Summary: Settling in at the lab/ranch...
Chapter 3 – Duties with Daisy:
"Good morning, 2B! I'm happy you decided to take grandpa up on his offer! I could certainly use the help with managing the stables and ranch, and if Igglybuff is any indication, I think the pokémon will like you!"
2B looked down at the pokémon nestled in her arms. Igglybuff didn't exactly seem like a troublesome pokémon. She wasn't at all sure that its behavior was a good indicator of how she'd do with pokémon in general. Her doubt must have shown in her body language somehow, as Daisy giggled and offered a bit more explanation.
"That particular Igglybuff is a well-known menace, of sorts. She's not malicious by any means, but she has wandering feet and a talent for finding trouble. That's why grandpa wasn't surprised to see her being brought back to the ranch by a stranger when you first arrived. But she hasn't run off at all since then!"
2B blinked, looking between the pokémon and the human. Given that Igglybuff was looking shifty, there seemed to be some truth to what Daisy was saying.
"I…don't think I did anything, though?"
2B's voiced her confusion, only for Daisy to grin.
"That's where you're wrong! Or, well, half wrong at least! While I manage the stables and ranch here, I'm also a researcher. As it happens, my current area of study is aura and how both humans and pokémon interact with it. It's sort of an offshoot of grandpa's studies in the bonds between human and pokémon, as there's some pretty solid evidence that aura plays a big role in such things."
2B considered that for a moment. Igglybuff had been curious, even worried, before she'd first accessed her aura. But the little pokémon's hesitance to interact with her had only fully vanished when she'd summoned her aura that first time. Mostly on accident, it had to be said, since she'd been trying to access her power plant.
"Aura influences pokémon?"
Daisy made a so-so waggle with one hand.
"Outside of specific pokémon moves, it doesn't do so directly. However, it appears to act as a sort of carrier wave for intent. Pokemon are far more sensitive to it than humans, and can read another pokémon or Aura Active human's intent through any projected aura. I eventually discovered that this is the reason pokémon have always reacted well to me, as I'm Aura Active enough that I project my genuine delight at meeting and interacting with pokémon to all of them, constantly. Part of being a cheerful person raised on stories of how wonderful pokémon and their bonds with humans are, I guess!"
Ah. 2B slotted the new knowledge into place, reviewing her interactions with Igglybuff in light of them.
"So, when I projected no intention of harming her, Igglybuff became more comfortable with me. Then, since I find her helpful and calming, she likely picks that up as well?"
Daisy nodded, smile widening.
"Exactly! The more time a human spends interacting positively with a specific pokémon, the more their aura synchronizes as well. This is a large part of the 'bond' between pokémon. The other part, friendship and understanding, is important. But it's the aura-link and, I think, a sort of mutual aura stabilization affect, that allows some pokémon to evolve via a strong bond with humans. Like two identical broadcasts from a multiple antenna array producing a stronger signal!"
Okay. That sounded much more like a proper scientific explanation for the things Professor Oak had been saying over the last week. There was that caveat at the end there, though.
"You think?"
Daisy seemed unbothered by the question, shrugging as her smile turned into a slightly more sheepish grin.
"I'm researching it still, remember? Someday, I might have enough data to publish my research and be recognized as a Pokemon Professor in my own right! But I'm not there yet. Currently, we don't have a scientific way to measure aura, though certain pokémon like my Medicham can read it. As a psychic type, they can then also try to explain what they are feeling to me, and even try to teach humans that have enough aura how to call on it. I'm currently learning, as part of the process of studying the phenomenon."
Daisy held up her hand, took a deep breath, and seemed to both concentrate and relax at the same time. For several heartbeats, nothing happened, but then a weak blue light shot through with swirling pink formed for a few seconds over her raised hand. It flicker out quickly, seemingly to leave Daisy somewhat tired as it did.
"Whew! That's hard still! At least for me. But from what grandpa has said, you can summon it up much easier. That will help you a lot in making yourself understood to the various pokémon here. If you're willing to help me, it could even help my own research!"
2B didn't need to even think about that.
"Of course. Helping humans is what I am for."
Pausing, already having experience with Professor Oak not liking her putting it that way, she quickly added.
"And I would like to know more about it besides. It seems a useful ability, and I have very little idea what to do with it, besides mimic a few of my former abilities…"
Daisy looked intrigued by that last bit.
"Mimicking you former…no, wait. I really want to know what you meant by that, but we're supposed to be getting you instructed on some of the basic chores here!"
Suppressing her obvious urge toward research, Daisy smacked both her cheeks.
"Right! We can talk aura later! Now, you've spent the last week going over the basic information packets on pokémon grandpa gave you, right?"
When 2B nodded, Daisy waved her to follow.
"Right! Then, if grandpa's happy with how well you absorbed the basics, that means you're easily qualified to handle simple interaction with our calmer pokémon. It will be easy stuff, at first. Putting out or mixing their food, checking them over for obvious injuries, learning how to do general care for common pokémon types. That sort of thing. Once you get a little experience, we'll have you start working with more ticklish pokémon. But even just helping out with the more friendly ones will help ease the load on me and the other assistants…"
2B followed along after her new…boss? Mentor? Well, she followed after Daisy, anyway, memorizing everything she was told and asking for clarification semi-frequently. At least the whole 'becoming human' thing hadn't messed with her perfect memory, even if she no longer knew quite how that worked…
... ...
