Chapter 16 - A Voice to Soothe Them All


"Alright everyone, dinner is finally done!" Chris exclaimed while entering the groups hotel room, having stopped in the final town before they reached their destination to give the girls a more luxurious break before their big trip across the sea. Carrying in multiple bags full of foam containers he'd loaded with what he'd prepared, he struggled to close the door behind him, making Goodra quickly stand from the floor where she'd been sitting  in front of the TV before offering to close it for him with a smile. "Whoo... Appreciate it." Chris nodded, taking the food to the nearby table and sighing in a content manner. "Job well done..." he smirked. "How's everyone? Enjoying the place?" he asked, looking at Zorua and Sera as the two sat on the couch in their room, each atop their own cushion. "Not bad... No complaints from me." Zorua nodded. "That's a first." Chris quipped with a sly grin, making the Pokemon lower her ears with a scowl. "Kidding, kidding... Mostly." he chuckled, walking up to Sera before squatting and rubbing her head. "And how about my precious princess? You like it here?" he asked warmly, making the fox bark in her usual chipper manner with tail wagging. "Atta' girl, here's a little snack while I get things ready." he offered, taking out a small twig he'd tucked in his coat pocket making Sera shoot up. "Ready... Ann--nd... Up!" Chris instructed, tossing it in the air making the fox leap to catch it, flipping back before landing proudly on all fours with her chin up. "Not bad!" Chris grinned, ruffling her head as Zorua looked at the two. "Is it really a good idea to raise her that way?" she asked. "Eh? Wadaya mean?" Chris asked, the two of them looking at her. "You spoil her too much, it's unhealthy." Zorua warned.


Merely looking at her for a moment, Chris looked down briefly before focusing on Sera, rubbing her head once more. "You raise your kids how you want, I'll raise mine how I want." he affirmed, making the Pokemon raise her brow. "My kids? I really don't think so." Zorua assured, making him glance at her before looking at Sera again while the others listened. "You never know, the things you least expect, that you try to avoid, tend to be what happens the most in life." Chris point out. "I've got two pairs of shoes to fill for Sera, both father and mother. My role is to give her the same affection both would give their child in their own ways. Strict and protective like a father, loving and doting like a mother, it's a big responsibility, and no offense, but..." he paused, covering the fox's ears before looking at Zorua with an "I'm not gonna half-ass it" remark before removing his hands from Sera, making her tilt her head. "I have to be two different people for her, and I'll do my best to stand in for them... I've done a pretty good job so far, haven't I?" he asked, showing a smile making Sera bark excitedly again with her twig in her mouth. "Heh... Cute lil' runt..." Chris chuckled, tickling the fur on her chest making Sera quiver in a blissful manner. "Most parents can't help but spoil their kid... At the same time, there's a lot of people who want to, but can't for one reason or another. I'm lucky enough to have the means to do so. I'm not going to waste that opportunity." he added before nuzzling Sera's nose with his. "No I'm not! I'm gonna spoil my princess till' she can't stand it no more!" he grinned, making the fox all the more excitable as her eyes lit up and she pranced in a circle before leaping into Chris arms, making him laugh.


Hearing this, the others let out "aww" noises from the endearing way the two looked, the warmth in his laugh making them feel a somewhat gooey sensation within as he cuddled the pampered Pokemon in his embrace. "This little girl is the greatest treasure a fella could ever have, so you better believe I'm gonna take good care of it." he nodded reassuringly, making Sera's eyes light up all the more before eagerly rubbing her face against him. "I still think it's too much." Zorua insisted, making Sera pause and face her before sticking her tongue out. "...Excuse me?" Zorua scowled. "Hey now, not nice." Chris coaxed, waving his finger at the irritated child making her ears droop with an apologetic noise. "That's a good girl." he nodded, setting Sera back on the couch. "Now then, about that fo..." Chris paused, suddenly hearing rustling behind him. Upon turning, he found Goodra already poking about the bags curiously, sniffing at the food with an eager look on her face. "Oy oy, hang on." he lectured while approaching, making the plump Pokemon pause and inch back with a guilty look. "It's okay, I don't blame you. Nobody can resist my grub." Chris assured, a proud look as he held his own chin high. Close by, Valora had been sitting in the recliner in their room while Brionne stood at their sliding window, having took in the sunset outside. "Alright, so like I said, I convinced them to let me borrow a space in the kitchen, and using some stuff I bought in town earlier, I whipped up something real special for all of ya'!" Chris point out while removing the containers from the bags. "I know you're a pretty big eater, so I made sure there was more than enough, even for you!" he grinned, the reminder of her eating habit making Goodra sulk.


"Hey now, what's with that look?" Chris asked, the Pokemon glancing away nervously. "I'll have you know I love big eaters! Healthy appetites are always a plus in my book." he smirked. "Nothing makes me happier than a friend who loves to eat what I make for em', so the more you chow down, the better I feel." he assured, placing the final containers on the table. "For folks who like to cook, the biggest compliment a guy can get is having everything he prepared cleaned away, so eat as much as you like, you hear?" he asked, looking back at Goodra as she smiled and nodded while the others approached. Noticing Brionne, Chris pat his fist in his palm with an "oh yeah..." remark before giving a smirk. "I got you something special in town while I was out too, I did say I'd repay you for showing us that spring after all." he point out, the Pokemon showing a curious look. "You really like throwing that word around..." Zorua chimed in. "Wadaya mean?" Chris asked. "You call everything special too much, it loses its meaning." she warned. "When everything is special, nothing is." she added, making the group as a whole look at her and scowl. "...What?" she asked. "...Guess there's a point in that." Chris confessed, making her look at him. "Don't like admitting it though..." he added, turning back to the containers. "Well, at least you acknowledge the truth, that's more progress than a lot of other people make." Zorua nodded, her response akin to praising him for heeding her advice in her own way. "Anyway, back to the food..." Chris replied. "I've made something almost everyone loves, and I think I know a certain little fox in particular who might really fall for it." he chuckled, taking a container in hand before turning and squatting in front of her.


