Naturally, Onix looked down on the group of Electric- and Normal-type Pokémon gathered in the center of the field. He looked down on everybody. Such was the nature of being a towering giant.

The Flaaffy looked like their leader, with the way all the other Pokémon seemed subservient to her. Not that the Onix cared or minded. Whatever they were doing was none of his business, right?

Still, when they turned their scowl upon him, he frowned. His master had told him to behave. It would be difficult to behave if a bunch of Pokémon ganged up on him and he had to defend himself. Perhaps he should broker some kind of peace with them. That's what his master did with other humans. Sort of, anyway.

Onix's height allowed him to reach… well, everything. To the side of the field, far enough on the other side of the fence that a normal Pokémon couldn't reach, was a grove of fully grown berry plants. Their branches swayed in the wind, their fruits ripe and ready for eating. Onix slithered over to the fence, arched the front half of his body over it, and plucked one of the berry plants clean out of the ground, roots and all.

Turning back to the Flaaffy and his posse, Onix dropped the plant in front of them. A peace offering. A few berries fell off when the shrub impacted with the ground and rolled toward the Flaaffy's feet.

PENELOPE LIVY

NOTES
+ Mission: Daycare Playdate

Seeing that most of the surrounding Pokémon had grabbed berries off the ground, leaving almost none for the Flaaffy, Onix's frown deepened. Well, as much as it could considering his entire body was made of solid rock. Not only that, but she'd seemingly rejected his peace offering. He would have to come up with another tactic.

But first, he put the berry plant back where it belonged. He deposited the bush back into its hole on the other side of the fence, though rather lopsidedly. It looked very much like something large had removed it from the ground and put it back without the proper appendages to do a good job at it. Oh well.

That task accomplished, Onix returned to the Pokémon who were stuffing themselves full of delicious fruit and lowered himself so that his body lay flat on the ground. "A ride?" he rumbled. He was not a Pokémon of many words.

PENELOPE LIVY

NOTES
+ Mission: Daycare Playdate

Onix was pleased when the Flaaffy finally joined the other Pokémon on his back. It was an indication of the small, fluffy sheep's acceptance. Without any delay, he proceeded to carry the group around the vast field of the daycare — quickly enough that they would enjoy the ride, but not too quickly so that he didn't damage the property.

First, he stopped by the pond so everyone could wash the sticky berry juice off their faces and paws with clean water. Once everyone had their fill to drink, he traveled once around the fenced-in perimeter, slithering in interesting patterns to make the ride less boring.

Finally, he stopped by the house where the old human couple who ran the Daycare Center lived. Smoke from the chimney indicated the old woman was cooking something delicious. When she saw Onix and his new friends outside, peeking through the windows at her, she brought out her creations: freshly baked poffins.

"You can each have one, dearies! You have to share!" she exclaimed as many of the Pokémon started to crowd around her.

PENELOPE LIVY

NOTES
+ Mission: Daycare Playdate

Onix blinked in surprise at the poffin placed on the ground in front of him. What a turn of events! He rumbled in delight at the gesture of friendship and gingerly took the fresh pastry into his mouth. Though it was not as delicious as a boulder, he could still eat it, and he enjoyed the scrumptious flavor against his rocky tongue.

All of the Pokémon gathered around to eat their snacks, chattering happily among each other. They asked Onix questions and shared stories with him — a clear sign that he had been accepted into their group. Occasionally, he stole glances at the Flaaffy to see if his mood toward him had improved, too.

Before long, it was time to go. Onix lowered his head toward the Flaaffy and rumbled goodbye. "Thank you," he said in a voice that sounded like rocks scraping against gravel. "For a fun day."

PENELOPE LIVY

NOTES
+ Mission: Daycare Playdate