Chapter Two
"...Chespie?" Mairin asked, uncertainty in her tone as she looked up at the mighty Chesnaught. A part of her didn't believe her words as she spoke– there was no way Chespie had just evolved overnight– they hadn't battled in ages!
But those eyes... Mairin knew those eyes. They were Chespie's eyes– and everyone knew their starter Pokemon.
The Chesnaught frowned, tilting his head in a way only Chespie would do. He stared down at her for a moment, before giving an uncertain nod. Mairin stared, trying to take in the fact that Chespie had indeed evolved– and she hadn't seen it.
"Chespie!" Mairin cried, before racing forward. Evolved or not, Mairin didn't care, because this was someone she could always trust. He opened his arms as she ran forward, slamming into his chest. His large arms returned her hug, before gently scooping her up. Chespie let out a rumble, the sound almost purr-like as he held his trainer.
The unfamiliar Absol was still watching them, and she stood up. She was standing on a large shelf that had clearly been built for her to rest on, and she leapt down. Within seconds she was at Chespie's side, looking up at Mairin. The Chesnaught set Mairin down, the Absol pressing her head against Mairin's leg, as if sensing her distress.
"Th-thank you," Mairin told the unfamiliar Pokemon. She knelt down, running a hand through the mane of fur around its neck. The Absol closed its ruby eyes as Mairin stroked her. "You're beautiful... where did you come from? Who's your trainer?"
Why on earth was her room now a place clearly designed for Pokemon to live in?
The Absol's eyes snapped open, looking up at her in shock. Behind her Mairin felt Chespie go still, the arm on her shoulder tensening. Chespie and the Absol looked at each other, concern in their eyes, before looking at Mairin again.
"..Sol?" The Absol asked.
"What?" Mairin asked. "You do have a trainer, r-right? I mean you have an Absolite..."
Chespie gulped, and muttered something to the Absol. She nodded, before bolting towards the door. She reared up on her hind legs, front claws hitting the doorknob and as she came down. The door swung open a crack as the Absol landed on all fours, and she pressed her head into the gap, widening it– before bolting down the hallway.
"Ches," Chespie let out a concerned noise, scooping Mairin into a hug. He held her close, sitting down on the ground without letting her go. His large, protective arms were around her, and he started rocking back and forth as if she were a child.
"Did I say something wrong?" Mairin asked, glancing at the door where the Absol had been. Chespie shifted, shrugged, not making eye contact with Mairin. She gulped. "Chespie... what's going on? I'm so confused! I'm so... so..."
Her eyes snapped shut, the memory of waking up in the same bed as Alain still unsettling in her mind.
Chespie looked concerned, and he kept on cradling her. It was strange how quickly she relaxed in his arms, as if the large Chesnaught's grasp was something she had been wrapped in before. Then again, Mairin had always been a hugger, so perhaps in all of this panicked confusion this was comforting.
It wasn't long until Mairin heard the sound of footsteps and the tapping of claws outside of her bedroom door. Mairin leaned back against Chespie, and she heard a gentle knock. Chespie looked up at the door, and Mairin bit her lip.
"Mairin, can I come in and talk?" Professor Sycamore's voice came from the other side of the doorway. "We're all worried about you– even your Pokemon!"
"...You can," Mairin said after a moment, and the door creaked open more. There stood Professor Sycamore, a slight frown on his face. At his side was the Absol, who bolted into the room, straight to Mairin's side. She hesitated, watching Mairin in worry. Professor Sycamore shut the door behind him as he entered, but lingered by the doorway.
"Mairin, can you please tell me what's going on?" Professor Sycamore asked gently. "Something's clearly wrong, and everyone's really worried. Did something happen between you and Alain?"
Mairin's fingers curled around Chespie's arm. "...He said some really hurtful things to me last night..." Mairin finally whispered. "And... and then this morning I..."
She closed her eyes, flinching.
Professor Sycamore frowned. "...Alain says he has no idea why you're acting like this. Perhaps this is just a misunderstanding– not that it excuses anything he might have said," He sighed. "What did he say to you? When?"
Mairin glanced down. "You know... last night. When he stormed out of the lab. I went after him like you said, and he... he wasn't happy about that."
Professor Sycamore's frown deepened. "Stormed out?"
Mairin looked up at the professor. "...You know? After he got that letter? And he wouldn't talk to anyone?"
It wasn't like Alain had been quiet– he had slammed the door to the lab when he had charged out, snarling at anyone that tried to talk to him. That wasn't exactly a scene that would slip anyone's mind.
Professor Sycamore looked worried. "...Alain didn't do anything like that yesterday, Mairin," He said uncertainly.
