[TGH] Among the Cactuses pt1 ~ Plant Collecting

Researcher's Task 01: Sensitive Survey

“So what are we up to today?” Wirrin asked as he scooped a bluk berry pancake into his mouth, which was already black from the last one he ate.

“Well, for a 'rest day,' we are actually quite busy,” the Amuara replied, nibbling on her own breakfast of porridge. “There are Patrol teams to look out for, a tequila recipe to improve upon and a still to repair. But first, we shall be collecting flora samples.”

“Great! It'll give us a chance to explore round here!”

Ally smiled. “I thought you would enjoy that.”

…

Not half and hour later the pair met up with some other researchers who were also headed out to collect samples. Among them were an Umbreon named April, a Deino named Dulcy and their friend a large Sawsbuck with a spring coat and pink flowers in his antlers. Another team also joined them, consisting of a Treeko with a lab coat named Griff and a Haunter called Vel.

“So is everyone ready?” Wirrin asked.

A chorus of agreement went around as the Umbreon finished tightening the cart harness around the Sawsbuck.

“Great! Let’s get going!”

Ally led the way, the group walking out to the fields where the cactuses grew. It didn’t take long to find their first specimen, a petya.

“Don’t forget pollen and fruit samples are most important,” the Amaura said as they all moved forward.

“We got this,” Dulcy grinned, wagging her short tail.

“Um, maybe we should leave this to the creatures with hands, or at least paws,” Ally suggested stretching her neck out to stop the Deino, letting the blind dragon run into her.

“Oof. Sorry,” she muttered, stepping back.

The ice type smiled, “It is okay.”

Griff plucked off some fruit and Vel cut off some leaves while April and Wirrin put the samples in jars and took them to the cart. In this way they worked quickly and efficiently. The samples were loaded into the care in no time.

Then they were off again, scouting for their next target. Like the first cactus, they quickly found agave plants and started picking what they needed.

“Look as us, already half done,” the treecko grinned, stashing the fruit sample away.

“Isn't it great!” agreed Wirrin. “At this rate, we'll be finished before lunch!”

April placed the last pollen sample in the back with the others. “At least then we can get out of this heat.”

Ally silently agreed. The heat was getting to her, forcing her to pant to cool down and her frills to droop in a mix of blue and red. She’d tried to keep cool by using a little mist but it was gone almost as soon as she produced it. Using her icy breath wasn’t much better, only providing temporary relief.

The Haunter noticed that she had started to fall behind. Hovering over, he asked, “Hey, you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” she panted, trying to pick up her pace.

He picked up one of her drooping frills, staring at it skeptically. “You sure don’t look it.”

Pulling her head away she frowned, sails turning a shade of red. “Well I am.”

A shadow passed over her head and she looked up to see Wirrin floating above her.

“How are you doing down there?” he asked.

“Does she look alright to you? I think she might be suffering from the heat.”

“Oh, don't you worry about her,” Wirrin waved a stubby arm at the Haunter. “But there are some salac plants up ahead I bet the others could use your help collecting them.”

“Okay then,” Vel smiled. He glanced back at Ally, “Hey, if there's anything you need, just ask.”

She grumbled and nodded slightly but it was enough to satisfy the Haunter and he floated off to help with the sample collecting.

When he was gone, Wirrin floated over to his partner's face. “He's right. You don't look so good. You sure you're okay?”

“I am certain. I will not let a little heat get in the way of our duties,” she told him. “Now. Let us get back to our group.”

She forged on ahead, the Hoppip watching her go. She was more affected by the warm temperature than he was. The Cactus Fields weren't really suitable for an ice type. Nor plant types for that matter but at least he could cope with a little better.

He flew after her, catching up to hover beside her. “If you need a break-”

“I'm fine. Really.” Her frills shone red. “I’m not weak, Wirrin. I can handle myself.”

The Hoppip was taken off guard by her clipped tone. She'd even lost her usual formal of speech, slipping into contractions. Recovering from his initial shock, he smiled. “I know you're not weak. Quite the opposite. You're one of the strongest creatures I know. You-”

“Hey! What do think you're doing? Get out of my plants!”

The pair turned towards the racket to see a Cacturne waving a hoe in the air and chasing after Dulcy.

“Help!”

They shared a glance before racing over. They arrived at the group the same time as Ducy and her pursuer. The Deino bumped into Ally before ducking behind her to hide from the farmer.

“What's the big idea?” growled April.

“Did we do something wrong?” asked Griff.

“Yeah! You're in my field, so get out!” he yelled waving his hoe in the air threateningly.

“Please, sir. Calm down. I'm sure we can work this all out,” Wirrin floated over to the angry Cacturne.

“You bet we are! You're all going to get out of here this instant!”

“But you don't understand,” said Spencer, “We have-”

“I don't care what you haves! Get out!”

“Perhaps we should just leave,” Griff suggested. “I'm sure we can find the samples elsewhere…”

Wirrin turned to the Treecko and whispered, “Don't worry. I got this.”

