Papillon, Papillon

Morty wanted to find some Watmel Cotton Candy after this. Those sweets were considered a rare treat since it could only be found during the Sacred Ho-Oh Festival. From what he heard, the berries were imported all the way from an island in Hoenn, thus its exclusivity. What made the candy special was its sweet, mixed berries flavor with just a hint of tang at the end. 

Ho-Oh, he really hoped they’re selling some this year.

“Sometimes it’s good to have a conversation with a complete stranger!” Morty found himself chuckling once more. He couldn’t completely deny that. Though it broke the no talking to strangers rule parents often instilled in their children from a young age, sometimes new bonds were formed from having such conversations. “But my name is Valerie. I’m a Gym Leader from Laverre City in Kalos.”

At that revelation, Morty paused so he could get a really good luck at her. Now that she revealed her status, the blonde found himself remembering the time where he sifted through other Pokemon Leagues from different regions out of sheer boredom. He briefly remembered idly glancing through the reports on Kalos Gym Leaders and perhaps that was where he saw her face.

As she continued on talking about how fate supposedly brought the two together, Morty inclined his head at appropriate intervals and listened in between eating the chewy noodles. The blonde had to suppress from giggling when her Sylveon took the chance to devour Valerie’s noodles when she was distracted. He felt bad for not pointing out her Pokemon’s behavior but at the same time, he didn’t want her to stop when she was talking so passionately, 

"I would like to try a bit of everything before I go back home! That might be a bit much to ask, but nobody successful ever got where they were by saying something was impossible." Ah, those were wise words. Morty practically followed that rule in life because if he said developing his clairvoyant abilities safely was impossible, then he wouldn’t be the man he was today.

"But first, we begin with this lovely meal."

One of Valerie's talents was finding the positive in everything.

And maybe that naughty Sylveon would learn his lesson when he was too full to eat dessert later on!

Another quirk of the species was that they tended to lack foresight in practical matters. Childish, like many other fairy types. As Sylveon licks his paws to clean himself of broth and guilt, she sets her drink aside and listens to what Morty has to say.

A discount? It's not like she REALLY needs one of those, but it's not like she'd refuse, either. Not all fairytale lovers had their heads stuck in the clouds!

Besides, the ghost type specialist seemed like a very nice person, and she was always eager to meet new friends. Often times, people found her too weird or intimidating to be approachable. Someone treating her as an average person was very welcome in her book!

"I'd be delighted!" she answers, "I'm sure there are many new wonderful things to be seen since I last lived here, and your guidance is appreciated. Ah, I feel like such a tourist in my own hometown!"

He had to smile at her eager response of, "Indeed it’s an Eeveelution!" Morty always felt happy whenever he heard the passion lacing the words of others when they talked about Pokemon. That showed him that the Trainers were really spirited about their partners and as such, he could almost always be sure that no harm would befell upon the creatures as they were in the hands of loving people.

Nothing angered him more than abused Pokemon.

 ”It’s a recently discovered one called Sylveon, a Fairy type. Have Sylveons not been introduced in Johto yet?” An eyebrow rose delicately. Fairy-type? Scientists have discovered a new type already? It seemed like it was only yesterday that the Steel-type and Dark-type were discovered. The new information certainly piqued his interest. Being completely in the dark about it, if a Challenger came to his Gym and battled using a Fairy-type, he wouldn’t have a clue what to do.

This needed more research. Maybe tomorrow he would check the library….

His musings were cut off when the girl apologized for her curiosity. Slightly puzzled - one shouldn’t be sorry for being curious (unless, of course it was in an improper situation), more so in a passionate subject for them. The fact that she used to live here also caught his interest - Morty waved his hand airily. “No, it’s alright. I’ve lived here all my life but I could still find things to be curious about.”

For example, the Burned Tower. His curiosity might never be completely sated.

