Who am I, if not a being with many talents?
Chapter 15 I Miss Bill Already
Xena stares numbly at the colours dancing around her eyelids. Her dream gives her a lot to think about, most of it she'd rather bury inside her mind. Emotions rise and seem to hinder whatever joy she could have at seeing her friends for the first time in a month or so.
"Sienna?" the quiet voice whispers. There is a low non-human growl for a reply, a shuffle and Alexander hissing at someone. "I'm not going to wake her. You saw the shoe! And that was when she was half-asleep!" The growl sounds again. "Well excuse me! I dare you to try and wake her up."
"Do anything to me," Xena makes sure to speak loud enough, a small smile threatening to spread across her face as she tries to shove away the emotions, "and I'll make sure you won't wake up for a week." Expecting to see Cassidy and maybe another friend, she cracks open an eye. To her disappointment, and small shock, there is a Ralts sitting on the table. Her brother on the left is petting a Pikachu on his lap. Xena takes a moment to look around and collect herself. It all comes back to her as she gazes around the Pokémon Center. Shake it off, she tells herself. The longing for her friends is shoved away for another time. Xena looks at her brother, picking up on something, "New shirt?"
Alexander does a quick look at his white Logo T-shirt, then to his sister's green Poké Ball Baby Doll tee. He opens his mouth and proceeds to word vomit. "My shirt was still wet from Carleen dumping water on me and I found this when in the options menu and I thought 'hey, why not' so I put it on and I picked up your shoe and brought it back over and Ralts was ignoring me and spending time with Carleen and I-"
Xena holds up a hand, eyes slightly widened. Alexander stops and takes a few deep breathes. Xena whispers, "Okay, please start from the beginning."
"Well," Alexander peers up at the clock, "a few hours ago I woke up wet from Carleen. We were kind of getting loud and you threw a shoe at us..."
"I don't remember," Xena says at the pause.
"Oh, well you did. After I went back to sleep, and I woke up an hour or so ago. I changed into this while trying to dry off. Carleen and Ralts have been talking since I got up. It's been really boring so I had a light breakfast."
"So why wake me up?" I threw a shoe, is what she really wants to ask.
"Because I want to get going," Alexander whines. "It's so boring. Now come on, I've checked around the 'Center and the only thing interesting is the name rater over there. He also changes names, but that's beside the point. I want some pancakes before we go. I'm sure there is some 'mix in someone's house."
"I thought you already had breakfast," Xena stands and stretches, hiding her blank expression. Back up a second, I threw a shoe? Wasn't it a potato? Strange things…
"A small breakfast," Alexander uses puppy face, super effective. "So come on sis."
"Alright," Xena slumps, "just let me change."
"Watch out, the floor's still" - *thump* - "wet…"
Ow, Xena internally groans. She takes her brother's offered hand, gaze straying to the giggling yellow mouse. I wonder why Carleen didn't try and prank me. Maybe my injuries are amusement enough. Xena sulks her way to the change room. Great, I'm now a walking accident. Even Calem had to catch me; she shudders, both at the thought and the cleaning powers of the change room. I better not become the damsel in distress or I'm going to murder someone.
Xena pauses, hand in the air above the change room handle. Wow that was dark, even for me. Okay, happy thoughts. Puppies, kitties, rainbows, – she spots Ralts still on the table – Pokémon. Maybe not all Pokémon. Didn't I read something about a dangerous Pokémon in this game? What was it…? Bondage, no… Hoenn, no that's a place…
"Let's go!" Alexander's shout snaps her out of her mind.
"Not yet," Xena sighs a little at his fallen face. I would go but, "I still have to use the bathroom."
"By the Poké Mart," he waves. "Hurry it up, please."
Xena forces a smile and nods. Dream Cassidy's words come back; bring forth a small, easily shoved away guilt. And here I was thinking you knew better. I don't know better, Xena glances towards the bathroom mirror. Her reflection's face seems more tired and flat than usual. The fake smile is still there, along with a deep purple under her eyes. Coward, Caoilinn's voice hisses.
"I am a coward," Xena covers her mouth, realizing she said it out loud. But it's better to keep everyone happy than tell them the truth.
