Jean spoke up, "I can't believe you hang out at the tavern, enjoy afternoon tea, and still have enough savings to buy a Pokémon. It seems being a librarian doesn't quite suit you, does it? Why don't you go out and take on some missions too? Kaeya's always complaining about the lack of manpower in the Knights."
Being out in the sun all the time is a woman's worst enemy when it comes to her skin.
Jean was using her authority to provoke her best friend a little.
Lisa, with her hand resting under her chin, smiled. "If you give me a raise, I might consider it."
The Knights were already understaffed, and the pay wasn't high. Without her capable help, Jean would be overwhelmed.
Takashi took a Pokédex from the shelf and handed it to Lisa. "Miss Lisa, do you have any preferences for your Pokémon?"
Lisa pressed her index finger against her soft pink lips, her emerald eyes twinkling as she thought. Then she said softly to Takashi, "I'd prefer one with strong vitality, one that won't die easily."
Jean, who was just about to leave the Pokémon shop, was immediately irked by that comment.
Klee looked up, puzzled, at Jean, who clenched her fists and shook slightly.
Even the Oshawott Jean was holding trembled in fear.
Takashi, trying to diffuse the tense atmosphere, suggested, "How about you draw your Pokémon first?"
Lisa took the Pokédex, pressed the button, and countless Pokémon silhouettes flashed across the screen until it finally settled on one.
"Toxel, the Baby Pokémon. It has four protruding spikes on its head, a white lightning mark on its forehead, and its belly, cheeks, and palms are white. It only has two fingers and toes, making it the only Pokémon of its type combination."
When Takashi first saw this Pokémon, its salamander-like appearance seemed to mismatch Lisa's mature personality. He frowned, considering whether to persuade her to draw again.
When Jean saw Toxel, she thought the pink Pokémon, sprawled lazily with an empty gaze, looked like it lacked calcium, ready for her to tease Lisa. Her imagination was already running wild. "Oh my, Lisa, this is your destined Pokémon. How adorable!"
Before Jean could start teasing, Lisa knelt on the ground and beat the floor with mock frustration.
But instead of waiting for Jean's teasing, Lisa stole the show. She clenched her fists under her chin, her emerald eyes glistening with excitement. "How wonderful! This little fellow is so cute!"
Takashi: ???
Klee: ???
Jean: ???
Xerneas: ???
Oshawott: ???
Lisa took off her lace gloves and touched Toxel's chubby cheeks.
Takashi wanted to warn her that Toxel was an Electric-type Pokémon, and touching it could lead to paralysis from the static electricity it carried.
But before he could say anything, Lisa's fair hand had already made contact with Toxel, and static sparks flickered.
Toxel tilted its head. Due to the static electricity on its body, it was afraid of hurting other Pokémon, which made it naturally shy and hesitant to interact with non-Electric types.
But Lisa, right in front of it, showed no fear of its static, bravely reaching out to touch it.
"Toxel..."
Toxel felt like it had finally found someone who accepted it. It squinted its eyes and let out a joyful cry.
Takashi suddenly remembered that Lisa herself possessed the Electro Vision, which naturally made her electric. Toxel would naturally be drawn to her.
It seemed his worry was unnecessary.
"Shopkeeper, how much is this Pokémon? I really like it." Lisa held Toxel close, stroking its cheeks. Her sensitivity to electricity made it easy for her to find a way to please Toxel.
The cheeks were an important part of Toxel's electrical storage.
A little massage could help soothe Toxel's fear and anxiety.
She quickly found the right spot.
Takashi admired her quietly. Truly, she was Mondstadt's genius witch.
However, admiration aside, he had to be clear about Mora. This concerned the reward for his future missions.
"Four million Mora."
Jean had seen Diluc spend twenty million Mora on a Bagon, so she wasn't surprised by Toxel's price.
But Lisa seemed slightly shocked. Her eyebrows twitched, and she tried to bargain in her lovely, deep voice. "Shopkeeper, wasn't that Oshawott only two million Mora?"
"Yes, but Oshawott is a Water-type Pokémon, while Toxel is both Electric- and Poison-type, which naturally makes it more expensive."
"Moreover, Toxel has two evolutionary forms based on its personality. It can evolve into a Low Key form if it's reserved or a Amped form if it's lively."
Takashi explained more, but Lisa seemed disinterested. Instead, she tilted her head, her eyes sparkling.
Jean took the opportunity to add fuel to the fire. "Shopkeeper, I think you shouldn't waste your effort. She spends all day at the tavern or having afternoon tea. Where would she get the savings to buy Toxel? Don't be deceived by her pretty face."
Lisa turned to Jean and said softly, "I finish my duties on time every day before relaxing. Unlike someone who spends all day with a cluttered desk, unable to finish their work even with overtime."
Takashi looked at Xerneas and sighed. These two really were best friends, always revealing each other's flaws. They were like Mondstadt's sleeping dragons and phoenixes.
Jean's attempt to provoke Lisa had backfired, leaving her speechless.
Takashi quickly continued with the main topic. "There are 905 different Pokémon. It's rare to draw one that matches your personality. If you miss this chance, the odds of drawing it again are less than two in a thousand."
Lisa stroked Toxel, her attention already focused on its attributes. Electric and Poison types were much better than Jean's Oshawott.
Besides, she liked experimenting with new potions, and she was in need of a test subject. Since Toxel was a Poison-type, it shouldn't be afraid of toxins, right?
"Toxel..."
Lisa's eyes narrowed slightly, and the static between her and Toxel seemed to resonate. Was this what they called chemistry?
"Shopkeeper, you're so handsome, charming, and distinguished. Consider cutting some slack for us poor workers. We work all day with meager pay and still have to buy a home in Mondstadt in the future..." Lisa spoke as she sat on the counter, leaned back seductively, flipped her flowing chestnut hair, and shot Takashi a flirtatious glance.
Takashi almost lost his composure.
Xerneas shot him a look that said it all: →_→