Rain pours heavily into the flooded streets of East Gearen city, the sound of the bustling city is accompanied by the running faucet as Ava washes her face. Thank you, V's mom. The young girl grunts, her mind reeling back to her and Venam's mom talking about the cave and her having nowhere to sleep. Really, you even offered me clothes. As she brings her face back up to the mirror strands of her hair cascade before her eyes like curtains. My hair is a mess I remember… I … oh that's bad, that is very bad. I remember having conversations about hairstyles with friends but…Ava plants her face into her palm, her sunburst eyes wide and distant. Who were they?!
"Take as much time as you need." Venam's mom assures from the other side of the door.
"T-thank you Chasit- V's mom."
Chasity sighs from the other side of the door. "I don't mind you calling me by my name. I've already let you sleep on my couch for a week."
"O-oh I promise not to stay too long just about… somewhere between three months and a week, make sure Venam and Ren are alright." She sheepishly replies, creaking the door open.
"'Somewhere between'" Chasity looks at Ava, sighing with resigned disappointment. "If you're going to stay here for three months we need to discuss terms and conditions."
The adolescent hangs her head. " Yes ma'am. How much do I owe you?"
Chasity's eyes rove over Ava's body, searching for anything she can use. "18,000 PokéDollars, and help with the house maintenance."
"I don't think a lot of the local trainers will like it if I farm them for money…"The adolescent falls silent, her gaze dropping shyly to the floor, prompting a nurturing smile from Chasity.
Chasity sighs, putting a supportive hand on the young girl's shoulder." There's a Help Plaza located in the center of the city. The jobs may not pay much but by the time you complete them I'd have found you a more permanent employment."
Ava clasps her hands and, bows her head in gratitude. "Thank you Ms.Chasity."
"Take an umbrella before you go."
I should probably pick the most worn down one, I don't want to lose one they care about. Ava scours between different umbrellas before choosing one out and leaving out into the pouring rain.
The rain softly thuds against the window of a brightly illuminated white and blue building. Where inside an ambiguous, green haired person paces back and forth in the center of the lobby, their shoes clack against the polished floor. "Where is my new assistant?" they question the attendant at the front desk.
They narrow their eyes toward the ambiguous figure. "Do they know that they're your assistant this time round?" Their tone veiled with exasperation as they look away from their monitor.
The green haired person hums absently, theirs eyes still fixed on the night-like floor
Ava taps the desk, her eyes absent of focus. "I was wondering… how would I fill out help requests? And how does the payment work?"
"Oh you just accept a job and-"The green haired figure interrupts the clerk dragging Ava by the collar of her emerald jacket towards the back room "The fuck-! You can't just abduct people!"
"I-it's alright I know them!" Ava advocates with a nervous smile as she's dragged further and further away from the clerk.
"See I have consent; now accompany me to the back for a moment." The figure releases Ava's collar. Once they were in front of the door they slid their ID card through the scanner and stride to a black counter.
As Ava steps into the black room, her perception of space is deceived by the narrowing design of the neon green lines that open as she gets nearer the counter.
"This is what I call the Zygrade grid." The green haired person comments, turning their back from Ava. "And this container here?" They tap their index finger, indicating a specific part of the counter. "Holds a Zygrade cell. I, Professor Ayuda, have found a way to not only trace every cell of Zygrade but to also accumulate them all here, efficiently ,without the need for endless trekking." Their voice brimming with pride
"O-ok?" Ava stabs, uncertainty stumbling in her voice
Ayuda looks at Ava, their eyebrows raised as if they were waiting for more.
I guess I should ask questions? The girl clears her throat awkwardly.. "So I'm guessing you want me to find more?"
"Thank you for making an attempt." Professor Ayuda replies, the faintest hint of a smirk arriving on her weary face. "Yes, the gather cube I gave you will automatically transfer any cells you encounter directly to this lab." The professor walks over to a coffee machine. "I may even reward you after you find a certain amount. Do these terms seem satisfactory?"
"Y-Yeah sur-"
"Wonderful. Once you obtain 5 cells, return here for your compensation." Ayuda cuts off their laborer's affirmation with a dismissive wave, the pompous air signals for Ava to take a leave from the room.
When Ava finally turns away from the door she's met face to face with a smirking female. I get working the front desk means customer service but you don't have to be so close... Ava backs away a little.
The pink haired service worker hums in a amused manner. "Don't worry I'll make sure you'll get something good. In return can you make sure these two quests are taken care of? They've been collecting dust for the past few weeks." The clerk playfully shoves the two help requests into Ava's chest.
The new courier takes her leave, with the automatic door closing behind her. I should probably do this love letter one first. The rain, while light, remains louder than the Pidgeys right beside her as she gets her move on.
