Pokemon Freelancer

[Orderneri]

1: The Big Man​

Olivine. A modern port city surrounded by a mass of fields for export. It's in a country called Johto, with millions of people calling this place home. City planners avoided skyscrapers, so the settlement expanded out, not up.

Deep in the bustling streets of Olivine, a small feline's pink pads lightly tapped across stone paths. Countless vehicles passed by. Whipped the short fur on the cat into a frenzy. The animal stopped and waited whenever humans came and went from their office buildings or shops.

The feline noticed a smell overpowering all other odours. Fresh water. Rain. The cat became irritable as it ran. Hoped to reach vacated shelter before the skies unloaded. It waited impatiently for lights on poles to turn red. Counted the seconds by swishing its stubby tail back and forth.

The humans it waited alongside became antsy. Craned their necks to the darkened sky. Shuffled their feet. They knew what was coming, too. The light turned red. The people speed-walked across.

One of the cat's ears was hit gently and it twitched involuntarily. Let out a grumble and watched the asphalt road as dark patches appeared. The rain distracted the cat just long enough. The light switched back to green. Cars began moving.

Annoyed, the cat backtracked. Sprinted as fast as it could along a store front while being pelted by water orbs. Lights from within the shop lit the way, casting squares of yellow onto the path. The cat passed a pole with a big blue and white neon sign spinning atop it. Turned into a dark and dingy alley. The rain came down harder and faster every second that went by.

The cat was drenched. Found a spot beneath an outcropped roof. The ground was still grey. Untouched by water. The feline shook its body violently. Disposed of the water that had assaulted it. It looked up and whined. It might be stuck here until tomorrow. It curled up in its corner, looking at the ground in despair. It was cold. It was hungry. And it was going to call this dark, damp corner home for a while. All alone.

Moments later, the feline was startled to its feet. The metal backdoor of the shop creaked open. The bottom scraped across concrete and sent a chill down the cat's back. Heavy rain had masked the human's approach. The feline should've heard through the small gaps around the door. It would've hidden.

The feline looked to see a silhouette nearly as tall as the door. Light illuminated him from behind. A man with arms the size of tree trunks. He stepped out. Revealed dark brown, scruffy hair. A strong jawline with no facial hair. He wore a simple deep blue shirt, buttoned up. The cat was surprised that they made clothes for giants.

In a hand the big man held a stuffed white bag. The weight didn't seem to faze him. The feline started shaking uncontrollably at the sight of the behemoth. His size was overwhelming. Now the feline knew what it would do when faced with danger. It failed fight or flight. A secret third option. It froze. The cat was silent. Begged for the giant to leave without noticing it.

The man took strides fitting of his size to a metal container. Casually tossed the bag in like weight was subjective. He willed the bag to weigh nothing and so it came to be. He walked back to the door. His hand reached the handle. But he stopped. He took note of a green clump of fur in a corner.

Unlucky. The giant had noticed. The cat watched with big red eyes as the man approached. The feline's shivering got worse with every step the man took. Caught like a Deerling in headlights. It was shaking from fear, the cold no longer worth paying attention to.

Once the man was close enough, he crouched. Right in front of the cat. There was no mistaking what had garnered his attention. His mouth was moving. He was speaking. The cat was too scared to hear. It'd eavesdropped enough human speech to figure the language out, but it was in one ear, out the other right now.

Seconds later, large hands moved through the air. The cat thought this was the last thing it would ever see.



* * * * *



With a sigh, Joe rose from his comfortable seat behind the counter of the PokeMart. It was raining and his coworkers didn't want to take the trash out. They played rock-paper-scissors to decide someone's fate. Joe lost. His coworkers looked up at him, his tall six-foot four-inch frame putting him amongst the tallest in the city.

He grabbed a white bag at the end of the counter. It had been tied neatly by his female coworker. He headed towards the staffroom door. It would take him through storage and out into the back alley. This wasn't the first time someone would dispose of waste today, and it wouldn't be the last.

"Don't worry, I'll keep your seat warm." One of his coworkers gloated as Joe reached the staffroom. The kid. Shaun. He was fresh out of high school. Still a bit croaky. His voice hadn't broken yet.

Joe was going to retort but instead smiled to himself. The kid used to be so scared of Joe. A real life giant. Most people feared Joe due to his size. He was both tall and had broad shoulders. An imposing figure if there ever was one. But now Shaun had no problem teasing Joe. They grow up so fast.

The giant passed by lockers. Reached the backdoor. Still wore a smile. He recalled Shaun's face when he was told his phone stayed in his locker. Looked like someone was robbing him. If there were no customers then Joe didn't mind Shaun using his phone. But Shaun showed discipline. Joe respected that.

Joe opened the back door and cringed. Metal dragged on concrete. Felt it in his bones. Made him shiver. He briefly looked up. Pitch black. If someone told him it was early afternoon he wouldn't believe them. He was pelted by heavy rain. Tossed the white bag into a bin. Headed back. Right as his hand reached the handle, something caught his attention. Green in the corner of his eye. He knew for a fact there were no weeds back here. He had dealt with them. Turned his head to get a better look. A small, shivering animal. It didn't surprise him. It must be taking shelter from the bad weather.

He approached. The animal looked feline, but he was no expert. It stood on all fours. Big head, small body. Large red eyes. Ears shaped like triangles. A short, bushy tail. Fangs protruded over its lower lip. Two tone green fur, with darker shades on its face and chest.

Joe crouched before it. "You okay, buddy?" He observed for a moment, his mind already made up. He saw no collar. This was a wild Pokemon. "Come on, let's get you dry."

The giant reached out and grabbed the small cat. Grabbed its side. One hand was enough. It was soft despite being damp. Joe shifted his palm to the cat's belly. Held it pressed against his solid chest. He moved inside the store, hearing the expected screech of concrete as it was murdered.

He gripped the Pokemon tight. Didn't want it to run rampant in the storage area. A lesson he learned the hard way. What a pain that bug was to catch. Scurried around and fit into tight corners. Joe had to bother a coworker to retrieve the Pokemon. Sometimes Joe was too big for his own good.

Joe moved to a shelf. Grabbed a towel. Yanked the label off with his teeth. Ruffled his own hair. Wrapped the towel around the cat's body. Another lesson from another time. Never cut off all senses. A Pokemon was more at ease if it could see where it was going.

