AN: This chapter was updated/revised on November 3, 2019.
Heartening
"Every day we try to find
Search our hearts and our minds
The place we used to call our home
Can't be found when we're alone."
Joshua Radin
Day 6
"I have been looking forward to seeing you again," Dr. Liz told Annastasia and Jessie as they entered her office. Liz was leaning against the wall, talking with a receptionist. She gave Jessie a clipboard and then turned to the shaky twelve-to-thirteen-year-old. "Is this Jezz?"
"Yes, Ma'am," he answered shyly.
"Nice to meet you."
They shook hands. Liz suggested looking at Jezz first. He followed her into the back room. After she weighed and measured him, she took out a piece of paper and a pen and instructed him to sit on the patient counter.
"So, tell me about yourself," Liz requested.
"I am twelve," he answered.
'At least, that's what I think,' he thought. 'I could be as old as fourteen…she needn't know…'
"I'm guessing that because you are so little, you haven't started puberty yet. Is that right?" Liz inquired.
"Yes," Jezz hesitantly responded. "…Is that wrong?"
"Oh, of course not. It's different for everyone. Don't worry about it. So, one of the challenges I am having with you is that you don't have a strong medical record. By that I mean you hardly have anything in it. Any information before age six is gone, but you probably knew that already."
"I have been told…"
"I talked to your guardians and they told me about your prescription medications. Do you need any refilled?"
"No, thank you."
"You don't have to be so afraid. I'm not that scary. I just need to finish your exam."
"I do not want an exam."
"Oh? Why not? I think it is a good idea. Well-visits are important too."
"I am not comfortable with that."
"Can I at least listen to your lungs and heart?"
"That will be fine."
After Jezz's appointment, he met Annastasia in the waiting area. She was reading a magazine with Lil-G on her lap and Bleu at her feet. She stood up when she noticed his return.
"Back so soon?" she inquired.
"Yup. As far as I can tell, he is doing fine. A bit anxious, but that is normal," Liz told Annastasia. Annastasia could tell she wanted to say more, but she figured she wouldn't because of confidentially procedures. "It's your turn."
"I'll be back soon, Jezz. My appointment is probably going to be a bit longer, so just sit tight. Don't let my mother leave without me."
"I will make sure that does not happen. I promise," Jezz replied. "Where did she go?"
"She went to get us some snacks. I heard you like croissants. The bakery is around the corner. She will be back any minute."
"Thank you."
"Np."
Annastasia and Liz went into the patient room. They chatted while she got her vital signs checked.
"Jezz is a sweet kid. My brother adores him," said Annastasia. "And so do I, and all my friends too. I did notice that certain things make him anxious though…What do you think?"
"You know I am not allowed to talk about other patients," Liz responded.
"But we're also friends."
"That doesn't mean anything in legal land. But, I can say that he seems like a real sweetheart."
Annastasia let Liz assembled her notes in peace.
"How do I look?" she asked the moment Liz dropped her pen.
"As usual, great on the outside, but kind of a mess on the inside," Liz answered. "At least as far as your physical body is concerned. I am sure your soul is swell."
"Can you be specific about what part of my body is a mess?"
"Your heartrate is faster than usual…72 instead of 35...and though 35 is normally too low, for you that's normal…it's a major jump, but unless you are in pain, it's not worth looking further, Otherwise, it looks great, even with your systolic murmur… I wouldn't worry about it because I triple-checked your bloodwork and it showed that you have no acute infections or additional abnormalities, though you are still a bit anemic which I think is mainly because of your little expedition in the mountains. One extra supplement and you'll be over that soon. I'm going to do another brain scan on you really quick, then you can just hang out with Jezz in the waiting room while I process the results."
"I was expecting worse."
"How come?"
"My health has been good—for me, not good in general—and I'm not used to that."
"If you smoked, drank too much, and were obese, you'd be much worse off."
"Anything else?"
"Yes. Before you go back, I want to chat."
"Okay. What's up?"
"How are things at home?"
"Same ol', same ol'."
"We both know that's not true."
"Okay, so there've been a few major changes, but it's nothing I can't handle."
