#::⚙️ Paldea Arc: Beginnings

[irxnmaiden]

[ starter for @spikemuthtoothfairy​​​ ]

“I think it looks terrific!” Earnestly, Jasmine continues fitting the second of the twin beds with fresh sheets, gently ironing out the wrinkles with her fingers as she marvels at the work James has put into their desk set-ups. Appropriate literature to accompany their coursework is stacked beside reminders of home, photos of them together from over the years. Colorful lightbulbs are strung along the ceiling, glowing faint hues of purple. blue, and pink, while a majority of the surfaces are decorated by a variety of small, potted plants. 

At the center of the dresser they share is a photograph from their wedding day, the newly-wedded pair watching over the room from within the frame as they now worked to make it a space of their own.

Settling in Paldea post-arrival has been an interesting affair; though they’d gathered their schedules, textbooks, and other academic necessities, the couple had yet to truly explore the region itself: anything beyond the Academy of Mesagoza’s grounds remains virtually unknown, including much of the city of Mesagoza itself.

With the first day of classes—as well as a briefing over a school-related event known simply as ‘The Treasure Hunt’—looming ahead, Jasmine’s as eager to finish with setting up the dorm room as ever. Aside from the corners of the academy that she wishes to continue exploring, there’s Mesagoza to still see in its entirety. Their walk through the city prior (for battling supplies and other essentials) had been far too brisk to take in very much of the mecca.

Aside from the view of a large crater, shadowed over the city.

“What all do we have left to do, you think??” She finishes her task at-hand by arranging pillows and plushes atop the comforters. A relatively large Ampharos plush guards the foot of her bed, taking up a little too much space in the cramped living quarters: a sacrifice she is willing to make!

“I’ve made the beds, hung all of our clothes—I think my succulents and cacti have found their places pretty well, too! The lights also look very nice, thanks for helping with that, my love.” 

[irxnmaiden]

With everything settled, Jasmine's able to admire her order in its fullest glory: spices clinging to rice and meat waft from within the carton, the amount of meatballs far out-ratioing the savory broth—precisely the way she prefers it. Not waiting for it to cool whatsoever, Jasmine tips the edge of the carton to slurp up the hearty soup, leaving nothing but the protein and fresh vegetables for her to delight in next.

"I'm glad we decided on this as well," her voice is hazy, dreamily so. A sigh escapes after the first of a dozen portioned meatballs is consumed, a slight recline following as her back lays across the grass before the city's walls.

Jasmine longingly gazes at the clouds and their sluggish migrations across an otherwise-clear sky, the deep cerulean hugging the silhouette of the sun inspiring a feeling of contemplation, of nostalgia, of change...

...though, soon, her reverie is broken. Within seconds, Jasmine's wandering mind is jolted back into the body; already, she dives in for another taste of what's become her go-to meal here in Mesagoza.

"It's wild to think all of this was out here, and many knew so little of it..." Which stood to be the experience for most of the tourists and students here now; though Paldea had long been prosperous and not exactly underrepresented in the League meetings of Jasmine's yesteryears, their once-secluded nature and strict restrictions made traveling to the region more a hassle than anything of its worth.

"I mean, I've brushed the shoulders of some pretty renowned Champions of this region over my years, and even still—I couldn't have told you much about what Paldea was actually like."

While musing over this and in between bites of her lunch—the bottom of the to-go container now visible—the woman's eyes lift but momentarily: it's a simple enough scene, one of someone pushing a stroller along the uncrowded back alley avenue, gently cooing to the little one inside; tiny feet can be seen kicking excitedly in the cab, the smile of the baby's guardian widening.

However, despite the scene's simplicity, it's enough to bring Jasmine to lose her train of thought completely; she taps a finger to her lips before absentmindedly preparing to shift the very atmosphere itself. It isn't as if it hadn't ever come up in conversation, far from it—however, those were merely conversations. Nothing that truly held its weight in salt. Something's different in her delivery now, something much more visceral than simple pillow talk.

