PMD-E: Team Bollocks M7 04 END

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A new morning brought a whole new wave of disappointment upon Tao. Half the village was still missing, and the worry and anxiety clawed its way ever deeper into the hearts of those left behind.

Vincent hadn't felt like leaving the Black Bullet household, but they were out of food and in a strange way, the Shroomish felt he needed the fresh air. Jacques had offered to eggsit, and had even drawn a small smile from his friend when he placed the egg under his top hat to keep it warm.

"It shall be quite safe, I assure you," he had said, settling down in front of the fireplace for a nap. Nodding his thanks, Vincent had left him to it, accidentally leaving the frenchman with the egg for nearly three hours. It was hard to bring the shopping home when one had no arms.

No sooner had Vincent dragged the shopping through the front door (with his teeth, how his gums hurt!) when Jacques ambushed him, ghostly aura whirling with a slight panic. "Mon ami, zhe egg--!"

Vincent blanched. It couldn't be hatching, not yet, it was too soon oh god he wasn't ready to be a dad--

"Tout suite!!" the Gastly cried, a little frustrated at Vincent's panic, and promptly used Psychic to levitate his friend over to the fireplace. The egg was already cracked, the pattern on the outside paling as the Pokémon inside began to emerge. Jacques watching in fascinated excitement, an expression Vincent hadn't seen since Mikami disappeared. Vincent simply gaped and looking like his life was ending.

The rustling from the egg subsided and the cracked shell was still- until it all suddenly burst in a sharp crack, bits of eggshell flying off to the furthest corners of the room. Where the egg once sat on the pillow was now occupied by a bundle of gree, messy down feathers with small patches of yellow and red.

"V-Vincent... zhat is a Natu. Mon dieu, he is adorable!" Jacques exclaimed, a soft smile creasing his skeletal face. The baby bird looked up the the ghost, eyes wide and watery and curious. It cast it's gaze down to Vincent eventually, and after looking the Shroomish up and down, awkwardly hopped over on shaky legs to nuzzle up against the Shroomish.

"Ahhh, he knows who his fazheg is! Vell, one of zhem anyway!" the frenchman crooned, soft stroking the bird's head with a miasma fingertip. Vincent simply looked aghast at his personal space suddenly being invaded by this slightly wet ball of feathers. "Do not look like zhat, Vincent! Ah, you must decide on a name for 'im..."

Vincent tried his best to wipe the horrified look off his face and eased the bird back onto the pillow, kicking bits of eggshell away. Creasing his brow in thought, he searched his mind for names, and a memory pushed its way to the forefront of his mind.

"You got a name, little guy?"
"...No."
"Well, mine's Dec. Or if y'want the full name, Declan Vincent Tristan Montague-Evans. It's a crappy mouthful, why doncha take a name offa my hands?"
"...Vincent. I like Vincent."
"Well, good t'know ya, Vince!"

"...Tristan," Vincent suddenly said, some finality in his tone. Jacques nodded, figuring he'd get the explanation later.

"Tristan. A fine name. I am sure Declan will approve vhen he gets back."

Vincent had to bite back the "if he gets back" that tried to worm its way from his throat. Optomism was a hard thing to hold on to. But perhaps, with Tristan around, he could distract himself from the anxiety that still pooled in his stomach whenever he thought of his missing team mate.

"Vell, we should make 'im a meal. I have experience wiz young children, Vince, I shall show you how to feed 'im!" Jacques said suddenly, floating away into the kitchen and beckoning his friend to follow.

Casting a glance at his "son" then one last, longing glance at the window, Vincent silently followed. His new charge followed shortly after with cheeps of excitement.

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MISSION 7 END

APP: [link]
Written cameo from Black Bullet: [link]