The next morning, as Lucas came downstairs, he saw Shauna already sitting next to the counter with a small metal pail in her hands, chatting sweetly while Chingling and Lilligant kept her company.
When she spotted him, her eyes lit up and she called out crisply, "Uncle!"
Lucas glanced at the pail and remembered telling her they could try milking today; clearly she'd been counting the hours.
The moment he settled behind the counter, Shauna took the breakfast Mime Jr. was carrying and placed it before him herself.
"Uncle, please enjoy."
"Gengar?"
What about mine?
Mime Jr. served its own breakfast, glanced at Lucas, then casually swiped a steamed bun and munched happily.
Watching his bun disappear, Lucas shook his head and wolfed down what remained.
Hurry up, he told himself, eyeing Shauna swinging her little pail. He wiped his mouth and stood. "Come on, Shauna, let's go milk some Miltank."
"Yay!"
Shauna squealed in delight.
Lucas fetched a big bucket and, with Gengar and Shauna in tow, headed for the backyard.
Reaching the Miltank, he stroked each one and checked their condition.
They seemed perfectly at home in the Breeding House.
Patting one Miltank's head, he said, "We'll need to draw a little milk later—hope you don't mind."
The Miltank chewed the Breeding House's lush forage, amazed that the grass stayed so tender even in autumn.
Enjoying the juicy mouthful, the cow nodded agreeably.
Then it shifted into a position that made milking easier.
Lucas smiled; without pens the herd could roam freely, letting them milk right on the spot.
He knelt, took the pail Gengar handed over, placed it beneath the lead Miltank, and, gloved, began to work.
Every Pokémon in the Breeding House gathered to watch; the Miltank weren't shy and showed off the process proudly.
Miltank milk is beloved by young and old, human and Pokémon alike.
One cow can give twenty nutrient-rich liters a day, so skipping the chore leaves them uncomfortable.
The flavor even shifts with the seasons; those who dislike plain milk can turn it into yogurt.
For the elderly and the ill it's the perfect drink, and children grow sturdier with every glass.
Following the book's rhythm, Lucas squeezed from top to bottom; soon fragrant white milk streamed into the pail.
"Wow!"
"Gengar!"
"Lilligant!"
"nihai!"
"Nini!"
"Gothitelle!"
"Bi!"
A chorus of wows filled the yard.
The Miltank kept munching; grass blessed by Celebi and Lugia was the finest fodder, and Lucas's touch made the cow narrow its eyes in bliss.
"This two-leg has quite the technique."
Before long the bucket brimmed with fresh milk.
Lucas passed it to Mrs. Fujino, then looked at Shauna and the others. "Who wants a turn?"
Shauna's hand shot up first; though Gengar wanted to try, it yielded the chance to its little sister.
With her small pail Shauna stepped forward; Lucas fitted gloves on her tiny hands and she stroked the cow.
"Miltank, I'm learning to milk so I can help you every day, okay?"
Her gentle words made the cow nuzzle her cheek.
Shauna giggled and took her place beside it.
Lucas showed her how to keep the cow comfortable while milking, and she copied every move.
Soon her pail was full and her laughter rang across the yard.
After everyone, Pokémon included, had a go, the first batch of milk was done; Lucas thanked the herd and carried the milk to the kitchen.
He boiled a pot of hot milk and poured everyone a cup.
Perhaps because she'd milked it herself, Shauna—who usually hated milk—blew on the steam and slowly drained her glass.
"How does it taste?"
She wiped her mouth, set the cup in the sink, and beamed, "Sweet and yummy!"
"Then you'll have a glass every day."
"Mm!"
Shauna agreed readily.
Lucas smiled, then caught Gengar sneaking off and tugged it back.
With a pout the ghost set down its bucket; Lucas sighed, "I'll bake you a cake with this milk—want some?"
Hehe!
Gengar beamed; Lucas shook his head and told it to fetch the prepared bottles, then filled them with the warm milk.
"Shauna, could you deliver these to the grandparents in Twinleaf Town?"
Shauna nodded.
"Tell them it's a treat from our Breeding House—if they ever want fresh milk, they can place a custom order with us."