"James..." she begins, playing with her hands while she returns to laying across the grass, eyes fixating once more on the migratory clouds above. "...what if we had a baby?"

irxnmaiden​:

“Oh, we will definitely be bringing back some goodies for Ariel to experiment with in the kitchen—I’ve been keeping her in mind, trust me!” As she usually does; the little Alcremie was, in fact, the first Pokemon she’d met of James’, a bond having been established with the tiny creature even before the one with her trainer would blossom. Jasmine does shoot the charming man a sensual glance, at that last comment of his. “Let’s see how hard you study then, hm~?” The look in her eye should give him incentive enough.

Fingers lace as the couple traverse beyond the salons and boutiques that line the sidewalks, passing under archways as they head towards the eastern district. Though eateries decorate many corners of the massive city, those that Jasmine has heard great things about all seem to be tucked towards the eastern gates. Already, she’s getting intel from her conversations with other students—flourishing here and quickly, no doubt!

It grants her hope that, before long, she’ll be able to navigate this mysterious, enormous new world—one that had initially seemed impossible to fathom.

Savory aromas lifting from humble hole-in-the-wall diners strung along the boulevard linger into the street, the growling of the woman’s stomach now being accompanied with a little bit of bass. Between the unpacking, the decorating, the stairs: an appetite has most certainly worked itself up!

She’s thankful, though, that their walk isn’t prolonged much longer; the restaurant she’d been recommended comes into quick view at the corner of another main avenue, with the massive eastern gates serving as the perfect landmark. The couple, hand-in-hand, stroll up to the food cart stationed at the storefront with Altair in tow; Amy, wide-eyed, sits cupped within James’ free arm. Acknowledged by the waitperson, Jasmine’s greeting immediately segues into her order, with not a moment’s hesitation:

“I’d like an order of your albondigas—if you could hold off the carrots and the peas, please?” She skims the drink menu with a quickness, a classic favorite of hers thankfully among what they serve. “A glass of pecha-sangria, too. I’ve got to compare it to what they sell back home!”

With a thanks and a bow, Jasmine shuffles towards the side, allowing for James (and Altair, naturally) to place their orders before finding somewhere more comfortable to settle; with the sun twinkling like the star it is, choosing a place to break within the beautiful city of Mesagoza shouldn’t be a problem!

A bond that the Alcremie had well returned over the past four years. Ariel was arguably the most benign of all of the Pokemon James owned; one that wasn’t even entirely comfortable battling if her nerves got the best of her. She was also the second Fairy Type that James had ever owned, after Altair, and the first he’d hatched.

Jasmine’s comment makes him flush and clear his throat, a stupid grin touching his lips. He really was hopeless for her - but that’s why they married. He loved her more than anyone else in the world. “I’ll do my best!” He quips.

He wasn’t surprised that Jasmine had already gossiped her way into finding the best places to eat. She was incredibly good at it - as shy as she may seem at first glance, she was charismatic unlike anyone else he’d ever met.

The closer they got the stronger the smells were, and it truly smelled wonderful. It was no wonder that they’d been brought here! He waits for Jasmine to complete her order before he hums.

“Two orders of albondigas please - one vegetarian, the regular also holding the peas and carrots. You don’t mind sharing with me, right Amy?” He can’t see anything but Amy’s legs dangling over his shoulders but she lets out an excited (and hungry!) chirp and lightly bonked James on the head - but not hard enough to hurt this time! “And– a bottle of water and another glass of pecha-angria please!”

It took a bit longer for their collective orders to arrive than Jasmine’s did, but soon they were off again. James took the lead this time - aiming for one of the main sweeping grass patches, specifically where the low walls tapered off.

“Is this good?” James asks as he looks around before he nods to himself and begins to set up! He scoops Amy off his shoulders and gently puts her down, sitting across from her and popping open the small carton of food. The smells were incredible! And, unlike Altair (and like many other Fairy Types), Tinkatink were primarily carnivores, which made sharing an option. Amy plopped herself on her butt and reluctantly put her small hammer between her legs to take the broken-up meatball James offered her.

Altair, meanwhile, sat on the low wall with his own vegetarian carton and James smiled to Jasmine.

“– I love it here, honestly. Its a beautiful region. I’m glad we decided to come.” He looks back just in time to see Amy cramming half a meatball into her mouth.

[irxnmaiden]

TAG POST II repurposed this too here’s part one