A Good Morning - Part 2
The Buneary acted the same as she had the day before. Aloof, like I didn't exist. And she wasn't acting all shy and cute this time, she was straight-up ignoring me.
Like the Tsun-part of Tsundere.
Vanessa cocked her head and tapped her chin, blue eyes peering at the normal type. "Hmm~ Perhaps I made a mistake. Frank claimed that she liked you. Liked you very much, even. But it seems like she wants nothing to do with you."
I scratched the back of my head as I gazed at the adorable little bunny Pokemon. She purposely looked away, sitting brattily on Vanessa's bed. I wished she didn't hate me, but I had rejected her. It was understandable. I wouldn't want to be owned by a guy who straight up refused to buy me either. It's not like I hadn't wanted her, I just didn't have money like that at the time and the truth is I already have my hands full with Lady and Eva... Another Pokemon sounded very overwhelming. I was grateful Vanessa bought Buneary for me, but I was worried about the chaos she would create for me.
Would Eva and Lady like her? Would Buneary like them? Somehow, I doubted it. Those two were certainly… interesting personalities. "You're right, Vanessa. She definitely doesn't like me very much."
Vanessa scrunched her brows. "I don't understand. Why would Frank lie?"
I shrugged. "I don't know the guy, how would I know? Maybe he just misunderstood the situation." I didn't want to admit to Vanessa that I'd flat out said no to buying her. I'm sure Frank twisted the story to make it out like I was desperate for Buneary but just couldn't afford it or something.
Vanessa sighed. "Well... that ruins things."
"I guess your little "you'll see" meant nothing." I chuckled, "what's the plan now, then?"
Vanessa laughed. "No, you'll still see. When she starts to like you. Buneary's are very, very excitable, Avery. You won't be able to stop her."
"Yeah, yeah," I rolled my eyes. "What's the plan, though?"
Vanessa rolled her eyes. "Arceus, you're impatient!"
"You said I'd have a carefree and lazy day today! Waking up super early so I can bang one of your Pokemon is by no means carefree or lazy! Even if one of your Pokemon turned out to be a gift for me. A gift that doesn't even like me. I was having a good morning and this just sucks all around."
Vanessa had an expression of complete disbelief. For a second, I thought I'd pissed her off. I was complaining a lot. Instead, the expression slipped away, and she started laughing. "Avieeee! You're such a baby! Fine, I want you to have a good morning and you did just get a new Pokemon so...why don't you go to the back of the house and enjoy the garden with Buneary and the rest of your Pokemon?"
That sounded amazing. But was I seriously being rewarded for being a brat? Maybe this slave thing wasn't so bad. Or maybe I was lucky Vanessa liked me. I couldn't help but smile. "Really?"
"Yes, really! You think I'd be mean and tease you like that?"
I shrugged as she wrapped her arms around my neck, kissing up on me. I answered truthfully. "Honestly, I'm not sure what you're capable of. I'm pretty sure you're a ruthless bitch." And her overly friendly behavior was scaring me.
Vanessa giggled. "I can be. Just don't make me mad."
"See, that's very scary..."
Vanessa rolled her eyes and pushed me away. "You're such a dumb boy, Avery. Scary? I just said don't make me mad and you insult me, tsk tsk!'"
We shared a laugh, then Vanessa sighed. "All right. This was fun, but if we're not filming, I have some things I need to do. Here." Vanessa offered me a Pokeball. It was a Luxury ball, stylish and comfortable. "That's for little Buns over there. Be good to her, okay? Maybe I'll see you later." Vanessa graced me with one last smile, then departed. The door closed shut behind her.
I turned to stare at this "Buns." That wasn't her name. If I remember properly, her name was Chastity.
"Chastity," I called out. If I hadn't seen her fluffy ears twitch, I'd swear she just didn't hear me. "I... uh... I know you're mad at me. Cause I didn't buy you yesterday... but I just didn't have the money, all right?"
I expected the bratty Buneary to continue ignoring me. Instead, she gave me a look so hot and scathing it felt like I would melt. She really hated me! I kind of wanted her to go back to ignoring me, but I was in the wrong here, and again, her anger was justifiable. She'd brought that Frank guy to me with the hope of me buying her, and I'd disappointed her. I wanted her. I really did. A Buneary, and eventually a Lopunny, would definitely be a great addition to my team. How could I show her that? I wanted to make it up to her.
