A little over a week later they arrived at Baram Town near the end of the day. It looked like a mix between a coastal vacation town and a medieval village. There were no walls, and instead the town was built on a series of terraces, each terrace linked by multiple ramps and each of those with archways and guards. The guards at the ramp leading into the city, a pair of displeased looking Hitmonchan, scrutinized them before deciding they passed some hidden requirement before letting them pass unmolested. Oscar couldn't resist and risked a peek at the most surface and visible thoughts, and determine they were mostly there to make sure wild Pokémon did not try to sneak into the city. Specifically, sneak. This implied that at least some of the wild ones were intelligent unlike the Shroomish they encountered in the forest, but still not welcome in polite company. Where the line between intelligent but wild and civilized Pokémon was drawn, he didn't know. But had a feeling that if the situation were pressed, they would find themselves on the wrong side of that line. He sent a mental signal to Gaia to avoid the subject with others if at all possible.

They spent the better part of thirty minutes wandering around the town, taking in the various sites and making note of the landmarks and shops. Neither of them could read the odd markings adorning the walls and signs of the cities, but most everything was accompanied with easy-to-understand pictures giving instructions or marking a shop or grooming center. Near the apex of the town was what looked like the Guild hall, with several fully evolved Pokémon coming and going from the large archway leading into the building proper. They were not permitted on the highest terrace holding the hall, likely due to the lack of the medallions he had seen on many of the Pokémon leaving. The guards did not elaborate, and Oscar did not want to push his luck prying.

After a short discussion, they decided that they needed money and a place to stay. They had the Pecha scarves, but Oscar cautioned against selling too many of them in one go. If the riverside village traded primarily with this settlement, then selling a large number of Pecha scarves would no doubt be suspicious when news of the theft reached the town, if it had not already.

Oscar had some preconceptions about the Pokémon here and their society based on what he understood of medieval human cultures. He suspected, given his encounter at the village and the guards wariness of 'wildlings' that they were suspicious of outsiders and foreigners in general. While was under no illusion that they could pass as natives so soon after arriving, it could only end poorly in his mind if they had that 'fresh off the boat' smell. Oscar shared his concerns with Gaia mentally, and suggested they look for a more run-down shop with a weak-willed keeper. Old age or visible lack of health were the only signs he could rely on, as the state of the mind was often tied to the state of the body. This limited their options as there were not a large number of shops in the first place, but they soon found a weathered but otherwise orderly shop in what appeared to be the 'foreign quarter' of the town. He didn't feel that description was entirely accurate, as it did not appear to be in poor condition and there was relatively free movement between this section of the town and the others. Still, it was the closet to what he knew.

In the shop was a male Salandit, not old but a little on the scrawny side. They were the only customers in the shop, but the shelves looked well-stocked despite this seeming lack of business. The Salandit looked up dispassionately from picking his teeth with his claws and said not unkindly "Clear skies, friends."

"Calm waters, Salandit." Oscar said, Gaia remaining quiet. This was the greeting of the region it would seem. Also a call-and-response to sus out foreigners. "We have a couple of Pecha scarves we would like to sell, if you have the need."

"Nah, plenty o' those floatin' around. Yer not likely to sell 'em fer much. I can give ya ten poke per if yer desperate." Well, shit.

"Thank you for the offer. But I think we will hold on to them for now. How do you feel about defense scarves?" He had no idea if it was true that they would have a difficult time moving the Pecha scarves or if the merchant was simply trying to swindle them. Oscar did not want to make a habit out of constantly looking into the minds of others, as sooner or later he would come across someone trained to notice that kind of thing. The quick scan to pass the call-and-response was all he was willing to risk, but it was not like he needed to read minds to haggle. He made it clear they had goods, and that they were not so desperate that they would take a bad deal, even if it was a fair one. He liked the idea of the defense scarves, but they had a more pressing need for money now anyway.

"Now them, I is interested in. Give ya 30 per." He hated haggling, it is so much easier when everything had a price fixed by a vast chain of interconnected logistical, governmental and business interests. He especially hated haggling with no knowledge of the price of goods, and being functionally illiterate to boot. Still, he knew the rules of the game and only a fool goes for the first offer.

