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Tristen would stand back up after helping Fela get back on her feet, proverbially that is. When she finally was back on her feet literally, making her way back on the hill, with the rest of the class. He’d take a look back up towards the skies, seeing the Vivillion flutter about. While it was hard to see as high up as they were, he could just about tell they were still all happy in each other’s company. Vivillion would do fine. And as long as Fela knows that there will be those to support her, she will be fine, even through the hardest of times. Everything was going to be okay.

Tristen walked off back towards the rest of the group to listen to whatever Mr. Jacq had to say about the Vivillion, and subsequently the Spewpa that were still having to hang around and get themselves ready to follow after the bunch. He tried to follow along with whatever Mr. Jacq still wanted to lecture over, which fortunately, he didn’t miss that much. But soon, the class was over. Tristen would take a look back towards where Vivillion had went then followed Mr. Jacq’s lead all the way back to Mezagoza. Back down the hill, down the paths, and back within Mezagoza before long. As Fela and Camp started their way off, he noticed Fela hung back, staying with Tristen. “It’s fine, Fela.” Tristen said. “I know its tough parting ways for the time being, but these things happen. It just makes the reunion all the better later. In any case, you still want that ice cream?” It was a way to end a school week, if nothing else.

Tristen couldn’t help but to stifle a laugh a little bit; apparently the whole Vivillion business had everyone wrapped up in all different ways that it slipped their minds. It didn’t matter to him though if they had or not, but as long as things remained to be okay, then it was fine with him. He’d start to follow Camp and Fela, walking alongside Penny, who once again was glued to the phone. Things seemed to be normal now. For real this time. It wouldn’t be long before he’d find himself at the ice cream stand at the bottom of the steps, Camp and Fela already trying to figure out their order, only for the vendor to speak up that there was not as much stock. Tristen took out his SNAG to check the time, then looked back up towards the skies, noting the sun in the process of setting. He lost complete track of time, it felt like; only feeling like that class just ended not too long ago. Maybe they were out with the class longer than they thought? Who knows…hopefully this didn’t ruin dinner for himself.

Finding out what the salesman had, he already tried the fizzy one, which was pretty nice actually, but why not try something else. “I’ll try the Mango, please.” He would say to the vendor.

Tristen would take his mango ice cream, staring at it in a bit of confusion before starting to partake in it. To his astonishment it was pretty good; beyond what he was honestly expecting from the likes of ice cream. Though in his defense, it wasn’t like he had it a whole lot himself as he stayed around in Snagem. Treats like this were few and far between, not because of anything like he didn’t deserve them or anything of that sort; just that he was too preoccupied otherwise to even think about treats like this. He was left to wonder if nothing else if this was why Freth was the more vocal about Tristen being out this way to take classes. She did mention every now and then, threatening harm to his adoptive father, about needing to take him out to something festive like an amusement park or things of that nature. It was a odd thing, really. For all his talk about helping friends to the likes of Matteo and Fela, he was probably going to need help himself trying to just…get more social. To learn the social cues and the likes. Everything that he’s done so far only sounded like common sense to do, but he feared that there was nuance here and there. Fela shown that more so than any this past week alone.

As the group went about Mezagoza, having their peaceful walk about the city, Tristen started to see more to the town than what he originally got to doing. In most cases, if it wasn’t taking the direct route to the nearest gate to leave Mezagoza, such as to train Pokémon or some such, it was at the very least picking a restaurant out to get something to eat or going to a store to stock up his mini-fridge in his dorm so he wouldn’t have to eat out. There were clothing stores and other restaurants that he wasn’t aware of being a thing, a note for him to come back and try later. Clothing stores that lined the square, some of which oddly advertised having Academy approval to wear in class for students. Part of him wondered if that was why at least Penny wore what she did, as opposed to effectively everyone else wearing some variant of the academy uniform. In the midst of all of this, Tristen had a realization. Asking for everyone else to wait up on him, he made his way off into a restaurant and took pictures of the inside. It was a strange thing to do to the others until Tristen ended up having to explain about the assignment Mr. Hassell gave them earlier this morning before leaving class. Penny ended up admitting she nearly forgot and went to take care of that herself, going into some other store to take a few pictures herself.

