Fringe sat down at his desk, filing documents, letters, and the like. Never anything fun about this, but I suppose someone has to do this job. he thought with a dry chuckle.
He rose from his seat at his desk, grabbing a few of the letters as he did and walked out of his room. Phasing through the hidden door and walking down the cut stone stairs into the lobby.
It was a much quieter day than usual. He waltzed on over to the mailbox for the apartment and withdrew a key from a pocket he had sewn onto his ragged body. I suppose being a Banette has its perks every now and again. he considered as he opened the small brass hatch and withdrew the mail from it with only slight difficulty.
He grabbed the other handful of letters and set them into the letter box as he took some time to mentally note, If this guild thing ever happens, there'll have to be a faster way to do this. Taking a few seconds to look around, he locked the box tight and returned up the stairs. Well, if I'm still around by then.
As he walked up he slipped on a stair and dropped a note. "Damnit." he muttered as he leaned over to pick it up. It was addressed to Flocon, he waited a moment and with his curiosity getting the best of him, he sat down on the stairs. After setting aside the small stack of notes he turned over the folded letter a few times. Resting his head on one of his hands he held the note at an arm's length, letting it hang from a corner, and simply looked at it for a while, unsure of what to make of it.
The note itself seemed to be in impeccable condition when compared to the others they had received prior. No matter how hard he looked he saw no sign of any return address. He set it on top of the letters and told himself, This is the second time this has happened, the first time was with the doctor. Considering how that went, it would be unwise to even show Ninetales this letter with how easily he walked into that trap. he considered before letting out a sigh.
He reached over and picked up the stack. Straightening his back as he stood back up. He then began to ascend the steps once again.
Arriving at the hidden door, he sighed to himself. Too tired to deal with moving it he smacked the stack of papers as an eerie glow began to surround them. He took a few steps back and leaped forwards to phase through the wall with the stack in tow.
He let out a small sound of triumph as he walked to the center of the room and took a seat at the nearest table.
Setting aside the papers into multiple stacks to organize them, he set aside the ads to be used as firestarters to light the oven.
His eye fell onto the folded note again. He hesitated for a moment as he picked it up once more. He held it uncertainly before setting it aside. No, I can't be the one to open it. This is Ninetales' letter, that choice belongs to him. he decided.
He waited a moment before sighing, while there were stacks of papers for a few job requests. There remained only the lone letter in the pile of personal documents.
But that letter addressed to Flocon, he knew it wasn't from a family member or friend. He staggered the stacks before retiring to his office. I suppose we're a family for a reason. he considered as he sat down at his desk.
Fringe pushed the papers to the side for the time being as he reminisced a small bit. He rose from his seat and smiled sadly. Maybe that's why I wanted to help that Ninetales. he thought as he leaned onto the table, his back facing the edge of it.
He tossed his gaze skywards as he continued to think, None of us had a place to go, that's why we're here. He turned his gaze back to the lone message. I'm alright with that, I just wonder if everyone else is.
He closed his eyes. Maybe I worry a little too much, perhaps I don't worry enough. He thought with a sigh as he began to reflect. I always tense up every time Frukkshin isn't back before the end of the day. He looks like he's been better recently, but I worry that he won't be coming back one of these days… he paused his train of thought there, tears starting to stain the fabric that was his skin. He pulled out a cloth and wrung out the wetness from under his eyes into it and just hoped that it would either evaporate before anyone got back or became almost invisible on the dark cloth.
Gripping the edge of the table even harder than previously, he just stood there for a good few minutes as he stared at the ceiling. His thoughts were cut off by the familiar sound of the door being opened. "Hmm?" he sounded as he floated over to check it out.
Frukkshin waltzed in with Flocon on his back, an all too familiar sight by now, with Sylpheed lagging behind by a few feet. "Before you ask, no, it didn't go well." Frukkshin said dryly as he toted the Ninetales off to the infirmary.
Flocon let out a small grunt as he was carried off. Fringe turned to Sylpheed and said, "Attend to Ninetales first." he turned around but quickly caught himself. "Actually, I'll be right over to talk to him." he said with a nod.
