Xiu watched the Pichu peeking out from behind the slide, its caution warring with its clear hunger and curiosity. He couldn't help himself; the urge to tease the small, timid creature was irresistible. It was just… adorable.
Pichu were naturally small, their bodies covered in soft, downy yellow fur. Their large eyes and simple features gave them an inherently cute, almost innocent look, even when trying to appear wary. Now, clutching the base of the slide with tiny paws, only half its head visible, one long black-tipped ear drooping slightly while the other stood erect, its expression a perfect picture of apprehension… the pitiful sight tugged at something within Xiu.
"Come on out, little guy," Xiu cooed softly, deliberately adopting a gentle, inviting tone. He probably looked ridiculous, squatting there grinning like an idiot, but he didn't care. "Come to big brother Xiu, I've got tasty treats~"
"Pichu!" The small Pokémon squeaked in alarm and immediately ducked back behind the slide completely as Xiu spoke.
Seeing its extreme timidity, Xiu decided to deploy his trump card: food. He pulled a bright blue Oran Berry from his backpack – a basic healing item often given out at the Rescue Station. He held it out invitingly, dangling it near the base of the slide.
He wasn't particularly worried about the Pichu attacking him now. He'd seen its involuntary discharge earlier; its tiny electrical sacs were clearly depleted. And its personality seemed inherently timid, not aggressive. Right now, it posed less threat than an actual mouse.
Working at the Rescue Station had taught him one crucial lesson: food was often the fastest way to build trust with wild Pokémon. (Though caution was needed; some Pokémon, like Meowth, Purrloin, or Murkrow, were notorious for feigning friendliness just to steal food or belongings. Best not to flash valuables until trust was established.)
"Come on out," Xiu repeated patiently, still holding out the Oran Berry. "Something delicious~" He watched, amused, as the Pichu visibly wrestled with its fear and its hunger, wanting to approach but still hesitant.
'This is actually pretty fun,' Xiu thought, a genuine smile spreading across his face. Like fishing, but you can see the fish wondering whether to take the bait or not.
He remained squatting patiently, hand outstretched, waiting.
Finally, hunger won out. Pichu crept slowly out from behind the slide, moving cautiously towards Xiu, its dark eyes fixed on the Oran Berry. It glanced up at Xiu nervously every few steps, then continued its hesitant advance. The slightest noise – a distant car horn, the rustle of leaves – made it freeze momentarily before continuing.
"Pichu~" It finally reached Xiu's outstretched hand, nose twitching as it sniffed the berry. It recognized Oran Berries; they grew wild occasionally, a source of sustenance. And it was starving.
Unable to resist any longer, Pichu leaned forward and took a tentative bite. The burst of tart, slightly sour juice seemed to overload its sensitive system. Its cheeks sparked involuntarily again.
"Ah!" Xiu yelped as a mild electric shock jolted through his hand. Not painful, but strong enough to make his fingers spasm, clenching reflexively around the berry. His face contorted for a second before the tingling numbness subsided, leaving only a faint buzzing sensation.
Hearing Xiu's cry, Scyther and Abra were instantly alert, moving closer. Scyther looked ready to strike, while Abra… Abra seemed to blur, reappearing beside Xiu almost instantly. 'Was that… Teleport? Xiu registered the thought fleetingly. I thought it only knew Telekinesis?'
"I'm fine! It's okay!" Xiu quickly waved them off, stopping them before they could retaliate against the Pichu. "Don't be nervous, it didn't mean it." He wasn't lying. He'd seen the involuntary nature of the discharge. And honestly, the shock hadn't hurt, just startled him. 'Kind of felt like… protagonist treatment,' he thought wryly. Getting zapped by the cute base evolution form of the mascot of Pokémon. 'Guess it's not so bad.'
What was strange, however, was the Pichu's reaction. Despite Xiu's sudden yelp and twitch, the little Pokémon hadn't fled. It just stood there, frozen in place, looking up at him.
'Is it scared stiff?' Xiu wondered. He gently poked one of its long ears with his finger. Still no reaction, just that wide-eyed stare. Then, he noticed the slight downturn of its mouth, the way its ears drooped… was that… guilt?
