Chapter 11

Beneath the Tower

Travel Journal — Day 13

Violet City

First impression: tall.
Second impression: Ito has somehow already done everything… I have decided not to think about the second one.

Things I need:

• Proper food.

• Somewhere to sleep for a few days.

• Training.

• Find out how the Gym works.

• Money.

Apparently being a travelling trainer mostly means making increasingly complicated lists.
Cinder is warm again today, not sick warm, just... warmer.
Still watching that.

Owlbert woke me at exactly seven.
I am beginning to suspect clocks were invented by Hoothoot.

- - - - -

Ravina discovered that there were few things in life more luxurious than waking beneath a roof after several nights on the road.

A mattress, a shower, a door she could lock and a bathroom that did not require checking nearby bushes for territorial Pokémon.

She lay beneath the blankets for several long seconds, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling and seriously considering whether the first Gym Badge of her career was worth leaving the bed.

Hoot!

The hoot came from the curtain rail and Ravina closed her eyes. “No.”

Hoot!

“Owlbert!”

The Hoothoot stared down at her. His single visible foot remained wrapped around the wooden rail, his body balanced perfectly above it. Morning light outlined him against the curtains.

“Yesterday was very emotionally taxing.”

Owlbert blinked. Hoot?

Something warm shifted beside her and Cinder's nose emerged from beneath the edge of the blanket.

He yawned enormously, then, apparently deciding that Owlbert had already ruined the possibility of sleeping in, wriggled the rest of the way out and stretched across Ravina's stomach.

Ravina grunted. “You're getting heavy.”

Cinder froze and his head turned.

“No.

His eyes narrowed.

“I did not call you fat.”

Cinder remained unconvinced.

“You're growing.”

That seemed marginally more acceptable as Ravina rubbed behind his neck.

He had been eating more, she was certain of that now. And there was something subtly different about him that she could not quite isolate. He seemed longer when he stretched. Warmer when he slept against her. His movements had acquired an energy that had not been there a week ago, as though his body were quietly preparing for something without bothering to tell either of them.

April had said he was healthy, and Ravina wanted to put more stock in that than her own imagination.

Still… She scratched beneath his chin. “We're keeping an eye on you.” Cinder chirped and leaned into her fingers.

From the curtain rail: Hoot!

Ravina threw a pillow at Owlbert, which he flew neatly over it.

- - - - -

Violet City looked different in daylight.

The previous evening had been consumed by practical concerns. Finding a room, finding dinner, making sure both Pokémon ate properly, showering away several days of road dust and eventually collapsing face-first into a bed had left little room for sightseeing.

Morning revealed a city built around things that had been standing for a very long time.

There were newer buildings, certainly. Convenience stores. Cafés. Trainer supply shops. Apartment blocks. A Pokémon Center occupying a busy intersection near the southern district.

But Violet had grown around its older bones rather than replacing them.

Dark wooden buildings stood beside modern storefronts. Stone-lined canals crossed beneath narrow bridges. Small shrines occupied corners between businesses as naturally as vending machines. Purple banners fluttered from lamp posts, several marked with stylized wings.

And above everything else stood Sprout Tower.

Ravina kept finding it whenever she looked up. It rose above the rooftops in dark wooden tiers, slightly crooked against the morning sky. Even at this distance she could occasionally hear the low groan of timber moving somewhere inside it.

Cinder followed her gaze.

“That,” Ravina said, “is apparently where we're going.”

Owlbert rotated his head toward the tower. He stared, then stared some more. 

Ravina looked between them. “Oh, good. One of you is excited.”

Cinder made a questioning sound.

“I don't know if we're climbing all the way to the top.”

Another chirp.

“Ito did.”

Cinder's expression changed immediately.

Ravina pointed at him. “No.”

He blinked innocently.

“We are not competing with Ito.”

Owlbert hooted.

“Especially not you.”

- - - - -

The Pokémon Center was already busy.

Violet sat at the convergence of several travelled routes, and the difference from Cherrygrove was obvious immediately.

