[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/sGiJTcl.png[/img][/center][@jujube] [@wisteria]

Minutes into the cooking lesson, Antoinetta already regretted her decision.

[color=7cff30]"Gummy worms in a cake? Seriously?"[/color] She stirred the batter, huffing as Zaria questioned the recipe. [color=7cff30]"And of course it's good, it's one of Alfred Morgan's recipes. Surely you know who he is."[/color] Netty showed Zaria the picture on the cookbook cover, a chubby, jolly man with a classic chef's hat, a Slurpuff by his side. [color=7cff30]"And if you don't, as well as a top-notch celebrity chef, he's a contest star. So every poffin baker in the region knows to take his example."[/color]

Laying the book out again, Netty thought over Marvalo's unique contest system, and tried not to shudder. She'd been thrilled to find out the region had not just a battle league, but a contest one. Half the gym leaders, including Fairy type specialist Alfred, faced aspiring coordinators. Now, though, the idea of taking on a league seemed more terrifying than exciting, given how badly she'd done earlier. If she'd lost to someone with zero contest experience, how would she stand a chance against the best of the best?

She wasn't the only one with regrets; Zaria vented her own frustration about the tournament. [color=7cff30]"Well that's weird. Tessa might know what could have caused it,"[/color] Netty said. [color=7cff30]"But yeah, those match-ups, tell me about it. I was up against a Rock type, how is that even fair?"[/color]

That was Zaria's cue to try to lighten the mood. Emphasis on "try". Before Netty could react, Zaria grabbed Magnet and plunged him sideways into the batter as an impromptu mixer. Cake mix splattered all over the kitchen, a good portion of it flying in Netty's face.

Spluttering, Netty set down the bowl and wiped her eyes. [color=7cff30]"What in the name of Arceus do you think you're doing?!"[/color] Zaria, as if she hadn't realised what a spectacularly dumb move that had been, even had the nerve to laugh. [color=7cff30]"Yeah, it's mixed all right,"[/color] Netty fumed, [color=7cff30]"and it's everywhere except in the freaking bowl. Just look what you've done to my favourite dress! And..."[/color] She gasped, holding up the mixture-covered cookbook, the pages completely illegible. [color=7cff30]"Do you have any idea how much this book cost? You'd better buy me a new one!"[/color]

Mellona, dodging batter drips from the ceiling, couldn't help giggling at the state of the two trainers. Netty rolled her eyes at the Combee - and groaned at the next sound she heard. A knock at the door. This was the worst possible moment for a visit. Just as she was about to say it wasn't the best time, sobbing noises took her aback.

Hurrying over, she opened the door to the teary-eyed boy. [color=7cff30]"What happened? And, uh, don't ask."[/color] She glared at Zaria, indicating her responsibility for their current state. Once the boy had explained the situation, Netty nodded. [color=7cff30]"I'll help too. Combees have keen senses, I'm sure Mel here can help track him down. Just gonna change, then I'll be right on it."[/color]

She took a clean dress and headed to the bathroom, where she hurriedly changed. As ridiculous as she felt, she wasn't going to shower just yet - the sooner they found the missing Sobble, the better. Hopefully they wouldn't run into anyone else. Dabbing her arms with a face wipe, she followed the boy. Bennett, as he introduced himself.

[color=7cff30]"Hmm..."[/color] She peered down the labyrinth of a hallway, doors leading to spacious rooms and a network of other corridors. Lavish furnishings provided many places a Sobble may hide. Mellona buzzed overhead, turning this way and that for any sign of the missing Pokemon. [color=7cff30]"Mel, if he's around here, a Sweet Scent should lure him out and put him at ease,"[/color] Netty suggested.

Flapping her wings hard, Mellona wafted a cloud of floral-smelling pink powder through the corridor.

[hider=Notes]
[hider=PP]19[/hider]
[hider=Pokemon Team:]
[list][*] Combee (Mellona), lv11
Current moves: Sweet Scent, Gust, Struggle Bug, Bug Bite[/list][/hider]
[hider=Pokemon in PC][/hider]
[hider=Items]
[hider=General][/hider]
[hider=Medicines][list][*] Potion x5
[/list][/hider]
[hider=Pokeballs][list][*] Pokeball x5
[/list][/hider]
[hider=Berries][list][*] Oran Berry x5
[*] Cheri Berry x1
[*] Pecha Berry x1
[*] Rawst Berry x1
[*] Chesto Berry x1
[*] Aspear Berry x1
[*] Persim Berry x1
[*] Leppa Berry x1
[/list][/hider]
[hider=TMs][list][*] Hidden Power
[/list][/hider]
[/hider]
[/hider]