After parting ways with Yumi, Nori sent out his Pachirisu, Pachi, to walk with him. Unlike his other Pokemon, Pachi was a gift from Volkner. He usually had the Electric-type squirrel Pokemon out of his ball, but Nori didn't want him spoiling the mood. He'd been sick last week and couldn't come along on the forced trip, but had now fully recovered. The squirrel was eager for some fresh air, and practically led the way.
Tomas Martins – codename Studd – was Nori's senior official, to whom he reported into every Sunday to give updates on his active assignments. He came from the Portuguese part of Paldea and was fluent in the region's two official languages, but somehow not the global one. Some of what Nori saw made him wonder how the guy became an official at all. Even if he was a low-ranking official, there had to be something. Right?
Their meetings took place in the park near Crescent Hills Elementary. It was a good twenty-minute to half-hour skateboard ride and walk from Nori's home at the Veilstone City trailer park. The young official's attempts to meet closer to where he lived were always brushed aside by Mr. Martins. Even going inside the school itself like they did the first time would be better.
He spotted the man easily enough. His dark gray coat with rips was unmistakable. As was his hair, which was like an unkempt ginger-brown bush. He was approaching a woman Nori didn't recognize.
"Children, am I right?" the man struck up conversation.
"They're just having fun," she commented without even looking, instead keeping a watchful eye on her kids. She wore dark blue jeans, a padded jacket the same color, and a hair-covering gray cap with ear flaps and a puffball on top.
"I am waiting for one myself." Nori almost opened his mouth to yell at him. He wasn't a kid. He was thirteen! That's a teenager. "The name's Studd."
She spun around. "Excuse me?" She quivered, eyes wide yet narrow.
"Agent Studd." He flashed an attempt at a charming grin, sabotaged by him forcing it too wide. "It is, of course, a fitting nickname for one such as myself."
The man received a slap that nearly took him off his feet. Nori's hand flew to his mouth to suppress the burst of laughter that flew out.
"Agent Creep would fit you better!" the woman snorted. She stomped off to the opposite side of the park, muttering to herself.
Nori took that moment to approach the man. He contained the amusement he had. "Hey," he said.
"What is the smile for, sir?!" Agent Studd seethed, trying to stand with an air of authority.
"Just a smile."
"Do not be lying! You were laughing!"
He shrugged. He wasn't going to bring it up to be polite, but Studd had done so himself. "Okay, but only a little."
He felt a tugging at his pants and glanced down. Pachi was gesturing. Nori made a motion, go ahead and play. The squirrel dashed off into the field between the swings and the woods.
"Pish-posh!" The man raised his right hand and wiggled his fingers. "You have no right to laugh! It is not as if your luck has seen as being better! Do you get what I am saying, you never had a chance with women like me!"
He actually almost did, several times. He even attracted the interest of at least a couple boys. True, nothing had actually started for various reasons, like screwing it up badly or the other person moving away abruptly. But he could have a girlfriend tomorrow if he really wanted. He decided to only tilt his head and smirk in reply.
Studd's lip curled. He crossed his arms. "Now what is that smile for?"
"Oh, nothing." Nori waved it off. He didn't want to make the guy feel worse.
The man grumbled. "Fine then. We do have business to be getting down to. So I will let that go."
There were a number of benches and picnic tables in and around the park. The agent made a beeline for one of the latter between a tall, fenced-in tree and the swings. Nori was going to sit down, but the man stretched out across the whole thing, propping his head and legs on the armrests.
"Ah, comfy!" he sighed, much to the boy's surprise. Even he wouldn't consider a wooden bench to be comfortable. What was he comparing it to? "Tell me, sir! Have you been paying attention to the news?"
Nori could only stare blankly. He was never the snarky type, but Mr. Martins sometimes made him want to be. He gave a simple answer. "I work on my school's newsletter. I'm the president of the club! Knowing the news is sort of my job there."
"So you have paid attention!" Studd folded his hands and rested them over his hips. "That makes things easier!"
Agent Studd reached into his pocket and retrieved a black jewel case. A simple container that prevented a Poke Ball from opening accidentally or by internal means. When Nori had received Pawniard, the sadistic Pokemon not only had one of these, but Studd had a cage for him as well. The absence of anything like the latter came as a sign that this one wasn't as dangerous.
The scruffy man sat up and opened it without care, revealing a sea-blue Poke Ball with a wave pattern on the upper half. "I need not tell you what this is, yes?"
"Um, you kind of need to," he replied. "You implied it's related to the news, but that's it." There was a lot of news in the world. Which news specifically was he talking about?
"The Krookodile Finder!" he said wrongly. The man threw up his arms and raised them to the sky. "It is all anyone has been speaking of!"
First of all, that was an exaggeration. Maybe for the first two days, but after that, it tapered off. Secondly, Nori instantly picked up where it was going. "Oh no, don't tell me," he said, his legs feeling like they were stuck in a snowbank.
