(OOC: Just so you're aware, this is just the intro for my character to this site, I don't post nearly this much. Righty-o. BIC)
Sunlight peeked through the window, the pastel gossamer curtains lending the morning light a pale pink hue as it crept across the dull grey carpet of the bedroom. A little grey fox creature yawned amongst the well loved blankets of her warm wicker basket as the unwanted light rudely demanded that she awoke for the day. Knowing that this would be an argument that no tossing and turning would win for her, the creature stretched and gingerly stepped out of the comforting embrace of her nest and padded over to her friend’s bed, spying a slender arm dangling over the side. With the aid of a conveniently placed box, Fennekin managed to jump onto the bedspread of her friend, navigating the spongy surface up to where a mass of ginger hair was peeking out from under the covers. With a well practiced squirm, Fennekin slipped underneath the blankets to find the face hidden behind the hair, uncovering a button nose with her own muzzle and giving it a small lick. When this failed to get a reaction from the sleeping form, Fennekin tried again and again, causing her friend to writhe under the assault and finally awake.
“Mmmmnnn…morn’n Fennekin.” Monique yawned, giving the fox type a loving scratch behind the ears as greeting before attempting to sit up, revealing a young girl hidden behind the unruly mass of ginger hair. The young girl stretched her arms wide, relieving the stiffness she gained from sleeping as muscle memory kicked in, causing her to leave her warm bed and begin her morning routine.
After the two had a quick shower, Monique brushed their teeth and got dressed, picking out her favourite Mackenzie tartan skirt and white blouse before brushing Fennekin’s fur and taming her own long forest of hair to a presentable state, brushing and plaiting and finishing it off with a blue ribbon at the bottom and top.
Once she was dressed, Monique made her bed and tucked her folded pyjamas underneath the pillows before the two made their way to the door leading downstairs. As they reached the door, Monique took one last look at her room, taking in her bookshelf, her summer curtains, the flattened cardboard boxes tucked away behind her vanity table, as well as her bed and Fennekin’s basket. With a small sigh of resignation, Monique closed the door behind the two before heading down the stairs.
Laura Page sat at the polished wooden breakfast table, her auburn hair tied up in a loose bun as she sipped her second morning cup of tea. The bird song of Pidgey and Fletchlings floated through the open windows along with the morning breeze that played with the white lace curtains, bringing in the scent of the roses Laura had growing in planter boxes just outside. She smiled at her husband over the mug, the athletic man reading the morning paper across from her looking every bit like the time she first met him. Except for the wisdom lines creeping up the side of his brown short-cropped hair…and the scar on his square jaw…and the wrinkles around his emerald eyes…okay, maybe not completely like the day she met him.
“I’m so glad you were able to get your three day pass for today, honey.” Laura said as she set her mug aside and began to write in her ledger, organising her business clients for the day.
“Dear heart, you know I wouldn’t miss this for the world!” Laura’s husband replied happily. “I had to call in a few favours, but nothing too drastic.”
“I know James honey, but your unit just transferred here last week. Wouldn’t they get miffed about all this?”
“Laura, our daughter is about to become a pokémon trainer, I think the Colonel will understand.” James countered. “Besides, he’s a father of three himself, he’d have been through this before plenty of times.”
Laura nodded, smiling at the family being together again. It seemed like only yesterday that their little Monique ran about pretending she was a pokémon master in the park, looking wide-eyed at her mother’s Lilligant as the pokémon helped her trainer with a client’s perm. Then suddenly Monique was going to school, and it was all but decided that she was going to leave the nest on her tenth birthday. Laura sighed with relief at the memory of her and James convincing their daughter to stay at school another five years. Sure, she only did it on the promise that they would teach her everything about being a pokémon trainer in the meantime, but in Laura’s mind it was worth it. Laura taught her how to save her money and how to wager against the other trainers she’d meet on the roadside, and James taught her how to survive by herself out on the road whenever he wasn’t away with the army. A flash of concern creased her forehead as she remembered how eagerly she took to the hand-to-hand fighting side of her husband’s training, but if it kept their baby girl safe, then so be it. The look on her face as she received Fennekin’s egg for Christmas last year made it all the more worth while, and Monique had cradled and polished that egg every chance she got, even taking it into bed and cuddling it at night.