As they continued along taking in the sights, Tristen took notice to the battlefield at the square. Within the large circle, two trainers were battling it out between a Dolliv and a Bellibolt. The battle that transpired close by actually reminded him and he was compelled to ask. “…I know this is going to make me sound like Nemona a little, but I just now…remembered something. Say, Penny? I’ve been wanting to ask…have you been Pokémon battling long?” Tristen asked curiously. “I’m not asking for a Pokémon battle or anything. Its just that I remember when we were training our bug Pokémon outside of Cortondo. You know, that evening before Team Star attacked me the first time? You were really good in training your Scatterbug. Like…a total expert.” Tristen said to her. He remembered distinctly just how she was managing to train an inexperienced Scatterbug, and using techniques that one would have expected Camp or Tristen to do to more so than her. In fact, she didn’t even seem the type. She did mention at one time she did have a whole assortment of evolved Eevees with her, but he was left to wonder just how much she focused and trained the likes of them. She seemed to be more involved with whatever she browses on her phone than anything else. Even this walk, she stayed glued to it for a good chunk of time. If not that, then anime, manga, or assorted ramen flavors. Apart from school, it seemed like she had no time for anything else. It honestly got him wondering how many layers there were to the tech junkie of the group.

Tristen took a bite out of his ice cream, leaning over to listen to Fela for a second for her to share her suspicions about Penny as the two decided to have at it if only briefly. Even if she was diligent in raising evolutions of Eevee, that wouldn’t necessarily translate to any other Pokémon, but yet she did so like any other pro, and it left Tristen to wonder how bad off would Penny be if she didn’t get assigned to Camp. One could only speculate at that point, but it just continued to add one mystery after the next when it came to Penny.

Tristen would then perk up when Camp ended up calling him and asking him about where Tristen has been as of yet. Only for Penny to interject with her two cents on the matter. Tristen couldn’t help but to sweatdrop a little but then spoke up once they were done. “I haven’t really been anywhere else other than between here, Cortondo, and Los Platos. The only time I went any where different was when I had a day to myself a while back ago. I went to a beach that was south east of here; it was off of some marsh lands. I found it kind of odd why there was a Pokémon Center out that way and wanted to see what was out there. Also took it as an opportunity to try to figure out how to use Agility that day. Still need to figure that completely out still…” Tristen said, musing at the end there. “I’m looking to start exploring more of the region eventually while I am here.”

With the rest of the evening to himself now, he needed to take care of a few things. He needed to go get those pictures uploaded to the PoryCord server that he took while on that excursion around the city for Mr. Hassell’s class. For that matter, he needed to make sure his team was good and ready to go for the trip with Matteo tomorrow. He also had the last bit of Mr. Salvatore’s work that he has pounded away on that he was fairly confident that he would be able to finish by this evening if he kept up the pace. So there was no better place to go other than to head back to his dorm for the time being. Perhaps later on in the evening, he’d head back out to the rec fields before they shut off the lights again just so his Pokémon would actually have something to do today and spend some time with them. This evening was going to be busy, undoubtedly.

He’d make his way to the elevator up a few floors and off to the level where his dorm was. Down the halls and back to his door, unlocking it and moved his way in, closing and locking the door behind him for the time being. Tristen stretched out a bit, then checked his SNAG, seeing how much time he had. He definitely needed to get himself and his other Pokémon fed now for certain. He’d start releasing his Pokémon a couple at a time, once again finding themselves in the familiar confined space that was his dorm. Each of them started to go about, but came to attention when Tristen started getting each of their evening meals at the ready.

