Chapter 5
Starting Out
The next morning…
So...that's really me now.
Arian stared into the mirror located in the guest room in Elvira and Zenobia's house in contemplation.
It was not long after he woke up. But he didn't get out of bed immediately; rather, he lay under the covers for some minutes, wondering if all he had experienced yesterday was all but a dream. It did surely seem like something out of a fairy tale. Transforming into a blue-furred dog-like creature that could sense the emotions of others? Meeting magical, inhuman creatures that could talk? Being capable of techniques like turning his claws metallic and unleashing a palm attack that could paralyse his enemies? And now planning to become a mercenary of all things? It all sounded right out of the pages of a fantasy novel.
And yet he woke up in that same room again that he'd woken up in yesterday. And when he pulled back the covers...he saw that he was indeed still a Riolu.
Seeing this, he came to a conclusion.
This is no dream.
He got up after this, and looking out of the window of the guest room, he could see that daybreak hadn't been long ago. It sounded quiet in the house, and therefore Arian presumed that the other four who slept in the house last night were not yet awake.
That meant the amnesiac human had time to kill.
He considered reading a book from the bookshelf in the room, or from the much more abundant bookshelf in the sitting room. But one look at the vanity table located in the guest room made up his mind for him. Specifically, it was the mirror he wished to look at.
And so Arian walked over to the vanity table. As he got closer, it occurred to him that the mirror on the table was rather high up for his standards. Luckily, getting up onto the stool gave him enough height to gaze into the mirror.
A blue-and-black furred canine stared back at him.
Its gaze was...one of slight confusion, as if it found the sight before it to be a tad strange.
It was indeed strange to Arian. He evidently still wasn't quite used to the reality that he was in the body of a two foot tall bipedal canid with blue and black fur and emerald eyes. And since this was his first encounter with a mirror, he found looking at himself in the mirror to be a rather odd sight. It was bizarre, to look into the mirror and not see a human. To not see himself. Whatever I looked like before this.
"Ah, Arian. There you are."
"Hm?" Arian looked over his shoulder. "Oh...morning, Zenobia."
"And a good morning to you too, Arian," the Heliolisk returned, crutches by her sides. "You're up early."
"I just woke up myself," Arian told her. "I haven't been awake for too long."
"Nor have I. But I'm glad I woke up early. The air is beautifully crisp this morning." Zenobia then looked again at Arian. "If I may ask, Arian...what are you doing?"
"Oh, I'm just…" The human looked back at the mirror. "...Still getting used to this new image of mine."
"...I see. ...You poor thing," Zenobia expressed sympathetically. "Being taken from your loved ones into a land where no one knows you, and to be inflicted with amnesia on top of it all...I can't be sorry enough for your situation, Arian."
"...It's alright," Arian assured. "In fact...call me weird if you wish, but I don't really feel sad over losing my memories. Not any more, at least."
"You don't?"
"...I mean, I was a bit upset and panicked at first, but...now I'm not that torn over it. At the very least, I have a new name, and I'm going to have a job to do from today. So...my situation could definitely be worse. I'll hopefully have a firm place in this world before long."
"...I see. ...But do you not want to find out who you once were?" Zenobia wondered. "If I had amnesia, I'd think I would do anything to find that out."
"...I suppose I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious," the Riolu admitted. "Looking in the mirror now...I do wonder. What did I look like before I transformed into a Riolu? I'm racking my brains, but...I don't remember anything. ...Come to think of it, I'm not even sure I remember what a human looks like."
"You don't even remember that? ...Oh dear…" murmured Zenobia worriedly.
"I wonder, though…" Arian pondered. "...Does it really matter?"
"...What do you mean, Arian?"
"My memories...Does it matter whether I regain them or not?" the amnesiac mentioned. "Elvira said there aren't any humans in Ardalion. So by that logic, I must not have come from Ardalion in the first place. Somewhere else...a different land...maybe even a different world," he mused.
"A different world. ...Surely not, Arian. You might be overthinking this."
"...Maybe I am. But...what I want to say is that...whether I like it or not, here I am, ready to establish a new life in this world. I...could have been dealt a much worse hand. But I have some degree of power in my moves, and I have a good friend in Elvira. It's a good place to start. Besides, look at it this way," Arian pointed out. "What if my life was horrible before this? This could be like a fresh start of sorts for me."
"That might not be true, Arian. You could just as well have had a happy life before this, and if that's true, then the people in your life would surely be devastated right now. Please, Arian, don't think that way," urged Zenobia.
