Chapter Text
As the years passed and team plasma faded into nothing more than a memory, N found he didn't have to travel as much anymore.
It was, strange.
So of course he took a while getting used to the peace of it all. Part of him was still certain it wasnt over, it couldn't be, not really.
Even so as more time went by, he found himself quite settled in Striaton. It was close enough to his friends after all and there was always some kind of stray pokemon that needed help and whether it was finding their trainer or a place to stay, he was always happy to oblige.
Then, there was that shop. Or what was left of it.
A beautiful old stone building with what was left of, what once were gorgeous, flower displays. Now wilting with no one left to tend to them.
He'd often found several grass pokemon looking up at that window longingly.
So, what else could he do?
He bought it without a second thought. If he really could settle for once, what harm could it really do to takeover what seemed to have been quite the beloved little shop.
Over the next few weeks he took his time, enlisting the help of the pokemon, rebuilding the shop, sorting the permits, building new displays, anything and everything really.
And it was worth it.
Opening day he'd never seen so many people, not like this anyway.
They smiled at the liligant that greeted them at the door, looked like they were tring to listen to the bulbasaur that was eagerly showing each person some kind of plant. Leavanny made a point of showing off making even more arrangements as customers watched on even giving them a little bow when they clapped.
By the end of the day they were all exhausted. Even so N found himself glowing with pride. If this is what normal felt like, he didn't want it to change.
As he went to shut the curtains, he stopped just for a moment. Outside was a person he'd seen a few times before kneeling down with a bowl of pokemon food.
Yes, he'd seen them around plenty, how could he not. Heavily tattoo'd lots of piercings, but always so gentle especially with pokemon. Plenty of them had told him as much.
He hadn't asked their name yet, apparently it was seen as creepy to learn as such from pokemon. So he'd learnt to just ask what people were like.
He couldn't help but smile gently as a wild patrat skittered up to them and gratefully gobbled the food down.
A small laugh escaped him as it looked up to thank the person and skittered away.
Eventually he turned away, but not before stealing one last glance at the person. Maybe he should make a point of visiting. They were his neighbour after all. And he'd often found himself fascinated by the artwork in their shop.
Maybe he could bring flowers, it'd certainly help break the ice.
As he walked away from the window, liligant tilted her head to one side bringing her leaves to her cheeks in excitement.
"What?" N asked raising a brow.
"It's nothing!" The liligant giggled turning away.
The other pokemon followed her, they were clearly planning something, but whatever it was, it couldn't really harm. They'd been such great help afterall.