#msw2018

   “You just can’t walk out of school!” Alain cried in frustration, teeth gritting together as he tried to keep his anger at bay. He paced the front of his office, at a lost of what he should do– because this wasn’t the first time this had happened. Alain paused as he reached the wall, closing his eyes for a moment, before glancing over his shoulder.

   A pair of sharp blue eyes glared back at him, his fourteen year old son crossing his arms. Eli didn’t even have a look of regret in his eyes, just coolly glaring at his father, clearly waiting for this conversation to be over. Another rush of frustration ran through Alain, but he kept it back with a deep breath. Once he was sure he had control over his emotions he turned to face Eli, voice much calmer than before.

   “Skipping class is one thing– that you’ve done several times now,” Alain said slowly. “But literally just walking out on your teacher? Not even to mention the things you said to her!”

   “She got in my way,” Eli snapped. “She had no right to stop me!”

   “And you had no right to walk out of class,” Alain said, tone becoming slightly strained. What else was he supposed to say? Eli was fourteen– he understood that education was important. He understood that he could and would get detentions and suspensions for his actions– but he simply didn’t care.

   Even the consequences at home from Mairin and himself didn’t seem to faze him. Take away his electronics, ground him from friends, forbid him from training his Pokemon– he took it all without a blink of an eye. Alain took in another strained breath, studying his youngest child as he gave him a defiant sneer.

   “Are we done here?” Eli snapped, and Alain felt his anger rising again.

   “We will be done when I am done talking,” Alain growled.

   Eli’s eyes slipped towards the door, then back towards Alain. Then with a shrug showing that he could care less he plucked a hairband from his wrist, pulling his long dark hair back as he slid the band into place. Alain pressed his lips together, but said nothing. It was no secret that he wasn’t fond of Eli’s long hair, but then again it was probably his distaste for the style that was encouraging Eli to keep it long.

   “Why bother?” Eli asked. “I already know what you’re going to say– the same thing you do every time.”

   His son’s insolence towards him was nothing new either, but still a pang of frustration ran through Alain as it always did with such things, it took everything he had not to snap something back at him. Alain once again turned away, trying to calm himself. Why couldn’t Eli understand what he was doing to himself? Throwing away his education, hurting his future– and of course worrying Mairin to no end.

   “Eli, this can’t keep going on,” Alain said. “This is the seventh time this school year alone that you’ve skipped a class– and you’re not even through your second quarter!”

   Silence fell across them, Eli not replying as Alain waited for a response. There was a twitch in his fingers, and Alain smothered the desire to start pacing again. Patience was one thing he needed to maintain around Eli– even if it did tend to vanish in the presence of his son.

   “There are things more important than school,” Eli hissed at last, glancing away.

   “And just what, exactly, is more important?” Alain crossed his arms, his back still turned.

   “...You wouldn’t understand,” He growled.

   “I would if you’d tell me!” Alain cried. “Because an explanation of your behavior for once would be very nice!”

   “This is my life– not yours! Stop acting like you’d even care!” Eli snapped. “Just shut up!”

   Alain froze at these words, a moment of silence passing between them. Then Alain suddenly whipped around, eyes flashing. His voice was a snarl, tone dangerously low. “Don’t take that tone with me!”

   Eli flinched, startled at the sudden movement, before his eyes hardened. He glared up at Alain, hands curling into fists, lips pulling back into a sneer. Alain, on the other hand, had gone still. He stared at his son for a moment, the image of the flinch playing in his mind.

   “Why shouldn’t I?” Eli challenged, taking a step forward. “You take it with me all the time!”

   However the anger in Alain’s gaze was gone, and he merely blinked. He swiftly turned away again, offering no response to Eli’s words as he braced himself against the wall. His heart thumped in his chest for a moment, mind reeling in the silence. After a moment a frown crossed Eli’s face, swiftly recognizing that this was not a normal response from his father.

   It had been such a brief moment, Eli recoiling as he had suddenly whipped around. There hadn’t even been a look of nervousness in Eli’s eyes at all from the action, simply surprise, but Alain was remembering a very similar young face– the reflection of his own when he was a child. Except for his eyes had always been filled with fear, face lined with yellowing bruises.

   And flinching had been something he had often done.

   “...Dad?” Eli asked uncertainly after a moment, defiance momentarily gone

   Alain clenched his fists as he noticed his hands were starting to tremble, and he attempted to form some response. His mouth was dry however, and no words passed from his lips. He swallowed hard, trying to gain some sense of control in his racing thoughts. However nothing came– and his eyes pressed shut. Without another word he hurried towards the door, a slight stumble in his step as he rushed out of the office. He left Eli standing there, staring as his father swiftly made his way down the hall.

