Sunlight slowly moved westward from the high noon sky, coating the blades of the Grass type along the riverbank in a warm golden glow.
Skewer after skewer of grilled meat came off the fire. Gardevoir handled most of the heat control, while Xinhai prepared and replenished ingredients nearby. Every so often, Eevee took the chance to stuff one or two skewers she had grilled herself toward Xinhai's mouth.
Although the meat skewers had not turned out very well either, Xinhai ate every one of them, much to Eevee's satisfaction.
The companions sat scattered across the Grass type riverbank in small groups. Some enjoyed their food, some dozed beneath the sun, and some played by the water.
A breeze drifted over the river, carrying cool moisture and the scent of the Grass type and trees. Countless faint sounds mingled together, weaving a delicate, warm net beneath the afternoon sun.
The sunlight had already shifted westward, and the light and shadows along the riverbank had stretched considerably.
Most of the companions had eaten and drunk their fill. They were scattered about the riverbank in twos and threes, some napping beside the water, others basking in the Grass type.
Blaziken sat cross-legged atop a sun-warmed rock, eyes closed as she regulated her breathing, each breath calm and deep;
Haxorus lay nearby, his dark golden scales gleaming with a mellow luster in the afternoon sunlight;
Mightyena and Krookodile lay side by side at the edge of the Grass type, both pairs of eyes half-closed, their tails occasionally brushing lightly across the ground.
Zigzagoon, meanwhile, ran energetically back and forth across the Grass type. Every now and then, he dashed to the water's edge for a drink or plunged into the river for a cheerful swim.
Leaning against a smooth stone by the river, Xinhai