Hidden Glow

Alone in the woods, a grand estate stood firm amongst the bobbing of the trees. It had obviously stood for longer than anyone walking its walls, traces of its age sneaking through the attempts at upholding its splendor. Ivy grasped and coiled around its edges, as if to appease the forest it had intruded upon. One side of the fencing was absent, instead settled on the edge of a small private lake owned by the powerful family. Settled nearby was a training area, complete with dummies covered in slices, some barely standing, and various weapons locked away from prying hands.

Hiding behind one of the many pillars dabbling the property, a small face peeked out from their cover. Plain, unassuming clothes covered their exterior, which was easy given their tiny frame. Their eyes trailed across their surroundings, settling on a pair of chatting servants. The two didn't even notice their spy, giggling and gesturing out some event that had transpired before disappearing around the corner. It seemed that was what they had been waiting for, at last darting out into the open and towards the vast body of water. When no one noticed them and they were able to successfully duck behind a docked boat, they let out a sigh of relief. Commence the next stage of the plan!

Shaking off a leather bag they had hidden under their clothing, the pokemon pawed the garments over their head and onto the ground. Revealed underneath was a mostly blue ball of fluff, but one that anyone who saw would recognize; Evangeline, young daughter and heir to the noble family that occupied the manor. Despite that reality, none witnessed her, and thus she peacefully stuffed her shedded clothing into the bag. Once it was securely clasped shut and tied back around her, she gave one last glance around for any bystanders. With the coast clear yet again, she quietly submerged herself into the water and vanished with only a small ripple.

Being descended from water type pokemon, gliding through the water was second nature to her. A few of the fish swimming in the depths seemed shocked to see her, eyes popping out of their heads, but she would only respond with a bright smile and wave of her little paw. She had a plan, after all, even if the view down there was magical.

Before too long Eva was through, emerging onto the beach on the opposite side from her home. As soon as she was out of range of the waves, she let out a vicious shake, secreting heat at the same time to dry herself faster. It resulted in her truly becoming one with the floof, fur poofing out into a giant pom pom. With a bit of careful grooming, she got the fur back under control, and did a quick check of the packed clothing. Unfortunately, the lining was only resistant, not immune to water, so a bit of dampness still permeated the material. Her cheeks puffed in displeasure, but it was nothing she couldn't fix with some more heat. For later, though. With some spring in her step, she was back on the road, prancing excitedly towards her target: the nearby town.

The extra step was likely unnecessary, but Eva still put effort into remaining somewhat hidden by the trees. It had been years since she visited, her appearance less crisp in the minds of the townsfolk, but you never know! Better to be safe than have a guard arrive to chew her out, or even worse, her parents.... At least it was a very refreshing trip, listening to the sounds of the woods with no other voices overcoming them. Alone time in the outdoors was few and far between these days. Even if she could feel her fur tugging branches loose and mud squishing between her toes. It was awesome!

After some time she could at last pick up when the town was close, evidenced by the dim hum only a place of many bodies could bring. The excitement coursing through her was so extreme, she couldn't contain the vibrations wracking her tiny frame. Now was go time! Digging through her bag, she pulled out the clothes, wetness still clinging to them as she had expected. Spreading the fabric out between her paws, she carefully heated the air in her lungs instead of summoning fire itself and gently breathed it over them. It worked wonders, the pieces perfectly dry in no time. Once they were fastened on her, she dug through the bag again in search of her last item: a thick pouch of coins. She was none the wiser just how odd it was to have so much, especially in her indistinct garb.

Satisfied with her outfit, pouch hidden under her clothes, she stashed the leather bag under a bush and let out a huff of anticipation. After all the time she spent thinking it over, debating on the likelihood of success, she was here! Not a moment more could be wasted with hesitation.

A few locals let out squeaks of surprise and jumped when a little creature suddenly dashed from the foliage, standing proudly on the path like she had won a race. "GOOD MORNING!!" Eva called out to them, bouncing paw to paw with a wide smile.

"Um, it's afternoon...." one of the spooked shyly told her, seemingly still a little unsure about her.

"Is that so....? GOOD AFTERNOON!" Nodding in satisfaction, she took off running down the street like a bat out of hell, leaving behind the disturbed group.

"What a strange, small child...."

Once she found herself in a more populated area, Eva's steps slowed to a walk. It was easy to see why it was busier here; it seemed she had wandered into the market of the town, little and big stalls lined up on either side of a series of connecting roads. With it being early noon, it was peak time for the locals and visitors to browse. It was especially true for the food vendors, stomachs drained of breakfast and eager for their next meal. Eva was part of that genre it seemed, her stomach letting out a grumble in complaint. Not unusual given her active lifestyle and constant demand for nutrients.

Given new purpose, Eva's ears perked and she began her search for a tasty snack. At home her meals were always planned and prepared by a chef, so being given this freedom was thrilling, if not a little disconcerting. All of this was new to her, most of it cuisine her family chef scoffed at and deemed below them. But she thought it all still looked wonderful! Her eyes eventually drifted towards a simple stand, 'MALASADA' written on the front with a faded picture of an Eevee eating a strange pastry. Eva began making her way towards it, nose high in the air and sniffing furiously. The vendor, a Ribombee, seemed to notice her interest, immediately focusing their attention on her.

"Oh ho ho~! Have my delights intrigued you!" They chirped, doing a small spin midair with a flap of their wings. "Many underestimate the power of a malasada until it brings them to their knees!"

"Is that what's going on? I've never been defeated so quickly before! Incredible!" Eva grinned, flashing her large canines in her display.

"Indeed! As someone who understands their charms, I'll offer a rare discount!" The Ribombee clasped her hands together in a warm gesture. "One believer to another!"

"Oh?" Eva asked, ears perking. "It does smell delicious... I can't say no!" Digging through her bag, she snatched a small pile of coins in her teeth and deposited them on the counter. "Will this be enough for one?" She sat on the ground with big sparkling eyes, tails wagging.

"This much is... oh my!" Ribombee gasped, holding a dainty hand to her mouth as she marveled. "This would cover much more than one even without a discount! Why, I would say at least five!"

"Five would be fine! As my dad would say, I eat like a small army!" Eva snickered, remembering her home life. Father always found her similarities to him hilarious and wonderful, while her mom would have a heart attack at having a daughter so "uncouth."

"Only five? I couldn't, that was just a rough estimate, this is definitely worth more--"

"It's fine," Eva interrupted, wanting to stop her before she began the inevitable rant. What she gave was just pocket change to her, not that she needed to explain that. "I wouldn't have offered that much if I wasn't willing to pay! Please keep it."

Ribombee seemed to hesitate a few moments longer, looking back and forth between Eva and the money with a look of concern. It wasn't an outrageous amount, but definitely far more than most pokemon were willing to pay. It was only a few, but these were worth more than the average coin, something only the wealthy were known to carry. For a young one like this Samurott to be giving them so freely spoke of a secret, but one Ribombee knew better than to delve into.

"Very well.... If you're sure." Opening a small bag beneath the counter, Ribombee used her arm to shove the pile into it. Once it was pulled close, she threw it into a small safe she was glad to keep on hand. "If I may ask, what is your name? I haven't seen you around here before." As she spoke, she grabbed an apron befitting her size, dusted with flour and sugar, and looped it over her head. She left it simply to hang, foregoing tying it behind her back like one typically would.

"Oh! Um, uh..." Eva found herself getting a little warm, scrambling to come up with something. "You can just call me Eva! I'm visiting! From a....few towns over!" Her mother found nicknames distasteful, only allowing Eva to be spoken to or even mentioned by her full name. She hoped it would be enough to keep any bells from ringing on the name.

"Eva? That's a beautiful name!" In the meantime, Ribombee flew over to a heated pan on the back counter, malasadas lined up in neat little rows. With practiced hands, she plucked five and arranged them on a plate she set back up front. "Oh, you don't have hands... How will you be able to take them?"

"I'll be fine! I'm used to multitasking." Before she could even fully grasp the plate in her teeth, Ribombee was throwing out a hand.

"Wait! You've never had one, correct? I always love to see the reaction of pokemon with their first malasada! Will you allow this silly little request of mine?"

"It's not silly!" Eva protested, dropping the plate and furrowing her brows. "You probably work hard on these, right? Of course bringing someone else joy would make you happy! It's only natural to enjoy helping others."

As Eva began biting into a malasada with fervor, Ribombee covered her giggle with a hand. She quite liked this one, so full of life and unabashedly herself. Youth was always a joy to behold.

"Wow...! WOW!! This is so good!" Eva gushed, almost purring like a cat in her joy. "This is one of the best pastries I've ever had!!"

Her words brought a jolt of glee to Ribombee's heart, doing another spin with a wide smile and burst of sparkles. "I've never gotten such an enthusiastic response! I'm so glad it made you happy!"

