Pepper's Links
Taffy's closest friend is Pepper. Their association began after a particularly strong and unseasonable storm knocked the unlucky Metapod loose from the tree they'd made their cocoon in. Because their shell is so hard, Taffy suffered no physical damage from the tumble. They were just completely miserable - cold and wet and totally unable to move from the grass where they'd fallen, Taffy couldn't do anything but lie on the ground and stare forlornly up at the branches they'd so recently occupied. They were also afraid. A lone metapod lying on the grass is an easy target for predators! Thankfully though, they didn't have to lay there long. Within a few hours Taffy was discovered by Pepper - out on her morning constitutional - and the Pikipek instantly guessed what had happened. While Pepper was too small to move Taffy by herself, she was at least strong enough to push them across the damp grass and into the relative safety of a bush before returning to Firth for help. Several minutes later saw a dedicated team of strangers hoisting the jubilant bug Pokemon back up into their tree and securing them with sturdy rope. Taffy could only blink their thanks to their rescuers, but the message was clear enough for everyone involved to understand. Taffy was especially grateful to Pepper - they'd initially been quite frightened when the bird Pokemon had showed up, what with bugs and birds being natural enemies. But instead of hurting them, Pepper had gone out of her way to HELP them, and Taffy will never forget that. These days, Pepper often stops by to check on the Metapod, perching on a branch next to them and just hanging out for a few minutes before continuing on her way. Taffy very much looks forward to the day that they emerge from their cocoon so that they can tell the Pikipek how much it all means to them!
Steve is a little older then Pepper's brother Eddard, and she's known him her entire life. He and his family have tended to the forest around Pepper's childhood home for generations - so when the feathered family moved in next door, they just worked around them, eventually growing friendly and somewhat chatty as the years passed. Though Pepper didn't consider Steve a friend until very recently! Nope. Until Steve offered to come into town once a week and look after Pepper's yard, she always classed him as 'weird, but harmless'. Thanks to these visits though, which has allowed them to chat one-on-one, Pepper has learned a lot more about the nature-loving Darumaka, and has even consulted him on missions where she needs to go deep into the woods. Steve definitely dances to the beat of his own drum, and his knack for coaxing stubborn or sickly plants into bloom is uncanny, as are his tracking skills and knowledge of local herbs. There's no WAY he and his clan are descended from Shaymin like he claims, though! She simply can't buy it. Shaymin isn't even REAL...