"There've been more than 'a few major changes'. You're recovering from what must have been a traumatizing experience and now you are living with people you didn't know until a few months ago. This might not bother some teens but you're a profoundly perspicacious person, especially when it comes to relationships."
"That I can agree on but either way, I'm doing well. I love having Silver and Rose in my life. Silver's got such a calm and careful nature, and Rose is bold and adamant…I miss my part-time job as a childcare provider…they are learning so much: how to eat, drink sleep, sit up, roll over, crawl, talk, sign…they're relaxing to be around. I've always loved having younger siblings, and this time it's even more interesting because…It is odd how I'm an adult now but their lives are just beginning. I'm old enough to be their mom."
"You don't find it overwhelming?"
"My parents don't expect me to take care of them. Mainly the only reason I was involved with raising Jay and Jocelyn was because I was living with them and wanted to help. Now, I'm not technically living with them, but I wanna do all I can to stay close to all my siblings."
"Where are you living? HQ?"
"Nah, Michio and I officially/unofficially moved into the Pallet House. My mother's charging Michio rent but I'm in there for free. So, I'm living across the street while my parents do the late-night and early-morning feedings, changings, and soothings that they signed up for. Jezz also seems to be unofficially living at the Pallet House too, spending lots of time there with Amber and Jay. The Hales want him to spend more time in Kanto because according to them, he doesn't have friends in Alola. Some of the kids bullied him because he's not a native, and Jezz is an introvert…Amb's the perfect extrovert to bring him out of his shell and Jay's awesome at balancing her out. I'm thrilled he's staying with us. He has his gloomy moments, and I worry about him sometimes, but that smile's priceless. He gets so genuinely happy when he's with them. He said he has never been happier…Michio says the same thing about his life now too."
"Speaking of Michio, I hear he's important to you."
"Everyone in my life is important to me."
"Your mom told me that you plan on living together on her inherited estate. That's huge: you always used to say that you didn't want to even date anyone ever."
"Well, Michio and I aren't dating. We're platonic…mutually platonic, and he is tremendously different from most people our age. I can't think of anything better than having a relationship with someone who really admires you and is a big relief to have around. It is so relaxing and it feels right. It's not like this is impulsive; we spent a lot of time thinking and talking about this."
"A, I'm not accusing you of being wrong, I'm just saying this because I'm your doctor and I want you to be safe."
"I am keeping myself—and Michio—safe."
"In that case, I'm happy for you. What you've found is rare. But things change. Sometimes platonic love turns into something romantic and that something romantic turns into something sexual, and maybe it doesn't do that at all—it doesn't matter to me, what matters is that you follow all my rules. So, I am going to make you a goodie bag and you are going to put it to good use in case things ever come to that."
"I appreciate it."
Liz knew Annastasia was being sarcastic but smiled through it.
"You must have been talking with my mom. She said the same thing to me yesterday," Annastasia remarked. "She thinks that Michio and I are going to start conjugating any day now."
"I have spoken to her, but this comes from my heart too," Liz replied. "I'll be supportive either way, and there is no way she called it 'conjugating'."
"Working with youngsters again means I have to limit the swearing: a sacrifice I can take."
"Hm. Good for you. I'll be right back."
Liz retrieved more of Annastasia's test results and read through them thrice.
"Everything okay?" Annastasia inquired, noting the disconcerting look on her doctor's face.
"With a quick glance, I can tell that there's nothing major I should be worried about, but…lemme take a better look at this. Go to the waiting area and tell Jocelyn I'm ready for her."
"Hai."
Jessie, Jocelyn, and Jezz were eating croissants along with Bleu, Lily-G, Flaafy, Wobbuffet, Acorn, and Jezz's Vileplume and Chimecho. None of them looked unsettled—expect perhaps the always-timid Jezz—until Annastasia giggled in their direction.
"Wobba!" Wobbuffet exclaimed, offering her a croissant.
"What's so funny?" Jessie asked.
"Oh, just…" Annastasia replied, stifling giggles.
'Jezz looks like a mini-you,' she thought. 'Jezz and Jocelyn look more like siblings than me and Jocelyn do.'
"Taste a croissant!" Jocelyn requested. "They're so yummy!"
"Flaaaaa!" Flaafy sang, devouring his own.
