Melanie the Gardevoir

The Gardevoir raised her hand to you, "Be at ease young one. I mean you no harm." Your eyes widened a bit when you heard a soft, feminine voice speaking before spotting her bright pink eyes, though one of them was mostly covered from her green hair. From her head, her green hair were curled up on the front, like how usual the Gardevoir's hairstyle is. You also notice from your under view of your eye that while the attire is torn, it's almost akin to a nun outfit a church worker wears.

"Is that so?" You asked in response, not relaxing your stance, though not attacking.

"I understand your concern, we all met some who became paranoid and those who attack others." She nods in response. "I'm simply going to gather some berries and some materials for my group." She stated, looking behind you, you turn and see a Hypno and Gothetelle was watching you, clearly keeping an eye on you to make sure that you don't harm the psychic type. "I noticed the campfire and wanted to investigate, that's when I saw the Pachirisu in there. I'm assuming you two are family?" She asked and you nodded, and then she continued. "We and a group of Pokémon had taken refuge in a church some distance down here. While we can't allow anyone to stay for an extended period of time, we do provide a temporary refuge from the struggles. We provide food, medicine, and rest for a day or two." she stated.

You listen to her intently as you examine her. 'She seems patient and considerate...but..' You look at her frown and her narrow eyes and soft spoken tone, she doesn't seem happy. Has something happened to her for her to feel that way?’ You pondered about it before speaking. "Well we'll see what happens. Can you show me the location on the map?" You take out the map and she shows you where it is.

Nearby, Neku and Vargus had split up to watch the two groups. The Croconaw watching you and the Gardevoir while the Zoroark was watching the other Psychics. "Well considering Rai hasn't raised his tail yet, he's not feeling threatened yet." The water type spoke to Neku. "That must mean that she's not a threat at the moment."

"Keep it down, we don't want either of them to know we're here." Neku stated, keeping an close eye on the two psychics watching you and the Gardevoir conversing. While he can't really tell their expression, their posture and stance make it clear their watching the two to make sure the Raichu don't attack.

"Hey... I want to ask you something." Vargus spoke to him quietly.

"Can it wait until they leave?"

"Just an honest opinion. Why are you going out of the way to help that kid?" he asked, that got Neku's attention a bit. "Personally, while I admit there's something about that Raichu that does convince me that its possible, but it's still insane. I even called him crazy."

"But you're here with him." Neku pointed out.

"I guess I'm just as crazy as him, and also I've been alone for some time and hearing him... I must've needed companion..." Vargus spoke out, surprised at seeing how much he's letting out. "So what about you? What's driving you to help him other than the special feeling about him?"

Neku was taken back at that. He knows he's here because he was saved by them, though considering he brought them to camp, he pretty much repaid the debt to him. Now he's risking his life on a life-endangering mission that for all intends and purpose, no one really knows the answer to stop it. One answer does come to him as he responds with, "... I have nothing else to live for."

The water type widened his eyes at that answer and was about to ask more, but then they heard more noise as they look to see what sounds like the others are telling the Gardevoir to hurry up.

"I need to be leaving soon. Let me give you some advice." the Gardevoir said to you.

"What is it?" You asked, putting the map away with the location of the church marked on it.

"I don't know who you are, or why you're out here, but I sense you have a good heart. You should return where you came from . Whatever it is you're looking for, it's too risky. You have too much to live for. But if you insist, be careful of what people say to you, the words from a stranger can mean the difference between life and ****. If you can't tell truth or lies, you'll be in trouble."

You can hear the sincerity in her voice and if this wasn't serious for you, you would consider it. "Thank you for the advice, but I have to continue. We'll all make sure we're careful."

The Gardevoir bowed her head in respect. "As you wish. I hope you suceed in what you're going though." she said as she turned around to leave.

"Wait, if by off chance we may meet again, I would like to know your name." You spoke. "My name is Rai."

