I half wonder what they’re going to do next. They didn’t exactly say what the winners do as the remaining pokemon are already heading back towards the crowd. Hopefully, I don’t have to do another circuit as I am just walking. This place is certainly cold and I don’t entirely know how the Cinderace is doing so fine. They did the first circuit without a coat. In fact none of them were wearing a coat first lap. Wonder if that just means I’m too spoiled.

“All, right, now where’s the podium?” the Cinderace asks, looking around. “Let’s get this photograph taken so I can go and get warm.”

I nod, and see some of the humans waving us over in a direction, with a lot of cheering and pictures being taken already. I do my best to wave and act casual.

“Suppose you think I’m some pampered little pokemon with my harness from earlier,” I say.

“Not really,” The absol says as he walks besides the two of us. I find Maria and the others waving and following along with the crowd. “Can’t say I know what all is going on with you, but it isn’t designed for winter. I’ve seen vulpix in the wintertime. The amount of fur they put on to stay warm in the winter makes them look overweight. You’re still in your summer coat. I imagine you’ll always be like that as long as you are what you are.”

I dwell on that as they put us on podiums, mine being high enough that me sitting makes me seem as tall as the absol, but still shorter than the Cinderace. It’s somewhat annoying how not only do so many others seem to know about me, but they know more about what’s going on about me than I do.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
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