"I will, and btw, Liz is ready to see you," Annastasia told her little sister.
"Okie-doke," Jocelyn replied. "Don't eat my treat!"
"Flaaaafy," said her partner, assuring Jocelyn that he'd guard it for her.
She skipped away, excited to see Liz, even though it was just for a routine checkup.
"I'm assuming these are gluten-free?" Annastasia asked her mother.
"Mmmhmm," Jessie hummed. "Because the last thing you need right now is a gastrointestinal attack."
"I appreciate your concern."
"You are gluten-intolerant?" Jezz inquired.
"Yes."
"Oh."
"It kinda sucks sometimes, but there are worst things in the world."
"I am glad that you are not troubled by it."
Annastasia gave Jezz a side-hug. "You really are sweet. No wonder all the kids love you."
"You really think I am sweet?"
"You're a cinnamon roll," Jessie interjected. "You clean up after yourself, you do the dishes, groom our Pokémon, take out the garbage, recycling, and compost…all the things Jay did before he had his little awakening."
"Thank you. The chores are no trouble in any way. You see I have been doing them for as long as I can remember and so they come naturally to me. But I have a question: what do you mean by Jay's 'awakening'?"
"Yeah, explain," said Annastasia, seeming equally confused.
"Jay was always my baby boy. He used to always shop with me, we'd go to the salon and get our nails and hair done, we'd go jewelry, bag, and shoe shopping... Now he still wants to do all those things, but not with me," Jessie lamented. "I blame the twerp's daughter. Lately, he is too busy always trying to impressed that little twerpette."
"Mom, Jay is still himself: sensitive, fashion-obsessed, quirky, and he still likes spending time with you. He is just a little more mature. It isn't a bad thing, and it isn't anyone's fault. And he has always wanted to impress his friends on some level."
"That may be true but I still don't like it."
"What does quirky mean?" Jezz queried. "I mean to say that I have heard the word before, but I never understood it. Is that not an insult?"
"Quirky is a word used to describe people who are eccentric, queer, different. We're all a bit quirky. Sometimes people like certain things or act in a way that the majority of people don't," Annastasia explained. "It is not an insult unless someone uses it as one."
"Do people think that I am quirky?"
"Definitely," said Jessie.
Annastasia glared at her mom. "I think you are. But that is a good thing. It means you fit in here."
"Thank you," Jezz replied.
Jocelyn reunited with the others as Liz handed Annastasia an envelope filled with papers.
"Those are the results of the test. I already read them and wrote up a short summary. I didn't see anything new, and as far as I know, as long as you keep your stress under control you can start driving again in a few months," she told Annastasia.
"Thank you so much," Annastasia responded.
"No worries. Bye, everyone. It was nice to meet you, Jezz."
"And you. I very much appreciate your time and concern," Jezz replied.
"It's no trouble. Call me whenever you want to talk. Almost every Morgan has my number in their phones. Bye now."
"Bye," they said together.
"Flaaa!" Flaafy added.
"Let's go," Jessie said as she stood from her seat.
"Yes, Ma'am," Jezz bowed. "Oh, I am sorry. I called you 'Ma'am' again. My apologies Miss—I mean, Jessie and Annastasia."
"You don't need to call her 'Ma'am', Silly," said Jocelyn.
"Flaafeee!" Flaafy agreed.
"You can call us whatever you like. It doesn't matter," said Annastasia.
"Mmhmm," said Jessie.
"Wobb," Wobbuffet added, patting Jezz's back.
As Jessie led Jocelyn, Annastasia, Jezz, and the Pokémon to the car, Jezz thought about nicknames.
'I call her 'Amb',' Jay had told Jezz earlier in their friendship. 'It's short for Amb—'
'—itious,' Amber had interrupted. 'Cuz you can't spell 'ambitious' without 'Amb'.'
'How selcouth,' Jezz had murmured. 'That is a brilliant observation.'
'Huh?' Amber and Jay together responded.
'Pardon?'
'Whatcha mean it's 'selcouth'?' Amber had asked suspiciously.
'I mean that your nickname is rare and marvelous; I appreciate unique titles.'
'Oh. Sweet.'
"You feeling okay?" Jocelyn asked Jezz in real-time.