"You're mine now, you know. My third Pokemon. So, we should try and get along."
She kept ignoring me.
Arceus help me. Was I really about to get another Pokemon that started out hating me? The thought almost drove me to despair. I extended my hand out to her, hoping she would take it. "Please, at least give me a chance. Let's go have fun in the garden and if you decide you still don't like me then-"
"BUN!" She leaned forward, quick as a whip. There was a familiar fire in her eyes.
I jumped back with a shout. "WHOAH!" Her incredibly strong ears swept the air where my hand had been.
I stared at her in shock. I would not bother explaining how she'd almost busted my hand. She knew that, that was the point. I swallowed hard. I would try one more time, then into the Pokeball she'd go for now.
"Chastity, let's get along. Please. I'm sorry."
The Buneary scowled at me and then looked away. And she didn't look back. Didn't so much as move - a tiny fluffy brown bundle with its arms crossed and ears twitching as if ready to strike at any moment.
I returned her, sighing, staring at the Pokeball in my hand.
I was on the way back to my room when I ran into Cameron.
He was holding a big bag. I'd helped him the night before, but it seemed like he could carry it today. I must've looked off because the guy stopped right in front of me. I got my first look at him in a brightly lit room.
He was an interesting looking one. Silver-hair cut short and curly, and blue eyes. He had a silver patch of hair on his chin. And of course, he wore the golden shorts. His Froslass was drifting beside him, happy as can be and humming. That could've been little Buneary and I. Having her on my shoulder would've been nice, a wonderful warm presence. I wanted to run my fingers across those ears she'd swung at me.
See those dark eyes, warm with affection, not anger.
"Hey, man, you feeling alright?" Cameron was staring at me like I was peculiar.
He'd taken the time to stop, and he seemed like a friendly person, so I decided I'd be frank about my feelings. "Honestly, my new Pokemon doesn't like me. And I don't know what to do about it."
He was a trainer too. Maybe he'd understand. Maybe he could even help. I wasn't getting my hopes up, though.
Cameron nodded. "Yeah. Some Pokemon are like that. Winter literally almost killed just a while back but she was so happy when we first met. The opposite problem, obviously, but the point is... some Pokemon just take some time warming up. And others you need to...ask to tone it down."
That was an unrelatable problem. I was curious about the 'Froslass almost murdering him'-part of the speech, but I had something more important on my mind. "Ok, definitely tell me about that almost killing-thing some other time but... this problem is kind of different from what you seem to think. She didn't hate me right away. In fact, the thing is... she liked me at first. A lot."
Cameron's eyebrow rose. I explained the whole situation. How during the party, a stranger approached me and asked me to buy his Buneary, talking her up the entire time.
I hadn't done it for various reasons. Difficulty with my own team, lack of money, having things on my mind. I mentioned how Buneary had sought me out herself and how I hadn't really believed that. Part of me had been sure it was a scam or a scheme.
"I get it, man. You seem to be a new trainer, and you clearly weren't ready for her at that moment, but she doesn't dislike you.," Cameron shook his head. "You're misunderstanding her."
I smiled slightly. "Trust me, you haven't seen the way she-"
"No. I promise you." Cam flashed me a grin. "Trust me... I know women. I've had my fair share of them. She's hurt, that's it. You just have to show some effort. Have you thought of how you will apologize?"
"Well... it's not an apology per se, but I'm planning on bringing her to Vanessa's garden with my other Pokemon. I want to let them meet each other and play." I could tell from Cam's expression he thought that was a bad idea. I wasn't exactly good with emotions, human or Pokemon, so I sighed. "... Bad idea?"
Cam nodded. "Horrible. You need to spend some time alone with her- bond with her. You have a Luxury ball, so that'll make things easier for you."
I paused. I remember learning about them in class, but it passed over my head. Luxury balls were a powerful tool for Contest trainers, naturally strengthening the bonds between Pokemon and trainers. "I never really understood that."
Cam shrugged. "Me neither. I don't know much about Pokeballs, cameras are more my thing- Anyway, Vanessa called me so...as much as I've enjoyed this conversation- I've got to jet."