Tails wagging again, Eva proceeded to devour the whole rest of the plate, the shopkeeper looking on in shock as if she were spectating an odd zoo attraction. When she was done, she licked her lips, contentment oozing off of her in waves. "That was incredible! I will have to come back soon for sure! Like, in the next week at least."

"Oh, hearing that makes me so glad! But I'm afraid I am only here when the market is open once a month."

"Once a month?!" Eva exclaimed, looking like her whole world was ending. So used to getting everything handed to her the second she wanted it, having to wait felt like an evil torture scheme. "Why only once a month?!"

"I only bake as a hobby, you see!" Taking the emptied plate, she fiddled with the edges with her fingers. "I've heard from those who do it professionally how it begins to drain away the passion of it all after some time. It becomes less a labor of love, and more a labor of coin. To deplete myself my biggest joy, why, it would break me!" With a dramatic wave of her arms to show her emotion, she discarded the plate in the trash.

"A labor of love, huh..." Eva murmured, thinking over the sentiment the little fairy had expressed. No matter how much she dug in her memories, she couldn't recall having such a thing herself. All of her daily activities were planned not for her enjoyment, but for her betterment as the precious heir of her family. Maybe her parents had one they kept close to their hearts, but with how little time she spent with them, she couldn't say what it could be. They only really met at dinner these days unless Eva invited herself into their studies. Her mother would try to shoo her off quickly, knowing she was shirking something to be there, while her father was much more welcoming, but too busy to really give her much attention. "Sounds like a beautiful thing."

"It is indeed," Ribombee quietly agreed, the two having a peaceful moment of contemplation together. However, after a minute, Eva realized she still had so much more to see of the town. This had only scratched the surface!

"It was nice talking, I'll be sure to be back for more some other time!" Eva yipped, jumping to her feet and taking off like a little bullet again. As pokemon struggled to not get run over by her, Ribombee let out a little chuckle and waved goodbye despite knowing it would not be seen.

The rest of the town seemed beautiful from what Eva could see. Fountains, hanging flowers, intricate brickwork on the paths. For once, she found herself taking it slow to admire everything. No one really paid her any mind, involved in their own conversations and tomfoolery. For just a second, she found her gaze taken by a small family, parents watching their children frolick through a field from the safety of a blanket, but she forced her eyes forward. Her explorations took her everywhere, under archways, winding paths, old buildings meant to be a splendor. Why had she been denied this before?

Without thinking, the pygmy began wandering into a small alleyway, hidden mostly from the sun and any unwitting bystanders. She was hoping this would connect to an area she had yet to see and couldn't figure out the way to. Her ears perked at the sight of the exit in front of her, sunlight illuminating it, before it was once again shadowed like everywhere else around her. When she lifted her tiny eyes, she was surprised to see a trio of pokemon looming over her. An Arbok, a Makuhita, and a Scrafty it seemed.

"Well well well, look who wandered into our little corner of town! Can't say I've seen ya here before," the Scrafty jeered, dipping his head real close to hers. He usually jokingly did it to get a better look while scaring the victim, but the little fox didn't even budge.

"Yeah, I haven't really been around here! You sound mighty familiar with this place, though!" Eva quipped, doing a little hop. It had the unseen effect of rattling the coins on her hip, drawing the attention of the hoodlums. Their eyes widened along with their smiles, foreseeing an easy scrap of dough.

"Yeah yeah, you could say that. Say, kid, where'd you get that money? That's an awful lot for an unassuming squirt like you," the Scrafty added, beginning to narrow in on her. Behind her, the Arbok slithered to where she had exited, blocking the last escape route.

"Oh, uh, this? Just my allowance, it sounds like more than it is!" Eva attempted to wave off, not even caring enough to be worried about the pokemon she did in fact notice getting behind her.

"Well, why don't we just take it off your hands? Sounds awfully heavy for your size," the Scrafty leered, hands itching to just snatch it, but holding himself at bay.

"Oh? Do you need it for something?" Eva asked, cocking her head in curiosity. She'd been warned about robberies before, but most involved big, powerful pokemon, and many of them. Such a small group of locals didn't alert her of any danger.

"Yeah, I need it for my sssssick grandmother, obvioussssly!" the Arbok joked, all three of them bursting into laughter at the stupidity of it. What kind of silly child didn't realize she was about to be mugged?!

"Your...your sick grandmother?!" Eva sniffled, her eyes beginning to fill with tears. The thugs were so taken back by it, they began looking between each other in confusion. "THAT'S SO SAD!! HERE!" Using all her might, she tossed the coin pouch at the Scrafty, nearly taking him out in the process. "Please use this to make her better! I'm sorry!!" Giving no further explanation, she took off down the alley full speed where she had been heading, sobbing loudly and aggressively until her voice faded into the distance.

Left behind, the trio began looking back and forth between the money and the exit, eyes bugging out of their heads. What the heck was that about?!

"She wassss obviously terrified of usss...." the Arbok murmured, gaining grunts and nods of agreement. Why else would she give them all her money for such a lie and run away so fast? They were really on top of their game today!

"Woah, what was she doing with this type of coin?!"

Meanwhile, Eva was beginning to calm down, but still a little mopey. That poor Arbok and his sick grandma! Hopefully she made it... Her paws stopped when she noticed how dark it had gotten, and when she looked up she saw the lowering sun was beginning to be covered in clouds. The ominous kind that usually preceded a rain storm. As if to add insult to injury, her stomach growled, reminding her she hadn't eaten in hours and had no more money on her. It seemed she had even stopped beside a convenience store, forced to look inside at the rows of food lining the shelves. Sitting down, she pouted at the glass. She supposed she'd have to go home soon anyway...

Beside her, Eva heard the jingle of the store's door opening, but ignored it to keep staring at the window. Noises of feet tapping on stone came closer, and with an ear wiggle she realized they had stopped right beside her. When she looked over, she was greeted by the sight of another tiny fox, fur white and fluffy where it wasn't bright and shiny like dawn. They appeared prim and proper, exactly like her if she fit her birthright a little better. In their teeth was a bag with the store branding, which they lowered to the ground in order to speak.

"Why are you looking at the window so glumly?" they asked, though they appeared to rather be anywhere else than there. Their face even seemed to be stuck in a semi-permanent frown, not the least bit excited.

While it would be easy to say she was hungry, she didn't really want to force her problems on this stranger. However, before she could even get any words out from her open mouth, a loud growl cut across the empty space between them from her stomach. It brought a slight blush to her face, and an answering sigh from the newcomer.

"If you're hungry, why not just go inside and get something? Better than watching like a stalker."

"Uh.... I kinda can't? I donated all my money to a worthy cause!" Eva huffed in resolution. It only seemed to confuse them, raising an elegant brow at the strange water fusion.

"You donated all your money...to a worthy cause? Is that right?" They sounded incredulous, already beginning to realize Eva was a bit strange.

"Yes! The Arbok said his grandma was dying! How could I just leave his poor grandma to die like that?!" Reminded about the predicament, tears tickled at the corners of her eyes again, but did not fall this time.

"An Arbok...?" The stranger said, cocking their head ever so slightly in thought before recognition bloomed. "Was he with a Scrafty and Makuhita?"

"Yes!" Eva barked, scooting forward as she wagged one of her tails. She chose to ignore how the stranger pointedly took a step back. "Have you donated to his grandma too?!"

The stranger couldn't believe what they were hearing. Anyone and everyone who stayed in the area for any significant amount of time had at least heard mention of the band of hoodlums. They almost wanted to chastise her for her stupidity, getting robbed and not even realizing--who was naive enough to believe the grandma was dying?!--but decided to hold off. They would deny it if asked, but they didn't really want to upset them with the knowledge. Not their job, but also, they didn't really want to see such a jovial pokemon be dimmed by disappointment.

"Something like that..." An unsure expression clouded their eyes, seeming to debate something before releasing a large sigh. Before Eva could ask why they were already digging in their bag, pulling out a bun. It was carefully broken in half, one side held out to Eva. Realizing what was happening, she began floundering, not wanting to take from them when she knew she'd be fine.

"I can't poss--"

"Take it, or I'll just throw it away." They were bluffing, of course, but it did the job. With a pout, Eva sat up and took it between her two paws.

"Thank you..." Eva murmured, smiling ever so slightly down at the bun. Such kindness from a stranger, how lucky was she... She almost didn't want to eat it, but better to remember the warmth it gave her than have a moldy piece of bread rotting in her room. "You're welcome," the stranger uttered, fixing up the contents of their bag again. "Now, it's been fun, but I'm afraid I must--"

Not even letting them finish, the clouds decided to finally deliver on their promise, letting forth a harsh symphony of rain. Luckily, the two were sheltered under the overhang of the convenience store, protected from the surge. The stranger seemed frozen, shocked, before walking over to the shop wall and lightly butting their head against it. "Of course this would happen to me...."

