"Mr. Sasaki, you're starting to sound more and more like that fiancée of yours..."
Dian instantly composed himself, then walked past the two humans and their Meowth to check on the captured Pokémon.
He had indeed met James when he accompanied Yue Jifei to a ball in Kalos. He hadn't expected James to remember him so well.
"Hey, James, an old acquaintance of yours?"
Jessie and Meowth both grew curious.
"No, no. Remember when I took some time off to go home...? They dragged me to a ball..."
James hurriedly waved his hands and explained, "I think he's apparently a..."
"Gym Leader!"
His expression changed as he said it. He glanced around out of the corner of his eye. Officer Jenny, a Pokémon Ranger, and now a Gym Leader... This was practically three mice running into a whole pack of cats!
As realization dawned on him, Jessie and Meowth both swallowed. They exchanged a look and were just about to tiptoe away when the black-clad Gym Leader turned his gaze toward them. "You two can leave..."
"The Meowth stays..."
"Meow..."
Meowth stiffened all over, then offered an almost human ingratiating smile. "...I don't think I've done anything, meow..."
"This Meowth can speak human language?"
Chuangyi exclaimed in amazement. He had just finished examining all the Pokémon there.
"A talking Meowth?"
Officer Jenny frowned, feeling as though she had heard something about that before.
Gary, meanwhile, took it in stride and continued making simple meals for the Pokémon.
"You have your value."
Dian kept his explanation brief. "Ask these Pokémon about their former Trainers' distinguishing features, living environments, and so on."
Having an interpreter was much faster than putting out a public notice...
"My value..."
Meowth repeated the words, then his eyes finally lit up. "I'll do it, meow!"
Whether he