"Alrighty kiddo... Get a load of this!" he grinned, opening the lid exposing a container full of creamy macaroni, the cheese bountifully coating the thick noodles and oozing along their surface as the steam waft about. "It's a little warm, so be careful... How about you give it a try and let the others know if it's worth trying for me?" he asked, setting the container down allowing Sera to sniff at it. Showing an expression best described as an "oo-oh" of sorts, her eyes widened before she blew on the surface of the noodles and lowered her face, sniffing the offering once more and finally taking a bite. Sitting and chewing for a moment, Sera suddenly froze as her eyes widened and seemingly sparkled, swallowing her mouthful before her mouth opened slightly. "So? Not bad eh?" Chris asked, the girls looking at her curiously as the fox looked down at the noodles. Suddenly showing a thrilled expression, Sera quickly stood and began shoving her face into the macaroni, eagerly chowing on it before pulling her head back with a portion in her mouth, looking as though saying "hot, hot!" as she struggled to close it. "Oop, hang on." Chris motioned, taking a small dish out from his rucksack and filling it with cold water. "I warned you to take it slow." he laughed, setting the dish down allowing Sera to cool her mouth. "Well then taste tester?" he asked, causing the fox to bark at him excitedly before doing the same toward the others, making them look at one another save for Goodra who'd already taken a container and was sniffing at the contents herself, with drool seen on the side of her mouth just before the group heard a loud growl echo from her stomach, making them all turn to her as her face seemingly glowed and her body froze.


"...Tired of waiting?" Chris grinned slyly, making the hungry Pokemon groan from embarrassment. "It's okay, here..." he replied, taking out plastic silverware from the bags before handing a fork to her. Nodding with a sound in thanks, Goodra returned to the TV and plopped back down in her place in front of it, smelling the macaroni again before getting a fork-full and stuffing it in her mouth. After this, her response was the same as Sera's as her eyes lit up and a squeal of sorts escaped her lips, quivering from the gooey cheese covered noodles filling her cheeks. "Good stuff eh?" Chris grinned, getting an excited nod before she started taking more bites. Setting a container on the floor for Zorua, she sniffed it herself before taking a bite while he offered another to Brionne, the Pokemon nodding at him as he raised and noticed Valora behind him. "How about we set you up here?" he asked before lifting her up, making her blush as he set her on a chair at the table. "Here you go!" he smiled, offering her food and a fork as well. "Alright then... Now for..." Chris muttered, looking around before finding Midna snoozing atop the TV, absorbing the warmth radiating from its surface. Walking up, he gave the imp several pokes, calling its name making it snort before blinking groggily and raising in a slumped manner. "Aren't you the lazy one?" Chris chuckled as it turned and looked at him in a blank manner. "It's dinner time you know, check it out!" Chris exclaimed, placing a container on the TV for it to eat, making Midna perk up before giving him a grin as thanks. "Heh, dig in buddy." Chris nodded, rubbing its head before returning to the table and having a seat with Valora while Zorua and Sera ate at his feet.


"Usually when people make this stuff, it's more of a secondary dish, something to compliment the main course. By the time I thought of it though I'd already made way too much macaroni so I figured this would do the trick. Sorry if it's a bit too much cheese for your liking tho...!!" Chris apologized while opening up his own container, only to cut himself off as he looked around and found all the girls feasting without complaints while Goodra already finished her first round and approached for another, shyly holding out her empty container. "...Heh, never mind." he smirked before handing her a second helping. "There's plenty here, so if you want more after that, come on over again." he offered, getting a happy noise from Goodra as she returned to her spot, plopping down and watching TV while eating. Beginning to enjoy his own helping, Chris relaxed with a content sigh of his own. "You know... This is good living..." he point out, the girls pausing before looking around with sounds of agreement, making him chuckle again. "I'm not talking about the room." Chris clarified, making them show curious looks. "All of you... I like having friends to eat with, makes life good when you've got good people around you." he grinned, making both Valora and Goodra blush slightly with their own shy smiles while Brionne nodded with a subtle smile of her own. At his feet, Sera barked happily while Zorua merely scowled. "Do you have to be sappy when we're eating?" she asked, making him pause and give her a scowl of his own. "Yeah yeah, whatever cheese-face." he teased before grinning in another sly manner, the Pokemon blinking before looking at a nearby standing mirror and finding her face covered from her own portion of their meal.


However slight it was, the hardened Pokemon showed just a hint of her own blush while merely responding with "shut up" from his remark, hearing him laugh at her making her eye twitch. "You fed us this mess!" she point out. "I didn't tell you to cram your face in it... You're as bad as Sera is." Chris replied, making the fox raise her head from hearing her name called as she munched with cheeks full of macaroni, her face in the same state as Zorua's making Chris chuckle. "Are you saying I'm a child?" Zorua growled. "Oh, no ma'am, not at all." Chris waved before taking another bite of his own food, muttering "...Maybe..." while eating. "I heard that!!" the Pokemon snapped, the rest of the group looking between the two before giggling together. "What are you lot laughing about?" Zorua sneered, only for the girls to glance away in a "nothing" manner as they continued eating. By the time they'd finished, Goodra had helped herself to several containers worth of macaroni, leaning her back against the foot of the bed behind her while rubbing her stomach with a sigh of contentment, bliss in her expression from all the warm cheese and noodles within her. With both Chris and Valora having enjoyed two portions themselves, the rest were content having only one as everyone relaxed, the food now gone as they relaxed. "A whole meal of nothing but macaroni... Woof..." Chris muttered, rubbing his own stomach. "Probably shouldn't do that very often." he chuckled before Valora let out a sudden burp, making the petite Pokemon cover her mouth and flush as the group blinked at her. "Ha ha! Good on ya'!" Chris grinned with a thumbs up, making her panic and shout at him in embarrassment.


"Hey, it's a compliment! Just means you enjoyed it and had your fill!" he assured as she groaned and slumped slightly, keeping her hands over her mouth while glancing away shyly making Chris show a warm smile. "...You sure are cute." he complimented, making her pause as he reached out and rubbed her head. "Seriously, don't worry about it." he chuckled before leaning back with another sigh as she looked at him with another blush from his remark, his focus now on the ceiling. "That was the best batch I've made yet, I'd say..." he muttered before closing his eyes. Nearby on the floor, both Sera and Zorua were grooming themselves of the cheese in their fur while Goodra gathered the empty containers around her and carried them up to Chris, making him raise his head. "Aw, you didn't have to do that, I would've gotten it for ya'." he smirked, only for the satisfied Pokemon to shake her head with a smile before looking around. "Oh, here, we can put em' back in the bags." he offered, holding one out for her to put containers in before offering a second bag. Once it was full, Goodra looked at the others and began gathering their empty containers as well, offering to clean up for everyone as she took Midna's off the TV and took Chris and Valora's off the table, placing them in the bag he held before turning and picking up Sera and Zorua's as well. Upon doing this however the oblivious Pokemon had her bountiful backside in Chris's face, making his eyes widen as a flush spread across his cheeks from the sight as the thought of the moon crushing the planet popped into his mind before quickly shaking his head as the Pokemon raised and turned back to him, giving a chipper noise as she held out the containers making him laugh nervously.


