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Rei wasn’t speaking
Not that he was withholding information or anything. He wasn’t being questioned, or under any scrutiny.
He just … wasn’t talking
Akari noted that she hadn’t heard him speak since before the Red Sky.
Kamado understood why.
When Akari - ever the curious and caring friend - asked him for the reason, he shut the door for privacy
“Commander?”
“... It is my fault, Akari. And I know that it is. I did not want Cyllene coming in here to disagree with me”
The young recruit frowned.
“Commander-”
Kamado raised his hand.
“Do not tell me otherwise.”
There was a silence about his office before he continued.
“I didn’t let him speak. I would not listen to what he had to say” Kamado sighed “I let my irrational fears overtake me so thoroughly that I looked him in the eyes and told him that he could not be trusted. And at my order, no one listened to him”
Kamado sighed deeply
“If I … If I had not gone so far. If I had given myself time to mull over, to think, to talk to others… But I did not. I yelled out my orders, and gave him no room to say his peace”
“We were all scared” Akari attempted to reason
“And yet you, Laventon, Cyllene, Irida and Adaman all came to his defense… and I did not listen” Kamado shut his eyes “I cannot blame him for not wanting to speak… If I was so blatantly unheard, I would not wish to speak anymore either”
Akari couldn’t think of a way to respond with any comfort… so she decided to try something else.
“.... Well… what are you going to do to make it right, then?”
The commander paused at that, taking a moment to think, and then look back at her
“... I don’t quite know”
“... Then maybe we can start there” Akari recommended - her tone hopeful
Kamado sighed, looking almost resigned
“We certainly can”
Even for a Noble, Lord Arcanine was exceptionally intelligent.
Emotionally, at least.
Which is why, despite how odd it looked, Palina didn’t question when her lord approached her with a particular Galaxy Team Survey Corps member dangling by the back of his robe in the pokemon’s mouth.
“... Do we have a guest, my lord?”
Rei was placed on the ground with surprising gentleness.
“Hello, Rei” Palina greeted with a nod. He waved to her, his scarf up to his nose, though there was a smile showing in his eyes.
“Were you spending time with the lord?” She asks, motioning for him to follow her.
Rei nodded, following behind her.
“Good. Anytime you are with him, he relaxes considerably. I do not have to tell him not to pounce on you... most of the time” she smiled playfully, seeing Rei’s eyes light up, though he didn’t laugh.
She led him over to her dwelling, opening the tent for him “Please, come in. I was about to have my meal - I would be delighted if you joined me”
Rei nodded excitedly.
Palina smiled at him, and offered him a seat.
Irida had been talking with Palina about Rei lately.
Many people had been talking about Rei, frankly. And Palina was starting to find it rude.
Yes, he didn’t want to speak, why did he need to? He was more than capable of communicating regardless, and he was still Rei.
As they quietly shared a meal, no words need, there was a whine outside
“No, my Lord,” Palina warned.
Another, louder whine
“You cannot come into the tent! You are too big!”
That was followed by yet another whine from the tent’s entrance, the lord's muzzle poking at the fabric.
Palina rolled her eyes “We’re almost done, you impatient little pup!”
Rei looked greatly amused, silently giggling at the altercation.
“Humph. He’s still getting used to his size.”
Rei tilted his head at that sentence.
“He’s too big for the tent” Palina clarified, which was followed by another whine from the noble “No, My Lord!”
Rei snorted a laugh, but continued to eat.
Good. He needed to eat more food.
“Uh… Palina?”
The warden turned her head, seeing a familiar face stuck behind Lord Arcanine
“Ah, Iscan! There you are!”
Iscan waved “Ah, hello! I didn’t know you had Rei with you, hello!”
Rei waved at him
“Ahem, uh, Lord- Lord Arcanine, might I go inside?”
The Lord whined at him, looking up with pleading eyes.
“Ah, ah ah!” Palina scolded “Don’t you dare try to use him! I’m your warden! Not him!”
Iscan gave a confused look “Lord Arcanine, why are you upset?”
“He wants to come into the tent’ Palina explained “But there is no room”
“Ah..” Iscan contemplated it “Well…”
Rei turned his head with a brow raise. Palina’s stare narrowed.
Rei looked between them, interested in this odd standoff
Rei had learned from the last few weeks that despite his skittishness, Iscan was surprisingly playful once he was comfortable. He liked casual, light jokes. He liked making people smile. He also liked teasing Palina in particular.
It clearly came from love, and was quite fun to watch, honestly.
“If you are blocking the way, I can’t go inside and enjoy dinner with Palina and Rei… So I must eat out here with you!”
“What- Iscan, its going to rain!” Palina warned.
“We’ve got time, I’m - I’m sure!” He grinned “Come on, Lord Arcanine! Let-Let’s get a fire going!”
Lord Arcanine lit up like a bright new lantern at the declaration, barking excitedly and bouncing back onto his feet.
