Chapter 3 - Around Town
Susanshi remained awestruck as she entered the town area along with Tokot, Leo and Lou. She was captivated by the mere concept of a full settlement produced entirely by Pokémon, a species considered less productive than her own kind. She was amazed by how well-built the town was, especially considering the likely limitations the creatures may have in this land.
Upon walking through the main entrance, a large circular section was visible, with a basic pattern made from multiple bricks of varying colors. In the very center was a water fountain surrounded by simple wooden benches. Several Pokémon were sat on said benches. In the middle of the fountain itself was a statue depicting a graceful bird-type creature, wings held high up, standing upon a round pedestal. To the left of this area was a street, with multiple facilities lining each side. The right featured the same. In the back was an empty path leading to what was likely another way in and out of the town. The entirety of the group stopped just in front of the fountain.
"My goodness, this whole place is quite something!" Susanshi commented to herself in her mind. "Seeing all these Pokémon live like humans... It really is fascinating. I could really get used to this."
Then, she started to take notice of the fountain's statue. It looked as if it was staring down at her, its expression seemed particularly accentuated, radiating a sense of great authority.
"Man, that statue sure looks important," Susanshi continued to herself. "I wonder who that Pokémon is? Looks kinda like...a Ho-Oh..."
"Susanshi?" Leo's voiced emitted.
"...Huh? What is it, Leo?" wondered Susanshi, now back to reality.
"It looked like you were spacing out there," said Leo.
"Oh, I'm fine. I was just lost in thought," replied Susanshi.
"All right then, if you say so. Well then, we'll drop Lou off first. Then we'll take the Berries to the cafe," said Leo. "It's on East Street."
He and the others continued to stroll, this time going in the direction right of the fountain. It didn't take very long for three other Pokémon, within Lou's age group, to hurry towards them. One was a Surskit, a Pokémon standing on four short legs attached to a small, blue body, followed by cheek-like markings, beady eyes and a short, yellow stalk on its head. The second Pokémon was an Oddish, a blue sphere shape on small legs but no arms, tiny red eyes and multiple leaves growing on top. The third and final one was a Mime Jr., with a bright pink body and face, small red bump-like appendage on its stomach, a clown-nose and a dark-blue hat of sorts with a white ball on the end.
"Aha! We've finally found you, Lou!" the Oddish called out.
"Nah, I ain't playing anymore," claimed Lou. "If we were then I wouldn't have come back with these guys."
"Hey, no fair! You're only saying that to stop yourself from losing!" snapped the Surskit.
"That is not true, Andrew! I swear!" claimed Lou.
"Yeah right," said Andrew, the Surskit. "Donnie, you don't believe him, right?"
"Of course not!" answered the Oddish.
"And you, Jim?" continued Andrew.
"Nope, he's just cheating because he doesn't want to risk being a big loser!" responded the Mime Jr..
"That's not true! Um... I mean... OK, I cheated. I left the town. I hid in the woods in the west," confessed Lou.
"Ha! Knew it!" howled Andrew. "You're nothing but a cheat!"
"Cheat! Cheat! Cheat!" chanted the youthful trio in unison.
"That's enough, runts. Why don't you try playing nice now?" said Tokot.
"We'll play nice only if Lou does!" stated Jim.
"We'll even make sure he plays fair!" claimed Donnie. "If he doesn't we'll take away his leek!" he and Jim began to chuckle balefully.
"Aww, not cool, guys! You know this leek means everything to me!" said a highly-worried Lou.
"Well then, you'll start playing fair, right?" asked Andrew.
"Yes... I'll play fair..." replied Lou.
"You should keep your word, Lou. If someone didn't play fair then it would totally ruin the fun for everybody," educated Susanshi.
"Oh hey, you! We haven't seen you around these parts. You new here?" wondered Jim.
"Well...yes, I am," replied Susanshi.
"She's here to join the EA," said Leo.
"Oh, that sounds cool. I've been thinking about becoming an Explorer when I grow up," said Jim. "Like maybe when I evolve into a Mr. Mime. I'd love to join now, but the rules won't let me."
"Yeah, Master Eag has ruled out that you must be thirteen years old at least to join the EA," said Leo.
"Oh man, four years is such a long wait!" said Jim.
