pokemon partners!

It was important to keep good relations with old clientele. Her financial advisor's words stuck close to this day, past numerous faces and repeated agreements that blended together. She did try keep the name and contact information of every single person who commissioned her work recorded, for future visits to see if there was interest in requesting her services once more. Immediate profit aside, it helped to lift her reputation and attract newcomers.

Corbeau was different, though. Awareness of what his business truly did was lacking for her, likely intentional on the man's behalf, but such information was rarely needed for a contract anyway. All that mattered is he wanted her to design him a suit befitting of a suave businessman to not be taken likely, while also paying homage to his bug/poison-typed partner pokemon. The vision came to her almost right away, in particular due to emphasis of violet within the poison-typing. Violet was one of her favorite colors as well, so the next steps came easy. His satisfaction with the end result was positive, acknowledgement that the final price was worth it.

At this point in time, her intentions were simple. An appointment made for a check up of sorts. Valerie had seen sparse photos of the Rust Syndicate's headquarters in Lumiose, but in person, she was truly impressed. The aesthetics felt comfortingly familiar, to where she questioned if the organization was inspired by her homeland...

The air within the building was imposing, but she still felt no need to be accompanied directly by anyone, regardless of what she's heard through the grapevine about the syndicate's threatening demeanor. Of course, her main team of pokemon remained in her possession - though for once her Sylveon was absent physically from her side. How protective he was by nature might disturb what could otherwise be a calm meeting.

"I know better than to be late, Monsieur Corbeau," she replies with a tone matching a laidback vibe, as does the little smile on delicate features. Yet, it was rare for the woman to not be smiling in some manner. A habit she became known for, amongst other things.

After an expression of gratitude, Valerie moves languidly as she goes over to the referenced couches, pairs of twos facing one another with a long iron table between them. A table she would do her best to avoid touching, even with her kimono's long sleeves and black stockings covering her skin. She sits only when Corbeau does, looking out across to him. Her handbag was laid to rest by her lap.

"So that's why you're here?"

And is that all that she's here for? ...Is what Corbeau initially thinks, but he has to admit he can at least respect Valerie's dedication to her craft. Many people would be content to finish a commission for a client and then be done with it, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, but to go the extra mile like this is the mark of a real professional - or at least someone who takes pride in their work.

"Well, I've gotta say... you won't be hearing any complaints from me." Corbeau remarks, matching Valerie's courteous tone with a similar one of his own. ...And it isn't a lie - he's not the type to give praise easily, but Corbeau's been more than satisfied with the suit she made for him, hence why he's still wearing it to this day. Of course, he wouldn't have chosen her to begin with if he didn't think she'd be able to do it right.

"In terms of repairs, I'd say it's kept itself together rather well," -even through the mess that recent events have brought to Lumiose City, which is really no small feat, "-And your sense for design - well, it's just as I said when we first met."

It's hard to deny Valerie's skill, no matter how eccentric she may be. ...And it's not just for his own satisfaction that he approached her - the appearance of an organization is a surprisingly important part of how it's perceived and how it functions, too.

"I hadn't considered updates, but..." Corbeau pauses in consideration for a moment. "...I suppose I could think about the idea." Although he does wonder, with a hint of frustration, if a whole meeting was necessary for her inquiry to begin with. But maybe that's just because things have been so busy around here recently... There's a slight crease in his eyebrows - a faint sign of stress, maybe - one that's been showing up more and more, particularly as of late.

dialogue prompts from my darling dreadful thing: a novel by johanna van veen.

you're different from what i expected.

are you pretending?

some things are so horrible that the only sane response is a bit of madness.

the truth scares people. they're always afraid of what they can't explain.

children accept so much as normal, don't they?

you need never be alone again. i shall keep you safe.

they were onto something, those greeks.

poor little thing. you must have been terribly lonely.

it's very clear in my mind, but it doesn't sound very clear when i try to put it into words.

you were mine, and i was yours.

i can see i've touched a very sore spot. let's talk about someone else.

please. just a little while longer.

do shut up.

your feeling does you credit.

what could you possibly do to help me?

i suppose you must feel very pleased with yourself.

i'll never come back to you.

do you often feel violent toward people?

you're inscrutable.

you know, you needn't stay with me.

you don't owe me anything.

hotel rooms are such strange places, don't you think?

i can see you now.

what a sick little story.

all these years, i thought i was alone.

i only had _____ to teach me love.

forgive me. i didn't mean to laugh.

i thought if i could make the situation darkly funny, it would be easier to handle.

you're a blessing and a curse, aren't you?

am i a curse to you?

please don't raise your voice at me.

i've no doubt that in your mind, it was all true.

do you think i do not know? do you think i'm stupid, as well as mad?

i'm trying to tell you everything, but you keep interrupting me.

every house has its own scent.

to speak of evil is to invite it in.

the house is very talkative.

arrogance is a greater threat to justice than evil and ineptitude.

remain always wary. ever-vigilant.

god hasn't yet given me much reason to believe in him.

describe _____ to me.

you've seen right through me.

smoking is an acquired taste.

i like listening to you talk.

every house is entitled to its secrets.

you keep your cards close to your chest.

are you done interrogating me?

if i had my way, you'd never have to clean.

happy: such a funny little word, isn't it?

doing little has never agreed with me. it gives me too much time to dwell on things.

you've never looked more beautiful.

knowing and understanding: what is the difference?

some things must be experienced to be understood.

it seems to me that you are a little jealous.

i want to know everything there is to know about you.

i want to eat you up and drink you in.

there's a reason the word 'haunting' is rarely used in a positive way.

this is no place to raise a child.

i feel like you're being dishonest with me.

some things can't be talked about.

please, will you hold me?

how do you want to be held?

everything you say is interesting to me.

i don't want you to think all i ever went through was misery.

i told you this is how it would be, didn't i?

i'm going to make it alright. i promise.

remind me again why you thought this plan would work.

i'm not doing it all by myself. i've got you.

you've thought it all through, haven't you?

your hair is getting long.

let me help. let me bear it for a little while.

some things can only be learned through experience.

i can bear anything, if you're there to bear it with me.

i'll help you wash.

i'm like a magpie. i like shiny things.

men are such babies.

i read that in a library book.

i always suspected you didn't have a heart.

please don't look at me as if you don't know me.

my marriage was nothing like you seem to think it was.

if that was love, it came at much too steep a price.

you could charm the devil himself.

there's only so much disgrace and shame a person can suffer.

i could have helped you. you needn't have carried all this alone.

i've never had anyone i could trust enough to talk to before.

you must have felt so powerless.

does anyone know what you did?

everything i touch blackens and withers.

sometimes i think that all i am is what ____ made me.

you're kind and funny and smart. and so much more, besides.

you've got me all wrong, you know.

you don't have to say anything. i just wanted to tell you.

you're more than what _____ did to you.

maybe i'm already dead. maybe this is hell.

my love for you is as strong as death.

when you wake, please come haunt me.

you really are a funny one.

where will you go, if you won't come with me?

i don't much like to be beholden to anyone. it hasn't worked out so well for me before.