Sweet Baby Mabel (Solo Development Thread)

Needless to say, Veronika took more than fifteen minutes to get there, unfortunately. The house was located in a more remote area of Pavo Town, being a much larger building along with a big front and back yard. Nicole’s father was a very healthy man thanks to his connections with sophisticated and professional Pokemon Breeders.

Nicole had said several times that she wanted to be a Pokemon Breeder one day specifically to help her father continue this business before taking it over herself when he retired. Being hands on with Pokemon was just so much fun for her, and she was always much more interested in taking care of Pokemon and raising them than battling or performing with them. Nicole was a rather simple woman.

Veronika ran to Nicole’s house and knocked on the door with some desperation. The lack of activity that was present by the time she go there made her nervous. Was all the Pokemon already taken? The young woman let out a sigh. She didn’t want to spend another day in that house.

Miss Lopes just so happened to notice a piece of paper on the sign for the special event Nicole and her father had set up. Nicole’s father had set up weekly events to give away Pokemon to new Trainers. They were usually younger children, who weren’t quite old enough to go out on a journey of their own, but really longed for a Pokemon. It was meant to be a practice Pokemon, so that kids could learn how to take care of Pokemon early on. Or, at the very least, these Pokemon could be their pets.

Of course, Veronika was a special case, but since she was leaving on her journey that day anyway, Nicole’s father graciously offered her one of the Pokemon he had since she was so grief stricken. The notice on the sign read “Out to get supplies! Be back in a bit!” Veronika would have thought it was unprofessional to say it that way, except for the fact that they were giving out free Pokemon to people.

Suddenly, the door was opened by a familiar redhead as Nicole gave her friend a friendly grin. “Veronika,” the young woman greeted fondly. “What a relief! I thought you wouldn’t make it on time! You’re so lucky my dad’s still out getting supplies.”

“There’s still Pokemon left?” Veronika’s eyes shimmered in relief.

“Not nearly as many as before,” Nicole explained in disappointment. “But there are still plenty to choose from.” Nicole stepped aside and motioned for Veronika to enter. “Come inside! I think you’re gonna love them.” Veronika smiled and nodded before being led inside the building. Of course, Veronika knew the place was big on the outside, but it always amazed her just how big her home was on the inside. The other young woman opened a brown door and allowed Veronika to enter first. “Right this way!”

Veronika, although hesitant because she’d never been in that room before, entered the brightly lit room, and found herself amazed. “Woah,” Veronika was slightly taken aback. “I knew your house was huge already, but this room! It’s amazing!” Nicole let out a bit of a chuckle. “I've hate to ask, but how do you guys afford all of this?”

“I promised I’d never give the details away to anyone else other than my father,” Nicole explained. “But what I can tell you is that my dad’s been extremely successful with the work he does, mostly because he’s really diligent about it. Anyway,” Nicole brought her attention back to the matter at hand. “We have those young Pokemon corralled over there.”

Veronika had already noticed the various Pokemon. Teddiursa, Tailow, Pidgey, Sentret, you name it! But she hadn’t noticed one thing until Nicole pointed it out to her. “They’re all Normal Types, huh?”

“Yep! That was the theme this month,” Nicole explained. “This is a monthly event. Every month we gather Pokemon from Breeders who are having a hard time giving loving homes to their Pokemon. Last month, our theme was Psychic Type, and this month is Normal Types!” Nicole let out a bit of a giggle. “You should have seen just how many Pokemon were here. I know it looks like a lot now, but we were starting to get worried if they would all fit in here.”

“Amazing,” Veronika commented. “But how am I supposed to choose from all of these Pokemon? There’s so many of them.”

“Don’t worry, Veronika,” Nicole reassured her friend. “My father always tells people that you can’t make a wrong decision when it comes to the Pokemon you pick. Either way, you’ll be happy because you picked on, and it’ll be happy because it has a home now.”

“Right,” Veronika sighed. “I get that, but I still have to make a decision.”

Nicole let out a hum in thought as she stepped into the corral before picking up a rather mild looking Buneary. For a split second, Veronika’s hood shifted, but she just brushed it off as it moving in the wind. “Maybe you should pick this one,” she suggested. “This Buneary is just the sweetest little thing! I’ve seriously considered just keeping it, but I think he’ll just love you.”

The Buneary smiled as one of his ears moved up and down. (Wanna play?) Buneary tilted his head rather cutely, which, of course, Veronika couldn’t help but smile at, but then her face formed a bit of a frown as she looked at Nicole’s face. It seemed like the redhead wasn’t kidding. The thought of not being able to have this Buneary really made the young woman sad.

“No,” Veronika said. “I can’t do that. You clearly love this Buneary. I appreciate your generosity, but there are plenty of other options.” Vernika placed a hand on the Buneary’s head. “Though, I admit, you are a cutie pie, aren’t you?”

(I am!) the Buneary smiled as he leaned his head into the young woman’s hand. When Veronika passed the Buneary back to Nicole, he instantly smiled and wrapped his arms around the her shoulders, and nuzzled her. (Hi, Nicole!)

“See?” Veronika pointed out. “It’s obvious he’d much rather be with you anyway.” The young woman looked around the other Pokemon, when her attention was on a Starly. “A Flying Type could be useful.” Veronika picked up the Starly without hesitation, or noticing Nicole’s sudden objection.

“Uh, I wouldn’t-”

Suddenly the Starly started pecking at Veronika mercilessly, causing the young woman to try and swat at the creature and yelping in pain with little to no avail. The bird continued to peck until a sudden shift was felt on Veronika hoodie. “Ouch,” Veronika called out, but the moment she had, the bird suddenly stopped pecking. “Huh?”

(Iron...) Veronika suddenly heard a Pokemon’s voice she hadn’t heard yet as a small, grey figure slammed its tail onto the head of Starly. (Tail!) The Starly let out a squawk in pain before it slammed onto the floor, causing Nicole to let out a gasp.