She then spoke about his earlier advise to the mischievous pair - that were slurping up the noodles. When had their order arrive? - and he had to quirk a grin at that. “There’s just so much to offer in a festival like this. It’d be a shame not to sample some products that could only be found today.” When he received his order, Morty thanked the chef before he used a spoon to sample the broth. Ah… Delicious!

"Speaking of which, are you native? Are there any new events that the festival has introduced since I was away?" He ate a bit of the noodles before answering. “I’m the Gym Leader here. My name is Morty by the way.” He laughed lightly at the end. “Sorry. I found it a tad amusing that we’ve been conversing without knowing each other’s names.

Valerie shrugs and smiles demurely as he chuckles at the situation. "Sometimes it's good to have a conversation with a complete stranger!" she laughs, sipping on her tea. "But my name is Valerie. I'm a Gym Leader from Laverre City in Kalos."

"I find it interesting that I should meet another Gym Leader like this! Perhaps fate brings people like us together. Trainers are meant to come together." She nods at her own statement. "Has the fireworks display really gotten that much better? I remember being impressed by it even as a little girl. But the selling of fortunes is new. Perhaps I should try that out."

Sylveon makes a deep purring noise and curls his feelers around the ramen bowl, pulling it closer toward him. Seeing that his trainer is deep in conversation, he takes the opportunity to steal as much of the food as he can.

If there was one thing he looked forward to as a child back then, this festival was one of them. His birthday was always so-so - his parents meant well. They really did but they couldn’t just understand that he wished to celebrate it privately, not throw a party where no one would come - and other celebrations like Christmas and New Years didn’t really excite him all that much. 

This festival, on the other hand, always had the ability to make any sad day turn upside down or enhance an already good day to a wonderful one for him. Maybe it was just the reason for the celebration or the way people actually treated him like a normal child for once but all Morty knew that each passing day brought him closer and closed to the one day of the year he looked most forward to.

Soon, the sight of the ramen stall came into view and he had to chuckle at how positively eager the two spirits were at the prospect of slurping down noodles bathed in heavenly broth. He sped up his pace to match the Gengars and keep a watchful eye on them as they had the tendency to stir trouble, intentionally or not. Ducking his head under the flaps dividing the bar counter from the outside, he noticed there was already another patron there.

"Welcome!"

Inclining his head at the greeting, Morty smiled at the cook and said, “Ah, could I get one bowl of Miso ramen and one bowl of Shoyu ramen with extra bamboo shoots please!” He turned to see the betrayed look in the pair’s eyes. “You two are going to share one bowl because we’re going to taste other food later on so I don’t want you to spoil your appetite, understood?”

He received two small despondent nods before they slid onto the empty bar stools. Morty sat down on the seat next to her and noticed the odd looking Pokemon sitting beside her. It looked like an Eevee but with slender features and pink in color. The woman must have thought that her Pokemon was bothering him as she shooed it away, smiling apologetically afterwards.

It's when he asks her about Sylveon that he fully commands her attention.

"Indeed it's an Eeveelution!" she tells him eagerly, snaking her hand past the Sylveon's swirling feelers for her spoon. "It's a recently discovered one called Sylveon, a Fairy type. Have Sylveons not been introduced in Johto yet?"

She pauses for a moment, then smiles weakly.

"Pardon me; it's just that I've not been back here in so long yet everything seems so much the same to me. Having lived in Kalos such a long time, even the town I lived in as a girl still brings me a burning sense of curiosity."

Another sip of soup.

"But I think you have the right idea regarding your Pokemon. Perhaps it WOULD be ill-advised to sate my appetite when there are so many different vendors to try tonight."

She feeds Sylveon another fish cake, and he nibbles on it with his cute little fangs. That's what Valerie likes about Fairy types. They look so sweet and innocent on the outside, but can leave a nasty bite.

He crouched till he was eye level with the pair. Spooks and Wisp were his first ever Pokemon partners and as such, he absolutely adored the both of them. They accompanied him when he had those bad days as a child, coming home from school crying because the other kids either isolated or called him a freak for seeing the ‘janitor’. Teachers said that old Mr Hado passed away a year ago but at the time, his young mind couldn’t fully comprehend those words.

