My Name is Loto [Pokémon Fanfiction]

03| When I Learned to Accept Myself

I forced myself to wake up early the following morning. I was instantly struck with a fiercely aching back and hunger that I knew I would have to grow accustomed to. But as much as I wanted to subdue the internal stabs, my curiosity about the man I saw last night was more important.

   Bracing myself to be kicked out, I entered the inn I'd seen him at. The lobby was small and sparsely decorated to match. On the room's right side there was a doorway covered by a curtain, and adjacent to it was a steep staircase. On the chair behind the front desk, a Skitty sat curled in a cute ball of pink fuzz, fast asleep. A row of keys hung on the wall behind the desk, most of them missing.

   "Uh, hello?" I called hesitantly. The Skitty sleepily raised their head to look at me before standing and stretching, yawning audibly. They then jumped from the chair and padded out of the room through the curtained door.

   I stood awkwardly in the room for what felt like hours. But I wouldn't leave until I asked the innkeeper about the man or encountered him for myself.

   The Skitty then returned with an older woman with tired green eyes in tow. Her thin eyebrows lifted when she saw me.

   "Oh, a customer?" she inquired.

   I shook my head. "Sorry, but no."

   "Then what do you need?" she asked with a smile.

   I was taken aback by her sunniness. I fully expected to be booted from this place when she found out I wouldn't be giving her any business, or had gotten a dirty look at the least. "I-I'm here to ask about somebody who's stayin' here," I said. "A man with dark hair and purple eyes. Does that sound familiar?"

   "It actually does, yes," the woman said with a nod. "He checked out at sunrise. A quiet one, that fellow, but quite kind."

   My heart sank. "Oh... Did he say where he was going?"

   "Yes he did. He was headed to Erinne." She frowned, puzzled. "Are you looking for him? Because I overheard him saying something about looking for somebody."

   "Yeah. I was supposed to meet him, but I guess we just missed each other," I lied.

   She looked pensive. "Someone as young as you out on their own?"

    I didn't say a word in response to that. I knew it wouldn't be a short trip since Erinne's placement on the map was farther out than Stilden's, so I'd better move quickly. "But thanks for your help. I 'preciate it." I felt a bit bad for leaving since she was a genuinely nice person to talk with, but I had what I needed now.

   The woman nodded. "Of course. And you be careful now. Kids like you are prime targets for pirates, especially in coastal places like Erinne." Her expression grew serious and somber. "They'll kidnap you and try to sell you if you aren't useful to them."