March 12, 2019.

𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗯𝗲, being the feisty Ralts she is, led Randi through the busy intersections of the Dimond District. On the other side of the largest crossing, Phoebe pointed out a pair of wild Ralts chattering under a bronze statue of a Stantler.

After crossing, Phoebe approached the two Ralts.

《Ralts!》Phoebe cried, holding out her arms.

《Ralts?》the female of the pair tilted her head, quizzically.

《Ral, Ral-Ra Ralts!》the male put his arms in the air, looking big and tough.

Phoebe seemed to establish rapport as the trio kept conversing. After a few minutes, the duo decided to follow Phoebe and came home with Randi.

At home, Randi found an empty box and placed all three of the Ralts inside. They played around and seemed to have had a great time. The two new Ralts decided to stay, and Randi granted each a new Pokéball.

The female wouldn't stay away from the potted plants inside Randi's apartment. Randi noticed this and gave her permission to water and care for the plants. She always got excited around pictures of flowers and flower arrangements. She was rather tiny for a Ralts. Randi named the new girl 𝗔𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲 .

The male Ralts often spent time around Anemone, as if he were standing guard for her. This must have been their behavior in the wild, the male Ralts being the bodyguard. He also seemed really interested in martial arts. Randi would often walk in on his exercises, jabbing his little arms very quickly in the air, following with fast, high kicks. He seemed to be particularly large for a Ralts. Randi named the boy 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝗺𝗼 .

Randi decided his three companions needed identifying adornments. He took out his phone and showed all the Ralts pictures of different accessories. After watching their reactions, they all went out shopping together.

Randi bought a shiny golden hairpiece for Phoebe that depicted a crescent moon on top with three stars dangling beneath. Phoebe, a fan of the Moon and stars at night, was overjoyed with the adornment and wore it immediately.

For Anemone, Randi bought a soft, silky hairpiece that resembled a lotus flower. She happily put it on and hasn't taken it off.

Cosmo was a bit more difficult to shop for. He seemed drawn to items that accentuated physical strength and endurance. Randi picked out a couple of brass upper arm bracers from a shop that sold steampunk style accessories. Cosmo jumped with excitement and put them on.

The three of them continued to play throughout the day. Randi's apartment, quiet for many years, had come to life.

***

AN: Yaaaaay! It has FINALLY cooled down to almost normal weather and my color drawings are rolling again! This is the part in the story where Randi begins experiencing major changes in his life and just the beginning of his new Pokémon experience. He carries a heavy past on his shoulders, but the new trio of Ralts has lightened the load for him.

Like I said some time ago, I want to start interspersing current story with the recaps. So my next drawing will follow up on the first drawing I posted in this blog: Sabrina's friend Paige is hitting on Randi, but Phoebe wants Randi and Sabrina together as they are both important to her. Sabrina's Gothitelle, with her ability to see the distant future, says Paige is not right for Randi and that their relationship will fail after spending time dating. Gothitelle and Phoebe will set out to change the future by using their psychic powers to alter Randi's experience with Paige. What exactly are they going to do? Follow and find out in the next drawing!

Later!

J