𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 𝕆𝕗 𝔾𝕒𝕝𝕒𝕣 | 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑳𝒆𝒐𝒏

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 22: 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔

I hurry to carry the container of treats I made last night in one hand, while my other is occupied by dragging Leon along by his cape. There's a gym meeting today and once I heard I spent all night making Poképuffs so I could make a good impression, however this morning damn near killed me when Leon got lost on his morning jog. So not only did I have to go find him but I had to make sure he got showered and ready for the meeting.

When The Rose Tower doors were in sight I felt myself relax a little more, "Come on you need to calm down a little (y/n) everyone is excited to meet you. Opal more so since she's always been more interested in Poké Pageants." He chuckles. "I'm sorry! It's just that first impressions are super important and my usual routine was trashed the night before so I don't feel quite up to par for good impressions." I stress. "What's your usual routine?" He questions, "Well when I know I have something important to do I would do my hair, then put on a face mask before doing skincare, plan my outfit, and prepare the materials I would need. But that didn't happen!" I ramble.

"I don't think it's as bad as you think, You look very beautiful today and your outfit is better than anything we would wear to meetings." Leon smiles as he opens the door to the Rose Tower, I felt myself calm down a little. My makeup is a bit more than normal today, it has a little more glow to it. The dress I chose to wear today is simple but has its perks, the sleeveless, black, bodycon dress reaches mid thigh and has a bit of a cheeky neck line but I downplay it with a silk scarf I tie with loose bunny ears and pushed off to the side. My glossy heels are polished to perfection and my hair is the picture of workplace elegance.

I take a deep breath, I press a kiss to Leon's cheek before stepping into the Rose Tower. A large smile beams across Leon's face as he leads me to the office room. I shot Leon one last smile before following him into the office room. Much to everyone's surprise, even to myself, we're early. I clutch the container of Poképuffs but I display my shining show smile. "My Arceus he's here early!" an older man chuckles with arms crossed, "All thanks to (y/n)." Nessa muses in her seat. I shot her a relieved but slightly nervous smile.

"A job well done Miss (y/n)." Miss Oleana commends, the room goes deathly silent at the praise but my chest bursts in pride, "Of course Miss Oleana." I smile. A new surge of confidence takes root and I take a strong stride deeper into the room. "I hope I'm not overstepping, but to introduce myself I made a treat for everyone." I chime, placing my container on the table. "My name is (y/n), I was hired to keep Champion Leon in check, I'm very happy to be here. As a hello I made a Kalos specialty, which is where I'm originally from, a little treat called Poképuffs. The treat is not only made for Pokémon but trainers too, the treat is very diverse in favors and can be customized to every type of Pokémon." I introduce popping off the lid. Just as the lid comes off the room leans forward to peer inside, "There's one for each of you, I made them in coordination with your gym, but there are a few I made from my own personal recipes." I smile.

A low impressed whistle breaks the silence, "Who knew Leon's manager could be so charming." a very large but short man chuckles. I smile and turn to the man, he wears a large straw hat and a green gym uniform. "Milo," He introduces, holding out his hand. I take it strongly and shoot him a dazzling smile, one that has his cheeks turning pink. "Move aside child, I have long awaited this meeting," An older voice commands. I turn and greet the older woman dressed in pink and purples, she too wears a large hat but this one more formal with an umbrella in her hand.

"Opal, I presume." I greet with a soft, but equally flattering, smile. "You presume right." She hums, "Such a pleasure to meet you, I hear Ballonlea is known for its wonder, I can see that it also applies to it's gym leader." I charm in a tempered tone. "I like this one." She muses with a small smile, "Neither a brown nose nor a smug fool." She comments. That's what I aim for.

"She has the sophistication that only experience can teach," A woman smiles kindly, dressed in a parka and winter hat. "I'd like to believe it's well earned, If I may be so bold," I muse in return, laughter breaks through the air. "Daring, I like it." An older man chuckles, he wears a fire type gym uniform with a small towel wrapped around his neck. "I do try," I laugh in return, "Try? You know as well as I do you are. Need I remind you that there has been more than one occasion you had to put Raihan in his place." Nessa buts in. Annd, there goes my good impressions. Roaring laughter takes over the room As Raihan himself loudly makes excuses for himself.

I felt a tingle go down my spine, "Leon." I warn without even having to look back. "I'm just going to the bathroom." He calls back, "Uh huh, and did you know that the room has a private bathroom?" I question. "Yes which is where—" He starts but it dies slightly, "Wrong door Leon," I sigh. I hear Leon shuffle quietly away and into the correct door, the room stays eerily quiet after he leaves.

"How did you do that?" Bea questions, if I remember correctly, "Do what?" I hum looking over at her. Her face has cream smudged onto it, my habits flare and without a thought to prevent it, I reach forward and wipe it off. Her cheeks go red and her words quickly die, "How did you know he was going to the wrong door? You weren't even looking?" One of the few men around my age asked for her. "That?" I muse, "It's more of a tingle, like an instinct I've grown into." I laugh. "You mean like a sixth sense?" he gasps, "Of the sort." I giggle.

"Allister sort of has something like that." He quips, The woman and white swats at him, "Gordie!" She scolds. "Allister?" I mumble, there's a pull at my dress and I look down to see a boy in a mask and a ghost type gym uniform. "That's me." He squeaks, "Ah, well it's very nice to meet you Allister." I smile softly, "Would you like a Poképuff?" I question taking the box and holding it out to him. I watch him hesitate but I wait patiently, he eventually takes the ghost type Poképuff from the box, as I put the box back on the table I watch him lift his mask up just enough to take a bite.

A grin forms on my face when I watch his tense body grow lively at the taste, however he tucks into me when the door swings open, "And he arrives." Raihan snorts. "Shut it, it's not like—(y/n)?" He cuts himself off, "Piers." I greet, "Does that mean Leon beat me here?" He grumbles. I didn't have to answer his question. When Leon exits the bathroom, the rock star lets out a long sigh. "Now that everyone is here please take your seats." Miss Oleana announces.

Everyone shuffles about taking their seats, I help Allister into his seat by pulling it out and pushing it in since his feet can't touch the ground. Once the boy is comfortably in his seat I move around to stand behind Leon only to have the older man hold out his seat. "No please by all means, I can stand." I wave off, "I insist," He pushes, "Kabu, please take your seat." Miss Oleana pipes in. The man lets out a sigh before sitting down, I make sure he's properly adjusted before standing behind Leon.

I take out my leather binder and pen as Miss Oleana starts the meeting, I make notations of certain things making sure I have them for later reference, as well as a small timeline for the coming events. But the real plans come with the mention of the coming gym challenge, Miss Oleana stating that this year's competition is to be bigger than before. The woman in white, who I come to know as Melony, questions why. I too would like to know since I knew before I even applied for my job that this year is bound to be big, only for Miss Oleana to explain that the Chairman has a big project he hopes to release as well as the fact that this is the year Galar is suppose to host the World Series Champion matches.

The information has the group of Gym Leaders whispering to one another, I swallow hard at the news. Perhaps taking on The Chairman is going to be more difficult than I thought. If I took him out now what would happen to the world around us? This year holds such big events that even the slightest kink can make this region go sideways. My thoughts are promptly stopped by the shuffling of people, looking up I notice the meeting ending. Miss Oleana nods to me before making a brief exit. I snap my binder shut and stuff into my bag, I could use a drink.