It was midnight in Veilstone City. Streetlights lit the cobbled avenues in places, but there were many patches of blackness. One young man, taking advantage of the darkness, had chosen to wander throughout the city unnoticed. He was breaking no laws, but if someone had seen him, they would have described him as suspicious. Even people who knew him well thought of him as suspicious. Even some people who idolized him thought of him as suspicious. He had grown to accept this fact, and it had become no more strange to him than the knowledge that his sister-in-law was a local celebrity. It was just a part of his identity.
Paul kind of liked being thought of as suspicious. It kept people from bothering him. But some people just never learn. Some people just can't read emotions very well, and some people just don't seem to notice when they are unwanted.
Barry was this kind of person. Blond, flamboyant, hyper, and possibly too enthusiastic for his own good. Born in a tiny town in southwestern Sinnoh, he longed to achieve something that would truly put Twinleaf Town on the map. Paul had met him recently. Couldn't honestly say he cared much for the guy. He was far too emotional, in Paul's opinion. But he might have potential as a worthy opponent… if he learned how to hold in his emotions. Barry couldn't bluff to save his life.
Paul sat under a tree, thinking about it. If this was some kind of dumb story, he'd probably show up right about now. He smirked, mildly amused by this notion. But, as it just so happened, Barry was not anywhere near Paul at that moment.
He was in some police station somewhere, being arrested on several counts of extortion.