Holiday Fluff- Nov 2019 Week 3

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While you might not be the most proud of shadows its still better than how I shade Key
Storytime: its still pretty last minute.
OK enjoy cute holiday fluff

It was sunset at the Twilight Forge, and a Fire/Dark Fusion Zangoose named Novam Vita watched the sunset, preparing for another shift as night guard of her ranch. She didn't need much, as she was powerful enough on her own to take out anyone who dared tried.

“Vivi,” a voice called out to her, and the Zangoose turned to one of her trainers, a twin named Hally.

“What do you what?” That came out gruffer than she intended, but she decided it got the point across well.

“We need your help, and my brother decided you would be the perfect Pokemon on helping us with this project,” Hally replied.

Vivi pointed to the sunset, “I'm about to go on shift. Choose someone else.”

Hally shook her head, “We have enough night guards. The ranch will be fine for one night. And he's insisting that you be the one to help.”

Vivi scoffed in annoyance but let herself be taken by the hand and led to the barracks. She didn't like admitting to being dragged tenderly by the hand and it had become a habit for her trainers to do this if they needed to get her somewhere fast, even if she didn't need or want to go. 

They went into one of the larger guest rooms where Vivi saw her other trainer, Demi, and a human chatting. Amity was there, and what was probably the human's Pokemon, a pair of shiny Pumpkaboo floating around. Everyone wore a red hat with white accents as the stood around a decently sized orange tree. 

The new human noticed them walk in and her face lit up as she ran towards them.

“Oh, my Arceus!” the human squealed at the sight of Vivi, examining her with absolute joy. “An extraordinary baby! Perfect, perfect, perfect, exactly what I needed!”

Vivi looked away uncomfortably and looked around to see if she was talking about a different Pokemon. Surely she wasn't talking about her of all creatures. 

“She's the Zangoose you wanted, right? I know she's not-” Hally was abruptly interrupted by the stranger

“Yes, fire fusion is OK! I trust her not to burn down our little tree! Oh my, cutie, what is your name?” The stranger said, her eyes glowing like that of a child's.

Vivi looked at her trainer, not expecting this one to understand.

“It's Novam Vita,” Vivi said hesitantly, “Surely she can't understand me too Hally?”

“Of course I can dear Vita!” The stranger was nearly yelling in excitement, then coughed and said in a more normal volume, “I understand most types of Pokemon, you're no exception. Now,” she held out a hand to Vivi.

Even Hally was confused, “What is it that you wanted with Vivi exactly?”

“Dear sister, Sabrina here wants to examine Vivi to make her picture perfect while decorating the tree,” Demi finally came over and put a hand on Sabrina's shoulder, “Calm down a bit, I think you're overwhelming our Vivi.”

“Sorry,” Sabrina blushed, “Alright, give me a paw Vivi.”

Vivi once again paused before slowly extending a paw to the stranger. With upmost gentle and tender care Sabrina examined her paw thoroughly, rubbing it a bit all the way down to even putting her eyes closer than what Vivi would have thought. She knew she was an ugly Pokemon, and could understand why, after being scrutinized, a professional would reject her and she could finally go back to work.

“Have you ever been even given a nail trimming?” Sabrina said exasperated, “your nails are cracked and your skin is too dry for even a fire fusion!”

“No,” Vivi pulled her paw back in embarrassment and muttered, “No one wants to pamper me.”

“Oh nose, Vivi who hurt you?” Sabrina asked with sadness in her voice.

“Vivi's not had the best life,” Hally gave the Zangoose a pat as she grunted.

“We're trying to get her to see not everyone is terrified of of her,” Demi chimed in, “That's why when you asked for a Zangoose's help in solving a dispute via post card we were absolutely thrilled to let Viva be the one to step up to the plate!”

“Well, there's a first time for everything. Follow me Vivi, you're getting a shampooing and a nail filing.” Sabrina turned and walked away as if there was no choice in the matter.

“Shampooing? I'm a fire type! The water will hurt!” Vivi protested, but her trainers shrugged.

“Vivi sweetheart, there's such thing as dry shampoo. No water involved,” Demi said gently, and Hally took her paw again and led them to the room Sabrina went to.