"Flaafy fla?" Flaafy asked. He placed one of his hooves on Jezz's shoulder. "Fee?"
Jezz broke from his contemplation.
"I am perfectly well," he assured them.
"You like to reflect on the past," Annastasia observed.
"I was considering nicknames. May I give you one?"
"It'd be my honor to receive it."
"May I call you 'Annie'?"
"Of course. Most people don't call me that, but I like it."
"Your SO calls you that. Is it okay if I do too?"
"For sure. Michio was just the first person to do that, last year when we—anyway, I like it."
"I was talking to June about how we both want nicknames but our names are too short."
"I was doing that too!" Jocelyn exclaimed. "They can't call us 'J' because it sounds like 'Jay', You can call me 'J-sama' if you want."
"That's too old a nickname," said Jessie. "Does 'Princess' work?"
"That's Onēsan's nickname!"
"Flaa!" Flaafy gasped.
"We can share," Annastasia suggested.
"K," Jocelyn replied.
"Fee," said Flaafy.
Annastasia looked back to Jezz. "I am sure one of us will come up with something one day. We have to get to know you more first. Open up as wide as you feel comfortable allowing."
"Pardon?" Jezz responded.
"I don't even know what kind of pizza topping you like the most because whenever we have one you say you don't mind which kind we get."
"I am sorry. My favorite is blanc pizza sans tomato but with extra broccoli."
"Onēsan loves white pizza with broccoli too," Jocelyn interposed. "Not only do you have dimples like her, you have a similar taste too! Ha!"
"Fla!" Flaafy laughed, giving Jocelyn a high-touch.
"If you ever live with me, I'll order one as often as you like," Annastasia proposed. "As long as it's gluten-free, because I'd want to share it."
"That sounds magnificent," Jezz whispered.
Annastasia noticed the oscillation in his mien: content to nervous to optimistic and now saddened.
"Are you okay?" she inquired.
"My apologies," Jezz replied. "I am tired."
"How about tonight we order the pizza you like and eat it while we watch that show you mentioned…what was it called? You described it and it sounded like something I'd like to watch."
"Steven Universe. I know it is for children but I enjoy it anyway and so does Jay and Jocelyn and even James."
"Jezz, you are a 'children'…Not that it matters. It is a show, fans aren't supposed to feel ashamed of the things they like. What would the point of that be anyway?"
"I never considered that perspective. I was not allowed to watch cartoons unless I waited until I was home alone. Since I always had siblings in all my homes, some of them would tattle on me."
"Well, now you have an opportunity to make up for all that lost time."
XO
Jessie and her Pokémon returned home while Annastasia, Jocelyn, Jezz, and their Pokémon went to the hotel. Amber and Jay were goofing around as the children, Pokémon, and teen approached.
"So, did they make sure you weren't an alien?" Amber asked Jezz.
"No…do you think I am an alien?" Jezz replied. "Aliens are not real, unless Pokémon count…"
"It was just a joke, Buddy," said Jay. "Amb forgets to turn off her sarcasm for you."
"I am sorry."
"Stop apologizing!" Amber demanded. "Are you going to come watch cartoons with us or are you going to skip the show?"
"Definitely cartoons."
Jezz followed the inseparable duo into the Pallet House lobby, where Steven Universe was just starting on the television.
Annastasia sat behind the kids with Lil-G and Bleu, wanting to give the kids space while also wanting to watch some herself. She ordered the pizza and a moment later, felt Peruva's head snuggle against her acceptant palm.
"Hey," she murmured, scratching the Liepard's ears.
Looking up, she saw that Peruva had company: a Mienshao she had never seen before. They rested their heads on Annastasia's lap while Michio slogged through the door. Mienshao and Peruva bowed their heads in a rather shameful position as he approached.
"What's up?" Annastasia whispered.
"I was looking for them," he replied, gesturing to the feline Pokémon. "I had a feeling they'd meet here."
"Is Mienshao yours?" she questioned.
"Technically he is Peruva's…"
"Awe, they're mates." Annastasia watched the Pokémon cuddle by her feet. "You don't seem happy for them."
"That Mienshao is Haku's."
