Bathtime for Kale

Not overly eager to erode the goodwill you’ve earned, you hesitantly oblige the Vaporeon. Arro follows you over and begins to pick over the shelves, mumbling quietly and going over the small, clay containers. You sit in awkward silence for a few moments before Arro excitedly turns back to face you, two of the jars hugged tight in their arms.

“Catch~”, they suddenly exclaim, tossing one of the bottles toward you. Though surprised, you snatch the projectile from the air and examine it closely. Pinkish clay with what appears to be a peach painted on the stem. Removing the small leather cloth from the top, you take a few tentative sniffs, catching a sweet and fruity smell. Intrigued by the welcoming scent, you bring the bottle up to your lips, eager to taste its contents.

Deciding to let you figure it out yourself, Arro just reclines against the wall with that patented smirk. You almost instantly start gagging when the grainy texture hits your tongue, tasting nothing like what the pleasant smell promised. Through your bouts of coughing, you can hear your tormentor laughing at your plight. “Wh-at the-!” *Kaack Kaah!* “The hell is t-that?!” you pitifully wheeze out.

Managing to stifle another giggle, Arro responds wryly, “Mostly crushed coral and peach blossoms~.” Placing their free hand on their chest and continuing, “A recent concoction of mine. Your thoughts?”

Managing to temper your fit, you snap back with annoyance, “An ‘acquired’ taste, is it?” This steals another laugh from Arro as you lick at your hand to remove the bitter flavor.

“I would assume so!” Arro quips back, not missing a beat. “Though I would not know. I generally just use it for washing.”

“Washing?” You think to yourself. “With this gravel??”

Your people never held basic hygiene in particularly high regard. When it was deemed necessary, the village would simply wade out into the nearby river for a few seconds before quickly returning to shore and shaking off the excess. You think back to your own first bath where you were unceremoniously dunked into the frigid water and left to swim back on your own.

Your sour expression earns you an exasperated sigh in response before the Vaporeon, having finally tired from this game, approaches you. “Give it here and face away.” Shuddering at the thought of being drenched once again in chilling liquid, you slowly comply. Dreading an icy soaking, you flinch at first contact. However, the warm sensation of water running down your back is a pleasant surprise. Wondering where Arro came by this heated water, having not seen a fire in the hut, you turn to look over your shoulder. Your blush returns in full as you see Arro, standing just behind you with lips pursed, a slow stream of liquid being produced from their maw.

You receive a gentle swat on the head before the Vaporeon snaps their fingers and points forward, clearly not wanting to be interrupted. Though still slightly embarrassed by the source, you obey and sit patiently as your back, head, and legs are coated by the warm water. Arro eventually walks around you and begins the process anew, soaking your front. Your face burns red when the trail of water grazes your sheath, causing you to gasp and clench your legs tight. This earns you another swat as the trickle slows.

“I’m not spending the day locked in my hut with a stinky feline.” Comes the annoyed barb. You shamefully raise your head to meet Arro’s yellow eyes. They meet your stare evenly, not budging an inch. "Those red cheeks are adorable, Kale.” The sassy comment almost makes you look away anxiously before Arro continues, “Though you need not be so meek. It’s not the first I’ve seen…” That ever so devious smile returns, “And it won’t be the last.”

Gingerly, you relax your thighs a bit, allowing the Vaporeon to continue the soaking. Despite a few winces early on, Arro makes sure to be gentle to spare your sensibilities. The warm stream continues down your legs to the previously offending hind paws and douses them thoroughly, sending all traces of mud and sand to seep between the floorboards of the hut and into the sea below.

Thinking the experience over, you look up to your host, mind still racing and meekly say, “T-thank you for your help..” And it comes out before you can stop yourself..

“..Ma’am”

There is a dead silence, the raging storm outside seemingly even taking a few moments respite to mark your blurted statement. Your hazel eyes go wide once you realize what you’ve said, having never truly learned the gender of your Vaporeon acquaintance.

“Ma’am, eh~?” There is a light and playful tone to Arro’s voice, though you aren’t sure if that’s a good thing. “Well, at least your manners are improving, little kitten~.”

They… He…? ARRO crosses their arms and grins as you stammer out some sort of apology. “I-I wasn’t…! I mean I didn’t know..!” Arro lets you sputter a bit, clearly enjoying themselves before extending a lifeline.

“I assume that is why you spent so much time staring at my nethers earlier,” Arro’s voice is mired with sarcasm, “That correct, Kale?” You shut your eyes attempting to shield yourself from any further embarrassment, nodding quickly. “Well, I would hope so. Otherwise, That would make you quite the pervert.~” That last word bites almost as much as the sensation of something rubbery being firmly planted on your left thigh.

Your eyes snap open to notice that Arro has placed one webbed hind paw upon your leg, pinning it to the stool. Your eyes go wide at the realization that you are now face to crotch with the grinning water-type. Your wild look to the Vaporeon has them quickly explaining that they are indeed male, though he can understand your confusion. “Goodness, you're sheltered…” His tone is gentle and proper once more. “You see Kale, my kind along with most aquatic pokemon, have our fun bits hidden within. Some say it was to allow for better range of movement under the waves…” His golden orbs fix you with a devious glare, trapping you more than the smooth appendage now rubbing against your leg.

“Care for a demonstration~?”