Safe Haven

Prepare Yourselves

Reina felt something at her side, ushering her to do something. Her eyes fluttered open as she awoke, turning her head to the side left to see Haven poking her. The silver eevee wore a frown, though her fur was tidy. Reina's fur, on the other paw, was not. 

Haven seemed to speak up, "We have to go in... 5 or so minutes." She said, and Reina immediately jolted out of bed with a jump. She darted around the room, rushing to get ready. 

Only 5 minutes???

Reina had no intention of sleeping in that long. Her plans were quite the opposite, actually. To get ready for the meeting with Violet and Charm, she was going to get up very early and groom her fur to the cleanest degree, along with many other preparations. 

Grabbing her adventure bag--just in case-- Reina began to groom her fur. She knew she didn't have much time, but she would get as much done as possible. 

Haven walked over to Reina and sat down. "Um, sorry I didn't get you up earlier. I just assumed that you wanted to sleep in." She told the rushed eevee, looking a little guilty. Reina shook her head.

"I should have gotten up e-earlier on my own, I-I just slept in I g-guess" Reina responded, shaky with her words. Her anxiety was spiked due to her racing heart rate from being rushed to get ready. "How much t-time d-do we have?" Reina asked. Haven looked out the window at the sun. 

"I think maybe a minute until we should leave. Um, you don't have to come with me if you can't--" Haven answered, trying to propose an alternative. However, Reina interrupted her.

"No, I said I-I would. So I will." Reina told her boldly, despite her stuttering. Haven nodded nervously. 

Reina was still licking her fur clean and smooth when Haven spoke, "Again, sorry for being such a fleabag before. And for threatening you that one time--I just felt like I needed to defend myself... I guess" Haven blabbered on, and soon enough she was looking out the window again. Reina did the same. 

"Don't think too much about it. We'd better go, too." Reina told the shiny eevee, and she nodded. 

Soon enough, they were out the door and in the hallway. This was always Reina's least favorite part of the day as it was the loudest. The noise filtered into their ears as they walked forward and into the main meeting room, booming with talk among 'mons. 

"I-I'm gonna find Erin, wanna follow?" Reina proposed, looking around for him while she waited for a response. Haven seemed to glance around nervously, possibly looking for her teammates. 

At that moment, Haven spotted Kit and Pearl. Pearl had completely turned her back to Haven, uncaring of how she would perceive the action. Kit was looking between Pearl and Haven anxiously, likely unsure what to do. Even so, Kit stayed. They just turned away from Haven, facing Pearl and talking to her--likely consoling the 'mon. Haven growled. 

"Why not..." Haven admitted, reluctantly following Reina as she began to pad after the fluffy furred eevee. 

Haven brushed through the crowd, 'mons moving to make way for the shining eevee. She noticed, however, that they didn't move for Reina like they had for her. Haven shot the glares, annoyed by their lack of respect for Reina. 

But since when did she care that much? She didn't know.

Reina gently pawed at Erin's shoulder, grabbing his attention. He looked a little surprised, but he smiled nonetheless. Reina just smiled back at him, moving to sit next to the fluffy eevee. 

Haven situated herself next to Reina, brushing against her pelt as she moved to take a seat. She redirected her attention to the front, waiting for the Guild leaders to enter the room. Her heart beat rapidly, her brain filled with anxiety and worries about what would come next. 

Reina turned and looked to her side, noticing the anxiety and anticipation that Haven must have been enduring. She glanced around anxiously, unsure of what to do. Erin looked at Reina curiously.

What did Erin do when Reina was anxious? Reina questioned as she thought worriedly. 

Suddenly, Reina recalled moments from before. 

The times when she was scared or anxious, or something of the like. When Erin was with her, he would always place his paw on hers to ground her. Whether he meant it or not, it worked. 

Reina glanced at the shiny eevee briefly, before placing her paw on hers. Haven glanced up, seeming to be confused. Suddenly, though, she smiled. 

"Thanks...--" She paused, interrupted by the entrance of the two 'mons they had been waiting for. Violet and Charm entered the room, and Violet was in the lead like always. 

"Hello everyone. If you all would please settle down, we're ready to do our morning cheer." She exclaimed, smiling at all eyes in the room. Every 'mon calmed down before elevating their voices to cheer like they did every morning--even Reina joined in, finally getting the hang of the words. 

Charm spoke next, "If everyone would resume their usual duties, today, that would be best." She explained, paws placed together on the ground neatly. She lifted a paw to continue, "If you have any questions, come to us now. You are dismissed." Charm said, and 'mons immediately began rushing out of the room. Chatter ensued once again, quickly dissolving as only a few 'mons remained in the room. 

Charm and Violet stayed, too. 

Violet looked intrigued. "Why are you two here?" She asked, curiosity present in her voice as she pointed to both Erin and Reina. Reina glanced to her right, surprised that Erin was still there. 

Instead of answering Violet's question right away, Reina directed her attention to Erin. "Why are you still here?" She asked him nervously. Erin turned to face her, smiling his usual smile. 

"I figured I could be some help in the meeting," Erin exclaimed. Charm's eyes lit up as she seemed to overhear this. 

"Will you two be attending the meeting held for Team Glamour?" Charm questioned, holding a neutral tone of voice. Reina looked around nervously at both Erin and Haven before nodding.

"Yes, they will," Haven replied, backing them up. She seemed to understand that Erin would be joining now, too. From behind them, Reina heard the scuffling of paws. 

"What?" A glameow exclaimed angrily, standing her ground. Haven just glared at the 'mon, and Kit stood on the sidelines. 

 Erin held out a paw for Reina to grab, helping her stand up. They nodded to each other, understanding of one another's thoughts. 

They would fight for this--for Haven.