“Iscan!”
“Please feel free to join us, you two!” Iscan called behind him as he started to walk away with Lord Arcanine.
Rei felt like he was going to break something if he didn’t laugh, and let out a closed mouth giggle that made his shoulders shake.
Palina let out a frustrated groan “Honestly!!” She stood up, wiping her legs off “Come on, Rei - We have to get him inside before it rains! He gets ill so easily in the cold!”
Rei had a feeling they would not be doing that, but got up anyway.
Might as well have a little fun before the rain starts!
They were all soaked, and Palina was none too pleased.
“Look at you two! Wet as magikarp and for what??” She scolded, looking about Iscan’s tent - which had been closer once the rain started
“... fun?” Iscan suggested as an answer.
“Both of you are shivering! How is that fun??”
Rei just shrugged, leaning into Iscan, whose arm was around the boy’s shoulders.
“Just because you didn’t have a good time doesn’t mean we didn't! Isn’t that right, Rei?”
Rei nodded eagerly, though he kept himself squished against Iscan to keep himself warm.
Palina just huffed “.. I didn’t say that”
“So you did have a little fun in the rain with us?” Iscan grinned widely at that “I knew you would”
Palina just rolled her eyes, tossing over a fur for them to use to warm up “Buffoons, both of you”
Rei spotted the ghost of a smile on her face, and felt Iscan wrap the fur around them.
“We-we’ll be warm in no time” The man encouraged.
Rei nodded, already feeling more comfortable now with the warmth of the fur blanket around his shoulders.
Before either of the adults knew it, Rei was fast asleep, curled up at Iscan’s side.
Iscan could feel his side start to go numb, but he didn’t mind.
“... Is he asleep?” Palina asked, voice quiet.
“Ye-yes” Iscan nodded “Like a rock”
“... Good… I’ve been noticing he’s finally sleeping through the night when he’s around.” She sighed
“I think you mean when Lord Arcanine is around” Iscan softly pointed out.
Palina softly chuckled, grabbing a woolen blanket from her storage bin “The lord has taken quite the shining to him, I’ve noticed”
“I have too” Iscan agreed, taking the blanket, and laying it over his and Rei’s lap as the boy continued to sleep. “Though… I do have a theory”
“Oh?”
“Lord Arcanine is keenly aware of other’s emotions, would you agree?”
Palina nodded, sitting to the right of Iscan, on the side where Rei was not
“Well… I think that he knows what Rei is feeling” Iscan concluded rather succinctly “Keenly… almost- almost empathetically”
Palina hummed in thought at the hypothesis “... That does sound right.. I have noticed my noble spending as much time with him as he can… perhaps he is trying to cheer him up.”
“Or…” Iscan thought aloud “He knows that sometimes, you just need… time”
Palina leaned against her partner’s shoulder “time… and space?” She added a small, playful smile on her face.
Iscan let out a quiet, breathy laugh “Plenty of both, I’d like to think”
Palina chuckled, kissing his cheek “Are you sure you’re comfortable like this?”
Iscan hummed for a moment, cheeks a deep red
“I don-don’t think there’s anywhere else I’d rather be, honestly”
The rain pattered against the roof, and a rather peaceful quiet took over the tent.
Best leave the boy to rest, after all.
Rei awoke with a start
Where was he? Was he outside again? Was he out in the wilderness, sleeping among the stars?
Was he - was he alone again?
No.
No, he wasn’t. He was… actually squished against someone?
As his eyes focused, he realized that he was lying against Iscan - his head on the man’s shoulder and half laying on the sleeping warden. On his opposite side was Palina, who looked to be happy as could be, snuggled up against her partner
He was in Iscan's’s tent. He was safe. He let himself take a deep, calming breath.
Good.
Taking care while sitting up, he was pleased that he hadn't woken either of them up. They deserved to rest.
Rei sniffled
Oh, he better not get sick. He’d never hear the end of it.
He stood up, adjusting his scarf, and stepped out into the night.
It was warm out there, oddly enough
Sighing deeply, he looked out at the fields inland, before sitting himself down on a stone, and looking up at the stars.
He wasn’t alone for very long
“Rr?”
Rei opened his eyes, looking to his left, where Lord Arcanine was approaching with a concerned gaze.
Rei gave the pokemon a wave, with a tired smile.
Once he had been approached, Lord Arcanine gave him a very solid lick to the face, taking off his hat.
He did this every time now.
Rei just quietly chuckled, grabbing his hat, and giving the noble an admonishing look.
Lord Arcanine just whined
Rei didn’t verbally respond - of course he didn’t - but he did reach up, giving the lord a scratch on the side of his face.
The lord sat himself next to the boy, letting out another, more inquisitive whine.
Rei wasn’t really sure how to tell the Lord he was okay without speaking, so just gave him a tired smile.