A group of hikers occupied one corner with packs large enough to contain small apartments. Two young trainers were arguing cheerfully over a map. A woman in courier leathers fed pieces of fruit to a sleepy Spearow while waiting at reception.

Along one wall, beneath the usual boards advertising accommodation, supplies and trainer work, was a sign Ravina had not seen before.

SHORT-TERM PARTNER CARE

Hourly and daily supervision for registered trainers.

Below it were several smaller notices.

Work commitments. Medical appointments. Gym administration. Pokémon-restricted venues.

Ravina slowed.

“Huh.”

Cinder stopped beside her as she read further.

It was not boarding in the sense of leaving a Pokémon somewhere for days. The Center maintained several supervised exercise rooms, quiet spaces, feeding facilities and a small enclosed courtyard for trainers who needed somewhere safe for their partners for a few hours.

There were restrictions.

Aggressive Pokémon required assessment. Special diets had to be declared. Pokémon receiving treatment stayed under the medical wing instead. And the trainer remained responsible for collecting them before closing unless overnight arrangements had been made separately.

Ravina looked down at Cinder.

“You'd hate this.”

Cinder looked through the glass doors leading toward the recreation courtyard.

A pair of Growlithe were chasing one another around a climbing structure while an attendant threw a rubber ball.

He perked up at the sight as Ravina watched him. “Oh?”

Cinder immediately looked away.

“Traitor.” she teased. 

- - - - -

Their check-in was brief.

Cinder's recent examination was already visible through his Trainer Card record, which still felt strange to Ravina. Owlbert's entry was newer and prompted a few questions about his feeding, sleep cycle and capture date.

Ravina decided not to mention the Caterpie in detail.

“He hunts.”

The nurse nodded without concern. “Most Hoothoot do.”

“Right.”

“Is that causing a problem?”

“No.”

Ravina paused for a moment. “I'm just adjusting to the fact that breakfast occasionally has legs.”

The nurse's smile twitched. “That's also normal.”

Wonderful…

- - - - -

Once the routine checks were finished, Ravina approached the trainer services desk.

“I want to register for the Gym.”

The receptionist held out a scanner. “Trainer Card?”

Ravina passed it over and The woman glanced at the screen.

Then at Ravina.

Then back at the screen.

“Shales?”

Ravina felt something inside her sink. “Yes?”

“Any relation to the other one?”

“…Define relation.”

The receptionist laughed. “That answers that.”

Ravina leaned against the counter. “What did she do?”

“Nothing bad.”

“That phrase has stopped reassuring me.”

The receptionist handed back the card. “For what it's worth, Leader Falkner seemed more confused than offended.”

“That somehow makes it worse.”

“There is an opening for preliminary registration this afternoon if you'd like it.”

Ravina lowered her hands. “Preliminary?”

“Falkner doesn't require appointments simply to enter the Gym. You can technically issue your challenge whenever she's accepting challengers.”

That sounded suspiciously easy.

“But?”

The receptionist smiled. “But the Violet City Gym strongly recommends first-time challengers complete Sprout Tower's training course.”

“Recommends.”

“Very strongly.”

“So they won't stop me?”

“No.”

Ravina looked toward the window. Sprout Tower was visible above the buildings across the street.

“What happens if I ignore the recommendation?”

“You probably lose.”

“…Fair.”

“The Tower's sages work with new trainers on command discipline, positioning and partner control. Falkner's battle style tends to expose people who haven't learned those things yet.”

Ravina glanced at Cinder. He was sniffing one of the chairs and Owlbert was staring at a ceiling fan with deep suspicion. “We're training anyway.”

“Then there's no reason to rush.”

That was exactly what Ravina had been telling herself. One Gym, there was no deadline.

No reason to behave like Ito, she could take her time and train properly.

Make sure Cinder's Ember was reliable, Work out how Owlbert actually fought when there was more involved than stealing breakfast.

Learn the city, earn some money.

Ravina paused.

Money.

She thanked the receptionist and turned slowly toward the board on the opposite wall.

- - - - -

The Violet trainer work board was significantly larger than the one in Cherrygrove.

Apparently a city with a Gym attracted enough travelling trainers to support an entire temporary employment ecosystem.

