Oops. || Detti and James

"Where is he?" 

For what must have been the tenth time, Detti called out her Budew so she had someone to listen to her complaints. For what must have been the tenth time, Violetta made a tottering little about-turn, then gave her owner an apologetic look that would no doubt have been accompanied by a shrug if she had shoulders. She didn't know who she was looking for, but she was doing her best anyway. Not that Detti would have been able to give her the most flattering description of what to look for. 'A disappointment' wasn't much of a physical description, after all. 

The festival had been almost completely explored by now. Detti and Violetta had shared a bottle of water as they trudged round, admiring the festivities and stalls they passed. But as time passed by and James refused to turn up, Detti's mood had gradually soured. By now they were loitering in the centre of Accaliko, with Detti glowering in the direction of Route 1 and occasionally calling out Violetta just long enough to grumble at her.

Was that...? No, it had to be a false alarm. The figure disappeared among the crowd as quickly as it had appeared. The hair had looked about right, but sure James would have noticed her? ...Now it was back. And it was James. Of all the... 

"Mr. James!" 

Literally marching up to him, her arms swinging and her cheeks puffed out angrily, she jabbed a finger at him. "Mr. James, this is the most important day of my life and you! Were! Not! Here!" 

She wouldn't let her grumpy expression crack as she took the Ultra Ball from him, cradling it in her hands like an egg, and transferred it to the safety of her bag. 

"Thank you, Mr. James. I appreciate it when you try and buy your way back into my favour."

With a little huff she retrieved the Poké Ball instead and held it out towards James.

"I got my starter ages ago. Your father is wonderful." She paused before continuing, "Would you like to meet her?"

"I got..." Detti pressed the button then tossed the Poké Ball into the air (something that she'd seen Trainers do on television, and which she thought looked cool). Except when the mechanism kicked in and the Poké Ball opened, it was pointing straight downwards. As a beam of red light flashed down at her, Detti had to step back to avoid having a Budew materialise under her feet - or worse, on her head. Violetta blinked and gazed up at James timidly, unaware of the narrow escape her summoning had been.

"A Budew!" Detti completed. She couldn't help smiling at the appearance of her dear little Pokémon. She could only stay grumpy for so long, especially with Violetta there. "Her name is Violetta. She's a Grass type. Your father says she'll release pollen soon." 

Violetta nosed at the treat, tottering closer to James until she bumped into his knees. Meanwhile, Detti beamed down at her, delighted by the news that she would be releasing pollen as early as tomorrow. Her previous irritation at James' lateness had dissipated. Almost.

"You're so clever, Violetta!" she squeaked before looking up to James, no longer bothering to look sulky. "Can she swim, Mr. James? She has no arms... Does she float?" She wouldn't let her precious starter float away in some current, nor sink to the bottom of some pool. Violetta would have to be very closely supervised when it came to swimming - Detti had no idea how the Budew would take to water. With a jolt, she realised something that only made her grin widen.

"Violetta can swim with Lola!" Wouldn't it be perfect if James' Marill got along with her little Budew? They could spend the day at some pool or other - Lake Addi, perhaps? - and play about in the water. James would probably spend much of the day napping under a tree, she expected. But it sounded like a great way to spend a sunny day. "We'll take a picnic somewhere and Lola can teach her to swim!"

Violetta gave a little trill as she found herself set in this new man's lap. He seemed gentle enough. Certainly the way he'd picked her up suggested he had experience with Pokémon. She liked him. His fingers smelled like food. She gave the nearest finger a little nip to try and get some of the flavour off it. 

"Ahhh! Hello, Miss Lola!" Detti bent down and scooped up the Marill, holding her under her little arms and standing up with Lola inches from her face. "How are you, young lady? How are you? I have Pokémon now, too. Maybe you'll be friends!"