Undergoing The Underground

The train had been gliding across its rails for what felt like hours now; the gentle hum of the electromagnetic field that kept the metal construct tethered to its binds causing the carpeted floor to vibrate underfoot. It was a melodic rhythm, one that had lulled all three of Iris pokemon into a comfortable doze that was hard to break - not even the sudden dispersal of Iris’ strange companion woke them up.

Remembering the awkward encounter, Iris felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. It seems that all her lonesome days leaping from the sylvangloam trees and mushrooms had diminished her social ability quite a bit. Had she forgotten how to talk to strangers? The uncomfortable thought made her sink deeper into her chair, Frostfall stirring on her knee from the movement. Maybe she should practice her conversation skills more, though the thought of talking with any residents of the ill-rumoured Thunderdale filled her with apprehension.

Speaking of which, a sudden brightness from the train’s window caused her to wince in surprise, squinting as she looked at the scenery before her. Finally free from its subterranean tunnel, the bullet train screeched to a halt as it emerged into the brightly lit station. The huge arching ceiling was plastered with holographic advertisements for all sorts of goods, though there seemed to be an unusual emphasis on cybernetics. Other passengers were already moving before the train pulled to a complete stop, the sway from the brakes natural to them as they swayed alongside the momentum without losing their balance - while Iris had to grip her seat’s armrests with white knuckles to prevent herself from sliding off. Her sleeping pokemon weren’t so lucky; Hera and Apollo thudding to the ground with a hiss and a yelp, Frostfall buzzing with a startled static as he clutched tightly to Iris’ trouser leg.

Hera shoved Apollo off of her gut, her second mouth snapping its teeth angrily at the young poochyena. Although not a single tooth made contact, Apollo whimpered, scrambling to get off of the female, and scurried under the train seat; understandably fearful of Mawile’s maw. 

“C’mon guys, it was just the train.” Iris whispered to them in hush tones, plucking Frostfall off her trouser and placing him comfortably in her hood; the spider-sized fusion snuggling into the warm cotton. Hera placed a hand on the train seat, grumbling as she used it to pull herself back upright. Apollo hesitated before crawling out from his hiding spot, though the pokemon was careful to keep on the other side of Iris’ legs in case his grouchy companion decided she wanted an after-journey snack.

Feeling the train’s movement halt completely, Iris finally stood up and glanced around the train car. Most of the other passengers had already dispersed and the few that remained were either families or individuals retrieving their belongings. She couldn’t help but glance around for the quiet man she had spoken to, but his cloaked figure was nowhere in sight. He must’ve already disembarked, much to Iris’ relief; the aftermath of an awkward encounter always burned worse than the moment itself. 

Hoisting her small rucksack across her shoulder, Iris gave a nod to Hera, the shorter pokemon huffing through her nose before leading the way down the carriage; her blazing eyes daring anyone to cut in front of her. Her trainer followed swiftly in her footsteps, Apollo trotting keenly at her heels. Thankfully there wasn’t much of a struggle to get off the train, as the majority of the crowd had already filtered out into the station, each walking their own path.

Upon taking the short hop off the train and onto the platform, Iris could feel her throat start to seize in a nervous tension. She was a being of trees and open skies; trapped underground, encased in steel and cable was a place she’d never feel comfortable in. Her radar-like ears pricked up within seconds - an anxious habit of hers to listen keenly to her surroundings - but in a bustling enclosed space like this, it only served to make the noises and echoes amplify to near unbearable degrees. Iris’ hands darted upwards and yanked her ears back down, physically wincing as the sheer cacophony of the station hit her like a wall. Her knees locked from the shock, her hands trembling as her heartbeat started to sound like a drum banging on inside her head.

A soft but firm grip enveloped one of her hands, a rough yet warm texture, and started to pull her away from the train. Perhaps more akin to guiding rather than pulling, Hera swiftly escorted her trainer away from the platform and into the center of the station, her eyes locked onto the escalators that lead up and out. Iris’ free hand clenched tight around the tips of her ears by her chest, keeping the sensitive organs protected from the sound as much as she could. Her eyes were screwed shut, as though refusing to see the source of the din could deafen it somewhat. 

Relying whole-heartedly on Hera’s guidance, her faith was well-placed in the aloof pokemon - passerbys that nearly crossed the mawile’s path stumbled backwards as she snarled at them with the ferocity of a dragon-type. The ever-watching eye on her maw kept a careful check on Apollo, the usually distracted poochyena trying his best to keep up with the duo. His snout was wrinkled in concerned confusion as he stared up at his trainer; it hadn’t been long since he had joined the family, and this new side of Iris worried him so. 

To Iris, the next few moments were a blur of bright screens and jarring clamors, until the cool cave air of the subterranean city embraced her. Opening her eyes to just a squint, she kept her hand tight on Hera's as she took in her new surroundings. They stood at the top of a giant escalator, several other entrances to the station dotted around them with people marching out of them in single file like ants. Iris looked down at Hera, smiling fondly at the short pokemon as the mawile studied the scenery; alert but somewhat out of breath from her determined trek through the mob. Apollo was less graceful in his fatigue, flopping onto the cold stone beside Iris’ feet with a heavy huff. The trainer gave Hera’s hand a gentle, grateful squeeze and the pokemon let go of her fingers, harrumphing her satisfaction that her person had snapped back to their senses. Kneeling for a moment, Iris scooped up Apollo in her arms, ruffling the pup’s ears as he flopped his head back with his tongue dangling from his mouth. Frostfall skittered out from Iris hood, reaching down to boop his tired friend on the nose.

Iris regarded the two fondly, turning her head to nod towards Hera's maw eye that was watching her carefully; even though her face seemed to be scanning the people around them without distraction.

“Alright guys, let’s see where we’re off to next.”