That Sounds Fun
Lumiose City was always fascinating to me. Every time me and Jayron would travel there, it would still fill me with wonder and excitement. This time, we were here so Jayron could write another article for the Lumiose Press. This time it would be about a new store that had just opened.
"Aha! There's that new Pokemon Toy Shop," Jayron said with a happy grin, pointing to a colorful looking storefront.
"Are you going to go interview the owner?" I asked. I found interviews both interesting and relaxing, as I would always longue nearby and listen, while also giving Jayron a hand if I could. I'd remind him of any questions he hadn't asked, and also provide a second set of ears to remember any interesting things the interviewee said.
"Not this time, actually," Jayron replied, a clever look on his face indicating that he had thought up an ingenious plan, "This time, I'm just gonna go in there, casually browse around, take a good look at the store's stock and how it's set up, and then casually start up a conversation with the owner. It'll help me get the raw, honest truth that's harder to get when people know you're a reporter who's going to put whatever you say up in lights for the whole world to see."
I nodded my head slowly as I thought through his reasoning. "That does make a lot of sense."
Jayron reached over and petted me as he said, "Let's hope they've got something real nice for you in there."
I frowned and rolled my eyes. "Oh please. I'm not a kit, Jayron. Why would I want to play around with silly toys?"
Jayron just laughed at this and said, "Oh, come on, Krystal. I'm sure something will catch your eye."
"Heh. I don't think so. Those humans think they can treat certain Pokemon like children and throw them little trinkets to keep them occupied. I wasn't bred by a Pokemon Breeder, Jayron. I was born in the wild and survived on my own for quite a while before you found me,"I said with a proud smile.
"True," Jayron said, seemingly taking my word for it, "You think you're too clever for simple toys?"
"That's one way of putting it, I guess," I remarked.
"Well then, I really need to get to work, so don't look too disinterested," Jayron requested.
"I'll try," I replied simply.
Jayron chuckled, and we entered the store. It was filled with shelves and large bins loaded with all manner of silly Pokemon toys. Feathers on strings attached to sticks, balls of various colors, soft toys that looked like enormous berries, even dolls that looked like various Pokemon that were made of either fabric or rubber.
"Excuse me, clerk, or are you the owner?" Jayron asked the man behind the checkout counter at the back of the store.
The man smiled enthusiastically, his smile going well with his long wavy brown hair. The large round glasses he wore completed his rather humorous appearance. "Both, I suppose!" he said excitedly, "Now, what does your gorgeous Absol want today?"
"Nothing," I said to Jayron, while I smiled a smile that the unknowing man was probably interpreting as, "I want toys!"
"Weeellll, Krystal's actually picky when it comes to stuff like this," Jayron said in a very convincing tone that was a pretty important tool for a Lumiose Press reporter like himself. "May I ask you a few questions?"
Usually I'd stick around whenever Jayron was interviewing someone, but seeing as the topic of Pokemon toys really didn't interest me, I figured I'd use my silent paws to sneak off and take my own tour of the place.
I walked by a bin of fake giant berries that were sewn and stuffed. My mind wandered as I took a good look at each one of them.
An Oran berry, a Pecha, a Bulk, a Persim, and so on and so on.
Who thought that this was a good idea for a toy? Sure, they looked good, but that's the problem. Any Pokemon would get disappointed after taking a bite and discovering it was a tasteless fake. Not to mention that certain larger Pokemon might be overcome with joy at the sight of a berry their size and try to swallow it whole. Sounds like a recipe for a very angry Druddigon!
I shook my head at the thought and then moved on to a rack of toys on sticks and strings. I honestly wasn't sure what made these things fun. I suppose the human is supposed to hold the stick and then swing and twirl it, and that's supposed to be entertaining? What's so interesting about a bunch of colorful feathers? Although a couple of the toys also had bells on them, but wouldn't that get annoying? Either that or the Pokemon would mistake it for Heal Bell and be confused on why they weren't getting healed.
I then realized that I had been browsing around for quite a while, so I quickly stalked back to my original position next to Jayron, who was wrapping up his secret interview with the store owner.
". . .and I'm so proud to say all of the products in my store are made right here in the Kalos Region," the man said. He then turned to look down at me and said, "Huh. Was she sitting there waiting for us to finish speaking the whole time?"
