Chapter Description: Valé and Jay get temporary children. Jay's narration. Part One of Two.
The Journal
Chapter #51: We Asked For Them (Part One) Extra #20
"The revolution's coming, it's a minute away
I saw people marching in the streets today
You know we are made up of love and hate
But both of them are balanced on a razor blade."
Ed Sheeran
Valé and I picked Sil up from Pallet two days after Papa requested that we hang out with him. We didn't realize June and Takeshi would be called into duty and Rita would return to her post. That meant two babies needed watching.
The adventure began at 10:00 pm yesterday. Valé and I were drinking whiskey and watching Kanto's Funniest Home Videos when Takeshi called.
"Hey, Jay-Jay, can you do me a huge favor?" Takeshi started.
"Uh, sure, I think," I laughed—drunk, to my later embarrassment. "But…ha…it depends on what it is…Imma not so generous…all the time lol."
Takeshi huffed. If he said something else, I missed it, but I clearly recall him saying:
"Aya needs a babysitter. June is needed in Toka—it's a long story and I can give you the details later—and I don't want her to go alone. We just got the call today, and we think that you and Valé are the best choice."
The change in my expression alerted Valé. He muted the TV and listened in as we patiently waited for Takeshi to continue. We knew Takeshi was upset and it was hard for him to talk. When nothing came from the other end, I said:
"Wow, um, we are honored but…but Takeshi, you were just there. Don't you want to spend more time at home? Valé and I should go in your place—we haven't gone yet."
"The details are…It's a lot to ask…" he stumbled. "They need someone who's familiar with the strategies…and a nurse. I won't be able to sleep if we're apart again."
"Valé, what do we do?" I whispered.
"We'll watch her, no problem," Valé told Takeshi. "She knows us and we can easily clear our schedule. How long will we get to keep her?"
"No longer than a week," Takeshi breathed. "Jay, is this cool with you too?"
"I would be super, super, super excited if it weren't for the fact that you and June are leaving," I responded.
"We won't be endangered. We'll be several miles from the Euon/Toka border, nursing Pokémon that have been injured and watching over those who need a break. Last time I went for four days. This'll be the same deal, possibly shorter."
"Oh, man, geeze…is there anything else you need? I wanna help."
"Watching Aya is more than enough."
"When shall we pick her up?" Valé inquired.
"Any time between 6:15 am and seven tomorrow will be good. They want us to be teleported over by 7:30."
"We'll be there."
"This means a lot you guys, thanks."
"Np," I said.
After we hung up, Valé and I kept the TV muted for a few seconds longer. I turned it off because we were no longer in the mood.
"That was…interesting," I said.
"We didn't get to talk before we agreed…are you sure you want this?" Valé asked.
"Yeah. Are you?"
"Certainly."
"Then duhhh."
We got ready for bed after that since we were now no longer going to have the opportunity to sleep in late. I set the alarm, feeling both terrified and excited for the day ahead.
XO
We arrived at June and Takeshi's home at exactly 6:30 am. Takeshi was cradling and feeding Aya while June rapidly tossed last-minute items into Aya's care-bag.
"Would you like me to take that over?" Valé said as he approached Takeshi.
"Oh, umm…she's almost finished this bottle anyway, but thanks," Takeshi replied.
"Také, I hate to say this, but you need to let her go. You still have stuff to pack," said June.
"I…"
"I can get your stuff together, 'Také'," I responded. "June, tell me what he needs."
"His gear is on the left side of our closet. His bag is near the kitchen sink," she replied.
I folded Takeshi's messy clothes and placed them neatly in his bag along with his Pokéballs, portable water filter, flashlight, boots, and extra winterwear while June went over how to take care of Aya—particularly the nighttime ritual, which we never did before. By 7:25, all that was left to do was take Aya away from her parents.
"I'll miss you so much," June told the baby. "Don't be mean to Jay and Valentino. They're going to help you."
"Don't cry too much, only when you really need something," said Takeshi.
"Make sure they remember everything on the care list."
"And that they give you lots of extra hugs from us."
Aya was soothed by their voices. I hoped that Valé and I could have the same effect, though I knew the chances were slim.
