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The monthly Pokemon League meetings are something Norman used to find tedious. It seemed wholly unnecessary for the Gym Leaders and the Elite Four to meet up every month just to touch base on the minor goings-on across the region. And he isn’t the only one who felt that way, if Drake’s continued absence is anything to go by. For the first few months in Hoenn, the only bright spot in these meetings was when Roxanne, then Brawly, then Wattson had crowed about an up-and-coming challenger he could only conclude was his precious daughter.
However, as the aggression between Team Aqua and Team Magma continues to grow, these once tedious meetings have become a way for all of them to exchange information, keep current, and coordinate. Norman knows full well that the reason to have regular meetings is so that they’re in place already when something goes wrong.
“The governor has officially asked us to assist in cracking down on Team Aqua and Magma.” The Champion, Steven Stone, is saying. “Each of the Gym Leaders has an area they’ll be asked to patrol, alongside their students. The Elite Four and myself will be actively investigating, and we’ll keep in contact so we can be summoned if anything comes up. Norman, I know you’re our most recent addition, but due to proximity we’re hoping you’ll look after Oldale and Littleroot alongside Petalburg. Will that be alright?”
He crosses his arms and nods. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
He doesn’t expect that Littleroot will be a target for Team activity, in fact that’s one of the primary reasons he had for moving his family there instead of closer to his gym, but even so he will protect his family’s happiness with his life.
Steven nods, giving him a brief, professional smile.
Steven Stone is a young man, only a few years older than Norman’s daughter. Norman knows well that persons of any age can be incredible pokemon trainers, and that such a young man being the Champion is entirely reasonable. However, he can’t help thinking that this man is much too young for the burden placed on him.
The Pokemon League exists to foster and protect the relationship between people and pokemon. Gym Leaders train new generations of trainers, the Elite Four test those trainers and protect the pokemon of the region, and the Champion must do both while acting as the public face and ambassador for balance and standing as a figure of aspiration, representing the best that people and pokemon can become by working together. All of that responsibility on the shoulders of a young man who, by all accounts, would rather study rocks in caves.
It isn’t that Steven does a bad job, by any metric. He takes his responsibilities seriously. It’s only that the weight on him is obvious, a shackle rather than a crown.
“Speaking of Littleroot.” Winona says, her expression foretelling a lightening of topics. “I just had a challenger from there. She was incredible! Her pokemon used their moves in ways I’d never seen before. And afterward, I learned she’s the one who ousted Team Aqua from the Weather Institute. Said her name was May.”
Pride swells in Norman’s heart, mixed just a little with trepidation that his daughter is apparently still getting involved with Team Aqua and Magma. She continues to demonstrate that she can handle herself and that she’s keeping herself safe. It’s just natural for a father to worry anyway.
“Wait, May?” Flannery takes her feet off the table to sit up. “Oh yeah, she rules! I fought her a couple of weeks ago and lost bad. She helped us out with Team Magma on Mt. Chimney!”
The other Gym Leaders who have battled her each voice their agreement, and Norman nods. He doesn’t need to sing his daughter’s praises when everyone who comes across her can see for theirself just how incredible she is.
“Now hold on.” Wallace grins, raising an eyebrow at Steven. “Isn’t that the name of the girl you’ve got your eye on?”
His eye on?
Steven’s cheeks flush and he straightens up. “She has a lot of potential as a trainer. That’s all.”
“Right~” Wallace’s grin widens further. “Because you would spend hours gushing about any trainer who has ‘potential’.”
“I don’t spend hours-” Steven catches himself, covering his mouth and turning away from the table. If it’s to hide his blush, he’s apparently unaware that his ears tend to redden along with his cheeks.
“This is hardly an appropriate topic for this meeting.” Norman says firmly.
“Yes. Thank you.” Steven breathes and turns back around, his smile toward his apparent savior met only by Norman’s hard glare. He flinches and looks away.
Like a coward. Certainly not like a man worthy of May. Yes, he may be rich, handsome, gentle, and responsible. Are those traits alone meant to qualify him to be May’s partner? Does he think Norman would ever hand her over to someone simply because they met those bare minimum criteria?
“You mustn’t be too harsh.” Glacia says. “They’re young. This is to be expected.”
It’s Roxanne, however, who glances from face to face, brow furrowing as each one shows a total lack of understanding. “...You guys know that’s his daughter, right?”
Steven pales, staring at Norman like he’s never seen him before. “His… daughter?”
A cold, quiet tension fills the room, broken only when Wallace fails to suppress a snicker.
The cacophony that erupts at that revelation is anything but professional.