Chương 49: Chapter 43

And that… should be fifteen minutes. I finish my push-up before shifting my elbows under myself to move into a plank. Recently, it feels like I've hit the point where I'm not gaining much endurance anymore, only maintaining it. I could change my schedule to prioritize it if I wanted. Start strength training less and alternate different endurance regimes instead. I feel like I've been nearing my weight limit as well, in any case. Something to decide later. Right now, it's about time for my run.

I look over at my partners again. Quietly reading in two cases, and considering a deck of cards in the third. Watching Misdreavus 'read' is fascinating. Right now, they're staring into space, the pile of books my partners checked out of the library sitting next to them. Both of them, I should say. Weaver has a few novels as well. Weaver obviously checked out her maximum amount. The stack between the two pokemon is an interesting mix of fiction novels, academic folklore, and history.

Weaver is still on the book she started last night, although it looks like she's almost finished. Misdreavus, on the other hand… Misdreavus has gone through a chunk of the pile already. But if they're doing what I assume they are, I'm not sure how much they've actually read. I think rather than holding the book while they read it, they're simply committing the pages to memory and reviewing them in their head. After all, the ghost has some difficulty navigating the pages.

They need to hold a book with three tendrils and carefully turn pages with two more. They seem to have gotten a decent handle on it, but I've still seen Weaver need to help them. Deciding I might as well just ask at this point, I give Weaver a questioning look.

"I think I know what's going on, but do you know if they're reading right now, in their head?" I query, inclining my head toward Misdreavus. My partner looks up from what she's reading, then over at Misdreavus.

"Vile," She nods, tapping the side of her head in confirmation. I wonder, is that a trait of the species, or is Misdreavus just gifted? I might actually learn that at some point, if Rowan was right about there being another up in the Highlands. Still, I'll probably need to cut their reading time short. Checking my watch, we have a few minutes to get going. I could maintain this position until then, or we could get going and have a bit more time for breakfast after my run.

"Get going on a run or keep this up?" I muse, glancing at Weaver again. The black-furred weasel pauses.

"Wea vile," She says, poking Misdreavus. The ghost unfreezes, blinking as they shift their eyes toward Weaver.

"Weavile vile, wea?" She asks them, putting her book down before standing.

"Vus," The floating pokemon replies, nodding as they glance at me.

"Dreave misdreavus dreave." Weaver stops, nods, and vanishes in a silent blur.

"Something going on?" I ask, pushing myself up. Affirmation. Discontent. Espeon visibly flinches, going very still as my attention moves to him.

"It's okay," I tell him, walking over and putting my hand out in front of the small eeveelution. You're allowed to be upset. Is it the run again? Affirmation. Espeon butts his head into my hand. The gem on his forehead tingles.

"You can join us. I don't mind carrying you once you hit your limit," I tell him, scratching behind one of his ears.

"You should anyway. It's apparently hard for psychics to gain muscle." At least from what we currently know. Harmony. The agreement comes easily. Espeon knows the benefits of regular exercise and training. Of course he does. Even if he hasn't had the opportunity to show it, he was a battle-pokemon at one point and presumably in top form because of that. And you'll be back in shape before you know it. While I'm comforting the underweight psychic, Weaver reenters the room with her notepad.

She's writing something and seems to finish by the time she reaches me, turning the pad around. Her speed has steadily improved since she first tried writing things down, as have her lines in general. Once I actually parse what she wrote, I pause.

'Smokey found a guardian shrine.'

"Smokey?" I ask, looking at Weaver before glancing at Misdreavus. The ghost is frowning at the weavile as she points to them. Turning my attention fully on Misdreavus, I continue, "You found one here in the city?"

"Mis," The floating pokemon says, nodding. That… changes my morning plans.

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this building certainly looks like it's from Johto. Meaning it has to be at least seventy or eighty years old. It's tucked away in an unassuming part of the city, and looks for all the world like it's just a private residence. It might be, in reality. Setting Espeon down, I unsling my pack before walking up the short path to the door. Giving it three knocks, I step back and hope I don't look too much like a ranger at the moment.

