Notes

May had only just arrived in Petalburg City that morning, it had been just over a week since leaving Littleroot Town. The ten-year-old had never travelled without a parent before, it was exciting to feel such freedom and trust (even if she had felt quite nervous inside). Of course, she now wasn’t entirely alone, for she had just received her starter Pokémon, a Torchic. She had been rather excited to show it off to her father, Norman, who was the new Gym Leader for Petalburg. Her mother Caroline had been worried sick about May venturing off on her own to follow in her father’s footsteps to become a Pokémon Trainer. ‘Just because she can become a trainer at ten, doesn’t mean she should. She’s not ready.’ the words of her mother still ring in May’s ears, words not meant for her, but she had ease dropped. A tough pill to swallow when her mother waved her away knowing that the words of encouragement were in fact hollow. She had rung both her parents once reaching Olddale Town, letting them know she was fine and would reach Petalburg within a day or two. Not quite adapted to the tent yet, May was grateful to have reached Petalburg within a good time.


Following the street signs, May directly walked to the Pokémon Gym. Entering through the doors she found herself in front of a receptionist who looked up and gave her a look over of judgement. “Welcome to the Petalburg City Gym, home of leader Norman.” he said with some boredom. ‘Can I please see your badges?’
May blinked at the receptionist, ‘B-Badges? Oh no, I don’t have any yet!’
The receptionist already knew this and predicting the flow of conversation stated, ‘Gym Leader Norman won’t battle new trainers. He’ll only accept those who have at least four badges. - No exceptions.’ a pause where May opened her mouth to speak but was cut-off by the receptionist, ‘I suggest Rustboro City – Leader Roxanne will accept anyone’ he stated with some spite in his tone.
May pouted, ‘I’m not here to battle!’ she snapped, ‘I’m here to see my father!’
The receptionist blinked at the girl. One might imagine at this point he’d become apologetic, concerned about his job. However, if May expected special treatment, she received none as he remained unfazed. ‘Oh... okay... you must be Mary - Do you have an appointment?’
May’s face went with red with fury, ‘MY NAME IS MAY!’ and with that a side door suddenly opened and Norman was standing there with a bemused expression, ‘I recognize that shouting anywhere’ he laughed.
Norman suddenly found himself tackle-hugged by May with a level of force she hadn’t used in a long time. She had missed her father more than she had realized and had never been so long without a parent. Norman was a bit taken aback but patted her back, ‘Hey now, there’s my strong girl huh?’

-

May had felt a bit embarrassed but had quickly found herself guided within the Gym Leaders personal quarters. Her first action was video calling her mother to let her know that she had arrived safely.
‘I’m sure your father will be more than happy for you to stay with him for a while-’ her mother began, implying May can cease her efforts to travel the region here.
Gripping her leg, May swiftly announced, ‘I’ll call you before I leave for Rustboro’ Caroline opened her mouth but was cut off with May’s ‘Love you, bye’ as the girl ended the call. May sighed, she missed her mother desperately but wasn’t about to admit it. She wanted to get a move on, telling herself it’ll be easier once she’s proved she can reach Rustboro City.
‘It’s always hard for a mother to let go’ Norman smiled from the side, having remained off camera but listening. He then frowned, ‘I’d be the same, but I suppose... I already let go when I took this job’.
Norman and Caroline were still married, but why the mother and herself hadn’t moved to Petalburg along with her father was beyond May's understanding.
May bit her lip, keeping her thoughts to herself before pressing, ‘I know she doesn’t think I’m ready for this... I overheard her telling you.’
Norman closed his eyes and sighed, ‘I wish you hadn't.’
‘But... I’m glad you backed me!’ May added with a weak smile. She hadn’t seen him in person for almost a month now, video calls were just not the same. But now she was facing the prospect of seeing neither of them for a good long while.
Norman chuckled, ‘You’ve got fire in you May, you truly are my daughter and it’s no surprise to me that you were destined for a Torchic. - You’re going to excel!’ he shuffled then sighed ‘Your mother thinks I’ve pushed you into this.’ He looked at her and spoke. ‘I never told you this before, so I hope it’s not too late... but if you do want to pull out, I’m not going to judge you. You’ll never be a disappointment to me.’ he rubbed the back of his head, finding it hard to talk about his thoughts, continuing ‘It doesn’t matter if your mother is worried nor that I think you’ll do great. All that matters is this... is this what you want?’
May hummed, it had been the question lingering on her mind for a while now. She had left her friends all behind. All her comforts. Her video games! Her bed! Her mother’s cooking! Biting her lip, she offered an expression of determination ‘I want to give it a try.’ Standing up, she pointed a finger in his face, ‘I’m going to get four badges and then I’m going to defeat you!’
Norman jumped up and roared with laughter, he reached out and pulled May into a hug and ruffled her hair ‘Nothing would make me prouder May and that’s why I’m going to give you the hardest fight I’d give any trainer when that day comes’.