“What’s on your mind, dear heart?” asked James, smiling at the wistful look on his wife’s face.
“Oh, just thinking about Monique,” sighed Laura. “I can’t believe it’s been fifteen years already.”
“I know, it almost feels like yesterday that we had to stop the moving truck when it was time for her to be born, and now our baby girl is all grown up and leaving the nest.”
Laura hummed in agreement as she took another sip of her tea, stealing a glance at the clock and watching it tick away the seconds until half-past six.
Three…two…one…
“Morning Mama! Morning Papa!”
“Fenne!”
The soft clatter of feet down the stairs signalled the arrival of Monique, a bright smile on her face with little Fennekin scampering about her heels. Monique gave her parents both a kiss on the cheek in greeting and took her seat between the two, where a plate of scrambled eggs awaited her, Fennekin having a bowl of Pokéfood beside her friend.
“Good morning honey!” Laura beamed, “Did you sleep well last night?”
“Yes mama, though Fennekin had her usual fun with waking me up this morning.” Fennekin snickered at this, as her friendly teasing was one of the fire fox’s favourite things to do in the morning.
“Well, at least you’re getting up earlier than before she was here.” Monique’s mother shrugged as she and her husband put their bookwork aside and started their own breakfast. “You two have been quite the good influence on each other.”
“Mum!” Monique cried out indignantly at her mother’s affectionate jibe. “I would have gotten up in time, I always did before!”
“Yes, but now we’re not in a rush to get to school” Laura smiled pointedly. “Come now, let’s enjoy our breakfast and discuss all that some other time.”
The family continued to eat their breakfast, making small conversation and generally enjoying each other’s company until Mr. Page decided to address the Donphan in the room and bring it to light.
“So Monique, you excited about today?” Monique’s father asked, earning a slight twinge of nerves from his daughter.
“Umm… I’m fine.” Monique smiled meekly. “You’ve both taught me so much, but I don’t know if I can do this.”
“It’s just nerves, you’ll be fine.” Monique’s mother comforted, resting her hand on her daughter’s. “Though you could always stay for another year or so...”
“Mama, it’s fine, really.” Monique insisted. “We already decided that today was the day, so whatever comes, I’ll be ready for it.”
“That’s the spirit, Princess,” Monique’s father encouraged, “You’ve been preparing for this day for five years now, you couldn’t be ever more ready.”
“Thanks mama, thanks papa.” The fledgling trainer sighed with relief. “I needed that.”
Laura gave a small nudge under the table and a knowing look to James, causing him to nod in return and reach underneath his chair.
“So, this arrived for you yesterday, Monique,” Mr. Page said nonchalantly, placing a small brown paper wrapped package on the table in front of his daughter.
“Is that..?” Monique asked, her face lighting up with excitement as she eagerly tore off the paper to reveal a pink gift box wrapped with a light blue ribbon. After removing the lid, Monique found inside a small red rectangular device with the centre looking like glass, along with five red and white spheres that Monique easily recognised as empty Pokéballs, just waiting for her to build a team with, along with an envelope. With a trembling hand, Monique touched a finger to the centre of the Pokédex, causing the device to automatically expand with a glow of pale blue light. At once, an image of herself appeared on the screen, displaying various details about Monique such as age, date of birth, parent’s names, and which Pokémon she had on herself, a section which only displayed Fennekin’s cute grey face on it.
“Welcome,” a computerised female voice greeted. “This Pokédex recognises Ms. Monique Page as an official pokémon trainer in the Kalos region by the Kalos Pokémon league. If lost or stolen, this Pokédex cannot be replaced.”
