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the-normal-connaisseuse · 2 months

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Chapter 3: A Day at the Shop

Blossoming wisteria crawls along the brick walls of the warehouses, the red stone drawing the eyes to the purple flowers dotting their woody vines. In the places where flowers aren’t blooming, the city’s muralists are out in full force, working on various projects now that the skies are clear and the weather’s warmer. People and Pokémon walk around without worrying about a sudden gust chilling them despite their scarves and coats. Even the Pidoves that fly over the city seem to warble a brighter tune. Spring is here in Nacrene City.

I stop to readjust my mask, making sure that I have an air-tight seal. This time of year in Nacrene City is always beautiful, but the layer of pollen lining the cars and light posts is another story. If I don’t wear a mask, I won’t be able to walk down the street without sneezing myself dizzy. As I turn the corner and walk towards the shop, Neil stands at the entrance, his Delcatty sitting politely beside him.

“We’re almost ready for the day, Nettie,” he says. “We’ll have our morning talk in five.”

“Okay,” I nod, then pat Delcatty as I head in. Somehow, I’m not allergic to him. As I learned my first week in the shop, I can’t say the same about many of our clients’ Pokémon.

I come behind the L-shaped counter and lock my bag and denim jacket in the locker underneath. As I stand up, a piece of paper titled Partners for Nettie pokes out between piles of client notes from the week. I catch Neil heading to the back to make the morning tea, so I slip the piece of paper out of the pile, making sure to keep a finger in the space where it was.

The list itself is made entirely of normal-type Pokémon, and every option would do well in an apartment: Minccino, Lillipup, Audino, Eevee, Pidove—there are even Pokémon that can’t be found in Unova no matter where you look. I knew that, after only working here for a week, Neil started looking for a partner for me, but I didn’t think he would have so many options. The list must have forty Pokémon here, and many of them would require more work to find and bring here than I think is necessary. After all, how easy is it to find a Kecleon or a Ditto out in the wild? Of course, Neil could have contacts after all his travels who could probably help—he might even know breeders who could provide the Pokémon to him—but the time, effort, and money to bring a Pokémon here would hardly be worth it in my opinion.

Before I can look up how much it would cost to transport from other regions, the faint squeal of the kettle on the stove in back makes me jump. I carefully slide the list back into the pile and turn to go. I freeze when I spot Delcatty watching me with a glint of mischief in his eye.

“Don’t say anything, and I’ll give you some treats,” I whisper. Bribing a Pokémon seems weird, but this is no ordinary Pokémon. He flicks his tail and sashays to the armchairs for morning tea. I take a deep breath and join him.

I can’t sit in during our next client’s evaluation. Don’t get me wrong; I’d love to be in the room taking notes and learning about the signs of a strong partnership between a trainer and their Cinccino. This, however, is spring, and it’s shedding season. The minute the two of them came in, I could see the long, silky hairs dripping onto the floor. I can only get near them at broom’s length before my eyes water, so that’s where I’m relegated today. At least I know one Pokémon Neil isn’t catching for me.

Delcatty mews at me from behind the counter. Somehow, Neil taught him how to use a cash register, and he’s very good at it. He even provides exact change! I walk over to him, and he immediately points his paw at the shelves of potions and revives behind the counter.

“I’ll get them,” I say. He blinks at me.

I look at the customer—a woman in an orange, paint-covered hoodie. She gives me a small smile, drawing my eyes to her pierced dimples.

“I just need a couple super potions,” she says.

I nod and climb the ladder to the shelf of potions. As I look down, I see a long white tail behind the customer. At the end of it is a plastic egg, similar to a kid’s toy. I come down the ladder and put the potions on the counter. Two large eyes peek out from behind her.

The woman raises her arm, showing her Smeargle’s full face.

“Don’t let his timidness fool you,” she says. “He’s a mischievous little guy when he wants to be.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Smeargle in person before,” I say.

“Yeah, they’re hard to find. Sometimes people spend thousands to get a hold of one, but I got lucky on a trip to the Ruins of Alph in the Johto Region and found him. He’s been with me ever since.”

“That’s cool. I bet he helps with your art. Are you two working on a mural?”

“I’m working on a mural, but brick walls aren’t really his canvas of choice. He’s my teaching assistant, actually.” She looks at her watch. “Speaking of teaching, I have a class in a bit. If you’re ever looking to make some art, look up the Paint Swipe Building on Cheri Street. We offer a bunch of classes there. Tell them Aya sent you, and you might get a discount, too.”

I nod, trying to remember if I heard anything about a new art center in town, before realizing that I’m still holding her up. Thankfully there aren’t any other customers waiting to check out. I bag the rest of her purchase, but before I can hand it to her, Smeargle slips past her and grabs it before scampering off to the door.

Aya shakes her head at him and turns back to shrug at me. She leaves with her Smeargle.

Among the books on the shelves upstairs, I find a book on Smeargle. It’s short and mainly goes over the thousands of unique marks they use in the wild, but it’s full of information about dealing with them specifically—their grooming, diet, cleaning up their paint on surfaces, even use of the only move they learn on their own: Sketch. I flip through the book during my lunch break, taking notes and wondering what it takes to care for a Pokémon like that. Neil pops his head up from the staircase.

“Doing research?” he asks, before Delcatty’s head shoves his out of the way.

“Yeah, I was just looking up info about Smeargles,” I say.

He and Delcatty come over to me. “Smeargles, huh? What brought this on?”

“A customer came in this morning with one, and I wanted to learn more.”

Neil nods and looks into the distance. “They’re pretty rare in Unova—pretty rare everywhere, in fact. Smeargles can be incredibly expensive to get a hold of…Were you thinking of one as a partner, or are you just curious?”

“Just curious, for now. There are still my allergies to consider.”

“Hmm.” Neil turns and walks down the stairs again. I peek over the railing and watch him walk to the back of the shop. Delcatty and I look at each other and shrug. I turn back to my reading, and he drapes himself over my feet for a nap.

The young boy sits in the armchair, his Boldore tapping around and humming at me and Neil. The large Pokémon’s orange crystals shine brightly in the sunlight drifting through the windows, but the light he and his trainer give off is a bright green, like new spring grass. Everything looks good, but I can’t rely on an assessment like that. As much as I use it, I can’t let this strange ability be my main evaluation skill. I didn’t do all that research just to let the weird thing with my vision inform my decisions as a Connaisseuse.

“Now, what’s the main issue, Ryan?” Neil asks, kneeling down to give Boldore a closer look. “Your partner looks healthy and happy.”

“He is?” the boy says, his eyes wide. “But my big brother said that Boldore isn’t happy because I’m not a strong trainer and keep losing against him.”