-

It had been May’s assumption and plan that she wouldn’t stay more than the night, eager to get a move along towards Rustboro. However, Norman had asked her to stay for an extra day, ‘Tomorrow is the only day in the week the Gym is close, I’d very much like to spend it with you May’. Not complaining about an extra night in a proper bed, May heartily agreed.
The following morning before breakfast, May watched Norman perform a rigorous training session with his Pokémon. Torchic watched on with some concern, May giggled and assured Torchic that she’s not planning for them to do anything like that.
After breakfast, May accompanied her father to a medium sized department store in Petalburg. His core interest had been the hardware corner for he had some DIY jobs in the Gym which he had in mind. May found an isle full of spanners of varying sizes to be a rather dull affair and wandered the floor on her own.
She had a budget from her parents for general shopping on her travels, such as food and Pokémon supplies. She was aware she had to be careful with what she bought, both from the budget side (she really didn’t want to explain to her mother why she needed more money after blowing through her account) and from the practical side of having to carry things. Aside from her small tent and mat, a lot of her space had been entirely filled with clothing. It had been quite the battle of practically with her mother regarding what she needed to take verses what she wanted to take.
‘May, you don’t need an evening gown’, ‘Why are you taking six shirts but only two pairs of socks?’, ‘I assure you that a jewelry box is not a good idea.’ May’s clothing choices had been effectively taken away from her as Caroline instead using logic ensured the balance between weight and required clothing. The woman stated May’s luxury clothing is one set of basic lightweight pajamas. The girl had some suspicion that this might also have been another subtle attempt to cause her to pull out of her journey.
Effectively May had three full sets of day clothes, with spares only being reserved for socks. ‘You’ll need to make sure you go to towns to wash them dear, Pokémon Centre's have laundries’, once again May suspected this was designed to force her to avoid side-journeys and to not spend any wasted time outside of the cities. Given her mother’s way, May’s entire trip of Hoenn would be complete within a month.

May wandered through the racks of girls’ clothing, the desire to buy something was strong but knew she couldn’t justify it yet as she truly didn’t know what she’ll need. The girl paused and stared at the swimwear sitting on the hangers. “Hmpf” May scoffed. Her mother hadn’t allowed her to pack any swimming gear, “May, there will be no opportunity for you to ever need to go into the water.’ There had been no room for negotiation on this and she knew it from her mother’s tone. May had been effectively banned by her mother from swimming. The Pokémon Trainer guidelines strongly discouraged trainers from entering any natural body of water and even the Pokémon Center pools required a parent’s badge of approval on her Pokédex, something her mother never provided. The temptation to break these rules was strong in May’s mind. She’ll come across beautiful beaches and wondrous lakes.
It was then that Norman found May, he was carrying a builder's worth of tools. ‘Ah there you are May!’ he smiled. He noticed his daughter was looking at swimwear and chuckled, ‘May I know you love clothes, but take it from me. You’re better off only having one pair of bathers, it’ll be too much wasted weight. It might not seem like it-” he got cut off by May.
‘I don’t have any’ she scoffed and pouted.
Norman blinked, looking puzzled at first before an expression of understanding dawned upon him. ‘Oh right, yes - of course – well, I mean, you know - it’s not like you’ll need it...’ he coughed nervously, as if attempting to defuse a bomb.
May scowled at him, ‘Are you telling me you never swam once on your journey when you were my age?’ Norman shuffled awkwardly; this was the kind of Mother/Daughter battle he’d rather stay right out of it. ‘Well, no, but-’
‘-but what?’ May snapped.
Norman felt himself losing control and shook his head. In an attempt to grapple some parental authority and end this he said clearly ‘May, I’m not here to debate with you your mother’s wishes. And besides, as your father I want to make rather clear myself that I never want so much to hear you sticking so much as a toe in the ocean. There’s a reason these rules are in place.’
May felt herself getting red with fury again, ‘And what about pools with lifeguards, you think I’m too weak to handle that?’
Norman huffed ‘MAY -’ he twitched for a moment and breathed deeply to keep himself in control. He didn’t want to snap at his daughter on their one and only day together. ‘Sweetie, I know you can handle yourself. It’s not fair, but you know what, life isn’t.’ He crouched down and looked at her face to face, ‘I backed you up to your mother, I told her that you were mature and responsible... please, don’t make me regret that. If anything happens to you... it’ll be my fault. Prove me right, please.’ May looked at the floor. ‘I want you to promise me right now that you won't go swimming alone.'
May looked up at him, she found it hard not to cry and lose control. She breathed, then said. ‘If you give me any rules about swimming dad, I will follow them. I promise you, but please, don’t say I can’t. Please!’ she offered him those wide cute puppy eyes that father’s struggle to resist to. Mothers are much better at dealing with the emotional manipulation of their children than fathers are.
Norman didn’t want to give in but sighed, ‘Okay... pick a swimsuit May’
May felt a rush of excitement, her face brightened with a beaming expression, she giggled ‘Thanks daddy!’


<to be cut?>

As May turned and reached out to choose a swimsuit, she suddenly felt her arm being gripped very strongly by her father’s hand, it was a tightness she had never felt before. She was pulled back to face him again and he had a look which told her to stop smiling instantly.
Norman had a stern and serious expression, one he rarely gave to any within his family ‘You will not swim in the ocean, either alone or with anyone. Even if there’s lifeguards. I forbid you May. I forbid you. - Do you understand.’
May felt a shiver down her spine, she had never experienced him being so serious with her. Gulping she nodded, not daring in this moment to entertain possibly disobeying.