His gawking didn't go unnoticed however as Valora scowled in silent agitation by his side, giving an envious glance toward Goodra before looking toward her own rear and placing her hand on her hip, comparing what she had to offer with Goodra making her sulk and murmur a bit of jealous venom toward the plump Pokemon as Chris thanked her for helping tidy up for everyone. "Alright... Guess that's everything then." he nodded, tying up the final bag before glancing at Goodra making her tilt her head with a curious noise. "You know... I've been giving you girls nicknames as we've traveled... I was kinda thinking maybe it was time to give you one? If you still want one I mean..." he offered. "I always try to get a good reading on someones personality, kind of pay attention to how a person acts in general before placing a name. I think I've finally got a good one for you! It's a little simple, but, you might still like it." he point out, the Pokemon giving him a surprised look before offering a  smile and a nod in response. "Well then... What do you think about... Britney?" he asked, looking at her as she thought it over with a "Goo-Goo?" in response, pronouncing the title in her own way as she began repeating the word to try it out. "It's kind of interesting in its own way. The name stands for someone who is usually cheerful, someone full of expression and tends to be emotional from time to time." Chris point out. "She's certainly that." Zorua nodded. "It's for people who are joyful, to the point it can bubble over and affect others... You sure make me feel happier on a dull day." he chuckled, making Goodra blush at him while pointing at herself. "Yep, no day is the same without ya'." Chris nodded, making her let out an "aw" type of noise and giggle.


"It's a name for people who have a bright aura about them, for someone who is really loyal and loving... And has a good bit of luck in their life... Suits you pretty well, don't you think?" he asked. Having heard the explanation of the name and the thoughts/feelings behind it, Goodra began saying the name herself once more, trying it out a few more times. "Some people have linked it with girls who are shy. That and..." he paused, glancing away with a small smile as he scratched his cheek. "Well... It also tends to stand for girls that are really pretty..." he revealed, making the Pokemon pause before turning toward him. "I-If that's not saying too much." he laughed nervously, glancing at her as she looked down at him. "I just, uh... Really like your form now... So um... S-Sorry if I overstepped with that last part." he apologized before she let out a noise in response, pointing at herself. "She wants to know if you really think that way about her." Zorua translated. "Well... Yeah... She's always been kinda cute but I like the form she has now the most." Chris nodded, looking at Goodra with a smile. "I like it a lot! If that's okay?" he asked, the Pokemon's eyes widening before a smile spread on her face from ear to ear. "Are you certain that's a wise thing to say to her?" Zorua asked in a cautionary tone, turning his focus to her. "Wadaya me...?!" Chris tried to ask, only to find himself yanked up in Goodra's arms as she squealed and giggled excitedly, cuddling him as he was swung to and fro. "W-Woah now!! Easy, easy!!" Chris panicked, once again looking like that of a doll in her embrace before she sat with a plop and rubbed her cheek against him, letting out affectionate noises while the others watched.


With both Sera and Valora showing clear jealousy from their moment, Zorua merely responded with a "warned ya" remark while Brionne tilt her head, still trying to take in and process the way he was with Pokemon while Midna sat in a cat-like manner atop the TV, its own displeasure shown from another acting so possessive over Chris as a sneer spread on its face. "You know... There's one more thing some people relate your name to..." Chris spoke, making Goodra pause and look down at him with a curious noise. "Some folks say you shouldn't underestimate girls with that name. They can surprise you in all kinds of ways... I think that sums you up pretty well too." he smiled, looking up at her. "You're a sweet girl Goodra, even in your other forms you did what you could for us, and when your health was at its worst as a Goomy, you still worried about me and what I needed to do and tried to put me first, even at your own expense... I still wish you hadn't done that since it put you in danger, but... It goes to show how nice you are, how thoughtful and all..." he began to explain. "You had so much to worry about when it came to your own health, yet through it all you still worried about others. And at the same time, you pushed yourself to be positive, to enjoy your time with us... First you had those problems with your skin, and then when you evolved it made you blind on top of that, yet with a little help, you even managed to push through that too and show a smile. I think..." he paused, looking down before focusing back on her. "I think you're a real strong girl... You might be timid, a little emotional, but under everything, I think you're as tough as any girl could be after what you've endured, and I'm proud to have gotten the chance to help you get through it all." he nodded, offering a grin and a thumbs up. "You're awesome!" he praised.


Hearing this, her eyes widened before her lips began quivering, and with a "Here we go" remark from Zorua, the touched Pokemon began bawling from his words, a blush across her face as she held Chris all the tighter. "A-Agh...!!" he wheezed, showing slight sweat and a nervous smile. "S-So... Can we call ya' Britney then?" he asked, getting nods in response before finding himself further showered with affection. Once she finally released him, Chris took in a deep sigh of relief as Britney hicked, letting him wipe her eyes with a napkin before having her blow her nose. "There we go... All good?" he asked, getting a nod in response. "Well then... Everyone! Say hello to Britney!" he grinned, with Brionne raising a flipper and offering a noise in greeting while Zorua responded with a "Yo" before yawning. At the table, Valora sighed and gave a smile, nodding with an "mm" of approval while Sera did the same. Atop the TV, Midna merely lay on its side picking at its fangs, letting out a grunt before flicking a tiny piece of noodle away. "Well then... I guess it's time I finally gave you what I've been promising." Chris point out, looking at Brionne with a smirk before heading to his rucksack, rummaging through it while the others watched curiously. "Here it is..." he nodded, pulling out a small bag and holding it up. "Come on over!" he coaxed, making Brionne tilt her head before approaching. "If nothing else, I was always raised to reward kindness with kindness... You did something for us, so this is for you." he explained, setting the bag down before her. "May I...?" he asked, his hand near her making the Pokemon tense up before placing it on her head and rubbing it. "Thank you... We really enjoyed the spring, so I hope you enjoy this." he smiled warmly.


With the combination of his touch and expression, Brionne found herself blushing slightly as he stood and turned away, her eyes widened before looking down at the open bag as he spoke to the others. Picking up the scent of something sweet, she nuzzled the bag further open and peered in, finding it full of bite-sized Poke-Puffs and Poke-Beans making for a combination of soft and crunchy treats. While Chris was busy gathering the bags of containers to take to the trash, Brionne looked at him for a moment until he finally turned back to her, making the Pokemon jolt as he blinked in surprise. "You... Don't like it...?" he asked. Quickly shaking her head, Brionne spoke back, making Zorua twitch her ears. "She says she's still getting used to you... That's the gist of it, anyway." she explained. "Eh...? Really? I didn't figure I was all that complicated." he smiled nervously. "You're unorthodox, I don't think I need to point out how weird I think you are." Zorua point out. "And yet you just did..." Chris scowled. "I'm just me, nothing more or less." he shrugged. "That's how it is for all of us, no two snowflakes and all that." he smirked, making the group tilt their heads. "Y-You know... The saying?" Chris asked, looking at their puzzled expressions making a bit of sweat show on his forehead before taking the time to explain it. "I guess I'm glad I interest you all so much... Being honest I think I'm nothing special, just a good person at heart. Only thing that really separates me from anyone else is how I treat Pokemon, and even then there's plenty of folks out there who're like me in that sense. Guess I was just lucky to be the first one of my kind you ran into." he chuckled. "Gotta say though, that in mind I'd be pretty jealous if you wound up with some other fella first." he added.