   Alain already knew that Mairin would be at the end of the hall– as she always was after he and Eli had one of their fights. Her amber eyes were lit with surprise as she found Alain hurrying down the hallway, as it usually was Eli storming out of the office. She had always been the one to stop Eli, sending him back to give an apology, though both of them were guilty for starting the shouting matches.

   “Alain?” Mairin asked in a concerned tone. “What happened this time?”

   This time. Because this fighting and screaming was normal for them– common in their household. Alain’s stomach turned, just trying to think of a recent time a conversation between him and Eli that hadn’t turned into an argument, for anything that had been remotely pleasant.

   The image of Eli flinching filled his mind, and Alain turned away.

   “Eli Augustine!” Mairin’s voice was sharp, but in no way cold like his often was. “You promised you’d be civil with your father today!”

    Alain grabbed her arm before she could continue speaking, shaking his head slightly. “He didn’t do anything,” Alain muttered. “Just... just the same attitude as usual...”

   Before she could offer a reply Alain continued down the hallway, heart thumping. The living room was quiet as he made his way through it, no movement save for his sixteen-year old daughter raising her head to watch him. Varya’s green eyes shown with concern as she sat up on the couch– a Flareon fast asleep on her lap. Her gaze shifted towards the hallway, and Alain knew that she was looking for Eli.

   He then entered the dining room, snatching the car keys from the table. He could hear Eli’s and Mairin’s muffled voices, no doubt her giving the same conversation as usual, her much gentler opinions on why he should take school more seriously and put in more effort– and of course Mairin always had plenty to say on how they treated each other. But Alain knew that Eli wouldn’t listen, hence why it always fell on him to discuss with Eli his behavior.

   Alain was in the garage before he knew what he was doing– backing up the car and pulling out onto the street. There was a hum in his mind as he drove away, the logical side of him telling him that he should at least let someone know where he was going. But he didn’t care, the same image of Eli repeating in his mind over and over.

   He had made his child flinch.

   His hands tightened on the steering wheel, and he found the speedometer on the dashboard begin to creep above the speed limit. Alain didn’t even blinked at this, barely even aware of where he was going as he began to drive down a familiar route.

   After several minutes the phone in his pocket began vibrating, no doubt Mairin calling to find out where he had suddenly vanished to. He made no effort to answer it, eyes fixated on the road ahead. Several minutes after it died down it started to vibrate once more as another call came in, but still Alain drove on, a hum in his mind.

   It wasn’t until he found himself turning down a familiar road in Lumiose City that he realized where he was taking himself, and he sat up slightly. He could see Sycamore’s lab up ahead, and he pulled into the driveway of the place that had once been his home. His phone started ringing for a third time as he stumbled out of the car, heading towards the front doors of the lab.

   “Hello?” A voice called as he entered, and he could hear footsteps coming to greet him. He looked up at Professor Sycamore as he came into the room, and a smile broke over the man’s face. “Alain, what a pleasant surprise!”

   “Professor,” Alain muttered, barely even aware that he was talking. Sycamore’s expression softened as he saw the distress on his former assistant’s face.

   “Come on in, my boy,” Professor Sycamore said gently. “I have some coffee brewing in the kitchen, and there we can talk.”

   Alain nodded, following the professor through the lab and towards the kitchen. The smell of coffee filled the room, but not even the scent of his favorite beverage could calm the sickening feeling that had taken root in his stomach. Professor Sycamore didn’t bother with the small talk that always set Alain on edge, simply pouring both of them a mug of coffee, before sitting across the table from him.

   It was then the sound of a phone ringing filled the room, and the professor pulled a cell phone out of his pocket. He glanced at Alain when he saw the number, before answering it. “Hello, Mairin.”

   Alain curled his fingers.

   “Yes, he’s here,” Professor Sycamore said after a moment. Alain could hear the sounds of Mairin on the other line, but couldn’t make out the words. The professor listened to Mairin a moment longer, before nodding. “I see...”

   Alain took a sip of his coffee, beginning to feel slightly guilty for just walking out without saying a word to Mairin. He watched as the professor listened to Mairin, not saying much as she continued on speaking. Alain didn’t focus on their words as they talked, his fingers curling around the edges of the mug. At last the professor said his goodbye, before slipping his phone away.

   “So you and Eli had another fight,” Professor Sycamore said, watching Alain.

   “Yes...” Alain muttered, gritting his teeth. “It’s school again. This time he didn’t just skip class– he just walked right out of it after giving the teacher some... choice words.”

