David woke slowly and comfortably.
The bright orange didn't startle him. The space didn't close in. With a large yawn he reached up and unzipped the entrance.
It had rained overnight and a shower fell off the canvas as he pushed the tent mouth open. David pursed his lips and began an awkward shuffle to put his shoes out of the tent and rotate around in the cramped space. The ground in the clearing was damp and he wanted to avoid muddy feet.
Finally out, he stretched and cracked his back in the best way. It was a good morning.
David began packing up. It was awkward with the water and squidgy ground but he didn't have time to wait. He packed the four berries in last.
Pidgey and his trip the day before had literally born fruit. They walked and hopped along to the north, heading upstream this time. They saw plenty of Pokemon along the way but had no close encounters like the day before. Pidgey hadn't been much help but David enjoyed her company and it was good exercise for her.
David had already identified three of the berries. Two were common Leepa berries. Another was strangely familiar and smaller than the other berries. Bright red and with little bumps it was a larger version of raspberries from home. He was amused to find out this version was called a Razz berry. They had found it bobbing in the water which David hoped meant there was a bush further upstream.
David was unable to identify the last berry. The guide pointed to it being either a Nomel or Grepa berry but it had characteristics of both.
Pidgey's ball rested still as he packed. She was not a morning bird.
He wasn't up as early as yesterday and the sun was high enough in the sky that it didn't block his sight on the way into Saffron. It was early enough that his path through Saffron to the market was undisturbed and he was in front of Benny quickly enough.
"Three berries for you today Benny. I couldn't figure out what one was though."
"Good morning, David. Let me have a look." Benny pursed his lips a bit at the low number but the unknown berry piqued his interest.
David brought his bag around and set the Razz and Leepa berry out first before holding the unknown berry out on his hand. He was keeping the extra Leepa back to eat. If it was an expensive berry he could always bring it out later.
Benny snatched the berry up and began examining it.
"I wasn't sure if it was a Nomel or a Grepa berry."
Benny grunted and ended his examination with a big sniff.
"It's a Grepa. A very long and yellower version than usual but it lacks the sour smell from a Nomel." Benny paused to look down at the other berries. "45P for the Grepa, 35P for the Grepa and 15P for the Leppa."
"Deal." David said and added the money to his pocket. He was back in the triple digits, 120P now. Benny set the berries amongst his other stock in the stall before turning back to David.
"Any more berry favourites for that Pidgey?"
"She demolished a Touga yesterday. She didn't seem to mind the heat at all."
"Hmm. A Touga and a Figy berry." Benny rubbed his chin before turning and reaching into a box behind him.
"Does that mean something?" David asked, trying to peer over Benny's shoulder into the box.
"Yes. One second, I know I put it somewhere." Benny heaved a box to the side and dug into the one underneath.
"Aha" Benny turned around and presented a small piece of paper with small handwriting on it.
"The missus and I had a brainstorm last night. She's the berry expert. Grows all of these." Benny patted the box next to him with a grin. "Now let's see." He began running a finger down across the writing.
"Well she's definitely got a taste for spicy food. You know much about Natures? Pokemon's tastes affect the minerals they consume and that changes their natural energy. I can't tell you your Pidgey's Nature yet. You'll have to find if there's any berries she won't get near for that but I can narrow it down to four. Adamant, Brave, Lonely and Naughty."
It did ring a bell in David's mind. He had a faint recollection of a section in the game for it.
"How does it change their natural energy?" He asked.
Benny waved a hand at him.
"It does a bunch of things. You find out what your Pidgey won't eat and I'll go through it with you."
David nodded happily. He would take any information he could get. He made his goodbyes and turned to leave before remembering something.
"Any spare boxes?" He asked.
"What kind?"
"Something I can carry berries in. I can only carry four at a time currently and this would speed foraging up."
Benny grunted and fished out a small crate. He passed it over to David.
"How much?"
"Just take it." Benny said and waved him away. "It's one less thing for me to bring home."
David thanked him profusely and left.
David was tempted to swing by the library but he wanted to get two training sessions with Pidgey in today and he still needed to pop in to see Beth. But first there was a stop he needed to make.
Pidgey's ball started to shake as he stepped into the park. Right on time.