"I need a happy pill," Xena tells her reflection. "I wonder if Pokémon can grow marijuana. Actually, never mind. I don't smoke, or take unnecessary drugs. Sleep, I need sleep." Her stomach rumbles. "And food. Maybe a Pokémon battle will make me feel better." I can only hope, she sighs. All negative emotions are thrust away as she finishes up. Xena even gives a small chuckle. "Man, I swear I'm not bi-polar. And I really need to stop talking to myself." One day my reflection is going to talk back, and then I will personally see myself to the nearest hospital.
;;;
"Raaaaalts," Carleen whines. "Come on, play something with meeeee."
Ralts's eyelid twitches under his green hair. The two walk behind their trainers, ignoring Alexander as he whoops for getting an item. Ralts tries to ignore the annoyance and impatient feelings coming from Carleen, but it is hard when the girl is practically bouncing on her paws. Ralts is glad Trainer stopped changing feelings. He was keeping a connection with her while she was out of the room and did not like what he felt. Too many emotions, all rising and falling like inconstant music notes.
"No," Ralts gives another one worded answer. Her annoyance at him increases.
"Pleeeaase," she begs with adorable eyes. She gazes up at him with an air of innocence.
"No." The air goes away as she sulks and glares.
"Meanie." After following Trainers into the house on the other side of the small town she starts up again. "Will you play with me?"
"Yes."
"Really?" her voice is full of hope.
"No."
Carleen pouts. "I stand by my earlier accusation, meanie."
"I'll take that as a compliment," he drones sarcastically.
"I got a Full Heal," both all attention is drawn to Carleen's trainer. He stands with his arm raised, Trainer chuckling at him. His emotions reach Ralts, pure clean joy and fun. There is something in relation to doubt, but the joy on his face is true.
Trainer, on the other hand, has enough humor that it takes her mind off of other things. The underlying nerves have lessened slightly, but a hint of guilt and something of relation has taken root since she woke up. Maybe she is sorry about throwing her shoe; Ralts tests the emotions again. He still can't sort through all of them, but enough to know it isn't about that. So what? There is a connection between the guilt and bits of her nerves. Does it have something to do with herself, or us? Maybe I can test out whether or not it has to do with me by using the strange 'girly' feelings.
"Can you read minds?" Carleen asks. Ralts turns sharply to the girl who has been strangely silent. They follow after Trainers in the large, fancy building. Neither says anything as Ralts tests Carleen's emotions; wonder, awe, confusion, and some curiosity. "I mean, can you?"
"I'm the Feeling Pokémon," Ralts states.
"But can you read minds?"
Ralts doesn't pause in his answer, "No."
"Will you?" Carleen finally looks at his face. "When you're bigger and taller than me, will you read minds?"
This time, Ralts hesitates. "I don't know," Carleen nods in understanding. "I want to believe I will. Why do you ask?"
"I'm trying to think of ways to prank you."
Ralts resists a sweat-drop. "Why would-"
He cuts off at the unexpected feeling of giddiness and horror, followed by a male shouting, "Run!" The next thing he knows he is being held against something warm and soft. In shock, Ralts gives a little scream at the pull that happens in his small body. It goes deeper than his sixth sense, affecting all of him. The fast moving warmness stumbles, but picks up the pace quick enough down the stairs of the building. Ralts finally gains enough sense to shift his hair so an eye peaks out. Trainer's pale face is smiling forwards as she keeps pace with her brother.
I'm being held by Trainer, Ralts doesn't know whether or not to be horrified. She picked me up; physically lifted me off the ground. As they burst into the sunlight, both Pokémon and Trainer shudder at the pull. Trainer's smile begins to slip as her giddiness lessens, but doesn't drop him. Put me down, Ralts wants to scream. He knows it won't allow her to understand him, but yelling has started to become a stress reliever. "Set me down right now!"
Trainer flinches and tightens her grip around Ralts. The Feeling Pokémon squirms but there is no use; he's stuck. Giving an annoyed sigh he looks over to Carleen. The Pikachu flashes a smirk from the arms of her trainer. Being jostled means he can't focus as well, but Ralts gets a distinct sense that she is enjoying his discomfort.
