The art of Poffin-making lay in the mastery of timing. The flame beneath the specialized pot began as a pure, hot white. As the cooking progressed, it would shift through a spectrum—white to a passionate red, then mellowing to yellow, before finally cooling into the gentle, finishing blue.
"Take your time. There's no need to rush."
Seeing Rosa's flustered expression as the fire roared to life, Wade soothed her, his hand gently stroking her hair. He then stepped closer, his presence steadying her. He guided her slender hand, helping her gently fold the berry mixture into the pot and carefully adjust the temperature setting.
"Ugh…"
Feeling the solid warmth of his body against her back, Rosa stiffened, a fierce blush creeping up her neck to the tips of her ears. The white flames licked higher, and the colorful berry chunks within began to dissolve into a thick, bubbling paste.
"Sha~"
Ms. Gardevoir, watching from the other pot, gave a soft, jealous pout. A subtle telekinetic nudge tugged Wade a few inches in her direction.
"Chirururu!"
Lopunny, observing keenly from the sidelines, pointed excitedly. The flames under Rosa's pot had suddenly flared into a vibrant, intense red.
"Perfect. Now, we start stirring with the glass rod."
A master of diplomatic equity, Wade shifted slightly to the left. He took Gardevoir's own cool, smooth hand in his, guiding it to begin the crucial stirring of her pot's contents. This was the most delicate phase. The stirring technique here—the rhythm, the pressure—would determine the Poffin's final texture and quality. A single moment of carelessness could ruin the entire batch.
"Sha~"
Leaning back into the Trainer's chest, Gardevoir let out a sigh of pure contentment, her eyes drifting half-shut. The lesson in confectionery seemed momentarily forgotten.
"Gardevoir, you need to use a bit more pressure," Wade chided gently. He gave her a light, reminding pat, then increased the speed of their stirring slightly, his hand over hers.
"Sha~" she murmured, clearly not listening, nuzzling deeper against him with a blissful, possessive smile.
Knowing that… I'll have to squeeze Master dry tonight~
The high heat made the berry paste thinner and more volatile than before. Stir too fast, and it would boil over, wasted. Stir too slowly, as Gardevoir was inclined to do, and it would scorch, ruining the flavor. The cook had to be in a constant, sensitive dialogue with the simmering mixture, adjusting on the fly.
Back and forth the glass rods went. Gradually, the viscous pastes smoothed out, their rich, sweet-and-tangy fragrance filling the kitchen with an intoxicating cloud.
"Meowth~"
Drawn by the irresistible aroma, Skitty appeared, her nose twitching as she gazed longingly at the pots.
Half an hour later, the flames under both pots finally softened into a steady, cool blue. The finished pastes were poured into waiting molds, where they set almost instantly into jewel-like, translucent treats.
"Here, try one," Wade said, handing the first Poffin to the eager Skitty. Given their rich energy, a small taste was enough after lunch.
"Meowth~!"
One bite, and Skitty's eyes welled with tears of pure bliss. Delicious—so delicious!
Curious, Mienshao elegantly plucked a piece for herself. But in her haste, the connoisseur of sour flavors misread the color and chose a Cheri Berry Poffin. The intense, fiery spice exploded on her tongue, a shocking contrast to her expectations. Tears sprang to the eyes of the normally poised and mature Pokémon Girl.
"Mino~!"
With a rare, unguarded whimper, she rushed to Wade, burying her face against him. He couldn't help but chuckle, gently wiping the tears from her snow-white, delicate cheek.
"Alright, you all enjoy these here. Rosa and I will take a batch out to the pasture."
Wade hadn't forgotten the foundation of his farm's prosperity. He filled a large basin with an assortment of Poffins, and with Rosa in tow, headed for the grazing lands.
They walked a long, tree-lined path until a vast, open pasture unfolded before them, dotted with contented, roaming forms.
"What a spectacular sight!" Rosa gasped, her eyes wide. "Big brother… where did you find so many Miltank?"
For Wade, the pasture was a familiar, comforting sight. For Rosa, it was a revelation. A soft gasp escaped her lips as she took in the herd for the first time, her beautiful eyes widening with wonder. The excitement painted a pretty, light pink across her fair cheeks. Her nose, delicate as fine jade, and her lips, the inviting color of ripe cherries, made her a picture of vibrant, captivating innocence.
Wade chuckled, giving her tea-colored hair an affectionate ruffle. "They were entrusted to me by my grandfather's old friends," he explained. "There are twenty-three Miltank in total."
After weeks of attentive care, the young herd had clearly adopted this land as their own. On clear days, they could be found basking here, soaking in the sun's warmth and the caress of the gentle breeze, a picture of pastoral bliss.
"Moo~"
Hearing familiar footsteps, several grazing Miltank lifted their heads, lowing a warm greeting to their Trainer.
"Come and get it! Special treats today!" Wade called out, setting the large basin of Poffins on the ground, its colorful contents a stark contrast to the green grass.
"Moo~!"
The effect was instantaneous. The Miltank's eyes lit up, and they ambled over with eager, stumbling steps, quickly forming a friendly scrum as they began to happily munch on the unfamiliar, sweet delicacy. The simple joy of a new treat amidst their diet of fresh grass was plain to see.
Watching them feast, Wade's mind turned to practicalities. "I'll need to visit the market for grass seed soon," he mused aloud, his gaze sweeping over the pasture. Even in this world, land management was key. To prevent overgrazing and soil depletion, sections would need rest—a concept of rotational grazing he'd have to implement. Already, he could see a few patches where the grass had been cropped particularly short by hungry mouths.
"A... big brother?"
Rosa's voice, unusually shy and tentative, pulled him from his thoughts. He turned to find her standing close, her face flushed a deeper crimson than before, fingers nervously twisting together.
"What's wrong?" he asked, curious.
In response, she silently held out a device in her palm. It was a portable visual communicator, its sleek design unmistakably the latest model from the Hoenn region's technological powerhouse, Devon Corporation.
The screen flickered to life, revealing the face of a strikingly beautiful woman. Smooth, tea-colored hair fell in a cascade over her shoulders, framing eyes of a stunning cornflower blue that sparkled with warmth and intelligence. Her smile was radiant, and the familial resemblance to the girl beside him was immediately apparent.
"Hello there, little Wade~" the woman on the screen greeted, her voice playful and melodic.
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