Clint hadn't actually been paying that much attention when he'd stepped into the lab. It took him a moment to realize that there didn't seem to be any other people in the room with him, and that his questions had fallen completely flat. He pouted a bit, wondering why the staff here would just leave the door open if nobody was around. That didn't seem like a very good practice with all the Pokemon the lab likely held, did it? What if one just wandered out? Or someone unscrupulous came in and took the bunch?

He quickly shook out of his thoughts when he more properly took in his surroundings; the lights were dark, and the room was surprisingly chilled despite the sun that shone through the windows. He thought he heard whispering, though try as he might he couldn't make out what was being said. Something about the situation was starting to get his blood pumping, a bit like a horror movie and he tried not to feel too excited as he took a few more steps inside.

"Hello? Is anybody here...?" he asked, and as if on cue all of the doors and windows slammed shut at once, a terrified and exhilarated scream leaving his lips as his body jolted back. It was pitch dark now, and Clint's attention was quickly drawn to the red eyes that lit up, heart still hammering with fright and adrenaline when other faces appeared and began to sneer wickedly at him. Unfortunately, just as things were starting to get good, the lights flickered on again and the culprits were revealed; Clint tried not to look too disappointed as he tried to get himself to calm down again. 

He cleared his throat and straightened himself out as the woman who had appeared scolded the newly-revealed Banette, and he watched with mild interest as it faded from view a few moments later. It was then that she turned her attention to him, and he gave a small shrug as he approached the desk as she sat down. "No need to apologize; Spooky was certainly doing a good job teaching them, there's nothing wrong with a good scare now and then is there? I'm a bit of a horror buff myself, so I was actually looking forward to seeing what the climax was going to be," he noted, smiling as he eyed the small fox-like Pokemon she had set on the desk.

Fennekin is what it was called, and he couldn't help but appraise him after they'd managed to catch each other's eye. His coat looked sleek and soft, and he admittedly wanted to run his hands through it. He needed to restrain himself though, because he wasn't even sure if the Fennekin would be one of his options that day. "Very nice to meet you, Delilah. You can call me Clint. I've come a long way to get here and choose a starter, and I was wondering if walk-in appointments were acceptable or if I'd need to set one up in advance? I'll be in town until the matter is settled, so either would be fine for me." He tried not to seem too impatient, but he couldn't help himself. His gaze drifted back to the Fennekin again, mind already hard at work considering what type of contest the small fox might be able to enter. He was getting ahead of himself, but that was per usual for Clint.

Hearing that there were no prior appointments that day put Clint at ease, his shoulders relaxing a bit (though he hadn't noticed them tense in anticipation in the first place). "Wonderful! I'm very happy to hear that," he sighed, listening to her next inquiry. Would it be embarrassing for a twenty year old man to say that he didn't really have any prior experience with Pokemon aside from grooming them for other people? Initially he'd thought so, but it wasn't like he'd not spent any time at all around them. Just not long. It didn't really give him a sense for what taking care of them on his own would be like, but that's what one of the books he'd been studying in preparation for his contest debut had been for. "Admittedly my experience with Pokemon is...somewhat limited. My family never had any, and I've only really been around them long enough to groom and pamper them. So, really, whatever you recommend for a beginner. I've had my eye set on the contest circuit though, so perhaps one that might be interested in that sort of thing," he noted, hoping that background would be convincing enough to encourage one of his choices to accompany him. 

Before either of them had a chance to continue, however, the Fennekin that he'd been appraising earlier spoke up. He was unsure what that unreadable expression Delilah had made meant, but he didn't have long to ponder it before the Fennekin was addressing him instead. He was polite, calling Delilah 'miss' and him 'mister', and the confident air with which he stated he wouldn't even need to look at any other Pokemon sparked his interest immediately. "Oh? Not a single other choice, eh? I like your moxie! No need to call me mister though, that feels a bit impersonal for someone I might be spending a lot of time with in the near future. You heard what I said to Miss Delilah though, is contest battling something you'd be willing to participate in? Something you're passionate about? Because if it's something you think you might- pardon my language, half-ass, I need you to be up front with me about it." Now, to see how the little guy would respond. Sure, he'd still want to see his other two choices, but the Fennekin had already won some big points with him. If he was interested in contests as well, he'd have a major head-start over the other two. 

