The first base that Makoto entered would prove to be quite the showy one - every wall filled a wide variety of art, furniture that looked more expensive than Makoto's life savings, and a cozy red carpet spread out underfoot. It was hard to say who this base may belong to, but it was likely an individual with very deep pockets, to say the least. They almost didn't want to touch anything - if only because when someone had deep pockets, they either were completely indifferent to having to replace something... Or would sue you out of house and home, for just brushing up against the wrong thing.

But, a squeak from above would draw their attention - and perched on the chandelier above, was an elgyem. In either hand was a pair of flags, and though they both seemed a bit different, there was no way for Maokto to tell whether either one was the real one or not from down below. Still, they may as well make an attempt to get the flag from the alien pokemon - and so, digging through their bag, they'd pull out a few fake flags.

These were flags that they had considered setting up in their own secret base, but well... They decided against it, instead letting Tsume and Kuro both set up their own guiles and shenanigans as they pleased. Thus, Makoto was left with some flags that they had no use for - and extending one up towards the elgyem, they asked "Would you like to make a trade?" The answer, apparently, would be a yes - psychic energy wrapping around the flag, to gently take it out of Makoto's hand. And in turn, one of the flags in the elgyem's grasp floated on down - for Makoto to take in turn.

Real or not, they'd be satisfied enough with the interaction to move on - humming gently along the way.

nt3ltp2t
Womp womp, is fake XD

The extravagant chamber Shalin happened upon while exploring an uncanny mansion near Pyre Bay reminded her of the Mirage Palace's surreal, illusory dining room. The many paintings of legendary Pokémon reminded her of the equally numerous murals within the Halls of Origin. Lighting them was a chandelier with a hovering Elgyem beneath it, holding two identical-looking flags.

Starr, Shalin's Shiny Espeon, was cautious, ready to bolt at a moment's notice if things escalated. For now, though, the psychic-type kept her trainer mentally harnessed up whilst in close proximity to the other psychic-type. She reached for the flag in the Elgyem's left hand, anticipating some kind of trick. Starr looked ready to mentally pounce the Elgyem, too...