>>57182445As we begin to explore Mossui Town, we are always within view of at least one Vulpix, showing the town's worship of Inari and adherence to tradition. And no one is more loyal to these traditions than Carmine and her Pokemon. Before we've ever heard the first word of Ogerpon's story, we've already been subconsciously primed to begin questioning the nature of the oni through our first encounter with Carmine.
On the eve of the Mask Festival, we battle Carmine a second time. On this holiday occasion, Vulpix is relieved of guard duty and we are challenged by Carmine's Morpeko and Swadloon instead. Morpeko's mood swings show how something positive can become negative and that something negative can become positive again, while her stewardship of the hikikomori Pokemon introduces us to a softer side of Carmine that we won't see until after Carmine turns her shed upside-down looking for a jinbei to gift to us. While the hiki Pokemon may seem like it would be better suited for Kieren, Carmine's use of Swadloon underscores her own reclusive and Lonely Nature just like a certain other leaf-cloaked outcast.
In the final battle with Carmine at Loyalty Plaza, we see her Kitikami character arc come full circle. Vulpix returns as Ninetails to reaffirm Carmine's commitment to tradition, but after opening up to the player, her Swadloon is now a kind and nurturing Leavanny.
Going from Loyalty Plaza to Central Plaza, Carmine has become more accepting of the outside world during her travels with Briar. Her team now includes Toucannon, a hotheaded symbol of companionship, and Scrafty--a Pokemon that looks like a thug, but is deeply protective of its friends and family.
When making a Pokemon character, it's important to understand how the Pokemon they associate with can be used to weave a narrative.