We made them leave eventually.
"Well, I suppose we should go home," Valé said as he placed Aya in her stroller.
We locked the Harrison's front door then headed down the driveway. Lexi was on her porch. She waved when she noticed us.
"Come on it! I got something for you!" she called.
Valé and I obliged.
"If it isn't Jay and Valé in search of some free wine," Nolan said as we entered the kitchen.
"We always pay, you just insist on giving it away for free," I retorted. "And Lexi invited us."
"Well, we do happen to have something for you."
"It's in the cellar," said Lexi. "I'll be right back."
Yuki was already tugging on Valé's jeans by the time I joined them and Nolan on the carpet.
"Usually they ask Jocelyn to watch Aya," Nolan said as he peered into Aya's carriage.
"Jocelyn's touring. She's got two contests a week. It'd be unethical," I said. "Besides…we gotta house and she doesn't."
"Wine, this early?" Valé asked as Lexi returned with a ginormous bottle of red.
"Just a splash," she said as she poured four quarter-glasses. "We just need input…and Nolan and I like a little alcohol with our coffee."
"A takes a shot of whiskey every morning with her green tea," I replied.
"A would totally approve."
Aya was fast asleep. I wanted to hold her, but I knew if I tried, she'd likely wake.
"At least they'll be safe," Lexi sighed.
"We don't want to go back to Toka but it's bound to happen," said Nolan.
"What makes you say that?" I asked.
"TR's got hundreds of soldiers but even the strongest people burn out. A week up there feels like six months down here."
Valé's phone went off. After checking to see who it was, he stepped away from our group. I followed him into the kitchen, hoping to figure out who called and why.
"Hi," said Valé. "Why do you call so early?"
Valé nodded and responded with 'Mmhmm' as the person on the other line gave a long-winded response. He put the phone down for a second and then looked to me.
"Rita's parents were supposed to watch Quin while she returned to her post out in Euon, but they were called too. They need us to watch Quin for the next three days."
"Tell her it won't be a problem for me," I replied.
Valé hesitated. "Are you sure?"
"Are you?"
"Rita, Jay says that he is fine with it. We'll be at your home in fifteen minutes. See you soon."
We teleported to Rita's place. Quin was in one of those baby walkers while Rita and Ralph pulled on their boots.
"Those baby walkers are bad for them," I said. "It prevents their legs from developing properly."
"He's only been in there a collective hour since we—oh, fuck off," she retorted. "Thanks for agreeing to watch him. I was going to ask Annie, but then she left, and then I was going to ask Jezz, but then they got landed with Harper, and… it's perfect you stepped in. Can you handle two babies?"
"We can ask some of the tenants at The Grange to help us if we get overwhelmed."
"Good," said Ralph. "You already know his routine, but this is what he needs at night."
They gave us a list like the one Takeshi and June had given us for Aya. There was another heartbreaking parent-departure. Afterward, we teleported to Pallet. After announcing our arrival, we went to my semi-abandoned PT Cruiser. Valé and I had them in their car seats when Silver joined us on the front lawn.
Sil looked nervous as he approached the car. I think it's because he's never been totally alone with just me and Valé. Usually at least one other person is around, like Rose, Red, Jocelyn, or Papa, or at least Togekiss and Sneasel. But he had Komala. He clutched the Pokémon to his chest. I think that Pokémon was the difference between steady anxiety and a meltdown.
"I like your M&M backpack," Valé said as Silver and Komala climbed into our car.
"Thankkk youu," he murmured.
"Komala koo," said Komala, hugging Sil tightly.
"Why're we drivinggg?"
Valé shrugged. "It wasn't my idea."
"Our Pokémon are taking a break," I said. "It takes lot of energy for them to transport more than two or three people at a time. Plus, our legendaries are away helping our allies in Euon and Star is—"
"Isss Ssstarr commming b-back?" he interrupted.
"We think so," said Valé.
"Okay. I'mmmm worrried about-t herr."
"Star wouldn't want you to worry, right?" I said.
"Rright. Wh-what are we d-doing today?"
"We're going to let you decide," said Valé.
"Oh! C-cannn we go ffforrr p-pancakesss?"
