Thanks for the reviews! Nice to know that my stories aren't being completely ignored. Just so you know, this chapter jumps around a bit, and I am well aware that the café isn't open yet at this point in the game. I just didn't care.

One might have thought that dumping a bucket of water over someone's head was a surefire way to make an enemy, but instead it sparked a friendly rivalry between Sol and Loudred. They would try to outmatch each other in trivial competitions, or try to out do each other in pranks, but by the end of the day they would be laughing about it with no hard feelings.

After two weeks at the guild, Sol and Eevee got to know most of the other apprentices fairly well in between training (if throwing them out to do jobs with no real instruction could be considered training). Eevee and Bidoof hit it off right from the start with Corpinish joining in soon after. Sol found she rather liked the quiet and thoughtful Chimecho, and the overly dramatic Sunflora was all right in small doses. Chatot was still a jerk, but Sol could deal with that.

The there were the people in Treasure Town, though Sol hadn't found the time to get to know many of them personally. After getting Azurill back safely, the brothers regarded team Wanderers with a sort of idol worship, which Sol was far from comfortable with. The Kecleons were also overjoyed with Azurill's rescue, being quite fond of the two. They even offered Sol with the cherry wood staff she had admired earlier as a reward, which was gratefully accepted. Sol had then bought a pack, plain dark brown and slightly worn but serviceable, and strapped her staff to it so it rested against her back in easy reach.

"I've just got to drop off some stuff at Kangaskhan Storage before we head out on that job," Eevee told Sol as they walked through the town.

"Kangaskhan… that's the big brown Pokémon who calls everyone dear and hugs me whenever she sees me?"

"Yes."

"I'm just going to wait over here while you go do that."

Eevee went off on his way and Sol looked around. She still wasn't all that familiar with Treasure Town and only knew a few people. Kanga khan ("just call me granny", she had told Sol upon their first meeting) tended to off on random topics frequently, so Eevee would probably be awhile. Sol decided to take a look around in the meantime.

Treasure Town was filled with bright colours, every house unique and vibrantly decorated. The people were open and friendly, even to complete strangers, each giving Sol a greeting as she walked past. The danger of outlaws and the problems with time (something Sol still didn't understand) didn't seem to have touched this place yet in the slightest.

"Excuse me."

Sol turned around to see a pinkish, dog like Pokémon.

"I'm Espeon. I just arrived here and don't really know my way around yet. Could you tell me where the Duskull Bank is?"

"You sure know how to pick your helpers," Sol laughed. "I'm new here too, but I know where the bank is. I could show you if you like."

"Oh, that would be wonderful! I've just been wandering about all day, completely lost! I'm from Pokémon Square really, really far to the east. Not a very creative name if you ask me, but what can you expect from Pokémon who name just about everyone after their species? Anyway, Persian, from the bank back in my town, said he could transfer some of my funds to the bank here, so…"

Espeon went on with a constant stream of chatter as Sol led her through the town. Sol usually would have found something like that annoying, but with her it was somehow endearing.

They soon arrived at the bank, a place Sol herself never used, mostly because Duskull really creeped her out. She wasn't sure if it was because of his dark and somber appearance, the way he spoke, or how he would get a possessive gleam in his red eye when he counted out deposited money. Or maybe it was because ghost Pokémon in general made her weary. Espeon showed no such discomfort and diverted her chatter to Duskull.

"There you are, Sol! I'm all finished and-" Eevee said as he approached hid partner but stopped short when he caught sight of Espeon, his expression frozen in place.

"Sparks!" Espeon squealed and ran over to envelope Eevee in a hug, though he remained stiff and unresponsive. "When I heard that my little cousin had joined a rescue- I mean, exploration team as they're called over here, I just had to come and congratulate you myself. No Peliper with a letter would do for something as big as this. Is it true you took down an outlaw already? And you're Sol? Of course you are, how silly of me. But what a coincidence that is!"

Espeon ran back over and it was Sol's turn for a hug. She couldn't quite follow Espeon's rapid fire comments and was a bit confused, unsure how exactly she was supposed to react.

"Thank you so much for helping Sparks out! This had been a dream of his since before I can remember, but he's never had the confidence to go through with it."

"Sparks?" Sol asked dumbly.

"Oh, that was Eevee's nickname when we were younger. Never could get him to sit still, always bursting with energy!"

Espeon ruffled the fur on Eevee's head affectionately, but he just looked annoyed and smoothed it back down.

"You know what would be great? I heard of this adorable little café just outside of town. We should go check it out and catch up!"

"I don't know if we can," Eevee said. "We have all these jobs we need to do, right Sol?"