"I can't believe we saw that freak again," Carleen's trainer says as they stop by a small fountain.
"I *huff* know," Trainer answers. Ralts takes the pause to wriggle free. Trainer lowers him to the ground, where he gives her one last glare before shuffling a few feet away. The pull finally lessons as he moves away.
"Wow," Carleen starts as she makes her way down to him. "She held you and you didn't use any moves against her. You going soft on me, Ralts-y?"
Ralts gives her a look, feeling no need to explain himself. Instead he silently follows as both Trainers go towards the house behind the Pokémon Center.
"Raaalts?" she nudges him. "Hey, she can't be that bad. Why don't you like being carried?"
"I never said I didn't," he keeps his gaze on the brown door as Trainer knocks on it.
"Your face says it all," Carleen jogs in from of him. Her tail goes under his head, lifting it so she meets a reveled eye. "Why aren't you happy?"
"What makes you say that?" Ralts moves past her and through the door Trainer holds open. In a lighter tone he asks, "You can't sense my feelings, can you?"
"Ha, ha," Carleen portrays worry in her feelings, all humor disappears. "I don't want you to look so serious all the time, okay? When you evolve, I'm going to make your smile shine. Unless you want to take up Chestnut's offer for a haircut?"
Ralts sends her a glare. Carleen scampers up her trainer's back, signaling the end of the conversation. Ralts glances around the room. There is a large black machine in the corner and no book shelves. He shuffles over to Trainer, who is digging around the mini kitchen in the corner. Ralts uses Growl. Trainer hits her head on the table, Carleen snickers from the main area of the small house. She looks down to Ralts, who impatiently holds out a hand. Trainer opens her bag and pulls out 'Oran Berries vs. Potions'. Ralts goes over to the lone rectangular table by the house's entrance, flipping through the pages to find his spot. Trainer's feelings relax to happier ones, giving him a break from his irritation as he settles.
Finally, Ralts thinks as a small sizzling is heard. If I ever read minds, hers will be the first to sort through.
;;;
Xena hums softly as she grips the edge of the large bowl. Using her right hand, she gently cracks the egg into the dry mixture below. A piece of the white shell falls in with the egg's white and yolk. Her humming falters as she picks around for it; her old foods teacher's voice calling out at the class. It takes a steady hand to crack an egg. Be sure of yourself, and be sure of your hand's strength.
I already have zero confidence, so what's an egg shell or two? Washing her hands, Xena calls, "Did you find anything else in the fridge?"
"There are some carrots," Alexander looks doubtfully at the long vegetables in his hand. "Just who owns this house?"
Xena shrugs, not that it is seen. "Go press A on one of the people here. Make sure you test the frying pan first."
"Sure sis." With him distracted, Xena grabs one of the left behind carrots. She thinks to herself while stirring in the remaining ingredients. I said I'm going to be a vegetarian, and I mean it. This may look like a chicken's egg, but I'm not taking any chances. Besides, the doctors said I needed to cut down on my meat and alterative servings.
"Hey!" her brother's shout has Xena spilling some batter on the table. She turns, eyes wide, to see him running up to her with a CD. "Go press A on that pink hair girl. She gives you Thief."
"Which one?" Xena motions to the two punk looking girls with pink braids. Both are wearing look-a-like short black shirts, short blue shorts and mud yellow leggings. One hovers by the fridge, while the other turns on the spot by the wall and large black machine.
"Corner girl," he refers to the one by the machine. "Go talk to her, I'll take care of mixing."
"Don't mix too much," Xena warns, handing him the heavy bowl. Alexander rocks slightly, Carleen chuckling from around his neck. "You'll cause air pockets and tunnels."
"Whatever, sis," his blue eyes roll. "Now go."
With one last longing glance at her batter, Xena walks over to the mostly bald girl. She points and presses A. "Take this, Thief!" the punk girl shouts in a whisper. Xena takes TM46 Thief with a grateful smile and a 'thanks'. "With the move Theif, you can take the target's held item while dealing damage to it!" A button, "It won't work if the user is already holding an item, though." A button, and the girl turns to face the wall.