Eva marveled at the rain instead of moping; she was after all from a water family. Part of her was tempted to run around in it, but she decided to save that for another day. It didn't seem like the most opportune time to do so, especially since her companion seemed a bit upset about it occurring.

"Well....since you seem to be stuck here, I've heard food is always best with company," she spoke softly, holding up her half of the bun. The stranger looked at her from the side of their eye, head still on the stone, before they seemed to relent. Little paw pads brought them closer before they sat a couple feet away from Eva, facing the rain alongside her. Together, the two enjoyed their halves of the whole, spectating the rain as it danced about on the brick and swayed with the wind. The locals had long abandoned the outdoors, heading for shelter from both the rain and night and leaving the two to themselves. Light posts, fairy lights, and windows flickered on, illuminating the cold in artificial warmth. Through it all, the two strangers just munched away, never acknowledging but never forgetting they weren't alone.

"You know...." the white fox spoke after a time, gaining Eva's attention. "Rain always seemed dreary and gloom, but I guess you sometimes just need someone to enjoy it with." Eva smiled back, thankful for the hesitant remark.

"I guess a lot needs a new perspective to really enjoy it." The white fox let out a small chuckle, looking back out at the rain that began to whisper instead of shout.

"Wasn't expecting you to say something that intelligent."

Eva merely stuck her tongue out in response before her companion stood up, dusting themselves off. Scraps of wrapping from the bun were pushed into their bag, and they leveled Eva with an even stare. "Now that the rain is gone, it really is time I go before it resumes.... I recommend you do the same, it's late and we both should be home."

Despite wanting to argue, Eva knew they were right. Her family's servants were probably ready to file a missing pokemon report with the local rescue teams. The heads of the house, her parents, were gone on a trip to visit another noble family, the whole reason she was able to get the confidence to explore.

When she looked back up from her brooding, Eva realized the stranger was already walking away towards the border of the town. Without a thought, she darted up, exclaiming at them across the gathering spot. "This won't be the last time, you hear me! We'll meet again!"

The stranger stopped for a moment, staring at her before snorting and continuing along. Even if they didn't believe her, she'd show them! They were friends now, right? She wasn't too familiar with how the world worked socially, but she liked to think so.

Racing through the empty streets, a blue flash amongst rain dappled stone and cricket song, Eva made her way back to her home. As she expected, dozens of lights were on even at this time of night, desperate to find the young heir. While she managed to sneak back into her room before anyone noticed, no one accepted her excuse as to where she'd been. Apparently, sleeping through their calls under her bed because she had a nightmare wasn't very realistic (and someone checked under the bed.)

"My lady...." The head butler started sometime later, after the ruckus had died down and everyone else had headed off for sleep. "I understand you have been isolated most of your life, but you can't terrify and worry your whole staff like that."

"I know.... I just--"

"I understand where you're coming from, however," he interrupted, something he'd never do if her parents were here, but he knew Eva herself would not care. "I have discussed it with staff. While your parents are gone, we will permit you to leave the premises as long as you properly complete your lessons beforehand."

"Really?!" Eva gushed, putting her front paws on her bed's footboard as she gave the butler a blinding smile. "You'd let me?! But my parents--"

"Don't have to know," he finished calmly, secretly glad to see her so happy for something. "Everyone has sworn to remain silent, if you behave."

•❅───✧❅✦❅✧───❅•

And behave, she did. With the promise of freedom hanging over her head like a carrot from a string, she completed her lessons with gusto and perfection she hadn't shown in years. It stupefied her tutors, who wished they had known how easy and amazing she was to work with when she got rewards she actually wanted. Beneath all that fuzz and rambuctiousness actually was a beautiful future head of the house.

Once she was let loose, Eva found herself maneuvering through the streets once again. She was surprised to find a shop she actually recognized, a medium shop her parents sponsored and discussed multiple times at the dinner table. They loved to brag about how they only hired the best of the best, and how silly hobbyists couldn't even compete. After a small glance inside the window, she resumed her journey.

As she had hoped, her path eventually met that of the stranger's again; or Tarot, as she introduced further on into their reunion. Eva was careful to only use her nickname, not wanting to spoil this time with her new friend. They spent a great deal of the rest of the day together, before the sun once again began to set. This time, there was no rain to keep them bound, and the two interlocked chains separated, letting them drift apart to their own homes. For now.

•❅───✧❅✦❅✧───❅•

As if knowing she would return, Tarot seemed to be waiting for Eva the next day. "Took you long enough," she joked with a small smile. Eva swore she would beat her record the next time, and get there before Tarot even knew what hit her! That day, Eva was allowed to chaperone her back to her cabin, walking alongside her, but instead of the path she padded along the tops of the old stone fence beside it. One wrong step had almost spent her careening over the side, but luckily she caught herself with a bit of teasing from Tarot.

•❅───✧❅✦❅✧───❅•

As time bore on, so did the imprints of each other on their hearts grow. On a different day, Tarot, who at first seemed secretive to her own past, began to let her pain and burdens spill from fanged lips. "Life was hard without truly having parents, you know? I was both my own parent, and my siblings'. They paid the bills, but at the end of the day, I think I'd have been happier with less money and more attention." Today, Eva had convinced her to climb on one of the roofs, gazing down at the main square's extravagant fountain as children giggled and splashed around inside. "I didn't want much to begin with."

"Hm...." Eva hummed, glancing down at the meal beside her paws. "I think I understand that. My parents didn't guide me too much themselves, either."

"Oh?" Tarot asked, dabbing her mouth clean from a bit of the food she'd just eaten. "What kind of home life did you have?"

"Well, when I was little I was mostly raised by the Nanny! My parents too busy to even play with me. I didn't have any siblings to raise or vice versa. They would only really glance in, make sure I wasn't dying or stupid enough to put a square block in a triangle, then continue on."

"Did you have any friends or playmates at least?"

"Um, a few times a year I guess? There were a couple other families that would visit or we would go see, and I was allowed to meet their kids." Tarot turned, eyes wide in confusion, and that's when Eva realized the oddity in her story. "W-we lived in the middle of nowhere, families weren't around for miles!" She seemed to accept that, going back to her meal.

For the rest of the day, the pair shared their family struggles, or as much as Eva could without revealing her notoriety. The Samurott had to eat cold rice and vegetables for dinner, but the closeness warmed her insides more than any meal ever could. This time Tarot wanted to take her home, but eventually settled with waving Eva goodbye at the town border.

•❅───✧❅✦❅✧───❅•

A month into their friendship, Eva was given the chance to introduce Tarot to the Ribombee baker. The market was open for the first time since Eva set foot into town and was thrown into a whirlwind relationship with Tarot. The white fox seemed confused by her insistence, but ultimately seemed to realize who she was talking to and knew it was on-brand. In her eyes, it was just the regular old market that clogged the streets and made travel annoying.

To her delight, Ribombee immediately recognized Eva. Her face lit up with joy, and seemed to only grow brighter when she realized she had a friend this time. It tickled her to learn they met the same day Eva had visited her shop, as if it was a day of friendship.

"You've never had a Malasada?" The Ribombee asked later on into the visit, wingbeats joining the buzz of pedestrians as they passed mere feet away.

"No, is that a bad thing?" Tarot grumbled, feeling embarrassed with the weight of two sets of eyes on her. "Malasadas aren't common around here!"

"Yes, you're very right! Eva here didn't have one until she met me," Ribombee giggled, covering her face with her hands as if that would hide the tinkling noises. The Samurott's cheek puffed up, reminiscent of two buns, which made the baker jokingly dab her cheeks with her flour covered palms. Tarot struggled to cover her own laughter at the handprints, but Eva didn't seem able to catch on to what was the matter.

"Please give this humble hobbyist the privilege of witnessing your first one!"

That night, one of the rare times they didn't make it home before dark, Eva dragged a full bag of Malasadas under the stars. She never wanted to stop seeing the shine in Tarot's eyes, and insisted on buying as much of Ribombee's stock as they could carry. Tarot was very incredulous when Eva pointed at a shooting star and said it looked like a sparkle in the eye of a loved one, but she still found herself hoping to notice that same glow. Twin prayers were made that day before they parted, following a path lit by the shaded sky.

•❅───✧❅✦❅✧───❅•

"Here, I found this today and wanted to give it to you!" Eva gushed a different day, handing over a strange circular object. Tarot seemed unsure at first, but took it when she noticed how beautifully it reflected the light. It was a simple, deep blue, turning iridescent when she turned it at a certain angle. Her eyes sparkled, the action not missed by her companion who smiled like the Glameow that caught the Chatot.

