[attr="class","aurelie"]

[attr="class","aurelie_body"]Normally, when Aurelie wasn't to be found in the shop of the Iron Lady Forge, it was usually because she was preoccupied in the workshop in the back, working on a commission or project. However, this time, she bustled in through the very door that Greyson had just entered. Nearly tripping over the sword at the door herself, the red-haired smith rolled her eye and bent over.

"Did that idiot leave his silly sword here?" she muttered aloud, shaking her head. "After all that fuss about having me make it 'the deadliest weapon ever known to man' and throwing a tantrum when I said no. Ugh..."

She picked up the offending sword in question, made a face as she gave the blade a cursory inspection, and stalked over toward the trash can. Only then did Aurelie seem to realize she wasn't alone in the shop and someone else was at the counter, waiting for her.

"Oh! Hello! Excuse me," she exclaimed self-consciously, summoning up her best customer-service smile in a hurry. "I was just showing a rather rude and demanding customer out the door. Someone who wanted me to make a weapon for him, even though I told him I don't make weapons for anyone, but he simply wouldn't listen."

Sighing gustily, the red-haired smith chuckled and added wryly, "I trust you won't give me quite so much trouble! Now, what can I help you with, si..."

Her voice trailed off and her single eye sharpened with recognition as she studied his face more closely. "Sir, indeed," she said softly. Her pulse beat faster in her veins with sudden uncertainty and wariness, though she tried her best to keep her expression calm.

"It'll be an honor to work with a member of the Elite Four like yourself, if I'm not mistaken." Aurelie cleared her throat and dropped the customer's discarded sword in the trash, before turning toward Greyson. "What can I do for you?"

[attr="class","cred"]VEL OF PIXEL PERFECT

[attr="class","snub-greyson"]Greyson doesn't look for shadows in every corners—not typically, at least—but he scrutinizes the woman's expression for a moment longer than typical. Realizing how perceptively rude that could be he blinks and looks away.

"Er—Yeah, you're right." It wasn't often he was recognized, much less from those that weren't Team Rocket. "Good to meet you. You're the owner I take it?"

Who else could it be?

Casually, Greyson reaches into his pocket and retrieves a dual-colored orb. In the accompanying flash of white light an Iron Valiant stands firmly.

"I'd like a shield—for her."

[attr="class","aurelie"]

[attr="class","aurelie_body"]Aurelie nodded briskly in confirmation when he asked if she was the shop's proprietor. Gets right to the point, doesn't he? Very terse, she couldn't help thinking, not without a touch of approval. But I appreciate that he doesn't overlook basic pleasantries like saying 'hello' or 'nice to meet you.'

She squirmed a little under Greyson's steady regard. Ignorant of how typical League civilians regarded its Champions or Elite Four, the redhead was thankfully oblivious to his surprise at being recognized—and thus immune to the fear that she'd inadvertently given herself away as Rocket by being so acutely aware of his status. Then, her eye bulged and her mouth dropped open at his unexpected request.

"I... Huh. Wow. That's...unexpected," she managed, genuinely taken aback. Her eye narrowed as his last few words sank in. "Wait... Did you say for her?"

Having rarely encountered Paradox Pokemon before, Aurelie had taken the Iron Valiant at first to be an unusual-looking Gardevoir. Only when she swiveled her head to study it more closely did she notice the scythe-like magenta blades along its forearms, the green crest rising from its head, and the fact that its "skirt" actually formed petal-shaped magenta-tipped guards for its legs.

"You'll have to forgive me," she added softly, riveted by the mechanical Pokemon. "I don't usually get commissions for things that aren't everyday tools. And I've never—well, actually, that's not true, I have gotten requests to make things for Pokemon. But I can count the number of those on one hand and have fingers left over."

To take such a commission from an Elite Four member. though... The thought gave her pause, even as she yearned to say yes. Yet, a shield wasn't a weapon, was it? A shield was a tool, just as much as a hammer or a survival knife.

And if he weren't part of the Elite Four, would I think it was such a big deal? she wondered. The thought reminded her of another recent commission from another League member.

With difficulty, Aurelie pulled her gaze away from the fascinating figure of the Iron Valiant. "If I can ask... Did Noel Parker refer me to you, by any chance?" She chuckled softly at the memory of the friendly young Ranger.

"I offered to make a little coat of armor for his Shaymin about a month ago. I can't help seeing a certain parallel between that armor for his Pokemon and a shield for yours."

[attr="class","cred"]VEL OF PIXEL PERFECT

[attr="class","snub-greyson"]"For her, yes."