Neil looks at me, brow raised. I step forward and pat Boldore, who taps his feet on the floor and hums. The green light around him intensifies. An image flashes in my mind: a boy, older than Ryan, cheering with his Samurott and taunting the younger boy, who had come around to check his Pokémon. Even in the midst of the loss, a feeling of care still warms my heart. I shake the image away and turn back to Ryan. I try not to show my frustration with the vision, but I can’t help but feel it. Why can’t I turn this off all the way?

“Your brother isn’t a nice winner, is he?” I ask. “Does he make fun of you when you lose?”

Ryan nods. “All the time.”

“Well, that isn’t your fault. We can tell that you and your Boldore have a good connection, and that he really cares about you, even when you lose.”

Ryan looks at his partner, who hums and leans lightly on his knee. The boy smiles and looks back at us.

“So, I’m not a bad trainer,” he says.

I nod. “You’re doing well. Being a strong trainer just takes practice, and your older brother has had more time to build up his skills. Just give yourselves some time to figure out what works for you.”

“Okay! Did you hear that, Boldore?”

His partner taps his feet on the floor. Ryan stands up from the chair.

“Thanks for your help. Boldore and I are gonna train hard and beat my brother someday.”

“If I can make a suggestion,” Neil jumps in, “if your brother has a Samurott, a grass-type move would help. If you plan on evolving Boldore further—which would require a trade—Gigalith can learn Solar Beam, which is super effective against water types. If you need a trade partner, you can always come back here, and we’ll be happy to help.”

“Really? Cool! I don’t think we’re ready for that yet, but maybe we’ll do that someday.”

We watch as Ryan leaves with his Boldore, another satisfied client. Still, I kick myself a bit for the vision. I just don’t have enough control of it. Sure, I probably reached the same conclusion Neil would have, but it feels like I’m cheating to get there. This was a fun little trick at first, but now I’m wondering how much my skills can improve when I can just receive a vision or see a light and fix things accordingly. Maybe I should tell Neil about it, since it doesn't seem like it’s going away any time soon.

“You seemed to be the right person for him to talk to,” Neil says as he turns to reshelve some items other customers had taken down.

“You know how it is with siblings,” I shrug, trying to look relaxed. “Sometimes they’re just bad sports and you have to bolster the confidence of the one who’s struggling.”

Neil snorts. “I guess. I’m a twin, so the older-younger sibling dynamic isn’t quite the same, although my brother would probably say otherwise.”

“Oh yeah, I saw someone else with the same last name listed on the Connoisseur registry the day we met.”

“Yeah, Ricard Nouveau is my brother. He’s still a traveling Connoisseur. Last time I talked to my mom, she said that he’d joined the S Class.”

I raise my eyebrows at him. “You don’t talk to him?”

“Let’s just say that we don’t get along much. Don’t worry about it; you’ll probably never meet him.” Neil turns back to me. “For now, our main concerns are to maintain the shop and find a partner for you.”

“Is that really such a big priority? We’ve got a serious number of clients that want us to help them pick their first Pokémon. I would think they would come first.”

“The key is to look for more than one person at a time.” Neil picks up a box of assorted poffins. “You can look for who you’re supposed to look for, while also recognizing that there’s a Pokémon there that might fit someone else you’re working with. You’re not a client, Nettie, but it’s my job to keep an eye out for you, just as I would for them.”

I nod. “That makes sense, I guess. Is there anything I can do to help the process along?”

Neil smiles. “Well, there is somewhere I have to go for one of our clients. I was going to ask you to stay here and manage the shop while I’m gone, but I think it would be better if you joined me.”

His Rotom phone floats over and shows me a webpage, an image of students in uniforms smiling in front of a gate.

“Pack your bags, Nettie. We’re going to school.”

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So I finally got this written. In addition work and everyday life, I spent weeks fighting this chapter. It just wasn't working and required SO MANY REWRITES. I really didn't know if I going to finish this chapter, let alone the fanfic. At some point, though, you just have to let the thing go and move on, so that's what I'm doing. I hope that the next chapter's an easy write.

#fanfic #pokémon #unova region #wip #nacrene city #pokeblr #smeargle #boldore #delcatty #pokemon connaisseur

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alphabetcompletionist · 1 year

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nobody is talking about Danny my dear blue squawkabilly who can say a few words right now but keeps fury attacking my doors when he can't open them

ABCDEFGHI KLMNOPQRSTU W Y

22/26

#and per se and #i dont know how safe it was to import him to nacrene city but i was told he'd be alright and yeah he seems happy #no idea where the unown came from but they are my friends just the same #...i only ever played black and nacrene had a library #i like bsing this

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picturebookshelf · 8 months

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Pokémon: Nacrene City Adventures! (2012)

Story: Simcha Whitehill -- Art: Unknown

#pokemon #nacrene city adventures #Simcha Whitehill #cyoa #choose your own adventure #oshawott #pignite #zorua #axew #snivy #2010s #10s #picture books #kid books #children's books #kidlit

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withoutatrace-pkmn · 10 months