   Professor Sycamore gave an empty chuckle. “And I don’t even need to guess– your little lecture with him didn’t go over well either,” He took a long sip of coffee. “But still, that doesn’t explain why you came over here without even saying a word to your wife. As unfortunate as it is, this isn’t surprising behavior from Eli.”

   Alain gritted his teeth as the image of Eli flinching filled his mind.

   “That’s not why I came out here,” Alain muttered, voice slightly raspy. “It’s about what I did, not Eli.”

   The professor glanced at him. “Did something else happen?”

   “No... yes...” Alain buried his head into his hands. “I... I just don’t know!”

   “What happened?”

   Alain looked up at the professor, eyes distant. “When... when Mairin was pregnant with Faith,” He whispered. “I promised myself that I would never be like my father. And today... today I feel like I broke that promise.”

   A serious look grew over Professor Sycamore’s face. “Alain, did something happen?”

   He shook his head. “No, nothing happened... I just yelled at him again...” His eyes squeezed shut. “But when I did, he flinched. I... I know that isn’t much but... b-but...”

   His voice cracked slightly, and Alain’s head returned to his hands.

   “...But that was hard for you to see,” Sycamore finished softly.

   “I don’t want to be like my dad,” Alain whispered. “I don’t want them to be scared of me.”

   Professor Sycamore’s hand reached out, grabbing Alain’s. “Your children are anything but scared of you, Alain, I can promise you that. Please don’t compare yourself with that man– you are nothing like him– you are a marvelous father.”

   Alain snorted. “I can’t even hold a conversation with Eli without it turning into a fight. What kind of father am I?” He turned away. “I... I know he was just startled, nothing more... but seeing my own child recoil like that– from me...”

   “No relationship is perfect,” Professor Sycamore said. “But even then there’s a difference between a broken one and a bent one. I can promise you that yours and Eli’s isn’t beyond repair– and I can promise you that you are not becoming your father,” He gave a soft smile. “Look at yourself Alain, you’ve worked so hard to make sure your children have food on the table and a bed to sleep in. You’ve gone your whole life without drinking just to make sure you never slipped into an addiction like your father.”

   Alain flinched as buried memories surfaced.

   “I’ve known you since you were ten,” Professor Sycamore continued. “And every moment I’ve seen was you making sure you and those around you were working towards a better life– and that has continued on into your family. You want them to be happy, and I know that you would do anything to make sure that will happen. You are a good person, Alain.”

   “Then why does my son hate me?” Alain whispered.

   “He doesn’t hate you. Everyone has a rebellious phase,” The professor took a sip of his coffee, eyes gleaming. “I once had an assistant– my favorite, I must say– and once he cut off all contact with me for basically an entire year! Can you believe him?”

   Alain snorted. “I thought I was doing what was best.”

   “Exactly,” Sycamore said. “You believed at the time that it was for the best. I also believe that you were about Eli’s same age then. You are the adult now, Alain, you’ve seen the world and understand it– but he hasn’t. All Eli knows is the safe world you’ve work so hard to give him. Sometimes children need the chance to step out on their own, and it’s only then they realize just how much you have done for them.”

   “Let him skip school?” Alain growled. “I can’t let him do that– and why on earth would he think that’s the right choice?”

   “Have you asked him why?” Professor Sycamore asked.

   “Yes,” Alain’s growl deepened. “And all he says is that I wouldn’t understand!”

   The professor leaned back, thinking. He closed his eyes in thought, before focusing on Alain once more. “...When was the last time you gave him understanding, Alain?”

   “...What?”

   “Understanding isn’t always words,” Professor Sycamore said simply. “And why would you trust information with someone that has never shown that they’re willing to listen and understand? Think back to when you were his age– what were the moments you felt that someone proved that they understood you?”

   Alain frowned, but listened to the professor. It wasn’t hard to think of the time that had stood out the most to him– and it involved Professor Sycamore himself. It was the first New Year’s at the lab, back when he was still the new and quiet assistant– the boy who had yet to smile. He stared at Sycamore’s kind eyes, remembering how the professor had found him shivering up in his room while the rest of the lab was drinking and enjoying the celebrations for the upcoming New Year.

   Alain had never said a word that night– and it wasn’t until years later he had gained the courage to explain to the professor just what drove his fear that night– but still Sycamore had given him the precious gift of understanding. It hadn’t been through questions or the information others had passed to him. He had simply known that something wasn’t right with his distant assistant, and had shown that he cared.

