Chapter 2: Castti & Robin
Robin's previous owners - a pair of retired apothecaries - had passed away some time ago, but he loved Canalbrine too much to simply leave it behind. The residents were always kind to him, so it was never like he would ever want for food or affection if he wanted it. Even if his fur was no longer quite as fluffy as it was when he was an Eevee, humans still delighted in giving him scritches on his head and stroking his back. He had even set up a little nest of his own, so he could look out into the ocean on slow days. The sight of the sunlight glimmering against the water was always a sight that comforted him.
The point was, Robin was an Espeon long before the mysterious apothecary came to Canalbrine.
Since he had evolved, Robin had a tendency to look into people's minds. Sometimes it was unintentional, other times he just wanted to pick up on people's intentions. For other people, and for him. He would only be lying to himself if he dismissed the possibility that someone would be after a rare creature like himself. This was something he did whenever he met someone new, as more of a precaution that anything else.
But from the apothecary...Robin couldn't pick up on anything. Least of all ill intent for anyone...just a dense mental fog and the name Castti.
Curious, Robin had taken to trailing Castti as she explored the town. People didn't take to her very well at all. Robin recognized the name "Eir's Apothecaries," due to all of the gossip he had overheard while living in Canalbrine. However, the Espeon had a tough time connecting someone as kind as Castti to the rumors he had heard. With how dedicated she was to helping the people that so harshly rejected her...how could she be someone that took part in wiping out a whole village?
Robin knew that humans had a tendency to stretch the truth, but this was just ridiculous!
Thankfully, people changed their minds as Castti treated more of their sick. She even recognized the source of the sickness that had been ailing the town, and didn't hesitate to go after the root of the problem.
The Espeon had a feeling that it wouldn't be easy to fix the problem...a hunch that led to him deciding to follow her. Perhaps it wasn't wise to do this so close to sunset (after which his power would fade significantly), but it wasn't like she was going to wait for him.
Risking his life like this was borderline insane...perhaps Castti's kindness inspired him a little more than he was willing to admit.
Even after the two poisonous monsters had been cleared away, Robin found himself wanting to stay with Castti. He couldn't pinpoint a reason for doing so - on one degree, it felt like traveling with his previous owners again. There was also the fact that he wanted to learn more about Castti's lost memories...what kind of person she was before.
Besides, he knew apothecaries well enough to figure this; Castti didn't hesitate to take care of people, but who would be willing to take care of her?
Luckily, Robin knew plenty about helping apothecaries out. So the amnesia was a new thing, he could help out with that too!
...At least, he hoped he could.