"Heh, I'm sure you'll make a great Explorer if you put your mind to it," said Leo with a smile.
"Yeah, unlike some," grunted Tokot.
"Heard that one," Leo said in response. "Well, you four run along now. We have some business to attend to."
"Of course. You're Explorers, so you're always busy, right? We'll let you go now. And...sorry for the trouble," said Lou.
"Hey, no biggie," replied Leo. "OK, farewell for now."
The young foursome all then ran away together.
"Remember, play fair, or leek goes bye-bye!" reminded Andrew as they ran.
"I promise, OK?!" replied Lou. "So, what will we play next?"
"How about truth-or-dare?" suggested Donnie.
"Yes! It's on!" cheered Lou.
As the youngsters left, Leo watched them with a look at satisfaction.
"They make friends, they play together, they even cause mischief... So much like human children," commented Susanshi. "I could learn so much from even them."
"Makes you think that maybe you were sent here for more than one reason," said Leo.
"Maybe, but I doubt it," said Susanshi.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Enough chitchat, we've got a delivery to make!" announced Tokot.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot! We should go now!" realized Leo.
With that, the trio headed further into the town. Along the way, Susanshi was staring all around her surroundings as she, Leo and Tokot were marching. She became more and more amazed as she saw more and more of the buildings that lined the left and right sides of the street.
"This place just gets better and better," she commented.
"Yep, Sacreca Town has practically everything you could want," said Leo. "The number one tourist attraction of Sacreca! A large array of shops, a gymnasium, library, theater, game area and a cafe, of course. Not to mention the many residents. It's also where I live. The place with the fountain that we were just at is Central Plaza. The street on its left is West Street. This is East Street."
"What about that empty street north from the plaza?"
"An expansion to the town's supposed to happen there sometime in the future. It'll be North Street."
"An expansion, you say?"
"Yep, it's been planned out for a few months now, but things have been rather slow to start."
They soon came to a moderately sized construction on the left side of the street. An inviting, wooden sign above the opened entrance stated "Primate Cafe" in bold lettering, followed by "All welcome!" in smaller letters directly below.
"Here we are," said Leo. "The Primate Cafe. Cafe by day, restaurant by night."
"Sounds pretty versatile," remarked Susanshi.
"It is," replied Leo.
The trio walked straight into the cafe. Within were multiple circular tables dotted about with several chairs, all made of wood. To the left was a counter with slightly taller chairs than the others in front of it. In the back of the cafe was a raised section, most likely to act as a stage of sorts. A Pokémon could be seen sat alone at one of the tables. It was brown in color with a pale face, pointy nose and a large, single leaf on its head. It was a Nuzleaf. It was drinking a fresh glass of white fluid, most likely milk. The Nuzleaf was mumbling to itself about something. Leo looked all around, as if looking for a particular thing.
"Um... Hello? Foliar? Flare? Flow? Are you here?!" he called out.
"Hey, not so loud over there! I'm trying to think over here!" snapped the Nuzleaf.
"Oh, sorry," said Leo. "Oh man, I sure hope they're here.
"Who, exactly?" wondered Susanshi.
"Foliar, Flare and Flow. They're the owners of this cafe. They're the ones who sent us off into the woods to fetch the Berries in the first place. They need them, as they're ingredients for certain recipes served here," explained Leo.
"Oh no, we haven't left," uttered a voice from somewhere. Three monkey-like Pokémon, one green, one red and one blue, then appeared seemingly from behind the counter.
"Ah, the young Explorers have returned! Did you find the Berries?" asked the red monkey, a Simisear.
"We were just downstairs in the storage room," said the blue one monkey, known as a Simipour.
"Oh yes, we were able to get the Berries that you asked for," confirmed Leo as he approached the counter.
"These three run this place?" wondered Susanshi.
"That's us!" replied the Simisage, the green monkey. "I'm Foliar. It's a pleasure to meet you! The hot-headed one is my bro, Flare."
"Yeah, how you doing?" greeted Flare the Simisear.
"And this lass is our li'l sis, Flow!" continued Foliar.
"It's a pleasure," said the Simipour quietly.
"So you say you've gotten the Berries? Please, do show us," requested Foliar.
"Yeah, here you go," said Leo, before reaching into his bag and taking out the harvested Berries, several at a time, and placing them onto the counter.
