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Adaman wasn’t so far away from his teenage years that he’d forgotten how easy it was to get worked up during that phase of your life.
Which is why when he saw Akari standing stock-still at the edge of the settlement, soaked to the skin and looking about ready to explode, he knew just what to do.
Taking off his robe as he quickly approached the girl, he wrapped it around her shoulders in one swift move, keeping one arm around her - the sudden movement of him seemingly startling her out of her clear mental spiral. She stared at him with confusion in her tired eyes, but said nothing.
“Inside, come on” He encouraged her to walk forward with a gentle push of the arm around her shoulders “Let’s get you warm and dry. Rain’s coming anyway, and by the look of the clouds it's about to get heavy”
Akari continued to say nothing, but fell into step beside him as he led her over to his tent, pushing the tarp open and feeling relief at the warmth that greeted them both - the fire still strong despite the lack of people - someone must have tended to it just a few minutes ago.
“Come sit on my cot. I’ll see if we have any robes for you so you’re not sitting there damp for too long” Adaman coaxed. “I don't want you getting sick, okay?”
Akari just nodded, and Adaman pointedly didn’t comment on the lack of verbiage as Akari sat down on his cot - the one closest to the fire, since he ran so cold.
He made his way over to a worn chest full of old, currently unused clothes - it was rarely full, as nothing went to waste in the clan, but he knew there were a few things in there that Akari could probably get away with wearing. Most importantly though, they were dry, and that was more pertinent than anything else at the moment.
After a short rummage, he found some clothing for her - pulling out the pale blue and black robes before turning around, seeing Akari gripping his robe as if for dear life, her whole body shivering, but her eyes being so wide that he knew she wasn’t completely shivering from the cold.
Adaman paused, before taking a quick breath to reorient his thoughts. Not the first time he’d seen her like this - he knew what to do.
“I’ll watch the door so no one barges in” he said as he approached, holding out the clothes to her “Change into these, once you’re all changed I’ll get the fire roaring, okay?” He placed the clothes at her side after she didn’t immediately reach for it
She looked up at him and nodded, and he quickly turned away towards the entrance to give her privacy, staying right up there at the "door".
He mentally counted to 100, before calling back into the tent and asking if she was done, getting a verbal “uh huh” in response.
Once turned around, he saw that her Jubilife-given clothes were in a pile on the cot, and she was scooted a little closer to the now dimming flame.
Though it took a few moments, he grabbed some firewood, and got the fire back up to snuff again with some effort and a few leaves that his Leafeon had shed as kindling - which colored it green for a few seconds before the fire began to flicker and pop with the perfect amount of strength.
Adaman could see that Akari’s hair was still damp - perhaps too damp for her to be comfortable - but she was not moving from her place at the edge of the recently reinvigorated fire. He grabbed one of his older robes from that same chest and “plopped” it on her head, chuckling when she startled out of her stare and she looked up at him with a mild but half-hearted glare.
“Gotta dry your hair, ‘kar” He instructed, trying to be lightly playful “Your thick head won’t dry if your thick hair doesn’t - and your hair takes for ever ”
She maintained the half-hearted glare before attempting to dry her hair with decidedly little effort.
Sighing with a particular exasperation he usually reserved for Mai or Sabi, he sat himself down in front of her, back to the fire, and grabbed her hands, putting them in her lap.
“If you’re feeling that shit, you can just tell me, you know” he huffed, making the effort to dry her hair for her, hands vigorously using the old robe to absorb what he had to assume was river water - she didn’t smell of pond or marsh and it hadn’t rained in a few days.
The girl had once again gotten herself so wrapped up in her fieldwork that she’d been careless. It was a semi-regular occurrence at this point, but that was of no comfort to the clan leader, who often didn’t even get the chance to offer help before she was running off to do something else.
“Could you tell me what happened?” he cautiously asked, removing the makeshift towel from her hair. She had a bit of frizz, but looked much drier.
Akari just shook her head, but did look up at him.
And if those glassy, exhausted eyes didn’t just break his soft heart… “Okay, bud. Come on, bring it in”
His open arms were filled with teenager a mere moment after opening them, and he returned the eager squeeze. Good thing too - because she was freezing and desperately needed the body warmth . Did she always run this cold?