Jayron opened his mouth to speak, but then he paused and took a quick glance at me. "I'm . . . actually not too sure this time," he finally remarked, "She might have snuck off while we were talking. You know, with catlike tread, and all that."
I just loved it whenever Jayron showed how well he knew me.
"Well, she's here now, and I've got the perfect toy for her!" the man said, and he quickly walked towards one of the bins filled with Pokemon dolls.
"I don't know, I mean, like I said-," Jayron began.
"Aha! Here it is," the man said, and he took out something that, for lack of the better word, enticed me.
It was stuffed Rattata; with its purple body cream colored belly, long whiskers, and big teeth looking just like a real one. It was even the right size. It looked so wonderful! Just looking at it made me want to poke it with my claws, pounce on it, and maybe even chew on it a little.
I licked my lips and swallowed hard, trying to look only vaguely curious. I refused to let a toy of all things dominate my thoughts. I didn't need it, and I didn't want it, simple as that.
Then the man gave it a squeeze, and the toy emitted a squeak.
My eyes widened, and if I had the ears of a Buneary or Bunnelby, I'm positive that they would have shot straight up like signal flags. It looked like a Rattata! It squeaked like a Rattata! I'd even bet it felt like a Rattata!
In spite of my enthusiasm, however, I quickly turned away and sniffed loudly. I couldn't show any weakness. I wasn't a child. I'm too smart for stuff like this.
"Huh. I don't think Krystal likes it," Jayron remarked.
My only response to was tap my claws against the floor as I casually glanced around the store, feeling rather tense inside.
"Really? But it's rip proof and puncture proof! Perfect for Pokemon with sharp claws!" the store owner said, sounding like he couldn't believe it, "I mean, well, I do have plenty of other-."
"Actually, I'm very sorry, but I need to run an important errand, and we spent so much time talking, I lost track of time," Jayron said urgently as he checked the time on his Holo Caster, "Yeah, I can't be late for this. Maybe we'll come back another time. We'll see. Very nice to have talked with you, though."
Jayron shook hands with the man, who replied with a hint of disappointment in his voice, "Well, that's fine, I suppose. Glad to have met you. Please, tell your friends about my store."
"Sure thing! Come on, Krystal!" Jayron said as he turned to leave the store.
I followed him outside, in a slight daze as I did so. We got a few yards away from the store when Jayron stopped suddenly and said, "Oh my gosh, I left my notepad in the store! I used it two write down the store's hours. Wait here, Krystal, I'll be right back!"
I watched Jayron run back into the store, and then I moaned and covered my face with my left fore paw. What had I done?! I missed out on that wonderful squeaky Rattata because. . . what exactly? Because I was afraid of looking silly? Because I didn't want to look like a hypocrite?
Putting my paw back down, I let out a loud frustrated growl. It was like both the spot of light and the burr in my paw at the same time. I vehemently denied something about myself, and I was afraid of looking weak or helpless in front of Jayron. Was that second reason also why I had taken that risk in outwitting that trap that Buck and Cassidy had set up? This thought then brought a memory to mind. It was what Jayorn had said to me after I ended up getting caught in that snare trap due to my showing off:
"Krystal, you know that I know how intelligent Pokemon are. I knew that ever since I've met you. You don't have to prove yourself to me."
I let out a long sigh. That was it, wasn't it? To me, Jayron was the perfect best friend, so I kept on trying to be his perfect Absol, even though he had already shown in many ways that he thought I was perfect just the way I was. Even if I once liked chasing spots of light around like a kitten, or didn't like anyone touching my paws, or apparently like squeaky Rattata toys.
Now feeling ashamed of myself, I decided that I didn't deserve the toy due to my foolishness and pride, so I put it from my mind and sat up straight as I waited for Jayron to come out of the store. I was just thinking that he'd been in there for a while when he walked out, smiling and holding his notepad high.
"Alright! Off we go!" he said.
I simply smiled and nodded.
We traveled down what Jayron had said was called Mélancolie Path, or Route 16, discussing his interview with the store owner and other things. I was doing my best to forget about that wonderful squeaky Rattata, and while it no longer dominated my thoughts, I just couldn't get it out of my head completely.
We traveled down the golden leaf covered path for a bit, until Jayron suggested we stop at the ruins of an old hotel.