"Ah! Fantastico! That's all of them! You did well!" said an excited Foliar. "Flare! take these Berries down into storage right away!"
"Certainly!" obliged Flare.
He then proceeded to open a trapdoor in the wooden floor behind the counter, leading to some stairs going down into the cafe basement. With the trapdoor wide open, Flare took hold of all the Berries, carrying them all at once in his arms, then finally making his way down the stairs.
"You young'ins did it! We're so happy! Tonight, we'll serve our Thursday special: Cheri Pie! It'll be most brilliant!" cheered Foliar. "Ho ho, I'm getting excited just thinking about it!"
He was left lost within his own enthusiasm until Tokot insolently cleared his throat.
"Ah yes, of course! I should thank you for your efforts!" realized Foliar.
Tokot then put on an optimistic smile in anticipation.
"Yes, you should be rewarded! That goes for your new friend, too!" continued Foliar.
"Yes, yes! Bring on the riches!" exclaimed Tokot in his mind as his body began to tense in eagerness.
Foliar then proceeded to open up a small machine, a cash register, lying on the counter to his right. The register emitted a ding sound as a drawer full of currency coins and notes popped out the bottom of it. Foliar took three golden coins from it, each with the number "100" engraved into them, pushed the drawer back into the register, walked out from behind the counter through a gap in the far left and approached Leo, Tokot and Susanshi. He handed them each one of the coins. Tokot held his coin in front of his face and glared into it with dissatisfaction. It was shining back at him, as if it was trying to allure him, but to no success.
"There we go. Don't spend it all in one place!" said Folio as he smiled.
"A hundred PokéDollars?! That's it?!" questioned Tokot in disgust.
"Oh, well... It's a little less than I expected," said Leo in very slight disappointment.
"What? It's not good enough for you?" wondered Foliar.
"Um.. N-n-no. It's fine. Really, it is," replied Leo, with a tone evident that he didn't want to offend.
"Hell no!" snapped Tokot. "I wouldn't even be able to afford two of those Berries I had to get for you! This will not do at all!"
"Shut up, Tokot," whispered Leo into Tokot's direction.
"You don't like your reward?! Very well then!" said Foliar.
He was then quick to snatch the coin back from Tokot.
"Dammit!" Tokot spluttered, stomping the floor.
"You've deserved that! You should watch that mouth of yours! You could learn a lot from these two!" commented Foliar. "Unlike you, they've truly deserved it!"
"But...but...!" stuttered Tokot.
"No buts! If you really want it back then you'd better improve your manners! You should be thankful for getting anything from the money we make!" stated Foliar.
"Pfft. One hundred PokéDollars won't even do for me! Thanks for wasting my time!" said Tokot rudely.
At that moment, Flare had finally returned from the basement.
"Hey, what's with all the shouting up here?" he questioned.
"The flaming tail didn't like his reward, so I'm teaching him the importance of manners!" replied Foliar.
"Yeah... Be a little nicer," uttered Flow.
Then, the Nuzleaf approached the counter with a now-empty glass.
"Ah, José. You've calmed yourself yet?" asked Foliar.
"A little. Thanks again for the Moomoo Milk. I'm off now," replied the Nuzleaf.
"OK, you take care now," wished Foliar.
With that, the Nuzleaf left the building.
"Ah, poor José... He lost his job earlier, which is why he's so grumpy..." uttered Foliar.
"I feel so cheated!" snapped Tokot. "You'd think I'd get decent pay, but noooooooo! That money was for my family! Do you not understand that?! Joining the EA was all just a last-ditch attempt, and yet I get a mere hundred PokéDollars! I was expecting riches for a good job! Riches!"
"Um... Are you OK?" wondered Susanshi.
Tokot simply ignored her and continued his rant.
"All my life we've been struggling to live! Me, my mom, my dad, my kid sister! We just want to live like a normal family for once! Why isn't it working?!"
Foliar, Flare and Flow were simply staring at Tokot with blank expressions.
"Um... Heh, I apologize for this," said Leo with a nervous smile. "We'd um...better get going. Thanks for the money. OK, Tokot. Let's go."
He then proceeded to drag Tokot by the arm, taking him out of the cafe while he carried on with his outburst as Susanshi quietly followed.
