Saint bursts out of the bushes, his clothes in disarray and his hair now a literal bird’s nest after a relentless search. “Gumball!” He says, diving to sweep the popplio off the ground, who delights in being lifted, giggling up until he’s smushed against his trainer’s chest.

Saint gives him a little squeeze, before pulling away and pointing at him with a finger. “Never wander off like that again, do you hear me!?”

Gumball blinks at him, before bopping his head forwards, Saint’s finger poking his nose. Honk!

Saint has no idea what that means. He still melts with relief, stopping only when he finally takes notice of the company.

“Yes, he is,” his voice gets quieter. “And you…” A pause, and a very long stare. “You have. Cat ears?”

Saint blushes, sinking a little in his collar. He just made his amateur status obvious. Of course, people can have cat ears. This is a game!

“I don’t know why I said that,” he mumbles distractedly. “I started off this game meeting a demigod, why did I…”

He shakes his head, returning to the conversation, and glad that Verai didn’t tease him further. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Saint.” His face scrunches a little, despite having chosen his name deliberately. He thought it would sound cool. Now that he’s actually introducing himself, it was kind of—

“You named your Litten, Kitten?” He glances over to the furball sneezing little embers, chuckling quietly. “That’s. Cute. That's a really cute name.” He raises his popplio. “This little troublemaker’s called Gumball.” He raises a brow, turning the popplio around to stare at his face. “Though I guess he wasn’t entirely a troublemaker? You played hero, Gummy?”

Gumball honks proudly despite the look of disbelief on his trainer’s face.

Meanwhile, an audience had come to peek in, curious eyes noting the strangers and their strange pokemon.

“There’s a Vulpix?” He spots the little fox through the nearby bushes. Gumball confirms Verai’s instructions with a hearty salute, being placed back on the ground by Saint. The popplio hops along to sit by his sneezing pal, giggling at her and then mimicking her by sneezing some water onto the budding forest fire.

The Vulpix pops out of the bushes at the sight of water, hissing at the two trainer pokemon before turning eyes back to the two humans, tension leaving its body taut.

Saint tilts his head curiously at Verai. “You don’t have to fight them?” That’s a first. “I figured, since this is a pokemon game…” Intrigued, he approaches Verai to observe, careful not to take big steps. He didn’t want to alarm the Vulpix further.

Some of the dried fruit is tossed to him, which Saint catches before listening to the rest of Verai’s lesson. The Vulpix is already chewing up the fruit Verai offered.

Wouldn't you rather go with someone who showed you kindness?"

Saint’s gaze softens. “I would.” He kneels down. The vulpix has already finished and is watching expectantly, tails wagging as it stares at remaining fruit in their hands.

Not wanting to push it too far, Saint places the fruit down on the ground, closer to them. He waits anxiously as the fox slowly approaches them.

Gumball cackles as Kitten’s paw baps him in the head. She had soft paws! He hops onto his tail, aiming to retaliate by bapping her head with his flipper. The clean-up is now a game of whack-a-mon.