I’m okay. I’ll be fine. It’s alright
Lord Arcanine could clearly understand what he was trying to convey, but wasn’t convinced.
And so, he did what he thought he had to - he rested his whole head in the boys lap
Rei was slightly startled at being pinned by the giant pokemon, but let out a huff, hands resting at the top of the pokemon’s head.
The lord meant well, that much was obvious
Rei rested his own head on the pokemon, and just let himself breathe for a while.
The sound of the waves was calming in a way that Rei wasn't unfamiliar with. Perhaps he lived near the ocean, wherever he was from.
Where even was he from?
He stopped that train of thought, sighing deeply. Naught but misery down those tracks.
To borrow Ingo’s terminology further, he was going to stay at his current station. That was fine.
And if that current station was being semi crushed by a very nice, very warm noble? That was pretty darn okay in Rei’s book.
He let out a deep, relaxed breath, the warmth of Lord Arcanine lulling him back into sleep.
Laventon found himself staring out the window quite often these days
Why? Perhaps he was just wistful… Or he was just worried. It was probably the latter
“Professor?”
“Hm?” Laventon turned his head, greeted by Akari
“The Commander wants to talk to you”
“Oh?”
“Yeah… it’s uh… it’s about Rei”
Laventn frowned “About Rei? What about Rei?”
“No! It’s not, it’s not like that. He’s… He’s worried. He wants to talk to you about it” Akari argued “he means it!”
“And you’re sure about that.”
Akari nodded, firmly.
Laventon tilted his head just a touch “Alright… I will be there in a moment”
“Okay!” the girl nodded yet again, and left the doorway.
Laventon took in a deep breath, and glanced out the window again.
He realized that he was hoping for Rei to crest over that hill. He missed the boy, but he couldn’t blame him in the slightest for not setting foot in here.
The professor just hoped that he was comfortable.
Rei was set off for the Highlands with perhaps more fanfare than was needed from both the Wardens and their Nobles.
Lord Basculegion seemed quite sad that he could not hug Rei as his warden could and settled on getting some very comfy scratches from the survey recruit.
Iscan, on the other hand, had shoved dried fruit in a bag into Rei’s hand “For the trip! I know the scavenging in the highlands is… gross”
Rei snorted at his clear distaste for the nuts and berries of the higher altitude
“But stay safe! And say hello to Melli for me, if you see him”
Rei nodded, and Palina wrapped him in a hug.
“You take care” She reiterated Iscans concern “And let Warden Ingo know that I said hi as well. I know for a fact you’ll be seeing him” She smiled
Rei returned the hug, and just as he did, Lord Arcanine barked to get their attention.
Rei tilted their head
“Oh, yes! Thank you, my lord” Palina separated the hug “Please, allow Lord Arcanine to take you to Lady Sneasler’s territory”
Surprised at the offer, Rei tilted his head questioningly at the noble, who simply sat down so that Rei could get on his back. Rei smiled, nodding, and climbing up on the Noble.
“See you again soon, Rei!” Iscan waved as Lord Arcanine took off
“Don’t stay away for too long!” Palina called after.
And they remained there on the beach until he was out of sight.
“... He seemed better” Iscan commented
Palina smiled, grabbing her partner’s hand “I have to agree”
Ingo was performing one of his typical patrols, when he heard the roar of a rarely-seen Noble in these parts.
“Snawr?”
“Yes, I heard it” Ingo turned his head.
As he looked off into the distance, he spotted Lord Arcanine and a familiar hat. The warden’s mood perked up instantly
“We have an incoming arrival, My Lady!”
“Snee?”
Ingo points out towards the incoming lord “Take a look!”
Lady Sneasler looked up and off in the distance, seeing the lord, and the familiar boy on his back.
“SNAWWWW!!!!!” She yelled excitedly, waving her claws to be sure to get Lord Arcanine’s attention. She was just as fond of Rei as Ingo was, it seemed.
From a distance, Ingo could see Rei returning the wave. Ingo’s lopsided smile took over his face, quite pleased at the arrival
Once Lord Arcanine reached them, Rei leapt right off the noble and into Ingo’s open arms, with which he was grabbed in an excited and firm hug
“Rei! I am pleased that you have arrived safe and sound!!” The warden announced as Rei returned the hug with a squeeze.
Lord Arcanine let out a bark, giving Ingo pleading eyes.
Ingo chuckled, placing Rei down, and giving the large Noble a solid pet on the head “Greetings, Lord Arcanine! I am appreciative to be blessed by your presence!”
The lord growled happily
“Yes, yes, I will be taking good care of our friend!”
The lord of the isle seemed pleased with that, and gave the warden a firm lick on the face
“Ah, yes, thank you”
“Snee!”
Ingo turned his head to see that Rei was wrapped in a delicate hug from Lady Sneasler. She was always so careful with the boy, especially after she’d accidentally poisoned him with a knick to the cheek back when Rei was first surveying the highlands.
