The Penny Mall Walk

**\*May subject to change\***

Human-Earth Chapter - December 30th 2021

After Mark has left Soul Town resolving the situation with grumpy Palm the Abomasnow, he took a long walk down the road, and then he encountered a street that includes a large building. He checks it out to see if he could ask someone of a way on how to return back home after he'll finish exploring. However, once he approached the building, he notices one of the entrance look similar to JCPenney. Astonished by nostalgia, he curiously went in.

BGM Leitmotif: Chaussure Penny Store (Arrangement) | Imposter Leitmotif: (Sister Sledge: You Fooled Around]

The store Mark went into is called the "Chaussure Penny Store" where most of them contained shoeboxes and shoe shelves. Some of them have sneakers, sandals, and strangely, some **high heels** as well in the women section. He was looking at some orange shirts that could fit him, but realizes he is not carrying money. Mark then saw that turning towards the corner shows the entrance to the hallway of the mall.

BGM Leitmotif: A Mix of Beauty Hermitage and George Duke - I Love You More (The French Penny Mall)

Mark saw that the mall contained some mini-stores of selling candy, clothes, books, and other cool things. He first went and checked the one that's similar to Candy Clubhouse, like showing cotton candy, gummy bears, jelly beans, etc. A Slurpuff owner of the candy store asked if she could help him and Mark said nervously no and that he's good. The Slurpuff then confusedly asked what kind of Pokemon Mark is, since she has never seen any other person like it before, and Mark replied by introducing himself that he's a regular human that came from another world back home and unfortunately forgot his phone, wallet, and portal gun when he went to check on the universe over a week prior due to the fact he just woke up that morning, feeling like an fool. The Slurpuff couldn't wrap around her head on how it's possible, but Mark said that it would be too complicated for him to explain. She introduced herself in return as "Ms.Mille" After a while, he left the store saying he might come back one day if he has enough cash, and waved farewell.

Later, Mark noticed an odd one that the sign says "special perfume with cost of pennies" and he had an reaction of WTH? He went inside to go and check when seemingly no one is there. He was then welcomed by the eccentric owner of the perfume shop who is a Aromatisse named Arome and mentioned that Mark doesn't have an aromatic smell, meaning that he's kind of smelly. Mark then replied that he showered back in his home universe, but there was no opportunity for him to take another one after a week so far of entering the Human Earth universe. Arome asked if he could try a sample of it without seemingly to realize that he's not a Pokemon, but a regular human. Mark tried passing the offer, but the perfume shop owner insists him to try it. Mark then questioned if the perfume is even authentic, with Arome replying that it's made with aroma chemical oil. Mark wondering for a while regarding the legitimacy, its overly cheap value, and a strange sense of deja vu. He ultimately responded that he would try it, but only to see if it clears up his doubts. After a spray, Mark tried sniffing if it actually worked, only to realize that his nose isn't that great in sensitivity. Arome joyfully said that he smells marvelous and cute now and asks if he would like to buy one. Mark explained just like he did to "Ms.Mille" the Slurpuff that he doesn't have much as a single penny due to lack of a wallet and wants a way to go back to the home universe to quickly get those. Arome, as expected, has no idea how to help him with that. Mark said that it's alright and that he'll just continue looking through the rest before leaving. Just then, as soon as Mark was walking backwards to turn around while checking the other side, he accidentally bumped into a **lanky white lady figure holding a white flower**. Mark quickly said sorry with an excuse me and was about to carry on, but then the lady spoke to him. She got upset with Mark, saying that he should show some respect like how a flower would be treated.

BGM Leitmotif: Sister Sledge — Il Macquillage Lady Intro

Mark panickingly said back to her that he's sorry that he pissed her off, but she didn't accept his apology. She told him how fetid he is, and that this perfume shop is a sham. Arome got shocked and asked why the white flower lady thinks that. She responded that the perfume was completely artificially made, so it doesn't last long and only end up amplifying the odor. Hence why it's so cheap because of how counterproductive it is. Arome felt alarmed by this and he pleads that he would do better next time. Because of this revelation, Mark got disappointed at Arome, but don't know what words to say to him. The white flower lady turned to Mark by telling him to forget he even met her due to being unappreciated and then said good-bye before leaving the perfume store.

