Bitter~Sweet 2 Ula'ula Mischief

Chapter.22 Past Echos

'" Baile, are you there? Baiiiiile."' I whisper as loudly as I can. I don't have to wait long until I hear a raspy reply back. <<@ Whaaat? Wait, that voice. Hang on a minute little one, I was busy answering the call of nature. @>>

I roll my eyes. '" Hurry up Baile, they need my help. You should have went earlier like I did instead of putting it off till now. "'

<<@ Well I wasn't expecting you back so soon. I don't drink water at an exact time of day you know. What is it this time Baile? Absol giving you trouble? Ariados found your nest?

Trainers, and pokemon alike coming after you for revenge? @>> I winced at that. '" Ouch, ok, I deserve that. It's just a bit...complicated. I need help sorting my feelings, and I didn't know where else to go."'

<<@ Sigh, how about you start from the beginning then. It's not like you to look so down. @>>

'"Over the next few hours, I did my best to go over all the details I could since leaving the forest with Alex. The Crabrawler that helped us part way, which funny enough I didn't see him on the way here.

I wonder if it's because it was the same Crabrawler from like a month ago, or so. That was pretty funny, but he probably wouldn't have seen it that way in hindsight. Didn't it work out in the end though since he ended up helping that Exeggutor?

Anyway, I recounted how me, and Alex were tricked by a Sandygast, how we got separated after I switched the road signs, and how her friend ended up saving her instead of me.

I told Baile of my resentment, and how I was so distracted by it that I forgot about the desert sandstorms. The meeting with Tapu Bulu though is where she raised a brow.

<<@ So why do you think you acted differently there? Normally you'd play it safe right? You would have continued to feign injury, and then look for an opportunity to get away right?

Instead, you stuck up for what I can only say was someone you truly cared about. @>> I sputtered. '"Bu..b..but that makes no sense, we've only known each other for at most, a few days. 

These feelings can't be real, I must be delusional from holding it in too long. Neither Alex, or her friend ever seem to need to go to the bathroom for Arceus sake! It feels like I'll get left behind if I take a quick stop.

I bet it was the smell too. I must have wanted to help her because subconsciously I enjoyed her smell too much. "'

<<@ Ah yes, the heavenly smell, did I ever tell you that there was a time I used to be a Pa'u Style Oricorio? @>>  I shake my head.

'" You told me once that there were 4 different forms of Oricorio, but I always thought you lived here all your life. That's why I always called you Baile. "'<<@ In truth, I guess I picked up on that, and didn't want to change your view of me.

Years ago, I would migrate to the different islands trying out different nectars. On Akala island was a hidden grove of pink flowers so I took the plunge, and gained the blessing of the island Guardian there.

I gained the power to feel the minds of people, and pokemon, and become attuned with their hearts. It was in the week of bliss that I smelled the sweetest aroma nearby. A smell more alluring, more tasty then the pink flowers.

I felt energized, and started to seek the smell out. What I found however was a little walking pink berry with eyes. The leaves on it's head would spin, causing it to fly away from me.

 Instead of giving in to the urge to eat it though, I felt it's fear at seeing me, and stopped flying towards it. I found that even though the smell is indeed powerful, it doesn't control us. Only makes us more likely to do what we already wanted to do.