It was a few more moments of that tight hug before her grip loosened just slightly, the tenseness replaced with a sobbing whimper into his shirt. A sound that Adaman associated with a very particular type of exhaustion
With a deep exhale, he adjusted his hold so that she was partially in view of the fire - he couldn’t be the only thing keeping her warm - and placed a hand at the back of her head.
“Hey, hey , it’s okay” He murmured, along with some other rather shallow comforts. The crying didn’t turn into full-on sobbing and wailing - it never did - but the little shallow hiccups and whimpers were enough to let him know that whatever she’d been doing earlier that day had pushed her well past her limits. He felt an ache in his chest - he could relate to the feeling.
“I know” Adaman rubbed her back with one arm “I know. Take your time”
She didn’t respond, but it wasn’t much longer before Akari seemed deflated, more of her weight pushing against him.
Adaman sighed, hearing the rumble of thunder above them - the rain was finally arriving “Hm… I think it’s time to get some rest.”
After a moment, he felt a nod against his shoulder, and Akari pulled back, sniffling a bit. Adaman wiped at her face with his hand “Lie down, I’ll be right back”
She did as he said immediately, facing the fire as Adaman quickly checked outside to make sure everyone was safely inside their homes. Just across the way he spotted Melli - visiting his mother - who spotted Adaman out of the corner of his eye and made brief eye contact with him.
Before the two could even think to exchange any words, thunder roared directly above them, like Sinnoh themselves was roaring in warning of the oncoming storm
They simply nodded to one another - a promise of future conversation - before returning to their tents.
So it was just him and Akari - that was probably for the best.
Once he’d tied the opening shut so that the wind wouldn’t get in, he came back over to where Akari had laid down, grabbing his extra cot off of it’s raised frame and pushing it next to hers
She turned to be on her back, watching him grab a rather large and impressively detailed blanket - draping half of it over her first, before laying down on his cot next to her and pulling the other half over himself so they were sharing it.
“Comfy?” He moved the blanket up to his own chin.
She nodded, adjusting the blanket as she turned from her back to face him, adjusting the blanket for herself.
“... Thanks” She said a little weakly, sounding worn out and fighting the on-coming sleep, eyes drooping and exhale quite telling.
“Anytime, kiddo. Now, come on, let’s sleep through the storm. We both need it - can’t go out and survey in this weather anyway, hm?” Adaman encouraged, letting out an exaggerated yawn.
“.. Mhm..” She shifted a little more, pulling the blanket all the way up to her nose before looking at him as if to say something, then looking away. He knew exactly what she was trying to ask.
Adaman managed not to chuckle at her, though he did give her a knowing smile “Come on here then”
He raised his arm, waving her over, and she scooted up against him, getting an arm over her shoulders.
“... Thanks” was also she said again, eyes closing
“Don’t mention it” Adaman replied, quietly exhaling as he felt Akari relax, and her breathing evened out into sleep.
Thank Sinnoh.
Akari’s lips were turning blue.
Admittedly, that wasn’t something Irida was very used to seeing on people- Pearl Clan Folk were hardy and knew how to take care of themselves in the chill of this sparse and icy land. But Akari wasn’t Pearl Clan, and Irida - though inexperienced in general when it came to hosting guests - did in fact know what to do about it. (it wasn’t the first time Akari had let herself get so cold while out surveying)
Marching with purpose, she quickly grabbed the shivering teenager by the sleeve and pulled gently to get her attention and stop the conversation she was having with herself as she was checking that survey journal of hers
“Inside - come on now!” Irida quickly instructed “The snows only going to get worse - let’s get you to a warm space”
The fire inside of Irida’s tent was roaring and welcoming, with a familiar face adding another piece of kindling as Irida swept the opening to let the two girls in.
“Warden Calaba” Irida spoke up firmly “I need your help, please”
The elder looked away from the fire, eyes falling on the shivering visitor and clan leader. Though her eyes widened for a moment, she quickly collected herself, approaching Akari and offering her hand. “Come along now. We need to get you warm”
“I have to make sure that the settlement is secure - I must make the rounds” Irida stated “I will be back soon”
Akari nodded despite her shivering as she was gently pulled further inside by Calaba, and Irida left Akari in the warden’s care as she performed her leadership duties - making sure that everyone was accounted for and safely in their homes.