Her distress bordered on comical, though Ingo made no such statement out loud.
Lord Arcanine barked, and the lady rolled her eyes, letting go of Rei - seemingly so he could say goodbye to the Lord.
Rei gave the Lord a few scratches and a sincere smile, lowering his scarf, and the lord gave him a lick similar to the one he’d just given Ingo.
Rei then waved as the lord leapt off, and turned to Ingo.
“How are you, Rei?” Ingo then asked him
Rei gave him a thumbs up
“Excellent!” Ingo nodded “Are you ready to hitch our cars together for the journey back to the den? I am sure that the sneasels are very excited to see you!”
Rei excitedly nodded.
“Bravo! All Aboard, my friend!!”
Rei clapped with enthusiasm, and followed behind the Noble and the warden, excited for the walk ahead.
Ingo kept the conversation going, though somehow it didn’t feel one -sided, as he constantly looked to Rei for signs to continue, or for the boy to “voice” his opinions with nods or shakes of his head, or the movement of his arms. It wasn’t sign language, but Ingo understood him perfectly fine.
By the time they got to the den, the sun was at it’s highest point.
“Ah, shall we stop for some food?”
Rei nodded, grabbing his own bag
“Ah, no! I have plenty of food” Ingo assured “No need. Please, take a seat. Lady Sneasler has already headed into the den.
Rei seemed a bit reticent, but gave a nod, and sat himself down, fiddling with the end of his scarf, watching Ingo.
Ingo took his time making something for the two of them to eat, not minding Rei’s attentive gaze. “Would you like some jerky while I cook the mamoswine?”
Rei seemed to seriously contemplate it, but shook his head.
“Alright. This will take some time to cook once the fire is lit”
Rei nodded in understanding, and pointed to his pokeballs
“Ah, you wish for typhlosion to assist with the fire? That might not be wise”
Rei tilted his head
“Ghost fire could possibly be toxic to us humans”
Rei’s eyes widened
“Yes. I am serious”
Rei moved his hand back into his lap.
Once the fire was lit, Ingo set the meat to grill, and sat next to Rei.
“Now… we wait”
Rei nodded solemnly.
The two fell into silence, and Rei shut his eyes, feeling peaceful in the highland sun.
Kamado had never looked so… unsure.
Akari wasn’t sure what to think of it, herself.
But he’d asked to talk to Laventon, and then they’d asked for Akari to leave, so now she was pathetically kicking rocks down the street, her PIkachu seemed concerned for her - oh how the times have changed
And that change was thanks to Rei
And Rei wasn’t here
She couldn’t deny that despite his obvious desire to right his wrongs, Akari still held a lot of resentment towards Kamado for what he did to Rei. Her best friend was never here anymore. The only time she ever saw him was out in the field, and he didn’t ever speak to her.
Not like she could blame him.
“Hey, Akari!”
Arezu caught her attention, making her look up from her rock kicking “There you are!”
“Huh? Do you need me?”
“You bet I need you! You have an appointment with me, remember?”
Oh. Right. Haircut.
“Oh… yeah, yeah sorry”
Arezu frowned “Come on, Akari, let's give you a trim, hm?”
The girl nodded, crossing the threshold into Arezu’s shop, just as she got an idea
“Hey, Arezu?”
“Hm?”
“.. I wanna do something different”
The sneasels were clamoring for Rei’s attention.
Just the way Rei liked it!
Ingo watched with amusement as Rei started trying to give each of the adolescent sneasel's individualized attention.
By god, he was trying, but there were seven of them. It wasn't easy
“Snee?”
“Let him keep trying, My Lady. I have a careful eye on him. The Sneasels know not to poison him” Ingo reassured his Noble. He did understand her concern, but this was not their first time in this situation
They’d already made that mistake, poor boy couldn’t get up for a day and a half - he’d gotten a very solid dose of sneasel venom.
It was funny in hindsight, but not at the time.
But they were prepared this time. It was fine.
Ingo looked out of the den for a moment - checking the clouds to see if any inclement weather was coming.
Clouds were light - no rain on its way currently.
“Good” He nodded
“Snwar?”
“I am thinking that some time outside with the pokemon let out of their pokeballs could be a nice way to spend the evening” Ingo suggested.
That seemed to catch Rei’s attention, just as Ingo thought it would.
“Do you want to?”
Rei nodded eagerly
“Then let us get going! All Aboard!!”
“.... It is a start” Laventon pondered.
“It certainly is,” Kamado agreed. “But does anyone know where he is?”
