The Snatcher

Red is caught with a bowl in his hand close to his face, scooping up mouthfuls of deep flavored noodles, picking scallions and roasted pork out of the broth to savor it. Ben was a lot of things, and above all, he was a fine chef. The eggs were delicious and seasoned the broth of a bowl, the salt from the kombu made the flavor complex, and he could taste the rich thickness of the mushroom and onion in it. The ginger's an old friend to the taste buds.

[I didn't really charge my phone when I met you either.]

Pikachu shoves another piece of roasted pork into his mouth while Red swiped broth off his upper lip with the back of his sleeve.

He'll admit as well that no Japanese Restaurant really taste like this. It's incredibly more flavorful and enticing, taste that scream genuine love for cooking or something.

Espeon is devouring noodles, pork and cooked eggs while Umbreon seems to enjoy the broth more than anything.

[ Oh, I understand. That explains a lot. ]

Wes hooks his foot behind Red's heel to pull his forward enough so he can check it under the table with a quick glance. No bloody jeans this time!

"Well now you're making me blush here!" He giggles.

[ I have been going all over the world. Even if I don't speak most languages, seeing it with my own eyes made me think things I never thought before.

[Should have been wary to begin with. Yeah. Lets take the bike. This noodle shop in is something you'll like.]

And so, he takes him to a noodle shop he's very fond of and that doesn't beg them to change into anything fancy. The bike ride is better than the first ethereal time, because there's the joy of reunion on top of the flying feeling of the spiderbike.

When they get there, Red resolves they absolutely have to do a whole region tour on the back of Wes's bike. It's something they didn't get to do in Orre.

Wes and Red fit with the clientele of the shop. Benjiro the owner is more than happy to seat and serve him, Pikachu, his friend, and his Skitty. Giovanni introduced him to the place, and he'd made a point to go back and quietly take his time making low-effort reparations with the owner for sending his former alliance to Rocket to the grave.

Ben makes good noodles now, and enough in a portion that even Red is satisfied. The table he picks in the back is covered in bowls and bowls of various food by the time Red is ready for twenty questions.

He hasn't been in this kind of place before but he looks in his lane. He attempts a compliment at the owner with his messy Japanese as he devours his own pile of noodles.

The twin eeveelutions have a bowl of their own, though Espeon keeps playing with the food instead of simply eating it.

His good humor is visible.

[ Oh I didn't have a phone back then. They weren't as cheap or popular in Orre. But I have one now. Internet happens to be very useful. ]

He takes his from his pocket and leaves it on the table: "Though I keep forgetting to charge it."

So yeah, that thing I've been working on! Eeveelution pride stickers! Starting with Acepeon and Enbyeon for my fellow ace enbies!

EDIT: Here's the stickers! Espeon here and Umbreon here.

I wasn't done growing. I was really young when you met me... I'm sorry, Baby passed away about half a year ago. She'd tell me to tell you hi, though.

He balanced the both of them as he stood up, letting them re-scent his clothes and make biscuits on his shoulders. The purring's a warm, familiar sound in his ears.

[I can understand you better. Still not great at it, but you should talk to me, too.]

Red settles into a content smile.

Sole keeps making biscuits all over Red even after his twin is already settles on a loaf, about to take a good nap. They're sad to hear the passing of their funny-looking friend, but at this point they're very used to it.

"It seems I'll have to be wary of the things I say now!"

The prospect of being able to finally ask Red about all the mysterious things is thrilling. Mysteries that became practically legends in the depths of his memories when he asked himself if Red was real after all.

He'll go slow with the interview if he and Red manage to find time to catch up without rush.

[I'll try not to get stuck on any more wire.]

A laugh in response. It's quiet. He's a little shocked, a little over the moon, and when the brothers in crime pop out from behind his legs he broke from the squeeze and kneeled to offer his hands to the both of them. He massages Espeon's spine, checking to see if anything changed, and let Umbreon rub himself against his palm.

Good to see you guys. Missed you.

It's nice to realize Red wasn't just a ghost or random illusion he had after all. His twins seems to think so as well, desperately happy to meet the trainer again.

You changed! Why'd you get so tall? It's been so long! Where's the low-slung girl?

Both of them decide to crawl on Red's shoulders and move around until they find a comfortable spot. It smells like Pikachu but they'll take care of it.

"I can see that!" Wes laughed and commented. Still unsure if Red understands english or not, he's back to signing.

-> Starter Call

Espeon and Umbreon ko-fi doodle for Yama!