"It's true, we do have some jobs down at Drenched Bluff…"

"See? No can do. Maybe another-"

"… But I'm willing to put them off to get to know my partner's cousin!"

"Perfect!" Espeon declared, her expression brightening. "This is going to be so much fun! You have to tell me everything that's happened since we last saw each other."

"I see embarrassing childhood stories in your future, Sparks," Sol whispered to Eevee as they followed Espeon to the outskirts of town.

"You're evil," he replied sourly.

…

"- and then we finally found him, soaking wet and treed by an angry Paris!"

Sol burst into laughter, her mirth only fueled by the angry glare on Eevee shot at his cousin. Spinda's Café was a popular place, only a few tables left vacant. It was brightly lit and cozy, without the claustrophobic feel one would expect from a place built below ground. Spinda himself was a bit odd, going on about hopes and dreams, but he knew his way around a juice bar.

"And that's another glass gone," Espeon said. "Hold on, I'll be right back.

She left and Eevee gave Sol an annoyed look.

"Why are you putting me through this?"

"Because its hilarious. And its not nearly as bad as you're making it out to be. I like your cousin. She's a lot of fun."

"I'd be fine with her being around if she'd stop dredging up embarrassing memories I'd much rather forget."

"Hold on to them. You'd miss them if they were gone."

Eevee's face turned stricken. "I'm sorry, Sol. I didn't mean-"

"I'm just messing with you. It's all right."

That was only partially true. Sitting there, watching Eevee and Espeon, Sol felt an aching longing for all that she had lost. Has she ever done anything embarrassing when she was younger? What about her family? Was there anyone out there, any parents, siblings, family or friends, looking and wondering where she was? Usually Sol was able to distance herself from such thoughts, knowing that they would bring only misery and pain, but she couldn't help but feel a stab of envy looking at Eevee, looking at everyone around her who knew exactly who they were. She tried to squash that feeling, but it was persistent and never left completely.

Espeon returned, carrying a tall glass of a frothy purple liquid.

"So, Espeon, will you be staying in Treasure Town long?" Sol asked.

"For a little while, at least, though I'm not quite sure for just how long. First I'd like to hang out with my cousin a bit, maybe take in some sights. Oh, and that reminds me, you said you were new here too? Where are you from?"

"She doesn't remem-"

Sol kicked Eevee's chair from under the table and gave him a pointed look.

"Really, really far from here, to the south. You've probably never even heard of it," Sol lied.

"That must have been quite the journey. Why did you leave?"

"I can't really explain it. Just wanted to find out who I really am, and what better way than traveling around?"

Sol inwardly winced at her own clichéd back story. It was sort of a rushed job. At any rate, Espeon was lapping it up.

"That sounds so exciting! All by yourself on the road, just going wherever the wind takes you. I would never be able to do anything like that. I'm somewhat high maintenance, too used to the comforts of home. This trip here will probably be the closest I come to a real adventure."

Eevee gave Sol a questioning look. She didn't think it would be a good idea to make what she was common knowledge. Sol had no clue as to how people would react. A human-turned-Pokémon with no memory and the ability to see the future? Best to keep that to themselves for now.

Espeon continued to talk and Sol settled back in in her chair. She was glad they had taken the time to do this. It was good to have a moment to relax after spending so much time in Mystery Dungeons. It would be back to work tomorrow so she'd best enjoy the peace while it lasted.

…

Chatot was furious with them for not completing any jobs. Apparently he had never heard of the concept of a day off. So as punishment they were assigned with sentry duty for the next day. That hadn't sounded so bad to Sol until she found out that they'd be spending the entire day stuffed in a cramped, dark hole.

"This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard," Sol protested. "Why can't we stand inside the gate and get a clear view of who's coming? And I don't know how to identify footprints! That sounds like something you need to be trained for. Also, isn't this whole system a little racist, basing entry entirely on Pokémon species?"

"Shut your YAP! NO MORE BELLYACHING! GO DO YOUR DUTY!" Loudred shouted in that far too loud voice of his.

"Whoa, simmer down. We're going, we're going…"

It was a tight fit down in the tunnel, having been made with the small form of Diglett in mind. There was barely enough room for both Eevee and Sol, and as it was they were squished together and any movement would jostle the other.

Sol couldn't understand the feet obsession it seemed all Pokémon shared. Eevee handled the identification, because Sol didn't have a clue when it came to footprints. Even footprint runes, the main form of writing that Pokémon used, was well out of Sol's grasp, despite Eevee's attempts to teach her. She could recognize a handful of words, mostly the names of places, but that was just about it.