   Professor Sycamore had banned all alcoholic drinks in his lab the very next day– a rule that stood to this day. He hadn’t put Alain’s fear in the spotlight, simply stating that a scientific research lab wasn’t the place for people to be drinking, even when they weren’t working. No one had questioned it since they were an official lab of the League, and Alain had been able to see the lab as a place of safety. Sycamore hadn’t forced him to say anything, but had simply been able to understand that someone drinking put his young assistant in a state of fear.

   Many years had passed since that fear had been a struggle, those drinking around him merely a discomfort now. But still, Alain knew that his ten year old self had at last been able to find a place where he could feel safe– where he could sleep soundly– thanks to Professor Sycamore.

   “You’re saying to show to him that I am willing to understand,” Alain said softly. “Not demand things of him.”

   “Trust is earned, not forced,” Sycamore agreed. “If the words that pass between you are nothing but quarrels, then at least let your actions be the opposite.”

   Alain carefully considered the words, hands wrapping around his mug. He took a long sip of coffee, slowly starting to feel more alert. Alain still didn’t know what he was going to do, or what the future held for him and Eli, but things didn’t seem quite as intimidating. Professor Sycamore was right, things weren’t unsalvageable, and he could put things right.

   “Thank you, Professor,” Alain said. “You always know what to say... I don’t know where I’d be without you.”

   Professor Sycamore smiled. “You give me too much credit. Though, going off of your words, perhaps I could have been a decent father.”

   “...You were,” Alain muttered quietly.

   “Hmm?” Sycamore asked, taking another drink of his coffee.

   Alain hesitated for a moment. “You were a great father,” Alain said. “A wonderful one– and the only person in my life that deserves that title.”

   His stomach twisted, saying the words he had been wanting to say to the professor since he was a boy. For a frightened moment he was afraid that the professor would just toss the words aside as if they weren’t of any true meaning.

   A smile spread over Professor Sycamore’s face, eyes gleaming. “...Thank you, Alain– you don’t know how much that means to me.”

   Alain blinked several times, eyes feeling a bit moist, and he found himself nodding. Both men took another drink of coffee, neither wanting to dispel the moment nor the feeling in their hearts. The silence was fine, both of them quite content with what had taken place as they finished their drinks. Mugs clanged as they were set onto the table, and Alain rose to his feet. Professor Sycamore was quick to follow, blue eyes still gleaming.

   “Thank you, Professor,” Alain whispered. “For everything. But I should be getting home.”

   “Of course,” He smiled. “I know that Mairin’s missing you.”

   Alain smiled as well, stepping forward and embracing the professor. The hug was brief, but meaningful. With that Alain escorted himself from the lab, a cool breeze rushing by as he stepped outside. He looked around the front of the lab, smiling to himself as he headed to his car. He opened the door when he approached, settling into the driver’s seat.

   He then pulled out his phone, unsuprised to see he had three voicemails to go along with his three missed calls. A few taps later his phone was playing all three, Mairin’s worried voice filling the car as he drove out into Lumiose City. He felt his guilt stirring once more as he listened to her asking where he had gone. The first message ended, going into the second one, this time Mairin begging for him to call her back.

   He reached for the phone to do just that, eyes still on the road as he did so. However the third voicemail started playing– and this time it wasn’t Mairin’s voice.

  “...Dad...” There was a slight crackle as Eli’s voice played from the recording. Alain’s hand pulled back from the phone, listening as several moments of silence played on the recording. “I...” Eli’s voice trailed off once more, clearly having no idea of what to say. “...I’m sorry.”

   His words came out rushed, and Alain could hear him swiftly hanging up as the message came to an end. A robotic voice played over the speakers, informing him that was the end of his voicemails. Alain didn’t listen however, Eli’s voice still echoing in his mind.

   He knew it wasn’t an apology for skipping school, for his attitude, or for his shouting, Eli cared little for each and wouldn’t apologize unless Mairin forced him to. It wasn’t hard to piece together what Eli was apologizing for– he clearly believed that Alain’s sudden exit had been because of him.

   Alain chewed on his lip for a moment, carefully shifting Eli’s words and the professor’s advice through his mind.

--------------------------------

   “Alain!”

   Alain gave a small grunt as Mairin slammed into him– his wife practically tackling him the moment he walked through the garage door. He smiled, even as he stumbled back to maintain his balance. He returned the embrace as he struggled to find his breath in her crushing grip.

   “Hello Mairin,” He breathed out as she finally released him, pulling back to glare up at him.

   “You just can’t vanish like that!” Mairin cried. “You have no idea how worried I was!”

   Alain rubbed his neck. “I really am sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you. I... I just needed to sort things out,” Alain hesitated for a moment. “...Where’s Eli?”

   “Varya’s room,” Mairin replied, which didn’t surprise Alain at all, Varya and Eli were inseparable.

