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Meeting Team Crossroads: An Encounter With Rene Part4
Next part up! Wherein Rene gets to pay a visit to the home of one of the Crossroaders...
Category Story / Pokemon
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 50 x 50px
File Size 66 kB
Meeting Team Crossroads: An Encounter With René Part 4
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“...oh bloody 'ell, what happened 'ere?!” A certain male Gardevoir groaned as he picked the wrong time to go in to grab some food to go. Nigel noticed the group swarming around the pair at the restaurant and sighed, a bright blue light beginning to envelope the pair. “Times like this I wish I knew Dream Eater by now so I could just put them both out of my misery.” He grumbled as he swinged his hand and Teleports all three of them back to his car --well, his mother's car, technically. The two slept soundly in the back while Nigel spoke to the driver, a burly old Breloom dressed in a black suit, the family's chauffeur. “Panth, keep an eye on these two while I go get some food?” Nigel requested.
“Certainly, Master Garkirl.”
“...an' I don't know, bring up the AC in the back.” He added.
“But Sir, I couldn't help but notice one of them is a young Vulpix girl. Surely she'll mind the cold some?”
“I'm hoping it does, I want at least one of them to wake up so they can tell me what sort of mess they both got in!” Nigel answered, fuming.
“Understood, Sir.” Panth nodded.
“Right, then. One more thing, Panthercap.”
“Sir?”
“That's not a girl.” Nigel headed back into the fast food joint while the old Breloom continued to gawk at the passengers behind him. Apparently not even having to work for Nigel is enough to accustom him to the idea of gender-bent Pokemorphs...
René shivered in the cold a little. Then, mewing, he hugged his tails to himself and cuddled up to Floritt; who, in turn, cuddled on one of René's tails, not wearing much clothing to protect her from the cold. René woke up not long after that, too groggy to think straight.
“W-where am I?” He looked around and saw himself in the back seat of a car and assumed that he was being kidnapped. Again he wasn’t exactly lucid. As he prepared to to use Fire Spin, Panthercap hastily intervened.
“GOOD HEAVENS, Boy, settle yourself down! Nevermind what your kind can do to me, this is the Garkirl's family vehicle! It well costs more than the both of us!”
“Huh?” René asked as he calmed down. “Garkirl? Wait, isn't that Nigel's family?...How the heck did we get here? Uh, Floritt you can stopp hugging my butt anytime now...”
“But it comfy...” She replied. The Breloom sighed in relief, both for having that particular problem extinguished, literally, but also because Master Garkirl returned. Nigel slipped the old plant a tray full of hot coffee and a bag and then peered through the window in the passenger seat before opening it up to meet the two...well, the one that's awake.
“Well, good evening, princesses! Was your nap at McVoltorbs refreshing? I'm hoping so because I just had to pay about a hundred and thirty bucks in damages for you two and would love to know what in bloody blazes you were doing there!” He demanded furiously.
“Uh...would you believe that we went in for a bite to eat then got into a soda drinking contest and got a little hyper?” René gulped as he tried to shake Floritt loose.
Nigel said nothing for a second. “...let me get this straight. You got into a sugar-rush contest with Floritt and she AGREED? And you didn't stop her?!”
“He won, tho'.” Floritt pointed out weakly as she kept her eyes closed.
“Dammit, Floritt, quit pretending to be asleep! Bloody lucky Meg or Charla don't see you like this, they'd start screaming and woudn't stop! And René, what are you ON?!”
”Now now, Master Garkirl,” Panthercap intervened. “I'm quite sure these two are quite sorry for the trouble they caused you. Ah, perhaps we should take them home to clean up?”
“Nnnn.....fine, fine, but then they're both being driven straight back home, understood?” Nigel instructed.
“Understood, sir.” Panthercap waited a beat. “Let me guess, they were out of caramel sundaes again?”
“Third time this week...” Nigel groaned as he closed the door and took the passenger seat, waiting on the Breloom to finish off his coffee before they could drive off.
René looks down, properly abashed. “I'm sorry. We were just having such a good time that...” He trailed off.
“Look. good times are well and good but have some tact!” Nigel snapped.
Panthercap coughed. “We're here, Sir.”
Garkirl Manor was a fairly impressive place, its old architecture looking to betray the family's rather extensive lineage. Nigel unceremoniously got himself out of the vehicle and opened the door for the other two. “We're here.”
“Oww, me 'ead...” Floritt mewled. René just wondered:
“Why are we going to your place?”
Nigel counted the reasons off his fingers. “One, I don't know where you live, so I can't teleport you there. Two, you're a bloody mess and need to be cleaned up. Both of you. Third, I'm also curious to see how you plan on paying me back for your mess, so until I hear that...”
“You gonna what, kidnap us?” Floritt asked.
“If bloody necessary, yes!” Nigel snapped again. Floritt gave René the 'cuckoo' gesture in relation to Nigel. “As for you, Floritt, we need to have a talk, which is why I didn't send you home already.”
“Eep.” Floritt yelped. René just tried to shrink into his shirt wishing he could just disappear.
“We're not that messy...are we?” He asked.
“Let me put it this way. If I were my—” Nigel started.
“Dear dear Nigel, what in the world made you take so long to come, the line couldn't have been that long, could it? ...Oh, dear, I sense others nearby...oh! Floritt, little one, is that you?” Everyone turned to see Mrs. Garkil, an elderly blind gardevoir making their way towards them.
“Oh, mon. Eheh... Be havin' a good evenin' Mrs. Garki—” Floritt started but was cut off.
“Ah ah ah.” Nigel’s mom stopped her.
Floritt corrected herself. “...Destine.”
“I am indeed, but who's this with you? I sense a flame, but it's not Meghan's.” Destine observed.
“Ah mum, this is René, the Vulpix I told you about?” Nigel reminded her.
“OOOH HULLO there, little one! I didn't expect you to come visit so soon!”
“Neither did they.” Nigel sighed “Got into some trouble at the McV and now they need to clean up before they can be sent home.”
