Chapter 3: Sweetening the Stock!

Café Evergreen - Mocha's Room

Pale paws lingered before a cream-speckled, caramel muzzle. It was evident the fire type hadn't heard a thing I said, even as I explained the terms of our shopping list. Budget, items to get. The works! It was all there, and yet, the vulpix was deaf to it all.

Cream had been too busy testing the limits of her "new paws". Maw agape, my new vulpine companion flexed the appendages as if they were alien to her, wiggling and twisting her digits and waving them about with glee. She seemed perplexed by the idea that, if held up on untrained ankles, they could "hang down" before her "like a puppy".

The idea fascinated her as she stared at them with adoring eyes, striking poses unbefitting of adults and squeezing at her pads. Had she not been in training, it would've been an amusing display. Nonetheless, as she hugged her tails to her cheeks, I couldn't help but watch. Humans were just a myth. The idea of one existing, much less transforming into a pokemon, was ridiculous! Still… Her mannerisms were certainly strange. At best she was confused, and at worst? I'd rather not think of the implications. I was a barista for Pete's sake! Not some investigative super-sleuth!

"Are all humans like this?" I tilted my head as Cream flipped onto her back to play with her tails. "You gonna be ok?"

The fire type shifted her attention my way. "Oh!" She blinked, surprised. "Sorry! Got distracted." She giggled, curling up in the midst of her fit. "Like what?"

"You know." I clamped my paws to my cheeks with a mock gasp. "I'm soooo cuuuute!" I exclaimed with mock enthusiasm. "I get that humans look… interesting, but…" I chuckled. "It's a bit much, don't you think?"

Cream flashed an upside-down frown, four paws levitating above her upturned belly, cream as a cloud! Her tails fluttered about behind her. They curled and uncurled, as if practicing for a dexterity competition. "Only the based ones."

"Pardon me?" I studied the vixen's expression. Confidence oozed from her newfound grin in waves. Was that slang?

"It means "cool" or "courageous"," the vixen explained, flipping onto her belly and entering the "loaf" position. "You know. Someone who's unique? Doesn't care what others think." She shrugged. "Then again. I suppose liking cute animals isn't all that rare. Trust me, it makes some of them go wild to see small things with big eyes covered in fur. Something to do with maternal instincts?"

I raised a brow. The helplessness of kits had some connection with finding things cute. That was true enough, but what did fur have to do with anything? "Right." I nodded slowly, "But wouldn't it be shocking to suddenly be something else? It didn't seem to bother you."

Cream shrugged. "A lot of humans want to be animals." She giggled. "I dunno. It is kind of strange, but like I said. I didn't have much going on back home."

"Humans aside…" I lifted my list to my muzzle and scanned a few lines. "Are you at least familiar with how coffee is prepared?"

The caramel 'pix nodded in kind. "Coffee's the number one drink among most humans. Of course I do!" She pressed a paw to her chin. "Though the fancy stuff you guys make is beyond me. Just beans and creamer. That's what I know."

"At least you know that much." I allowed the shopping list to levitate in the space between us. "Give it a quick read."

Cream squinted at the squiggly paw writing on the page, then frowned at the floating piece of waxy receipt paper. "I recognize most of this, but… how are you doing that?"

"With this!" I gestured a paw to a small name badge clipped to my neck scruff. Aside from the bold lettering that emblazoned its surface, the paper-thin badge was made special by its unique composition. It speckled with a crystalline sheen, opalescent colors reflecting from its surface as it shifted about my chest. "This badge is made of xiflimite. It's a crystal that allows us pokemon to do some interesting things! Like making things float." I lifted a paw, allowing the receipt to hover above my upturned pads. "I'll explain more later. For now, we should get going. Taffy really will punt you!"

I stumbled to my paws and padded for the door. The goodra's voice could be heard barking orders on the lower level, and I had no interest in being on the receiving end of her ire.

"Speaking of." Crema pulled up alongside me, a smug grin occupying her speckled cheeks. "What was that kiss about, hmm~?" She jabbed me with a forepaw. "Someone has a crush~" She teased, prodding at my every being with her singsong tone. It's not as if I could defend my actions either. Taffy and I had a complicated friendship, but try explaining that to the recently transformed human with a nose larger than a nosepass.

"It's not like that." I stammered. "She's a friend."

"Last time I checked, friends don't kiss each other, gurl!" Crema took the lead, pushing the door aside and stepping out into the hall. "So, what is it then? It's about her belly, isn't it!" She snickered. "You…" She twirled around and poked my nose. "Want to sleep on it as much as I do~"

"No!" I stamped a forepaw against the unpolished floorboards. Despite the hasty declaration, my cheeks were already ripe with heat! "It was just playful banter. That's all!"

"Whatever you need to tell yourself." Crema rolled her eyes, then plodded along on unsteady paws. I would've helped the girl, but she'd chosen her fate! The fire type's lack of balance was more a result of playfulness than inexperience as she trotted along down the stairs to the kitchen. There, Taffy sat with an arm to her chin, staring lazily ahead as a mespirit wearing striped socks spouted complaints.