Sylpheed nodded and walked off after the two.
Fringe sighed and turned the corner to his room. Pushing open the door and arriving at his desk for but a few moments to grab the letter for Flocon. This can't be good, but it's his decision to make. he convinced himself as he walked through the halls towards the infirmary. He seemed a bit defeated but, standing next to the doorway, he shook off the expression and put on a more formal one.
He walked in to see Sylpheed slowly working on healing Frukkshin.
Flocon looked up from his little spot on a table. He tilted his head and let out a small, confused grunt.
Fringe smiled inwardly as he stepped forward and handed Flocon the letter. "This was sent to you, what you do with it is up to you." he said as Flocon accepted the letter in his maw.
Flocon set down the letter and fiddled for a few minutes to work it open. Maybe I should've offered to open it. Fringe thought as he watched Flocon finally get the envelope open and read it.
Sylpheed peered over and remarked, "Is that even Galetian?" before returning to her job.
Fringe gave her an odd look but walked over to Flocon, who seemed to be reading it without an issue. "Says here I got 'special eyes' and that they want to find out why… says it's…" Flocon's voice trailed off as he reread a section. "'Mutually beneficial,' whatever they mean by that."
Fringe gave Flocon an odd look, the text wasn't written in Galetian. He immediately recognized it as Sirin. And Flocon was reading it as if it were his primary language. Interesting, then he's definitely part of La Premiere Quartiere, but he speaks Galetian just as easily… odd, that's the only way I can put it. He considers.
Flocon eventually tucked away the letter as Frukkshin finally got healed up as he got off the table. "What sort of disaster-in-waiting is it this time?" he remarked with a snort as he saw Flocon with a letter in front of him.
Fringe ignored Frukkshin's remark and finally answered Flocon, "Well, they're not wrong about it being mutually beneficial. But-"
"-It sounds like another trap." Frukkshin finished. "Look Flocon, we might have something to gain from it, but you might be seriously injured."
Flocon gave him a short and simple answer, "I'm willing to take that risk." Before crossins his paws. Almost as if he were preparing for a proper debate to take place.
Frukkshin gave him the argument he was looking for, "And what do you have to gain from that risk?" his voice was interrogative, albeit slightly concerned.
Stuttering moment with a, "uh- I." Flocon then said, "We could find important information about my past. Is that not why I'm here?"
Frukkshin stared at him in disbelief for a moment before retorting, "Look, you might be wandering into a death trap, they might want your head for all we know."
"Well, at least I'd be done with this!" Flocon exclaimed "At least then I won't have to put up with this anymore." Silence ensued, everyone stared at Flocon in stunned silence that seemed to last for far longer than anyone was comfortable with.
Frukkshin's demeanor changed for a moment. "Flocon," he began as he strode up to meet him. "don't… whatever you do… don't be like me." those were his last words before he turned and left the room in silence.
Flocon paused a moment before frowning. He didn't know what to say in response to something like that. Was there anything to say?
Fringe stepped aside for Frukkshin and allowed him to leave the room while Sylpheed watched from a corner.
Meekly, Sylpheed said, "I… should go check on him." before hastily exiting the room. Half-running past Fringe into the hall.
Fringe and Flocon were left alone together. The Banette stood there for a few moments to watch Sylpheed leave the room before telling Flocon, "Something tells me you're still not convinced."
The Ninetales looked up and nodded. "I feel like I have to go." he said, his voice was small and unsure.
Fringe approached and leaned on the table that Flocon laid atop and said, "No one's forcing you." In an attempt to comfort Flocon.
The Ninetales paused for a moment. "Then… why am I here?" he asked as he looked in almost random directions. "This is what I'm here for right? To figure out my past… but the way that Frukkshin spoke. I don't get it… why does he care?" He seemed lost somehow.
The words struck Fringe like a knife plunging into his chest. What sort of… his train of thought went in every direction yet seemed to go nowhere. Of course we care… he's a pokemon just like us, no matter how strange he might be. Is what he wanted to say. But he was practically in shock over the words.