Hearing this, Valora and Britney looked at him with particular intrigue from his last remark, while Brionne and Zorua saw it as yet another curiosity. "You would be jealous over us? Even me?" Zorua asked. "Well yeah! Imagine if you were with someone else, and when we met, you gave me some snarky remark and was gone before I had time to one-up you, that wouldn't be fair would it?" Chris grinned. "Oh...?" she replied, raising her brow. "Admitting you're too slow to play on my level then?" she grinned back slyly, making his expression sour. "As a reminder I've outsmarted you plenty since we met." he affirmed. "Eh, who could remember?" Zorua shrugged, belittling his past success against her. "...Anyway, since we're done eating I'm gonna take the bags down. Staff usually picks up garbage in these places but I kinda hate putting something I'm capable of on someone else. I'll be back in a few so you girls hang tight." Chris instructed, getting nods as he took the bags in hand and made his way to the door, with Britney quickly offering to help. "Relax, this is easy. It's just some plastic, it's light as a feather. You can get the door though if you want!" he point out, the Pokemon nodding while opening it and allowing him to pass. Nodding and giving his thanks, Chris made his way out, though not before Midna had an opportunity to snake its way along and perch atop his shoulder, grinning as he paused and gave the imp a smirk. "Alright, you can tag along." he offered. Making sure Britney closed the door behind him Chris made his way along the hall and into the lobby of the hotel, asking for the location of the dumpsters only for the receptionist to offer having someone else take care of the trash.


Assuring he could take care of it, the receptionist point out their location before he exit the building, making his way around where an employee had opened the fencing and was busily tossing trash from others in the dumpsters. "Evenin' there." Chris spoke while approaching with his own garbage, getting an "Evening" in response, the worker noticing the imp on his shoulder. "Never seen that before." the man point out. "Ah, yeah... One of a kind." Chris smirked, scratching the imp under its chin. "Only one like it in the world." he chuckled. "Good to know, I wouldn't say that around too many though. Sketchy people out there." the man warned while heaving more trash in the dumpsters. "I'm not worried, it can fend for itself. I'd feel more sorry for anyone who tried to take it being honest." Chris clarified. Noticing him struggling with some of the load, he offered to lend a hand with some of the larger bags, albeit with some objection from the man only for Chris to insist, pointing out how it would pass some time for him. Once the last of the more sizable bags were discarded, the two shook hands, with the man offering his thanks and getting a nod from Chris in turn. "Better get back to my room, the others are probably getting wary." he point out. "Traveling with friends?" the man asked while leaning back, giving his spine a pop before sighing in relief. "Yeah, they're a pretty swell group." Chris nodded. Heading out from the side of the building together, Chris paused when the building across the street suddenly came to life, with neon lights flashing on around it making him blink in surprise. "That's ritzy." he point out. "It's a popular place for travelers, especially the younger crowds." the man explained.


"Good drinks there... More of a place you go to for a snack and entertainment than to dine though. If you're looking for a meal I'd suggest elsewhere, but if you're the type into amateur hours and the sort, that's a good choice. Not much for talent myself, so I dip in for a sip from time to time during my breaks." he shrugged. "You have to be careful though, some types they get in tend to be lousy performers. You go in for a quick something or other, and come out with bleedin' ears..." he warned. "So... It's like a karaoke joint?" Chris asked. "Ah, yeah, that's it." the man nodded. Looking back at the building, the lights took the shape of a microphone and musical notes on its roof, with the notes lighting up one by one for an animated effect while a glass could be seen by its side, topped with an umbrella and a straw with bubbles lighting up within the same as the notes. "...Might not be a bad place to try..." Chris muttered while the man made his way inside, pointing out his other work to be done and waving with another thanks for the aid. Waving back, Chris looked at the building once more before heading in himself, returning to his room where he used a card to get in. "...Brings back memories..." he thought, a nostalgic smile as he looked at the card and recalled his journey years prior while entering. "Back everyone!" he called, getting a greeting from each in their own ways. "Sorry it took so long, helped a guy out who works for the place, I miss anything?" he asked while sitting at the dining table. "Not really." Zorua point out while he noticed Brionne back at the sliding doors, along with Sera and Valora by her sides while Britney sat in front of the TV with her focus on the screen.


"I know you're still happy over your vision being back, but if you're not careful you could mess it up." Chris warned while standing and walking past her. "Sit a little further back, then you'll be fine." he assured as she nodded and scoot along. "And what are you looking at?" he asked while stepping up to the others at the door, noticing the same building lit up outside. "Ahh... Got your attention too huh?" he chuckled. "Seems they've never seen much in the way of human ingenuity." Zorua explained. "You've seen one flashy light you've seen them all." she shrugged. "You're hard to phase in general though." Chris reminded. "I consider that an accomplishment." she smirked with her nose up. "Takes a lot of joy outta life though, wouldn't you think?"  he asked. "You should let yourself be more interested in some things at least." he added before looking outside with the others while Zorua looked at him silently, having become something of interest to her himself, though she didn't want to admit it more than she already had. "I uh... Spoke to the guy I helped about that place while I was outside... Apparently it's pretty popular around here." Chris revealed, the girls looking up at him curiously. "If uh... You're interested, maybe we could go check it out up close?" he offered, making them look at one another. "It's up to you. There's still a lot of evening left so it'd help pass the time at least. If you wanna stay here and relax, that's fine too though." he added before turning to Zorua as she lay on the bed, noticing her back turned giving him a sly, and slightly nasty idea as he inched his way up. Readying himself for a leap, intending to send her bouncing in the air, just as he was about to jump the Pokemon warned "Don't even try it" while casually looking back, her eyes aglow.


