Chapter 29.6

Kurt's workshop sprawled across the eastern edge of Azalea, nestled behind a small cottage with a wild, colorful garden. Apricorn trees dotted the landscape, their rounded fruits, gleaming in green, blue, and red hues, hanging like ornaments from curved branches. Following a patchwork of directions from locals, Ravina finally found herself at the edge of the property, where an adjacent workshop doors stood open, spilling the rich scents of woodworking and metalwork into the damp morning air.

Inside, a display caught her attention. Rows of Poké Balls, but these were different from the standardized red-and-white capsules sold everywhere. Some sported polished wooden shells with intricate grain patterns, others featured metallic finishes catching the light in unusual ways, while some were deliberately simple, focusing on function rather than form.

"Oh," escaped her lips, genuine surprise in her voice.

"Never handle without clean hands," a gruff voice emerged from the workshop's depths. "Apricorns absorb oils. Ruins the finish."

Ravina straightened. "I wasn't going to touch."

"Good."

The craftsman stepped out from behind his workbench, a man whose face carried every year of telling people not to touch—and being ignored. His hands, stained with varnish and chalk, moved with practiced efficiency despite his age.

"Kurt?"

"Depends on who's asking."

"Ravina. I'm visiting Johto. Someone on Route 30 mentioned that traditional Apricorn craftsman still exist here."

His expression shifted almost imperceptibly, a flicker of pride softening the craggy lines around his eyes.

"They do," he affirmed, arms folding across his chest. "What do you want with them?"

"Wanted to see. Learn."

Kurt studied her for a long moment, weighing her words against her appearance—magenta hair, pointed ears, the sling carrying an unusual Pokémon. Finally, he stepped aside, opening a clear path.

"Then come in."

- - - - -

Chapter 29.7

Kurt's demeanor shifted when Ravina displayed genuine interest, not friendliness exactly, but engagement that demanded expertise rather than admiration. He motioned her closer to his workbench, where rows of dried Apricorn shells lay arranged by color and maturity.

His fingers, stained with varnish and chalk, handled the materials with practiced reverence. "People think it's simple," he said, gesturing to a tray of tools that glinted under the workshop's warm light. "Pick fruit, hollow it out, slap on some mechanism."

He picked up a nearly-finished Ball, its polished surface reflecting lamplight like a jewel. "Mass production ruined understanding." Ravina watched as he demonstrated the delicate process of fitting internal components, his movements economical and precise.

"So they're not just hollowed-out fruit."

Kurt's eyes narrowed slightly. "Every component serves purpose. The shell's density, the catch mechanism's tension, the energy regulation systems, all influenced by the Apricorn itself." He indicated different varieties on a nearby shelf, red, blue, green, yellow, each with distinct properties.

Ravina touched her own standard-issue Poké Balls, suddenly appreciating their complexity. "How long?"

"Depends." Kurt chose another piece for demonstration. "Apricorn variety, desired functionality, customization..." He measured her reaction. "And whether the customer wants proper work or impatient answers."

She laughed. "I was about to ask that."

"I know." His craggy features softened slightly.

Outside, her team explored the garden in their distinctive ways. Cinder investigated a berry bush with professional interest, while Nikola stood statue-like beneath an apricorn tree. Above them, Owlbert maintained surveillance from the cottage roof. Victor, predictably, had vanished to explore forbidden areas. Toni shifted in Ravina's arms, tiny hands reaching toward a passing butterfly.

"A few Pokémon," Ravina answered when Kurt inquired.

His gaze drifted beyond her workshop door, considering her team with professional assessment. Then his eyes settled on Toni, tilting his head with an expression she couldn't quite read.

"What's that?"

Ravina's smile came naturally as she adjusted the sling. "My daughter."

The workshop fell silent except for the rain against the window. Kurt stared without judgment, simply considering this information. Toni, sensing attention, looked up and waved.

"Long story."

"I imagine so."

- - - - -

Chapter 29.8

A small voice drifted from the house. "Grandpa?"

Kurt angled slightly toward the sound. "Workshop!"

