Chapter 23.10
Berry eventually reclaimed Ravina with the kind of practiced efficiency that suggested she had been waiting for just this moment. Her fingers closed around Ravina's wrist, the grip gentle but absolute as she began steering her toward the lodging hallway.
"Room."
Ravina shot a look over her shoulder at April, her magenta eyes widening with theatrical accusation as she allowed herself to be led away.
"I'm being kidnapped."
April didn't look up from her tablet, her amber eyes remaining fixed on the screen as she waved a dismissive hand in their direction.
"Go shower."
Ravina sighed, the sound carrying the weight of someone who had heard this particular refrain far too many times in the past hour.
"Everyone keeps saying that."
"Because we have noses."
Victor drifted through the doorway, his gaseous form swirling with theatrical appreciation as he followed them down the hall.
"I do not."
April finally looked up, her amber eyes narrowing with clinical assessment as they fixed on the Gastly.
Victor smiled, his misty face forming an expression of theatrical charm as he hovered just beyond the threshold.
"Yet even I agree."
Ravina glared at both of them, her expression caught between annoyance and reluctant acceptance as she allowed Berry to continue guiding her down the hall.
"Traitors."
- - - - -
Chapter 23.11
The lodging wing occupied the quieter side of the station, the sounds of the main area muffled to a comfortable hum as Berry led them down a broad corridor. Doors spaced farther apart than Ravina expected lined the hallway, some with reinforced lower panels and others bearing small symbols indicating approved accommodations.
"Standard rooms are for one or two humans with small companions," Berry explained, her voice carrying the practiced cadence of someone who had given this speech countless times before.
She pointed toward another section of the hallway, her movements fluid as she indicated the variety of options available. "Outdoor-access rooms have enclosed patios."
Her gesture shifted to another area, her professional smile remaining fixed as she continued her tour. "Large-species shelters are across the courtyard."
Ravina nodded, her mind already cataloging the information with the precision of a trainer who had learned the hard way that accommodation details could make or break a journey. "What about an Onix?"
Berry looked at her, her pink hair catching the dimmer light of the lodging corridor as she processed the question without missing a beat. "Outdoor lounge or heavy shelter."
Interesting. Ravina filed that away with the same efficiency she reserved for battle strategies and rare berry locations.
"Fire-types?"
"Allowed indoors if under control."
Ravina glanced at Cinder, whose orange-red eyes widened with exaggerated innocence as he tried to look smaller and less flame-venty than he actually was.
"No open flame."
"He's good."
Berry looked at his flame vents, her expression clinical as she assessed the potential risk with practiced efficiency.
"Good."
Victor drifted toward a door along the corridor, his gaseous form flowing with theatrical grace as he prepared to pass through the solid barrier. Berry's hand shot out, her movements swift and precise as she caught Ravina's arm.
"Ghost-types may not enter other guest rooms through walls."
Victor froze mid-passage, his body half-submerged in the door's surface as Berry's gaze fixed on him with unwavering authority. The Gastly slowly backed out, his form swirling with theatrical appreciation as he fully materialized in the hallway.
Ravina stared, her magenta eyes widening as she processed the unexpectedly specific rule.
"That is incredibly specific."
"It became necessary."
Victor's gaseous form swirled with renewed theatrical appreciation as he drifted closer to Berry.
"I respect this establishment."
Owlbert hooted from his perch on Ravina's shoulder, the sound carrying a note of professional agreement as he adjusted his position with practiced precision.
Berry's gaze shifted to the Hoothoot, her expression remaining professionally pleasant as she continued her explanation.
"Flying Pokémon may use the upper courtyard perches."
She paused, her pink hair catching the dim light as she added the next part with deliberate emphasis.
"Please do not allow hunting in dining areas."
Ravina turned to Owlbert, her expression caught between amusement and concern as she studied her Pokémon's reaction. The Hoothoot looked away, his round red eyes fixing on a point of interest down the hallway as if he hadn't heard a word.
Ravina looked back at Berry, her curiosity piqued by the pattern of unusually specific rules.
"Also specific?"
"Very."
Berry stopped before a door halfway down the corridor, the number 12 displayed in polished brass. Her movements were efficient as she produced a key, the metal clicking softly as she turned it in the lock.