The Gardevoir was silent for a moment before answering. "Melanie. I pray that you'll have a safe journey and find other safe havens." she responded before she starts to walk back to her group.

You watch Melanie joined the others who talk for the moment before they started walking off. 'Why does she seem so sad...?' She sees them walk off for a bit before you felt someone touch your shoulder, causing you to turn around defensively.

"Ah, it's me." The famliar face and hazel colored eyes of your friend.

"Rachael. You made it." You went and hugged her. "I'm glad your safe."

"I'm alright Rai. Felix and I looked after each other." she stated, the Grovyle at the her side.

"We acquired some herbs for your sister." he handed you some and you took a sniff of them. "We met some Pokémon hiding out in a secret passage of the ruined village who provided them to us."

You winced at the bitter scent they had, but know they'll be effective. "Glad there wasn't any issues." you stated before handing one to Rachael, "Can you make it into a tea?" he asked heading to the hut. "Hey sis, we got some medicine for you?"

"Hm?" Kate opened her eyes and saw the herbs, then she winced and grumbled at that. "Oh, does it have to be that way?"

"Nobody likes taking medicinal herbs sis, but it's very important that you take it." you say as you put them away. "Rachael is preparing it in a tea form, so it'll be a minute."

She nods at that. "And what happens after that? Will we go?" you shake your head at that.

"It's getting late, so we'll stay here for one more night, then we'll head towards this village the Soothsayer is staying." you stated, caressing the top of your sister's head. She cooed at the feeling, as the two of you spend together for a moment before Rachael entered with the herbal tea.

Kate sits up getting ready for it, but was still not looking forward for it. the Buneary hands a cup to her as they can see some steam floating up to it. She blows into it and takes a sip, but her face scrunches up. "It's gross, I don't like it."

"Just try to push through it."

"Do I have to?" She pleaded with you.

"Yes, you have to." You said patiently to her and she sighs, taking a bigger sip before moving it away. Eventually she finishes the cup, sticking her tongue out in disgust. "There you go, no get some rest. We're leaving in the morning." you say as Rachael pats her head before you two leave.

"Now that that's settled, who was that Gardevoir from earlier?" Rachael asked as you joined the others as you all sit down near the fire.

You explained what Melanie was speaking to you, about a church that was a bit after the village the soothsayer was supposed to be.

"Oh, well if there is a safe haven, it would be good to not have to keep watch as often as we have too." Vargus stated optimistically.

"Yeah, it does sound like it'll be nice to actually not have to watch for surprise attacks, although..." Rachael paused to think about what else you said about them.

"The fact you told us that she seemed **** to pass that information and carefully attempted to tell you to stay away from it concerns me." The Grovyle said, messing with a twig in his mouth.

"There's also the pair of Psychics that were watching you two." Neku revealed to you. "They had stern looks."

"Well they did send her to the huts, and I did snuck up on her, so I can't blame them for being cautious." You stated.

"Looks like it." Neku added.

You started thinking about what you heard. It does sound good if there's a place that would supply a temporary refuge from infected Pokémon, but we can’t just get too comfortable. If Pokémon can and will take advantage of others or put those in danger, groups could do the same thing. "We may have to pass by it, so we should at least check it out."

“You sure about that? They can be dangerous.” Felix asked you.

"Maybe, but we'll just have to be careful when we get there. We may even find out why she may be sad."

Rachael looked downward at that, but smiles seeing how you feel.

"Well if we're going there eventually, we'll have to be careful." Felix responded. "If they are in fact hiding something, they won't just let others figure it out."

"Then we'll do what we have to." Neku stated noting that the sun was vanishing behind the trees. "We'll be needing to rest for the night. I'll take first watch when the sun goes down completely, everyone can get some rest before its your turn."

Everyone nods as they got up and headed into one of the huts to rest. You went to the one your sister is in. You can see that she's resting as you adjust the blanket over her more to keep her warm. "Don't worry sis, we'll get through this." You said to her as you sat down to relax the rest of the afternoon and evening.