HE only went back to Pyrite sometimes, but it was always fun. He’d met up with his mother, and now he had time to just stroll around, maybe see if any of the old neighborhoodlums were still around. Things could get scrappy but anyone who knew him would know not to mess with him. In any case, he was more interested in the street performing side of things.
And of course, before long, he found someone performing magic for a meager crowd. He towered over the lot of them, folding his arms and watching with genuine excitement and interest. She was adorable, and seemed to be talented. She had a Lucario with her, always an intriguing thing to find, so he brought Baron out as well, and he took the same stance as his trainer.
The two looked on, and applauded together when she concluded her trick.
“You’re amazing!” he exclaimed. “Have you been performing for very long?”
It was finally time! Today was a very special day for Kimaru, as she finally disembarked from her boat journey from Johto to Orre. Clara lived in Orre, and since she’d never seen it, she wanted to! The dancer just had way more motivation to do so now. So here she was, standing on the pier skipping forward toward the rest of town.
Gateon Port, that’s where the captain said they were! And he said it was Orre and gave this small speech thing about not wandering off too far away from the city because crooks were around. Well obviously Kimmi ignored that and just started wandering. She hummed to herself, dancing toward some form of town center, staring at the map. “I have no idea what any of this means!”
She quickly set out to dig out her phone, texting Clara a picture of the town map. “I have no idea where I am! This doesn’t tell me how to get to Pyrite Town! What do I do?! Do I ask for directions!? Do I wander until I get there!? I’m very excited to see you!” Kimmi clutched the tiny phone in her hands, rocking back and forth on the heels of her feet, eagerly awaiting Clara’s reply on how to get to her. She was so excited she was nearly bouncing in place.
Kimaru had been rather excited about her latest shift at the Tea House. There was something different about the air in the room, how much more energized it was. Normally, it was just a really calm place to be, but there was this wonder and excitement filling the space and that only made her that much happier to perform that day. The life of a Kimono Girl was one she really loved, since it came with many freedoms. She was allowed to spend her free time how she wanted, not to mention everyone always seemed to support her free spirit.
Being bound to rules and society was boring, and people seemed to understand it, at least a little bit. She would work her required days and spend the others roaming, mostly to the ocean and to the spirits that rested around the city. Doing her usual routine before the dance show started, she took several deep breaths to calm her nerves. Even though she had been doing this for a really long time now, she still got nervous. And then, the stretches!
Hearing several of her muscles and bones crack into place, she smiled. She was set to go and perform her latest piece. It was a tad faster than what she usually danced to, but she didn’t mind trying new things every now and then. As she walked to her performance, setting herself in place and soon music filled the air. She swayed and danced, movements graceful and fluid like ocean waves washing the beaches.
The routine was elegant, but swift in its own right, and soon, someone else had taken her place so she could relax for the rest of the day. It was always so much fun, and she picked a table with someone she hadn’t seen before now. She looked new and interesting, so Kimmi decided to join her, without changing out of her Kimono attire. “Hey! I saw you sitting here by yourself and thought you might like some company! I’m Kimaru, but you can call me Kimmi or Kiki if you want!” She smiled, tilting her head to the side a small bit. “What’s your name and what brings you to Ecruteak?”
From an architectural standpoint, Nacerene City pales in comparison to Castelia.
There are no sky scrapers to stare upon, nor are there any massive roads with hundreds of passersby (both native and traveler) alike to walk along by. Nacrene must have a third of the commercial buildings that Castelia has. Maybe even less. And to some, there is nothing particularly interesting about Nacrene – especially since Lenora had announced her title and forfeited the job to Cheren.
But Nacrene still thrives. The air is clean and fresh. The museum has since expanded, establishing a collection that some say rivals that of the one in Pewter. The library has had similar luck, much to Cheren’s satisfaction. But most importantly of all – Nacrene’s artistry community had finally blossomed, and to celebrate, the city had thrown together an outdoor exhibition to honor all the hard work and pride that these city artists had put in.
Nacrene City extended an open invitation to all who would hear of it. Did Cheren really have anything better to do this Saturday?
The answer is no.
“Oh man, I’d love to have this hanging in my home somewhere.”
The painting in question is a smattering of colors – a oil on canvas depicting autumn trees in a secluded valley in Unova. The strokes used are hasty and somewhat messy, but is the main reason as to why Cheren cares for it so much. He can picture it now, framed, hanging somewhere in his study – oh! It would go well with the bookcase there, too –
“Mary? What do you think – Mary! Are you asleep?”
At his feet rests a rather big-boned Stoutland, content in blowing little snot bubbles instead of observing. Cheren gives the leash a gentle yank in response.
Mary continues to snore.
The artist, standing beside their painting, regards Cheren with a small frown. Cheren’s shoulders tense up, and his pulse quickens abnormally.
“Sorry about that,” he says, offering an uneasy smile. “Mary doesn’t, erm, normally fall asleep. I’m sure she really loves your paintings, see, she’s so relaxed that she’s fallen asleep in their presence…”
Before he realizes it, Cheren has bent over and scooped up the Stoutland with an impressive amount of strength.
Within seconds, his knees begin to wobble.
“I’ll be out of your way – I really do love your painting!”
Cheren disappears before he can say another word.
He makes it as far as the bend, when his muscles begin to cry out. He deposits the Stoutland (gently) onto a nearby bench before sitting down himself. And on cue, Mary opens her small eyes, gazing up at Cheren with a doe-eyed expression.
“Are you just now waking up?”
Mary snorts.
“You’re a handful.” He buries his face into his hands. “You’re embarrassing me in front of other people.”
She crawls into his lap. And despite her weight, he can’t help but smile and return her affections. What starts as belly rubs goes to obnoxious coo-ing – coo-ing so loud, that it attracts the attention of some who pass by –
As well as an absolute stranger.
The blush that warms his cheeks tells all that one needs to know. How long has she been standing there?