He started walking away, but I spoke up quickly. I had questions. A lot of them. Specifically, about the mysterious mistress of the house. Chastity had been a gift from her, but I hadn't forgotten about the things I'd witnessed. Or Dia's cryptic words about everyone here serving a purpose for Vanessa. She was not a friend. But was she a bad person? I wasn't sure. I wanted to be. "Hey, wait! yesterday you almost made it seem like you don't want to be here. You said how it feels like you're in a grave, buried-
Cam interrupted me. "I can see that you're her "favorite pet" right now. Vanessa bought you that Buneary and today I was supposed to be filming you so...I know what this is about. Avery. Listen, you cannot trust her. Not for a second. If I wasn't massively in debt I wouldn't be here, but I made the wrong investment at some point and here I fucking am. Don't make the same mistake I did. Trusting her. She tries to pull you in. Make you comfortable. But it's a lie."
I was disturbed. "You feel strongly about this."
Cam nodded, smiling sadly. "Vanessa is evil, Avery. And I don't use that word lightly. Team Rocket level evil, Team Galactic- level evil. You'll feel the same way soon. Most of us do."
Damn, that sounded pleasant.
He started walking away, but then he stopped abruptly and turned back one more time, lightly petting his Froslass. "Do yourself a favor. Stay away from the Fanclub. It's not for everyone."
Well, that was a lot to digest.
As much as I wanted to take the time to reflect on that and spend time with my beloved starters, Cameron was right. This was my chance to bond with solely Buneary. I'd spent the night with those two, so I hoped they'd forgive my absence.
Knowing them, Lady was probably driving Eva nuts right now. I really hoped she'd forgive me.
"Avery's going to be really mad if we get caught," Eva whispered.
Lady sighed in exasperation. Didn't Eva have a curious bone in her body? They haven't gone adventuring since that day in the park with Kina and that curly-haired human, Billy Benjamin. Lady was terribly bored, especially after being alone in the hospital for so long. She didn't miss the forest, but she missed exploring. Being in an unfamiliar human household? There were so many mysteries here for them to discover. She refused to let fear control her.
"Come on, Eva! If something happens, you can complain later. Until then, you should be quiet."
Eva glared at her. "You know... ever since you came back you've been mean. And bossy."
Lady smiled. Eva would obey her, regardless. And if it really came to it, Lady knew how to make her listen.
Ever since she came back, Lady was not "meaner". She just simply discovered things about herself in that human place, alone and suspended in unconsciousness. Desperate for her Master, her emotions had reached him from that place, and Lady noticed for the first time just what she was capable of.
Father and mother always told her such would be the case. Her father was a Hypno and her mother was, of course, a Gardevoir. Papa had been a strange Pokemon. He was very strict and very unforgiving. He wanted her to be strong, and so he taught her many things. He was stern but very kind when she erred. She was always sorry when she disappointed him, and she'd never been able to put those lessons to use - until now.
Mommy; on the other side, taught her a lot about emotions, especially humans. Their "line" (Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir) found it strange mommy wasn't seeking a human- as that is when their kind is at their "best". Mommy always told Lady that her father had the most powerful psychic energy she'd ever sensed. That he mesmerized her. He made her feel safe and strong, and no human could do that for her.
Lady had never really been good at using her powers. Mom said that she'd get it one day, when she met her soulmate- great psychic power unlocks with strong emotion, and especially when that soulmate is in danger-
That day, Lady understood. When she saw how afraid Avery was- how he was being tortured by that human woman- she understood. She'd felt it. His soul had been screaming in agony. That was the only way she could describe it. The emotions leaking off of him were like toxic fumes. She wanted to make them disappear. She would have done anything.
She did what her father would have. He would've been proud of her.
The power of hypnotization, to read emotions, to float through dreams- they were gifts from her father she'd never used.
Until recently...
She'd wanted to be friends with Eva before. Now, she just wanted a partner. They didn't have to like each other, Lady didn't care about being liked by anyone but Master now, but the company was appreciated.
They spent the better half of the morning exploring. At first, Lady had wanted to find Master, but she soon got caught up in the fast pace of this place. At one point, a human saw them. Eva was about to have a panic attack, but nothing happened. The human just smiled and walked away. Apparently, Pokemon walking around here was normal.
That made this a lot easier.
It was in one of these rooms that Lady detected it. The same emotion, the same energy, that Eva had been letting out the night before. It was an unfamiliar one. Truly, Lady had been jealous of Eva. Master had shared special feelings with her; ones he'd never shown Lady. And they had been so powerful they woke the Ralts up.
