pokemon, teenagers
A Snivy runs up to Thandi as she approaches her neighbor’s house, Pikachu in tow. “Oh, hello, Peony! Where’s Briar? Is he holed up in his room again?”
Peony climbs up Thandi, waving a small hand at the Pikachu as she does so.
“Cmon, Camellia. He can’t put off our journey forever!”
Charlie stands and stares at his bed, collection of items laid out. Should he bring more potions? What about pokeballs? And Peony’s favorite snack.
He’s tipped forward by a sweet smelling force that giggles in his ear. “Thandi!”
“Briar! Let’s get going already! How can we start our studies if we don’t even know what it’s like to be trainers?”
“By, I dunno, studying?”
She laughs and squeezes him for a sec before stepping back, arms up. Her smile is huge, definitely bigger than most would have after her best friend slash rival delayed them until they were sixteen. For school.
He sighs and shrugs, gives her double high fives. “I just wanted to be ready.”
“It’s fine! I mean, kids younger than us have run all over Alleria doing this, right?”
“Yeah, but… um…”
“Don’t worry, Briar! Professor Wildhart gave me a Bag of Holding. She got it from Faerun, so you know it’s good! Just throw anything that doesn’t fit right in here, darling.”
She loves watching him turn red and get all bashful from the pet names. And this is the first time he gets to start introducing himself as Briar, to wiggle out of his father’s shadow. School hadn’t been the only thing keeping them firmly planted in Haven. And she’s happy to keep him focused on the journey… after all, she’s the one who wants to go. He’s just following along to support her.
Briar laughs awkwardly and nods, packing his bag with the essentials and filling hers with the rest. Peony jumps onto his shoulder and Camellia climbs up Thandi.
The two teens link pinkies, and Briar leans forward to kiss her cheek. Thandi giggles. “Time to go, Briar.”