"She is merely ill," Dimitri corrects gently. "And grieving, I think. She does her best to send anyone off with some supplies, including a single companion."

Really, Dimitri can't help it. The woman in New Bark may not have any true relation to him, and yet.... He has a weakness for her. How couldn't he, when he understands how it feels to be confused and believing in things that aren't there, aren't true?

As he talks, he scratches behind Gremlin's ears absentmindedly, but Gremlin is somewhat distracted himself. Just barely maintaining his balance, he's leaning forward on his perch, snout in the air and rapidly twitching. He knows this scent, after all, although it is a tad bit different. Give the rat a second.

"But while she does give one companion, there are plenty more of these creatures in this world, and they challenge one another in order to grow stronger. If they find you worthy in this aspect, they agree to join you in little balls such as this." He holds up the pokeball. "I actually have an entire team-" More than a team, but that's getting too into it. "-but I was transported from my home before I could properly gather them together. Only Gremlin was with me, although he is full of talent."

Gremlin chitters proudly in agreement, even as he's still sniffing.