Herpin' and-a Derpin' In Pallet

[Quinn]

It was a beautiful day. Sunlight sparkled on the ocean's surface while herds of water Pokemon splashed around in enjoyment while big, puffy clouds breezed by. The sight was heart-warming; captivating, even.

Bo-ring.

Herp peered over her magazine to glower in indifference at no one in particular... no one in particular because there were way too many people on the cruise ship. There she was, innocently sprawling on one of the deck chairs, and not five minutes could pass without some couple being cutesy in front of her, or some child running around screaming its head off. With an even stronger air of passive-aggressiveness than her usual (which was saying a lot), Herp turned up the volume of her MP3 player. Unfortunately, this made it harder to concentrate on her reading. The activity soured, she stuffed the glossy pages into her bag and stretched, her joints crackling in appreciation.

It wasn't long after Herp stood up that she noticed her sister. There was a distinctive, “prancing” manner of Derp's that was hard to miss. At that moment in particular, she was leaning over the edge, waving to something in the water.

“What're you doing?” Herp asked, walking over to join.

Derp proudly pointed at a crowd of Tentacruel. “Zutto kakushi-tousenai nara kitto shoumetsu ****e shimau nara–”

Herp turned off her MP3.

“–just so adorable!”

Herp nodded vaguely and leaned against the rails next to her sister. “Mm-hm. Adorable.”

Before they had time to make a conversation of it, a familiar voice cut in from behind them.

“I hope no one commits suicide out here. That would be going OVERBOARD!”

Herp turned to see their mother and father approaching with fruity little umbrella-drinks. She groaned. Her parents' pun battles were so embarrassing.

Their mother had similar sentiments... but only about her husband's puns. “That was tasteless. In fact, it doesn't have my Seel of approval, and it's making me a little Krabby.”

“Oh, no! Run for Shellder! She's bringing out the Octillery!”

Herp rolled her eyes. Derp, however, thought it was hilarious.

Their guardians finished laughing and wiped away small tears. “Herp! Derp!” Dad managed to say with a straight face. “ We weren't planning on telling you until we got to the rest stop in Pallet Town, but we've decided that the two of you are now old enough to go on your own Pokemon journeys~”

A huffy sigh escaped Herp's lips as she crossed her arms. “Yyyyou're trying to getting rid of us.”

“Yay, Pokemon~!?” Derp chimed in.

“Yes, dear,” Mom answered. To which statement she said this was a mystery. She handed her husband her drink and rummaged through her purse. “Here. We pre-ordered these from a day-care center in Sinnoh...” She procured two Pokeballs. “One for each of you.”

Dad turned to Herp with a sunny smile. “It's okay. We're sure that you two can handle it and will enjoy yourselves way more on this Pokemon journey than you would on the islands!”

“...That's another cheap joke, right?” Herp asked with a grimace.

Her mother wordlessly handed her one of the devices.

The whole Pokemon thing might not be too bad, Herp mused, tracing its button with a well-manicured nail. I just hope it isn't ugly.