“GOOD! Good, I'm glad you did that. Come, come you two, no good standin' around here all filthy as my boy says! What happened?”
“Long story.” Floritt and Nigel said together.
“You will tell me more about it afterwards, then. And I especially want to hear more about you, little one!” Destine beamed widely at the Vulpix.
René smiled a bit at being referred to as 'little one.' It sounded like something his mom would say. “Thank you Mrs. Garkil.” He said politely. To Floritt he asked, “Do you want to shower first Flo or should I?”
“You bettah go ferst, mon.” Was her answer. “You need the hot water more than me...that, and I dun want ya washin' in purple water.”
“You know, we DO have more than one shower. YOu can both bathe in different bathrooms!” Destine pointed out.
“ ...dat werks too!” Floritt admitted.
“Oh.” René said feeling slightly stupid. “Okay then...but I've got nothing to change into. My clothes smell like,” he sniffed. “Old burgers and expired mayo.”
“Not to worry, we have plenty of spare clothes. They were all going to charity anyway, so have no shame in keeping them, alright?” Destine replied.
“All right...” René said as he and Floritt were led to (different) showers. About fifteen minutes later he came back in clothes a bit too big for him, but feeling refreshed. “Thank you for letting me use the shower Mrs. Garkil.”
Floritt cames back right after him with clothes that fit her even less, what with her thin frame and all. She kept prodding at a couple of holes on her shirt.
“Oh dear, we must have given you something from the charity box for Flying-types. I'm sorry, dear, have a talk with Panthercap later so he'll get you a better one, okay?” Destine asked.
“No, dis is okay, really...” Floritt assured her.
“Floritt.” Nigel stated.
“Eh?”
“That talk?” He reminded her.
“Erk...now?”
“Really, Nigel, let the girl get a bite to eat first...” His mother told him.
“No...no, I'm not hungry. Okay, we talk. Gym?” Floritt offered. Nigel nodded, escorting her out. Meanwhile, Destine amused herself by nibbling on the nuggets her dear son bought her from McV.
She lifted her head, smiling in René's direction. “Have a seat, dear. Are you hungry?”
“Oh no, I'm good. Thank you ma'am. You said you wanted to talk?” René asked as he sat down.
“Well, if it's alright with you.” She took a sip from her drink – it looked to be tea. “Now then, René. Nigel has told me quite a bit about you, and your family problems...” She softened her voice some. “And I can't say I like what I've heard. So you let me know, if you need any help, any at all, you don't hesitate to let me know, is that clear?”
René shifted uncomfortably, not really used to talking about this stuff with an adult and feeling as transparent as glass to her. “Uh okay. Sure.”
Destine nodded as if understanding what he just felt -- after all, that's probably how she 'sees' people nowadays, via their emotional auras. “My apologies, dear. How about you just ask me whatever you want, instead?”
“Um,” René faltered, not really know what to say to a friend's parent. “Why are you taking such an interest in me?” He wasn’t used to adults paying attention to him like this either.
“Like I just said!” Destine explained. “Seems Nigel took a liking you enough to speak well of you. And well I figured I should get aquainted with Nigel's friends while I still have the chance.” She sighed softly. “A shame Joshua won't do as much for his dear mum. A dear boy, but so serious...”
“He spoke about me? Really?” René looked surprised.
Destine nodded. “He did indeed, indeed. You know you're the first one he's spoken about that way about someone not on his school team. There's still hope for him yet to get out of that funk of his and make something of himself. And it's alright, dear, really.”
René said quietly. “I think he already made something of himself when he refused to let his brother or father pressure him into making a decision he didn't want to make.”
“Oh you're right about that.” Destine agreed. “Quite right. But you must understand, his decision to take the role of a Gardevoir...is merely the beginning. His life's just started and there is still much to do. But that said...yes, René dear, you're right. He has taken a first bold step already. One this family has not seen in a very long time.”
“Could you do me one favor Mrs. Garkil?” René asked her. “Please don’t say things like ‘while you still have the time.’ Especially around Nigel. No one wants to hear their mother talking that way. I know that I—” He felt himself getting choked up and wiped his eyes.
Destine reached over and wiped the kit's eyes clean. “Now now, child, don't cry...” René buried his face into her shoulder. Destine held on to the little Vulpix for as long as he needs. She's was in no hurry, after all.
“I just...miss my mom so much.” René mumbled as he rubbed his face against her shoulder. “You're so nice...”
“Oh, thank you, René dear. You are indeed a sweet one...hmm?” She suddenly lifted her head up as new information swam into her physically-enhanced mind. “Oh, dear. At this time of night, no less...”
René looked up at her. “What? What's the matter?”
“One moment, dear.” Destine tapped her forehead with two of her fingers and sighed once she got her telepathic response. “Seems your friend's 'talk' has turned into a late-night practice session. How peculiar. Nigel's never been THIS dedicated to his practice sessions before. René, if I may, you woudn't happen to know what has him suddenly so devoted, would you? I'd ask myself, but he's keeping that part of his mind blocked from me.”
“Well...” Started to say, thinking that as Nigel’s mother, Destine ought to know. “There's this girl at school--Charla--that Nigle likes but they spend most of their time fighting. Neither one of them can really admit it. And now this other guy, a fellow Luxray, made a pass at her. And he's on the team that Nigel's is facing for the exams.”
“...oh, my. I should have known this had something to do with that Charla girl, he usually has that part of his mind locked in so tight it'd take a Psychic of legendary grandeur to be able to peer in. I'd love for him to tell me about it himself, but you know how some boys can be when it comes to such talks.” Destine sighed. “Now I can't well say I approve of him using that as his reason to better himself for the sake of his team, but there is a point in time, I believe, when there's a higher power than even that possessed by a mother that can make a child learn if what they are doing is the right thing or not. It's called ‘experience’.” She shook her head. “Oh but here I am going on about like this. You're probably wondering what they're up to, I bet. Why not go look for yourself?”
René was torn between wanting to know what Floritt and Nigel were up to but he didn’t want to leave Destine either. She sensed as much and patted the boy on the head. “Well, if you want to, of course. They'll probably be there for a while, so you needn't worry about having to go right now.” René smiled. He missed being babyed.
