June 8th, 1978, 1230
Dani and I looked at each other in concern before immediately breaking into motion.
"Nana! Get over there fast! Make sure she's safe," I commanded.
Dani did the same, ordering Geralt to hoof it over as fast as possible. The two fire types shot off ahead, and we trailed behind as close as we could with the juvenile pokémon and their waddling gaits.
Fortunately, we weren't far from the ocean and could reach the source of the screech in just a few moments. Nana and Geralt were waiting atop a slight rise overlooking the sea.
Nana looked up at me with about as much confusion as I'd ever seen him display in his gleaming black eyes.
His usual stoic mannerism had been traded for something between amusement and reluctance and even a splash of what I daresay may have been pity?
Seeing the fire-dog's relatively lax reaction had put me somewhat at ease, but I still hurried to see what was happening to Ellie. I braced myself, preparing to issue commands as soon as I understood the situation.
Is it a Tentacool? Sometimes, they mess with trainers. Did she step on a see urchin? I hope I don't have to pee on her foot; that would be awkward, I thought with concern.
My mind whirred with possibilities at what could have prompted such a bone chilling scream.
Dani caught my eyes and gave me a curt nod, indicating she was ready for anything. I nodded back, grateful for her steady presence.
However, we weren't ready for the sight confronting us as we crested the hill.
"Give! It! BACK!" grunted Ellie as she struggled to keep ahold of one of her shirts against the increasingly powerful tugs coming from her opponent.
Dani and I looked on in awe as Ellie struggled mightily in a battle of what he had feared was life or death.
With a fucking Chansey.
"Chansey-chans-CHANS-SEY," the pink blob shouted in desperation as it tugged with as much force as I would reasonably expect from such an extensive collection of adipose tissue.
Dani's eyebrows were raised in surprise, and she looked to me for a decision, "Mare, what should we do? Should we send our pokémon or let them duke it out?"
I could tell she was amused by the smile that tugged at the corner of her lips even as she tried to treat the issue with the gravity it deserved.
Wild pokémon were dangerous, after all.
"Nah, let's let them figure it out themselves. If it looks like one of them is at risk of injury, we can step in," I offered with a wry smile as I settled in to enjoy the show. "Although I think the biggest risk is Ellie pulling something."
Dani openly grinned back as she accepted the suggestion with gusto. "My thoughts exactly. I'm glad we think alike! Woulda been awkward if you insisted on running in and rescuing the damsel in distress."
"Besides," she said with a glance down at Ellie, "I think she's got this, don't you?"
Not a fucking chance, I thought to myself privately as I watched the ongoing struggle, but I still somehow found myself nodding in agreement at Dani's optimism.
Arceus, I'm such a sellout for love, I realized in mild embarrassment.
We watched for a minute or two before Ellie finally noticed our presence.
One might think it's hard to miss a gaggle of diminutive pokémon and two trainers, but in the face of a Chansey's wrath, anything is possible!
"Mare! Dani! I'm so glad you're here," Ellie called out with relief. "Get. Down. Here. And help me get my shirt back from this fatass before it gets all stretched out! I don't think I can hold on much longer!"
Ellie's words were choppy, considering she was gasping for air from the titanic struggle.
"Just a minute, we're enjoying the show," I replied jokingly.
"Not funny, Mare! Get over here and help me! I've been trying to tell her my clothes won't fit her, but she won't let it go!"
"Chansey-chansey-chans," the Chansey shot back under her breath, and Eon chuffed next to me at what I assume was a disparaging comment about Ellie.
"Does she have a decent sense of humor?" I asked Eon. I suspected Chansey was berating Ellie at every tug and wanted my starter's feedback.
Eon cocked her head, considering. "Eevee-vee-veve-eev," she said with a decisive nod.
I couldn't understand Eon one-to-one, but after years of being in her company, I could get the gist of what she was saying.