Iron Valiant's armor gleamed beneath the overhead light, a brilliant shade of scarlet marred with various scars and markings. She stood stoic, blades vibrating softly, her expression unblinking.

Something about his request shakes her, or, was it the appearance of the Paradox Pokémon itself? If he learned anything from robin coello it was that he had his.. moments. A lack of foresight was rarely an issue in battle, but in moments like this?

He holds back a sigh as the realization hits, attention shifting entirely to her question, eager to redeem himself.

"Noel Parker ?" His brow furrows, confused. "No, I've never met anyone with that name." But he files it away for later. Maybe he needed to meet this Noel.

"An armor for a Shaymin?" His eyes widen, intrigue spiked, mind racing under the thought of a cute hedgehog in battle armor. Any previous notion of his own lack of social awareness disappears. "That's amazing. Are you finished with it? Was it able to move reliably in it?"

[attr="class","aurelie"]

[attr="class","aurelie_body"]When Greyson asked about the Shaymin armor she was constructing with a look of surprised interest on his face, Aurelie beamed happily back. "Yes! It's such an interesting idea, isn't it? I never would have thought to armor a Shaymin, of all things!

"But when you think about it, it makes sense, doesn't it?" The words poured eagerly out of her as she visibly warmed to the topic of her exciting new project. "After all, if you're ever fighting a group, you'd want to target the healer first, right? So, then, the counterstrategy to that would be to protect the healer."

Belatedly hearing the words she was spouting, Aurelie glanced curiously at the Elite Four member in her shop. Her smile turned self-deprecating. "At least, that's what I learned from video games. I imagine you'd know far better than I if that works in real battles."

And I suppose that's assuming Rocket has many healers that it sends out to the front lines, she reflected. But still, surely the principle applies anyway? Right?

Clearing her throat, she hastened to continue. "As for whether we're done... I've made several different prototypes for Noel to choose from. Some of them are much more mobile and maneuverable than others, but maybe less protective or durable.

"But... I want to keep improving on them and testing those prototypes. So, it's still a work in progress at the moment." Aurelie chuckled quietly and fondly. "Thankfully, Noel has the patience of a saint, and he wants his Shaymin to have the best."

She turned her gaze back to the fascinating Paradox Pokemon in the middle of her shop. Trying to view it as a potential customer and a warrior, rather than a marvelous curiosity, Aurelie bent forward to study the arm and leg guards it already bore, marked with battle scars and dents.

"So, I'd love to continue with that theme and make a shield for your impressive lady here," the red-haired smith concluded. "Did you have a particular type of shield in mind? If not, I can offer some suggestions, if you can tell me more about her fighting style."

[attr="class","cred"]VEL OF PIXEL PERFECT

[attr="class","snub-greyson"]"Exactly! Target the Healer and everything crumbles." Before he became a member of the Elite Four he considered himself a support specialist.

"I did something similar with my Comfey and the results were amazing. I could probably show you sometime. It's Flower Shield works wonders when you're trying to-"

He stops suddenly, flushing with embarrassment. He always got this way when talking about Comfey or any cute Pokémon, really.

"Er, sorry. Got a bit carried away there." He'd forgotten for a moment the reason he'd come here in the first place.

He comes over to stand next to the Paradox Pokémon as she inspects her

"She used a Phalanx style. She's able to maintain, for a short while, a tower shield that she keeps between her and her opponent. Then, using her halberd, she strikes from the comfort of it, switching between quick stabs and sweeping strikes. Her QUARK DRIVE allows her to prioritize power between speed or power, as the situation demands."

[attr="class","aurelie"]

[attr="class","aurelie_body"]Aurelie perked up and beamed when Greyson not only didn't mock her for her video-game tactics but instead enthusiastically shared that he'd done something similar with his own Pokemon. She wasn't familiar with the Flower Shield move, but it certainly sounded powerful and defensive.

"I'd certainly be interested in seeing the effects of your Comfey's Flower Shield sometime," she replied cheerfully. With a chuckle, she dismissed his sheepish apology with a wave of her hand. "And no need to say sorry! I of all people can't blame anyone for having something they're passionate about, considering...well…"

The red-haired smith swept out an arm to encompass the entire shop around them, filled with knives and other hand-forged steel tools, and gave a self-deprecating smile.

As Greyson moved on to the subject of his Iron Valiant's fighting style, she listened attentively to his description. A thoughtful frown tugged at the corners of Aurelie's lips as she took a few notes, but she forbore to respond until he had fallen silent.

"Interesting..." she mused, tapping the pencil absently against the sheet of notepaper. "So, it sounds like your Pokemon already has a shield that she regularly uses. Is that right?