While it was indeed a guest room, Sabrina had quickly put down many towels, beauty supplies, brushes and many nail-trimming tools on the mirror-less dresser, as well as a chair set up. 

“Nice set up,” Demi commented, picking up one of the many bottles of shampoo, “I personally just use my own homemade recipes for Firebud when grooming his coat.”
Sabrina smiled at him and patted on the seat for Vivi to sit, “I often have to make some homemade containers for my own fire-types as their duel typings are often uncommon. Luckily, I have a fast-working conditioner that cleans and moisturizes without the uncomfortably wetness many fire-types dislike.”

“Sit here,” Hally guided Vivi to the seat as the two discussed the best way to condition Vivi.

“I'm not doing this,” Vivi said, “Get Firebud to do this! He's picture perfect all the time! And I'm... not pretty at all for a picture. I can help decorate, but ...”

“It'll be over before you know it,” Hally picked up Vivi and sat her down on the chair. Vivi crossed her arms, unsure.

“Alright!” Sabrina declared, picking up a bottle, “Now dear Vivi, since you've never had this done, I'm going to put a little bit on your arm to make sure you don't have a bad reaction, OK?” Sabrina took a toothbrush sized brush and rubbed a bit of a black, dry powder into her wrist.

A few minutes passed.

“How does that feel?” Demi asked.

“FINE,” Vivi spat, “Sorry, I want to hurry up and get back to my night duties.”

Demi and Sabrina just grinned at each other as Sabrina took 2 brushes, handed one to Demi as well as a container of the black powder and both began to gently brush Vivi's arms and chest.

Vivi was very confused at this point on why anyone would want to even brush her. It felt good for sure, but... she was known to be terrifying! And very ugly! She scared many humans and Pokemon alike, which is why she was night guard! Why would anyone want to give her a spa-like treatment, especially since she's supposed to be working!?

“Hally!” Demi said as he brushed Vivi's shoulders.

“Yes? I'm still right here watching you two weirdos!” 

“Good! Take that blush brush over there and brush the back of Vivi's head with the conditioner!”

“I don't know if I can.”
“You'll be fine, I trust you.”

Hally grabbed the brush. Sabrina paused what she was doing and grabbed Hally's hand before it even touched Vivi's head.

“Like this,” Sabrina guided Hally's hand as the brush combed its way easily through all of Vivi's matted and tangled fur. “With that much gentleness, stroke it 5 times to make sure it gets under the fur to lotion her skin.”

Hally nodded and Vivi found herself purring involuntarily as the brush stroked against her head. Vivi tilted her head back and leaned into the brush, her lips pulling back in a strange way as Hally brushed her head, then her ears and neck. Demi did the front of her throat and face as Vivi purred a lot louder, closing her eyes.

“I don't think I've ever seen her purr,” Demi whispered to Sabrina, then turned to Hally, “Keep doing that, you're doing a good job.” He pointed to the nailing files Sabrina got out, and Hally nodded. Vivi didn't notice as she continued to purr so loudly she couldn't concentrate on anything else.

Sabrina got out her files. She and Demi carefully trimmed and re-sharpened Vivi's claws back into a more healthy state, applying a nail polish that restored her claws into beautiful, terrifying weapons.

“How do you do that?” Hally asked, looking at what Sabrina was doing, “It looks like you're making her claws sharper.”
Demi put down his file and took the brush from Hally, “I'll finish this, you can watch.”
“Thanks!” Hally said, walking over to watch Sabrina as she carefully examined each claw and filed away dead, cracked chunks.

“She's got some pretty bad claws,” Sabrina said, noticing Hally watching her. “Come closer. You see these cracks? She needs to have her claws sharpened more often and filed to prevent cracking.” Sabrina picked up a vile of nail polish, then blew on Vivi's claw to take away debris, “I apply this after filing the nails as much as possible without hurting her. This will promote growth and discourage cracking, which will keep her claws sharper for a longer time. I say at least once a week do this.”
Hally nodded as she watched Sabrina carefully apply a clear polish over the rest of Vivi's cracked nails, watching it glow briefly before knitting together to heal.