Flocon looked over at him and rested his head on the table. "Is there… am I doing something wrong?" he asked.
Giving a small and slightly sad smile, Fringe told him, "Only you can ever know the answer to that. Frukkshin's… never been in the best of shape. He has yet to truly move past…" Fringe paused for a moment, trying to find his words. "It'd probably be better if he told you directly about what's ailing him."
Flocon shook his head. "There's a lot I don't get about this… why can I trust you but not them?" his question was genuine as he put a paw on the letter in front of him.
The answer really is that he shouldn't even trust us. The offer's similar, the idea of mutually benefitting… I'd like to think that I'm an honest pokemon. he considered. "Only you can be the judge of that." he replied.
"Well, to be honest with you, I'm not a very good judge." he said with a breath out as he laid his head on the table. Flocon seemed somehow saddened by everything that had happened. "Here I am, pouring my heart out over something that might not even matter in a day or two."
I remember thinking that it was time to take drastic measures… have I really forgotten that there's a pokemon's life that may be in jeopardy here? he thought as he paused for a moment or two. Contemplating what to say. "Ninetales, listen to me, every choice has weight. Every action has a consequence." he began. "If these pokemon are the same senders as last time, then it might be dangerous."
"I remember, Bancho said that it wasn't a trap…" he muttered.
But it was… Bancho usually has such a level head, why would he say something like that? Was he being facetious? he considered as he adjusted his position to be a bit more comfortable. No, there's no way, Bancho's never joked about that in the past. I may have known both him and Ohm for a few years. But I barely understand either of them when they're near each other. Fringe thought with a thoughtful frown as he groped the fabric below his chin.
Flocon looked up in a bit of confusion. "Is something wrong?" he asked.
Fringe gave him a quick reply, "Nothing, just thinking." he said as he turned to face Flocon. They stood there in silence for a while before Fringe finally said, "Whatever you choose, the decision is yours. Just make sure it's the decision you feel you won't regret." As he pivoted on his heel to leave the room.
Flocon looked at the letter, then back towards Fringe. "I'll go. I want to help as much as I'm able and if that means I have to go into a dangerous situation, then I will. I can't just be sitting here and taking it." he said with resolution. "I'll be careful, if things start to look bad, then I'll gladly turn back."
Fringe paused for a moment and said, "Well, that's quite the attitude you have about this." he turned back around. "I'm glad to hear you're going to be looking out for yourself." he took a moment to consider, I wonder what changed? Perhaps the conversation did have an effect after all… Before stepping out of the room.
Flocon leaped down from his table and gave a triumphant grunt before remembering that he had a letter he needed to keep with him for the time being. Using two fore paws on the top of the table to hoist himself up and a bit of fiddling with his mouth Flocon managed to grip the letter in his maw. After letting out another, equally triumphant, grunt he walked out of the room with a skip in his step.
When he came out to the hallway, he saw that Fringe was standing in the doorway to the room where he, Frukkshin and Sylpheed usually sleep. A few seconds passed before he walked away, meeting Flocon's eyes for but a moment.
Flocon walked further to see what the commotion was about.
Frukkshin was crying over this orb of obsidian. Flocon's tails drooped at the sight. He stood there with indecision plastered on his face. Should he approach? Should he leave? It wasn't until he sulked away that he made his choice
But he hadn't a clue if he had made the right one.
Flocon bumped into Fringe who turned around and gave him a solemn look. I think he gets it. Fringe thought as he viewed Flocon's stance. It's never easy to lose someone… even if he doesn't understand our rituals, he feels it.
Flocon gave a moment of pause and gazed sadly at Fringe, before continuing to walk away.
Sylpheed snuck up on Fringe, lightly tapping his shoulder with a claw. "Will Frukkshin be okay?" she asked.
Fringe stood for a moment before he answered honestly, "I don't know."
Sylpheed came forward for only a moment, her claw outstretched as if she were reaching for someone. But she relented and backed away sadly before walking past him and into the lounge.