“I was wondering...if there's anything I can to help—” René offered.
Destine tilted her head curiously. “Help, dear? In what way?”
“Well, anything really. Anything you want. For you or for Nigel and...and I'll do it is what I meant.” René quickly finished.
“Well, hmm...can't think of anything at this moment, but you're more than welcome to come visit anytime to keep me company.” Destine offered.
“I'd really like that ma'am...you're very nice. It's clear to see why Nigel gets his good heart from.” René blushed. “I'm going to get see what Nigel and Floritt are up to. It's been a real pleasure.”
“Oh, thank you very much, dear! And I'll be sure to tell my son you said that, too!” She said. “Gym's straight down the hall and to your left. The big double doors, you can't miss it.”
“Yes'm.” René went down the hall. When he reached the Garkril mansion's Gym, two things became apparent: The arena was massive enough to rival that of most specialized Gyms and was far cleaner, possibly from the low traffic the place must get - it IS a private Gym, after all.
The other apparent thing was that this is no mere sparring session the Support specialists of Team Crossroads were having. Nigel's Reflect glowed with the brightness of a small sun as he held himself up against Floritt's barrage of Rolling Kicks -- she even spinned on her head like her Hitmontop relatives could, by the looks of it. After that seems to fail, she retreated back, allowing for Nigel to focus his energies on striking Floritt down with his Magical Leaves. Floritt drew a circle in the air before her to summon up a Light Screen of her own, but was too slow to complete it--most of the leaves struck her hard and fast, knocking her to her feet. “Oof! Okay...Unca'! Unca'!” Floritt called.
Nigel snapped the Reflect off with his fingers. “Didn't you say you practiced with Meg this afternoon? What in blazes was that, then?”
“Nnngh, lay off, mon, I'm still recoverin' from the sugah rush!” She rejoined.
“And who's fault is th--eh?” He finally looked up, noticing René there.
“What in the world--Nigel, take it easy! It's just supposed to be practice here! You okay Floritt?” René asked, concerned.
“Guh...I'm fine, I'll live...” She had some trouble standing up, but managed. “Quite a few cuts on her from that last move, though...”
“Fine fine, that's enough for tonight, I suppose.” Nigel said as he approached the two, looking not at the very tired-looking Smeargle but at René. Nigel looked to have his fair share of bruises but nothing comparable to Floritt's -- or at least that's what he's aiming for with his stance. “Look, I can explain. And she'll be alright in a moment, relax.”
“All right, all right...I'm relaxing.” René held up his hands. “So...why did you just HAVE to a practice session now? You both look like, well, crap.”
“Because our team is crap right now, that's why!” Nigel snapped at him.
“Now you be exaggeratin', mon. And ya didn't even care fer da team 'til today, so you come off it!” Floritt reminded him.
“I'm aware of this, Floritt, I'm damn well aware of this! Which is why I want to get some practice in before this weekend so Meg won't be on my case and we might have some hope against Team bloody Pearl! I am not losing to them...to him!”
Floritt covered her face with her palm. “Oh, geez...”
“Nigel...calm down.” René urged. “Do you really think that going off like a firecracker is going to help you win? Or shouting at poor Flo? Fighting when your mad is never a good idea and it won't help you in the ring. So if you don't calm down right now, I'll...I'll...I'll tell Meghan to have you fight some other member of the Pearls!”
“You woudn't DARE...” Nigel hissed. Floritt interposed herself between them.
“Guys, please, dis ain't helping--oh, gah!” She doubled over as she found that one of those cuts on her side was alot deeper than she thought it was. “Owowowow...”
“Oh geeze, Flo!” René went over to her. “Let me see, let me see...oh man that's not good. Nigel, is there anyone here who knows anything about medicine and healing and stuff?”
Nigel took a while to answer...but then let out a small sigh in defeat and nodded slowly to René. “Yes. Me. Plus it might clean her up from all that sugar buildup, if we're lucky.”
“You? ...wait. Wait, Nigel, don't! It just a scratch ya dun haveta—” Floritt interjected.
“René, do me a favor and just talk to Panthercap so he'll take you both home? And Floritt, we can talk tomorrow. Hopefully I'll see you at your best before then.” Nigel added.
“Dun be a fool, mon!” She pleaded. He just shrugged.
“That's my line.” Nigel suddenly closed his eyes and held his folded hands up towards his chest, murmuring words of power that enveloped his whole body in a pure light...and enveloped Floritt's as well. In what seemed like an instant, every wound in her body sealed up and her strength returns to her, pulling her back on her feet...just as he began to fall ogf his, as the Healing Wish's side-effect of only working when the user has fainted took effect.
René was stunned. “Oh my gods...” He looked down and checked Nigel out, making sure he's okay. Then he could allow his concern to vent into anger. “That...that...IDIOT! What the hell is wrong with him? He takes a training session too far and then pulls this stunt?! I oughta…!” René raised his foot as if to kick him while he's down, but stopped. He was really just concerned. René sighed. “Dope...”
“René, René don't!” Floritt held him back with an arm -- seems she WAS fully recovered, judging by the strength there. “Let 'im be. He's been thru' 'nuff fer today.” She kneeled down to tried and get the unconscious Nigel off the ground, slipping one of his arms around her neck. She could have use some help, though. “Can't *nngh* really blame 'im. He was looking ta me for help ta train against Rayon, if you c'n believe dat...”
“I can, the twit.” René shook his head, but helped her pick him up, tossing one of his arms around his own neck. “Getting too personal in a fight is stupid, especially when he was THAT mad...he could've really hurt you, you know. And I bet his mum won't be happy to see him like this.”
Floritt sighed. “I knew dat. I knew he' go nuts like dat, but well...he never asks favors of me an' I wanted ta help. And oh, mon, dun' be tellin' his mama 'bout dis!”
“Wanting to help is one thing, but letting yourself become his personal punching bag is another...and a mother should know when her son needs help…not to mention a good talking to.” René added.
