"Is this your Floragato?"
Cynthia either failed to notice Floragato's wariness or simply didn't mind it. "What an adorable little one!" she praised.
Wait, didn't you just say the exact same thing about Misdreavus?
I thought you actually meant it. Turns out it was just a stock compliment.
While grumbling inwardly, Xia Chi introduced her. "Floragato, this is a very important guest. She might stay at our place... for a while."
He had meant to say a few days, but Cynthia probably wouldn't be sleeping here. Better not say something that would put her off.
"Hello, Floragato. It's nice to meet you. Here's a little gift."
Cynthia was very aloof toward unfamiliar people, but remarkably warm toward unfamiliar Pokémon.
She took several emerald-green, fruitlike objects from her pocket, bent down slightly, and offered them to Floragato.
"Flora."
Floragato had originally intended to ignore Cynthia's bribe, but the scent of those few "fruits" was far too enticing.
The Pokémon couldn't help turning toward its Trainer.
Knowing Floragato was waiting for his approval, Xia Chi asked, "Cynthia, what are these?"
Cynthia smiled. "Miracle Seeds from the summit of Mt. Coronet. They aren't particularly well-known, but they're much more effective than the ones from Viridian Forest."
Viridian Forest was widely recognized as the best source of Miracle Seeds.
Xia Chi was startled.
A wild, grape-sized Miracle Seed from Viridian Forest could sell for over ten thousand League Coins.
By that reckoning, the few Miracle Seeds in Cynthia's hand, each the size of a normal Sitrus Berry, were worth an unimaginable amount.
"These are too valuable. I can't accept them!"
Xia Chi refused without hesitation.
Who gave someone a first-meeting gift worth over a hundred thousand?
Cynthia frowned. "They aren't for you. They're for Floragato."
"Flora."
Floragato withdrew its longing gaze and shook its