“Last I heard, he was at the coastlands” Laventon commented “There or the highlands. That’s what Akari tells me”
“Coastlands? I understand the highlands - he is quite close with Warden Ingo, but…”
“He seems to have befriended Warden Palina and Warden Iscan” Laventon commented “I have seen him with Lord Arcanine frequently when i’m at the camps
“Hm… Well, we will send recruits to both locations”
“That sounds smart” Laventon nodded “It’s a good idea to meet in the Fieldlands. I think he’ll like it”
“I want to meet on neutral ground… I do not wish to put any pressure on him. This is a start to make some sort of amends.” Kamado seemed to remind himself.
“I can see that, Kamado… But I am not who you have to prove that to”
The commander sighed deeply “Okay. Thank you for your time, Professor”
“My pleasure, Commander” Laventon nodded “I do need to go see where Akari ran off to - “
“Professor??”
“Ah, speak of the little devil,” Laventon chuckled. “I am upstairs!”
Kamado looked a bit suspicious “She sounds excited about something”
Laventon realized this “... Let us hope it’s good”
Kamado was always skeptical about that. Akari was very intelligent, but she was also very impulsive.
And as she came upstairs, he couldn’t help but stare.
“Tada! Oh, hello Commander - I got a haircut!”
Laventon turned to her, and gasped “My dear - Oh my goodness!!”
Rei was passed out amongst the Sneasels. Just as Ingo had assumed he would.
“Snaww”
“No, leave him be. He is safe here.”
“Snwar!”
“My lady, we must do our final walk to ensure the safety of the highlands. We will be back with very little time”
His noble gave him a rather amusing pout, but Ingo stood firm.
“If you will not come, I will go alone”
“Snaw!!”
Ingo was undeterred “Come along, My Lady”
Despite her protests, she followed behind him, leaving the sleeping boy surrounded by the sneasels.
When Rei woke up, he felt… off.
Ugh. Not again.
He grumbled, that distant sick feeling showing that he’d gotten poisoned by one of the kits. Again. Thank god he knew where Ingo kept the pecha berries
Okay, now to get up.
Despite how comfy the sneasel pile was, he couldn't let the poison sit, no matter how mild it was
Gently… Gently…
He managed to wiggle his way out.
Phew
Grabbing the pecha berries, he quickly munched down a few of them. Rei then glanced towards the den entrance, wondering about the time. How long had he been asleep? Long enough that Ingo wasn’t in the den anymore. Doing his last round? Rei had wanted to go! Rei pouted to himself.
Rei approached the exit, looking out at the vast wilderness of the highlands, the cool breeze hitting his face.
Man, he loved it here.
The highlands might be his favorite place in all of Hisui, and not just because Ingo and Lady Sneasler were here. It was calming, it felt safer than a lot of Hisui.
Just like the coastlands.
Nothing like Jubilife
Rei shivered when he thought about it
He just… he just couldn’t. His hand rubbed at his chest for a moment, feeling a certain heaviness.
He couldn’t go back. Not yet. He wasn’t… he wasn’t ready.
At least Palina, Iscan, and Ingo weren’t rushing him. They were giving him time. He appreciated it.
“Snee?”
Rei felt a tug at his pant leg.
Looking down, he saw one of the older baby sneasels pawing up at him
“Sneeee”
Rei huffed picking up the sneasel, who squealed happily and nuzzled into the boy’s scarf.
He said nothing, but rested his own head on the Sneasels, looking out at the moonlit night.
Safe.
He was safe.
Why did he keep having to tell himself that?
The red sky, the whole nightmare had been months ago now - three to be exact
But peace felt intermittent.
Anytime he thought about Jubilife, any feeling of peace left him like an exhale
He knew that he couldn’t live like this. Not if he wanted to complete the pokedex
Not if he wanted to seek all Pokemon, as he had been told to do
Not if he wanted a chance at going home - even if he didn’t remember a whole lot of it.
No, stop. Stop thinking about this.
Rei took a deep breath yet again, getting a concerned sound from the Sneasel. He gave their head a pat, and hoped that his smile convinced them that he was feeling okay, because he was.
Worrying thoughts or not, he was okay. That was going to have to be enough for now.
“Rei?”
The boy turned his head suddenly, seeing Ingo and Lady Sneasler coming up to his left.
“Are you okay?”
Rei furrowed his brow. Ingo hadn’t asked him that in a while.
“You look rather wan, friend” Ingo pointed.
What did he mean by that?
Ingo pointed to his face, and Rei mirrored the action, feeling … tears?
The sneasel squeaked in concern again.
Ingo approached Rei, taking the baby sneasel and handing it off to his noble, who retreated into the Den.
“... Rei” Ingo started, cautious “Do you need anything? How can I help you?”
Rei couldn’t think of an answer, shrugging helplessly. He couldn’t even pinpoint why he was crying - what was he even crying about? What did he have to cry for anyway?
Ingo’s eyes showed his concern as he reached forward, a hand on Rei’s shoulder.
“I know that you don’t wish to talk, but perhaps there is more to your feelings than something a conversation can solve?”