Another Pokémon stood on the grate above, a Meowth according to Eevee (though could've sworn the foot looked exactly the same as the Linoone's that was here earlier). He was allowed in (as had every single Pokémon before him, raising the question of why sentries were needed), but kicked down a small pebble as he passed that landed on Sol's head. As had the staff, it triggered a sudden flashback.

A sound thunder filled the tunnel as the ground shook and rumbled beneath her feet. A smudge of colour amongst the uniform grey surroundings stood nearby, a vague green shape blurred and distorted beyond recognition.

"Move, move, move!" the shape yelled as dust and small rocks shook free of the ceiling. For a moment Sol recognized the voice, but that was soon lost along with all sense of what the voice had even sounded like.

"No, I thought I'd just stop here and have a picnic!" Sol shot back as they ran.

The rumbling became louder as the tunnel began to collapse all around them. They weren't going to make it. Despair with a large dose of frustration threatened to consume her until she caught sight of a small, pink shape up ahead.

Sol blinked and found herself back in the present. In the dark of the hole, Eevee hadn't noticed anything, leaving Sol to mull it over by herself until the day was done and they emerged stiff and sore.

…

Freakin' tourists. They hire teams for 'the exploration experience' (it wasn't as if the teams had any important work to do, like saving lost or trapped people, for example), then complain that "the path is too steep", "my feet hurt", or "that wild Pokémon is attacking me". Self important, rich brats with too much time on their hands, the lot of them.

Usually Sol never took this sort of job, but they were getting low on cash. Finding lost items never paid much, rescue jobs were few and far between (at least in the low level, relatively safe dungeons they were permitted to work in), and they weren't experienced enough to take bounties with much confidence for success (and Eevee was still terrified at the prospect). So they were stuck playing tour guide for a pompous Glameow.

"Are we there yet?" she whined, not for the first time. "We've been walking forever."

Sol gritted her teeth and resisted the urge to push her off the side of Mt. Bristle.

"We've only been here for half an hour," Eevee said cheerfully, not bothered in the slightest by the persistent drone of complaints. "We can stop for a rest though, if you like."

"It feels like we've been walking for hours. Nevertheless, I shall persevere," Glameow said as if she was making a huge sacrifice and deserved a medal.

Once again, Sol fought down the urge to kill her client.

Five minutes passed.

"Are we there yet?"

Glameow would never realize just how lucky she was when the group of Spinirak dropped down onto the path. As it was, she let out an unearthly shriek and swooned, though she recovered quickly enough when she realized no one was going to catch her.

Sol ran forward, her staff in her hands in an instant. She brought it down with a crack on the first Spinirak, which crumpled to the ground. There was a flicker in her peripheral and she brought her weapon around vertically to block a string shot attack. Sticky web wrapped itself around the shaft and Sol spun around in a sweeping strike to hit the Pokémon's many legs and knock it off its feet.

Sol must have been trained in staff fighting before. Even without the flashback it would have been obvious. She reacted instinctually without thinking, handling the weapon like a long time master without ever remembering any past instruction, which made up for her weakness in all things Riolu. Sol was extremely thankful she had at least been turned into a Pokémon with opposable thumbs.

When the Spinirak were defeated, either unconscious or fled, Glameow emerged from her spot cowering against the wall. She looked around cautiously before straightening up and recovering her arrogant air.

"How dreadful. Such violent brutes. Not a thought for subtlety or sophistication."

She kicked a fallen Spinirak before continuing down the path.

"Come now. There isn't time for stopping, so don't you complain. What am I paying you for? Let's get moving!"

Sol closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. This was going to be a long day.

Freakin' tourists.

…

"Apart from a few hiccups, I do believe that went tolerably well," Glameow informed them back at the guild. "Though you really must learn to control your temper. I'll have you know my parents are very well connected and would not like to know how you spoke to me. You should consider yourself fortunate that I am so forgiving."

Sol's hand stretched out on reflex, her claws shot out. She forced herself to calm down and they retracted before anyone noticed.

"Now I suppose you're waiting for your reward. Here."

She handed a rolled-up scroll to Eevee, yellowed and cracked with age.

"We were expecting money for this," Sol protested. "Not some worthless scrap of paper."

"That is far from worthless! It's extremely valuable, and can lead you to a priceless treasure!"

"We are not about to fall for the magic beans claim. We want actual money, not a piece of junk."

"Well that's all your getting. Ta ta."

Glameow ran off out of the guild and Sol couldn't find the energy to chase after her. Putting up with annoying clients had left her feeling drained.

Sol sighed.

"So what is it anyway?"

Eevee unrolled the paper and looked it over with a quizzical eye.

"I think it's a map."