With herbal tea and Herbal not selling lately, and the Breeding House swimming in milk, we might as well sell the surplus.
Good for the elderly and kids anyway.
Shauna pattered off to her room to change.
Lucas bottled the fresh milk and came to the front desk to find Shauna already in the little delivery-girl outfit she hadn't worn for ages.
Slung with a tiny cross-body bag, Shauna saluted when she saw Lucas.
Lucas solemnly returned the salute.
"Mm."
He hung the milk on Rapidash, tweaked the nose of a girl cuter than a platelet, and said,
"It's all yours now."
Shauna nodded, mounted Rapidash, and galloped toward Twinleaf Town.
Lucas returned to the kitchen to start on the afternoon-tea desserts.
He planned a deluxe cake blending honey and fresh milk.
But staring at the milk, he suddenly remembered Gogoat—nearly as productive as Miltank.
Goat milk might be nice?
Gogoat... Kalos region, right? Kalos—maybe Cynthia could help.
Lucas pulled out his phone, fired off a few messages to Cynthia, and, seeing no reply, slipped it back into his pocket.
Watching Gengar beat the eggs for him—Mime Jr. had to mind the cafeteria—Gengar had once again been dragooned into duty.
But if food was involved, Gengar was a hundred percent willing.
"Gengar, how about we raise a few Gogoat? Fresh goat milk on tap."
"Gengar!"
Gengar's face said it all.
Hands never stopping, Lucas took the yolk Gothitelle levitated apart with Confusion and began crafting the cake.
Meanwhile in Twinleaf Town, Shauna pulled up at Grandpa Manny's house, slid off Rapidash, and rang the bell.
Grandma opened the door, surprised to see Shauna.
"Oh, little Shauna, what brings you here today?"
Shauna flashed a sweet smile and produced two bottles of milk from her bag.
"Grandma, this is fresh milk from our Breeding House's Miltank, squeezed this morning. Uncle Lucas asked me to bring it for you. If you ever want more, just order from the Breeding House."
Shauna spoke fluently, relaying Lucas's message word for word.
Grandma was astonished.
"Miltank milk?"
Just as the cold had started making the old man's joints ache, Shauna arrived with Miltank milk.
"Thank you so much, little Shauna."
Grandma took the milk, bent down to hug her, and after a moment went back inside.
Shauna pulled the door shut for her, turned to leave, but Grandma reopened it with money and snacks in hand.
Shauna refused the money. "Uncle said this is a gift—no charge. Payment starts with your next order."
She looked Grandma straight in the eye.
Grandma laughed. "The Lucas's such a good man, and you're so well-behaved. How about the snacks?"
"Yes, please!"
The answer rang out without hesitation.
Grandma tucked the snacks into Shauna's bag. Mounting Rapidash, Shauna called, "We're off to deliver to the other grandparents!"
"Ride safely!"
Watching her disappear, Grandma shook her head at the money in her hand and went back inside.
"Old man, come quick—Shauna brought us milk!"
As Grandpa Manny hobbled in with his cane, Grandma said, "Fresh from the Breeding House's Miltank this morning—drink up."
Grandpa took a bottle, popped the cap, and a sweet aroma drifted out.
One sip and his eyes lit up.
Pure happiness in flavor.
"This milk is wonderful."
Grandma dabbed his mouth. "Of course it is—Shauna delivered it herself and wouldn't take a coin. She insisted Lucas sent it as a gift."
Grandpa laughed at the money still in Grandma's hand.
He drained the first bottle, opened the second, and the same sweet scent filled the air.
Grandma watched him fondly—surely the milk would ease his aches.
The next second, a bottle appeared before her eyes.
"Here, you drink too."
Grandpa licked the cap and held the milk out to her.
"Don't refuse—we'll order more tomorrow. Drink this one now."
Grandma, about to protest, swallowed her words. Decades together and he never forgot to share every good thing.
She opened her mouth; Grandpa cheerfully fed her the milk.
The milk was sweet—
her heart even sweeter.
....
Power Stones PLZZZZZ
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