Maybe they’d been focusing too much on gathering information - to say Hop was tired would be an understatement. And poor Felt looked dead on his feet! They’d gathered enough information about this place and its locations, right? They’ve earned a few days’ rest.
He sighs heavily, Felt copying the action. Soooo tiiiiired.
Trainer and Pokemon trudge down the street, mostly on autopilot. Hop stops for a moment, yawning. “This way’s back, yeah?” He looks at Felt for confirmation. “Be-eh.” The young boy snorts. “Thanks, ‘maybe’ s’reeeaally helpful.” He places his hands on his hips. “D’ya wanna rest in yer ball for a while? ‘M… pretty sure I know how to get back.” Before the Wooloo can respond, however, a familiar voice reaches his ears.
Hop would’ve jumped if he wasn’t so tired.
Instead, he simply turns around, blinking blearily. “Gym Leader Milo? S’that really you?” ‘M not hallucinating from lack of sleep or somethin’, right? A laugh as he rubs the back of his neck. Why wouldn’t he be here? Mr. Kabu’s here, too. “Flukey or not, I sure am glad to see you!” Wait, that sounded a little… “Uh, not that bein’ spirited away from Galar with no way back is a good thing, but, uh. S’good to see another friendly face…?” His voice lilts a bit too high at the end, and he winces.
“Sorry, let me- let me explain.” An’ maybe not put my foot any farther in my mouth. He stifles a yawn. “Uh, so, from what I’ve learned, some guys somehow took folks from their homes, an’ no one’s found a way t’ reach ‘em. They took all our stuff too! But s’long as we behave an’ socialize, we can get our stuff back.” He sags slightly. “Kinda like a prison sentence, if ya ask me.” Felt nudges him, bleating. “Y-Yeah. Took my entire team too, an’ even turned Felt into a Wooloo again! Crazy stuff!”
The poor kid looked worn out. Milo had to wonder why before remembering the circumstances- but at least he perked up a bit at seeing someone familiar. For that he was glad. He stood by and listened while Hop told him what he knew, frowning a touch at hearing they just had to behave and socialize.
“I’m much the same- here,” he turned around to reach into the drawstring bag he’d gotten and came back with his Applin cupped in his hands. “I’ve never heard of a Pokémon being able to go back to its previous form like this, but it’s certainly mine, not just some other Applin.” Milo could tell because it was just as timid as the day he’d actually met it, and had been glad to take a spot in a bag (or under his hat) just like it used to when he was travelling about. The little fellow was relieved to see what was clearly another trainer and their Pokemon, however, and all the better for it being a Wooloo, probably the most familiar of all.
“Don’t know if there’s any point to training then, especially if there aren’t other trainers about.” Milo said, trailing off a bit. “But how long have you been here? You look bushed.”
