>>43990154He definitely purchased Apricorn Balls while in Johto, but the craftsmen there are notoriously secretive. (I assume Kurt isn't the only guy crafting Apricorn Balls in the entire region, there are just very few in general. Probably some in places like Cianwood, Ecruteak, Blackthorn, maybe a guy in Lavender Town managed to get it going.) It wasn't viewing the craft personally that inspired him, and he's mostly learning through sheer stubbornness, tips from a Pokeball tinkerer he travelled with, and some old book in his father's library that had a few passing references to the craft. He's had an interest in carving wood for a few years now, and it was something he'd do to kill time on the road after setting up camp. Find a nice thick tree branch while collecting firewood, whittle it down to a figurine for practice, then chuck it in the fire when he's done. How he got into it's a whole other story, but it was a good skill basis to get into Apricorn crafting. Requires a lot of carving, not just to empty the Apricorn flesh from the shell, but to get the particular grooves and design most conducive to the tech bit. It's a side hustle he's hoping to partially integrate into his main one; his ranch is the newest on the block, so in addition to Move Tutoring, he wants to be able to offer potential clients artisinal Apricorn Balls that nobody else in the region can presently offer. Send your Natu over in a regular Pokeball, but get them back in a spiffy looking Friend Ball. On the hunt for an elusive Skitty? Don't blow your chance when you finally find one. Order a batch of Moon Balls so you're sure to seal the deal.