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Á̴̠͖̈́ ̸͓́̒t̸͉̝̀̂ḩ̷̳͋ȏ̶̡̰̐r̸̯͍̉ő̸͉ụ̴͝ğ̶̮̄ḣ̶̫̺̓ ̴̤͠s̷̝͒c̸͈͒̿õ̸̟̲ų̷̟̆ṟ̸̙̀̕ ̴̥̇̿o̵̝̕f̵̮̲͒̉ ̶̝̱͝t̶̺̿͒ḧ̴̢̖́e̵̯͌̚ ̵̨̬͛i̷̘͘͜n̵͍̭̉́ṱ̸͑e̷͖̮͌̇r̵̮̀n̵̫͗̅e̸͖̜̎̿t̶̳̥̔̿ ̸̱̥͋͋h̴̬͌à̸͈s̴̺̮̈́̓ ̵̢̃̉r̶̜͗͠ę̵͛v̸̦̀̈é̴̮̩́a̵͈̮͆l̷̼̝̃e̵̬̠̓͐d̸̪̙̉ ̷̳̖̑́t̵̲̺̋ḥ̸̌a̶͎̐t̴̺̕ ̴̢̈́̔Ű̵̼͐x̵̼̼̓̕į̸͕̽́e̷͖͛ ̵̰̲̏h̴͕̑̑á̶̗̕s̶̨͐̿ ̷̱̻̄͠b̴̹̹̚e̶̢͇̐̑ẹ̴̽ṅ̵̺ ̴̬̹̒k̷͔̮͊n̶̛̪̈o̴͍̒̽ẇ̵̋ͅṉ̷͇͝ ̶̨̘̉̅t̶̘͐̓ò̶̳̏ ̴̟̘͗͑a̴̭̚͠p̴͔̩̌p̸̣̐͝ė̵̻͓̑ạ̴̲̇r̸̻̖̎ ̶̬̥̓̕į̷̗̀ṉ̷̛̏ ̸̢͕̏͠N̸̲͆ͅa̸͇̐̾c̷̲̊ͅr̴̗͂ẽ̷̺̤ń̸͍̺e̴̫͐̀ ̸̩̏C̶̗̥͋i̷͓͑t̷̤̟̊͘ỵ̵͛͜ ̵̺̓̽i̸̧͎̋̒ǹ̶̤̇ ̷̯̬͐͠U̸͜͝n̸̼͐ö̵̺́͘ṿ̶̈́̎a̶͚̽.̶͍̇ ̷͍̈́I̷̬͊̈t̶͈̳͝ ̵͉̿̑ì̶̖̬s̴̯͘͜͝…̸̃̉͜ ̸̹̔͛à̵̠ ̷̯̯̔̒l̶͚̝̈́ǫ̷̎̀n̴̤̼̆g̷̲͆ ̸̖͖̿w̵͓͖̉ḁ̶͛ỷ̵̙͑ ̵̣͉̀ṭ̷̹̿͘o̵̰͌͑ ̶̡̛̯͗g̸̉̎͜ȍ̷͚̚ ̸̞̓ẁ̴̪͆i̸͚͉̅̊t̸͔͉̽͝h̵̡̯́ö̴͓́͒ụ̸̂̒t̷̺̾̑ ̵̖̈́a̶͈̍̈́f̸̺͐́f̵͈̗͊i̸̺̼͘r̶̮͘ͅm̴͙̕a̷͔͖̎t̴̛̞̒ĭ̵̖̄͜o̷̘͒͘n̸̩̙̐ ̷̝͖̔ṫ̷̤̈ḩ̷̜́a̸̗͆t̵̢̃͆ ̷̲̱̔̔ẅ̷̩́ͅè̶̟ ̴̬̍̑w̵̺̺͋͝ĩ̸̢͍l̸̪͍͑͝l̴͈̆ ̸̥̊͑e̷̱͉̅ń̴̫͝c̸͍̙͊́o̶̮͌ͅȕ̵̫͒n̷̜͙͐̚t̶̩̓e̴͙̒r̷͎͓̓ ̷̝̒t̶̲́h̴̤̲̆͐e̶̠̖̽ ̵͙͠͝P̶̯̟͒o̶̠̤̓̂k̴̹̮̔è̵̳m̷̥͠ȏ̶̗ͅṋ̴̈̊,̸̺̈́̃ ̷͍̐̈́a̷͍̥̓n̸̓͜d̸̻͋͠ ̵̜̦̕Ị̶͋͘ ̷̧̲̈́a̷͈̾m̷͓̱̆̅ ̷̗̱͝l̷̖͎̐̕ǫ̶͊͘ȁ̴̰̲͘ṱ̵͈͆h̸͙͌ ̵̨̪̏͌t̶͇͚͝ó̶̼͈͋ ̴̱̚͝ḻ̵̾e̷̜̾ã̴̧̫v̸͇͘e̸͈̥̎ ̶͍͚̓͘t̸̡́h̸̯̃͗e̵̋͜͝ ̷͖̘͂̒r̷̨̅́e̸̮̝̚g̸͕̉͋i̷̧̞͌o̷͉͐n̵̯̈́̋ ̷̙̪̉c̷̞̮͘ǫ̶̱͂m̵͖͋p̴͚̌l̵̬̋͒ë̶̘͓́t̴̡͕̒ë̵͍͕́ḻ̵̯̓̌ẙ̶̞ ̵̡̭́͝w̵̪̲̿̕h̶̘̿̀í̸͓̚l̶̩̈́ͅṡ̶̫͙ẗ̶̠̈́ ̵͍̜͆̏T̸̲̣̾͝ṛ̷̝͂̎a̴̱͝c̸͍̳̓ẻ̶̢͙ ̸̛̮̙i̷͍̙͠s̷̠͓̎́ ̵̘̒i̴͍̕n̶̫̑͠ ̶̰̓̊t̸̰͑̋h̷͇́̕e̶̗̞̅͆ ̵͖̬̈́̕s̸͔̱̍t̶̞̗͆a̷̧̻͒ț̶̉͜ę̴͌ ̶̯̯̓͘t̵̟̊͝h̴̯͕̀͆á̵̜̰̎ṭ̴̨̄͘ ̴̙͕͗̐t̷̠͇͐͝ḩ̷̙̌̉ẻ̷̢y̴̅͜͠ ̶̼̆͝ȁ̷̧͖̓r̴̞̽e̸̘͂.̵̨̱̉̓ ̵͕͑Ḃ̵̯̤u̴͔̒t̶͍̤̄̽ ̸͈̥̊̑ĝ̴͇̬͝ó̴̠̣i̶̪͛ͅn̸̢̨͌̈́ġ̶͎͓͘ ̴̭̾t̵̟̒̄ǒ̵̧̝͠ ̸͚̭̉Ṋ̸̹̄̓a̴̼̒c̶̤͈̑̎r̴̼̽ë̷͖́͝n̴̩͆e̴̡̤͝ ̷̲̃d̴̪̯̐o̷̥͒e̵̻͈͊̑s̵̠̠̅̋ ̴̣͚͐͒s̸̩͗e̶͓͕͋̒e̷̽̓ͅm̸̹̠͒ ̵͔͛̕t̸̢͂͂͜o̸͋̈́ͅ ̸͙͝b̷͉̈́͘e̵̞̥̒ ̴̩̊ö̸̪̙́u̵̪͐ȓ̷̻ ̵̦̝̄ḃ̷̠ě̵͖̞s̶͕̘͋t̸̅̑ͅ ̸͇͒o̴̬̲̔͝ṕ̶̹̼͑t̸̖͛̃ȋ̴̩͐ô̴̢͂n̶̯̜͆,̵̤̆ ̷̪̚̚a̵̧͛̈́n̷̤̹̊ḓ̸͑ ̵̬̐î̴̡͘ṱ̸̛ ̴͎͗i̵͔̿ş̵̭̉͝ ̸͉̊̕n̶͓̼͐̽ỏ̸̦̻̐t̸̯̺̂̎ ̵̮̻̒l̷͙͈͆ǐ̵͎k̶̳͒ĕ̷͍͔͠ ̴͉̞̀w̷̥͓͆e̸̥͘ͅ ̵̤͆̿a̵͓̚r̶͚͒̽e̴̙̝͗͝ ̴̭͂̒d̴̫͛̽o̵̟̐ḭ̸̤͑͠n̵̬̾g̶͍͛ ̵̟̯̒̔å̵͚̓ņ̴̬̒y̵͈̋̓t̷̢͚̍͑h̴̟̀̚i̷̧̺͑̄n̵̘̂g̵̩̬͑ ̷͔͂̈́f̷͍̃ö̸̝́̅r̷̯̅ ̸͍̾́T̷̨̏̕r̴̬̆a̷͖̎c̶͚̖̊̂ę̴͒̐ ̵̠̕h̸̠̐ḙ̴̦̌r̸̙̎é̶͎͉ ̸͉̋ͅâ̴͓͉͛n̸̛͇̈́y̷̠̰̔w̸̩̑͜͝a̷̫̓ŷ̷̘̱š̶̝…̶̖̝͘͘