A little girl appeared in the doorway, footsteps soft on the wood floor. Bright green eyes scanned the room before landing on Ravina. Her reddish-brown hair was gathered into two high, fluffy bunches, each held with pink beads that caught the light. A simple red dress fell around her knees, trimmed with pale white frills that matched the short sleeves of her blouse. A little shoulder bag hung at her hip, decorated with a smiling Slowpoke face.

She froze when she noticed Ravina, mid-step. "Oh!"

Ravina offered a warm smile. "Hi."

"Hello!" The girl's head tilted with curiosity, gaze drifting from Ravina's unusual hair color to the strange Pokémon in her sling.

"Who's that?"

"Toni."

"Toni?" The name formed with round wonder on her lips.

"Yep."

The girl's face lit up. "She's cute!"

Toni stared, processing. SMALL.

Ravina chuckled. "She's about your size."

Kurt grunted from his workbench without looking up. "Maizie. Manners."

"Oh!" The girl straightened suddenly, remembering her training. "I'm Maizie!"

"Ravina."

"That's a pretty name."

"Thank you. Yours too."

Maizie's smile spread like sunrise across her face, all dimples and bright teeth.

Then she looked toward the house.

"Come on!"

Silence answered.

Ravina blinked.

Maizie shifted on her feet.

"Come on!"

A broad pink head appeared around the doorway, moving with deliberate unhurriedness. Stubby front legs followed, then a substantial bulk of Slowpoke that made the doorway seem suddenly smaller.

"Oh."

The Pokémon emerged entirely at its own pace—a large, low-bodied creature with a cream-colored muzzle, round ears, and a thick tail curving behind it. It stood just over two feet at the shoulder, yet stretched nearly twice that from nose to tail tip. A neat blue ribbon, slightly askew, adorned its neck.

Ravina's gaze traveled from Slowpoke to Maizie.

"That's... a substantial Slowpoke."

Maizie's eyebrows drew together. "He's normal."

"Right."

Ravina glanced down at Toni.

The Togepi stared, eyes wide.

BIG.

"Yes," Ravina whispered.

The Slowpoke paused.

Looked vaguely in their direction.

Then remained perfectly still.

Maizie sighed, but it sounded fond. "He's always like this."

"Is he?"

"Yep."

She crossed the space and wrapped her arms around his neck. The Slowpoke showed no reaction whatsoever.

"Say hello!"

The Slowpoke continued staring into space.

Ravina waited.

Toni waited.

Victor drifted through the workshop wall, his purple haze swirling slightly as he took in the scene.

They continued waiting.

Then, finally:

"Slow."

Toni jumped, shell clacking against Ravina's side.

LOUD!

Ravina laughed. "That wasn't loud, sweetheart."

Toni pointed a stubby arm.

AGAIN!

Maizie giggled, a sweet sound like tiny bells. "You want him to do it again?"

Toni waved both arms emphatically.

AGAIN!

"Okay!"

Maizie leaned close to her Pokémon's ear.

"Say hello again!"

The Slowpoke stared into the middle distance.

Ravina's smile warmed. "This might take a while."

Maizie nodded with solemn wisdom. "Probably."

Victor drifted closer. "An intellectual summit of unprecedented gravity."

Ravina pointed at him without looking away from Maizie. "Behave."

Kurt looked up from his workbench. "Your Gastly?"

"Unfortunately."

Victor bowed gracefully. "Fortunately."

Kurt considered him for a moment, then returned to his whittling. "Don't touch the tools."

Victor's spectral form brightened. "I like him."

- - - - -

Chapter 29.9

Ravina lingered well past her original timeframe in Kurt's workshop.

Her extended stay wasn't accidental, the craftsman's willingness to share his centuries-old knowledge with someone genuinely curious held her captive. While Kurt demonstrated the intricate balance between Apricorn type and function, Ravina found herself absorbed in details she'd never considered about something as commonplace as Poké Balls.

Maizie had also made escaping difficult by discovering in Toni an endlessly fascinated audience. The small Togepi tracked every movement of Maizie's hands, every word she spoke, with an attention span uncommon for the newly hatched.

