Family and Feast

"I know it's kinda silly to be nervous, but I am," Krystal said to me via telepathy as we walked down Route 1 towards Vaniville Town.

I smiled at her encouragingly and said, "I already told them all about you, Krystal. You even saw them over the video phone. They really liked you, I could tell."

My Absol friend looked down and began to drag her feet as we got closer to the blue wooden gate.

"Come on, Krystal," I said as I hung back and put my hand on her warm, furry neck, "What's wrong? My dad seemed to like you, and my mom said you were beautiful."

"Will that still be true when we meet in person?" she said.

"Krystal, look at me. Now," I said sternly.

Krystal immediately looked up and into my eyes. I gave her my kindest, truest smile, and then patted her gently on the head. Then I said confidently, "They'll see that you're a gorgeous Pokemon with a good heart. why shouldn't they? They raised me, didn't they?"

I noticed the corners of Krystal's mouth twitching.

I nodded and said, "That's right. Come on, best friend, give me the cutest smile I've ever seen, or no dinner!"

I had already told Krystal what today was a few days prior, so she got the joke and grinned at it. I love seeing her smile so much. It always just warms my very heart.

"Okay, Jayron. You win. I just need to forget about Cyllage City-."

I put my right arm around her and held her tenderly, saying, "You don't need to worry about anything like that. I love you, and I know they will too."

Krystal nuzzled me and said, "Love you too. Well. . . do your parents have Pokemon?"

I reluctantly took my arm from around her and replied, "They did, when they were younger. But then they felt that their Pokemon wanted to live free and in the wild, and that they deserved freedom. So, they let them go, and saw them off with a smile."

Krystal shook her head, "I couldn't imagine ever leaving you, Jayron. You're practically family."

I was touched by that sentiment, and I said, "Aww. Krystal, I feel the same way. . . about you."

We soon arrived at the large gates to my hometown, with the rising sun sending it's light down upon us.

"Ready?"

"Yes."

In we went.


*Knock-Knock-Knock!*

"I just thought of something. Should we tell them that I can talk to you?"

"Hmmmmm. . . Nah. I've gotta have some secrets to make life interesting."

My mom answered the door, and her eyes lit up the moment she saw me. "Oh, Jayron, I've been so excited, waiting for you!"

I leaned into a loving hug from her, and of course she gave me a kiss or two on the cheek.

"It feels amazing to be home now," I said with a contented smile, then I felt some excitement myself as I gestured towards the Absol watching us with big, nervous eyes, "And here's my new friend!"

Krystal smiled nervously as my mom seemed to take her all in with her eyes, a look of wonder apparent on her smiling face.

"My goodness," she said in awe, "She's even more beautiful in person! What a gorgeous Pokemon!"

Krystal laughed out loud as a subtle blush appeared on her cheeks.

"Well, come on in, let's go," my mom said, and of course we were happy to oblige.

Krystal looked around, invested in knowing ever inch of the house. We entered the living room just as my father walked in.

"Jayron! There's my young man!" he said, and we smoothly smacked hands together in a strong handshake. I squeezed his hand hard, trying to show him my strength.

"Good to see you too, dad," I said confidently, "But don't forget Krystal."

My dad looked the now more relaxed Absol over and nodded, "Mm-hm. Well, she does look like an impressive specimen."

I nodded and said boldly, "Oh, she's way more than that! She's loyal, strong, smart, and all of that! Just watch." Then I turned to Krystal and walked over to her. I stood right in front of her and raised my left hand. "Ready, Krystal?"

Krystal tilted her head quizzically at me. "You know, maybe we don't have to do this."

"Come on, Krystal, don't embarrass me," I said jokingly, having a hard time to contain my laughter.

Krystal shifted her weight and gave a sigh, complete with a roll of her eyes and a disbelieving smile, showing that she was enjoying this in-spite of herself. "So, we're really doing this. . ."

My smile fully apparent, I wagged my fingers and said, "Up, Krystal."

Krystal sat on her haunches and lifted her forepaws into the air above her head. I held my palms out, and she brought her paws down and slapped them.

"Show us your name," I said eagerly.

Krystal took her right forepaw and grabbed the quartz crystal necklace she wore around her neck. She held it in her paw and held it out to my parents, looking at them and giving them her cute tiny smile.

"Now give me a hug!" I said as walked over to her. I got on my knees as she put her forelegs around me. I returned her hug enthusiastically as she hugged and nuzzled me.

"Awwww," my mom said as my dad just chuckled and shook his head.

I stood back up as Krystal got back on all fours. "Well, what do you think? Isn't she the greatest?" I said.

"Well, you either have trained Krystal very well, or you and her are very close," my dad said.

"It's the second one!" I said with conviction and pride.

My dad came over and smiled approvingly at Krystal. "Well, I'd say you've made a very good friend. She looks pretty strong, too."

"And you've taken really good care of her," my mom added, "Her fur and claws look perfect!"

I shot Krystal a quick wink, then I said, "Well, believe it or not, Krystal was kinda worried that you may not like her. Probably because of those people in Cyllage City."

My mother shook her head, "Oh, not a chance."

A clever idea suddenly came to me. I grinned mischievously at Krystal, who gave me another quizzical look in response. Then I said, "Well, in that case, Krystal liked to be scratched right here." I pointed to the tuft of fur on Krystal's head.

Krystal's eyes widened a bit in surprise. My mom was the first to start petting her, and she remarked, "Oh, what soft fur you have, Krystal."

My Absol friends smiled and gave a soft purring sound.

My dad was next to give her a good scratching, and he said, "We're the last people to judge anyone so harshly. Anyway, we already know what marvelous, selfless creatures Absols are. You're always welcome in this house and in this family."

I noticed that her eyes, those ruby rings, began to shimmer as tears of joy filled them, matching the love that was filling her heart.


The four of us did pretty much a bit of everything that day. We watched a few TV specials, played some games on the WiiU (Krystal laid on some pillows watched us, and often rolled onto her side and laughed at us), listened to our favorite radio shows, and just shared a few stories. My parents loved hearing about the adventures Krystal and I had.

Eventually, the time finally came. The moment I, and Krystal too, had been anticipating. The smells of the food cooking had filled the whole house, and our appetites had reached critical mass. The table was set, everyone was seated (Krystal sat on the floor near my chair), and we all said our prayer of thanks.

My mom sure knows how to make a traditional meal. Krystal also got a very satisfying experience too. Over her normal dish of Pokemon food was plenty of that rich delicious gravy my mom always made, along with several chunks of turkey with the skin on, of course.

"Oh, gosh, it's almost- it's just too much!" Krystal said, her voice trembling.

I looked down at her, and it was such a heartwarming sight. Krystal had gravy all over her lips, and her eyes were wide and wet with tears of bliss. Of course, Pokemon don't exactly run into cooked food in the wild.

Then came the pumpkin pie, and Krystal reacted like she did when she ate her first Pokepuff, times 10.


And so, after such a wonderful day on which this family gained another member, I settled into my own bed in my own room.

"Oh wait," my mom said, "Where is Krystal going to sleep?"

I just smiled, "No problem, whatsoever."

As if on cue, Krystal jumped up onto the foot of my bed and curled up comfortably.

My mom beamed at the sight, warmed to the heart by the scene. She chuckled and before leaving she said, "Sleep well, you two."