#pkmn irl #pokeblogging #pokemon irl #⚡️posted by [???]⚡️#glitch text #ooc: tt: a thorough scour of the internet has revealed that Uxie has been known to appear in Nacrene city in Unova. it is… a long way to go #ooc: tt: without affirmation that we will encounter the Pokemon and I am loath to leave the region completely whilst trace is in the state #ooc: tt: that they are in. but going to nacrene does seem to be our best option and it is not like we are doing anything for trace here #ooc: tt: anyways…

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thesmpisonfire · 1 month

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Some more info about the Legends Arceus AU :]

- Pac and Mike run the Battle Subway, Pac is responsible for double battles while Mike deals with the single line

- Bagi is the gym leader of Nimbasa, but instead of a rollercoaster themed gym for electric type, its a fun house type with enigmas to solve to get to her, the Psychic Gym Leader

- Cellbit and Bagi at first fought to get the position, but then Cellbit gave up because he got accepted to work at the Nacrene museum, he loves to be sent to Relic Castle for research

- Tubbo moved from Sinnoh recently after his own pokemon adventure, he now works in the Battle Subway as well, aiming for the position of Subway Boss one day

- Quackity works in Castelia at the battle company, it's not the best job ever but gives enough money. He and Cellbit used to be rivals during their respective pokemon journeys but now these two have weekly meetings to get castelia cones and shit talk their respective coworkers

- Sometimes Pac, Mike and Bagi join in too to crash at Quackity's apartment since he's the only one with enough money to have a big apartment (Bagi constantly donates most of the money she gets as a gym leader to fund the museum and the nature preserve)

- Soon enough, they all adopt Tubbo into their group when he moves to Nimbasa and is the fastest person to complete Bagi's puzzles in years and beats both simple lines with record time

- Felps lives with Cellbit in Nacrene city, he works at the city's cafe and basically followed Cellbit there when he moved to work at the museum. They're childhood besties

#qsmp #pla au #these are just the present folks :]

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vg-music-i-like · 6 months

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Nacrene City // Pokemon Black & White

#oh hey this is my 100th post #pokemon #pokemon black and white #pokemon bw #soundtrack #ost #go ichinose #game freak #nintendo #2010 #2011 #ds

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flowerboy-barista · 2 months

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❀~Welcome to Whipped Dream Battle Café~❀

Hey hey! I'm Robin! I, along with my colleagues Nicky and Beau, run Nacrene City's one and only battle café!

Stop by for the coffee, the battles, or the vibes! We're Pokemon friendly, and have a fenced in space outside for your bigger Mons~!

Wanna know more info about me and how the café works? Check below the cut!

Please use he/him, fae/faer, and it/its for me!! Yes, Caramel is a shiny Leafeon... No, you can't really tell...

I also have a little Fletchling!! Her name is Ginger, and she's not a battling Mon!!

Are you curious about how our café works? Lemme give a quick rundown!!

Battling is not required! We have comfortable seating where people can enjoy their treats and watch the battles!!

Want to casually battle other trainers? You can do that! We have dedicated spaces for you to battle inside or outside the café!!

Want to be a bit more competitive? It's easy! Just register your trainer ID with one of our workers, and you'll receive a digital ticket!! Battle other trainers to collect their tickets. The more tickets you have, the more you climb the ranks!! Your goal? To fight one of the Battle Café Masters!! Beau runs the Single battles, while Nicky and I run the Doubles!!

I think that's all! Enjoy your stay~!!

((OOC NOTE: Please read before interacting!!

Hey hey! Welcome to my Pokémon roleplay blog. On this blog I will be pretending as if the world of Pokémon is 100% real. This being said, I will be including pkmn rp tags in each post that fits that description as a warning.

Friendly reminder that if you try to engage a plot with me or any kind of offscreen rp experience without at least discussing it with me first, then I will likely not respond. Even if you do approach me with something in mind, there is no guarantee I will engage. Also I tend not to interact or engage in any big events. They tend to become overwhelming for me and you’ll most likely never find me becoming a part of them. Please don’t send in asks regarding big events.

If you are looking to interact with my muse, and your muse is tied to some potentially triggering topics, I would prefer if you discussed potential interactions with me first. This is for my own comfort, so please keep this in mind.

Admin is an adult! If this makes you uncomfortable then move along.

This is an RP blog for my own self insert. Not much to it, just be nice!

Please be aware that if something ever comes off as rude/mean, it does not reflect how I actually feel and is just how I believe my muse would react.

This blog is SFW, save for vaguely suggestive topics. Anything that is deemed as explicitly NSFW will be deleted on sight.

Another warning. This blog may often be involved in long RP threads. I won’t be using any programs to cut my long posts short. If this bothers you, I would recommend skipping this blog or blocking the tag “long post” or “rp thread”.

Also! I follow and like from @ripoff-robbie-rotten.

DNI: Proshippers, TERFS, and NSFW blogs))

#pokemon #pkmn rp #self insert rp #pinned post #introduction

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aur0raaura · 9 months

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[Twin Princes AU Doodle Comic - Meeting a White Rose (Part 1)]

Day 25 - Emmet and your OC

"Oh! I remember that day when we first met! The "Travelling Champion" as some would say... I was on break during that time, checking on the lines and any unread messages on my phone- until...I saw her! She was verrry interested in challenging the Battle Subway! I had to hold back from telling her to go on my line-! ...but I, Emmet, knew nii-san would be upset if I didn't take a proper break. I thought because this was her verrry first time, she could go to and face my brother! I told her where to go and she happily went to the Green Line. I would've been satisfied with my answer....I-If it wasn't for me remembering why she looked so familiar. She was the trainer who was given the Light Stone after the incident in Nacrene City! Nii-san was devastated, and verrry upset that the stone was given away to some trainer who helped out during the situation. Sure she was known in other regions for her skills as a trainer and fighting against some bad folk but....

A-Anyways!! I was verrry worried of nii-san's emotions taking over...

...and what happened afterwards... Well...I think I should leave that part for another day..."

#aura's art #submas #twin princes au #pokemon #monthofemmet #GUARDiANverse #now you may be asking- where will part two be released?#when i have the time to work on it haljkfhasfkljhslfakjsdf #i probably will need rest from doing so many drawing this month HAHAHAHAHA

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jujubiin · 8 months

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Shinx Mask

<< [Chapter 4 - Page 22] >>

Oliver and the team arrive at the Nacrene City Gym and Natural History Museum.