He stroked the cat to dry it as he walked by countless shelving units that reached the ceiling. They were stocked to the brim. Some looked close to toppling. Tents. Sleeping bags. Backpacks. Soap. Towels. Products useful for the great outdoors. The store wasn't called PokeMart for nothing. It was the Pokemon Market. Food pellets. Toys. Red and white spheres called Pokeballs. Items for the animals of this world. Pokemon.

A vast majority of Pokemon were found in the wild, away from bustling cities. That's why the store sold camping equipment. Useful for someone that wanted to be around Pokemon. In recent years Pokemon like this green feline could be found in urban areas. It was now a valid habitat. They found small nooks and crannies to call home. Places forgotten by humans. Many species of Pokemon had gotten used to human settlements.

Joe moved back onto the shop floor. The PokeMart looked like it stretched a mile in every direction. Shelves tightly packed together. Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead. His reappearance caught the attention of his coworkers. They took one look at what was in his hand and grinned. Hydie, his female coworker, approached. She was shorter than the average woman. Barely five-feet. She hopped and swiped the label from Joe's mouth. Joe needed that barcode. He could've pocketed it, but he got along with Hydie. He knew she'd handle it.

"Thanks." Joe spoke, his mouth now free.

"You just can't help yourself, can you?" Hydie spoke at Joe, not to him. Her focus immediately shifted to the cute Pokemon in Joe's hand. A lovely smile formed. She stroked the feline's ears. Joe could feel the animal purr in response.

Hydie was referring to the numerous other times Joe had brought stray Pokemon into the shop. The crazy one she always remembered was an injured bird in the road out front. Joe had burst through the automatic doors before they fully opened. Rushed into the road and scooped the bird up. He had been inches away from being hit by a car. Hydie wondered what would've happened. She glanced up. Took in Joe's massive frame. He probably would've dented the vehicle. Shrug and walk away like nothing happened.

"What is it?" Joe took this opportunity to learn.

Hydie had gotten her fill of cuteness. She stood up straight. Thought about it, a finger to her chin. "A Sprigatito, I think?"

Joe nodded. Used a finger to stroke Sprigatito under the chin. It was one of the countless species of Pokemon that called this world home. They came in all shapes and sizes, with different capabilities. A cat like this probably couldn't do much, but Joe had seen a mighty dragon in action before. He had never owned a Pokemon but he'd seen plenty around Olivine. As pets with customers. On television. Especially on TV. Pokemon battle competitions were absurdly popular. He assumed they were scheduled all day every day, on as many channels as possible. They were everywhere. He had to admit, battles got his blood pumping. He'd never had the thought to enter one himself though. He had no plans to be a Trainer.

That was a term he'd heard a lot over the years. Trainer. Anyone that raised a Pokemon for a task was a Trainer, whether it be for battle or a job. Firefighters used water-type Pokemon. Fairy-types helped soothe people at hospitals. People performed with Pokemon. There was more to them than just battling.

"Poor thing looks scared half to death." Hydie observed Sprigatito freeze up at Joe's touch.

"Are you surprised?" Shaun interjected from his seat behind the cheap plywood counter. "Joe looks like he eats bricks for breakfast."

"My diet consists entirely of metal."

"Ha, yeah, I bet." Shaun responded. Rested an elbow on the counter. Put his chin on his hand. Smiled. "Oh, I get it. Pumping iron. Good one."

Joe smirked as he brushed by Hydie. Walked along shelves. Joe had a naturally bulky build. Assumed he inherited it from his parents. It was further improved by him working out at a fitness center on a regular basis. He was noticeably muscular. Joe liked working out. Improving his body. Keeping himself in shape. Many considered Joe trouble just based on his size. That was until he was the one using his strength to save them from trouble.

He reached a shelf of Pokemon food. Small packs of brown pellets. It may look ugly, but it had all the nutrients Pokemon could ever need. He grabbed a pouch. It was a little smaller than his hand. Ignored the plastic bowls. Joe was going to personally feed Sprigatito. Wanted to bond with the Pokemon a bit if he could. If it allowed him.

Sprigatito sneezed. A cute little exhale so quiet Joe almost missed it. He scratched the cat's belly through the towel. He was trying to be affectionate, but Sprigatito took it to mean it should shut up. No more silly noises. Joe internally sighed when he felt the cat go rigid.

Joe moved to the counter. Could see his coworkers speaking in hushed voices. When he reached his destination, they went quiet. Turned his way. Hydie was the one to speak.

"Thanks for the money."

"Betting on me again?" Joe knew this happened every time he brought a Pokemon in.

Hydie nodded. The bet had been made a week in advance. "The food was an obvious one, but Shaun didn't think about a towel."

They knew Joe tended to fawn over animals. Feeding was his go-to affinity raising action. It worked most of the time so clearly he was onto something.

"You got lucky." Shaun complained. He was right. Weather forecasts were notoriously inaccurate. Betting on the towel was risky, but it paid off.

All Joe could do was smile at how predictable he was. He put the towel, cat included, on the conveyor belt. The towel label was already on there thanks to Hydie. He put the food down too. Sprigatito was apparently too scared to act. It was free of the giant, but it stood still. Didn't dare to earn the ire of Joe.

Shaun scanned them. "Sir, there appears to be a problem with your towel. It's turned into a living creature. You still want it? Well, if you insist. Defective products are heavily discounted."

"Nice."

Hydie rolled her eyes.

Joe paid for his goods. Picked up the towel, cat included, and held it underhanded again. Food packet in the other hand. Moved around the counter. Shaun groaned like standing was the biggest chore ever. Abandoned the chair so Joe could sit down. Now in his seat, Joe placed the cat on his lap. Removed the towel from Sprigatito. Thought about it. Gave it one last drying before putting the towel under the counter. Given the size difference, Sprigatito was less on his lap and more just on one meaty thigh.

He popped the pack of food open. The scent immediately wafted to Sprigatito. The cat perked up. Every Pokemon was like this. His hand barely fit into the packet. It was easier to shake food out. Shook a pellet into a hand. It was the size of half his thumb. Joe estimated that Sprigatito would only eat a few. He put the food in front of the cat. It began nibbling gently but quickly.

"I'll never get used to that." Hydie said.

"What?" Joe asked as he moved another pellet in front of Sprigatito. The cat was relaxing a little. Joe could feel less tension in the way it stood.

"A giant coddling a cute animal. These two things don't go together in my head. They should be mutually exclusive."

"Where did you learn a complex term like that?" Joe showed a toothy grin. Hydie narrowed her blue eyes. Joe knew that Hydie studied at university. Of the people currently working at the PokeMart, she was the smartest.