"I've lived too long with bad luck! I was recommended by someone to join the EA to help us out of poverty! Recommended! That guy was a retired Explorer! Would a retired Explorer really lie to me?! Would he? WOULD HE?!"
"He'll calm down, right?" wondered Susanshi to Leo.
"Um...eventually," replied Leo with little confidence.
The trio were now back outside.
"I joined the EA for big money! And what happens?! One hundred PokéDollars!" Tokot yelled. "Ahhh! I'm so angry, I could just...!"
Various bystanders, who were simply minding their own business, all stood still and directed their attention to Tokot.
"T-Tokot, I think you should settle down now. You're creating a scene," said Leo.
Then, with a loud roar and out of the blue, Tokot blasted a stream of scorching fire from his mouth in rage, flying over Leo's head, missing him by inches. The pedestrians all stood silent and watching as Leo pointed his eyes upwards to see his topmost tuft was left with an ember on it.
"Ah! Hot hot hot!" he muttered as he tapped his hands onto the ember to put it out before it could do any damage.
He gave off a sigh of relief once the flame was gone.
Susanshi had remained quiet, feeling the awkwardness being produced by the situation. With his rage unleashed through the flames, Tokot finally calmed down, and began to take in deep breaths.
"Sooooo... Feeling any better?" wondered Leo.
"I'm...disappointed," huffed Tokot.
"Don't worry. The more work you do, the better the rewards," claimed Leo.
"You sure?"
"Sure."
"Oh Leo, I'd love to take your words to heart, but considering it's yours words, I..."
Tokot was then quick to notice the pedestrians still staring at him. His briefly-calm manner quickly reverted back to his hot-headed self.
"Hey, what are you looking at?!" he snapped. "Go on, shoo! This is no business for strangers!"
The bystanders finally returned to their own business.
"Ugh, that guy needs anger management," one such bystander commented.
"Has he always been this way?" wondered Susanshi.
"Yeah, pretty much," replied Leo. "Well then, Susanshi, would you mind if I took you to see someone before we do anything else?"
"Oh, not at all," responded Susanshi. "Who are we going to see?"
"My mother," replied Leo.
"Oh, then of course I'd like to meet her. Where does she live?"
"Not far. Come with me."
Leo then began to lead Susanshi and Tokot into the continuing direction of the path.
"Hey! You can let go now!" called Tokot.
Leo had completely forgotten that he was still holding onto Tokot's arm and dragging him with him wherever he went.
"Huh? Oh, sorry."
As the trio trekked through town, Susanshi and Leo were conversing once more.
"So, how did Pokémon even come to live in this place?" asked Susanshi.
"Oh? I thought you'd never ask. But anyway, there are many tales surrounding Sacreca's past. It is said that a civilization that lived over a thousand years ago founded the land," explained Leo.
"Really? What was this civilization like?"
"I myself don't fully know the details, but I believe there were all super powerful and such."
"Sounds really interesting."
"Indeed. I don't have the greatest knowledge about them, but I know someone who does. I'm sure she'd share what she knows if you want. But for now, our focus is to uncover the mystery surrounding your situation."
"Yeah, the sooner the better."
Susanshi was still unable to remove her curious eyesight off her surroundings as she made her way through the town. Her entire attention was drawn to her right, making her unaware of what was going on elsewhere. Suddenly, she bumped into somebody that she failed to see.
"W-whoa! Please excuse me," she pleaded as she turned to face whoever she had crossed paths with.
She discovered that the one was a figure twice her own size standing before her. A turtle-like Pokémon with a night-sky blue face, large fluffy tail and ears stood looming unnervingly over her. It was wearing a large brown coat lacking pockets, made of thick polyester fibers, that concealed his entire body by way of four large buttons sown onto the front, followed by overly long sleeves that hid the arms, a long collar which stuck up, obstructing the sides of his head. Leo stood looking nervous at the ominous figure, which was a Wortortle.
"Ah! J-Jon! P-please excuse us," he trembled.
"Yeah, sure. You'd better watch where you're going," said the Wortortle with a tone lacking in interest and enthusiasm. "So it's you kids again. I see you've found a new friend. Well, I believe you should teach her to keep her eyes forward."
"I-I'm sorry, Jon. J-just don't...hurt us," shivered Leo.
