Benjamin grunted as he ran into the living room startling Director Clevall who had been sitting on the couch facing away from the stairs and didn't see him coming and thus was surprised by what he saw as a new student running in.
Placing his hand over his chest in a dramatic fashion he took a breath as Benjamin came to a halt in front of him "Young Benjamin please reframe from startling me like that again I'm not as young as I used to be" While he was complaining he had a smile on his face, he always enjoyed seeing the excitement in new students faces be it for their education or for the far more likely reason they were excited for their first Pokemon.
"I am sorry for keeping you waiting I was kinda distracted by something" Ben apologized a little bit winded from the run.
"It's perfectly fine Mister Benjamin it's understandable but I do hope you aren't distracted during class" He responded allowing the young man to examine the Director, specifically on his purple blazer or jacket. Benjamin wasn't sure what it was, he made a note of this cause he wanted to double check to ensure which game he would be following, he knew due to the purple shorts he was currently wearing that he was most likely following the events of Violet but there was always a possibility it could be a mixed universe, but upon seeing the purple blazer/jacket he was assured.
"I wouldn't worry about it, Director Clavell" His mother spoke from behind him carrying a bundle of papers "My son's focus isn't an issue he was just distracted drawing these" …. Shit he cursed in his thoughts as his mother handed the papers to the Director for him to see.
"My aren't these impressive, I see Uva has a new artist in its mix" Clavell completed causing a crimson-red blush to decorate his cheeks.
"Thank you sir" He smiled, he was happy that he appreciated his work, he was always proud of his art but it always meant a great deal to him.
"Anyways I don't wanna encroach on you two too much and I do think it's time for you Mister Benjamin choose his first partner," The director said standing from his seat before adjusting his glasses back into place "I believe we should move this outside I do not wish for the little ones to cause damage they are quite hyper" He insisted moving to the door with Benjamin making a move to follow him only to be grabbed by his mother and pulled into a tight hug causing him to gasp out in pain as the air was pushed from his lungs.
"I. Can't. Breathe" He said gasping out the words as all the air was forced from his lungs, and the pain of the hug set in.
"I'm sorry sweetie but I couldn't help but give you one last hug before you go," She said releasing him and allowing him to breathe. But this only made him feel guilty, up until now he didn't address it but this wasn't his mother nor did he feel any emotional connection to her, to him she was nothing more than a character in a video game and not someone he expected to ever to know personallyally. What had happened to her actual son now that he was inhabiting Florian's body was the kid in his body or just gone?
"Well go on Director Clavell is waiting for you" She insisted, he shook his head free from the disturbing thoughts and pushed them to the back of his head.
"Goodbye Mom" He managed to say as he left the building forcing a smile onto his face, "his" mom waved him off before closing the door behind him. He was briefly blinded by the brightness of the sun and once his eyes adjusted to the light he couldn't help but feel his breath leave him once again not due to a crushing hug but because of the spectacle in front of him.
He didn't really expect much as he didn't expect this world to change much from the game aspect, but the graphics didn't quite match up to the beauty the place held, the first thing he noticed was the landscape it practically the same as it was in the games but it felt different the atmosphere itself felt so… real? He didn't know how to properly explain it but it felt so much different than the games could convey it felt like it was actually alive, from the sweet scent of flowers, the smell of freshly cut grass, the salty air of the seawater from the nearby ocean, noticing his awe Clavell couldn't help but chuckle.
"Yes the beauty of Paldea is quite breathtaking but I suggest you wait until you see some of the more open areas if this is your reaction to the area outside your home I do wish to see your response to Mesagoza or Levinvia" He teased causing Benjamin to blush bashfully.
"Sorry Mr. Clavell I'm just not used to living here" He blushed rubbing the back of his head bashfully, for now, he wanted to avoid revealing his true identity especially to avoid the likely heartbreaking reaction from Julian's mother.
"It's quite alright you've only been here a few days after all" Clavell said before adjusting his glasses.
"But I think it's time for you to receive your first partner" he smiled kindly retrieving three balls from his pocket and sending them out.
Out popped 3 small creatures from left to right they were a small green cat with magneta eyes, a bipedal red crocodile with a dopey smile, and last was a white duck with what could only be described as a blue pompadour.
"These are the Grass-Type Sprigatito, Fire-Type Fuecoco, and the Water-Type Quaxly" As they were introduced they would sound off in an attempt to get him to pick them, Sprigatito meowed and fired off some leaves, Fuecoco puffed out their chest attempting to seem confident only to cough out some flames and deflated causing Ben to laugh, Quaxly simply fixed their "hair" clearing proud with it.
"Now Mr. Florian feel free to pick any of these 3 starters," Clavell said smiling as Ben deliberated on who to pick.
(I wanna say sorry for the long wait and short chapter, but here's the next chapter of Benjamin's journey, next up will be his starter choice)