The Eevee walks through the bustling street of the city with a wagon in tow, blinking at the many banners and floats and other decorations being hung up by the many Pokemon he passes by.
"Wow," he whispers to himself as he looks this way and that. He can't help but smile, as though he can sense the feeling of excitement in the afternoon air. He crosses an intersection and passes by many stalls being assembled by different merchants, preparing for the big day ahead of them. "They weren't kidding when they said that this was going to be one heck of a festival."
He turns and blinks at the city park, where many Pokemon are working on building an assortment of rides, but his eyes are glued on one in particular, as he stops and looks up, up and up to marvel at the very tall ferris wheel.
"Holy shit," he says in awe. "It's even taller than the guild!"
"How right you are!" a Glameow says. "And I can't wait to ride it!" She practically shakes on the bench she is sitting on with a dreamy smile on her face as she puts her paws on her reddening cheeks. "Just imagine it, you and your date enjoying the festival, and then you suddenly grab him and drag him to ride with you on the ferris wheel. Just you and him, and then," she squeals, her face burning a bright red and her spiraling tail suddenly standing tall and straight.
The Eevee rolls his eyes in amusement, shakes his head, and continues on his way, leaving the daydreaming cat to her fantasies. "I can only imagine," he says to himself as his small smile starts to fade. He shakes his head once more and focuses on his job.
"We're almost there," Shino says as he rolls the map. He puts it back inside the bag Vixie's carrying and smiles at her. "You still good to go."
Vixie shrugs. "Sure," she says as she looks around the thick and tall trees in their immediate surroundings, with a constant breeze rustling the treetops.
The bushes nearby starts to shake, and soon a Cyndaquil walks around it, approaching the duo. "You didn't kiss while I was away, right?" She laughs after seeing her two friends blushing and turning away from each other. "I was only teasing."
"It wasn't funny," Vixie says, throwing a glare at her smiling friend.
"It is to me."
"Lucky you," Shino says, rolling his eyes. "Anyway, let's get going!"
The other two nod their heads, and together, they resume their trek on the earthen path.
"Why does this city loves crates so much anyway?" The Eevee sighs as a Scizor places a crate full of berries on his wagon sitting outside the building. He places a number of gold coins on the counter, heads out of the shop, and starts attaching the harness on him, grumbling. "Stupid freaking fingerless paws."
He gasps when the harness starts moving on its own, attaching itself around him. He blinks and quickly looks around, and immediately spots a Kadabra giving him a thumbs up before continuing on his way.
"...huh."
With a shrug, he starts pulling the wagon and goes through the Pokemon traffic on the busy road, his speed decreasing somewhat when he spots the city docks, wondering if a certain water-type has returned already.
He shakes his head and continues on his way. "Better not jinx it," he mumbles to himself as he stops and waits for a large group of Pokemon to finish crossing the road, carrying a number of heavy-looking steel beams, with a few police officers making way for them.
A flyer is suddenly handed to him by a smiling Ivysaur, who then shifts his attention to other Pokemon as he hands them flyers.
He looks and blinks at it, shrugs, puts it inside his bag and starts pulling his wagon.
"Almost there," Shino says with a smile. He looks back at his friends, and then looks ahead and points. "See that?"
He and his friends are on the edge of a small cliff-like hill, its tall green grass swaying constantly with the cool afternoon breeze. Far ahead is a very tall mountain, surrounded by rolling hills.
"That's the dungeon," the yellow Shinx continues as his two friends stand beside him.
"Huh," Cindy says, tilting her head. "It's a lot closer than I thought."
"That's a good thing," Vixie says, smiling.
"Let's take a break here," Shino says as he walks back. "Then I'll just call our Ariados friend to take us the rest of the way there."
"Sounds good," Cindy says, smiling.
The three friends then sit under the shade of a tree. Vixie takes off of the bag and opens it.
"I'll do the honors," Cindy says, offering her paws.
"Oh, okay," the ice-type says as she hands her the bag, smiling as she watches her friend toss a small blanket at the yelping Shinx, and pull out a few food items for them as Shino places the blanket on the grassy ground.
"I think these are way too many," Shino says, blinking at the food Cindy is putting on the blanket.
"You think so?" she asks, looking at the berries and sandwiches.
"I know so," Shino says as he grabs a few of the food. "And besides, we need to reserve a few of them, just in case."
"Meh, fine," Cindy says with a shrug as she accepts the food the yellow Shinx is giving her and placing it back in the bag. With that done, the fire-type grabs a sandwich and starts unwrapping the thin plastic.
Shino grabs a berry, rubs it on his fur, and takes a bite out of it. "Mmm..." he smiles, and blinks at the ice-type. "You're not hungry?"