"...Maybe. I suppose I'm trying to be optimistic about all of this," the Riolu replied. "Other people would be freaking out and doing anything they could to get back home. I...don't want to be like that. I want to go with the flow, you know? If this is where my life is headed, into this strange world…" Arian grinned while punching his fists together. "...Then bring it on."
"...That is a positive way of looking at it," observed the Heliolisk. "...It's almost enviable. Some could learn a lot from you."
"Oh...thanks," Arian replied. "...I do hope it's not just bluster, or me being unaware of what lies ahead. I don't really know much about this world beyond Verdant Woods. Of course, I will know in the days ahead. But for now, it's kind of just me hoping things will work out for the best. I'm still trying to adjust to this." He pointed at the mirror. "It's still weird to think that's me."
"...Take your time," advised Zenobia. "No one could fully adjust to such a different set of circumstances overnight. It will take a few days at least to get settled in here. ...It may well take longer than that. Don't worry, Arian. It wouldn't be unusual to not have fully adapted to your body in even a month's time."
"...Alright," Arian said, accepting Zenobia's reassurances. "But, you know, if I'm going to be a good mercenary, then I'll have to adjust pretty quickly. I wouldn't want to be caught on the losing end of a fight just because I haven't fully grasped control of my body."
"...How are you about walking? You seemed fine yesterday evening," the Heliolisk inquired.
"I'm fine for the most part," the Riolu answered. "I still have some slight difficulty, but I've mostly got the gist of it. I don't have to use Elvira as a crutch, at least," he said, recalling when he first got up yesterday.
The mention of the Treecko suddenly reminded him of her. "Speaking of Elvira, is she up yet?" he asked Zenobia.
"...Not last I checked," the mother replied. "But then I did hear her chatting with Flora and Tamara as I was going to bed. Seems those three had quite a bit to talk about. Did you not hear them?"
"...No. I was asleep not long after going to bed," Arian said.
"Good for you. A sound sleeper and an early riser...You'd be well-liked by most parents on the continent," remarked Zenobia. "Elvira usually rises early, but...I suppose all that chatter last night may put her off for another while yet. ...In the meantime, how about I prepare breakfast?"
"But...what about your leg?" Arian pointed out worriedly.
"I can still make porridge for everyone," the Heliolisk shrugged off. "A bad leg won't stop me. It was at Elvira's insistence that I left cooking to her, but now that she and you will be off doing mercenary work, I will have to get used to working with this leg. It'll still be another while before it heals, but I'm not helpless. I'm still capable of cooking and doing minor chores."
"...I see. ...Maybe I should help. I could be on standby, to help you if you need it," offered the human.
"...That would be helpful. Thank you, Arian," replied Zenobia gratefully. "Breakfast will only take a few minutes." With that, she turned and headed back down the hallway, her crutches clicking all the way to the kitchen. Arian chose to follow her, since he had little else to do. And of course, be around Zenobia in case she needed assistance with anything.
A few minutes later, Zenobia had cooked a pot of porridge, drizzled with some berry juice and honey, with the help of Arian who helped her with the more difficult tasks, such as putting out the fire afterward and carrying the pot of porridge over to the table.
"Mmm...delicious," Arian remarked, upon sampling the porridge. "I like the flavour of the juices and honey. It makes it quite sweet."
"I don't normally go for options that are overly sweet," the Heliolisk told him. "But I decided to make an exception this morning. I felt like treating Elvira, as a reward for finally getting over her fears. And it's also a treat to you, for helping her overcome those hurdles."
"...Thank you, Zenobia," Arian said in response, as he returned to eating his porridge.
It was nice enough that the Riolu chose to take seconds, gladly allowed by Zenobia. During the eating of his second serving, Elvira came into the room, followed by Flora and Tamara.
"Ah...the sleeping beauties arise at last," Zenobia remarked. "Good morning, Elvira. Good morning, Flora and Tamara."
"Morning, Mom. Morning, Arian," Elvira returned. "Sorry we're up so late."
"Late? We're perfectly early…" mumbled Tamara, before letting out a yawn. "It's way before my wake up time…"
"That's your loss," Flora replied critically. "Besides, it was you keeping the conversation going most of the night. You only have yourself to blame for being tired. And now your sleeping in means that we're late to breakfast. ...There's still some left, right?"
"Of course there is," Zenobia informed.
"Great." The three girls then took their places at the table. Each took a bowl of porridge and tasted it. After this, all of their faces lit up.