"Where did you get this?" Tarot asked softly, holding it in both her paws as she sat on her hind end. "I've never seen anything like it."

"It's a Milotic scale!" Eva explained, cozying up beside her on the bench. Long used to her antics, Tarot didn't pull away, simply examining the scale in various positions. "There's one in a lake close to my place, and I found this when I went swimming!"

"Thank you," Tarot said after a long winded explanation on the molting of fish pokemon, blushing ever so slightly in happiness. The scale was safely packed away in her bag, then set on a shelf in her bedroom to the excited clapping of a witnessing Eva. She was sent home with her own souvenir, the feather of a Braviary Tarot had been holding onto. Unbeknownst to the other, one was considering gifting their own scale one day while the other debated their own feather.

•❅───✧❅✦❅✧───❅•

A week later, Eva finally learned what Tarot did during the day when she wasn't around. It felt stupid in hindsight, but she was so excited about what they did together, she didn't even stop to think of the everyday moments that happened when they were separated. She was always told she tended to think like a child....

"A psychic?" Eva questioned, sitting at Tarot's table in her home as the white fox shuffled a deck of her....tarot cards. Was that intentional?

"Yes, I lived with a band of traveling psychics after I ran away from home." As she spoke, she began placing the cards back on the table. "Turns out, being descended from Xatu makes you a natural, or so they liked to gush to me. They taught me all kinds of techniques and methods, even how to handle spirits. I think I might have loved them more than even my biological family..." Eva's tails wagged like usual, eyes wide and fascinated. When she noticed Tarot putting down three cards face down, she seemed to almost vibrate.

"If you were with a wandering group, and you were happy with them, why aren't you with them now?" Eva forced herself to ask, of course wanting to understand more about her friend. That seemed to make the white fox physically pause, putting more thought into it before resuming action. She gestured to the first card for Eva to flip.

"I guess I just wanted more stability? It was fun seeing new places, but after a while, I just kinda craved a bit of predictability and structure to my life. Grow some roots like those dusty trees outside." While being careful not to nick the card with her claw, Eva and Tarot both ignored the sound of a branch falling on the cabin's roof as if showing its displeasure.

"What do you do now? I doubt you're just lounging around before our meet ups," Eva added, single ear flicking when Tarot pointed out the next card to flip.

"I could ask you the same thing," Tarot teased, sending a shiver of worry down Eva's spine at having to come up with another half truth. However, her friend seemed to spare her, continuing on. "I do basically the same things now, just on my own and with less customers."

"Uh oh, sounds tough," Eva whined, ears folding back as she pulled her paw away from the second card. "I hope it's not too bad."

"I won't lie to you, it really has been tough," Tarot sighed, surprising Eva with her bluntness. "I was having to portion out my meals and pick up change off the sidewalk." Together, they both grimaced in disgust. "I had to eat Malasada for a weak straight after your reckless butt bought so many, but I guess I'm kind of grateful."

Eva found her mood in the dumps after the confession, but decided to keep the act up so as not to upset Tarot, too. If she noticed, she thankfully didn't say anything. At least she was able to also learn her favorite pastry, Kasib berry tart, which Eva would have to make sure to surprise her with often.

Once all three cards were shown, some of Tarot's mischievous side decided to appear as well. When she gave the grave reading that Eva's future was heading to a horrid end via unicycle, she had to stop from laughing at the horror in the Samurott's face. It took an hour of coaxing to get her out of the blanket cocoon she formed in the corner, and chuckled apologies, but they got there.

That night, when Eva trotted home, her mind kept going back to that psychic shop her parents sponsored. It was likely at least a small reason Tarot was struggling so hard to get business. But, instead of a hindrance, she saw a chance. Based on the bragging of her parents, she knew the place paid extremely well and was constantly on the headlines for news in the world of the supernatural. If she helped Tarot get in, she'd be set for life.... With a nod and extra pep in her step, she knew what she'd be doing the next day.

•❅───✧❅✦❅✧───❅•

Everyone in the shop jumped when the door was kicked in, gaze higher in expectation of a huge, hulking beast of a Pokémon. With nothing there, they lowered, and instead were flabbergasted at the small ball of fluff in the doorway.

"TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER!!" Eva commanded, voice filled with so much power the windowpanes themselves seemed to vibrate. Before anyone could even run off to do as she'd asked, one of the doors opened, the head of a Gallade poking out. It seemed even those in the back could easily hear her.

"If you're looking for the person in charge around here, that would be me!" He said, crossing his arms with a cheery look of pride. "Welcome to Pandora's Box, what can I do for you?" Expecting her to have a job, he sat in a chair at one of the tables off to the side, away from the small gathering at the other half of the room. Jumping into the chair across from him, Eva put her paws on the table and leveled him with a look. Despite her size, it alone brought a strange chill to his spine, sweat slightly beginning to perspire on his forehead.

"I'd like you to hire someone, please!" Eva chirped, tension gone so fast the Gallade almost wanted to fall over. But, he was used to this scenario, young pokemon filled with bravado and vinegar thinking they had the world in their palm. Why of course the shop would be lucky to have them! How could they hope for someone better! He was about to break it to her when he finally got a look at her, a real one. With horror, he realized her similarity to the Hisuian Samurott noble family.

"W-what did you say your name was....?"

"I didn't! Hehe."

"Uh, well, what was it?"

"Eva!" Uh oh.

"Your full one?"

Realizing what he was getting at, Eva released a sigh. "Evangeline. Yes, my parents are your bosses."

Gallade took a big swallow, so loud both him and Eva could hear it. The silence stretched on a few seconds apart from that.

"Okay, Evangeline--"

"Eva is fine."

"Okay, Eva, I can't guarantee whoever it is you're talking about a job, but I can at least promise you an interview. If they have the skills to be an asset, we'll take them."

A big smile eclipsed her face, showing off the sizeable incisors in her maw. "Deal!! I'll get her in today, so wait for me!" Before Gallade could even argue that he may be too busy to just wait for her, she was gone out the front door, open/closed sign spinning wildly. In her wake was a trail of fliers for their shop that she had snatched on the way out.

"What have I gotten myself into...." He sighed, melting in his seat.

While Eva felt bad seeing Tarot confused by her absence, she knew she had to get Tarot into that building today. Standing on the overhang Tarot took cover under, Eva carefully tried to calculate where best to drop the flier to have it land where her friend could see. If she told Tarot to go join, she might never do it! This way, she would think it was all her own idea. Genius!

The first attempt was laughable, landing in a puddle at Tarot's feet as the words cried down the sheet. Before the white fox could even fully notice the water soaked paper, Eva was throwing out more hurriedly to try and get at least one to stick. Not blind, at all, she immediately realized the odd rain of fliers over her head. When she looked up in confusion, Eva ducked back further onto the overhang, claws gripping her onto the waterproof fabric. However, her mission was a success, internal victory tune playing in her head as Tarot at last reached down for one. Unbeknownst to her, she could see Eva's reflection in the puddle, to her hidden amusement.

With Eva refusing to come out, Tarot decided to both punish her and entertain herself. It was easy to realize Eva's goal, look at the flier, but she was gonna make her work for it. Through the town she meandered, accidentally never noticing the fliers falling around her that you would have to be blind to miss. Oops, that wasn't a napkin? She didn't know that. Oh my, that's a surprisingly well wrapped origami flower instead of a real one? She'd smell it anyway. On and on it continued, slowly sapping at Eva's sanity. Thankfully, it reached an eventual end when Eva messed up, slipping on one and falling in a heap beside Tarot.

"Eva?" Tarot asked, feigning surprise. "There you are! I was wondering where you've been all day." While the Samurott felt some guilt, she still kept playing it cool, leaning casually over a sign like some weird snake.

"Yeahhh, you could say I've been quite busy today. Been jogging, kissing babies, you know, stuff to keep me in shape." Flippantly, she pointed at the flier situated under the sign. "Woah, somehow that weird piece of paper fell down there! You should look for a name so you can return it to its owner..." Tarot fixed her with the most what the heck face she could muster, but decided to let the baby comment go.

With how long they'd been doing this, she decided enough was enough and actually picked up the flier to look at it this time. On it was beautiful cursive over a simple background of a purple box peeked open and a ghostly hand reaching out. Basic info on the shop was written out, purposely lacking depth so that the customer would feel inclined to come in if they had any questions. It became easy to see why Eva had been so insistent, a small blurb at the bottom mentioning how they were always in the market for a quality psychic. Her pride wanted to say no, just like her friend predicted, but she hesitated this time. She had tried so hard to make Tarot notice it, and sometimes she really did feel hopeless in making ends meet.... Maybe it was time to throw the dog another bone.