Standing frozen, his arms were in the air after having nearly pounced, blinking at her in surprise as the others looked as well. "Did you forget I can sense threats like that?" she reminded as their glow faded. "You ARE a slow one." she lectured as he lowered his arms and scowled. "Well... That was a buzzkill..." he sulked. "Not my fault. Try being more creative." Zorua shrugged before making her way off the bed, leaving Chris to stew in his failed effort as she smirked from spoiling his attack. "Anyway... So wadaya say girls? Wanna check the place out?" he asked, turning back to the others while Britney stood and looked at the building as well. Deciding to do so, they nodded and gathered at the door, with Chris about to follow before pausing and looking at his cape hanging nearby. "...Mm..." he muttered before taking it in hand and donning it, lifting the hood over his head. "Why wear that now?" Zorua asked, pointing out how he'd just went out without it moments before. "I don't mind going someplace I know won't be too crowded, like taking trash out, but when it comes to somewhere like where we're headed, it's best I don't show myself off. You've already seen how large groups react to me." Chris explained, making them look at one another. "Anyway... You wanna come too?" he asked while approaching the door. "I suppose I could humor you. I did spoil your fun." she grinned. "Yeah yeah... I'll get you one day." he assured. "We'll see." she scoffed while limping out the door with the others. Making their way toward the lobby, Chris paused before they went out the front doors, looking at Brionne making her tilt her head. "I hate making you drag yourself, and we're about to go across a street, so..." he cautioned.


Turning to her, he squat down, asking "Mind if I give you a lift?" with his hands out. "I don't want you getting hurt on the pavement... If that's okay?" he offered. Looking at him, then focusing on his hands, she glanced away and gave a nod, making him smile with an "atta' girl!" remark before lifting her up, making the Pokemon tense and blush slightly as he cradled her. "You know, you're kinda cute like this!" he grinned, making her flush all the more before snapping at him. "Sorry, sorry... That was too much." he apologized with a chuckle, getting a groan from her as she glanced away in a shy manner. "He actually likes you, still a surprise huh?" Zorua asked, looking up at the two making Brionne fidget slightly, unsure of a proper response. "Hey now, don't push her." Chris lectured. "Just saying, seems like she's warming up though... Good for you." she nodded before limping out the door as he pushed it with his back. "...It's hard to get a read on you, ya' know that right?" Chris replied. "I'm a walking enigma." Zorua answered as the rest followed. "Alright... Lets see what we've got over here." Chris smirked, walking along while Sera jumped on the back of his cape and climbed up, leaning over his shoulder with a bark and tail wagging. "Heh... Want a ride too eh?" he asked, letting her rub her cheek against him. "I guess I've got two princesses to tote then!" he grinned, looking down at Brionne making her flush yet again before looking away silently. "And you told me not to push her." Zorua reminded. "I'm just trying to be nice... It's character building." Chris scowled. "Or just embarrassing..." she point out as Britney walked beside Chris, looking between Sera and Brionne before giving him a lonely look.


"S-Sorry but... I'm afraid I can't carry you anymore..." he apologized with a nervous smile, making her sulk. "Tell you what, be good and I'll let you hug me later. Deal?" he offered, suddenly making her perk up and nod. With the group getting so much affection, Valora couldn't help but stew in her own envy, walking alongside him with a sour look on her face after all the doting everyone had been getting. Pausing at the street, the group made their way across as crowds began gathering and entering the lounge in front of them. "Must just be an evening place..." Chris muttered as they stopped before it and looked up at the neon signage. "The... Canti Cantina...?" he muttered, his eyes on the signage lit up in the window. "So it's like a karaoke bar..." he added, looking around before glancing at Sera, unsure of taking the young fox into a bar. "I dunno then..." he added, the fox tilting her head with an "Eh?" noise of sorts while the others heard the laughter coming from within, peaking their interest. "Bar... You humans serve what you call alcohol there, correct?" Zorua asked. "Yeah... Why...?" Chris answered, raising his brow. "I like a taste now and then... Not bad stuff for a human concoction." she smirked. "You drink?" he replied in surprise. "A sip here and there, normally when I happen to... Borrow a bit..." she revealed, making him scowl. "You steal alcohol?" he asked sternly. "Oh don't take that tone with me, you and I are akin to the same age, know where you stand." Zorua warned, not one to be needlessly lectured on moralities. "We... Are...?" he asked, his curiosity further peaked. "...Do you want to upset me?" she asked, turning to him in agitation. "N-No... Uh... Never mind, I guess..." Chris surrendered, recalling her landing on his eyes after they initially met.


"Well..." he muttered, looking at Sera and the sign again before focusing on the others. "I... Guess we could step in for a second... But any trouble and we're out." he insisted, the girls looking at him as he made the place sound questionable despite it's colorful atmosphere. Making their way inside, Chris kept a wary eye on their surroundings, with the atmosphere dimly lit with candles atop the round dining tables dotting the room around them. Though it did act as a bar of sorts, many were sipping on things like tea and coffee among those enjoying their wine and other, more mature concoctions while talking among themselves, with booths set up along the walls where people could nestle in around their tables. "Mm... Not bad I guess..." Chris muttered as the others looked around curiously, Britney giggling at the tiny flickers of fire on the wicks of candles while Zorua sniffed the air with a smirk. "I know that scent well..." she chuckled, referring to the wafts of alcohol she was picking up. Noticing a stage nearby, it donned a large piano in the center with musicians seated behind it, performing calmly for the crowd making Chris show a smirk of his own. "Well now..." he spoke, making the girls look at him. "Oh, nothing." he added before a waitress stepped up. "Excuse me, do you need something?" she asked. "Ah... Uh..." Chris paused, the rest stopping around him as he looked around. "Well... I'm not sure..." he added, looking at the people sitting around them. "I... Guess maybe a place for us to sit?" he asked. "We have the receptionist at the front doors sir." the waitress point out, revealing they'd waltzed in before having arrangements made. "Ah... S-Sorry... Never been in this place." Chris apologized.


Assuring it was fine, the woman took out a small book and asked for a name, with Chris offering only his first. "Alright... We don't typically accommodate so many Pokemon with a single trainer, will you be putting them away during your visit?" she asked. Hearing this, the girls looked at one another while Chris pushed a smile. "N-No... I don't use Pokeball's or anything. They travel freely." he explained. "Are they house trained?" the waitress asked, making Chris twitch his brow yet maintaining his smile while the others showed agitation in their own ways from the remark. "We won't defile your little bar, we might be Pokemon but we're not mongrels. Find us a place to sit and stop the nonsense." Zorua spoke up, making the waitress blink at her in surprise. "T-Telepathy..." she muttered before smiling nervously. "I apologize." she added with a slight bow. "That's the least you could do. I'll have you know our kind can understand everything you humans say just fine. Some of us might not be able to respond in your language but more often than not we get the gist of what you speak. Try being a little less insulting and a little more hospitable, it is your job, is it not? Now do your job and find us somewhere to sit." Zorua lectured, the group looking at her in their own surprise as the woman turned. "Y-Yes... Right this way..." she motioned, leading the group around the various tables while secretly showing annoyance in her expression. "Boy... You don't hold back..." Chris spoke quietly. "I loathe ignorance." Zorua replied as the woman showed them an open booth. "We appreciate it." Chris thanked before she walked off. "...I think you made her mad." he smiled nervously. "Good, we should care why?" Zorua asked while leaping onto the booth before climbing atop the table and sitting. "If she can't handle critique for her own poor attitude she should find other work." she added with a shrug.


