She had gotten her wish.

Late into the night, past the point of feigned slumber and far within the state of deep sleep, Crystal found herself surrounded by that familiar light. Floating in the empty abyss, her gaze wandered around her surroundings. Perhaps she might see something this time if she were to pay attention. After all, this time she wasn't being sucker punched into a new reality. But, even now, she still saw nothing, no matter which direction she faced the unending horizon.

She felt a frustrated sigh leave her lips, despite the lack of physical lungs to produce the breath or the lips to release it. However, this was still her chance to clear things up a bit.

"I know you're out there! Are you getting a bit shy now that I'm not caught up in a stunned stupor?" she called out into the blank space, her intangible form spinning to catch the direction of its response.

"Such insolence!" There wasn't much of a direction to it. It was more like the voice and the surrounding area were one and the same, shaking Crystal at her core. "I sensed you calling out for us and yet I'm greeted with rude impatience… Of course they had to pick a mortal lacking in any manners…"

For a form without any facial muscles, she still felt her brows furrowing in an incredulous look, "Excuse you? I wasn't the one who asked for this?!"

"Yes, yes, you're incredibly ungrateful for this blessed second chance. However-"

"Hold on… your voice sounds different. Where's the first guy?"

"Guy…? Oh, don't be fooled. They have much more important things to be doing than answering such trivial calls. I doubt you'll speak again unless the situation is dire."

So, there's more than one person here, she hid her thoughts away from the mysterious being, still unsure if she could even trust them. However, from the patronizing tone this one used, she was definitely sure they rubbed her the wrong way.

"Now then, as I was saying before you so rudely interrupted, time moves at a different pace here. So, despite what you believe, we haven't much time for 'pleasantries.' Speak quickly: what do you want?"

She felt the need to bite down onto her lips to at least try to hide a snarl. But, even if she did make a threatening gesture, would the voice even be able to perceive it? Part of her hoped that it could.

"What I want are answers. What is the point of all this? Why was I put there? And what are you hiding from me?" That time, she couldn't hide the growl that crept into her voice.

"Is that really all you wanted to ask? How bothersome, and such a waste of time. I'm certain you've already been told this but it isn't time for such revelations. You'll find the answers… eventually. But, for now, just focus on acclimating into that world."

It was needless to say that Crystal was quite disgruntled by the unhelpful response, but there was little she could do to force the answers out of them.

"Fine then, but could you at least give me some basic knowledge of this place? I'm going to come across as a daft hermit going around not knowing what basically everyone else does!" she called out indignantly as she recalled her earlier embarrassing incident with Emizella just before bed.

"The basics… All right, that I can do for you." the voice responded. The glow of the temporary plane brightened for a moment before dying back to its usual state. "There, it is done."

She was silent for a moment, rummaging about in her mind, "I don't feel any different."

"The knowledge will be there once you wake up on that side. And, speaking of which, it seems that our time together has run out." The lights began to flicker again, reminiscent of the instance just before she woke up in the forest. "Try to refrain from coming back here unless you have a real emergency, okay?"

Yeah, yeah, fuck you too, the voice most certainly, most definitely, rubbed her the wrong way.

~uwu~

To say Crystal had woken up on the wrong side of the bed would be the understatement of the century. The first voice may have been annoyingly cryptic, but at least it wasn't a patronizing, belittling jerk-wad. Actually, she was starting to think the first one might not have been all that bad to begin with. Sure, nothing they said made any sense at all, but it was, at the very least, a hint more sympathetic with her plight.

While she was awake, she hadn't yet opened her eyes, choosing to wallow in a state of relaxed rest for just a little longer. So, despite her closed eyes, she was still aware of her surroundings. She was aware of the soft grasses that cushioned her sleep. She was aware of the growing gentle chirps and melodies starting to fill the air. She was aware of the softly snoring breath tickling her ears. Actually, she might had been more acutely aware of a firm hold wrapped around her body above all else.

Sensing that some of those things weren't quite as ordinary as the others, her eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the early morning hues and steadily accumulating brightness. And what was the first thing she saw that morning? A masked bed intruder sleeping soundly right next to her, looking peacefully unaware of the predicament she had placed her guest.

Immediately, Crystal's lips pursed together, holding back a startled screech and letting it unleash in the confines of her mind.