"This...is really good," commented Flora.
"This is delicious! I forgot how good your mom's cooking was!" Tamara praised. "Even a basic thing like porridge tastes like heaven when she cooks it!"
"...Did you make this, Mom?" Elvira asked, knowing what the answer would be. She had, after all, been exposed to the Heliolisk's excellent cooking growing up.
"I did, with help from Arian at some points," Zenobia replied. "But I largely managed. Just because I have a broken leg doesn't mean I can't put my arms to good use in stirring the pot."
"See? Told you she was perfectly fine on her own," Flora said. "You're worried over nothing, Elvira. At best, all she needs is to be called into once a day. You really worry too much, y'know?"
"...Maybe I do," Elvira murmured in acceptance. "Sorry if I've been a bit patronising in the last few weeks, Mom."
"...Don't worry about it, Elvira. It's proof you care for me. ...At least now I know how you feel when you say I'm too overbearing," she added, with a mirthful chuckle.
"Yeah," agreed Elvira. "...But you might still need help with some things. And I won't be here all the time to help you. If we had someone else to help you, though…"
"...We could do it," Tamara suggested. "Flora and I."
"...Really? You would?"
"Yeah, sure," Flora said. "Your mom's capable enough of doing most things by herself. But we could call into her once a day to see how she's doing, and maybe stock up on supplies if you're low on any. ...I say we alternate between me and Tamara on visits every other day."
"Sure," the Pachirisu accepted. "That'd be no problem."
"...Thanks, you two," Elvira replied. "...I was also thinking last night, and...Arian and I will be staying close to Ozerograd anyway, at least starting out. So we'd probably just come back here at the end of each day, at which point you could go home. It's not like we'll be headed off on long missions like Dad used to always have. It'll be mostly small tasks, given that we are only beginners. Better to start off small than be overambitious. I wouldn't want to worry you too much, Mom."
"Understandable," Zenobia said. "But I'll probably worry anyway. It's a mother's job to worry about her child. No matter what you do, I will always worry about you. But it's like I said before; I don't want to anchor you, Elvira. So go, and do your father proud by becoming a mercenary. ...Even if it does mean keeping a low profile."
"A low profile?" Arian turned to Elvira. "...Why would we need to keep a low profile?"
"...Yes. About that…" Elvira began, remembering what she'd said to the other three last night. "...We can't just go about broadcasting that we're mercenaries willing to take on any job. If that happens, we'll almost certainly be accosted by members of the Thorned Roses. I don't exactly want to come home all beaten up. And that's probably not the worst punishment they can dish out."
"...Oh. ...Really?" Arian murmured, not wanting to fully believe what he was hearing.
"I'm afraid so. And even without them, there's no way of applying to becoming a mercenary anymore," Elvira went on. "Before, there'd always be an office where you could apply to become a mercenary, and get on the registry. But under Tsar Mitrofan, those have all been shut down. You can't really officially become a mercenary in Selenia anymore."
"...But we don't have to join a registry. We can still act as mercenaries despite that," Arian said, remembering yesterday's conversations.
"...Yeah, you could," Tamara replied. "...Just don't openly call yourselves mercenaries. The townsfolk wouldn't mind, but the Thorned Roses sure would. And then you'd be in a world of bother."
"...Understood. We'll be careful around them."
Soon, the pot of porridge was empty. It was left on the countertop, with Zenobia promising she would clean it later.
"So...I presume you two will be going into town, then," the Heliolisk said, looking at Arian and Elvira.
"The four of us, actually," Elvira corrected. "Flora and Tamara will be coming with us."
"Yeah, we've gotta get home," the Pachirisu added. "It's been great staying here and all, but our parents are probably worried about us. We should get back to them."
"I understand. I won't keep you for much longer, then," Zenobia said. "But before you leave, there is something I would like you to have, Elvira. And Arian, too."
"For us? ...What is it?" Elvira asked.
"Follow me," Zenobia requested, and the Riolu and Treecko did so. The Heliolisk made her way to her room, and over to the wardrobe. She reached to the top compartment, while keeping herself steady on one crutch, and pulled out an item of fabric that made Elvira gasp slightly.
Specifically...it was a bag. A bag...not unlike what an average mercenary might have.
"Is this...for us?" Elvira asked.
"...Yes, it is," Zenobia answered. "I began knitting it for you some time back, and only finished it up recently. Even if you decided not to become a mercenary, you could at the very least use it as a carrier bag for other purposes. ...I knitted a similar bag for your father, as a gift for his hatch-day many years ago. He got a great amount of use out of it, and would always patch it up when it would inevitably tear. Then again, he always was resourceful, making use of something until it was truly irreparable."