#pokemon #webcomic #shinx mask #jujubiin #pokemon fanart #shinx #glaceon #nacrene city #pokemon b/w #unova #nacrene city gym #fancomic

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catt-marp · 7 months

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Zoroark Story (Part of a Medical Anthology)

My grandmother had suffered from severe dementia for years. The disease had rapidly worsened over the last couple of months, so I went to visit her in her nursing home in Nacrene City. After the staff allowed me inside, I started walking toward her room when I heard a sound I never expected; the voice of my deceased grandfather. I rushed down the hall at that sound, thinking I must have imagined it. Turning the corner and walking up to the correct door, my brain caught up and remembered my grandma’s oldest partner.

Peeking around the corner slowly revealed an elderly man with a thin mop of gray hair standing at the bedside of an elderly woman wearing large circular glasses who rested peacefully; my grandfather and grandmother.

“Horace, you need to head out to the store and pick up all the things written down on the list, got it? We got that bake sale coming up, after all.”

She spoke with a strength I had not heard in ages.

“Of course, love. Is there anything else you need?” Horace asked in response. Spoken in a voice I had not heard in a decade.

“No, dear, but aren’t the flowers lovely today? Such brilliant shades of purple! We should have Jane over to see how well they’ve bloomed, don’t you think?”

There were flowers, an innumerable amount in the room, collected regularly from the countless lives this woman touched and set out by her loving family. Horace sat down in a chair at the far end of the room provided for visiting family members and placed his hand on hers.

“Yes, my dear, they are quite lovely. Let me sit with you for a bit and then I’ll head out for those groceries, okay?”

They both passed the time in companionable silence while I stood outside the door awkwardly, unsure if I should walk in or not. She stirred a few minutes later and turned to look at where my grandfather was sitting.

“Bridget? It’s been ages! How’ve you been, girl?”

Bridget was a lifelong friend of my grandmother and another person who, last I remembered, had been dead for decades. As if to scoff at that idea, my grandfather’s visage disappeared in a whirl of light, replaced with the body of a much younger woman. My grandmother did not seem surprised at all at this sudden change, only waiting for a response with a soft smile on her face.

“Oh, Millie, I’ve missed you too!” a light feminine voice said in response.

They continued for some time with idle chit-chat and gossip of neighbors no longer present. This included areas in town much further developed and changed than either of the two could have known.

The conversation dragged on for some time before another comfortable silence filled the air. The younger woman continued to sit at the bedside while the older woman seemed to doze off. A ways away from Bridget, standing just outside the doorway, I tried to focus on Bridget's face. I imagined a series of complex emotions playing across her face; fear, sadness, hope, joy, despair, comfort. I blinked my eyes, turned away for a second, and looked back. All I saw this time was love. Simply love.

My grandmother jolted a bit as a sleep jerk awakened her from her doze. She turned her head a bit to look around as if lost in her surroundings, unsure. But then her eyes lit up.

“Trixie, my dear! How’d you get out of your ball, my love?”

It was like a firework went off with how excited Bridget looked upon hearing that name. Not even a tenth of a second passed before light once again filled the room and where a woman once sat, a Zoroark now stood. The Zoroark bounced in the seat before settling down near the head of the bed, planting kisses on my grandmother’s forehead and cuddling up with her while being as gentle and caring as possible.

Trixie, of course it was Trixie. I knew the moment I saw my grandfather, but confirmation was still reassuring. The Zoroark was old, not as old as my grandmother, who started her journey later in life with her Zorua in her late 20s, but the age was showing. Her hairs were thin, with some of the black transitioning to a darker gray. Tricky though she may be, the fox was my grandmother’s oldest and closest partner. And here she was, doing what she did throughout her whole life, bringing love and joy to her best friend in the world.

My thoughts of their journey and the stories grandma told me played through my head when I noticed the fox looking up from the bed directly at me, finally picking up my scent a little better in her base form. The look was quizzical, but not all that surprised, before she spun back to my grandmother.

I stepped away from leaning in and sat in the hallway to wait, giving them their moment. It was rare, I heard, for my grandmother to recognize the fox nowadays. If only she knew. The pain was clear enough for the old fox.

She didn’t want to leave my grandmother’s side, but she was still a proficient battler who could support a Gym or a family member well. Initially, she had difficulty taking care of herself during the more severe episodes at the beginning of my grandmother’s worsening condition. My family worked out a deal with the nursing home that allowed her more frequent visits and allowances, given her gifts and abilities.

The noise of a clearing throat startled me out of my reverie and I glanced up to see a younger woman again. Not Bridget, though. Bridget had light brown hair and brown eyes and appeared in her twenties in the room. This woman had long black hair, teal colored eyes, and a bangle tied into her hair near the base of her head, with the rest flowing down past her hips. She appeared middle-aged and looked at me with friendly eyes, a set of bags under each.

She moved again when I noticed her and sat down on the ground next to me, turning to chat.

“How long have you been here, Samantha?” she asked naturally, the Zoroark’s human disguise a perfect replica she had used for decades.

“Only about 15 minutes; startled me a bit when I heard grandpa before I realized…” I trailed off feeling awkward. It wasn’t like Trixie was doing anything wrong. Well, maybe, I didn't know. Don't know how I would have reacted if I heard and saw myself in the room.

She seemed to pick up on my feelings, though, and heaved a sigh. “I’m sorry if I scared you, and I’m sorry if that upsets anyone else in the family. I understand how that can be frustrating to hear, only…” she said as she lifted her fist up and tightened it in front of her.

“I fought so hard for her, Sammy. She did the same for me, and we took care of each other for years. Thick and thin, humans like to say. That was us.”

She pounded her fist to her chest, as if in confirmation of that fact.

She paused for a second before she continued, “I noticed something off the past couple of years before some of her caretakers explained it to me. To lose the ability to know who you are…you humans have it rough. And so do I.”

She looked down at her fake human legs and sighed. I glanced at her face again and noticed moisture appearing at the edges of her eyes. Shock rocked through me. I had never seen Trixie cry before. I leaned into her and placed a hand on her leg in support.

Trixie jumped a bit, not expecting that physical support. She must get a lot less of it now with everything that happened. I felt her lean into me in response, and I saw a small smile on her face before it fell away.

“She deserves the world, Sammy. That and more. It isn’t fair that she has to lose it all yet still BE here. It doesn’t make any sense! Even with it explained to me over and over again, it makes me angry again and again,” she said, her frustration plain with the rise in volume of her words. “She did everything right and still– still , it came to this!”

Tears fell liberally from her face after those words escaped her mouth. I sat with her as long as she needed, a soul in need of love and comfort as much as my grandmother resting silently in her own room.

“I will continue to do what I must, Sammy. As much as my body allows, as much as can be accommodated. Millie deserves my support. And if she sees her grandpa or one of her old neighbors or a random mailman? I will be whoever she needs.”

She moved to stand up and supported me while I did the same. She looked at me, determination clear in her eyes.

