Chapter 9: Home Away from Home
Once Isobel put her clothes back on, her and Dad slowly walked back to the base, supporting each other, arm in arm. Neither of them talked after that battle, but they didn't need to. That, and Isobel was too zonked out to say much at that point, or do much else for that matter. So much so, when they reached a tricky spot of the hill where the mud turned back into rock, Dad caught Isobel before she slipped down.
"Careful," he warned, pulling her back up. "Not used to hiking, huh?"
"Shaddup," she whispered. "I got all the way up there just fine — and without shoes too."
"Not really a big feat." Dad looked down the steep hill and offered his back arms to her. "You gonna be fine walking down? Because I can carry you down if ya want."
Isobel hummed, considering her options. It wasn't exactly a good display of strength to rely on someone else's help, but sometimes, that's what she needed. So she linked arms with him once more and climbed on his back as he steadily trekked down the slope. He kept his balance even when he had someone like her in tow.
Eventually, they made it back to the dwelling, and Dad gently let Isobel down. She walked on her own that time, though each step she took made her feet hurt, especially on the rocky surface.
The dwelling, of course, looked a lot different at night — there was a bonfire in the middle of another crater where lots of residents gathered. Even from a distance, it cast her in a warm, orange glow, and the smell of pine needles and cooking meat wafted in the air. Then her stomach rumbled — right, all she had to eat was that sandwich earlier.
Dad pointed to the spot where Mum sat beside the fire. As they walked, the other fighting types turned their attention towards the duo.
"What happened, Gawain?" the Machoke from before asked.
"We just got into a friendly scrap, is all. Ah, I don't think you remember!" He patted Isobel's back. "This is my girl, Kit, or Isobel as she's known now!"
Isobel waved, and the group talked amongst themselves, fascinated by her. A few even looked back at her, eyes gleaming with recognition.
"Huh, yer Kit." The overprotective Machamp from earlier scratched his head. "Er, sorry I didn't catch ya before."
"It's fine," Isobel said, sitting down next to Mum. "Where's Bronze?"
She pointed to the playground where the orange blur chased a few Machop in a circle, panting like the Thievul back up the hill.
"So, it seems like you two sorted things out." Mum said.
"Yeah, we did." Isobel smiled, nursing a swollen cheek. "I haven't had a fight that good in a while."
"She puts up a good one too." Dad settled down, sitting away from Mum but next to Isobel, so she was sandwiched in between them. "She should probably challenge you to one sometime."
"Well, she can certainly try, but who's the one who fended Kuro off, hmm?"
"I mean, I got close!" Isobel smacked a fist against her palm. "I got him straight in the gut too! But never mind, I'd love to take ya on too, Mum."
"Whenever you feel ready. Speaking of which…"
The cook handed Isobel a wooden bowl of soup: Bunnelby bones poked out of the broth, along with meat cutlets and slices of berries that swam on the surface. She had no cutlery, but she didn't mind that. In fact, back home, when Isobel felt particularly decadent, she didn't use a spoon for her cereal and just slurped it from the source. She did the same here, and a mix of flavours hit her palate. Sweet, yet savoury, watery yet rich as well. And all of this was for free.
Bronze eventually joined her for dinner and dug his snout straight into the bowl. He got his face wet from all the brine, but he didn't mind. Nobody would tap his head for not having any manners.
"Nice, huh?" Isobel asked.
"Very nice," he purred. "I haven't had rabbit meat in a while, since I was with that Raboot."
Isobel's brain was too frazzled to care about those ramifications at this point. Her thoughts drifted on like the night as they stayed around the fire with the other fighting types, exchanging battle tips, previous fights, who said what about one Conkeldurr's face behind their back, what went on in the mines and the outside world where the humans gathered. Isobel fit back into this dwelling like an old pair of shoes — she had grown out of it, yet somehow, they gave her comfort when she needed it.
The last time she felt this way was, oddly enough, back with Gloria. Even though Isobel had longed for her own space away from them, chilling at the campsite. Isobel imagined herself back there. There was Scallion, a Sirfetch'd that served as a support Pokemon for Gloria — he'd fight by day and practise cooking by night, stirring away at those saucepans. His creamy leek and potato soup was the best. Mushi, the heavy-hitting Heracross of the group, would charge at the trees while he waited for his meal. He was simple, but kind. He also trained Bags, the Scrafty, who Mushi boosted up when he felt alone or afraid about the oncoming fights. Eddy spun in that same spot as ever, busting a move to that dance music.
Then there was Emi, that Medicham. On off days, Isobel practised meditation with her, and through that, they grew closer. She admired how peaceful Emi was to be around, yet she always put up a good fight when the chips were down. And yet, she also liked the way she looked, how lean she was, how she contorted her body in various positions in the midst of her physical meditative aerobics. Emi seemed to find something similar in Isobel from the way she looked at her. And once, she took Isobel behind a tree away from Gloria's sight, and leaned forward…
Oh. Oh no.
Isobel awoke from her food coma and stood up.