Clint couldn’t help but preen a little as he talked to Delilah mentioned the hard work in grooming. It wasn’t hard now like it was when he’d started it a few years ago, but even when someone wanted something difficult he always took great satisfaction in his work. It’d be a little harder to work when he was on the road, but he’d packed all of his supplies regardless. He’d have to get his team looking extra spiffy for contests, and he couldn’t let them down. “Horror stories, eh? How bad are we talking? Do you know if he works in a big salon? I’ve seen a few problem cases myself but nothing I couldn’t straighten out,” he hummed, not bothering to tone down his boastfulness. He curiously glanced as she sorted through Pokeballs, he only took a moment to ponder her next question. “I believe they should all have a fair shake at giving me their appeal. Let’s do them one at a time,” he replied, thinking that the best for now. Each one would have a chance like Fennekin, though it was going to be tough to beat out what the small fox was promising.


He returned his attention to said fox as he was being addressed, and he couldn’t help but agree. It was obvious just by looking at him that he was as graceful as he claimed, and very sleek and stylish. When he mentioned how silky soft his fur was Clint almost instinctually reached to run his hand through it, but managed to keep his arms at his sides. Fennekin sounded just as passionate about contests as he felt, and he felt almost a little sorry for whichever Pokemon were going to have to follow him up. “I’ve no doubt you and I would get along famously,” he admitted, figuring it wouldn’t hurt to acknowledge the fox’s efforts, “though Delilah is right. I’ll have to give the others a chance too. Don’t lose hope though; you pled a very convincing argument and have left a strong impression already. Though before the next one shows up…would it be alright if I confirmed what you said before? That your fur is silky soft?” He tried not to sound too excited about it, but it was obvious in his expression how badly he wanted to check if the Fennekin’s claims were true.

“Kalos, eh? That’s my neck of the woods actually,” Clint replied, wondering if perhaps he’d met the man while he’d been practicing back home. “He’s not wrong, though. Some of the people who bring their Pokemon in are monsters when it comes to how they want the grooming done. I felt a little bad for some of those Pokemon, to be honest,” he chuckled, though he would never say things like that to a customer’s face. As mouthy as he could be, even he knew the basics of customer service. Didn’t mean he wouldn’t gossip endlessly when he was away from the job, though.


With that Fennekin was actually granting his request, and Clint tried not to reach out too enthusiastically. With a slow reach and a few strokes he could see that the fox hadn’t been lying; his fur was as smooth and soft as he’d ever felt. His hand trembled a little as he reluctantly pulled his hand away, thanking Fennekin before he was returned to his Pokeball. He felt bad that he’d become so enamored with the little fox already, but he was going to have to do his best and put him out of his mind as the next candidates had their chances. He had to at least try to be partial, after all.


He had to admit, he was surprised to hear the Fennekin usually wasn’t so agreeable when he was considered for a starter. In fact, the fox himself had asked to be a consideration, even though they’d walked in on him in the middle of that scaring session. He smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear as he adjusted his stance a little. “Perhaps he simply sensed a kindred spirit in me. I know I certainly felt something with him,” he mused, honestly a little surprised himself. He’d never felt that kind of connection with a Pokemon before; was this how it was for most trainers and their partners?


Once more trying to put thoughts of the Fennekin from his mind, he watched as Delilah released the next Pokemon. It was another he recognized- a Carbink. Fairy types were elegant and cute, and the Carbink was no exception. He was instantly drawn to the way their jewel-encrusted body glittered in the light as they gave a spin. He caught their hooded gaze before they gave another spin, and he was once again enchanted by their gems. Though he’d never worked with a Pokemon who lacked fur before, he could already in his mind’s eye hear the audience oohing and ahhing at their stunning beauty. “The pleasure is all mine. My name is Clint,” he said, giving a slight bow as he introduced himself. Somehow it felt right. “I’m here looking for a Pokemon whose dream it is to dazzle the stages of contests the region over. What say you? Is that something someone of your beauty has considered?” He wasn’t too bad at flattery, either. Years of working with people and Pokemon in the setting he had could make anyone into a professional flatterer if they wanted to be.