It was Mint! That girl was no nonsense. The customer was always right, and she was determined to satisfy, no matter how hard-headed or distant her supervisor was. Given her nature as a legendary, her ferocity made sense. Thankfully, in the time since she'd begun living amongst the commoners, she'd lost her holier-than-thou attitude. If only she hadn't adopted the peculiar fashion statements of the capital's citizens. Socks were for home, not work!

"What's with the sassy fairy?" Cream frowned.

"Mint!" I called forth to Taffy's dismay. "What's wrong? Order go wrong?"

The psychic type flicked her sapphire eyes my way. "It's Spearmint," she corrected. "And yes, something is wrong. Finally someone noticed!" She scoffed, frowning Taffy's way. "A customer requested decaf, but it seems this big lug over here couldn't spot the difference if it bit her in her enlarged—"

"—Ok, ok!" I exclaimed, meeting Taffy's increasingly impatient glare with pleading eyes. "Taffy, just remake it. Please."

The pinkish-purple goodra rolled her eyes. "See? P word ain't so hard, is it?" She flipped around, whacking the countertop with her oversized tail, causing it to clatter and shake. "Oi!" She called over her shoulder. "Told ya to get, didn't I!" The dragon type winked in my direction. "Get going before I smother ya!"

"Do it!" Cream urged, causing the dragon to raise a brow. "Not like she'll resist."

"Cream!" I slapped a paw over her muzzle and nudged her forward. "Not the time!"

Taffy planted her jelly-like paws on her hips and eyed us with suspicion. "You girls have something to say to me?"

"Nope!" I made a break for the exit. No way was I having this conversation. "Listen to Mint, Taffy. I'll dock your pay if you don't."

"You won't do shit." A smug scoff echoed out from behind me. "'s fine though. Wouldn't want my bestie to catch strays." The sound of our backup machine kicked up behind us as I pressed at the glass doors leading to the market streets.

"Mocha?" asked Mint.

"Yeah?"

"It's Spearmint!"

"Oh, shove it!"

Evergreen Market

Traffic had since slowed to a crawl by the time we ventured out into the plaza. While the chatter had yet to lessen in intensity, there were doubtlessly fewer residents crowding the rounded gathering-spot than there had been this morning. Uncle Riptide was nowhere to be seen, and yet, it didn't matter. Stalls upon stalls of goods lined the perimeter of the plaza, from the path exiting the city, all the way to the gate leading to the castle. While we waited for the old coot to show himself, I busied myself showing Cream around. It was imperative that she knew where everything was, and today was as good as any!

"Wow!" Crema twirled about the plaza, eyes filled with wonder as we padded from stall to stall, merchant to merchant. "Is there even a point to the shops on the paths? There's so much out here!"

"I wouldn't count them out." I padded up to a nearby stand selling apples and sniffed at the baskets. Saccharine scents wafted forth, filling my nostrils with some much-needed TLC.

"This is the produce section. Everything from clothing to restaurants is located along the paths. Stretches along the whole perimeter of the city!" I gripped a fresh bundle and levitated them over to a minccino merchant, who graciously accepted my poké in exchange for a mesh sack and a smile. "Speaking of." I sized the vulpix up.

Cream's fur pattern was unique enough alone, but the fancy getup of Evergreen's citizens threatened to outclass her. Bows, ribbons and scarves galore littered the bodies of the city 'mon as they passed. Fancy designs, a lot of them. Even I couldn't help but favor my purple-chain necklace. "Not that you need it, but pokemon around here love to accessorize. Would you like me to buy you something?"

"What, like your necklace." The vixen tilted her head, then lifted a paw to my glimmering chains. "What's this about, anyway?"

"Gift from Taffy." I stashed the apples and padded toward the next stand. "Friendship necklace. We're childhood friends." I giggled. "But you don't need anything special like that. Come on. I'll let you pick out anything you like."

Cream nodded in kind. "As long as you're offering!" The caramel vulpix hopped in place and returned to examining the plaza. "Your uncle. Is he a cat?" The fire type blinked. "Err…" she mumbled. "A sprigatito too?"

I shook my head, granting my thanks to another merchant as I pocketed a set of herbs and spices. "He's what's called a floatzel. They're large water weasels with air sacs around their bodies," I explained. "And we're not family, per se. He's a friend of my parents', so I call him Uncle!" Tantalizingly sweet scents wafted over from a counter nearby, and I knew chocolate was near! Unfortunately, that was too easy. Taffy would be disappointed.

"Well I'd hope so!" The fire type giggled, placing her paws on my shoulders and peering over my side as I shuffled through my bag. "No way a weasel could be related to a cat."

"Careful with those terms." I brought a digit to my maw to shush the 'pix. "It's considered rude here."

"Really?" She strolled ahead, walking backwards in a daring display of confidence. "Any reason why? It'd be one thing if you didn't understand the term."

"Well, usually they're accompanied by insults." I slang my bag across my shoulders once more and popped a squat. "But you may call me a cat if you like." I flicked my tail pleasantly. "Tabby cat!" I corrected. "I prefer my pelt be referenced."

