“Ah what a fine view.” Karri said overlooking the roofs of the Kalosian skyline. A fresh Spring breeze ruffling the various gardens hanging off of balconies.
“It’s okay.”
“I think I know that guy.”
Karri looked back at her two friends. Maris was bundled up tight as possible in the ‘high-end brunch’ outfit she acquiesced into wearing. Gwen was peering at the musician’s stage.
“Maybe we should order” A quick look to Maris. “Something warm.” This place is known for its teas.”
“Sure pick something and we’ll be good.”
“The menu was set back down. Karri’s expression aghast.
“How do you expect me to ‘just order for you’ when there’s a whole palette to select from?”
“This menu doesn’t even have prices.”
“Seems gauche to this crowd.”
“I do know that guy! Does he owe me money?”
“This crowd also looks over anytime we say stock options.” Karri ignored the sounds of necks snapping in their direction. Carefully she pulled up her menu. Gave one section of bold text two delicate taps.
“Let’s start with the basics then..” And moved her finger to the street far below them. Her pointer landing on a shadow leaping from hide-away to sneak spot. “Thieval black tea is a good import cup. This Galarian specialty will steal the tired right out from under your eyes.”
“Would have been stronger if you said stole the bags under my eyes.” Maris broke a roll from the center basket in half Gwen waved down a server for more. The basket wasn’t wasn’t empty, but between the three of them, soon enough. Karri narrowed he eyes and dropped her finger to the next section of elegant, stand-out script.
“Eldegoss green tea, gives you that flying on the wind feeling without the severe caffeine crash” An opportune breeze of the Mon blew by. Gwen chatted up the server on bread fulfillment and passing along a message to the stage from ‘Danger Gwen’. Maris watched the puffs disappear farther and farther away.
"Say one's not in the mood to sample Galarian cuisine like the last two?"
“A bold challenge that I can answer with Sheninja oolong tea. Legendary in tea fanatic groups. Rumours hearsay, whispers on the wind on the how, the why, and who.” The lead member was staring wide eyed at something their old server had said. Maris gave a shrug.
“Certainly memorable even without the visual aid, but a touch dramatic for such a nice day.” Took a sip of water, “plus societal conventions demand not to make a scene.”
“Well for properties sake may I recommend the humble Shiftry pu-erh tea. Straight from our own Hoenn forests. Incredibly healthy and incredibly misunderstood.”
“Poor tea. Though doesn’t pop off the page.” Maris pulled her light jacket tighter about her. “Anything else?”
“Hold on.” Karri leaned over to watched the stage. In a sweat and with a shout, the head member threw the drummer off the raised wood then drove somewhere unseen. Gwen let out a ‘huh’ then turned back to the table.
“Sorry what were we talking about?”
“White tea.” Karri prompted.
“We’re not going to address that, are we?”
“She’s not stealing silverware this is going great. Now many can appreciate the Cubchoo white tea. Some argue it’s underdeveloped. Others complain at the temperature it needs to be kept at. Others still give no reason, merely stating it’s unbearable. Could you be one of the few to accept such a beverage pariah?”
Gwen stared down at the menu with knitted brows. Their server had reappeared. Shooting furtive looking between Gwen and the chaos still at the stage.
“I’ll take.” A thoughtful chin rub, “a double vanilla milkshake with salted caramel. Oh and a salt shaker please.”
“Put the salt shaker in the milkshake?”
“Nah, I got it!” She replied brightly. With more trepidation, Maris was faced.
“I suppose I’ll give that green tea you mentioned a try.”
“Why thank you, Maris. And I shall order hot chocolate.” Karri said with a grin.
"You're Francis' father?" Maris returned more stiff than stone. After a beat they both looked back at the park and their respective sons. The sons who were adamant on a playdate.
New to the cul-de-sac, Kari encouraged his son to make friends. And Sorrel was a sweet kid once you got past the intense staring. He even admitted to liking one of Kari's keen dad jokes. But...
His guardian was Maris!
Childhood friend who Kari may have had a falling out with then never saw again until last month's neighbourhood barbecue welcoming the Grey household.
Awkward, but manageable.
Then his darling boy wanted to have someone over. So he called up the number Francis gave. And the person who picked up was, of course, awkward and evidently not manageable.
So began the dance of briefly saying hello, bedtimes, allergies, and goodbye. Perfectly, somewhat, manageable while Kari made bookmarks on Zillow.
Now they were seated on the same park bench watching their sons be best friends.
"So you're an engineer now-"
"We don't have to talk."
"Right. Right. Of course. No, we don't." Kari cleared his throat. "We don't have... to say... a thing..." An attempt with no survivors. Down in flames. As they had a connection once was now gone and buried for good.
"Dad." Francis ran up with Sorrel by his side.
"Yes, love?"
"We've been talking and we think you two should get together!" He had a megawatt smile while Sorrel gave a firm nod. Kari shared a look with Maris. From the grimace, they shared at least one connection. The sentiment of 'no'.
"You did all this for me?"
Karri whispered at the display in the dining room. A large red velvet cake sat grandly in the center of the table covered in flower petals. Messily wrapped presents were stacked to one side of the room. A colourful collection of candles were artfully placed around icing words
'Welcome Home and Happy Birthday!' She took a pearl of the side pipping and popped it into her mouth. "Mmm... your mom definitely baked this, huh?" She asked Maris. She walked over to her best friend sleeping slumped over the table and laid her coat over Maris' shoulders.
"Told you to not wait up for me, you stubborn dragon you." Karri took the small box from Maris' slack grip. She cradled it. "Thanks Maris. You're the biggest softie I know."
