The two pokémon had been traveling through the forest for the better part of an hour before they emerged into the wide, peaceful clearing and on their way, Catteno had narrated his life story to the Seviper, prodded him with numerous questions about how it felt to be a snake and listened to fascinating stories about giant lake serpents, lurking for unfortunate prey. Kougu, so the Seviper had introduced himself and whom Catteno all too eagerly now called his first and only friend, had offered to guide the Espeon to one such lake to rid himself off all the grime that had gathered in his fur from a life of digging through trash to feed himself. Not only that, but Kougu would keep an eye out for any lake serpents as well.

Once at the lake, Catteno had promplty plunged himself into the water; except for the occassional rainstorm or bucket of slop dumped on him to chase him off, his hide hadn't seen much in the past weeks. The Seviper had refrained from joining and instead had coiled up neatly in the grass just beside the shore and watched the Espeon's fur slowly change from a dull, greyish purple to a vivid lavender color.

Eventually Catteno emerged from the lake, something other than his fur had changed as well. He seemed distant, thoughtful. Without meeting Kougu's gaze, he sat down beside the snake, a heavy silence stretching between the two.

„That won't be necessary,“ he interrupted, without looking at the Seviper, who froze, posed ready to strike.

„I apologize, but you've been so quiet all this time and my curiosity got the better of me,“ the Espeon continued, now turning to look his presumed friend into his crimson eyes, the feline's features devoid of emotion.

„I know why you've been so friendly to me, why you brought me here and what you intended to do. I understand why you see a perfect opportunity in me. No family, no friends, noone to look for me or hold a grudge.“

„But even so, it's thanks to you that I could get a glimpse of what it feels like to not be alone, to have someone who cares for me, to have a friend. So I won't resist you. It's likely the most use I can be, too: Saving another's life by giving up my own,“ Catteno concluded with a tiny smile.

„I have but one request: To tap into your mind again... and to experience this through you.“

---

Kougu - me
Catteno - SamusRisng on DA

Done in Manga Studio 5

-ded- ._.