Xena turns back to the kitchen area, and her jaw drops. Alexander stands there with batter all over his face and Carleen is holding a wad of said batter in her palm. Both are frozen, watching as Xena's face becomes emotionless. The girl takes the bowl from her brother and checks the leftover batter; just enough for a small, one person pancake. She pours it over the sizzling pan, ignoring the large splat behind her. Xena twitches her lips at the cries of disgust, and coughs at the 'Pika' noise. Only when she finishes scrapping the batter does she turn around.
"Alex," Xena's outward calmness has the two pausing. "Would you please stop rubbing batter on Carleen?"
"She started it," he whines, removing his hand from the Pokémon's stomach.
"I don't care who started it," Xena grabs a towel from the stove, "I'm finishing it. Sit."
Both trainer and Pokémon groan and roll their eyes. Alexander, seeing as there aren't any chairs, hops on the counter beside his Pokémon. He's quiet as she dabs the towel in water and begins to wipe down his face. His face breaks into a wide smile. Xena looks expectantly as she scrubs behind his ears, annoyed with the excess amount of batter on him.
"I still can't believe we saw Mr. Bonding again," the blue eye boy states.
Xena shudders, turning to rinse out the cloth, "And in a hotel. Do you think we'll see him again, again?"
"I know we will," the red head hops off the table. Xena's glare stops Carleen from doing the same. The pouting Pokémon waits while the sink slowly fills with warming water. "Why else would we be given only two Op-Powers if he didn't give us more?"
"Isn't it O-Pow-"
"And," Alexander cuts her off, "I don't want to use whatever he gives us. Agreed?"
Xena pauses, then shuts off the tap, "Agreed. Now Carleen, get in the sink."
"Pika," the Pikachu looks helplessly between the Trainers. Alexander gets a full blast of the wide and innocent eyes, but Xena scoops up the electric type and unceremoniously drops her in the sink. "Pikachu!"
"If you shock me," Xena warns, coming closer with the towel. "I'll leave you wet and with sticky batter. I'm not in the best mood."
"You have a bad day, Sienna?" Alexander asks, watching the bathing from a safe distance.
"Dream," the brunette sighs, scrubbing at a brown tip ear. Instead of explaining her deep woes she states, "Cassidy stuffed a pink hat on my head."
"Oh, like at that Easter Egg hunt last year?"
"Almost," Darn this tail, Xena thinks. If it was flat this would be easier, but no. It has to have an indent. "Carleen, if you ever get your lovely fur like this again you're cleaning yourself." The Pokémon gives a huff as if saying 'no one asked you to'.
"You want me to flip the pancakes?" Alexander points a finger over to the smoking food.
"The pancakes," Xena's eyes widen in realization. "Shoot. Yes, please. And hurry. There's a fork in one of the drawers, no spatula."
"Who owns a frying pan, but not a spatula?" the blue eye boy wonders out loud.
"I don't know," Xena lifts Carleen and drains the sink. "I thought you were figuring that out?"
"Sorry, sidetracked," Alexander looks around the room, flipping the lopsided pancake. "I'm guessing that guy 'cause neither girl has said anything about the house. Hey, it's survived so far." He points to the dark brown dough.
"Sorry," Xena apologizes, drying the yellow Pokémon. Static has her flinching, but she finishes warming the grumbling mouse. "I'll make a better one next time."
"It's fine, only sucks that there isn't any syrup. Again, who has all the ingredients for pancakes but no syrup?"
"Someone who doesn't like it?" Xena rubs the now dry yellow mouse Pokémon, hissing as a jerk racks her entire body. She takes a moment to rub her eyes, thinking to herself. Maybe I should put the gloves back on. That may be easier. "I think it's ready. Do you mind me eating the carrots?"
"Go ahead," Alexander scoops it onto the plate, spreading on butter labelled Moo Moo Butter ('made with real Moo Moo Milk'). He walks over to the table where Ralts sits. Xena gathers up the bundle of carrots, stuffing half in her bag for later. "Do you mind talking to that guy?"
"Not at all," Xena bites off the end of the long orange carrot. She raises her arm, points at the mostly bald man and presses A. The man turns to face her, the lone, blue scruff of hair flying up and floating down. He has the same punk look the two girls have; a black leather-like jacket and blue skinny jeans.