He turned back to the Cacturne, “We're very sorry, sir. We didn't mean to be intruding. We had no idea these plants were yours.”

The farmer huffed. “Well you do now, so scram. I gotta keep my crops safe from people like you, trying to steal them.”

“Well, you see, we weren't intending to steal them,” Wirrin tried to explain.

“Sure looks like what you were doing.”

“No, not at all. You see we're from the Researchers Guild.”

“Oh well, then. Because you're from a guild, you must be alright,” he muttered sarcastically. “Just get out of here already.”

“That isn't what I meant. I'm just saying that as researchers, we were just collecting some samples. By doing so we'll take them with us to study. And by studying the samples, we'll learn more about the plants themselves. And if we can learn more about them, we might find ways to help you grow them better, or even breed ones that are sturdier and produce more fruit. So, we're really here doing you a service. And perhaps, because we're helping you out, maybe you'd let us take just a few samples from your plants.”

The Cacturne was silent, thinking over what the Hoppip said. Nobody uttered a word, all waiting for his response.

When he finally spoke, it was without the anger he possessed earlier. “So you’re really here trying to see how you can make my plants better?”

“We certainly are,” April stepped forward, “So would it be alright if we just took a few samples then?”

“We promise not to damage your crops,” added Griff.

“Hmmm… Alright then. Go ahead.”

“Thank you! We’re very grateful for your generosity,” Wirrin waved his little arms about in joy.

They moved off to collect the samples they needed from the salac plants. While they did that they farmer watched, making sure they didn’t damage his crops.

Leaning on his hoe, he asked, “So you guys aren’t from round these parts, are ya?”

“Nope, we’re from Andalusst,” Dulcy said.

“How long you guys in the area for?”

Griff carefully cut of a few chunks of flesh off the plant and placed it into a jar, “Only a few more days.”

“Then we’ll be heading out again,” continued Vel.

Wirrin whirled his leaves about, “Yeah, but not before we throw a big ole party! And everyone’s invited, so feel free to come, Mr Farmer! We’d be more than happy to have you.”

“I’ll think about it. Got my crops to look after, you know. Can’t be too careful with plenty of bandits around here. Not that they often come after my farm, but still gotta chase them off when they come by. They do too much damage if ya don’t.”

The Sawsbuck shook his head, “Some pokemon just can’t help but cause trouble.”

By now the group had finished collecting what they needed and had everything packed back into the cart.

“So you guys just looking at salacs?” asked the Cacturne.

“Nope, we’ve got petyas and agaves as well,” said Dulcy.

“But, don’t forget” added Griff, “we’ve still got to find some gigants as well.”

“Gigants, huh?” the farmer rubbed his chin. “Perhaps I could help ya out with that then.”

“You can?”

“Yeah, why don’t you lot follow me.”

So the group trudged after the Cacturne as he led the way through his field. It didn’t take them long to see the plant in question. It stood before them at what must be at least fifteen metres tall.

The Cacturne gestured towards it, “I bet you lot don’t live in places like this back where ya come from?”

“Nope, not quite like this,” said Wirrin, staring up at the gigant. While it wasn’t quite as big as the Thirsty Cactus inn, it was still an impressive sight.

“Are you sure it’s okay that we take some samples from your home,” asked April looking up at the large plant.

“Oh sure,” he waved an arm dismissively, “You researchers just make sure you find out something useful from these samples you’re taking and share that information with me. Then we’ll be square.”

“We will,” smiled Griff as he moved forward to take some cuttings of the Gigant.

Ally motioned to the top of the cactus, “Wirrin, Vel, why don’t you two fly up there and grab us some samples from the flower.”

“On it.”

“Sure thing.”

The pair flew to the top, making sure to grab some pollen and even a large petal or two. Down at the base, the others collected what they could.

Ten minutes later and they were done, stashing the last of their samples in the cart and handing back the glasses of juice the Cacturne had passed out for refreshments.

“Thanks for your help, Mr. Farmer,” Wirrin said as they prepared to leave.

“Ain’t a worry. You’re a lot better than some of the lot that live round here.” He touched the tip of his ‘hat,’ “Glad to help ya out. And by the way, the name’s Peter”

“Well, Peter we’re very grateful,” said Vel as they started to move off.

“Yeah, thanks,” added Griff with a wave.

“You lot stay safe and have fun at ya party.”

“We will,” Dulcy yelled back.

“Hopefully we’ll see you there!” shouted Wirrin waving his short arms in goodbye as he floated backwards.

Ally glanced back at Peter and his gigant cactus home. She felt privileged to have been a part of it. Meeting other pokemon wasn’t something she usually enjoyed doing, let alone out in this heat, which tended to make her short tempered. She would be sure to apologise for that later. For now she was just happy they were done. After dropping the stuff back at camp they could get on with the next task, one she could do in the shade and out of this dreadful heat.