Bolt suddenly leapt forward, ready to take the brunt of an attack for his trainer… But that wasn’t exactly what hit him. The Life Dew did next to nothing, for he had no wounds to heal, but the warm sensation against his fur and the tiny Budew’s cheers told that it meant no harm. Still, it had given Annie a bit of a shock, and with a sigh of relief, she chuckled at the pair. For its efforts, the Budew earned a purr, and the pair went on their way.

❤ wizz

[attr="class","ihead"]

[attr="class","ipad"]
[break][break]

Another purr indicated a precious Pokemon nearby. Annie knew the look in Bolt’s eyes when he turned to received orders. He had a request, and he’d earned the right to have it answered. “Go ahead, then, but be quick!” The Luxray started to stalk its prey – a difficult task, considering only one of them was small enough to hide in the brush, but Bolt had mastered the silent stalk years before. It wasn’t sound of sight that gave him away, but the shudder of Eevee’s anticipation. It raised a barrier around itself half a second before a superpowered claw would have hit it, saving it from the first strike. The barrier did nothing for the second: a Discharge that left the little beast paralysed and ripe for catching.

❤ wizz

[attr="class","ihead"]

[attr="class","ipad"]
[break][break]

[attr="class","ihead"]

[attr="class","ipad"]
[break][break]

Bolt returned the Safari Ball to Annie’s awaiting palm. Her free hand ruffled her partner’s mane, and they continued on their journey. It took all of two minutes for the silence to bore the girl, and so her thoughts were voiced one more. “You know, I’ve been thinking… Me and you and Kit and Fortuna, we’ve been together for a long time, right?” The better part of two years, in fact. It felt like much longer because of the events that had marked their meetings, and the countless adventures they’d been on since then.

“Are you still… You know, happy?” Bolt looked her way, eyes narrowed into a confused look. It was an innocent question, but her tone was a cause for concern. It was doubtful; a far cry from the confidence she forced for every encounter. “Am I doing a good job?” Only her oldest partners were granted the ‘privilege’ of seeing uncertainty on the girl’s face. Bolt should have felt flattered, but instead… He turned away. A lack of response did little to ease the girl’s nerves, and it showed, if only he would look and see. She knew that the job she'd asked of him would take his attention (it probably on the wild Pokemon passing by), but the silence still stung.

❤ wizz

[attr="class","ihead"]

[attr="class","ipad"]
[break][break]

Bolt turned on his trainer, springing on the girl so his weight pushed both of them to the ground. Annie was surprised, but only briefly afraid. She’d been friends with her Luxray for much too long for him to turn his fangs on her. Sure enough, the Icy Wind that flew where her body had once been explained the attack, and his silence moments before.

Another pounce sent him springing away, biting the troublesome Snom to lift it off the ground. With a mighty swing of his head, the attacker was sent flying into the fields. Hopefully, that would be the last that they saw of it.

Annie pushed herself into a sitting position just in time to watch Bolt’s counterattack, and to see her Pokemon slowly stop before her. He stared. Narrowed his eyes. Now that the girl was at his level, he could use a paw to slap her. Not enough to hurt (much), but perhaps enough to bring her to her senses. Before she could scold him for striking her, he nuzzled the spot that he had just harmed. To most, he was sending mixed signals, but with his gentle purrs Annie could piece together a message. ‘You’re being silly. I still love you. Everything is fine.’

Annie decided that their catching spree could wait. The uncertainty faded from her face. It’d never suited her anyway. A relaxed smile was a much better fit for her. She leaned against Bolt, returning his affection with a tight hug. They’d stay like that for a few minutes, letting the rest of the world pass them by.

❤ wizz

[attr="class","ihead"]

[attr="class","ipad"]
[break][break]

It was fortunate that most of the safari’s offerings were docile and friendly creatures that day. When a Meowstic eventually passed them by, he took one long look at the pair, oblivious to his presence, and decided to keep on moving. Even a Pokemon could understand that they were having a bit of a moment, and that nothing good could come out of interrupting it.

❤ wizz

[attr="class","ihead"]

[attr="class","ipad"]
[break][break]

Annie was slow to release her Pokemon, but when she did it was with a relieved smile on her face. Annie Camp Tenet Number Four was ‘If you’re troubled, talk to someone’, but the only person in the camp capable of articulating her problems always seemed hesitant to do so. Pretending everything was fine felt easier, as long as it made the world think that she was fine, happy, confident. Sometimes it didn’t, or more often, bottling up her emotions did little good for her in the long run.

She really needed to find friends that could talk back.

For the moment, she gave a nervous laugh and a quiet apology. The Luxray’s purr told her that all was well, but the idea of any of her partners, her first one aside, seeing her weak… It didn’t sit well with her at all. Apparently it didn’t sit well with the Budew watching them both either, staring with oddly concerned eyes. The trainer stood up and beckoned for her partner to follow as she tried to decide whether she should explain herself.

❤ wizz

[attr="class","ihead"]

[attr="class","ipad"]
[break][break]

She didn’t get the chance. Bolt’s trill warned of another Eevee’s approach; both of them set their minds to the target. “Make it a quick one. You’re good at that.” His steps slowed to a halt. His glowing eyes watched the Eevee’s every movement. All at once, he pounced, fangs bared as he leapt across the field. They took hold of the Eevee as he landed, its futile struggles stopping once it was turned to face Annie… and the rapidly-approaching Pokeball.

❤ wizz