“And when Millie sees Trixie, the Zoroark? I will bring the energy of a fox she remembers from our life together. And I will revel in it for as long as I still can. We both deserve that, don’t you think?”

She asked that last part with a smile on her face, the tears dried. I smiled as well. Who could resist, when you knew without any doubt your grandmother had her greatest protector and friend at her side in her time of need?

“Do you want to go see her now? I will support you in any way I can, and give you the time and space you deserve as well, Sammy,” she said.

I nodded in answer as she followed with a flash and transformed back into her natural Zoroark form. Ready to assist and support, as always. She could fill the role of anyone my grandmother needed, but I knew all my grandmother ever needed was the fox. As we walked into the room, I vowed to make sure Trixie had the same love and support from myself and my family that she gave to our family her entire life when her own time came. It was only right, after all.

#pokemon #oc #Zoroark #medical #dementia #caregiving

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u-ntitled-s-eries · 5 months

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Day 12 - Models

The warm and humid air was a welcome change to the cold and dry wind outside, and above the sound of rushing water and excited murmurs, the soft whirring of electric motors echoed around the conservatory.

Lines of tracks were arranged at every exhibit, some nestled between the moss and shrubs while others raised high above the plants and garden beds. And for each line, a little model train happily traveled up and down the path, traveling past miniature landmarks and real-life plants.

“I don’t think I will ever get bored of the sight. It is as if the city has been reclaimed by nature.” Ingo said. He spoke with an uncharacteristic softness but still maintained a sense of wonder. On your other side, Emmet watched as the model train zipped away, traveling over a recreation of Skyarrow Bridge.

“Good thing the trains still work. At least the 4-6-0s do.

“It is a numerical classification system for locomotives.” Ingo must have caught the confused furrow of your brow. He nodded to the train that just went by. “Each number relates to the number of wheels. First the leading wheels-“

“The small ones at the very front.”

“Then the driving wheels…”

“Those are the big ones with the connecting rods.”

“And finally the trailing wheels.”

“The small ones at the back of the engine. This one doesn’t have any. See?”

The model comes back around and you count two small sets of wheels followed by three large ones. Small-big-small.

“Ready for our next stop?” Emmet asked, already linking his arm around yours. Ingo just laughed, watching his brother dragged

you to the next display without hesitation.

A whole yard of tracks ran back and forth under a miniature Nacrene Museum, and Emmet leaned so close to the display that you’re afraid he would fall into it. You tug on his arm and point to the nearest model skittering along.

“Um…0-4-2, right?”

He smiles even wider and squeezes your arm.

“Yep!”

A/N: If I made any mistakes about Whyte Notation, don’t be afraid to send me a correction.

#Pokemon #Subway Boss Ingo #Subway Boss Emmet #Subway Boss Ingo x Reader #Subway Boss Emmet x Reader #SubMas #Novembmas

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the-normal-connaisseuse · 4 months

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Chapter 2: An S-Class Assistant

Ariella’s shop reminds me of Madame Freesia’s: the peachy-pink walls, the bubbly pop music playing in the storefront. She even sells perfume, although it’s geared towards the Pokémon rather than her human clients. Sitting in her pink office, I have to stop myself from expecting Madame Freesia to burst in and tell me we’re not getting enough likes online. Instead, I look at Ariella as she goes over the notes from our interview.

Only a couple of years older than me, Ariella has a bright joy to her, which has given her a good reputation in town. From the bouncy blonde curls on her head to the Emolga pins connecting her shirt collar, she seems more of a yellow person than the peach she surrounds herself with. Letting my eyes soften, the light around her confirms this. A sparkly yellow shimmers around her. I turn it off as she lifts her head to look at me.

“Now, I said I didn’t want you to wait for an answer,” she says with a smile. “I know how nerve-wracking it can be to wait for a job offer, so let’s go over what I’ve heard and seen from you.”

I nod. “Okay.”

She puts down her notes. “Well, it’s clear from your CV and your former employer’s social media that you’re a hard worker with an eye for detail. You’ve also got a very professional vibe to you, and based on your outfit—your deep blue waistcoat and pants really make your hair and eyes pop, by the way—you have a sense of style, too. That doesn't seem all that important when working with Pokémon, but believe me, our clients appreciate a well-dressed Connaisseuse. As for your referrals: they’re glowing. It’s hard to argue when the Castelia branch of the Connoisseur Association itself recommends you.”

“Thank you,” I say, but a sinking feeling starts in my stomach. Ariella’s eyebrows knit together, and eyes take on an apologetic look.

“Unfortunately,” she continues, “I’m not sure you’d be a good fit here. While I think you’ll be great as an assistant, I’m looking for someone with a little more experience. There’s also the fact that you don’t have a partner Pokémon—there’s nothing wrong with not having a partner, of course. Lots of people don’t. It’s just that my clientele come here not just for evaluations, but to connect with other trainers. Not having a Pokémon of your own means that your advice will be limited and even mistrusted, even with your family’s reputation in town. I just see this having a bad effect on the business, not having a partner. You understand, right?”

I take a deep breath, then nod, regardless of my real feelings. “I understand. Thank you for the interview, Ariella.”

“Thank you for coming in. Consider this a practice interview before your big break, okay? I’ll walk you out.” As she stands up from the other side of her desk, she puts her arm out. Her Emolga flies out of a box on a nearby shelf and onto her arm, before settling on her shoulder. We walk out of the office.

“Now, don’t get discouraged,” she says as we reach the door. “Nacrene City is nowhere near the size of Castelia City, but there are still plenty of Connoisseurs who might want to hire you, and there’s always your communications work to fall back on. There isn’t a shop out here that wouldn’t hire you for social media management.”

I try not to look too incredulous. Emolga chatters from her shoulder, the swift twitching of his tail telling me that he’s annoyed with what she said. I think he’s scolding her. Ariella simply pats his head and goes back into her shop.

Well, at least someone was listening during the interview.

“How many shops is this now?” Dye asks as she sips her latte.

Café Warehouse is bustling, the lunch rush just getting started. The diner’s waitstaff rush by, dropping off meals so quickly that I’m sure the only thing they notice is which table the plates go to. The owner’s Reuniclus uses Psychic to hand out delivery and pickup orders at the counter. In the constant movement, the various flashes of lights go by, and I can just barely turn each one off. I realize that Dye’s waiting for an answer and turn back to her.

“Four now,” I say, taking a bite out of my spinach quiche. “All for the same reasons: lack of experience and lack of a partner.”

“It’s just unbelievable that all of them have the same excuses.” She crosses her arms, and despite chopping her hair off ages ago, she still looks like the little girl I befriended in preschool, the one who pouted and tossed her long brown hair around every time the swings were taken on the playground. I try not to laugh.

“It’s out of my hands, as much as it annoys us both,” I say, trying to sound even-tempered despite my own frustration. “Many Connoisseurs prefer hiring B-Class because they have more experience evaluating than C-Class. As for having a partner Pokémon, those without one are less likely to be hired to receive the experience needed to advance to the next level.”