"Although," she couldn't help remarking in a tone that even she could recognize was drifting toward the pedantic, "a Phalanx fighting style seems like it would work best with, well, an actual phalanx around you. Historically, the way phalanxes of soldiers fought was by interlocking tower shields tightly side-by-side and then stabbing or slashing through the gaps."

Otherwise, what's to prevent them from just getting around you after you've planted your shield and striking you from behind? Especially if you're against more than one opponent? she queried theoretically to herself. And if you're fast and alert enough that no one can get behind you or get the drop on you, then why bother with such an immobile defense in the first place?

But she didn't dare say any of it aloud. Aurelie knew nothing of the Elite Four, but if they were anything like the Rocket Beasts... Well, it was probably best not to question their tactics too much.

Instead, she tilted her head inquisitively at Greyson. "Or do you actually have an entire legion of these Pokemon and this one is just a representative for all of them?"

That'd certainly be a sight to see, if he does! Aurelie thought, picturing it for a moment. Maybe not the way I expected a Pokemon that looks so similar to a Gallade to fight. But then, what do I know about these Iron Valiants or how they fight?

Shaking her head to clear her mind, she continued aloud, "Anyway, right. So, she already has a tower shield of her own, right? Why do you need me to make an ordinary steel shield for her?"

[attr="class","cred"]VEL OF PIXEL PERFECT

[attr="class","snub-greyson"]He jots down that piece about Comfey for later—he was more than happy enough to share that to anyone.

"She does have a shield." He confirms, and at his nod, Zero activates her QUICK GUARD. A shield of shimmering amethyst energy forms in her left arm, crudely shaped into the form of a tower shield. The vibrating energy releases a soft hum throughout the shop.

He allows her to finish her thought before, unable to help himself, he smiles in the way of her question.

"Something like that." But he was no expert in ancient combat, or the most efficient way to use a shield. "Ideally though, Iron Valiant would fight as a team, but act more independently. However, each has a different style of fighting—swords, lances, axes, etc. I need something that wouldn't hinder movement, capable of withstanding extreme heat, cold, or force, and doesn't make group combat unwieldly."

He pats his hair in a subconscious nervousness.

"Her energy shield should be a last resort—it takes too much power to maintain and it has a crude design. I need something more nuanced."

[attr="class","aurelie"]

[attr="class","aurelie_body"]Aurelie's eye and mouth formed twin round O's of comprehension when the Elite Four member listened patiently and then instructed his Iron Valiant to manifest her shield. "Oh! I didn't realize!

"When you talked about your lady here..." The red-haired smith paused to nod gratefully at the Iron Valiant for the demonstration, before continuing, "Your lady here having her own tower shield, I thought you meant she already owned a physical shield made of wood or metal that she carried into battle."

She smiled sheepishly. "I probably just misheard you, because I definitely wasn't picturing an energy shield. But now that I see what you mean, I can see why you're here."

Narrowing her eye in thought, Aurelie circled slowly around the Iron Valiant as she envisioned what type of shield suited the Pokemon best. What Greyson was asking for was certainly doable, of course, though his request that the shield be able to withstand extreme heat or cold seemed a little unrealistic.

After all, she was a metalsmith, not a miracle worker. Even if Aurelie did her absolute best—which she wouldn't, considering she had no intentions of using up her last precious Necrozma shards on a member of the League—the shield would still mostly be made of metal. As much as she might fondly wish otherwise, Aurelie couldn't control how metal would behave at extreme temperatures.

Aloud, though, the redhead merely mused, "In that case, what I'm picturing now for your Iron Valiant is a light, nimble circular buckler. You know, the sort of shield from which we get the term 'swashbuckler'?" She flashed a knowing smile at Greyson.

"If I make it from 16-gauge carbon steel with a diameter of...oh, let's say two feet, it should weigh about five pounds. I can attach either a wooden handle or leather straps on the back, whichever you think would be easiest for your lady here to use."

Aurelie went on to explain, spreading her hands wide, "Carbon steel is very tough and strong but lightweight. And a buckler was historically designed to be easy to carry and use with one arm. It should be excellent at blocking attacks in close-quarters combat, though I wouldn't recommend it against arrows or bullets."

She debated offering ornamental chasework or bas-relief carvings on the surface of the shield, or perhaps an offensive central boss riveted to the center. That would probably add more to the weight of the shield, though. In the end, she simply shrugged and tilted her head. "How does that sound to you, sir?"

[attr="class","cred"]VEL OF PIXEL PERFECT

[attr="class","snub-greyson"]Greyson waves off her apology.