"Hai letto il mio."
"Huhhh?"
"I want to go too."
"Oh! Wow! B-but-t-t…"
"What's up?" I asked.
"C-cann you evennnd-drivvve?"
"Well."
"Oi, medium," said Valé. "Let's switch…and you must text your mother to let her know we have him."
"K."
"Why arre the-therre b-babiessss?" Sil asked as we departed.
"We're Aya and Quin's sitters."
"Arrrre youuu goinnnng t-to beee okay wwittthh sso mannny kid-ds?"
"It'll be fun."
Valé conversed with Sil, mostly talking about photos, Pokémon, the trumpet, and Red—the usual. While they did that, I was in the passenger seat texting my mother. In addition to sending me a lengthy list of reminders, she wrote:
"Sil's not as mature as you were at his age, don't let him stutter, offer him prizes for not stuttering, and don't talk about Red. He needs to talk about things other than Red and Rose."
"Gotcha, Mama," I wrote back.
"Good. And never say 'gotcha, mama' again."
"Whatever…don't be hard on Sil. He's just a little kid."
"Nine, Jay. Sil's nine."
"—Still little."
Silver opened his backpack and took out some Pokéballs. I assumed they were the models Jezz made for him but I was wrong; he released a Wynaut, Diablo, and a Pidgey. Silver helped them fit into seatbelts. Valé shrugged when I looked to him for a potential explanation.
"I know Diablo, but who are your other friends?" I inquired.
"Wynaut is my new Pokémon. I was camping with the big kids and Wynaut chose to sit next to me," Silver confidently replied. "Pidgey's new."
The boldness was new too, and there was no stuttering or slurring. His words were still drawn out—he talks really slow naturally—but the important thing was the no stuttering. It's the first time in a long time I heard him speak normally.
I noticed a pink-glittery 'J' over the black button on Wynaut's Pokéball. Jocelyn musta caught Wynaut for him. Pidgey's ball probably had the same marker, but I couldn't tell from where I was seated.
"Jay, what are you going to order when we get there?" Sil asked.
"Probably crepes," I replied.
"What kinds?"
"I like cheese and vegetable."
He made a face. "Why not chocolate?"
"I can't have chocolate for breakfast."
"Why not?"
"He's already hyper enough," Valé whispered, pretending like I couldn't hear, which made Sil giggle. "We don't want to make it worse."
"Ha! I want chocolate. Can I get chocolate?"
"Mom texted me and said…" I stopped, not wanting to mess this up. "And said 'okay'."
"Really?!"
The pitch made Valé and I flinch.
"Ah, really," I said.
"Vita mia," Valé muttered.
When we got to the diner, Silver ran into the restaurant before either Valé or I had gotten out of the car. He promptly sat at the nearest booth.
"Please wait to be seated," said the host.
"Sorrry, I-I'mm jusssst so excited…" he stammered before looking to me and Valé. "My brother's here!"
The host looked over to me, Valé, Quin, and Aya. I waved and he walked over.
"He's also yours?" the man inquired.
"He's my little brother," I said.
A woman with the same IHOP inform walked up to Silver and gave him a high five. Then she came to us and offered to help us with the little ones.
"Silver comes here all the time," the worker told the host. "Usually I'm on duty when he arrives, sorry for not warning you."
"Oh. Sorry, boys," the host said with a little bow.
"I'm sorry," Silver responded.
"It's okay," the female worker replied. "Where's Red?"
"He's with his grandparents today," said Jay.
"I see. I'll be back over in a few to come take your order. Enjoy yourselves!"
Valé and I weren't sure what was going on. I wasn't a total stranger to my brother, I know he has his quirks, acts less mature than Rose, that he can be disruptive and random, so I wasn't expecting this to be normal, but…
He wouldn't stop.
"Valentino, what's your favorite band?"
"Umm, let's see…oh, I lik—"
"Jay, what's your favorite band?"
"Valentino was trying to answer your question and you cut him off. Wait for him to finish," I responded.
"I'mmm sorry."
"It's okay, Silver. I was going to tell you that I like Kiss. Do you like Kiss?"
"No. Okay, Jay, your turn. Answer my question."