Unfortunately, I know there isn't any helping some level of recognition as one. Boots, a radio, and being followed by several pokemon rather belie my otherwise regular clothes and attempted casualness. I hear only a slight noise on the other side, and end up needing to look down as the door opens. A boy who can't be any older than six stares up at me from where he's barely cracked the frame, a safety chain keeping it from swinging any farther. I crouch to put myself at eye-level with the boy.

"Good morning! Are your parents in?" I ask in a friendly tone. The boy shakes his head, mumbling, "No, my grandmother," in Johtonian—or the Johto dialect of Kantonian, depending on who you ask—before closing the door. So, definitely a Johtonian household. It makes sense. If any family would build and maintain a forest shrine, it would be one from Johto. What it's doing all the way down here is a mystery, but you don't move shrines. Not once the rites have been performed to make it official, at least.

My musing ends as I hear the chain moving off the door, and it opens again. This time, an elderly woman from the plateau is standing behind it, wearing a mix of traditional and modern clothes that give me a good idea of her age.

"A good morning," I say, slipping both into my native language and manners that aren't often used here in Almia. Bowing at the waist, I continue, "I am Ranger Onaga Ryuko. I would ask to give offerings to the guardian." Kanto and Johto don't have a pleasant history, and even though we're a long way from either, I'm hoping being earnest and respectful will help smooth any potential issues. My head is still bowed, so I can't see the woman's reaction, but I can almost feel the intensity of her gaze. Actually…

Espeon, please not right now.

"You have found this old place?" The woman says, and I need to control my expression. That's an extremely thick North-Johto accent. Not that I should judge.

"One of the rangers. And you bring monsters that confuse." I raise myself upright again and find the woman giving me a questioning stare.

"I am Kasumi Makoto. Be welcome," She says, stepping back to gesture me inside.

"But please, do not darken this place." That last part is said while looking lower to my right. Since she mentioned them, I inconspicuously glance at my partners. Weaver is where she always is, Espeon is behind me, and Misdreavus is missing again. That may actually be for the best right now, the elderly don't have the best views on the 'darker' pokemon. Weaver already seems to be enough of an issue on her own. As I enter, I can see the shrine proudly displayed in the center of the foyer.

It's not one of the large or ostentatious ones you'd see in Kanto. The ones dedicated to the Seasons, the Seas, or any local gods and spirits. It's simple, small, a place to give offerings and thanks, nothing more. I spy the boy from earlier peeking through a door to the left, although he flees as soon as I do.

"Why is this closed away in here?" I ask, letting my curiosity win out as I unzip my bag. The elderly woman, who I should more properly think of as Lady or perhaps Maiden Kasumi, slowly lets out a breath as she seats herself in a chair resting by the right wall.

"You are a ranger. I assume that you're aware of what the forest once wrought here." She looks at the shrine with a complicated expression for a few seconds.

"The box was untouched. The forest had made its displeasure known." She sighs, "I was only a girl at the time, but there was outrage and anger when this, the place my family safeguarded, was left without harm." The alphas didn't damage this area? But they had to have, this is the south half of the city. I look back at the shrine myself. I wonder if they knew about the guardian? Or if the guardian simply protected the area around here, the way they did during the fire.

"And the shrine was already established," I say, pulling a thermos, bowl, and small cup out of my pack.

"And even if people were angry, they didn't want to risk anything more by breaking it."

"My father decided it best to hide it away. If we were working to build the same as everyone else, and removing the shrine from sight, he believed that people would forget their ire." She chuckles.

"He was right. But I doubt he knew the degree to which he was." She looks back at me, "I was taught how to tend the shrine. And yet I've watched people forget about it over my life. Only a few people visit now, and you are only the second youth I've seen in years." I think about saying something, but end up only nodding in acknowledgment. Standing straight, I turn my attention back to the shrine. It's been years since I last visited a shrine like this—I was…

thirteen the last time—but I'm still from Indigo, I remember the rites. Clap twice to wake the spirit. Bow twice, once in respect, once in prayer. And then bring the offerings. It is customary to give something that is not of the spirit you are giving to. And for a forest guardian, nearly anything made by human hand will do. Tea is common, as is prepared food or art of some kind. I brought two of those.