Sprigatito finally calmed down. Patted Joe's trousers, its claws hooking threads of fabric a couple times. It was making sure the surface was good to rest on. It was. Sprigatito rested on its belly, legs tucked in underneath it. Now it was just a torso and a head. Joe was happy. He wasn't the big, scary man anymore. Just a guy that wanted to help. Joe presented Sprigatito with another pellet and it happily ate.

"By the way, how much is my share?" Joe asked. If people were betting on him, the least they could do is give him some.

"Five dollars." Hydie spoke with a smile. On the verge of gloating. Shaun needed to cough up money before the shift ended.

"You guys are cheap." Joe said, observing the cat. It was eating more than he expected. He didn't mind. It was a calming action. Shake the bag, hold food in front of the cat, let it eat, and repeat.

The PokeMart had been quiet since the storm started. No one was out in this weather. A stray wind could knock most people over. Best to work around the weather and be safe. The store had been busy all morning with what felt like thousands of customers, so this was a pleasant break.

The small group separated after a few minutes of casual banter. They had work to do. Joe couldn't leave the checkout unmanned.

Another pellet later and Joe was worthy of stroking Sprigatito without it thinking its life was going to end. Well, more like scratch it. His hand was big, or Sprigatito was small. Or both. He could only use the tips of his fingers on Sprigatito. Unlike the pet Meowth his mother owned. A beige, lanky breed of cat. Joe could run a hand down Meowth's back. The sensation was about the same. Cats kept themselves well-groomed, so they were both soft to touch.

Sprigatito purred gently as crumbs scattered across Joe's trousers. It finally knew Joe was a good person. Pokemon could sense intent from people. Survival instincts for who to team up with. Sprigatito had been so focused on how scary Joe looked that it failed to sense the soothing aura he produced. The feline could get used to this. It'd lived on the streets for the few months it'd been alive. It'd had to fend for itself. Never had a chance to relax like this. This must be what it was like to have a family. To have parents. Sprigatito was suddenly gripped by a strong urge to retain this feeling.

Hydie and Shaun were restocking shelves. Joe was left alone with his own thoughts about the coming year. A year-long vacation he'd spent six years saving for. He'd been employed by the PokeMart when he was eighteen. Starting tomorrow he was free to do as he pleased for three hundred and sixty-five days.

He planned to visit Kanto, a neighbouring country to the east of Johto. Joe wanted to hike up and down Mt. Silver, the tallest mountain in the range separating the two countries. Once in Kanto, he would simply wander wherever his feet took him. Just him and his backpack. No obligations. His main plan was to sightsee, but if he wanted to relax on a beach for a week then he'd do that.

Joe had done this before, on a smaller scale. Saved up his paid holiday every year. Four weeks. He'd ventured around Johto during that time. Seen most of what the country had to offer. It was time to see another country. He doubted he'd be in Kanto the entire time. It was another mild country with a similar culture. Maybe a country like Hoenn or Paldea would be nice. Different people. Different foods. Different weather.

He looked down at Sprigatito happily eating food still. How much was it going to eat? The packet was nearly empty. Somehow most of the pellets had fit into the small creature.

Looking at the cat, Joe knew he'd be surrounded by fauna a lot of the time. He planned to hike from town to town. That meant walking and sleeping in nature. He'd had plenty of run-ins with wild Pokemon over the years. Expected many more. Despite not caring if he had his own Pokemon, he did consider them all either cool or cute. Depended on the species. He stroked Sprigatito. It looked up and tilted its head. Went back to eating. Cats fit into the cute category.

Joe was excited about his holiday. He expected little sleep tonight, like a child too excited the night before their birthday. But he had a concern. A friend he met a couple of years ago. Jasmine. The local Gym Leader. Not to be confused with the fitness center Joe used to stay fit. He almost laughed imagining her at a fitness center. She was a stick figure and would remain that way for life.

A Pokemon Gym was a place for people to challenge specialist Trainers to battle. Gym Leaders. Jasmine was the master of steel-types in Johto. Joe remembered her saying steel was the most defensive type. Tough to take out.

His worry stemmed from Jasmine's personality. She was a very anxious person. Joe always wondered how she ended up in a public position. But she didn't interact with the challengers much. She just focused on battling. That got her through her job. She had a grand love for Pokemon battles. She was awkward when handing challengers their Badges, trophies for winning, but she managed. Barely.

Joe started to reminisce. During her time off, Jasmine would come to hang out at the PokeMart because it was where Joe was. She was there so often that customers started paying attention to her. She struggled to get a tan and always wore white dresses. She tended to hover and watch, not saying much. A ghost bound to a location.

Jasmine had been confused for a new hire once too. That got a laugh out of Joe. Watching her stutter her way through human interaction. Gym Leaders were celebrities, but Jasmine stayed out of the limelight. She was unknown even in her own city. Olivine Gym was in rotation this year, so Jasmine wasn't here today.

Joe turned his head at the boom of thunder and a flash of lightning. Looked out the rows of windows that made up the wall. They were covered in thick rain drops. He could just about make out red lights from cars. Joe stared out the windows with his green eyes as he recalled the day he met Jasmine.

 

[Orderneri]

2: Gut Feeling​

Two years ago. Joe was on shift at the PokeMart. It started raining lightly. Could see it on the windows. Early afternoon meant few customers anyway. People were at school or working.

"You met that weirdo at the Gym? Jasmine? She's, like, so annoying. And this weather is trash. Such a pain." One of Joe's coworkers complained.

A brat. No one liked her. She blew bubbles with pink gum as her friend, another worker at the Mart, twirled her dyed blonde hair with a finger. Both were useless employees. The brat was supposed to be out delivering goods right now. The weather shouldn't stop her. Joe figured the rain would wash away her makeup. Reveal her as ugly, like her personality.

The PokeMart had been around for a century. It was a powerful brand despite dozens of companies to compete against. The Mart's owner struck a deal with the Pokemon League. The biggest tournament in the world. Exclusive rights to Trainer merchandise. In return, Gyms got products at a discount. The PokeMart being able to advertise itself as the official supplier of the Pokemon League went a long way. The brat should be delivering to the Gym right now. Monday and Friday were delivery days. Joe knew this because he needed to know why the brat disappeared during these days.

Joe sat behind the counter. Narrowed his eyes at the brat. Hoped she turned around and saw him. Maybe it'd scare some sense into her.