The snow was really starting to come down as Irida returned to the tent, promptly overlapping and tying the entrance closed as tightly as she could manage without breaking the chords, and looking back at the fire where Calaba and Akari were. Calaba seemed to have talked Akari into sitting down right by the fire - good.
“Everyone safe?” Calaba skipped any greeting -though Irida never minded.
“Yes. All ready to ride out the storm” Irida came closer, seeing Akari all wrapped up in new robes and a knitted blanket. Irida smiled at the offered comfort. “How are you, Akari? Feeling warmer?”
Akari nodded, and Calaba spoke up again “Her clothing was damp - I had her change” she explained
“Ah, Okay! Good” Irida agreed with the action - cold clothes make one sick, after all!
Irida decidedly sat down next to Akari - seeing a certain tiredness in the girl’s eyes. As if on queue, Akari yawned before trying to give Irida a smile - though it was decidedly forced.
“If you’re not warm yet, you will be - Calaba’s stew is the best!” Irida encouraged, motioning to the simmering broth over the fire.
“You bet it is!” Calaba agreed, eyes on the pewter pot simmering with vegetables and never leaving it “but I must say… You should not have come up this way, Akari. I’m sure you could see the storm brewing, hm?”
Looking a little dejected at the very light scolding, the girl didn’t respond, looking away and pulling the blanket around her a little tighter.
“Hey” Irida got her attention, concern clear in her eyes “You were told to come up here, right? You had to - right?”
Akari nodded, looking up at Irida like a sad wet eevee.
“Well, there. She had no choice!” Irida looked back up at Calaba with a defensive expression on Akari’s behalf.
Calaba huffed “Enough - time to eat something warm. This storm is going to be a heavy one - I can feel it in my bones. We’ll need to keep ourselves full.”
The stew was dolled out to Irida and Akari in small, clay bowls, and a quiet came over them, with Irida’s glaceon and flareon taking up space in the girl’s laps (Glaceon in Irida’s and flareon in Akari’s), with Calaba’ bidoof laying right in front of their partner as they started to eat.
“Mmh!” Irida giddily smiled after taking a good bite of meat in the soup, before looking at Akari, who had gotten mostly broth “It's so good, right?”
Akari nodded, taking a prolonged sip of the broth. She closed her eyes and a small, small smile graced the chilled girls face.
“Of course it's good! It's a family recipe!” Calaba argued “Passed down for generations - only the best last that long!”
“Yes, we know, Calaba” Irida rolled her eyes “You say that every time you make it”
The elder leveled a mild glare at Irida’s sarcasm. “Well, you could dane to learn it, you know!” She lightly scolded.
“I don’t have the time to learn how to make stew! I am the leader!” Irida argued “That’s what our whole community is for! I don’t need to-”
As they squabbled back and forth, Akari - still warming up from the outdoors - watched with mild amusement in between sips of broth
“Do you think I should learn how to make it, Akari?” Irida suddenly asked “I’m too busy for that, right?” She led the question. Akari playfully thought about it, then shook her head “What? You think I should learn????”
Akari nodded. Irida looked offended as Calaba let out a surprisingly boisterous laugh.
The wind battering the canvas walls made an odd, whooshing sound that filled the tent quite suddenly, making Akari shiver in both chill and surprise as cold air entered in a sharp gust, brushing up dirt and snow.
“ Ah! ”
Irida quickly got up -almost scrambling - to re-secure the tent back to the ground “Oh, for Sinnoh’s sake!”
“I told you that would happen!” Calaba lightly scolded, though she didn’t look away from her stew bowl
“I don't want to hear it, Warden!!” Irida chidded “Besides, I told Gaeric to do this for me since I was busy!! He clearly didn’t!!” She complained as she attempted to make quick work of the untied stake.