Monique let out a long excited squeal of delight as she heard this, unable to control her glee. “Oooo I can’t wait to try this out! Fennekin,” asked her little friend that was still enjoying her breakfast. “Would you like to be the first Pokémon I scan with my new Pokédex?”
The fire-type looked up from her bowl, swallowing her mouthful of food before hurriedly smoothing out her tail with a forepaw and sitting up straight, satisfied enough with her appearance to warrant being scanned. Pointing the pokédex at Fennekin, Monique pressed the centre of the device, causing it to extend once again and display a picture of a yellow and orange version of the waiting grey pokemon, along with various vital statistics.
“Fennekin, the Fox Pokémon,” the female voice announced calmly. “Fennekin can vent hot air out of its roomy ears that can reach nearly four hundred degrees Fahrenheit. It likes to snack on twigs, which gives it energy.”
“Wow, that’s amazing!” Monique breathed as she gave Fennekin a loving scratch behind the ears, the fire type leaning in with a smile.
“It also explains why I never had to rake the lawn much.” Mrs. Page commented, earning a small giggle from her daughter.
“Of course mama, that’s because I’ve been gathering them up for Fennekin for her snacks.” Monique explained, picking up her pokémon friend and giving her a cuddle with one arm whilst opening the envelope with the other hand to open up and read the letter inside.
Dear Ms. Page.
Congratulations on starting your pokémon journey! A wonderful life of coexistence between you and the pokémon you meet awaits you. Enclosed in this package is a Kalos region Pokédex programmed with the personal information received upon registration and five (5) standard Pokéballs.
In addition, we at Lumios City Laboratories invite you to visit us along with other new trainers in order to acquaint you to the exciting world of pokémon training. Please call ahead at +758 987 34 392 for an advanced booking.
We hope to hear from you soon!
Lumios City Laboritory.
“There is…one more thing for you, princess.” James mentioned casually, placing a small slender cylinder wrapped in cheerful white and pink polka-dot wrapping paper.
“What’s this?” Monique asked curiously, reading the small tag taped to the side with the simple “To Monique, from Mama & Papa” typical of their family. With a flourish, Monique stripped off the wrapping paper to reveal a foot-long black flash-light, its fore end flared outward to house the bulb and reflector.
“Umm…thanks guys…” Monique smiled weakly, unsure on how to accept a flashlight as a gift.
“Upupup, don’t get excited just yet.” James interrupted with a smirk. “Turn it around and give it a flick. Out to the side, please.”
Monique did as she was told and twirled it around in her hand so that the aft end was facing away from her and flicked it out, jumping with surprise as a two foot long blackened metal wand suddenly extended out from the end.
“Err…Papa?” Monique asked, quite concerned about what she was now wielding. “Is this a…?”
“Yes, a collapsible baton.” Mr Page nodded smugly. “I wanted to give you a proper survival knife, but your mother wouldn’t have a bar of it-ow!”
“She’s much too young to carry a big knife around with her in public.” Laura replied with a pointed look as James rubbed his shin under the table.
“But knives are essential in a survival situation!” James countered. “You can use them to get food ready, cut up branches and whatnot for fires, fending off intruders-“
“Not the knife you wanted to give her!” retorted Laura. “That thing was as big as her forearm!”
“Mama, Papa! Could we please not bicker at the table?” Monique asked with finality, her parents quieting down and giving each other meaningful glances across the table. “Well, this explains why you made me apply for that concealed weapon licence last month,” Muttered Monique as she took it all in. “But I don’t know if I’d ever use this.”
“Princess,” Mr Page began. “You know as well as I do that there are people on the road that don’t have the best intentions. That’s why you asked me to train you in self defence for five years.”
“I know papa, I just don’t think that I’d need to use a baton is all.” Monique replied, slumping back in her chair.
“Monique, it’s fine to not want to use it.” Laura consoled. “It’s not in your nature. Just think of it as a scare tactic, to ward off anyone who might get any ideas.”
