"Hey, Flint, Meira. Well, uhh, when we first made it in, we were, uh, ambushed," Sia's eyes darted around, searching for the right words. "But we made it through, and got our first stamp, at least." She pulled out the page, making sure Team Harmony noticed the client's signature.
"Yeesh, sounds like y'all ran into a Monster House," Flint winced. "But you made it out and finished the mission with some brain power. Not bad at all! A few scrapes never hurt too long, haha!" He forced a chuckle, scratching his ear fluff to kill tension.
"Easy for you to say," Tuff grit his teeth, limping forward.
"Pardon?" Flint heard Tuff, but gave him benefit of the doubt.
"Oh, uh…nothing. Thinking out loud, fox guy."
Small exchanges between Team Hope and Team Harmony continued for a few moments. Eventually, the promised tour was all anyone could think about as Meira offered to lead their group around the city. Sia and the brothers gave no complaints while Flint calmly cheered his partner on. The afternoon sun beaming above, the group of five made their way past Baron's flats, first entering the shopping district of Twiligleam City. The side of the path across from the flats housed an abundance of smaller shops, often owned by individual Mons. Each corner is blessed with variety, including small tents offering accessories, a berry shop, and a Technical Machine bazaar. Meira insisted Team Hope check out the small shops daily, passing along the secrets of haggling to the rookie team.
The flat's side of the district housed bigger structures with even bigger services, such as intensive healthcare. Despite the difference in services, the traffic between each side of the district remains parallel. As Meira gave advice on some services, Sia recognized the oh-so-familiar logo for Fine Furniture in an instant, prompting her to take a peek inside. Several Timburr were on duty shaping pieces of wood into a chair-like shape. She then remembered the flyer in her room that illustrated a bed made with planks. The thought of a fully furnished bed over the comfort of the simple straw bed seemed trivial to Sia. Not wanting to get left behind, she quickly continued forward, behind her brothers and Flint.
Soon, the group entered the scenic routes of Twiligleam city, which broke off into four directions. One lead to a beach area, complete with a hot spring service for Rescue and Exploration teams. Another lead to a park that featured attractive visuals, like mysterious artifacts and carefully tended flower fields. The third route simply looped back into the shopping district, a few scattered benches here and there. Finally, the fourth route lead to domestic living spaces for Mons, who made a living through other means than Mystery Dungeon work. Despite the plethora of interesting sights, Sia's fur began to feel damp as her tummy roared, prompting her to ask about where the group will have lunch.
"Oh, thanks for reminding me, hehe!" Meira giggled. "Dunno if I mentioned it before, but Granny Fritta's will be our food destination, if that's okay with y'all."
"No complaints here," Sia replied. Tuff and Buff simply nodded, engrossed in what'd they be able to do in their down time later instead.
"I reckon we put a halt on the tour and head back then," Flint retorted, aloof over apple pie. He figured it was his turn to lead the tour, even if it was just to go back to the shopping district.
Flint and Meira held the double doors open for Team Hope, hastily trailing behind their group. Granny Fritter's Café was on the verge of overflowing with customers as it always was during rush hour. Wafting aromas of sweetness and warmth wrapped the eatery in a soothing blanket, despite the traffic.
"Afternoon, Flint and Meira!" An Appletun raised an eye away from the oven. "Ohh, some new faces too! Are you all together?"
Flint gave a warm smile. "Howdy, Fritta! These three are a new Rescue Team, and we're a group of five for today, if that's okay."
Fritta turned to her station, shooting a sorrowful look. "I'm sorry you guys, things are pretty packed right about now, you ma-"
"New table open for four over here, Team Harmony!" A Slurpuff called out.
"Howdy Candi, and thanks a bunch! W-wow, talk about good timing!" Flint chuckled.
"You sure? There's only four seats, I could let you guys borrow a stool from the back or something," Fritta pondered.
Meira stepped to the tips of her toes. "That'll be just fine, Fritta! Flint and I could share a seat!" She placed a paw on Flint's back and smiled, prompting him to do the same for her.
With that, the group of five made their way to the freshly abandoned table, tummies growling with every step. Team Hope each took a seat around one another as Team Harmony sat side-by-side in the fourth seat. Several menus lie on their table, waiting to be observed by their hungry eyes. Sia decided to peek at what the place offered, she already felt like everything would taste as amazing as the aromas they billowed. A surplus of different sweets and treats enticed her sweet tooth, including tarts with mixed berry filling and the seemingly famous apple pie. Alongside those, the cafe offers several types of cookies, biscuits, muffins and cupcakes, all with different options for preferences. But the fun doesn't stop with the goods, as Sia quickly noticed the different blends of drinks, ranging from bitter coffees to sweet berry smoothies. Sia made plans to visit Granny's again to try out different foods in her own down time. Without the boys, of course.