Shifting uncomfortably at that, Karri hugged the pillow tighter.
"What kind of secret?" Maris rolled her eyes at that. She leaned back against the pillow fort wall.
"Any kind."
"Um... I saw Drake A. release the class Caterpie last month."
"So that was him! I meant a secret about you." Maris squinted. Karri smugly grinned back.
"You didn't specify."
It was the same to him as meditating. Long and deep. To him there wasn’t really the passage of time. There was the passage of thought, but that was just intrinsic to him now. He almost solely related loss of battle, from training to the actual field, to his ever present thoughts. The ignition of his soul was instinct, but the channeling of it into mighty firepower would always belong to his mind.
So it was here, the long dark, that he existed. He knew he still existed on the plane of mortals because he could still ponder it. The nature of himself prevented him entering the Void as other Ghosts did, but that just allowed him the greater bond to his unique kinsmen. To know that because they think, so too are they there.
There must be water and soil about him now. His patience has been rewarded with knowing the very sounds of the planet turning and growing and inevitably dying. These were the subtle vibrations that he could hear. If they were actually a part of his body though, he wouldn’t know without looking.
A thunderous serious of cracks and movement began to escalate towards him. To him it felt like he had become to the focal point for all sounds. It kept increasing.
Tongue unfamiliar to his thoughts, though muffled came rapidly and unbidden. Heavy stone was being moved efficiently. Then he could feel light reach his closed eyes.
Perhaps this was the beginning of a new migration. Something to greet him during his meditation. Give himself a new topic to understand. He could register the unique patterns of their gaits. If they dared to stay long enough, then it wouldn’t be too long before he knew their breathing.
One approached. The steps were firm and resolute. The others with this one were taking more cautious steps around.
A touch echoed across his mantle. It rubbed across his plate. He felt slight shame over this and hesitancy over his wants. Still, with one last acknowledgement to his meditations and the whispers of the planet. He opened his eyes.
There was a human looking at him with complete wonder.
The trees were full of thick, green leaves. Most Pokémon were visiting the Hot Springs less and less. And heavy winds were churning the dark ocean as the moon was rising. Karri’s side of the Ranch was alive with preparatory actions. The windows of the nursery were opened and the sheets were flapping in the humid air. Everyone was accounted for and lists were checked repeatedly. The greenhouse was set to automatic checks and only a select group of Pokémon were allowed inside to act as stand-in, full-time caretakers on a rotating schedule.
Blaziken was standing by the back door with a small bag and a cloak. Kip was by her side to keep her company. The door blew open and Karri practically rocketed out. She was donned in tinted goggles, flowing clothes that showed very little skin, and a personal tablet. Maris walked behind her, keeping up easily.
“And the Summer line up for distribution centers hasn’t been released yet, but a friend of mine will email you soon. We need to be on the forefront of that.” Karri was ticking off virtual boxes and her voice was picking up the pace. Maris nodded or ‘hmmed’ at each point.
“My supplies have already been flown to my apartment. Basic security is indicating to being online. Please throw anything expired to the compost pile. I’ll be able to video-chat with you by this evening hopefully. Winds be willing. Well in my favour. Emergency contact of course is-“ Karri’s voice kept going faster and faster and tablet was starting to fall behind the actions of her fingers. She even tried to look at it while Blaziken slipped on her travel cloak. Maris stepped up her pace and gave Karri a look. Finally, Karri slowed down and took a deep breath.
“I’m okay.” She took the small backpack from Blaziken and tucked her tablet away. She tied her hair up and took out a small whistle. No sound seemed to come out as she blew into it. Blaziken and Kip both seemed to have a slight headache. Karri rubbed her temples.
In a blink of an eye, Lizzie B. landed down in front of them.
“Ah darling Lizzie B, you look in top form today!” Karri began to set up the harness and re-secure the straps. A small bit of luggage was already strapped to the saddle and had a medical symbol on it. Karri cracked her back when she stood up and flexed her gloved fingers.
“Don’t miss me too much, my love.” Karri’s eyes were shining, she stepped towards Maris and her slightly amused expression. Her steps languid and her palm stretched out like she held a tender flower. Now her long lashes blinked quickly to accompany her lips perked just so. “For I know the absence will be a great burden on both of our hearts. Fear not that this season shall pass soon.”
“Actually, I think I’ll enjoy this Summer.” Maris said rather deadpan. “Also, you’ll be on a supersonic bat. If anything goes wrong, either I will handle it or you can be here in under a day.” Karri looked rather theatrical and aghast.
“But am I prepared, not only to care for our business abroad but to be by your side at a moment’s notice?” She fell over Blaziken’s arm with her hand placed delicately on her forehead.
“You’ve been packed for the last two weeks.” Maris crossed her arms. Karri gasped offended and stuck out a leg. Kip held it up with a single finger. Maris rolled her eyes and tapped her foot. Karri cracked an eye open and gave a big smile. Maris returned it, albeit bemused. “Yes, I will miss you. Please stay safe.” Karri took a deep bow.
“And the same is asked of you.” Karri pulled out Blaziken’s PokeBall and in a small flash of red light she disappeared. Kip waved as she vanished. Karri carefully placed her small boot in the base of the saddle then took a leg over. Lizzie B. rose to her full height. Maris tucked her hands into her pockets. Karri waved to the entire Ranch and tried to meet as many eyes as she could. “I’ll see you all very soon! Please behave for Maris, my dears!”
“You know they won’t.” Maris said as Karri tucked herself into position. “They take after you far too much.” With a bark of a laugh, Karri took off to the sky and vanished into a large cloud.
