My fellow Arthenians:

IT TURNS OUT I HAD THE DEFINITIONS OF AFFECT AND EFFECT SWITCHED SO FUCK ME SIDEWAYS I FAILED THE SAT

I'm sick, so my brain is a little clogged, but I need to write something. If it's exceptionally bad, please let me know, and I will rewrite it when I'm feeling better.

Tilda (~) in the story means elapsed time. You people probably would have figured that out.

The ambient temperature, spurred by a rush of cold air which stirred leaves from a slumbering state on the ground who danced briefly before settling back, displaced a few feet, seemed to drop almost instantaneously. The black cloak of night was still drawn over the world, suffocating most of the light which should have otherwise illuminated their surroundings, but instead caused the trees behind them to develop an ominous look, branches dangling and moving as if on their own, small shadows cast by a moon who greedily hid its light behind a cloud. In Ben's home world it was the middle of summer, he recalled, but here it seemed to be either late fall or early winter. Jack Frost eschewed his characteristic tickling, instead biting intermittently at the pair.

Delaney rose to her feet. A ringing in her ears from an unwanted surprise concert from the group of Exploud previously still remained, though the affect of which was dwindling. She moved over to stand beside Ben, whose brown robe which was clutched about his body looked inviting and warm. Even through her fur the chill got to her, causing her body to shiver; he was by far the more clothed of the two, and the cold seemed to only minimally bother him.

She inched toward him, hesitating before turning to face him squarely and wrapping her arms about his waist, holding him tightly in an attempt to leech some of his body heat. Ben was a little surprised but understood immediately her dilemma, his left arm pulling free of her embrace to encircle her loosely. "What do we do now," the female asked quietly.

The world came crashing in on the male immediately. He was all alone with a girl- a creature, a female one, who he didn't know until but a few hours ago, in a world where he had no chance to live a normal life, away from his own family, population, planet, even. He stared out over the lights which, every so often, could be found in the city below. It was night time but there were streetlights. Even a few windows in large buildings which were on, whose residents were sleepless.

Ben knew now that he was the decision-maker... He had his and his new ally's destinies in his own two calloused, gigantic hands, and there was no one to help him. He just continued to stare down over the city below, which gave an air of opportunity and also one of uncertainty. He didn't bother turning around to his other option; he could feel the forest creeping up on him, baring its fangs and watching him, telling the little fly to step into its web.

"We keep going," was the quiet response from the male. He felt a head bobbing below his, and long, floppy bunny ears pulled upright brushed against his cheeks as this motion was done. He couldn't help but smile despite the weight of the situation. "Maybe there's someone down there who can help us," Ben offered as his reason. Silence continued to ensue from his partner. He took in a deep breath and made his way down, holding her against him as he moved. Wishing the two were more aptly dressed for the situation.

Behind them, a shiny black material caught the light of the moon for a moment as it moved suddenly. No noise seemed to come from the black and red figure as it darted along the treeline, a few feet deep into the forest. Taking a roundabout route to the opposite side of the city as the other two.

The metropolis which, from the higher vantage point by the dark forest, had appeared to be so bright and inviting appeared much less so as the two walked along the streets. Noiselessness was the norm as the two cautiously wandered about the streets. Sometimes, in an alley, the noise of a small animal- no, Pokemon- would startle the pair for a moment before they would continue. At ground level, the place repelled hope, dimly lit only occasionally by faulty streetlights which buzzed and flickered, threatening to turn themselves off at any time without so much as a moment's further notice. Delaney's ears had fallen limp from above her head, dangling instead, which Ben assumed to be a symptom of an anxiety that he shared.

"What are we looking for," Delaney warily asked from underneath Ben's left arm. Ben was on the side closer to the odious alleys, Delaney closer to the street where no motorists nor bicyclists nor pedestrians could be seen. "I don't know if they exist here, but where I'm from there are places you can stay for a night," Ben replied. His head was on a swivel not just for such a building but for any potential danger. He wasn't sure what good he could possibly do, but he instinctively felt protective of this girl.

