Chapter 141: Floragato is a Little Girl
Ryu followed Forrest to the reception room on the first floor of the mansion.
"Just find a place to sit, Sceptile," Forrest said, slumping onto a sofa. "I received a call from Uncle Tom a month ago. I just didn't expect you to arrive so late. He's been calling me constantly, almost worried to death."
Forrest waved to a butler, who bowed and returned a minute later with a black and gold Poké Ball. Ryu recognized it at a glance; it was a Luxury Ball, an expensive item known for how comfortable it was for the Pokémon inside.
"Blastoise, come on out and act as a translator," Forrest said, tapping the ball.
A 1.8-meter-tall Blastoise emerged. It was large, but compared to Ryu's own massive size—a gift from the mythical Pokémon Celebi—it seemed almost small.
"He's very strong," Ryu noted. This Blastoise was likely above Lv. 50.
"To be precise, he's not my Pokémon, but my brother," Forrest explained. "His mother and my mother were partners, and we were both born on the same day."
Ryu was stunned. It was the first time he'd heard of such a relationship.
He didn't waste any more time and handed Forrest the letter from Tom. Forrest just glanced at it and handed it back; Tom had already explained everything over the phone.
"I sent people to inquire in other cities, thinking you might have taken a wrong turn," Forrest continued. "Half a month ago, my people found Azalea Town and learned from Nurse Joy that you had already left. We finally got news from a Pichu that you left with a Lapras, and a few days ago, my people staked out the periphery of Scorpion Island. They didn't find a Grovyle, but they did miss a Sceptile."
"Sorry," Ryu's old face flushed. He hadn't expected Tom to contact Forrest a month in advance.
"It's okay," Forrest waved his hand indifferently. "It's just a small matter. My master only scolded me for half a month." His master, of course, was Corphish, not Tom.
They began to discuss the trip to Blackthorn City, and Ryu also borrowed Forrest's landline to call Sora and Tom to report his safety. The feeling of having people in the distance caring for him was quite warm.
Because Blastoise was translating, the communication was seamless. The bond between Forrest and his Blastoise was so strong they could often understand each other with just a look.
"In that case, you and the cat can rest here for a day. We'll depart tomorrow!" Forrest said decisively. "It's best to take the water route."
"Thank you for the trouble," Ryu nodded and went to find Floragato.
Since evolving, she had become a bit awkward, constantly trying to mimic his aloof and cool demeanor. He was a little worried about how she would get along with the other Pokémon in the garden.
"I'll go with you. I'm bored anyway," Forrest said, following him out.
From the steps of the mansion, they could see Floragato standing frozen in the garden, her face bright red. On either side of her were a Chikorita and a Comfey.
"That Chikorita's trainer had some issues, and she ended up living here," Forrest explained. "The Comfey is a wild Pokémon that often flies around the city."
"Floragato~ Made new friends?" Ryu walked closer. The Chikorita and Comfey had tucked small red and yellow flowers behind her ears, which was likely the cause of her blushing.
"Meow!" she huffed, batting his hand away when he tried to tug her ear. She liked it when he stroked her head, but not when others were watching.
"Meow," she said, raising a paw to take off the flowers.
"Hey, what are you taking them off for?" Ryu stopped her. "You're a girl. There's nothing wrong with dressing yourself up a bit. Don't mimic me in everything. Besides, if you take them off, your friends might be sad."
He was getting a bit of a headache. Most Pokémon don't have a strong concept of gender, and because Floragato was always copying him, she was becoming a bit like a tomboy.
"...Meow." Floragato looked at her two new friends and put down her paw.
"Haha, if you hadn't said anything, I wouldn't have realized the cat was a little girl," Forrest commented. "Her personality is really awkward."
"...Be careful, she might scratch you. Her intelligence is very high; she can roughly understand human speech."
[Inorin Note:
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