{Starter} Now I Live a Waking Life

A MODEL CITIZEN OF DOUBT

Snow crunched under Galen's feet as they made their slow way up the slope to the farmhouse in the distance. It was only around five in the evening, but already darkness was beginning to fall, and a half moon peeked out over the crest of distant hills. When the sun went down, so did the temperature, and Galen was regretting not wearing their winter coat. But they had stashed all of their gear at the Pokémon Center back in town, and they were more than halfway to Professor Hickory's ranch; it wouldn't be worth it to go back now. 

Despite the hour, many Pokémon were out and about; indeed, most of the nocturnal ones were just beginning to wake up, and the sparse forest surrounding the trail to the Professor's was alive with their movements. At the start of their walk, Galen had jumped at every small noise and rustling of leaves, but now they had come to appreciate these sounds of nature. Hopefully they would become acclimated much more quickly on the walk back.

Many of the noises were to be expected: the soft hoots of Noctowl; the harsh caws of Murkrow. And so, Galen was immediately aware when another noise broke through the din: that was the jarring cry of a Pidgey, if they weren't mistaken, and they were fairly certain that they were right. What was a Pidgey doing out and about at this time, especially during the winter? It should be nestled comfortably in its roost, preparing to sleep.

The bushes shivered nearby, and Galen's guess was proven correct when a small brown avian Pokémon hopped out into their path. Instead of fleeing, it cocked its head and looked at them with a bright gaze. When it cried out once more, Galen's hands jerked instinctively, as if to cover their ears. But they fought the impulse, because the sudden movement would probably scare the Pidgey away. It's a female, Galen noted.

Much to Galen's surprise, the Pidgey hopped closer. She had not broken eye contact with the young researcher, and she almost seemed to be scrutinizing the human. She didn't cry out again, though; it was as if she understood that the sound bothered Galen. They were impressed: Pidgey weren't exactly known for their intelligence.

The Pidgey moved forward again. She was now only mere feet from Galen.

With a flutter of wings, she was gone. And then, just as suddenly as she had disappeared, she was back again: this time, she was perched on Galen's left shoulder.

Galen jumped and made a strangled noise of alarm. The Pidgey ruffled her wings unhappily, but she stayed where she was, and Galen calmed down quickly, though their heart was still racing. They reached a trembling hand up to the bird, who surprised them even further by nuzzling into it. How strange! Galen marveled internally.

Moving slowly - they didn't want to frighten the Pokémon, though at this point they honestly doubted that anything could scare her off - Galen slung the bag hanging from their right shoulder down into their right hand. They stroked the Pidgey once more with their left and then reached down to rummage inside the bag until they felt the unmistakable shape of what they were looking for: a Poké Ball.

The Pidgey clacked her beak and lifted off from Galen's shoulder. Their heart plummeted: was she going to leave?

But they Pidgey did not leave. She merely alighted on the ground nearby and looked at Galen. They fancied that she looked expectant.

Galen wasn't one to keep others waiting, and so without further ado, they tossed the ball lightly in the Pidgey's direction. She jumped up to meet it, and the capsule closed around her. The Poké Ball fell and settled in the snow; it shook only once before stilling.

Galen bent down and picked it up, trying - and failing - not to touch the snow. But they hardly even felt the cold; they wfere warm with good cheer. They slipped the Poké Ball into their bag and continued along their way at a faster pace, almost skipping now.

Already, my first Pokémon! My adventure is off to an excellent start, they thought.

"I think I'll call her Almond," Galen mused aloud. They were quite satisfied with the name.

Now they were walking up wooden steps, and they screwed their eyes shut against the building's bright porch lights. Their delight evaporated almost instantly, to be replaced by a nagging trepidation. They may have caught a Pokémon, but their work for the night was far from over. They still had to get their starter from Professor Hickory.

Visibly shivering now, from both cold and dread, they reached out with one shaking hand and rapped on the door.

804

N/A

Pronouns for this thread: they/them! You may use these or she/her, though characters will think of them as female regardless of pronouns used.

The Pidgey was obtained from a giveaway thread, and I thought it would make most sense to pretend that Galen had caught her, so that explains why they captured her successfully without rolls or anything.

Preferred type: Grass.