Fringe waited a moment. I hate having to do that… being that honest. I know it helps them in the long run, but damn does it hurt. He thinks as he pivots on his heel and begins walking. Is this why I hole myself up here all day? he considers as he walks past Sylpheed and Flocon.
Flocon looked up at Sylpheed as she sat down with him. She seemed bleary eyed and the Ninetales wasn't doing much better all things considered.
She peered up to meet Flocon's gaze and told him, "Flocon, help him." she put a claw on his shoulder. "I don't know why… but I think you might be one of the few that can." she kicked the ground idly for a few moments before continuing. "What's the term, 'neutral party'? Well, that's you."
"I wouldn't call myself neutral." Flocon responded, the letter sitting in front of him with his ears dropped at the sides of his head. "I'm part of this… rescue team, yeah, that. I'd say I'm good." he answered, not really getting what Sylpheed was getting at but trying his best to answer.
Sylpheed chuckled and withdrew into herself. "I guess that's why I trust you then." she said in reference to his ignorance of these terms, she smiled, though it was bittersweet. "I know how the others look at me… what they think of me. Maybe I am a bit insane." she paused for a moment. "But you… you don't get that. You don't have anything to tell you how to act, what to do." her voice trailed off.
Flocon gave her a blank expression before loosing a small frown across his face. "I-I guess so?" he replied with uncertainty lacing his voice.
Sylpheed let out a half-smile. "You don't need to understand it. But… I think that sort of attitude might be the only thing helping Frukkshin, he's gotten better recently." She let her legs go and crossed them but she still seemed small as she leaned on the table. "At least I think he has."
Non-judgemental, that's the word you're looking for. Fringe thought as he tore his eyes and ears off their conversation. Ninetales' memories are entirely screwed, he doesn't have any bias to work off, no prior experiences to make sense of. But she's right, and it may be the only thing he has. he thought as he continued on to his office.
I don't think Frukkshin's getting better because of Ninetales… but rather that he has something to grab onto, some renewed reason to live. he reasoned as he opened the door and walked over to the stack of papers to read them off. Sylpheed's onto something. Or is all of this Soma talking? he let loose a very slight smile.
Sorting through the papers was the same busy work as it always was. Reading it only to put it in one of two piles just to have someone else read it. Filing the occasional tax, balancing the records, making budgets and the list goes on and on. It wasn't the best position to be in but without someone to fill it the entire team would fall apart.
At least Fringe thought it would. Every time, why can't I be out there? He thought with a tiny bit of resentment. No… I know the answer to that. "A great leader is someone who opens the path so that others may pass through." that's what father always told me… a tear slid down his cheek as he looked at his pathwork arm. That's why I'm still here. Isn't it?
He slammed the stack he was working through onto the table, scattering the papers. Fringe stifled back a scream as he did so as he shot up from his chair.
The papers made a mess around him that he quickly cleaned up. He seemed frantic about doing so as he set them back on the table in a neat pile.
Standing for another moment in disbelief, at himself or at others, he let a small grunt escape his throat. Never shall I make the same mistake again. He swore as he sat back down and began sorting through the papers with the remaining sunlight.
The room took on a golden hue as he set the final paper down in the correct pile.
Fringe rested his head on the wooden table in exhaustion. This is my last chance after all… I need to make all of this count. He thought.
A knock came through the wood of the door a few minutes later. Fringe weakly rose from his seat and opened it to see Flocon. Well, at least he didn't scare me this time. he thinks. "Come on in, Ninetales." he said as he stepped aside, holding the door open a bit wider for him to pass through
Flocon waltzed past the Banette and sat at the desk. Fringe followed, as he was walking he asked, "What's on your mind?" as he sat down behind the desk.
"It's about what happened yesterday, about the… 'subspeciation' and all that." Flocon began with a movement of his paws.
Fringe tilted his head. Usually I know what to say right off the bat, this time's a bit different it seems. He thinks before asking, "How so?" he leaned forwards a bit as he continued to mull over Flocon's statement, It was merely a conversation, how much might he have on his mind?