"No need. I should've demonstrated from the start."

Her idea of a buckler captures his attention, brow furrowing as his mind wraps around the concept.

Far from an expert, he goes for a probative question.

"Most bucklers I've seen in the media have a sword of some kind. How would that work with a lance? Any shifts to fighting styles, do you think?"

[attr="class","aurelie"]

[attr="class","aurelie_body"]His question derailed Aurelie's train of thought completely. "A…a lance?" she faltered uncertainly. "Is your lady going to be fighting on horseback? That would be a very different kettle of Wishiwashi, as I've heard people here say."

She frowned momentarily. A vague memory of medieval infantry lancers intruded. Yet, it was hard not to envision the classic knight or cavalryman on a horse, unseating another rider or knocking a fighter on the ground off his feet with a perfectly aimed lance thrust.

Her sheepish smile deepened, as did the flush of embarrassment on her cheeks. "I really should just ask you, actually, instead of just making assumptions... What weapons does your Pokemon use? I keep thinking of her as similar to a Gallade, who uses sword-like blades."

Aurelie turned her gaze toward the Iron Valiant now, her voice growing quiet and distant as she mused aloud. "But that doesn't actually seem to be the case with your Pokemon. Like you said, a buckler works very well when paired with a sword...

"But earlier, you mentioned a halberd, which is two-handed, but...a buckler strapped to one forearm still offers some protection to one side of the user's body." The red-haired smith pursed her lips in contemplation.

"But a lance... Assuming you're using a lance while mounted, traditionally a lance was used with a slightly larger one-handed heraldic shield. It'd be heavier and less nimble and can't be used alongside a halberd. Well, unless you just dropped the shield, but then, why bring it?"

She crossed her arms. "So, if you don't mind... Please tell me all the weapons your Iron Valiant might be using in combat. If it's many different types of weapons that can change between fights, it might be best to have multiple different shields.

"Otherwise, after I have the full list, I'll do my best to come up with a single shield that might work well with all those weapons."

[attr="class","cred"]VEL OF PIXEL PERFECT

[attr="class","snub-greyson"]Once more he's reminded of his blunder in failing to actually demonstrate.

"That's my fault. Here, this will be the only weapon she uses. Future Iron Valiants will use different ones, I'm sure, but this will be hers alone."

He motions with his hand and the Paradox twirls her weapon to the forefront. The massive thing was early seven feet long, with two curled amethyst blades of energy on either end.

Typically, Greyson would call it a two-handed weapon, but the strength of the Paradox Pokémon made such a concept obsolete.

"Something like a buckler could work, or even something that can allow for quick action to use both hands with this weapon. If that means easily discarded, or smaller, I'm open to interpretation."

[attr="class","aurelie"]

[attr="class","aurelie_body"]Aurelie watched raptly as the Iron Valiant spun her huge weapon forth as easily as if it were twirling a child's baton, the two energy blades shimmering dangerously on either end. It almost looked like a quadruple-bladed halberd, at least to her eye, and would probably be nigh impossible for a human to wield properly.

But not, it seemed, for Paradox Pokemon. The red-haired smith smiled, before waving her hand lightly again in Greyson's general direction.

"Oh, no worries! About showing her weapon to me, I mean," she assured him unconcernedly. "Honestly, I'm grateful you have something this clear to show me at all. Sometimes, all the guidance I get are a customer's vague feelings and ideas."

She pursed her lips in thought as she regarded the Iron Valiant again. It was hard for her to think about designing a weapon or armor for something so humanoid yet inhuman, with clearly superhuman agility and strength. Aurelie had to readjust so many preconceived notions of what was and wasn't practical or even possible to equip the Pokemon with.

"All right, what I'm thinking..." she said finally. "I'll make two bucklers, both lightweight but sturdy. She can wear one on each forearm, or not, as she or you choose. Or neither. Depending on how much protection you think she might need.

"It'll cost you double, of course," she added, smiling a little and crossing her arms. "But it doubles the surface area being protected without sacrificing too much mobility. Or so I hope."

Returning to her front desk, Aurelie grabbed a pen and a set of commission forms and offered them to Greyson. "If that works for you, that should cost a total of..." She rapidly calculated under her breath and named a number.

"And I should have them both ready for you in two to three weeks. There's a form in there for your contact information and preferences." How strange it would be to have the phone number or email address for an Elite Four member.

Then, the red-haired smith hesitated. "Is that all right with you? I don't want to get too far ahead of myself here."

[attr="class","cred"]VEL OF PIXEL PERFECT