“Well, if you put it that way…” Monique considered, before making her decision. “Thanks papa, I’ll keep it close.”
“That’s all we ask, hun.” Monique’s mother smiled, taking a sip of her tea.
The family continued making small talk as they finished their breakfast, the air about the kitchen considerably lighter now that everything had been cleared up.
***
"Now dear, have you got everything?"
"Yes papa"
"Your clothes? Your toiletries? Your tent?"
"Yes mama"
"How about sleeping bag? Food? Water bottle? Matches?"
"Mama, Papa! we went through my backpack last night! Three times! Nothing has changed since then!"
"We just making sure you're prepared, hun." Monique's mother smiled as they stood at the front gate of their home in Vaniville town. Monique fidgeted with the straps of her blue hiking backpack as her father helped her adjust it so that the weight wasn't uncomfortable for his daughter whilst her mother watched on behind a camera tripod, fiddlind with the settings and making sure she had everything set up.
"...there. That should do it. How does it feel, princess?"
"It's fine now papa, thanks!" Monique smiled, Fennekin perched up on top of the pack and smiling happily at her view of the world.
"Well, it's time." Monique's mother sighed. "You do be careful on the road, alright?"
"I will," Monique smiled as she gave her parents a big hug and a kiss in turn. "I'll make sure to call you when I reach Aquacorde town, ok?"
"Please do, Monique." James nodded, giving her one more hug and a scratch behind Fennekin's ears before Laura Page waved them into position for their photo.
"Alright, everyone ready? Aaaand...smile!" Monique's mother sang out, the four smiling as the camera whirred and clicked, Laura walking back and making sure the picture was taken.
"That's a nice one. We'll send it to you once we get the film developed, ok hun?"
"Thank you mama!" Monique smiled as she adjusted her backback and stepped out the gate and onto the street, waving to her parents. "Bye bye Mama, bye bye Papa! I'll call soon!"
"Take care!" Her parents waved at the gate as they watched their daughter walk away, onto the start of her journey as a pokemon trainer.
Sunlight peeked through the window, the pastel gossamer curtains lending the morning light a pale pink hue as it crept across the dull grey carpet of the bedroom. A little grey fox creature yawned amongst the well loved blankets of her warm wicker basket as the unwanted light rudely demanded that she awoke for the day. Knowing that this would be an argument that no tossing and turning would win for her, the creature stretched and gingerly stepped out of the comforting embrace of her nest and padded over to her friend’s bed, spying a slender arm dangling over the side. With the aid of a conveniently placed box, Fennekin managed to jump onto the bedspread of her friend, navigating the spongy surface up to where a mass of ginger hair was peeking out from under the covers. With a well practiced squirm, Fennekin slipped underneath the blankets to find the face hidden behind the hair, uncovering a button nose with her own muzzle and giving it a small lick. When this failed to get a reaction from the sleeping form, Fennekin tried again and again, causing her friend to writhe under the assault and finally awake.
“Mmmmnnn…morn’n Fennekin.” Monique yawned, giving the fox type a loving scratch behind the ears as greeting before attempting to sit up, revealing a young girl hidden behind the unruly mass of ginger hair. The young girl stretched her arms wide, relieving the stiffness she gained from sleeping as muscle memory kicked in, causing her to leave her warm bed and begin her morning routine.
After the two had a quick shower, Monique brushed their teeth and got dressed, picking out her favourite Mackenzie tartan skirt and white blouse before brushing Fennekin’s fur and taming her own long forest of hair to a presentable state, brushing and plaiting and finishing it off with a blue ribbon at the bottom and top.
Once she was dressed, Monique made her bed and tucked her folded pyjamas underneath the pillows before the two made their way to the door leading downstairs. As they reached the door, Monique took one last look at her room, taking in her bookshelf, her summer curtains, the flattened cardboard boxes tucked away behind her vanity table, as well as her bed and Fennekin’s basket. With a small sigh of resignation, Monique closed the door behind the two before heading down the stairs.
