Volkner took a sip of his drink, trying to mask his frown as he glanced across the room to where Flint was standing. He was gesturing wildly as he conversed with Candice and Maylene. Erica, a gym leader from another region whom Volkner barely knew, moved to join the conversation and Flint opened the circle to let her in, slapping her on the back and saying a friendly greeting. Claire wandered past, deep in conversation with Lance, and Flint called out something to her. Volkner didn't hear what it was but everyone in the circle laughed, and even Claire's haughty expression threatened to break into a smile.
Volkner's grip around his glass tightened. He hated these leadership networking events at the best of times, but this was excruciating. How did Flint do it? Not only did Flint know everyone, but they gravitated towards him. He exuded warmth and energy and had a smile and a joke for everyone. He wondered if he should go over there to join them. He sighed, turning back instead to the conversation between Pryce and the enigmatic Drayden he was only half involved in.
Why was he so awkward and shut off by comparison? Flint had told him once that it was part of his charm, that he drove girls wild with his brooding mystery.
He scowled. It seemed unlikely. Flint was the one surrounded by girls at the moment. Off in the corner Cynthia conversed with fellow Elite Four members Karen and Caitlin. He watched as Elesa gracefully moved towards them, accepting a drink one of them offered her with a smile. It was one of the most beautiful, elegant, intimidating groups of people he could imagine, and yet he had no doubt Flint could go over there at any moment and they would welcome him with open arms. Cynthia in particular, for all that he frustrated her, was also very fond of him and Volkner knew he shared a close bond with his Champion and head of their Elite Four group.
He sighed, moving away from Pryce and Drayden without bothering to say goodbye, and went to get another drink. Flint saw him move and started to come towards him, extracting himself from his current conversation amidst laughter and smiles from everyone, and promises that he'd be back. Volkner gritted his teeth and reached for another of the delicate champagne glasses. He would need it to get through this ordeal. These social events had never been his scene.
He watched out of the corner of his eye as Flint kept getting waylaid on his way across the room. Most of them he was fine with. It made sense for Flint to converse with his fellow Elite members, likewise with Jasmine, with whom both he and Flint got on very well. Wattson got on well with everyone, and Flannery was a fellow fire specialist. Nothing unusual there. It was only when the strange and silent ghost specialist Morty looked up from his conversation to smile brightly at Flint and crack a joke that Volkner felt his jaw twitch. It was his conversation partner that was the clincher though. Koga, Elite Four member, elite ninja, elite at scaring the life out of everyone laughed uproariously at something Flint had said, slapped him on the back like they were old buddies, and offered him another drink.
"Nah, I'm right for the moment, thanks though mate." Flint was now close enough that Volkner could here what he was saying. "Just going to say hi to everyone, I'll be back in a sec." He continued walking, calling back at the pair over his shoulder. "Then you've got to finish telling me about your crazy weekend!"
"You got it!" Koga raised his glass to Flint before turning back to Morty.
"Hey," Flint said to Volkner with a beam, having finally made his way over.
Volkner was absolutely speechless. "Hi," he finally managed.
"You okay?" Flint's characteristic grin gave way to a look of concern, his voice softer now.
He was the absolute picture of a concerned friend and Volkner was furious. "Do you know everyone here?" he demanded.
Flint hummed, looking around. "Pretty much. Still getting to know some of the Kahunas since they're new to these events, though Olivia seems cool."
"Who the hell is Olivia?"
"Rock specialist over there in the pink top. You should see some of the jewellery she's wearing. She makes her own pieces, it's incredible."
It was too much, thought Volkner. It was all too much.
"I might leave," he said.
"What?" Flint frowned. "We only just got here!"
"Yeah I know, but…" Volkner gestured vaguely.
"Come on, Volk, when are you next going to get all the gym leaders and elites in the same room again?"
"Next year when they make us do this all over again. See you later." With that Volkner left, officially at the end of his rope.
He knew Flint was looking after him in bewilderment, but he didn't care. It wasn't that he hated any of these people. Some of them he even liked a little bit. But these events were slow, stuffy and painful, and he had stood around feeling awkward for long enough. What kind of a venue was it for getting to know people anyway? Why couldn't they have a pokemon battle instead? He was standing in a room with the strongest trainers in the world and instead of putting that to good use they made small talk interspersed with the occasional discussion of leadership strategies. He didn't care for any of it.