Even though the weather was cold and the wintery chill shook her down to the bone, Vanilla couldn't shake off the holiday cheer that had come at the best time of year. Especially more so that she was visiting somebody she knew.

After recently being let go out of the hospital, the teen was faring well after the events of the Nariya Expedition. She had gotten some nasty looking burn marks and scars against her back that still gave her some trouble alongside her right leg being in a cast. But she hobbled on down on crutches and waved at the familiar sheriff and his party.

The girl joined Navy in his garage as he worked on cars. She even brought a bag of snacks for his Pokémon that had been specially made by her. A new festive little flavor with some combinations of berries.

"Reminds me of home, a little bit, yeah." Vanilla smiled to herself, dressed in a winter coat with a cute looking Poliwhirl hat and a Greninja scarf. "I'm gunna miss all the stuff there. We used to have all these family traditions before Dad left. We used to go out and get a tree in the wild, eat dinner at a friend's café. Mom said I always fell asleep during dessert and had to be put to bed."

Vanilla frowned, feeling a certain nostalgia for the current holiday season. She missed her family dearly, even if their relationship was strained. Her expression remained trouble for a moment or two, but faltered soon enough as she focused on his second question.

"Besides the medication and how itchy my leg is, I'm okay." She motioned to her cast ridden leg and would offer another round of treats to the Lopunny or the Perrserker around her.

"Staying in bed all day was awful. They wouldn't let me train or do anything and the painkillers made me sleep half the time I was there. How are you and Tsubaki though?"

Michael Navidson

"Yeah, that little Ultra Space adventure was something." She looked back at that little adventure with at least some kind of fondness. Hyakkaryōran Tsubaki had really saved her a few times while on it, and she envied how the woman could handle herself in stressful situations.

"I'd love to go with her to places again," her free leg picked at the cast as the desire to scratch every part of her covered leg was dire, "but I'd be dead weight with this. Plus, you and Thomas worry about me enough as it is."

The Perrserker and the Lopunny enjoyed the treats, crowding over Vanilla as she laughed a little. The additional weight had almost made her lose her balance had it not been for Jessica's help. She continued to feed them from time to time before Navy asked about her living situation.

She looked away for a split second, debating on what to say. Her stance shifted while leaning more to the wall.

”I'm not a hobo trainer! I have a nice, cozy little tent with a slowburner, a bedroll, and a lamp. That's way better than a cardboard box."

Michael Navidson

Vanilla made a defensive huff in response to Navy asking her about her living situation. It wasn't as bad as the people in some parts of Hoenn. The ones who had lost legitimately everything as a result from their own hands or outside circumstances. "Yeah, I've been enjoying exploring around Hoenn. Even places I've seen a bunch always seem so different." Her cheery and average expression faltered for a moment as the teen look away outside for a moment. Her brows furrowed together in thought while tending to the other two Pokemon.

"I kind of miss home though. Especially around the holidays...My family's probably worried to death about me, and I can't really see them."

She remained quiet and very clearly homesick until Navy spoke up about her staying in some of the empty cottages that he had a hand in managing. The Lopunny was quick to really show her support for Vanilla staying with them. It was done out of the goodness in her heart, but she had a feeling that Jessica was also a fan of her cooking and Pokemon treats. The weight in her arms had almost caused Vanilla to fall over had it not been for Tormund's intervention. Still, she appeared quite moved at the offer and even laughed at their antics.

"If it's not too much, I'd love to stay here with you."

But she felt something wet on her cheek. Her hand reached up to wiped at it as she hadn't realized the tears streaming down her face. Vanilla laughed a little, trying to keep herself from bawling.

"Suh-Sorry...It just feels nice to..." she paused to inhale and choked down some more bitter tears, "To feel wanted for a change. Thanks, Navy..."

Michael Navidson

She wiped her tears, a feat better described than put into action. Navy's hand on her shoulder had made this even more difficult. A thought crossed her mind of having never told Navy about her home life before, although she would had preferred that nobody but Biscotti and her remain privy to it. She didn't know why the hand felt more than it was, but it was warm all the same.

Just then, some strange noises came from the interior of the garage they were both in, until the lights had cut off. Now in the dark, Vanilla gently let the Lopunny down and laughed a bit when asked if she'd like to go ghost hunting for a change. "I'd love to. I needed an excuse to go and have a little adventure. I'll try not to slow you down."