I turned to Dani, deciding we should step in before losing the considerable opportunity this Chansey represented. The pokemon were more than rare and could serve as a tank or a healer as needed.
Before I could make my case, Dani beat me to the punch, "Mare, we need to help her. This was funny for a second, but I think Ellie could be in danger," she said with concern.
"No way," I said with a decisive shake. "Chansey wouldn't ever hurt someone unless one of their young was at risk. They're notorious for helping random travelers or injured pokemon. I think this one is just interested in clothes, honestly."
"Clothes?" Dani asked as if that was the last thing she expected.
"Clothes," I confirmed with a nod. "Sometimes more humanoid pokémon find clothes fascinating and steal laundry if it's unguarded. Jynx and Mr. Mime are the biggest culprits, but who's to say a Chansey can't dream of style, too," I said with an amused shrug.
"Either way, lets get down there and get this sorted out," I added.
We went down to the shore's edge to peacefully resolve the dispute.
At this point, both girl and blob were losing steam, and they clutched weakly at Ellie's shirt, which now looked more like a dress with how stretched it was.
"Ugh. Mare. Help," Ellie begged weakly. "My shirt is a mess. You definitely owe me for this! You just watched me and laughed," she complained piteously.
Ellie turned to glare directly at Dani, "And you! I thought you were a true female ally on this stupid, glorified camping trip! Mare, I could understand not understanding, but you're a girl! This is my favorite shirt!" Ellie whined.
Dani looked like a Stantler caught in the headlights at the accusation, and I could see Geralt whinny to himself in amusement at his trainer's surprise.
"I'm so sorry, Ellie! I thought you had it," Dani admitted honestly. "Wouldn't it have been worse if we just ran in and assumed you needed rescuing?"
"I do have it! If you would just grab this lump, I totally got this in the bag," bragged Ellie unpersuasively, considering she was nearly limp from exhaustion.
"CHANSEY," the Chansey roared and finally managed to pry the mangled shirt out of Ellie's cramping hands, holding it up in victory over her head.
"Noooooo," Ellie moaned theatrically, although I could see the glint of amusement in her green eyes. She knew what she was doing.
Leave it to Ellie to make a comedy routine out of a wild pokemon, I thought to myself in admiration. This girl can do anything she puts her mind to.
Ellie got up from her spot on the ground, dramatically brushing the sand off her pants. She glanced skeptically at the Chansey, who was now trying to fit her bulbous head into the much-too-small garment.
"You need some help with that?" Ellie offered magnanimously, considering her recent ordeal.
"Chans-Chans," the silly pokémon said in reluctant acquiescence to Ellie's offer. Chansey watched suspiciously as Ellie slowly approached the pokémon to assist it in its efforts.
The pokémon was clearly still wary of Ellie but seemed to relax when Ellie gave no indication of trying to steal the shirt in question.
Our little group watched in amazement as Ellie miraculously managed to fit the shirt onto the Chansey, although it only reached just above her arms.
Ridiculous.
The shirt itself had been a pale green blouse that matched Ellie's eyes beautifully, but I had to admit, the green provided a nice contrast to the Chansey's rosy flesh.
"Chans-chans-chansey!" she said excitedly, giving us a twirl as if to better display her grace.
Dani nodded approvingly at the display, and there was a chorus of various grunts and squeaks as the other pokémon chimed in their appreciation.
Ellie stepped back next to us, dusting her hands off as if to say, "All in a day's work."
"You know, she doesn't look half bad," Ellie mused aloud as she looked the Chansey up and down.
I shook my head in mute disbelief at her nonchalance at the encounter. Still as up and down as ever, I concluded.
"We need to get you into entertainment. Somehow, you made an encounter with a wild pokémon seem like an intentional performance. Awe-inspiring stuff," I complimented honestly.
"I know, right! I was, like, terrified for my life for a second before I realized what she wanted. Can we keep her, Mare?" Ellie asked with intentionally glistening eyes.