“Heh, true. It prolly why he picked faintin' ovah havin' ta 'xplain to his mama whut he doin' beatin' me up ovah. An it's fine, mon! Ting is, dis da first time he actually beats me durin' a spar!”
René looked a little surprised. “No kidding? This is his FIRST time?” Floritt blushed in embarrassment.
“Yeh. I tend ta beat 'im down alot fastah, but I guess he been improvin' on his defenses or someting. Dat Reflect wuz build like Steel!” She unconsciously bent down to massage her ankle. The Healing Wish did indeed heal it, but she still remembered how bad it hurt having to kick the thing.
“Um, not meaning to sound sexist or anything but I would've imagined Nigel being the better fighter...” René admitted. “I mean, he just has that certain attitude around him that you, well, don't.”
“...mebbe.” She admitted. “But you forget one ting. I LIKE ta fight. He fights from a distance 'cus he hate gettin' physically hurt in combat. Why you tink he hate Fighting-tyes so much?”
“...Yeah. It's just hard to remember sometimes because he's so edgy and curt and you're, well, a big loveable kid.”
“Were you not cute and me hands not full, I'd punch you fer dat.” Floritt said as she shifted Nigel under her some to better hold him.
“Hey! What's wrong with being called a big loveable kid?” René grunted as he helped shift Nigel for her. Nigel moaned softly -- a sure sign that he was okay, just knocked out for obvious reasons. Nothing a good night's sleep shouldn't fix. “Where should we take his sorry behind?” René asked.
“Dis is prolly crazy...but you wanna try sneaskin' im ta bed 'for we tell th' others?” Floritt asked. René nodded.
“Let's go for it. Quietly.” René said as Floritt kept an eye out for either the butler or Nigel's mother or Joshua as they make their way up the stairs. Some stops were done on occasion as Floritt grudgingly admitted to not actually knowing here Nigel's room is. “Well he IS a boy. Why would he be wantin' girls up in his room?” She asked rhetorically.
Soon enough, though, they found the bedroom that without a doubt belonged to the Gardevoir: A mish-mash of sickeningly well-organized and sanitized furnishings with telltale signs that the one who lived here is a rather cynical teen. Between the prog rock posters and the fine glass statuettes, the bed can be found next to the window, a massive thing with a view set over the city.
Floritt's carefully slipped his jacket off before letting Nigel lie there, taking on the task of putting him to bed while René stoods watch. “Okay okay, tink I'm done 'ere...hello, what's this?” Floritt asked. Hidden under Nigel's plain striped pillows, Floritt spotted what looks to be an old plushie, shaped like a Natu. She gave it a tiny hug and slips it under Nigel's arm before gesturing for René to follow her out of there.
“Glad that's over with.” René sighed. “Now let's get out of here before--uh-oh.”
“Uh oh"? Whut issit?” She asked. René just pointed to the end of the hall where someone's had been apparently watching them for some time.
“Heh, you would be Joshua I presume?” The vulpix asked in chagrin.
“Last time I checked.” He confirmed. Floritt froze in place as the familiar form approached them, smiling at them both. There's little doubt by looking at him that he was Nigel's twin brother, for he is a spot-on whatever picture anyone would have in their mind of what Nigel would have looked liked had he opted to make the transition to a Psychic/Fighting hybrid. “Evening, you two. So if you don't mind my asking, what were you two up to in my brother's room?” Joshua asked of them.
“Er, um...tuckin' 'im in?” Floritt replied.
“Oh, that's rather considerate of you...'specially since I couldn't help but notice his brain patterns were rather lax as you brought him up 'ere. As if he were already asleep...care to elaborate?”
René’s mind raced, thinking very loud and fast thoughts with the intent of distracting and overloading Joshua. “WOWTHATGUYSUREISHOTLOOKINGIWONDERIFHE'SGAY,MANIWISHIDIDN'TWEARMYVENASAUR'SSECRETPANTIESTHEY'RERIDINGUPSOBAD,DESTINEISSONICEIWONDERWHATSHE'SDOING,HEYISTHATAPLANE?”
Joshua gripped his forehead. “OwowOWOW, WHAT'N BLAZES?!”
“René, run!” Floritt shouted as she grabbed him by the hand while Joshua winced in pain from the mental overload.
As they ran René asked Floritt what to do now. “We bolt? Head for the door? What happens if we run into someone else?”
“I'll tink of sumting! I--OOF!” Floritt grimaced as she slammed into the butler, who looked down to the two, startled.
“Dear me, what's all this, then?” He asked.
“Eh, eheh...we, uh, guess we done 'ere for t'night. Nigel told us you could drive us home?” She asked as she got up.
“Quickly?” René added as he hurriedly looked over his shoulder to make sure Joshua wasn’t following.
“Indeed I can.” Panthercap nodded. “Has Master Garkirl bade you both goodbye?”
“He has.” René answered quickly. Panthercap regarded both youngsters strangely but shrugged it off.
“Very well. I trust you two know your respective ways home.” Panthercap inquired as he led them outside and opened the car doors for them.
Floritt and René practically fell over one another as they scrambled in. “In a bit of hurry, are we?” Panthercap noted with a quirked brow.
“You could say tat.” Floritt gulped as she looked backwards. Fortunately Joshua was nowhere to be seen by the time the car started up and pulled out of the driveway.
René practically collapsed in relief as they headed down the road, through the night. “Phew!” After making sure Panthercap was focused on his driving René whispered to Floritt. “Think Joshua’s going to kill us?”
“I dunno mon…Nigel mebe.” She shrugged helplessly. “You goin’ home?”
“I think I’ll crash with Sam at her dorm.” René rolled his eyes. “I do NOT want to explain THIS to my father!”
“So mon, whut d’you tink abou’ our team?” Floritt teased. René rolled his eyes and held his head in his hands. “Tat good?”
“You’re crazy, you know that?” He glared at her.
She grinned. “Yeah mon, but dun’t be forgettin’ one ting…”
“…what?”