What were they talking about? Mr Hado was right there, sweeping the ground with his trusted broom and dustpan! Did they not see him? True, he did look kinda pale and see through but he still reacted when he called the elder’s name so he must be there. Right?

By the time he returned home, eyes glistened with unshed tears and his clothes dirtied by bullies who enjoyed messing with the Freak. That nickname stuck to his being for many years and he could only escape from it after he became a fully fledged trainer with the permission to leave Ecruteak . The freedom with the company of two close friends made him happy enough to smile, something that was a rarity back then.

Both spirits looked at each other, communicating silently before they pointed at the food stalls simultaneously. Morty’s lips formed a crescent moon as he petted the pair before rising to his feet, dusting off some dirt from his kimono - he didn’t want it to get dirty. This was the special one he wore only for events like this - before he eyed the stalls himself.

"I guess we can grab a bite to eat first before we try the games." The twin cheers he received elicited a chuckle from the blond headed man as he sifted his fingers through messy golden locks. Preparing for the day left him with little time to eat and now that the subject of food had risen, his stomach did felt a bit empty. When was the last time he ate? Those buttered toasts and tea he had for breakfast?

It would also be a good idea to purchase some materials and swatches to give her inspiration for her next line. Currently, she has an interest in Wa Lolita fashion and hopes that it'll catch on in the big cities as opposed to being a Laverre thing.

There's nothing quite as fun as learning about different cultures through fashion, she believes. There's a lot more to clothing than meets the eye. Not only is it functional, but it can also be used as art, to convey how one's feeling, to show one's personality--

Not to mention that people just plain enjoy beautiful things. It's human nature, and she believes as a fashion designer it's her duty to understand that basic need for beauty.

At last, her order comes, and she sifts through her food, picking out the fish for Sylveon. The noodles are still too hot for her to eat, so she fans herself with her hand, becoming reacquainted with Johto humidity.

What different worlds, Johto and Kalos are, yet somehow she's a part of both of them.

"There is a pokémon out there in the swamp that needs rescuing and now you tell me that it’s just a pokémon that isn’t worth searching for? When have men and pokémon deteriorated to a state where one is negligible?”

A fist slams angrily into the table as the men of the town tried to hold him down; cautionary words about the fabled Rusalka filling his ears but not quite managing to convince Joey to sit by and wait. 

"I promise, I’ll stay safe. The pure of heart has nothing to fear.”

And he’s out the door of the small tavern-inn with his faithful companion by his side; the sinister lull of the forest enchanting, it’s deathly grip tightened around his ankle like a premonition. 

Beware, the myth— 

— of fair maidens; and untimely death. 

Gingerly, Joey takes a tread into the swampy marsh, and almost instantly, he finds his boots sinking into the mud that swirled around like a cesspool. Taking another tentative step, the boy slips on a large leaf, and just barely manages to latch onto a nearby branch for support – heartbeat in his throat at how close that was. Recalibrating his inner balance, a shaky laugh is offered to the Raticate perched on a falling log; his free-hand quickly slapping the torchlight by his side and jerking it back to life quickly as the darkness ahead seemed to close in to where he stood. 

A forewarning; the darkness looms. 

The poor girl drowned, they say. Strayed from the path and fell into a sinkhole. And no one will ever be able to know for sure because no person in their right mind would dare stray into the muck.

But others are convinced she's still there in the swamps, because sometimes, they see her. They see her dancing in a fairy ring or sitting upon a log, singing sweetly with a lantern clutched in her pale hands. And many feel compelled to follow her, but they don't.

Because when they catch a glimpse of her, something isn't right.

She doesn't seem human.

Tonight, she stands in the middle of the bog, her lantern buried half deep in the mud. She's never dry anymore, and her once stunning pink furisode hangs around her in ignoble shreds.

The hunt takes a while, like trying to track a fine Sawsbuck that got away.

Except under her watch, nothing gets away.