Opening the doors to the small box, I carefully set the bowl and cup down before placing some of Emil's bread from last night in the bowl and pouring fresh tea into the cup. Closing the doors, I back up and bow twice again. Once in prayer, once in respect.

"You truly are from Kanto then, not simply a descendant," The lady of the shrine notes, having stayed quiet as I gave to the spirit.

"Why did you come here now, I wonder?"

"The fire two days ago," I tell her.

"Ah," She nods.

"I've heard your people are being quite tight-lipped about it." She inspects me for a moment.

"Something happened to make you come here, though."

"I'm not allowed to share the details of ongoing operations or investigations," I tell her, bowing my head slightly.

"But you saw it, didn't you?" She asks, making me need to hold back a wince.

"The guardian is still there, in the forest. I've maintained this place to the best of my abilities, and it is nice to know there are still others it will reveal itself to." I can only nod in response to that praise. Placing my thermos back in my bag, I check to make sure my partners haven't been getting up to anything while I was focused. I only see Espeon, sitting patiently by the entrance. Weaver must have waited outside.

"Thank you, Ma'am," I say, once more bowing to Kasumi.

"I can't help but notice, there isn't a place to leave a donation to the keeper?"

"No," The woman says, slowly getting to her feet.

"There simply isn't need for one. This isn't an extravagant temple, it is my home. And I have been fortunate enough in life. Although," She pauses, considering something.

"If I may, could I ask you to find someone for me?"

"Of course," I say, standing straight again.

"Please."

"There's this kind young man who has always come every Friday the last several years. Oliver. He always checks after me, and insists on helping keep things tidy." She looks down, clasping her hands together.

"He didn't come last Friday." If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"…I'll see what I can do," I tell her, stopping at the door. Missing persons is something rangers handle on occasion, although usually in conjunction with the police. She hasn't given me a reason to think it's that yet, however.

"If you would, may I ask you a few questions first? Just to know who I'm looking for." ▲▲▲ ▼▼▼"It can't be that interesting," Weaver comments as I phase back into reality.

"I'm hearing everything, and it's pretty normal. Although we already have a quest for today, the woman in there wants us to try doing a wellness check."

"Is that normal?" I ask, turning from where I was watching inside the building.

"And no, nothing's really happening, but I want to see if something does."

"Mmm, understandable," Weaver shrugs, pushing off the wall.

"But yeah, checking up on people is normal," The weasel-cat says, wagging a clawed hand at me.

"A lot like how we first met, although if we can't find whoever it is in a few hours, we might have to get the police involved." Her ears flick a few times before she turns to face the door.

"They're almost done," She says, snickering. She doesn't elaborate when I give her a questioning look, only smiling wider. Figuring I'll find out soon enough, I vanish as the door begins to open. Right in time to feel something shift, a whole lot of ____ covering my sight. Instantly turning to the most obvious spot, I see… Something. That has to be Celebi, but whatever they're doing is making things a bit fuzzy. It stops an instant later, though, and I'm left just seeing the small, fairy-like form I'd expect.

Except that's wrong, because Celebi is like Espeon, and has an actual presence here. They're inside the shrine-box, and are overjoyed for an instant before freezing, eyes swiveling to look at me. They blink, look around for a moment, and then put a hand to their mouth in a shushing gesture.

"I'm not here," They say, reaching down to grab the food Onaga had left. Admittedly, I'm a bit speechless. And I don't manage to say anything before things get weird. I'm not too sure what's actually happening, just that Celebi does something complicated and vanishes, taking the food with them. … Okay then. I'm not sure what I was expecting to happen, really. Do they just check randomly, or is there something letting them know when someone leaves something? It has to be the second one, right?

Before I can decide what to do with those thoughts, the fuzziness returns, and Celebi– Holy shit, they're frustrated. And exhausted. They almost throw the cup and bowl down before getting control of themself. There's even more frustration.

"That's because–" They say, cutting what sounds like it might have been a tirade off as they gently set the dishes down.

"Okay. Yes, you were moved through time. No, it didn't happen here, so it's not my problem." I blink.