"I see…Just because you don't like Haku, it doesn't mean you have to dislike Mienshao—Peruva obviously likes him, which more-than-means you can too."
"Peruva, I question your taste."
"Lieeeee!" the Liepard hissed.
"Miennn," Mienshao sadly purred.
"Lieprow!"
Amber, Jay, and Jezz pivoted.
"A Mienshao!" Jay gasped. He fumbled through his bursa for his Pokédex. "I never saw one in person!"
"I never even heard or saw one of those," said Amber. "Is it a fighting-type?"
"Indeed," Jezz responded, watching the creature apprehensively.
The trio approached the Pokémon.
"I admire Mienshao," said Jezz. "I always thought they were so very lovely."
"You don't look excited to see this Mienshao," Amber noted.
"It doesn't look happy to see us," Jay murmured.
"Don't be offended," Michio advised. "This Mienshao's a douche."
Annastasia elbowed Michio; she didn't need words for Michio to understand why.
"Is Mienshao yours?" Jezz asked Michio.
"No, it…he…belongs to an enemy of mine," Michio muttered.
Michio looked at the Pokémon with disgust. Annastasia, Jezz, Amber, and Jay all picked up on this.
"I'm not surprised you have enemies," Amber remarked.
"But you can't just not like Mienshao," said Jay. "He's sooo pretty and sweet!"
"Mien!" Mienshao agreed.
"Lie!" Peruva cheered.
It was obvious by his scowl that Michio did not concur.
"Mienshao are wonderful creatures," Jezz insisted. "They are gentle, heroic, and armipotent—elegant and eyesome as well."
"Just like you," Jay mumbled to himself.
Amber heard this and sniggered. "So, Jay, you want to repeat that so that Jezz can hear?"
Blushing unrestrainedly, Jay grasped Amber's wrist and squeezed it, their covert signal for when they wanted the other to stop talking.
"What did you want me to hear?" Jezz asked Jay.
"Nothing, it is fine now," Jay breathed.
Amber nodded, feeling slightly guilty for taking advantage of Jay's feelings. Jay nodded, accepting that he has overreacted and that all was currently well.
The trio returned their attention to Michio and Annastasia, who appeared to be having a hushful argument.
"Talk to Haku. I believe the two of you can work something out. Peruva has the right to choose her own mate and you can't let anything get in the way of that," Annastasia whispered. "Pokémon don't get to pick who they fall in love with."
"Peruva and Mienshao are in love?" Jezz blurted. He coughed and reassembled his bearing. "Haku's Mienshao?"
"Who's Haku?" said Amber and Jay together.
"Haku is Mienshao's trainer," Annastasia explained. "Michio knew Haku as a child…but she wasn't a friend, per say."
'She's evil,' Michio thought.
"Does Haku live nearby?" asked Jay. "What does she look like?"
"I bet she's part of that gang," Amber guessed, and Jezz agreed, though he didn't say it.
"She lives on the Kapule estate in Alola. I don't know what she looks like; I never met her."
"She's a nasty, miserable, stalker and she sent Mienshao here as part of her agenda," Michio asserted.
"That might be true…Nevertheless, Peruva likes him and that is that. You knew you were going to have to deal with Haku sooner or later despite this."
"Whatcha mean?" Jay inquired, curious as ever.
"The commercials are over," Jezz interjected.
"Thank freakin Arceus; I'm so done with this conversation," Amber said as the trio returned to their spot on the couch.
Michio, bothered and grim, reluctantly reclined in the loveseat with Annastasia perching on his lap. Annastasia took his hand and was about to say something when Sandshrew popped from behind them.
"Fuck!" Michio exclaimed. "You fucking scared me."
"I don't care," it replied. "I here am because I sensed drama."
"You hate everything to do with humans," said Annastasia.
"You're always bitching about it," Michio added.
"I actually enjoy it at times. Something about distress is attractive," Sandshrew responded.
"Oh, of course it is."
"We need private time," Annastasia told Sandshrew. "Or if that doesn't work, can you at least not interrupt or mock?"
"I can restrain myself. I am not a human infant," it replied impatiently.
"Rose and Silver are more pleasant though," said Michio.
"Just ignore Sandshrew," Annastasia murmured as she rested back into his chest.