   “I’m going to talk to him,” Alain said, eyes shifting towards the ground. He saw Mairin nodding out of the corner of his eye, and he sighed. Even with his sudden trip to the lab, the situation here remained the same. Eli had still stormed out of class, and Alain was positive that this would happen again in the future.

   “Alain,” Mairin said as he headed towards the stairs. He paused, glancing back at her. “...Don’t press him, please.”

   He closed his eyes, knowing that Mairin simply didn’t want another fight to break out. He never wanted them either, but they always seemed to spark from the simplests of disagreements. Alain gave Mairin a nod, before beginning to climb the stairs.

   He didn’t have to go far once he crested the top of the stairs, since Varya’s room was the first one. Her door was open as Alain stepped in, his eyes sweeping the room for his children. They were sitting on the bed talking to each other, neither having noticed their father in the doorway. Varya’s hands were swiftly signing out something, and Alain naturally read the gestures without a second thought.

   ‘You don’t always have to come,’ She signed to Eli, looking distressed. ‘I can handle it on my own.’

   “You’re right,” Eli replied, Varya’s eyes reading his lips as he spoke. “I don’t have to come– and you can handle it on your own– but that doesn’t mean you have to!”

   Alain cleared his throat, not wanting to stand in on a conversation that clearly wasn’t meant for him. Eli stiffened up at the sound, sharp blue eyes darting to the doorway. The concerned look on his face vanished, a familiar scowl taking its place. Varya frowned at Eli’s movements, her own gaze shifting towards the door to see what was happening.

   Varya quickly looked away as she saw Alain there, the sixteen year old lacing her fingers together.

   “How long were you there?” Eli snapped, his body becoming tense.

   “I just got here,” Alain said in a quiet voice. “I need to speak with you.”

   Eli was still for a moment, before turning back to Varya. He signed a few words to her, the gestures blocked from Alain’s view, though he guessed that he was saying something along the lines of him being back soon. Eli didn’t make eye contact as he stood, briskly walking past Alain and into the hall.

   Alain shut the door behind him, and his son turned to face him, arms crossed. There was no need for them to go anywhere else– outside of Varya they were the only ones upstairs, and she wouldn’t be able to hear a word of their conversation. Alain hesitated for a moment, trying to decide just what to say.

   “Your actions today were unacceptable,” Alain finally said, voice quiet. “Even if you don’t hold your education as important, the way you treated your teacher was inexcusable.”

   “Mmh,” Eli grunted.

   “Along with how the school decides to handle this, you will also be grounded from electronics for a week,” Alain continued, unsuprised as his son didn’t even blink at this. Eli simply leaned against the wall, gaze locked on Alain.

   “Fine. Are we done here?” He asked, eyes sliding towards Varya’s room.

   “...I got your voicemail,” Alain said after a moment, and Eli tensed up. “Eli, I want you to understand that I did not walk out because of you– I left because of my own actions,” He hesitated for a moment. “I am still very disappointed in what you did today, but that does not excuse me for losing my temper on you. Perhaps this is something I should have done a lot sooner, but I am sorry for how I treated you.”

   Eli’s jaw tightened, clearly not sure of what to make of this apology. His eyes briefly met Alain’s, before sliding down to the floor.

   “Whatever,” He finally muttered, voice rough.

   With that Eli pushed past Alain, clearly desperate to return to his sister’s side. Alain watched as Eli threw the door open to her room, the door then slamming shut behind him. Alain stared at the white door for a moment, blinking a few times at the sudden exit. He turned away, a sigh escaping his chest as he leaned up against the wall for a moment.

   Alain knew from experience that things did not get better over night, but even then the harsh exit still pressed on him.

His father became a shadow of a man he use to be, spending most of his days drunk or sleeping. Left basically on his own, Alain learned at a young age that the only one there for him was himself. He spent the next four years barely getting by in the neglectful environment his father “provided”, doing everything he could to avoid his father’s drunken rages which always left him beaten on the floor. This lasted until he was eight, when a neighbor finally called the authorities. Alain was brought out of the apartment with a broken arm and as thin as a stick. His father was imprisoned for the abuse and neglect, while Alain was put in foster care.

Alain spent two years in the foster care system, and never attempted to bond to anyone, but two of his foster mothers kept in close contact even after he left. During these years he developed a fear of alcohol after the life he lived with his father, whether it be the smell or the sight of people drinking. He dedicated all of his focus to learning, burying his emotions and past in the process. At ten years old he headed to Professor Sycamore’s lab like most children-- but instead of asking for a starter he asked for a job. The professor wasn’t quite sure what drew him in, but he hired the young boy to be his assistant.

