#1 Quirrel Fan

Ignoring the pounding in your feet, you waltz over to Ginter with a proud smile on your face. “Hey, Ginter! I got my set of drop offs completed for the day, as expected!” You hand the sheet over to him only to drop your arm a little as he hesitates to grab it.

He finally grabs a hold of it before glancing at you with the same tired expression “You know, I appreciate the hard work you put in. You’re a great example of what the Ginkgo Guild is. Which also includes efficiency.” You beam at his compliments, and you only hope this leads to a higher pay. “So does that mean-“

“You’re not done for the day” Your performed smile drops. Ginter shakes his head, running a hand down his face “I received a report of our fellow member getting distracted from his work. Wondering around at late times. You remember Volo, right?”

How could you forget? Volo has been a mystery to you. Oddly enough, he keeps to himself besides talking to Ginter and potential customers like the Galaxy team. When you first met him, it was just casual conversation that died down to morning greetings. You slowly nod at him curious to see where this is going.

“I need you to go with him on his routine drop offs. Perhaps just this once to see how it goes..” You wish you could talk back but the only thing that is said is an agreement. You exchange the details of the drop off locations… Back in Crimson Mirelands? Specifically the diamond settlement. You turn around to see Volo at the entrance of Jubilife Village talking with a Galaxy team member. Approaching him, he immediately turns his attention towards you. “Oh? Well if it isn’t the face of the Ginkgo Guild themself. Here to observe me, is that right?” Volo says facing you with that charming smile that never fails to persuade customers.

“Yeah…You knew?” You tilt your head a bit up to face him right. God, he is tall. Volo chuckles a little “Being informed on the latest news is key to being a good merchant, after all” He adjusts his hat that sits perfectly on top of his golden hair. “Well? Shall we get going?” You nod, marching past him and getting a head start on your journey.

As peaceful as the Obsidian Fieldlands looks, it wasn’t free from the potential threat of alpha pokemon. Upon arriving, you knew the next few hours were going to be a bit awkward if someone didn’t start a conversation. Even if Volo wasn’t necessarily someone you wanted to talk to at the moment for dragging you into this. Just when you were about to open your mouth, Volo beat you to it. “What a mystery it is.. For as long as you’ve been in the Ginkgo Guild, how is it that we’re just now traveling together?” You look ahead as you walk trying to put a right response together. “I suppose I just like to work alone.. I can rely on myself and I’m the only one I can trust to get things done. Seize the day, or at least that’s what I like to think” Volo hums in response, “I can certainly understand that”

“You do?” You whip your head towards him only to trip on a rock. Your heart drops as you instinctively put your hands in front of you to brace for impact. Pain didn’t follow as you felt a firm tug on your backpack coming from behind you. Suddenly, you’re set back on your feet “Careful! You can’t get distracted when there are dangerous Pokémon around!” Your heart beat calms down as you turn to stare at him “Uh.. yeah, thanks..” Volo ponders to himself about the previous statement. Maybe you can be of use to him after all.

The two of you continue walking through the grasslands, occasionally hiding between rocks and trees just to survive. Being by yourself was one thing, but now you have to think about someone else’s life as well. You get up from crouching, but Volo ushers you to come back down. “What is it?” you respond, raising a brow at him. “Have you ever heard of the back strike technique?”

“The.. what?” Volo pulls out a pokeball, offering it to you “Here, I’ll show you. It’s just a little trick I picked up over the years. You know how to aim and throw right?” You blink at him. You don’t exactly have the same skills as a Galaxy team member, but at least you know how to survive. Times were changing even if the thought of approaching wild Pokémon made people hesitant to catch them. If having a partner enhanced that chance to live for another day then you were quick to catch one. With only two Pokémon on your team, you couldn’t call yourself an expert just yet. “Not really.. Pokeballs only recently got invented. It was pure luck for me just to get a couple” You reluctantly grab the pokeball anyways. The weight of the ball in your hand brings you back to the time you were practicing for a position for the Survey Corps. You were fascinated with what Professor Laventon was researching, often admiring his Pokémon from afar. You wanted to help with those discoveries. You’re about to give the item back to Volo, thinking how silly it is to try and be something you’re not. “I can’t..”

Volo immediately shushes you, with the next words coming out in a whisper “Here’s your chance..” Shivers run down your spine as you can feel static filling the proximity. A Luxray cries out, unaware of Volo and your shaking form. “Wait for it to turn around.. and then give it your best shot” Volo inches ever so closer to you, guiding your arm and body to the right position. “You’re more powerful than you think” You let out a shaky breath, blinking away the tears, and tightening your grip. The Luxray takes what feels like an eternity to turn around, giving out a yawn while stretching. You almost knock Volo over when you throw out your arm, anxiously watching the pokeball wobble around. The small firework victoriously shoots out, declaring your new partner. “Congratulations! My, my, that was quite impressive! With skills like that you could easily be more than just a Guinkgo Guild member” You crawl over, putting the pokeball in your backpack. “I can’t believe it myself. Say, you said you learnt this yourself? What other stuff are you hiding in that head of yours?” You tease, giving his hat a playful flick.