"Yes, I am. No, I can't help it," Celebi says. That's not really comfort– "No, nothing deeper." Oh. Does that– "No, not with Espeon. No, Espeon can't sense me. Yes, he's wondering what you're doing right now." This has to be– "Yes, it's how the human feels. No, I can't since Espeon is protective of her." Oh. That's what Celebi's types were, grass and– "Yes grass and psychic!" They practically shout.

"Sorry," They say, feeling extremely guilty.

"It's just… Sorry about that. You having knowledge you shouldn't hasn't made things any easier, and I still haven't remembered looking into how yet, so it's probably going to be annoying when I get to it." It looks like they take a breath before a wave of guilt, anger, exhaustion, and frustration rolls off of them.

"Yeah, I know, but it's because you're probably one of the few people I could actually talk to without–" They stop, wincing as anticipation reaches me. After a moment, there's relief, "I just need to watch what I say, okay?" This feels like it has to do with time travel.

"And you being perhaps a bit too quick on the uptake at the worst times," Celebi adds. Hold on…

"Yes, it has," The small godling confirms, tapping their tiny hands together.

"And I keep wanting to just talk about stuff, but then I say too much, and that could really mess with things." Ah.

"Does that mean–" I start to ask.

"No! Nope! Not answering that!" The fairy-like form says, waving their arms.

"No confirmation or denial or anything." Well, at least it seems like they really want to answer, given the spike of guilt and– Hold on, are they– " YES!" Celebi says, flying in circles for a second.

"I have to be so careful about what I do around most people, and you're so close to–" They stop again. This… has to do with me being from another world, doesn't it?

"And we're here again," Celebi sighs, frustrated and guilty again.

"Yes, it does. Please, please don't ask anymore about it." Celebi blinks a few times, "Again, I mean." Okay? Celebi clenches their teeny fists for a moment, but I can taste the release of tension a second later.

"Good. That's… Good." Except that now they're nervous.

"This is the best–" Again, they cut themself off, seeming to watch for my reaction.

'Best…' This conversation has gone?

"Look, I'm not supposed to keep redoing things like this, but you're a bit of an exception, which is why I've–" They blurt out before flinching back in horror. … Right. And given the way they're feeling, thinking about that too hard is just going to make them need to redo this again. That seems to calm them down a bit. Although, "If you're such a strong psychic, why aren't you hiding your emotions from me?" I ask. Huh, first time I've managed to complete a sentence this whole 'conversation.'

Probably because the godling is thinking a bit hard about the question.

"It's– Okay, look," They say, the whole emotional background shifting to a flavorless blank.

"I could do that, I normally would with another psychic around. But…" They trail off, thinking again.

"It's really not healthy. It's probably the worst thing a psychic can do to themselves, and it brings back bad memories that are already a bit raw thanks to the–" Celebi once more cuts themself off. I probably shouldn't ask about that.

"Please. Don't." So instead, what was that about what they would normally– "I've been using you as a sink," They admit.

"You get to eat, I don't need to put much effort into hiding that part of my presence. Even if it's not that hard, it's not pleasant." I see. And taste, since everything shifts back.

"A lot of the others do things like that, and I can tell that it wears on them," The godling says.

"And stop calling me that! I might be a minor spirit to humans, but I'm fully a god." Hmm, does that have to do with them being able– "You always end up asking about the time travel," Celebi says, exasperated.

"No, apparently I can't explain it to you yet." They pause.

"…Yeah, that's probably okay to say."

'Yet' hmm. What would be– "You should go follow the human," Celebi interrupts that thought, pointing.

"She's already down the street." That tastes like a deflection? Or… Not a lie, but some kind of deception? The fairy twitches, sighing. They're tired.

"Yes, because the longer you're here, the more likely I am to say something I shouldn't. And this has actually gone well this time!" I'm going to ignore the fact that it still tastes like they're hiding something.

"…Thank you for that," Celebi says, relieved.

"But if you want answers, just–" They stop themself again.

"Come back at some point, and bring one of those cinnamon rolls you like so much." I blink. Celebi blinks back. They seem to think about something, and panic washes off them before I taste acceptance and a bit of guilt.

