"It's here?"

"Yeah."

Bret stopped and turned off his bike. He and Misty took off their helmets.

"We're on a hill, so we can see everything from here, almost."

"Oh my God..." Even the village looked really beautiful. The roads didn't look paved but that's added beauty to the scenery. Everything was so green and there were a lot of plains.

Misty has gotten off the bike and stood on the hill. "Beautiful."

"Yeah, it really is."

"So, did you really come for painting that school stuff or you're planning on snagging some rich sexy vineyards farmer?"

"Bret!" Misty snapped. The older guy laughed. "What are you talking about?"

"Hey, it's not a bad idea. Pallet farmers are rich bastards. At least I'll get my weed and wine for free."

"What?"

"I'm just messing around." He didn't really look like he was. "Say, will you be staying in Viridian?"

"I want to stay here."

"Where? It's a small village. You can't camp all by yourself. Just draw something and let's go home."

Misty rolled her eyes. "It doesn't work that way! I need to stay here and go out and paint every day."

Bret narrowed his eyes. "This college stuff is too difficult."

It was expected from Violet's boyfriend... "You bet it is."

"So, aren't you going to head back with me to Cerulean today or what?"

"I will," she told him and turned to look at the scenery in front of her. "To go fetch my supplies, get my bicycle, find a place in Viridian city and move in as soon as possible."

- 

"Ash! How many times I've told you not to sleep in the living room?"

"Huuuuuuunggh..."

Ash rolled over and turned to face the back of the couch. He was shirtless and he only had his boxers on, so he slowly pulled up the covers to hide his not-very-decent looking body. Last night was a rough one, and his head was really heavy from the alcohol.

"It's already noon and you're still snoring! Get up a little and be productive!"

"Hey, what's the shouting?"

"Your son won't get up and it's already noon! His butt is stuck on that couch all day long! He's twenty-five, for God's sake! When we were his age, he was five!"

"Delia..."

"And your mom won't get out of my kitchen! It's my kitchen, not hers! When I married you, your mom's name wasn't on the contract!"

Ash finally shifted so he lay down on his back. His view wasn't really clear but he could see his dad standing beside the door.

"What the hell?" He managed to stutter.

"Ignore it," His dad said and got out of the house. "Follow me later."

Ash pulled himself up very slowly. His head hurt and he was feeling like eating a horse. He grabbed his shorts from the ground and put them on before his mom comes back again and sees him naked. When he was putting on his shirt, his mom was back again.

"Oh, good morning—or should I say, good afternoon."

Ash tried to ignore her. His mom was so irritated these days for reasons he ignored.

"Is there any break-"

"Oh, of course! Did Mrs. Ketchum even let me clean up the table? Of course not! For when my baby wakes up!" Ash thought his mom was better off when she didn't talk. "You know what? It's your grandmother who's ruined you with her spoiling! You'll never grow up if she keeps treating you like a baby! When I was your age you were five, Ash! FIVE!"

"I'll go grab a bite and then help dad outside..."

Ash left the living room and he could swear he still could hear his mom nag. She was awful with the morning nagging. How could she even be so energetic at such early time of the day?

When he got to the kitchen, he found his grandmother there making dough, probably bread. Ash loved the whole grain bread she made — he loved all the food she made.

"Hey Grandma."

"Oh, Ash! You're up finally." She tried to get off the dough from her fingers but Ash kissed her hand anyway. He truly loved her. "Bless you, sweetheart."

"Is there any breakfast left?"

"Did you take a shower?"

"Uhm, yes."

She gave him a look.

"No, but I'm hungry—I'll shower after I eat. I promise." Ash felt like a six years old kid all over again when he talked to his grandmother. Wasn't it weird? It was true she didn't really treat him like a young adult...

"No, I can't let you eat. I can smell the alcohol breath from here. How much have you drunk last night?"

"I didn't! Well, just a couple of glasses with Gary—you know how Gary is like! Where is my breakfast?"

"You meant a couple of bottles." She went back to mixing the dough. "Dining room, and you're cleaning up after."

"Fine, fine!"

After the good meal, the shower and lending Grandma a hand in cleaning up, Ash put on his straw hat and headed outside. He saluted his grandfather who was sitting on the porch and made his way to the farm. Their yards were on the other side of the house.

He could see his dad talk to another man in the vineyards. He approached him. "Hi dad."

"Hi son. Jeffrey, this is my son, Ashton."

"Ash, this is Mr. Ramos. He's a client from Viridian city." Ash and the man shook hands. "Nice to meet you, my son."

"Same."

"Your son looks reliable. He's a man."

"Oh, he really is!" Mr. Ketchum patted Ash's back. He blushed slightly. "I won't have to worry when I'll decide to go join my father's side!"

"So, is there any woman out there? Huh?"

"Aaaah, you can't rely on him when it comes to that."

"Stop." Ash chuckled nervously. 

"It's not our fault! His mom tried to help him but he refused! The girl in question was a very pretty woman."

Ash adjusted his hat and started walking away. "Mina is my sister, dad! I can't!"

Mr. Ketchum and Mr. Ramos watched him as he walked, sticking his hand now and then into the vines and stealing a grape.

"He thinks all the women in the village are his sisters. I'm fearing the worst." George laughed to himself and started walking away from the vineyards along with his old friend.

"Hey guys." Ash saluted his father's workers.

"Hey young master."

In Pallet, there were two social classes: the peasants and the rich landowners. Despite the social gap, they lived in harmony and helped each other. Mr. Ketchum has done a lot for his workers; he's paid for all their weddings, has offered them shelter and mainly takes care of their kids' schooling. The other farmers weren't treating their workers any differently.

"Why do you call me young master? Call me Ash." Ash grabbed a bunch of grapes and started eating from it. "It's weird and awkward and makes me feel too old."

The workers looked at each other and chuckled. They went back to their work.

"Maybe I'm getting too old though..." Ash narrowed his eyes and stared blankly. "Hey guys, why is everyone making this huge fuss about me getting married? I'm only twenty-five."

"Uhm, well..."

"All guys your age are married with children." Bang.

"Shhhh! That's rude."

Since most rich farmers only inherited their lands, it wasn't rare to see them get married at twenty or nineteen. They already had enough money to settle down and have a family.

Ash blinked. "Gary though-"

"But he's engaged now, right?"

"The Oak's son?"

"The one who's gotten Leaf Green?"

"Oh Virgin Mary! Her father never let any guy come around her!"

Ash frowned. "It's because they love each other. And I want that too—I want to marry someone I love."

"I don't know. I want to marry someone pretty." They laughed as they kept collecting the grapes.

"It doesn't work that way..." Sometimes, Ash felt he was the only sane person in this town. "Pretty doesn't stay forever."

"You're right, young master, but at least you'll get a good start."

"And your kids will be gorgeous."

"And all men will be envious!"

Ash rolled his eyes. He grabbed another bunch and walked away. "I'm out of here!"

"Keep your eyes open, young master! The mom of your kids might just be around the corner!"

Ash ignored their laughs and started making his way to downtown.

-

Because Ash wearing a straw hair is the cutest thing ever. Anyone remember the episode?  c: