Dusk

Chapter 10 - Stones And Fortunes

"Well...my parents are a no go-"

"I know, I kinda asked them last night" Anisa giggled a little, shuffling around a bit. "They said it's the only samples they have since they're pretty hard to find...I think?"
"Yeah, sounds like them. I know someone here that might have some information on where to get them, my parents usually asks them so they must know something" Amara replied. The village was peaceful as always, only getting a few side glances from the villagers before going back to their business, Amara not giving them any mind and Anisa didn't even realise there were pokemon looking in her direction; Anisa being Anisa as always to Amara.

They walked, not saying a word to each other as they went. Anisa shuffling from one foot to another while just waiting for Amara to speak, not wanting only her voice to fill the void. The white fox felt the awkward atmosphere but she didn't want to ask, she really didn't but she had to understand...why Anisa had to be curious over the one photo she had...of her.

A tiny growl rumbled deep in her throat "why are you asking about the picture Anisa? It's nothing special". "Well, it's the only picture in your room that's not a flower. You look pretty in it by the way" Anisa quickly added with a slight giggle. Pressure fell off the Lycanroc after the line brough a gentle smile to Amara's face, the little white fox nudging her before continuing to walk.
"It's just...a really precious photo of mine. It was the day I turned fourteen so me, my mum and dad, my...friend and her foster mother went to celebrate."

Amara seemed to smile a bit at the memory; sitting outside with her mother and father, her friend and her mother, just enjoying each other's company even if her friend's mother only spoke few words. What she will always remember was what her pup friend said to her before the day was over, still sending flutters in Amara's heart, warming up at the feeling. With Amara smiling at the ground (worrying Anisa a bit), little squeaks came into hearing distance; down the gravel path, past the blacksmith and by the bakery door, a sign swinging with the wind. "Sluepuff's Pastery."

"Um...Amara? Amara!" Coming back from deep within her mind, Anisa pointed down the gravel path to the bakery, eyeing a Slurpuff, Amara recognizing as the owner, and a tiny Dedenne at the door having a little (yet noticeable) argument between them.
"Should we step in? In my pack, we always had to settle arguments before they got out of-" "No, leave them be Anisa." Amara cut in, "they do this everyday anyway...over the same pastery too." It was overly annoying to the white fox. She'd stepped into their fights before but they always end the same way, Dedenne throwing the money on the dessert Pokemon before walking off in a mood.

All over a stupid pastery Amara would always think. "Come on, it's just down this street-" Anisa was caught down by the bakery door, picking up the few pokecoins on the ground after noticing the struggle the baker was having when picking them up; giving her a "have a lovely day" before skipping back over to her now frowning friend.
"Sometimes you're too kind for your own good...", "is that a bad thing?" Amara shook her head before her smile came back to life "no, it isn't. We need to get going though."

The rock-type giggled, letting her friend lead the way to their destination before desperately trying to bring up the old convisation, thinking it over first as to not mess it up. "So again...about the photo?" She was hesitant, Anisa knew that a small memory from the moment the photo was taken made Amara smile but her eyes never shined as bright; being more cold and swirling with...sadness? Anger...loneliness? Who knows with her, being friends for only a couple of months still lead to mysteries hanging above their heads.

For example, the photo in Amara's case. Nothing helped the poor Vulpix either as even though nothing of Anisa's past has been spoken...it doesn't seem that pleasant; sticking to these feelings did cause some problems for their relationship.  Accidently hitting a nerve or just being down right offensive without meaning the words at all was tuff on the two Pokemon.

Still, they still try to learn about each other as much as they can. Amara slowly understanding Lycanroc ways and, Anisa just warming up to the fact that Amara and the outside world is completely more complicated; very different from her own pack.

"Anisa, can we drop the photo for now? We're here anyway." Both were now sitting outside a small, dark purple tent, gold tassels swinging in the gentle breeze while the village Pokemon walked by. A sign was poorly sewn on the rugged purple fabric, Anisa reading it out as "Stone And Fortunes" before glancing away from the tent and to the Vulpix beside her; Amara's yellow flower flowing with the wind as well.
"So this is the place?" Everything about this seemed...odd to the Lycanroc, sitting outside of the tent gave a weird vibe off but walking in was something else. More tassels hung around, only just viable in the dark until a round globe sitting on the table in the center lit up, lighting up the rest of the tent's space.

Different stones glittered in the dim light while lying on colours of cloth, having many shapes and symbols swirling inside them-

"May I help you dears?" A gentle but raspy voice cut through the silence, causing both Pokemon turn in alert before seeing the owner of the voice. The Pokemon slid off her cloak, setting it down beside the glass ball and smiled lightly to Anisa and Amara; Anisa felt more calm after seeing this.

"Are you Mrs. Fortune?" Amara questioned, taking in the elderly pokemon's appearance. Her fur stood out as a light purple, going slightly grey due to her age, letting the red gem imbedded in her forehead to catch the wandering eye and to show her wisdom she has gained over the years. Her dark, purple eyes closed due to her little giggle.

"Yes I am dear! What brings you here today? To shop or to see?" The purple Pokemon asked. "Well, we just have a few questions for you-" "Oh! You're the scientists child yes?" She pointed out to them, clapping her paws and coming over the table to greet them. "Yes I am miss. This is my friend as well, Anisa." Her attention was set on the Lycanroc next to the Vulpix, looking her up and down and inspecting? The purple eyes of hers stared, brow creased while her brain worked, like putting together a puzzle piece before her eyes widen with glee.

"Anisa?! Is that really you dear?!"

Authors Note

I'm finally done! I'm so sorry I haven't updated in about a month!

I'm been very busy (when am I not) with school work and family so yeah. I've just recently just finished my MOCK exams as well so I've been very tired after that.

Tomorrow, I will be starting on the next chapter immidantly because of how long you had to wait for this chapter, won't be complete next week though because it's the last week of Shiny Hunter Of The Year.

So yeah, I hope you enjoyed at least.

(Edit: The chapter wasn't showing up so I had to re-publish it).

^-^