Alain was at first quiet and distant, doing only what was asked of him and trying to learn more. Professor Sycamore wasn’t able to get close to him until he began to notice the way Alain shut down around alcohol. After making changes around the lab Alain at last began to open up to him-- by bringing in a rampaging Gible. After seeing this and how much the boy loved Pokemon, the professor decided to give him his own Pokemon.

At eleven years old Alain received a female Charmander from Augustine Sycamore, and Alain instantly bonded with this Pokemon. Having this Charmander and a steady environment helped Alain, and he began open up and allow himself to be happy. The next two years passed swiftly for Alain, when at age thirteen he decided to head out on a journey to learn more about mega evolution.

Alain spent the next year traveling and training after meeting a man named Lysandre, cutting off all connections with the professor that had done so much for him, being told that this was a way to protect the man that had taught him how to be happy. Alain found himself shutting out his emotions once more, focusing only on becoming stronger. He told himself it was to protect the professor... it was for peace...

But yet despite this cold mask he couldn’t help but grow to care for a young girl that had started following him-- one who’s smile reminded him of the happiness he had left behind.

Professor Sycamore never gave up on his assistant that had suddenly cut off contact with him, for he knew that Alain had earned a special place in his heart.

El pequeño aún tenía algo de sueño, apenas y eran las siete de la mañana hora en que él acostumbraba recién estar despertando. Su madre caminaba apresurada por las frías calles de la Ciudad Relieve hacia la parada de autobús que se encontraba a las afueras de la ciudad. A penas si habían personas en las calles más allá de algunos trabajadores encargados de limpiar las calles y quienes abrían sus tiendas muy temprano para los turistas y otros entrenadores.

El menor escuchó graznar a algunos Pokémon voladores que se encontraban en las cercanías y ella apresuró el paso al ver ya la parada de autobús.

— Madre… — Llamó él, ahogando un bostezo con su mano cubierta por los guantes con forma de Charmander.

— ¿Tienes hambre? — Preguntó ella mirando hacia la calle por si se acercaba el autobús que debían tomar. — No tomaste desayuno, te traje un poco de fruta ¿Quieres?

— Si, por favor.

El autobús llegó en menos de una hora, tiempo en que el pequeño casi se queda dormido, con ayuda de un pasajero la mujer subió su pesado bolso mientras cargaba a su hijo en brazos a medio sueño. Se quedaron en los asientos del final y al poco rato el vehículo partió de Ciudad Relieve hacia su destino, Ciudad Luminalia.

Ciudad Luminalia era notablemente más animada que ciudad relieve, incluso a estas horas de la mañana, ya iban a ser las 9 y aun le quedaba un par de calles por recorrer, con ese enorme bolso, su cartera y su hijo quien se había dormido en el viaje, no le quedó de otra que llamar a su Pokémon para recibir algo de ayuda, lo último que quería era que otro extraño le ayudase.

— Pangoro — Llamó a su Pokémon, este salió y ahogó un enorme bostezo, seguramente por que rara vez su entrenadora le llamaba a estas horas de la mañana. — ¿Puedes cargar el bolso por mí?

Pangoro accedió sin rechistar, tomando el bolso con uno de sus brazos como si levantase una almohada grande y liviana. La mujer pudo concentrarse en cargar a su dormido niño y seguir su camino, la gente del lugar la saludaba aun si no se conocían, pensando quizás que era alguna entrenadora o una turista, la ciudad era muy famosa para ambos tipos de viajeros, por los hermosos eventos en restaurantes, el gimnasio por su puesto y el Laboratorio de cierto profesor que estaba ganando mucha fama debido a sus estudios en un ámbito de los Pokémon muy nuevo para el resto del mundo: La mega evolución.

— ¿Lorraine? — Escuchó una voz cerca de ella y volteo hacia un lado al escuchar su nombre. — Creí que llegarías más tarde…

— Hubo un cambio de planes aunque de todas formas tengo copia de la llave — Contestó tranquila, se acercó hacia la otra mujer con cautela de no despertar al pequeño y fue seguida muy de cerca por Pangoro. — Hace mucho que no te veía, Sophie.

— Tú no has cambiado — Sophie le sonríe, saluda a la mujer con la mirada y de paso al Pangoro quien no parece muy amistoso.

Ambas mujeres caminan por la calle principal hasta llegar a la intersección para dirigirse a su destino, Sophie abre la puerta y deja pasar a la mujer ofreciéndole una taza de café.

— Puedes dejar que el pequeño descanse en mi habitación.

— Muchas gracias, así lo haré.