Calaba rolled her eyes, looking over at Akari “See what I’m dealing with here?” The woman pointed a thumb at Irida. Akari quietly chuckled in response, before yawning
“Don’t get sleepy just yet. Finish your soup first” The elder instructed, tone stern but considerate “I want you warmer, I still see some chill in your face” Calaba reached, giving the girl a surprisingly tender pat to the cheek.
Though a bit caught off-guard at the action, she just nodded. She then looked back down at her still steaming broth, and pointedly took another, careful sip.
“.... Irida, hurry up there” Calaba called over.
“I’m trying! ” Irida huffs, currently finishing up with tying the knot.
Calaba “tsk”ed a few times before Irida stood up, satisfied with her work. She then proceeded to march right back over to the fire, seemingly wanting to say something to Calaba, but glanced over at Akari and stopped. She then made the conscious decision to sit back down next to the girl, and lean towards her with an odd concern in her eyes that Akari was having trouble placing.
“Hey, are you gonna finish your soup?” Irida asked, her voice suddenly softer than before.
“Hm? Mhm..”
Irida gave her a gentle nudge. Akari’s lack of words wasn’t concerning, per se, but it was unusual “Finish up then, please”
The survey corps member looked at Irida for a moment - expression tired and just a little confused - before taking a rather purposeful sip. Calaba nodded in approval as Irida did the same, getting another funny look from Akari who was so used to their “Banter”, so to speak.
Things were quiet and relaxed for the rest of the evening as Akari finished her stew, and Irida rolled out a bed for her, and grabbing several more blankets.
“Gotta get you a little warmer” Irida explained.
Akari seemed to chuckle a little at the concern, but welcomed the extra comforts, her cheeks now rosy from the heat of the layers. Irida looked up from her back to the warden who was still sipping her own stew “Calaba, can you man the fire?”
“I am far too awake anyway, Irida. Do what you must” The woman responded without even looking away from the fire.
“Thank you!” Irida grinned, returning her attention to Akari “Let's get to sleep!”
“Huh?”
“Come on” Irida encouraged, and Akari let herself get pulled into the rolled out bed, with Irida setting herself up next to her. “If you feel cold, let me know, okay? I don’t mind sharing! I run hot, you know’
“Everyone knows, Irida” Calaba called from the fire pit, tone flat.
“ Shush! ” Irida hissed defensively. Akari chuckled, but gave Irida a nod, which the young woman appreciated as she took off her obi and robes before lying down beside her.
“The storm might not let up by morning, so feel free to sleep in.” Irida explained as she got comfortable, pulling up the various layers “We’ll be stuck for a bit if that’s the case - safest place to be!” Akari looked a bit concerned at that, but Irida waved it off with a flick of the hand. “We are in a space where this happens - we respect that space by quietly letting it happen, do you get it?”
Akari furrowed her brow, and awkwardly shrugged. Irida thought for a moment - how does one explain the sacredness of space when the space is inhospitable to you?
“Hm… well, think about it this way” Irida started, adjusting herself under the blanket to face Akari more fully. “Imagine that you are observing some pokemon out in the fieldlands” Akari was giving her her full attention, and she reassuringly continued “When you are in that space, you do not intrude on the pokemon when you study them, yes?”
Akari nodded, almost encouraging.
“Well, this is like that but with weather” Irida explained further “The weather is as much a part of a space as the living things within it. The Almighty Sinnoh designed it as such, and we must respect it” There was a spark of understanding in Akari’s tired eyes “Do you get it?”
Akari nodded yet again, then let out a yawn as the exhaustion seemed to set in.
Irida chuckled “Get some sleep, Akari. We’ll decide what to do in the morning, Okay? I think we could both use the space for rest.”
“... Okay…” She whispered, finally looking like she was going to fall asleep
Irida thought for a second, before reaching forward, and wiping at the girl's face. Akari looked a little confused, and Irida simply sighed, trying her best not to seem frustrated - had Akari not noticed she’d been crying for some reason?
No matter. She looked much better now.
The two fell asleep within minutes, with Calaba keeping a close eye on both the fire, and the girls, a small, relieved smile on her face, one hand scratching the head of her beloved bidoof.
The peace was much welcomed in the space.
Thank Sinnoh