Rei stared up at Ingo’s sincere expression and, with little warning, grabbed the warden in a hug. Though started, it was returned, and it was just a few seconds of squeezing before Ingo could hear muffled sobs into his battered coat.
And so Ingo didn’t move a muscle, arms around Rei firmly as the boy cried, and Ingo kept his eyes turned towards the highlands - a safety measure, in part.
If the boy needed to cry, Ingo would let him.
The Highlands are a sparse place - no where better to release your tears in private. He would know.
That Morning, Kamado met Laventon at the gates.
“Good Morning, Commander” The professor nodded
“Good Morning, Professor. Where is Akari?”
“She’ll be here in a moment. She was uh, fixing her hair”
Kamado rose a brow skeptically.
“I know. But I think she has a mind to surprise Rei with her new haircut”
Kamado thought about it, and couldn’t hold back a chuckle “It’ll certainly be a surprise.”
“Oh it was a surprise to me! ”
“I’m here!!”
Akari bounced forward, atop her head was- One of Rei’s hats??
“I stole it!” She states, seeing their bewildered stares.
Laventon sighed in slight exasperation “Let us begin heading to the highlands field camp then. No more wasting time, as Lord Adaman might say!”
“Agreed!” Akari nodded. “Let’s go find Rei!”
Rei felt a lot better after crying the night before. Who knew emotional release was so helpful? Ah well, better late than never. He felt more rested that morning than he had in a while, taking time to stretch and stand up.
“Ah, Good Morning, Rei!”
“Snaw!”
Rei gave Lady Sneasler and Ingo a wave.
“Come - join us for breakfast” Ingo invited.
Rei gave a grin, and sat down next to Ingo, taking some of the fried fruit being offered.
“Did you sleep well?” Ingo asked
Rei nodded, still chewing on his food.
“Bravo! I was thinking that you would join me today for my warden duties. I’m certain that My Lady and her young would appreciate your company”
“Snee!” The noble nodded in agreement - joined by the excited chirps of some of her older children.
Rei nodded eagerly, then made a motion with his hands, like he was grabbing something
“You want to practice climbing today?”
Rei nodded yet again.
“Hm…” ingo contemplated “My Lady, how do you feel about that?”
The Noble tilted her head “.. Snaw!” She nodded
“Alright then! Let us prepare for departure!”
Kamado admittedly did not leave Jubilife VIllage often. He just… Well, he told himself he didn’t have the time.
Perhaps he would start making that time. The coastlands were a lovely place, if nothing else.
“Oh, hello!”
Warden Palina was by the water with Lord Arcanine
“Ah, Hello, Warden Palina!” Laventon greeted
“LORD ARCANINEEEEE!!!” Akari rushed forward, getting the lord's attention and getting an excited bark in return.
The adults watched Akari get tackled, and her hat went flying off.
Palina gasped “Akari - your-”
“Do you like it? I wanted to try something different”
Palina took a moment to take the new hairstyle in, before clearing her throat “.. it certainly is a change.”
Akari just gave her a mischievous grin
Kamado took a step forward “... Pardon me, Warden… Have you seen Rei?”
Hiking with Ingo was always fun.
Mostly because Ingo told stories, and he was a pretty good story teller, all things considered.
“And therefore, Lady Sneasler and I take extra steps to avoid their territory” Ingo concluded, with Rei nodding sagely at the harrowing tail, though he did tilt his head.
Ingo seemed to take a minute to read the expression, before responding “Ah, you are wondering how we know where they are as they always move?”
Rei nodded, his eyes showing his clear interest.
“Ah, well, it’s quite easy, actually- “
“Snaww!!”
The two looked up towards the Noble, who caught their attention with her alert sound as she pointed at the steep face of the cliff. They’d arrived.
“Ah, we are here! How about I explain to you later? That way we can focus on your climbing practice” Ingo recommended
Rei contemplated for a minute, and then nodded, giving the Warden a determined expression.
“Excellent!! Then let us begin!”
Laventon sighed deeply “goodness, I don’t normally walk so much in a day!”
“Well maybe you should!” Akari grinned back at him “I do this all day long!”
“... Perhaps I should abbreviate your hours,” Kamado admitted. All of this hiking was certainly strenuous. Though, admittedly, he was not as young as he used to be
“Nah, I like the work!” Akari assured them, readjusting her hat “Also, If my theory is right, Rei is probably out and about with Warden Ingo - maybe they’re by Lady Sneasler’s cliffs”
“Seems a great place to check first, Akari! Wonderful hypothesizing!” Laventon nodded enthusiastically.
Akari grinned in response “Thanks, Professor! Rei and I were stuck together at the hip before the red sky stuff, I learned what he liked to do, and one thing he likes to do is go hiking and climbing with Ingo!”
Kamado thought about that as Akari and Laventon continued to converse. They had been very close, hadn't they? Akari might have been a bit harsh to him when he’d first come to the village, but they’d become fast friends. The two even looked similar, and the joke-slash-rumor that Rei was her long lost twin had not missed the commander’s ears.
