Endearing

"You need something, kid?"
Gel startles, looking around wildly for the source of the question. Another random bystander, trying to get into his business, seems to be par for the course here in Ivywood (small towns. why do people care?). Though in this case it's more likely than not the guy wants Gel to stop examining his garden fence. For some reason people like that always seem to think he's up to something- is it his slouch, his face, his outfit? Is it something about him that's less obvious to himself, that makes him look- well, like the slacker he is- or, suspicious?

All he wanted to do was see how the links were joined together. That sounds suspicious too, but it wasn't for any nefarious reason this time! Gel's gone straight, he doesn't mope around or act like a delinquent anymore! If anything others might think the reason is mundane. But learning how manufacturing works and how the processes (and result) differ when using pokemon to help is the first step towards perhaps getting a real job and not having to rely on the government for cash money. Sure, it's not a crime if people do rely on that, it's perfectly legitimate and can happen for a lot of reasons, but Gel's seen how people like him have been treated in other places. Judged. Watched. Just like this gu-

"Nyaa~!"

The other guy's face does a weird thing then. It's like it melts for a minute. Then he looks down at the source of the cry, and smiles.

"Ah, you have a sweet little skitty! Hello little one, let me get a look at you-"

Gel tenses, making sure that there isn't an ulterior motive in that phrase. But the guy holds out what looks like… is that a poffin? They have those around here? and of course the one Pokemon that deigns to stick around Gel Gadsden like magneton to, well, itself, dashes forward and puts on the charm, playing up to its new friend like there's no tomorrow. After a few close calls Gel has figured that his companion will not be tempted into leaving him this way, so he relaxes and lets Skitz do her work. Whether it's the Cute Charm ability or just inherent adorability, the guy who's yard this is is fawning over her like no tomorrow. Guess she is good for something after all. Gel stands there awkwardly, knowing that any attempts to separate Skitz from her… victim, he thinks, rather generously… will lead to her complaining the entire way back home. For pete's sake, isn't she supposed to be Gel's emotional support pokemon? Have her supporting the whole goddamn neighborhood at this rate.

An hour later and they're on their way back to the smallish apartment Gel currently calls home. The stranger has been conned into giving them a whole box of poffins, and of course Skitz will demand them at regular intervals and cry when they're gone. Great. More ways this pokemon is being spoiled. Not like he doesn't put in the effort himself. Pokemon don't listen to him. He's never been able to convince one to do something it doesn't already want to do, but Skitz seems to have adopted him, and she's sticking around for now, so maybe someday they'll figure out how to get along amidst the power struggles of the nag and the nagged.

For now, he needs to put the poffins up high where the skitty can't reach, and grab the noise canceling earmuffs so he can get some sleep. Tomorrow he'll pick a different route to walk, so that maybe he can observe the world and how its items are made without any additional awkward interruptions.