'Can mice even look guilty?' The thought made Xiu chuckle again. This world is endlessly fascinating!
"Hey, don't worry about it," He said gently, carefully prying his fingers open to offer the rest of the Oran Berry. "Keep eating. You look like you haven't eaten properly in a while." He took the opportunity to gently stroke Pichu's ear again. Surprisingly soft, like velvet. He remembered sensing its deep hunger during their brief telepathic contact. Choosing the Oran Berry, which replenished stamina as well as filling the belly, had been deliberate.
"Come on," he urged, holding the berry closer to Pichu's mouth.
"Pichu! Pichu~" Instead of eating, Pichu started chattering rapidly at him, gesturing vaguely with its tiny paws.
"Abra, translation please?" Xiu sighed, turning to his psychic interpreter. The familiar mental link established itself.
"It asks… why are you not afraid? Why did the electricity not hurt you more?" Abra relayed.
Xiu blinked, slightly embarrassed by the Pichu's bluntness. 'Not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, is it?' "It did hurt," Xiu projected back mentally, then added aloud, holding the Pichu gently in his palm, "A little bit. But why should I be afraid of you?" He lifted it slightly, bringing it closer to eye level.
"But… but he is afraid of me~" Pichu whimpered, shrinking back slightly in Xiu's hand, glancing nervously towards where Scyther stood watching.
"Him being afraid has nothing to do with me," Xiu said dismissively, though he understood the Pichu's confusion. He offered the Oran Berry again. "Just eat."
Just then, Happiny, curious about the newcomer, waddled closer, peering at the Pichu. Pichu immediately squeaked in fright and tried to hide behind Xiu's fingers, clutching them tightly.
"Okay, okay," Xiu sighed, gently stroking Pichu's back. "They're my friends. They won't hurt you." He lifted Pichu with one hand, walked back to the bench, and gently placed the small Pokémon down, pressing the Oran Berry into its paws. "Eat this yourself. We'll leave you alone."
He retrieved the small pile of pellets he'd left earlier and placed them beside the Pichu. "This is my apology for startling you earlier," he said. "And consider it rent for letting me camp in your spot tonight. I'll be gone first thing tomorrow morning."
The fuss with Pichu, combined with the poor lighting, had killed any motivation Xiu had left for studying. His eyes felt strained anyway. He decided to just set up camp. He walked to a relatively flat, clear patch of grass in the corner of the park and began unpacking the small tent salvaged from the poacher's gear.
He'd barely gotten the poles laid out when he heard insistent chirping beside him.
"Pichu Pichu~"
He looked down. Pichu was standing there, looking up at him expectantly. It wasn't eating the food he'd left. "Finished already?" Xiu asked with a smile. "Want more?"
"Pichu Pichu!" Pichu shook its head emphatically, then gestured with a paw back towards the bench where the food lay untouched.
"Huh?" Xiu looked over. The pellets and the half-eaten Oran Berry were still there. "So… what is it then?"
"Pichu Pichu."
"Right," Xiu scratched his head. "Forgot you can't actually talk." He sighed again. "Abra, little help?"
Abra floated over. The mental link re-established.
"It says… because it shocked you… it doesn't want the food as compensation. It wants to apologize properly."
Xiu couldn't help but laugh again. "Seriously? Tell it I accept its apology. But really, keep the food. Call it rent. I have plenty more." He wouldn't take food back from a starving creature, apology or not.
"Pichu Pichu!" Hearing the relayed message, Pichu seemed to brighten. It did a little happy spin on the grass, then darted off quickly into the shadows near the park's edge. Xiu watched it go, shaking his head slightly, then returned to setting up his tent.
A minute later, he heard a faint ding-a-ling sound. He looked up. Pichu was trotting back towards him, dragging something small and metallic: a tiny, tarnished brass bell, the kind sometimes attached to Pokémon collars or used as simple ornaments. It proudly presented the bell to Xiu, dropping it at his feet with an expectant chirp.