"You are afraid that I would waste my energy and physically you? Hmph. I don't have time for any of this. I'm going home," snuffed Jon.
He then began to walk away, simple as that.
"What's his problem?" questioned Susanshi.
"That's Jon. He's rather grumpy. He spends most of his time at home and always wears that coat whenever he goes outside. There's always something so...unsettling about him," described Leo.
"He's just a creep," commented Tokot. "I wouldn't let him stop us in our tracks."
"You're telling me, Leo," agreed Susanshi.
She was left staring long and hard at Jon's back as he got further and further away. She was filled with a sense of uncertain apprehension at his very essence.
"Um... We should just keep going," decided Leo.
"Yeah, good idea," responded Susanshi.
After finally being able to put her meeting with Jon behind her, Susanshi carried on with her escort by Leo and Tokot. It wasn't long until they came to a particular cozy-looking cottage situated within a state-like area of the town filled with multiple other cottages, all sporting the same basic straw-made roofs and brick structure. They were all neatly placed side-by-side on both sides of the path. This cottage in particular that the trio were stood in front of featured a welcoming doormat in front of a simple wooden door.
"Well, here we are, Susanshi," said Leo.
"Wow, these houses look very...inviting," commented Susanshi.
"Yep, they're even better inside," said Leo. "Come in."
He proceeded to open the door and step inside. Tokot and Susanshi followed him inside. Within was a set of furniture completely made of wood, mainly a large rectangular table in the middle of the circular room, surrounded by a set of four stools. In the back of the room was a pair of single-sized beds, the bases facing each other, followed by a ladder in between them leading to a platform with another bed on top. At the side of the room was a green-and-yellow frog-like Pokémon with its back turned. It was standing before a small sink fitted into a wooden counter. The frog Pokémon was washing dishes in the soapy water-filled sink.
"Hey Grenouille, I'm home," greeted Leo.
The frog Pokémon almost instantly turned around, revealing itself to be wearing a white apron.
"Ah, welcome back, Leo. Were you able to get those Berries?" it asked.
"Yep, this first mission was a success!" confirmed Leo.
"Wait, your mother's a Politoed?" questioned Susanshi.
"Foster mother, to be precise," corrected Leo. "I guess I accidentally addressed her as my actual mother. And I thought I was already over that habit..."
"Ah, please excuse me," apologized Susanshi.
"Ah, here we go," sighed Tokot. "Yo, Susanshi, you should be a little more careful about what you say to Leo."
"Huh? What do you mean?" wondered Susanshi.
Tokot looked as if he was thinking about something to himself briefly for a few moments.
"I'll tell you outside," he then said.
"Um...OK. Give us a moment, Leo," said Susanshi as she let herself be led back outside by Tokot.
Once back outside, Tokot closed the door to the house, stood close to Susanshi and began to whisper:
"OK, so that whole thing about Leo being fostered? He told me last week when we were first partnered up, and well, I might not like him that much, but even I know I shouldn't try to upset him. OK, so here's the thing. Years ago his mother fell ill and eventually died. Then, his father just...well...went missing."
"Just like that?" questioned Susanshi.
"Yeah, just like that. It must really suck, not having a family. In a way he's...less lucky than me. Even I can't deny that it's pretty tragic."
"Oh, that's...so unfortunate. My deepest condolences to him. I kind of understand if he referred to that Politoed as his mother."
"Yeah, but he doesn't really call her that. An accident? I don't know. Well, enough of that. Let's go back inside."
They did just that to see Leo and Grenouille, the Politoed, waiting patiently for them to return. They had not spoken since Susanshi and Tokot left.
"Well then, that's done with," said Tokot, trying not to hint out what was being discussed outside.
"What was that all about?" wondered Leo, looking puzzled.
"It's nothing," Tokot was quick to say.
"Well, whatever then. So yeah, this is Grenouille, a...family friend. It's been, like, eight years since she took me in to raise me once that...thing happened," said Leo.
"Oh, if you don't want to tell us about it then it's fine, whatever it may be" said Susanshi.
"Shush, don't make him turn on the waterworks," whispered Tokot to Susanshi.
"Well anyway, I'm Susanshi, and I'm a new friend of Leo's," greeted Susanshi.