"Don't tell you what?" he asked, continuing without giving him the slightest chance to answer. "Anyhoo, you'll be rehabilitating the Qwilfish that killed him!"
He said that so loudly that anyone in the park could have heard him. Nori stamped a foot. "I knew it." He looked down and brushed some dirt aside with his foot.
An aquatic Pokemon. One that would have to be in the water sometimes. Meaning he would have to be near the water. Meaning the water–
He jolted upright. What was that white and blue thing rushing over?! It took a second to register that it was only Pachi. The squirrel's tail was swishing in concern. Nori shakily exhaled. "Why am I getting another one so soon? Pawniard's not done yet."
"I know, right?!" Studd actually agreed. "I was told it would be months between, but a thing came up!"
So he was right about the odd timing! And that thing that came up was Pete Stephens' untimely passing. And they were expecting him to help the Qwilfish?! How was he qualified to handle this? No, no, never mind that. How could he handle a Qwilfish?
"Isn't there another Rehabilitator to handle this?" he protested, maybe pleaded. Pachi stood in front of him, leering at the man before them.
The agent shook his head. "No, sir!" If Nori hadn't already expected that answer, it would've hit harder. Yet it still felt like getting struck in the face. "It'll be a while before any more like you get found!"
The young official could only wince and shut his eyes tight. "Why this?" he asked no one in particular.
"What is the matter, if I can ask?" came the reply, in a tone that nearly sounded like a childish taunt. "Are you being the scaredy-Sprigatto all of a sudden-like? Is it the hate you might get?"
Pachi growled lightly. Even he could be as fearsome as his other Pokemon when he was angry. But Studd was oblivious. Nori bit down on his lower lip, shaking his head. His limbs quivered. Ostracism wasn't what he feared. He'd been through so much of it at one point in the past that it meant little. But he was afraid of something else.
His voice eventually came to him. "Not really, but–"
"Then there should be no problem!" Studd chimed in before he could speak up about his discomfort. He lunged his arm out, almost a punch right into Nori's gut, although it sure felt like he was getting one anyway. The man dropped the ball into his palms.
The young official initially cradled the capsule, making sure he couldn't fumble it. He took it in both hands and raised it to eye level. Pokemon were conscious to some degree while in their Poke Balls. As he stared at the button, he wondered if the Qwilfish was looking back at him, and if so, what was going through its mind.
He remembered something an old adversary had once told him. That he might need to rehabilitate a Pokemon like this one day. Now, that prospect was staring him in the face, sooner than he expected. Between this and the murderous Pokemon of a serial killer, he had more doubts about being able to rehabilitate the former.
Because this was an aquatic Pokemon. And he had a fear of water. He clutched at his ribs. Just so much as thinking of it could make him squeamish. Seeing it was worse, even if it was in a Pokemon battle. And being near lakes and rivers and pools and–
"Are you fine, sir?"
He blinked out of his reverie to see Studd waving an open palm in front of his face.
"Not really…" he openly admitted.
"Well, buck up, blossom," he said, giving a goofy, tooth-filled grin. "You have striden well on rehabilitating the Blackout Killer's Pokemon! This should be no worries!"
No worries. He chuckled bitterly. Even if he wasn't an aquaphobe, there was still a lot to worry about with this Pokemon. He could name three more things! Like what if it wasn't already trained to be out of water?
"Now this is a scoop!" came a woman's voice.
Four more things. He was sure the news would spread anyway, but he thought he'd have a bit of time before that happened. He glanced at the source, just in time to see a woman with wine-red hair and eyes climbing down a tree in the bushes. She was wearing a green and brown trenchcoat as makeshift camouflage. She pulled a handheld video camera from her outfit.
"No interviews," Nori said as she was hurrying over. He grabbed his Pokemon, glared at Studd and said, "I told you so," and walked away. He wasn't in a mind to talk to a reporter, least of all Akari Schrader. Especially with what she'd done to his friend Prema.
"Mr. Carino," she ignored his declaration. She ran to catch up and pointed the camera in his face, walking in front like the paparazzi would. "What are your thoughts on the Officials giving you this Pokemon?"
"No comment."
She stopped and scoffed. To her credit, she immediately realized that it was going to be futile. "Damn. Arumi taught you well."
No, saying that was just basic common sense. But yes, Arumi had explicitly told him not to accept an interview with her aunt. He trusted his bestie on that one.
"Excuse me!" the scruffy man called to her, a hint of excitement in his tone. Nori slowed down a little, so he could listen in, although he continued to leave the park. "Agent Studd, International Police! If it's a private interview you wish for, I can give you it!"
He heard Akari sniffing the air. She let out a loud, maybe exaggerated grimace. "Put on some cologne, then I'll see if I can make room for you. I have a busy schedule."
Nori couldn't even crack a smile at that. It was almost sad. But not as dreadful as his situation. There were times when he was lost with Pawniard's rehabilitation, but at least he had direction with him. With this new assignment, he had no idea what to do or where even to begin.