Ears and Tails After the Source Crystal Rain

The rainy season on the Originium Plateau always arrived suddenly—and departed just as quickly—leaving behind a world soaked in freshness.

As the rain ceased, a faint rainbow arched across the sky, its seven-colored halo shimmering through the mist like a translucent ribbon stretched over the ridges. The air carried a distinctive mix of wet earth, grass, and Originium dust—slightly damp, mineral-fresh, and tinged with the wildflower scent unique to the highlands. Outside the Rhodes Island association’s wooden lodge, water still dripped from the eaves, each drop hitting the stone steps with a rhythmic, delicate tick-tock.

Texas stood at the edge of the steps, her gray-blue wolf ears pressed slightly back. Raindrops slid down from the tips, rolling along the thick inner fur into her ear base, absorbed by the fluff, leaving only faint traces of wetness. She shook her head gently; her ears flickered, sending droplets flying like silver threads sparkling in the sunset. Her wolf tail fared worse—the thick underfur at the base was completely soaked, plastered against her leg, making it look slimmer than usual, while the stubborn tip still lifted defiantly. Water clung to the gray fur at the end, resembling a drenched gray whip. She glanced down; instinctively, the tail curled to shake off the water, but only sent a spray onto her pants.

“…Troublesome,” Texas muttered, her words carried away by the wind. She lifted her hand and casually wiped her ear tip with her sleeve, accidentally smearing a drop across her cheek. The chill slid down her face, and she frowned, her sensitive ears twitching.

Amiya peeked out from under the eaves, her small figure half-hidden behind her drenched rabbit ears. Her pink-white ears were completely wet, the inner fur matted into small clumps, pressed against her scalp like two rain-flattened petals. Her tail fared even worse—the little puff had collapsed entirely, stuck to her lower back, barely retaining its shape. Standing on tiptoe, she struggled to secure the last piece of waterproof cloth over the leaking eaves, her hands trembling; her ears twitched with every movement, droplets sliding down onto the tarp.

“Texas… your tail is soaked. You’ll catch a cold,” Amiya said softly, a hint of nasal tone in her voice. She set down the hammer and approached, her ears flicking water droplets onto the ground near Texas’ feet.

Texas said nothing, simply stepped forward and tightened the tarp with one hand. Her fingers brushed lightly against the inside of Amiya’s ear—softest and wettest there, feeling like a soaked cotton candy. Amiya froze instantly, ears shooting up before shyness softened them again; the rims flushed a cherry-red.

“…Thank you, sister,” Amiya murmured, her tail gradually puffing up slightly, brushing gently against Texas’ leg as if expressing gratitude.

Nearby, Lappland squatted on the steps, drenched like a wet chicken. Her wolf tail curled in a sticky spiral, dripping onto the ground. She deliberately flicked it toward Texas, sending a splash of water: “Hehe, Texas is soaked too! Fair’s fair—let’s see whose tail’s messier!”

Texas turned slightly to avoid the splash, expression unreadable, but the tip of her tail was caught. She tugged sharply; Lappland’s tail instantly fluffed out like a static-charged dandelion, black-gray fur standing on end, water scattering. Lappland laughed, leaning back, flicking her tail even harder. “Hahaha! Now my tail’s fluffier than yours!”

Texas finally muttered, low and restrained, “Childish.” Yet her wolf ears twitched subtly, the wet fur tips catching the sunset’s light, as if secretly acknowledging the playful chaos.

The Doctor stepped out holding Eevee. The Pokémon’s fur was soaked; it nuzzled into the Doctor’s chest, tail curled in a tiny black loop, tip still dripping. The Doctor sighed, draping a coat over Eevee, then addressed the group: “Come inside. I’ve brewed ginger tea—it’s warm, perfect for drying tails.”

SilverAsh stood a short distance away, his snow leopard tail elegantly curled in a question mark, the white tip flickering in the wind like falling snow. He said nothing, gazing toward distant Originium ruins, faint blue lights flickering there as if whispering secrets. His ears twitched, catching the residual traces of crystal corrosion in the air.

“The rain’s stopped,” he finally spoke, calm yet carrying a faint, hidden weariness, “but the crystal corrosion… hasn’t fully dissipated.”

A quiet hush fell. Amiya clenched her small fists, ears standing firm. “Then tomorrow, we’ll check together. We can’t let the Pokémon or our friends get hurt.”

Linglan appeared from the corner, her nine white fox tails dripping wet, dragging along the ground like nine small white blankets. She wrapped one tail around Amiya’s, seeking comfort. “Amiya… my tails are so heavy… can I warm them with your rabbit tail?”

Angelina followed, her bright red fox tail swinging, droplets flying. “Hey! My tail can even float as an umbrella! Who wants in?”

The Perfumer was the last to step out, her auricular fox tail long and graceful, maintaining its curve even when wet. She released a faint cloud of fragrance, dispersing the chill, the scent mixing unexpectedly fresh with the rain.

One by one, everyone entered, tails brushing, the subtle sounds of fur rubbing filling the air: wolf tails sweeping past rabbit tails, fox tails winding around snow leopard tails, cat tails lightly touching… damp fur pressed together, sharing warmth and the lingering coolness of the rain. The wooden door closed, cutting out the wind; inside, only the crackle of the fireplace and the soft splashes of wet tails remained.

Texas was the last to come in. She stood at the doorway, flicking the final drops from her tail, which gradually fluffed up. Watching the lively scene, her wolf ears relaxed slightly; she muttered softly, “…Noisy.”

Yet her tail unconsciously swept across the threshold, as if to say: Actually… it’s quite nice.

Sunlight streamed through the window gaps, falling on the drenched yet gradually fluffing ears and tails, gilding this post-rain little world in golden warmth.