Annastasia knew Sandshrew could still here her whispering to Michio, but she found herself not caring. She pressed up against Michio, ignoring Sandshrew staring intently at them, knowing its only intention was to annoy them.
"I don't want you to be afraid of 'nasty, miserable stalkers'," Annastasia whispered.
"I'm not afraid of her…she just…" Michio glanced at Sandshrew, embarrassed.
He knew Sandshrew listened to most of their conversations anyway while it pretended to be asleep or hid somewhere nearby, but it felt different when it was clearly staring directly at them. Michio hated the Sandshrew infiltrating almost every moment that he and Annastasia had together. Part of him was mad that Annastasia tolerated the creature so well after all it had done to her and her loved ones, and another part of him was jealous because he couldn't bring himself to forgive it the way she did.
"I don't like being harassed and that's what Haku does. She's fucking crazy, you have no idea. You'd don't know her," Michio continued.
"Maybe I should know her. Maybe I can talk to her when we go to visit your parents," Annastasia replied.
"I hate that idea. She…um…"
"…She, what?"
"She's just so…so…"
"I imagine it is not as bad as you think. I can deal with bitches; I dealt with you."
"That's different. I am decent. I have limits and I'm not…"
"…You're not abusive. I wasn't comparing you to her. I'm just letting you know that I can take her on if you want me to."
Sandshrew chuckled and shook its head. Michio growled then sighed. He decided he was going to follow Annastasia's lead and ignore it.
"You haven't seen Haku in a while. She could be an entirely different person now. Or she couldn't have changed much at all but is at least not as bad to you as she has been before," Annastasia continued.
"Annie, you are right but…I am just not good at that shit," Michio stumbled. "I mean, she has just been so…I don't even want to think about it. Seriously, if you want to talk to her, there is nothing I can do about it, just keep in mind that whatever she says is either a lie, passive-aggressive, or horribly offensive. But it's up to you. I don't want to talk to her anymore."
"Okay. I won't guilt or coerce you. I believe you, and I will always be on your side."
They sighed in mutual relief and returned their attention to the TV. The kids were staring at it in awe, looking so childlike despite everything they had been through in the past, and it warmed each of their hearts.
"That was my favorite episode so far," Jezz breathed. "I am so very happy you told me about this show. I would have never discovered it on my own."
"That's what friends are for," Jay replied, smiling redoubtably.
"I thought it was really lame and then Jay threatened to cry if I didn't watch at least one episode with him. Then I decided it was actually good," said Amber.
Jezz was the first one to notice Annastasia and Michio still sitting on the chairs behind them, hands locked, eyes half-opened, and all their Pokémon gone. Jezz walked up to them while Jay and Amber fought over ownership of the remote control.
"What happened to the Pokémon?" Jezz queried.
"They're taking a walk," Annastasia answered. "What's up?"
"I was curious…despite your dislike of Haku, are you still angry at Mienshao?"
Michio didn't answer, so Annastasia jumped in for him.
"No, he is just upset. That Pokémon reminds him of a somber past," she explained.
"Yeah…sure," Michio added grumpily.
"That is good then, that you are not angry at Mienshao," Jezz hesitantly remarked.
"Jezz, that show about the three super-powdered girls is on!" Jay called from across the room.
"It's 'super-powered', not 'super-powdered', Dummy," Amber laughed, flicking Jay's forehead.
"Ouch. Ammmb, don't do that!"
"Oh no. They are fighting," Jezz worriedly murmured.
"No, they aren't," Annastasia assured him. "They're just Jambering."
"Oh yes, I should have known…"
Jezz stumbled back over to his friends. Michio leaned in to whisper to Annastasia.
"That kid seems different from when we first met him," he commented.
"A little bit, but people change, especially youngsters," she responded. "And people from Alola."
"I wouldn't say that he's from Alola. A kid like that living in Alola, they wouldn't treat him like he belongs. He's too…you know…"
"Awkward? I don't think that would make people dislike him. It shouldn't anyway."
"He's Japanese, not Alolan."
"Oh yeah, the whole 'everyone is racist' thing."
"It's pretty bad in most parts and it's probably why he's spending more time around here than with the Hales."
