The Pokemon scattered save Henriette, who would always stay near Alex. They went off to mingle warm themselves up, leaving Alex alone to eat. Henriette stood nearby, not having a face made it harder to see what it was thinking, though Alex had learned enough about it to communicate well.

	"You seem more confident, Henriette. You really think I can do it?"

	A faster, more excited hum issued from the Starmie's core.

	"Well... you do want to look for sis too, don't you? We'll do it. Then I don't need to burden you as your rookie trainee anymore, ha ha ha."

	The hum turned into a soft pulsing tone. A few of Henriette's limbs drooped a little.
	"I'm not selling myself short, I'm sure you want to be with her again. But, well, thanks. It means a lot that you don't mind me as your trainer, really."

	A small community hidden away deep in Eterna Forest, where time was said to flow eternally, and faster for no one but Alex. Young trainers from a few cities in West Sinnoh made up the population of refugees. They had found ways to spend their time, staving off the sense of doom that seeped by time and time again when hordes of Pokemon fled through without regard for whatever was in their path, or smoke gathered in the skies and choked out the air for days. For Alex, it was a reminder that he couldn't stay still and hope it would be all over. The more time passed, the harder it was to huddle in bed and hope big sis would take care of everything as usual. Today his training would see use for the first time, though no one but him and his team would know.

	He downed the last of his breakfast feeling better than before with Henriette's encouragement. He then finally rose to his feet, Alpha taking this chance to perch on his head as usual.

	"Just stay calm, Alpha. Don't want to let them know , remember."
	"Feeee."

	His usual morning routine was to wash up at the streams, and today would be no different. The cool water eased his restless head as his Gible came by and helped splash some of it on him.