A starry night awakening

Urgh… You. Are. Exhausted. The fatigue in your muscles makes it especially strange when you realize you’re moving. Are you… floating? No no, something’s wrapped around you. When you open your eyes, you realize you’re being carried by Erika’s vine. You slowly gain wakefulness under a starry night sky as Erika mumbles to herself.

“Rambunctious girls, climbing all over my body like it’s some common household toy… Seriously, where are their manners? This is why the girls at my Gym are much better…”

Regardless of Erika’s complaints, your whole body is full of a sense of satisfaction and contentment. You can’t remember what led to this situation, but you hope this glowing warmth lasts forever. You close your eyes again, and resign yourself to whatever happens.

“I know you’re awake, Emilia,” Erika teases.

You let out a lazy vocalization containing nothing which qualifies as a word.

Eventually, Erika carries you somewhere with the sound of running water. Your eyes creak open to see the base of a waterfall. She sets you down in the water and you don’t move a muscle from where she puts you, quickly succumbing to relaxation and further laziness. She sits down across from you, her bare and verdant skin still showing through the crystal clear water.

“My apologies for the rough trip so far,” Erika says. “Despite my offering to escort you, it’s already nightfall and you’ve yet to reach your destination.”

“It’s okay,” you sigh. “Our detour was nice, even though my head still feels a bit hazy. Whatever happened, though, it felt really good. Thanks for taking me… somewhere.”

“O-Oh, don’t worry about the details. I’m just glad you enjoyed it.” In a peaceful silence, Erika looks up at the sky aimlessly. “How have your adventures been treating you, Emilia? Have you been safe? Comfortable?”

When asked on the spot about your well-being, you have **** but to look away sheepishly. “I-It’s been exciting. And lots of fun! But also a little scary sometimes…”

Erika doesn’t seem satisfied with your answer. “Scary? You weren’t scared even once when you were staying with me. Why give up paradise to come live out here, with all this danger? Why, I can scarcely set foot in my home forest without being accosted. What are you getting out of this?”

“Gym badges, mostly. But also…” Your mind drifts off, thinking about all the faces you’ve met on your journey. “I’ve met a lot of people who I’d have never run into if I stayed in Rifure Town. Most were perverts, but some were nice. Actually, a lot of them were both.” You narrow your eyes at Erika accusingly.

“Ahaha, point taken. But certainly you could limit your travels to the confines of civilization, at the very least? No offense, dear, but your outdoor survival skills seem to be a bit lacking… if not non-existent… Is Rifure Town not populous enough for you to meet new people and make friends?”

“But I can’t become a Pokemon Master by hiding at home. And besides, no one there respects me at all. They think I’m just a cute girl with big boobs.”

“Are they wrong?” Erika teases.

“Yes they’re wrong,” you pout. “I’m a classy, talented, genius lady and I demand to be respected as such. I don’t need safety. I need respect.”

“Respect, is it?” Erika asks with a chuckle. “I feel many things for the girls in my Gym. Protectiveness, adoration, lust… but I suppose respect isn’t one of them. So then…” One of Erika’s vines surfaces from the water and presses against your cheek aggressively. “…is getting lost in the forest supposed to make me respect you?”

Urk. You don’t answer, silently enduring Erika’s chastising tentacle.

Erika continues, “If you want to busy yourself with the thoughts and feelings of others, I won’t stop you. But, if the choice is between safety and respect, the correct answer is ‘safety.’ Live to be adorable another day. Understood?”

“Yes ma’am…” you drone.

“Good. You’re only out here because you wanted your silly little freedom for yourself, so I won’t be pleased if you let someone else take it instead. If you’re to be anyone’s plaything, you should be mine.”

“No **** allowed,” you state as firmly as you can with your cheek still squished by her vine.

“Reluctantly, I’ll comply. Now, that’s enough serious talk. You just relax after an exhausting day. I’ll have you to Viridian City by morning.”