Joe had been relegated to cashier. Customers complained about his size. Some found him frightening. People avoided rows if he were stocking shelves. Bad for business. But the manager didn't want to fire Joe over his size. So he put Joe behind the counter. This was a bad choice too. Joe had to lean over to operate the cash register. The manager didn't want Joe to have a hunched back by the time he was thirty. Bought Joe a chair. Now Joe was a more comfortable height for customers.

The brat continued to run her mouth. Joe was about to stand up. Give her a piece of his mind. He didn't like the way she spoke about Jasmine. He didn't know the Gym Leader, but he felt defensive of her. She wasn't here to defend herself. This was different from taking jabs at a friend to their face. He had a feeling Jasmine hadn't done anything to earn this hatred.

The phone on the wall next to Joe rang before he could say something. Ancient technology. Joe forgot it was there. It rang once every couple of weeks at most. Usually an elderly person checking if an item was in stock. He picked up the sun-bleached phone. Put it to his ear. Since it was so old it fit his size.

Joe spoke a scripted line. "Olivine PokeMart. How can I help you today?"

No reply. Joe gave it a few seconds. He opened his mouth to talk but was stopped. There was someone on the other side. The softest voice he'd ever heard.

"H- Hello… When is the delivery arriving…?" The voice got quieter. Faded out.

It wasn't hard for Joe to know who was calling. Jasmine from the Gym. The delivery was on his mind too. "It'll be there soon. Don't worry." Joe said. Glared at the brat. It looked like Joe would be picking up the slack. Not for the brat. For Jasmine. It might be an important delivery. Would explain why Jasmine managed to work up the courage to call.

Jasmine sounded like she struggled with people. She would be thinking through each word. Wanted to make sure she got the point across. The silence at the beginning. The slight stutter. A lack of confidence. Explained the brat's opinion too. If someone wasn't as extroverted as she was, they were weird.

Another few seconds passed. Jasmine replied. "T- Thank you… I need medicine. My Pokemon…"

As Joe thought. Important delivery. Jasmine went silent without finishing the sentence. Thought she messed up. It wasn't her medicine. It was for a Pokemon. Joe understood. She was stuck on what she considered a mistake.

"Give me ten minutes and you'll have your medicine." Joe tried his best soothing voice. Difficult for a big, burly man.

He put the phone on its perch. Stood. Hoped Jasmine was able to calm down now that she wasn't talking to someone. It was fifty-fifty. Either she was hung up on the mistake, or she was happy with confirmation the delivery was on the way. Handling someone with anxiety could be tough, but Joe tried.

Joe standing drew attention from his coworkers. He looked at the brat with sharp eyes. "Watch the till." He growled.

To his surprise, the brat wasn't fazed by his mean look. "Sure. Whatever." She waved him off.

He bit back a response. Avoided an argument. Jasmine needed him. He moved into the storage room. Knew where the pallet of items was. Saw it before his shift. He reached it. Eyed the collection of mostly food and cleaning supplies. Saw a small box with a picture of a bottle. Medicine. It looked like an item behind the counter of a corner store. A simple product that didn't require a pharmacy.

It was a small pallet. Meant to fit in the trunk of a normal car. The entire reason the brat had been hired. She could drive and owned a small vehicle. Delivery should be ten minutes there and back. She got bonus pay for it too. Not for much longer. Joe knew the manager hated people that didn't complete tasks they were paid to do.

Joe ran through it in his head. He was sure it was possible. Ripped the plastic wrap off the pallet. Grabbed the biggest hiking backpack the store sold. Shoved the delivery items into the bag. His years of hiking paid off. He had a keen eye. Knew how to compress a bundle of items so they fit into a rucksack. He hefted the bag onto his shoulder. Held the strap. Yanked his locker open. Grabbed his phone just in case someone needed him. Slammed it shut. Barged out the back door. Winced at the sound. Metal on concrete. Like nails on a chalkboard.

He was greeted by a mere drizzle. Barely noticeable. Joe gritted his teeth and began walking. A bit of light rain never hurt anyone.

No need for a bus or taxi. Joe liked a good walk. Might as well enjoy the excursion. He always walked everywhere. Everything he needed was within a thirty-minute walk of his apartment.

Joe eyed street signed at the end of roads and then took shortcuts through alleyways. He knew what the Gym looked like, but not where it was. The rain worsened over time but was still tolerable when he arrived at the Gym.

Joe ogled the structure he walked towards. Took up a decent chunk of land. Clean tile path. Grass on either side. Then there was the building itself. A head modelled after a steel-type Pokemon. Steelix. Angular, mean face. Sharp eyes. A jawline that put Joe's to shame. Mouth open, revealing automatic glass doors. Joe walked up the stairs. Into the mouth of the beast. Each tooth was as big as Joe.

Doors opened. Joe went inside. He was dripping wet. Left a trail on the shiny marble floor. Someone was going to have to clean that up. He was apologetic in his mind. He moved to a fancy glass counter with a receptionist behind it. She had short black hair and glasses.

"Sir?" The bespectacled woman looked up at him.

"Delivery from the PokeMart." Joe said. Drew a circle with his shoulder. Let the bag fall. Caught the strap. Started unloading items onto the countertop.

The receptionist seemed to have a mental checklist. She scrutinised each item until Joe was done. Nodded afterwards. Everything was accounted for. The important one, the medicine, was at the front of the pile.

Joe shouldered the bag. Turned. Spotted a short woman peeking around a corner, hand on the wall. The arm was slender, as was the rest of her body. Brown hair so light it could be blonde. So long it touched her thighs. Simple orange accessories created wings out of her hair on either side of her head. She wore a white dress. A sun dress. Joe was familiar. He loved them. It reached her knees, revealing some leg. Didn't cover her shoulders or arms. That was what made sun dresses so appealing. Joe assumed this was Jasmine keeping an eye out for the medicine. She was a beautiful young woman. Being a Gym Leader was a profession, of course she was an adult. Children didn't work.

Joe stepped aside. Revealed the small box to her. Sure enough, she ran over. Light tapping on the floor. She swiped the medicine. Held it close to her non-existent chest. She spun and was startled that Joe was watching, an eyebrow raised.

She dipped her head in a nod and whispered. "...Thanks..." Rushed past Joe. He watched her go.

Joe exited the Gym. The rain was coming down faster and stronger. He walked to the end of the path. Watched Jasmine disappear behind buildings to his right. He walked left. Considered what to do next. Maybe he should make a nuisance of himself. Stop by his apartment to grab a change of clothes and an umbrella. If he jogged, it would only add a few minutes to his return. It might force the brat to work. He liked the idea.

