It was not strange that Silas had forgotten. The Sweet Veil ability was simply too obscure.
From its name alone, it was clear that Pokémon with this ability were usually the delicate and soft types.
The Bounsweet line, the Cutiefly line, the Alcremie line, and the Tsareena line.
"Alcremie, I am done." Coming back to his senses, Silas waved toward Alcremie.
The little one floated over like a fluffy white cloud, bringing with it a faintly sweet breeze.
"Crem~!" (Silas, you are amazing. It looks exactly like me!)
Alcremie chirped happily, reaching out to touch it. It was sweet, just like itself.
"Alcremie, you have to eat it all."
"Crem!"
Understanding what it wanted to say, Silas shook his head. "If we leave ice cream out too long, it will melt."
"Crem~" (Alright.)
Taking a small spoon, Silas scooped a bite and brought it to Alcremie's mouth. "Here, open up. I will feed you."
Being fed personally by Silas made Alcremie feel as if it was bubbling with happiness. It gently held the spoon in its mouth.
The smooth caramel mixed with cream melted in its mouth, and Alcremie swayed slightly in enjoyment.
"Crem~" (It is so delicious, I feel so happy.)
After feeding it for a while, Silas let Alcremie eat on its own.
He then used the remaining cream to make another portion and handed it to Arboliva.
He had noticed its envious expression earlier.
"Boli~"
Arboliva accepted it happily and extended its tongue to savor it slowly.
Seeing the Pokémon enjoy it made Silas happy as well.
He did not plan to make too much though. As the temperature dropped in autumn, it was better not to eat too much ice cream.
"Where did Alcremie go? Did it run off to play?"
Looking around, Silas did not see Alcremie. He still wanted to test the effect of Sweet Veil.
"Crem~" (I am here, Silas.)
Looking toward the doorway, Alcremie walked in together with younger sister Indeedee.
The former held a Pecha Berry decorated with fresh cream in both hands, raising it high as it offered it to Silas. "Crem…"
"For me?" Taking the berry, Silas teased Alcremie with his finger. "Thank you, I will try it."
Pokémon like Alcremie had a habit of giving berries decorated with fresh cream to trainers they trusted. Receiving such a gift could make a trainer happy for a long time.
Right in front of Alcremie, Silas ate the Pecha Berry. Its taste was surprisingly sweet.
"It is really delicious, and especially sweet."
"Crem~" (If you like it, I will bring you one every day.)
As it spoke, Alcremie was about to float back toward younger sister Indeedee.
Silas quickly stopped it, holding it in his palm. "Alcremie, do you not feel anything different?"
"Crem?"
Alcremie looked at itself, tilting its head slightly in confusion.
It seemed that they would have to test it directly.
Calling Jigglypuff out from inside, where it had been studying, Silas stood opposite it while holding Alcremie.
"Alcremie, keep thinking about Sweet Veil. Jigglypuff, you sing."
"Jiggly?" Jigglypuff asked uncertainly.
"You heard me right. If nothing goes wrong, Alcremie should now be able to block the sleep inducing effect of your singing."
Silas explained briefly to the two Pokémon. Alcremie still looked a bit dazed. It did not even realize it had this ability.
"We will know once we try. Alcremie, try switching your ability to Sweet Veil."
"Crem…"
Alcremie responded softly, closing its eyes and focusing.
In just a few seconds, Silas suddenly smelled an extremely sweet fragrance. Centered around Alcremie, even the air seemed to take on a faint pink hue.
Seeing this, Silas signaled for Jigglypuff to begin singing.
Holding its microphone with its tiny hands, Jigglypuff started singing a newly learned rock tune. "Ji! Ji! Jigglypuff!"
One minute… three minutes… five minutes…
Not only did Silas not feel sleepy, he actually felt more alert.
In contrast, behind them, Arboliva had already hugged its head with its arms and fallen into a deep sleep.
"Shh, do not disturb Jigglypuff. Let's sit down and listen quietly."
Alcremie covered its mouth and nodded rapidly like a pecking chick. One human and one Pokémon listened silently.
Jigglypuff had not sung in quite some time. Now, it poured all its emotions into the performance, completely immersed.
When the song ended, Jigglypuff looked toward Silas and the others.
It had expected the usual outcome, that everyone would be asleep.
But this time was different.
Silas was wide awake, looking straight at it with a smile in his eyes.
"Jigglypuff!"
With a delighted cry, Jigglypuff leapt into Silas's arms. It was overjoyed.
Catching the little Pokémon, Silas ruffled the tuft on its head and explained with a smile.
"It is because of Alcremie's Sweet Veil. As long as you stay near it, you will not fall asleep."
"Jigglypuff~" (What an amazing ability. Big sister Alcremie is my superhero.)
Hearing the praise, Alcremie's eyes curved into crescents.
"Crem~" (It was Silas who taught me. I am not a superhero.)
Jigglypuff turned around, escaping Silas's playful hands.
"Jigglypuff…" (Then from now on, when I sing, big sister Alcremie has to stay beside me, okay? That way everyone can listen to my singing.)
"Crem~" (Of course. I really like listening to you sing.)
Alcremie nodded firmly, imitating Silas by gently playing with the tuft on Jigglypuff's head.
After getting permission, Jigglypuff put away its microphone. Its round body puffed up as it floated into the air, going off to gather the other Pokémon to listen.
Very quickly, Cinccino and the others all returned, and the small stage in front of the house became lively again.
Alcremie stood among them, doing its best to release Sweet Veil so that it covered all the Pokémon.
Morpeko sniffed repeatedly, opening its mouth wide to greedily inhale the sweet scent.
Cyclizar, however, seemed somewhat irritated, its claws twitching. The Sweet Veil made it feel uncomfortable.
As a pure Fairy type Pokémon, the Sweet Veil released by Alcremie naturally carried Fairy energy.
Even the Noivern and the others stayed far away, unwilling to approach.
In comparison, Dragonite handled it much better.
It rested its chin on its claws, gently swaying its tail, curious about everything new.
On the other hand, Pokémon like the Florges and Diancie seemed to love this environment. They appeared very relaxed and content.
At the front, Jigglypuff stood on the stage. Taking a deep breath, it began to sing.
This time, no one would fall asleep, so it had to give its all to repay everyone.
After finishing a song, Jigglypuff bowed deeply, and applause immediately erupted from the audience.
Encouraged by Cinccino and the others, it continued singing, one song after another.
Shaking his head with a smile, Silas did not interrupt. Instead, he lowered his head and looked at his transceiver.
"Yawn… I am so sleepy."
On the screen, Diantha let out a big yawn, her eyelids drooping.
Before Silas could say anything, faint snoring could already be heard.
"Gardevoir, I will leave it to you."
"Garde~"
After ending the call, Silas knew that he would have to head out again tomorrow.
This time, he was going to Sinnoh for an appointment.
It had been arranged last month, together with Diantha.
They were going to attend Cynthia's Champion challenge, which she would be initiating tomorrow.
(End of Chapter)