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[@Ryik] [@PlatinumSkink] [@Rune_Alchemist]

Stella had expected Professor Camphor’s laboratory to look more impressive. Not gaudy, of course. Stella had no patience for people who confused expense with taste. Still, there was a difference between understated professionalism and a building that looked as though it had been designed to avoid eye contact.

She looked from the surrounding skyscrapers to the plain exterior of Camphor Laboratories. [color=pink]“Well,” [/color] she said after a moment, [color=pink]“it is certainly committed to being unmemorable.”[/color]

Fantasia gave a soft whinny beside her.

[color=pink]“Yes, yes. I heard Frieda. It was intentional.”[/color] Stella adjusted the strap of her handbag. [color=pink]“That does not mean I have to approve of it.”[/color]

Once inside, however, Stella was forced to admit that the waiting area was better than the outside suggested. Sofas, vending machines, snacks, tea, and coffee. At least someone involved had remembered that human beings required comforts in order to function properly. The number of people gathered was less ideal. There were far too many faces, voices, bags, Pokémon, and overlapping conversations for Stella to sort through neatly.

Her gaze moved across the room, assessing without staring. A few people stood out immediately. The anxious girl from the airport had made herself small enough to nearly vanish. Several others had already begun talking. Pokémon milled about, including at least one Impidimp that Stella had no intention of trusting near her jewelry.

Then the loud boy from earlier addressed her. [color=ffe150]“Not sure I caught your name. You seem like the type of girl who’s famous somehow.”[/color]

Stella turned her head toward him, pale blue eyes settling on him with interest. For a moment, she said nothing. Then the corner of her mouth lifted slightly. [color=pink]“Not famous,”[/color] she corrected. [color=pink]“Not yet. Working on it. Believe me, darling. One day, I will be the type of woman everybody should know.”[/color]

Fantasia flicked an ear, as if she had heard this declaration before.

[color=pink]“Stella Gold,”[/color] she added, giving Toshi a proper look now. He was certainly confident. Loudly so. He carried himself like someone determined to be noticed, which Stella could understand even if she found his method rather unpolished. [color=pink]“And you are Toshi, yes? Frieda said your name earlier.”[/color]

Another voice drew her attention. Victor Gallagher, apparently, though he looked at her as if she might scold him for his posture. His Budew seemed far more composed than he did, which Stella found charming in spite of herself. [color=pink]“It’s nice to meet you as well,”[/color] she told him, after his awkward greeting. Then, after a pause, she added, [color=pink]“You needn’t look so nervous. I don’t bite.”[/color]

Fantasia turned her head toward Stella.

Stella looked down at her. [color=pink]“I don’t.”[/color]

Fantasia’s expression remained unconvinced.

[color=pink]“Not without reason,”[/color] Stella amended.

The offer of coffee saved her from having to address that further. Stella turned toward the cheerful young man who had introduced himself as Remi, studying him with mild interest. Anyone who announced coffee-making talents that confidently was either very good or about to become very disappointing.

[color=pink]“Coffee? No, thank you,”[/color] she said. [color=pink]“Tea, if there is any worth drinking. I am willing to be pleasantly surprised.”[/color]

She settled near one of the sofas, smoothing her skirt before sitting. Fantasia remained beside her, bright-eyed and curious, her pastel mane still somehow immaculate despite the airport, the crowd, and the indignity of sitting in a Poké Ball for the entire flight.

Stella glanced around the busy room once more. Professor Camphor had gathered quite the collection. Some looked nervous. Some looked loud. Some looked like trouble. Several looked as though they had dressed without consulting a mirror, which was unfortunate. Still, she was here, and she could fix that.