The door swung inward, revealing a space larger than Ravina had anticipated.
The room unfolded before them with practiced precision. A low padded sleeping platform dominated one wall, covered in clean linens that looked invitingly soft. The floor space was generous, ample room for Cinder and Nikola, though Ravina already knew her Fireball would likely claim the bed as his own, so long as she was in it.
A wide window framed an enclosed outdoor area, the glass catching the afternoon light and casting geometric patterns across the floor. A mounted perch stood positioned to catch that same light, and beside it, fresh water bowls gleamed in the dimmer hallway illumination.
Then Ravina noticed it—beside the bed, a small basket lined with clean blankets, perfectly sized for Toni
Ravina stared, her magenta eyes widening as she processed the room's thoughtful arrangement. Berry folded her hands, her posture relaxed as she observed Ravina's reaction with professional satisfaction.
"Suitable?"
Ravina turned, her gaze shifting from the basket to the woman who had arranged this unexpected comfort.
"You did all this while we were with April?"
"I have staff."
"Still."
Berry smiled, the expression warm and genuine in the dim light of the hallway.
"Hospitality."
Toni's tiny head emerged from the depths of Nikola's fleece, her dark eyes blinking slowly as she took in her new surroundings. The movement was deliberate, the hatchling's curiosity overcoming her earlier caution as she processed the unfamiliar space with focused concentration.
Berry's gaze shifted toward the small basket beside the bed, her movements fluid as she drew attention to the thoughtful accommodation she had arranged.
"I included a newborn sleeping nest."
Ravina followed her gaze, her eyes tracing the careful arrangement of soft blankets lining the small basket. It was perfect—soft, safe, exactly the right size for a hatchling still finding her footing in the world.
Toni looked at it, her dark eyes narrowing with assessment as she processed the offered sleeping arrangement. Then, with deliberate defiance, she burrowed deeper into Nikola's fleece, her small body disappearing into the welcoming warmth of the Mareep's coat.
Ravina sighed, the sound soft in the quiet room as she watched the hatchling's clear rejection of the carefully prepared sleeping space.
Berry watched the exchange, her expression unreadable as she processed the unexpected development.
"Would you like me to remove the basket?"
"Leave it."
Berry nodded, her pink hair catching the afternoon light as she accepted the decision without question.
"I admire optimism."
Ravina pointed at her, her movements precise and economical as she responded to the subtle dig.
"Rude."
"Hospitality."
- - - - -
Chapter 23.12
Berry moved to the small desk against the far wall, her movements fluid as she retrieved a laminated card from the top drawer. The card was slightly worn at the edges, the print crisp and clear despite repeated handling.
"Baths are available until ten. Laundry facilities operate twenty-four hours with a six-cycle limit per room." Her voice carried the practiced cadence of someone who had delivered this information countless times. "Dining hall opens at six for breakfast, closes at nine after dinner."
Ravina tried to absorb the flood of information, her mind already struggling to keep pace with the rapid-fire list of rules and schedules.
"Common room access requires room key. Outdoor lounge closes at sunset except for registered night Pokémon activities." Berry continued without pause, her professional smile unwavering. "Medical wing has overnight emergency contact listed on the card. Emergency bell is located beside each room entrance. Supply store closes at eight, but essential items are available through the front desk after hours."
Ravina's eyes glazed over slightly, her hand resting on cinder as she attempted to commit at least some of the details to memory.
Berry extended the laminated card, her movements precise as she placed it in Ravina's hand. "Everything you need is written here."
Ravina looked down at the card, then back at Berry, her expression shifting from overwhelmed to relieved in the space of a heartbeat.
"I love you."
Berry's smile widened, the expression genuine as she responded with practiced warmth. "I hear that often."
April's voice carried from down the corridor, the sound clinical but tinged with amusement. "She does."
Berry raised her voice, her pink hair catching the dim light as she called down the hall without turning. "You're adopted."
April appeared from her exam room at the far end of the corridor, her amber eyes narrowing with theatrical indignation. "We have the same mother!"
"Tragic, isn't it?" Berry's smile remained, her posture relaxed as she prepared for the familiar exchange.
