A Rainy Encounter

Saido watched from beneath the bridge, droplets of rain sprinkling down onto the ground in front of him. It had been a long few weeks... Ever since the whole situation with the bank, he wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. He couldn't go back home, because the police had been there. His parent were probably in jail now, and even if they weren't, the Nickit couldn't begin to imagine how bad the beating this time would be, for a screw up that bad. That was, of course, assuming that they didn't figure out that it had been a mutiny. Looking back on it, his disobedience hadn't been an accident, had it? They'd probably beat him harder than ever for that... Maybe do more?

Saido sighed, lowering his head under the strap of his bag, which he had been using as a pillow ever since that day. It was uncomfortable, but in a way, he'd grown used to it. The bag was filthy now though. What had started off as a rather sleek, olive green bag now had multiple stains of brown mud, was wet and soggy, and honestly, downright disgusting. How much worse was he? The fox wilted at the thought, guilt beginning to overcome him. But no! Don't do that... It was fine! He was fine... Don't feel guilty! That was bad...

The Nickit opened his bag, checking to see that the paper the Shinx had signed was still there. He'd managed to find some relatively clean leaves to protect the sheet of paper. Hopefully it'd be alright... Once he had a house again, he'd make sure to give the autograph a safe place to rest! Maybe a frame? It had been the first time he'd ever met a police officer! The memory made his heart beat faster as his ears perked up. No matter how many times he replayed the scene in his head, he couldn't shake off the incredible gratefulness he felt for his luck. Sure, his parents had probably gotten arrested, and sure, they'd probably kill him if they found him again. It was fine that he didn't have a place to sleep anymore, too.

He'd met a police officer!

The Nickit stood up, grinning like an idiot as he stepped out into the rain. No matter how bad things got, he couldn't stop the memory from filling him with joy. He'd be just like that Shinx one day! He'd be a real, bona fide good guy! And even if his typing wasn't... wasn't the traditional good guy typing, well, he could still be a good guy, right? Come to think of it, did any of the heroes in the books he'd read... Were any of them dark types? His grin was beginning to fall, but he couldn't let that happen!

His stomach growled. He hadn't had a decent meal in... how long? And it felt so wrong digging through the trash in search of food... The paltry amount of Poke his parents let him have had long run out, and he wasn't going to steal food. He'd rather starve than commit a crime like that. Blyeh!

"Hmmm..." The Nickit mumbled, standing just outside of the rain's reach. He wished it'd stop raining. Or that he had an umbrella. But mostly that it stopped raining. It could get the autograph ruined, but he didn't really have a choice... He couldn't take his bag off, because then people would see the bruises and cuts on his side, and he didn't want anyone to see that. The good guys in his books never got hurt like that, so he'd rather people didn't know...

But he needed food. His stomach demanded it. He didn't really have a choice, anyways. Saido stepped out into the rain, scanning the area for any somewhat friendly faces. He didn't want to go dig through the trash again... Even if it was trash, it still felt a bit too much like stealing for him... And even if it wasn't, people looked at him weird when they caught him, although he never stuck around long enough to find out if they were looks of anger, or pity, or something in between.

The dark type finally identified a Ralts, whom he hadn't really seen around the area before. He seemed friendly enough though! He was carrying an umbrella, walking along, but he didn't seem to be in quite a big rush... The umbrella protected him from the rain. He wished he had one... But more importantly...

Saido bounced along, moving quite silently. The only sound was the soft splish-splash that his paws made as he approached the Ralts. He hated how quiet he was, but what was he going to do? It's not like he could change his species...

"Hey!" Saido exclaimed, making sure to make his voice as loud as possible, in order to compensate for how silent his movement was. "S-Sorry to bother you, Mr, but do you have any food...?" The Nickit cocked his head, managing a small, nervous smile as he waited for the Ralt's response. By now, he was sopping wet, and he knew he hadn't really been eating much as of late... Was he thinner than he was before? He felt thinner, and smaller... But he didn't want to let that get him down! His smile grew the more nervous and worried his thoughts became. Being a pessimist wouldn't get him any food... The Nickit's ears bent back as he closed his eyes, his smile quite bashful as he waited for a response.

It wasn't the soft splashing that gave him away. It was the dull ache in the back of Phosphor's mind, forcing him to stop and rub his head. Fuck. Ow. He could handle it he was expecting it, but caught off guard? It was a pain in the neck. There was a reason that the Ralts preferred to be on his own. It was like a tumor in his mind, feeling the distinct flavors of anxiety, worry, nervousness. Doubt. And below it all, a thin trace of hope. Focus, Phosphor. Gather the intruding feelings into a ball, and imagine himself crumpling it up and throwing it away.