“That's really cool,” she said, “Where'd you get that?”

“I had to make it after one of my main Pokemon's nails and bones constantly cracked and fell off. While he is part ghost type, it does get painful for him when his nails crack too much before falling off. I made this to keep them from splitting too much before they fell off and re-grew.”

“Can I try on her other paw?”
“Sure.”

Sabrina gave Hally one of the files she was using and showed her step-by-step how to file and polish Vivi's nails. Demi kept brushing the back of Vivi's head to keep her distracted.

“What is this stuff even made of?” Hally looked at the clear polish in amazement, “And can I get the recipe? This would be really useful for helping to keep everyone's nails sharp.”
“Sure, its just Sitris Berry and Oran Berry extract mixed with regular clear nail polish from the store,” Sabrina said.

“Looks like you're all done?” Demi asked, and the two ladies nodded. Demi stopped brushing Vivi and she snapped out of her blissful trance.

“You're all done!” Sabrina told her, “Alright, time for decorating!”

Vivi noticed how neat her normally cracked and broken claws looked and examined them in awe, not saying anything. Hally stood her up and they led her to the bathroom.

“Look at how cute and cuddly you look!” Sabrina said happily as Vivi stared at herself, dumbfounded.

She hardly recognized herself. Sure, the markings were the same, the fire the same. But gone was her matted and tattered fur which gave her such an ugly appearance that gave her the terrible reputation. It was just... her, but not her. She indeed looked softer, and the fire patterns on her fur had a beautiful, healthy sheen to them. She looked so... friendly. Approachable. Like any other Pokemon on the ranch. 

“Uhm,” she sputtered out, “uhmmm.” She blushed deeply and tore her gaze away, “So... the decorating?” She let out a nervous, confused noise.

The trainers all beamed at Vivi as they led her back to the tree.

“Hi!” A blue pumpkin immediately floated to Sabrina and gave her a nuzzle.

“Hey Navy,” Sabrina gave the Pumpkaboo a pet, “Get us another Christmas hat, OK?”

Navy nodded placed himself in Sabrina's hands, and Sabrina threw him through the wall, Navy screaming a happy “WEEEEEEEEEE!”

“Fellsh” The more orange Pumpkaboo came over to Sabrina, and Sabrina gave him a pet. In his mouth, he had a pair of silver bells. Sabrina held out her hands and it spat them out on them. 

“You having fun Hallows?” 

“Yes, oh who's this?” Hallows approached the very nervous Vivi, who awkwardly stood by.

“Hat,” Vivi felt something drop on her head and she looked up to see Navy happily floating there.

“You have hat now,” Navy said, “Now you light candles.”

“Is... is that all you needed me to do?” Vivi turned to Demi.

 “I needed to give you a good grooming as well,” Demi said with a smile, “Now, go help the Pumpkaboo.”

Vivi made so many confused noises and looked between Demi, Hally, and the pumpkins who spun themselves wildly towards the orange tree. She walked slowly towards the tree then what looked like a blue ring was actually... Amity?!

“Amity?” Vivi exclaimed.

“Oh, hi Vivi!” Amity greeted, trying to move, “You look very pretty today!”

Vivi made more confused noises while, at the same time, trying  not to both laugh, cry, and sit down to think about her life.

“Are you OK?” she finally say.

“Yeah, I'm just a bit stuck, but I'm glad you're here to light the black candles!”

“Do you-”
“Nah it's pretty comfy here.”

Vivi let out a giggle and began lighting the candles. The pumpkaboos floated away for a second before coming back with their bells, and Navy sat on the top of the tree, jingling his bells.

Vivi picked up the last candle and looked at it, happy that she was trusted to not melt them completely or burn the tree and her friend down with it.

2, 240 words! 11 levels!
All Pokemon gain 1 FB (2) + 1 BG (2) + shading(2) + 2 mission + 4 for santa hats + 11 literature! = 23 levels
Belongs to me:
Navy Duck, also  gains + 2 for  trainer being there
Hallows 

Belongs to Key:
Novam Vita, +2 type bonus +2 trainer bonus
Amity, +2 type bonus

A piece