In the cave I went to the fire pit and blew embers into it, creating a nice toasty fire. Chance went to Jack and woke him up, informing him of our guest. Technically, were his guest. This is his home, I thought.

Singe walked right in and sat by the now blazing fire, staring into the flames intently. I didn't question what he was doing, instead I went to wake Theresa.

"Theresa," I shook her bag, but only her snoring answered me. "THERESA!," I said loudly and she jolted awake, wiping the drool from her face.

"What," she asked drowsily, eyes half open.

"We have company here."

Her eyes shot open and she struggled to get out of her bag. She finally tipped the bag over, causing her to stumble out onto the cold floor. Quickly, she stood up smiling, like everyone was watching her when in reality only I had saw.

"Company?" She asked me.

"Yeah," I stepped out of the way so she could see the Braixen sitting by the fire. Her eyes where round and shinny reflecting the flames, her mouth opened slightly.

"Oh...," was all she said.

"Well, were about to talk to him, do you want to join?"

"Yeah, just let me get ready. Can't let Jack see me without my face," she finally tore her gaze from Singe and started digging in her backpack.

Jack and Chance were now sitting across from Singe, none of them talked, they all just sat quietly. I rolled my eyes, How did boy ever have war councils? They must of had woman there to get them to start talking. I walked over and sat by Chance, he looked down at me and smiled.

"Aww, young love," Singe spoke," Nothing is as sweet," he smiled kindly.

"Thank you," I blushed. Was it that obvious? "Oh.. I'm really sorry we barged in on your home! I told them that someone had to live here."

Theresa skipped over,"Yeah, you did say that, but this was the best shelter! It looked totally abandoned, by the way," she turned to Singe," You may want to add a personal touch to show that this place actually had an inhabitant," she sat down by Jack.

"I'll put in on the top of my to-do list, mate," he turned to the group of us," Well, for the two who don't know me, I'm Singe."

"I'm Theresa and this pony boy is Jack," she looked to him with big gleaming eyes. Jack rolled his eyes in annoyance, but stayed silent.

"So, ya'll traveling in couples?," Singe asked, raising his eyebrows

I turned to Jack, his mane was starting to flare higher and his face was tight and serious, before a blood vessel blew I spoke for them," No. No, the only couple here is Chance and I," I reassured him.

"Okay, well... What do ya'll want to know? I'm an open book, ready for your questions."

No one spoke. The cave echoed the sound of the crackling fire and outside the wind howled against the trees. I will never understand boys, I swear! I hate this silence! Say something. Say something.

"How long have you lived here," I blurted, breaking the icy stillness in the room.

Slowly Singe turned to me," It's been about a year now, it's a good sturdy home," he smiled looking at the walls. "I'm happy with how good it's been to me."

"Does someone live you," Theresa piped up.

"No," he replied, "I live here alone."

"How did you make this cave," She asked full of wonder.

"Interesting story," he crossed his legs. " I was traveling with a Probopass and I liked the spot, next to the river in the woods and by the mountains. I mean, it was just the perfect place, so I had him help build me this cave before he continued on his journey."

"Why didn't he stay?," Theresa pried.

"I asked him to, but he had his own adventure he was still chasing. I do admit, it gets kinda lonely living alone, but not many people live around here," he sighed.

"Have you ever been a pet?," I asked him.

He slowly met my eyes,"Yes. I was a pet once." He didn't seem into sharing so I wasn't going to pry into the details.

"Why haven't you left this place to find a better one?," Theresa piped in again.

"I've been wanting too," he admitted," but traveling alone is a challenge and it's not fun."

The room grew quiet again, so I spoke up again," Do you have any questions for us? I mean, we did intrude your home, do you have anything to ask?"

Chance and Jack both turned to look at me, upset I had offered us all up to be questioned, but it was a fair question. Singe clasped his paws together, thinking for a bit before he said," Where did you all come from?"

"I'm from Mt. Frolic," I said, "my friends are all travelers, but this is my first adventure."