Thunder and lightning made themselves known. It was distant. He was too far to see the flash. Joe stopped walking. He hadn't gotten far. Looked over his shoulder to where Jasmine had been. Blinked water out of his eyes. He had a bad feeling.

With a confident strike he walked back to the Gym to talk to the receptionist. He was going to make sure Jasmine succeeded in her mission. She'd thanked him. It made him warm up to her immediately. Manners cost nothing.

He'd subconsciously picked up on a few facts. The storm. Jasmine's rush to reach her destination. It was cause for concern. He hadn't connected the dots, but something deep within his mind had. Gave him a feeling that Jasmine was in danger. Vivillons in his stomach. He'd learnt to listen to his gut feeling a long time ago. It was usually right.

 

[Orderneri]

3: On The Edge​

Joe barged into the Gym's reception area. His shoulder struck the glass door before it could move out of his way. The assistant rose from her desk, this time clearly on edge. Her eyes widened. She took a step back. Joe was now perceived as a threat. He reached the desk.

"Where is Jasmine going?" Joe wasted no time. "She might be in trouble."

The receptionist continued to stare at him. Not sure what to think. Why did he care? How did he know she was in danger? Valid questions.

Joe half expected her to reply with, "Do you think I'm an idiot?" That would be reasonable. Joe was an unknown. He looked like trouble. And unfortunately, he was a bit of an idiot. He didn't know how to get information through smart conversation. And people didn't accept gut feeling as a reason. People forgot their origins. Instinct kept their ancestors alive until this point.

The only thing he could think of doing was using his intimidating aura to his advantage.

"I don't think th-"

He cut her off. Didn't have time. Slammed his hands on the countertop. It caused the woman to step away. Her back hit the wall. He spoke in a deeper voice than normal. "Tell me. Now."

"T- The lighthouse…" She gasped. Immediately realised she made a mistake. The response was automatic. She didn't want to give Jasmine up, but she was scared. Fear had a way of making people talk.

Before she could say anything else, Joe turned. Walked fast. Tossed the backpack aside. It landed on a leather seat by a coffee machine. This was fine. He didn't care what people thought of him. All that mattered was Jasmine being safe. Joe hoped he was wrong. He wanted to arrive at the lighthouse and see Jasmine was fine. But deep down he knew that wasn't going to happen. So instead, he'd do everything in his power to help.

Once outside, Joe started running. The rain had gotten even worse. It felt like being poked with a thousand pins. But Joe kept moving. Kept his legs pumping. He reached the last place where he saw Jasmine. Looked for a sign. Found it on a corner. Lighthouse to his right, two miles away. He ran. Up and down a hill. Passed restaurants, clothing stores, and hair salons. Eyed another sign. One more mile. He only just noticed. There were no other people out. Of course. It was a storm. Another detail he'd picked up on subconsciously. Another reason his instincts were rattled. He was curious and paid attention, but his intelligence couldn't keep up.

Joe arrived at a cliff within the city. Beneath him, a port stretched as far as he could see. Massive metal warehouses lined up side by side. Steel containers filled with goods. Cranes twisted to move those containers. Joe looked left. Water detached from his hair and was immediately replaced. Just a road down to the port. He looked right. Bingo. He could see a white and blue tower on a perilous cliff edge. No light from the top. That felt wrong. Ship captains needed light to see where they were going.

Joe approached the lighthouse. This was an untouched corner of the city. A lot of grass. No homes. The only way forward was a path running along the cliff edge. A strong wind could be dangerous. Lethal. But this was the only path forward. Joe walked along stone, grass growing through cracks. He was halfway to the lighthouse. Watched where he was stepping. Had to be careful. He stopped. Something activated his instincts. He looked around. On the left side of the path. A chunk of dirt was missing. He had a really bad feeling. He inched closer. Looked over the side. Groaned. He found Jasmine. She was sitting on a ledge thirty feet down. A ledge that was sitting above a seventy-foot drop. She wasn't looking up. Tired of getting water in her eyes.

Joe stood up straight. Looked around. Groaned again, this time aimed at himself. Hopped a couple times to psyche himself up. Emergency services would take too long to arrive in this weather. Joe was here and he could act. He hopped over the side. Let gravity do its job. Surfed down a forty-five-degree angle. Put a hand to mud like he was a surfer. Hopped when he was close to the ledge. Landed with a hefty thud. Jasmine startled and looked at him. Her teeth chattered as she looked up at the giant looming over her.

Jasmine was sitting down. Held an ankle with a hand. Joe wasn't surprised. It was a rough ride. Doubly so for a stick figure like her.

"Y- You-"

"Yeah, yeah. The delivery guy. I'm just here to help." Joe practically had to shout. The storm was overpowering. He crouched down on one knee. Nodded at her leg. "How is it?"

Thunder spoke before Jasmine. Lightning illuminated her shivering figure. She jumped out of her skin. Looked out to the sea. That explained how she ended up here. Startled by the storm. She misstepped. Moved onto weak soil. Fell. Landed foot first. Twisted her ankle. The ledge was lucky. But being here in the first place was unlucky.

Joe wanted to comfort Jasmine and get her attention. Put a hand on her shoulder. But he held back. Didn't know how she'd react to being touched. He patiently waited for her to reply. It took a bit of time. Eventually she remembered she'd been asked a question.

"My leg… I twisted my ankle." She gained a bit of confidence or comfort from someone being in the same situation. Spoke a bit louder. Joe still mainly had to rely on reading her lips though. Joe couldn't imagine Jasmine raising her voice.

"Figures. How bad is it? Can you walk?"

Jasmine shook her head. He accepted this. Noticed her crying. It was subtle. The rain disguised her tears. Joe only caught it by the sporadic heaving of her shoulders.

"What about the rest of you? Did you hit your head? Any cuts bleeding too much?"

Jasmine shook her head again. A few minor cuts but nothing serious. Good. The last thing Joe needed was Jasmine fainting from blood loss. Then they'd be in serious trouble. Because Joe had a plan. Before he jumped down, he'd noticed thick roots protruding from the dirt. A large tree once called this land home. Those roots were instrumental. He was going to climb up. For this to work, he needed Jasmine to remain awake so she could cling to him. His hands would be too busy to hold her.

Then it hit him. Climb up. To the lighthouse. What for? Medicine for a Pokemon. Joe couldn't see the small box. He'd never known a sun dress to have pockets. So the medicine was at the bottom of the cliff. Probably in a million pieces, the treatment washed away. A problem for the future. For now they had to get back up to the path.

