Explorers of the Life Force, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon

What a Queer Day

A few days passed and I was almost always exhausted. Ever since agreeing to the training Crystal offered, I was now constantly doing something.

I came across Ellie twice during the past few days, yet she was busy during both encounters with something. Everyone was whispering about her new coat of fur or gawking at it. I couldn't blame her wanting to stay busy and away from prying eyes. Though, I guess busy or not I wasn't available for talking much either.

Chatot kept me moving about with guild challenges or tasks such as retrieving Big Perfect Apples. It seemed trivial for most of the assignments. I was understanding more and more why Blake considered the outlaw tasks more fulfilling and important. I guess rescues are alright too though.

Mine and Summer's lessons were nearly over. I could read and write at an average level now, so today would be my final day with her. She didn't engage with much conversation anymore. When I asked her about what she wanted to say the other day, she dismissed it as being unimportant. No matter what she said however abated my aura sense, and I knew it was important to her in some way.

On the subject of aura, I had stopped using the Spirit Stone for a good while now. I still kept it in my bag, just in case I ever needed it. I had a very strong connection to aura however, and could keep it under control for the most part.

In fact I've noticed over time I've been actually suppressing it to the point I don't get random emotions from others very often. If my emotions flared up however, my figurative grip would slip, and I would notice the change and effect it would have on others. If I got really frustrated for instance, I would notice Pokémon nearby frowning to themselves.

As for the others, there's not much I could say. Dan and I did indeed continue our practice in Quigong, and that was the most peaceful and relaxing time out of the busy day besides writing and reading. I got to know Dan a little better, and even considered us friends. Blake and Sally were apparently overbearing according to Dan. I still didn't get how those two ended up together. I mostly just kept out of that whole drama fest however, so I guess I shouldn't be one to judge.

I got to know the other guild members over time too. Teams Drift and Valor were always welcoming and excited to have me hang out with them whenever I had the chance. Bill would also be present, being close friends with the two teams. They were kinda the outcasts among the guild members besides Aria and Ellie. Most of our time was either at meals or the occasional Velocity Ball match.

Team War Path was alright, and so was Quakes. Other than those few I couldn't say I knew the others very well besides Team Skull. I didn't encounter them much, and whenever I did they didn't ever want to talk to me, so I guess it wasn't all bad. After everything though the rest of the day was vigorous training.

Crystal pushed me hard, and I don't mean the you get sweaty kind of hard. I mean, you're looking for an excuse to drop dead kind of hard. She would have me run courses, expend my Power Points, and fight me until I couldn't move anymore. Only then she'd leave me there until I could crawl back to the guild.

I would constantly wake up late and have a half hour of cleaning the toilets because of it. Trust me, cleaning the toilets of several different kinds of Pokémon is a kind of torture you'd never want to be in willingly. Sometimes during Quigong I would start to fall over because I was falling asleep.

So, that's been my life for the past four days. Today was the day for the unique offer the Guildmaster mentioned awhile ago. I wonder what-

I suddenly hit my head hard and stumbled backwards. I growled rubbing the spot that got hit before looking to see what I ran into.

I gasped seeing Rosie rubbing her nose with a few tears in her eyes. "Oh come on! Again Chase?! Really?!"

"I'm so sorry!" I moved forward examining her nose and seeing it start to bleed. I quickly opened my pack pulling out a cloth before applying it to her nose. "Just tilt your head back for me so the bleeding doesn't get everywhere. Can you pinch the bridge of your nose?"