"...That was Dad, alright. He was great at that kind of thing." Elvira looked down at her bag. "...Thanks so much for this gift, Mom. I promise to treasure it."
"I know you will. ...And there's more I have to give you." Zenobia went over to the vanity table in the room, and pulled out a slip of paper. Elvira took it from her, and read what was written on it.
"A cheque?" she realised. "For...1,000 Poké?"
"Consider it a starting advance," Zenobia explained. "Your father kept savings for you, when you would embark on the path to being a mercenary. There's more in the bank - but do be aware that it hasn't been topped up since your father disappeared five years ago. So be careful how you spend your money."
"Dad...really did all that for me?" Elvira said, feeling a twinge of emotion in her heart. "...Oh, bless him...He's the best father in the world. You and him are the best, Mom. You're the best parents I could have hoped for…" She opened her arms and embraced her mother.
"...Thank you, sweetie." A grateful smile was present on the Heliolisk as she hugged her daughter back. "It means the world to me that you think that...no matter how many times you say it."
"But it's true. You and Dad are the best," Elvira said, her tone still emotional. "You're still so willing to help me, even after I stalled my ambitions…"
"Hush," urged Zenobia. "You've done nothing wrong, Elvira. Now go out there and show the world what you're made of, with Arian by your side." She looked to the Riolu in acknowledgment.
"I will, Mom. I'll make you and Dad proud," the Treecko promised. "Come on, Arian. Let's go."
"...Of course, Elvira."
The two made their way to the front door, where Flora and Tamara were waiting for them.
"Are you all set, Ellie?" the latter asked.
"Yes, pretty much," Elvira replied. "I have my mercenary's bag, and we'll get money in town. ...That's it, really. We're set."
"...Be safe," advised Zenobia. "The Thorned Roses will be at every corner in town. Do keep your guard up when you're looking for work."
"I'll be careful, Mom," assured Elvira. "I'll see you later."
"...Take care."
And so, the foursome left. Zenobia watched them go from the front doorstep, and waited until they disappeared into the distance. Once they did, she let out a breath she didn't realise she was holding.
I hope I haven't made a wrong decision in encouraging her at a time like this, she mused. If the Thorned Roses find out what they're up to, she'll be in a world of hurt. My dear Kallias, if you can hear me...She looked up at the blue sky to the heavens above.
...Watch over our daughter. Please keep her safe.
Meanwhile, on the road to Ozerograd, the group of four were chatting amongst themselves.
"So what's on the cards for you when you return to town?" Elvira asked her two friends.
"...Probably just check up on Mom and Dad, and help run the shop," Flora answered. "Basically going back to what I've been doing."
"What shop is it?" Arian wondered. "...Just out of curiosity."
"...It's a florist's," the Petilil replied. "It's kinda small, though, and we don't really get many customers. ...Especially now. The Thorned Roses really have slowed what little customers we've had."
"...A shame," murmured Elvira. "...Maybe we should call in sometime, and help your business."
"...That would be appreciated. Mom and Dad would like to see you too. Do come by sometime. ...Well, when you have money, of course." Flora looked over at the cheque in Elvira's hands. "Your money's better spent on stuff more relevant to your mercenary work."
"I know. When I have enough money, I'll pop in," Elvira promised. "...After I find a job to carry out, of course."
"There'll be something," Tamara said. "There always is. There's always someone who has some issue that needs resolving, whether they lost something, had something stolen from them, want to find some treasure, need an escort to the next town, need rescuing from a Mystery Dungeon, or...find something precious to them…" She put her hand on her locket, the same one she'd gone into Verdant Woods to retrieve.
"So that's why you went into Verdant Woods," Arian noted. "...Um, if you don't mind me asking...why is it important to you?"
"...Bit of a personal question," muttered Flora.
"No, it's fine, Flora," Tamara said, overhearing the Petilil's words. "...It's a present my granny gave to me when I was younger. I loved her so much...and I was so sad when she passed away some years back. Wearing this locket is one of the ways I can remember her. When I wear it, it's almost like she's still by my side..."
"...I see," murmured the Riolu quietly. "...She must have meant a lot to you, then."
"She did. It's almost weird to admit it, but...I felt closer to her than my own parents," Tamara admitted. "...Maybe in a way, it's better she passed on before all this happened. She wouldn't be able to bear the sight of the Thorned Roses taking over our town."
