With only one potion left, a bruised foot, and Cyndaquil pestering her about getting stronger, Chino could see only one solution.
"I think we have to go to town, Cyndaquil..."
"Bree?"
"To get more potions. Or at least practice... Going to the ... Poke centre..."
"Bree!" Cyndaquil was obviously excited about the chance to carry on training, but seemed to be ignoring Chino's dread about going in to town.
"Say Cyndaquil, do you think if you went on your own, that they'd heal you up?" Cyndaquil didn't need healing now, but if he ever did need it it would be more convenient if he could go alone. "Or maybe you could grab some potions...?"
Chino sat in some bushes at the edge of town, and watched as Cyndaquil waddled up to the pokemart. She didn't have any money, but hopefully he'd manage to steal some potions. It was risky though... If he got caught, someone could try and capture him. That's why she was watching from nearby, with her baton in hand.
Cyndaquil waddled discretely into the store. Though the automatic doors immediately notified the cashier that someone was coming in: someone that they couldn't see. Chino saw the cashier stand up and start walking towards the door, and Cyndaquil, before the automatic doors closed again, blocking her view.
If she didn't run in, that guy was going to find Cyndaquil and then... Well, best case Cyndaquil gets kicked out, worse case they call the rangers about a stray Pokémon. Urgh... Chino had to go in.
She stashed her baton back in her bag as she awkwardly hopped along the pavement. It was a lot rougher than the grass she was used to and she couldn't walk as fast on it.
She steeled herself before waving open the door, only to see the cashier hadn't found Cyndaquil after all. Actually, Chino couldn't see him. Where was he?
The cashier gave her a disgusted look.
"You stinky brat! Messing with my doors! And walking mud all over the floors I cleaned just yesterday!"
There was some muddy footprints inside, but they were clearly not Cyndaquil's. Oh, this guy must be almost blind. Or stupid.
"Scram! Filthy! Muddy brat! Get some SHOES!"
Alarmed by being yelled at, and afraid to get in trouble with the rangers, Chino ran off back to the bush, crying. In her shock she had forgotten about Cyndaquil and was just suddenly wishing to go back to her old life. Although she used to be lonely, being near other people didn't upset her anywhere near as much as right now. Just... Being looked at was enough to make her freeze up. How was she meant to help Cyndaquil if she can't even buy him a potion?
Chino is distracted from her self pity by a creature settling onto her head. Opening her eyes and rubbing away the tears, she sees four potions laid out in front of her. Over at the pokemart, the blind cashier is waving his fist at whatever he thinks triggered the door opening.
"Breeooo~" Cyndaquil congratulates himself. *Too easy~*
Chino sighs, and cuddles him, falling to lay on the ground in a comfy embrace. Getting her foot stomped, getting yelled at, Cyndaquil successfully stealing the potions... It's been such a long day.
Although the sun is only just starting to set, and they aren't even in their base, Chino and Cyndaquil fall into a peaceful, healing sleep, filled with dreams of the future.