Arriving in Saffron City was, quite frankly, overwhelming. Lumiose had been the biggest city I’d visited until now—Goldenrod notwithstanding, since I’d seen little of it in my rush to catch the train—but it was also an old city, despite ongoing modernisation efforts. Saffron, on the other hand, was the very definition of a concrete jungle, with skyscrapers abounding and apartment buildings stretching as far as the eye could see. In truth, it was intimidating.
Whereas Lumiose remained relatively picturesque and Castelia City in Unova had become a staple of films and other media, Saffron was a landscape of grey concrete and glass towers, with so many people milling about that I couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable, if not outright uneasy. Something about it made it feel like a cold, detached beast, ready to trample us, its inhabitants, underfoot like so many meaningless ants.
After finding my bearings outside the station, I quickly made my way to the nearby Pokémon Centre. I wasn’t a Trainer yet, but I had received temporary authorisation to make use of its accommodation and amenities during my trip.
The northern Pokémon Centre of Saffron City was located to the west of the station, whereas the Gym was further east. It was large enough that I could catch a glimpse of it from where I stood, but visiting it would have to be an adventure for another day, once I was a licensed Trainer and ready to challenge it.
While the rest of the city’s architecture, save for the Centre itself, was a dreary mix of grey and glass towers straight out of fifty-year-old architectural brochures, the Pokémon Centre looked entirely new and out of place. I’d heard that the League invested heavily in keeping its infrastructure up to the latest standards, but the contrast was jarring. The building, which looked like a blend of a state-of-the-art hospital and a hotel, sported an emblematic red domed roof, illuminated so brightly that I’d have to be blind to miss it.
Inside, the lobby was spacious yet minimalist, with a few plants separating the seating areas to create an illusion of privacy. To the left of the entrance were the seating areas, along with storage terminals and a self-service coffee corner. In the middle, with corridors and lifts to its right, stood the reception desk, where a Nurse Joy could be seen alongside a cheerful-looking Chansey.
My eyes settled on the Chansey, making me realise all over again that I wasn’t home any more and likely wouldn’t be for quite some time. Wigglytuff and Audino were the usual caretakers back in Kalos, whereas Chansey was the main choice on Kanto’s continent. With a faltering smile, I approached the reception desk, which had just become free.
“Welcome to Saffron City’s northern Pokémon Centre. How may I help you?” asked Nurse Joy with a cheerfulness that would put Kalosians to shame.
I froze for a moment, trying to find my tongue. Damn it, I’d even practised what I should say, repeating it in my head over and over again…
“Uh… H-hi, I-I’m Laurie… ‘need accomm’dation,” I mumbled as best I could.
Despite my awkwardness and obvious lack of articulation, Nurse Joy showed no sign of being bothered or growing impatient. Instead, she replied cheerfully, “Of course. May I see your Trainer ID?”
I quickly fumbled to retrieve the letter I’d stored in the front pocket of my bag. As I pulled it out, a little bundle of white fabric came with it. Heat shot through my face and ears instantly. I was sure I’d turned as red as the Pokémon Centre’s roof. I hurriedly caught the white bundle and shoved it back into my bag before handing the envelope to Nurse Joy, my head bowed in shame.
She took the envelope, still smiling pleasantly. “Are you feeling unwell, sweetie? I can have Chansey check on you, if need be,” she offered.
I shook my head far too quickly, making myself dizzy.
Nonetheless, she took my word—or rather, my gesture—for it and focused on the envelope, from which she drew the official letter from the Trainers’ School, signed by a League representative.
“I see.”
She folded the letter back into the envelope, turned towards the board behind her desk and took down a key before handing me both. “Here’s a key to your room, along with your letter. Given how light you seem to be, I’d recommend taking one of the top bunks. It’s less bothersome when you don’t have another guest climbing up and down the bed beside you. Since you’re not a Trainer yet, I assume you don’t have a partner with you, but I’ll mention it nonetheless: only small Pokémon are allowed out within the dormitories. If I’m busy when you leave tomorrow morning, please place your key in the box over there. Have a lovely stay in Saffron City, Ms Laurie,” she finished with an elegant little bow.
I thanked her awkwardly and made my way to the Pokémon Centre hostel, where I quickly found my dormitory. The room itself was bland, as one might expect, with six double bunk beds arranged in two rows of three along either side of the room, providing space for up to twelve Trainers. I felt a little uncomfortable at the thought that the dormitories might be mixed, but there was little I could do about it. It wasn't like I would be prancing about naked either way.
I noticed that a few of the beds had random belongings strewn across them, so other guests were indeed staying here and had likely gone out. I walked further into the room and picked one of the unoccupied top bunks. I took off my shoes and wiggled my toes before climbing up. Seeing my sock-clad feet made me blush as I recalled the train journey. And with that memory came the tingling sensation between my legs once more. Embarrassed by my own train of thought, I shook my head and focused on setting up my little corner with whatever limited means I had.
A few moments later, I decided to have a shower. I was jet-lagged and needed to sleep before catching the bus to Viridian City that night. I changed into flip-flops and headed for the shower room attached to the dormitories, towels in hand. The showers looked like the typical communal facilities one would find in schools and gymnasiums, with a locker room serving as an antechamber and a larger room containing rows of showers behind a dividing wall.
I felt very uncomfortable with the arrangement. Still, I needed a shower and, assuming I was quick, didn’t expect anyone else to be around the dormitories at this hour. I promptly undressed, noticing that my panties seemed rather damp. I… I didn’t really understand why, since I hadn’t exactly been sweating much, although I supposed I might have, given how much I’d rushed about. Putting that aside, I quickly showered and then put on the nightdress I’d worn the previous day.
And just as I was leaving the locker room, I came face to face with a boy who seemed to be heading for the very showers I’d just left. He looked at me in surprise for a moment but said nothing, simply continuing on his way. A quick look around told me I’d clearly missed the gender sign. Dumb-dumb, Laurie! I berated myself internally.
Back in the dormitory, I hurried up to my bunk and hid beneath the covers in shame. I felt as though everything had gone wrong, yet here I was, still on schedule, and… and…
I took the little bundle out of my bag before I could even stop to wonder why I was doing it. Had it really gone wrong? I didn’t understand what had come over me, but this girl… Charlotte had clearly made an impression on me. The thought of her name alone made my heart skip a beat, and when I pictured her face, heard her voice in my mind, I found myself curling up into a ball beneath my blanket, one hand instinctively moving to my crotch.
My other hand held the socks I’d unfolded. Their dizzying smell quickly filled the little space beneath the covers. It made my head spin, yet I didn’t know why. It didn’t smell good… or did it? It was her scent, though. It made me think of her, of what she’d made me do. Before I realised it, I was holding her socks to my nose with one hand and pressing the other between my legs.
It… it felt strange. I moved my hand, pressing a little harder. It felt good. With every little movement and each gentle press, I felt better, and as the sensations grew more intense, I gasped for air, breathing in Charlotte’s scent.
Soon, it felt as though a wave were crashing over my entire body, every muscle spasming and trembling, my mind exploding into rainbows as my doubts, fears and anxieties seemed to vanish. Then I was left breathless, struggling to catch my breath, only to inhale more of the scent trapped beneath my blanket…
Arceus save me, I didn’t know what was happening to me. But it felt… peaceful.