Lorraine sube las escaleras hasta el segundo piso y camina hasta la ya conocida habitación de Sophie, pues hace tiempo esa fue su propia habitación, dejó a su hijo sobre la cama, apartando algunas mantas y sacando el exceso de ropa y sus zapatos, el pequeño duerme profundamente y no se da cuenta de que es dejado en aquella extraña habitación.

Ya en la sala, ambas están conversando sobre algunos temas triviales.

— ¿Y Suri? —Pregunta Sophie después de unos momentos de charla casual, Lorraine baja la mirada y suspira.

— Salió con su padre, mañana me la va a traer de vuelta — toma un largo sorbo de café a pesar de la temperatura de la taza.

Sophie traga saliva y trata de cambiar el tema, comentando algún incidente menor que habían tenido en el laboratorio por la falta de organización de Sycamore. Lorraine lo nota y deja pasar el tema, vuelve a concentrar su atención en las bromas de la asistente sobre el profesor y mira atenta su café a mitad de beber.

Pasaron las horas y en la sala se presentó Sycamore, con una caja que había ido buscar a un pueblo cercano, pasó saludando con la mirada a ambas mujeres mientras pasaba a dejar la caja en la sala de al lado. Sophie le siguió de inmediato para revisar los nuevos papeles sobre la investigación que le habían otorgado al profesor después de insistir durante años.

Al cabo de unos minutos Sycamore apareció en la sala de estar para saludar a su hermana.

— Creí que llegarías más…

— Sí, sí, lo sé, ahórrate el comentario. — Terminó de tomar su café y movió su mano en dirección al hombre desinteresado. — Vine a pedirte un enorme favor a cambio de algo claro está.

— Entonces es un trato ¿No?

— Algo así — Hizo una pausa, jugando con el anillo en uno de sus dedos — Pero como es entre hermanos pues, suena mucho más lindo que me hagas un favor.

— Imagino lo que me pedirás. — Dejo escapar un suspiro junto a una sonrisa cansada.

— Eso hará las cosas más fáciles, Tine.

— Aun me dan escalofríos cuando me llamas así…

— No seas estúpido, hermanito.

— Lo cuidaré, no te preocupes, y a la pequeña Suri también.

— Estoy más preocupada por Aly — Le interrumpió levantándose del sofá y cruzándose de brazos — Susu seguramente prefiera quedarse con su padre, Aly por otra parte, estará mejor aquí, contigo.

Agustine Sycamore dejó caer sus brazos a cada lado de su cuerpo mirando fijamente como los músculos de su hermana mayor se tensaban.

— El divorcio no ha sido fácil.

— Con él no tengo problemas, es con Susu y Aly, no sé si entiendan el por qué…

— ¿Te arrepientes?

— No, jamás. — Toma aire tras una pausa. — Pero tampoco me arrepiento de compartir todos esos años con ellos.

Lorraine se encogió de hombros, y sonrió con melancolía, después de unos segundos escuchó el llamado de su hijo Alain desde el segundo piso. El pequeño lloraba, segur por no reconocer el cuarto y hallarse solo en ese lugar extraño.

Sycamore vio atento como ella corría escalera arriba, con voz suave nombrando a su hijo. Al poco rato ella bajó junto al pequeño “Aly” quien aún mantenía una cara somnolienta y un pequeño rastro de lágrimas por el llanto de antes.

— ¿Recuerdas al tío Tine?

El pequeño asintió despacio, apretando el agarre de la mano de su madre y dando un paso hacia atrás. Sycamore se arrodillo a su altura y extendió su mano para saludar a su sobrino.

— Hola Alain, ¿Dormiste bien?

— Tengo hambre… — Murmuró algo avergonzado. No estaba acostumbrado a las personas, mucho menos a los adultos.

Alain buscó con la mirada algo, Sycamore llevó su mirada hacia su hermana quien le hizo una señal con su mano libre, elevando dos dedos.

— ¿Buscar a Lina? — Preguntó de pronto el hombre, sobresaltando al menor quien se escondió detrás de la pierna de su madre y susurró un sí tan despacio que si no fuera por el silencio del lugar se habría perdido. — Ella llegó ayer, te espera en el patio…

— ¿Por qué no vas a buscarla mientras te preparo algo? — Sugirió Lorraine el menor asintió mucho más confiado y corrió hacia la puerta más cercana que hasta donde recordaba era hacia el enorme patio del Tío Tine.

— Ha crecido mucho…

— Cuídalo mucho.

Sycamore iba a decir algo, pero la mirada perdida de la mujer a su lado le hizo tragarse sus palabras. Su hermana no estaba pidiendo consejo alguno, ya no, tampoco quería críticas ni opiniones, solo el apoyo de su familia en esta etapa de su vida.

