Chapter 7
Coming Around


It's evening now; the sky is getting darker as we walk through the forest, the bright colors growing dim. We should probably find a place to set up camp for the night, but we start to hear a sound, and Snivy just has to chase it down. Before long, we're close enough to recognize the sound of running water. Still not satisfied, Snivy keeps going, and I have to follow. The source turns out to be... interesting.

After a fork in the path, we find a dead end with a pond. A waterfall flows into it, coming from a familiar pink portal on a nearby tree. However, the pond doesn't seem to be overflowing. Sure enough, when we approach the pond, I see another portal at the bottom; the waterfall supplies its own source, like a perpetual motion machine.

"I'm like 90% sure this thing is breaking the laws of physics in some way."

"I don't know what that means but it sounds like fun!" With no hesitation, Snivy drops their bags and dives into the pond.

I Snivy swims around for a bit, including allowing themself to get sucked into the portal at the bottom and thrown back in by the waterfall. Several times. It'll probably be night by the time Snivy decides to leave, so I start setting up the tent. I work for about a minute and make almost zero progress (I still don't have fingers) before Snivy calls out to me.

"Hey, aren't you gonna come and swim?"

"I already told you, I don't like swimming."

"Aw, come on! I bet you're reeeeally tiiiiired, after such a loooong day of walking~ Don't you want to take a nice, relaxing swim~?"

Darn it, they're right; now that they mention it, I do feel exhausted, and the water does look strangely appealing... "Fine, whatever."

I walk over to the pond, ignoring Snivy's fist pump of celebration. I put a hand- or I guess foreleg? I put a foreleg in the water to test it, and the temperature feels fine. Still, that was never the reason why I don't like swimming; when I wasn't struggling to stay above the surface, I was just uncomfortable being in the water. Yet for some reason I feel different now. Well, everything feels different, I'm a pokemon, but now it feels so safe and comfortable and nice on my skin and- Wait, when did I get in the water?

Here I am, floating in the water, subconsciously kicking my legs to stay above the surface. It feels so... natural. I guess I am a water type, so it shouldn't be a huge surprise, but it's just so easy and relaxing now. I effortlessly swim around as I let my instincts take over, even noticing my tailfin shifting to direct-

"Tag!" Snivy says as I'm lightly bopped on the head. "You're it!" Snivy swims away, giggling and splashing water everywhere.

I roll my eyes. So much for a nice, relaxing swim before bed. I drift to land and sit in the water, away from Snivy's shenanigans. Unfortunately, Snivy swims over to me anyways.

"Hey, c'mon, let's play a little! When's the next time we'll be able to have a pool like this to play in?"

At least Snivy's pretty good at making me feel like an adult. "Is playing around the only thing you know how to do? Seriously, grow up Snivy."

Snivy looks away, disappointed. "Why do you people always act like playing is a bad thing?.."

Wait, that's not what I meant... Well, I guess I kinda did. But I didn't mean playing in general, it's just that Snivy is so immature! They're so impulsive and emotional, and it's not just that they play around, it's that they always act so... so giddy, and... excited... Huh. That's not really-

I'm suddenly patted on the head. "Tag."

I turn to see Snivy slowly swim away... As if they'd get away with that twice! I kick off the shore and send myself gliding across the water. Snivy turns around just in time to get bopped on top of the head! "Tag," I say as I shift my tailfin and swim away, "you're it!"

After a brief pause, I hear splashing behind me; Snivy is chasing me. Even without much experience, I'm faster than Snivy in the water, and they can't catch up. But before long, I reach the edge of the pond. I turn and start circling around the edge, but Snivy cuts me off and lands a tag before making a u-turn!

I take a second to catch my breath before chasing after them, but as I quickly catch up, Snivy suddenly changes direction, and I fall behind. I catch up again, and they start to turn left. I preemptively turn left, but then they suddenly turn right! Snivy's certainly experienced in tag.

I chase Snivy down again, and we approach the edge of the pond. Snivy can't turn right, and I think I'm finally figuring out how to swim in this body. Snivy suddenly makes a sharp left turn, but I'm ready for it and cut them off! I reach out with my foreleg, and- "Tag!" I turn around and retreat, laughing triumphantly! I hear Snivy turn around to give chase, and I smile; this game is just getting started!



The game is over, and I'm very uncomfortable. Not physically; I'm pretty worn out, but the satisfied kind of worn out you feel after doing something fun. It was a fun game. Very fun. Fun was had by me. I enjoyed it very much.

Which is why I feel so conflicted.

This is the second time I've been tempted into acting immature with Snivy, but I don't feel bad about it this time. But now I feel bad about... not feeling bad about it? I have a lot to ponder as I help Snivy set up camp for the night; it's already dark, so we have to hurry before there's no sunlight left.

A few minutes later, the tent is ready and we eat dinner. Even after having some time to think, I don't really understand all of this... stuff, but I do realize one thing now. I chew on my food, trying to figure out how to say this. "Hey Snivy?"

"Hm? What's up?"

"Well, I... um..." This feels so awkward. Do I really have to say it? I don't know why this is so difficult for me, maybe I can just leave it unsaid? No, I can't; Snivy deserves to-

"Uh, is something up? You okay?"

"Oh, no, I'm fine, it's just that I... I wanted to tell you..." Just say it! "It was nice playing tag with you, and... you were right. I was being dumb and thinking that playing around was bad and immature, and I don't know why. I'm sorry."

"I... I was... Yeah, I was right! I'm glad you finally came around Mudkip!"

Well that ruined the moment. "I'm going to sleep now." I turn away and head for the tent.

"W-wait!" Snivy grabs my shoulder, and I turn to face them. They let go and step back. "Sorry, I just wanted to say, um... I haven't played tag with someone in ages, even back home, so... Thanks for playing with me."

"Um, yeah. Thanks for starting it; I haven't played like that in a long time either."

"Cool. Well, it's about time I hit the hay, too. Ready to camp out in a mystery dungeon?"

"I don't know, are you sure we won't get attacked?"

"No idea!"

Why do they have to say that so cheerfully? I sigh as we enter the tent and crawl into our sleeping bags. "Goodnight Snivy."

"Night-night. Sleep tight," Snivy replies.

"Don't let the bed bugs bite," I finish. The rhyme feels childish to say, but for some reason, Snivy's pretty good at making me feel like a kid.




Thanks for reading! Comments, questions, and criticisms are encouraged and appreciated!