“You still got to be meetin’ Charla!” Floritt grinned as she reminded him. The vulpix moaned.
“In the words of Daffy Duck: I demand you shoot me now.”
&&&
&&&
“...oh bloody 'ell, what happened 'ere?!” A certain male Gardevoir groaned as he picked the wrong time to go in to grab some food to go. Nigel noticed the group swarming around the pair at the restaurant and sighed, a bright blue light beginning to envelope the pair. “Times like this I wish I knew Dream Eater by now so I could just put them both out of my misery.” He grumbled as he swinged his hand and Teleports all three of them back to his car --well, his mother's car, technically. The two slept soundly in the back while Nigel spoke to the driver, a burly old Breloom dressed in a black suit, the family's chauffeur. “Panth, keep an eye on these two while I go get some food?” Nigel requested.
“Certainly, Master Garkirl.”
“...an' I don't know, bring up the AC in the back.” He added.
“But Sir, I couldn't help but notice one of them is a young Vulpix girl. Surely she'll mind the cold some?”
“I'm hoping it does, I want at least one of them to wake up so they can tell me what sort of mess they both got in!” Nigel answered, fuming.
“Understood, Sir.” Panth nodded.
“Right, then. One more thing, Panthercap.”
“Sir?”
“That's not a girl.” Nigel headed back into the fast food joint while the old Breloom continued to gawk at the passengers behind him. Apparently not even having to work for Nigel is enough to accustom him to the idea of gender-bent Pokemorphs...
René shivered in the cold a little. Then, mewing, he hugged his tails to himself and cuddled up to Floritt; who, in turn, cuddled on one of René's tails, not wearing much clothing to protect her from the cold. René woke up not long after that, too groggy to think straight.
“W-where am I?” He looked around and saw himself in the back seat of a car and assumed that he was being kidnapped. Again he wasn’t exactly lucid. As he prepared to to use Fire Spin, Panthercap hastily intervened.
“GOOD HEAVENS, Boy, settle yourself down! Nevermind what your kind can do to me, this is the Garkirl's family vehicle! It well costs more than the both of us!”
“Huh?” René asked as he calmed down. “Garkirl? Wait, isn't that Nigel's family?...How the heck did we get here? Uh, Floritt you can stopp hugging my butt anytime now...”
“But it comfy...” She replied. The Breloom sighed in relief, both for having that particular problem extinguished, literally, but also because Master Garkirl returned. Nigel slipped the old plant a tray full of hot coffee and a bag and then peered through the window in the passenger seat before opening it up to meet the two...well, the one that's awake.
“Well, good evening, princesses! Was your nap at McVoltorbs refreshing? I'm hoping so because I just had to pay about a hundred and thirty bucks in damages for you two and would love to know what in bloody blazes you were doing there!” He demanded furiously.
“Uh...would you believe that we went in for a bite to eat then got into a soda drinking contest and got a little hyper?” René gulped as he tried to shake Floritt loose.
Nigel said nothing for a second. “...let me get this straight. You got into a sugar-rush contest with Floritt and she AGREED? And you didn't stop her?!”
“He won, tho'.” Floritt pointed out weakly as she kept her eyes closed.
“Dammit, Floritt, quit pretending to be asleep! Bloody lucky Meg or Charla don't see you like this, they'd start screaming and woudn't stop! And René, what are you ON?!”
”Now now, Master Garkirl,” Panthercap intervened. “I'm quite sure these two are quite sorry for the trouble they caused you. Ah, perhaps we should take them home to clean up?”
“Nnnn.....fine, fine, but then they're both being driven straight back home, understood?” Nigel instructed.
“Understood, sir.” Panthercap waited a beat. “Let me guess, they were out of caramel sundaes again?”
“Third time this week...” Nigel groaned as he closed the door and took the passenger seat, waiting on the Breloom to finish off his coffee before they could drive off.
René looks down, properly abashed. “I'm sorry. We were just having such a good time that...” He trailed off.
“Look. good times are well and good but have some tact!” Nigel snapped.
Panthercap coughed. “We're here, Sir.”
Garkirl Manor was a fairly impressive place, its old architecture looking to betray the family's rather extensive lineage. Nigel unceremoniously got himself out of the vehicle and opened the door for the other two. “We're here.”
“Oww, me 'ead...” Floritt mewled. René just wondered:
“Why are we going to your place?”
Nigel counted the reasons off his fingers. “One, I don't know where you live, so I can't teleport you there. Two, you're a bloody mess and need to be cleaned up. Both of you. Third, I'm also curious to see how you plan on paying me back for your mess, so until I hear that...”
“You gonna what, kidnap us?” Floritt asked.
“If bloody necessary, yes!” Nigel snapped again. Floritt gave René the 'cuckoo' gesture in relation to Nigel. “As for you, Floritt, we need to have a talk, which is why I didn't send you home already.”
“Eep.” Floritt yelped. René just tried to shrink into his shirt wishing he could just disappear.
“We're not that messy...are we?” He asked.
“Let me put it this way. If I were my—” Nigel started.
“Dear dear Nigel, what in the world made you take so long to come, the line couldn't have been that long, could it? ...Oh, dear, I sense others nearby...oh! Floritt, little one, is that you?” Everyone turned to see Mrs. Garkil, an elderly blind gardevoir making their way towards them.
“Oh, mon. Eheh... Be havin' a good evenin' Mrs. Garki—” Floritt started but was cut off.
“Ah ah ah.” Nigel’s mom stopped her.
Floritt corrected herself. “...Destine.”
“I am indeed, but who's this with you? I sense a flame, but it's not Meghan's.” Destine observed.
“Ah mum, this is René, the Vulpix I told you about?” Nigel reminded her.
“OOOH HULLO there, little one! I didn't expect you to come visit so soon!”
“Neither did they.” Nigel sighed “Got into some trouble at the McV and now they need to clean up before they can be sent home.”
“GOOD! Good, I'm glad you did that. Come, come you two, no good standin' around here all filthy as my boy says! What happened?”
“Long story.” Floritt and Nigel said together.