Perhaps that was why she-
“I see them!”
Snapped from his train of thought, Kamado looked just beyond the highland crags, and saw the cliffs were Lady Sneasler’s inner domain lay, and was greeted with three distinct figures
One was purple, one was black, and the last one was blue. The Noble, her warden, and the survey corps member.
“Oooh, looks like its a climbing day!” Akari bounced “Maybe I can practice too! I love climbing with Lady Sneasler! You know, for a pokemon, she’s a really great teacher!”
Laventon seemed a tad perturbed “You don’t go climbing without the warden, do you?”
“I mean, Lady Sneasler is always there, so I’m safe” Akari reasoned with a shrug
Kamado and Laventon both gave her an unimpressed stare at that statement
“No climbing dangerous ledges without an adult human present!!” Laventon admonished
“I must agree with the professor,” Kamado nodded. “Even with an adult, climbing is very dangerous. We cannot risk you getting hurt where no one can help you”
She pouted a bit, but seemed to acquiesce quickly “.. Okay, but only because I know Warden Ingo would agree with you!”
That the warden would, he was a man who seemed to know quite a lot about safety and keeping to a schedule despite having no timepieces to do so.
Kamado had never understood the man, but perhaps he should have put in the effort. He should have put in the effort to understand the people of Hisui, instead of assuming them to be lesser than him.
That had been one of his big sins. A domino effect if ever there was one.
As they got closer, Kamado saw that Rei was about halfway up the cliffs, with Ingo on the ground, and Lady Sneasler at the top, watching the boy carefully. He was watched over, he was as safe as one could be while climbing craggly cliffs.
Kamado paused, They were probably within sight of the noble. Would she even let him in her lands? She seemed a tad more keen than other nobles
“Commander?” Akari called from her gait ahead of him “Why’d you stop?”
“... It’s nothing” He shakes his head. This hesitation would not help him. He needed to keep moving forward.
Mistake or not, he was already here.
If he wanted to even attempt to start making amends, he had to start here
He continued walking forward. Laventon had an interesting expression, but turned his focus back on the cliffs were Rei was now about two-thirds of the way up
He seemed quite skilled, his grip sure and strong as he pulled himself up to where the noble was waiting. She seemed excited
“Oh wow, I don’t think he’s ever gotten that high before!” Akari jumped excitedly, but was keeping her voice down
Laventon seemed surprised “oh! He’s such a brave young boy - I’d never attempt such a thing!”
“Hah, you’d get tired just lookin' at the cliffs, professor!”
Laventon sounded mock-insulted “Akari! My dear! You wound me!”
The girl just laughed, but stopped herself “Shhhhh! I don’t wanna distract him!!”
Kamado looked from her and then to Rei as they continued to get closer. He was about three-foruths of the way there now, his climbing getting slower. The warden’s voice started to echo through the air.
“Rei! Rei, if you are beginning to run out of steam, please return to my station!”
“Snawr!!”
Rei looked down, then back up at lady Sneasler, then back down at Ingo.
And Kamado’s heart nearly sunk to his feet when Rei practically leapt off of the cliff, only to be caught by the warden - a sign of trust that seemed to even shock Laventon, who immediately marched forward and shouted.
“What on earth was that nonsense?!”
Ingo turned with Rei still in his arms, alarm in the boy's eyes at the professor's arrival, with Akari coming up behind. As he was put down on the ground, his eyes caught Kamado, and he froze.
Kamado stayed, hands behind his back.
Akari bounced over “Rei! Warden Ingo!! I wanna show you my new haircut!”
“Ah, Hello, miss Akari!” Ingo greeted, giving a subtle nod to Kamado.
“Ah, Akari, perhaps you can wait a bit before you show it - “
“But we came all this way!” Akari pouted
Rei tilted his head, pointing at his own hat.
“Oh, yeah, I uh, needed to use one of your spares. I say we look pretty alike” She grinned cheekily, and Laventon sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose
“Akari, my dear, please refrain for now. We haven’t even all said hello!”
“Oh… heh, sorry - I'm just excited!” She admitted, looking back to Rei “Hi Rei!”
Rei gave her a sincere grin as she reached and hugged him tightly, with the two side-by-side, and Akari’s hair completely hidden by the red hat, they really did look the same. It was almost eerie.
Kamado took a deep breath before speaking, deliberately trying not to raise his voice. "Good afternoon, Warden Ingo, Rei”
Ingo tipped his hat to the man “Good afternoon, commander. Rare to see you out and about from your station”
“This was a needed journey” Kamado answered “I wished to speak on neutral ground”
Akari kept one of her arms around Rei, who looked at Kamado, his eyes showing his raw nerves - there was fear there.
Ingo looked from Kamado to Rei “Rei, do you want to listen to him?”