Leaning against one of the walls of the old building, Jayron took out his notepad and said, "I'll have a couple of first drafts of my review of the shop done in a half an hour or so."
I nodded and said without any sarcasm whatsoever, "And then you'll spend another half hour trying to pick and choose between your first drafts, merging them and picking them apart and whatever else you do when you write an article."
Jayron shrugged and said, "That's the way I work."
"You also don't like to sit down, either," I remarked.
Jayron just grinned cleverly and said, "Everyone's a little weird in their own way!"
I silently wished I had known and accepted that fact when I saw that squeaky Rattata in the store. I squashed that thought quickly, and I said, "Well, I can't wait to hear it." I then leaned in towards Jayron and added with a playful look, "So I can give my own commentary on it."
Jayron nodded, looking suspiciously preoccupied about something. Then he said, "Well, yes, yes. I'm looking forward to that. But you're gonna need something to do in the meantime."
I was a bit confused by his words. I never needed anything to do in particular whenever he was working. I'd usually just explore the tall grass or nearby forests, or simply take a cat nap. Before I could voice my confusion, Jayron reached into his bag and pulled out something.
It felt like my heart jumped when I saw Jayron casually pull out the toy with a soft chuckle, looking at me with love in his eyes all the while.
"Squeaky Rattata!" I exclaimed both telepathically and vocally in Poke-speak, not at all caring about how my dignity was crying out in pain at such an infantile outburst. I was sure my tail was wagging at this point.
Jayron looked both relieved and elated at my response. "Great! So really do know you as well as you know me!"
My eyes were darting between Jayron and the toy, so I tore my eyes away from it so I could focus on Jayron and ask, "But how did you KNOW?!"
Jayron laughed out loud at this, turning away as he put his free hand on his stomach. "Oh my gosh! I'm sorry, Krystal. But, really, you were so twitchy the moment he showed you this Rattata. You were leaning forward and rocking a little bit, and the way you were licking your lips and tapping the floor with those claws of yours was a dead giveaway. You wanted it so bad! So I said I forgot my notepad so I could run in and buy it for you. You should've have seen how happy the store owner was! Apparently, he has a knack for picking out the right toy for any Pokemon."
I nodded slowly, realizing how silly it was for me to think that I could hide something so obvious from my best friend. But then I gave a sigh and said, "I'm not sure if I deserve it. I keep trying to hide my true feelings about things like this because I'm afraid of being embarrassed or looking weak, even though I know you'd never think less of me."
"Mmm-hmm," Jayron said as he held the squeaky Rattata by the tail, swinging it back and forth like a pendulum, "Well then, how about this: this toy can be a reminder to not be so worried about appearances and to always be yourself. That way, you can still have it. Deal?"
I gave a chuckle at Jayron's cleverness, and I said gleefully, "YES!"
I reached out to grab the precious treasure with my right forepaw, only for Jayron to suddenly pull it back and hold it high and out of my reach.
I pouted and said, "Really?"
"Oh, you like the squeaky Rattata?" Jayron said teasingly as he swung the toy back and forth.
"Yes!" I said eagerly.
"You want the squeaky Rattata?" Jayron asked, having trouble holding back his laughter.
"Yes! Yes, I do!"
"It's all yours!" Jayron exclaimed as he tossed it over towards the grass nearby.
I cried out gleefully as I sprang after it. I pounced onto the Rattata, and I squealed with glee at the delightful sound it made. I finally had my paws on it, and I was sure it really did feel like a real Rattata!
I stood over the toy, smiling as I tenderly ran the tip of a claw nail across its chest. "(You're all mine!)" I said aloud as poked it in its tummy, causing it to emit another squeak.
I gave it a good chewing, and then gave it toss ahead of me. I laughed as I followed after it, and pounced on it again.
After a while of playing, I ended up taking a nap with the squeaky Rattata next to my cheek. I was awakened by the sound of Jayron approaching. I looked up to see that he was pretty much enchanted by the sight before him.
"Did you take a picture?" I asked him as I began to get up.
This question surprised him, and he answered, "No, I didn't do that."
My response to that was to lay back down, nuzzle my toy, and close my eyes as I said, "Well then, go ahead."
Author's Note: The squeaky Rattata is based on a real plushie made by DemodexPlush on deviantart! Take a look! TinyURL: yadw4dhu.