“You will tell me more about it afterwards, then. And I especially want to hear more about you, little one!” Destine beamed widely at the Vulpix.
René smiled a bit at being referred to as 'little one.' It sounded like something his mom would say. “Thank you Mrs. Garkil.” He said politely. To Floritt he asked, “Do you want to shower first Flo or should I?”
“You bettah go ferst, mon.” Was her answer. “You need the hot water more than me...that, and I dun want ya washin' in purple water.”
“You know, we DO have more than one shower. YOu can both bathe in different bathrooms!” Destine pointed out.
“ ...dat werks too!” Floritt admitted.
“Oh.” René said feeling slightly stupid. “Okay then...but I've got nothing to change into. My clothes smell like,” he sniffed. “Old burgers and expired mayo.”
“Not to worry, we have plenty of spare clothes. They were all going to charity anyway, so have no shame in keeping them, alright?” Destine replied.
“All right...” René said as he and Floritt were led to (different) showers. About fifteen minutes later he came back in clothes a bit too big for him, but feeling refreshed. “Thank you for letting me use the shower Mrs. Garkil.”
Floritt cames back right after him with clothes that fit her even less, what with her thin frame and all. She kept prodding at a couple of holes on her shirt.
“Oh dear, we must have given you something from the charity box for Flying-types. I'm sorry, dear, have a talk with Panthercap later so he'll get you a better one, okay?” Destine asked.
“No, dis is okay, really...” Floritt assured her.
“Floritt.” Nigel stated.
“Eh?”
“That talk?” He reminded her.
“Erk...now?”
“Really, Nigel, let the girl get a bite to eat first...” His mother told him.
“No...no, I'm not hungry. Okay, we talk. Gym?” Floritt offered. Nigel nodded, escorting her out. Meanwhile, Destine amused herself by nibbling on the nuggets her dear son bought her from McV.
She lifted her head, smiling in René's direction. “Have a seat, dear. Are you hungry?”
“Oh no, I'm good. Thank you ma'am. You said you wanted to talk?” René asked as he sat down.
“Well, if it's alright with you.” She took a sip from her drink – it looked to be tea. “Now then, René. Nigel has told me quite a bit about you, and your family problems...” She softened her voice some. “And I can't say I like what I've heard. So you let me know, if you need any help, any at all, you don't hesitate to let me know, is that clear?”
René shifted uncomfortably, not really used to talking about this stuff with an adult and feeling as transparent as glass to her. “Uh okay. Sure.”
Destine nodded as if understanding what he just felt -- after all, that's probably how she 'sees' people nowadays, via their emotional auras. “My apologies, dear. How about you just ask me whatever you want, instead?”
“Um,” René faltered, not really know what to say to a friend's parent. “Why are you taking such an interest in me?” He wasn’t used to adults paying attention to him like this either.
“Like I just said!” Destine explained. “Seems Nigel took a liking you enough to speak well of you. And well I figured I should get aquainted with Nigel's friends while I still have the chance.” She sighed softly. “A shame Joshua won't do as much for his dear mum. A dear boy, but so serious...”
“He spoke about me? Really?” René looked surprised.
Destine nodded. “He did indeed, indeed. You know you're the first one he's spoken about that way about someone not on his school team. There's still hope for him yet to get out of that funk of his and make something of himself. And it's alright, dear, really.”
René said quietly. “I think he already made something of himself when he refused to let his brother or father pressure him into making a decision he didn't want to make.”
“Oh you're right about that.” Destine agreed. “Quite right. But you must understand, his decision to take the role of a Gardevoir...is merely the beginning. His life's just started and there is still much to do. But that said...yes, René dear, you're right. He has taken a first bold step already. One this family has not seen in a very long time.”
“Could you do me one favor Mrs. Garkil?” René asked her. “Please don’t say things like ‘while you still have the time.’ Especially around Nigel. No one wants to hear their mother talking that way. I know that I—” He felt himself getting choked up and wiped his eyes.
Destine reached over and wiped the kit's eyes clean. “Now now, child, don't cry...” René buried his face into her shoulder. Destine held on to the little Vulpix for as long as he needs. She's was in no hurry, after all.
“I just...miss my mom so much.” René mumbled as he rubbed his face against her shoulder. “You're so nice...”
“Oh, thank you, René dear. You are indeed a sweet one...hmm?” She suddenly lifted her head up as new information swam into her physically-enhanced mind. “Oh, dear. At this time of night, no less...”
René looked up at her. “What? What's the matter?”
“One moment, dear.” Destine tapped her forehead with two of her fingers and sighed once she got her telepathic response. “Seems your friend's 'talk' has turned into a late-night practice session. How peculiar. Nigel's never been THIS dedicated to his practice sessions before. René, if I may, you woudn't happen to know what has him suddenly so devoted, would you? I'd ask myself, but he's keeping that part of his mind blocked from me.”
“Well...” Started to say, thinking that as Nigel’s mother, Destine ought to know. “There's this girl at school--Charla--that Nigle likes but they spend most of their time fighting. Neither one of them can really admit it. And now this other guy, a fellow Luxray, made a pass at her. And he's on the team that Nigel's is facing for the exams.”
“...oh, my. I should have known this had something to do with that Charla girl, he usually has that part of his mind locked in so tight it'd take a Psychic of legendary grandeur to be able to peer in. I'd love for him to tell me about it himself, but you know how some boys can be when it comes to such talks.” Destine sighed. “Now I can't well say I approve of him using that as his reason to better himself for the sake of his team, but there is a point in time, I believe, when there's a higher power than even that possessed by a mother that can make a child learn if what they are doing is the right thing or not. It's called ‘experience’.” She shook her head. “Oh but here I am going on about like this. You're probably wondering what they're up to, I bet. Why not go look for yourself?”
René was torn between wanting to know what Floritt and Nigel were up to but he didn’t want to leave Destine either. She sensed as much and patted the boy on the head. “Well, if you want to, of course. They'll probably be there for a while, so you needn't worry about having to go right now.” René smiled. He missed being babyed.
