Back to Nemona
Nemona hadn’t had many friends since she was a kid, maybe one or two at a time. When kids found out she had been born a boy in 4th grade, they mocked and bullied her until Nemona cried to her eyes out to her mom. To make up for that, Nemona’s mom gave her a Pokémon and enrolled her in the battle course. Those kids never bullied Nemona after that, they wouldn’t have dreamed of it.
Nemona threw herself into any and all subjects she could bring herself to learn, she got to the point where she even skipped a grade. Not that that really mattered, Nemona may have been a champion ranked trainer but she wasn’t THE champion. All dumb rules about bad influences or whatever, Nemona didn’t listen to a word Greeta said.
Cassiopeia had been the first person to reach out to Nemona, ever. It didn’t, no, wouldn’t add up. How was strong and seemingly confident Cass the same person as Penny? No offense to Penny or anything, but they were kind of awkward and shy.
Nemona continued to stare blankly at Penny as if she had grown a second head, which she might as well have. Her mind going a mile a minute, Nemona needed a breather, fast. But she didn’t want to make Penny think she hated them.
“What?” Nemona repeated, “Are you serious?”
Penny blinked, “I’m…I’m sorry, I didn’t mean, I mean…”
“I’m not, like, mad or anything,” Nemona tried to smile, really tried, “I just want to know why?”
“I was getting bullied and, and I couldn’t stop them myself.” Penny glanced down at their palms and fiddled with their index fingers.
Nemona didn’t know Penny that well but they somehow instinctively knew they were lying. It was weird, she hadn’t ever been good at reading people, maybe it was a Penny thing. Or a crush thing.
“If you don’t want to help anymore you don’t have to,” Penny sighed, “I wouldn’t be that mad.”
Nemona smiled reassuringly, “No! I absolutely will still do it!”
There was no chance she wouldn’t do it anymore! Penny was so sweet and adorable, they deserved so much more. If Nemona could improve Penny’s life just a little bit, well, she’d do it no questions.
The two of them just kind of stared at each other for a minute, before Nemona decided to make herself useful and make them breakfast. The reveal may have put a damper in her day, but Penny deserved better. Better than Uva, better than Team Star, and better than Nemona herself.
“How are you so confident?” A small warbly voice called from the bed.
Nemona giggled and called from her position in the kitchenette, “Don’t worry Penny! We’re more alike than different I’m sure!”
Nemona heard some shuffling sounds behind her and arms wrapped around her middle from behind. She made a soft, surprised sound glancing behind her. Obviously, it was Penny.
“Whatcha doing?” Nemona asked jokingly.
Penny shifted a little against her back, “I’m sorry, I didn’t, I mean…”
“Don’t worry,” Nemona reached behind herself and ruffled Penny’s hair, “We’re friends right!?”