Vanilla slowly pushed herself from her seat and gave a readying nod at Navy. Although it wasn't before getting closer and wrapping her arms around Navy again. She squeezed him with all of her might, one of somebody who placed all of their trust into another person. After a bit of hanging there, she wiped her eyes on her arm and nodded at the man.

"Let's go bust some ghosts."

Michael Navidson

It didn't really matter to Vanilla that the journey over was going to be a long and hard one. She had been through enough that it seemed like any other day in comparison. The second degree burns and cast were proof of that alone. So she smiled and followed Navy along as he took her outside once ready and displayed a new Pokémon of his.

Her eyes lit up just by the silhouette alone. Being a native Galarian, she could almost quickly identify that true equine looking animal anywhere!

"A Glastrier! Whoa, where did you find this?!" Vanilla asked the sheriff as eager as a child on Christmas. She squealed in excitement while slowly climbing up on the Legendary with Navy's help. Once she was nice and comfortable, she held her crutches by throwing a shoulder over them and wrapping her arms around Navy to hold on. Without any other distractions, they were off and into the snow.

The conversation changed to a topic that was more startling if anything else. She had been keeping up with the gym circuit ever since the injury and knew about what happened to Callan.

"I've heard, yeah. Nothing beyond what's available to the public. But they asked you to fill in for his spot?" She asked him, her head popping up over his shoulder inquisitively.

"Do you want to fill in for Callan? It's cool you got it and I'm happy for you, but do you actually want it?"

Michael Navidson

Navy spoke about Hoenn being at war. It wasn't unheard of for Vanilla, given what the girl had been through. She had seen what Rocket was capable of firsthand herself. She couldn't say anything about Deliah Goode's track record given that she knew things from an outsider's perspective. For all she knew, Goode was a proper leader, never cursed a day in her life and would give anything to save Hoenn. But she listened to Navy vent a little.

"I think I get it. I'm not too sure about what the Elite Four do and have their hands in, but if you're there, I know you'll be okay." Vanilla said, smiling a bit as she felt his hand hover over her arm. She squeezed him a little tighter while hiding her face for a bit to keep warm from the cold for a moment. "You're a good guy, Navy. Don't let anyone ever tell you that you aren't. I think more people will feel safer knowing that you're watching over them."

Houses passed by as the people inside watched the two hurry through the snow. Houses with decorations that should be alight were turned off as the faces inside sat in total darkness. Vanilla couldn't help but feel envious of them. How nice it must be for siblings that don't think you're a hassle. Her expression soured for a moment until a building's silhouette would come into focus over the snowy horizon.

"I'd be willing to help too, if you need anything. But I don't think there's a lot that I could really do. I don't think the Elite 4 are going to think much of some 13 year old's help. But I can at least try and help you for Hoenn's sake!"

Michael Navidson

"Heh, I can try. I'm not exactly promising that I'll keep out of trouble, but I'll stay safe this time."

Vanilla couldn't exactly blame him. Navy was just one of many who seemed pretty terrified of something happening to her, though she was just as resilient as any ranger was. Maybe that's why her dad had become one, for lack of sitting in a kitchen post retirement. She did, however, greatly appreciate a place to stay. She smiled a little to herself and thanked Arceus or whoever for having her and Navy meet up so soon. "Still, I appreciate the offer, Navy. I'll try and not make a mess or anything. EVen if you need something, I'll be around and can help out."

His second promise, though, had surprised her. Vanilla had wondered if anybody else could make any leadway about a missing father. The fact that he even told her about doing what was in his power to do so was jaw dropping. She squeezed him a bit tighter as they continued their run to the power station.

"Really?! You'd do that just for me?! Th-Thank you! I wish I could pay you back, I really do. But nothing ever seems comparable."

They approached their destination as the building's silhouette came into view. The fences around it were basked in total darkness, one that Vanilla had a feeling would be a haunting ground for all sorts of nasty pokemon, pun withstanding. Once they got to the front entrance, Vanilla maneuvered herself off of the rid and onto the ground. With her team ready to go, she turned to Navy and nodded.

"Junior Deputy Kingsley's ready to go. Let's go give the people some power!"

Michael Navidson