PMDU: Frosty Festivities- Ch. 3

Ch. 3- Just for Fun

 Daniel panted as he searched the lodge for his partner. He didn’t have to look long, for he found the despondent Growlithe at the dessert booth. If there was one thing Daniel knew about Alexis, it was that she always ate, even more so when she got upset about something.

 Daniel sighed as he went over to Alexis, who sadly ate a slice of Rawst Berry cake.

 “Hey,” he said.

 “…How’d you know I’d be here?” Alexis asked.

 “Alexis, we’ve been together since we were little,” Daniel answered. “I kinda know everything about you.”

 Alexis sighed at this.

 “…Danny, I didn’t mean to lose control back there,” she said. “It’s just…sometimes…I just lose my temper and I don’t realize what I’m doing.”

 “Alexis, it’s not your fault,” Daniel said. “You just have a raw, competitive spirit, that’s all. You just need to learn how to keep it under control.”

 “But what if I can’t?” Alexis asked. “You saw me back there, Danny. I could’ve hurt that kid…or worse…and his dad looked really pissed off at me.”

 “Alexis…” Daniel muttered.

 “Maybe I should just go home before I do harm than good,” the Growlithe said. “Can you get my coat for me?”

 “No, Alexis, I won’t,” said Daniel. “You’re not going home. You’re staying right here and you’re gonna have a good time, like everyone else! And I’m gonna help you!”

 “…Really, Danny?” Alexis asked. “You’d really help me?”

 “Of course!” Daniel said. “I’m your best friend, remember?”

 Alexis smiled before she went up and hugged Daniel, causing him to blush heavily.

 “Thanks,” the Growlithe said. “You always know how to make me feel better, Danny.”

 Daniel just laughed goofily for a moment, but then, he spotted some ’mons outside, dunking their heads in buckets of water in order to grab the apples inside. Among them is Dulcy, who didn’t seem to be having much luck, but she seemed to be enjoying herself, judging by her laughter.

 “Hey, those guys are apple-bobbing!” Daniel exclaimed. “Let’s try that! Besides, I bet you’re hungry!”

 “Well…come to think of it, I kinda am,” Alexis said before she eagerly went over to the buckets. Among them is Team Charge Hammers, Team Nature Sages, Astra from Wishful Crown (surprisingly), and just as surprising, Dawn from Team SnL, again.

 “Dawn? What are you doing here?” asked Alexis.

 “Oh, the soccer game’s over,” said Dawn.

 “Oh, really?” Daniel asked. “Who won?”

 “The Hunters,” Dawn answered.

 “Oh…I guess it’s because I messed up the game for everyone, huh?” Alexis asked, sheepishly, causing the Braixen to smile in the same fashion.

 “So, what about you guys?” Dawn asked.

 “I thought Alexis could use a breather, so I brought her to do apple-bobbing,” Daniel answered before he went up to Dawn and whispered, “also…I’m trying to help Alexis with her ‘competition issue’.”

 Dawn nodded her head in understanding.

 “Go ahead, Alexis!” the six-tailed vulpine answered. “Give it a try.”

 Alexis got up on her front paws, gazing at the red, green, and yellow apples. She took in a deep breath before dunking her whole head into the water. When she pulled her head out, she revealed that her mouth was empty.

 “Ah, man!” the Growlithe groaned.

 “Keep trying!” Daniel urged.

 “Yeah, it’s not easy,” Dawn said. “I’ve tried like 17 times already, and I didn’t get one, yet.”

 Alexis looked at Dawn, then looked at Dulcy, who had eaten her 5th apple.

 “Alexis, don’t pay any attention to her,” said Daniel. “This is not a competition. We’re here to have fun.”

 Alexis nodded before she dunked her head in, and after 5 seconds, she pulled her head out. Still no apples.

 “Oh, c’mon!” the canine complained before she dunked her head in again…but still no apples. “Dammit!!”

 She then looked over at Dulcy, who is now eating her 8th apple.

 “Alexis, just stay calm,” Daniel said.

 “Uh…she’s not gonna go ballistic, right?” asked Dawn, worriedly.

 Alexis growled as her eyes began to flash red, but then, Daniel put his paw on her shoulder.

 “Alexis,” Daniel said. “Just stay calm and listen to the sound of my voice, okay? Forget about the other Pokemon. Just pay attention me and the apples.”

 “…O-okay,” Alexis said, her eyes returning to normal.

 “Now…take a deep breath,” Daniel instructed, and the Growlithe did just that. “Now…dunk your head.”

 Alexis did as she was instructed, and after five seconds…she emerged…with a Granny Smith apple in her mouth.

 “I…I got one!” Alexis said, her voice muffled. “I got one!”

 “Yay!” Dawn cheered, clapping her paws.

 “Great! Now try again!” Daniel urged.

 Alexis nodded before she began to try again, and when she didn’t get an apple and felt like she was about to lose her temper, she’d remember to calm down before she tried again. Soon, she had 3 apples, then 7, then 12, then 18 apples, and finally 27 apples.

 By now, Alexis’ bucket only had 3 apples left. Dulcy had already finished all the apples in hers.

 “Hey, Alexis, you only got 3 more apples left,” Daniel clarified. “Aren’t you gonna eat them?”

 “No thanks, Danny,” Alexis said, her stomach bloated to comical proportions. “I’m stuffed.”

 URRRRP!!! She let out a belch before flopping down on her back, her stomach make a sloshing sound before she began to snore.

 “Well…at least she didn’t lose her temper,” Dawn pointed out.

 “Yep!” Daniel answered before he looked at his napping partner. “All thanks to me, her best friend!”

  As she slept, Alexis seemed to smile before she let out a hiccup.