"I know I told you before, but I really lik—"
"—Valentino, do you like Tauros?"
"It's nice that you want to talk, but you have to be patient and wait for the other person to finish talking."
His eyes glazed over. "I have to go to the bathroom. Can you come with me?"
"You've been here with Red and Papa over a dozen times. You know where the bathroom is."
"Welllll…. I want to show you. The babies should know where it is too."
"Mowwwwwoww!" Aya shrieked.
We flinched again. Were all children loud?
"See," Silver said, as if Aya's random scream proved his point.
"Do we all have to come with you?" I asked.
"Yes."
Silver walked both of us to the bathroom while a woman I recognized as my client offered to watch the babies. Sil went inside without us, giving me and Valé two minutes to check in.
"Your brother's activated," he whispered.
"Yeah, well, my parents said that he would be a little hyper today," I replied. "He's excited to see us."
"Awe."
"Ikr? But…I'm worried about him. My mom sent me a list of stuff to remember while dealing with him. I sent it to you."
Valé picked looked through his messages. "Are you sure your brother just has ADHD? This is like, caffeinated ADHD."
"Well…"
"Was that offensive?"
"I don't know. All I know is that we need to pay attention to this list."
Silver came out of the bathroom and looked thrilled to see us both standing there still.
"Did you wash your hands?" Valé and I asked in unison, remembering the list.
"I'll be right back," he blurted.
We returned to the booth a full seven minutes later. The waitress who knew Silver was waiting for us.
"Maika!" Silver said as he gave her a hug.
"Hey, buddy, I was afraid you ran away," she replied.
"I would never do that to you, Maika."
"You are so sweet. Who are your little friends?"
"Um, so you probably remember Wynaut, Komala, and Diablo, but you never met Pidgey I don't think, and this is Aya, and the other baby is…I forgot his name."
"Quin," said Valé.
"Yes. These are my brother and Vale's friends' babies because they are away, I mean the friends are away who are their parents so they asked my brother and Valé to watch them and I'm with them too because they wanted to take me to my favorite place."
I was amused that Sil had this fascination in telling near-strangers about the boring details of our life. Though she probably was, the woman did not look at all annoyed by him. It looked like Sil made her day. Maybe he really did. He was making Vale and I smile.
"That's wonderful," the waitress replied. "I can take drink orders then come back. Sil Sir, what would you like?"
"A root-beer float," he answered.
"You can't fool me. Your parents or Red's family never let you have soda before lunch. Water or seltzer only."
Valé and I were impressed; this lady seemed to know how to take care of him better than we did.
Silver was having a tough time choosing what to drink, so Maika suggested 'black cherry seltzer' and Sil seemed excited that she remembered.
"It's what he always gets after he asks me for a root-beer float," she explained.
"You can make that three black-cherry seltzers, Miss Maika, and thank you," said Valé.
"Ditto," I said.
"You're welcome," she said before walking away.
"Bye!" Sil called after her.
"Bye Sil! I'll be right back!"
Sil remained bubbly through the entire afternoon. After the diner, we took him to the park outside the Viridian Forest, where he took pictures of wild Pokémon. After he got at least fifty pictures of Pidgey, Rattata, and Caterpie, I brought up the concept of taking a short trip to Mai Island.
"Really? We can go tonight?" he asked excitedly.
"That's what I said," I replied.
"I can't wait!"
"Neither can we."
XO
+ Thank you for sticking with this monster fic.
+ Next Chapter is the second part of this one, still Jay's narration.
For a list of characters, places, and other quick facts introduced in this chapter, check below the cut.
OCs Introduced:
- Maika- Silver's favorite waitress
- Silver's Wynaut
- Silver's Pidgey
- The host of IHOP and the random worker
- Diablo – James' Bulbasaur-Charmander-Squirtle fusion.
Original Locations:
- IHOP—there's gotta be one somewhere in Kanto
- The park outside the Viridian Forest
Canonical Locations:
- Viridian Forest
Important/Miscellaneous Other:
- Silver has caffeinated ADHD
- Valé and Jay are in charge of Aya, Quin, and Silver and they are somehow managing it.
- Jay and Valé are eager to learn more about Sil.
