An Age of Valour
by the Lady of the Mists
Chapter Five: Cherrygrove City
The moment that Lydia heard the announcement that they were approaching Cherrygrove, she practically bounced onto the deck, looking out towards the small town that they were approaching. Eevee squealed at the sight of it.
"There it is, Eevee," she said with a smile. "Cherrygrove City, our first stop before the adventure of a lifetime."
"Or at least the first stop to where all Pokémon trainers are going to start out at," Jesse responded, joining her. She rolled her eyes, swatting him on the shoulder.
"Don't you have anybody else to harass?" she asked dryly, tossing a sheet of her light brown hair over her shoulder. Eevee and Ivysaur were both talking to each other while their trainers continued to banter at one another.
"I could find some, but there not near as much fun," Jesse said with a grin. Lydia made a face.
"Don't make me find out some of your deep, dark secrets, Jesse Turner," she said threateningly. "I might just break my promise to not go into your head intentionally."
Jesse almost instantly lost his demeanour. "Oh, no," he said dramatically. "Not that! Anything but that! I beg you!" He did a façade of passing out and Lydia felt her annoyance disappear into thin air.
"So, any idea what the gym leader of Violet City's like?" she inquired, glancing at him as he straightened, stopping the performance . . . for the time being, anyway. Jesse shook his head. "Didn't think so. Don't know much about him, actually, or any of them. Dad never did let me listen to anybody talking about that stuff . . . if they would even talk to me. But from what I've heard, he uses birds."
"That does kind of present a problem," Jesse muttered. "Grass types are weak against bird types. Eevee shouldn't have much of a problem, though. We should probably check out Route 30, though, see what we can scoop up."
"Sounds like fun," Lydia said with a small smile. "You guys up for it?" she asked, looking towards the Pokémon, who both gave their affirmation. "All right, so first it's Uncle Jack's place and then it's on to Violet City as soon as Professor Oak sends over my Pokédex."
"Which shouldn't take more than a day or so," Jesse said with a shrug. "You're sure you're okay with my travelling with you?"
"As long as you're cool with, I am," Lydia told him. "Jess, I've spent almost thirteen years alone, I'm not planning on spending another thirteen alone as well."
"All right, well, let's see how you think after your uncle sees his niece's new companion," Jesse muttered as they moved towards the exit ramps. "Somehow, I don't think he's going to be so thrilled."
As they descended the ramp to the streets of Cherrygrove, Lydia looked around, trying to search for her uncle. She hadn't seen him since she was a little girl, only three years old, but the video camera yesterday had jogged her memory a little bit.
She did remember what he looked like. Sandy blond hair that hung continuously into his face the same way that hers did, though hers was a few shades darker, and the same blue eyes that she had. Vivid, blue ones, so unlike his brother's.
"Miss Talon?"
Looking around, Lydia saw a man walking towards them. "I thought that was you. I'm Peter Linton, I work for your uncle. Mr. Talon sent me to collect you and your friend. He's waiting at his house for you."
"He's expecting both of us?" Jesse asked, staring at the man. Lydia giggled slightly, shaking her head, and pushed Jesse towards the car Peter was walking towards. "How does he even know about me?"
"Do you really want me to answer that?"
Jesse opened his mouth, but upon reflection, decided that he really didn't want to know, and shut it. "Somehow, I'm starting to think that this is a really bad idea," he mumbled.
"Too bad," Lydia said seriously. "You're stuck with me."
--
"This is your uncle house?" Jesse said as he climbed out of the car, staring up at the mansion that could easily fit two malls inside of it. "This is your uncle's house?!"
"I guess so," Lydia said dryly. "He must be doing all right for himself. Come on, let's not keep him waiting."
The two trainers climbed up the stairs, looking at every piece of architecture that they could see and pushed open the door to the Talon mansion, entering into the foyer.
"Whoa," Jesse said, leaning his head back and looking up at the painting that was on the top of the ceiling. "This place is more like a museum than a house. You sure that the old man didn't just drop us off at the wrong house? 'Cause maybe we need like a tour guide or a, uh . . . maybe some walkie-talkies. Or at the very least, a map. You think they got maps here?"
Lydia wasn't paying the slightest bit of attention to them, her attention drawn to the man who had appeared at the foot of the stairs, a smile spreading across her face. "Uncle Jack!"