"Hauana and Perry love him; I can feel it when I am around them. If he doesn't like spending time in Alola, it is certainly not because of them."
"Agreed."
Before the second show's end, Amber, Jay, and Jezz were all curled up together, sharing a blanket and a giant mug of hot chocolate that Wobbuffet had brought them.
"I think Amber and Jay have something to do with it," Annastasia murmured as she observed the kids.
"Mmmhmm," Michio replied, concurring with her conclusion.
Annastasia checked her watch, stood, and stretched.
"Let's go find our children," she told Michio. "You owe Mienshao and Peruva an apology."
"I'm not going to adopt Mienshao," Michio replied. "That's probably what Haku wants me to do. I'm not enabling her to stalk me."
"Stalkers follow people. I would know if she was somewhere around here, spying on you. I happen to have been born into a family in which spying is an honorable talent. And there are many talented people here. Speaking of which, Logan is above us totally spying on us right this minute."
"How did you know?" Logan whined. He climbed out of the air ducts and jumped up onto the coffee table in front of them. "I didn't make any noise at all!"
"I felt your aura, Dummy."
"'Dummy'? Downgrade your insults much?"
"If you haven't noticed, since I left TR, I've been spending an excessive amount of time with preteens, and you say 'dummy' daily."
"Mostly to respect mother's orders…"
"You just celebrated your eighteenth birthday, and you still listen to your momma?"
"Your momma doesn't know Dark Pulse."
"Oh, Logan, you can take Lucy in a fight."
"I'd like to see that," Michio snorted.
Logan jumped onto Michio's chest. Both he and Annastasia could tell Michio was internally flipping out about the unexpectantly close contact, but they giggled in response. Logan pointed at Michio's face.
"You are a Pokémon Master. You can train me," he said.
"No," Michio firmly replied.
"Please?"
"Yeah, why not 'Pokémon Master'?" Annastasia queried. "Won't you help my baby Purrloin brother? You helped Jay and Jocelyn train. Be fair."
"Well yeah, but Logan is…he is a…" Michio stumbled. "Ah…he talks. He's a…"
"Person?" Logan guessed.
"Yeah, let's go with that."
"FYI, all Pokémon can understand humans. Maybe not every single exact word, but most of them anyway. It's not like talking makes you more of a person."
"Logan is not as dumb as he looks," Annastasia added. "We'll resume this convo some other time."
"Thanks, cuzzin," Logan replied. "And by the way, I was only spying on you for like five minutes. And I was gonna stop as soon as it got mushy."
"We appreciate that. Whatcha up to now?"
"I'm gonna find Squirt Gun. It's been a while since we played a game of chess." Logan headed. for the door. "See ya."
Annastasia took Michio's hand and tugged him towards that same door.
"I'm making you accept Mienshao, and if you refuse, I'll consider adopting him myself," she asserted. "I bet Mienshao would like that."
"Haku won't," Michio retorted.
"Haku isn't here."
"Well…"
As they stepped onto the stoop, fresh wind whisked their hair. Rainclouds converged in the distance as the last of the daylight vanished beneath the horizon.
"It's possible Mienshao was abandoned," Annastasia mused.
"I wouldn't put it passed Haku to do that," Michio murmured. "She's evil."
Annastasia rolled her eyes. "Not everyone from Alola is evil. I'm sure Haku is reasonable. It's not like you are easygoing. I mean, you are probably worse than she is in some ways—no offense."
"Offense taken."
"Sorry."
"Apology received."
XO
Day 7
The next morning, Amber insisted on teaching Jezz how to shoot arrows, and even though he insisted on not doing it, Amber still wanted to force him to try. Not being fighters, both boys accepted this after a while.
Before they reached Amber's favorite stand of trees, they found Peruva and Mienshao lounging near a small pond.
"Pikapi!" Pip called out excitedly.
Pip greeted the felines cheerfully. In an instant, Jezz, Jay, and Amber's teams joined the discussion.
"At least our Pokémon like Mienshao," Jay commented.
"Michio is just so stubborn!" Amber complained. "I hope A teaches him a lesson."
Amber made a fist and lifted into the air. Jay sniggered.
"You're stubborn too," he pointed out.
"Am not!" she argued.
