"Yeah, collapsing sounds good," Aleron agreed, heading towards the pokemon center.

Margaret followed her, intent on relaxing and giving Metagross a bit of a scrubbing. They'd run into a few wild pokemon while they were out, and he'd gotten a bit scuffed up.

Aleron yawned briefly as she entered the pokemon center, picking out a cot in the back of the room and dropping her stuff on it. "I wonder if there's a shower here I could use," she muttered.

"I'm sure they do," Margaret replied as she released her pokemon and got out her maintenance kit for Metagross. "Ask. And let me know if they do, I need to wash my hair."

"Will do." Aleron left her pokemon there, since neither of them was very fond of baths, and went up front to ask about a shower. She gave Margaret a thumbs up before disappearing into the back.

Margaret nodded in return and went back to scrubbing Metagross. She would take her shower after Aleron got back, so that the other trainer could keep an eye on the pokemon.

Aleron showered quickly before returning, in fresh clothes and with her hair tied back. "I feel better. You can go shower, and if you want me to finish up with Metagross I can."

"Thank you," Margaret replied gratefully, handing over the steel wool and wire brushes. "Careful, he's still a little ticklish around his joints." Getting up, she was about to grab her bag and head to the showers when she realized her Natu was following her. "Sweetling, you can't follow me," she said. The little Natu chirped at her quickly. "Sweetie, you'll be fine. I trust Aleron, she'll keep an eye on you." The little bird chirped again. "Yes, I'm sure. Now go on."

Aleron chuckled. "Come here, little one," she said with a smile to the Natu. "You can help me with Metagross. That sound fun?" Still smiling, she started working on Metagross.

The Natu fluttered over and got herself up on top of Metagross' head. Once Margaret was sure the bird wouldn't follow her into the shower, she left. Her hair was in desperate need of a wash, and she wanted to soak in the hot water for a bit.

Aleron took her time taking care of Metagross and keeping an eye on the other pokemon. She took the time to brush out Vulpix and Jolteon too, letting the pokemon all have some fun.

Margaret came back a little while later, her hair washed and neatly braided, and wearing clean clothes.

"I feel so much better," she said. Immediately her Natu fluttered over to her and settled on her shoulder, cooing happily. She rolled her eyes. "Really, sweetling, I told you that you would be fine."

Aleron chuckled and shook her head. "How'd you know what she was worried about, by the way? I mean, I know she's yours, but it usually takes me a little while to understand my pokemon that well."

Margaret blinked.

"What do you mean?" she asked. She didn't realize that she had understood her Natu nearly perfectly.

"Earlier, before you went to shower. It's like you knew exactly what your little Natu was worried about. It was kind of impressive, actually."

"I... don't know," Margaret replied, completely baffled. She thought back to what had happened, but she couldn't find anything unusual. "I really have no idea, I didn't notice anything."

"Huh." Aleron shrugged. "I guess you've been spending too much time with your psychic types."

"Maybe," Margaret agreed. "It's possible." After a moment, she shrugged and grinned. "Not that I mind in the slightest."

Aleron chuckled and yawned briefly. "Metagross is all clean and scrubbed now," she said, moving back over to her cot. "And I'm wiped. I think I'm gonna lay down."

"Now you know why I try not to let him get too scuffed or rusty," Margaret teased. Metagross rumbled in agreement, and she rested a hand on his side. She was impressed, Aleron had done a really good job. Margaret couldn't feel any grit or anything under her fingers.

"Yeah, and it sucks that I'm kind of a neat freak," Aleron said, rolling her shoulders. "I would see a spot and scrub it until it was gone. I think he enjoyed it, though."

Metagross rumbled in agreement again.

"Oh, he did," Margaret replied. She checked his joints and nodded. "You caught all of the problem spots I hadn't gotten to yet, he's happy as a Wooper in a mud puddle."

Aleron laughed and flopped back on her cot. "Good. Next time you want help, I'm more than willing. It's kind of therapeutic, actually."

Margaret grinned.

"I know, isn't it?" she asked. She sat down next to Metagross, and grinned when Espeon jumped up into her lap. Clearly, it was time to pay attention to her now.

"Mmhm." Aleron yawned briefly, getting comfortable while her two nestled against her side. "Imma go to sleep now."