TRIAL OF HUNGER: ODILE

No soul would stay here forever. That was a comfort. Shoulders slacked (when did they become hiked up?) as Odile nodded, looking back over to Seta as the robed figured moved. From her perspective, it was almost like they gilded over the floor, not a sound from them. Her own steps followed a similar suit, but not perfect. There was that faint reverb as she took step after careful step until they had reached that entrance, obscured by that dark curtain.

Or you may pass through and seek the lost soul in the the world beyond.

Was there really any question of what she would choose?

No more words were exchanged as she passed on through.

The darkness faded, revealing... greens and blues. A crisp breeze caressed her cheek, a rustling above her head. Where was she? It took her some moments to realize that the ground she was standing on was twisted bark. Chin tilted up as she gazed above, seeing the lush leaves that made her sky. Blue... fruit? Was that fruit? swayed, glowing with a cool, almost mystic light.

Odile's first thought was peaceful. It was oddly peaceful. Then she looked below.

The massive branch she was on twisted and curled as it connected to the almighty truck of the tree. Following it below lead to massive roots undulating into the earth. A forest laid below and before her, and between the woods and all it contained, she could see beings of a dull, dull gray. They did not seem aware of her, concerned with the earth below them than the heavens above them.

Amidst all of that, there was that brief flash of orange between the greens and blues and grays. A jewel resting on top of a black and yellow tail, having just caught what light filtered through the canopy. There they were. A lost lamb, wandering adrift.

Find and feed your lost soul without getting caught by the hungry spirits.

Nails dug into the soft flesh of Odile's palm, breathing hitched as she tried to follow the Mareep, only to lose sight of them. A tremble ran through her arms, before Odile took a deep breath. Eyes closed shut for a moment, before nodding and opening them again. She had no idea what she was going to find when she passed through that door, but that didn't even begin to matter.

What mattered was that there was someone that could use her help. Who was she to turn away? Even if they were digital. How much difference was there between byte and bone?

"I'm on my way." She whispered the winds.

When she thought about Pokemon, it was always colored brightly. With a childlike wonder, in places that felt almost real enough to be there, if she just had the right ticket for the right boat. In battles, if one got hurt, that was alright. There was a Pokemon Center not too far off, there were Potions in your bag, berries to be picked off the trees. Nothing bad was permanent. Every bad guy could be defeated. Every injury could be healed. 

UNOVR, while certainly different and unlike any other game she had played, was still a Pokemon game at its heart. 

Therefore everything she had thought about Pokemon before must still hold true. Every injury could be healed. Isn't that what Seta sent her in for? 

The second fruit fell, but the third fruit was clutched close, Odile finally making her way to the truck of the tree. Climbing down was going to be a struggle, but at least she had the cover of the spirits being distracted by the fallen fruit. She had to take the opportunity while it was presented to her. Teeth dug into her lower lip as she held onto the rough bark of the tree, squeezing the fruit. Slowly, hand by hand, foot by foot, she made her way down.

It was thankful, then, that the actual descent wasn't too bad. She hadn't been too high up the tree. 

Odile couldn't even name a time where she had actually climbed one at all. Where had been the opportunity to? When she was thrown into the hospital time and time again as a child? 

It wasn't really all it was cracked up to be.

A sigh of relief escaped her her feet met the soft grassy ground. She could hear some sounds to the left of her; the starving souls. She still did not want to look at them for too long, or even at all, if it was possible to avoid it. They weren't what she was here for (as much as there was a part of her that wanted to help). Maybe one day she could, but the flash of a citrine jewel made her head jolt to the right. 

Odile and the Mareep stare at each other for a moment before the little lamb took off deeper into the woods.

Violet eyes fell down, looking towards her hands. In each palm rested one of the fruits meant for the Mareep, still glowing that vibrant blue as if she hadn't plucked them away from the tree. She just needed to feed this Pokemon. That was effectively it. Seta had not given her that difficult of a trial, when she put it in those simple terms. Could she not even do this?

No one ever liked the thought of failing. Everyone naturally wanted to succeed. And yet, Odile couldn't... think of how she was supposed to say to this Mareep to just have her stop. 

There is always hope. I do not believe that any soul will stay here forever.

Odile sighed, shaking her head. She was being an idiot, wasn't she? Had to do that sappy thing of believing in herself. If she didn't even do that, how was this Mareep supposed to? Why put your trust in someone that did not inspire confidence? 

Alright. Maybe she couldn't say anything to this Mareep. Maybe she didn't need words then? Wasn't she more adept with her body than her voice?

She looked at the fruit in hand, how it glowed. These specters were hungry. She had to feed the Mareep, but Seta didn't say anything about not feeding the other spirits. Baseball was not her sport, far from it. Her instructors always focused on her legs, and made sure her arms remained light and dainty, meant for expression and not exercise. Ah well. She was giving it her best shot. 

Tossing it, the ghosts did not notice it arc over their heads, like a shooting star. They did however, very much notice it when it landed, rolling onto the ground, and they descended. It send a shiver down her spine, but this was her chance. Darting through the multitude of trees, she could feel a tug in her heart, leading her along. Was it even towards the Mareep? Odile didn't know, but she only had this one opportunity. 

A spark answered her, a glimpse of orange as the Mareep land in front of her, turning from a tree to look at her. Knees met the uneven earth, left arm outstretched, still clutching onto this small, blue piece of fruit as if it was her own heart. 

"They won't eat you. I promise." Odile assured, not noticing how her arm trembled, only mildly aware of the tears welling up. "They're all eating something else. I... I don't know what you've been through, little one, I'm sure it wasn't fun or happy. But... at least, if nothing else, I think you deserve to eat something too."

The Mareep stared at her, black eyes glistening as she listened. Small feet slowly, hesitantly, began to come closer, rearing up every so often if Odile dared to make any movement. "I just... I was thrown in. It was so dark and then... and then..."

Her free hand came to Odile's mouth, a finger over her lips as she ever so gently hushed. "It's okay, you don't have to tell me anything. I know it must hurt. I... I know what it's like, to be just thrown in somewhere and left there. Maybe not to the same extent as what happened to you, but... I think I understand, to a point."

The little lamb was right in front of her now, in petting range, but her hand stayed away, only keeping the one with the fruit outstretched for her. "... Are you here for me?"

"Of course I am. Don't think a cute little Mareep like yourself should be left here all alone." The first cracks of a smile appeared over Odile's cloudy deposition. Dawn's rays peeking through. "Here alone and hungry too! That's not quite right now is it? I haven't tasted the fruit here, but it's nothing like I've ever seen. Looks pretty yummy though. Go on, have some."

The lamb's mouth opened up as she trotted forward, taking a big bite. Eyes lit up, the jewel on her tail glowing bright. Immediately the Mareep began to devour the fruit, bite after bite, the apple-like fruit shrinking down until there was nothing but the core left in Odile's hand. The cracks of her smile began a full grown grin, a hand finding coming down to rub the top of the Mareep's head who bleated in glee. 

"That's more like it. You look a lot better happy, I can promise you that much." Odile teased. "Now then, I think it's time you get on out of here. To somewhere better."

"I think so too. We're going together, I'm not going to leave you here."

The words melted her heart. What a sweetie. "I would like that a lot. Lead the way little one, lead the way."

Sheep deserve to be their own shepherds after all.