A Late Start

Conversations

"So... let me get this straight," Ethan began as he sat down next to me. "The poachers that kidnapped you came back, chasing a Zorua and they just, walked away before taking it off of you?"
"Not exactly, they didn't know I had it, guess I was convincing enough to not give it away," I responded.
"And you're not going to catch it?"
"After all he's been through? No. If he wants to tag along with us I'll let 'em but the little guy's had a rough week."
"You're the only person in Unova that'd pass up an opportunity like this, Lex. But since you found 'em, I'll honour it." He put a hand on my shoulder, shaking his head in disbelief. "So, what's the plan, little guy?"
"Well, those poachers probably won't get off my tail for a while, think I'll need to lay low for a while," the Zorua huffed "might as well stick with you two until then, use the opportunity to learn how things work out here."
"Uh, you do know that we're going to be around other trainers right? Most of them would probably freak out at the sight of a Zorua." I chimed in
"Well, I can just stay in your bag, it worked for the poachers, besides, I can always just disguise myself as something more natural if I need to."
"You're going to live... in my backpack?"
"Sure, why not?"
"And if another trainer sees and tries to catch you?"
"If I'm with you, they'll think I'm one of your Pokemon right? You said stealing other people's pokemon is against the rules."
"Uh, I guess that's true."
"Well, then it's settled, I'll come with you until it's safe and we can pretend this never happened." Ethan and I exchanged glances but neither of us said anything. "Well come on, Let's get out of here in case they come back." Before I had a chance to object the creature had forced its way back into my backpack, little more than its head poking out through a gap in the zipper.
"Well, you heard the kid, let's get going," I joked toward Ethan, Lifting my pack and its new occupant off the ground and slinging it gently over my shoulder.
"Hey! I'm not a kid," the Zorua insisted, shifting around inside my bag.
"I know, I know, I was just teasing." The creature grunted before settling deeper into the bag.
"Oh hey; speaking of, I rented us a room inside the Pokecenter since we're gonna be here at least overnight," Ethan chimed in.
"A room?" I asked, emphasising the A.
"W...well yeah, money's a bit tight after registration fees so I couldn't afford a second one. That's not going to be a problem is it?" He started blushing towards the end of his thought.
"I guess not," I sighed. "But I will be expecting some privacy you know?"
"Eheh, of course." He stuttered awkwardly, realising the situation. "But Y'know. This isn't the first time we've shared a room."
"Ethan... that's different. We were just kids back then." I could feel my cheeks flush as I thought about it. "We do at least have separate beds right?"
"Of course, It's a double." A stupid grin came over his face before fading a moment later. "Hey wait, Lexi. Where's Silas?"
"Oh, that. I recalled him when those poachers showed up, figured it was probably for the best. I'll let 'em out when we're back in town."

