Chapter 9
A Pair of Eyes in the Dark
Ravina's Travel Journal — Day 10
I have a Trainer Card, I have Poké Balls and I have enough supplies to survive either several days in the wilderness or a minor natural disaster, depending on which version of Mum’s packing list you believe.
Yesterday I was apparently ready and today I have to prove it.
Violet City first. One Gym. That is still the agreement.
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>> Nostus Belongs to @forgottenjade over at: https://bsky.app/profile/softsheepewe.bsky.social
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Chapter 9.1
Morning arrived much too quickly.
Ravina stood outside the little house in New Bark Town with her travelling pack secured across her shoulders and Cinder sitting beside one boot.
The difference between this departure and the last one was surprisingly difficult to ignore.
Nine days ago, New Bark had been an unfamiliar little coastal town she'd expected to tolerate until her mother finished working.
Eight days ago, Ravina had walked down this same road carrying Professor Elm's parcel and a Cyndaquil she was technically borrowing.
Now she carried a Trainer Card with her name printed across it, a Pokédex, a case of empty Poké Balls. an Apricorn satchel, enough medical supplies to treat injuries she sincerely hoped she never encountered.
And Cinder, who was definitely hers now
Though judging by the way he was attempting to investigate a loose strap dangling from her pack, perhaps ownership was the wrong way around.
“Leave that.”
Cinder immediately stopped and Ravina narrowed her eyes.
He stared innocently back. “You were going to bite it.”
A chirp. “I know you were going to bite it.”
Another chirp.
Behind them, Nostus laughed and Ravina turned to find her mother standing in the doorway with her arms folded. Venus lingered just behind her, calm and graceful as ever, while Saturn was visible through the living-room window occupying an unreasonable percentage of the furniture.
"You know," Nostus said, "you can still change your mind."
Ravina blinked. That hadn't been what she'd expected.
Nostus smiled. "There's no shame in deciding you want another week. Or deciding the Gym Challenge isn't for you after all."
Ravina looked toward the western road, and for a moment she considered it seriously.
Home was comfortable, her mother was here, Cinder had settled in, Daphne had become enough of a regular visitor that Ravina was beginning to suspect she would be back before lunch and everything beyond Cherrygrove was unfamiliar.
That thought produced something strange in her chest. Not fear exactly, more like excitement wearing fear's coat.
Ravina smiled. "No."
Nostus's expression softened. "No?"
"I want to go."
Cinder chirped immediately.
Ravina glanced down. "Yes, yes. Apparently you do too."
Nostus crouched and pulled Ravina into a hug before she could protest. Despite herself, Ravina returned it.
"Call me."
"I will."
"Every town."
"Mum."
"Every town."
"Yes."
"And if something feels wrong.."
"I know."
"If Cinder gets hurt..."
"Pokémon Center."
"If you get hurt..."
"Also Pokémon Center."
"If some attractive stranger asks you to follow them into a suspicious building..."
Ravina leaned back. "That one feels targeted."
"It is."
"Mum."
Nostus kissed her forehead. "Go have your adventure."
Ravina smiled, adjusted her pack, turned toward the road and started walking. Cinder trotted after her. Neither looked back for almost a minute. When Ravina finally did, Nostus was still standing outside.
She raised one hand, Ravina raised hers in return. Then the trees swallowed New Bark behind them.
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Chapter 9.2
The road to Cherrygrove felt shorter the second time, not in miles, her feet made that clear after the first couple of hours, but in familiarity.
She recognized the stream where Cinder had been ambushed by a leaping Magikarp, the field where wild Pokémon had watched them from the grass, even the stone wall where he'd stopped because some apparently fascinating insect lived underneath it.
This time, though, he didn't need to constantly glance backward to ensure Ravina still followed. And Ravina noticed something new: she recognized when his steps began to drag, when his flames dimmed with fatigue.
"Break."
Cinder looked back, a questioning chirp in his throat.
"We're stopping." He glanced toward the road ahead, then back at her.
"No arguing."
A resigned chirp. Ravina dropped her pack beneath a tree. "I trained under Nostus Shales for an entire week." Another chirp, this one more impressive. "Exactly. Fear me."
Five minutes later, Cinder climbed into her lap and fell asleep. Ravina decided she'd won.
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Chapter 9.3
Cherrygrove emerged by midday, its harbor bustling just as Ravina recalled. Wingull wheeled above fishing vessels, storefronts overflowed onto pavements, and trainers navigated streets accompanied by Pokémon of every conceivable shape.
This visit altered her perspective. She now saw them not as curiosities, but fellow travelers. One girl displayed two badges on her pack case. Another trainer haggled with an innkeeper about weekly rates. Two hikers studied a notice board, discussing temporary harbor work unloading freight.
Ravina slowed her pace.
Several listings bore a familiar symbol.
REGISTERED TRAINERS WELCOME — SHORT CONTRACTS AVAILABLE
Below, opportunities sprawled: deliveries, café shifts, warehouse assistance, Pokémon walking, market stalls, and overnight security. One offered reduced lodging in exchange for three evening restaurant shifts.
Ravina stared as Cinder looked up. "...Mum neglected to mention this part."
She had travel funds, sufficient for now. Yet food, accommodation, and Pokémon supplies already depleted her reserves faster than anticipated. For a moment, she imagined Saturn's food bill and shuddered. "Future Ravina problem."
Cinder chirped. "Exactly."
She photographed the board anyway.