Under the new Trait's effect, Lopunny felt a strange tremor in parts of her body, a shy heat rising that she struggled to name.
"Mmm."
After a moment, she steadied herself, breathing slowly until the wave passed.
"Come on, you two. Looks like a meteor shower."
At some point, Noah had stepped outside. He waved them over from the cabin door.
Over Daybreak Town's wide night sky, a grand shower of meteors had begun. Streaks of light carved the darkness, bright as blades. If this were the once in a millennium Wish Festival, the Mythical Pokémon Jirachi might have drifted down on such a night. That celebration was still half a year away, but every time meteors fell, countless Illumise and Volbeat rose from the forest by the farm, their glowbugs twinkling like a living audience.
Gazing up, both girls' eyes shone.
"Why not make a wish," Noah said with a grin.
Lopunny tilted her head and nodded. Gardevoir immediately claimed the first turn, satisfied and smug. Then it was Lopunny's. The bunny girl closed her eyes and murmured softly. Tradition said meteor wishes lost their magic if spoken aloud, so she barely moved her lips, whispering for a long time before she stopped. At last she opened one eye and snuck a glance at her Trainer.
"My turn," Noah said, dragging out the words until both girls huffed at him. He laughed, closed his eyes, and pressed his hands together, making his own silent wish.
By morning, a clear, sweet violin line from a Kricketune drifted in through the window. The sky was bright, the weather fair again.
"Up and at it, Gardevoir."
Noah raked a hand through his hair and nudged the white silk clad lady dozing beside him. Whatever she had dreamed of, it had clearly been about last night's cuddling. She clung to him like an octopus and refused to let go.
After a playful tug of war, she finally slipped outside with the bedding to dry, cheeks rosy. The system chimed in Noah's ear with several new drops. Most were repeats, and most were white quality.
He stored them and tossed a Poké Ball gently.
"Morning, Lopunny."
"Chu-lu-lu."
She popped out, blinking sleepily.
"Rough night?" Noah asked, rubbing her ears.
"Chu-lu-lu."
Unlike Gardevoir, who loved to tease whenever she was indoors, Lopunny was easily embarrassed and usually stayed in her Pokémon form. She shook her head a little shyly.
"All right. I will start breakfast. If you are still tired, nap in the room. After we eat, we will sow the Fortune Grain."
"Chu-lu-lu."
She nodded. As Noah walked toward the kitchen, color dusted her cheeks again. She had actually fallen asleep early, but the faint sounds and scents in the middle of the night had woken her, and her heartbeat had refused to settle. She stepped outside for fresh air.
A rustle sounded not far away.
An intruder?
Lopunny's eyes cooled and she moved to intercept.
"Pii."
At the farm's edge, a short haired girl with pink hair in a white blouse and blue skirt pumped a fist.
"It has to be this way. I followed Grandpa's pin perfectly this time."
"Pii."
You had better be right, her Clefable seemed to say, ears drooping. They had already circled half of Daybreak Town without finding the farm they were seeking. If they kept trusting this famously direction challenged Trainer, Arceus could remake the world and they still might be looking.
"Pii."
After a discouraging stretch, Clefable spotted a rabbit shaped Pokémon with tall, fluffy ears standing alert ahead.
"Oh. A wild Lopunny. So cute."
Whitney's eyes lit up. She sprinted forward on quick steps, arms wide for an impulsive hug. A button near the top of her blouse strained as she ran, but she did not notice in her enthusiasm.
"Chu-lu-lu."
Lopunny leapt back in a graceful arc, avoiding the tackle by a hair.
"Eek."
Whitney sprawled full length on the ground. Clefable covered her face with both hands and shuffled a few steps away, mortified on her Trainer's behalf.
"Ow."
Whitney winced, then pushed herself up, cheeks puffing in mild pain.
"Chu-lu-lu."
Lopunny bristled. The pink haired stranger had slipped onto the property, ignored a clear warning, and tried to pounce. After a sleepless night, her patience was thin.
"S sorry. I did not mean to scare you," Whitney said quickly, waving her hands in apology.
"Chu-lu-lu."
Lopunny was not convinced and kept her stern stare fixed on the girl.
"Pii."
Clefable waved her arms in big gestures, acting as interpreter while glancing between Lopunny's serious stance and Whitney's baffled face.
"You are saying she wants to battle, and the loser leaves immediately," Whitney translated after a beat.
"Pii."
Clefable nodded.
"That makes sense."
Seeing no one else around, Whitney had assumed this Lopunny was wild and guarding its territory. Out in the field, it was common enough for Trainers to stumble into a wild Pokémon's domain and end up in a scuffle.
Whitney drew a steady breath and stood. As the Goldenrod City Gym Leader, she set aside her grin and grew focused.
"Clefable, battle ready."