The days leading up to Roni's departure were uneventful as usual, yet he was filled with renewed vigor. There was a palpable excitement in the air around him, not at all deterred by the unease of his parents.

Unfortunately, he was the only one home on the day he had left, so he never got the chance to say goodbye. Roni set off early in the morning.

As Roni's several-day walk had finally come to an end, he stared in awe at the village of Redlog. The place was bustling with life all over, putting his hometown of New Garden to shame in sheer numbers alone. There were various others milling about their business. Shops, conversation, food, travelers, and pokémon of all walks of life filled the streets in droves.

Various scents, sounds, and sights all mixed together to create an entirely unique feeling, completely new to the naive umbreon.

Lining the streets were several small houses in a similar fashion to most of New Garden, all surrounding a large hill. The closer one got to the hill, the grander the structures and regal the pokémon. It all culminated in one building. It was the centerpiece of not just the town, but the entire kingdom.

Redlog Castle.

The large, imposing fortress of stone brick and red wood pierced high into the sky, leaving no question to its importance. It was a symbol of the king's power, the land's wealth, the people's dedication, and...

"And it's a symbol of my future." Roni smiled to himself giddily at that thought, making quiet squeals as he pranced in place. A few bystanders noticed his sudden odd behavior.

They all smiled at him, one even walking over. It was a young maiden, a gardevoir.

She knelt down until she was near eye level, smiling warmly at Roni.

"Hello there, my friend. What's got you in such a jolly mood, if I may pry?" she asked, her curiosity made sincere by the warm tones she spoke.

"O-oh, uh..." Roni stuttered a bit, trying to find his words. "I uh... Well... If I'm lucky, I have a future as a knight ahead of me..." He tried to match the gardevoir's admittedly infectious smile.

She giggled in response, resting a hand on his head.

"Luck has got nothing to do with it, my friend. Your wit and skill will carry you through to victory."

"You... really mean that?"

"Of course. You can be read like an open book, and what I see in you is potential. A bit of fear, but nothing unhealthy."

Roni smiled even brighter.

"Thank y-you... for the kind words... What's your name?"

"I'm Varily. It's a pleasure to meet you. I hope we can become great friends, Roni."

The umbreon backed up, shock taking his face.

"You... My name..."

"Psychic-type, silly!" Varily stood back to her full height, now towering over Roni. "Until we meet again." She gave a polite nod, which Roni returned. The two turned their separate ways and walked off.

"Wow!" Roni thought, "My first interaction here went flawlessly! Everyone here seems so nice..."

Roni bounded happily down the streets, not stopping until he arrived at the castle gates.

Alfa sat bored at the reception desk, sighing to himself as he went through more paperwork.

"Only one new recruit, so far... Unfortunate..."

The arcanine thunked his large paws on the desk repeatedly, in a slow methodical motion to pass the time.

He eyed the door, desperately hoping someone would walk in. While preferred, It didn't even have to be a new recruit. Just anyone to talk to would do.

His wish was soon granted, as the door creaked open. A familiar umbreon walked in from the main room of the castle, and up to the desk.

"Hey, Roni! You made it!" Alfa cheered. "So, you decided to come join us after all, yeah?"

Roni's slight bit of shyness was swiftly kicked out by a boot of enthusiasm.

"You bet I did! I couldn't pass up an opportunity like this!" He took his flyer out of his back, sliding it across the desk.

"Good, good. Just sign your name on it."

Roni quickly grabbed a quill, doing as asked without hesitation.

"And, done! Am I a knight now?"

Alfa let out a hearty laugh.

"Not yet, kiddo! You still have to train to be fully accepted!"

Roni's ears splayed back, his ego slightly deflated.

"Oh... Yeah... That does make sense..."

"Don't worry about it, Roni! I have complete faith in you. Where are you gonna be staying while you're here?"

Roni's energy quickly returned to him, renewed by Alfa's assuring words.

"Oh! Uh..." He twiddled his paws timidly, avoiding eye contact. "I don't exactly have a place to stay..."

"Given you're okay with having a roommate, you can stay at the castle barracks."

"Yes! Yes. That would be perfect."

"It's settled, then. You'll be in block D, room three. Looks like you're sharing a room with the only new recruit so far today."

Roni stared up incredulously.

"Only...? I would have expected at least fifteen..."

"Less and less people have been enthusiastic about the chivalry and glory of knighting these days."

"Oh... That's unfortunate... Well, what's the other recruit like?"