Letting both Valora and Birtney scoot themselves in first, Chris set Brionne and Sera on the table as well alongside Zorua before he had a seat, with Midna remaining within his hood as it looked around. Noticing they were close to the stage, Chris focused on the piano again as another employee walked up, this time a waiter with his own pad and pen in hand. "I'll be taking care of you during your visit. Take a look and let me know what you'd like." he offered, giving Chris a menu from one of his pockets around his waist. "Ah... Thanks..." he nodded, looking the cover options over before opening it and scanning the main menu. "We just ate but... Anyone want something to munch on while we're here?" he asked, Britney quickly raising her hand with an "mm!!" in response, making the group look at her while Chris chuckled as she slowly lowered her hand and looked down with an embarrassed fidget. "Something small wouldn't hurt I suppose... I don't really need anything myself, though if you wish to offer a little..." Zorua hinted with a sly grin, making Chris scowl. "Oh come now." she scowled back, making him sigh. "We'll just have a platter of the Karp and Cucumber Tea Sandwiches." he point out. "Everyone good with sweet tea for your drinks?" he asked, getting nods before he looked at Sera and smirked. "Juice for this one." he added, giving her a rub on the head making the fox wag her tail. "And uh..." he paused, glancing at Zorua as she faced away with a scowl in her expression before leaning toward the waiter and whispering "...Three glasses of the Vesper Martini." after which the man nodded and wrote it down. "Very good... I'll return with your order shortly." he assured before taking the menu and walking off toward the bar.


"Alright, guess that's it then." Chris sighed as a man walked onto the nearby stage, making a spotlight flash on over his head. "Ladies and gentlemen, is everyone having a good time?" he asked, after which the crowd around them raised their glasses with a "here here!" response. "Wonderful! Glad to hear it." the man grinned. "As you know, tonight's another amateur night, the time when we share the stage with anyone willing to step up and entertain friends, family, and strangers alike! If you've got the gusto to step up and show people what you've got, now's your chance!" the man offered, making the crowd look around at one another. With his focus back on the piano, Chris couldn't help but feel his fingers itch, fidgeting slightly as he considered going up himself. Before he could however, another man raised with an "I'll do it!" in response, his hand up with an alcohol shot in it which he lowered and took in a single swallow. "Ahh, if you perform as well as you drink we should be in for a real treat." the man on stage laughed as the guest approached. "Bah... Oh well..." Chris muttered, watching the guest take the mic from the man while arrangements on what he would perform. "Seems like you wanted to go up there." Zorua point out. "Nah... Seems fun but probably shouldn't draw attention..." Chris answered, glancing back at the piano. After a moment, their waiter finally returned, carrying a platter of bite-sized sandwiches piled high with a second balancing all of their drinks. "Ohh... Nice skill." Chris praised. "Thanks, been doing this a long time." the waiter point out while placing their drinks down on the table. "Will that be all?" he asked. "For now... Might need our drinks topped later though. Not sure how long we'll stay." Chris answered.


After a slight bow, the waiter left as the girls looked at the offering before them. "Alright... So these are for you..." be began, handing each a glass of tea after placing straws in them. "And there's juice for you..." he added, placing Sera's cup in front of her allowing the fox to sniff at the contents before sipping on the straw. Once she tasted the juice, her eyes lit up as she suddenly took a large slurp, making Chris chuckle. "I'm glad you like it but don't forget your mann...!!" he began to remind, only to be cut off when Britney slurped on her own drink all the louder. "Uh... Manners..." he added with slight sweat on his forehead. Noticing his attention on her, Britney blinked at him before pulling her straw from her mouth and giving a "S-Sorry" type of noise, a nervous smile showing. "Lastly..." Chris paused, looking at Zorua making her raise a brow. "What?" she asked. "...Here, don't overdo it though..." he offered, placing the three glasses of Vesper Martini in front of her with a straw in each. "I'm not a drinker myself really, I only touch the stuff on occasion because I owe it to my friends to satisfy their cravings..." he point out, tapping his chest where his stone rest. "I don't really know much about the stuff so it's up to you to know when enough is enough. You're so mature after all, so I'm giving you my trust. Even if one glass is enough, or less than that, it's fine, just make sure you know your limit and let a person know, got it?" he asked as she sniffed the alcohol. "Oh, don't you worry about me..." she smirked, licking her lips slightly. Curious as to what she was having, Sera sniffed at one of her glasses, only to rear her head back and shake it with her nose tightly curled. "It's not for you." Chris insisted, pulling her back and sitting her by her juice.


Showing a sour expression, Sera groaned from her sensitive smell being singed by the powerful aroma. "That's a child for you." Zorua smirked before finally enjoying her first sip of Martini, letting out a content and somewhat nostalgic sigh. "That's the stuff..." she swooned. "Glad you like it... Personally it's too much for my taste, it takes some force for me to get it down." Chris admit. "Eh, you're weak in general." Zorua teased. "Seriously...? After what you've seen me do, you can still say that?" he asked, only for the Pokemon to take another sip of her drink. "...You're welcome." Chris grumbled. Sitting together for some time, the group listened to the patrons perform one by one, some with skill, some not to much with one nearly driving them to leave. Nonetheless, the group stuck it out and enjoyed what Chris had bought, with Britney helping dwindle the sandwiches on the platter before them the most. "I'm glad we've got you wish us." he smirked, making her giggle before placing another sandwich in her mouth while Valora sat back with a sigh, rubbing her stomach which had already been filled by their meal back in the hotel room as Sera and Brionne relaxed on the table, both resting their chins on its surface after being stuffed to the brim. "Can't say I'm not a good provider!" Chris grinned as the three groaned, Britney nodding with a chipper "thank you!" type of noise. Zorua however was still casually sipping on her Martini's, having finished her first glass and now half way on the second. "You know... You're pretty tiny... Aren't you at a stopping point...? I got three just in case but... You're not really supposed to guzzle all of em'... Least that's not what I expected." he point out cautiously, making her scowl at him.


