The two Pelican Town natives exchanged blank looks for a moment.
Haley immediately realized that Abigail was just as clueless about this. She smiled: "It's fine. After the competition ends, we can go ask around."
"Okay." Abigail nodded.
It just so happened that Abigail also needed to challenge the Coumarine City Gym, so she would need to stay in the city for another day.
Meanwhile, back in Pelican Town.
Ron had finally brought the three newcomers to the Community Center.
By now, Haley's performance had ended, and everyone's attention immediately shifted to Team Rocket, these outsiders who had just arrived.
For reasons that couldn't quite be explained—though wanting to see Haley's performance was certainly part of it—Lewis happened to be at the Community Center as well. When he saw Jessie and James enter, he walked up to them first.
"Welcome to Pelican Town. Do you have a place to stay?"
"Yes, yes we do," James replied. "We'll be staying at the farm for the time being."
"I see. I'm the mayor here. Feel free to come find me if you need anything." Lewis paused, then added, "Pelican Town is a bit different from those big cities. Life might not be as convenient, but since there aren't many people in town, everyone will come help if you just ask."
"Ah, okay. Thank you." Jessie nodded.
Under the watchful eyes of all the townsfolk, the two of them felt somewhat uncomfortable.
After being villains everyone shouted at for so long, this kind of welcome was a first for them.
Since everyone happened to be gathered at the Community Center, they each introduced where they lived and what businesses they ran.
"I'm Meowth, that's me!" Meowth raised his paw to introduce himself.
"Wow? It can talk!" Immediately, the room's attention focused on Meowth.
Seeing this, Ron walked to a corner and gestured to Penny, who was looking at him.
Penny pointed at herself in disbelief. After a moment, she stood up and carefully made her way around the crowd to Ron's side.
"You called for me?"
"Mm." Ron took out the small items that Indeedee had prepared and handed them to Penny. "I was in a hurry to get them settled earlier, so I forgot about this. By the way, after the competition ends, I'll bring those books I mentioned over to you. Would that be convenient?"
"Ah." Penny accepted the small items. She could tell they were all produce from the farm. "Isn't this a bit much? Why did you suddenly think of giving me things?"
"An apology?" Ron paused. Under Penny's confused gaze, he corrected himself. "Indeedee insisted I give them to you."
"Indeedee?" The Indeedee behind Ron looked at him in disbelief.
"Indee?"
This was difficult to explain, so Ron laughed it off.
"I see. Thank you." Penny petted Indeedee's head.
Indeedee turned to go fetch Meowth from the crowd, but since he was surrounded too tightly at the moment, it had to give up resentfully.
It had specifically stayed home from the Community Center today, waiting for Ron to return to the farm, afraid he would come back to an empty house!
"Indeedee!"
Indeedee sat down next to Sailor and started stuffing Powdermelon from a plate into his mouth.
"Rattata~"
Sailor offered some comforting words, his gaze lingering on Meowth, who was surrounded by the crowd.
"It's not that amazing, meow!" Meowth scratched his head, looking at the enthusiastic people gathered around him.
"It's really amazing! A Pokémon that can learn human language," Leah stared at Meowth and couldn't help saying. "You must have put in a lot of effort?"
"Not really, meow."
"Meowth's getting big-headed again," Jessie remarked, looking around the somewhat dilapidated Community Center while complaining to James.
"Can't be helped. That guy actually really likes being liked," James said with a smile.
"Come find Meowth anytime you need anything, meow!" Meowth patted his chest. "Meowth will help with anything, meow!"
As he spoke, someone vigorously petted his head.
"But this place is pretty run-down," Jessie said, glancing at the strange little treehouse in the corner. She turned and asked, "By the way, what's that thing for?"
Hearing this, James looked over. "Not sure. Maybe it's for some kind of Pokémon to live in."
As he spoke, James looked toward Nurse Joy at the counter.
"This is probably this town's Pokémon Center, right?"
"Mm." Lewis suddenly appeared beside the two of them.
James jumped in surprise.
"Ron fixed all this up," Lewis said. "It used to be even more run-down. Now it at least has some life to it. By the way, Pelican Town's port will be holding a three-night market starting tomorrow. Feel free to check it out if you're interested."
Thinking for a moment, Lewis took some money from his pocket and handed it to Jessie and James: "This is the town's relocation fund for new residents. It's not much, but it should be enough for a couple of meals at the Saloon."
"We get some too?" Jessie pointed at herself incredulously. Seeing Lewis nod, she felt warmth spread through her chest.
"Thank you, thank you—"
Lewis smiled and turned away.
"Is this for Meowth?!"
Meowth's eyes widened in surprise. He held the small sum of money, looking at Lewis with tears in his eyes.
Although Meowth could talk, most of the time, without disguising himself, aside from Jessie and James, no one treated him as an independent individual.
"I hope you enjoy your life in Pelican Town," Lewis said.
"Thank you, meow!"
After a while, it was Serena's turn to perform. Everyone sat back down in their chairs, watching the screen.
By now, James had completely integrated himself. He sat next to Gus, showing off his bottle cap collection while chatting with him.
"You like collecting these? That's rare," Gus said, thinking for a moment. "Come to think of it, the Saloon has some bottle caps too. If you don't mind, you can come back with me later to take a look. They're not particularly fancy things—but Pelican Town ones should be a bit different from Kalos ones."
James thanked him repeatedly.
Jessie hadn't integrated quite as quickly. She stood in a corner, her gaze sweeping across the crowd.
It seemed she had received help from some kind people during her childhood as well.
But because of poverty, too many things had slapped her hard with reality before she reached the age to understand them.
This personality of hers—who knew if it was good or bad—but either way, it had helped her survive and make her own way through such harsh environments.
Just as Jessie was thinking this, an elderly grandmother appeared beside her.
"Have a cookie, dear?"
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