"...Are they really that bad?" wondered Arian.
"...You'll see when we get into town," Elvira told him. "Speaking of which, we're not too far away. When we climb this hill, we'll look down upon it," she indicated, pointing to a small incline in front of them.
"...How about I race you up there?" the Riolu challenged, a slight grin on his face.
"...You know what? Challenge accepted," Elvira responded. "Okay, when I say go. One...two...three...go!"
The two of them sped off, both running up the hill. The sight was watched by Flora and Tamara, the latter of whom was smiling brightly at the Riolu and Treecko.
"I'm telling you. They're gonna fall for one another some day," the Pachirisu betted. "...Hey, Flora. Let's do the same!"
"No," Flora flatly denied. "We're not in a big hurry. I'm not tiring myself out for nothing."
"...Fine. Have it your way," pouted Tamara, and walked alongside her friend up the incline. When they reached the top, they came across Arian and Elvira, both panting slightly and chatting with one another about what just transpired.
"...So you won, then," Arian panted.
"Well, Treecko are known for being light and agile," Elvira replied. "That's to be expected. But I'd say if we had a longer race, you'd probably win. I read once that Riolu are very capable in regards to fitness, and usually have tons of stamina."
"...Really?" Arian looked down at his small, yet supposedly athletic body. "...I never would have guessed this body of a Riolu would be so capable…"
"Well, you are a Fighting-type. They're typically known for their physical capabilities," elaborated Elvira. "And Riolu are no exception."
"...I see." The human then looked out at the scene from the top of the hill, and the view fixated his attention. "...Also, sorry to change the subject...but wow, that view is beautiful."
The top of the hill offered a commanding view of the landscape ahead of them. Distant drumlins with forests provided an unusual yet interesting aesthetic to the Selenian landscape. Closer to them, Arian was surprised to see a lake lower down, an irregular shape of blue upon the green fields below. And some distance from the lake lay a number of buildings, which Arian could instantly pick out to be a town of some kind.
"Is that Ozerograd?" he asked.
"Yes," came Elvira's answer. "It's only a few minutes away now. Though...remember. Be on your guard for the Thorned Roses. ...That reminds me, I nearly forgot. ...We'll have to pay a toll in order to get into town."
"...Oh...Do we?" Arian's shoulders slumped.
"...Yes, annoyingly." Flora's contempt was plainly visible. "Squeezing bastards...They just do it to wage their superiority over us. Oh, what I wouldn't give to tear them a new one…"
"Right, Flora, we get it," Tamara interjected, as if to prevent the Petilil from ranting further. By the familiar look in the Pachirisu's eyes, they had been through this song and dance before. "Besides...there's another way into town where you don't have to pay the toll."
"...Is there?" Elvira asked.
"...Yes. But it's meant to be a secret," replied Tamara, in a more hushed voice. "I know where it is. Just follow me."
The four walked along the main path for a bit longer, before entering a wooded area. It was here that Tamara beckoned the others to veer off the beaten track, and through some grassy and overgrown lands. It was the kind of terrain that looked as though it would be very muddy in wet weather. But it didn't appear as though it had rained in the last while, for there was little mud, and when any of the four stepped on fallen vegetation, it would crack dryly.
At one point during the trek, Arian caught a worried look in Elvira's eyes. Hm? What's this about? Is Elvira alright? he pondered. But if the Treecko was worried, she said nothing of it, and pressed onwards, following Tamara's lead.
Eventually, they arrived at a small clearing in the woods. Elvira looked around her, but saw only trees and vegetation.
"I...don't see anything," she said.
"Obviously not," Flora replied. "It wouldn't be much of a secret if it was out in the open, would it? We have to keep it secret, so the Thorned Roses don't know we're bypassing their toll payments."
"Wait...Flora, you know about it?" Elvira queried.
"...Of course I do," came the Petilil's answer. "But no more questions until we get in, please. We don't want anyone overhearing us."
"...Right," Elvira acknowledged.
Meanwhile, Tamara had gone over to beside the base of one of the trees, where an amalgamation of branches and grass lay. Arian couldn't help but think at first that something was off about it. It was as if it was somehow an unnatural formation, as if the process of nature had not created it.
And then his suspicions were confirmed when Tamara pushed the grass back...revealing a hidden passage underground.
"See?" she pointed out to everyone.
"Oh wow," Elvira said, blinking in surprise. "I...see. Does this take us into town?"