Courier work. Warehouse shifts. Pokémon grooming assistants. Market stalls. Kitchen work. Tour guides. Cleaning. Promotional appearances. Night security.

One posting wanted trainers with Water-types to inspect irrigation channels, another needed someone comfortable handling Bug-types and a hotel wanted overnight reception staff.

Ravina worked her way down the board, and then stopped. A pale purple card had been pinned slightly apart from the others with an elegant illustration of a fox curled around its border.

THE MIST PAVILION

Temporary evening attendants required.

Hospitality experience is preferred but not essential.

Meals provided during shift.

Costume provided.

Above-standard casual rates.

The last line had Ravina's attention, then she noticed the address and then the word beneath it.

Cabaret.

Ravina stared as Cinder walked up beside her.

“Hmm.”

Cinder looked at the card questioningly.

“You don't even know what I'm thinking.”

He looked at her more accusingly until Ravina took the posting down.

“…Okay, you know exactly what I'm thinking.”

- - - - -

The Mist Pavilion occupied an older part of Violet closer to the northern baths.

Ravina nearly walked past it as she had expected neon. Instead she found a traditional wooden building surrounded by a high garden wall, its entrance marked by two stone lanterns and a hanging sign painted with drifting white mist.

A narrow stream passed beneath the front walkway. And somewhere behind the walls, water trickled continuously.

Ravina checked the address twice.

“This is a cabaret?”

Cinder sniffed at one of the stone lanterns and Owlbert had taken up position on the roof of a nearby shop.

A woman sweeping the front path glanced up. “Yes.”

Ravina looked at the building again. “Oh?”

The woman smiled.

“Are you here about the posting?”

Ravina held up the card. “Potentially.”

“Partners?”

Ravina indicated Cinder and Owlbert.

“Center care during shifts,” the woman said. “No outside Pokémon on the public floor unless they're Pavilion staff.”

Cinder's head lowered and Ravina crouched. “Only while I'm working.”

He made a doubtful sound.

“There was a ball pit~.”

He perked up slightly.

“I saw it.”

Cinder looked away as Ravina stood.

“Thought so.”

- - - - -

Inside, the Pavilion became stranger.

And prettier.

The entrance opened into a large reception hall of polished dark wood and paper screens. Lanterns hung from the rafters. A shallow ornamental watercourse ran beside the wall and disappeared beneath an arch toward the bathhouse.

A Goldeen drifted lazily through the clear water.

Beyond another set of screens Ravina could see the edge of what looked like a lounge arranged around low tables.

The place smelled faintly of incense, tea and something sweeter beneath both.

A Murkrow watched her from a beam overhead.

Ravina looked up as the Murkrow looked down. Something metallic disappeared beneath one wing.

“…Was that a spoon?”

“Murkrow.”

The voice came from deeper inside and the bird froze.

A pause, and then the spoon fell.

It landed neatly on a cushion.

“Thank you.”

Ravina turned to see the owner of the voice, the woman approaching them looked as though she belonged to the building in the same way Sprout Tower belonged to Violet.

Long white hair fell almost to her waist.

Large fox ears rose through it, equally white, twitching slightly as she walked. An enormous fluffy tail followed behind her.

Her kimono was pale pink, loose around a voluptuous figure and held closed by a deep red obi. Red markings framed striking green eyes.

And in one hand she carried an absurdly long smoking pipe.

Ravina couldnt help but stare and the woman smiled.

“Careful, darling. Your mother should have taught you that staring is impolite.”

Ravina immediately recovered. “She did.”

“Then I shall assume you are simply overwhelmed by my beauty.”

“…That's probably safer.”

The woman's smile widened. “Good answer.” She cooed as she took a slow draw from the pipe.

“Chinatsu.”

“Ravina Shales.”

“I know.”

That was concerning.

Chinatsu gestured toward the posting still in Ravina's hand. “You have the expression of someone who has recently discovered that travelling costs money.”

Ravina stared at her.

“How did you…”

“Everyone who arrives holding that notice has the same expression.”

“Oh.”

“Come.”