Alfa put on an amused smirk, staring into space with a chuckle.

"She's certainly not boring, that's for sure. You'll like her."

"Great! I'm sick of boring."

Roni cautiously peered into the room that he'd be staying in for the foreseeable future.

It was small. It had a bed, a desk, a full bag on said desk, and no windows. It was lit only by candles up in holders on the walls.

There was a noticeable lump under the blanket on the bed, coming to Roni's attention as he shut the door.

The umbreon slowly stalked over to the bed, and gently poked the lump. It shifted, and the bottom of the blanket lifted up slightly. An orange snout poked out.

"Whossat?" came a scratchy voice, as its nose began to twitch.

"Uhh... Hi...? I'm Roni... We're roommates I think..."

The covers were suddenly thrown off, causing Roni to back up in surprise. A nickit sat there staring at him in awe.

"Ohmigosh!" she exclaimed squishing her cheeks together. "They didn't tell me I got to have a roomie!" She then put a paw to her chin, putting on an exxagerated thoughtful expression. "No, wait! Yes they did! Hehe, nice to meet ya', Roni!" she extended her paw out, grinning ear to ear.

Hesitantly, Roni reached out and grabbed the paw, receiving a vigorous and firm shake. It was mildly uncomfortable.

"Uhh... Yeah... What's your name?"

"How rude! Don't you know you're never supposed to ask a lady her name?"

Roni's ears spayed back in shame. "Uhh... I'm-"

"Just kidding, that's age! I'm Soot! Twenty years old!" She resumed her previous thoughtful expression, accidentally sending Roni faceplanting into the floor in the process. "Actually, what is it rude to ask a lady her age anyway? That makes no sense to me... Let's just pretend it's perfectly acceptable! What's your age? Ohhh, wait, better question! What's your name, Roni?"

The umbreon picked his face up from the ground, staring at the fox in front of him. He croaked out an incomprehensible response, the bombardment of questions making him anxious.

"Oh, wait! I just said it! Hehe, stupid question, right?"

"...Maybe."

"Are you calling me stupid now?!"

Roni's ears splayed back further, as he whined.

"Oh, don't worry Roni-Roni-Rigatoni! I'm just joshin' ya'. But... Who's Josh...?"

Roni whined more, covering his face, low to the ground.

Soot seemed to finally notice the umbreon's discomfort, blushing in embarrassment.

"Ah! I'm sorry, Ronikins! I got trouble keeping my mouth shut sometimes, y'know?"

Roni just nodded in response.

"Tell ya' what, hop up here and take a nap with me! I don't know about you, but my journey here was loooooooooong."

Roni blinked, peaking out.

"W-with you?"

"Do you see another bed?"

After not moving for a moment, Roni hesitantly climbed into bed and under the covers. He faced the wall, practically making out with it. The nickit cuddled him from behind, wrapping her large tail around him.

"Bored." Thunk. "Bored." Thunk. "Bored." Thunk.

"Princess K'tora, I demand you stop that incessant racket right now!" G'ok commanded, swiping the ball of rubber bands the sylveon had been bouncing against the wall of the transport.

"Uuughhhhhhh... You're one to talk, you know that?"

The chatot puffed her feathers out indignantly.

"And what exactly is that supposed to mean, your highness?"

"It means you talk too much."

"I do n-"

"Shut up."

"B-"

"Please! You aren't helping."

G'ok quieted down, sighing in defeat.

The bumpy ride of the carriage slowly came to a halt at sunset, as a small town approached in the distance.

"Okay, we're here, K'tora. Now we just take a week's train ride and we'll be at Redlog in no time..."

"Can't it wait until the morning? I'm tired from doing nothing all day."

"Fine."

The two disembarked their transport, looking around the small town. It was out in the middle of a desert and spread very thin. The princess and her advisor walked into an inn.

The desk worker was surprised.

"P-princess K'tora?" the mincinno questioned in disbelief. "What brings royalty to my fine establishment...?"

"Jost Tor is fine." K'tora tossed a pouch full of solid gold coins onto the desk.

The mincinno's eyes widened. He had never seen so much money in one place before.

"Keep the change," K'tora added, walking upstairs to a room with G'ok following behind.

"Your highness with all due respect, it was highly irresponsible to give away that much money!" the chatot chided. "You clearly have no understanding of fina-"

"Can it, featherbrain."

K'tora dove under the covers, tuning out the rest of the noise.