Once the Pokémon started to happily chow away at their dinner, Tristen would pull off his academy uniform tie and jacket, tossing them on the bed for the time being then made his way just only a couple of steps to his laptop, turning it back on and getting onto the PoryCord server. He’d find the post for Mr. Hassell’s assignment that the teacher had left and would make his first post ever. He would upload pictures of the restaurant that he stepped into only briefly to get the pictures of. He would make a lengthy post first summarizing what was discussed in class, then went on to state that the art was utilized to be an attractive place to come into, to feel welcome. While it would be common sense that a place needed to be clean and orderly just to eat at, it was beyond it. The paint colors of the walls, to the aesthetics that the restaurant went for, from the various pictures and odd-and-ends that were hung up on the walls, to merely the design of the counters, seating, and tables made it a place that was inviting, and if perhaps to entice a potential customer to not only come in, but to come back again and again. A place that was boring or dreary probably wouldn’t have the same impact as one that was presentable. The food that the restaurant served was art in and of itself as weird as it might sound as some. While food quality and taste were important, the looks of it were a challenge in and of itself, because it wouldn’t matter if the food was the best tasting, nutritious food in the world if the meal in question looked like it was scraped from the nearest garbage can. It needed to look good as much as it tasted good. In short, the restaurant uses art as a tool to help bring in money.

Once Tristen was done with that, he would dig in his pack to go find Mr. Salvatore’s remaining make-up work. As he did so, he ended up coming across something that made his heart skip a beat a little bit. He found a worksheet from Ms. Tyme’s class from yesterday that was due the next time he was in class. In truth, he forgot all about it, only finding it fortunate that he alternates classes each day. Fortunately, it was something that he could almost breeze through. He’d probably take care of that first before he worked more on Mr. Salvatore’s work. First things first, however. Food for him.

He would get up and make his way off back to the kitchenette and went to fix himself a sandwich and got himself a few chips while he was at it, then made himself way back to his desk to have at it with his meal and his math homework. With random videos being played as background noise for him, as the math problems went down and solved, another bite went into his sandwich. About the time he finished his meal, he finished his math problems. No big deal. Stashing the math homework, he went back to the Language homework and went on to work on the remainder of his make-up work. Tristen would go on trying to go through the various worksheets that were there, having to refer back to his Language book, notes, and started to trying to recall the lessons he got from Mr. Salvatore. Once again, he started to try to imagine if he started to talk to the likes of Beau, or Aile, or Larrimore. Asking for directions to places, phrases of cordiality, requesting tasks to be done or items to receive. The worksheets still only scratched the surface as to the world of the Kalosian language, but as far as what Tristen could figure, this was worlds more than what he knew before getting into this and was happier for it in spite of how hard it was to get down.

Finally the last sheet was done. Tristen leaned back at his desk chair, staring up at the ceiling. He had been on a bit of a roll the entire time all night. He took a look at his laptop to see what time it was and he grimaced a little. He looked back towards his Pokémon who all were already passed out, namely out of sheer boredom. He sighed, mostly at himself out of pure regret, originally having the intention of taking these Pokémon out again like he did yesterday. But then, considering that he and Matteo were going out tomorrow, maybe it would be okay. Besides, it was best to not have this homework looming over him, especially when there was no telling how long he was going to be busy all weekend. He’d get up and stretch out for a moment then got up, getting his pack ready for the day tomorrow. He’d have to meet Matteo at the Pokémon Center near the school tomorrow at 10 a.m. The Pokémon he’d have should be okay, or at least he hoped so. He did plan on after all bringing Espeon and Meinshao, which could cover anything that could happen. Hopefully, for the other four Pokémon, Matteo didn’t have anything in mind that would put them in over their heads.

With a pack ready and his clothes laid out for him to pick up in the morning, he would eventually submit himself to the bed sheets, calling it a night.

