The cheery morning sunshine mirrored the radiant joy in the spirit of Jess Backster. After receiving the letter from Professor Apple, she'd been incessantly excited and joyful. For a while now she'd proved that she was ready to handle Pokemon again, but she'd always figure that her correction would simply end with a happy little readmission to Day-Care volunteering. Never could the girl have dreamed that her parents would have allowed her to begin her very own journey!

Years ago she had watched most of her friends at Camphrier Town leave home to travel Kalos and even regions beyond in their own coming-of-age journeys, but she had been left behind. Be it because she felt more fulfillment with the Day-Care Pokemon, hosted some sentimental attachment to her home, or whatever, Jess remained while her companions departed to broaden their minds and raise their very own Pokemon. Now that the opportunity was finally here, she realized that this was what she had wanted all along. The feelings of wonder, excitement, adventure—it was almost too much to handle. Trying to contain herself, Jess simply carried on biking along Route 2, avoiding clumps of tall grass. Soon she wouldn't have to run; she'd have a partner to fend the wild Pokemon off.

She pulled to a stop right in front of the bridge that divided Route 2 from Aquacorde and stared at the water. Dazzling sunlight shone off its rippling surface. “Beautiful,” Jess murmured absently, marveling at how perfect the morning was. Recalling the task at hand, she clumsily dismounted her bicycle (a knee-length skirt, coupled with her extra pounds, made alacrity a stretch for her) and walked it across the wooden span. Despite traveling beyond Camphrier frequently in her youth, she'd never been to this place before, and from the instant she first set foot in Aquacorde Town she felt its comfortable, intimate vibe. Her eyes swept over the scene; people were talking and laughing, shopping, or playing with their Pokemon. A young boy was currently battling a girl that Jess guessed to be his twin sister, both with baby Bug-types that were just as eager and inept as their trainers. Jess grinned from ear to ear as she walked past, incapable of resisting the lively atmosphere.

Several minutes of exploration later, the girl ascended the terrace and immediately spotted a woman with a professional air accompanied by a boy about her age sitting together at a table. If the boy was some kind of helper -which Jess assumed based on his look- then Jess was the first potential trainer here. Not surprising, given her gung-ho style of arriving early. As she watched, still about three dozen feet away, the guy fumbled a Pokeball and scrambled to keep it in check. Jess then turned her attention to the Professor and was instantly struck by her appearance. This lady wore clothes that wouldn't be out of place in some basement-dweller's magazine and filled them out amply. Not exactly the choice of attire Jess expected from some egghead researcher, but as long as she had Pokemon she was good in Jess's book.

“Hi! I'm Jess Backster, and I'm here responding to your letter?”