"Say, anyone," she asked, "where can I find Lob and Shy?"
They looked at the communal space, which had the lights on.
"I probably wouldn't interrupt them," one Hitmonlee said, "they tend to enjoy each other's company, if you know what I mean."
She had a feeling, yet she didn't want to spell it out in her head.
"I'll try to respect their space, though I just want to see if they'll be free to talk."
"Hmm, good luck."
Isobel walked towards the shack, a torrent of questions whirring in her head, and the only ones who could answer them were those two. She nearly kicked the door open when she remembered what that Hitmonlee said. Perhaps it was best to knock first. What was she, their mum?
Two knocks, then moments later, Lob peeked through the door slit, looking like a blushing blueberry.
"Oh, er, hello, Isobel," he said with a nervous laugh. His sash was undone, though she didn't look down.
"Um, I'm interrupting, aren't I?"
"Yeah, you are. Did they not tell you?"
"They did, just…" Isobel grit her teeth. "Sorry, I really wanted to ask you two something, alone." She thought about Emi and Admirari. "It's also about you two bein' a couple."
"Well, I hope you don't find anything wrong with that."
"I just meant I might be having similar thoughts about someone I like, okay?"
"Ah." He sighed, adjusting his belt. "Alright, give us a couple of minutes."
As soon as Lob shut the door, Isobel wanted to belly-flop into that quarry. She didn't know what she expected — like sniffing a carton of milk a week after its best before date, but like a carton of milk, Isobel had to wash all of her thoughts out with people who had experience. Thinking about it, Isobel had a bad habit of leaving her milk cartons in the fridge. Where was this tangent going again?
Lob and Shy exited the shack, sashes tightened around both of them. While the Sawk looked as cool as an Oran berry, that Throh was a sweating Tomate on legs. They led her to the back of the shed, away from the dwelling's eyes, and while Lob stood up, Shy exhaled and slid to the ground.
"Now," Lob said, "fire away."
"Okay." Isobel took a deep breath. "So… when I was still back with my trainer — long story short, I've struck out on my own now—"
"You have?" Lob interrupted. "Sorry. I wasn't expecting that from you, but as long as you're happy with what direction you're going, I'm happy."
"Good." She had an easier time explaining it to Lob than she did with Dad at first. "Anyway, I knew this Medicham, and we used to hang out a lot. Fighting together, sparring together, meditating together, somethin' about her just pulled me close to her." Isobel tugged at her shirt. "Though I didn't know what. Or if it was even right, since a lot of Pokemon stick together to, er, reproduce."
Lob chuckled. "Most of the fighting types here are male. What do you think some of them do to pass the time in this place?"
"Okay! Obvious in hindsight, I know! I just didn't really catch on as a kid, and when I travelled, a lot of Pokemon I met were dead set on getting mates and having other Pokemon. And I didn't see anything wrong with me and this Medicham together, just that I was confused and already had a lot on my mind and—"
"Alright, take a deep breath." Lob lifted his hand along with Isobel's inhalation. "So, do you reckon you're attracted to females as well now?"
"I… think so?" She kneaded her hands together. "I can't explain why, it's just a gut feeling."
"That's all you need. So, what's the problem?"
Isobel looked to the ground. "Since then, things haven't been the same between me and her, and I feel horrible for it. Now, there's this other Pokemon I like, a Hatterene. Talkin' to her just feels nice, y'know? I feel that same sorta magnetism between me and her, but…"
She paused, gathering her thoughts, but her mind drew a blank. This was a completely new experience for her, even with exposure to the internet and how much information she had at her fingertips. In theory, she could've asked Rotoom these questions, but in practise, she needed to talk to other Pokemon with practise, and she had no idea where to look.
"Okay, so how do you ask people out? Rather, how'd you ask Shy out?"
"He didn't."
Isobel almost let out a gasp — it was the first time she heard Shy's voice, and it was much deeper than she imagined. The Throh stood up, linking arms with his partner.
"I asked. Just to be closer. Together. He said yes." He grinned. "I'm happy."
Lob tightened his grip around Shy, then embraced, cuddling him. They almost leaned in for a kiss, but they couldn't keep their eyes off of Isobel.
"Er, don't stop on my account. But, I guess there's no right way to ask, huh?"
Shy shook his head. "Just ask. Speak from here." He cupped his chest.
"Are you afraid they'll say no?" Lob asked.
In her head, she wasn't, but her heart said otherwise. While Isobel wanted to change the subject and ask about them being teachers, she knew she wanted to be a coach already, so she didn't need their help with that. Maybe later. But when he asked that, she realised she was afraid of the same thing happening to her coaching ventures. Why? Inner Morgrem, speak.
Don't ask me, I'm basically you anyway.
Dammit, he didn't have the answer for that either. But Isobel had to cope with it, one way or another, and just like her fight with Dad, she needed to eat the Froakie to see how things would go.
"Hello, Isobel? You spaced out a little, there."
"Right. No, I'm not afraid, well, maybe a little. But I guess I don't have anythin' to lose."
