A Pokemon Rp (Not Open for Joining)

It’s lit

Heyyyyy <3 expect my characters sometime today, how exciting!

Nestled in the center of Hearthome city, the streets bustled with activity, locals and tourists alike bringing a notable flare with their style and energy. The stone streets and walkways were warmed by the sun, though the permeating chill of the upcoming winter was evident, with the coats and gloves on many of the residents.

Standing out starkly against the warm greys of the city was the bright splash of pink of hair styled with immaculate care, tips ending in a striking black. Onlookers passed by with hushed whispers of excitement and awe as Valentino’s presence was recognized.

Not only him, but the purple-haired woman sitting across from him as well, was a recognizable face. The Hearthome gym leader, Belladonna, seemed to be catching up with her fellow Hearthome legend.

“Most of them come here for you, you know.” Belladonna spoke with a blunt honesty, though Valentino’s charming smile broke through the bluntness as he shook his head.

“Nonsense, love. You are Hearthome’s Gym Leader. Battling me is a spectacle, a rarity. But battling you, that is an expectation, and a thrilling challenge to overcome. Your mother was an icon, after all, and so are you. How is Fantina?”

“Enjoying her retirement as much as she can.” Belladonna shook her head, though there was a fondness in her eyes when she thought of her mother. Fabulous and flashy, Belladonna was her opposite, yet she was just as challenging to face as her mother had been. Even down to having a tricky Mismagius on her team to defeat. Belladonna leaned forwards, arms crossing.

“Forget about me. Let’s talk about you, Valentino. Contest season starts soon, right? Do you think that you’ll get some new contestants to match you this year?”

“Mm.” Valentino hummed, taking a long sip of his coffee, before he rolled his head leisurely and inspected his nails. “Who knows. Last season was just so… bland. I need new, fresh energy! Passion! It is hard to come by. Seems to all funnel into the Pokemon League.” He gave a knowing smirk. “A waste, really. With Echo as the Champion. Kiss those dreams good-bye when you reach her, if you reach her.”

“Mysterious and powerful.” Belladonna purred. “Who wouldn’t love a woman like that?”

Noticing the throng of people who seemed to exclaim and stumble about, Valentino quirked a brow with interest, before he gave a toothy grin when he realized just who was stumbling and bumping into people in his city. Speak of the Yveltail! Even the Lycanroc was recognizable.

“Carter! What a surprise! Visiting me for once?” Valentino called out to the other man, slowly pulling to his feet and stepping out towards the professor. Belladonna was quick to rise to her feet as well, blinking with surprise before she spoke.

“Professor Aspen? A pleasure to have you in Hearthome…” She blinked, a bit bewildered by his casual look, rather than his recognizable lab coat.

Carter didn’t hear his name for a half a second still too absorbed with his thoughts. He lifted his head and blinked in half recognition. Professor Aspen still didn’t feel real to him. That was his father and it now felt weird that he was the professor. He looked towards Valentino, Dear Arceus, now it was defiantly not going to be a quick trip. “Hey.” He greeted with a smile and a wave. “I was just here on business, figured you’d be out and about doing a press tour or something.”

Carter looked down at his rumbled clothes, suddenly feeling a little embarrassed. His cheeks reddened slightly a he looked back up at Valentino. “Hey I don’t look that bad.” He complained lightly, a scowl on his face.

When the gym leader took off to meet a challenger he waved his goodbye before looking back at his old friend. “Oh no no.” He said quickly. “I can’t let you do that.” He spoke. Though it did suck sometimes being the poorest of his friends who were both campions. Being a professor was quite the achievement just not so much the lucrative kind.

“I never said the look was bad on you.” Valentino purred, prepared to make another flirty comment, only to gasp loudly as he heard Echo’s voice. “We were just talking about you! You missed Belladonna, you always come jusssst at the wrong time!”

He was clearly teasing, though he put his hands on his hips. “No way you two didn’t coordinate this. Hah. Get it? Coordinate? Oh, pity laugh for me at least.” He waved his hand. “Couldn’t keep yourselves away from me? Echo, tell Carter here that I can pay for his stuff in my city.” He urged.

“That so? Well, the less people that know I’m here, the better. I don’t want word of my location getting back to the Elite four.” Echo said with a shrug. She grinned at Carter at his teasing, giving him a light nudge with her elbow, “Come on, you make it sound like I’m some sort of recluse who hides away all the time. Why don’t you want Valentino to buy your stuff, huh?”

“A part of me wants to call them right now and ask where you are, just to stir the pot.” Valentino crooned at his old friend, smirking at Echo before he mused. “But, I’m feeling very nice today, so I’ll refrain from calling.” He smiled sweetly in agreement.

“But Carter, this beautiful, iconic man wants to buy you pretty things. Party pooper. I guess you can just go shopping like a normal person.” He relented jokingly

Echo smiled at Lycanroc and knelt down to give him a good scratch behind the ears. She gave Valentino a mock glare, one that wasn’t as scary or intimidating from her usual glare, “Do it and I’ll burn all of your designer clothes.” She threatened. Echo glanced over at Carter’s response, standing back up after she finished petting Lycanroc, “Well, at least let us help you find what you need. You’ll get done faster that way.” She suggested

Carter ran a hand through his hair, knocking his glasses off. He caught them before they fell and put them back on. He didn’t know why he even bothered to argue with Valentino at this point. He trailed after his friend, Lycanroc hurrying after him. “We need to get you a mask to wear.” He glanced back at Echo. He was sure this trip would take 3 times as long now cause Valentino would try to get him to look at more stylish clothes.

“Don’t worry. I’ll happily take all the attention away from you both and keep it for my own.” Valentino offered, walking with an air of confidence and elegance, winking at a group of passing women, and waving his fingers sweetly at a flustered man who seemed to scramble for his phone. Years ago, Valentino would have shied away from the attention, but that part of him was long dead and gone.

Good riddance…

He continued onwards, waiting for the doors to slide open, before he waved his hands brightly at the sales clerks on the first floor. A few of them gave bright greetings, and the man at the front desk curled his arms together and leaned across the desk.

“Val! And friends! Ooh.” He recognized Carter and Echo and whispered scandalously. “Important friends! Oh, enticing!! Don’t worry, take the staff elevator up, you’ll avoid the crowds on the escalators.” He winked. “Killing it in that coat, doll.”

“I always do. Thanks, Cal.” Valentino winked to the other man, before he adjusted his waist coat and ushered Carter and Echo towards the back hallway. “This way. Before you get spotted, hm?”

“Oh, there’s no need to. I sell designs here. I buy designs in Unova and Kalos. And if I’m feeling nostalgic, the wonder, the icon, Lilycove City.” Valentino sighed wistfully, Hoenn holding a very soft and important place in his heart. He blinked away the memories, before he smiled. “I do buy my gifts here, for other people though. My Pokemon especially.”

Once they reached the elevator, Valentino pulled out a Dusk Ball, releasing the Pokemon inside. With a soft trill, his Froslass appeared from the sparkling shadows of the Dusk Ball, before she floated up to Valentino’s shoulders, and peered curiously at Carter and Echo, before she covered her mouth with her dainty hand, and gave a ghostly giggle of greeting.

“She’s going to be getting pampered exceptionally before the Contest season starts.” Valentino mused, looking warmly at his beloved ghost and ice Pokemon.

Echo smiled at the Froslass before looking back at Valentino, “Well, I’m glad that things are going well for you now.” She said, leaning back against the elevator wall, “And what about you, Carter? How has the research been going?” She asked.