The group took their time with the food, relishing every bite. For free food, the quality was amazing. Mashed potatoes, fresh Pinap berries, and even some filleted magikarp. As Malcolm made way at his potatoes, he looked over to his pokémon, making sure they were enjoying the grub as much as him.

Screech was ravenously devouring the pokéblocks they gave him. Even though he was a small pokémon, he had one hell of an appetite. Maybe it was a sign of him growing. Or maybe it was a sign of how bad the food Malcolm made. 

Ex was alternating between eating his food and keeping Screech from spitting scraps all over the table. Ex had grown to have a paternal relationship with Screech, slowly trying to adapt the wild Zubat to civilized life. Malcolm tried his best, but Malcolm had found that it was sometimes best for Ex to teach Screech how to behave instead of himself. He chalked it up to pokémon knowing pokémon better.

And at last, there was Split, quietly levitating her pokéblocks into her mouth and watching the chaos that was Screech. Split had always been curiously quiet since the joining the group. She preferred to sit back and watch, rarely partaking in any of the party's decisions. At first, Malcolm thought Split joined the party merely to spy on him. Probably to report back to the other pokémon in the warehouse he stayed at for awhile on human life, adding to their building pile of information they would use to take over the human world. But, overtime, Split began to speak her mind more, and Malcolm realized she was just a shy pokémon.

After about an hour, Malcolm cleaned up the mess him and his pokémon made, then slowly made his way to the reception desk. He thought about just leaving without saying anything, but the lady who helped him was exceptionally kind to him, so he figured the least he could do was say goodbye to her. He hoped she wouldn't try and convince him to become a licensed trainer, or try and blackmail him in some devious way.


[quote=@Balthazar007]
[color=6ecff6]"Feel better?"[/color] She asked, less of a question and more out of politeness. She then leaned forward a bit over the counter and lowered her voice. [color=6ecff6]"Would you like a room for a few hours? I hope you don't think I'm being to assuming, but I bet your Pokemon would enjoy a nice warm bath."[/color] She winked. 
[/quote]

Malcolm's brow furrowed. This lady was being [i]very[/i] nice to him, something he was not used to at all. Very few people went out of their way to treat a wandering vagrant with such warmth. Was she after something? What could Malcolm have to offer her, other than the few pokédollars he had? He shook his head no in response. 

[color=f7941d]"Uh, thank you so much for what you've done, but I really should get going."[/color] Malcolm said, looking over his shoulder.[color=f7941d] "The meal was very nice and all, but I gotta find a way to make some money for the day, and that's not the easis-"[/color]

Malcolm was cut off by a tugging on his jacket. He looked down to see Ex, with a pleading look in his eyes.

[color=fff200]"Electa."[/color]

[color=f7941d]"Yeah, it would be nice buddy, but we don't have it in the budget for a vacation today."[/color]

[color=fff200]"Buzz!"[/color]

[color=f7941d]"You know why!"[/color]

"Electabuzz..."

[color=f7941d]"Yeah the smell is getting bad but all we really need is a sink an-"[/color]

Malcolm stopped, realizing the woman was audience to this whole affair. He turned to her and smiled sheepishly.

[color=f7941d]"Listen, thank you, I really appreciate what you did, but I do have to get going. Pleasure to meet you, miss..."[/color] Malcolm paused again. Deja vu. [color=f7941d]"Uh, you know I never got your name.[/color]"