"Oh, what a coincidence," Tarot acted, turning to show Eva the sheet like she hadn't seen a million of them. The Samurott nodded at it, playing her own part of the unknowing bystander. "Should we go visit?"

"I mean, if you want," Eva murmured, shrugging and eyes going everywhere. "Psh, it's not like it pertains to me, but it might be worth seeing!"

Tarot smiled fondly, stashing it in her bag and beginning to walk away. "I guess it wouldn't hurt. I can at least compare charms." Behind her, Eva danced wildly in victory, going back to nonchalance before her companion could look back at her.

When they arrived, the bell over the door rung much lighter than the last time Eva had been there. Everyone who had been there earlier recognized her, including the Gallade at the counter, but before they could react Eva put a finger to her lips from behind Tarot. It wasn't hard to get the message, and business as usual was resumed.

"Hi, welcome to Pandora's Box! I'm Gallade, and how can I help you?" He greeted, easily sliding into his customer persona as he gently clapped his hands together.

"I saw on the flier you were hiring," Tarot started, approaching the counter. She pulled it back out of her bag, placing the paper on the counter and pointing at the blurb. "I was wondering if I could do an interview?"

"Of course!" Gallade said far too quickly and enthusiastically, earning a suspicious glare from Tarot. "Instead of the just the usual process for a job, we mostly focus on testing your psychic abilities! Unfortunately, as you've likely heard, we only really hire the gifted here." Tarot nodded along as Eva perused the wares, merely keeping a casual eye on her friend.

The challenges would be difficult for a regular pokemon, but luckily Tarot was not in this case. First, he placed a face down card, asking her what was on the other side. Next, he asked her what emotions he was feeling in his head related to his current thoughts. Another test was placing down a shaking object and making her choose between haunted or not. All were passed with flying colors, though she didn't appreciate the Haunter bursting from the item to lick her, both messing up her fur and disgusting her.

"With the promise you've shown today, we'd be ecstatic to add you to our employees!" Gallade gushed, earning a cheer of celebration from Eva as she sat beside a tired Tarot. "I understand this was draining, exhausting your powers like that, so we won't put you to work straight away today. Would you like to meet everyone before you go, however?"

Ugh. A room full of strangers. Tarot had forgotten about that part of the gig, but she would have to make do until she got comfortable. "Might as well," she sighed, ignoring Eva excitedly chanting beside her. When Gallade guided her back behind the counter, she was totally expecting having to tell Eva she'd return shortly since she wasn't an employee, but to her pleasant surprise she was ushered in as well. Odd, but convenient. Once she saw what was behind the door, she was glad to have Eva with her to dull the shock.

There were pokemon everywhere, but not just regular ones. No, ghost pokemon floated and walked about, only very occasionally dappled with a rare psychic type. There were all different kinds, the only thing tying them together being their type and the large matching grins. One would expect them to all be miserable, hateful, but instead they all seemed to just radiate warmth and contentment.

"You're probably confused," the Gallade chuckled, noticing their mutual bafflement. "You probably expected them all to be locked away in jars and cursing our bloodlines, didn't you?" Eva nodded at him for the both of them, which he took as a good enough sign to continue. "While we do help pokemon who are dealing with unwanted spirits, we focus more on rehab and giving them a meaningful unlife so they don't wish to revert back to being nuisances. We used to seal them away, but found it just made everyone more miserable. Most of them are at other locations more suitable to them, but these guys begged to stick around!"

Tarot blinked at a Mismagius that breezed by, multiple pots of coffee floating around her. When she looked down at the two pygmies with their mystified expressions, she let out a fit of giggles. "I gave up a life of brewing potions for a life of brewing coffees! It's the same fundamentally, and leaves me feeling better about myself!" One of the psychic pokemon called out to her, shaking an empty mug, and she floated over without a backward glance.

"Do you have any regular employees?" Tarot asked unsurely, noticing how almost everyone there was ghost.

"We used to have more, but after they retired many years ago, we decided to just stick with the ghosts! Now, the only non-reformed pokemon working here are our mediums, which are almost all psychic type," the Gallade helpfully added, sipping at a coffee the Mismagius had just handed him. He let out a little shiver, giving the pair the impression she may have been a bit too good at refilling those cups....

After undergoing the arduous task of meeting almost every single other employee or ghost there that day, Tarot and Eva felt a strange relief when they were finally left alone to complete the paperwork. Indicated towards the Rotom in front of a stack of papers, Eva sniffed at him. "I'm guessing you man the printer here?"

The Rotom raised an almost invisible brow. "Ma'am, I'm in charge of filing paperwork." To their somehow unending surprise and fascination, one of his electricity bolts snapped over to a pen, setting it on the table on front of Tarot. "Now, can you read over this contract and sign on the dotted line?"

Everything complete, Eva and Tarot were guided back out to the now closed front of the store. "If you're free, you can begin the training period tomorrow! But, I will have to warn you it's very intensive, and you'll likely be busy the entire day. I wouldn't make any plans until you're out of probation," the Gallade spoke, looking apologetically between the blue and white fox.

"I'll be back tomorrow," Tarot replied, heading towards the door with a worried Eva in tow. If she was that busy, does that mean she couldn't hang out with her for two whole weeks? That would be painful...

Once the silence was sliced by the jingle of the bell for the last time that night, Gallade found himself checking that they were truly gone. Satisfied, he pulled out a communication device specially catered to those with strong psychic abilities. He set his palm firmly in the center, and both physically and mentally he reached through the abyss of channels until he found his target. This one was a beacon to him, one he spoke to on a regular basis often. All at once the strain of hundreds of voices loosened, and all he could fear was the faint hum of static. "My Lady, did you by chance send over a medium today?"

Sitting at the edge of one of the many side path fountains together, Tarot and Eva dipped their paws into the water. "I'll miss you too, Eva, but we both heard him. I won't be able to see you until I'm out of probation and a fully fledged member of the shop." Eva physically wilted like a flower cut from its stem, leaves and branches reaching back towards the earth.

"Are you sure we can't? Maybe when--"

"No, Eva. I'm not having you meet me every night just to see my face for five minutes before we run home. It's not healthy or sustainable for either of us."

The Samurott was able to unhappily accept she'd lost this one, trailing her paw around the surface of the water like a living wand. "Fine. But, promise you'll visit me lots when it's over?"

"Of course I will. We're best pals now, aren't we?"

That late evening, Eva hugged a temporarily frozen Tarot goodbye, the white fox slowly returning the gesture. While she wasn't looking, Eva snuck a Kasib tart into her bag, knowing she'd find it eventually as an unexpected treat. If she couldn't be there to eat alongside her, she'd just have to try and make sure she got one little snack in!

They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but after they waved goodbye, both began to wonder if less than a minute was enough time to feel fond.

•❅───✧❅✦❅✧───❅•

While this was her normal for a majority of her life, Eva didn't find herself enjoying it. The servants had been extra dutiful today, bathing her in the finest products money could buy and combing each and every strand of her luscious fur. Even her horn and plating was polished, making them resemble the armor of a glossy insect. A few jewels were dappled across her, glistening like fallen starlight. Most would feel beautiful and honored, instead she could only feel the noose tightening its hold around her neck.

Various staff were shuffled into rows now, bowing and refusing to even glance at the approaching sound of hoofbeats. One wandering eye and they would surely be punished, if not fired on the spot. The lady of the house always expected perfection, after all. Eva stood at the mouth of a long rouge carpet between them, the cloth running from the path all the way to the large front doors of the estate.

At last, the reason for the occasion arrived, a beautiful ivory carriage pulled by Rapidash. There was no driver, the horses their own masters and needing no guiding hand like humans would expect. Their flames billowed in the wind like smoke from a chimney, the equipment on them just as eye catching as the carriage they pulled. They came to a perfect stop beside the carpet, aimed so that the dainty but powerful step would exit directly onto it. Eva's nervousness wanted this last moment of freedom to stretch on for eternity, even if she would be trapped here for every second of it, but no deities paid the child any mind today.

The head butler immediately left the formation to open the door, as if touching it themselves would stain the occupants inside. Of course, the first step was taken by the lord of the house, the carriage dipping to one side as he clambered out. His Grace Samurott, Eva's father, a large and imposing Hisuian Samurott like herself. His fur was a much darker blue, and bigger than one would think possible for Eva's parent. Apparently, the tiny gene was recessive and had skipped him, leaving her the next tiny descendant after her grandfather. While his eyes sparkled with affection when he noticed her, he made no move to approach until his mate was also freed.

Behind him, the true source of Eva's unease was unveiled, her heartbeat escalating in response. A pretty hybrid fox, mostly taking after her Ninetales heritage with some Unovan Samurott sprinkled throughout. Just looking at her screamed nobility, from the way she walked to the jewels similar to her own. Worst and most obvious of all, the smug, pompous look in her red gaze when she looked at nearly everyone else in the world. Her fur more closely resembled Eva's, but with more white in the fold, and her size was astoundingly average. But she needed no heart freezing size to intimidate, Her Grace Samurott and Eva's mother.