Somewhere just under ten minutes of systematically going up and down city blocks later, Ben abruptly stopped in front of a building. It had a red roof on it, and there was an illuminated sign in the front window which read Vacancy. A successful smile found its way to the human's lips. Delaney's ears perked up at the sudden spike in Ben's mood; She seeming to draw from his positive energy.

They walked through the door together, and Ben looked around. The place felt safe, giving off an aura of comfort and protection. Their eyes fell simultaneously upon the Chancey behind the front desk, who was eyeing them very carefully but almost managed to hide her suspicion behind a well-rehearsed smile and bubbly energy. "Welcome to the Pokemom Center," she stated in a tone fitting of her cheery attitude and overall nature. "How can I help you?" She seemed to be a little off-put by the human and scantily clad, tribal-style Anthro. Certainly not her average customers.

Ben's mouth opened to speak, but he didn't get the opportunity. He was cut off immediately by the girl under his arm, who actually separated herself from him to approach the desk and the Pokemon behind it. He received a cautioning look as she moved closer. "My human and I need a place to stay," she said. She didn't have any experience with this field of interaction, but she was playing it off rather well. Ben mouthed the words "My human" with a small frown.

"Oh, yes, of course. That'll be-" "We don't have any money," Delaney quickly interjected. Chancey's mood deflated visibly. Delaney continued: "We were just robbed, and they took everything- even tried to take my clothes, but my little guy here protected me." She shot a beaming smile to Ben, though the look in her eyes was dire. He smiled nervously.

The fluffy, pink Pokemom seemed to be mulling all of this over. "Have you reported the crime yet?" A nod. More mulling. She looked them both over again, then looked side to side as if expecting someone to jump out at her. Then she leaned forward, as did the other two in response. "I can give you a room complimentary, but just for tonight. And you can't tell anyone." Two nods. "Alright. This way, please."

The Pokemon who took pity on the duo led them to a first story room, whose sliding door opens when Chancey present a key card. She handed the card afterward to Delaney and gestured for them to enter. Still suspicious of the two, but letting that affect her tone, which was still light, airy, and pleasant. "Enjoy your stay." The pink Pokemon paused for a moment then addressed one of her concerns: "Please do make this little guy here behaves him." With that, she departed. Looking back over her shoulder once on the way to the front desk. Leaving a speechless Ben in her wake.

"What-" Ben's tone was approaching outraged, but he found a furry hand/paw mixture clamped over his mouth. As though he was being kidnapped, Delaney grabbed him around the waist and hauled him into the room, backing up until the sliding door closed in front of them. Damn she was strong. Only then did she release the now frantic male. "What-" Ben started again, but was silenced by a harsh "shhhh!" from the girl. He ground his teeth against one another irritatedly, then whisper-yelled at Delaney: "What the fuck was her issue?"

The Anthro looked at him for a moment before looking away. As though she didn't really want to enlighten him. But, she did. "You see, Ben," she began carefully, "A lot of civilized societies don't see humans as equals to us." Ben waited. A since from Delaney. "A lot of cities around my village I've been told are like that."

Ben was furious. He looked around for something to hit to relieve his stress,but no such outlet presented itself. He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose and turning to face away from her, looking down at the ground and muttering for a moment, before facing her again. "So what exactly am I here?"

Delaney made her way over to the door, examining it and trying to figure out how to lock it. She'd never been to a city this size, but a lot of surrounding villages had basic technology. She found the lock and twisted it to secure them inside as she replied. "Um, to some, a pet..." She lingered at the door.

The obvious question was asked after a moment or two. "And to others?" Ben folded his arms over his chest. Delaney bit her lip for a second before whispering. "A slave."

Ben's hands found the top of his head, fingers entangling themselves in his hair. He turned and walked over to a wall, leaning his head against it. "Isn't that just fucking fantastic." Delaney gave brief and quiet apologies, but Ben ignored them. "Let's just get to sleep, alright? This has been the most exhausting day I've ever experienced." Delaney nodded in approval.

The two looked at each other, then looked at the problem at hand.

Their room only had one bed.

Sorry it took so long for those of you who check around 11 for my regular updates, I actually took a nap during my writing period. But whatever.

*Sexual tension activated.*

Arthenius