Long term projects

Three days passed like a fever dream. A dream in which all inhabitants of the house dropped dead after their training ended, sometimes sleeping where they stood. Which made the body even sorer

And it was to this sight that Psy beamed in. You would expect some encouragement, but no... our suffering was clearly a balm to the pain he had suffered on his journey

Had we been in a better mood or even a better state, then we surely would have attempted something. However, both the Abras and I were trying to sleep on the floor as we couldn't muster enough energy to get to the bed or the sofa

Even glaring at the snickering Psy caused us some suffering. Thankfully Psy was kind enough to teleport us, me to the bedroom and the Abra to the guest bedroom

As such even though I wished to learn how things had gone, I had no option but to shelve it for tomorrow. The fact Psy also requested me to sleep convinced me of this

9 hours later I woke up full of energy but still sore. But full of energy, so I found Psy and got the full details out of him.

All in all, things went fine. Psy got the berries and the eggs and even some kelp which would be nutrition for the fishes

' Thank god '

The good thing is, after referencing the eggs he had brought to the ones on the internet we concluded that the roe would only take a week or two to hatch.

This is enough time for us to finish some details and be ready for the trials afterwards. We had 9 eggs, which would need a maximum of two more weeks to hatch and fundamentally two months to mature enough to breed again ' which is frankly pretty fast as far as I'm concerned '

A fish typically lays dozens of eggs at the minimum, that includes the Seaking line. So all in all I had to nurture and essentially wait three months for this investment to pay off

But then another problem came in, and it came politely by the ringing of a bell and a good-looking league official

' Shit!! '

Immediately both Abras and the eggs were transported to the basement with a brief explanation that made sure they couldn't be seen or heard till we called them out again

So I made myself to the door and straightened my back as I opened and welcomed the league official to my home, who introduced himself as James in a tone that basically screamed 'customer care policy'

Thankfully the process did not take that long to end, we chatted for the better part of an hour before he raised the question of whether I was truly satisfied with living alone or would like to officially change my living state

But I told him truthfully without any doubts lingering in my voice or mind that I was content with my situation and saw no problem with continuing it for three more years before I left for my journey

It was then he started to lose the official air a little bit to truly talk to me without duty demanding it

He loosened his tie a little bit and his gaze became a little more softer but his voice didn't lose its weight he began his questioning now

" Hmm, so you are set on the path of a trainer then? "

I match his gaze with my own, not challenging or seeking to prove something but just that he recognizes that I'm serious about it

" Yes, I wish to become an active battling trainer "

At that, he hmms a little before speaking again

" An active trainer huh? The battler profession is not always for everyone and I tell that with prior experience "

" Yes, I recognize that it is challenging and I know that it very well can break me but still, It's the only thing that has remained constant as my goal from the moment I learned of it and I cannot deny its attraction to me "

He smiles at me when he hears my words

" Usually even the calmest kids claim about being future champions or elite professors at this point, satisfied in their perceived intelligence and cunningness. It is nice to see a child that seems to have actually seen through its romanticism and still identify this as their path "

' Well, I guess that checks out. None can blame the kids as well, those in my position don't have anything that really connects us to this society and the path of being so loved and admired is basically a lifeline to them that gets them up in the morning to brave the new day within this world '

" I don't want to say it's propaganda, but you do know that it's dangerously close to it right? Besides as far as I'm concerned the trainer path for me is something that I think I have to do. "

" Oh, why do you think that you have to do it? "

"We live in a world full of pokemon, I hear and see the champions and their feats of power, I see the officers and gym leaders with their determination and duty but I also know of those who work opposite of them. The trainer path isn't just a way for me to earn my living or fame, it's a legitimate proven path to my continued survival and happiness "

He just stares at me before speaking

" That's a little dark thinking for your age Eric "

"Mr. James I lost my parents, one I lost when I came in and one I lost before I began to comprehend his importance in my life. It saddens me, it left me jagged and chipped but not broken because as far as I'm concerned both my parents wanted me to live well and I am going to do my best attempt at living happily. "

" That's a good way to look at it Eric. Don't let go of that mindset, it will serve you well in your chosen path "

" When life gives you lemons, make lemonade "

My quote makes him smile as he leans in

" Good one. Now I usually don't do this till you kids are 12 years old but you're mature enough to start on this now. What's your game plan? "

" Well, do the gym circuit in three regions at the least, achieve a good standing at the respective conferences and then look into league training or as a field researcher "

At my plan, he just nods

" It's a basic plan, but it's the right one. So you're interested in being a league officer or field researcher? Why these two prospective careers? "