Joe wanted to just confirm one thing though. "I don't suppose you have a way out of this, do you?" The right Pokemon could easily save them.

She accidentally scowled at Joe. A nasty glare. She realised and corrected herself. That was no way to act towards someone that had come to help her. Now she gave Joe puppy dog eyes. He wasn't immune. Now he really wanted to help her.

"My Pokemon… They're at the Gym. I didn't need them."

Exactly what Joe expected. She didn't need help administering a drink. He just wanted to double-check. People could forget what they were capable of during a crisis. Jasmine was the opposite. One of the few benefits of anxiety. Her brain ran a mile a minute. The thought of how to get out of this mess had already crossed her mind.

Joe nodded. His plan was the last resort, but he had to go through with it. He spun on his knee since he was still crouched. Pointed at his back and shouted over his shoulder. "Well then, hop on."

Jasmine was reluctant. Very much so. She held out for a solid minute before finally grabbing his blue shirt. He felt all her weight hit his back in one go. He said hop on, but he didn't mean literally. Given the size difference there wasn't much of a choice though. She wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his torso. She could feel muscles rippling through Joe's shirt. The only other man she's interacted with was her father. She paid attention to the difference in build. Joe felt strong. It reassured her.

"Hold on tight, okay? I don't want you falling."

Jasmine obeyed. Tightened her grip around Joe's neck. Barely noticeable. He had no doubt she was still on edge. He wanted to help relieve some stress. Tried a joke.

Joe tapped her arms. "Not that tight." He acted as though she was strangling him. Laid it on thick. Stopped breathing and spoke through a strained voice.

"S- Sorry…" Jasmine shrank away. Joe couldn't see her over his shoulder. But he had the impression that she didn't pick up on his humour. Oh well. It was worth a shot.

"I get it, you're scared. But don't worry. I'll get you out of this mess and to your Pokemon in no time." He stood up straight. It wasn't empty platitudes. Joe had a strong desire to act like a man in front of Jasmine. He said he'd help and he would. It wasn't bravado. Joe was confident in one aspect of himself. His strength. He worked out. Picked up the hobby four years ago when he moved to Olivine.

Joe fought the rain to look up. Observed the cliff face. Globs of mud slid down everywhere he looked. Revealed new roots. Hid ones he'd spotted from above. When he was confident in a route, he acted. Grabbed a thick root. Pulled it. Not even a centimetre of give. This was going to be easy. He pulled while digging his feet into the mud. Started climbing. Grabbed a root. Pulled it. No give. Swung to it. Moved up.

After ten feet his hands were covered in mud. Sometimes he couldn't immediately spot a root to hang onto. He waited patiently for mud to slide. No rush. Joe couldn't feel Jasmine's weight. He was convinced she weighed less than the backpack of items he delivered earlier.

This was repeated for ten minutes. It was a marathon, not a sprint. The first five minutes were easy going, but the second half was testing Joe. Pushing him to the limit. It required serious effort. He'd heard of a difference between gym tough and real tough but hadn't paid it any mind. Now he regretted that decision. Once he got out of this mess, he was going to train to be genuinely strong. He'd hate to encounter a problem he couldn't solve.

Joe was close to the top after monkey branching between two dozen roots. He was breathing heavily. Just a few more. He used an arm to wipe his face. Rain reclaimed the real estate instantly. He gritted his teeth. Is this all he amounted to? He couldn't even help Jasmine out of this situation? Useless. A man didn't go back on his word. He was getting her out of this mess no matter what. He reached for another root. But he didn't check it. A costly mistake. The root dislodged. Joe tipped backwards. He thought Jasmine screamed, but he zoned it out. Zoned everything out. Turned to a root to his left. Had to leap for it. This was a bad idea, but he had seconds to act. Not every decision could be the best. He dug his feet into dirt, his powerful legs strained. He launched himself. Grabbed the root he wanted. It gave. He cursed. Then it stopped. It'd given an inch but had otherwise remained deep in the dirt. Joe let out a heavy sigh. Looked up. He was a single root from the path. He reached for it. Tested it. It was stable. He pulled himself up.

His hand reached up. Landed on solid ground. Felt cold and wet stone on his fingertips. Pulled the corner to lift himself up. Got an elbow on the path. Then his other hand. A knee. It was over. Joe succeeded. His entire body was on a flat surface. He'd climbed up thirty feet of cliff.

Joe remained kneeling, one hand on the ground. Panted heavily. He didn't like how hard that was. He was annoyed. But returned to the moment. He'd caught his breath. He wanted to rest some more, but he had a job to do. He promised. The lighthouse was just ahead. He went to stand but he felt Jasmine shift. Her legs stretched. Her grip around his neck loosened. She was about to disembark.

He stood tall. "What are you doing? You've got a bad leg, remember?" She froze. "Just direct me. I assume the Pokemon is in the lighthouse, but I don't know where." Joe spoke as he watched mud wash off his hands. Instead of being wet and dirty he was just wet.

Jasmine thought about it. Tightened her grip. She was secured to his back again. Peered over his shoulder. "A- Amphy is at the top…"

Joe's workout wasn't over yet. He supported Jasmine's legs with his tired arms. Standard piggyback. He made a statement. "Obviously. Where else would it be."

 

[Orderneri]

4: Creative Nickname​

Joe marched to the lighthouse, Jasmine on his back. He finally realised why the light was out. Jasmine was here to treat a Pokemon. It was at the top. The light of this lighthouse was sick and unable to fulfil its duty.

He observed the building. Chipped white and blue paint in alternating rings. This place needed a refresh. But more importantly he estimated it was ten-storeys. Hundreds of steps. He was worn out. He just wanted to lie down and go to sleep. Give his arms and legs a rest. But he refused to back down.

He climbed concrete steps. Opened thick, tall wooden doors. They creaked from age. The duo were finally out of the rain. The ground floor was a wide-open space. Rectangle lights lined the walls and released a soft orange glow. On the opposite side of the room was a treat to behold. Metal doors with a button next to them. An elevator. Joe was tempted to start a victory dance, but he held himself back. Walked like a normal human instead.

"By the way, where's the medicine?" Joe asked, no longer needing to shout. He had a rough idea of what happened, but he wanted to confirm it.

Jasmine stayed silent until Joe covered most of the ground to the elevator. Finally, she spoke. "...I dropped it." She started to sob quietly.