"Oh, I see. Well, any friend of Leo's is always welcome here," said Grenouille. So anyway, do tell me a little about yourself, Susanshi."
"Well, Leo and Tokot met me out on the meadow, and I'm actually a...hoping to become an Explorer. Yes, I've, uh, always wanted to join the Explorer organization thing, so Leo and Tokot here are going to see what they can do for me."
"Oh, that's lovely," said Grenouille. "And where did you come from to pursue this ambition?"
"Oh... Somewhere far away. Some piece of land off the east shore of Sacreca or something."
"Hmmm... Odd, I don't remember there being a piece of land off the east coast of Sacreca. In fact, there isn't an east shore."
Leo began to feel scared.
"Oh? Did I say east coast? I um...meant reeeeeally far away. Another land, as a matter of fact," said Susanshi.
"I see, so you're not from around here. Well, I do hope you enjoy your time in Sacreca," wished Grenouille.
Leo followed with a big sigh of relief.
"Oh, something wrong, Leo?" wonder Grenouille.
"Oh, n-not at all. I'm just a little...tense...about being an Explorer. Yes, that's it!" he said with a jumpy tone.
"I'm sure you'll do fine. Baby steps first, OK?" said Grenouille.
"O-of course, Grenouille. Baby steps first, heh. I um...think we should get going," said Leo, still nervous.
He began to make his way to the door of the house.
"Wait a second!" called out Grenouille, causing Leo to fall over forward mid-run. "If your new friend is to became an Explorer, then she's going to most certainly want an accessory, right?"
"Ah, of course. I almost forgot!" said Leo, his voice muffled as the result of his face being flat down on the floor.
Quickly, he got back up and turned around to face Grenouille.
"Thanks for reminding me. OK, we're going now. Bye-bye!"
After saying all that in a rush, he bolted out the house.
"Whoa, don't go ditching us, Leo! Wait for us, dammit!" shouted Tokot as he went after him.
"Um... It was nice meeting you, ma'am, but I'd better go back to Leo. See you again," said Susanshi, before running after Leo and Tokot, closing the door behind her.
Grenouille simply stood in a confused state throughout the whole thing.
"Hmm... How strange..." she said to herself.
Meanwhile, back outside:
"Oh, my goodness! That was scary!" exclaimed Leo shortly after, Susanshi and Tokot back by his side.
"Wasn't it kind of rude to run off like that?" questioned Susanshi.
"Look, I get nervous very easily!" said Leo. "And besides, I'd rather not have people learn the truth about you so soon. You get what I mean?"
"O...OK. And that's why you became an Explorer in the first place, isn't it? To try to toughen up and not be as scared with things?" said Susanshi.
"Ugh, it's gonna be hard," groaned Leo. "But I won't give up! Well...not yet."
"Did Gren...something mention something about getting some accessory thing for me?" recalled Susanshi.
"Yes, that's where we're headed right now. It's pretty much a rule that all Explorers must wear at least one accessory. It's a sort of unique form of identity. For example, I have this scarf, and Tokot has his headband. So now we're going to the accessory shop to pick something out for you," detailed Leo.
"Unique identity, huh? Sounds rather interesting," commented Susanshi. "Oh, and I almost forgot I had this. Can I put this in your bag, Leo?"
She was referring to the coin she had received earlier.
"Oh, of course," offered Leo.
"Susanshi opened up the bag and placed the coin within. With that done, the group moved out again.
After they had walked for another three minutes, they reached a moderately-sized building, one that stood out among the others of the town. The exterior was brightly decorated with vivid colors painted onto the wood structure, followed by a sign nailed above the doorway saying "Kex's Store".
"Here's where we can buy accessories," said Leo.
"Really? Well, at least a place like this is easy to spot," said Susanshi. "Well, let's go in and see what we can find."
Upon stepping in, they were greeted with the sight of multiple scarves, headbands, bandannas and the like of many different colors, shapes and sizes hanging from wooden pegs on the walls. In the back was a wooden counter with a cash register sat on it. Behind the counter was a Kecleon, a green chameleon-like Pokémon with a curly tail, yellow markings all around the face and a reddish-purple zigzag pattern across its belly. The Kecleon looked mellow and cheerful, as if he was about to jump out from behind his counter to greet and assist the trio.