"Are to."
Amber growled. "Fine then. But at least I don't discriminate."
"That's true."
Amber and Jay watched as Jezz knelt beside the Pokémon. Mienshao rested his head on Jezz's lap. Jezz nestled the Pokémon as if he were a dear friend.
"Mienshao is appreciative of your affability and comity," said Jezz.
"I bet so," Jay agreed. He had no idea what that meant but accepted it anyway. "Like you."
"Oh…perhaps…"
Annastasia and Michio heard the kids talking to the Pokémon and came to find them. As had become the norm, Sandshrew was close behind.
"How adorable," Sandshrew said haughtily.
"It is," Annastasia agreed, ignoring the intention of its remark.
Acorn, Aliyah, Wobbuffet, and the Morgan's many other Pokémon came from the house and enthusiastically joined the pile of resting Pokémon and children. Maya and Lily were nearby and they used Lily's digital camera to take secret photos of them.
"I wonder if we will ever get along like a real family," Lily wondered aloud.
"I am positive we will," Maya responded. "Actually, I think we already do. Real families are supposed to argue about petty things. That is what you told me."
"I did, didn't I? I suppose I am smarter than I remember."
Mienshao was now lying across Jezz and Annastasia with Lil-G and Delcatty on top. Jay was snuggling with Bleu, Amber and Pip had Meganium, while Michio and Sandshrew just stood above them awkwardly.
"Take a break, Michio," said Annastasia.
"Yeah take a break," the kids repeated.
"Sure," he responded uncomfortably.
"Just a few minutes," Annastasia requested.
XO
Thirty minutes later Meowth came looking for them. Most of the group was asleep, but he fixed that problem by tossing mops, brooms, rags, buckets, water, and detergent on top of them.
"Yous gotta help clean de house. Weeze ain't doin it on our own," Meowth announced as the group slowly awakened.
"Now? But we're sleeping," Jay groaned.
"I don't even live here," Amber complained.
"Dat's too bad fer yous," Meowth retorted. "But good fer us. Let's go; yous gotta get movin if we're gonna finish all de chores today."
"What if we don't finish them today?" Jay inquired, knowing the response already.
"Den no bursa shoppin fer yous."
"Yikes! Okay, peeps, let's move!"
"To to kisss!" Togekiss sang, dipping from the sky to meet Jay.
"I guess it's the price to pay since no one else is paying for a cleaning," Logan sighed. "We buy Screaming Eagle Cabernet and imported Pule but no one wants to pay for a cleaning service as long as there are kids around to get the job done."
Everyone moaned. After a few moments Meowth left and they eventually decided to get up to help. Sure enough the moment they arrived in the house, every Pokémon and person within a five-mile radius was helping them to clean the house, including Soledad. The other kids ran up to greet her.
"We thought you were in Sinnoh," said Jezz. "I suppose we were mistaken."
"I was in Sinnoh but then I decided to come back home early since we finished our last Geo-catching assignment," Soledad explained.
"Do you get lots of money for doing that?" Amber asked.
"Sure do."
"You aren't thinking about doing that too, are you?" Jay asked Amber, his voice heavy with concern.
Amber threw her arm around Jay. "Not yet. Maybe when I grow up though. Of course, that would be in addition to being a Pokémon and Archery Master."
"I'd have delayed coming back if I knew my parents were going to send me over here to do your family's chores," Soledad told Jay.
"It's not his fault his parents are lazy," Amber defended.
"They have been very busy lately. They want to have everything in this house all cleaned up and fixed before the Cherryblossom Festival, since soon after we will all be leaving on our journeys. They want to take advantage of us while they still can," Annastasia explained.
Soledad picked up a mop and bucket. "I suppose it isn't so bad."
"It means that we are on our way," Jezz commented. "And that is heartening."
Annastasia put her hand on Jezz's shoulder. "You are right, Jezz; it is heartening."
AN: I don't expect readers to know what 'imported Pule' or 'Screaming Eagle Cabernet' is…the world's most expensive cheese and the world's most expensive wine respectively. It seems like something Jessie and James might spend money on…Please review if you can.
P.s. Today is Annastasia's birthday. It's one of the few I know off the top of my head lol.