"Yep! Now come on, get in quickly," urged Tamara.
"I'm coming," Elvira said, and moved toward the passage. She allowed her friends to enter first. She held up the entrance to allow Arian to follow, but he denied it.
"Ladies first," he said. "You go ahead of me. I'll close it behind us."
"...Thank you, Arian," Elvira replied, before entering the passage. The Riolu checked one last time to make sure they weren't being followed, before closing the entrance behind him, making sure none of the outside could be seen from inside. Doing so did rob what little light the passage had, though. This wasn't a problem for Arian, though; he found he could see just fine despite the darkness.
"...Is it closed?" Tamara asked from the front.
"Yes," came Arian's response.
"...Good. Let's go."
And so they made their way to the small, dark tunnel. The ceiling was very low, and all four had to crawl through it. It was notably dirty too, and Arian couldn't suppress a slight grimace at the dirt that was accumulating on his fur.
He had another problem too. He was the biggest of the group of four, meaning that the tunnel was slightly tight for him. While it wasn't a massive problem, there were one or two occasions on which he got stuck, and had to breathe in and wriggle to get out of it.
During the crawl, the conversation between Elvira and Flora continued.
"So...coming back to what you said earlier, Flora. How do you know of this tunnel?"
"Tam told me," Flora replied. "She said it was a good way to get to the other end of town without having to pay the toll. So I began using it only recently. It has helped when it comes to gathering berries in Verdant Woods. Normally, Tam and I would do them together."
"...How long's it been here?" Elvira wondered. "It doesn't look like an ancient passage. It looks like it was built recently."
"Yes, it was," Tamara answered. "It was built not too long ago by my dad. Jobs have been pretty light for him, and he wanted to avoid paying the toll. So he dug a tunnel to the other end of town so we could go there easier. ...It took a lot of work, but it's worked well for us. It's made my life much more pleasant."
"...You call crawling through a tunnel pleasant?" muttered Flora.
"Hey, would you rather waste your money and have to deal with those Thorned Roses creeps?" Tamara countered. "I know which one I'd sooner leap for."
"...I guess so," replied the Petilil. "...Still doesn't make me any less dirty, though."
"It's nothing that can't be washed off, Flora," Tamara said. "Now come on. Let's keep going."
They crawled onwards for what seemed like an eternity, but what was only thirty minutes at the absolute most. Eventually, they arrived at what appeared to be a wall of sorts. Only...once again, it felt different, like this wasn't part of the tunnel.
And this was subsequently proven when Tamara pushed back the lock and lifted up what was in fact a trap door. Immediately, light hit them, and all of them blinked as they got adjusted to the change in light from the dark passage.
"And here we are!" Tamara proclaimed as she got out, helping her three companions out of the tunnel.
"...Hm? Where are we?" Arian looked around him. "It looks like...a shed?" It was indeed that; they were in a small shed, where several carpentry tools such as hammers, nails, and a few saws were present. They all looked worn, as if they had gotten plenty of use in their lifetimes.
"It's the shed at the back of my house," Tamara explained. "My dad built it in here so no one could see it from overhead. In fact, there's the shovel he dug it with." She pointed to a shovel in the corner, which had leftover soil still on the metal part. "But never mind that. I need to go see my mom and dad." She took the lead and headed out into a small back garden, before knocking on the back door. "Mom! Dad! I'm home!"
The door opened, and the one who answered it happened to also be a Pachirisu.
"Oh, there you are, Tamara!" The Pachirisu, a middle-aged woman by the sound of her voice, immediately embraced her daughter. "We were worried sick about you! Where have you been all this time? Did you find the locket?"
"I did!" Tamara proudly proclaimed, showing her the locket. "It was in the grove, luckily. But it's a long story. Come on! I'll tell you and Dad all about it!"
"...Of course, dear." The Pachirisu, evidently Tamara's mother, smiled at her. "...Ah, but let's not forget about your friends. Flora and...Elvira!" she exclaimed, recognising the familiar face. "Come in, all of you! We'll talk over tea."
And so it came to be that Arian, Elvira and Flora came inside and sat around the kitchen table in Tamara's house. It could hardly be called luxurious - the same could be said for the rest of the house - but it was tidy and well-kept, which did offset the plain nature of the house.
