DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pokemon.
MESSAGE TO READERS: This chapter is written in the Point Of View of Easel.
A SMEARGLE'S TALE
CHAPTER 28: TRANQUIL MEMOIRS PART 1
With a long yawn, I opened my eyes slowly. The late morning sun was burning in the sky, blinding me for a moment as I squinted my eyes and rubbed them softly with my paws. With a lazy grunt, I pushed myself up onto my feet before looking around the meadow. The rest of my peers were all buzzing with activity. Some of the youngsters had taken their attention to a Butterfree, which they were chasing across the area. The Butterfree itself appeared to be amused by the kits' behaviours. The more mature Smeargle were either grooming one another or generally just being lazy in the summer sunshine. My stomach made a deep and hollow growl, which I placed my paw on in slight embarrassment. Although no-one seemed to notice the churn, it seemed rather loud. Even though I had only just woken, I knew that I would need to find something to eat, but I wasn't too sure about where to go. I wasn't the best hunter in the world. In fact, I didn't like killing other creatures myself. But I knew it was the way of the world…
I spotted nearby what looked like a small purple furred mouse of some sort. It's front incisors were large, the overbite literally covering its chin. I was a little bit unsure about taking on the Rattata at first. I had heard how one of the other Smeargle in the Clan had suffered rather a nasty bite wound from one of them. Although it would be nice to eat something with a bit of flesh, rather than a couple of berries or the sickening texture of a Caterpie. I barely knew what I could do to attack. I was more of a healer than a fighter. The only attacking move I had at my disposal at this time was Astonish, and that certainly wouldn't be enough to take down even this Rattata. Rather than risk injury, I walked away from the Rattata which in turn scurried away completely dashing any second thought that I had.
Another yawn escaped my mouth, followed by a somnolent sigh. My stomach let out another hungry rumble, which I quickly covered by sitting down. I then felt the presence of a second Smeargle approach. I turned and let out a small smile to my friend.
"Morning, Easel," the second Smeargle greeted. She was a female just like me, although she didn't wear any form of clothing as it were. I simply enjoyed wearing neck chains made from flowers from the meadow and the traditional skirt woven with Sunflora petals. I let out another yawn, accidentally. "I can you haven't been awake for very long," the second Smeargle giggled. "So… any news on the new boyfriend?"
"I haven't asked him yet," I replied nervously, looking around to see if I could pick him out in the crowd. But he was nowhere to be seen. "To be honest, I don't think I will… he's totally out of my league."
"Dilly dally, shilly shally," my friend answered. "He's so cute and I reckon he's got eyes for you more than the rest of us," she smiled. "Although I've already got a mate myself, but that's not the point. I'd end it with him instantly if I knew I had a chance of getting with that gorgeous hunk of a Smeargle."
"That's a bit shallow, isn't it?" I laughed. "I mean you'd honestly give up your mate to be with him?"
"Too right, Easel!" my acquaintance giggled back girlishly. "Why, if I used Attract, Flatter, Sweet Kiss and Charm he'd be mine!"
"Flatter and Sweet Kiss?" I asked, laughing a little at her naivety. "Flatter would confuse him anyway, so why bother with Sweet Kiss?"
"Because it's cute!" she replied sheepishly. I rolled my eyes, letting out another sigh. "Besides, how come you're not getting in there with him. It makes sense. I mean you're the only one here without a mate, yet you're also the second prettiest female… after me, of course."
"Of course," I smiled half-heartedly. "But I don't know… I mean, what if he says no?"
"Then move on. There'll be plenty more opportunities for you to find someone," she explained.
"Pattern!" I suddenly gasped, waving my paws to inform her to shush. I pointed quickly behind her, to which she turned only to see that another Smeargle had appeared on the scene. This Smeargle was a little bit different than the others of the Clan. Rather than the beige-like colour fur that is normal for a Smeargle, this Smeargle's fur was a dark shade of green. Despite the dark tone, it appeared to shine as the sunlight bounced off the fur. It had me mesmerised for a moment until he spoke.
"Hello Pattern. Hello Easel," he greeted the two of us. I noticed Pattern's eyes suddenly take the form of love hearts, as she shrieked in excitement. The green Smeargle seemed a little bit taken aback by her amorous behaviour.
"Wow! Picasso is really speaking to us! Our Leader is speaking to us!" she cried with delight, staring right into the green Smeargle's eyes.
"Umm… yes…" Picasso replied, a little puzzled by the way Pattern was acting. "Well, it's kind of the done thing. Just because I'm Clan Leader doesn't make me superior to any of you," he trailed off, as Pattern was pretty much rubbing herself up against the green Smeargle. "We're all equal," he said, smiling at me before taking a single step back causing Pattern to fall flat on her face. I raised my paws to my mouth, hiding my amusement and pretending to show shock at the same time. Picasso continued to smile at me, before walking past Pattern who was still fawning on the ground. "You haven't eaten yet, have you?" he asked me, to which I slowly shook my head. He was about to reply, when suddenly a young Natu skipped up beside us.
"Hey, Picasso!" the Natu chirped cheerfully. "The Elder just managed to take down a Stantler! She wondered whether you wanted any?"
"Thanks for the offer, Nate," the Leader replied. "But I've already had my fill this morning. Although, if it is alright with you I'll have a member of my Clan take my place."
"Not a problem, buddy!" the Natu chirped once again, skipping and hopping back towards the large willow tree that was stood to the edge of our territory. With that, Picasso looked at me gently.
