Au nom de l'art culinaire !

“Well, I couldn’t actually see their faces so I’ll take your word for it!” He had taken his glasses off to complete the ensemble and only just put them back on, so that wasn’t actually an exaggeration. Fashion and inconvenience go hand in hand, it seems. “Jokes aside, I do really appreciate you telling me that since it can be hard to judge in the moment. I dunno about you, but when I’m playing music or battling I just try to focus on what's right in front of me, because if it's done right then people will like it, right?”

"I understand where you're coming from, surely for what you do, to 'do a good job' requires an astounding amount of focus. Though what is more important is that you've actually enjoyed yourself." On that note, Calem was absolutely right; there was little chance up until now to have a conversation about...well, more than just music. Most of what Siebold has come to know is from other sources, and there is a lot to pick through thanks to Calem's celebrity status. The dent in the Kalos League created by the Team Flare incident had not entirely smoothed in the event of Calem's succession to role of Champion. It was such terrible timing, so those personal and insightful conversations were few and far between. However, standing here, he wouldn't really know where to start. But something of immediate note was the very visage of a man he would barely recognize from a distance. Siebold has come to terms with the man's fashion sense to the point he would no longer comment on it, but for the best part of the day he saw a man dressed in something perfectly refined for a michelin-star restaurant, and considering the former comment, instead of wearing contacts he may just be sacrificing his sight for sake of the look. It's a far cry from what he can be seen in at the League building like it was some casual day at home. Well, no, not even that - even at home, Siebold was sure he dresses better than that. "Are you used to taking up these sorts of requests?"

“Mmh, this is from Alarie, right? They always have very good loose-leaf tea, if you visit early. I used to work there, after the other place…” Her gaze flicks up, studying Siebold for a few seconds. “But how are you, Siebold? Busy? You seemed a little out of sorts earlier”

He gives a polite smile as he took his seat across from Diantha, though he feels a pang of awkwardness realizing that as per usual, he was not capable of hiding his emotions well. Perhaps pitiful to a star actress, he mustered words in response to her own observation; "E-earlier? Ah, was it that obvious? Heheh..." The fact Diantha remembered despite how busy SHE had been.... "I was a bit out of it, having had an on-camera interview last evening. I'm still anxious about how it went. Sigh-" He looks down at the tea poured for him by the actress with a weak little laugh, and takes a small sip. Though he was not much a tea person, he could appreciate the quality of the blend and brew; it felt refreshing & helped him calm his nerves. "I come to really dislike being on camera. I truly could never understand how you can do it."

Cajun bbq shrimp scampi linguine

"Opalescence" by Boucheron — transformable betta fish pendant/ear cuff with rose gold accents and an opal cabochon, photo via Instagram

Melting pot of opportunity by the sea. Fishermen, boat racers, merchant ships - There truly is a rich amount of diversity from near and far that dock at the many, many ports and marinas in this Southern Kalosian city. Second largest to Lumiose, Laminacre serves not only as the gate into Lumiose for those from the Mediterranean Regions, but also a general hub for merchants. Unique shops & restaurants is enough to fill up an itinerary before even fitting in the hundreds of attractions left over from ancient times. As long...as you don't end up getting lost in a city that's so much more convoluted than the back alleys of Lumiose. But at least if you get lost, you'll be entertained by the colorful tagging and murals all over the exterior walls of the inner city. Where the money can be seen is along the coastline with the luxury hotels & high class restaurants. Your standard upscale boutiques and sought-after brand stores take up the best commercial spaces onlooking the marinas. The largest hotel also doubles as a Pokemon gym. It was only recently that further implementation of things such as public battlefields and sea recreational activities that includes pokemon have been considered. A crowded city like Laminacre on both land and sea never had the proper planning for these spaces , but with the popularity of cafe/restaurant battle menus in Lumiose, these are only a natural development to look into whereas the only places to pokemon battle safely in Laminacre would be the gym, private arenas, and the city outskirts.

blue dream shrimp (neocaridina davidi) having a snack | shrimpsensei on ig

   Siebold currently lives in the artists’ district of Lumiose City ( real world equivalent of Montmartre ), a quaint 17th century hôtel particulier that is well-lived in even after only a few years. He LOVES to entertain guests, and would usually invite acquaintances for lowkey parties . Some wine from his personal collection and food cooked by himself, it would be a socialite’s dream with the connections he manages to assemble. Whether it be a sample pokémon battle, him flexing his piano skills, or just some deep conversation ( in the case of when salons sought his place as a perfect venue) , Siebold is willing to do it all. Though it also is more than simply a party place for the rich, as Siebold has found an interest in hosting artists that hold classes, completely free of cost;  and would even provide refreshments to the students.    As someone who vehemently supports artists of all sorts, many paintings hanging on his walls are more contemporary, done by local artists ( it’s a way of promoting them to the rich guests as a point of conversation, as well. very sneaky ). The small private garden feature sculptures of such artists, as well. Speaking of which, the garden features a traditional symmetrical french look, with the addition of lavender and rosemary with the many rose varieties.      It wouldn’t be a stretch to assume he’s entertained the whole Kalos League at this point ( yes, especially Valerie and Grant ). He’s also known to invite rival chefs and restaurant owners of well known restaurants. Rumor has it he is very good friends with owner Christophe of Restaurant de Perfection & Kazu of Restaurant Rolling Dreamer.

After the incident with Team Flare, this neighborhood's romantic reputation had since faded. Rising cost of rent & tax along with the diminishing of tourists, many of these artists and small cafes simply could not stay open. As property quite quickly become abandoned or on the market, the community had begun to break apart. The few still standing do their best to keep the Lumiose art community thriving ( ie; this is the malamar incident begun. if you know you know ). Murals and other graffiti sprayed onto abandoned buildings to hide the crumbling architecture, coffee shops resorting to the bottom of the barrel product to cut costs - there's little that could be done when the problem is willed by higher powers. To make the bad situation worse, the neighborhood would become nestled between wild zones and a battle zone, so even if for some odd reason people would be interested in staying in Lumiose, this area definitively wouldn't be the first choice.