The two teams blabbed on about menu items as they patiently waited for the waitress. Flint and Meira recommended the Apple Pie, dawdling on about it being their favorite item. With the hype it received, Team Hope couldn't object to trying something that sounds so amazing from hearsay. When Candi the Slurpuff arrived, so did Team Harmony's planned order, ensuring everybody at their table got a slice of Granny's Apple Pie and a latte. Tuff and Buff replaced their lattes with a hot chocolate and a mocha blend, respectively. Sia minded her manners and kept what Team Harmony chose, despite her own desire for chocolate.
As the group's order went through, Tuff and Buff chatted amongst themselves about the shops they planned to visit. Sia, remembering Buff's comment, focused on eyeballing Team Harmony for a while as she talked to them. She thought about asking what was going on with those weird twigs and roots, but restrained herself, knowing she probably wouldn't get an answer. Instead, she noticed the tender smile Meira wore when Flint offered to clean the drool off her cheek from her nap. She noticed how neither Mon had even the slightest issue with sharing such a small seat together. Most of all, Sia noticed how Flint's reserved composure and Meira's loud and proud prowess balanced poetically. No matter what Sia could ask, the duo finished each other's thoughts without guesswork. All, except that humongous, swollen, pulsating thought stirring in Sia's mind gumbo.
"Sorry if this is personal or whatever, but are you two a thing?" Sia tilted her head. "You two have matching scarves, matching smiles, and seem real happy sitting like that, y'know? Could never get the boys to sit with me like that."
Meira buried her redness into her scarf and turned away, surprising even Flint with her sudden bashfulness. "Uhh…well, you see…that's umm…"
Flint butt in, despite his own frazzled smirk. "W-we've been friends for a long time, you see, and uhh…"
Sia guffawed at Team Harmony's display. "Only messing with you."
Guess they're not a thing, but they have a thing for each other. Could've fooled me, they act like a couple, Sia thought. Sia shot a pensive look at Team Harmony's shying away. As she began to interrogate further, Candi returned with their table's order, cutting the questioning short. Who could focus on prying or shying when there's a piping hot slice of apple pie begging to be eaten? Without a second thought, Meira buried her face into her slice, swallowing half of it in one go. Flint took a moderate chomp of his own, washing it down with his latte.
"Speaking of teams and relationships," Meira spoke up. "How did you three end up making Team Hope, Sia? If you don't mind, I've noticed that they call you 'Big Sis' too."
Sia took a long sip of her latte. "Me and my brothers only met a few weeks ago. They approached my turf one rainy night, asking for shelter out of a storm. Of course I felt sorry for them and took them in! Even when the storm finally let up, they stayed with me, helping with food and stuff. Some time passes, and the next thing we know, we're walking up to that Mr. Rime's place."
Meira's ears twitched. "Wait, turf? Not sure I get what you mean."
"Oh, uh, did I say turf?" Sia's fur solidified. "I meant home, yeah." She took another swig of her drink, hiding her face.
"Ahh, okay! Well, we're glad to have you here in Twiligleam city! You gotta meet the other teams that live in our building, I'm sure Team Roundabout and Team Burning Thunder Splash will have just as warm welcomes. Surprised they aren't here right now, hehe!"
Suddenly, the Rattata brothers decided to join the conversation with Team Harmony, having some questions of their own. Tuff incidentally reiterated small talk Sia had gone over with Team Harmony already, prompting a chuckle from everybody. Buff inquired on the roots that Meira seemed to have, while eyeballing Flint's twigs, as they seem to grow longer the moment he stared at them.
"…I reckon the Skitty's out of the bag, huh? Well, we actually don't know." Flint frowned. "They started happening sometime before we moved here. I woke up one morning lookin' like I fell out of a tree. Dunno what they are, but they don't stop growing out of my fur."
Meira gave a light chuckle. "Learned about my roots when I woke up to the floorboards going every which way. My dad flew off the handle that day, I had to rebuild my room!"
Team Hope shot glances at one another, but ceased prying on their acquaintances, recognizing the wriggly expressions on Team Harmony's faces. As the cloud of awkwardness blew away, conversations between the two teams faded as quickly as their meals did. Team Harmony decided to cover for billing for the group to make Team Hope's welcome a bit more warm. Flint left extra Poké, as thanks for the delicious pie and to apologize for leaving burnt twigs around their table.
"Thanks for stopping by on such a busy day, you guys! Next time, I wanna really meet this new team," Fritta waved at the group.
"New gossi- I mean, stories are always nice, stop by sometime to chat, new team!" Candi chimed in.
Team Harmony waved back and gave their goodbyes as well, allowing Team Hope to make their outside to the district. The sky beaming a glorious orange, the group decided to continue their tour of Twiligleam city.
"I reckon this is where we part ways for today, Team Hope," Flint gave a somber look, turning away from Sapphire Hot Springs. His tail playfully swiped away the sands around him as he spoke.