"Ah shaddup" she replied, a slight blush on her face making his brow twitch. "...Don't blame me for how you feel tomorrow then..." he warned. "And don't go getting sick in the room later either!" he insisted. "Shaddup! Shaddup!" Zorua insisted before growling at him and taking another casual sip. "...Let this be a lesson to you girls." Chris point out, making them look at one another as the Pokemon became tipsy. "Alright everyone! Who wants to go next?" the man from before suddenly asked, the spotlight back on him atop the stage. Remembering the way he'd been acting, Valora poked his arm and motioned for him to go up, letting out a "Go on!" type of noise before the others joined in, save for Zorua who was in her own paradise of sorts. Letting out an uncertain groan of his own, Chris was about to respond when the man on stage asked "Is that all for the night? No more takers? Anyone?" after which the girls pushed him all the more. Letting out a sigh, he gave an "Alright" response before standing, his hand raised with an "I'll give it a shot" remark, the man turning to him curiously. "Well now, who is this hooded volunteer?" he asked as Chris approached. "Just a passerby..." he replied, stepping up on the stage. "You a singer or a player?" the man questioned. "Both..." Chris replied, taking the mic from the man before walking up to the piano, looking down at it for a moment. "Feel like letting us know what you'd like to do? Our staff here could lend you a hand if you need backing." the man offered. Turning to the musicians as they looked at one another, Chris started going over what he wanted to perform, after which he sat at the piano and set the mic on its small stand on top of it.


"Alright... Uh..." he paused, looking at the crowd from under the shadow of his hood, his cloaked appearance making them  murmur curiously. "Been a while since I did this kind of thing in front of folks, but... I hope you all enjoy it." he spoke, his voice coming from the speakers as well as the girls watched, both curiously and out of their own anxiousness. "The song I'll be performing tonight... Depending on the person, it can be uplifting, maybe sad, maybe both... It can inspire hope in some, nostalgia in others... Maybe a mix of a lot of things at once, but I think it's something a lot of people can relate to, and there are friends of mine here with me tonight I think could benefit from hearing this the most." he point out, looking at the girls as they perked up, Zorua pausing her sipping to look at him in a tipsy manner. "That in mind, I hope you all enjoy... If you would, sir?" Chris asked, getting a nod from the man who'd invited him on stage. Making his way to the side, he raised his hand and gave it a slight wave, gesturing for the woman behind the controls of the stage to dim the lights. Looking at the keys before him, Chris felt along their surface, taking a breath to relax while thinking "Here goes nothing..." and looking at the girls once more, all of them showing the same intense gaze making him sweat slightly. "No pressure..." he smiled nervously. Giving him a pat on the cheek, Chris glanced at Midna as the imp gave him a grin and point at the piano, telling him "go on" in its own manner. A fan of his talents as well, it was equally anxious as he focused back on the piano, nodding with a quiet "Okay..." as his fingers hovered over the keys. With a final deep breath, Chris closed his eyes and sent them down onto the keys, the sound making the girls and many others jolt in surprise.


Optional track to LWR - Listen While Reading - A Song and A Cape
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-emFpcGaBE 
Recommended - Right Click On Video - Select Loop


"I know the sound of each rock and stone... I embrace what others fear..." he began, his voice echoing making the crowd go silent as he looked at Brionne, her eyes widening as he sang the first part of the song to her. "Everything breathes, I know each breath... It's more than enough, for this man..." he sang softly, focusing ahead and closing his eyes once more as the musicians began joining in. "Like every tree, stands on its own... Reaching for the sky, I stand alone... I share my world, with no one else..." he went on as the lyrics began hinting at his own past and present alike. "Deep in the darkness, my heart still see's, everything that I'll never be..." he sang, looking at Britney. "Behind these eyes I'll go everywhere... There's no need for sympathy." he smiled, making a blush spread across her face. "Everything breathes, and I know each breath..." he sang, and with the tempo suddenly increasing, the lights on the floor of the stage began flashing in tune with the rhythm. "Like every tree, stands on its own... Reaching for the sky, I stand alone..." he sang, looking at Zorua as the Pokemon let out a hic from the alcohol. "I share my world, with no one else, all by myself..." he continued, drawing out the final word as she raised a brow while his focused turned to the piano. "Still... I will remember... Still... I'll run with you..." he sang sweetly, thinking about his family in Guardinia before looking at Valora. "And when it's time... For you to go..." he reminded, referring to their coming departure. "Take me in, your heart..." he sang in a manner that made her heart feel as though rapidly vibrating, the Pokemon clutching her chest with a flush worse than Britney's. "Like very tree, stands on its own..." he repeat, focusing back on the keys before him.


While everyone was focused on his performance, even the girls failed to realize Sera as she climbed down from the table and approached, making her way up to the stage before leaping up and pulling herself over the edge, walking up to Chris with a star-stricken look in her eyes as she stood beside him, looking up at her father-figure as he poured himself into his performance. Letting out a quiet "Papa..." type of noise, she watched the emotion he put into his expressions and movements, her idolization of him climbing to another level as he slowly finished his song, and as the stage went silent, the lights around it returned to their former state as Chris leaned back with a satisfied sigh, rubbing his hand along the top of the piano with a "Not bad" remark before looking at the crowd around them, noticing how many had frozen as they stared at him. "U-Uhh..." he muttered, a nervous smile on his face as sweat appeared. Standing as he cleared his throat, Chris gave a bow, noticing Sera at his feet after doing so. "When did you...?" he asked, blinking at her before picking up the fox in his arms. With a blush slowly spreading on her face, Chris felt her forehead to see if she was running a fever, asking "You okay kiddo...?" as her eyes sparkled. Tilting his head with a look of confusion, he was oblivious to the way in which he'd had an affect on her as he looked around, the man who'd let him perform showing the same look as many others, as though having frozen before headlights. "...Maybe we should go, I think I overdid it after all..." he laughed nervously. "Th-Thank you, everyone..." he nodded before making his way off the stage. Returning to the others, he noticed them staring at him as well, save for Zorua who took a long, final slurp of the remaining contents of her third glass.


Optional track to LWR - Listen While Reading - Stricken And Drunk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD9gvxrzOww
Recommended - Right Click On Video - Select Loop

Once it was completely gone, she pulled away from her straw before suddenly bursting out in laughter and falling on her back, letting out a content sigh before giggling awkwardly. "You're wasted..." Chris scowled. "Damn straight!" she replied in a blissful, albeit profane manner. Looking at Valora, he noticed a bit of blood coming from her nose, with both she and Britney having turned flush as the later showed tears in her eyes. On the table next to the tipsy Zorua, Brionne was looking at him in awe of her own, though unlike the others, she was able to give him a nod in approval at the very least for his performance. Meanwhile Midna sat on his shoulder with an O-K sign on her hand, almost as though imitating a meme as Chris looked at everyone and gave a nervous thanks. Next thing the group knew, someone in the crowd was beginning to clap, followed by another, and another still until the bar in its near entirety was applauding, save for some who merely raised their glasses and nodded approvingly. "Well now everyone, is there anyone here who wants to top that?" the man on stage asked, looking around as everyone paused and looked at one another before giving a resounding "Nah" response. "Not bad at all sir! Care to give a second performance?" he asked, turning to Chris making him shake his head. "Thanks for the offer but that's okay. I had my fun." he assured, looking back at Zorua as she sprawled out with a noise like that of a hic and a burp combined, with bubbles practically floating and popping around her head from drowning herself. "I told you to control yourself..." Chris grumbled, making her raise her head and look at him as though wanting to lecture him back, only for her lips to tremble while her cheeks bulged before another round of laughter escaped.