"They help keep us alive and they were some trouble to get. 40 per and that's as low as I will go, friend." He said, willing to walk away even if it meant spending a night in the woods again. He didn't consult Gaia, but he was sure she would be fine with whatever happened.

"Well, fer a friend I think I can do that. 40 it- hey! Poochy! Char! Long time no see. Ye look like dung." The Salandit said, looking past them to the entrance of his store. Oscar and Gaia looked behind them, and saw the bruised and scratched up forms of Cinder and Stumpy standing wide-eyed in the doorway.

"What are you two doing here?!" Cinder pointed and the Fennekin and the Treecko, more startled than upset.

"Eh, yous know each other?" The Salandit looked back and forth between the two groups.

"Yeah. You could say that." Gaia snorted. "We go way back."

"Yer just in time. Me two new pals here were just about to sell me some defense scavs. And ye look like ye lost yers." Hey eyed Oscar and Gaia. "Where you get them scavs, anyway?" His tone was more playful than accusatory. He knew what was up. "Ah, none 'o me business anyway. So them scavs? Ye want yer 80 poke or no?"

"What!" Cinder said. "You were going to sell our scarves for 40 poke? Maybe you really are wildlings."

"Let us not start throwing around wild accusations." Oscar glared. "Just because we are new around here does not mean we sleep and shit in the woods. Travel notwithstanding. Besides, you said yourselves that these were low level scarves. Where we come from 'low level' doesn't command a high price."

"A low level scarf is still a scarf!" Stumpy joined in. "Never seen one on sale for less than 120, you would be stupid to sell it for less than 80." The Salandit just glared at them.

"Now I though we was friends. Look at ye, messin' up me deals!"

"We're friends! We're friends! You said you closed the deal anyway!" Cinder did indeed look very apologetic.

"Scarves are still around our necks, deal isn't closed yet. So I was thinking, how about 90 poke? You have some desperate customers right after us who I am sure would be willing to help out a friend and pay a fair price." Oscar looked between the Salandit and the two bandits, shit-eating-grin plastered on his face.

"I can do 80, if'n ye give me a good price on all them Pecha scavs ye got."

"We only 'got' two. I don't like what you are implying." Gaia told the Salandit with a glare, who for his part help up his paws defensively.

"Easy! Didn't mean nothin' by it. Is just, was expectin' a whole bag full o' scavs, and ye show up with a couple. Seemed like ye would have more, is all."

"Wait, what do you mean they have Pecha scarves?" Cinder asked, his face a mix between confusion and disbelief.

"They came in wantin' ta sell some Pecha scavs, didn't like my deal. Aint you got somethin' fer me like that?" The two bandits didn't speak, but instead stared at the ground. "Empty pawed again, eh? Yer Boss'l be mad. Madder, I guess." The Salandit simply shrugged and looked away from the bandits to the other two in the room. "So, what'cha say? 160 yer the defense scavs and, say, 50 fer each o' the Pecha scavs and I won't tell the guards you got all them goods on ya?" Oscar knew a good deal when he saw one. But before he could agree, Stumpy called out.

"Wait! We can offer a better deal!" Everyone turned their heads to look at him.

"Poochy I don't think-"

"Char the boss will kill us if we aren't the ones to turn it in. He never said how to get it, just that we get it." Stumpy, who apparently was to be called Poochy in public, turned to Oscar. "We can give you 3 Poké for all those scarves." He then bid Cinder to produce three golden coins from the pouch he was carrying. The bandits were offering almost twice as much for the same goods, and normally it would be a no brainer, but the threat of calling the guards still hung in the air.

"We will take two." Oscar said, "And give one to our good friend here for being so welcoming to strangers." The bandits seemed shocked for a moment, followed quickly by relief. The Salandit had a huge grin on his face, between the free Poké and the goods he was about to trade for, he was making a killing.

"I knew ye were good folks, second I saw ye." He said with a nod. "Tell ye what, ye got a place to stay while here in this fine town?" They didn't, so the Salandit continued "I sleep here but there is a place on the outskirts o' the town where all my friends stay at. Since ye are my friends now, I'm sure they would be happy ta have ye."