Not talk. Just listen.
Rei seemed to seriously consider it, but took a deep breath, and nodded.
“Snawr!”
Lady Sneasler caught the attention of the group
“Ah! My Lady! Return to the den! I shall be there with you soon!”
The noble looked a bit annoyed, but was fine with the situation, giving her warden a nod before leaving the cliffside.
“Thank you, warden” Kamado nodded in acknowledgement, before turning his attention to Rei
The boy looked like he was still very apprehensive, but was saving face quite valiantly with Akari’s hand holding his. She was giving him strength, as any good friend does.
“Rei… First off, I thank you for letting me speak to you. You did not have to, and I appreciate it”
Seeming surprised, Rei just nodded
“Now, I don’t think I have really gotten a chance to say this to you, so I wish to begin this conversation with something I should have said month ago” Kamado took a breath “I am deeply, truly sorry for how I treated you so disrespectfully”
“Fear clouded my judgment, but that was no excuse. You had only ever done what I told you to do to the best of your ability, and instead of seeing that as a sign of trust and loyalty, I saw it as an act of deception - a foolish thing for me to assume when you had done, and have still not done, anything other than not recall where you were from.” he explained “Even if you are from the rift, even if the reddening sky was connected to you, you would never had known, and had no control over it. You were under my instruction, my protection, and i tossed you to the luxrays with no regret until it was far too late to take it back”
Kamado took a moment, seeing that Rei was paying sharp attention
“... This is not a demand. I am not expecting any forgiveness” he clarified. “But I wish to extend a proper peace to you. A promise”
Rei’s expression immediately showed suspicion. Kamado’s expression showed understanding.
“If you wish to return to Jubilife, I will have a front guard inform me, and I will remain in the Headquarters building until you leave”
That seemed to even surprise Akari, who tilted her head at the promise.
“I will leave the ball in your court. If you wish to speak with me, or communicate with me in any other way, I will not aggress myself”
Rei blinked, looking a tad befuddled.
Ingo seemed to understand the expression better than Kamado or Laventon, and spoke up
“I believe Rei is wondering why you would offer such a thing” Ingo asked, with Rei nodding his head.
“... I want to make amends, and I know that the best way to do that, is to return what was taken in a way that I believe is comfortable for you” Kamado reasoned “I know that Jubilife misses you, but I am the main issue here”
Rei turned his head down in thought
“You do not have to give me any answer now” The commander explained “... Just know that I am sorry, and that Jubilife will always be your home, welcoming to you, regardless of any future issues that might arise. It was never my place to banish you in the first place”
Ingo looked to Rei, then to Kamado, and then back to Rei.
Rei thought on the commander’s wods, head stll down, before he lifted it, and gave him a simple nod.
That was all Kamado had needed, and the commander gave a light bow
“Thank you, Rei.”
The boy managed a small smile, then turned to Akari with a head tilt.
“Oh, yes! I have a new haircut!” Akari pulled away from him
“A new haircut?” Ingo contemplated
Akari grinned widely, taking off the hat and shaking out her hair.
Her very, very, very short hair.
Her new haircut was short enough that it was identical to Rei's, a little shaggy much like his had gotten after three months away from Jubilife. She was beaming at him and his absolutely gobsmacked expression. Ingo also looked surprised, though it was mostly in his widened eyes.
“What do you think??” Akari asked with her big grin “I wanted to try something different!”
“It is… very different” Ingo commented, not blinking
“Rei??” She looked back at her friend, who was still staring with shock at her haircut
“. ... Why would you do that?!?!?!? ”
All of the adults were startled from their staring at the slightly hoarse voice, Rei seeming not even to notice he’d just spoken for the first time in months, and that his first words were incredulous scolding of his best friend and survey partner.
But there was a knowing glint in Akari’s eyes, as if she’d planned to shock him all along
“Cause I wanted to!”
“You love your hair!”
“That I do! But it’s just hair, and I had something important to do”
“Like what?”
She wrapped an arm around his shoulders yet again “Scare the words outta ya!”
Rei just looked at her like she had two heads, and all she did was laugh.
As she squeezed him in a hug, Kamado’s eyes fell on Professor Laventon, who had a look on his face that screamed that he was beyond happy, but trying to keep quiet about it. He honestly looked like he was about to cry. Kamado understood.
He then looked over to the warden, who was - shockingly - almost smiling, as if a satisfied meowth.
When Kamado looked back at the teens, Rei’s head was resting against Akari’s shoulder as she teased him, her eyes showing a sort of relief that got close to crying.
The fact that she went so far as to cut off all her hair for her best friend was a sign that Kamado was with the right people, doing the right thing.
Laventon approached the children, admonishing Akari for shocking the daylights out of her best friend, and Kamado took a deep breath.
He had apologized, he had taken the first step of many.
The end of this journey might not be forgiveness, but he would never know if he didn’t keep walking.