alto mare art star

I don't think I've seen an evolution take place more than once, either...  Does it take a long time for a Pokemon to be ready?

He then fell silent to watch the back-and-forth between Bianca and Horsea, a contented expression on his face. It was always nice to see a person enthusiastic about working with a Pokemon, and he didn’t doubt today’s misunderstanding between the two would be mended soon enough.

"Remember to show patience," he said. “The ways of battle don’t come immediately to all Pokemon. Horsea told me you don’t lose your temper often, which is good, but this one incidence was making her doubt her own abilities. Be… Be encouraging." He looked down briefly at Horsea, quietly asking if what he was saying was helpful at all.

"Right, right."  Her face went red again.  She had known that Horsea had been angry, but she didn't know that her losing her patience had an effect on Horsea's self-esteem.  Making plans to buy an ice cream cone for the Pokemon as a sign of her remorse, she nodded at his advice.  "Yes...  I'll try."

Horsea tilted her head at N, surprised that he was consulting her.  He had seemed so much more at ease during their conversation.  "You're fine," she trilled.  "Go on."

Bianca's face became redder at the mention of the "garden."  How much had Horsea told N?  She glanced at the Pokemon.  "Calm down," Horsea's expression said.

"Alto Mare, she means," Bianca said softly and quickly.  "Where we come from.  But I go to school at the University."  She gestured towards the city.  "We visit whenever we can, but classes and homework take up most of my time..."

Her throat tightened.  For some reason she felt terribly afraid that N would tell her to bring Horsea back home, that this life was confining her Pokemon, and to keep her in Goldenrod would be cruel.  She wasn't sure why she cared so much about what N had to say, anyway; she had seen, in person, Horsea enjoying herself with the other Pokemon on her dormitory floor, and if Horsea didn't want to stay here, she would have made it clear, right?

I wonder what kind of an employer I’d make. But yes, I think you’re right; it’d be best for me to stick it out alone for now… after all, I’m the one the League recruited for this position, so for whatever reason they must have thought I would be suited for it. And it’s not as if my students don’t like me, or my challengers think I’m a doormat… but I’ll surely contact you for recommendations if the situation changes anytime soon.

You’ve never caught a Pokémon?

Oh, I do have Pokemon...  My grandfather caught them -- a Pidgey and a Horsea.  But I'm not really a trainer.  I don't battle much at all, but Horsea and I have been trying to level up a bit. [ shrugs ] Battling's not really my thing, though sometimes it can be fun to watch.

  [ Maybe it’s not such a good idea after all. ]

Once Horsea had given him a couple requests, he nodded. “Okay. I understand— Thank you, friend." He thought it was a little funny that Horsea didn’t want Bianca (he had heard her name, even if it had only been barely mentioned) to hear those “sentimental things". N would think that important, but maybe the Pokemon wasn’t comfortable enough for those things to be said? He would do his best to comply, though (even if it was obvious Bianca had heard the “kind" tidbit).

He made no move to get up from his position, and only pivoted to face Bianca. “Your name is Bianca, yes?" That was a little vexing. When he thought of Bianca, he thought of a certain blonde girl from Nuvema Town. “When I told you before that I was going to talk with your Pokemon, I meant that quite literally, as you observed. I grew up with Pokemon… I’ve been able to hear their voices since I was very young. Horsea wants you to know that I can understand her. Even if you still doubt me, I assure you that I only speak the truth."

It struck her amusing that he had mentioned growing up with Pokemon as an important factor to his gaining the ability to speak their language.  Who in this world did not live with Pokemon?  Nevertheless, she listened with a kind expression.  Although she was interested in the science of his ability -- does he literally hear their voices?  can a person grow to understand the Pokemon language if they spend enough time with them? -- she figured now wasn't the best time.  Maybe she would ask around the dorms later.

"Okay, I believe you," she told him with a glance at an earnest Horsea.

Her eyes lit up at his next statement.  "Really?" she asked, looking from N to Horsea, and back again.  "O-of course!  We can train -- if that's what you want...?"

[ It seemed as if she were finding everyone jobs recently.  Only the other day she had helped someone sign up to be a nude model (much to her amusement), and now she was referring Cheren to education majors...  Now if only she could find the motivation to get herself a part-time job, or at least sell one of her pieces... ]

He smiled down at Horsea, glad that his words seemed to be helping a little. “Okay. Whenever it feels right."

As happy as N was to hear the more positive side of Horsea’s sentiments, Chatot glowered, not appreciating the comments that were about her.

“At least I’m not prissy," she muttered. N tried to calm her again, murmuring, “Now, now…" like a parent soothing a fussy child.

"Anyway, I’m glad to hear you think she’s kind, Horsea," he said, trying to draw attention away from the disgruntled bird. He paused, before adding, “I think you can benefit from being more patient with one another, and with yourselves. A friend of mine taught me that Pokemon battles can help people and Pokemon understand each other… I hope that can apply to you."

Fin twitching, Horsea closed her eyes to Chatot.  Shortly she had collected herself and faced N with cheerfulness.  "That's true," she agreed.  "Really?  Battling?  Maybe it works for some.  But perhaps it will help Bianca -- my human, I mean -- and me, too, I suppose."

She watched him as he pondered.  It was kind of him, she now realized, to go out of his way to offer advice.  She had felt tentative at first, having been carried off in her Poke ball by his silly bird, but he himself was not an unkind human.