Descending with no grunts of stress from the carriage, the pair waited side by side for the next step. "Welcome home, Your Graces," the servants all spoke in unison, including the head butler after he'd settled back into line from closing the carriage door. Eva added her own greeting after, bowing alongside the servants. The heads of the house had finally returned home after two months away.

Both of them finally gave their only child their attention, but there was something swirling in her mother's eyes she couldn't quite place. That only worsened her stress; unpredictability was never a good thing with the lady. "Evangeline," her father boomed in greeting. "Let us catch up inside. We have much to discuss." That was either good or bad.

The family began making their way down the carpet, the hoofbeats receding into the distance as the Rapidashs' duties were complete for the time being. "Wait," the Lady called, and everyone stopped. If she didn't know any better, Eva would say even the wind refused to blow in the face of her power. "I would like to state something before we head inside." Turning back towards the servants, she hid her sneer of derision behind a faux kind smile, giving the feel of a poisoned candy apple. "Everyone was given clear instructions to not let Evangeline leave the premises. She was to complete her lessons, and be kept under constant supervision. It has come to my attention this order was not met. As no one here felt the need to report this to me, and you are all unable to fulfill such a mundane task, we will have no further need of any of you. You are all fired effective immediately."

A few gasps rang out, perhaps even a few pleas of reconsideration, but most knew nothing would work. Once the Lady set her mind to something, it was written in the stars. "Mother!" Eva called out, in shock at the scale of her actions. "It's my fault, not theirs! They were just trying to make me happy! Please--"

"You will all be given one hour to collect your valuables. Security will be here to escort you afterwards." Ignoring her daughter's cries to finish her remarks, she aimed disappointed eyes at the ball of fluff. Around them, the servants rushed, desperate to grab their things lest they be lost to the house forever. "As your father said, we will be discussing this inside. What needed to be said has been done so." Realizing there was nothing she could do, tears began streaking her fuzzy cheeks, sniffles pouring out in rapid succession.

Seeing the state of Eva and the mess she had become, her Lady scoffed and shoved a handkerchief at her. "To fall so low within the gaze of the lower class, I can't believe you would mock us this way. Clean up now." Knowing that continuing would only anger her mother further, she indeed used the cloth to dab at her face, barely managing to keep the whimpers inside. Her father watched the scene with a small sigh, but made no move to disagree or help. His ideals generally aligned with his mate's to some degree, just less viciously.

After some time, the family was arranged in one of their private lounges, Eva settled on one of the couches alone. Across the coffee table from her sat her mother, and beside them in a large seat designed for him was her father. Both had stern faces on, and Eva could guess what they were about to say if they knew she'd been sneaking out.

"While we were gone, we were notified of your appearance in town. Apparently, it wasn't even a one off-visit; you were there everyday for over a month!" Her Lady spoke, sounding in disbelief at the ridiculousness of the whole thing. Eva found herself wanting to melt away into the cushions, as if they could hide her from this reality she was living in.

"It's true..." she started, struggling to meet her mother's eyes. "But, if you asked the staff, I was still on track with my lessons! I never got hurt! I was fine!"

"FINE?! Did you just say it was fine?!" Her mother snarled, on the brink of losing her composure, but able to keep it in check nonetheless. His Grace held up a paw to quiet her, actually working since he was one of the only pokemon she ever showed respect to.

"Evangeline. One thing you always seem to forget is that we are of noble birth. Our importance and standing will always be higher than that of those who walk the everyday streets. We have an image to uphold, and duties to fulfill. If we are constantly about with the commoners, they will no longer see us as those to respect. If we are among them, like them, then we must be them. It is also to keep you safe. If you are out there, away from the walls of the house, you will have no one to defend you from the scourge that may want to defile us."

Before Eva could interject, her mother was nodding at him in satisfaction. "Your father put it quite eloquently. You cannot just think of yourself, you have to think of your ancestry and the rights you deserve."

"Mother, but I loved it out there," Eva sighed, scared as she watched her precious time in the town begin to shatter and collapse around her like broken windows. "I was able to learn new things, make new friends--"

"Speaking of friends," her mother interrupted, having no qualms with talking over her daughter. While she did love Eva, she always struggled with seeing her as a living thing and not an extension of the bloodline. "You will not be allowed to visit that little medium commoner any longer. She may be gifted spiritually, but she is still just a dime a dozen. We don't need her sullying you any further."

For as long as Eva could remember, she'd always been raised to follow orders despite being expected to one day lead. Everything was decided for her, from who she could play with, to what she could eat, to what games and songs she could sing. Nothing was ever really hers to mold and cherish. No little child friends to giggle and run into the forest with, splash on the beach of their lake, point at a butterfly and laugh that it didn't belong on bread.

Her time at the town was the first thing she ever truly did for herself. Malasada was her first food she could choose to enjoy, Ribombee was her first pokemon she could choose to pay, and Tarot was the first pokemon she could choose to come running to every afternoon. Before her eyes, the bridge she'd run across countless times began to crumble, the pieces falling into the abyss that seemingly echoed back her mother's voice. In front of everyone else on the other side, Tarot held her paw out, but Eva couldn't reach it no matter how hard she stretched. As if not understanding why she wouldn't grab her, Tarot's eyes furrowed into confused concern, calling out. All she could hear was her mother's voice as it crescendoed, drowning out everything else around her.

No more.

Today, Eva would fight her own demons. In her mind, the bridge reformed, the screams of her full name to die. "Eva," was whispered instead, and with it her strength grew.

"No."

"No?"

"I said no." Punctuating her point, Eva stood from the couch. Her parents seemed shocked at the outright control in her voice, as if all the cards were in her deck. "I won't listen to you guys rip me apart from what I want. My lessons were going well even with me seeing the town, I wasn't getting stupider, all I was was happy while I was gone! This family has taken enough from me as it is, and I won't let it take anything else. I will go back to town, I will keep being Tarot's friend, and you two will not stop me." As she spoke, her volume rose, higher and higher until she was shouting angrily. At the world, at her situation, at the two pokemon who seemed keen to trap her in this little corner of the world. They both appeared startled, their well-behaved daughter never once having yelled at them like this before. When she was younger, she did enjoy screaming in delight, but not like this! Once the shock wore off, all her mother could feel was fury.

"How dare you speak to us this way! You may be too strong physically for us to stop you from going, but don't be mistaken, we have other ways. You will listen to us, or you won't be the one punished." At the stunned look in Eva's eyes, her mother's smirk widened. "That's right. Keep going, and your precious 'Tarot' might not be seeing much of anyone anymore. So behave."

Longer and longer the silence stretched, Eva taking her time to absorb what was just said. When it finally, fully sunk in, a snarl curled through the air, raising the fur on both parent's bodies in the rare, instinctual need to flee. "You will never, ever touch Tarot." In contrast to the yelling she had been doing a moment ago, Eva's voice was low and filled with all the danger she had promised for Tarot instead. "You will never do anything to her, because if I ever hear of even a single strand of fur out of place, this Arceus awful family will never have an heir. I will disown all of you, and you will never see me again. Everything you have built will come crashing down, and I will light the Ember that will turn it into blaze."

So horrified by her daughter's complete lack of care for the family, Her Lady held her paws up to her face with wide eyes. Both of them could tell she wasn't bluffing; she had the eyes of a Pokémon ready to forsake everything. It was both terrifying and awe inspiring to see it in such a little thing.

With her message delivered, Eva began making her way to the door. "Evangeline, we are not done talking!" Her father yelled, jumping up from his seat. Instead of listening like she normally would, she only turned around to fix him with a blank stare.

"Oh, and cancel the expulsions of the staff. I'm not letting this stupid house ruin their livelihood." The slamming of the door was the last thing heard from her that night, leaving her parents to pick up the pieces.

•❅───✧❅✦❅✧───❅•

Even after her bold declaration of war against her parents, Eva didn't visit Tarot. Of course she wanted to, and thought about it constantly, but she was still in her busy probation period. At the very least she recognized the servants helping her after the fight, some of the regulars that had been fired. Obviously, she had been taken seriously, and based on their warm smiles the staff all knew she'd stuck her neck out for them. They were extra diligent with her after that, but if she didn't know any better, she'd say her mother's appearance was a little frumpier afterwards.

A week later, Eva was forced to seek out her mother in inquiry of a matter with her lessons. She may have gained more independence, but she was still a child in need of guardianship. All over her usual spots the little Samurott looked, but there was no head or hair of the Lady Grace. After about twenty minutes, she finally hunted down one of the staff and voiced her confusion.

