Noah looked up at the building with trepidation; it wasn't where he wanted to be. Somehow he always imagined bypassing this working-class part of his life and moving straight to a big shiny mansion with his favorite bred pokemon lingering around on pillows or something. Everyone has to start somewhere, but... did he really have to start here? Grimacing, he picked up his suitcase, smiling lightly to a neighbor sitting on the stoop, and walked into the apartment building.

Katerina was a good place to start. It was busy, and after the museum events with that mysterious Jirachi, things had calmed down considerably. Noah'd found work in a little restaurant. Sure, bussing tables and doing dishes wasn't what he wanted to do, but it made money that he wasn't seeing. He hated battling; and competitions... He was wary of getting back into that game. Finally he'd made enough from overnights to get a place to stay that wasn't a complete rathole.

This place was only a step-up, but hey, a step was a step.

He walked up the stairs, ignoring the creak, and finally came to his floor. Top floor, just like he'd wanted. The best view was at the top. Between work and what Claudia was sending to him, he had a nice little nest-egg set up, and could afford the studio on the top floor. He walked up to the door, and grinned a little. Sure, it wasn't what he wanted. It wasn't his final resting place. But it would do for a start.

The door opened and Noah went in, closing the door and locking it behind him. He grinned slowly, and closed his eyes, turning around. In his mind's eye, he saw hardwood floors, gleaming with a new coat of wax. Brilliant white walls. A stylish black futon on a white fur rug. Everything that would just scream Noah Darling Lives Here!

When he opened his eyes, his heart sunk. The walls, while white, were dingy with age. The floors were scuffed with use. The studio was vacant, but liveable. He set his suitcase down, and went over to the kitchen, checking out the faucet and the fridge. At least they were clean and empty... He leaned on the counter, closing his eyes. He sighed. “This is not what I thought I'd be starting with.” He mumbled, sinking down to the floor.

In a cupboard behind him, he heard something being knocked over. Jerking away from the counter, Noah spun quickly, staring with wide eyes. Oh god! Was it a mouse?!

He was going to b***h up a storm if there were mice in his studio!

Noah reached out, hand shaking slightly, and yanked open the cupboard. Looking back at him with a stale chip in its hands was a little rattata.

Noah didn't care what it was. That it was thin, obviously malnourished. That it's tail had a unique harlequin pattern. No, instead, Noah just screamed and scrambled back. The rattata squealed in response, scrambling away. The scream had effectively jerked Reno awake, and after freeing herself from her pokeball, the vulpix flew into the kitchen and past Noah, jaws snapping at the little rodent that attacked her Noah!

Noah's eyes grew wider at Reno's attack, and he straightened up quickly. “Reno, no!” He didn't want to be cleaning up blood tonight! Reno reared back, hissing. Shrunk into the corner, the rattata clung to his little chip, wide green eyes frightened as it looked from Noah to Reno and back.

Noah crouched down, swallowing, and eyed the pokemon. He reached out slowly, until his fingers brushed the warm fur of the rattata. It took a sharp breath, shrinking away. Noah grimaced. “Shhh...” He muttered, pulling the rattata out of the closet slowly. He eyed it in the open, swallowing. There seemed to only be one, there, and it looked too scared to be a wild pokemon...

Maybe the last owners just forgot it. Or left it on purpose.

Noah felt a twinge in his chest. Poor guy... He got up, holding the rattata. “It's alright, Reno.” He said to the growling vulpix, patting her on top of the head and setting the rodent pokemon on the counter. He eyed it, and smirked a little at the tail. It was cute, in retrospect; definitely unique. The Rattata would still qualify as a normal pokemon, but the pattern was definitely something worth keeping.

It was like a little harlequin.

He eyed the pokemon, and smiled a little. It looked hungry. Noah reached into his pocket, pulling out a piece of candy he kept on hand. Seeing the treat, the rattata immediately dropped his chip and rose onto his hands, doing a handstand and reaching out excitedly with his tail for the treat.

Noah stared, and snorted laughter. “You're a regular jester, aren't you!” He gave the treat over, grinning. “Trivelino. Just like in that play.” He mused, watching the rattata gnaw on the treat.

Reno eyed the rodent with a grimace, and growled. It was worse than that stupid emolga. Grumbling, she went to explore the studio. Noah picked Trivelino up and followed. There wasn't much to the place, and there was no furniture, but that was temporary.

After a few days, Noah had the place looking livable. Was it perfect? No. But with Trivelino and Reno keeping him company... It'd do for now.