“Where’d you hear that?” Dye reaches for her latte and realizes she’s run out.

My Rotom-phone flashes awake and levitates into our line of sight. An article comes up on the screen.

“It’s all in the Connoisseur Association’s trade magazine. Passing any class’s assessment comes with a six-month subscription. The most recent edition is all about the basics of Connoisseurship, from hiring to fee to professional style guides.”

“Please tell me you didn’t read the entire thing already.” Dye looks disappointed, as if she had no idea that I’m a nerd who reads absolutely everything after all the years we’ve known each other.

“There wasn’t much else to do on the train ride to town.” I take a few more bites of my quiche. “The point is that C-Class Connoisseurs don’t seem to have enough experience to be truly helpful in a shop setting, so they’re usually hobbyists who study for the B-Class assessment before trying to get into shops. At least, that’s the current way people do it.”

“And the partner nonsense?”

“For many clients, a Connoisseur without a Pokémon seems sketchy, as if you yourself can’t handle a Pokémon, so why should they trust you to know how to help them? As a C-Class Connaisseuse, it would initially seem to be a non-issue. It’s not like I’d be evaluating them, but for many, it feels like that. They want a full team of trainers to ensure that we’re knowledgeable enough to work with them.”

“So, it sounds like the only thing you can do is find a partner. Aren’t Connoisseurs supposed to help with that? Why haven’t the others when you interviewed with them?”

“They want their money for something like that. They’re not just going to determine what Pokémon I should catch just because I’m a beginner or because I would make a good assistant to them.”

Our waitress brings us our receipt, so we get up to pay (and to clear the space for whoever’s next in the long line forming at the front). Dye turns back to me.

“So, what are you going to do about this?”

I put on my denim jacket and focus on turning off everyone’s lights. It’s all I can do to keep the stress from paralyzing me.

“I’ll come up with something.”

Carlos walks me to the door of his Connoisseur shop, something I’ve gotten used to over the past couple of weeks. He wipes his bald head with a red handkerchief.

“I really am sorry, Nettie,” he says for the third time in a row. “I just need someone with experience raising Pokémon. While being your aunt’s niece helps, it’s not quite the same thing as raising your own.”

I raise an eyebrow at that last part, but I put it down before I turn around to face him.

“I understand,” I say as I step out the door. “Thank you for the interview.”

As I turn out onto the street, Aunt Lenora and Uncle Hawes are waiting, Casteliacones in hand.

“Your aunt and I figured that, no matter what happened, you could probably use this.” Uncle Hawes hands me a cone, then points across the street to the park.

“It drives me crazy,” I groan, once we find a stone table to sit at. “Between all of them telling me that I’ll always have communications to fall back on and then bringing up you guys or my siblings—when I don’t even mention anyone, not even in my CV—it’s like I’m having the same interview over and over!”

“Certainly sounds like it, Nettie,” Aunt Lenora says in between her ice cream. “It’s hard to get to know who someone is now and what kind of Connaisseuse someone could be when all you’re focused on is who someone was and how they fit into their family. It shows a real lack of curiosity on their part.”

“At the end of the day, I can’t get more experience if no one’s willing to take a chance with me.” I finish my Casteliacone, hardly savoring its flavor.

“What about getting a partner Pokémon?” Uncle Hawes asks. “Would getting a partner increase your chances of getting hired?”

“It would, but I don’t even know what to catch. There are so many Pokémon to pick from in the region alone, and since I’m no longer eligible to get a starter Pokémon, I have to find a partner for myself.” The thought of going out and trying to catch something, especially without a Pokémon to help me, makes my stomach turn. It wouldn’t be safe to go alone, even if the wild Pokémon I find have lower levels.

“I don’t believe I’ve ever asked you this,” Aunt Lenora starts, “but why didn’t you get a Pokémon before?”

I pause for a moment. “I guess, when you grow up in a family full of trainers who have full teams, I guess it feels like you have lots of Pokémon around.”

Uncle Hawes nods. “As if they’re yours, too. I can see how that would happen, and with the variety of Pokémon, I’m sure it’s easy to get overwhelmed. If you’re not sure what you’d be looking for, getting assistance from a Connoisseur with more experience would be a good idea. Although I imagine you wouldn’t feel comfortable going to the Connoisseurs you interviewed with for help.”

“They know their work, but no, I don’t think I’d bring my business to them.” I try to think of another local Connoisseur to go to, but I draw a blank. I’ll have to check my list again.

“I hope you find a position soon, Nettie,” Aunt Lenora says. “I know that work can just be work, but I haven’t seen you so determined to do something in a long time. It’s good to see that spark in your eyes, even if you’re frustrated.”

Uncle Hawes checks his watch and stands up quickly. “Dear, the new exhibit should be here shortly. We should head back.”

“Oh, shoot, I almost forgot.” She gets up, too. “Keep your head up, Nettie, and we’ll see you at family dinner if we don’t see you beforehand.”

The two of them rush off in the direction of the museum. I stay put in the park, my elbows resting on the table as I cradle my head in my hands.

What kind of Pokémon would I want?

The afternoon is fading, and I’m not sure there’s much else I can do today, besides going home and filling out more applications. Looking over the list of Connoisseurs in the area, I stop walking as it dawns on me: there aren’t any other shops in town. All the energy drains out of me. I plop down on the nearest bench.

When I came home to Nacrene City, I was excited to be with family and friends again and to find work as a Connaisseuse, even if it’s just an assistant position. Now the same feeling of being lost that I felt in Castelia City comes racing back.

What do I do now?

A strong, cold wind whips through the street. I turn my body away from the chill, and in the midst of its whistling, the screeching of a metal sign swinging wildly catches my attention. Right across the street from the bench, on the corner of the intersection, a cast iron sign settles back into place, revealing the Connoisseur Association insignia. I walk across to get a better view.

I look up at the sign and notice that a name wraps around the insignia. Neil Nouveau. Turning to the glass door, the insignia and name appear there as well, alongside a bit of information that makes my eyes go wide: S-Class Connoisseur. S-Class is the highest level a Connoisseur can reach, the best of the best. To see that such an expert decided to set up shop here in Nacrene City—I’m shocked.

I peek inside through the door. The interior is quiet, almost empty, save for the large green plants by the windows and the soft-looking green armchairs that sit in pairs around the main floor. The walls are a bright white, but the dark wood of the floors, wraparound balcony, and beams keep it from being blinding. A spiral staircase in the far corner leads up to shelves full of books, likely either for decoration or for beginners guides for each species of Pokémon. The whole place looks so pristine that it’s clear that this Neil Nouveau just moved in.

I check the online list of Connoisseurs, both to see if this is real and to see if he’s looking for an assistant. I scroll down and quickly find his name, alongside a similar one…

“Excuse me.” A gruff voice makes me jump and turn.

