Chapter Text
Larry regretted this the moment he set foot in the northern region. The air felt wrong.
Compared to his home region of Paldea it was a tad more cramped, the air smelling of cigarettes and wet pavement.
It had been raining the past few hours of his long trip to Kalos, causing it to take a tad longer than anticipated, a shame it was that he was going to have to skip lunch *again* just because his train was running late. He released a deep sigh and checked his watch.
2pm.
The meeting La Primera so caringly set up for his was slated for 3pm. Ideally he wanted to be early but unless he managed to find this mystery building quickly he was more than likely to be late.
Larry hustled out of the train station, his longer legs assisting to cover the distance a tad quicker.
Passing through the turn stiles he had to let his eyes adjust simply from how bright it was, the light grey pavement nearly blinding him from the brightness of the sun's reflection.
Tall buildings lined the streets, curving elegantly with the outer walls of the city. In the center stood the focal point, the tower.
He had a heavy feeling in his gut that was his omen. He wasn't a fan of heights nessicarily, despite his typing of flying carrying his elite four status.
He stepped forward to begin his search for this "Rust Boss" Geeta was expecting him to meet, failing to provide him with an actual name.
He was quicky cut off by a pancham darting under his legs hauling a large leather bag, pursued by a young woman sporting a bright green windbreaker darting down the alleyway the panda skittered down.
Catching his balance, he sighed in relief before being promptly bumped by another young lady with blonde and pink hair. That was enough to knock him down face first.
"OH MY GOSH I AM SO SORRY" she quickly grabbed him by the arm and yanked him off of the ground, not even a second to register that he had fallen. "I'M REALLY SORRY IF YOU CAN STAY THERE I'LL BE BACK IN A SECOND TO APOLOGIZE PROPERLY" she shouted.
"What." He squinted. While his Kalosian was a wee bit rusty, but from what he understood it was stupid to think a stranger would wait to be told sorry one more time. Another deep breathe, and release. Today was going to be long, wasn't it?
--
Larry was lost wasn't he. He really had no clue where he was supposed to be going, especially due to this being his first time in Luimose itself. He had been around Kalos before; notably Shalour City for an incident regarding terastal pokémon appearing in their mines a few months back.
That incident is what was leading to this most likely-to-be incident. It proved that there was a potential for trade of Tera Orbs and Mega Stones between the regions of Paldea and Kalos.
He stopped for a moment, observing a light green screen-like barrier surrounding a small pond of magikarp. Did they have to contain the pokémon to live harmoniously around here? Could the denizens not defend themselves?
Any time he had a business trip in another region the cultural differences between the human population and the pokémon never failed to surprise him.
In Unova they were much stricter with the barrier between major cities and pokémon wild areas, while Paldean pokémon simply went where they pleased save for stronger, more territorial pokémon, the citizens of Paldea simply avoided building in their territories. It was basic respect in his mind.
Ah. He has gotten lost in his own thoughts again. Flipping his wrist he checked his watch. 2:35pm. It had been over half an hour since he had arrived and he had still not found his destination, this city was far too large for its own good, much like Mesagoza.
Perhaps that is why he prefered Medali. Quiet, simple, sweet and refreshing. A steady routine outside of work (the little time he had) The ability to have his preferred lunch, and leaving his windows open at night to feel the gentle breeze.
He hurried down the block, arriving at the base of the tower, noting a coffee food truck with a set of redheads tending to their customers. He should probably ask for directions but he always wound up chattering too quickly when he tried to speak anything other than Paldean... oh well, it can't be helped.
Larry approached the coffee truck, the woman whipping her head around and gave him a look up and down.
"Whatcha want? Coffee? Tea? We ain't got maps fer tourists though. We should do that honestly." She grunted, settling her hand on her chin.
Was it rude to ask for directions from a food vendor and not get something to eat or drink? His stomach grumbled regardless.
"Mm may I have a Flamethrower Roast with a croissant..." he cleared his throat.. "as well as an idea of where a gentleman called the "Rust Boss" could be? I was made aware he has a higher status in this city, however I was not told where he could be located. Or his name for that matter"
The woman blinked at him before cackling. He didn't say anything funny though?
"WOOW he's wrapping people around his pinky in other regions now! You poor thing! Shame you're too stupid to have realized you got in debt to the MOB" she bent back and giggled like a maniac giving her a bit of a wheeze.
Ah. His gut feeling was right. Why didn't La Primera do more research on her trade partners before sending him 12 hours from home to be gutted like a feebas ready to be grilled.
The man turned from his station in the truck and shot her a look. It seems his face was displaying his mortification.
"Giselle, dear, I swear up and down you are why we cannot keep customers" the man pushed his glasses up his nose, "The gentleman you are seeking, is the leader of the Rust Syndicate. While she is correct that it is unfortunate I highly recommend not trying to hide."
Larry looked down at his feet before sinking to a squat for a moment; he was so screwed wasn't he. He shockingly had lost his appetite.
"Well. Where is he." He was being rather short at the moment but he was trying to coat his doom and distract from the fact he was probably about to become gyarados food.
"He handles a building down in the Bleu sectore. Head down the next street through Wild Zone 5 and that should bring you to the plaza. The building is hard to miss, the eyesore that it is." The man nodded.
"Thank you, I appreciate your time."
Larry took the first steps towards what he felt was his doom. Oh well, he still had to do his job.