Laura Page sat at the polished wooden breakfast table, her auburn hair tied up in a loose bun as she sipped her second morning cup of tea. The bird song of Pidgey and Fletchlings floated through the open windows along with the morning breeze that played with the white lace curtains, bringing in the scent of the roses Laura had growing in planter boxes just outside. She smiled at her husband over the mug, the athletic man reading the morning paper across from her looking every bit like the time she first met him. Except for the wisdom lines creeping up the side of his brown short-cropped hair…and the scar on his square jaw…and the wrinkles around his emerald eyes…okay, maybe not completely like the day she met him.
“I’m so glad you were able to get your three day pass for today, honey.” Laura said as she set her mug aside and began to write in her ledger, organising her business clients for the day.
“Dear heart, you know I wouldn’t miss this for the world!” Laura’s husband replied happily. “I had to call in a few favours, but nothing too drastic.”
“I know James honey, but your unit just transferred here last week. Wouldn’t they get miffed about all this?”
“Laura, our daughter is about to become a pokémon trainer, I think the Colonel will understand.” James countered. “Besides, he’s a father of three himself, he’d have been through this before plenty of times.”
Laura nodded, smiling at the family being together again. It seemed like only yesterday that their little Monique ran about pretending she was a pokémon master in the park, looking wide-eyed at her mother’s Lilligant as the pokémon helped her trainer with a client’s perm. Then suddenly Monique was going to school, and it was all but decided that she was going to leave the nest on her tenth birthday. Laura sighed with relief at the memory of her and James convincing their daughter to stay at school another five years. Sure, she only did it on the promise that they would teach her everything about being a pokémon trainer in the meantime, but in Laura’s mind it was worth it. Laura taught her how to save her money and how to wager against the other trainers she’d meet on the roadside, and James taught her how to survive by herself out on the road whenever he wasn’t away with the army. A flash of concern creased her forehead as she remembered how eagerly she took to the hand-to-hand fighting side of her husband’s training, but if it kept their baby girl safe, then so be it. The look on her face as she received Fennekin’s egg for Christmas last year made it all the more worth while, and Monique had cradled and polished that egg every chance she got, even taking it into bed and cuddling it at night.
“What’s on your mind, dear heart?” asked James, smiling at the wistful look on his wife’s face.
“Oh, just thinking about Monique,” sighed Laura. “I can’t believe it’s been fifteen years already.”
“I know, it almost feels like yesterday that we had to stop the moving truck when it was time for her to be born, and now our baby girl is all grown up and leaving the nest.”
Laura hummed in agreement as she took another sip of her tea, stealing a glance at the clock and watching it tick away the seconds until half-past six.
Three…two…one…
“Morning Mama! Morning Papa!”
“Fenne!”
The soft clatter of feet down the stairs signalled the arrival of Monique, a bright smile on her face with little Fennekin scampering about her heels. Monique gave her parents both a kiss on the cheek in greeting and took her seat between the two, where a plate of scrambled eggs awaited her, Fennekin having a bowl of Pokéfood beside her friend.
“Good morning honey!” Laura beamed, “Did you sleep well last night?”
“Yes mama, though Fennekin had her usual fun with waking me up this morning.” Fennekin snickered at this, as her friendly teasing was one of the fire fox’s favourite things to do in the morning.
“Well, at least you’re getting up earlier than before she was here.” Monique’s mother shrugged as she and her husband put their bookwork aside and started their own breakfast. “You two have been quite the good influence on each other.”
“Mum!” Monique cried out indignantly at her mother’s affectionate jibe. “I would have gotten up in time, I always did before!”
“Yes, but now we’re not in a rush to get to school” Laura smiled pointedly. “Come now, let’s enjoy our breakfast and discuss all that some other time.”
The family continued to eat their breakfast, making small conversation and generally enjoying each other’s company until Mr. Page decided to address the Donphan in the room and bring it to light.
