And for some reason here is another chapter hoorah
Unfortunately I didn't fit much in this, just so I could post it and then try and fix the mess I made with the first chapter of Seven Deadly Sins and add the second part to Lucid Dreaming.
Please review, comment, critique, yadda yadda
Sam stepped out of the gym, relishing in the cool breeze. He walked away from the building to bask in the sunlight and pulled his phone from the back pocket of his jeans. His fingers dialled a number so familiar that they did so without guidance, and he lifted his hand to his ear.
"Mom?" He asked the silence.
"Hi sweetie, it's been so long!"
Sam quirked his lips at his mother's attempt at humour. He could hear her stifled giggles through his receiver. "It's barely been two hours."
"So come back home! Did you see your father? Does his gym have that new-gym-smell?"
"Mum, calm down." Sam began to pace around the nearby pond. His undulating reflection in the water, and the soft crunch of grass under his sneakers always distracted him from nothing. "I saw him. He battled with the old gym leader - Finn was him name - and he won. Pretty cool, actually."
"That's great!" Sam could hear clapping from the other line, wondering how his mom was holding the phone. "Are you coming home now? I'm going to make soup for dinner."
"Actually... no," Sam gulped as the line went silent, void of even breathing. He probably should have considered his mother's reaction to his intention of leaving home to travel and gain vital experience, but he was caught in his father-son moment. If his mother was on the sidelines of that battle, Sam would place all his money on her insisting that he make a beeline to university, stat. "I'm going to take a gap year and maybe get some training experience."
Silence was replaced by cautious breathing. "A gap... year?" she repeated, not bothering to hide her contempt. "Sweety, are you sure that's what you want? A whole year?"
"...Not really." The little certainty Sam had quickly transformed into doubt, and that was all his mother needed to steer the ball in her court.
"Honey... I'm not sure that's a good idea..."
"But Mom-" he protested weakly.
"I think you should come home for dinner, and then we can talk about it more and see if that is really the best option for you."
"Well..." Sam battled with his inner conflicts, trying to think of a sustainable argument to avoid a confrontation with his mother. With a relenting sigh, he found his tongue void of rebuttal. "Okay," he said, "See you soon."
"Bye darling!" His mother's tone had changed to sweet now that there was prospect of her way, which was very bemusing to. Returning his phone to his pocket, Sam abandoned the lake and began the path back to his house. His walk was somewhat taunted by the sun, reminding him that the little chance he had to make it to Rustboro before it set was diminished. His face was set in a disgruntled line as he kicked the pebbles in front of him. He enjoyed the freedom his father had given him with his future, but he could already anticipate the strict guideline his mum would set. Maybe she did know what was best for him, but right now not even Sam himself knew what he wanted, so how could someone else know? It was frustrating, not knowing what he wanted, yet having others trying to decide for him. His frustration exited his body through quiet grumbles, and his sounds of anger triggered a coo from some nearby grass.
A small Pokemon ghosted behind the edge of the long grass, debating whether or not to reveal itself. If it wasn't for the identifiable red horn atop its green-shelled head, the little bipedal would have camouflaged almost perfectly. Sam abandoned his pebbles and slowly walked towards it, hands outward in a disarming gesture.
"It's okay," he soothed, edging closer, "I won't- oof!" Sam's foot caught in a tangle of grass, and his face met ground with force. "Damn. Crap! Ouch!" Sam returned to his feet. With two quick dusts of his front, he registered the frantic rustling in time to witness a glimpse of red melt back into green. "Double damn," he pouted, pulling on his eyelashes and continuing his quest back home.
Sam came home to find his mother sitting at the kitchen table, coffee mug held tight, its warmth ebbing through her palms. The Vigoroths had finished and left, stacked cardboard boxes lining the walls and placed on various surfaces.
"I wouldn't let them unpack," she laughed. A single finger twitched on her mug; she looked somewhat distraught.
"Mum," Sam hesitated, fiddling with the fabric of his shirt. He didn't think his future could have such an effect on someone who wasn't him. "Are you okay?"
Mary let a wan smile creep upon her face. "Of course I'm fine, dear. I want to know if you're okay."
