existence hasn't been confirmed. It is merely the foggy mirage of a spot that lives to this day on rumor alone. It is also rumored that a treasure of exquisite beauty is hidden there. Everyone, open your maps please."
I dig out ours from our Treasure Bag, unfolding it in my hands as Ri cranes over my shoulder to see as well. It's out of habit that I hold it out to him for a better view, even when I catch myself as the familiar action—no less than his stepping closer to me to take the map on one side to expand it further. But Chatot continues before either of us can respond to one another:
"As you can see, the lake is at a considerable distance from the Guild," he notes, pointing out areas on his own map, "Therefore, we will encamp at the foot of the highlands—here. That will serve as our base camp. If we were to travel all at once in a single group, our mobility would be restricted, so the strategy is to split up in several groups as we make our way to the camp. I shall announce the groups now."
Oh, dear… I withhold the urge to pin my ears back in dismay. Since we were all going, I figured I'd stick with Sunflora and Chimecho until things calmed down between Ri and me. We've tried to keep our arguing between ourselves, so no one else is really aware of how things currently are between us. However, I know before Chatot even says it that we're in a group together. I guess I'm kind of happy when I hear Bidoof is added to our group because of this, but still…
Now that we're actually going, the full reality of how worthless all of our fighting was has hit hard. Still, how exactly are we supposed to patch things over? A simple apology doesn't seem like much and I highly doubt either of us feels like we were wrong, so we won't say it. I still feel like we should've stood against Team Salacious all those times—not to mention I wouldn't put it past them to try anything on the trip—but… I don't know.
I really messed up this time, didn't I? I feel something tug at my heart at the thought. Ri's the last person on the face of this earth I'd want to fight with, but that seems like kind of a moot point now, doesn't it? What am I even supposed to say to him?
After everyone's cleared to begin the day preparing for the expedition, the third member of our travel party walks over to the two of us with a wide grin. "We're in the same group: I'll try to keep up! Yup, yup!" he exclaims cheerfully.
"Same here, Bidoof," Ri chortles, but the sound seems more hollow than usual. Maybe he feels just as bad as I do… But then he turns to me next as I put away our map, "I'm gonna go make sure we've got enough seeds and berries for the trip. I think Chimecho will be taking care of meals for everyone, so you could check to see if there's anything else we'll need."
And then he leaves before the chance to stop him even crosses my mind. I'm left standing alone as Bidoof also departs not long after and the rest of the Guild members disperse as well. The lead weight in my chest only gets heavier and finally my emotions begin to outwardly show. I guess he's more angry with me than anything else right now… I guess I can't easily blame him either.
Trying to brush aside the feeling knotting at my gut, I try to distract myself by going over a list of things we'll need. Since we're setting up a base camp rather than being constantly on the move we'll need to set up a tent, then we've got to have enough seeds and berries to last us in case we get into any trouble…
The call of my name halts me midstride and I look to my left to see Wigglytuff beckoning me over with a wave of his hands. I tilt my head at him—I've never once met with him alone before—but as he repeats the gesture I have no choice but to comply. I can't even begin to imagine what he wants from me. "Yes, Guildmaster?"
"Lira," he begins as the two of us walk together to the ladder leading to the upper levels, "You're excited to go on the expedition too, right? Don't you think it'll be fun?"
"Y-yes…" I answer with mild confusion. What's brought this up so suddenly? What with the way everyone's been trying so hard to come along, I thought it would be obvious.
He leans in closer, lowering his voice a notch. "Well, I'm afraid I can't let you go if you keep breaking the Guild's rules." I balk at him myopically. What?! When did he find out and what does he know? Going out past curfew? Sneaking a few sweets after dinner? The pranks on Chatot?
But then he makes a face that lets me know he's not really serious, "Rule Number Three: Smiles go for miles." He clasps a hand upon my shoulder, "So smile!"
"Eh?" So I'm not in any real trouble… I'm still very confused.
"You haven't been smiling as much lately: It's a little worrying…" he adds, but the fact that he's paid that much attention to have caught that leaves me bewildered. "Whatever is bothering you, I'm sure it'll turn out fine—and you've got everyone in the guild to support you, so don't frown."
I hope you're right… I can't say it though, and I definitely can't talk to him about what's going on between Ri and me. All I can do is wish for the best.