When he speaks, his monotone voice is in a higher tone than most. "Yo, how's it going there? I'm Cassius. Check this out. You know what I'm doing here?"
"Num," Alexander mumbles through his food. Xena and Ralts cringe at the mush being seen; the latter growling before going back to his book.
A button, "I'm keeping the PC Box running! No, seriously!"
Xena swallows some carrot, and then asks, "So, is he like Bill?"
"Hum mu num ill."
"Swallow, Alex."
*Gulp* "He must know Bill. Doesn't every PC person know each other? I'd be surprised if this guy didn't know Bill."
"Bill did make the PC Boxes," Xena gives a sigh. "I miss him in the games."
"You miss the Clefairy freak?" Alexander takes another bite out of his pancake. "Um ownt."
"Mouth closed, please and thank you." A button.
"Bill," Cassius continues. Alexander throws a glance towards Xena, who rolls her eyes at him, "over in Kanto asked me to come here and run things. For real!"
Xena smiles towards the man. If he had emotion, he might actually be fun, she muses. What would happen if I touched him, gave him whatever makes our Pokémon so life like? What happens if I touch people? Do they keep their personalities, get new ones? Could it –
"If you're done staring at Cassius," Alexander breaks in. "Could you please press A to make sure there's nothing let?"
"Oh, sure," Xena shakes off her thoughts. There's time for that later, or whenever it feels right. A button.
"Enough with the introductions." Cassius talks without moving. Alexander snorts; they never did introduce each other. "Get out there, catch some Pokémon, and put 'em in the PC!" A button. "Yo, you got something you wanna ask me? I ain't got all day, you know?"
Okay, so very impatient and maybe not so nice, Xena tells herself. She glances down as her watch bleeps. I should just keep to myself; let Alex enjoy this journey. If I can keep him happy, then maybe it won't all be for nothing. She reads her watch: 'Boxes', 'The Battle Box', 'Trays', and 'Nothing'. She clicks 'Nothing'.
"Was there anything interesting?" Alexander nudges her.
"No," Xena breathes. "Nothing we need to listen to."
Alexander looks with raised eyebrows, but chews his piece of pancake. The siblings look on as Ralts gets tackled by a slightly puffed up Carleen. The green hair Pokémon uses Growl, but Carleen bounds off of him before anything can happen. Xena picks up the discarded book and places it in her bag, keeping it away from the carrots.
"Ready to go?" Alexander stands up with his plate, handing it to his sister.
"Shouldn't we wash the dishes?" Xena hesitantly looks back towards the small pile. "I mean, we did make the mess."
"Sienna," Alexander whines. The Pokémon turn their heads in sync to view Alexander lightly pulling on Xena. The brunette places the dishes on the side counter and starts filling the sink again, swatting at the hand holding the back of her shirt. "Come on. There's nothing to do here. Besides, I don't think that Cassy guy will mind."
Xena looks over her shoulder with a small smile. Keep him oblivious, she decides. Keep the passing of whatever to a minimum, if not cut it off all together. The blue eye girl can feel herself relaxing as she starts with the first dish. "It's still polite. We did use his kitchen."
"Ugh, fine," the boy pulls away and thumps against the wall. "I'll try out the PC; see if there is anything different. You gave me one of those weird non-answers."
I forgot he hears more than sees more. It's better if I just keep doing what I was before this, keeping quiet. "Sure. I should be done in five or so."
Before all her attention is on the dishes, Ralts gives a sort of coo. Xena turns her gaze questioningly. He stands up and taps his waist. Xena looks towards him, down to her belt, and then back. She grips the two Poké Balls in either hand and releases her two water types. Frogadier calmly looks around; gaze landing on Xena as she turns reequips the balls. Squirtle goes behind him and slightly pushes him forwards. Xena hears them share a few words; smiling as Alexander calls out his Pokémon.
"Sometimes it's hard to know," Xena whispers. She glances back into the main room every now and then, keeping an eye on everyone. "Which way you're supposed to go. But deep inside, you know -"
"Are you done yet?"
"No," Xena smiles at the water. "Just a few more minutes."
