Something that Hideo’s parents drilled into his head was that the New Years was a time for cleaning: clean his room, clean himself, and just as important: clean his Pokemon.

He’d been fortunate that he was the only one here cleaning his Pokemon at the moment. Left him with plenty of open spaces for his other Pokemon to help out; his water-types were helping clean off some of his other Pokemon.

That was until he heard someone getting closer. Sounding like they intended to clean their Pokemon up too. “Ah well, nice while it lasted. Come on back, guys, we’re back to using just this space! I’ll finish cleaning anyone who still needs some cleaning, but everyone else: back in your ball!”

The sound of Pokemon being drawn back in would no doubt be heard quite a distance away.  By the time that other person would get there, there’d only be one of Hideo's Pokemon left: Rocky, his Lycanroc. “Sorry we left such a mess!” the boy said, “We were just taking advantage of all the free space!”  At least there were plenty of wash basins still out to use, but the area was soaked.

Rocky was less than thrilled with the prospect of being cleaned, yet uneasily approached his trainer, brushing his fur against the boy’s hands. “Alright, let’s get to it. Try not to squirm too much, Rocky.”

Rex Drago

Hideo heard hissing. He couldn’t immediately identify what Pokemon it was, but the sound its feet made as they splashed against the water made it seem like a big one.

Rocky was already growling, his natural response to a random Pokemon approaching his trainer. But that attempt to intimidate fell through when the Lycanroc lurched back, yelping after Hideo dumped some water on his back.

The last thing Hideo wanted was for a fight to break out in here; it’d ruin all his preparation, and probably get him banned from here. He couldn’t see Rocky glaring at him, but he could hear his whimpering. “No fighting, Rocky,” he sternly said, “And the water would’ve been warmer if you let me clean you sooner. Now stand still, or it'll get even colder.”

He’d start wiping down his Pokemon, making sure he got to every nook and cranny. He wouldn’t make any effort to look at where he was cleaning; after all, he had to rely completely on touch for this part.

It would take some focus, but he could still talk. “It’s New Years! My Mom and Dad always say that New Years is the time to clean up. If you start off clean, you’ll be clean for the rest of the year. If you’re dirty, you stay dirty. That includes Pokemon too.”

“That what you’re here for, Mister?” He didn’t turn to face the other man - not like he could see him. “You here to clean your Pokemon up for a special occasion?”

“...what Pokemon is that anyways? I don’t recognize them.”

Rex Drago

He did suppose it sounded silly. The concept was a bit esoteric. “Yeah, but if you start off clean, you don’t get dirty as fast. And it’s easier to clean up when it isn’t all built up.” He had to scrub Rocky pretty hard to get the dirt out of him - not just because he had so much fur for it to hide in. “Plus, if you stay dirty too long, you get sick and make the people around you sick. So it’s just as much about staying healthy as it is looking and feeling good. And it’s my job as a trainer to make sure my Pokemon are clean and healthy. Isn’t that right, Rocky?”

That earned a snarl, which rapidly turned into a whimper as Hideo squeezed some water on him.

Hideo grinned, back to scrubbing. “Eh, I don’t really go and watch contests. Not really much there that get my interest.” It's hard to enjoy something where the appeal was almost entirely visual. “But I wish you good luck with yours! I hear they’re pretty competitive.”

As for what Pokemon the man had...it didn’t sound familiar. But what Hideo did recognize was the process he mentioned.

“Of course kids get special occasions!...but I’m not cleaning for something in particular. This is just stuff I do every year for New Years. ‘Course, doesn’t hurt to be clean; you never know when something’s gonna happen.” It also proved he was fully capable of taking care of himself and his Pokemon, a vital component of being a good trainer.

He patted his lap, with Rocky answering his call and laying his head on his trainer’s lap. Easier to clean that way. “And it’s pretty cool that you got a fossil Pokemon! I hear they’re pretty rare! Though I hear they’re also pretty hard to train. But if you got close to winning last time, I’m sure that wasn’t an issue for you.”

Rex Drago

Hideo smiled. “Thanks! It did take some practice, but I can clean Rocky pretty well now. Helps that I’ve had him for years; ain’t the first time I’ve had to clean him!” He made sure to scrub every inch of the Lycanroc’s face, whether his Pokemon liked it or not.

He was done by the time the man asked him another question. With Rocky’s head, body, legs, and feet done, all he had left to do was the tail. “Well, yeah! It doesn’t hurt to be ready for whatever’s coming by, and people’ll like you more if you’re nice and clean. And I do battle sometimes - just about everyone with Pokemon does - but there’s plenty of stuff to do outside of battle.”

Granted, fighting was most of what Rocky did besides guide him around. And try to scare people away.

“And I don’t just do it to look good; I do it because I like to take care of my Pokemon! Training them to be strong and grooming them right feels right!”  Hence why he cleaned all his Pokemon.

Fortunately, Rocky’s tail was one of the least filthy parts of his body, though it was also one of the furriest. Rocky was kind enough to move it around so it’d be easier for him, at the very least.

“I’m sure people will cheer you on when you got a nice, clean Aerodactyl. A little bit more grooming may be the edge you need to get a win on your next contest!”

Rex Drago

Hideo’s bemused grin only grew. “Oh, I’m sure it’ll make him a lot better!” He couldn’t see Rocky’s annoyed glares, but he knew Rocky wasn’t liking this any more than when he started. He didn’t exactly take joy from Rocky’s dislike of this, but it did amuse him.

But once he heard the Aerodactyl walk off, he knew it was time for the other man to head out. “Happy New Years to you too, Mister!” he said, finally looking over towards the man (out of politeness). “And good luck with your contest; I’m sure One’ll do even better than last time!”

A bold assumption, but hey, he almost won the contest last time; with more experience (and cleaning), he should be sure to win that one.

Now all that was left was to finish with Rocky. His entire body completely washed, all Hideo had left to do was dry him off. It’d take a couple towels and a hairdryer, but he made sure to dry Rocky off from head to toe to tail.

*poof*

Rocky’s fur poofed out like a Dubwool. Hideo ran a hand through it, content with his handwork. “A shame he left before he could see this; everyone loves seeing you with your fur like this!”

Rocky pushed his hand away, fortunate that Hideo couldn’t see his blushing cheeks. “*snrk* Come on! You gotta be used to these by now! Looking like a Dubwool is better than looking like a Grimer!”

End Thread