ToT: New in Town

Settling into the apartment had been a rather simple matter. Neither of them had brought many possessions with them. The upside of this was that unpacking had been really easy. The downside was that the three-room apartment had ended up looking rather sparse. At least it came with furniture. Basic furniture- two beds, two nightstands, a table, and three chairs- but furniture nonetheless.

“You know, when you suggested moving to Tabira, you never mentioned we’d be living in a hole in the ground” said David, putting away the last of the books.

“What did you expect?” asked Samara. “A log cabin in the woods?”

David rose an eyebrow. “I expected actual buildings. Not treehouses and burrows.”

“Tabira does have those, mostly in the business district” Samara assured him. “Apparently, they try to live in harmony with the tree. Meaning, no heavy pollution, no heavy construction.”

“That’s another thing” said David, sitting down. “How is a tree that big even possible?”

The Sneasel shrugged. “Something about a Tropius dying, and her body becoming the tree. Maybe her heroic soul made it grow big, or something?”

“No, no, no, I understand that part” said David. “What I meant was, how is it still standing? Perfectly intact, a thousand years old, sturdy enough that people feel secure building houses on the branches half a mile in the air?”

Samara didn’t have an answer for that beyond: “More spirit magic?”

The Riolu didn’t answer.

Samara decided to ease out of the subject. “Anyway, I’m going out.”

“Going out where?” asked David.

“To get food” said Samara. “There’s a general store down the street. Looks like it should do for most of our needs.”

_________________

As Samara went out to the store, David decided to take a walk. He’d never been to “The Big City” before (although he’d seen pictures of a few), and wasn’t really sure if Tabira counted as one. It was big enough, certainly- he was still wondering about the tree- but it wasn’t very… city-like. More like a really, really big village.

He passed by several stores, including one that appeared to be selling cheese sculptures of the Great Tree, and into a park.

It was then that he was ambushed by the young child. A female Buneary hit him with a punch that was rather strong for her size.

His hand immediately went for his knife, a reflex trained into him since he’d been old enough to lift it. Then his mind actually registered who had attacked him. Then he remembered that he hadn’t brought his knife with him. He put his hand down.

The girl charged away, laughing maniacally.

A few moments later, a Lopunny walked over, a small Tyrogue by her side.

“Oh, dear” she said. “Are you alright?”

“I’ve had worse” said David.

“It would seem so” said the Lopunny, looking at the scar on his cheek. “I apologize for my daughter just now. You’re the third person today.”

David nodded. “Don’t worry about it, Miss…”

“Oh, where are my manners?” said the Lopunny. “I’m Curry. This is Ray.”

“Hello” was all the Tyrogue said.

Curry smiled. “You’ve already met Chili, I believe.” She held out her hand.

“David” he said, shaking it.

“Nice to meet you, David” said Curry. She put her hand on the first-aid kit at her belt.

“Does she… always assault random people on the street?” asked David.

“No, this is unusual” said Curry. “I have no idea why she’s doing this. She’s always been a wild one, but…”

David noted movement in the bushes. “Then why don’t we ask her?” He pointed at the bushes. “Come on out, Chili.”

All was quiet for three seconds. Then, the girl walked sheepishly into view.

“Impressive” said Curry to David. Then, she looked archly at Chili.

“Umm, hey, Mom” said Chili. “I can explain.”

“This I have to hear” said Curry, in a very cross voice. Cross was the right word for it- just the right mix of anger, disappointment, and sternness.

“Well, I-” Chili hesitated.

“Why did you attack me?” asked David.

“Well… I want to join the Trackers someday…” said Chili, nervously. “And I thought I should practice fighting. Only, nobody would help me train…”

“Because they know you should be focusing on your Scholar studies” said Curry, sharply. “Besides, if you wanted training, you could have asked your father.”

“He’s almost never home!”

“That’s no excuse for attacking random strangers.”

“You’re damn right you need practice, though” said David.

“What?” said Chili and Curry at the same time.

“Your form is sloppy” said David. “You don’t follow through on your punches, and…” he pretended to stop himself. “Oh, but you were talking to your mom. Forget I said anything.”

“Wait!” said Chili. “You know how to fight?”

“I know a little” said David.

“Teach me! Teach me!” said Chili, kneeling in front of him. “Please, please, please!”

David pretended to consider it. “Well… okay. On one condition.” He took her shoulder. “No more attacking people in the street.”

“I promise!”

“Okay, then” said David, nodding to Curry, who was wearing a bemused grin. “The first thing you need to keep in mind is…”

_______________

“Thank you” said the Sneasel, Samara, in that charming northern accent of hers.

“No problem” said Theodore. “We are always happy to help new customers.” He took Samara’s money and put it in the lockbox on the counter. Samara picked up her bags of groceries and set off out the door.

A second later, Buster ran after her.

Theodore chuckled to himself. He never pressed charges or held grudges against shoplifters. The Buster Treatment was often enough to reform them.

_______________

“Thank you Mr. David!” said the newly trained Chili.

“Remember our agreement” said David.

“I know, I know” said Chili, in the exasperated tone of a child told to clean her room for the third time. “No more attacking people.”

“Good” said Curry. “But you’re still grounded.”

“What?!” said Chili. “For how long?!”

“Two months” said Curry.

“But-”

“No buts. You attacked two other people besides David. Besides, maybe now you’ll have time to focus on your homework.”

David excused himself and walked back to the apartment.

Samara was getting out of the bath when David got back to the apartment.

“I didn’t realize grocery shopping was such a filthy business” said David, raising an eyebrow.

“Neither would I” said Samara. “But this store turns out to be kind of special. You see, I got the groceries and paid for them, no problem. The owner of the store is a Furret. Really nice guy.”

“Seems normal so far” said David.

“I was halfway back down the street when a Swirlix showed up. He said some apples were missing from the store, and he wanted them back.”

David cocked an eyebrow. “And were there any apples missing?”

“No!” protested Samara. “Well… maybe one or two…”

David smirked. “So how did he know it was you?”

“I tried to ask him that” said Samara. “But the Gastro Acid to my face prevented me from hearing the answer.” She pointed at the tub. “Hence the bath. He took the apples back, by the way.”

David shrugged. “Were the groceries damaged?”

“No” said Samara. She grabbed a piece of paper off the table and handed it to him. “Nor was this.”

It was a flyer requesting aid in dealing with a troublesome bandit. David studied it.

“Xavier” he read. “Blah blah blah honor… blah blah blah duel…” He looked up at Samara. “When do we start?”