It didn't get rid of it, of course. Nothing could. But with his emotions separate from the fox's, he could carry on. "Oh. Hi." He recovered with an awkward wave, acutely aware that he'd been standing there in silence for a moment longer than he'd meant to. Hopefully he didn't take it the wrong way. He put on his best, most harmless smile, holding out his free hand in what he hoped was a reassuring gesture.

He was, uh. Better at scaring people than reassuring them, but it was worth a shot, yeah?

And then the question registered fully, and he felt his heart crack. ... it didn't look like the kid had anywhere to go. He couldn't really afford to spend money, right? He was saving up to try and help Tsera move here when she'd graduated, he couldn't feed every homeless 'mon on the street. He shifted his weight awkwardly, trying to figure out how to best say no.

... damn it. He wasn't tough enough for this. Sorry, Tsera. He reached out his umbrella to shield the Nickit under it. It wasn't big enough for the both of them, and Phosphor was getting rather drenched, but that was fine. He was waterproof, and so were the oran berries tucked away in his bag. "... not on me, but I can go get you something. Wanna find a cafe with me?" He offered, trying to tilt his head up so the Nickit could see his eyes. That made people more trustworthy, right?

"And I can cover paying, don't worry. Phosphor Arcadio, I'm a guild member." A member with no missions to his name, but... it made him seem more official and trustworthy, right? They could just leave out the fact that his so-called 'team' was the weakest of the weak right now.

Saido shifted in place as the Ralts seemed... was that irritation? In light of his question. The Nickit lifted a paw, unsure if he should offer any clarification, or backtrack his question? He was really hungry, but if it meant bothering people...? He didn't want to be a bother? Heck, he already felt horrible just being a beggar, but everyone had to start somewhere, right?

There was no harm in depending on other people's help?

Saido found himself recalling the police officers he'd met, and the autograph in his bag. Had they ever been in a position like this? Had any police officer? The Nickit's mouth shifted into a frown, and he lowered his head, staring at his bag.

"H-Hullo," Saido responded, shivering. The rain seemed to increase it's downpour, the rain drops sliding off his fur. It was already matted and weird, sticking to his body,  thoroughly soaked and then some. It went further, piercing him, and it felt freezing. For a moment, the reality of his situation came tumbling down on Saido, and he felt his heart swell, cloing his eyes as he felt his eyesight begin to blur.

He was hungry, and he hadn't had a proper meal in what felt like whatever! He was starving. Maybe even literally. He was freezing, and his only possession was a dirty bag, and an autograph.

What kind of hero was in that position? What kind of hero had ever been in that position?

In the depths of his disappointment, Saido almost didn't notice the Ralts' response to his question. Given his earlier irritation, Saido had assumed it to be a foregone conclusion that the response would a no. Instead it was... This?

"A... Cafe...?" Saido repeated dully under his breath, before the Ralts continued. The Nickit's face lit up, a small smile re-appearing. He'd been foolish to ever feel down in the first place! Of course things would look up eventually! They had to! Even if it was just a warm meal, for the first time in weeks, it was something! And he'd take what he could get, after such a long few weeks of... difficulties...

The fox pokemon stepped under the umbrella, huddling close to the Ralts. At the very least, his bag was safe. He hoped he wasn't too close, but he wanted both of them to be dry, and it wasn't a very big umbrella. Saido's tail still suffered under the pitter-patter of the rain, but that couldn't be helped, and most of him was dry. Better than a minute ago!

"Thanks, Mr. Arcadio," The Nickit said, shivering as he readjusted his bag. He didn't want the Ralts to see anything, it was already a bad enough first impression. He couldn't help living on the street, but at the very least, he could cover up his previous injuries. "It's... really nice to meet a guild member. M'name's Saido. Thank you again."

The last bit of Phosphor's resistance crumbled when the Nickit's brilliant smile returned, and replaced that kicked-puppy pout. Yeah, he was doomed. He was too soft to turn him down. He didn't know his story, but he'd clearly been through the wringer, and, well. Phosphor could relate to that. He didn't think it was pity, as much as some weird solidarity. The Ralts had probably been one wrong turn from ending up on the street himself. ... he felt pretty damn bad that he'd considered turning him away now.

The Nickit was trying to share the umbrella as best he could. Phosphor probably would've just handed it over, honestly, if the little guy had opposable thumbs. Phosphor could handle getting rained on. He was at least tough enough for that. He wished he knew the area a bit better, though. He hadn't been here long, and he wasn't sure what cafe was nearby, cheap, and open this late. Dragging the starving fox around in the rain looking around for one just felt cruel, to boot.

