And in the end, Ellie wouldn’t have had it any other way.

“Is she sweet or sneaky?” people would ask, watching Sable charm a berry out of a vendor’s stall or trip a rival trainer mid-battle.

Ellie named her new partner Sable, after the dark, rich color of its fur. Sable followed her everywhere—padding silently behind her to the kitchen in the morning, curling up on her homework while she tried to study, and meowing plaintively at the refrigerator every time Ellie opened it. Her mother was skeptical but ultimately relented after Sable spent an entire evening perched on her lap, purring like a tiny engine, while they watched a documentary about the Unova weather system.

If you are thinking of adding a Purrloin to your team, just remember the golden rule: Keep your inventory zipped shut. Love this Pokémon for its charm, but respect it for its ability to swipe your items when you aren't looking.

Ellie would just smile and shrug. “Yes.”

There is no denying that Purrloin has the aesthetic of a companion Pokémon. Unlike its evolved form, Liepard, which looks sleek and predatory, Purrloin retains the proportions of a kitten. It stands on two legs, clutching its paws together in a gesture that mimics begging.