Making their character is probably what takes them the longest- between a ton of options and their own indecisiveness on whether to make a joke character or not, the loading screen is nothing. It still makes them feel a little awkward when they're suddenly teleported into the Lab, in the sense people get when their character is as ridiculous as possible in a serious cutscene.

"Yeah! Yeah, that'd be me." And, immediately, they're wincing inwardly at the volume of their voice, especially in the lab. They'd have to fix that later. For now, though, they shuffled (a bit awkwardly) to the seat across from the- Professor Ash, right? Xavier was pretty sure that was her name from what little they knew, anyways.

"A game?" They echo, after a moment of processing. They're not expecting something this early on, but they can't really say they mind the idea of it, outside of some confusion as to how being asked questions could help decide their starter.

They'll see soon enough, they suppose.

If the NPC notes any of Xavier’s confusion, it isn’t mentioned- which they can’t blame, honestly. This is probably just meant to be something they get done fairly quickly, anyways. But, honestly, the questions are…weird? Not what they were expecting in the least, if nothing else. They had been expecting more along the lines of game-related questions.

“I usually try to answer as fast as I can. Sometimes I may get a bit distracted, but unless I’m really busy with something it isn’t longer than a few minutes.” With the easiest question over, Xavier has to pause for a second, trying to puzzle out a good answer to either of them.

“Baking.” They answer, after a moment— and wondering if being so honest about themselves, out of the game, will work as well as they’re hoping. It’ll just have to for now, though; there are probably worse options. “It’s usually just sweets- cookies and cakes and stuff like that.”

And then there was the last question. Xavier had been trying to put it off, a little, but they didn’t really have the chance now. “Well—“ They begin, a bit awkwardly. “I won a drawing competition a few years back?” Which wasn’t saying much, considering they had been ten, but their options were limited and it was the best they could think of right now.

Xavier's half-expecting more questions when the professor nods. If anything, they just hope they're not as unexpected- but it seems like they won't have to worry. The professor takes her notes, and when she does speak, it's just to thank them for their answers. Now, honestly, they're just as confused as they were before.

What could any of those questions possibly have to do with what starter they'd get? "Is that it?" They ask, after a moment, watching her cross the lab to the display case. The click of it being unlocked is answer enough, but the sight of the Pokeball almost makes them nervous.

A little excited, maybe, but nervous still.

The Pokeball rests neatly in their hands, surprisingly solid and cool. And the Pokemon inside- Charmander? They knew a little about the Pokemon in question, mostly because of how much merchandise there was of it. Was this because they had mentioned baking?

They could worry about that later. "Right, uh- thank you!" They're not entirely sure they should release the Charmander from the Pokeball, yet, but they make quick work of peeling the tape away (were they just allowed to do that? They didn't see why not, but games were weird sometimes).

"Thank you. Again."

Now, it was just time to...figure out what they were going to do after all the tutorials, honestly.