This will just be a series of short-stories and drabbles about my characters and the lives they left behind when they came to the guild. I'll also be writing about old characters here, and some related stories from outside the guild.
You might not be able to find the profiles of some characters for obvious reasons, and for the most part you won't be seeing them outside of these stories.
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 10:15 am
"The Announcement"
Skye settled onto the familiar sunning stone in her mother’s front yard, enjoying the feeling of warmth that crept into her bones as she sprawled out. There was very little in terms of a breeze today, but it was cool enough for it to be comfortable without it. She could easily see the whole yard from here, despite it feeling so secluded, making this her favourite place just to laze the afternoon away.
The creaking of the front gate drew her attention to a massive, shiny Swampert that stood in the doorway. A much smaller, pale blue version stood at his shoulder. While the shiny seemed to maintain a decent amount of muscle, it was obvious from the state of the second that her thin and wiry form was starting to deteriorate. Skye’s ears twitched back sadly- Kai’s mother hadn’t been doing as well the past few months, and this had been their third visit in recent days. She was a nice lady, if a bit twitchy and defensive. It was all habitual for her, at this point, as defending one’s territory was necessary to survive out there in the swamp.
A lithe, black-and-gold-furred Leafeon limped out to meet them at the fence, her posture both weary and welcoming. Zori was very fond of guests, at this point, especially with so much of her family having dispersed back to their homes. Even Harumi had left, off to start her own life away from home. They hadn’t heard much from her, though Skye knew from experience that Haru’s stubbornness would probably be a life-long obstacle in keeping contact with her.
Skye sighed softly, still watching Zori, Kai and his mother with her chin resting upon the smooth stone. The trio spoke for a moment more, their voices too soft for Skye to hear from the other side of the garden, and ducked into the front door of the cottage to speak in privacy.
”What happened to Aunt Zori?” a small voice piped up beside her, making the Espeon jump suddenly to her feet. Skye relaxed almost immediately, realizing that Istas had climbed over the back fence to surprise her. She probably would have been sat on, if not for the apparent surprise of the Leafeon’s recent injury. ”I thought she could heal herself.”
The Espeon patted the stone next to her, a gesture for the Pichu to sit with her. ”It’s kind of a long story. We’re not really guild members anymore, but she liked the work- she liked helping other Pokemon. She kept getting request letters from Pokemon all over. I guess it got a little rough one mission, because she came back with her leg all twisted up. She’s getting better, but Father doesn’t think she’ll ever get full use of it again.”
The Pichu, much more solemn now than Skye had ever seen her, looked to the cottage window with a distant expression. ”Gran’s kinda going downhill, too. Nothing too bad, I guess- she’s just not as strong as she used to be. With the swamp as bad as it is, Dad’s been getting more and more nervous about leaving us alone. We brought our stuff with us, so I think he’s planning to move us up here for now.”
Skye gave her friend a sympathetic glance, the tip of her long tail flicking against the hot surface of the rock they sat on. ”It’ll be good for them, I think, having each other around. They’re a lot happier since they’ve stopped guild work, but maybe they just need their family back together?” As she spoke, she felt the seed of guilt in her stomach eat away at her. Was now really the best time?
”You’re still talking like that, are you? Like you’re leaving us?” Istas’ voice was a little accusatory, and Skye turned to see the narrow-eyed stare of suspicion. ”Have you at least told your parents about it?” The guilt seemed to blossom in her stomach, and the Espeon cringed.
’How am I supposed to tell them?’ She thought, glancing away. Istas was getting too old to keep her naivety. Apparently she’d inherited Kai’s keen perception, blood-relative or not. ”I don’t want to leave them. Not with Haru and the others gone- they’re my parents; they’re supposed to come first,” she admitted, feeling very much torn about the whole matter. ”Besides, what could I even say to them? I loved working for the guild- it’s a part of who I am. But with Mother as she is…”
”Perhaps that’s all you needed to say.” Zori’s voice was soft and warm, and a very surprised-looking Skye glanced up to meet her mother’s golden eyes. ”Doku and I already know what it means to you, and what you mean to us. If you choose to go back, we’re as much in favour of your decision as we are for Harumi. I want you to live for your own sake.”