Sam's eyebrows knitted. "Yeah, of course I am." He sat down at the chair opposite his mother and let the unspoken question hang between them. Finally, Mary spoke again.
"I'm just not sure a gap year is the best course of action for you." Sam thought the mug she was holding would shatter in her grip. He wanted to avoid this heartfelt conversation, namely for he didn't think it was necessary. Any confrontational exchange that wasn't absolutely essential was not to be. To be frank, Sam hated them - the chilly atmosphere that accompanied them resonated in his stomach for hours afterwards. He didn't like heart-to-heart talks; which is probably why he relented.
"I guess... I can look at the school in Rustboro - it might have some courses I can take."
Mary swirled the dregs of her tea, clinking the mug with her spoon. "That does sound... acceptable." She looked up, noticing Sam's awkward stance and forcing a smile. "The day is still young - you can still go out if you like." Sam nodded, leaving without another a word.
Sam breathed deep, letting the fresh air cloud his lungs. He pulled at his hair, letting the sting at his roots subdue his frustrations. With no direction he travelled aimlessly, until his dawdling was interrupted by a familiar cooing. Sams ears pricked immediately, quelling his chagrin and crouching down near the tall grass. He stayed still, luring the Pokemon to trudge slowly into view, the heels of its feet dragging along like clothing.
"Hey there, little fella. Come 'ere."
The Pokemon recoiled from Sam's outstretched hand, so to show no harm Sam gingerly placed it upon its helmet-like head. Upon contact the Pokemon seemed hesitant, but it warmed up as Sam scratched the base of its horn.
Sam laughed. "Do you like that?"
The creature tilted its head upwards, its deep hazel eyes just visible from beneath its helmet. It hugged Sam's forearm, heat radiating from its core. Sam took a pokeblock he had in his pocket and placed it in front of him. The pokemon slowly walked forward before nibbling on the treat.
"I have an idea." Sam pulled an empty Pokeball from his back pocket. "I left most of my Pokemon back in Sinnoh. Maybe you can be my first Hoenn catch?" He lay the Pokeball on the ground, allowing the Pokemon to make its own decision.
It walked over the to ball, surveying its every inch before deliberating smashing down its button. The Pokemon glowed red, and it disappeared into the ball. Sam watched with unreasonably bated breath as he watched. One wiggle. Two wiggle. Three. And then a hand snatched the ball from its place in the grass.
"Hey!" Sam quickly stood to face a poised lady. Her blonde hair was at the stage of early grey, and wrinkles pronounced her skin in a way that made her seem sharp and malignant.
The Pokeball clicked, announcing its capture. "You didn't catch this." She turned the ball in her fingers, scrutinizing it with a glare. "To be truly caught a Pokemon must be challenged, and shown it is the subordinate in the trainer-pokemon relationship. If you don't make that clear within first impressions then you're battles will be full of nothing." She scoffed. "And considering you only caught a Ralts I doubt you'll even get past the first Gym Leader." Throwing the ball back on the ground, she added: "It'll be David versus Goliath."
"But didn't David win?"
"Not in Sue's version he didn't." She left, leaving tangible discomfort.
"Don't worry," Sam told his Pokeball as he picked it up, "I think you're pretty tough."
Sam sat cross legged on the floor of his bedroom, the whir of his ceiling fan punctuating silence. Ralts sat beside him, gingerly playing with the tassels of the closed curtains. Every time the fan would blow the curtains Ralts would squeak in delight.
"Ready, Ralts?"
It nodded agreement, returning its attention to the Quick Ball in Sam's hand. In a rush of red light, Shinx materialized opposite Ralts.
"Shinx, I'd like you to meet Ralts."
The two stared at each other with questioning curiosity before rushing forward with unrestrained excitement. Sam watched as the two conversed in incomprehensible utterances, assuming they were getting along.
Shinx scrunched its eyes in concentration, sending a jolt of electricity to its tail. The tip sparked actively, and Shinx turned so Ralts could touch it. Ralts playfully tapped the tail, giggling as its electricity cackled. Yep, Sam thought as he changed into his pajamas, they were probably getting along.