“So Monique, you excited about today?” Monique’s father asked, earning a slight twinge of nerves from his daughter.
“Umm… I’m fine.” Monique smiled meekly. “You’ve both taught me so much, but I don’t know if I can do this.”
“It’s just nerves, you’ll be fine.” Monique’s mother comforted, resting her hand on her daughter’s. “Though you could always stay for another year or so...”
“Mama, it’s fine, really.” Monique insisted. “We already decided that today was the day, so whatever comes, I’ll be ready for it.”
“That’s the spirit, Princess,” Monique’s father encouraged, “You’ve been preparing for this day for five years now, you couldn’t be ever more ready.”
“Thanks mama, thanks papa.” The fledgling trainer sighed with relief. “I needed that.”
Laura gave a small nudge under the table and a knowing look to James, causing him to nod in return and reach underneath his chair.
“So, this arrived for you yesterday, Monique,” Mr. Page said nonchalantly, placing a small brown paper wrapped package on the table in front of his daughter.
“Is that..?” Monique asked, her face lighting up with excitement as she eagerly tore off the paper to reveal a pink gift box wrapped with a light blue ribbon. After removing the lid, Monique found inside a small red rectangular device with the centre looking like glass, along with five red and white spheres that Monique easily recognised as empty Pokéballs, just waiting for her to build a team with, along with an envelope. With a trembling hand, Monique touched a finger to the centre of the Pokédex, causing the device to automatically expand with a glow of pale blue light. At once, an image of herself appeared on the screen, displaying various details about Monique such as age, date of birth, parent’s names, and which Pokémon she had on herself, a section which only displayed Fennekin’s cute grey face on it.
“Welcome,” a computerised female voice greeted. “This Pokédex recognises Ms. Monique Page as an official pokémon trainer in the Kalos region by the Kalos Pokémon league. If lost or stolen, this Pokédex cannot be replaced.”
Monique let out a long excited squeal of delight as she heard this, unable to control her glee. “Oooo I can’t wait to try this out! Fennekin,” asked her little friend that was still enjoying her breakfast. “Would you like to be the first Pokémon I scan with my new Pokédex?”
The fire-type looked up from her bowl, swallowing her mouthful of food before hurriedly smoothing out her tail with a forepaw and sitting up straight, satisfied enough with her appearance to warrant being scanned. Pointing the pokédex at Fennekin, Monique pressed the centre of the device, causing it to extend once again and display a picture of a yellow and orange version of the waiting grey pokemon, along with various vital statistics.
“Fennekin, the Fox Pokémon,” the female voice announced calmly. “Fennekin can vent hot air out of its roomy ears that can reach nearly four hundred degrees Fahrenheit. It likes to snack on twigs, which gives it energy.”
“Wow, that’s amazing!” Monique breathed as she gave Fennekin a loving scratch behind the ears, the fire type leaning in with a smile.
“It also explains why I never had to rake the lawn much.” Mrs. Page commented, earning a small giggle from her daughter.
“Of course mama, that’s because I’ve been gathering them up for Fennekin for her snacks.” Monique explained, picking up her pokémon friend and giving her a cuddle with one arm whilst opening the envelope with the other hand to open up and read the letter inside.
Dear Ms. Page.
Congratulations on starting your pokémon journey! A wonderful life of coexistence between you and the pokémon you meet awaits you. Enclosed in this package is a Kalos region Pokédex programmed with the personal information received upon registration and five (5) standard Pokéballs.
In addition, we at Lumios City Laboratories invite you to visit us along with other new trainers in order to acquaint you to the exciting world of pokémon training. Please call ahead at +758 987 34 392 for an advanced booking.
We hope to hear from you soon!
Lumios City Laboritory.
“There is…one more thing for you, princess.” James mentioned casually, placing a small slender cylinder wrapped in cheerful white and pink polka-dot wrapping paper.