He shot what he hoped was a reassuring smile down at the Nickit. "C'mon, it's nothing. Just Phosphor's fine. Let's stick with that, actually, Mr. Arcadio makes me sound like an old man." Not to mention he was pretty sure his dad was called that at least a couple times, and, well. That didn't really sit that well with him.

He pretended not to hear that smaller, quieter 'thank you', only awkwardly focusing on the buildings across the street. No need to hurt his pride, right? Phosphor knew that he'd be pretty embarrassed if he was the one in the Nickit's shoes, anyways. It was probably kindest not to draw too much attention to it.

He settled for a cafe that was only mildly overpriced, hoping they weren't too drenched. It was pretty quiet, and it seemed like a nice enough place. Phosphor felt a little bad for trekking water all over their floors, though. The floor mat wasn't prepared for this kind of onslaught and it was quickly soaked through. He'd, uh, have to tip well to make up for that. Sorry, Tsera.

It was a nice enough place, though, and definitely warmer than the outside. Phosphor was relieved enough to be out of the wind and rain - and he had to imagine his companion felt the same. Getting out of the weather was tempting enough that he could tolerate the fact that he was bleeding money tonight. He sat himself down at one of the booths, clearing his throat.

"So. Nice to meet you." He started, fumbling somewhat for a conversation topic. What would be an appropriate topic? It definitely wasn't why were you out in the rain, and that was about all he knew about the dark type. That, and his name was probably Saido. Hard to be entirely sure over the wind and rain, and asking again would be way too awkward. He fumbled with the menu set down at their table, trying for a reassuring smile. "What d'you think looks good?"

Saido gave the ralts a nod, ears flattening as he gave a sheepish grin. Yeah, he supposed Mr. Arcadio did sound like a bit of an old man name, and Phosphor was a nice name, too! He'd never heard it before, but it had a certain, pleasant ring to it that he couldn't quite get over. The Nickit mouthed it to himself, over and over. Phosphor. That was his name, and it wouldn't do to forget it! After all the kindness he'd already shown him,  he couldn't! Not to mention it was a guild-mon, only one step removed from the police, and just as admirable in his own right!

"Eheh, my bad, Phosphor!" Saido said, laughing. How long had it been since he'd heard his own laugh? Another small snicker escaped him, as he lifted a paw, sneaking another admiration-filled glance up at the ralts.

The more they walked, the hungrier he got, and he could hear his stomach growling, clamoring for food. Real food. Just a bit longer and he'd get it! The Nickit licked his lips, mouth watering at the thought of something warm. Or some place warm. He hadn't felt warmth in weeks!

Ok, maybe he was exaggerating, just a bit. But it had certainly felt that way! It was just a little mild lie, no big deal! The point is, it had been a while, and from the moment he entered the cafe along with Phosphor, what was chief on his mind wasn't that he was soaking wet, and dripping onto the floor, or the delicious smells that wafted through the room, it was the sensation of the warmth of a fireplace, carrying through the room, lifting his spirits from the moment they closed the door.

"Ah..." Saido sighed, closing his eyes as he allowed himself a moment to bathe  in the warmth of the establishment. He wanted to lie down, close his eyes, and take a nap, but those dreams were soon dashed by another angry growl from his stomach.

Besides, lying down in the doorway would probably be ill-advised.

Instead, the Nickit stepped forward, a few paces behind the ralts, before taking a seat beside him. For all his kindness, Saido could tell that Phosphor wasn't too great at conversations. They'd already gotten past introductions! ...Not like he was gonna say anything, but the fox pokemon did make a mental note of it. He'd... probably have to carry much of this conversation, wouldn't he?

Well, that was fine by him!

"Nice to meet you too!" Saido exclaimed, beaming up at the ralts. His shivering had stopped, and a bit of energy reinvigorated the small fox pokemon. He was warm now, for the first time in forever. And he was about to have real food! And he felt safe. "Really nice to meet you! I think... Oh!" He placed a paw on the menu, pointing at one item in particular. It seemed to be a pastry of some sort, but whether it was sweet or not was anyone's guess. All Saido knew was that it looked good. And warm. A souffle? How were you supposed to pronounce that?  


"I'll have a soffle, please! I... think..." Saido cleared his throat, before cocking his head, eying the ralts carefully. He felt a bit awkward, seeing as he was talking to a real, actual guild-member. He hadn't ever gotten that opportunity! What was one supposed to say? How was he supposed to be respectful? He was burning with questions, but finally, Saido settled on just one. For now.

"What made ya decide to be a guild member, if ya don't mind me askin', Phosphor?"