"Hey, I remember you two! Yes, you came into my fine shop last week!" he said. "Do tell, if you don't mind me asking, how's your first week at the EA?"
"Oh, it's been pretty good so far, Kex," replied Leo. "It's been off to a slow start, but still good."
"Pfft, says you," snuffed Tokot.
"Anyway, we've come to pick out something for our new friend, Susanshi," said Leo.
"Ah, a new Explorer wannabe! Please, take your time. Pick something you'd like," insisted Kex as he jumped out from behind the counter and walked up to Susanshi. "How about checking out some of our sample mannequins here?"
He pointed over to the side of the store, where a bunch of black plastic mannequins were lined up, depicting various Pokémon sampling different accessories. Susanshi walked over to the mannequins and inspected them. From left to right, they were a Treecko donned in a blue bandanna, a Snivy wearing a yellow scarf, a Tepig sporting a thick green headband, a Squirtle with an orange armband around the right arm, and finally a Pikachu in a red bandana.
"Of course there'd be a Pikachu..." Susanshi commented.
"What was that, Susanshi?" wondered Leo.
"Oh, just speaking my mind," replied Susanshi.
She then proceeded to scan over the accessories that were hung up on the walls.
"Oh, well there are so many choices. I...I don't know what would be perfect..."
"Anything will do. Just pick something already!" said an impatient Tokot.
"OK, OK! Don't lose your tail flame!" snapped Susanshi.
"Oh hohoho, you sure got told, Tokot!" said a smug Leo.
"Shut it," responded Tokot.
Susanshi took her time, choosing the one piece of gear that would be most suitable for her. After much careful thinking, she made her decision.
"Hmmmmm... I'll pick...that one!" decided Susanshi.
She was pointing at an ivory-white armband hanging high up.
"Ah, excellent choice, young lady! That white armband will really look good on your flipper," commented Kex.
He then stuck out his long, thin tongue and used it to hook the high-up armband, brought it down, then finally held it in front of Susanshi's face.
"That'll be five hundred PokéDollars, please," he said, his words distorted as a result of his tongue hanging out.
"Oh, um... Are you sure I can take it now?" questioned Susanshi in uncertainty.
"Of course! It's not like I have germs," replied Kex. "Now come right this way and you can try it on!"
He led Susanshi over to a large oval-shaped mirror stood at the side of the counter.
"Hey, let me put it on," insisted Leo as he made his way over to the mirror, before grabbing hold of the armband and walking up to Susanshi.
He started to wrap the armband around Susanshi's left flipper as she flinched and shut her eyes in slight disgust. Leo tightly knotted the armband into place.
"There, how is it?" asked Leo.
Susanshi opened her eyes and stared down at the armband on her left flipper. She then turned her attention to her reflection in the mirror before her. She raised her flipper into the air while still looking into the mirror. An indescribable sense came to her. It could only be best described as a feeling of excitement, mixed in with pride.
"Oh wow, it's actually really nice," she said.
"See? It's not so bad! No germs or anything!" said Leo.
"Y-yeah, I guess so, heh," muttered Susanshi.
"Right, let me just pay for it and we can finally go to the EA," said Leo as he reached into his bag and took out several gold coins and handed them all to Kex.
"Thank you kindly," said Kex in gratitude.
"What?! You had that money all along?!" questioned Tokot.
"Of course. Grenouille gave it to me," replied Leo.
"Why, of all the..." said Tokot before being interrupted by Susanshi:
"Save your energy, Tokot. You already snapped today."
"Hmph! Fine..."
"Yeah, we should get going now, Kex. Thanks again for the armband," said Leo. "Now Susanshi is all ready to make her application for the EA!"
"It's always my pleasure to serve anyone who comes into my shop," said Kex. "I wish you and your new friend the best of luck. Take care now!"
Kex waved farewell as Leo, Susanshi and Tokot exited the store and headed back outside.
"Right, we're finally ready to return to the EA!" announced Leo.
"Finally! I've waited too long for this!" stated Tokot.
The trio began to make their way further down the town pathway towards the far right side of the area. As usual, Susanshi began to think to herself in her head:
"Wow, I'm actually one step closer to becoming an Explorer. I actually feel pretty excited for this. Sure, I'm far away from home, but just the whole idea of this... It's actually quite thrilling..."