“What’s this?” Monique asked curiously, reading the small tag taped to the side with the simple “To Monique, from Mama & Papa” typical of their family. With a flourish, Monique stripped off the wrapping paper to reveal a foot-long black flash-light, its fore end flared outward to house the bulb and reflector.
“Umm…thanks guys…” Monique smiled weakly, unsure on how to accept a flashlight as a gift.
“Upupup, don’t get excited just yet.” James interrupted with a smirk. “Turn it around and give it a flick. Out to the side, please.”
Monique did as she was told and twirled it around in her hand so that the aft end was facing away from her and flicked it out, jumping with surprise as a two foot long blackened metal wand suddenly extended out from the end.
“Err…Papa?” Monique asked, quite concerned about what she was now wielding. “Is this a…?”
“Yes, a collapsible baton.” Mr Page nodded smugly. “I wanted to give you a proper survival knife, but your mother wouldn’t have a bar of it-ow!”
“She’s much too young to carry a big knife around with her in public.” Laura replied with a pointed look as James rubbed his shin under the table.
“But knives are essential in a survival situation!” James countered. “You can use them to get food ready, cut up branches and whatnot for fires, fending off intruders-“
“Not the knife you wanted to give her!” retorted Laura. “That thing was as big as her forearm!”
“Mama, Papa! Could we please not bicker at the table?” Monique asked with finality, her parents quieting down and giving each other meaningful glances across the table. “Well, this explains why you made me apply for that concealed weapon licence last month,” Muttered Monique as she took it all in. “But I don’t know if I’d ever use this.”
“Princess,” Mr Page began. “You know as well as I do that there are people on the road that don’t have the best intentions. That’s why you asked me to train you in self defence for five years.”
“I know papa, I just don’t think that I’d need to use a baton is all.” Monique replied, slumping back in her chair.
“Monique, it’s fine to not want to use it.” Laura consoled. “It’s not in your nature. Just think of it as a scare tactic, to ward off anyone who might get any ideas.”
“Well, if you put it that way…” Monique considered, before making her decision. “Thanks papa, I’ll keep it close.”
“That’s all we ask, hun.” Monique’s mother smiled, taking a sip of her tea.
The family continued making small talk as they finished their breakfast, the air about the kitchen considerably lighter now that everything had been cleared up.
***
"Now dear, have you got everything?"
"Yes papa"
"Your clothes? Your toiletries? Your tent?"
"Yes mama"
"How about sleeping bag? Food? Water bottle? Matches?"
"Mama, Papa! we went through my backpack last night! Three times! Nothing has changed since then!"
"We just making sure you're prepared, hun." Monique's mother smiled as they stood at the front gate of their home in Vaniville town. Monique fidgeted with the straps of her blue hiking backpack as her father helped her adjust it so that the weight wasn't uncomfortable for his daughter whilst her mother watched on behind a camera tripod, fiddlind with the settings and making sure she had everything set up.
"...there. That should do it. How does it feel, princess?"
"It's fine now papa, thanks!" Monique smiled, Fennekin perched up on top of the pack and smiling happily at her view of the world.
"Well, it's time." Monique's mother sighed. "You do be careful on the road, alright?"
"I will," Monique smiled as she gave her parents a big hug and a kiss in turn. "I'll make sure to call you when I reach Aquacorde town, ok?"
"Please do, Monique." James nodded, giving her one more hug and a scratch behind Fennekin's ears before Laura Page waved them into position for their photo.
"Alright, everyone ready? Aaaand...smile!" Monique's mother sang out, the four smiling as the camera whirred and clicked, Laura walking back and making sure the picture was taken.
"That's a nice one. We'll send it to you once we get the film developed, ok hun?"
"Thank you mama!" Monique smiled as she adjusted her backback and stepped out the gate and onto the street, waving to her parents. "Bye bye Mama, bye bye Papa! I'll call soon!"
"Take care!" Her parents waved at the gate as they watched their daughter walk away, onto the start of her journey as a pokemon trainer.
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