Flocon waited a few moments in silent thought as he then stated, "It's just…" his ears drooped. "Well, there's nothing really that truly bothers me per say. But I guess I'm just worried a bit is all." he said, he had this strange, semi-smile on his face as he spoke.
Nervousness then, I have to admit that it's all a little suspicious. he considered as he readjusted himself. "What part about it worries you?" Fringe inquired.
"Well, it's about how weird I am in comparison to so many others like me, why am I different? What makes me so special?" his head fell onto the table.
Fringe paused. Fate… it is a bit weird, but that's a surprisingly good point. Even if it's on accident. Nothing is truly random. Everything happens for one reason or another. He leaned back in thought as he tried to probe the inners of his mind, though it became immediately apparent that there was little to be gained. He rose from his chair. "Everyone has something that makes them special. Some pokemon can run faster than others, some can lift incredible weights with little effort, some just have an incredible knack for painting. My point is: this is what makes every pokemon special, but that doesn't mean you can go around flaunting it."
Flocon looked up and after a moment of contemplation asked, "Why does that matter?"
Fringe took a moment before he responded, "Everyone's unique and in that sense, none of us are. Just don't go stressing about it too much." he paused. I think that makes sense.
Looking down at his paws and then back up at Fringe, Flocon nodded. "Thanks." he said simply before perking up and remembering. "One other thing: the message sent to me said that I had to go there tomorrow."
Fringe sighed and said, "Then go tomorrow if you want to, I'll figure out who to send along with you."
"Well they asked for you." he said almost immediately after.
Fringe visibly flinched for a moment, seeming a bit nervous before recollecting himself. Ninetales has no reason to lie here… he probably doesn't even know how to lie. he considered. Is this a trap? No, if it was they'd ask for someone closer to him as a threat. Being a Ghost-type I can slip out of almost any attempt at capture. He was stuck in a bit of contemplation before finally saying, "I'll go, but I'll also have someone keep a close watch over our trip there."
Before Flocon could respond, a knock came from the door. Fringe and Flocon exchanged a glance before Fringe walked out from behind his desk to open it.
Ohm stood on the other side, seemingly upset about something. "It didn't go well." he said as he handed Fringe a pouch of coin and sulked away.
Fringe paused for a moment before closing the door. Wonder what happened there… he thought as he turned back to Flocon. Ohm's probably having another episode about thinking he's done something wrong and is going to be jailed again… he sighed a bit sadly, something that didn't go unnoticed by the Ninetales.
"Did something happen with him?" The Ninetales questioned.
Fringe looked over at him before slowly saying, "A lot has happened. Trust me when I say this: you hardly know anyone here. Dismissed for now, I'll be free come tomorrow morning." he exited the office shortly after.
Flocon was left alone in the room, he peered about for a moment before reluctantly rising to his feet once again. "Hm" he sounded as he headed out.
Meeting the closed door, it occurred to him once more. "How do these things work again?" he jumped up and fiddled with the handle. Before it finally unlatched and he fell back to open it. Tumbling to his feet he dashed out of the room and pulled to door closed after him, lightly bumping the bridge of his snout before he left.
A few minutes passed. The floor seemed to liquify and two pokemon, a Huntail and a Gorebyss arose from it. "You caught that, right Vans?" Haley asked.
Vans nodded and responded, "Then we'll send someone to cut them off on their way back. How long until we step in?"
"If they fail… probably then. I almost feel bad." she said with a sigh.
The Huntail gave her a stern look and reminded her, "Jack killed Depra, I have no remorse whatsoever." he got closer to her to continue, "That's why we're going to kill that bastard."
"True…" Haley replied as she dove back under.
Vans scowled for a moment. He took a moment to scan the room before diving after her, the ground resolidifying only seconds after.
So, heads up again, that I might miss the next upload due to some disheartening events. If I can't find the will to get the next chapter out, I'll probably end up doing an edit of the first few chapters to fix up a lot of the issues in them.
Edit on 6/25/2020: And with that chapter updated, I am done with my edits for the time being. I'll probably be missing the next upload due to some heavy drama but I'll try to get back on track as best as I possibly can.