“I was wondering...if there's anything I can to help—” René offered.
Destine tilted her head curiously. “Help, dear? In what way?”
“Well, anything really. Anything you want. For you or for Nigel and...and I'll do it is what I meant.” René quickly finished.
“Well, hmm...can't think of anything at this moment, but you're more than welcome to come visit anytime to keep me company.” Destine offered.
“I'd really like that ma'am...you're very nice. It's clear to see why Nigel gets his good heart from.” René blushed. “I'm going to get see what Nigel and Floritt are up to. It's been a real pleasure.”
“Oh, thank you very much, dear! And I'll be sure to tell my son you said that, too!” She said. “Gym's straight down the hall and to your left. The big double doors, you can't miss it.”
“Yes'm.” René went down the hall. When he reached the Garkril mansion's Gym, two things became apparent: The arena was massive enough to rival that of most specialized Gyms and was far cleaner, possibly from the low traffic the place must get - it IS a private Gym, after all.
The other apparent thing was that this is no mere sparring session the Support specialists of Team Crossroads were having. Nigel's Reflect glowed with the brightness of a small sun as he held himself up against Floritt's barrage of Rolling Kicks -- she even spinned on her head like her Hitmontop relatives could, by the looks of it. After that seems to fail, she retreated back, allowing for Nigel to focus his energies on striking Floritt down with his Magical Leaves. Floritt drew a circle in the air before her to summon up a Light Screen of her own, but was too slow to complete it--most of the leaves struck her hard and fast, knocking her to her feet. “Oof! Okay...Unca'! Unca'!” Floritt called.
Nigel snapped the Reflect off with his fingers. “Didn't you say you practiced with Meg this afternoon? What in blazes was that, then?”
“Nnngh, lay off, mon, I'm still recoverin' from the sugah rush!” She rejoined.
“And who's fault is th--eh?” He finally looked up, noticing René there.
“What in the world--Nigel, take it easy! It's just supposed to be practice here! You okay Floritt?” René asked, concerned.
“Guh...I'm fine, I'll live...” She had some trouble standing up, but managed. “Quite a few cuts on her from that last move, though...”
“Fine fine, that's enough for tonight, I suppose.” Nigel said as he approached the two, looking not at the very tired-looking Smeargle but at René. Nigel looked to have his fair share of bruises but nothing comparable to Floritt's -- or at least that's what he's aiming for with his stance. “Look, I can explain. And she'll be alright in a moment, relax.”
“All right, all right...I'm relaxing.” René held up his hands. “So...why did you just HAVE to a practice session now? You both look like, well, crap.”
“Because our team is crap right now, that's why!” Nigel snapped at him.
“Now you be exaggeratin', mon. And ya didn't even care fer da team 'til today, so you come off it!” Floritt reminded him.
“I'm aware of this, Floritt, I'm damn well aware of this! Which is why I want to get some practice in before this weekend so Meg won't be on my case and we might have some hope against Team bloody Pearl! I am not losing to them...to him!”
Floritt covered her face with her palm. “Oh, geez...”
“Nigel...calm down.” René urged. “Do you really think that going off like a firecracker is going to help you win? Or shouting at poor Flo? Fighting when your mad is never a good idea and it won't help you in the ring. So if you don't calm down right now, I'll...I'll...I'll tell Meghan to have you fight some other member of the Pearls!”
“You woudn't DARE...” Nigel hissed. Floritt interposed herself between them.
“Guys, please, dis ain't helping--oh, gah!” She doubled over as she found that one of those cuts on her side was alot deeper than she thought it was. “Owowowow...”
“Oh geeze, Flo!” René went over to her. “Let me see, let me see...oh man that's not good. Nigel, is there anyone here who knows anything about medicine and healing and stuff?”
Nigel took a while to answer...but then let out a small sigh in defeat and nodded slowly to René. “Yes. Me. Plus it might clean her up from all that sugar buildup, if we're lucky.”
“You? ...wait. Wait, Nigel, don't! It just a scratch ya dun haveta—” Floritt interjected.
“René, do me a favor and just talk to Panthercap so he'll take you both home? And Floritt, we can talk tomorrow. Hopefully I'll see you at your best before then.” Nigel added.
“Dun be a fool, mon!” She pleaded. He just shrugged.
“That's my line.” Nigel suddenly closed his eyes and held his folded hands up towards his chest, murmuring words of power that enveloped his whole body in a pure light...and enveloped Floritt's as well. In what seemed like an instant, every wound in her body sealed up and her strength returns to her, pulling her back on her feet...just as he began to fall ogf his, as the Healing Wish's side-effect of only working when the user has fainted took effect.
René was stunned. “Oh my gods...” He looked down and checked Nigel out, making sure he's okay. Then he could allow his concern to vent into anger. “That...that...IDIOT! What the hell is wrong with him? He takes a training session too far and then pulls this stunt?! I oughta…!” René raised his foot as if to kick him while he's down, but stopped. He was really just concerned. René sighed. “Dope...”
“René, René don't!” Floritt held him back with an arm -- seems she WAS fully recovered, judging by the strength there. “Let 'im be. He's been thru' 'nuff fer today.” She kneeled down to tried and get the unconscious Nigel off the ground, slipping one of his arms around her neck. She could have use some help, though. “Can't *nngh* really blame 'im. He was looking ta me for help ta train against Rayon, if you c'n believe dat...”
“I can, the twit.” René shook his head, but helped her pick him up, tossing one of his arms around his own neck. “Getting too personal in a fight is stupid, especially when he was THAT mad...he could've really hurt you, you know. And I bet his mum won't be happy to see him like this.”
Floritt sighed. “I knew dat. I knew he' go nuts like dat, but well...he never asks favors of me an' I wanted ta help. And oh, mon, dun' be tellin' his mama 'bout dis!”
“Wanting to help is one thing, but letting yourself become his personal punching bag is another...and a mother should know when her son needs help…not to mention a good talking to.” René added.
“Heh, true. It prolly why he picked faintin' ovah havin' ta 'xplain to his mama whut he doin' beatin' me up ovah. An it's fine, mon! Ting is, dis da first time he actually beats me durin' a spar!”