David took her ball out of his bag and released her, remembering to close his eyes for the bright flash this time. When he opened his eyes Pidgey was titling her head back for a shrill call. After that she started her routine of hopping in a circle to check out the area.
While she surveyed the park David dug into his bag and pulled out the Flying type food he had bought the day before. He had no bowl or anything so he pulled out his cutlery and cut the bag open along its side.
When he set it down Pidgey hopped over to inspect it. After a sniff and a short peck she let out a chirp and settled into a roosting position leaving the food untouched.
"Huh. You're not hungry?" David asked.
Pidgey buried her beak into her wing and let out another chirp.
"You just don't like that food?"
Pidgey pecked forward in the same way she had for the training yesterday.
'Shit.' David thoughts started to race. The three packed he had bought had taken up a lot of his savings. If Pidgey didn't want to eat it that meant he needed to buy more. What would he do with the extra st-.
'Wait.' David eyed Pidgey. His family cat's had never wanted to eat packet food. They always wanted cooked meat or fish. He considered the bird for a moment. It was worth a try. Now what was Pidgey's next evolution called again.
"That's a shame. I was told that this is what Pidgeyoytoes ate." David leant forward and reached for the packet of food.
A beak came down on the wrapper. David looked up and met the sharp eyes of Pidgey. A chill ran down his spine under her sharp gaze. David held fast.
'Show no fear'.
The pressure lessened and Pidgey pecked forward again, at the food this time.
David turned back to fiddle with something in his bag and to hide his smirk.
A small bell tinkled as David entered the league office. The was someone in the booth with Beth so he waited to the side. No one else had arrived when they left so David walked forward.
"Hello Beth. Would you have a minute?"
Beth looked up blankly from her computer before recognising him and breaking into a smile.
"David! How are you? Is your Pidgey giving you any trouble?" Beth's face was starting to grow worried so David cut across her quickly.
"All's well with myself and Pidgey. In fact I'm here about her. Would you happen to know how old she is?"
"Hmm. Well it seems I have a no show so I should have time. I don't know off the top of my head though." Beth tapped her fingers against the desk. She turned to the corner of the room where the nest of paper was.
"Fuzzy! Could I get the last Pokemon delivery receipt?"
A loud "Piiiiiiiie" rang out and with a swish a piece of paper was shot over on a light string.
"I swear he's getting lazy in his old age. He uses String Shot for everything these days." Beth said with a sigh.
David smiled back at her but Beth's face grew drawn as she stared at her Pokemon.
"Eh is that a new poster?" He pointed out a new motivational quote hanging up on the inside of Beth's booth.
The distraction worked and Beth's face lit up.
"Yes! Do you recognise it? It's from veteran Karen's last interview! She trained under Heroine Agatha."
David turned to examine the poster closer. It had purple writing against a dark black and grey background which clashed with the rest of the room.
Strong Pokémon. Weak Pokémon. That is only the selfish perception of people. Truly skilled trainers should try to win with the Pokémon they love best.
So Veterans must be this world's version of celebrities. And that name, Agatha, had popped up again.
"No, but I do know Agatha."
"Oh who doesn't. She's one of the best trainers out there. And with such a common Pokemon!" Beth was happily distracted now.
David didn't know enough about Agatha to hold a conversation so he just nodded along while Beth started reading the receipt.
"Well, it says here she was laid early enough. About 1 month into the off season which makes her about two and a half months old now." Beth turned to him with a smile. "I bet she still has some of her nestling fluff still. Is she very soft?"
David suddenly realised he hadn't touched Pidgey yet. It was a startling revelation. He'd had her for two days now and… the thought of her talons was holding him back.
"I haven't given her a full check up yet." David said, dragging himself away from his thoughts before the question lingered.
"Ah." Beth said with a knowing smile. "I'm sure you're too busy trying all the moves you can think of. I remember the days."
She pushed back her chair and looked to the stack of papers in the corner, a wistful smile growing on her face.
The door chimed and someone rushed in.
"And that's my no show." The smile was gone and Beth pushed herself back into the table.
"It was nice seeing you David. Please pop in again and let me know how you and Pidgey are getting on."
Endnote:
frankieu - It had to happen eventually. I'm spending a lot of time coming up with training exercises for various Pokemon instead of writing… Any ideas?
randomdude153 - Yes it does. Odd isn't it… And nice spot, fixed.