What do you think? Oscar asked Gaia.

I don't trust them, they attacked us once they may do it again.

You think the 'proper' locals will be more welcoming?

…Probably not. But if we go, you aren't leaving my sight!

Oscar simply nodded. "Sounds great. How do we get there?"

"Let me finish up here, these two dummies will show ye where ta go."

And so the brigands and the fence, which the Salandit pretty clearly was in Oscar's estimation, finished exchanging goods. They got 2 Poké for just the Pecha scarves, and kept the defense scarves for themselves. Local favoritism aside, Oscar decided he was no good at haggling and would abuse his psychic abilities as much as possible in the future. Still, they had money and a place to stay, which was more than they had yesterday so things were looking up.

After saying farewell, Cinder led the way to the inn or whatever this place was. After about ten minutes heading to the west side of the town, just outside the perimeter of the town proper was a two-story building that looked almost humanlike in design, were it not for the bright orange paint and cheery depictions of Pokémon painted on its façade.

It was night now, and the tavern/inn was bustling with activity. Oscar had no idea what species were native to this region or not, but the crowd assembled in the tavern would qualify as especially diverse by regional standards as far as he could tell. About 30 patrons were present, with most being dark or poison types. There were Seviper, Nidoran and Ghastly, with Umbreon and a few from the Zigagoon line as well as a few Pokémon he did not recognize. Oscar never bothered to memorize 'em all, focusing mostly on those native to Kanto. He noticed that for those Pokémon with three evolutions, there were no final evolutions present. Odd.

Cinder led them up to a tall counter where all four of the small Pokémon had to climb or jump on stools to see the hostess. She was a Salazzle, and was directing several Salandit to attend the patrons. She turned her attention to Gaia, where after a moment of hesitation at being the one addressed said that "Big Sal" asked her to "Show them some love."

"Oh! He is my favorite, you know? I'm sure I can squeeze you in if he vouched for you." The Salazzle said with a wink. Stumpy was smitten, but Gaia and Cinder were unimpressed. Oscar simply tried not to facepaw at the stereotype. He had never seen a Salazzle before, but word got around…

"Unfortunately, all the rooms are full. But I can have some beds moved in to my favorite little Poochy's room for you." She pinched Stumpy's cheeks. They would find out later that this was Cinder's room as well, but at the time the Charmander said nothing, only grumbling a little at his partner. "40 poke for a night or 160 for a week, room and board. What do you say, darlings?" Cinder said nothing and Stumpy could not speak, so Gaia simply agreed to pay for a week and handed her the money.

"The night is still young darlings, would you like something to drink? I have milk for our mammal-like friends here and juices from any kind of fruit you can imagine. I have something a little stronger for you, my grassy friend, if you are interested." Stronger? Oscar's ear perked up.

"I'm fine with some apple juice, thank you." Gaia said, waving her paw at the mention of something 'stronger.' Cinder asked for apple juice as well and Stumpy said he would take whatever she thought was best for him. She gave him a small glass of warm milk.

"What about you, stud?" She turned her attention to Oscar.

"By 'stronger' do you mean 'fermented'?" He asked, almost pleading.

"Well… yes. But the fermentation process makes the drinks poisonous, and so we only give it to poison types. Sometimes to grass types if they look like they can take it. You should try the milk, it's very filling, darling." She added, trying to discourage the little fox from poisoning himself. Of course, poisoning himself was exactly what he had in mind.

"You would not happen to know off-paw what percentage by volume this poison makes up in the drinks, would you?" The Salazzle looked at Oscar queerly for a moment.

"That is usually something only, ah, connoisseurs typically ask darling. But to answer your question, our berry specials are around 5%, with our grain extracts around 20%. Now, are you sure-"

"Yes!" Oscar stood on the stool with his forepaws on the counter, a manic look in his eyes. He knew the LD-50 for mammal-like Pokémon when it came to alcohol; a half-dozen shots in the course of a night would surely kill him, but that just meant he would get more bang for his poke. "Yes! Finally, some alcohol. Start me off with a shot of the grain stuff-"

"Master, I'm not sure this is a good idea."

