Chapter 8
A House Full of Partners
Ravina's Travel Journal — Day 5
Mum’s Pokémon are finally coming out of storage.
This means the house is about to get louder, more crowded, and significantly harder to insure.
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again.
Cinder has no idea what’s coming.
Cinder has no idea he’s about to meet half the people who helped raise me.
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>> Nostus Belongs to @forgottenjade over at: https://bsky.app/profile/softsheepewe.bsky.social
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Chapter 8.1
Later that day, Nostus declared her unpacking complete, a declaration Ravina had nearly forgotten the significance of until she returned from training.
She stopped dead at the backyard gate. Something enormous occupied most of the lawn, its slow, rhythmic breathing creating a strange, deep resonance in the air. Cinder walked straight into her ankle. He looked up indignantly, then followed Ravina's gaze toward the colossal form.
The Slaking snored, a sound so deep it rattled a nearby garden chair. Cinder's flames erupted in a panicked burst.
Ravina immediately crouched, her hand finding his back. "Easy, Fireball."
The Slaking opened one eye, and Cinder froze as the enormous Normal-type stared directly at him. Then it yawned, revealing teeth the size of Ravina's fingers, and went back to sleep.
Ravina let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "That's Saturn. She looks scarier than she is." Cinder continued to stare, his body rigid. "Don't worry, I grew up using her as furniture."
As if to prove her point, Saturn raised one lazy arm. Ravina walked over and dropped against her enormous side, the Pokémon's fur surprisingly soft against her back. Saturn grunted and loosely rested an arm over Ravina.
Cinder looked horrified.
"Come on," Ravina patted the grass beside her. Cinder approached cautiously, his body low to the ground, each step deliberate. Saturn didn't move. After a long moment of sniffing one enormous hand, Cinder seemed satisfied that the mountain wouldn't crush him. He climbed carefully onto Ravina's stomach, curling into a tight ball against her.
Within ten minutes, both Pokémon and the small girl were asleep in the afternoon sun.
That's where Nostus found them later, finding the scene absolutely adorable, she quietly snapped a picture with her Pokégear. Ravina would only discover this several days afterward, when Nostus casually showed her the photo during dinner, much to Ravina's embarrassed protests.
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Chapter 8.2
The others arrived gradually.
Jupiter the Meganium appeared next. The towering Grass-type lowered her head immediately upon spotting Ravina, nearly toppling her with an enthusiastic nuzzle.
"Hi! Hi, I missed you too!" Ravina cried, gripping the large Pokémon's muzzle to steady herself. Cinder circled nearby, his body tense with suspicion.
Once Ravina regained her balance, Jupiter lowered herself further until her head nearly touched the grass, inviting the wary Cyndaquil closer. One cautious sniff, then another. Jupiter's antennae brushed against Cinder's fur, causing him to sneeze violently. Ravina's laughter filled the backyard as Cinder shook his head. Within half an hour, the skeptical Cyndaquil was curled beneath the Meganium's broad petals, using her as living shade.
Venus emerged from her Poké Ball like liquid midnight, her movements flowing and silent. Before Ravina could properly register her presence, slender arms wrapped around her in a graceful embrace that smelled faintly of night-blooming flowers.
Ravina laughed into the Pokémon's shoulder. "Hello to you too."
A cautious "Cynda?" came from beside them.
Venus turned her head, red eyes meeting Cinder's wary gaze.
Good evening, Cinder.
The voice bloomed directly inside Cinder's thoughts, smooth as silk and utterly unexpected. He launched backward across the lawn, flames sputtering in alarm.
Ravina collapsed to her knees, wheezing with laughter. "Oh! Right." She gasped for air as Venus tilted her head.
You neglected to warn him.
"I forgot that normal Pokémon don't usually do that."
A concerning sentence.
Cinder approached again, each step measured. Venus watched him with an unnerving stillness. Something unspoken passed between them, a brief exchange Ravina couldn't perceive. When it ended, Cinder's posture had changed. He moved forward with newfound confidence, touching his nose to Venus's outstretched hand.
Venus looked toward Ravina, a subtle smile playing on her lips. From that moment, Cinder treated her not as a stranger but as family. Ravina suspected Venus had shared something more than mere greetings with him.
Mars the Lucario carried an aura of disciplined intensity. She circled Cinder once, her gaze sharp and analytical, as if measuring his potential against unseen standards. Cinder, sensing the scrutiny, rose to his full height, chest puffed out and flames flickering with determination.
After completing her assessment, Mars offered a single, decisive nod. Cinder's entire demeanor shifted, his chest swelling with pride as if he had passed a critical trial.
Mercury the Blastoise presented a different challenge entirely. The massive Water-type emerged into the yard, shell gleaming in the sunlight, her arms crossed as she regarded Cinder with an unreadable expression.
Cinder craned his neck upward, his small frame dwarfed by her imposing presence. Ravina recognized the same awe-tinged apprehension she'd seen when he first met Nostus. "Easy there, Fireball. She's just big."
Mercury let out a low rumble that sounded suspiciously like amusement. Cinder's flames flared instinctively, a defensive gesture that earned him a raised eyebrow from the Blastoise. For several tense moments, neither moved. Then, Mercury's features softened into a slow, deliberate nod of approval.
For the rest of the afternoon, Cinder strutted around the yard with an unmistakable swagger, his earlier wariness replaced by an unwavering confidence in his own importance.
But Sol…
Sol the Blaziken arrived as sunset painted the sky in hues of orange and violet. Nostus released her near the edge of the yard, and the tall Fire/Fighting-type stretched, her crimson feathers catching the last light.
Cinder froze mid-step, eyes wide with fascination. Sol turned her head toward the small Cyndaquil, her own flames flaring briefly in greeting. Cinder's back vents responded with an eager flicker.
The little Cyndaquil stared, utterly mesmerized. Ravina watched from the porch steps, a strange knot forming in her chest as Nostus stood beside her.
"He really likes her," Ravina murmured, the words tasting faintly of jealousy.
"Most Fire-types recognize kindred spirits," Nostus replied as Sol moved toward the training area, Nostus falling into step behind her.
No words passed between them. Sol simply knew.
They began with movement drills, each motion fast, precise, almost silent. Nostus barely spoke. A slight gesture of her hand. A subtle shift of weight. A single glance. Sol responded before commands could form.
Ravina leaned forward as Cinder pressed against her leg, both watching in rapt attention.
Trainer and Pokémon moved as one, as if their thoughts had merged years ago. Because they had.
Afterward, Ravina remained quiet until Nostus noticed. "What?"
"How long?" Ravina finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Nostus glanced toward Sol. "To do what?"
"That," Ravina gestured helplessly. "You barely said anything to her."
Nostus smiled faintly. "Years."
Ravina looked down at Cinder, then back at her mother. "So eventually, Cinder and I could..."
"You could."
A smile spread across Ravina's face.
But Nostus added, "But we're not finished."
Ravina frowned. "What?"
Nostus looked toward Sol. "We're still learning about each other."
Sol glanced back as Nostus smiled at her partner. "You never really finish."
Ravina remembered what Nostus had told her before she met Cinder.
They love you.
That doesn't mean they respect you as a trainer.
For the first time, Ravina understood as Cinder leaned more firmly against her leg and Ravina rested one hand on his head.
They had a long way to go.
For some reason, that realization made her heart feel full.