[center][h2][color=4d94ff]Garret Beleau[/color][/h2]
[hider=Team & Inventory]
[sub]Location: Argentglade
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Inventory:
500 P
1 Potion
[/sub]
[/hider]
[/center]

The foreigner that had been inspecting the door began shouting nasally, overpowering the sound of the crowd even through a rag in his nose. He claimed no need to get rough but began to flex his muscles threateningly. The boy wanted a fight, clearly. He already had a bloody nose and a rag, probably from a prior fight this morning. It was so early in the day it must have been a fight over breakfast. Best not to get on the wrong side of this one. No, best not to get on any side of him--Garret wouldn't be likely to see him again after they got their pokémon anyway.

The tensity hung in the air, empowered by competing emotions in the crowd of fear, thrill, anger, hope. Whatever happened next was going to be painful or embarrassing for one or more people. Thankfully, the door chose that precarious moment to open. Garret let out a sigh in relief, the cold smoke of his breath streaming momentarily in the air before him.

Garret marveled as the door machinery clicked and swiveled. He wondered for a moment if Professor Evergreen cleaned the door herself, or if someone else did. Or was it somehow stainless? Did it require maintenance? It was in prime condition even against the elements of Argentglade, which included snow storms and research riots alike.

The contraption opened fully to reveal Professor Evergreen, her chair as spotless as her door. She apologized profusely about fifty times before a rude furcoat insulted her. It made Garret angry to see her the target--she was better than all of them, pokédexes down. Garret was surprised when she fired back at the furcoat with a wicked accuracy. Did all researchers care so much about the statistical significance of their data, and Evergreen observed that, or had she zeroed in on a more personal vulnerability? Whichever it was, the researcher seemed to have fainted. No longer able to battle.

[color=4d94ff]"Delcatty's claws, you've got bite,"[/color] Garret smiled. He rushed forward to give her a quick but knowing hug, careful to avoid hitting the controls on her chair. A week had gone by since he saw her last. Did she know his own insecurities so well? For now it did not matter. He backed up to avoid crowding her and to give her room to address the group. She was stunning. Dressed to perfection. She had talent, ice, and fashion; all she needed was a bit more poise to pull it all together.

Embarrassed at his thoughts, Garret refocused. The rag-nosed foreigner was politely threatening the offending furcoat. [color=darkorchid]"...have ta give ya a hard pop square on the mug o yours,"[/color] The boy seemed to still be looking for a fight, but the furcoat already appeared to be defeated. At least the boy was on Evergreen's side; Evergreen deserved more friends than enemies. She was enabling young trainers to follow their dreams and to see the world. The boy tipped his hat and walked in. Garret followed.

Garret had accompanied his sister here when she received her own pokémon and set out as a trainer over a year ago. Anethyst and her Meditite could be anywhere now; she wasn't much for sending messages or updates on her progress. He would make sure to message Mama Beleau to make up for that.

[color=4d94ff]"How exciting! What breakthrough are you on the verge of?"[/color] Garret half-whispered to Evergreen as the rest of the group crowded inside. He looked around, appreciating the lab.