Sophie apareció por la puerta de la sala del laboratorio principal, y los tres adultos se dirigieron a la cocina a tomar un poco de té y prepararle algo de comer al pequeño Aly.

Pronto ese paseo se volvería rutina. Una en la que los tres compartirían la mañana junto al pequeño.

Una que no duraría mucho tiempo hasta que la madre del muchacho se obsesionara con su trabajo y poco a poco perdiera a uno de sus tesoros.

.

.

.

— ¡Lina, baja de ahí! — Gritó con fuerza un joven de cabellos azulados oscuros, tenía la ropa llena de tierra y varios rasguños en el rostro. Se cruzó de brazos demostrando que estaba más que harto de la actitud del Pokémon.

— Arceus mío, ¿Volvió a meterse en ese árbol? — Se quejó Cosette, con la ropa igual de sucia que el muchacho. — Escala muy rápido para ser tan vieja.

Una bola sombra aterrizó muy cerca de los pies de la mujer quien dio varios pasos hacia atrás asustada.

—  Parece ofendida… — Murmuró Alain divertido.

— Muérete — Escupió Cosette molesta y marchándose del patio para asearse de una buena vez.

Alain volvió su atención a la vieja Linoone que se lamía las patas sobre las ramas del árbol más viejo del laboratorio.

— ¡Alain, tienes una llamada! — Gritó el profesor Sycamore desde dentro del laboratorio. El muchacho giró la cabeza preguntando con la mirada quien le estaría llamando. — Es…

El profesor hizo una pausa que Alain comprendió de inmediato.

— No quiero hablar con ella.

— Deberías por lo menos saludarla.

— Dígale de mi parte que se puede ir a la…

— ¡Alain! — Le regañó antes de que dijera una sola palabra más. — Lorraine está al teléfono y quiere hablarte.

Lina la Linoone alzó la cabeza al escuchar ese nombre, dio un salto desde el árbol, usando la cabeza del muchacho como trampolín y entrando a la sala, para ir a ver a su querida entrenadora después de tanto tiempo separadas, creyendo que ella estaría en cuerpo y alma en ese lugar, más sólo vio su rostro en una pantalla, estaba usando lentes, y llevaba un labial rojo, color que no le había victo nunca más le daba un toque muy maduro.

Detrás de todos esos años y estrés sobre el rostro de aquella mujer, aún estaba su querida entrenadora.

— ¡L-Lina! — en cuanto ella levantó la vista de su escritorio pudo ver a la Linoone apegando su nariz oscura a la pantalla, olfateando y rasguñando para ver si podía entrar. — Oh pequeña, tanto tiempo…

Colocó su mano en la pantalla, como si a través del vidrio del teléfono pudiera sentir el calor de su mejor amiga, más no fue así.

Miró de reojo hacia el cuarto, notando como se asomaba por la puerta tratando de ocultarse en vano de la inquisitiva vista de su progenitora.

— Ey, Lina, ¿sabes?

Comenzó a relatar a sabiendas de que Alain escuchaba a lo lejos, su Linoone se quedó sentada frente a la pantalla, escuchando la suave voz de su entrenadora.

— Voy a salir de Kalos, iré a Unova, debo cerrar un contrato importante así que me ausentaré unos meses mientras hago eso, ¿Puedo pedirte un favor? Es muy importante.

Lina asintió repetidas veces rasguñando el escritorio con sus garras, y haciendo pequeños gemidos para comunicarse con ella.

— Cuida de Aly, por mí. — Hizo una pausa paseando su vista desde su Linoone hasta la silueta de su hijo. — Sé que él está molesto conmigo pero aún necesita que lo protejan.

La Linoone asintió y corrió por la sala hasta los pies del muchacho, quien fruncía el ceño notoriamente molesto pero también triste. Fijó su mirada en la Pokémon y le sonrió de lado, tragándose el nudo que se había formado en su garganta nuevamente por culpa de su madre.

— Cuídate Aly, tu hermana te manda saludos.

La llamada se cortó, y Alain miró de reojo a la enorme pantalla ennegrecida por la ausencia de su madre. Más no entró en la sala, sus pasos se dirigieron al patio, dónde aún tenía cosas que hacer para ayudar en la casa de su tío el profesor Sycamore, dejó de lado la mezcla de sentimientos que le provocaba ella, y se concentró en los Pokémon, Lina le siguió de cerca, subiendo a su hombro a modo de consuelo y procurando cumplir la promesa hacia su querida entrenadora.

Cuidaría a ese muchacho de su parte, hasta que ella volviera.