The Pantheon

S.S Anne

As Ashley had a couple of days before the S.S Anne left the docks, she decided to cram in everything she had on her to-do list for Vermilion City. It was a fast pace, but she was not missing the chance to get her shopping and pictures done. At the moment, she is an art gallery that was having an exposition where an artist and his Smeargle were painting live for the public.

Ashley stepped into the art gallery, the gentle hum of conversation and the soft strokes of a paintbrush creating an atmosphere that felt worlds away from the chaos of battles. The polished floors gleamed under the natural light filtering through high windows, casting a serene glow over the vibrant paintings adorning the walls. At the far end of the room, the star attraction—a renowned artist and his Smeargle—was busy creating a new masterpiece in real-time. The Smeargle's tail moved with surprising finesse, its painterly strokes almost hypnotic as it worked alongside its human partner.

Ashley adjusted her hat and glanced down at Proserpina and Vulcan, who trotted eagerly beside her. Proserpina's flower emitted a faint, sweet aroma, blending harmoniously with the subtle scent of paint and fresh canvas in the air. Vulcan's tail wagged excitedly, though his steps were more measured. He was clearly on his best behavior, aware of the quiet reverence of the space.

"Alright, you two," Ashley said, her tone light but playful. "This is your reward for kicking butt at the gym. Soak it all in. Just, uh... maybe don't touch anything, okay?"

Proserpina gave a soft trill of acknowledgment, her wide eyes scanning the colorful paintings with genuine curiosity. Vulcan sniffed the air, his nose twitching as he tried to make sense of the strange smells. Ashley chuckled at his perplexed expression and snapped a quick picture with her PokéNav.

"Perfect," she muttered, grinning as she reviewed the photo. "Mars is gonna feel so left out when he sees this."

They wandered further into the gallery, pausing occasionally to admire pieces that caught Ashley's eye. One painting depicted a serene coastal scene, the waves shimmering as though they were alive. Another was an abstract swirl of colors that seemed to shift the longer she looked at it.

Proserpina stopped in front of a particularly striking piece—a vibrant field of flowers rendered in exquisite detail. The Gloom tilted her head, clearly enraptured.

"You like that one?" Ashley asked, crouching beside her Pokémon. She read the small plaque below the painting. "'Elysian Blooms.' Fitting." She reached out to scratch Proserpina under her leaf-like head, earning a pleased hum in return. "Maybe I should get you a little flower crown to match the vibe."

Vulcan, meanwhile, was inching closer to the live painting demonstration. The Smeargle's tail flicked with precision, dabbing vibrant blue onto the canvas while the artist added delicate details with a fine brush. A small crowd had gathered to watch, their whispers barely audible over the faint scratch of bristles.

"Vulcan, don't even think about it," Ashley warned, her voice low but teasing as she noticed the Growlithe's curiosity shifting dangerously close to the wet canvas.

Vulcan froze mid-step, giving her a sheepish glance before retreating a few paces. Ashley sighed in mock exasperation. "You're lucky you're cute."

The artist, noticing the interaction, smiled warmly at her. "A well-behaved Growlithe in an art gallery—now there's something you don't see every day."

Ashley straightened, grinning. "He tries. Can't say the same for my Charmeleon, though. Mars would've set the place on fire by now. Not on purpose!" she added quickly when the artist's eyebrows shot up. "He's just... high-energy."

The artist laughed, his Smeargle pausing to glance at Vulcan with what Ashley swore was an approving nod before returning to its work.

After watching the demonstration for a few more minutes, Ashley decided it was time to move on. "Alright, team," she said, clapping her hands lightly. "One last loop around, and then we'll grab Mars and find that ice cream I promised."