Mairin stared at him– what was that supposed to mean?! Professor Sycamore had been there– he had been the one to hand Alain the letter! This wasn't just something that slipped someone's mind! Mairin glanced around the room, realizing that she had a lot more questions than what had happened to Alain though...
The Absol pressed her head into Mairin's hand, whimpering. Mairin hesitated, while Professor Sycamore's brow was furrowed in thought.
"...Professor?" Mairin asked softly, not sure of even where to begin. So many questions were racing through her mind, the confusion with everything that had happened, the underlying fear in her heart... Chespie looked down at Mairin as she pressed closer to the Pokemon, and she asked the first thing that came to her mind. "When did Chespie evolve?"
Professor Sycamore hadn't seemed surprised about Chespie's sudden appearance into Chesnaught– perhaps he had been around when it had taken place?
The concern on Professor Sycamore's face melted into pure worry. "...What?"
Chespie had gone still, clutching Mairin just a bit tighter. Mairin sat up, frowning at the strange reactions running through the room. The Absol, who had been laying at her side, covered her head with her front claws, curling up. Professor Sycamore's gaze went from Mairin to Chespie, hesitating.
"...He's a Chesnaught now," Mairin said slowly– how was he overlooking that? "I was wondering if you knew when it happened? Late last night, or maybe the middle of the night? Early this morning?"
Professor Sycamore took a step back, his hands reaching out for the wall. He supported himself for a moment, blinking slowly. He then turned back towards them– but he was looking at her Pokemon now. Chespie whined in worry, while the Absol stood up with her head lowered. Professor Sycamore closed his eyes.
"...Mairin," The professor's voice sounded strained, and there was a slight gleam of fear in his eyes. "Stay here, okay? I'm going to go talk to the others real quick... watch her, Chespie."
Mairin tried to stand up, but Chespie held her fast. Mairin opened her mouth, but before she could say a word Professor Sycamore was out the door. She could hear his footsteps as he walked away, much swifter than before.
"What's going on?" Mairin demanded, struggling to get free of Chespie. He held her close for a moment longer, before finally allowing her to stand. She rose to her feet, swiftly pacing the space that should have been her room. "What's going on?!" Fresh tears stung her eyes. "Y-you're evolved, the Professor's acting strange..." Mairin closed her eyes. "Chespie– I woke up in Alain's room this morning! In his bed! And he didn't even blink an eye!"
"Naught...?" Chespie asked, but didn't seem the least bit surprised by this news. He did look worried, but nothing like the fear that had gripped Mairin. She turned to look at her starter, who was looking at the Absol helplessly.
The Absol took a deep breath, then approached Mairin. The creature was so beautiful, her fur silky as she rubbed up against Mairin's leg. She watched the dark type as she continued to press up to her, as if wanting Mairin to pet her. She finally reached out with a hand towards the creature's head, who jerked her horn up. The smooth, scythe-like horn was pressed into her hand, and Mairin's fingers curled around it.
The Absol gave her a slight smile, then stepped towards the door. With Mairin holding onto the horn she was dragged forward. Mairin didn't let go of the Pokemon, allowing it to guide her to the door. The Absol stopped, waiting, and after a moment Mairin slowly opened the door. The Absol started forward once more, dragging her down the hallway. She had to stumble to keep up, but yet she didn't release the Absol's horn as she lead her towards the stairs.
"Do you know what's going on?" Mairin asked the Pokemon softly. The Absol looked up at her with those bright red eyes, blinking. Despite the Pokemon's expression being unchanging, Mairin got the impression that she simply wanted to help. She hesitated, then allowed the Absol to lead her downstairs. Mairin recognized that they were heading towards the lab kitchens, where she could hear voices talking.
The Absol slowly came to a stop, and they stood listening outside the doorway.
"There's nothing wrong with her!" Alain growled in a frustrated tone. "If something's upsetting her then something's upsetting her– and we should be making it right!"
"Alain, listen to me," Professor Sycamore said in an even tone. "You didn't hear the things she was saying. She's acting like something happened last night and–"
"Then something happened," Alain replied. "Mairin doesn't lie. She's–!"
"She asked me when Chespie evolved," Professor Sycamore cut in.
Silence fell across the hall and kitchen.
"...She brought it up...?" Cosette's voice asked, startled.
"No," Professor Sycamore said, his tone sounding heavy. "...She asked me if he evolved last night. I... I honestly didn't even know what to say..."
Silence fell across the kitchen again, and Absol decided that now was the time to make their entrance, and she pressed forward. With Mairin's hand still on her horn she was dragged forward, stumbling through the doorway. She froze up as five pairs of eyes turned towards her, all of the members of the lab sitting around the table.