Joe had noticed her crying earlier. Was it not for herself, but for her Pokemon? If so then she was tougher than she looked. Even though the fall would've hurt, she cared more for someone else. He admired her strength.

"So, what now? Can we get the medicine from another shop?"

Joe felt hair swish on his neck. Jasmine was shaking her head. This wasn't denial, but Joe took it as such. Jasmine's point was that she didn't know where the nearest pharmacist was. She'd gotten the medicine from the PokeMart due to the contract between the companies. Amphy had only become ill in recent months, and she cared for the Pokemon deeply. It was a family member. She had her duties as Gym Leader, so her father offered to take care of Amphy, but Jasmine said she could handle it.

"Do we call for help then?" Joe didn't know what Amphy was. If he had to, he'd carry it to the nearest veterinarian. But just in case he wanted a backup plan. He might need to run to the nearest pharmacist and grab the medicine.

Joe realised it was a stupid question. Jasmine wouldn't have her phone because of the dress. And he assumed his own phone was now dead. It'd been hit by enough water to fill a swimming pool. If it survived then the engineer of the device deserved a raise.

"...I don't know."

"We'll figure something out." Joe hoped he could carry this Amphy Pokemon to the nearest Pokemon Center. He'd been on occasion. The nurses there did an excellent job caring for sick Pokemon.

Joe arrived in front of the elevator. Reached a hand out, pointer finger aimed at the call button. The exact moment the button sunk into the panel, the room went dark. Orange lights were replaced by a dim blue hue. Emergency power. Backup lights. Joe sucked air through his teeth. Silver lining. At least they weren't in the metal box when the power decided to call it quits. He assumed the backup power couldn't run an elevator. He was back to climbing the stairs.

"Well, end of the road. I don't think I can carry you to the top. You're heavier than you look. Must be the influence of all those steel-types." Joe had never told such a bold lie. Or half-truth. Jasmine did weigh something now. Not because she was heavy. Because he was worn out.

Jasmine started to wriggle free of his arms supporting her legs. Joe automatically loosened his grip. She pushed against his back and hopped off. Joe heard a sharp intake of breath behind him. She'd landed harder than expected on her bad leg.

"It was just a joke." He faced her.

"N- No… I can't keep relying on you."

Joe took a big step forward. Put an arm around her shoulders and bent slightly to put an arm at the back of her knees. He lifted. Some called it a fireman's carry. Others a bridal carry. "You're not going to get far on that leg. It's fine to rely on others. If you need help, just ask."

Jasmine covered her face with her hands. Her ears turned red. A muffled voice came from the woman. "T- Then, can you please help me get upstairs…?" She got quieter the longer she spoke.

"Gladly." Joe let the smile into his voice. He walked to another wall. He'd already spotted the start of a spiral staircase he assumed would take him to the top.

He ascended, light clanging ringing through the enclosed space from metal steps. Every step put further strain on his legs. To one side Joe could hear rain hitting the outer wall. The storm was subsiding, the rain getting lighter as Joe felt heavier and sluggish.

At some point Jasmine removed her hands from her face. Clasped them together in front of her chest. She'd calmed down somewhat. Still, she couldn't look up. Couldn't look Joe in the eyes. Joe thought she was cute. She reminded him of cute, skittish animals. Joe was surprised by how attached to Jasmine he seemed to be. He'd had casual flings. No deeper connections. For some reason he didn't want to be casual with Jasmine. It wasn't fair to someone like her. All of a sudden a proper relationship didn't sound so bad. Joe had been domesticated, just like that. He put the thought aside. Before he started a family, he had a personal problem to fix. He'd let it fester for too long. After today he was going to speak to someone about it.

Joe had reached the top of the lighthouse without realising. Zoning out did him some good. Took his mind off how tired he was. He looked around at his new environment. An open room. Smaller than his bedroom. Walls of curved glass to let light out. In the center was a podium to amplify light. And lying next to said podium was a yellow and white Pokemon. Plump belly like a guy that drank too much at the local pub. Red gem on its head and tail. Black stripes on its ears, neck, and tail.

"Amphy!" Jasmine called, scrambling out of Joe's arms. He assisted. Dipped low to let her down. Jasmine winced at her first step, pain shooting up her leg, but she ignored it and ran to her Pokemon. She really was tough. Could ignore pain for the sake of others.

Amphy had been a member of the family for generations. Of course she cared for it and was worried about it. It was like another grandfather to her. Amphy was old and becoming sickly but was determined to fulfil its duty. A stubborn old man.

Jasmine crouched next to the Pokemon. Her hands hovered over it. Shaking. Joe checked his phone. Sure enough, it was dead. He pocketed it and walked to Jasmine. Knelt beside her. Saw her face. She was too distraught. Didn't know what to do. Joe put a hand on Jasmine's shoulder to get her attention.

"Hey, look at me." Joe said. Jasmine turned her head but kept her eyes on Amphy for a bit longer. When she finally looked at him, he spoke. "Calm down. You can't help anyone when you're flustered. Take a deep breath and think. What next?"

Jasmine obeyed. Joe assisted, breathing in and out with her. Slow and steady. In and out. A minute later she seemed calm. She wasn't breathing erratically. There was a new light of determination in her eyes. It worked.

"W- We need to get Amphy to a PokeCenter." The medicine was a product PokeCenters stocked just in case of situations like this. Jasmine looked up at Joe. The thought crossed her mind again. She couldn't keep asking for help. "But…"

Joe shrugged. "Then that's what we'll do. Going down is the easy part. You hop on my back again. I'll carry Amphy in my arms." If they ever became friends, Joe was going to make something clear to Jasmine. Tell her to make a nuisance of herself. Joe liked looking after others.

Jasmine nodded. For the first time since they met, she didn't hesitate. She climbed onto Joe's back. The breathing meditation had aided her more than she expected. Her mind was always full of thoughts. It slowed her down. Too much information to sort through. Giving herself a reset cleared her mind.

Once Jasmine was secured, Joe reached out to Amphy. Put his arms under it. Hefted it up before letting it back down. Amphy was a little smaller than Jasmine but weighed more. Must be the beer belly. Or maybe Joe was just that exhausted now. His muscles were screaming at him. Just stop. Let us rest, please. He'd listen soon. Once he'd gotten Jasmine and Amphy to the nearest PokeCenter. For now he just had to force himself to put one foot in front of the other.