"Well alright, my adorable tabby friend~" The fire type poked my nose, then sat down all the same. "I'll take you up on that offer. I've always wanted a cute hat!" She squished her curly head tufts between her paws with a satisfied smile. "What do you think would go well with my pelt?"

I placed a paw on my chin. "Maybe a fedora?" I shrugged. "Whatever it is, it would be great if it were blue. I'm no fashionista, but blue goes great with brown."

"I'll consider it!" the brown-eyed 'pix chirped. "Uncle's over that way, by the way." She flicked her array of tails toward the fountain. "Is that fox your aunt?"

The eevee? "I took a step forward and squinted amidst the afternoon light. Sure enough, an eevee with purple eyes and a cream-speckled muzzle accompanied Riptide at the foot of the landmark. Her tail was split in three, while her chest fur, as if she'd evolved into a flareon, was excessively pronounced. A fluffy tuft of fur decorated her forehead, covering one eye as she lapped at a dark-brown forepaw, using it to flatten my uncle's unruly chest fur.

"Yep. That's her." I scrambled to my paws. If that eevee saw me sitting in the middle of the plaza, it would mean a lecture! "She's fun. You'll love her." Gripping at Cream's paw, I led the vulpix toward the fountain. Soon enough, the sound of rushing water tickled my ear fur. Cool, sweetened mist hung loosely in the air as we approached the duo, and it wasn't long before they took notice.

"Ah! There's our girl!" A gentle voice exclaimed. At the same time, my aunt waved a paw, lavender eyes glittering with joy as we rushed to her side.

"Aunt Valerie!" I embraced the elder fox in one fell swoop. "Please tell me you have sweets."

The normal type cackled pleasantly and pulled away, toting a sack of saccharine snacks. "The usual?" She dropped the sack at my paws with her maw, then nudged her mate.

"Oh!" Riptide snapped to attention, offering a bundle of xiflimite crystals in an apologetic display. "My apologies, Dear." He flicked a glance at Cream. "And who might you be?"

"Oh, that's—"

"—I'm Crema!" My vulpix companion managed a brief twirl. "But you can call me Cream! Mocha and I decided to form a team at the guild!" She boasted. She couldn't keep a secret to save her life, could she?

"A proper team?" Riptide took a step back. "And here I thought Taffy would join you."

"Nah. She's a different kind of partner~" Cream nudged by side, bringing back the warmth from earlier.

"Cream!" I groaned amidst my aunt's lively chuckles. "That's enough."

Valerie slapped her mate's side with one paw and stamped the ground with the other. "See? I told ya the girl had a crush!"

"T'was obvious, Dear." Riptide shook his head. "The guild, then. What's keeping you? A partner should be all you need, yes?"

I hung my head in exhaustion and retrieved our application with the sponsor section unsigned. "Merchants need a sponsor to apply, and it's pretty difficult to find something relatable, as you can imagine."

Valerie gently lifted the form from my paws, a frown replacing her former smile. "To think such an excuse would bar my niece from becoming an explorer." She let out a low growl. "Skye and her regulations." She shook her head. "You leave this to me, Dear. I'll take care of your application."

I blinked in surprise. Riptide had never shown such initiative, but Valerie? "Are you sure?" I stammered. "It might be hard, but I can manage!"

Valerie waved a paw dismissively. "Nonsense. No niece of mine is going to worry about sponsors." She lifted my chin with a tail and offered it a few gentle scratches. I couldn't help but giggle, even as she pocketed the piece of parchment. "Now then. You kits get going before those sweets melt!" she demanded.

"But we just got here!" I pouted. "Don't you want to spend more time together?"

The lavender-eyed vixen cut me off with a paw. "I'll meet you back at the cafe, I promise." She ruffled my forehead fur. "You and Cream should have fun while you have the day off. Don't go thinking you're above it because you're adults."

Cream shot a paw into the air. "Agreed!" She shuffled her laws eagerly. "Your aunt is sick, Mocha! Talk about a girl boss!"

"A what?" I tilted my head at the comment. Had it not been for the definition she'd given earlier, I would've thought her delirious. "Oh! You're saying she's awesome, right?" I shook my head. "Girl, just say that!"

Before Cream could respond, I felt a sharp poke on to my forehead. "Well? Get going, will ya?" Valerie retracted her paw. "And say hello to Taffy will you~?"

"We're not dating!" I flashed the eevee and floatzel duo a frown, then twirled around, tugging at Cream's paw as I retreated. She'd gone and done it now. "Hell of a gremlin, aren't you?" I whispered to the caramel 'pix, who struggled to match pace with me.

"Oh, so you have that term!" She scoffed playfully, sporting both baskets with her tails as she walked. She may have been a mischief maker, but the girl was learning to walk fast! It was almost alarming. "Don't forget you owe me a fedora!"

"Yeah yeah." I nudged Cream aside and accepted one of the baskets. "Let's just get these home before Taffy blows a fuse!"