Tamara's parents introduced themselves. Her father was Desmond, a Raichu, and her mother was Lorraine, a Pachirisu not unlike her daughter. The former was a carpenter renowned for his skill throughout the town, explaining the reasoning behind the worn tools in the shed. However, the takeover of Ozerograd by the Thorned Roses had proven troubling for him, as it meant he couldn't source his materials as easily. As such, moneywise, Tamara's family weren't doing so hot right now. But they were not so badly off that they couldn't spare a cup of tea for Tamara's friends, Lorraine had insisted.
The tea in question was a brew of cheri tea. It was to Arian's liking, and the Riolu found himself drinking the whole cup quicker than everyone else.
Once they'd all sat down, Tamara regaled them with the tale of yesterday; how she'd ventured into Verdant Woods to find it, how she was accosted by the two Thorned Roses members, how they were then defeated by Arian and Elvira, how they'd made their way back to Elvira's house, how Arian and Elvira had planned to become a mercenary team, and how she and Flora stayed the night at Elvira's house at Zenobia's insistence.
"And that's it, really," Tamara concluded. "We've spent the morning getting our way back here, and...well, here we are."
"Hmm...seems you've had an active time, my girl," Desmond remarked. "Of course, I understand your decision to stay at Elvira's last night. It's just that it's easy to fear your capture by the Thorned Roses. It's a probable scenario in these times. You can't blame us for worrying."
"Well, I didn't. ...I would've told you about staying the night, but that would've meant trekking back here in the dark, and...besides, I wanted to catch up with Elvira. It's been some time since she last came down here to Ozerograd."
"It has been, hasn't it?" Lorraine said. "...I'm sorry to hear about your mother, Elvira. I wish her a speedy recovery."
"Yeah...I do too," Elvira seconded. "...She said she'd be fine on her own, but...I still can't help but worry."
"Actually, about that, Mom," Tamara brought up. "I was thinking about maybe calling out to Elvira's mom every other day to check on her. With Ellie being out of the house more, I thought it maybe wouldn't hurt to help her mom out while she's gone. ...Is that okay?"
"Of course, dear," permitted the older Pachirisu. "Just be careful when you're out there. The Thorned Roses are still able to track you down, as we now know."
"...That is a worry, alright," Desmond muttered with concern. "They can find us even when we're outside of town. That's not good…"
"Why were they after you in the first place, Tamara?" Arian wondered.
"...It's because...we're not doing so well on the rent payment front," Tamara confessed. "Their rents are stupidly high, and we haven't a chance of ever fully paying them up when the rent is due. Before all this, we got by fine, but now...it's insane!"
"Indeed. If only employment was easier to find…" Desmond said. "But everyone else in town has the same problem as us. Because of how high the rents are, no one's willing to divulge money for repairs to their homes. Ultimately, it's going to lead to a structural problem in every house in town. On top of that, the tolls mean it's harder for me to source timber for my work as a carpenter. Therefore, I can't work and make money. ...It's partly why I built that tunnel, so I could access timber easier. There's some out there in the back that I'm stockpiling at the minute, but...it doesn't take away the difficulty of my job now."
"My family's struggling too," Flora added. "It's rare we get any customers these days. ...For a gang named after a flower, the Thorned Roses sure aren't interested in buying any."
"...It's a struggle for all of us these days," Lorraine said, a troubled look on her face. "The tyranny of the Thorned Roses can't go on. Someone must put a stop to them. What we need now is a hero to step in and stamp them out."
"Yes," agreed Desmond. "Someone with heroism and selflessness. Someone who wouldn't hesitate to leap into danger and beat the Thorned Roses into the ground. ...Someone like Team Marshwood. If they were here, no doubt they would be able to show the likes of Hinnerk who's boss."
"...They would, wouldn't they?" Elvira murmured. Strangely, though, her voice had gone quiet, and Arian could feel the sadness emanating from her.
"...Who's Team Marshwood?" he then asked.
"...Pardon?" Desmond's expression turned to a puzzled frown of disbelief. "You don't know who Team Marshwood is?"
"Er...no?" Arian replied. "Are they important?"
"...Did you not tell him, Ellie?" Tamara asked.
"...Maybe I didn't." Elvira took a deep breath. "Team Marshwood is...or rather, was...the name of my dad's mercenary team. His and Melchior's team."
"...Oh! I see…" Arian realised. "...So that's why you're sad about it...It's a reminder of your dad, isn't it?" As a gesture of comfort, he patted the Treecko on the back.
"...Any news on his whereabouts?" Lorraine inquired. "I know it's been a while, but…"
"...No. Nothing."
"...Ah. That's a shame," Desmond said, disappointed. "...Such a great man, too. Imagine my surprise when I found out my girl had made friends with his daughter. And an even greater shock when I was invited to have dinner with the man himself. You still remember that night, dear?"
