'Cause I can try my love, I can try my love onto.
'Cause I can shine my light on, I can shine my light on you.

All it took was a few steps on the path of Route 1 before a rustling in the grass put Sarah on high alert. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to see just what it may be, trying to figure out if she should try approaching in the grass itself or avoid it altogether and continue on her way. She didn’t have time to come to a decision however, as a darling little Petilil came tumbling out right in front of her from the bit of grass that had been shimmying. Chocolate drop eyes peered up at Sarah, and though it appeared to be mouthless something told the ex-ranger that the little creature was smiling at her. Something to do with those shimmering eyes. What was that word? Smizing she thought with a smile of her own. She definitely had expressive eyes, ”Hello sweet pea.” she spoke, hoping it wouldn’t come down to a battle. She’d hate to let Plandai out to ruin this dear.

A surprisingly deep inhale of breath was heard before the petilil began talking at a speed almost too fast for Sarah to comprehend, especially with how high and reedy her voice that came from nowhere was, < HEY!-H! HELLO-THERE! > she squeaked, < I-couldn’t-decide which-to-go with. So-I-just used-them-all. Hahahahahaahaa.> she continued, her little petal stub arms waving wildly as she spoke. She was a hand talker, that was for sure. Sarah chuckled and started to speak but couldn’t get a word in before the petilil was starting up again, wiggling her little body and bobbing her onion bulb head, <So-anyway, whats-your-name? You’re-pretty! I-bet-you have-a-pretty-name! > she rattled off, still not stopping for breath as she took a few hops from side to side, < I-just-go-by Petilil. I-tried-to-pull-off Petty. But-I’m-NOT-petty so-it-didn’t-stick! > she proclaimed, her stub trying to do a finger wag it seemed, for emphasis on the NOT.

Sarah just nodded, waiting a beat to see if she was going to wait for an answer now before speaking, ”You’re a lively little ‘mon! I’m Sarah, it’s nice to meet you Not Petty.” she said, taking a few steps forward. Strangely enough the Petilil fell right into step beside of her, < Oh...Sarahs-kind-of-plain. You-look-more-like a…..ROXANNE! > she said, honest but not cruel. One thing her friends always said was they could count on her for anything and everything - honesty included. Sarah couldn’t help the bubbling burst of laughter at her choice of name, ”Oh Roxanne, hm? That’s pretty wild - you think I look wild?” she asked, biting her lip and enjoying the back and forth they had already. As she’d thought before, this was what she needed. Good old fashioned girl time! Petilil stopped then and Sarah stopped too, hoping she hadn’t said something wrong.

Petilil looked her up and down, carefully considering her thoughts for once before speaking, < Mmmm-no. You’re-right. You-don’t-look-wild. But-you-don’t look-like-a-Sarah either…..hey-do-you-have-anything-to-eat? > she asked suddenly as her tummy grumbled. She’d been running around all morning and it had completely slipped her mind to stop to grab breakfast. It took Sarah a beat or two to realize what she’d asked and she nodded, ”Oh ahhh yeah!” dropping to her knees in the path and sliding her backpack off of her shoulders and chest to sit it on the ground. She pulled out a couple of pokeballs to find the thermos of soup she’d packed from her leftovers the night before. She unscrewed the lid and poured a bit into the cap. ”Oh….sorry it’s gone cold. Do you mind?”

Petilil shook her head no, < That’s-okay! It’s-tomato - just-call-it-gazpacho! > she said, putting a positive spin on it before dunking her lily-white face into the soup and coming up for air after three big gulps, < Delicious! Thank-you! I-owe-you-one! > she told her, her voice taking on a bit of a serious tone. She never let anyone down on things like that. Everyone could always rely on her to pay back debts and keep promises that she made. Sarah took a handkerchief from a hidden pocket on the inside of her bag and dabbed at the soup smeared on the grass-type’s face, ”Don’t mention it….hey, so…” she hesitated, having never done this with a strange pokemon. Plandai had been her starter and Trean was a starter she’d given to someone else and had an established relationship with. This was her first “wild” catch.

”I’m kind of on a journey here, making my way from town to town in this region. How would you like to come with me? We can even stop and get some real, hot food in the next town if you like.” she said at last, offering up one of the empty pokeballs she’d already removed from her rucksack. The Petilil was just the sort of pokemon with personality she needed to round out her team. After interacting with her she thought she could give Plandai a run for his money - he wouldn’t be making her uncomfortable and may even be overwhelmed with her instead of the other way around for once. And Trean could use someone with her energy levels when it came to training and his fitness routine he insisted on doing every day. She really hoped the little darling would come along with them.