Ripley happily took a sip of hot tea with her free hand, while her other arm was being mended by the old Gent's kind wife. She laughed a little, watching Chikorita play with their pet Snubble in a game of tag.

"There. You two should be fighting fit!," the woman said. The girl grinned, "Thank you very much!"

She nodded, then stood, wiping her hands on her apron before heading to the kitchen to tend to the Magikarp her husband had graciously caught.

The Gent had sat himself at the chair across the table from Ripley with a groan. "These old bones aren't just what they used to be anymore," he grumbled. Situating himself more comfortably, his gaze fell on the teen. She glanced back, offering a smile.

"This is a cozy place you have," she mentioned; "You didn't really have to bring me here, though. I think the one who needed medical attention the most was Chikorita. And he's fine now." Ripley laughed as said pokemon shot her a stubborn look.

"No, no. We're always happy to help out someone in need. Especially when they are a rookie trainer, like yourself."

Her expression fell a little toward the word 'rookie'. The Gent tensed.

"Don't be offended! Everyone is a rookie at some point! I'm sure you're a fine trainer. Look, Chikorita appears to be really attached to you," he defended.

She smiled a little, "Thanks."

He cleared his throat awkwardly, changing the subject completely, "So, what has brought you here to our Cherrygrove City? Surely it wasn't just about site-seeing if you have a pokemon with you to fend of wild Pidgey and Sentret."

Ripley shook her head, "No, my two friends and I are running an errand for our town's professor. Apparently there was something that needed to be delivered to him from a character that goes by 'Mr. Pokemon'. It must have been important, since he was almost in hysterics after receiving an e-mail. He doesn't even know what this 'package' is. I swear, he acts more like a nagging and worried wife."

"I know how that is, little Missy," the old man had teased, winking, and glancing back into the kitchen, where his wife had made a gesture with her two fingers, pointing to her own eyes, then to him, in a silent 'Watch it'. He laughed.

The girl snickered, then stopped as the older woman gave her a look as well. She coughed.

"So, you were set out to see Mr. Pokemon," the Gent had began; "It is said he knows everything there is about pokemon. He comes across quite some rare finds. This must be a big deal if Elm had sent the three of you."

She gave a shrug.

"So you come from New Bark Town? You seemed like you were at a bit of a panic. Are you new to this region?"

Ripley chewed at the inside of her cheek.

"Well, no," she said sheepishly; "I moved here when I was eleven. I never really had the drive to go out of the borders of my little town, where I felt was safe."

He nodded in understanding, "It must be hard, having to adjust to something completely new after being in a place you were born and raised for so long."

"Tell me about it..."

"You look like you know what you are doing. You made it here alright with no troubles other than the wild pokemon. I can't really say that about your two friends that just happened to race by only a half hour ago. Stopping by only for a moment to heal their own pokemon and left just as fast as they came. They are a lively pair."

She rolled her eyes to the ceiling, then laughed. "Sounds about right," she replied.

"Have you three been friends long?"

"We've known each other way back when we were kids. They were the first friends I had actually made when I moved here. Been inseparable ever since. "

"Well, that's nice. You need a person or two to help you along with any situation. I'm glad you have found two people that you put all of your trust and love into. We need more of that in this world," the Gent nodded, knowingly.

Ripley was lost in thought for a moment. "Yeah...," she sighed out, then stood.

"You are leaving already?," the wife had asked, a little surprised.

She stretched out, "Yeah, I gotta make sure Ethan and Lyra haven't gotten lost and killed each other yet. Also, I need to bring that package to Elm ASAP."

She called to Chikorita, who faithfully bounded to her side, nudging his nose lovingly to her leg.

As Ripley turned to leave, she halted at the hand to her shoulder. She turned to look over, quizzically.

"I almost forgot. You have the PokeGear, right? At least let me update it with the map of Johto. Maybe it'll serve a little easier than having to depend on road signs. You may have to travel for miles to approach the next one, and there can be forks in the road. Also, it's there is you ever need to find your way back here. Our home is always open to you."

She blinked, reaching into one of her bag pockets and handed the little notebook device to the Gent. With a few press of the buttons, the map was automatically registered. A smile curved on her lips. This was really unnecessary, but it was very courteous of him none the less. Perhaps one day it will serve useful.

Mid turn towards the door, the Gent's elderly wife hurried toward her, holding out to her a pair of brand new running shoes.

"Yours looked tattered and worn. These will be much more comfortable and add a little zip to your step! Don't worry, these have never been used. We bought them previously for our daughter before she left. Unfortunately we accidentally got the wrong size. It's alright, she was most forgiving and offered to let the next trainer who passed by in need keep them."

This almost brought tears to Ripley's eyes. Seriously, these people were much too kind to even stand it. She gratefully took the shoes, taking a moment or two to change into them.

"Oh, I'll take those, dear," the old woman had said, compromising the old pair from Ripley's hands. "Snubble was running out of things to chew on. She'd be overjoyed."

The three laughed.

Ripley now stood at the other end of Cherrygrove, facing forward to a sign that printed in white, bold letters, 'Route 30'. She turned momentarily, and waved to the older couple with a wide grin.

With that, she gave a glance at Chikorita, who gazed up at her confidently.

She smirked, the two almost bounding off.

The pair of elderly people waved both trainer and pokemon off until they lost sight of them in the tall grass. They smiled, then exchanged looks. They didn't have to say anything. Both knew what the other was thinking, it was in the air.

This trainer was going to be something great.