She was across the floor in the space of about two heartbeats, running into her uncle's waiting arms. He scooped her up and swung her around like a child, holding her tightly, but she didn't care.
"Oh, my gosh," she heard him whisper. "Lydia . . . oh, my . . . let me look at you," he said, pulling away so that he could take a look at her. "Oh, man. You look so much like your mother," he said softly, examining her face. Lydia smiled, taking a deep breath. "For a minute there, it was like I was thirteen and looking at Rosemary again. You look so much like her. Except for the eyes," he added with a small smile. "Those you got from me, kiddo."
Unable to speak, Lydia managed a small nod as she looked towards Jesse, who was standing uncomfortably with Eevee and Ivysaur. "Uncle Jack, these are my friends Jesse Turner, Eevee, and Ivysaur."
"How do you all do?" Jack said with a grin, walking over and patting Ivysaur and Eevee on the heads before looking up at Jesse. "Turner, eh? Any relation to a Jeremy Turner?"
"That's my grandfather, sir," Jesse said politely, looking extremely relieved that he wasn't intruding on something anymore.
"That's a good man. Helped me out with some things a few years ago," Jack said lightly. "You travelling with my niece, are you?" His voice had taken on a certain protective tone and Lydia giggled slightly at the nervous look on Jesse's face.
"Yes, sir."
"Uh-huh. Well, what exactly are your intentions?" Jack asked, stepping closer. Ivysaur and Eevee looked up at Lydia, who was grinning mercilessly, and motioned them over.
"Don't worry, guys, Uncle Jack won't hurt him," she assured them. "Permanently, anyway." Both Pokémon gave her doubtful looks as Jesse stammered an answer.
"I'm j—just fr—friends with her, sir, that's it," Jesse said, looking like he wanted to escape. Jack did look a bit menacing, Lydia had to admit. But for a tough Pokémon trainer to be scared of him was a bit much. Her uncle wasn't nearly as frightening as her father was.
"Are you scared of me?"
Jesse nodded wildly. "Yes, sir."
"Good." Jack lost the intimidating demeanour almost immediately. "Then we won't have any problems, then." He smiled, clasping his hands together. "Anyone hungry? My cook made this delicious Italian dish for lunch I can reheat for you."
"Sure, that sounds good."
"Great!" Jack headed to the kitchen with Lydia and Jesse following him. He was going through the frozen pizzas in the freezer and both trainers stared at him in confusion. "Here's the thing: my cook is myself, because I don't want to hire one. I happen to like cooking and there's no point in someone else doing it when I'd prefer to do it. Besides, I prefer this kind of cooking a few cooks like cooking this kind of food. They think it's below them or something. So, what kinds of toppings do you guys like?"
"Cheese," Lydia answered.
"Pepperoni," Jesse replied.
Jack grinned. "And we got a half and half here, so here we go," he said, popping it into the oven. "By the way, Lydia, a package arrived for you this morning. It's sitting on the dining room table!" he yelled after her as she raced out of the kitchen.
Lydia ran to the dining room, which was right next to the kitchen, and immediately saw the package that was sitting on the table. She tore it open the moment she read her name on top of it and retrieved the brand new Pokédex that was lying in it.
With a smile spreading across her face, Lydia opened up and the unit clicked on almost the second that it was in her hands. "This unit belongs to Lydia Talon of Rosewaters Isle," it said cheerfully, her own picture being displayed on the monitor.
"Doesn't take much to make you happy, does it?" Jesse remarked as Eevee jumped up onto the table to inspect the contents of the box, sniffing it as Ivysaur walked up beside Jesse.
"What do you mean?" Lydia asked, glancing up to look at the other trainer standing in the doorway. Jesse smirked and glancing back at where they both knew Jack was listening. "Oh, come on, he wouldn't have hurt you. Much," she added grinning.
"You enjoyed that," Jesse accused her. She shrugged, trying to look as innocent as she possibly could. He shook his head, sighing. "Okay, as much fun as it's been being harassed by your uncle, you want to head out of here tomorrow morning?"
Lydia looked at him, then glanced at where her uncle was standing, listening to every word. He winked at her before heading back to the kitchen. Although he might give Jesse a bit of trouble, her uncle approved of the boy she was travelling with.
"Yeah, I think tomorrow sounds good," she said with a smile. "Bright and early, okay?"