"Her Grace? Oh, she rode into town a little while ago. I believe she mentioned checking out a medium shop?" A cold chill forced itself through the heir's veins. Throwing the documents in whatever direction, she took off faster than anyone had ever seen her, so fast she left everyone wondering where the breeze came from.

Meanwhile, Tarot busily messed with a haunted box Gallade had handed her. While she wasn't required to solve problems regarding the spirit on-site, she was still required to know what to do. After giving a few demonstrations, he gave her the box, said it would be a similar but unique situation, and left her to it. It was annoying, but she'd manage. At least she had her own desk to mess with it on, even if she'd rather have a certain spastic blue fluff chatting her ear off.

Murmurs and hushed discussion finally broke through her concentration sometime later, the white fox looking up from her ministrations. Many of the employees were gathered in a circle, obviously gossiping about something. That itself was a regular occurrence, but what she heard breaking through the hush wasn't. "I can't believe it, Her Grace herself is here! Usually she leaves visits to one of her staff, we actually get to see nobility today!"

Nobility? Here?

"What do you guys mean, who's here herself?" Tarot called out, jumping down from her seat to approach the group. A few of them shifted over to allow her access to the center.

"That's right, you don't know her! Her Lady is from the family of one of our biggest sponsors! It's why we get paid so well and are so highly respected." Tarot hummed, going quiet to think it over as they went back to gabbing. Instead of excited like them, she found herself just hoping she wouldn't be obnoxious. Arceus knows the world doesn't need another pompous, spoiled brat running around. But, she did contribute to her paycheck, and they hadn't even met yet, so she couldn't judge too harshly. Unbeknownst to her, that was going to be the best opinion she ever had of the Samurott.

"Tarot!" Gallade called, everyone's heads swinging in his direction. After all, he had just been talking to the sponsor! "Her Grace would like to meet you." Gasps rang out, questions towards the new employee following immediately. She had never been interested in previously hired staff, why was Tarot special?!

"I guess I can't refuse," Tarot sighed, padding over towards the door Gallade held open. Once she was through, she found herself dazzled by the sight of the noble. While not someone who held lofty ideals of the 'higher class', even she could admit she had a whole different aura and was gorgeous. Oddly, she gave her a strong dejavu, as if she were looking at a bigger, classier Eva. But that was crazy, Eva wasn't suited for that life!

"So you're Tarot," Her Grace murmured, eyes roving over the tiny fox. Her face did not scream satisfaction, instead letting out a tsk of disappointment. How rude.

"May I ask why you wanted to see me?" Tarot asked, trying hard not to snap at her. Your paycheck is beautiful, your paycheck is beautiful she chanted in her head in an attempt to stay calm.

"Oh, don't play coy," Her Grace sighed, looking as if she'd rather be anywhere else. A stray wrapper caught her gaze, and a look of revulsion broke her composure. Gallade was quick to throw it out once he caught it, but her displeasure remained. "I had to see for myself the one Evangeline decided was more important than her family."

"Evangeline?" A look of utter stupefication crossed her face, not knowing anyone by that name. "Or, wait, Eva?"

"Eva?!" Her Grace burst out, disbelieving this dirty rat had the audacity to speak to her daughter with such familiarity. "Her name is Evangeline! Do your best to remember that!"

"Her name is Evangeline? Wait, how do you even know her?" Realizing she was being repeatedly rude in the eyes of others, she cleared her throat and added on to the end. "Ma'am."

"How would I not know my own birth daughter? You're being awfully stupid today, even for one of your pedigreee." That last bit was lost to her, Tarot's mind reeling from the info that had just been dumped on her. Eva....was a noble? And not just any, but the child of her new higher-ups? Why didn't she say anything?? "Unless....oh, I see. You didn't know, did you?" A smug grin sliced open the face of the larger fox, appearing in every way like the old legends of the evil fox spirits. This was perfect for her. Evangeline had told her not to harm Tarot, but she didn't say anything about spinning a half truth to her....

"I have to apologize for that stubborn daughter of mine. She's always gotten bored very easily, you see. Always going from one plaything to the next. Her attention wanes fast, so I'm sure she'll be done with you soon."

Against her will, Tarot felt pinpricks of tears begin to form in the corners of her eyes. Normally, she'd call whoever dared say that a liar and shrug it off, but this wasn't just anyone. This was her mother, one of her closest loved ones. Someone who knew her better than even Tarot, most likely. So filled with heartbreak and embarrassment, she didn't even think back to when Eva had told her about her parents. All she could manage in her head was the image of a mother, not the one Eva had painted in her head of a careless, neglectful one that barely even knew her.

As if on cue, the shop bell was launched across the room, the force of the opening door lodging it into the wall. Gallade only had a single moment to stress over it before he realized who stood there, Eva panting so hard her chest looked ready to burst open. Even her fur was still dripping water from the lake, not at all the picture of a noble heir like had been painted in everyone's minds.

"Evangeline!!!" Her Grace screamed at her appearance, but it was like white noise in the background. All she could see was Tarot's sad eyes, the water glistening in them, and the betrayal etched inside.  Eva opened her mouth to say something, but Tarot didn't even give her a chance. Without a glance back, she took off into the back of the store, desperate to escape even at the expense of everyone seeing her sorry state.

"Tarot!" Eva cried out, terrified of this being the end of everything they'd built. She made to chase after her, only to be stopped by none other than the one who created this mess.

"Evangeline, we've been over this, you need to look your best in public! What if--"

"I don't care! Stop trying to ruin everything, Mom!" The blue fox yelled up at her, Her Grace's head reeling back from the force. "You may have tried to maliciously comply, but you still couldn't let me have something! I hate you! I HATE YOU!!!" Powerless to stop the small, but deceptively powerful child she mothered, she watched her take off into the same door Tarot had.

After rushed questions as to where her friend had gone, the employees were helpful in pointing to a door in unison. To her dread, it wasn't a room, but a back door leading into the alleyway behind the shop. There was no trace of Tarot, not even a pawprint, and night had freshly fallen. This situation seemed hopeless, but Eva refused to give up on their friendship this night.

Tarot couldn't believe how easy she was to make a fool of. With the wandering psychics gone, she had been left alone and with no one to call to for one of the first times in her life. Even as a younger child, she'd had the company of her siblings. Maybe that had made her weak for the hungry, forlorn looking blue fox in the window. A kindred spirit in a way she couldn't grasp, her instincts had whispered to her. It seemed her powers had been in on the joke that day, at her expense. It was humiliating, and made Tarot wonder why nobility was cruel.

Being out after dark wasn't really something she enjoyed doing alone, but she just needed to get away. From the eager ears pinned to the walls, from the smug Ninetales, from the first friend she'd made in this new place. Supposed friend, she could correct. It wasn't safe, but she should be fine for tonight to head home. Gallade would hopefully forgive her after that fiasco.

However, it seemed today wanted to add insult to her heart's injuries. A strange shiver ran through Tarot's spine, one she recognized as a warning of danger. Scratch that should be fine. But, what was it? There was nothing on either side of the street from her.

"Awww, look at who wandered a little too long today!" A voice cackled from above, Tarot darting her gaze up and taking an unsure step back. A Scrafty stood on top of the archway, his foot on the edge of the wall and an Arbok and Makuhita on either side of them. Those hoodlums! her mind supplied, as if that would help her at this point. Together, they descended, landing on their feet surrounding her. Her hackles raised as she growled at them, but they only snickered and continued advancing. Her body was prepared to fight if any of them attempted to strike, not a pushover in the least. It was far too late by the time she realized they were purposely herding her, pushing her further and further back into an alleyway. Somewhere no one would want to look, and the least likely to catch a carefree glance.

"Kekeke," the Makuhita started, still grinning alongside his buddies. "We got you somewhere nice and quiet. Guess it's the end of the line for you!"

"TAROT!!!!!" Boomed near the entrance to the alley, scaring the hoodlums as they readied their attacks. Even though she knew that voice had hurt her, Tarot still found a fond warmth crawling through her veins.

"What the heck was that?!" The Scrafty asked, all of them stopping whatever move they'd been about to use.

"I'M HERE!!" called closer than ever, Eva racing past the entrance everyone was keenly staring at. They waited a second, the sound of skidding paws and claws across brick, and then the re-emergence of the wild thing. "You thought you could hide, but I'd recognize your head feathers anywhere!" Despite the danger still prevalent, Tarot found herself poking at them with her paw in acknowledgement. So focused on her friend, Eva didn't even notice the hoodlums, running straight past them. "I know anything she said was likely bad, but--"

"OI!" The Scrafty cut in, finally gaining the attention of the party crasher. Her big red eyes zeroed in on him, and both pointed at the other with a single, "ah."