Mairin's eyes swept over them, tensing up as she found herself looking into unfamiliar gaze of a boy she had never seen before. He had dark navy blue hair, and was perhaps a year or two older than her. He wore a pair of red glasses, his dark eyes regarding her in concern. She quickly tore her gaze away from him, but instead found herself looking into Alain's sharp blue eyes.
She swiftly looked to someone else.
It didn't matter though, because everyone was staring at her. They all had been talking about her behind her back, and now they were staring. She shifted, pressing closer to the Absol, who was gently pulling her horn out of Mairin's hand.
"Mairin," Alain said, pure concern in his voice. Mairin shivered slightly, looking down at her feet.
"What's going on?" Mairin asked, looking up at them with tears in her eyes. "Why is everyone talking strangely? Why is everything... different? Why... why...?"
Too many questions to voice, her words just got tangled on her tongue, leaving her unable to say anything at all. They glanced at each other, and then Alain stood up, heading towards her. Mairin froze up, before stumbling back at his approach.
The hurt in his eyes made her heart ache, but she just wanted as much space between them after what happened last night and this morning.
Professor Sycamore stood up as well, signaling at Alain to step back. The male glared at the professor, but finally stumbled back to his seat. The man with glasses looked concerned, while Sophie and Cosette were watching Mairin with soft eyes. All looked worried.
None of them explained what was happening.
"Mairin, what happened last night?" Professor Sycamore asked.
"I already told you," Mairin said sharply, her patience wearing thin. She glared bitterly in Alain's direction– she may have felt sorry earlier, but now that he was acting like nothing had happened she was only angry. Her anger shriveled up as she remembered this morning, pressed up against his warm chest...
He had called her honey.
"Mairin," Alain said weakly. "I swear, if I did something I'm sorry– but I have no idea what you're talking about."
Like his eyes, his voice sounded hurt.
Mairin gritted her teeth, but said nothing. Yes he had been upset– but that didn't mean he could just forget everything he had said to her! That didn't mean that he could just be forgiven without even an explanation of why he had said those things! And of course... she wrapped her arms around herself, closing her eyes.
Why had she been in his room, how had she gotten there...?
"Mairin," Professor Sycamore said slowly– he sounded nervous. "Can you tell me the name of the Pokemon next to you?"
She narrowed her eyes. "It's an Absol."
Sophie and Cosette uncertainly glanced at each other, and the professor bit his lip. The blue haired boy looked towards Alain– who was staring straight at Mairin with intense eyes. The Absol lowered her head, before looking up at Mairin desperately.
"...Her nickname, Mairin," Professor Sycamore said softly. "What's her nickname? The one you gave her?"
The one she gave it?
"What do you mean?" Mairin asked. "I've never seen her before."
A hushed silence fell across the room.
Any looks of uncertainty on their faces vanished, turning to pure worry. Alain leaned back in his chair, eyes wide, and his breathing became tense. Mairin looked at them, then down at the Absol, whose claws were digging into the ground, scarlet eyes distance. Mairin blinked once, before realizing that small tears were building up in the Pokemon's eyes.
"Her name is Ruby," The blue haired boy supplied, breaking the silence. His voice carried just as much worry as on everyone else's faces, even though Mairin knew she had never met him before.
"...How old are you?" Professor Sycamore asked after a moment, looking at her.
Mairin blinked at this question– they should know this. "I'm eighteen."
Everyone tensed as she spoke– the air turning thick as the words left her mouth. Mairin couldn't help but take a step back– Professor Sycamore winced as if her words had hurt him, while Alain's hands had curled into fists. The female assistants were looking up at Mairin, eyes wide and panicked, while the unfamiliar boy looked down at the table.
"Sol..." Ruby the Absol whispered, bowing her head.
"Mairin," Professor Sycamore said gently. "I think you should sit down."
She only took another step back. "N-no. Why should I?" Her eyes flickered across the room. "What's going on?"
Professor Sycamore slowly approached her, gently grabbing her wrist and he guided her towards the table. Mairin stumbled as she was lead towards a chair, but sat as the professor signaled her to. She sat down with a thud, collapsing into the chair as she looked around at everyone. They were all staring at her as if she had just fallen from space, and she hated it.
"Mairin," Professor Sycamore began slowly. "I know you're probably really confused right now, so please just listen to everything we're going to say, okay?"
"What's going on?" Mairin repeated for what felt like the hundredth time this morning.
"...The first thing you should know is that you're not eighteen, Mairin," Professor Sycamore took in a deep breath. "You're twenty-three."