"How about you treat yourself?" Picasso said to me softly. "I'm sure that the Elder and her Colony will not mind. After all, a Stantler is a fairly large prize and I doubt they would want it to go to waste." I nodded, beginning to blush suddenly. The Leader gave me a puzzled look, before letting out a small chuckle to himself and walking away. Pattern, who had barely regained her composure walked up to me, staring at the green furred Smeargle as he approached a small group of males nearby.
"You're in, girl!" Pattern said cheekily. I batted her dismissively yet softly with one paw, also not taking my eyes away from the Leader.
"Don't be silly," I muttered to her. "He only offered me his share of food,"
"Which is more than what any of the other males have done for you around here," Pattern responded, resting a paw on my shoulder. "And he didn't offer me any, although I'm full anyway. But that's besides the point. I think this could be the start of something special…"
"Get real," I giggled. "I can't get a mate in the Clan as it is, let alone the Leader."
"Don't put yourself down so much, Easel," Pattern sighed, squeezing me friendlily. "Do you not think that it might actually work between you two? Not the teeniest tiniest little bit?" I paused for a moment, thinking it over… I could just imagine me and Picasso being together. I had always admired him, but did I love him enough for the two of us to become mates. I had told Pattern before that I had a huge crush on him, but I never even considered the idea that he might feel the same about me. "Well?" Pattern asked again.
"I don't know," I shrugged honestly. "There's always a chance, I guess…"
"Well, there you go then!" Pattern squealed girlishly once again. "At the end of the day, there's two answers he'll give you. Yes or No. Isn't that right?" I simply nodded at this comment. "Then that's all the motivation you need. If he says yes, you're in! If he says no, so what?"
"You're right," I smiled confidently. "I'll win his heart no matter what!" Pattern then began to chuckle. "What's funny?" I asked, a little puzzled by this sudden laughter.
"You're so lucky, I'm almost jealous of you!" Pattern tittered. "You're going to get with the Leader of the Clan. That puts you at such a high ranking…"
"It's not about rank, Pattern," I explained. "It's about following my heart." Pattern then nodded, understanding.
"That's true," she smiled. "But I'm sure if it were anyone else, they'd simply be after the rank."
"Like you, you mean?" I asked, feigning a cheeky grin. Pattern laughed and pushed me playfully, to which I pushed her back. We both laughed for a moment, before suddenly we stopped… once again, Picasso had began to walk in our direction. Pattern quickly got to her feet and leaned closer to my ear.
"I'll leave you to it," she smirked enviously, yet not negatively. She gave me a friendly peck on the cheek before strutting away. She gave a small wave to Picasso before heading back towards another small congregation of fellow Smeargle nearby. I too got back up to my feet, standing face to face with the Leader.
"Not hungry?" he asked politely. "I was kind of hoping you were."
"Oh…I'm just going there now," I replied nervously. At which point to my horror me slowly clasped his paw around mine. I was not sure how to react. I felt like jerking it away, the adrenaline had begun to pump through my body. However, I resisted doing so.
"Do you mind if I join you?" he asked me in a gentlemanly tone. My heart suddenly melted. I could not believe this was actually happening.
"S-s-s-sure…" I stammered timidly, locking eyes with the beautiful green Smeargle. He smiled sweetly at me before walking with me towards the willow tree at a slow and steady pace. I could tell that he was looking at me for most of the time, yet when I went to look at him, he turned his head away after a second or so of eye contact. I giggled when he did this. It was as though he was as nervous as I was, although he showed a much better display of hiding this fact. As we reached the tree itself, the smell of a fresh kill wafted over my nostrils. Upon walking through a thin curtain of hanging leaves, I could see the carcass of the Stantler laying on the ground. Despite the savage nature, it strangely looked quite peaceful, apart from the fact that there were several slash marks where a Xatu's talons had ripped into the flesh. A young Natu, accompanied by an elder looking Xatu came into view. I cowered a little at the sight of the larger bird, although Picasso remained completely calm.
"Thank you for sharing your kill, Willow," Picasso bowed gratefully. The Xatu simply raised a wing to signal for Picasso to stop.
"No need to thank me, Picasso," the Xatu, named Willow, replied. "Your endeavours to help the Colony are greatly appreciated. Your entire Clan is welcome to feast if they wish."
"It's a very kind gesture," Picasso began. "But we already have a bountiful stock of food. If anything, you should feast with us as so the supply does not spoil."
"Whose your friend, buddy?" the small Natu from earlier chirped, flicking its head in various directions at a fast speed.
"Forgive me," Picasso bowed once again. "This is Easel, a member of my Clan."
"I understand, you need not explain," Willow nodded with a small beaky smirk appearing. "You know that she is more than welcome here, as are any members of your Clan. To answer your question, she feels the same." There was a moment's pause between the two of us. With great puzzlement, I stared at the green Smeargle, followed by the Xatu. "I have the ability to read minds, Easel," Willow stated with a positive tone. "And I can sense that you both long for the same things. So… why don't you just ask one another? The most definite answer is yes," she added mystically… with that, both Picasso and I gazed at each other, both with less nervous, yet somewhat delighted expressions on our faces.
"Very well then," Picasso nodded to the Xatu, before looking right at me… "Easel…"
"No, don't…" I interrupted with a small stammer. "Please… let me ask the question… Picasso… will you…"
TO BE CONTINUED