And Eva refused to talk about it.
All of it was very aggravating. Lady followed the feeling like a trail...
"In here," Lady murmured, and Eva followed, disgruntled.
Lady pushed the door open slightly. She poked her head around and peered in.
An electric-like shock coursed through her body. The sight was burned into her brain.
She understood everything.
A human man was inside. He was built similar to Master, very tall and thin.
He was lying on top of an unfamiliar Pokemon. They were kissing, just like Eva and Master. And their hips shook as they pushed their genitals into one another. That powerful, potent emotion radiated off of both of them. Passion and love and...
Lady tasted the emotion on her tongue. Lust.
That emotion... came from this act.
Lady felt her mouth watering. Her body heating up.
She'd seen it before. Her master's manhood. It had differed significantly from her father's, so she had felt nothing toward it. She didn't know humans and Pokemon could...connect like that. Didn't know she could play with Master like this...
Lady felt her knees become weak.
Eva gasped and tried to pull her away. "We can't look at this!"
Lady pushed Eva off of her with a surge of psychic-energy. "I understand," She murmured.
"Um... Lady! You're glowing! Hurry, before the humans notice!"
The tiny Ralts looked down. A pale light radiated from her body. It was Evolutionary light. That made sense. Even from a practical sense. How could she mate with Master when she was so small? Her body needed to grow. Lady let Eva pull her out of the room. She'd seen all she needed. They hid in an empty place, and Lady finally let the strange energy threatening to burst free from herself go.
The feeling of evolving was...interesting. It was painful, but it also somehow felt...relieving. Like she'd had a headache for years and she'd never known it, and it had just now been relieved. Her body was sensitive all over and was growing more so by the second. Her chest ached and between her legs felt hot, and almost... wet. She knew Avery was the only one who could soothe it.
Eva was staring at her in wonder, eyes wide.
Was she jealous? Lady smiled. "Well...what do you think? Am I pretty, Eva?" She gestured at her new body and did a little twirl. Her body felt so light. She was a lot taller than Eva now, a beautiful Kirlia just like her older sisters and brother.
Now, Avery would stop treating her like a baby. He'd kiss her. He'd mate with her.
"Let's find Master." She needed him to see her new, improved form.
Her body throbbed and trembled as she imagined his gaze on her, his mouth twisting into that beautiful, loving smile. He'd pat her head, and he'd kiss her just like Eva.
She craved his lips more than anything.
"I'm going to be in so much trouble," Eva whispered as she darted after Lady.
Lady sensed a presence from around the corner. She glanced at Eva. "In here!" She scurried into the nearest open door, and Eva bound in after her. They paused and waited.
A human appeared.
And something so horrible Lady almost couldn't believe it was real.
The golden-haired human had a Pokemon with her. But it was an unfamiliar one, and its aura was so powerful it sent chills to Lady's spine. The monster turned its eyes right towards Lady, like it knew she was spying on it.
Lady gasped in horror as she met its frigid, ice-blue gaze.
It was...so powerful. A black mass of horrifying, nightmarish energy. white-haired, and its neck was scarf-like and blood red. It was a red-jawed, black specter- drifting in midair.
If she was still a Ralts, Lady knew that the mere sight of this monstrosity would have made her collapse. But she was stronger now, much stronger. She still felt sick to her stomach.
The wrongness, the jealousy, the anger- radiating off of this Pokemon- was too much to bear.
Lady closed the door and backed away with a horrified gasp, falling onto her back as she tried to get as far away from the door as possible.
"Lady!? What's wrong? What did you see?"
She didn't want to think about that thing, not to mention talk about it. But she wasn't one to let fear control her- so Lady swallowed her terror, tears dripping down her face.
"That human...she had a monster following her...I don't think she even knew it was there..."
The human didn't seem to. The Pokemon seemed too otherworldly, too evil.
Eva stared at her, expression concerned. But she didn't seem to believe Lady. Her next words confirmed that, as did her disgruntled tone. "...A monster? Are you feeling all right after your evolution?"
If Eva's words were meant to make her angry, they succeeded. Lady gasped. "I'm fine and I'm serious! It was a monster! And it looked right at me."
Lady wanted to find Avery now more than ever.