René looked a little surprised. “No kidding? This is his FIRST time?” Floritt blushed in embarrassment.
“Yeh. I tend ta beat 'im down alot fastah, but I guess he been improvin' on his defenses or someting. Dat Reflect wuz build like Steel!” She unconsciously bent down to massage her ankle. The Healing Wish did indeed heal it, but she still remembered how bad it hurt having to kick the thing.
“Um, not meaning to sound sexist or anything but I would've imagined Nigel being the better fighter...” René admitted. “I mean, he just has that certain attitude around him that you, well, don't.”
“...mebbe.” She admitted. “But you forget one ting. I LIKE ta fight. He fights from a distance 'cus he hate gettin' physically hurt in combat. Why you tink he hate Fighting-tyes so much?”
“...Yeah. It's just hard to remember sometimes because he's so edgy and curt and you're, well, a big loveable kid.”
“Were you not cute and me hands not full, I'd punch you fer dat.” Floritt said as she shifted Nigel under her some to better hold him.
“Hey! What's wrong with being called a big loveable kid?” René grunted as he helped shift Nigel for her. Nigel moaned softly -- a sure sign that he was okay, just knocked out for obvious reasons. Nothing a good night's sleep shouldn't fix. “Where should we take his sorry behind?” René asked.
“Dis is prolly crazy...but you wanna try sneaskin' im ta bed 'for we tell th' others?” Floritt asked. René nodded.
“Let's go for it. Quietly.” René said as Floritt kept an eye out for either the butler or Nigel's mother or Joshua as they make their way up the stairs. Some stops were done on occasion as Floritt grudgingly admitted to not actually knowing here Nigel's room is. “Well he IS a boy. Why would he be wantin' girls up in his room?” She asked rhetorically.
Soon enough, though, they found the bedroom that without a doubt belonged to the Gardevoir: A mish-mash of sickeningly well-organized and sanitized furnishings with telltale signs that the one who lived here is a rather cynical teen. Between the prog rock posters and the fine glass statuettes, the bed can be found next to the window, a massive thing with a view set over the city.
Floritt's carefully slipped his jacket off before letting Nigel lie there, taking on the task of putting him to bed while René stoods watch. “Okay okay, tink I'm done 'ere...hello, what's this?” Floritt asked. Hidden under Nigel's plain striped pillows, Floritt spotted what looks to be an old plushie, shaped like a Natu. She gave it a tiny hug and slips it under Nigel's arm before gesturing for René to follow her out of there.
“Glad that's over with.” René sighed. “Now let's get out of here before--uh-oh.”
“Uh oh"? Whut issit?” She asked. René just pointed to the end of the hall where someone's had been apparently watching them for some time.
“Heh, you would be Joshua I presume?” The vulpix asked in chagrin.
“Last time I checked.” He confirmed. Floritt froze in place as the familiar form approached them, smiling at them both. There's little doubt by looking at him that he was Nigel's twin brother, for he is a spot-on whatever picture anyone would have in their mind of what Nigel would have looked liked had he opted to make the transition to a Psychic/Fighting hybrid. “Evening, you two. So if you don't mind my asking, what were you two up to in my brother's room?” Joshua asked of them.
“Er, um...tuckin' 'im in?” Floritt replied.
“Oh, that's rather considerate of you...'specially since I couldn't help but notice his brain patterns were rather lax as you brought him up 'ere. As if he were already asleep...care to elaborate?”
René’s mind raced, thinking very loud and fast thoughts with the intent of distracting and overloading Joshua. “WOWTHATGUYSUREISHOTLOOKINGIWONDERIFHE'SGAY,MANIWISHIDIDN'TWEARMYVENASAUR'SSECRETPANTIESTHEY'RERIDINGUPSOBAD,DESTINEISSONICEIWONDERWHATSHE'SDOING,HEYISTHATAPLANE?”
Joshua gripped his forehead. “OwowOWOW, WHAT'N BLAZES?!”
“René, run!” Floritt shouted as she grabbed him by the hand while Joshua winced in pain from the mental overload.
As they ran René asked Floritt what to do now. “We bolt? Head for the door? What happens if we run into someone else?”
“I'll tink of sumting! I--OOF!” Floritt grimaced as she slammed into the butler, who looked down to the two, startled.
“Dear me, what's all this, then?” He asked.
“Eh, eheh...we, uh, guess we done 'ere for t'night. Nigel told us you could drive us home?” She asked as she got up.
“Quickly?” René added as he hurriedly looked over his shoulder to make sure Joshua wasn’t following.
“Indeed I can.” Panthercap nodded. “Has Master Garkirl bade you both goodbye?”
“He has.” René answered quickly. Panthercap regarded both youngsters strangely but shrugged it off.
“Very well. I trust you two know your respective ways home.” Panthercap inquired as he led them outside and opened the car doors for them.
Floritt and René practically fell over one another as they scrambled in. “In a bit of hurry, are we?” Panthercap noted with a quirked brow.
“You could say tat.” Floritt gulped as she looked backwards. Fortunately Joshua was nowhere to be seen by the time the car started up and pulled out of the driveway.
René practically collapsed in relief as they headed down the road, through the night. “Phew!” After making sure Panthercap was focused on his driving René whispered to Floritt. “Think Joshua’s going to kill us?”
“I dunno mon…Nigel mebe.” She shrugged helplessly. “You goin’ home?”
“I think I’ll crash with Sam at her dorm.” René rolled his eyes. “I do NOT want to explain THIS to my father!”
“So mon, whut d’you tink abou’ our team?” Floritt teased. René rolled his eyes and held his head in his hands. “Tat good?”
“You’re crazy, you know that?” He glared at her.
She grinned. “Yeah mon, but dun’t be forgettin’ one ting…”
“…what?”
“You still got to be meetin’ Charla!” Floritt grinned as she reminded him. The vulpix moaned.
“In the words of Daffy Duck: I demand you shoot me now.”
&&&
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