"Let's start with our usual, Incineroar—! J-Just be careful, don't underestimate her."

The feline Pokémon turns and shoots a thumbs up towards its trainer, then lunged at the snail with a Fake-Out attack, hoping to make her flinch and open up another opportunity for attack.

— sent out after a seemingly normal woman.

"Th-That's a Pokémon, Incineroar!" He stammered. "We're battling! Trust me, okay?"

So... the 'shell' made of tablets along her back was the true body? So... weird.

"!!"

His eyes lit up. She... actually accepted?

Okay, okay. No time to waste.
Kieran removed a ball from his belt, tossing out his Incineroar to battle.

The fire type was reasonably confused to be —

— claim to her identity.

. . .

Alright, maybe there was a sliver of doubt. What made a Pokémon like this take on the form of a person, anyway?

"I'll.. I'll battle you-!" He exclaimed, "th-then catch you!

ᵐᵃʸᵇᵉ"

Those old pokédex entries did say the treasures cursed those who possessed them...

Kieran was silent as his golden hues observed the woman.
It was a bit hard to tell she was a Pokémon. He stared with the intent to find any non-human features.

... Not that he didn't believe her —

— strong Pokémon around."

. . . She really wasn't anything like he expected a Treasure of Ruin to be.
Kieran expected a malicious, cunning, hateful Pokémon from what little he knew of them.

Instead, she was... doting on him? Was it some kind of trick?

"I.. Uh, am a little lost. I came here a-after hearing there were —

"Whuh—!?"

That is... so much to unpack. Kieran doesn't know where to start. Staring bewildered at the snail lady standing over him.

"I.. Uh... Wuh..."

Weren't those 'Ruinous Treasures' haunted creatures from Paldea? What did this one want with him?

Nervously, he replied..

"I-I'm Kieran..."

"!!!"

Kieran stumbled back, startled by her sudden turning in his direction.

This happened every time he stared at a Pokémon. Sheesh...

But justified in this case! Something about the snail felt... ominous.

— that had been taken of the two during the Gala; he'd asked a friend there to get a few pictures of their dance.

"H-Here, so we can use contact photos... n'stuff..."

Curious staring from the trainer...

— the phone's screen a few times to bring up Kieran's contact info before holding it up for Lillie to see.

—

'Cause, I.. I missed you, too, Lillie.."

— parted ways at the Gala.

"I-I did promise you another date... back then..." He continued, voice returning to its usual soft tone.

"This'll be fun...!!"

— ensued.