Thanks for everyone who read through my story, despite how slow it is! And thanks again Barcas for all the reviews! I love reviews.
"Ah! Young Evan; you're here!" Eyes crinkle past even their normal squint with the force of the smile.
"I'm not so little anymore, Professor," The recent gen-ed graduate chastises, the retort more fond than berating.
"After you," the older man cedes the right of way, and Evan opens the door leading from the lobby to the lab. Granite follows, but stops just shy of Evan's shoulder, clasping it as the boy peers around with a nostalgia clouded gaze. The room is much the same as it was seven years ago, minus one notable difference. People pepper the space. Some lean against displays, others have brought in chairs, but most just stand in their varied attire.
"Surprise!" a chorus reverberates through the air, some voices missing the initial que. Dumbfounded, the young adult blushes under the attention. Laughing good-naturedly, his curly-haired mentor pushes past the human obstacle and into the room.
"Careful Evan! You stay stuck there any longer and I'm gonna call you Snorlax for the rest of the day," the man teases, mischief in his eyes.
"I thought you just wanted to show me something! Wha-why are all these people here?" The guest of honor pauses, blowing some hair out of his eyes in exaggerated irritation. Using the playful gesture as cover, the Trainer gets the puzzled embarrassment under wraps. Shifting a bit to pin the professor with a steady stare, he continues, "I thought you are supposed to know the people attending your graduation party?" The accusation's tone is light, a little Weedling, but it holds no bite.
"Not when you are neeetwooorking~!" the professor sing-songs, heading to the microscoped desk in the corner. Sinking into the chair, he gestures grandly at the audience before crossing limbs over his chest. "Now mingle!"
"Networking?" Evan hears low, humored murmurs amongst the crowd. Taking a steeling breath, the older teen snaps the mental glue off the soles of his shoes, and approaches the first stranger.
"Uhm, hi?" The lanky blonde defaults to a stereotypical meek wave to break the ice, looking down at a black-haired man.
"Hello there!" The khaki-themed researcher responds in a nasally voice, a mustache vaguely resembling the arms of a Munchlax moving with the words. Small round glasses shine in the light, just as bright as the mirth behind them. The man is not perturbed in the slightest by the guest's off-kilter demeanor and holds out a hand. Evan takes it.
The handshake is filled with gusto, violently soothing Evan's anxieties with its warm welcome. Another scientist simultaneously raises a solo-cup, mimicking a salute, and the sprung-upon graduate's shoulders untense, even as they are jarred about.
"The name's Quincy." The wacky watcher stills the shake, covering their still-clasped hands with his spare one, a gentleman in form. Making direct eye contact, he exclaims, "I hear you have quite the burgeoning fascination with Magikarp." Cheeks flush and the teen turns away, the mundane subject of captivation causing humiliation.
Quincy releases Evan, and waits patiently until the young man looks back. Satisfied at the attention, he turns on his heel and strides across the room. Reaching a foldable table erected by the revival machine, the scientist beckons at the unconfident novice.
"You want me to follow you?" the young Trainer inquires, confused, but still willing.
"I'm no Sentret, but that is the gist," the older man responds, tone and facial expressions never changing. A stack of snapshots and papers are fanned out as the adult sorts through them. A single slip is plucked, and held for inspection; the back's notation "Rind, Orange Islands" visible only to the presenter.
"I have a mild interest in Magikarp as well." A snort is heard from a nearby labcoat as the teen slowly comprehends the obsession broadcasted through the picture.
Seeing a shift in the budding scientist's receptiveness, the wealth of new teachers move in, surrounding the youth in a circle of untapped expertise.
Vivacity invades the upstart, overtaking the apprehension and crushing it full force.
Chapter Notes:
-Snorlax always blocks the way on routes until you wake it up.
-Weedling is based on Weedle, that is not a typo. lol
-Quincy Quackenpoker is a Pokémon Watcher that has made Magikarp his main focus of study. He debuts in The Wacky Watcher episode staring Magikarp on Rind Island. He has a nasally, monotone voice and a very dry sense of humor. You expect a bu-dump chee after every one.
-The picture he shows Evan would be something along the lines of him posing next to his partially unpacked massive backpack, magikarp-specific study devices strewn about, while the stream jam packed with Magikarp swim upstream behind him
-The Sentret joke is because Sentret's is one of four pokemon who naturally learn the move Follow Me by leveling up.