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Emmet didn’t want to get out of bed. He hadn’t for a long time now. It didn’t feel right– Not without Ingo. He had woken even before his earliest alarm. It was all too easy for him to do. Tearing his eyes away from the ceiling, he glanced over at the bed opposite his. Empty, as it had been for over a year. He shut his eyes again. Even looking at it made the pit in his stomach worsen.
Most days it was easy enough for him to push out of bed and fall into the routine of the subway. It was a solace for his grieving heart. Routines had always been something for him to rely on, even through his brother’s absence. It gave him something to focus on other than missing Ingo. But today was different. Today, Emmet wasn’t going to Gear Station. It was one of his days off– A concept that had barely even crossed his mind before Ingo disappeared. Even so, the train schedule played out perfectly in his head. It kept him sane. Five-o-clock, the first train leaves for Castelia. That one was for all the business people. Verrrrry busy, all of them. Five-fifteen, it was on to Nacrene and then Striaton. At the same time, the cargo train was returning from Driftveil. The city’s exports had to make it to the rest of the region, after all.
A noise in the kitchen made his eyes snap back open. Strange… It was far too early for either of the twins’ Pokemon to be ready for breakfast. He sat up in bed, rubbing the bleariness from his eyes. Archeops was still fast asleep at the foot of his bed. Usually the prehistoric bird was the first of any of their teams to cause a fuss over food. Emmet hummed in thought at this, idly scratching at his partner’s head as he swung his legs over the side of the bed and into his slippers. This matter needed investigating, and it was obvious that he wasn’t getting any more sleep for the time being.
He trudged through their mostly empty home in long strides, swerving around the odd Joltik. He’d have to charge up some batteries for them before they all woke up. His pace slowed as he reached the kitchen. The noise was definitely coming from there, and the lights had been turned on too. Something verrrry suspicious was going on. “Is someone there?” He stepped in with his brows furrowed in spite of his constant smile.
Standing at the sink was a familiar silhouette. It was Elesa! She looked over her shoulder from washing up some of the dishes and smiled at Emmet. “Oh– I didn’t think you’d be up yet. I let myself in with the spare key.” She dried off her hands and went over to greet him. “Happy birthday, Em.”
Emmet visibly cringed. “It is just like any other day. You know I do not want to celebrate without Ingo.”
“I know. But you should at least have some company, you know? I have the day off, just like every year. I made breakfast?” Elesa nodded towards the counter. There sat two plates of bacon, eggs, and toast, and two cups of coffee– One in Emmet’s favorite mug. “We don’t have to do anything special. I just don’t want you to feel alone.”
“I am Emmet, and I am very busy today, Elesa.” Emmet lied. “Thank you very much for breakfast, but I’m afraid I do not have much time to chat.”
Elesa frowned. “Em, I know you have today off. All the depot agents told me to wish you a happy birthday on my way over because they wouldn’t see you. I just wanna hang out, like old times.”
Emmet shifted on his feet, avoiding her gaze. He didn’t want to be alone. Her company would be good for him, especially on a day like today. But that would be admitting things were different– Which they weren’t. The only thing that had changed was Ingo being gone. He was still Emmet. And Emmet was fine. But Elesa was his dearest friend… “On second thought… It would be nice to spend the day together. To give you something to do on your day off, if anything.” He smiled that signature, bright smile of his.
Elesa laughed. “I appreciate the hospitality. C’mon, let’s eat while the food’s still hot.” She went to sit down on her side of the counter. “Oh– And I already filled all the bowls for your guys’ Pokemon, so don’t worry about feeding them.”
“Thank you. I was just wondering when Archeops was going to wake up and start begging for his breakfast.” Emmet chuckled as he took the seat opposite of hers. “I’m very surprised you managed to cook all of this without burning our kitchen down, yep!”
“Hey! I can cook just fine!” Elesa pointed at him in a jokingly threatening manner. “You were the one that burnt the cake we were making for Iris’ birthday!”
“I am Emmet, and I will not stand for this slander!” His grin only got bigger as they ‘argued’. Yes, this is exactly what he needed today. Someone to pull him out of his own head and make him genuinely smile on a day that seemed so lonely without his brother by his side. Of course it was Elesa that made him see that. She had been there for him from the very beginning. He was beginning to think things would turn out alright after all.
–
The early morning sun was just peeking over the hills surrounding Jubilife Village as Ingo made his way toward the Training Grounds. He liked to get there early, just in case any Security Corps members wanted to get some early morning training done before taking their positions for the day. Today he had even managed to get there before Captain Zisu– She must’ve been busy the night before. Best to let her get her rest. He settled into his position next to the battlegrounds and watched the clouds for a moment. It was a lovely day out– Even after his long trek from the Highlands.
It wasn’t long before someone was coming up the hill to greet him. He straightened up a bit, hands held behind his back. But instead of a Security Corps member, he was surprised to see none other than Akari running up to him. The young Survey Corps recruit seemed particularly excited– Maybe she had caught a new Pokemon for the Path of Solitude? “Uncle Ingo! I got here as soon as I could!” She beamed at him. She was holding something behind her back.
“Good morning, Akari. Your engine seems to be working well despite it being so early.” Ingo ‘smiled’ at her.
“Yeah! I wanted to get here early so I could give you this.” She held out a small wrapped package. “From what I remember, today’s your birthday! Well– Yours and Mister Emmet’s, but you know-”
Ingo seemed surprised as he took hold of the present. “Our birthday? Hm. I suppose keeping on schedule is not as easy as it was back home. I barely remember what day it is half the time.”
Akari nodded. “I made myself a little calendar to put in my quarters, just so I can keep track. Are you gonna open your present?”
“I suppose that would help, wouldn’t it?” Ingo chuckled as he tore into the decorative paper. Inside was a small wood-carved model of a steam engine. His eyes seemed to light up as he examined it. “Akari, how did you..?”
“I asked Anvin to carve it. He wasn’t exactly sure what a train looked like since we don’t have any here in Hisui, so I did my best to sketch one for him. D’you like it?” Akari smiled sheepishly.
She was met with a tight hug as an answer. “Thank you, Akari. This was a very nice surprise. I sincerely hope my brother feels as appreciated as I do at the moment.”
“Somehow, I think he does…” Akari returned the hug with a grin. “Happy birthday.”