Skye couldn’t speak, instead stepping forward and butting her head gratefully into her mother’s shoulder. She felt her mother’s warm breath on her ears as she was nuzzled in return, and a happy purr escaped her throat.
Behind Zori, Kaiyou cleared his throat. ”This means, of course, that you’ll be wanting your partner back?” His voice was full of mirth as he spoke, his elderly mother brushing past him to join the group of women that were now huddled atop the sunning stones.
Gran held out an arm, revealing a tiny clump of pale golden fur that rested in the palm of her large hand. Four bright eyes glanced up at Skye, and suddenly all she could see was golden fluff as the Joltik joyfully attached himself to the bridge of her nose.
Peals of delighted laughter burst from the pair, feeling more grateful than ever to have been reunited with their only teammate.
Lunatalia Crew
Blessed Light
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Lunatalia Crew
Blessed Light
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Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2015 11:14 am
“The Meaning of Strength”
Quillan rushed to his mother’s side with a bunch of rawst and pecha berries clutched to his chest. The berries were quite large for him to carry at his age and it was quite difficult not to trip and stumble on his way. His mother seemed not to notice and instead devoted her sole attention to his father.
The Luxray lay quietly on the bed of leaves and spider’s silk that his mate had prepared for him. He was much larger than Quil due to a difference in species and towered over him even as he was now. His dark fur was thinned and darkened with signs of heavy burns marring his flanks. Quil couldn’t help but wince at the slow and shallow breathing that seemed to rasp from his throat. He smelled of sickness and infection.
Quil’s stomach churned as he passed the life-saving berries to his mother. He watched her chew them into a poultice with her tiny mandibles and weave the mash into the delicate silken strings of her handmade bandages. She then crawled up onto her mate’s shoulder and began to lay each bandage across the appropriate wound.
She was truly a master healer and her skills were certainly needed for a Pokemon who fought as much as her mate did. The young Joltik couldn’t help but imagine that perhaps this was similar to how his parents had met in the first place.
He could remember the many lessons from the old Luxray that physical prowess did not make someone strong. Strength was something which was born from the pain you felt and the courage you used to endure it. Even physical strength was generally something which must be earned through the struggle of skill and practice.
Quil sat on the ground to think. What did strength mean to him now that they were without their father? They no longer had someone to protect them while his father was ill.
He shivered with unease at how vulnerable his family was in their current state.
The voices of his many siblings echoed through the forest leaves as they descended on strings of silk to bring more berries for their father. Quil had simply been the first to return out of the many dozen children his parents had borne. His sisters and brothers would help him to keep his mother and father safe. He just wished that he knew how to keep them safe as well.
One of his father’s golden eyes slowly opened as Quil came to settle near his head. Their gazes met for a moment while the others worked away. ”My youngest son.” His smile was evident even through all of the pain that he endured.
Quil felt a rush of affection for his father. He was truly great in both size and heart. He still worried for him. ”I’m scared.” He could think of no one else to admit it to. No one else would understand.
”Quillan. You of all my children understand what it is to be afraid. It is that fear which drives us forward and strengthens our hearts. Fear teaches us how to be careful and how to be brave.” The Luxray was calm and wise as he spoke. He had lived a great many years as a father. Quil was just the next in line to benefit from his love and wisdom.
”Be strong and have faith. A mind such as yours should not be wasted on such thoughts of worry. I have been through many battles. I will fight many more if it is for the safety of our family.
Some day you will understand what it means to fight and to love. You are but young. All I want for you right now is happiness.”
Quil could feel tears p***k at the corner of his eyes. He wrapped his tiny claws onto the bridge of his father’s nose for a hug and buried his face into the Luxray’s thick fur. A gentle shift of his father’s head pressed into the embrace.