Since when- How long has she been here? How could she have possibly guessed that her hostess was one to slip into her guest's nest or that she was one to snuggle and hug warm bodies in her sleep? What kind of mental preparation could there even be for something like this? Should she try to escape before she woke up? Her body did a little wiggle, testing the grip Emizella had on her small frame. Not only was there very little wiggle room, but she also managed to make that range even tighter with her moving around, a soft squeak escaping her from the squeeze.

Great, leave it to a fighting type like her to have a grip of steel. A defeated sigh left her lips as she relaxed in the hold, and, in turn, the hold relaxed on her. She figured she had woken up to worst things before, although she didn't have any memories to back it up. However, the arms that wrapped around her were warm and comforting and, dare she admit, nice. Surely something like this was a good deal of a distance away from the worst.

With the grip around her so firm and unyielding, the smaller, more delicately framed fennekin had little other option than to wait for the other to release her on her own accord. And, judging by how desperately her arms clung to her, Crystal doubted she'd do so before waking up.

She'll wake up by herself soon enough. She seems like an early riser. She trusted her assumption as she closed her eyes to better focus on her own thoughts, more specifically on her situation. Focusing on what she knew and did not know.

She didn't know who she was before the first voice spoke to her, an already strongly established fact. A fact that she still couldn't get over no matter how many times she repeated it in her mind. What was she supposed to say if anyone asked about where she came from? I can't remember my past before I met Emizella, but that sounded way too convenient and suspicious. Everyone knew even the most basic crook wasn't above playing the amnesia card. It's none of your business where I came from, but that sounded even worse than the first option! Maybe I'll just luck out and no one will ask. A long shot idea, but, if she could be so fortunate, then it was the best she had.

Before she could delve any deeper, she felt a shift from her hostess's arms, the body snuggling close to her stirring to life. Despite the change, Crystal elected to keep her eyes closed. She didn't want Emizella thinking she had been watching her sleep this whole time, that would just be weird followed by some awkward explaining.

"GAH!" she heard a surprised yelp followed by the abrupt removal of the two coiled limbs.

That was when she decided to open her eyes, pretending that she had just woken up and feigning ignorance.

"Emizella…? You alright?" she asked, eyes fluttering and adding a bit of a forced yawn for good measure. She hoped it didn't sound too forced.

The pair of now fully awake crimson eyes blinked as Emizella processed her escape route from the embarrassing situation, "N-nothing," her voice squeaked before she cleared her throat.

There was a war going on in the facial muscles of Crystal's mouth, a hard-fought battle against the snicker daring to break through her walls of restraint and the laws of courtesy. Luckily for her, she won this battle, but felt the war was far from over.

"Anyway…" the riolu rubbed away her nerves, flattening the hairs that stood at the back of her neck, "So, for breakfast, I was thinking we could go to the café in the village. You know, let you get used to the place first."

"There's a café?" her body lifted up quickly at the idea.

"Well, a small one," Emizella was quick to define the business before she got her guest's hopes too worked up, "But their pancakes are delicious! Like, Mrs. B must had gone on some kinda pilgrimage to make pancakes that good. Oh, Mrs. Brooklyn is the owner. She runs the café with her family so it's got a bit of a homey vibe."

"I like pancakes." she responded with a bit of a chuckle, "And… 'homey' cafés."

"Great! Let's get going before the breakfast rush gets in!" she insisted upon their swift departure, walking closer to the entryway of the hide out to hold the vines open for the little fox.

And, with a quick, affirmative nod of her head, Crystal followed closely behind.

~uwu~

The village was not as far of a walk from Emizella's hideaway as Crystal expected. She would have thought there'd be a bit of a hike and a half to reach this aforementioned village hidden away in the trees of this forest, but it wasn't even half a hike.

"See that archway? The village is just beyond that." her guide pointed a digit at the constructed arch that provided a window into the clearing the settlement rested.

That wasn't even ten minutes! "Emizella… are you originally from there?"

Her head tilted back, "Yeah, why?" she asked with such innocent ignorance, as if Crystal was the odd one for asking such an obvious question.

Her mouth opened to retort, but then it occurred to her that they never did finish their conversation from last night. They had gotten too caught on what an adventurer was after Crystal let her unfamiliarity towards the occupation slip. To which, she was now well aware of the venturous and varying profession, but it wasn't so simple to say she remembered it now after last night. Or, perhaps, it was and she was simply overthinking it. Regardless of whatever option it fell under, Crystal figured it best to continue playing dumb on the subject matter.