"Okaythankssorryaboutthatbye," They say in a rush, vanishing. Leaving me with only a slight taste of utterly exhausted loneliness. … Was that a time-travel thing, or a psychic mind-reading thing? Probably the former, thinking about it. The way they were talking felt like they really didn't want to say anything about things they knew from the future. Even if they really wanted to because I already know stuff that I shouldn't? But they also still couldn't for whatever reason.

And it was a fine enough line that it was frustrating them a lot. I guess I've seen enough time-travel movies to understand why things could get complicated fast, although that's assuming anything in them was accurate. They probably aren't, but who knows? Celebi apparently had that conversation with me several times and ended up needing to not explain it. So… I suppose I should go catch up to Onaga now. I've got an appointment soon-ish. ▲▲▲ ▼▼▼ Misdreavus is getting anxious again.

Normally, they stick by either Espeon or Weaver during breakfast, but right now they're floating halfway into the ceiling. I wonder how they perceive up and down? Those don't seem to play into their flight very much, and they easily rotate without regards to either.

"And she said the man regularly commented about a terrible commute?" Emil asks, handing his plate off to Karlos before sitting back down.

"That doesn't line up, though," Maya points out, feeding some of the fruit from her crepe to Lerp.

"Someone who's always looking for some kind of work wouldn't have a regular commute, would they?" Karlos chuckles.

"You three went straight into the academy and came out with jobs. Take it from me, you do a lot of running around looking when you don't have a job to keep you busy. Or paid." I suppose we all will just have to take his word for it. Though, "That might have been specifically about getting to the old lady's house," I say.

"She did say she thought he was helping out to impress her granddaughter." Emil smiles knowingly, "No, mò amé, a man looking to impress wouldn't complain about it if it were specifically that. Boast, perhaps, if he was inexperienced, but not complain."

"Vientown isn't that bad to get around, even at peak hours," Karlos muses.

"And someone without consistent pay wouldn't be taking the train too often either, so that rules out Pueltown. Chicole, maybe? You could get a ride just by offering a snack, maybe even without that if you're just polite to whoever you're riding."

"I should probably start by getting in contact with the Chicole police and base," I say, nodding to myself.

"Maybe even hand it off if need be." Karlos laughs as he walks over to take Maya's empty plate, "I don't know if I'd call that quest complete, but it does sound like the right way to start." He walks back to the sink, heedless of Maya's indignant noises.

"Speaking of starts, ten minutes to start of day. The Union pulled most of its personnel back to deal with an incident in Pueltown, so we'll be dealing with the tracking and renegotiations up north now." There's a quiet moment as we all digest that. We knew already, of course, but now that Karlos has said it, it's more real." Most of the personnel?" Emil asks, breaking the silence. Karlos hums, setting the final dish aside to dry.

"HQ is trying something to take a bit of strain off. They're reassigning an engineer to a 'semi-temporary' position here. To most bases, really. They'll be handling everything from tower maintenance to custodial tasks."

"I guess anything will help at this point," Maya sighs, nodding. I have to agree as well. That's an extra person, or, depending on what Karlos has on his plate, maybe even two who can be in the field at any time.

"It will," Our boss says, rolling his shoulders.

"Especially since that includes RED and radio repair. That will save me a few hours every day. Although I'll still be here until they arrive and I can get them settled and things figured out. But, I'll be joining you all up in the forest before end of day."

"And my quest?" I ask.

"Take… two hours to call around and do any footwork that pops up," Karlos says, pointing at me.

"If it's not resolved by then, put it on the back burner unless something strange happens. Or let me know, and I'll make a decision." That's about what I was expecting. After all, it's not an emergency yet. Even if the old woman was worried, there wasn't anything indicating a need to hurry.

"Reported missing?" Karlos asks, pausing in the operations doorway.

"Last night, according to Chicole police," I confirm, tapping my pen against my notes.

"Oliver Graso, age twenty-two. Reported missing by his mother after he didn't return home or call for two days." Karlos blinks, seeming at a loss for a moment before stepping into the radio room.