"You're the guys with the dying grandma!"

"You're the scaredy-cat pipsqueak!"

"Scaredy-cat? Huh?"

"Eva, you shouldn't be here," Tarot ground out, slowly remembering what had driven her to run in the first place. However, even knowing she was tricked, her traitorous heart didn't want to see Eva get hurt. "You need to--"

"That's right, scaredy-cat!" The Makuhita laughed, all of them having a hoot at the memory. "You were so scared, you threw the money at us and dipped! Arbok's grandma isn't even sick!"

"It'ssss true, she'sss in a very good facccility actually," the Arbok added, his buddies casually telling them they were glad.

"That good bit of loot saved you last time, but it won't today! We'll have to teach both of you a lesson on why you shouldn't stay out late!"

"Wait, your grandma isn't sick?! What a cruel lie! But, I guess your grandma is okay at least. Wait, a lesson?" Eva cocked her head, confusion furrowing her eyes. "Isn't it a bit late for class?" Beside her, the slapping sound of Tarot's facepalm cut through even her fur.

"No, you idiot!" Scrafty blubbered, not having to spell it out for anyone else before in his life. "We're gonna beat you and your friend up black and blue, take any money ya got, then leave you here with the trash! It's quite a brilliant plan, if I do say so."

In stark contrast with the previous personality, Eva went deathly cold. A hard stare and frown was leveled at the trio, whom felt like the temperature had dropped several degrees. But, she was just a tiny little fox, what was there to be scared of!

"You want to hurt Tarot?" Eva asked, her tone almost mistaken for nonchalance. Tarot remained silent, just as shocked at seeing her bubbly companion like this.

"I-I mean, if that other foxxxx is Tarot, then yesss?" Arbok hissed, tail slithering in nervousness.

"THEN I'M TAKING YOU GUYS OUT FIRST!!" Eva roared, throwing herself at the thugs. In seconds the fight was over, if it could even be called a fight. It was like watching a tornado decimate the landscape, unstoppable, horrifying to watch, but oddly fascinating. By the end, her butt was facing the Makuhita, kicking him in the face with her back leg repeatedly with a glare. "I'll never let anyone hurt my friend!" To punctuate her point, she kicked up dust at them like a cat in a litter box.

"Eva, you...." Tarot started, submissive in her unsure movements. While startled by the strength she showed, she currently cared more about getting her feelings out. Her Grace had said those things, but Eva's actions painted such a different story....

"Tarot, I...." Eva hesitated herself, both of them approaching each other slowly. Before either could get any of the rest of the words out, they heard yells of fear and skittering behind Eva. When they turned, they could only see the tail end of the fleeing hoodlums, their butts quickly around the corner.

"Odd, I know you beat them pretty hard, but you're not that scary..." Tarot murmured, Eva responding with a shrug and turning back towards her. Instead of gazing at her in kind like she had expected, Tarot watched Eva's eyes drift up and widen.

"T-Tarot... What is..."

Wanting to see what she was so stunned about, the white fox wheeled around. To her horror, there was a black, swirling circle on the wall behind her, a pair of pink hands emerging to hold the edge. Slowly, a dark mass pulled itself out, starting with the head that gazed around the alleyway in search. The rest of it followed, unveiling an unnaturally large pokemon that took up the whole end of the path. Even once freed, it continued looking, eyes glowing bright misery in the shadows.

"A Mega Banette..." Tarot whispered, afraid to gain its attention. During one of her first days she'd been told to look through a database of the different species of ghost pokemon, the most common spirit type they dealt with. Banette had been a simple one, but with a powered up form that even the most experienced psychics struggled with. This one looked bigger than any catalogued inside, only adding to her fear. Her emotions must have been too frazzled to pick up its presence in the area. "We need to leave quietly, and now."

The pair began shuffling towards where the trio had left, but it seemed fate once again had other plans. So focused on the spirit, neither noticed Eva's foot catch on a can, sending it banging away. As if a ship lost to a foggy sea, the Banette immediately turned towards the beacon. Instead of a lighthouse, it was greeted by two little foxes. It went silent, merely watching, before its hand began reaching towards them.

"Sarah...." It called hauntingly, voice filled with both fondness and hatred despite its mouth being zippered shut. The moment seemed to stretch on forever, the pair afraid to move and the Banette seeming to freeze for no apparent reason. Then, with a giggle, it began to do what neither expected. Energy, dark and oily, began to gather at its mouth, pointed directly at the waiting duo.

Not wanting to give it a second to complete the move, Eva decided to strike first. Grabbing her natural blade hidden amongst her fur, she darted across the alley and aimed her Sucker Punch. It worked, its head thrashing to the side as the beam died before it could be released. However, it wasn't done, immediately catching itself. During the whole thing it continued to giggle, sending chills of unease down their spines.

"What's its problem?!" Eva yelled to Tarot, jumping back to give healthy distance between her and the ghost.

"I think it thinks one of us is the child that abandoned it!" Tarot responded, indecision rampant in her heart. She wanted to help Eva, but she also knew she was at a disadvantage here. Psychic was weak to ghost, and with one accurate hit she'd likely be toast. It was lose-lose for her.

As if hearing her thoughts, the mega Banette seemed to be readying to strike again. This time, to their dismay, it phased through the ground and almost completely vanished. The only remaining sign of its existence was a small swirl of shadow, scurrying along the ground at rapid speeds towards Tarot. So fast, Tarot only had a moment to blink, a scarce few thoughts trailing through her mind.

Ah. To be bested by a ghost this early, how ironic... She just hoped she could see...

"TAROT!!" Mere centimeters from her own face, Eva's appeared, little fangs reflecting the dim light of the path outside. As if in slow motion, she watched the Banette resurface behind Eva, ready to finally let loose its ire. Her little heart wept, not even given the chance to call out Eva's name for her one last time....

Time switched to a faster pace all at once, Tarot forced to watch the move hit the back of her friend. It sent the Samurott straight into her, the two sprawling out onto the brick below. Filled with anger, worry, and love, Tarot powered up her Hex the fastest she'd ever done, feeling her body sting and cry but obey her command nonetheless. She hurled it at the Banette, who was too surprised at how fast she conjured it to dodge. With shrieking giggles, it was hit, wheeling back down the alley in pain. While not dead, thankfully, it was defeated, slinking away back into the wall where it had emerged.

Once she confirmed it was gone, Tarot's attention was immediately back on her friend. She gently lowered her to the ground, her own tears staining the blue fur, but once she got a good look at her face.....she was greeted with a sneeze.

The white fox pulled back, frozen, before she began vigorously wiping off the spray with her paws. "Wha? You're? Huh?"

"It hurt a little bit, but it tickled a lot!" Eva giggled, sitting up from the stone. "I kinda forgot to be honest, I just wanted to protect you, but my family is strong against ghosts! Just a nap and I'll be fine."

Realizing they were both safe and happy, the threat gone, tears of relief fell this time. Tarot tackled Eva with the hug this time, the other all too happy to reciprocate. Physical affection was more her thing than Tarot's, after all.

"Why did you do that?" Tarot sniffled, pulling Eva away to get a good look at her. "That could have seriously hurt you!"

"I know.... But we're best pals, right? I couldn't let it hurt you! I'll always be around to help keep you safe." Eva hesitated, thinking over what had happened earlier. "That is, if you still want me around... I don't know what my mom s--"

"I do. Want you around, that is." Hearing the words she prayed for, Eva's face brightened several watts, ears perked. "I know now she must have been lying. What you did for me tonight.... That proves I can't trust anything she has to say. You're right, we are best pals."

"Forever?" Eva asked, holding up a pinky.

"Forever," Tarot answered, linking hers. And it was a promise they'd keep.

•❅───✧❅✦❅✧───❅•

After discovering Eva's strong defense against ghosts, Tarot jumped through hoops to allow her friend to be signed on as her assistant. The Samurott family wasn't helpful, but Eva dealt with them behind the scenes. For every mission Tarot was on, Eva was there with her, acting as the white fox's barrier from ghost attacks. They were able to train her to the point they didn't even hurt anymore, at most a tickle. Just as they had hoped, they were nearly inseparable.

On a wall beside a single desk, a myriad of photos were plastered from successful missions and trips. Tarot sitting on a floaty, looking over the edge at Eva swimming under the water alongside a Milotic that reflected dazzling light. Eva clapping happily at Tarot as she stood beside a roosting Braviary, both the winged pokemon stretching them out and seemingly grazing the clouds together. Both of them posing in front of the camera, Tarot holding a molted arm plating off Eva, and Eva one of Tarot's head feathers. Ribombee holding a plate of Malasadas in the entrance of the medium shop, the picture tilted as the camera was presumedly dropped. One after another, telling different archs, but only one story: friendship and its many moments.