Letting out a sigh, he looked at the others before taking a napkin and wiping Valora's nose. "Lets go... I wanna get her to bed." he instructed, looking around until spotting their waiter and motioning him over. "That was pretty good! If you're looking for work, you could probably land a gig here." the waiter point out. "Nah... It's fun to do that now and then, but I couldn't make a lifestyle out of it. I just do it when the itch to do so comes around." Chris shrugged before explaining he was ready to pay their bill. Taking his card out, he let the waiter scan it with a portable device, including a tip before getting a thanks for visiting the bar. "Alright... Come on everyone." he instructed, asking Goodra to carry Brionne while he reached out to Zorua as she tried to sit up straight. "Ehh...? Wadya doin'?!" she sneered. "Keep yer' hands to yourself. I can walsh fine." she insisted, pushing herself to stand on her paws only to stumble and sit, looking at Chris with a "You're shtupid." insult, scowling at him before snickering again. "For giving you all that alcohol, yeah... Better hope your kidneys make it..." he warned as he picked her up, getting resistance as Zorua struggled. "I said I'm fine!! I'll... Walksh..." she insisted with a sudden hick, a haze in her eyes as she let out a woozy "uuuhhh" type of noise. "Stop spinnin' me!!" she snapped. "I'm not spinning you!!" he snapped back, making her pause and face away. "...Shtupid..." she slurred. Letting out a groan, Chris led the girls along back out to the street, with Zorua giving a random lecture for being tote. The entire way to their room, the group couldn't help but gawk at Chris, incapable of putting together a proper response to the talent he'd just revealed to them out of the blue.


Finally going silent once they were in the hallway leading to their room, Zorua looked up at Chris in a groggy manner, a small blush on her face as they reached their door and entered. "Alright... Enough fun for one night." he spoke while taking Zorua to the bed, resting her on the sheets before he plopped down on a chair at their table. Gathering around him, Chris found himself back in the center of their gaze, making him sweat again. "Um... I know it was a surprise, but... Could you not do that?" he asked before Valora stepped up with her hands on his leg, looking up at him as though Cupid had wasted his arrows on her, Britney in the same state as she inched up while shyly fidgeting, glancing away before showing him a smile from being sung to. "Uhh..." Chris muttered, looking between the two and scratching his cheek. "...I think I just made a big mistake..." he smiled guiltily, finding himself thinking about the girls back home and Serenity in particular making his color fade a degree. At his feet, Sera was excitedly wagging her tail with a smile from ear to ear, excited to find out what else her "Papa" could do after having seen both his fighting capabilities and musical prowess. Seeing the way the girls were swooning around him, Zorua found her agitation boiling up until finally snapping with a "Hey!!" remark, making the girls jolt and look back at her. "You're all... Pishin' me off... You stop that!" she insisted, making them blink at her as she stood and limped along the bed with a wobble, about to jump off only to roll off the foot of the bed instead, landing with a plop before shaking her head with a "Who did that?" growl, looking around before returning her hazy focus to the group and Chris in particular.


"Uhh... Yeah...?" he asked, watching as she clumsily made her way up. "You... You're shtupid..." she insulted, sitting before him while looking up. "Shtupid. Shtu---upid." she repeat, drawing out the word making Chris twitch a brow. "We've established that." he replied. Merely looking at one another for a moment, as though both were ready to insult the other, Zorua suddenly showed a smirk, making him blink curiously. "...What?" he asked. "I like you." she revealed. "E-Excuse me?" he asked, the girls looking just as dumbfounded. "I like you!" Zorua repeat, wagging her tail excitedly. "You're shtupid..." she suddenly insulted, showing a scowl before smiling again. "So I like you!" she nodded. "You... You're like the old man. Dad was shtupid too..." she explained, suddenly showing agitation again. "Always washting time on others... Never stopping... So shtupid..." she growled. "He didn't know when to stop, you don't know when to stop! Shtu--upid!!" she lectured, drawing the word out a second time before clumsily managing to get on his lap, sitting with a plop. "...You get on my nerves, always needin' a babyshitter..." Zorua slurred, making the word sound both profane and laughable. "That's fine! I'll keep you straight!" she assured, nodding with another smirk. "You really are out of it." Chris groaned, making her scowl as she glared at him in an intense manner before blushing again. "...Cute..." she muttered, the girls blinking in surprise. "Wait, what?" Chris asked. "I said you're cute." she repeat more clearly, wagging her tail again. "You're my type!" she revealed, making everyone's, even his eyes widen. "E-Excuse me?!" Chris panicked, the girls backing away themselves in shock.


"Don't worry, don't worry." Zorua assured, waving her stub. "I'll keep you alive... Dad let his guard down, but I won't. I'll keep you shtraight." she slurred with a nod. "...Because you're cu--ute..." she repeat, this time drawing out the word as she raised herself on her hind paws and placed her front paw on his chest, looking up at him with a surprisingly girlish giggle and a somewhat mischievous look to her smile. "...You're fun, I like you..." she praised, the girls stuttering from the reclusive and spiteful Pokemon's admittance. At a loss for words himself, Chris merely stared wide eyed as she began scowling. "...You gonna do anything or what?" she asked. "SAY WHAT?!!" he suddenly panicked, sweating all the worse as the girls let out collective "EHH?!" noises. "Ah shaddup!!" Zorua snapped, looking at them. Returning her focus to Chris, she let out another sly giggle. "Well...?" she asked. Tripping over his own words, Chris was panicking enough to fill a bucket with sweat as she pushed her face closer up to his. Unfortunately for the both of them, next thing everyone knew the Pokemon let out a groggy noise, a dizzy look returning to her expression as she began to hic. "H-Hey... What are you...?" Chris muttered. Sitting with another plop, Zorua looked up at him one more time, letting out another hic before her cheeks and eyes bulged in unison and she lowered her head, vomiting all over Chris's lap making the girls quickly turn away with sickened shouts. "WHAT THE FUCK???!!!!" Chris snapped. "SON OF A...!!!!" he added, snatching Zorua and racing her to the toilet in the bathroom, leaving a trail of her stomach contents along the floor that fell from his legs.


Letting out profane remarks, Chris lectured Zorua as she went through the punishment of one drink too many while the girls remained in the other room, keeping their focus averted from the mess left behind as the moment found itself ruined by the sudden situation... 