"Didn't return home… At twenty-two…?" He asks, eyebrows going up as he trails the question off.

"That's why I applied for the ranger academy," Katie adds from where she's monitoring operations.

"Didn't end up where I was hoping, but hey." I give Katie a small smile, then turn back to Karlos, "Seems a bit odd, sure, but it does line up with what the woman who gave me the quest said," I point out.

"Mister Graso seems to have no stable income, apparently living with his parents as he does odd jobs." When I can tell he's about to question that, I continue, "I just got off the phone with the man's mother. Apparently, he's 'a bit of a free spirit.' As in, he's never managed to last more than a month doing any one thing."

"Well, I've certainly met a few people like that before, I suppose." The big man muses.

"They all just needed to find what fit them," He says, smiling before quickly sobering.

"But it sounds like this has now officially gone from a wellness check to missing persons, if you're sure they're the same person." He sighs, rubbing his eyes for a moment. After collecting his thoughts, he continues, "If you want, just hand it off to me, and I'll see what I can do since I'm still waiting for our brand new engineer to get here." I nod, pushing myself out of the rather comfortable chair, "That's probably the best choice. Do you want my notes?"

"Please," Karlos says with a rueful smile, holding out a hand that I set the notepad I've been using in.

"And I'm sure Katie will fill you in on anything important on your way to today's mission," He continues, nodding at her as I make my way past. She grunts, prompting a snort from our boss.

"I'll be joining in a few hours. Good luck out there," He says.

"You too," I tell him with a casual wave over my shoulder, moving down the corridor. Making my way out of the base, I find myself being followed immediately. Espeon has become a constant presence while I'm at base, of course. I think I can even tell where he is if I try. And Weaver is usually around somewhere if I look. As is Misdreavus, now. All three are trailing behind me. I smile, heading for the dodrio stable as I feel for that odd point in my mind where– There. Joy. Harmony. Despondence.

"I'm taking you for another check-up next week," I reassure Espeon.

"You're doing better, and if the doctor says you're doing well enough, I'll see about taking you on patrol. For observation only," I stress that last part, looking down at the pink feline. Understanding. Reservation. Joy.

"Weave vile?" Weaver says, making me need to turn to see her pointing at Misdreavus.

"Wea weave, weavile?" She adds, causing the ghost-type's expression to shift from curious to flat, eyes boring into the weavile.

"They have something scheduled, so they'll be waiting here for Rowan," I say, giving the floating pokemon a querying look. Misdreavus nods.

"Dreave…" They trail off, looking thoughtful. Notably, they're not anxious, or at least not enough to show it beyond the tips of limbs coiling from their mane. Anticipation. I glance down at Espeon again. That's a good thing, I think. Better than a few alternatives at least. When I look back up, Weaver is already inside the fenced area. There was never any question that she'd be coming with me today. I smirk at her as I swing the gate open, "Impatient." She, of course, bows at the 'praise.'

There isn't a dodrio waiting. Whether or not one will be is generally down to luck, but calling one is fairly quick, regardless. The horn we use is designed to be heard from a decent distance, although I know I've heard Karlos talking about an electronic solution at some point. I suppose I can understand the horn being a bit archaic these days, but they've been used for centuries for a reason. I give the instrument a short blow. It makes a very low sound for a few seconds before I stop.

As usual, it seems to amuse Misdreavus every time they hear it. They only shrugged when I asked the first time, but I wonder if the sound has a meaning to them, or if it's something with their sonic specialization? It's a rather distinct sound, after all. I raise my eyebrows at the ghost, and receive a shrug and flailing limbs. Hmm. Not that I was truly expecting an answer this time. Misdreavus can seem a bit odd at times, although it might just be a quirk of their type. Like with dark.

Putting that aside, it's only around twenty seconds before the first dodrio arrives. There are a few that simply live near the base, since we'll feed and clean them after any work. Along with it simply being a relatively safer spot near here.

"Willing to head up to the burned part of the forest for most of today?" I ask… the neck patterns indicate a male. So, I ask him, hauling a set of tack down. Dodrio thinks about that, muttering to himselves before deciding against it, trotting off even as another two appear.