*Steven would rather be anywhere else right now.

Usually, he'd be deep in some cave, searching for rare stones and gemstones. Sure, he likes battling and being Champion, but nothing beats finally finding a precious mineral after hours of digging around underground. That's the kind of thing that makes him happy.

Instead, he's stuck at some fancy party his father made him attend. Steven isn't even sure what the occasion is, only that it was apparently "important" enough that he wasn't allowed to skip it.

Steven has been pretending to be on a phone call just to avoid talking to people.

It's not that he hates people. He just doesn't really understand them. They're loud, unpredictable, and always seem to want something from him. Steven has always felt safer around his Pokémon and his collection of rare stones.

Until somebody catches his attention immediately. They strong. Steven isn't the kind to seek out battles, but he wonders how it would be like to fight them. He ends his fake phone call and walks over.