well that was a bit much. shocked hues watched the battle scene that unfolded. the girl in question caused the duo to stare. their meal paused at the entrance of their maw. it wasn't exactly his problem, but the memory of her battle continued to replay within the back of his mind.

it wasn't until her usage of the notebook came into thought. the way she ordered them. it wasn't exactly the icing on the cake, but he just couldn't hold it in. finally, he'd stand to walk over toward the girl. cause clearly she, and no one else around, had the motive of telling herself exactly what she needed to hear. "just what the hell was that?" mateo bluntly stated.

he and sceptile together standing some feet from the girl. passing her to pick up the notebook she had thrown, he would open it up to analyze what was written. "who the hell has the time to read and battle, aren't these your damn pokemon?" the former elite trainer would state. turning to question the pinkette. "normally i don't throw myself into others personal lives unless necessary, but you seriously..." his grip would tighten upon the journal, "...you seriously danced on my nerves, idjit!" he'd tear the pages from the book without hesitation.

"aren't you suppose to be a trainer? or are you some wannabe nerd gettin' a kick outta seein' her pokemon tossed around like rag dolls!?" she seriously pissed the dragon tamer off. in a weird way, it had been sometime since he exhibited such a draconic personality.

BERNICE ALBERS

they don't listen? the hell did that even mean. when it came to training pokemon, mateo had seen it all. there were those who utilized them as soldiers, others who wielded them strategically, and those who fought with them as if they were one. "every trainer has their way of doing things," mateo calmly responded. after doing so sceptile would pat the young girl on her shoulder.

"it's not about whether they listen to you or not. you can demand respect, but that doesn't mean they'll give it. every trainer i've met has their own thing, even me." he'd call out KOMMO-O all while speaking to the young trainer. with a simple fist bump between the pair, he'd continue, "every pokemon i own we have some bond that can't really explained to outsiders. i don't think it's ideal to use a notebook to memorize their capability though." which led him to ask his next question:

"why are you a trainer?"

BERNICE ALBERS

she wanted to be proud of something, to be proud of this. there was no need for an explanation on as to what she meant. when it came to raising pokemon one didn't need a reason, but they did need pride. and that's what the girl was showing mateo at this very moment.

"remember this is an equal partnership, and to always treat them as your equal," a soft smile had formed. his words clearly embraced the girl. "you're already on the right path then. you don't have to know exactly what this is, but..." mateo would crouch down to their level. gently pushing the pair to the front of him. "you need to start by actually taking the time to learn about them, or better yet e may have to take you to them..." a hand was brought over his mouth as he thought Lucas LeBlanc and illeana reyes.

mateo wasn't sure as to which handled the introduction of a pokemon trainer, but leaving her in the hand of another would just be irresponsible. besides, it wasn't as if he was currently busy at this time. he had nowhere to be exactly, and this could help him clear his head. "that's why i'm here to help you, it's your lucky day little dragon." how did he get himself roped into this?

in the back of his mind there was displeasurable groan, but it's not like he wasn't a former elite four member or gym leader. he was literally paid to do this in another life. though, to be honest, maybe there was a chance he could also gain something from this? "tell me, is battling all you know? i mean, something must have gotten you into wanting to step into the limelight of a trainer?"

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"there's a lot to do y'know?"

this world was full of opportunities and careers for those who desired to be something other than trainers. mateo assumed she didn't know too much about it from her response. "you're just mimicking something you saw on the box," he'd let out a slight laugh, "that's hilarious!" mateo couldn't contain his laughter. it'd been awhile since he laughed with merriment.

"oh man, you're really a kid aren't you! what're you twelve!?" he'd continue to laugh as he held his stomach. he couldn't keep it together, that was just too great. wiping a tear from under the lid of his right eye, mateo continued, "you know pokemon are more than just battling, right? you can do a lot with them. you could even be a coordinator, those are pretty popular." eyeing the girl's pokemon, mateo would ask, "you ever thought about performing with them? in my opinion, that's a pretty cool profession."

at times, when certain people lack the skill or ability to do one thing, they learn that they're better at another. maybe that's her case? "you like pokemon, i can tell. but what do you like about them? why do you start to train them? you didn't have to do that. you could've just caught pokemon and stayed home, make a little family with them." there was a reason she's doing this. there had to be more, and even if there wasn't that was okay too. "you're a weird one," mateo would come to take a seat upon the water fountain's edge, "and i just gotta know a little more about you"

BERNICE ALBERS

a soft smile had found itself etched onto mateo's face. she reminded him a little bit of his self. the way she bit back toward her senior as she was teased. it reminded him a little bit of himself and how he talked to his late father. as she continued to speak, he slightly zoned out while listening. his mind running back to the past.

a soft huff escaped him. a hand would find itself atop of the young girl's head. "okay, okay, you definitely have your reason. i can sense the passion through your words." a wide grin worn, he'd say, "you wanna be cool just like a pokemon, that's also a nice goal to have." physically her face and hairstyle, though a different color, reminded him of someone he respected. "you look a lot like the new champion of hoenn, albeit you're more levelheaded than her." mateo chuckled, "she's a cool trainer, like a pokemon. you know of her? her name's Bailey Cooper, if someone as cool as that airhead can become champion. i think you have the ability to be even cooler than her, just like a pokemon." mateo would praise the pinkette for her passion.

"you don't have to have a goal. there's no right or wrong answer, even just wanting to be cool is a good answer." a single finger was risen, mateo continued, "be it win or lose, as long as the battle's cool and exciting, you're on the right path!" he'd pound his chest, "it's your lucky day, little dragon. i'm gonna show you what it means to find your trainer way. i hope you're ready to whip your pokemon into shape!"

BERNICE ALBERS