"Fine," Alexander groans. "Hey Carleen, why the long face? Come here, I need help deciding what to challenge Sienna in next."
Long face? Xena leans around the wall to see everyone. Chestnut and Vince stand conversing with her own Pokémon, but Carleen walks rather slowly to Alexander. The yellow mouse Pokémon gives glances over her shoulder towards the group. I wonder what just went on. I'll have to pay closer attention, I guess. I hope everyone is getting along.
;;;
"Hi there," Chestnut waves at the Pokémon in front of him. "My name's Chestnut. I'm glad to meet you all!"
"I'm Vince," says the gruff voice of Bulbasaur. "Nice too meet you."
Carleen looks between both her teammates. She feels her bright smile start to slip as they pass over her with their eyes. Frogadier seems to pick up on something, going next and saying, "I'm Frogadier. I hope we'll become great friends."
"You guys missed a lot," Carleen says, trying to regain her earlier excitement. Everyone turns their gaze to her, but she focuses on her teammates. "But that's alright! I can tell you about what happened to Trainer and how Ralts was actually picked up by his and… um…" She trails off as their blank stares unnerve her.
"Are you our team member?" Vince asks.
Carleen can feel her insides freeze. They didn't remember me? I thought I made a pretty good impression. Am I really that unnoticeable? Ralts takes her shoulder and gently nudges her away.
"She is," Ralts agrees after a moment. "I'm Ralts."
"And I'm Squirtle," Squirtle steps in front of the two, hands on her hips. Ralts gently guides Carleen back as the water types distract the grass types.
"Ralts-y, why don't they remember me?" The psychic-fairy type Pokémon flinches at the defeated tone. Carleen is surrounded by confusion, with a little sadness creeping its way up. "Do people forget me that easily? I– I thought I may have left even a little of an impression. I don't want to be forgotten. Do my teammates not like me?"
"No," Ralts turns her to face him. "Don't think like that. They don't feel anything like that towards you."
"So, then what?"
Ralts sighs at her hope. "Do you remember the word amnisa?"
Carleen has to think for a while. She sorts through the lines in her mind for the word. "It means memory loss, whether total or partial."
"Yes," Ralts nods his head to encourage her understanding. "From the feelings I'm getting from your teammates, I believe they do not remember."
"How much?"
"I don't know. You shouldn't treat them any different, though. They are still your teammates whether they remember or not." Before Carleen can ask anything more her trainer calls out to her. "Go, have some fun. Don't worry too much. I'm sure they'll remember once you pull a prank on someone."
"Thanks Ralts-y," Carleen smiles brightly. Her feelings start to brighten to lighter ones, but doubt does stand out in between emotions. "I'm glad you're here. I promise my next trick won't be on you."
"Thanks Carleen," he smiles as she walks over to her trainer. His next words aren't heard, "I'm sorry I couldn't do anything to help." He turns to see Trainer going back to her duty at the sink. But I will try to make sure you don't forget. I won't experiment on you.
A/N: Thank you all you wonderful Viewers, Followers, Favourite-ers, and Reviewers. To those of you who, like me, were expecting a longer chapter, I am sorry. I've had no time to write, and will continue to have no time to write.
Thank you Bella Luna 21. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
So I decided to write five bloopers/ working coincidences as this is the official chapter fifteen. To those who haven't figured it out, number five is a spoiler. So is number three, but for a different purpose.
1. The story was going to be told in entirely Sienna's point of view. It got really depressing and repetitive really quick, so now everyone gets a chance to share!
2. I couldn't find the Potion in the trash can (cries inside). Anyway, Alexander did stick his hand in a trash can.
3. At the beginning of Santalune Forest, Trevor was going to be a love interest. By the end of the chapter, all thoughts of Trevor as a love interest scared me. All romance that goes on in the first 'main story' (story arch) will be between Pokémon.
4. Alexander was not going to have a Pikachu (Lots of things changed when in Sanalune Forest). Now he does, and I love writing Carleen's bits.
5. Did anyone notice the connection between the last part of Chapter One and the description of Camphrier Town in the last chapter?
So, yah. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. Have an excellent April!
Chapter 16 coming a Sunday in May.