A/N: A bit late, but still, here's another chapter. Thank you all for your continued support and please enjoy!

To Akatsuki Sakura Uchiha: Yeah, things are getting complicated... Thank you for reading and reviewing!

To Guest (4-7-2023): Thank you for your review! Here's another chapter! It's not an IkariShipping update, but I hope you enjoy it anyway ;)

To Guest (28-5-2023): Thanks for reading and reviewing! Dawn is really complicating things, isn't she? :P

To Duvarishka: Thank you very much for your review! It's great to read your thoughts and I'm glad you liked it :D Thank you!

Days

The day Cilan makes easy money

Cilan

Wednesday, February 12th

"You appear to have already built a good relationship with your Pokémon," Cilan said, his patient smile feeling only slightly forced.

His Connoisseur client Ken Parrish beamed at him. They stood together in the businessman's large garden on the outskirts of Striaton City, surrounded by several of mister Parrish's Pokémon. The sun was shining and the temperature was surprisingly pleasant – spring seemed to have come early this year.

"Thank you, Cilan," the dark-haired man said, sounding satisfied.

Cilan smiled and nodded. Despite that his client no longer owned Salamence, mister Parrish had wanted to keep Cilan on as his Connoisseur. His job now mostly consisted of telling the man that he was doing well, which mister Parrish seemed to enjoy hearing a lot.

"I am really well pleased with the progress of this one," mister Parrish said, patting the floating pumpkin-like Pokémon on her head.

The Pumpkaboo let out a happy sound and mister Parrish's smile widened. Cilan could hardly blame him. Salamence had been one end of the spectrum, refusing even the slightest bit of kindness, and Pumpkaboo was the complete opposite.

Certainly, Pumpkaboo had been shy and even a bit sad at the beginning – she was still young and as Cilan understood it from mister Parrish, he had gotten her from a Breeder, so she was probably missing her family and friends – but she had opened up after some kind words from her new owner.

Now, after just one day, she was happily floating around mister Parrish and the man was glowing with pride. Yamask joined Pumpkaboo in her circling around their owner and the two seemed to chase after each other.

Mister Parrish laughed and gave Pumpkaboo an encouraging pat. "Alright, off you go, go on and play now."

The two Pokémon floated another circle around mister Parrish before going off together. Mister Parrish's other Pokémon, Skiddo and Vibrava, were already playing together.

Mister Parrish gestured for Cilan to follow him and they took a seat on one of the garden benches, enjoying the sun and watching the Pokémon.

"I am truly very happy. I should have done this much sooner," mister Parrish said. Cilan assumed he was referring to giving away Salamence, and he hummed in agreement.

"Both Salamence and Pumpkaboo have found a happy place right now," Cilan said. "You can be very proud of your progress."

The other man puffed out his chest, nodding at Cilan's words.

Iris had told Cilan that she found his client a bit arrogant, and Cilan had to agree with her. Mister Parrish liked to have his ego stroked, which seemed to be the only reason Cilan was here. Still, his manners had grown on Cilan, and it paid well, very well.

All in all, there were worse jobs to do, and he needed the money. At least this time around, Pokémon and owner were getting on well and Cilan didn't see any reason to worry about their future.

"Yes, yes, very proud indeed..." Mister Parrish murmured, seemingly lost in thought. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but then closed it again.

Cilan observed him, wondering what was on his mind. Mister Parrish looked at the two playing ghost Pokémon, frowning in thought.

"It is not a decision anyone would make lightly these days, to adopt a ghost type," Cilan ventured, watching the man's reaction carefully.

"Very true, very true." Mister Parrish bobbed his head a few times, his frown intensifying. "It's truly horrible. Have I ever mentioned to you that I'm part of the Ghost Pokémon Association? It's awful how some of those Pokémon are treated these days!"

That was an opening for a conversation if Cilan ever saw one and considering Alder's assignment...

"It is a good thing that organizations such as the Ghost Pokémon Association exist and that it has devoted members like you," Cilan said. He paused, wondering if he should outright ask for more information about the Association.

Mister Parrish made use of Cilan's silence to nod. "Yes, I'm quite the devoted member..."

The older man seemed to be about to say something more. Cilan looked at him with polite interest, hoping he did not look too eager.

"I even... Well, this Pumpkaboo..." Mister Parrish gestured to the playing Pokémon. "I got her from the Ghost Pokémon Association. She's special, you know."

"Truly?" Cilan asked. "That is not a task they would give to anyone, I'd expect."

Mister Parrish puffed up in pride, his initial hesitation forgotten.

"It's a certain sort of test," Mister Parrish explained proudly. "To see whether I am suitable to be admitted to the closer circles."

Perhaps Cilan's surprise was too obvious in his face, but Mister Parrish seemed to catch himself again. He made a dismissive gesture and shook his head.

"Forget I said anything, m'boy, I'm not supposed to talk about it." Mister Parrish winked. "It's not that I don't trust you, but I wouldn't want to ruin my chances on getting a promotion, eh?"

"Certainly not," Cilan said, letting a bit of his very real disappointment shine through in his voice. "I completely understand."

"Well, Cilan... To be completely honest," Mister Parrish said, leaning closer in a conspiratorial way. "I don't know all the details, either. But Pumpkaboo is a test for a promotion, and considering how well she is doing, I am certain that the promotion will be mine."

Cilan nodded strongly, trying to hide his contentment at having found out more about this strange, new organization. "I agree, sir. And they would be foolish not to want someone like you in their Association."

Mister Parrish seemed satisfied, and while Cilan hid it better, he was just as a satisfied, if not more.

A/N: Thank you for reading! I had a bit of trouble writing this chapter, I hope that Cilan did not seem too manipulative. But it's another chapter done and so we are slowly but surely moving along. Please review and thank you!