[color=954535]“See ya!”[/color]

“Have a good night!  And come back soon!”

One wave to the greeter later, Olivie was out of Electrode Eatery and back in the blanket of night.  The attitude of the man behind the counter of the energetic fast-foot place sparked instant camaraderie; after all, those who lived boisterously -wearing their hearts on their sleeves and placing great value on strength and fortitude- always understood one another and could get along easily.  Without wet clothes, she discovered that the slight breeze actually felt quite nice.  It ruffled both the brunette's hair and her Bidoof's fluffy fur, but even though it scoured some of the fatigue from their eyes, Olivie knew that the time had come to wrap up the eventful evening and return home with her partner.  One final rest awaited her at the abode of her parents before her journey truly began, and the prospect of introducing her scrappy new buddy to her dad, knowing that he'd been a trainer in his heyday, excited her.  What would someone with a thorough understanding of Pokemon have to say about her friend?  Olivie endeavored to imagine what glowing praise might issue from his mouth.  [i]He's deceptively harmless-looking, but he's got a vital spirit, the true heart of a warrior.[/i]  Secretly, Olivie was proud of the little guy already, though he'd neither won a battle or displayed any courage.  The sight of him walking dutifully alongside her as she made her way back toward her family's condo confirmed in her heart that she'd picked the right partner.

Ten minutes later, she'd already passed into familiar territory and unconsciously picked up her pace, eager to lay her head down and sleep.  Around her, the darkness had settled peacefully, neither too black thanks to the streetlights nor too quiet thanks to the chirping of insects tucked away in the trees that sprouted from squares of dirt along the sidewalks.  In the yellow light of one lamp, Olivie spotted a flash of orange among one tree's branches.  Her curiosity piqued, she slipped out her Pokedex to find out exactly what it was.  Although she couldn't see the whole animal through the leaves and their shadows, her device displayed an image of a Pokemon called Kricketot.  Silently she read over its entry, walking again before she finished.  [color=954535]”Huh.  These things really are everywhere.”[/color]

The familiar outline of her family's condo lay only two buildings away now.  Somehow, the Bidoof sensed that home was nearby and picked up its pace.  [color=954535]”Wanna sleep, Buck?”[/color] she asked absently, expecting to hear him chitter in reply.  Instead, she received only silence.  Caught off guard, Olivie stopped in her tracks to look around and spotted her Pokemon padding slowly over to a trash can on the opposite side of the street.  Already rooting around in the overturned can was a little red and cream animal with a swirl of fur on its head.  Dirty and disheveled, it looked a lot like a rat, but  it stood upright like a person as it used its hands.  Olivie watched it pick up a rotten berry and spew a steady stream of fire from its mouth, burning away the brown flesh to reveal a mostly-intact fruit beneath.  At that moment Buck drew too near, and the Pansear hopped backward, whooping and shaking its free fist at the intruding Bidoof.  [i]It's dangerous[/i] flashed through Olivie's head, and she began to walk forward.  

[color=954535]”Buck!”[/color] she called.  The Bidoof craned its fat neck around as far as it could to glance her way.  Wearing a cold look, Olivie continued, [color=954535]”It might be late, but diamonds are forged under pressure.  Your first Pokemon battle will be to get rid of that vermin!”[/color]

Almost imperceptibly, Buck's eyes widened.  He refocused his attention on the Pansear, who clutched her fruit closely and slapped the trash can noisily with her free hand.  Buck didn't flinch—in fact, he didn't do anything for a moment.  Olivie figured that he was preparing himself to attack until he looked back at her with eyes that looked almost sad.  [color=954535]”What's the matter with you?”[/color] she demanded, eyes narrowed.  [color=954535]”I'm your trainer, so you do what I tell you!”[/color]  Still, the Bidoof didn't move a muscle.  Crossing her arms, Olivie began to walk forward, and her fighting gloves appeared out of her back pocket.  [color=954535]”I know you're not disobeying me on purpose. Guess you're just tired, or maybe haven't fought before.  That's fine.  I'll show you how it's done for next time.”[/color]  In response, the Pansear leaped onto the overturned can to make itself seem taller, and jumped up and down to cause a racket that might drive these newcomers off.  

Steeling herself mentally and physically, Olivie went closer instead.