“If that's how you feel, I don't see a reason to delay things any further.” She said scathingly. Ah, I messed up. “I suppose the next thing on the agenda is to pick your starter out. As I'm going to be the one getting you your starter. We'll start with something easy. What type do you want?”

“An Ice type. Or one that becomes an Ice type.” I replied more calmly than before.

“An interesting choice. Fine, I can get you an Ice type. If you had said Dragon, Ghost, Dark or Psychic, I would have said no. Frankly, I don't trust you with those types right now.” Her voice is less vicious than before, but still has some venom. I should probably apologize.

“I'm sorry for my tone earlier.” I say contritely. “But I meant what I said. Falling probably saved my life.”

“Apology accepted. Don't do it again. You said that before, would you mind explaining it a little bit more? What happened before you fell?” Her voice was still guarded, but I could tell that she was forgiving me.

Stolen story; please report.

“I was climbing a dangerous mountain when a winter storm came in. Normally, people climb in groups to avoid accidents, but I was too headstrong and went alone. I was going to die alone, terrified, surrounded by snow and ice, unable to see more than three inches in front of my face when I slipped and fell off the side or the mountain path. Even now the memory scares me.” Reminiscing on the memory still brings back the terror I felt.

“Anyway. My starter. Can I choose the species?” I segue.

“No. I think I know which species I'll get you. But after that story, I think I should ask. Why an Ice type?”

“I refuse to be ruled by my fear. There are a few other reasons I came up with, but that's the sum of it.” I stated with conviction. “Which Pokémon do you plan on getting for me?”

“When I first heard you wanted an Ice type, I thought I'd get you a Vanillite as I have a Vanilluxe myself. Getting you one would have been easy, especially here on Ula’ula Island. But after that story, I'm going to get you a Castform.”