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What a pitiful woman.
He watched as she set up camp. Though the Ancient Retreat was not as grand nor spacious as Jubilife village, it seemed that they could make do with the little space. It gave some privacy to Mistress Cogita as well as the reassurance that they were still hidden in plain sight.
Cold, soulless eyes were fixated on the exiled recruit who sat in front of the campfire.
“No need to worry! This place is actually quite big. So if you promise not to trouble Mistress Congita, we can set up camp and plan our next plan of attack for tomorrow.”
He wondered why such an idea popped up in his head. That silly Survey Corps’ Abra was even present after their little talk with the historical descendant. He should’ve suggested a quick, secret shut-eye in one of those Survey camp. He should’ve told her to maybe camp away in a spot where he could sneak off easily.
But alas, here she was—here he was—in each other’s line of sight.
He wondered why.
Grey eyes, dimmed by the crimson glow of the sun’s fall, moved silently at her every movement.
She sat. Silent. Solemn.
It was clear to anyone that she was heartbroken still. Who wouldn’t? To be thrown into a world torn from loved ones. To be forced to survive in a world where kindness often gets demolished by fangs and claws. It was a miracle that she still kept her sanity. A wonder that she still helped strangers who deemed her as blighted and cursed.
Teeth clenched harder behind a pressed smile.
How foolish, he thought. How laughable, he relished. It was her choice to do such things anyways. She should’ve betrayed the villagers when she had the chance. She should’ve controlled her Pokémon to do her bidding, to manipulate people’s fear so that they fell to their knees.
And yet...
The young woman was nothing but bait. Bait and sacrifice for all that he worked hard for.
A deep, slow breath was taken.
He watched as her Pokémon surrounded her. The giant flaming one—her starter, he remembered—was the closest to her, giving warmth and comfort that probably soothed her heart. The other Pokémon gave purrs and sounds of ease. A Skuntank, stinky as people may think, sat by her right side. He saw her hand reach for the Skunk Pokémon’s fur, ruffling it softly without a word. A Gardevoir and Liligant kneeled before her, looking at nothing but at the human who had been quiet for nearly an hour. A Floatzel was the loudest amongst the bunch, giving off coos and purrs that vibrated the sunset sky. Lastly, a Zoroark sat behind her, leaning against her back and nuzzling the human as his attempt of solace.
What an image. A hateful, disgusting image.
His jaw ached. His mouth tightened.
The sound of rustling grass resonated in the air as he stood up. The plan was in motion. He should step away from the sight. He should ignore the disgusting image. They were all temporary anyways. This wasn’t the world that he wanted. She wasn’t part of this life he so desperately idealized.
She might as well suffer now. It would all be gone soon, anyways.
Tap, tap. He should walk away.
Tap, tap. He should carry on with his plan.
Tap... And yet, tap...
Tap.
“Mind if I join you?”
Her body jumped at the sound of his voice.
“O-Oh!” A stutter, then a gasp next. “I—sure!” Quick that she was as she wiped away the tears. Her Pokémon fumbled slightly, worried and concerned over her change of actions. Akari gave a quick smile, hoping that the false mask was enough to reassure her team.
It wasn’t.
But either out of respect of another’s company or thought that she might need a human’s comfort, they slowly backed off. Only the Typhlosion and Zoroark didn’t scoot from their positions. Both pairs of eyes glared at the mysterious man, observing him strictly as if he was a predator that was about to devour its prey.
Volo only stood next to her, patient and unbothered.
Sensing her Pokémon’s animosity, Akari slowly looked at them. “It’s okay, guys.” One hand patted Hestia’s fiery mane. Her right elbow lightly nudged Sariel. “He won’t hurt me.”
What a foolish woman.
His smile was perfection.
It took a few seconds, but the two finally relented. Her team sat a few steps apart, eyes never torn from the human they all loved so much.
At the sight of her sorrowful smile, Volo plopped a seat next to her.
Silence rang in the air. Flickers of flame danced for their entertainment. The wind breezed through, brushing her purple locks that covered her right ear.
His fingers twitched. He wondered how soft her hair was.
“Thank you...”
The cracked lull of her voice squeezed his dull heart.
His smile was perfection. “Oh? Think nothing of it.” He sat cross-legged. “Besides, how could I let one of our dear customers get hurt?”
Her smile withered.
“Still...” Arms weakly hugged her knees. “Thank you, though. I know you have every right to not trust me.” Back hunched until her mouth rested behind her knees, “Everyone doesn’t trust me anyways...”
Hollow, grey eyes stared at the woeful woman.