"Oh. Uh, thanks for the tour you two," Sia restrained a yawn. "It's been nice, glad we got to hang out."
"And we have plenty of time to hang out some more!" Meira smiled. "You gotta go hagglin' with me, Sia!"
"Good luck getting big sis out like this again," Buff chuckled. Tuff only nodded as he yawned quietly.
"Shut up. See you guys," Sia turned away.
As Team Harmony headed into the hot springs, Team Hope began their trek back into the city, sun casting upon them. Buff quickly lead the trio, ready to return to the comfort of his room while Tuff clinged onto Sia as they walked, careful to tread lightly on his burn. Sia paid no mind as she glanced around at the businesses of Twiligleam, as they seemed to yawn as much as she did, traffic slowing to a crawl. As she passed by more businesses, she couldn't help but notice the chair-like shape displayed inside of Fine Furniture now resembled the seats within Fritta's café.
While Sia walked, she began to think about Team Harmony, and how she felt about them. Sure, the duo was a little strange, with the tree parts and closeness they shared, but she felt like something changed in her seeing them interact. No longer did she feel they were the naive looking Mons living across from her. It'd be nice to be friends with them, she thought.
Baron's flats appear before Team Hope, looming as ever for the smaller trio of Mons. The unfamiliar scents of their new lives smacked their noses as they entered, reminding them of how different life had become overnight. Making it past the boards and crowds of other teams is as treacherous as it sounds after a busy day. Before the trio knew it, they found their way to their living room, with Sia and the boys plopping down on the couch. No protests against sprays, or annoying noises, anything of the sort came from Team Hope.
Despite laying, Sia's tail swished slightly. "Y'know, that other team isn't bad. They seem legit."
Tuff responded with a loud snore, prompting Sia to lower her voice to talk to Buff alone.
"Meh, they're still kinda annoying. Maybe it's just me, but they seem so… kissy-kissy. Yuck," Buff shot his tongue.
"Who cares? It ain't any of our business what Flint or Meira do. In fact, lemme ask you something. What's with the two of you today? I know the dungeon was a bust, but you've been off."
"Dunno what you mean, Sia. We're always like this, you just brush us off a lot."
"Since when?"
"Since always. Like the dungeon today."
"Shut it. Anyway, today was something else. And I know you two aren't exactly the most skilled at fighting, or dungeons. But neither am I! So, let's try it again tomorrow, and see how you two feel, alright?"
"…I guess." Buff yawned, and hopped off the couch. "I'm going to bed. Night."
"Night, Buff."
Sia hopped up, and gently pulled Tuff by his tail towards his room, careful to keep his burn from dragging on the floor. She plopped him on his straw bed, causing fur to fly in every direction while he roared a snore. Closing Tuff's door, Sia waddled to her own room, placing her satchel on its hook and removing her scarf. She ensured the stamp page was unscrambled and the Poké wasn't scattered everywhere. The gentle glow of the moon brushed across her tired eyes, beckoning her to bed. Before she knew it, Sia curled into a ball, and began to drift into dreamland.
But the drifting never stopped, as Sia began to feel like she was floating in her sleep. Surrounded by a bunch of nothing in her dream, she began to wiggle in the air, which allowed her to move slowly forward. Suddenly, as Sia moved, everything around her bursted to life, as colors pulsated around the infinite space. As she glanced around, she noticed two shapes gradually inching closer, a dance of two embers. She turned and prepared to spray the unknown figures.
"You, the one called Sia." The blue shape bellowed.
"W-what is this? What was in that pie?" Sia winced.
"It was not the nourishment that allows this message to be delivered to you," The pink shape explained. "Perhaps, it would be ideal if we explained in a different manner."
The two shapes began to violently shake, twisting and turning every-which-way, to the amazement of Sia. The pink shape took on the appearance of a cat-like Mon, with big eyes and an incredibly long tail. The blue shape wavered between something that resembled a face before mimicking the pink one, retaining its blue hue. Sia couldn't muster a word at the sight before her, it all seemed too real to be just a dream. Before long, the duo of cat Mons spoke in a familiar accent.
"Howdy!"
Notes: Looks like things are finally starting to pick up in this story! Funnily, even though this is a more lax chapter, it took a lot of revising to make the chapter have personality. My hopes with this one are to get readers to wonder about Sia's "turf" comment, Flint and Meira and the mysterious cat-like Pokémon that are invading Sia's dream. Additionally, I did my best to keep the narration around Sia and the brothers, since this is still their arc for the time being. I do plan to have a chapter focused on Team Burning Thunder Splash, as mentioned by Meira, but I'm debating as to if it'll be good to have a chapter focus on a new group for a chapter. I guess we'll see when I get there!
Chapter 5's going to be fun to write too, especially with this cliffhanger here.