Most practically, the Slowpoke had positioned itself precisely in the middle of the workshop doorway and apparently decided that was where it would spend the remainder of the day. Its stationary bulk made exit an exercise in patience.

Maizie sat on one side of the immovable obstacle, Toni tucked carefully in Ravina's lap on the other. Between them, they'd arranged a small museum of polished stones collected from Maizie's adventures.

"This one's from the river," Maizie announced, holding up a smooth grey pebble that fit perfectly in her palm.

Toni leaned forward so far she nearly tumbled out of Ravina's arms. SHINY.

"It's not really shiny," Maizie corrected gently, but then tilted the stone toward the workshop light. A pale mineral streak caught the illumination. "But this part is!"

Toni reached stubby arms, fingers wiggling with want. Ravina caught them just in time.

"Ask first."

Maizie's smile brightened. "She can hold it!"

Ravina hesitated, assessing both object and intent. "Nothing small enough to swallow."

Maizie considered their collection with serious consideration, then selected a larger, rounded stone with mottled green patterns. "This one?"

"Perfect."

Toni accepted the treasure with both hands, holding it before her face like a sacred object. She examined it from all angles, then immediately attempted to deposit it in her mouth.

"No." Ravina intercepted gently.

MINE.

"Yes, it's yours. Still no eating stones."

Maizie giggled, a sound like wind chimes. "Slowpoke does that sometimes."

Ravina glanced at the enormous pink creature. "With stones?"

"Berries." Maizie leaned against his broad side. "He forgets he's eating."

Ravina blinked. "Really?"

Maizie nodded with practiced patience. "Sometimes he holds one in his mouth for ages, just... waiting."

Ravina studied the Slowpoke, whose gaze remained fixed on something only he could perceive in the workshop's middle distance.

"...That sounds inconvenient."

"He's very good at waiting," Maizie replied, pressing her cheek against his pink flank.

Slowpoke shifted infinitesimally beneath her weight, then settled again into perfect stillness.

Ravina observed their interaction with quiet interest. It wasn't the command-and-response pattern she often saw between children and Pokémon, but something different, more natural, more symbiotic. Maizie didn't treat Slowpoke as a toy or creature to be directed; he was simply there, a patient, grounding presence in her daily routine. She leaned on him with the same unconscious comfort Ravina found resting against Cinder's warmth.

Toni's gaze shifted as well. Small fingers released the stone onto the workshop floor with a soft clink. Her eyes moved from Maizie's face to the massive pink creature blocking their way.

SOFT?

Maizie's head tipped sideways, reddish-brown bunches brushing against her shoulders. "Do you want to pet him?"

Toni's stubby arms waved with sudden enthusiasm.

SOFT!

"Okay!" Maizie patted a broad pink shoulder. "Come here."

Ravina adjusted her grip, lifting Toni closer to the Slowpoke's side. Warmth radiated through smooth skin as tiny fingers made contact.

Toni stared, eyes wide with wonder.

BIG.

"Yes."

PINK.

"Yes."

SOFT.

"Apparently."

Another pat, more confident this time. Slowpoke's head turned with the glacier-like deliberation of his species, eyes finally focusing on the small creature before him.

Toni stared back, unmoving.

For several heartbeats, they remained locked in observation.

Then Slowpoke dipped his head minutely.

Toni leaned forward across Ravina's arm.

Their noses met in a delicate touch.

Ravina's smile bloomed quietly.

Maizie's hands flew together. "He likes her!"

"Does he?"

"He moved!" The child's voice filled with certainty.

Ravina laughed. "Fair evidence."

Toni lifted both arms, a gesture of pure joy.

FRIEND!

Slowpoke blinked. Seconds stretched into a small eternity.

"Slow."

Toni's squeal echoed through the workshop.

AGAIN

- - - - -

Chapter 29.10

Maizie noticed Ravina's gaze lingering on the blue ribbon encircling Slowpoke's neck. "I made that."

Ravina's lips curved into a smile. "Really?"

Maizie nodded, her fluffy bunches bouncing with the motion. "Grandpa helped with the knot." Her small fingers fidgeted with the fabric, straightening the bow with practiced care.

