After being dragged by Dendra through the tourist city of Alfronda for ten minutes, passing by ancient buildings that were refurbished for modern living, a small archeology park with different mosaics and pillars out on display, we even pass a street magician and his short bipedal green cat assistant.
Soon she lets go of my arm as we reach a large brick building, covered by a domed roof with purple stones, and a large open field behind it. A total contrast to the square, metal and glass building, with a nondescript purple Pokeball logo on its front that stands as the neighboring building.
All in all, after getting a good look at the town, it reminds me very much of my hometown back on Earth. A real Mediterranean feel to the place.
"Here is the place!" Dendra announces as she lifts her arms towards the large purple-roofed building.
"You sure? This place looks expensive and I-" "Stop right there!" Dendra interrupts me before pointing her finger right between my eyes.
"You're my friend! And you need a job and place to stay, I know the owners so it's no problem!" She smiles as she pulls away her finger before posing confidently, closed fists resting on her hips as she stands tall. But what she said gave me pause.
"I'm your friend?"
"Of course you are! You told me your problems and opened up your heart to me, Dad said only friends do that, or therapists, but I'm not a therapist so therefore we are friends!" Such simple logic.
I don't understand, but if I'm good at anything that isn't playing video games and programming, it is going with the flow, So I'll just flow with the go, ya know?
"C'mon! Let me introduce you to the boss!" She said and once more grabbed my arm, and without further delay, dragged me into the building.
If the outside had a rustic Mediterranean look, the inside looked like the plaza for an expensive hotel. The reflective marble floor and tall pillars on the sides of the entrance lead us like a path toward an expensive wooden desk, a short grey pokemon sits on a chair behind the desk, spinning around on its wheels. Two downward-turning spiral horns extend from the side of its head.
When we reach the desk the Pokemon stops spinning on the chair and turns to look at us. Or more specifically at me.
It stared at me for a few seconds before turning to face Dendra, its face instantly smiling.
"Indeedee!" It yelled before the horns on the side of its head glowed with a purple aura. Soon another similar creature entered the room from a nearby door, its body and head a different shape but still unquestionably the same species.
"Indeed? Indeedee," The other pokemon saw us, nodded its head, and returned through the door it came from.
"He went to call Orchid, the owner of this place," Dendra explained as she noticed me looking at the door the pokemon just left through. I turned back to Dendra to ask a question I got after looking at this building from both outside and in.
"What is this place?"
This place is way too extravagant to be a normal business, I need to know what I'm getting myself into.
"This is the Alfronda Psychic gym," A Gruff voice answered from behind us. We turn to look and I see what I could only describe as a bodybuilder cosplaying as a magician.
He stands at nearly 190 centimeters, wearing a magician's outfit that is clearly too tight on him, a large purple striped top hat, and thick round glasses sitting on his head, ending it all with a zigzagging black mustache. similar to what a certain short yellow-themed Italian go-kart racer has.
"Or more specifically, The Original Gym," The man continued, "Now the league has their boring box buildings act as the gym, but this place is where the actual action takes place," A large toothy smile spread on the man's face.
"And I'm its leader, Lorenz! Of the Alfronda gym!" The Man proclaimed, his legs spread apart and his hand pointing forward as if posing for the cover of a comic book.
He stays in that pose as I look on dumbfoundedly, Dendra clapping her hands like she just finished watching a show.
"Thank you Dendra dear, Tulip should be back soon." The man, Lorenz, told Dendra as he walked around us and jumped over the desk, landing on its other side, and takes a chair to sit next to the grey pokemon, Indeedee I believe it called itself.
"So," Lorenz started as he began looking me in the eyes, or at least I think he is, I can't see past those thick grasses of his, "What are you here for?" He asked.
I turn to look at Dendra but she just gives me a pat on the shoulder and a thumbs up. Fanny isn't doing much either, still silently holding on to me like their namesake. I turn back to Lorenz before I begin.
"I'm looking for a job, I-" And before I can continue, he makes a stop motion and asks another question.
"Do you know how to train and take care of Pokemon?" He asks, I shake my head.
"Do you know how to battle with Pokemon?" I shake my head once more.
"Do you have any past experience working with Pokemon or other trainers?" I shake my head again, eyes on the floor.
"Then let me ask you, What can you do?" He asks softly. And I know that if he doesn't like my answer I might need to sleep on the bench again.
Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I feel Fanny slowly rubbing my back with their tail, and I answer.
"I'm good with computers an-" "That's enough" Lorenz interrupts me once more. And the entire room goes silent.
The Indeedee stops spinning in her chair, Fanny stops rubbing my back, and even the subtle sound of pokemon battles outside seems to be muted.
Lorenz slowly rises from the chair, towering over me. He looks down and opens his mouth, I already feel my legs turn to jello from the oppressiveness of the situation.
"You," Lorenz begins, my heart is pounding in my chest, "Are Hired! Welcome aboard!" He exclaims and my heart almost stopped for a moment.
I'm hired...
I got the job...
"Hey kid, I'm sorry I scared you with that, please don't cry." I hear Lorenz say as my legs give out on me and I drop to the floor. I didn't even notice tears coming out of my eyes...
I got the job...
I won't need to sleep on a bench again...
My thought process is interrupted by the door the other Indeedee went through slamming open, A tall and slender woman with wavy purple hair rolling down her shoulders enters the lobby, wearing a white and purple striped summer dress, the second Indeedee following after her, a sharp glare on his face.
"Lorenz, I don't know what you did but Twiddle here sensed fear!" The woman yelled as she marched up to the large gym leader, "You know how negative emotions like that mess with the Empathic 'mons! How many times do I need to tell you to quit it!" She continued, poking the tanned gym leader in the chest with a slender finger.
"Orchid, sweety, Let me introduce to you our new Computer guy, This Kid!" Lorenz said, pointing the angry woman toward me.
"What are you- Oh Hello Dendra, Tulip isn't here right now, she'll be back soon, would you like a cup of tea in the meantime?" The lady did a sharp one-eighty upon seeing Dendra.
"Sure thing boss lady!" Denda exclaimed loudly, before grabbing me by the arm and yanking me back to my feet, "You wouldn't mind if Dishon joins us, would you? He's homeless!" Wow, Thanks for telling everyone.
Just because it is true, doesn't mean I like hearing it being said.
"Sure thing sweetie, let us just get you some replacement clothes and a shower, you both are covered in sweat," Orchid said, as she turned back to the Indeedee that came with her, before nodding her head and looking back to me.
"Okay dear, let's get you cleaned up. We'll fill your stomach after. Follow me" Orchid said before turning around, giving a nod to the Indeedee on the spinning chair, and walking back towards the doors she came from.
"You heard the boss lady, Dishon, Let's go!" And with that, Dendra once more started dragging me around.