Chapter 245: Outdoor Boys (and Girls)
"Come on, Chun," Xiu said, handing her a small sack of rice. "Head down to the stream and give this a good rinse. We're eating al fresco today."
While Xiaochun dutifully went to wash the rice, Xiu set up a small stove in the shade of the withered tree. When she returned, he poured the rinsed rice into a battered metal mess tin, added a precise amount of water, and set it over the low flame.
He listened intently, judging the cooking progress by sound. After a few minutes, as the vigorous bubbling subsided to a gentle simmer, he removed it from the flame. He then wrapped it tightly in a thick bundle of old, clean rags and set it aside.
"When you're cooking rice over an open flame like this," he explained to Xiaochun, who watched with quiet curiosity, "especially with limited water, the bottom tends to cook much faster than the top. It can easily scorch before the rice on top is cooked through."
He paused, considering how to explain the timing. "When you hear only a few, sparse bubbling sounds, like the last whispers of a dying fire, that's when you take it off. Wrap it up like this, let the residual heat steam it through. The rice will be perfectly cooked – fragrant, soft, fluffy, and no burnt bits."
He then set up a small pot over the stove. "Now for the main course." He began adding ingredients – diced vegetables, smoked meat, a handful of forest mushrooms, and a blend of his own unique spices.
He stirred the concoction, the aroma beginning to waft through the still afternoon air. "Tonight, we're trying a variation of a traditional stew. Looks simple, but the secret is in the details. And, of course," he added with a wink, "using only the freshest ingredients.
Xiaochun sat quietly beside him, observing his every move, her expression unreadable but her attention absolute.
"Rice should be ready," Xiu declared after a while. He unwrapped the tin and a cloud of fragrant steam billowed out, condensing into a white mist that quickly dissipated in the warm air. He fluffed the perfectly cooked rice with a fork, then divided it into two bowls.
He ladled a generous portion of the thick, savory stew over each serving. Large chunks of tender vegetables and smoky meat nestled amongst the rice grains, the rich, aromatic broth seeping down, staining the rice a delicious golden brown. The sight alone was enough to make one's mouth water.
"Here you go," Xiu said, handing a bowl to Xiaochun. He then quickly prepared his own, stirring the rice and stew together with his spoon. Noticing Xiaochun watching him, he grinned. "I like to mix it all up like this. You should try it." He took a large mouthful, then immediately exhaled sharply, fanning his mouth. "Hoo-ah! A bit hot!" he managed, after swallowing.
Xiaochun, mimicking his actions, stirred her own bowl, then cautiously took a small bite. She chewed slowly, thoughtfully. For the first time since Xiu had known her, a discernible expression crossed her usually impassive face – a subtle widening of the eyes, a slight parting of the lips. It was fleeting, almost imperceptible, but her next action spoke volumes: she immediately took another, larger bite.
"Eat slowly," Xiu chuckled, pleased by her obvious enjoyment. "No need to rush. There's plenty. We can even use the leftover stew to cook some noodles later. Also very good." Seeing Xiaochun genuinely savoring his cooking filled him with a quiet satisfaction.
If this is what it feels to be a father, then it is quite a rewarding experience...
They ate their simple meal in comfortable silence, sitting on the grass with Abra, Scizor, and Happiny in the backyard— the sounds of the lazing Pokémon a peaceful backdrop. By the time they finished, the pot was scraped clean. She may be small, Xiu noted with amusement, but Xiaochun certainly has a healthy appetite.
Professor Oak didn't return that afternoon. Xiu, reluctant to use the lab without Oak's explicit permission or presence, found himself at loose ends. He decided to check on Scizor's progress, then spent some time observing Xiaochun and the Pidgey.
He'd suggested she try some basic training with the bird, mostly to give her something constructive to focus on, to help her build a bond. He hadn't paid much attention to their progress since then.
He found them under the withered tree. Xiaochun was sitting quietly, while the Pidgey was vigorously pecking at a thick branch lying on the ground. Several smaller, splintered branches lay scattered nearby.
As he watched, the Pidgey managed to break off another small piece of wood. Xiaochun immediately offered it a tiny food pellet. So, she's using positive reinforcement. Interesting. She's found a way to manage its energy, to channel its pecking instinct.
Xiu approached, and the Pidgey, spotting him, immediately tensed, its earlier wariness returning. He ignored it, sitting down beside Xiaochun. "How's it going?"
Xiaochun turned to him, then shook her head. She pointed at the Pidgey, then made a series of gestures.
"This method… quite creative," Xiu commented, genuinely impressed. "And it seems Pidgey trusts you more now, to allow you to be so close." What new trainers often needed most was encouragement. Xiu saw his role here as a guide and a mentor.
Xiaochun made another series of gestures, her expression turning colder, almost harsh.
Xiu felt a chill. He stared at her, a strange, uncomfortable feeling coiling in his stomach. He wanted to reprimand her, to explain that such brutal methods were wrong, but the words caught in his throat.
After a long, awkward silence, he finally managed, "Chun… I think… I think we need to talk about the relationship between humans and Pokémon. And perhaps, how normal humans interact with each other, for that matter."
He realized with a jolt, that in his efforts to teach her basic life skills, he had overlooked a crucial element: empathy and compassion— the very foundation of ethical interaction in a world populated by intelligent, sentient creatures like Pokémon.
"First of all," Xiu began, choosing his words carefully, "most Pokémon are intelligent. Some, like Abra here," he gestured towards the meditating Pokémon, "are arguably more intelligent than many humans.
They have feelings, thoughts, and personalities…" He spent a long time talking with her, deconstructing the brutal worldview she had been raised in, trying to introduce concepts of partnership, trust, and mutual respect.
He didn't know if his words were right or wrong, by some absolute moral standard if it even exists... but they were necessary. More humane, at least, than the cold disposition of her previous existence.
Xiaochun listened silently, her expression unreadable, but she didn't argue and didn't resist his words. She seemed to sense his disapproval, his disappointment, and a willingness to consider a different perspective.
The next morning, Xiu was ready to start the day's chores. However, he stopped short. Someone was already outside, wandering curiously through the backyard— a young woman with a bright, friendly smile.
"Good morning, Miss Daisy!" Xiu called out, surprised to see her here so early. He didn't ask why; it was her grandfather's property, after all.
"Good morning!" Daisy replied cheerfully, walking towards him. "Please, you don't have to be so formal. Just call me Daisy."
"Alright, Daisy it is," Xiu agreed. "And you can call me Xiu. I'm not much older than you,."
"Okay, Big Brother Xiu!" Daisy chirped, her eyes twinkling as she smiled at his lack of reaction, then turned her gaze towards the Pokémon in the backyard. "I used to help Grandpa feed them when I visited," she said, a touch of wistfulness in her voice.
"But now that you're here, Big Brother Xiu, I suppose there's not much for me to do."