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"Apple picking is easy. You just gotta beware the Applins." Kieran reaches for an apple, picking the one hanging closest to him. With trained eyes, he knows this one is ripe, juicy. And definitely not a little Pokemon in disguise.
"It seems easy enough," Juliana says, her eyes focusing on the apple in his hand before flicking back to him.
"You think it's really that easy?" Kieran asks. "Pickin' an apple off is easy, but it's knowing which ones are good too."
The boy walks around the tree and points to another hanging apple. This one is slightly smaller than the one in his hand, a sign that it still needs time to grow. Not to mention the color. It's not too noticeable, but it's not fully red.
"Eating that one would leave a bad taste in your mouth." Kieran sticks out his tongue as a memory resurfaces. He'd been too eager to pick some apples in his youth and gotten a bitter one. He learned his lesson back then.
Juliana chuckles at his expression. She looks between the two apples, studying the differences. Unlike him, she can't tell at a glance, but she thinks she gets it. All she needs to do is pick the firm, big apples, right?
"I think I can manage," she says. "And...I bet I can pick more than you."
"Huh?" Kieran stares at her for a moment. That playful grin on her face meant she was serious. Or ready to tease him, but it had to be the former this time.
"Not even sis can pick as fast as me. Though, she does get some good ones cuz of her height..." He grumbles out that last part. Carmine definitely has the height advantage over him. But maybe this time there would be an even playing field. It's not like Juliana is that much taller than him anyway.
"Well...why don't we see who picks the most then? And we'll only count the ripe ones! So it's not just a matter of speed."
"If you really wana..." Kieran nods. He can't deny her a friendly game. It feels a little unfair when he has the advantage, though.
After a moment to lay down the simple rules, no roughhousing or stealing apples, they begin their countdown. The boy is confident that he can win this. His eyes sparkle with determination, already spotting the perfect apples at the starting line.
If only he took into consideration how fast Juliana can go.
One moment she's circling one tree, and when he blinks, she's already moved onto the next one. It's hard to tell if she's picking recklessly or not with how fast she's moving. She can't be picking ripe ones that fast.
Regardless, he's not going to let her speed slow him down!
Kieran begins to pick up the pace, the competitive spirit firing up inside of him. His sharp eyes are quick to find the best apples within reach. Even if he has fewer apples in his basket, he knows that these are all ripe.
"Ah!" Juliana shouts.
"Juli?"
Worry immediately takes over when he hears her shout. He stops in his tracks, turning to find her amongst the apple trees. She's finally come to a stop with a fallen, empty basket of apples at her feet.
The reason for her shout is in her hand. An Applin. The little green dragon worm is chomping down on her hand. Kieran lets out a sigh of relief, grateful it's just an Applin and not anything worse.
"I told ya to be careful," he says as he comes to her side.
The Applin glares at him as he approaches, but doesn't let her go. This one seems more stubborn than most, but he's had enough experience to know how to deal with them. Slowly, he reaches a hand out. He holds his breath, not wanting to accidentally spook it or make it bite down harder on Juliana.
"There, there..." he says as he gently pets the Pokemon behind its eyes. "It was an accident. She didn't mean to pluck ya from your hanging spot."
The Applin looks as if it wants to stay upset, but its bite begins to loosen. After a moment, it lets go of Juliana completely and retreats into the apple.
"Sorry, Applin," Juliana apologizes with a sheepish smile. Truly, she never meant to upset the poor little dragon. She just got so caught up in her desire to win that she didn't realize she'd upset an innocent bystander.
The Pokemon looks at her, unmoving. Then it shimmies a little in her hand as if forgiving her for the accident.
"You know, I thought I'd be able to recognize an Applin," she says with a light-hearted laugh. Still optimistic despite being bitten. "I guess I should have studied them a bit more."
"Nah. They're tricky. If their eyes aren't stickin' out, you can really only tell by their tail," Kieran says as he points to the green tail hanging from the apple. "Lots of people can't tell the difference."
"I know. It just feels like I should have known, you know? I know Hydrapple enough, but I guess he's different. Bigger too."
Her gaze softens as she looks at the Pokemon in her hands. The Pokemon is cute when it's not nipping at her.
"Oh! Hey, do you want to take this one?"
"Huh?"
"Well...remember when you gave me an Applin?"
Kieran's cheeks go red at the memory. He remembers that moment too well. He never knew about the Galarian tradition of gifting Applins to someone you love. After learning about it, and from Juliana too, she made sure that he never lived it down.
"Wh-What about it?"
"I'm supposed to give you one back. Technically. I guess it might be a little late, though. And I haven't caught it yet, but...I think this one likes you, just like I do!"
The boy feels his cheeks warm even more at her words. He'd never understand how she can be so open about her feelings without getting flustered. But he liked that about her.
The Applin in her hands looks up at him. It's swaying and even pokes its head out once more to give a happy chirp before receding. He doesn't really need another Applin on his team, but...
"I-I'll take it. But only if it really wants to come with me."
Applin bounces in Juliana's hands, nearly jumping out of them. She's quick to adjust to make sure the little dragon doesn't fall.
"Perfect!" Juliana is quick to pull out a ball. The Applin doesn't fight, knowing that it's going to Kieran anyway. Once the Pokeball is secured, she holds it out to him.
"Now I can say I've finally responded back to you."
"Does this count if we're already dating?"
"Hmm. I don't really know!" She laughs. "I know I don't need an Applin to let you know how I feel anyway. But it feels right to give one back to you."
Kieran takes the ball from her hands. It may just be an Applin, but since it's from her, he'll definitely treat it well. Even if it doesn't become a fighter, it could become a companion to his Furret.
"And...I think you won this one."
"Really?" Kieran's gaze lifts from the ball to her. "I-It doesn't have to count since-"
He's stopped as Juliana gives him a quick kiss on the cheek. His cheeks flare red once again. Maybe it's best not to argue with her right now. He'll take this win and his new friend, too.