"Sounds good." Lob swept Shy off his feet — a giggle escaped the Throh's lips. "Is that everything you needed to know?"
"For now, yeah. Thanks, and, er, enjoy your thing."
"Will do." Lob and Shy went back to the shack, slamming the door behind them.
Really, 'enjoy your thing'? Who says that?
Isobel could've asked a lot more elegantly, but she was pleased she got that off her chest.
She thought about it as she returned to the dwelling, then got lost in the conversation again and watched Bronze make himself at home with the rest of the Pokemon. Then, when the fire dwindled and everyone went back to their stone huts, Isobel went back to Dad's house and slept in one of the mossy beds. Dead grass made for both a surprisingly comfy mattress and a warm duvet combined. While Dad snoozed and snored — as soon as he got back he dropped to bed like a planking Sudowoodo —, Isobel stared at the ceiling. The compulsion to check her phone crept up on her, but she wanted to sift through her thoughts without distractions.
Now Isobel knew a little more about what she was, she thought that if she got back with Gloria and to the way things used to be with Emi, she would've accepted that Medicham's request in a heartbeat. But even if she apologised, things wouldn't have been the same. But an apology was better than none at all, and not calling her after all this time would've added to the list of things to apologise for.
No, she didn't want to come here as an excuse to run away from her problems, and staying here meant abandoning everything she built up back home. She still had a contract to fulfil with that flat, and even if that car accident was just an accident, she wanted to reach out to the driver before things got worse. But she also liked everyone here, and they didn't seem to care about moving back home with parents. If only there was a way to have both.
How silly. Of course there was.
—
Isobel woke up the next morning, reinvigorated from last night's fight and food combo. She joined Dad for his morning stretches, and Mum came in as well, smiling at him. Despite how everything seemed when Isobel first heard the news between them, those two still got along.
"Now," Dad said, taking Isobel's hand. "Have you thought about movin' back here again?"
Mum nudged him with her elbow. "You have a choice, of course, we'll respect your decision either way."
Life on the dwelling would continue as normal without her, and her parents would be fine wherever she travelled. However, she knew they liked her company, and despite everything she had access to out there, this was a place for her to forget her outside troubles for a bit. At last, Isobel clapped both pairs of hands together.
"I'm stayin' out there."
Dad nodded, though Isobel wagged a finger.
"Though, this is still home. It hasn't been for a while, but, well, this could be my home away from home." She tightened her fist and patted her chest. "So I'm gonna come and visit you guys, regularly. Twice a month sounds good — what is that, every half-moon?"
"I know what the concept of time is," Mum said with a snicker. "But you're free to come whenever you like."
"Yeah, absolutely! Maybe I can stay a night or two, you can tell me what's going on here, I'll bring some souvenirs from outside if you want, or even go hunting with you!"
"You don't hafta get us anythin'." Dad opened up his arms. "We've got your back, no matter what you do or bring."
He embraced Isobel, as Mum did too, pulling them both in for a group hug. This… She hadn't felt this way ever since she was a Machop. She was lucky to have such awesome parents. Truly.
Before she went to leave, Isobel got out her phone and took a selfie with her family — finally, she had something to look back on as a way to remember their faces. She waved them goodbye and walked up to the cave entrance, expecting Bronze to join her. Except, he didn't. When Isobel noticed his absence, she went back and called for him. Fortunately, he appeared before her, but with a saddened expression.
"What's wrong?" Isobel asked.
"Nothing's wrong," Bronze said, looking back at the rest of the dwelling, "it's just that, well…" He shut his eyes and took a deep breath before directly looking at Isobel once more. "I'm staying here. Sorry."
Isobel gulped. Of course, she knew Bronze only would've stayed temporarily, but…
"Did the other Thievul take you back?"
"Not yet, I still don't know how they'll warm up to me. But everyone else here is nice." He looked to the other fighting types who waved at him. "They said they like having me around, the kids love me, they've offered to train me, and, well, I had another talk with Terra while you were gone."
"And what did she say?"
"If I stayed here, then she would help me socialise with the Thievul. And if they don't accept me, she said she'll find me another pack that would take me in, no matter what it takes her."
This wasn't a surprise — even though she didn't know her that well, Mum seemed to be at home in the wild.
"I already like this place a lot more than the city. The air is fresh, especially with those Weezing. It's a lot closer to nature. I hate walking in the streets — everything is just too smooth."
"And you're not tied to any asshole trainer."
"Exactly." He looked back at Isobel, tugging at his moustache. "I'm sorry, I know things are hard for you back home. I don't want to abandon you like this."
Isobel put on a smile and pulled Bronze in for one last hug.
"Don't be sorry, duvet-diver. You gotta do what you gotta do, and this ain't goodbye. I'll be coming back here every so often."
"You will?"
"Yeah, I promise."
Bronze nuzzled Isobel's chest, then let go, bowing before her one last time before he went off on his own. She waved goodbye again, even if he didn't turn back to see it.