"Well, that's exciting. I would have thought you would have been around more, especially with that special move you pulled out there tonight."

"Oh.. no. I just received that TM as a gift."

"Oh.. Well, the first trip is the best," he smiled," as long as you keep the right company, which you don't seem to be lacking in."

I blushed because I knew he was talking about Chance and about our young love. "I'm sorry my friends are so shy around new people," I spoke referring to Jack and Chance.

"I'm not shy," Chance stated "I'm cautious."

Singe acted like he hadn't heard Chance," It's okay. Some people take time to adjust, I'm not offended."

"You seemed to be earlier," I squeaked.

"Hmm?"

"Well, you seemed to not... well, you seemed to despise Chance," I said.

"Oh.. yeah that. I've had a pesky past with packs of Growlithes, they tracked me for a while almost ate me alive. That's when Probopass saved my life, so we became pals," Singe turned to Chance," I'm sorry, mate, if I came out that I didn't like you. You seem like a nice enough bloke as they come, protecting your girl and your friends."

Before Chance could speak up, Theresa butted in with a stupid question," What is your accent? It's been killing me, where is it from?"

"Oh," Singe chuckled," Yeah my accent. I wouldn't really know, my Oldies had it and then I got stuck with it. Hearing human languages it sounds very Australian, but in Pokémon terms, I wouldn't know."

"It's beautiful."

"Thank you, ma'am. So.. do you guys know where your going to?," Singe turned to Jack and Chance.

"Over the mountain," Jack said.

"Tomorrow?," Singe spurted, surprised.

"Yes, that's the plan," Jack replied. "Why?"

"It's just.. there is going to be a huge blizzard on the mountains tomorrow, crossing them would be... it'd be suicide!"

"How do you know?," Chance asked, intrigued.

"I've lived here for over a year," Singe stated," I know. I can feel it coming, it's like a 6th sense. One month it got so bad, I had to cover the entrance o the den before it hit."

"It came all the way over here!," Theresa exclaimed.

"Yeah, sometimes. My advice, go around the back way, the peak will be too hard to navigate."

"The back way?," Jack asked.

"Yeah, way back when, Digletts made a tunneling system in the mountain for Humans trying to strike gold. I discovered them a few months back, they lead straight through the mountains."

"Would you guide us there?!," Theresa blurted wide eyed.

Singe looked at her and smiled," I'd be happy to, Sheila...as long as it doesn't make the rest of you uncomfortable."

"I'm okay with it," I said, glancing to Chance.

"Sure, it would be good to have someone with us who knows the mountains," Chance said thinking his words out carefully.

"If you can get us through the mountains in one piece, I don't care," Jack chuckled.

"Alright. It's settled," Singe sighed with a smile. He seemed cheerful, happy to be able to help us with our quest. I like him, he seemed sincere and down to earth, Chance on the other hand was hesitant but I wasn't surprised.

Singe yawned," I'm going to hit the sack," he retreated to empty corner and curled up.

"Let's all get a few more hours of sleep in," Jack spoke, stretching like a cat. He then stood up, shook his mane sending embers in all directions, then crawled back to his own space.

Theresa just sat there for a moment more before she scampered back to her bag, giggling with excitement.

Chance turned to face me and before he spoke I pressed me lips to his. Chance didn't even question me, he just kissed me back eagerly and happily. He had been a real gentlemen tonight and I wanted to thank him. I loved him so much, the emotion overwhelmed me sometimes and Chance was just the outlet I needed. Our tongues danced together, releasing my anxiety and calming my mind from all that had happened in the night.

He broke the kiss and smirked at me, "What?," I asked, nervously self-conscious about myself. I bet I smell horrendous! And my teeth probably reek! EW! I should have planned ahead for this. Oh god, I'm disgusting! My fur is tangled and matted with sticks stuck in it. My tails need to be combed and groomed, I'm just a mess!

All he said was," I love you," before pressing his lips back to me, making me forget all my insecurities. I love you too!