>>47192739"Hmph! You know, Walt, I think you're just too closed-minded. My little Voltorb can be just as cute as your little bumpy-headed Magby!"
"I, uh… If you say so, man. I know better than to try fightin' you on that." The firebreather spared the Voltorb a cautious glance. Although from what he knew Voltorb usually looked angry, Irwin's in particular looked content - relaxed, even. "It is a wonder I ain't never seen yours explode, though. Don't they got a reputation for that sort of thing?"
"Only when they're super aggravated," Irwin answered, producing a microfiber cloth from his pocket. "You hear about it going on where they occur in the wild, sometimes, and of course some trainers are cruel enough to induce that kind of behavior on purpose to win more battles." He scoffed as he spread a waxy paste over Voltorb, who crackled in what Walt could only imagine was approval.
"I… see," Walt said, punctuating with a cough. "I hope you don't mind me keepin' my distance, though, all the same. I've seen you get pretty steamed fighting some of the trainers that pass through, and…"
"Oh, no no, caution is perfectly understandable. It's risky work, being a Pokémon Juggler. Speaking frankly, I appreciate having the company at all. We clowns gotta stick together, after all."
"Can it, will ya!? I ain't no clown! I told you before-"
"Yeah, yeah. Traditional firedancing garb from ancient Ecruteak. I heard it a million times and I still don't believe it. You're dressed just like one of those Harlequins they've got in Unova. See 'em on TV sometimes."
Walt muttered something to himself, but spoke nothing else aloud for a while. He watched as Irwin finished polishing one Voltorb, recalled it to its Ball, and released the next, starting the process all over again. He struggled to keep this one still as it seemed to be happiest rolling circles around its trainer.
"Hah- stay still, Biri! C'mon, give me a break!"
Walt turned away, pouting. His Magby never played with him like that.