"No reason, just… thought I'd ask." her shoulders shrugged slightly, playing the question off as casual and insignificant. Either she'd tell her without prompting or there would be a better time to ask later.

They were starting to close in on the gateway to the small village, just a few more steps and she'd be crossing under the carved, arching wood. Her eyes looked upward to the top, spotting carved diamonds along branching paths that spread from the center. These diamonds, contrary to the plain, wood color of their background, were painted in brilliant colors of gold and crimson and cerulean and mint. The colors were bright and fresh, appearing to receive constant maintenance to keep it looking nice.

"Halt!"

The sudden voice came in too sudden for Crystal and her distracted state of mind as she instantly bumped into Emizella's backside. Although, it felt more like a wall as the riolu still stood perfectly still and steady. She would have assumed the other felt nothing if not for the brief glance she sent over her shoulder.

"State your business," the voice commanded, a quick peak past the blue body in front of her confirmed the voice to belong to a torracat.

"Are we seriously doing this again?" Emizella asked with a raised brow.

"I wasn't talking to you, this time… I was talking to her." A clawed paw pointed towards Crystal, still hiding behind her guide.

"Who, me?" her long ears became more erect along with her tensing body.

"Yeah you. I don't think I've seen you around before. Which is a problem 'cuz I pretty much know every face that passes through here. And an even bigger problem if you're a troublemaker." The feline closed in on her, pushing her face uncomfortably close with a scowl glued to her brows. "So, state your business."

Before Crystal could even find the words to respond, an interceding paw broke the overbearing eye contact from connecting any longer. "Calm down, Jesse, she's with me. We're just here for supplies and pancakes."

"A likely story," her golden eyes narrowed, filled with skepticism and doubt.

"Which part, the one about the supplies or pancakes?" Emizella's brow raised with a paw pressed sturdily to her hips.

"How about both!" The blazing bell around the torracat's neck lit up brightly. Her gaze turned towards Crystal, startling the little fox as she was abruptly brought back into the conversation, "I'm keeping my eyes on you. You may have Emi fooled with your adorable baby face but you can't fool me."

Wait, did she just call me adorable? Instantly, the tension in her shoulders faded away, relaxing and letting her body raise up a little. She couldn't help but stare into the torracat's eyes, waiting to see if she'd take notice by herself the implications of her own words. That, and she wanted to get back at her for her play at intimidation.

"Wha-what? What're you staring at, huh?" she took a step away from the unblinking, anticipating gaze.

It appeared that she didn't realize what she had said but Emizella did and it had her snickering at her feline friend's increasingly confused expression.

"So you got it." she asked as her body turned to look at Crystal, "Jesse may act tough but that's just a show for newcomers. Everyone knows she's just a softie."

An incredulous look slowly grew and rose in intensity in the feline's gold and crimson eyes, "D-Don't go telling her that! How's she gunna take me seriously if you call me a softie in front of her?" she asked, her voice distraught and troubled.

Her dismay was of little concern to Emizella as she continued to chuckle to herself, "Alright, introductions." Her laughter finally calmed down as she gestured towards the black and red fire cat pokemon, "This is Jezebel, the gate guard. She may be dense sometimes and a softie most of the time, but she's actually pretty capable."

"I am not a softie!" Jezebel flared up, the bell around her neck growing bigger and glowing hotter.

"Jesse!"

But then, a sudden call quickly extinguished the flames, her demeanor become docile and tame as she turned her head back towards the calling voice.

"Yes, Lillian?" she responded cheerfully.

For a moment, Crystal wasn't sure if this was the same torracat who was interrogating and trying to scare her just a moment ago. The shift was too sudden, too abnormally sudden, to be anywhere close to a natural response. But here she was, smiling with a gentle disposition at the brionne dragging herself along the ground with a parcel wrapped securely around her neck.

"You forgot your lunch again." Lillian stated as she untied the knot holding the violet, star speckled wrapping in place. A flipper stretched over to pass along the pouch, "How many times does that make this week?"

"Um…" Jezebel thought for a second as she reached to grab for it, "Three…?"

"And it's only Wednesday!" her voice raised in a stern tone, making the other flinch. She sighed, releasing the meal to her stilled paw, "Honestly… you ought to be more observant, you know?"

"I am observant! Just not with the little things…" she muttered, her eyes sheepishly avoiding the firm, scolding gaze. "Look, I might be slipping a bit, but that's just cuz nothing really goes on around here. And you're so dependable, I can't help but rely on you to pick up my slack." Her eyes peered back at the brionne, begging and pleading for her annoyance to subside.

