[X] My Assistant

[Kamaitachi]

"While there is a six Pokemon limit, co-ordinators are encouraged to meet and train many different types of Pokemon. With combinations being such a stable of modern co-ordinator combat and appeal, it's become more and more vital to bring as much variety to your line-up as possible."

Francesco Rojas read intently, scratching in notes in his notepad as he went. Looking up, he watched as his four pokemon milled about, enjoying their time out of their pokeballs. Valentine, newly evolved into a Monferno, jumped about the treetops, chattering wildly with happy 'whoops' as Oberon, Cesc's Sneasel, chased after him with reckless abandon. The two agile Pokemon flashed through the trees in some madcap game of tag where only they knew all the rules.

"Fire. Fighting. Ice. Dark." Cesc pointed at the duo happily playing in the foliage. "Bug. Flying." He looked over to Bardolph, his wicked looking Scyther, who had contented himself with sharpening his scythe-blades on the flat of a rock. The praying mantis would evolve into a steel type eventually, and hadn't quite picked up on the idea of an appeal yet. The warrior-bug clearly only wanted to fight opponents, but had warmed up to the idea of using combinations with partners...which seemed at least a step in the right direction.

"Normal." Cesc looked to his side, where Tybalt, his Zangoose, sat dutifully next to him, watching the other pokemon in Cesc's entourage wearily.

"So...I have fewer than half the total types of Pokemon right now, and four Pokemon total." Cesc's heterochromic eyes met Tybalt's ever-serious ones, and the co-ordinator let out a smile.

"Alright then Tybalt. Today's mission: Let's catch a Pokemon!" Standing, he whistled sharply, summoning the remaining three Pokemon to his side.

"Okay! Let's find a really cool Pokemon to add to our team today. It'll be a good warm-up for the contest this afternoon."

He thought briefly about trekking over to the cave where all of the elemental stones were. Certainly there were plenty of cool Pokemon over on that side of the mountain, but it didn't seem right capturing Pokemon he'd helped as an ally just days before. It really felt like a betrayal of trust more than anything.

Recalling his Pokemon to their pokeball-homes, he figured he'd have a few hours to find and catch a new team-member. The past few days had been spent training and prepping outfits; there wasn't much more he could do there, not on the day of the event. A 'hunt' seemed like a reasonable distraction.

"Okay...let's see, in this habitat..." He started to think through the list of remaining types, then shrugged. "I'll just wander and see what I find."

As he stood up on the rock that had formerly been his seat, he straightened out his outfit, dusting himself down gently. He'd worn a thin white undershirt with a v-neck (to show off his collarbones, of course?), a pair of comfortable fitting blue jean-shorts, a pair of low-top red sneakers. He'd braided his hair earlier, noting that the tip of the braid was now down past his waist. A series of leather bands were around his right wrist, while another was around the bicep on his left arm. A matching choker was around his neck.

"You know..." Cesc said aloud to no one, "This skater-chic isn't half bad." He had dressed down for the day, since he'd wanted to save up all of his 'sexiness' for the performance later. He would hopefully be facing Troy of Arasam, after all, he needed to be on point both fashion wise AND battle wise if he was going to make any sort of impression.

But more on that later. The co-ordinator felt an adventurous grin settle on his face. It was time to wander around the mountainside.