A guy with graying, blond hair and a sharp but exhausted gaze looks at me, as if I’m inconveniencing him. Based on his outfit—the starched shirt, the purple waistcoat, the bowtie emblazoned with the Connoisseur Association insignia—I can tell that this is Neil Nouveau.

“Sorry.” I move away from the front door.

Neil unlocks the door and walks inside. He looks back at me.

“Are you coming in?” he asks, his voice as exhausted as his expression. “Beats standing out here and staring in.”

My face heats up, but this is my last chance to find work in a Connoisseur shop. I walk in with my CV ready.

“Mr. Nouveau—” I start, but he puts his hand up.

“Miss Sweets,” he says, as he pulls a cookie tin from behind the dark counter. He hands me the tin, swiftly pulls a Pokéball and tosses it over his shoulder. With the typical flash that all Pokéballs come with, a Delcatty emerges and kicks their ball back to their partner’s waiting hand.

“Wow.” The word slips out of my mouth.

“It’s a trick I learned in another region,” Neil says as he points to a pair of armchairs and a side table. “It’s simple but fluid, and it impresses clients. Go on and sit. Help yourself to the tin. I’m making tea.”

I sit down in a chair and get comfortable. The tin, unlike so many I’ve seen and checked at Grandma’s house, has small shortbread cookies inside. They’re shaped in rings and stars. I take a few in my hand and put the tin on the table between the chairs.

Neil comes back with his waistcoat unbuttoned and shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows. He still looks…rough, the same way anyone would look if they stayed up two days in a row, but he seems more relaxed. He puts two teacups on the table, settles into the chair opposite my own, and takes a big sigh. Delcatty lays out on his feet.

“I’ve heard about you, Miss Sweets,” he starts. “There isn’t an A-Class Connoisseur in town who hasn’t mentioned you during my introductions with them. The former gym leader’s niece is a Connaisseuse. Talked about your whole family, too, as if that should have any bearing on whether you get hired. Now, are you here hoping I’ll hire you?”

“To be honest, I just stumbled on your shop,” I say, like an idiot. Why tell him how I found out about him?

He nods and sips his tea. “So you’re sitting here just because? No, that’s not it. I saw a spark in your eye when you walked through the door. You may have found this place by accident, but right there at the door you decided to try your luck without an appointment. Does that sound right?”

I nod. “I suppose that’s true.”

“Good.” He dips a shortbread cookie in his tea. “Now, kindly tell me why I should hire you.”

“Oh, well, I’m detail-oriented, I’m used to working with short timelines—” I stop when Neil waves his hand at me.

“No, no, that’s not what I’m asking for. There isn’t a job out there that doesn’t look for answers like that. I want to know why you got into this. Why are you a Connaisseuse? Why do you want to work with Pokémon? What will tell me that you’re a good fit for the work that Connoisseurs are known for?”

For some reason, this question stumps me. It’s so simple that I should have an answer for it. None of the other Connoisseurs had asked me this, despite it being such a simple question. I don’t even know why I can’t answer this. Why did I do this?

Delcatty mews at Neil’s feet, drawing my eyes to him. A deep purple light wraps around him, and looking back up, Neil has the same light. A word comes to mind: truth. Neil sips from his cup.

“Do you have an answer for me?” Neil asks. “I should let you know that I asked the other Connoisseurs what they asked in their interviews, and they seemed to have forgotten this question. Or they didn’t think to ask in the first place. If you don’t have an answer, just say so.”

“It’s not a great answer,” I start after a minute. “I was originally just looking for a way out of a job that made me unhappy. I spent my days staring at a screen in a little office wondering if that was all my professional life could be. I knew that I didn’t want to spend a third of every weekday on the clock in a place where I was unappreciated, bored, and alone. I had always loved Pokémon, but because I didn’t want to be a gym challenger or a coordinator, I decided to go down a route that I knew would be financially secure. I figured that I could get a Pokémon and be a trainer in my free time. But then three years went by, and I was still miserable and didn’t have the time or energy to care for a partner. I thought that being a Connaisseuse would give me a new path that could make me happy, but without a place to learn more about the work, it hasn’t been easy.”

Neil sits up in his chair. “So this is about personal fulfilment? You wanted to become a Connaisseuse because you thought it would make you happier?”

I nod. “Yes.”

Delcatty purrs. Neil smirks and puts his teacup on the side table.

“Well then, Miss Sweets,” he says. “I thank you for your honesty. I think that you have great potential as a Connaisseuse, given everything that I heard before meeting you. The fact that you don’t have a partner is irrelevant to me—a skilled Connoisseur typically provides a partner to their assistant after a time. If a Connoisseur ever has a problem with a potential hire not having a partner, they’re most likely younger. Such a tradition has fallen out of favor because many feel that they should only use their skills for payment. They’re not wrong for wanting their money, but any good assistant should be invested in.”

“Wait, does that mean I’m getting the job?” I ask. It immediately sounds ridiculous coming out of my mouth, but he hasn’t said no yet.

“It means that I appreciate your answer. Honestly, you’d probably be better off traveling and experiencing different regions and Pokémon and taking the higher assessments whenever you’re back in the area, but if you want to stay here and work, I’d be more than happy to have you as my assistant.”

“Really?!” I sit up in the chair so fast Delcatty hops up and jogs away.

Neil laughs. “You bet. I’ve seen and heard too many horror stories of Connoisseurs wanting to change the world or be the very best at this, only to abandon their personalities as soon as they enter a shop and work until they’re miserable and leave the field. Your motivation, however, is more in your control than whether or not you make a big impact. You want to make sure that what you do is enjoyable to you, which means that you’ll most likely bring your personality to your work and attract clients you connect with. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to make a change in your environment, but I believe such a change begins within, not solely with clients. Focusing on what makes you happy and fulfilled is a good start down that road.”

“Thank you, Mr. Nouveau.”

Neil shudders. “Never call me that. My first name will be fine.”

We walk to the door, but this time it’s different. I’m smiling, and there’s no long apology coming my way.

“I’ll see you tomorrow to go over the paperwork and things like that. Once everything’s squared away, you’ll start next week. Get some rest, get things tailored as needed, and don’t stress about getting a partner Pokémon.”

I turn around again. “Thanks again, Neil.”

He shrugs, and then reaches down to pet his Delcatty’s head. “Never thank me for what you did. I just asked the questions.”

He closes the door as he goes back in, and I take the opportunity to dance a bit in the street, before heading home.

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Well, Chapter 2 is finally up. I had planned on getting it out before the Indigo Disk part of the DLC came out, but life got in the way. I'll be working on Chapter 3, but don't expect it until after New Year's. For now, I'm going to take a much-needed rest. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

#fanfic #pokémon #unova region #wip #nacrene city #pokeblr #pokemon connaisseur

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