2B had discovered she didn't quite like the sound of herself giggling. It was a little…uncontrolled and undignified. Unfortunately, the baby pokémon that she'd been put in charge of for the last two weeks didn't agree. They seemed to enjoy making her lose control, with the slightly older Igglybuff that was still hanging around her proving its mischievous nature by leading the charge. Literally, in this case, as the hoard of starter pokémon that would be used for the next year's trainers swarmed over her with enthusiasm.
Even combined, they weren't nearly strong enough to pull her down, resulting in Bulbasaurs, Squirtles, Charmanders, and a few more esoteric options all clinging to her in the attempt. The Bulbasaurs hung from her arms, Charmanders were enthusiastically attempting to pull her off her feet by the legs, and a trio of Squirtles had managed to latch onto her torso.
The sight was as ridiculous as it was ridiculously cute. Worse, 2B had discovered that her newly human body was ticklish…and so had Igglybuff. That last spelled her doom now as Igglybuff used the baby pokémon as stepping stones to dart around her body, assaulting previously identified ticklish spots. The move, along with 2B's inability to move without throwing the baby pokémon around too harshly, resulted in her doubling over in a giggle fit, much to all the various pokémon's great delight.
Thankfully, they also took that as their 'victory,' letting go of her and crowing and dancing with glee at having 'won' through 'superior tactics.' Despite her mild annoyance at them getting her to giggle, as the giggle-fit faded she looked upon them proudly. Daisy had quickly realized that younger Pokemon reacted to 2B even more positively than they did her. As best they could figure, the baby pokémon seemed to see her as some sort of quasi-elder because of her strong aura and their simplistic mindsets, and it had led Daisy to assigning their early training to 2B.
Of course, she had to follow a set training plan. She wasn't supposed to turn these pokémon into her personal army, but into relatively standardized starters. That didn't mean she wasn't allowed to try teaching them to think outside the box, or find ways to make training fun for them. With oodles of her own combat experience to draw on, 2B had been quick to focus on teaching them to think their way around problems, even if in simplistic ways.
Daisy had been impressed with the results, admitting that it would likely help the new trainers quite a bit, so long as 2B didn't take it too far. A lot of new trainers simply had no idea how to actually train, and having a starter that was familiar with a bunch of 'training games' would likely do them a world of good at adapting on their Journey.
Of course, this lot also needed discipline. They needed to obey their inexperienced humans as well. The trick was how to do that without being cruel about it.
"Alright! Enough fun, little ones. I've got a new game for you all today! It's called 'simon says'…"
... ...
2B locked eyes with the Tauros, staring the newst problem-child of the herd down. It looked its own eyes on hers, a spark of defiance in its eyes and aura. It snorted…and charged. Instead of giving way, or even dodging as a sane human would, 2B drew on her aura to enhance her already somewhat superhuman muscles. With speed that would have made a Hitmonchan proud, her hands flew out and grabbed the charging bull's horns.
Her body moved, putting all the whip-crack power of her entire slender frame into a single smooth motion, planting her feet and diverting the pokémon…by lifting it off the ground by its horns. The bull made a confused howl-moo of its name, even as 2B spun and released. The pokémon, far more durable than any cow from 2B's old reality whose neck would have snapped, thudded into a tree. It was unharmed, really, but very dazed and confused looking.
Helpless giggles that didn't originate from 2B this time came from a few meters away. 2B turned to see Daisy practically crying as she hiccupped around laughter. Tilting her head in confusion, 2B waited for the older woman to get over it. When she did, Daisy gasped out an explanation.
"2B, that is not how you're supposed to handle conflict resolution with a territorial Tauros alpha! Even if it seems to have worked…"
... ...
"I have determined that this is a cursed activity that serves no purpose."
2B's monotone delivery caused Daisy's lips to twitch, even as she did her very best not to laugh.
"2B, swimming is an extremely important skill. Both for general survival, as well as for the ability to properly interact with water pokémon."
2B, horrifically cute in the black-and-white one-piece Daisy had gotten her, was looking downright sullen. Not to mention more than a little done with the activity. Unfortunately for 2B, it truly was important. It also, apparently, wasn't something she'd been able to do as an android. Her frame had apparently weighed too much and something called a 'Pod' had needed to fish her out if she ever got more than chest deep in water.
"It is an unnatural skill for a human. Doubly so for a human female. Moving atop the water was irritating enough. Managing to swim smoothly underwater with floatation devices built into my chest is even worse."
Daisy couldn't help the snort that escaped. She really couldn't. 2B didn't have particularly huge breasts, but they were certainly larger than Daisy's own, despite their age difference. Apparently, they were also just big and buoyant enough that they were adding to 2B's difficulties. Something Daisy could believe, since the younger girl had approached the entire idea of 'swimming' with clinically mechanical precision.
"Well, better you learn now then! Those 'floatation devices' will likely only grow as you get older!"
2B tried to glare, but it honestly came across more as a pout. The girl was, thankfully, slowly getting more expressive. She was also almost terrifyingly smart, devouring everything about pokémon at a truly alarming rate. Which made her difficulty with something as simple as swimming reassuring to Daisy. She was starting to see 2B as a friend of sorts, or perhaps the little sister she'd never gotten. It was good to see her acting more…human.
"Come on, time to try again, 2B. Once you get the hang of this, you might even enjoy it!"
Somehow, the subtle twitches of 2B's face, despite baring changing, conveyed her disbelief quite firmly…