Chapter 24.2
Hibi rose from the grass, the movement drawing Ravina's attention as the Bayleef stretched with deliberate slowness.
Ravina stopped, her magenta eyes widening slightly as she processed the change that had occurred since their last meeting.
"...Oh."
The Bayleef chirped, the sound carrying a note of warm recognition as she approached.
Ravina's expression shifted from surprise to something warmer, her lips curving into a smile as she observed the evolution that had transformed the once-small Chikorita.
"You got bigger too."
Ito looked smug, her upper eyes narrowing with theatrical pride as she preened at the obvious compliment to her Pokémon.
"Everyone is doing that except me."
Hibi chirped again and pressed her head against Ravina's leg, the gesture familiar despite the added height and bulk of her evolved form.
Ravina crouched enough to rub around the base of her leaf, her fingers finding the familiar texture as she offered affection to the Pokémon who had clearly grown fond of her despite their limited interactions.
"You look good."
Hibi leaned into it, her body relaxing under Ravina's touch as the Bayleef accepted the attention with quiet contentment.
A strand of silk descended from above, catching the afternoon light as it lowered toward the courtyard floor. Webby dropped from the railing with practiced efficiency, her small body suspended by the thread as she descended with arachnid grace.
Ravina looked up, her movements instinctive as she tracked the sudden movement from above.
"Hi, Webs."
The shiny Spinarak landed on her shoulder, her weight barely registering as she settled into position with deliberate precision. Her legs adjusted their grip, finding purchase on the fabric of Ravina's shirt as she oriented herself toward the new arrivals.
Cinder watched.
His orange-red eyes narrowed with focused attention as he tracked the Spinarak's sudden appearance, his body shifting slightly as he prepared to respond to the potential intrusion.
Webby watched him back.
The two regarded each other across the short distance, the moment stretching with unspoken assessment as predator and hunter measured each other in the quiet courtyard.
A short pause.
Then both relaxed.
Their posture shifted almost simultaneously, the tension draining away as recognition replaced caution. The blue Spinarak was familiar, he had seen her before, but Nikola had not.
The Mareep stepped closer, her hooves making soft sounds against the stone as she responded to the unfamiliar movement. Her fleece crackled with static as her ears swiveled forward, alert and focused on the new arrival on Ravina's shoulder.
Nikola's fleece crackled with static as her ears swiveled forward, alert and focused on the new arrival on Ravina's shoulder.
Webby lowered herself slightly on Ravina's shoulder, her blue legs adjusting their grip as she faced the Mareep with arachnid composure. Neither seemed particularly concerned by the sudden tension.
Ito watched them both, her upper eyes narrowing with predatory delight as she processed the unexpected introduction.
"Ooh."
Ravina turned, her magenta eyes narrowing with theatrical accusation as she anticipated the fae's next move.
"No."
Ito raised her hands in mock surrender, her expression one of theatrical innocence as she responded to the preemptive chastisement.
"I didn't say anything."
"You were about to."
"Probably."
Nikola took a step closer, her hooves making soft sounds against the stone as she assessed the Spinarak with focused curiosity. The Mareep's tail bulb flickered once, the rhythmic orange light casting a brief glow across the courtyard.
Webby remained still, her blue body a small contrast against Ravina's shoulder as she observed the approaching Pokémon without apparent concern.
Ito's attention shifted from the Spinarak to the Mareep, her upper eyes narrowing with predatory interest as she extended a hand in invitation.
Nikola approached cautiously, her movements deliberate as she sniffed at Ito's offered fingers. The Mareep's fleece settled slightly, the static discharge fading as she processed the unfamiliar scent.
Ito's expression brightened, her upper eyes widening with theatrical approval as she withdrew her hand.
"I like you."
Nikola stared, her black eyes narrowing with assessment as she processed the unexpected compliment.
"Sturdy."
The Mareep's posture relaxed immediately, her fleece settling as the static discharge faded completely. Her tail bulb resumed its gentle pulse, casting rhythmic orange light across the courtyard.
Ravina pointed, her movements precise and economical as she redirected her attention to the fae.
"Do not recruit my Mareep."
Ito smiled, a slow, deliberate curve of her lips that revealed nothing and everything at once.
"No promises."
"Promises."
"No."
Victor drifted through the doorway behind them, his gaseous form swirling with theatrical appreciation as he entered the courtyard.
Ito looked up, her upper eyes widening with predatory interest as she registered the newcomer.
"Ghost."
Victor executed a slow, theatrical bow, his misty body coalescing momentarily into a shape approximating formal deference before resuming its natural fluidity.
"Spider."
Ito's grin returned, the expression sharp and predatory as she straightened from her crouch, her upper eyes fixed on the Gastly with renewed interest.
"I missed you!"
"The sentiment is regrettably mutual."
Ravina turned, her magenta eyes narrowing with theatrical suspicion as she processed the unexpected exchange between her Pokémon and the fae.
Victor added before she could question further, his voice carrying the weight of dramatic revelation.
"She walked up the side of the tower."
He paused for effect, allowing the statement to hang in the air with theatrical gravity.
"It was quite the spectacle."
Owlbert came last, gliding from the roofline to one of the courtyard posts with practiced precision. His landing was silent, talons gripping the weathered wood as he settled into position with an air of perfect stillness.
Ito pointed at him, her movements sharp and deliberate as she addressed the newcomer.
“Owl.”
Owlbert hooted, the sound carrying his customary note of exacting assessment as he fixed his round red eyes on the fae.
Ravina folded her arms across her chest, her expression caught between amusement and exasperation as she observed the exchange.
“You have met all of them before.”
“I know. I am acknowledging them.”
“Like furniture?”
“Useful furniture.”
Owlbert stared, his unblinking gaze fixed on Ito as he processed the comparison with quiet intensity.
Ito looked at him, her upper eyes narrowing as she reconsidered her description.
“…Distinguished furniture.”
Owlbert continued staring, his posture remaining perfectly still as he awaited a more satisfactory designation.
“Fine. Bird.”
Hoot.
Ito nodded, her expression shifting to one of satisfied resolution as she turned back to Ravina.
“See? Respect.”
Ravina noticed it in the way Ito held her glass, the casual tilt of her wrist that spoke of comfort rather than calculation. The smile came easier now, not the sharp, irritated little smirk she'd worn in New Bark, nor even the challenging one from violet city.
This was different.
Softer.
The one that assumed Ravina would still be there tomorrow.
Ravina kept her thoughts to herself.
Ito would probably bite her if she pointed it out.