Curious, Cindy looks at the shrugging ice-type.
"I'm just, well, wondering about something."
"What about?" the fire-type asks.
"Well..." Vixie starts as she grabs a berry, stares at its fruity surface for a few, and then looks back at her friends. "I was kinda-sorta expecting you guys to be, uh, more lovely?"
The duo tilt their heads in unison.
Vixie sighs. "I mean, you guys are an item now, right?"
"Ah," Cindy says.
Shino shrugs. "Cindy and I agreed to not get into each other much during our missions."
"And I really hate it," the fire-type says, sighs, and smiles a small smile at the confused ice-type. "But we are doing this for you, Vixie."
Vixie blinks. "Huh? For me?"
Shino smiles at her. "We uh, don't want you to feel like a third wheel, or something."
"Oh..."
"Yeah," Cindy says, frowning. "It sucks that I need to restrain myself, but I think it sucks even more for you."
"You guys don't have to worry about me," Vixie says with a smile. "I'll be fine."
Her friends give her a look.
"I swear!" Vixie says awkwardly, waving a paw to try to dismiss their concerns. "I'm happy to see you guys happy!"
"And I'll feel miserable to see my friend suffer," Cindy says, frowning, and then smiling brightly. "But don't worry! I made a promise and I intend to keep it! Shino and I will find you a partner before the festival ends!"
Shino blinks and turns to her. "Wait... Why am I suddenly dragged into that plan of yours?"
"Hush, you're ruining the moment."
"There even wasn't a moment," Shino says, rolling his eyes.
Vixie chuckles and shakes her head. "I'll be fine, guys. Don't worry. I mean..." Her gaze falls back on the berry she's holding. "It'd be nice to have someone, but," she chuckles. "Truly, I'll be fine."
Her two friends share a look.
Shino nods his head. "Okay, I'm in."
Cindy smirks. "Great."
Vixie rolls her eyes. "Really, you two. Stop worrying about me." She shakes her head. "I don't want to just bend over to some random guy I'll meet in the festival."
"You say that now," Cindy says, smirking. "But once you do find someone, I'll be there to remind you of the words you've said just now."
The ice-type groans and rolls her eyes.
Parking the wagon in the restaurant's backyard, the Eevee sits down on the grassy lawn and wipes the bead of sweat off of his head. "Whew..." he says as the back door swings open.
"There you are," the Pangoro says as he steps outside. "You're late," he says, frowning at him.
The Eevee glares at him as the Nickit steps out of the door. "What? You want me to run through the crowded streets down below?"
The large Pokemon smirks as he lifts the crate. "It's either you went sight-seeing or you were ogling some pretty lady."
"Dad," the Nickit frowns at the tall Pokemon. "Stop teasing him."
"Alright, alright," the Pangoro says, and laughs as he walks back inside with the crate.
"Thanks," the Eevee says and chuckles as the Nickit helps him remove the harness off of him.
"Hee hee," the Nickit smiles back at him. "Oh! I should go get the cover. Bee ar bee!"
He blinks as he watches the Nickit go back inside. "Bee ar bee?" He smiles and shakes his head, and helps the Nickit pull the tarp out the door and cover the wagon with it. "There," he says with a sigh.
"Do it!" the Nickit suddenly says, smiling at him.
He blinks in confusion. "Uh, do what?"
"Swift!" she exclaims. "Doesn't hurt to do a little bit of practice, right?"
He frowns. "I...guess." He closes his eyes and takes a breath, and concentrates on whatever it is he's trying to release from him. He's still not quite sure what 'it' is, but he thinks he needs to figure that out soon if he wants to make some progress.
The two Pokemon share a look of disappointment as they stare at the small spec of light fading away in front of them.
She smiles an encouraging smile. "D-don't worry. You'll get it, I know you will!"
He smiles and pats her head. "Thanks, Plu." He then gestures for them to head back inside. "Come on, before you dad yells at us again."
The small Nickit giggles, and the two then return inside the building. With her tail, she grabs the handle and closes the door behind her.
"NO ONE DID THE DISHES WHILE I WAS AWAY?!" the Eevee suddenly yells, staring at the towering piles of dishes by the sink.
The Pangoro suddenly pokes his head in the kitchen. "That's your job," he says, and throws an apron at the angry Eevee. "Now get to work."
"Eh heh heh heh..." the Nickit laughs awkwardly as the angry Eevee wears the apron on himself.
"Can't be helped, dear," the Miltank says with a small smile. "We're just too busy to do it."
The Eevee sighs as the Nickit gives him a pat on his shoulder before she goes out of the kitchen to get back to her work.