Between Regions

Part 7

Eito was long gone the next morning.

     Astrid and Narumi woke up late, since they forgot to set an alarm. It wasn't until they stretched and rubbed the sleep out of their eyes that they noticed the note written on a crudely torn piece of paper sitting on Eito's empty bed.

     "What the heck..." Narumi picked up the paper and squinted as she tried to read Eito's small handwriting.

Astrid and Narumi,

    I had to leave early this morning due to a family matter in Camphrier Town. I will probably be ahead of you by the time you read this, but I'll wait for you at Cyllage City. I will be in a Pokemon center room for three people upstairs.

Respectfully Yours, Eito.

     "Typical Eito," Astrid sighed as she read over Narumi's shoulder. "Always running ahead. Oh well, it has to be pretty important to make him leave so early and go all the way to Camphrier." Astrid went into the bathroom to change while Narumi did the same in the main room. Then, they both brushed their hair and packed their bags.

     "Pokemon all here, everything's packed and tidy...I'm good to go! What about you?" Narumi zipped up her bag and waited by the door. Astrid slung her bag over her shoulder and headed out the door, Narumi close behind her to lock it.

     "Thanks for letting us stay!" Narumi slid the key over the counter towards Nurse Joy. "My pleasure! There's a continental breakfast area in the room to the right if you're hungry." Nurse Joy gestured to a large room filled with tables, a long counter full of breakfast foods, and a shelf with giant containers of Pokemon food for every type.

     Narumi went over to the shelf of Pokemon food and grabbed four bowls. "Normal food...Fire food...Bug food...and Grass food!" She poured a generous amount into each bowl and set them by a table. Astrid scooped eggs onto her plate and was waiting for the waffle maker to heat up. "This food looks so good! What should I get?" Narumi asked Astrid. "I don't know...maybe cereal and toast or something?" Narumi filled a bowl with some cornflakes and put two pieces of bread in the toaster. After a couple minutes, they popped up and Narumi put them on her plate along with a small container of jelly.

     After a little more waiting, Astrid's food was ready, so the two sat down at the table with the bowls and sent out their Pokemon to eat. While they ate, Astrid and Narumi decided to chat about their families and things.

     "I have two sisters and a brother," Astrid was explaining. "My sisters, Rachel and Charlotte, are twins, and my brother, Jake, is two years younger than me and one year older than the twins." Narumi sighed. "I wish I had a brother or a sister." Astrid burst out laughing. "No, you really don't! They're always obnoxious and gross and they will NEVER give you some time to yourself." Narumi giggled. "That's what all my friends said. I guess you're right." Astrid shrugged. "I guess I've had lots of experience. Anyway, let's eat fast, we need to battle Viola before we leave." Narumi's eyes widened. "I totally forgot about that!" Both girls quickly shoveled food into their mouths while their Pokemon finished up.

     Narumi gathered plates while Astrid put away the Pokemon's bowls. They quickly called all of them back and bolted towards the Santalune gym.

     Astrid was about to descend the staircase when Narumi tugged on her sleeve. "I know a shortcut, follow me!" Narumi pushed the Butterfree painting to the side, revealing a short tunnel leading straight to an empty room. Astrid peered down the path. "Where's Viola?" Narumi shrugged. "It's 10 o'clock. The gym should've been open by 9...We'll wait for her in here." The girls crawled through the narrow tunnel leading to the tent Viola battled in.