Last night was my first night sleeping on a Route, and let me tell you, it wasn’t half bad. The sleeping bag kit Hannah gave me was so plush and the blanket? Perfect fleece. Reminded me of the Wooloo back home. Orla slept in the bag as well since we thought it’d be a nice bonding experience, but I did manage to wake up with her shell under my back.

“Glad you found your shell!” she smiles from across our little camping table. She’s such an interesting Pokémon. I don’t know as much about Oshawott as I thought, honestly, Orla is somewhat stoic and charismatic at the same time. She helped me make breakfast and dinner too! Not very well, but it was emotional support if nothing else.

“Sha-shawa...” she eats her soup with her shell instead of the spoon I provided...oh my god. That’s cute! I think she’s happy? Who knows.

“Let’s pack up and head out, what do you think?”

“Shawa!” She briskly cleans up our bowls and puts them in the backpack.

I didn’t think travelling would be bad, but it’s certainly nicer than I thought. The spring air is so refreshing, being out of the city itself is quite relaxing for a change too. Route 1’s cherry blossoms are always a sight to behold and for the past few years I’d always come with Hannah and some of her friends to have little parties celebrating the bloom. But now I have Orla, who definitely gets me a bit more than Hannah. I might not miss her waking me up while styling her dreads at five a.m. but I do miss her company...

“Sha-” Orla passes me my backpack. She’s packed up all our stuff!?

“Thanks. You really didn’t have to.”

“Sha-shashawa” I can tell she’s proud of it, this tiny creature capable of some magically insane things is...so cute. But her tune changes when rustling beyond the grass interrupts our peaceful moment.

Orla unsheathes her shell, readying a Tackle when a small brown rodent emerges from the grass.

“Oh, it's just a Patrat.”

“Sha…” Underwhelmed. This particular Patrat looks very attentive, and definitely one with years of experience just by checking how rough it's coat has gotten, and a chip in his tooth. He continues looking around our campsite. It’s said that Patrat themselves are like nature’s watchmen, they look after their communities and make sure that civilians don’t intrude on their land. But this one seems to actually be looking out for us?

“What’s up, mate?” I crouch down to get to eye-level. It hands me my Poké Ball belt. Right! Yes, I knew I’d forgotten something.

“Thanks, that’s very kind of you.” when suddenly the idea struck.

“Orla, do you think this guy will be useful?” She nods, and begins talking with the Patrat.

***

Alec seems to like this guy, huh. I’m impressed for sure, and he’s got a point about him being useful.

“Hey, you wanna come with us?” Don’t look so surprised, Patrat. Trainers love you guys because you’re so wary.

“It would be my honour, ma’am!” He salutes me. Great. I just hope he doesn’t pull out that stupid contract again.

***

“So what’d he say, Orla?” That little salute was cute. She nods and…starts to knight him with her shell? I swear she thinks she’s so serious and proud and yet...adorable.

“It’s a good thing that Hannah gave me some Poké Balls to catch stuff then, come on Patrat, get in!” I present the Ball and it gives a little headbutt. 3...2...1...aaand caught.

Orla and I share a small smile.

“We have another member of the research team now!” She throws her shell up in celebration and I present the Poké Ball, beckoning Patrat to come out.

“What would be the perfect name for you though...let’s keep doing that thing I did for you, Orla.” she nods, another good idea on my part!

I whip out my notepad and pencil, scribbling some suggestions on it. This Patrat seems very serious, taking his job to the max. After a few minutes I give the paper to Patrat to let him choose. He points at his favourite.

“Okay, Percy it is! Now, hurry up we were planning on going to Striaton.”

***

Accumula Town had nothing for us so we walked right through. There was some hassle in the large park but hey, if it has nothing to do with me it has nothing to do with me. Onward to Striaton through Route 2. The entire stroll Orla and Percy get to know each other, their demeanours work together at least, and since there’s no fuss we can keep on walking swiftly towards the next city.

I’ve been to Route 2 a few times before, but only to run some errands and deliveries for Hannah. It’s a lot more green than Route 1, and I didn’t even think that was possible. Trees are a little taller, more abundant, and there’s definitely more Pokémon running around. Lots of Patrat and Lillipup. Speaking of.

“Hey Orla, Percy, can you get this one off my ankles.” They’ve been laughing for twenty minutes. They finally help pry off the excitable Lillipup. It’s so playful, Orla and Percy try to calm it down…

***

“Young Lillipup! I’ll have you know that you’ve been causing trouble for our trainer, Alec!” Here he goes with the formal-speak. He’s just a Lillipup.

“Percy please get off your high horse, you thought it was funny too.” Lillipup starts looking more relaxed.

“Yeah I only kept doin’ it cuz you guys were laughin’ so hard.” We were both perplexed at the switch. Percy approaches him.

“So what is it that you want other than entertaining us?”

“I want a friend! All my other ones met humans so I thought I’d try it. I’m like the runt of our litter is the only problem.” How worrying...I have an idea.

***

“What’s up Orla?” She takes a Poké Ball from my belt. “Hey! That’s not yours!” and throws it at the Lillipup.

It’s caught.

“Never do that again, missy.” She looks proud though, and Percy seems happy too. I guess it asked to be, otherwise it wouldn’t have instantly done it. Well now for the gruelling process of naming it uh…

“Shasha!”

“You wanna write one?”

“Sha!”

I hand my notebook and pencil to her, I didn’t even know Pokémon could write…

…

…

…

Okay no, they can’t. She hands me back a scrawled-on notebook.

“This is...a really pretty name, Orla.” She poses all proud as she does, Percy even applauds her. I think they want me to. Say it. I bring out Lillipup and check my phone to see it's gender. A boy, okay well that’s a start. Uh…

“Ruff! Ruff!” Uh…

“Shawa!”

“Trat!”

…

Okay I’ve got it.

“Ruff! Welcome to the research group! Let’s keep on going till we hit Striaton City.”

***

“What the heck do you mean ‘Ruff!?’ That paper clearly says: Lucifer!!” I can’t believe this impudent man! Why can’t he read my handwriting!? The Lillipup taps me on the shoulder.

“It’s okay, I like this one a lot more, actually.”