"Don't ask me! I don't have any space in my team. The priority is getting Larvitar here as strong as possible, and training a Chansey isn't easy. If you want her, you must ask yourself if you can reasonably care for her. There's no guarantee she even wants to join a trainer at all. Why don't you ask her before you jump to any conclusions," I offered helpfully.
"Deal! She wouldn't even have to battle; we can just hang out and have girls' nights since somebody," Ellie shot a glare at Dani, "flaked on me in my moment of need!"
"Look, I already apologized. I'm not much for girls' nights anyway, so just ask her already so we can get a move on," Dani responded drily.
Ellie pouted. "You're no fun! You take things just as seriously as Mare. It's like I gained two new mothers for the one that I lost," she joked.
I saw a chance, and I took it. Striking a pose, I tilted my chin up and looked down my nose at Ellie condescendingly.
"Eleanor dear, please don't leave your newfound friend waiting," I said in a falsetto as if to mimic a classic motherly tone. "Tsk tsk, children are so rude these days, aren't they," I waved my finger chidingly as I said it to really sell the act, giving a subtle wink at Dani to cue her in.
Much to my satisfaction, Dani caught on immediately. "You're completely correct. Eleanor, listen to your mothers and invite your new friend for tea," she said in an even better mimicry of what I had intended.
So pretty, I thought fleetingly.
Ellie went through a myriad of expressions as she rapidly processed our makeshift family drama. "Wha-," she sputtered hilariously, "What is going on, and what did you do with Mare? The Mare I know couldn't make a joke if his life depended on it! You're clearly an imposter!"
I covered my mouth in mock surprise at her outburst, "Accusing your mother of inauthenticity in front of a guest? How dare you. Run along, Eleanor," I said with an urging wave of my hands to the confused and partially dressed pokemon.
"We're talking about this later," Ellie said ominously as she finally made her way directly in front of the wild pokémon that started this whole fiasco.
"Hi, Chansey! My name is Ellie. I'd like to start by apologizing for my rude behavior," she said brightly, instantly switching to a polite and eloquent young lady.
"Chans? Chansey-chans," Chansey questioned with a raise of her non-existent eyebrows.
"It was a misunderstanding," Ellie continued. "If I had known you were merely trying to be beautiful, I would've handed over the shirt right then and there. You'll forgive me, won't you," she said, taking one of Chansey's paddle-like hands in her own.
"Chansey!" the pokémon said brightly as she put her other flipper over Ellie's hands in acceptance of the apology.
"Oh! I'm so glad we can move past that! I have an idea if you're interested," Ellie offered sweetly.
"Chans?"
"If you travel with me and help keep our pokémon healthy, I think we could probably get you some gorgeous dresses that actually fit you. You would be so cute! What do you think?" Ellie asked, somehow confident in the bizarre situation.
"Cha-chans-Chansey," the pokémon said and crossed her arms decisively.
"You don't want to fight?" asked Ellie, seemingly able to pick up the gist of the message immediately.
"Chans!" Chansey confirmed with a curt nod.
"That's fine with me! You don't even have to go in a pokéball if you don't want to. Why don't you just come with us as a friend?"
Ellie was practically beaming now; I could tell she thought she had it in the bag.
"Chansey, chans, Chansey," the pokémon agreed with an adorable smile and rushed to hug Ellie around her upper legs; the pokémon only came up to just above her waist.
Dani and I had been quietly watching the exchange in disbelief. I was confident that it wouldn't proceed as smoothly as it had, and I found myself surprised and impressed at Ellie's limitless ability to adapt to changes.
Ellie trotted proudly over to us with the Chansey trailing behind, a fold of Ellie's shirt clutched in hand. She looked like a mom encouraging her little girl to make new friends on the first day of school.
Ironic, considering our earlier charade.
"What was that about tea, dearest mothers?" Ellie inquired formally with a triumphant smile.