- - - - -

The interview took place over tea. That alone was enough to make Ravina suspicious. Not because anything was wrong with the tea.

But because the chair was comfortable, the tea was excellent and Chinatsu had somehow arranged herself on the opposite side of the small table in a way that made the process feel less like an employment interview and more like Ravina had been invited to visit somebody's grandmother.

A grandmother who happened to operate a cabaret.

Cinder lay beside Ravina's chair as Chinatsu glanced at him. “Cyndaquil?”

“Cinder.”

“Handsome little thing.”

Cinder lifted his head as Chinatsu's eyes moved to Owlbert, perched on the back of another chair. “And you?”

“Owlbert.”

Owlbert stared at her and Chinatsu stared back.

After several seconds: “Very serious.”

“He thinks so.”

Owlbert hooted. And Chinatsu laughed.

A Ninetales rested near the open doorway. Ravina had noticed her almost immediately.

She was enormous compared with most Pokémon Ravina had encountered on the road, immaculate cream fur spilling across the floor around nine slowly moving tails.

The Ninetales had barely moved since they entered, but her eyes followed everything. Staff passed through the room and acknowledged her. One young woman actually paused to tell her something about a delivery before continuing on.

Ravina glanced between Ninetales and Chinatsu. “Is she management?”

Chinatsu drew thoughtfully from her pipe. “She believes so.”

Ninetales' ears turned.

“She's usually correct.”

That felt less like a joke than Ravina expected as Chinatsu set the pipe aside.

“Now. The less entertaining part.”

Ravina straightened.

“You're eighteen?”

“Yes.”

“Trainer identification confirmed at reception?”

“Yes.”

“You understand this is an adult hospitality venue.”

“Yes.”

“And have you worked in one before?”

“No.” That was technically true…

“Good.”

Ravina blinked.

“Good?”

“Bad habits are harder to remove than ignorance.”

That sounded fair to Ravina as Chinatsu folded her hands and continued.

“The public lounge is a cabaret. You serve drinks, food, tea, participate in conversation and table entertainment, and encourage our guests to remain long enough to spend irresponsible amounts of money.”

Ravina smiled. “Honest.”

“I have had a great deal of practice.”

“The posting said a costume was provided?”

“It did and still does.”

“What kind?”

Chinatsu's smile became suspiciously sweet. “Later.”

Ravina narrowed her eyes and Chinatsu continued before she could ask.

“The Pavilion also operates public baths during the day and private adult companionship services at night.”

Ravina nodded slowly. “Okay.”

“You will not be providing the latter.”

Ravina's eyebrows rose. “That was direct.”

“I prefer direct.” Chinatsu leaned forward slightly. “Temporary employees do not enter that side of the business. Different contracts. Different screening. Different security procedures. Different health requirements. Considerably more paperwork.”

“I'm starting to think paperwork controls the world.”

“My dear, paperwork is the only thing preventing civilisation from becoming an argument conducted with sticks.”

Professor Elm might disagree, Ravina thought… Or prove the point.

Chinatsu lifted her cup. “If a guest asks whether you are available privately, the answer is no. If they persist, you call floor staff.”

“Understood.”

“If someone touches you after being told not to, you step away and call floor staff.”

“Understood.”

“If someone makes you uncomfortable before they have technically broken a rule?”

Ravina hesitated. “Call floor staff?”

“Very good.” Chinatsu smiled. “You are not required to win an argument before you're permitted to leave it.”

That one lingered and Ravina nodded. “Right.”

“And if anybody tells you that being pleasant to them means you owe them something…”

“I don't.”

Chinatsu's expression warmed. “Perhaps your mother did teach you something after all.”

“She'd be delighted to hear that.”

“I imagine she would.”

There was something about the way Chinatsu said it that made Ravina suddenly certain these two women should never meet.

She did not know why, a self preservation instinct maybe?.

Chinatsu reached beside her and produced a folder. “Pay.”

Ravina opened it and her eyes widened. “Oh!”

“Meals included.”

Ravina looked again, “Oh?”

“Late-shift transport back to your accommodation if required.”

Ravina looked up. “When can I start?”

Chinatsu laughed.