Joe tried again. Pulled Amphy to its feet. Let it lean against him as it stood. Amphy let out a tired whine. Joe wanted to comment, "Me too, buddy." but he stopped himself. No complaining. Joe adjusted his grip and lifted Amphy fully. Amphy curled its head into itself. The weight of Amphy hit Joe. He stood there for a moment, collecting himself. His arms were close to shaking from the effort. When Joe was ready, he started walking.

Joe was thankful for his decision to work out, even if it wasn't doing much right now. At first it was just a whim, but it'd come in handy over the years. He'd picked up camping as a hobby for vacations and wanted as much money as he could save. The fitness center was a cheap hobby where he could also watch television. From dramas to documentaries to Pokemon battle competitions, he got to enjoy himself while at the fitness center. Before he knew it, he'd gained immense muscle.

Joe noticed other doors on his descent. A kitchen. A bedroom for Amphy, hay sticking out from under a blanket. Joe was just confused. With technology as advanced as the modern world, Amphy was still in use. Surely it was easier to rely on technology instead of an ageing Pokemon. Maybe the mayor was lazy. Didn't want to renovate. But it seemed it was time for Amphy to move on. Having pride in one's craft was fine, but this was an important job. Thousands of people on ships relied on functioning light from land.

Towards the bottom of the stairs, Joe had a dumb thought. Chuckled to himself.

Jasmine peered over his shoulder. Curious. "…Why are you laughing?"

"Jealous?" Joe hefted Amphy with his remaining strength. Brought attention to the way he carried the animal.

It took a second but Jasmine eventually understood. She shrank away. Joe could imagine her embarrassed face. Cheeks red. He smiled at the thought. Reached the ground floor. Walked out of the building. The storm had passed. Only a light drizzle remained.

Joe marched through the streets, Jasmine pointing the way over his shoulder. He vaguely knew where the nearest PokeCenter was. Not good enough. Jasmine absolutely knew so he relied on her knowledge. They wandered through streets until they reached the Pokemon hospital. Three storeys tall with smaller, two storey segments on either side. Bright red roof, heavily slanted. The roof came down lower than normal, reaching the top of the third storey windows. Above the door was a massive sign. Bigger than Joe. A circle. Frosted glass lit by interior bulbs. Top half red, bottom half white. Joe entered through automatic glass doors.

The interior was comfortable. Joe was hit by a wave of heat. Orange tiled flooring filled his vision. Long leather seats in corners so people could rest as they waited. Small plants dotted about to add life. A cafeteria in a corner, the scent of coffee reaching Joe. Dead ahead was a desk. A nurse stood behind it. She had pink hair fashioned into buns. Big, kind eyes. A smile permanently etched onto her face. Beside her, half her size, was a rather rotund Pokemon with white frills. Joe at least knew this one. Blissey. One hundred percent maternal instinct. It carried an egg in a pouch and loved caring for others.

Blissey ran off when it saw Joe. Joe reached the desk. Blissey returned right on time with a stretcher bed.

The nurse moved to the bed. Gestured to it with a hand. "Please place the Ampharos on the bed."

Joe had to stop himself from laughing. He obliged. Put Amphy down. Amphy the Ampharos. Creative nickname. Although honestly if he had Pokemon he doubted he'd give them nicknames. He was the one that lacked creativity.

Jasmine hopped off Joe's back. Winced again. Walked by Amphy's side as he was taken away by Blissey. Taken to a room to be treated.

"I hope everything goes well." He said as he watched her go. She turned and gave him a smile. It was genuine. Reached her ears. Joe liked her smile.

A stranger approached. A lanky kid growing his first moustache. Had to still be in school. No doubt he was waiting for his Pokemon to be treated. He handed Joe a towel. Joe gave his thanks. Ran his hands through the towel. Dragged it down his face. Handed the towel back.

Joe yawned deeply. Stretched his arms. He should be getting back to work. Adults had responsibilities. But he was so tired. Hoped his boss would forgive this one selfish request. He went to a leather couch. Lay down, arm under his head like a pillow. He fell asleep in seconds.

Jasmine informed the nurse of what medicine Amphy needed. She was reassured that her Pokemon would be okay. She walked to the waiting room. Saw Joe resting. Walked over to him. Smiled to herself. She struggled with people. Didn't know how to thank him properly. But she pushed her anxiety aside because he was asleep. "Thank you…" She realised she didn't even know his name. He'd done all this, saved her and stuck with her to the end, and she didn't know who he was.

The nurse returned to her desk. Saw Jasmine hovering over Joe, staring at his face with a smile. It was a little creepy. The nurse could see the duo were still drenched. She went to a room and grabbed a portable heater. She may be there to treat Pokemon, but people weren't going to fall ill on her watch. She set the heater up between Joe and another seat. Helped jasmine into said other seat. Returned to her desk and awaited the next patient.

With the storm ending, emergency services visited the lighthouse as requested by the bespectacled receptionist. She feared for Jasmine's safety. Emergency services found nothing. Not even Amphy. The Gym was thrown into panic as Jasmine was considered missing. The confusion wouldn't be corrected for another few hours.

Eventually the Gym was informed of Jasmine's whereabouts, leaving one last mess to clean up. Joe skipped work. The manager liked Joe. A man that understood if he was going to get paid then he needed to do his job. But the manager felt he had no choice. Ditching his obligation to work was a sign of bad character. Thankfully, Jasmine stuttered and stammered her way through an explanation. Joe had gone above and beyond. This all could've been avoided if the delivery was on time. Jasmine would've missed the storm. Joe wouldn't have had to cover for the brat. So naturally, the manager fired the brat. The brat's friend quit in solidarity, as if Joe or the manager cared.

Joe recognised the effort it took Jasmine to explain what had happened. He praised her. Patted her head. She turned bright red again. Joe considered if he was overstepping, but it ended up being the right choice. The praise gave Jasmine some confidence.

From this point onwards, Jasmine would only deal with Joe. She essentially got Joe a promotion. The delivery was an extra service. The position earned more money. Joe researched what it took to be genuinely strong. He needed to not just gain muscle but also use it. He signed up for mixed martial arts and boxing and any other physical sport he could find. The extra money from the promotion was gone but his holiday fund was untouched.

Every Monday and Friday, Jasmine would wait for Joe in the Gym's reception area, a smile on her face. He was reliable. Always arrived on time. She slowly opened up to him and the Gym's receptionist. Managed to hold conversations with her two new friends. She spoke slowly. Always made sure to think about what she said before she said it. As time passed, she spoke more and more. Joe had helped Jasmine come out of her shell and fight her anxiety, if only a little. She struggled with others still, but she liked Joe and the receptionist.