I just shrug at that

" The league is the league, It's not perfect but it's easy to speak about scoring goals when you aren't playing in the field in the first place and it's a stable and respected career choice. Field research basically is a more intelligent approach to traveling and experiencing environments and pokemon "

" That is true. So as far as I'm concerned your thinking of both careers is good, sure that's not everything but you got the core part done alright. So how's your preparation school-wise? Is it good enough for the sponsors? Are you good enough for one of the vaunted royal pokemon? "

I just huff at that questioning ' I'm realistic and full of common sense, not genius IQ or pure stubbornness with eidetic memory '

" Academically I'm not weak but I am certainly not the strongest. I will try my best to attain the best scores I can but I don't plan on storing all my eggs in one basket "

He nods at that and remarks " That's smart. While you can try your best at something it's crucial to ensure that you have contingency plans in case it falls through. So what are your contingency plans for the sponsorship and starters? "

" Well while the Oak ranch is the dream, I'm more than prepared to work with Silph.co and the league, especially considering my circumstance as the son of two league trainers. As for the starters, I have researched the roster which gym leader Erica provides and am mostly certain at the fact that I can make it work with those in the roster, especially considering the fact that I have plans in place on how to train in aspects and all that "

" Good, good. That preparation you will do is what will earn you sponsorships, talents play the best part but don't think hard work is not seen. "

" Thanks "

He stands up and claps once and smooths himself and waits till I stand up as well to hold a hand towards me

" Well it was nice talking with you Eric, have a good day "

I clasp his hand with mine

" It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance Mr. James. Have a good day "

And with that, the routine league check-up of the week which I genuinely forgot to take into account when considering the fish farm plan

" That might be a problem " and by the assured voice I'm certain Psy didn't

So I look at him and ask him what the contingency plan for this is

" While your fish farm has its merit, aside from the fact the league routine check-up is weekly and with your acquaintances from your parents dropping in, all it would take is one slip up that will result in disaster for us. "

I grip my fists at that because Psy was fucking right.

' Mature and realistic, right? I slipped up with my own notions and might have screwed us both over '

So I don't bother at masking my irritation of the error I made from my voice as I speak to Psy

" Do you have a way Psy? Or do we have to stop this plan? "

" Not really. After a few discreet conversations with the pack leader, I was able to pinpoint certain small ponds suitable for our purpose, ponds that are within the pack's territory and discreet enough to bring trouble "

I exhale at that because the plan could still go through and as far as I'm concerned the pack will allow me to balance this plan and at the same time endear myself to them as I provided an easy catch to them

' Well Psy did, besides that's still goodwill '

" So I'm guessing we can plant the kelps now and allow it grow uncontested for a little while before introducing the pond's new inhabitants "

" That is an optimal plan "

we decided to not leave anything to chance and immediately teleported ourselves to the pond in question and the pond was indeed good enough for our needs

The pond though not that large or too small was in a position in the forest which was blanketed by the trees that the sunlight itself was heavily scattered, which would provide cover from the avians

' Which is a good thing because while the flock does know that the relationship between the pack and me will be different than theirs, a stable food source that does not provide a threat is indeed a luxury for the younglings and I do not need all the drama that would follow on that. Though I guess we can also create a fish farm for the avians as well '

With that resolution in mind, Psy started to teleport the few critters in the pond to other ponds while I waded in the pond and scattered the kelp into positions that we believed would maximise their growth and I'll admit after the work was over I did wish to cool myself in the pond for a few more minutes but as this wasn't the only farming I needed to do today hence I could only resolve to come here with the abra duo quite later

So we teleported ourselves back home and set to work on planting the berries and I'm quite certain that we did the best we could though I pray that every berry grows fruit, I'm certain that few won't

' I certainly pray that it is few and not most berries that will go to waste '

And after the training for the Abra duo was done and our own work was done we actually packed dinner for ourselves plus two blankets and teleported ourselves to the pond for a little soak

I'll admit while my idea of those who can learn to swim to swim is still my standpoint the fact that both the Abra duo was so light that they naturally floated even more than I expected proved that we had quite an interesting training ahead of us

Though the look on the male Abra's face as he came up with a head weighed down by the kelp we just scattered in the pond was amusing

On that point I truthfully want the two of them to choose their names just so I don't have to differentiate them by their sexes alone, but since it's their right I won't rush them

I spoke with them about the training and their current thoughts on it ' Which wasn't negative and more curiosity on their part on how this would help them develop '

Which naturally within minutes turned into a discussion between us on training methods and refining these methods to ensure maximum efficiency

After talking like that we ate the food and after a few more minutes of soaking in the pond we returned home as none of us wanted to break the delicate biological clock we were designing with our bodies