Unaware of the cold expression that glossed such dead eyes, Akari sighed a long sigh. “It’s just…” She missed her family. She missed her friends. She missed her home. Being thrown back into the past without any warning was not an ideal thing for a teenager to go through, and yet here she was. She tried to make the best of it. She tried to keep a brave face and press forward. The day she was…not welcomed well in the village was the day Akari knew she had to hold on to those who chose who trust her.
Professor Laventon. Rei. Her Pokémon. Even Commander Cyllene.
She knew.
She knew that if she let go of them. If she even thought of letting her fears get to her…
Ba-dump!
Air was stuck in her throat. Air burned fire in her lungs. Vision blurred once again, sizzling her eyes of the dull ache that shadowed her pain.
I just… It hurt. I just…want to—
Hazel eyes blinked back tears at the touch on her shoulder.
She looked to the side, eyes wide at the sight of the smile she came to remember so well.
What a beautiful smile.
“No worries, dear Akari.” Assurance cooed in such a wistful tone. “Everything will be fine.” His hand was still on her shoulder. “Besides, you have your delightful Pokémon with you!” His gaze never left her. “As tough as this may be, I’m sure all will fall on your favour once again.”
Advice and comfort beamed like bubbles on a summer beach. She only sat in silence, dumbfounded even at such confidence he exuded for her.
What a perfect smile.
Her lips quivered. “Really…?” What was there to lose? No one wanted her. She was all on her own—or at least, that’s what she thought.
A single grey eye glimmered a spark of what she mistook it as hope. “Really.”
Tears were void, yet her heart still hurt. Slowly she took another deep breath. And another and another. Hazel eyes then darted to her team, to her Pokémon who loved and cherished her for who she was. The people of this time still feared Pokémon, still branded them as monsters who murder and devour. But from a time where she came from, though some of the people were correct, she knew fear controlled their minds while the heart was blinded by irrationality.
Pokémon were friends. In the future where she was, both people and Pokémon coexisted peacefully and in harmony.
Maybe… she thought, maybe this is why I’m here…
“Yeah…” He might be contagious, she wondered, as confidence slowly bloomed within her too. “I guess you’re right.” Knees still close to her chest, Akari wiped the dry tears with one hand. Hazel eyes then looked at the young man. “Thanks, Volo.” A smile slowly crept up her face. It was small, trembling, but held a glint of honesty that she never realized never mirrored his own.
Sincerity died the moment it reached him.
“That’s my girl!” Laughter sang around the peaceful atmosphere. “Well,” Clap! “I believe it’s time to call it a night! We don’t want any of us being dead tired to face tomorrow, now do we?” More laughter rang after another, bursting with such glee that masked his hollow heart.
Seeing her smile was worth it. He hated that.
Joy perfectly masked on his face, Volo planted his feet onto the ground and was about to get up—
“Wait.”
His left hand was held, immediately stopping him from his actions.
For a moment. For a brief moment. Shock sparked in a pair of hollow eyes.
He looked at her, now silent and waiting. His unhidden eye looked at his hand, now being held by a hand that was clearly hers.
Silence filled the air once again, heavier than ever.
Shit! she cursed inwardly. All she wanted to do was say her thanks again. All she wanted to do was listen to more of his advice and cheerful laugh.
All she wanted to have was his company, warm and comforting by her side.
Slim fingers squeezed around his own. In a quick second, she immediately pulled back, her right hand now suddenly feeling cold. “I—sorry!” Shamefully she apologized. “I just—wanna say…thank you again.” Her heart raced, though now for a slightly different reason. “You’re a really nice person, Volo.”
Finally, she looked up, hazel eyes gazing at the young man who was unwarily caught in a stupor.
“I’m so glad that out of all the timelines I’m thrown into, I’m in a time and world where you exist.”
Ba-dump…!
He wondered where that short, quiet gasp came from.
Silence hummed harmoniously around them. Feeling more and more awkward as each second ticked by, Akari swiftly jolted herself back to her feet. “A-Anyways—!” Oh, what a fool she felt. “Goodnight!” Bowing once, she paraded back to her makeshift tent. Sensing her leaving, her Pokémon quickly rushed to her.
As Hestia walked past Volo, who now had recollected his composure, their eyes met.
A single grey eye, void of warmth, crossed against a pair of demonic crimson. While the starter Pokémon usually posed a sleepy, harmless expression, this one was anything but.
Time slowed down between them, then ticked back to normal the next second.
Volo only watched as the Typhlosion walked away. He only watched as the recruit’s Pokémon crowded around her until her image was swallowed from sight.
“I’m so glad that out of all the timelines I’m thrown into, I’m in a time and world where you exist.”
Air seemed to be stuck in his throat again.
His smile finally cracked to a straight line, Volo got up and walked away.
Away from her.
Away from this folly.
END