And, for a moment, it worked. The reprimanding stare faltered, nearly giving into those gentle, golden orbs, before closing her eyes in a reaffirming huff. "That's not going to work this time." she crossed her flippers over her chest, although her tone's intent sounded more for convincing herself than the feline.

"C'mon, not even a little bit?" Jezebel implored, inching in a bit closer to amplify the effect of her "forgive me" face.

A brief, subtle peak crossed Lillian's blue eyes before finally taking notice of the pair whose visit was being held up by their bickering. Her body shifted to the side, getting a better look at the familiar face, "Emi! How long have you been there?"

"Um… the whole time…?" Emizella answered, brow raised and a soft chuckle on her lips.

"Really?" she gave a light gasp, "I wasn't expecting you for a while longer."

"Yeah, well, there's been a bit of a change in circumstances." She gave a short shrug of her shoulders, her words drawing the brionne's attention to the golden figure standing behind her as silent as her shadow.

"Oh. My. Goodness! You're so cute!"

Instantly, Crystal found herself enveloped within the confines of her flippers, being hugged and squeezed without any reservation. The sudden act had her froze in place, the only movement coming from her eyes that darted over towards Emizella for some kind of explanation. Unfortunately, her lifeline offered no excuse, only shaking her head in nonverbal communication.

Lillian babbled away into Crystal's ears, admiring her fluffy tufts and her small head and her full tail. At one point, she could have sworn she called her a "floof baby", which she couldn't even get mad at as the word tickled her insides and erupted a giggle.

But then, the babbling abruptly stopped, her eyes staring back at Jezebel with a sharp turn of her head, "Jesse, you weren't bullying her before I came, were you?" she asked, her stare so mercilessly intense that it broke the accused into a cold sweat.

"What? Me? No way, I would never!" she stated but the look in her eyes didn't relent. "Really and truly! I mean, what kind of guard would I be if I did?" she forced out a laugh that sounded a bit too nervous to be carefree.

Lillian's dagger of a gaze stared for a while longer before her smile returned to her face, "What a relief!" her cheerful tone lightened the atmosphere, allowing Jezebel to take a breath at last.

"Whipped…" Emizella whispered softly, her voice bordering on the line between mouthing and speaking.

Jezebel let out a soft grunt in response but dared not say anything less she drew attention back to herself. And not the fun kind, either.

"Anyway, you're new, right? Let me show you around!" the aquatic pokemon insisted, her tone already telling that she refused to take "no" for an answer.

"I mean," Crystal's voice spoke up, sounding soft pressed against Lillian's cool body, "Emizella was taking me for pancakes first…"

"At Mrs. B's?" she asked, confirming the information with a quick glance at the riolu, "Then I'll go with you!" She gave one last quick squeeze before scooting along past the village opening.

Crystal watched her for a moment. She seemed rather imposing, a sense of assertive boldness that could not, and would not, be denied. But she wasn't a bad pokemon. A bit overly familiar with new people, but not bad. She gave Emizella a quick look, affirming that the decision was hers to make before sending her own smile Lillian's way. "If it's not too much trouble..."

She clapped her flippers together joyously, "Great! You won't regret this. When it comes to this village, I'm the go to person for tours."

Crystal could only nod her head in agreement, not having any reference to go by to either contradict or confirm the declaration. She followed behind Emizella, walking under the archway and past Jezebel who gave a scripted sendoff to the pair as they made their way.

Her eyes looked back at the torracat for a second after passing, catching her flicking her claws from her narrowed gaze to Crystal's figure. A shiver went down the fennekin's spine at the gesture before rolling her eyes upward. Already she had met a pair that completely wore her out, and she was only a few steps past the gate.

Welcome to part three of building up the world and the characters in it! Seriously, thank you all so much for the follows and favs. I'm so happy that your interested in seeing where this is going... but also a little scared that where it's going will let down your expectation. BUT! Let's push those demons to the wayside for now.

Between life and drawing the characters, it took a bit longer it finish the chapter and man was it longer than I usually write. I was wondering it there was a place to cut it shorter but it just didn't feel right to me. I don't know, I'm still pretty new to giving my stories physical form outside of my head.

Please feel free to comment what you think, even if it's to tell me my grammar sucks! (Seriously, went to school to be a language arts teacher and I still am not a hundred percent confident that I'm catching my mistakes) Until next time!