Maru pondered for a moment, then nodded. "In that case, I'll go ask Ron tomorrow."
Meowth nodded, then crouched to the side and began studying Maru's battery pack.
To be honest, this thing was a bit beyond Meowth's comprehension.
Although they had similar infinite energy devices back where he came from, they all operated on the premise of having a Rotom embedded inside. Due to the unique nature of the Rotom species, once a special motor was added to the machine, it could draw power directly from the Rotom.
But he had never seen a battery pack like this before. A pack just over a palm's length could store such a massive amount of electricity.
Furthermore, based on his observations in town, it seemed all the appliances in Pelican Town used this kind of battery pack. Or perhaps they used other forms of infinite energy. In any case, he discovered that all the appliances here ran independently, with no corresponding power grid or anything of the sort supplying them with energy.
"If— this thing could be properly utilized, we could probably make a fortune, meow," Meowth muttered.
"What?"
"Nothing, meow." Meowth shook his head and began studying the machine with Maru.
Meanwhile, Jessie went to visit Evelyn.
In winter, even with the knee brace Ron had given him, George was unwilling to go out. So, Evelyn was usually at home. Because few people ever came to visit her specifically, Evelyn was delighted by Jessie's visit.
"I didn't expect you to come see me, child," Evelyn said with a smile. "I baked some cookies today too. Come on in."
Following Evelyn into the house, Jessie was, as expected, greeted by a rich, sweet aroma of wheat and sugar. It was snowing lightly outside, and the moment she stepped inside, the chill on her body dissipated.
"Sit, sit, quick," Evelyn said, then went to the kitchen to bring out the cookies. "Is there anything else you'd like to eat? Granny happens to be free, I can make it for you."
Jessie shook her head, took a cup of hot milk from Evelyn, and took a bite of a cookie from the table.
George, meanwhile, had the television on at a high volume.
It was a bit noisy, but it surprisingly had a calming effect. This long-lost, peaceful atmosphere made Jessie narrow her eyes contentedly.
"Have you made any friends since you got to Pelican Town?" Evelyn asked softly.
Jessie thought for a moment and shook her head.
This was only her third day in Pelican Town. She could barely recognize who everyone was and what their names were, let alone gotten to know anyone deeply.
"I see," Evelyn said, giving Jessie a kind smile.
Although Jessie acted boisterous and carefree, Evelyn had a feeling that she would get along well with Penny. Just as Evelyn was about to say something, there was a knock on the door.
She got up to open it and saw Penny standing at the entrance.
"Granny, are you free today?" Penny asked, lowering her head a little shyly. Evelyn suddenly remembered that Penny had mentioned before that she wanted to learn cooking from her.
Although Penny was steady and careful in her work, she surprisingly had no talent for cooking. At most, she could make some simple cookies that didn't require much technical skill, or things like simple salads.
Perhaps it was because she had recently fallen for someone that she now had the intention to learn how to cook.
Pam wasn't very skilled at cooking either, which was why Penny had planned to learn from Evelyn.
"I am, I am, come on in," Evelyn said, making way for Penny. She then turned to ask for Jessie's opinion. Upon learning that Jessie was also willing to join, the three of them started cooking together.
"Hello," Penny said quietly, greeting Jessie.
Although she wasn't very familiar with Jessie, Penny quite liked her personality. Or rather, it was more accurate to say she envied it.
She didn't know what Jessie's upbringing was like, but to grow up so confident, she must have been much happier than Penny.
Thinking this, Penny glanced at Jessie again.
"Let's learn how to make stew today. It's perfect for winter," Evelyn said, taking the ingredients out of the refrigerator. She chatted with Jessie about everyday things while demonstrating for the two of them.
Although Jessie's life had its share of hardships, because she never treated her past as a scar, she naturally recounted those stories while they chatted. From Penny's perspective, her past sounded almost unbelievable.
Whether it was the fact that her childhood "feast" was just a meal made of unseasoned snow, or how she tried to become a Pokémon nurse but couldn't graduate because she didn't know any Pokémon moves.
When Jessie finished, she suddenly caught the sympathetic look on Penny's face. She paused, wiped her face, and asked in confusion, "Did I get something on my face?"
"N— no," Penny said, shaking her head hastily. She then turned to look at the food on the stove. Although the three of them had made the same thing, only hers had taken on a strange, grayish-brown color.
"—" Evelyn was just about to laugh and smooth things over when Jessie leaned over the pot and sniffed.
"It smells great!" Jessie said, grabbing a spoon from the side. "Can I try some?"
"You probably shouldn't— uh, if you want to try it." Seeing that Jessie genuinely looked like she wanted to eat it, Penny swallowed the words she was about to use to stop her.
She then watched as Jessie quickly scooped some up from the pot and took a bite. "It's actually really good! This is the best dish I've ever had!"
"Really?"
Penny looked at the strange potful, uncertainly gazing at Jessie.
"Of course! The perfect sweet and sour flavor, and this sticky texture—" Jessie then pointed at the pot. "Can I have some more?"
"O— of course," Penny said, not quite believing it herself as she took a taste.
The moment the spoon touched her taste buds, Penny's face changed. She turned and exchanged a look with Evelyn. The look she gave Jessie now was filled with even more sympathy.
But more than sympathy, there was an indescribable sense of envy.
After dinner, Jessie let out a burp. After saying her goodbyes to Evelyn, she left with Penny.
"Um— that," Penny said, looking at Jessie's contented expression. After a long while, she quietly asked while walking beside her, "How can I be like you?"
"Like me?"
"Mmm— as confident as you, and... to like myself the way you like yourself," Penny said after a moment's thought.
"Liking myself," Jessie repeated, wrinkling her brow. She thought for a moment, then turned to Penny. "Because I am me."
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