Pokémon Obsidian | An Orre Fanfiction

Chapter 75: Get Out

April was Keira Lewis, a Kalosian Language teacher from Circhester. Having spent time in southern Kalos as a child, she was fluent enough to pull it off. Paige was Elektra Gunn, a model and influencer. After a dramatic makeover, she already had over 100,000 Rotogram followers.

They weren't even slightly nervous as they strode off the flight in Phenac City. Immigration officers barely glanced at them. Orre never seemed so glamorous.

'Babe,' Paige said as they collected their pile of suitcases, 'We bring the glamour.'

They seemed so safe, they couldn't resist heading to the airport bar to celebrate. A weary man, beginning to lose his grey hair but still sporting impressive muscles, picked up his bag as April sat beside him. Paige leaned in to catch his eye. She grinned.

'Hey, what's the rush? Stay for a drink on us.'

He hesitated. 'You're Galarian, huh? Welcome to Orre.'

'Cheers! Are you from here?'

'Oh, yeah. Nascott City. Born and raised.'

April dramatically sighed. 'And married with kids, I bet...'

'Uh... well, I have two kids. But I'm divorced.'

'Me too. Let's have a round for us divorcees.'

Paige ordered drinks for the three of them before the man could argue. He sat back in his seat beside April. His name was Bryar Floyd. He was a janitor returning from his son's wedding in a distant city of neon signs and casinos. April's stories about Galar and Kalos were genuinely interesting to him. He'd never even been as far as Unova. Thinking on her feet, Paige said they were headed for Nascott City. He offered them a lift.

'Y'all do have a place to stay?' he asked as his rickety car rumbled down Highway 2, 'Right?'

'Well, we were gonna look for a motel or something...'

They could afford an expensive hotel, but Bryar didn't need to know that.

'Oh, jeez... they'll be booked up. The Gym Challenge is on. Even the Pokémon Centers will be full. I don't like the thought of y'all lost in an unfamiliar city at night...'

'Oh, please, don't let us trouble you.'

April knew his door was already open. Feigning reticence only served to reinforce their innocence.

On a dusty street corner was a dejected-looking apartment complex. Bryar apologised that he had to park two streets away. Neighbours always parked their extra cars in his spot.

The aged apartment was fusty, with a struggling AC unit, but clean and tidy. Its only personality was in the photos of Bryar's kids and adventure novels lined up on a bookcase. April was already redecorating it in her head. All of the furniture could be replaced. No-one would miss the dull kitchen or yellowed bathroom.

Bryar's Pelipper and Quagsire helped carry their luggage from the car. They all looked a little flustered by the time the last suitcase was placed on the pile in the hallway. Bryar only took a small backpack to his son's wedding.

'Y'all have a lot of luggage.'

Quagsire couldn't wait to relax in its familiar basket, but Liepard and Aromatisse were already in it. Paige's Weavile climbed into the freezer. Bryar uncertainly fetched threadbare blankets for them. He looked embarrassed of his home.

'It's lovely!' April assured him, 'And what a lovely man you are. If only we'd known about the Gym Challenge, we wouldn't be bothering you...'

'Oh, I mean, you're not bothering me. I'm glad to help y'all out.'