The urban essence of East Gearen City eases into a more quiet and rural atmosphere. The smell of the old lobby wood mingles with the sea salt of the pier is accompanied by the murmur of people harmonizing with the now soft rain.
That History Teacher didn't know anything outside of it being really tight on security; which I find weird because why do that if you wanted to preserve your history? Ava drones as she slowly walks in, her eyes staring emptily to the floor.
A blonde male strides towards Ava. "Are you the one who took my request?" His voice was soft but agitated with his brows knitted with tension.
"Y-yeah."
The male sighs loudly in relief. "Finally someone who doesn't laugh. My name is Eric and I need your help." Eric rummages around in his pockets before pulling out a small gift box. "I'd deliver it to him myself but I can't even do my shifts at the berry emporium because of him, I mean look at him!"
He pulls out his pokégear showing a a dark-skinned male with all of his white hair swept to one side. "That's Cameron! He's a fierce battler but he also has this gentle side to him, I mainly see it while we talk on my shifts!"
Ava's face loosens, exposing a faint smile. It doesn't really look like you need a letter then. If you two are already talking and seeing each other at work then this letter is more so a declaration.But I could be wrong, I'm not the most emotionally intelligent. She stiffly loosens her posture, mimicking a more relaxed stance. "You know where I can find him?"
"O-oh! Right now, he should be leaving The Berry Emporium. He always stalks up before going on route 2. . . " Eric's words trail off for a few seconds until he gasps then digs into his wallet.
"And get him a full heal! You can keep the change." He clasps his Cupid's hand around the money and letter. "But you might want to move quickly, he's rather rash despite his team typing." His voice breathless, tinged with hope coupled with desperation as he releases Ava's hands.
"I'll make sure your letter is unwrinkled." Ava does a small bow before leaving the loft, the soft orange lights lose strength as Ava walks past a street light. The sun now beaming in the clear sky, reflecting beautifully in the puddles ready to be splashed in.
Karina knew it was close but she also seemed certain it wasn't here… suspicious. Even more so when she asked me to meet her in a few weeks. Ava looks up to see a tall black male, his hair swept back and his blazer pressed entering the train station. There's our Romeo. Ava makes her way to Cameron.
"Why weren't you at work today?" The male contemplates softly. His Dolliv turns to Ava, who's physically debating on tapping his shoulder or calling his name.
Hmm. Route 3 bravado. The cupid clears her throat. "You know a short, debatably adorable blonde guy who works at the berry shop?"
Cameron looks at Ava, studying her before relaxing. "Why do you ask-!" Ava shoves the full heal and letter onto Cameron.
"He finally got the courage to ask you out, issue is he was too shy to do it in person; hence why he wasn't at work today." Ava takes this as her job is done and starts to leave.
"Hey!" Ava stops mid-step as Cameron calls out to her. "You don't have to report back to him about this, I'll do it myself so just continue with your day or whatever."
"Ok." Ava replies with Chasity's hand reflecting off of her empty eyes. Her head swarming with thoughts.
Chasity sighs "You don't know how to cook do you?"
"H-huh? A-actually yyeah, I don't." Ava rubs the nape of her neck, eyes homing in on a slice of bread under a knife. "I can boil water, and toast bread, I never really paid too much attention to Ma as she cooked."
Chasity sighs her disappointment grows more evident. "Alright, new rule—if you're staying here, you're learning how to cook. A trainer who doesn't know how to cook will have a rugged ordeal."
Ava exhales through her nose, slow and measured. She has a point, how am I suppose to beat a criminal organization, when I can't even whip up something to eat? "Fine."
Chasity squints at her. "Fine?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"You're not just saying that so I'll shut up, are you?"
Ava forces a smirk, but it seemed small compared to her empty eyes. "It doesn't work if you call me out."
Chasity frowns as she stands from the table, leaving a palpable silence. "Alright. You follow my rules, I'm not gonna let you be a walking hazard for any houses you may visit."
The adolescent languidly moves her hands. "Yes." At least I'll have something else to do…
"Yes?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"This means you'll be entitled to cooking, dishes, sweeping, mopping, dusting, wiping, and laundry. Under my supervision of course." The mother looked at Ava with a smug expression.
That's alo-… "Laundry? Like you, Venam, and mine's?" A floorboard creeks at the same time Ava jumps at the idea of laundry.
Chasity looks at Veronica's sulking figure going to the bathroom. "Yes, I trust you can keep your 'Body' under control."
"So you've seen 'me'."
"You don't conceal it particularly well—you sleep like an exhibitionist, and a rock." Chasity softly cackles. "If you ever leave, please notify me or leave behind a note of where you're going. Please."
"Yes ma'am."