The next morning, Tristen was back awake, wincing a bit to the light that was coming in through his window and the birds that were chirping close by. Tristen would look at his SNAG to check the time, seeing that he had plenty of time to get ready to go. His Pokémon would slowly stir awake from Tristen’s moving around the dorm room. From him trying to get awake pacing the dorm for a few seconds to the rounds in the bathroom such as with the shower. And if not, they were for certain getting up with the smell of breakfast as soon as he got dressed for the day. Tristen would once again try his hand at frying bacon and eggs, which the bacon still wasn’t really coming out right. There had to be a trick to it. Was he keeping it on the pan too long? Was it not cooking evenly? Is the heat too high? At least it was edible. Though it left him with another thought…maybe he should try to fix other things that he can on this little stove. Maybe a pancake? Though he’d probably end up making one patty at the time with what he had. That sounded a little too slow. Maybe invest in a countertop griddle of some kind? Thoughts for later…

Once done, he cleaned up the pans and plates he used, putting them away for another time, then went on to double check the things he had set himself to get ready for the day, making sure he had his provisions at the ready and any thing else he might need. Tristen was pretty much set to go, and pretty anxious at that, ready to see what Paldea had to offer and do so with his new friend as a tour guide, ready to get some Pokémon training in and whatever the heck else they were bound to do for the day. Checking the time once again, he realized it was about time to head out and meet up with Matteo. “Alright guys, come back now. We’re going on a short trip.” He said, recalling each of his Pokémon back to their Pokeballs. He’d grab his things then make his way out of the dorm, locking the door on the way out.

It was only a short bit making his way through the academy, leaving out the front door and making his way down the long set of stairs. He would then make his way off to the Pokémon Center to finally meet up with Matteo. It wasn’t long after that he was at the Pokémon Center and much to his surprise, Matteo was already here, and oddly, Tristen was here sort of early to meet him. “Hey there, Matteo. Yea, I’m ready to go. Been looking forward to this since you brought it up earlier this week.” Tristen told the Growlithe hybrid.

Tristen would be grateful of the taxi, honestly, and really assumed as such. With a ban on most trainer owned Pokémon being utilized to travel the region, some such as his own Dragonite, it effectively possibly left only his Zebstrika to make a long trip, and one that he couldn’t spend all day just getting to, never mind getting back. Tristen would follow Matteo into the taxi and take a seat in the taxi, waiting for takeoff. It wasn’t long before everything was secured and off they went. As the taxi ascended and started to make their way off towards Medali, Tristen looked down, seeing the city at the new angles. “It is something else. Though I got to admit how close it is to the cliff looks…off now that I am looking at it. I’m guessing the people who built Mezagoza all that time ago didn’t take into consideration about if that cliff face would hold up after so many centuries…” Tristen mused. He understood the logic of it at the time; the body of water that surrounded Mezagoza was an effective natural terrain for any enemies to try to traverse. But he was left to wonder if this site was actually future proofed in any capacity. Time was, after all, a fickle mistress.

“A city like Mezagoza? Not really. Closest one would probably be Goldenrod City. It’s the largest place Jhoto has, but it wasn’t like...built on what originally seems to be on castle grounds or anything like that. Though, it does seem like it’s a central hub to a lot of things. Has a major railway that goes from there all the way to Saffron City in the Kanto Region and its super-fast too. Then there’s Underground Goldenrod, where it’s a massive shopping and trade hub that spans a good part under the entire city.” Tristen would explain. “I don’t think theres any academy in Jhoto though. Or rather, at least nothing like Uva-Naranja is. Honestly, until I ended up coming into Paldea, I didn’t even know there was an academy like Uva-Naranja at all in the world. I knew there were schools, but I pretty much imagined when Blizz was able to that I would end up in something like those other ones eventually. Blizz told me that he actually grew up learning in those alongside trying to do his apprenticing in the Mahogany Gym. He said it was pretty tough trying to juggle all of that growing up.”

He kept a look out the window for the most part, getting the view of the region and all of its wonder. He noticed that the driver was giving the crater a wide berth, not sure as to why. Probably the stuff that he heard about in Area Zero? Freth did, after all, raise a bit of a stink about it to the academy as well as the other governing bodies in Paldea. “I wonder if there was anything more that came up with Area Zero in the past couple of weeks…” Tristen mused.