"-and give me a glass of the fermented apple stuff. Some water to chase it down. Ha!" The Salazzle, now thoroughly shaken of her aloof appearance, looked at the Fennekin like he had grown a second head. Without breaking eye contact, she reached below the counter and pulled out a paw-blown clear glass bottle with a clear, colorless liquid inside. She poured it into a shot glass sized for smaller Pokémon, perhaps a fifth of an ounce, and pushed it towards him. Her eyes bulged as the little fox grabbed the glass with two paws, threw his back and simply dumped the contents into his mouth in one smooth, practiced motion.

"Ahh." Oscar sighed, a smile on his face as he glanced at Gaia. "Do not worry Treecko," he decided now was a good a time as any to start adopting the naming customs here, "I know what I'm doing. This is perfectly safe and it has been far too long since I have indulged."

"It's been a week!" Gaia was incredulous.

"I know! Where is that cider?"

"The what?" The Salazzle asked, her concerned look only deepening.

"The fermented apple stuff."

"...coming right up." She moved to the shelves and poured a small Pokémon sized glass of sparkling cider, replacing it with the empty shot glass in front of Oscar. "Is your friend okay?" She whispered to Gaia to the side.

"He's just excited to have his favorite drink again. He should be fine. I hope." Gaia never approved of his drinking back at the base, but she was never in a position to do anything about it. Oscar always seemed to be in control and healthy, so she tried not to think about it. But Oscar wasn't a human anymore, and didn't have decades of tolerance built up in his new body. He said he would be fine, but she had her doubts. She resolved to step in to stop him if things got out of paw, they weren't in Kanto anymore.

She didn't need to worry. Oscar had left his wild partying days behind almost three decades ago, but had stayed in practice with normal partying in all the time since then. He was comfortably drunk after the first two drinks, and took it slow to maintain for the rest of the night. After she realized he wasn't going to keel over, Gaia loosened up a bit and ordered a cider of her own. The Salazzle and several of the patrons would still give Oscar odd looks every time he ordered another cider, and when he asked Gaia confessed that the sort of self-destructive behavior humans seemed to delight in simply was not common among Pokémon. No Pokémon would do something to hurt themselves, sans a heroic sacrifice or to grow stronger, if they knew ahead of time that it would hurt them. A non-poison or grass type simply wouldn't knowingly drink poison, no matter how it made them feel. Oscar thought that was stupid and said as much, but a Seviper interjected and noted that it was indeed pretty freakish. Kinda cool, but freakish.

Gaia took offense to her master being insulted and made her displeasure known despite Oscars efforts to reign her in. The Seviper took it in spades and challenged the Treecko to a game of strength to settle their differences, which she agreed to immediately. That was when Oscar was introduced to Pokémon tug-of-war. Not all Pokémon had arms, and even those that did varied greatly in size and general morphology. It made sense, he thought, that they would use something that any Pokémon could grab to mediate a game of strength.

The two moved to the center of the room where several other Pokémon cleared out, and a Salandit waddled up with a length of rope. The Treecko and the Seviper grabbed opposite ends of the rope, and at some unseen signal pulled with all their might.

It was then that Oscar learned Gaia really was a beast. She lost, of course. The Seviper was almost ten times her weight and several years her senior, but she only barely lost. After about thirty seconds of dead-even tugging, the little Treecko's strength flickered for a moment before recovering, but that was all that was needed for her to be pulled face-first into the floorboards. The rest of the patrons had formed a ring around the spectacle, and cheered loudly at the regular's victory. Oscar noted that this was perhaps the best thing to happen, as it would be poor form to show up the locals in their own house. It was also poor form to look weak, but Gaia and the Seviper shook claw-to-tail and congratulated each other so he was not too worried about looking bad on their first night here. And that was the most important thing as far as he was concerned. She was challenged by several others after that, and won some of her bouts against the larger opponents and all of them with Pokémon of equal size.

