Gawain opened the door to his home, carrying Lance inside.

Daisy held the door open for Yasmin and Lilac.

Yasmin smiled and entered, looking around.

Lilac had woken, though she consented to being carried after Yasmin had pleaded. She didn't let anyone know, but she preferred to be transported in that manner.

"I am truly grateful for this, Gawain," Yasmin said softly. "I'm very worried about Lilac, and I am thankful that you agreed to help. I'm sure it means a lot to her as well."

The purple Kirlia nodded in agreement.

"It's no trouble. Basque and his family stay all the time. Heck, Jade's in the guest room right now. I think the rest of them are out and about."

Daisy closed the door, before skipping over and smiling up at Yasmin and Lilac.

Lilac returned her expression weakly, before letting out a soft cough.

Yasmin looked at her sister worriedly for a moment before responding with, "I know, but still, I must say thank you once more."

"We should get her warm. Lay her on the couch, I can get her a blanket."

"I'll do it," Daisy called out.

Gawain chuckled. "Very well."

Daisy ran upstairs to get a blanket.

The purple Gardevoir nodded and set Lilac gently on the couch.

The Kirlia looked up at Yasmin for a moment before relaxing, and almost instantly, her eyes had closed. She still felt cold, though not as much as before. The slight rise and fall of her chest, along with her general unresponsive behavior at this point, showed she was asleep.

Yasmin glanced over at Gawain. "With your help, she will likely feel better soon," she said with a soft tone, her voice showing her thanks.

"I know she will. I just wish I could do more."

Daisy came back down and spread the blanket over Lilac, making sure it was nice and tight.

"I should go put Lance in his bed now, if you'll excuse me," Gawain said.

Yasmin nodded. "Of course," she responded, sitting next to Lilac carefully.

Gawain nodded and took Lance up the stairs.

Daisy squeezed next to Yasmin, between the Gardevoir's leg and the edge of the couch.

Yasmin chuckled softly and scooted towards the other side, giving the other Pokémon more room.

"Thank you," Daisy said, turning her head and leaning on Yasmin.

The Gardevoir nodded with a smile. "Of course."

Daisy smiled back, before it faded. "Will Lilac be okay?"

"Thanks to Gawain, she should be."

"That's good. Daddy's really great at helping people."

"He is," Yasmin smiled again.

"Don't be talking about me when I'm not here," Gawain laughed as he came down the stairs.

"We didn't say anything bad," Yasmin replied with a chuckle.

Daisy nodded, yawning.

"Sounds like someone's ready for a nap," Gawain said with a smile.

"Yeah..." Daisy said, teleporting away.

The purple Gardevoir smiled. "I really can't thank you enough."

"It's alright, no trouble really," Gawain said as he sat in his chair.

"We should be able to return home tomorrow," Yasmin replied.

Lilac smiled softly in her sleep.

"If you need to stay longer, that's perfectly fine. Heck, I think some play time with Lilac would make Lance feel better."

Yasmin smiled. "That would be amazing. Would that be okay?"

"Of course," Gawain said with a smile.

"Perhaps we will, then. I'll wait for Lilac to wake up, but I'm sure she'd love to spend some time with you. It's been awhile."

"Yes, it has. I know Lance and Daisy will like the chance to play with someone who isn't an evolved form of Eevee."

She laughed. "Yes, that would probably be their preference at this point."

Gawain nodded. "I'd imagine so, with all those bullies..." he trailed off.

"Bullies," Yasmin asked, alarmed.

""Yes...they're being bullied. Daisy's too scared to go to the beach anymore. Lance tries to prove himself down there, but only comes back worse off..."

"That's terrible!" She cried out.

Lilac stirred. She heard everything, but pretended she had just woken up. "...Y-Yas..?"

"Ah, you're awake."

Lilac nodded softly.

Yasmin smiled. "I'm glad."

"You feeling better?

She nodded again.

"That's good. Need something to eat?"

"Not yet..."

"Alright. Feel free to rest or go back to sleep."

She sat up, leaning on Yasmin.

"And thus, she has decided," Gawain chuckled.

Yasmin laughed softly.

Gawain smiled at them, and the two sisters smiled back.

"So, what have you two been up to lately?"

"Not much," Yasmin replied, "other than Lilac learning the song I wrote."

"A song? Interesting."

"Lilac loves it, but she's having trouble with the melody. She admitted she snuck out to practice."

"Why sneak out?"

"Because it was past her bedtime," Yasmin chuckled softly. Lilac nodded.

Gawain nodded. "I see."

"I hope it was worth it!" Yasmin laughed.

Lilac rolled her eyes with a smile.

"Maybe when he wakes up, you and Lance could
practice."

"That would be... nice..." Lilac said softly.

"Well, as I said, he's asleep."

"When he wakes up?" Lilac giggled.

"Then I'm sure he and Daisy would be beyond glad to see you."

Yasmin nodded. "I do hope so, anyway."

"Well, as I said, Miracle and Zircon are their only friends currently. Well, Marcus, but he lives in another region."

"That's sad," Yasmin murmured.

"I know. I feel bad...because I'm worried they'll go down the same path I did as a child..."

The purple Gardevoir fell silent, unsure of how to respond.

Gawain clenched his fist, unable to prevent a tear slipping out of his eye.

"I don't know what to say..."

Small steps could be heard from upstairs.

"Lance?" Lilac called out.

There was no response. The only sound that could be heard was Gawain sniffling as he tried to hold in his tears.

"Mister Gawain..?" Lilac asked softly.

Gawain couldn't respond.

Both purple Pokemon were silent.

Gawain eventually fell silent as well.

Lilac pouted, knowing neither her sister nor
Gawain would answer. She slid off the couch and unsteadily landed. She stumbled towards the stairs and when she reached them, she carefully
began climbing. She soon reached the second
floor. "Lance?"

Sounds we're coming from the room at the end of the
hall. She unsteadily walked towards the room. She
knocked on the door. "Hello..?"

Lance opened the door, before looking at Lilac, seeming
to stare at her.

"Are you alright..?" She asked softly.

"Y-yeah...wh-who are you again?"