"Yes, I do," recalled Lorraine. "I was genuinely surprised by how generous and humble he was. For a world-renowned hero, he was incredibly modest, and he was lovely to talk with."
"He was, wasn't he?" Desmond reminisced. "...You're lucky to have him as a dad, Elvira. He was probably as good at being a father as he was at being a mercenary."
"Yeah, he was. He'd always tell me tales about his mercenary years growing up, and when he was out on a mission, I'd always wait eagerly for him to return. ...Except, five years ago, he didn't come back from that mission…"
"Elvira…" murmured Arian, feeling sorry for his partner.
"...But my dad's strong. He isn't one of the famous mercenaries in Ardalion for nothing. He's one of the only people in history to have achieved the rank of Grandmaster! I've always looked up to him. And that's why...I can't truly believe he's dead. Not until I see cold, hard evidence that proves it," Elvira made clear.
"...So you're still holding out hope for him?" Desmond said. "...Can't say I fault you. He was an awe-inspiring man, and so...I can imagine there are others that hope for the same thing, that he'll come back one day. I think we'd all like that. Hell, if there's a chance he's alive...I'd hope for it, too. There has to be some explanation as to why he suddenly disappeared."
"...There has to be. And it's lying out there, waiting to be found," Elvira said. "...One day, I'll find it. I will find out the mystery of what happened to my dad."
"...You're a determined girl. ...Not too unlike your father, from what I saw of him," the Raichu remarked. "...Well, follow your dreams, then. If you have your father's determination, I wouldn't be surprised if you become as great a merc as he once was."
"...No. I'm nowhere near my dad's level," Elvira answered somewhat sadly, and Arian immediately understood why. "He was truly beyond a level most people could hope to strive for...I won't reach his renown any time soon. Don't get me wrong - I want to be a mercenary and help people, but...I don't want to be endlessly compared to my dad. I don't want people developing expectations for me just because my dad was Fernblade Kallias."
"...Oh. I see. ...Sorry," Desmond apologised. "I'll try to avoid doing that in future."
"But Ellie, don't let that get your spirits down!" Tamara encouraged. "Just ignore anyone who says you're not living up to your dad's name. You'll still be a great merc in your own right. That's what your dad would think, right?"
"...Yeah, he would, probably," Elvira replied. "Dad knew I looked up to him. But he probably wouldn't necessarily want me to copy him move for move. ...Perhaps that's one thing I ought to do: learn techniques from others, rather than merely try and imitate my dad."
"That would be a good way of going about it," Arian agreed. "I should do the same as well. That is...when we find someone who can give us pointers."
"Yes. For now, though...we should focus on finding people who are in need of aid." Elvira turned to Desmond and Lorraine. "Do you know of anyone like that? Someone we could help as mercenaries? ...Undercover, of course. We don't want any of the Thorned Roses finding out about us."
"...There's a fair amount of people with grievances in this town," Desmond answered. "But good luck getting it out of them. Some are too afraid to speak up about their problems. The Thorned Roses have crushed the sense of some people to speak their grievances."
"...You'll find someone," Lorraine said. "...But do be careful of the Thorned Roses. It wouldn't do if you came back here later with a black eye."
"She'd be lucky if that's all they do to her," Flora commented.
"I'll be careful," promised Elvira. "We'll try to not do anything to provoke them." She got up from the seat. "Come on, Arian. Let's get started with scoping the town for potential jobs."
"...Yeah, let's go." The Riolu stood up as well, and the two began to walk out of the kitchen towards the front door.
"Hey! You're forgetting someone!" The two turned around, and saw a somewhat peeved Flora leap down from her seat. "I have to get home myself, remember?"
"Of course I knew that," Elvira answered. "But I thought you'd want to stay here for a little while longer."
"Well, I don't. ...No offence to you guys," she said, turning back to Tamara and her family. "But I gotta get home. My parents will be getting worried about me," Flora explained.
"That's no problem. Don't let us keep you," Lorraine urged.
"Thanks." Flora turned back to Arian and Elvira. "Well, are we going or not?"
"We are," Elvira said. "Let's go out into the streets and hopefully find some work."
And with that, the three moved to leave the house. Elvira opened the door, and she and her partner went to face the world that lay beyond the door.
Notes
Not really much to say about this chapter; just one that bridges events together. In the grand scheme of things, I think this chapter may well prove to be a minor one.
