Jaunt's gaze flickered for a moment. Xe was in the streets of Woodhurst, xyr hometown. Jaunt wouldn't consider it comforting though. At the moment, xe was starving and the Luxio needed to grab something before xe passed out. Jaunt took another glance at xyr surroundings. 'Mons streamed past xem and merchants called out ads for their products.
"Jaunt." echoed Artemis. "Huh, not a bad name for a shortie."
"Buy one, get some free!" a merchant screeched in Jaunt's ear. The noise was loud enough to jumpscare Jaunt, and xe leapt back, bristling xyr fur. Xe shook xyr fur and moved away from that horrid merchant. A rumble echoed from Jaunt's stomach, and xe could feel xemselves getting weaker. Stop stalling and start stealing, Jaunt scolded xemself.
Xe had tried begging but to no avail. The only option for xem was to take something. Turning around, Jaunt spotted some Oran berries displayed on the cart. The juicy, round berries promised a full belly... Jaunt couldn't stop xemself from reaching out a paw.
Suddenly, another paw slapped xem away from the berries. Jaunt looked up to see a hefty Diggersby giving xem the stink eye. Uh oh.
"Whattaya think you're doing?" growled the Diggersby. "Trying to steal my berries? Might as well teach ya a lesson!" Jaunt growled, trying to look threatening. However, xe knew the Diggersby was both stronger and healthier than xem. Jaunt cringed, bracing xemself for the impact...
Someone brushed past xem and Jaunt opened an eye to see what had happened. A large- no huge Chesnaught was looming over the Diggersby. Jaunt watched as the Chesnaught slapped the Diggersby, sending him flying in the air. Jaunt jumped out of the way to avoid a Choice Scarf from hitting xem. Seems as if the Chesnaught used Knock Off on the Diggersby. Weird. A Chesnaught shouldn't be able to learn Knock Off.
The Chesnaught then grabbed Jaunt by the scruff and ran off to an alley. Jaunt squirmed around, trying to free xemself from the Chesnaught's grasp. Xe wasn't sure what would happen to xem, but xe didn't want to stick around.
"Yeesh, I'm not going to hurt you," the Chesnaught grunted as if they could read Jaunt's mind. They placed Jaunt down and backed off as if trying to give xem some space. Jaunt wasn't sure if xyr could believe what had just happened. Xe was so close to death. "Here, eat these. I managed to steal some from the Diggersby," the Chesnaught shoved some Oran berries into Jaunt's face.
While Jaunt was scarfing down the berries, xe took a moment to study the Chesnaught. They seemed rather relaxed here in this alley, from the way they leaned against the wall. After finishing the last berry, Jaunt cleared xyr throat.
"Thanks for saving me there," Jaunt started. The Chesnaught only waved their paw. "Erm... how did you learn Knock Off though?" At the mention of the move, the Chesnaught gave a slight grin. Before Jaunt's eyes, the Chesnaught rapidly shrank to a much smaller size. Their white fur turned black and the armor that covered the Chesnaught disappeared. It was a Zorua, slightly smaller than Jaunt.
"No prob," the Zorua replied. She smirked, noticing the look on Jaunt's face. "Name's Artemis. You?"
"Jaunt..." the Luxio shrugged.
"Jaunt." echoed Artemis. "Huh, not a bad name for a shortie."
"Wha- I'm taller than you!" protested Jaunt, offended by this comment.
"Yeah, but it's funnier," snickered Artemis. "Maybe your nickname should be Shortie." Jaunt was speechless. Xe didn't know how to feel about this new nickname Artemis had given xem. However, xe wasn't going to leave Artemis behind, not after she saved xyr life. "Anyways," continued the Zorua. "I've got to go now. See ya later,"
"Wait!" cried out Jaunt. Artemis paused and gave xem a questioning glance. "I can't really fend for myself," confessed Jaunt, shuffling xyr paws. "Could we... stick together? You seem like you know a thing or two about living on the streets." A moment of silence followed.
"Sure," shrugged Artemis. "It'll be fun to have someone sticking around. I haven't had a partner for some time now. Come on," Artemis disappeared behind a narrow gap and Jaunt followed after her, unsure of xyr future but certain this would be a wild adventure.