At 10:50 AM someone knocked on my door. Right on time, as Grandmother used to say. I agree.
The girl who walked in, informing me of a million little things all at once, probably without her even knowing. For example, her pale complexion, along with thick, stick-straight black hair and unique eye shape let me know that she at least had relatives in the East, if not from there herself. Her style of dress was conservatively Western, which confirmed this-not too modern, yet acceptable in the Khoáng marketplace. Her shoes-flats-let me know that she was practical. Good.
It was also clearly obvious that the girl was extremely nervous, to the point where she was just barely shaking. Clearly I have mastered the intimidation factor, though I am sure I am nowhere near the level of Ed, much less Grandmother. She should be thanking her lucky stars she doesn't have to meet with Grandmother in her prime, or Eddie while in the middle of his twisted reasoning....no matter.
As I reached out to shake her right hand, I noticed bite mark scarring-several on her left hand, evenly spaced, just barely slanted, and with a slight yellow tinge, which meant she was a dragon trainer. This girl not only was from the East, but heralded from Opal City, which was about the only place one could receive a Dratini without getting worse than mere bites. You can learn much more about a person through their Pokemon than you can with physical details, and only the Dratini family leave those distinctive yellow marks.
While she was obviously not a devoted trainer, professional researcher, or even back in the highly secretive town tending wounded Pokemon while their trainers goofed off in the snack bar, Dratini must be received, not caught. And while Elder 'Ken' might give good little trainers sweets, he most definitely does not give his precious babes away to those trainers. A score of qualities must be met, and the absence of even one disqualifies you for the gift. A calm temperament, firm opinions, a gentle yet firm hand when dealing with conflict, logic and reason....thankfully all good qualities here at Rocket Shipping.
Her handshake was firm-either she did have the calm interior required to train temperamental Pokemon, or she was working off of off-island training. She looked too young to have both trained a Dratini and gone to the mainland, so inside that trembling nervous exterior must be some bit of calm.
How will she react....professionally cool, I said, "Welcome. Do you have your papers.....?"
As she scrambled for her papers-no, that is the wrong term. Nervousness had made her hands less agile than they might otherwise have been, but the simple bag she had brought with her was well-organized and neat, which marked her as someone who had never been on the road as a trainer. Interesting. I had to ask, "Do you still have your Dratini with you here in the city?"
Her reaction was hilarious-mouth dropped, eyes wide, folder with papers clearly forgotten. I gave her a full minute, after which I coughed politely, and watched as her cheeks turned beet red.
Gah. Acute observational skills are immensely useful when face to face with someone who might slaughter you and your team, but never "You did receive warning about how I tend to ask incisive questions, correct? And I do still need to see...."
Her blush went redder, if possible. "Oh! I am sorry....it was a shock, you see-I haven't told many about Draco. I wish he were here, but I left him with relatives back home. He was a gift." She handed over the folder-black, with simple brass fittings. Not at all original, much like...Draco? Imagination was never a required attribute for Ken. Also, relatives? Relatives mean well, but....it is the case of leaving the pet home for a summer, and finding it has 'run away'.
Perhaps I should drop by in the near future and suggest its addition to the exam. If nothing else, I'll get an excellent cup of tea and some homemade berry drops.
Returning the attention to the folder I had just been handed, I commented, "Well, when you are confirmed for the position you wish to acquire, you will have the funds for a gym patronage. I'm sure you know that Cape Coral is only a short distance east of here, and I am sure Sam would love another playmate.
She gasped a little. "Sam? You surely mean-"
Hmm. I was right on her being from Hisui.
"-Gym Leader Solomon? And that is if I get the position, after all-"
I had opened the folder, suppressing an involuntary smile at the white sheets of paper. Dear Grandmother had instituted a policy of meeting with any potential candidate for an upper level post within the company. Grandmother used it to intimidate. Ed used it to intimidate and force them into 'confidentiality.' I used it to learn.
Wrong on her never being on the road-her trainer record showed that she spend three months out of her first trainer year on the road, made here about and had even managed to snag an insignia against Whitney. Not particularly difficult, but still impressive. Even more so considering she managed to keep a sense of neatness. Those who have been on the road for longer than a month turn into pack rats.
"-it has been said that you are incredibly strict, and I've only got a fraction-"
Good credentials. She spent the rest of her year with a for-hire accountant in various small towns, and those recommendations seemed to be promising if I wanted to take the chance to read them. Now down to family records....
"-of experience compared to some of your accountants. And I'm-"
What the hell-no wonder she left Draco with relatives. Her great uncle was bloody old Ken. To think I have been dating another relative of hers on and off for years.
Time to halt the chatterbox effect.
I held up a hand. "Stop. I call him Sam because we are friends. Your credentials are more than enough. And the fact that Ken trusted a family member with a Dratini, as evidenced by marks on your hand where Draco probably got you when he wasn't used to handling, says more than your credentials. He is ten times more difficult with family than with guests. Something about hospitality."
She sat a minute, then, "Thank you."
Good. She recognized the compliment. I asked, "Do you have any questions?"
I don't think she was thinking clearly-for her sake, I hope she wasn't-when she blurted out, "Why do you always wear black?" Almost immediately, she realized the question, and shrunk back in her chair.
I grinned. "Woman to woman, it's because I'm the only one who can get away with it."
She relaxed a bit, then-"Well, thank you, and I-"
I chose to interrupt- "Yes yes, and your Draco too. Now get going-you have a new office to mark as your own, and an uncle to call to arrange for transport of Draco."
After she bid a final farewell ("I won't let you down!"-only more elegantly put.) I sat back, brought my hands to my forehead, and sighed.
If only......