When we made it back to the pokecenter Ethan handed me the spare key to our room and then headed back out to watch the rest of the tournament. It was a small room, with one bed on either side of the back wall and a small walkway between them, there was also a small bathroom near the entrance door and a small overhead cubby for belongings above each bed. It reminded me of my time in Kanto but it was less furnished. I sat on the bed, setting my pack down next to me before taking both of my pokeballs off my hip. With a flash of light, both Erah and Silas appeared in front of me. Silas still seemed exhausted, but he had stopped shaking at least. They both looked up at me with a dash of confusion.
"Alright guys, we're going to have some new company for the foreseeable future. While he's not joining the team I expect you both to treat him like he is okay?" I unzipped my bag and let Zorua back out. "Zorua here is going to be travelling with us until he feels safe from the poachers that were chasing him," I noticed Silas shudder at the mention of poachers. "Yes bud, it's those guys again. So be nice okay?" Both pokemon chirped and nodded in affirmation. Zorua then hopped down off the bed and began a conversation I couldn't understand with the other two.
I kicked my legs up on the bed and put my head on the pillow. I ran a hand over my face and let out a deep breath. Things just keep getting crazier and crazier every day... I hope this gets easier soon... my thoughts were interrupted as Silas jumped up on the bed with me.
"Hey, bud, glad to see you're feeling better," I chuckled halfheartedly.
"Are you okay, master?" I blinked twice, rubbing my eyes. I didn't recognise the voice, but it had the same effect as when Zorua was talking to me earlier.
"Who's there?" I glanced around the room, but it was just me and the pokemon inside. "Jeez, I must be losing my marbles."
"Hey, calm down. It's okay." Silas moved closer to me, gently nuzzling my face.
"I think I'm going crazy Silas... I could almost swear you're actually TALKING to me." I ran my hands through his fur as I couldn't help but chuckle at my own crazy talk. "But that's just crazy, I mean. Pokemon don't talk, well, most of them don't anyway."
"Actually, That would be my doing," Zorua chimed in. "You remember what I said about tricking your mind into thinking I was talking? It doesn't just work for me you know?" He finished with a chuckle.
"Wait wait, you mean Silas... I can actually understand him?"
"Well, when I use my powers to let you, yeah."
"Hey wait a second." Silas butted in again. "You can't normally?" He lulled his head to one side.
"Aha, no. Not normally, I don't really know how to explain it. But it's kinda like inference like, I kinda just. Guess what you're trying to say based on context and your tone."
"What?! So all these conversations we've had you were just.. guessing?" Silas seemed a little offended.
"Hey, I still get it right don't I? Gimme a little credit bud."
"Most of the time sure... but I guess that explains why it feels like you just don't get it sometimes."
"Hey, don't get pouty mister, you don't listen to me all the time either, like earlier today with that Herdier." I poked his nose gently.
"Hey! I had it under control. I won didn't I?"
"It's not just about winning Silas, you could have gotten hurt. Not to mention you pushed yourself way too hard. You could barely move until now, remember?" Silas grumbled before laying down on my chest.
"She's right you know," a third voice I assumed to be Erah's chirped. "Mom always told me that just because you CAN do something doesn't always mean you should." Sure enough, the Riolu jumped up onto the bed with us too.
"Erah? Lucy tell you that?"
"Mhm, along with lots of other stuff. Although she had always told me to be careful around humans, you all seem okay though."
"Well, she's not entirely wrong you know, we're not all... nice if you know what I mean."
"You mean like those poachers you keep mentioning?" Silas growled at Erah's question.
"Yeah, I forgot you weren't there Erah. They're not good people, tried to take Silas away from me, it uh. Didn't exactly end well."
"They took her away. Hurt her. Me and her friend had to sneak in and get her back." Silas stated rather flatly.
"Uh, yeah. That. Is true. Although, I was unconscious for that whole, rescue thing."
"Can we stop talking about it now?" Silas demanded.
"Sorry, bud. I'm just not used to you know. Talking to you guys."
"I was worried about you you know." Silas rested his head on my arm. "Don't scare me like that again."
"I won't bud. I'm not going anywhere."
"You said that back then too." I knew what he was referring to and felt a pang of guilt wash over me.
"Silas... you know that wasn't my choice." The room fell silent, suffocating under the weight of the conversation. The next few hours went by in a blur. The sun disappeared over the horizon and the sounds of battle faded away to nothing.

When I came to everything was dark, the sun had long since set I glanced over, I could barely make out a lump on the other bed. Guess Ethan made it here. I touched my hip, Erah had apparently returned to his Pokeball as I could feel the same faint energy radiating from it. there was a slight weight on my right leg, I assumed it belonged to Silas. A glance at the clock in the middle of the room revealed it was 3:47 AM. I don't remember falling asleep yet 9 hours have passed in the blink of an eye. I got out of bed and slung my bag over one shoulder before leaving the room as quietly as I could. I took a deep breath as the door clicked shut behind me before wandering out into the lobby. 
"Can't sleep?" One of the night workers asked as I passed through the open room.
"Something like that," I replied quickly, not wanting to get into a conversation as I headed out into the darkened streets. I stood at the gate to Route 19 staring into the darkness, the grass moving slowly with the wind. There was a slight chill in the air as I let the wind tug gently on my hair. I covered my face with my hands, scrunching it up slightly while shaking my head. This was the first time I'd really been alone with myself since my birthday, I stared up at the stars only to feel them staring back. I somehow couldn't decide if I wanted to scream or just disappear. So much had happened in the few short months since I was reunited with Silas and I was struggling to keep up. I sat down in the grass, the dew tickling my legs gently, I put my head in my hands and sat there until sunrise. eventually, Ethan found me, pulling me from my thoughts with a shout.
"Lex, What're you doing out here?" He seemed worried
"Huh? Oh. I couldn't sleep so I decided to get some fresh air," I lied
"Without Silas? I don't think I've seen you two apart since you met."
"He was asleep, I didn't want to interrupt." I looked over to see he was carrying Zorua and Silas was close behind him. The latter ran up to me, nuzzling my chest gently.
"You had us all worried Lex. Especially after what you told me with, well. you know."
"Guys I'm fine, I just needed some fresh air like I said," I smiled weakly as I stood back up.
"You going to be alright for the battles today? Since you couldn't sleep?" 
"Hm? yeah, I'll be fine," I chuckled.
"Battles start in an hour, we're up first just like yesterday. make sure you're not late okay?"
"Relax Ethan, I'll be there." 
"How about we head down there together since It doesn't look like you're doing much anyways." He put Zorua on the ground, who promptly climbed into my bag as before.
"Well. if you insist I suppose." I grabbed my bag from the ground, adjusting the new weight on my shoulders until it felt right, Silas eventually adding himself by jumping up onto my right shoulder. before we headed back towards the battlefield.