BGM Leitmotif: A Mix of Beauty Hermitage and George Duke - I Love You More (The French Penny Mall)

Mark felt like she got the wrong idea behind his intentions. Arome stepped in and apologized for causing so much trouble, which Mark replied that he needs to heighten up the quality and the cost of the perfume if the male Aromatisse wants to maintain his store's reputation. Arome decides to keep that in my mind, thanks Mark for visiting his store, and wishing his beauty will bloom soon. Mark reminds Arome to remember what he said to make sure more people wouldn't get upset about his business before leaving the store. After that, he thinks about possible amends he could do so people don't misunderstand him as much as that white flower lady. Possible solutions such as getting a haircut and taking a shower to show some self-care.

Mark had approached some sort of intriguing salon where he starts overhearing some argument. He wonders what's going on over there and went inside the "Slimy Salon". He saw that two kids are having a heated conversation regarding a bald boy.

BGM Leitmotif: Amii Stewart - Get Your Love Back (Anne's Triumph Variant)

A Snivy was explaining to the Gothita that she needs to be patient for her turn. But the Gothita insists she loves the Scraggy more and that she deserves a turn first. Mark is wondering which side is more relatable and wants to say something to them. However, the Snivy then noticed him and questioned how long he had been standing there, which he replied to her that he just got here. The Snivy and Gothita are puzzled, because they never recall seeing anyone like a regular human in this world. But Mark introduced himself and explains the situation briefly as he can. Snivy and Gothia then gave out their names as "Anne" and "Gatte" respectively. Just then, the a dragon lady in charge of the salon arrived to wonder what the fuss she heard was.

BGM Leitmotif: A Mix of Beauty Hermitage and George Duke - I Love You More (The French Penny Mall)

After some silence, she was then surprised seeing an unfamiliar face here, and happily welcomes Mark to the salon, introducing herself as Pommade. Even though he appreciated the welcome, he remarked that he does not have a wallet. Pommade considers him a special guest due to being completely different to others, so he gets a free pass. Mark seems to inspect that she's acting pretty motherly and generous. This makes Anne and Gatte sweat in disbelief, with the latter angrily claiming how unfair that is and runs off. The bald Scraggy arrives and thanks Pommade for the haircut and wishes her a nice day. Pommade said thank you by his name, Chauve. The bald Scraggy stared behind Mark for a moment having suspicions after he walked past him, but then carries on with a hmph. Anne apologizes to Pommade for Gatte's attitude and goes after her.

Pommade then kindly asked Mark what she can do for him and he said to have good clean haircut because he hasn't showered in a while. He explained that he went into that cheap perfume store nearby and that some white flower lady got disgusted at him for being smelly. While Pommade was setting things up, she replied by saying if he means a Floette, and which he said "something thin and lanky." Pommade clarifies that's what that person was because she recalled one watching their mother in her salon the other day. She then asked Mark if he would like to have his hair wet first before cutting it, and responded that he wanted the hair cut first and then the washing part last. He also said to make it not too bald with the middle part still showing some hair roundedness. Pommade got to work after putting the hair cloth on Mark and started cutting his hair. While doing that, Mark said that he accidentally upset the white flower Floette seeing a bad first impression of him after bumping into her and he wants to make it up to her by being nice and clean because he feels ashamed for that. Pommade asks Mark not to worry about it too much, but if he does end up seeing her again, he could apologize to her and maybe try to help her understand him. Mark will try and think of something since he's still trying to know this world. This made Pommade laugh because she had a similar thought of knowing what's going on beyond her salon. After that conversation, she finished cutting and styling Mark's hair. So, he gets ready for a quick shower in the salon's bathroom that Pommade showed where to go. Mark thanked her and then went on his way to start showering after closing the door. It took him around 10-15 minutes, because he's not really all that quick in taking a shower. After he finished, Mark got out after drying himself and apologized to Pommade for taking so long. But she gently hugged him saying that it's fine and that he could take his time. Mark did not expect such a kind hug from her, which made him think if it's even acceptable for him to physically pet Pokemon people around here. Nevertheless, he put his clothes back on and thanks her for his help. Pommade smiles and tells him to come back anytime, which he replied, maybe he will. His last thing he asked to Pommade before he left, was that he heard from the Grinch-like Abomasnow, that there's a place that never snows called Floraison Miracle. He wondered where to go and reach that area if that white flower lady has something to do with it. Pommade said that he has go to through the Miel Forest, but there could possibly be Beedrill over there. Mark exclaimed and said that he has a fear of bees, so that means he will go through the forest carefully. Pommade wishes him good luck and hope he has a happy new year. Mark said the same thing back to her and left the salon.