The ribbon, made of soft blue material, was tied with intentional precision, not too tight, positioned where it wouldn't chafe or snag. One end deliberately extended longer than the other.

"Grandpa says it'll get dirty," Maizie remarked, undeterred.

"It will," Kurt's gruff voice carried from his workbench.

"But I can wash it," Maizie countered, lifting her chin.

"He likes dragging that tail through the mud, too," Kurt added without looking up from his whittling.

Maizie glanced at Slowpoke's hindquarters. "That's different."

"How so?" Ravina couldn't help asking.

"He doesn't wear a ribbon on his tail."

Ravina pressed fingers to her mouth, muffling a chuckle as Kurt looked up, stared at his granddaughter with an unreadable expression, then returned to his craft. "Can't argue with that."

Toni stretched out a tiny hand toward the ribbon, curiosity plain in her reach.

"Not yours," Ravina murmured, gently catching her fingers.

BLUE echoed through their mental connection, clear as spring water.

"Very," Ravina affirmed.

Maizie leaned closer. "You can look." She carefully guided Slowpoke's neck to bring the bow within Toni's view.

Toni inspected it with solemn intensity, her head tilting as if analyzing the knot's construction. After a moment's consideration, she patted it gently.

PRETTY.

Maizie's whole face brightened. "Thank you, Toni!"

Toni clapped, the movement making her shell tap against Ravina's arm.

Ravina watched the quiet interaction between the two small creatures, a deliberate display and an appreciative audience, already sensing the beginning of an uncomplicated friendship forming between her daughter and this girl whose gentle patience seemed as natural as the Slowpoke beside her.

- - - - -

Chapter 29.11

By the time Ravina finally prepared to leave, the rain had ceased. Droplets clung to apricorn leaves, catching the afternoon light like tiny liquid gems.

Kurt escorted her toward the garden gate, his work boots sinking slightly into softened earth.

"Come back when you've got something worth making."

Ravina's grin returned. "I will."

"And don't bring me rotten Apricorns." His gaze flickered to her hands, checking instinctively for theft.

"I wasn't planning to."

"Good."

From behind, Maizie hurried after them, the sound of her small feet light on the damp ground. Slowpoke followed. Eventually, his leisurely pace bringing up the rear of their small procession.

"Ravina!"

Ravina turned. "Yeah?"

"Will you come back?"

Ravina glanced toward Kurt's workshop, where a half-finished Poké Ball rested on his workbench. "If I find some good Apricorns."

Maizie's whole face brightened. "I can show you the garden!" She gestured enthusiastically toward the nearby trees. "Grandpa grows them."

Kurt folded his arms, his weathered face softening with pride. "Some of the best in Azalea."

Maizie nodded vigorously, her reddish-brown bunches bouncing. "And I collect the ones that fall!"

"Provided they're ripe," Kurt added.

"Yep!"

Ravina smiled. "I'd like that."

Maizie's attention shifted to Toni in her sling. "And Toni can visit Slowpoke again!"

Toni waved enthusiastically, her shell tapping against Ravina's side. AGAIN!

Maizie laughed. "See? She wants to!"

Ravina chuckled softly. "Then we'll come back."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Kurt looked at her directly, his eyes carrying the weight of years spent keeping granddaughters honest. "Don't make promises you can't keep."

Ravina met his gaze, recognizing the familiar authority. She smiled. "I'll do my best."

He studied her for a long moment, then nodded. "Good enough."

Maizie waved. "Bye, Ravina!"

"Bye, Maizie!"

"Bye, Toni!"

Toni waved both hands. SMALL!

Ravina laughed. "We're working on names."

Slowpoke stood sentinel beside Maizie, his blue ribbon shifting in the gentle breeze. Ravina waved at him too. "Bye, Slowpoke."

Nothing.

She started down the road. Maizie returned toward the house. Kurt disappeared back into his workshop. Slowpoke remained by the gate.

Ravina was almost around the corner when a distant voice finally called: "Slow."

She looked back. The big pink Pokémon was still watching the road.

Ravina laughed. "Goodbye!"

Toni lifted her head from the sling. AGAIN!

"Another day, sweetheart."