Chapter 104: Late Night Talk
I was about to close my eyes to head to Prisma, but I heard the front door of Jolene's house open. I turned to find a tired-looking Tallia. So much had happened today that I had almost forgotten about her.
"How was your day?" I asked quietly as Tallia took off her shoes, and walked over to the table.
"Exhausting. Joining you sounds more and more appealing every day," Tallia sighed and came over to still with me at the kitchen table. "If it were only that easy. I never realized just how rough it must have been for Geeta."
Lusamine, Joy, and Nemona went to Prisma to sleep, but I had planned on crashing on the couch after checking on the girls. I was still leery about the recon squad, who were sleeping in Tallia's room now. I guess I would be taking the floor tonight, but it wasn't that big of a deal.
I explained everything that happened, but I left the part about the Poke ball skins and Nemona out. I felt like it would be better if Tallia heard it from her, considering how excited Nemona had been.
"So three strangers are sleeping in my room?" Tallia asked after my explanation, and I nodded.
"Sorry, but they aren't from this world, and I didn't think putting them up in a random hotel would be good until we got them some better clothing to fit in. On top of that, their skin is grayish-white, almost devoid of color," I explained, and Tallia nodded along.
"That makes sense, and if Mom is fine with it, then so am I," Tallia smiled at me, and I smiled.
"I will sleep on the floor, and you can take the couch?" I asked, but Tallia laughed at me.
"I will go have a quick shower, and then we can share the couch. The floor is too hard to sleep on," Tallia told me, and I shrugged. Like her, I was tired after everything and just wanted to get some rest.
Before showering, Tallia brought me out some blankets to put on the couch. I set them up and then sat down. As I did, Cryo appeared.
[Things are starting to move faster.]
In the quiet of the night, with the hum of uncertainty in the air, Tallia and I found comfort in each other's presence. The events of the day seemed to fade away as we exchanged soft words and shared the warmth of the couch.
"Do you ever feel overwhelmed by everything?" Tallia asked, her gaze searching mine.
"All the time," I admitted, tracing patterns on her back with my fingers. "But when I look at you, it all feels a bit more manageable. You have this calming effect on me. It's like no matter how chaotic the world gets, being with you brings a sense of peace."
Tallia smiled, her eyes reflecting the soft glow of the moon filtering through the curtains. "You know, I never thought I'd end up in a situation like this. Alternate dimensions, mysterious groups, and your abilities. It's like a dream."
"I know what you mean. Sometimes I feel like I'm living in a storybook, and each day is a new chapter with unexpected twists," I replied, marveling at the surreal nature of our journey.
Tallia chuckled. "Well, if this is a story, then I'm glad to be part of it with you. Even if it gets crazy, I wouldn't want it any other way."
We continued to talk in the quiet moments of the night, sharing thoughts and feelings. As the conversation flowed, I couldn't help but appreciate the simplicity of just being with someone who understood and accepted me.
It wasn't like I lacked companionship, but each girl brought something different to the table. That wasn't even including my female Pokémon.
Still, Tallia gave me a sense of peace the same way that Joy did. Nemona and Jolene both had high spirits and clearly even higher sex drives. Lusamine was... Well, she was Lusamine. I still had yet to thaw all the ice with her, but I had made progress.
Eventually, the fatigue caught up with us, and our conversation drifted into comfortable silence. The couch became our makeshift bed, and we nestled closer, finding solace in each other's warmth.
Just before passing out, I leaned in and kissed Tallia, and she returned it briefly. After she cuddled into my chest and passed out immediately. It almost felt like she had been waiting for it. That made me smile and I drifted off.
Starting the Audiobook on Patreon! Just posted chapter 1-5 and will try to do 5 a day until we are caught up!