Oscar had simply been drinking cider and enjoying the show. After her tenth or eleventh opponent the Seviper she originally challenged wondered out loud, to no one in particular but for the whole tavern to hear, just how strong the self-poisoning Fenniken the feisty little Treecko had jumped in defense of was. That would not stand! And so the Seviper and Oscar lined up, and at some unseen signal he was not prepared for the Seviper yanked the rope.

It was then that Oscar learned that he was not a beast. He flew off the ground and bounced off the wall in the far side of the room like a sack of potatoes. There was silence in the tavern for a moment, followed by uproarious laughter. Oscar wasn't surprised that he lost, but it did shock him just how easily he was defeated. The Seviper tossed him like he was a dead weight on the end of the rope. He was not weak as a human, far from it actually. He had assumed that these attributes would carry over, but knew now that this was not the case. Still, he congratulated the Seviper on his victory. He suggested that they could try again, but this time he would use Psychic to hold the rope. This was cheating, apparently. But since he lost so bad the first time, the Seviper agreed to humor him.

The set up again in the middle of the room, the Seviper holding the rope with his tail and Oscar holding the rope with a faint blue glow. He anchored himself and the rope to a rock some ten meters underground, directing all the force there, and waited. The Seviper yanked the rope again, but this time found that the rope on the Fennekin's end did not budge. After about ten second of fruitless pulling and yanking, Oscar decided to give a pull of his own and this time the Seviper went flying across the room. The Seviper landed into the crowd behind him, knocking several of the patrons to the ground. Again, after a few moments of silence there were cheers from the crowd. So he was physically weak, but psychically strong even as a Fennekin.

He was challenged by several other patrons after that, each time losing the physical confrontation and each time sending them flying on the second round when he used Psychic. While he did not lose a bout when he was 'cheating', he noticed he was tiring much faster than Gaia was given the same opponents. So he was a sprinter and a glass cannon. He could work with that. He had Gaia to tank.

The tavern became much more friendly to the two newcomers after that, and the two spent the rest of the night chatting up the locals. Oscar happily flit from one conversation to the next, putting all he schmoozing skills to work trying to figure out who these people were and what kind of lives they made for themselves in this place. Gaia never left his side, and for the most part did not participate in conversations save to add a few words or comments in here or there. Still, she had earned a lot of respect for herself for her good showing in the bouts she had and was greeted warmly enough each time they interacted with a new group of patrons. Oscar's wins 'didn't count' but the Pokémon found him affable enough to get along with. Cinder and Stumpy mostly stuck to the bar chatting with the Salazzle and the few patrons who would stop by. They elected not to participate in the strength bouts against either Oscar or Gaia even after much goading from the other patrons, and had not left their seats since arriving.

After a few hours, however, they got up and moved towards their new roommates. The crowd had dispersed somewhat by this point, with only about half of the patrons still out. Cinder mentioned that he and his partner were going to bed, and if they wanted to know where the room was they would follow. They said farewell, in the customary way, to the Ghastly and Zigzagoon they were talking to and made their way to the second floor. They entered a room near the end of the hallway and were greeted with a bare-wood floor, a single chest and four piles of hay on the ground. There was what looked to be a brass mirror in the room, but the beaten surface was too rough to use in the dim lighting.

"Uh…" When she had said 'beds' Oscar had assumed that the Salazzle meant proper beds. Not dried plants tossed carelessly on the floor. He only hoped that they were more comfortable than they looked. He had been sleeping on the bare ground for a week after all, and that was tolerable. The unreal good sleep of the first night had not graced him a second time, but he was hoping a proper shelter and something bed-like would at least help.

Cinder and Stumpy moved towards the beds on the far side of the room. Stumpy was in a good mood after the food and company of the night and wished them a good sleep, while Cinder simply grunted with a shrug of his shoulders before plopping down on his 'bed'. Gaia picked up her pile of dead plants and plopped it between the bandits and where Oscar presumed was to be his bed before she too curled up to sleep facing Cinder and Stumpy. After everyone else had settled in, Oscar went to the only unoccupied pile of hay on the floor and went to sleep.