April lifted one finger, the gesture precise and deliberate from her exam room "You forgot to mention the shower gel is hypoallergenic."
Ravina laughed, the sound soft and genuine in the quiet hallway as she watched the familiar dynamic unfold between the sisters.
Berry's smile remained fixed, her professional demeanor unwavering as she turned back from the doorway. The dim light of the lodging corridor caught the subtle pink highlights in her hair as she faced Ravina with practiced efficiency.
"Anything else?"
Ravina shifted her weight, the movement causing her pack to slide slightly against her shoulder. Her magenta eyes narrowed with thought as she considered the question.
"Actually."
The word hung in the quiet hallway for a moment before she continued, her fingers instinctively tightening around the strap of Toni's empty sling.
"I have a friend who might have stayed or be staying around here."
Berry's expression remained polite, her posture relaxed as she processed the request with the same practiced ease she had shown throughout their interaction.
"Name?"
"Ito."
The name fell into the space between them, and something shifted in Berry's carefully maintained professional composure.
Not much.
Just enough.
Ravina noticed immediately—the slight tightening around Berry's eyes, the fractional pause before she responded, the way her pointed ears seemed to angle slightly more forward. All subtle changes that someone less observant might have missed.
"Oh no."
Ravina's voice carried the weight of dawning recognition as she processed Berry's reaction.
Berry's smile widened, the expression shifting from professional courtesy to something more knowing as she confirmed Ravina's suspicions.
"Your friend has been very memorable."
"That means problem."
"I'm a hospitality professional."
"Berry."
"I did not say problem."
Ravina narrowed her eyes, her magenta gaze sharp with suspicion as she processed Berry's careful word choice.
"What did she do?"
Berry considered, then smiled even more sweetly, the expression shifting from professional courtesy to something more knowing.
"On the Hunsie scale?"
Ravina opened one eye wider, her posture stiffening with alarm.
"That is an alarming unit of measurement."
"Moderate."
Ravina stared. The silence stretched for a moment as she processed the implication. The word "moderate" on any Hunsie scale translated roughly to "catastrophic" in ordinary terms.
"...Oh no."
Berry pointed toward the window, her movements fluid as she redirected Ravina's attention to the outdoor area visible through the glass.
"Outdoor lounge."
Ravina followed the direction, her gaze taking in the space she had previously noted: Large Pokémon accommodation, outdoor seating, plenty of room for movement.
That made sense as she remembered Rocky, Webby, Hibi, Droplet and Ito. Of course they would be there. Of course.
Ravina rubbed her face, the movement carrying the weight of someone whose plans for quiet had just been thoroughly derailed.
"I was going to have a quiet evening."
Berry patted her shoulder, the touch light but firm as she offered sympathy without actual help.
"Were you?"
Ravina looked at her, Berry's smile was compassionate and entirely unhelpful.
Toni's tiny head emerged from the depths of Nikola's fleece, her dark eyes blinking slowly as she took in the exchange between the two women. The movement was deliberate, the hatchling's curiosity overcoming her earlier caution as she processed the unfamiliar space with focused concentration.
FUNNY.
The impression bloomed in Ravina's mind, clear and absolute as the newborn processed the exchange between the two women.
Ravina sighed, the sound soft in the quiet room as she watched the hatchling's clear rejection of the carefully prepared sleeping space.
"No."
The word was clipped, definitive, as she pushed herself away from the wall with reluctant resignation. Her gaze drifted toward the window, where the outdoor lounge stretched beyond the glass—large Pokémon accommodation, outdoor seating, plenty of room for movement.
"I suppose I should go find my other problem."
Berry's smile widened, the expression shifting from professional courtesy to something more knowing as she confirmed Ravina's suspicions.
"Another sister?"
Ravina stared, her magenta eyes widening with theatrical accusation as she processed the unexpected comparison.
"No."
"Worth trying."
Ravina ran a hand through her two-tone hair, the gesture carrying the weight of someone who had already accumulated more family than she had ever anticipated.
"I have too many sisters already."
Berry's expression was entirely satisfied, her professional demeanor unwavering as she processed the statement with practiced efficiency. "There is always room for more~"
That, somehow, felt worse.