Of Hellos and Goodbyes Part 1

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Of Hellos and Goodbyes.

Weeks had passed, and Spring had turned to summer.

It was strangely relaxing to sit and watch the Tauros in the field graze. In fact, had I not had things on my mind I might have been at peace.

I stroked Madoc, the feeling of his head pushing against my hand a rock in my stream of consciousness. It had taken a little over a week for me to fully realize that this was not some massive prank. It just seemed way too unbelievable that I had Quantum Leaped into a younger Kanto version of myself.

Yet here I Sat.

It hadn’t taken much to convince Professor Oak I had come to study with him before leaving on my pokemon Journey. He had been really accommodating supplying me with a room and even a wardrobe when I explained most of my things had been hijacked by Mankys on the way over.  As far as he was concerned I was a young Pokémon lover with the goal of traveling the world and studying pokemon.

But as the days rolled on  the nights had been consumed with horrible dreams that seeped into the daytime. Dreams of being chased through a burning version of my own home by something dark were so real that when I awoke I could often smell the burning wood varnish late into the day.  To distract myself once I had become able to move I asked for small tasks to help around the grounds.

‘Speaking of’ I thought standing, dislodging Madoc from my lap. He landed on the ground with a sniff and looked back at me with a level gaze before turning away and walking stiff legged to the edge of the porch.

I laughed, mock bowing  at my little friend. “I am so sorry your highness. I shall hasen to finish my chores lest you behind becomes uncomfortable on the ground.”  A flick of the now almost all grown in tail was all I received in reply.

“Thank ye for thou royal blessings.”  I turned and headed towards the backyard. At a safe distance for his dignity Madoc followed, watching me as he unconvincingly batted at weeds and stones.

From what professor Oak had said, and what I could look up on the computer that I had found in my knapsack, Madoc was probably just barely fully grown. He was average sized, but scrawny which Oak attributed to him being cut off from the others in his group.  Eevee’s  travel in families, and it was rare that they would be alone unless one was lost or had been turned out to find their own way.

‘The latter’ Oaks monologue echoed in my mind, ‘normally means the Eevee did something that they deemed unacceptable. It’s incredibly rare, especially for one so young. Still he is Differently colored, so that may have played a role.’

I got the feeling, deep in my soul, that Madoc was not one to be turned out. When not perturbed with me over lack of food or petting, he was sweet if a bit prone to using teeth when we played. His fur reminded me of Quicksilver and ravens feathers all at once. He was beautiful and I was happy to have him as I adjusted to the world.

With that thought and a smile on my face I opened the door to The Barn. It was a huge structure that housed all the pokemon that were recovering or being studied by the professor and his assistants. Most of the living areas were akin to cowpens like what I had grown up around in the country, but some were like dog pens or rabbit cages. Some let out into the pastures out back while others were large aviaries or long runways. In the rafters I could hear cooing from the Pidgeys as they fluttered around the rafters.  The rattata scampered  across the floor, anticipating why I was here, darting from shadow to shadow. I could smell the dank earthy smell of the animals and hay.

It felt like home in a strange and unfamiliar way.

It had always been a dream to see real Pokemon one day. One that, even after I had grown far too old to harbor it, had smoldered in my mind. Every gene experiment and new gnome splicing had made me wonder if one day I would be where I was now, standing in the midst of these amazing animals.

The smile grew wider as I pulled up to the store room in the back and opened the door. My job, for the past month and a half, had been to feed the Pokemon. It was simple, each food bin was labeled, and each of them got their individual buckets, but it was rewarding nonetheless.

I quickly went to work, scooping with Madoc watching intently from the doorway. Every now and again a pellet would tumble from the food stocks and he would snatch it up.

“Best watch that” I warned, eyeing him. “If you eat too much I will have to roll you around the house.”

A sniff of disapproval at the idea, then a quick paw lashed out to grab another spilled treat. I grinned and rolled my eyes before turning back to my work.


This was nice. At home I had always gone into work late, listening to complaints about out services, fixing problems I really didn’t care about. I had never been unhappy, just not happy either.  Not content with what I was doing. Not like hre.

As I hauled the food out to the barn I considered that thought. I had a good life, one I was lucky to have, but something about this place seemed to be more right. It wasn’t really home, but I wasn’t sure I wanted it to be. Home was cozy, but also mundane, boring, typical. This was new, exciting, and yet achingly familiar. The Dreams of a young girl made real.

Pausing at Ponyta’s stall, or Blaze as Professor Oak called him, I took a moment to idly scratch behind his ear. The pony moved, nuzzling against my hand with its snout, looking for a treat.  I laughed and pulled out an apple, carefully cut and cored. Holding it flat I offered it, and it was gladly taken.

Still as Boring as the real world had been, and as nice as this was, I couldn’t help but feel worried about what I had left behind.  A husband, a good job, a loving family. Here I was alone, and I didn’t know when I would be returning home, or what I was going to find when I did.

It was unnerving to think that at any moment I could wake up from this dream.

‘Or into that dream.’  I thought  shuddering

“What do you think?” I asked the Pokemon. “Would you rather have an Adventure or be comfortable and bored?"

The Ponyta stared at me, then nuzzles my pockets. Laughing I ran my hand through the flame , half marveling at once more not being burnt.

“What’s so funny?” A voice asked from the doorway. I jumped nearly to the ceiling and turned. In the doorway leaned a man , tall and Dark haired, and olived skinned. He smirked and  crossed his arms over a broad chest.

‘Oh he’s cute’ I thought raking my eyes over him.

“I was ah..” I fumbled.

‘And I forgot I’m 16 again. Marvo-fucking-lous’

“Asking a ponyta philosophical life questions. Yes I heard. “ he said moving farther in so my eyes could see him without the glare of the sun. He had a smirk on his lips, accented by a wild beard. He was dressed in scrubs and white overcoat. " What did it say back?”

“I uh… it said it was … a secret ?”

‘Oh fuck that was lame , pull yourself together.’

“Who are you anyway? Should you be in here ?” I puffed myself up to my full height, just barely reaching his chin.

“I should be asking you the same, but since you asked first : My name is Mark Laurel . I’m a Pokémon researcher. I’m here to check on a patient.” His smirk became a genuine smile . “ and may I ask who you are Mrs. Ponyta whisperer? “

His smile was warm and I felt butterflies in my stomach. I felt a goofy grin slide across my own face. Oh god had I always been this boy crazy?

“Well Mr. Laurel, my name is Acadia but if you prefer to use my formal title you may. “
His laugh was warmer than his smile. Like slipping into fresh from the dryer pajamas on a winter's night.

“ Your the woman that rescued the Eevee I treated? Professor Oak told me all about you. That was very brave of you.”

“It was also very stupid of me.”

“That too.”

There was a long moment of silence and then we both started talking at once.

“So I-”

“Do yo-”

“Sorry go ahead” His said, his golden brown eyes dancing with hidden laughter.

‘Great now he’s laughing at me.’

“I was going to say that I just finished, so do you need any help with .. whatever it is your doing?’

“Well I don’t mind if you tag along, but it’s just going to be a check up on one of the pokemon I am studying. It might be boring.”

 “It won’t be! I love Pokemon so I want to get as much experience with them as I can. I promise I won’t be a bother. Please?” I put on puppy dog eyes .

He held up his hands, laughing. “Okay wow, I can’t say no to that face “ He shakes his head. “If your done we have to go into the back.”

“Great! Come on Madoc!”