The pure, gentle energy and wonderful blend of sweetness melted across her tongue in an instant. Like sweet rain falling on parched earth, it swiftly dispelled her weakness and cold, bringing a long-lost sense of warm comfort and satisfaction.
Axew could not help narrowing her violet-red eyes, letting out a soft, contented whimper. "Axew~~"
She quickly finished the Pokéblock, then licked the crumbs clinging to her claws with lingering satisfaction. Most of the wariness in her gaze toward Eevee had faded, replaced by a genuine hint of closeness, gratitude, and... a craving for more food.
"Vee~" (Tasty, right?) Eevee asked with a smile. Seeing Axew nod vigorously, he edged another small step closer. This time, Axew did not retreat in fear. Instead, she leaned forward slightly.
"Vee! Vee vee!" (Let me tell you! Xinhai is super nice! He can make lots and lots of delicious food, and he helps us grow stronger and takes care of us too! He's not far from here, and there's Big Brother Blaziken, Gardevoir, Zigzagoon, Krokorok, and the others... Everyone's really nice! Do you... want to come meet him with us?)
Eevee extended the invitation, his voice full of pride and sincerity.
He felt that if Xinhai saw this lonely, unusually colored, pitiful little Axew, he would surely be willing to help and care for her too.
When Axew heard the word "companions," a clear longing flashed through her violet-red eyes. It was a yearning for warmth, for a group, for being cared for.
But then, a deeply buried sense of inferiority and unease surfaced again. She instinctively shrank her neck and hugged the pebble in her arms tighter.
She lowered her head, looked at the unusual earthy-yellow scales on her body, then unconsciously nudged the cold little stones on the ground with her claws.