They will come, she reassures herself, they will come. Her lantern flickers in the slight breeze and swamp gas floats up in florescent green lights. So still is the air otherwise that she can practically hear the heartbeat of the earth.

And then... she feels it.

Someone's coming.

With one final knot, the obi was tied securely around his waist. Morty took a moment to look at the mirror, purple eyes scanning for any imperfections. The reflection showed a young man with a mop of golden locks held firmly in place with an indigo headband. He donned a popularly designed yukata for men his age - a darker shade of indigo with yellow lines forming swirling patterns down the sleeve - and a violet sash tied around the waist completed his look.

A happy smiled crossed his features, pleased with how he managed to make himself look presentable before he exited the small bathroom and went into his simply furbished bedroom. There, Spooks and Wisp sat patiently (a surprising feat, he noted briefly), toying with an underpowered Shadow Ball. His endearing chuckles attracted the attention of the impish spirits, their signature slasher smiles widening even further as they floated toward their trainer.

"Ready to go?" With an eager nod, Morty slipped a small pack that held his wallet and several items into a special pocket sewn inside one of the elongated sleeves - the small weight he felt ensured its position - before he walked downstairs. The pair merely phased through the floor and waited at the front door where he put on a pair of wooden slippers. With one final mental check (all the windows were locked, switches were turned off), they exited the cozy little house located near the Gym, the man locking the door behind them.

Instantly, they felt the festive atmosphere buzzing since the day started. Brightly lit lanterns and decorations hung on every available lamp post, illuminating the slowly darkening sky with an array of colours. The smell of all kinds of food wafted in the air, enticing the crowds’ appetites. Plenty of stalls were set up as they lined the streets, each offering their own special merchandise. People of all ages, young and old, wore individually unique yukata or kimono with some carrying a type of folding fan in their hands.

This was how the atmosphere should be. After all, the citizens of Ecruteak were celebrating his favorite Sacred Ho-Oh Festival after all. Held annually, they celebrate the acclaimed day that Ho-Oh revived the three legendary beasts, Entei, Suicune and Raikou from ashes in the Burned Tower. They wanted to honor the sacred bird and show their respect by firing colourful fireworks into the sky, symbolizing the very existence of a Rainbow Pokemon. All in all, it was a fun festival with fireworks displays during the end. People appreciated the time off they were given (meaning his Gym was closed) to prepare for the day.

The words barely make their way past her tongue, but it's not like Sylveon could hear her anyway. Ecruteak City is having its yearly worshiping of Ho-Oh Festival, and the streets are as loud and rowdy as she remembers when she was a child.

Lanterns burn everywhere, and people in kimonos and yukatas push past her. She isn't even out of place, for once, her pink furisode sporting the traditional Johto theme everyone else is wearing.

For once, it's kind of nice to be regarded as normal.

Valerie walks past the dance studio of the kimono girls, where she received her Eevee. Despite her dislike of the strict rules the dojo enforced upon her, she still had fond memories of the place, and she smiles, wondering if any of the students who were in her dance class as a small child stayed with it and became an official Kimono Sister.

In Kalos, only Yveltal and Xerneas were really worshiped. Of course, people paid their respects to Arceus, but it was considered strange to bow to any other deities. But Valerie was raised to pray to Ho-Oh, Lugia, and Legendary Beasts.

She doesn't believe in religion anymore, but it's still nice to be in a place so dear to her early life. She wonders if the Burned Tower and the Tin Tower are still around. Of course they are, she tells herself after a while. No denizen of Ecruteak would ever dare lay a finger upon those places.

At last, Valerie finds herself in Town Square, where most of the vendors are set up. Everywhere, merchants loudly hawk their merchandise from colorful pinwheels to glimmering scarves laced with sequins. She thinks it's absolutely beautiful.

But maybe it would be best to eat first?

"Would you care for onigiri, Sylveon?" she asks, cradling the Pokemon in her arms. He barks his fervent reply. "Yes, I thought so. And perhaps some oden afterwards? Sounds like a good idea to me."