Calypso grinned.

"With some training, your Gloom could do it," she said to Allegra. "I've worked with Vileplume for a long time, since it was an Oddish, so I know exactly what it can do."

"Does that make it easier to look after her, or harder?" Bruce asked. "I'm sure there are pros and cons to small teams versus larger teams."

"You really think so?" Allegra asked, grinning broadly.

"Both, I suppose," Alice said after a moment. "Easier because I don't have to coordinate with a bunch of people. Harder because there's more work for me. But her support team is now mostly settled and balanced, we all know each other, we work well enough together." She shrugged. "And I mean I've still got time for my actual business, so it works."

"Definitely," Calypso replied, nodding. She grinned. "Though you still have a choice to make regarding your Gloom. You'll have to figure out if you want a Vileplume, a Bellossom, or if you want it to stay a Gloom."

"You have your own business?" Bruce asked. "That's impressive, it isn't easy to do."

"This is true," Allegra agreed. "We've got some time to decide, though. I'm not worried." She smiled.

"I mean, it's not really running a business," Alice fussed, blushing a bit. "It's... not that intense. I don't have that many clients or anything."

Calypso nodded. That was a good reaction; it meant that Allegra was focused on training, not evolving like a lot of young trainers were.

"Alright, how about we take a few minutes and take a break," she said. "I'll let out Snorlax, he needs some work, and you can put Goldeen or Gloom up against him for training."

"What is it you do?" Bruce asked, curious.

"Against your Snorlax?" Allegra looked a bit std at that. There was a huge power difference there and she knew it.

"I make edibles of all kinds," Alice said after a moment. "Food, training items, all of it. Occasionally I'll even sell a pie or tart or something to someone."

"He's an excellent sparring opponent," Calypso said, nodding. "Snorlax have naturally high defense, so your two can hit him with a lot before he really starts feeling it. So they can practice anything they like, and he can work on endurance and defense."

"I'm surprised you don't have a lot of clients," Bruce said. "I would have thought there would be a demand for that sort of thing." He was quiet for a moment, thinking. "Have you mentioned it to Tony? I'm sure he'd want in on that, and where he goes, plenty of others follow."

"Okay." Allegra released her two pokemon after a moment. "Okay, let's give this a try."

"I haven't mentioned it to him," Alice said. "I don't really need more clients, you know? I've got a pretty good balance right now, between making food and things and some of my other side projects. And, of course, Cal takes up a good chunk of my time, especially during competition season."

Calypso went over to the PC in the corner and pulled out the pokeball that held her Snorlax. He was her reserve, so he wasn't kept on her belt. She released him into the ring, and he stretched with a low grumble.

"I see," Bruce said. "Still, consider telling Tony about it. He might want to invest or something."

Allegra looked a little apprehensive. Snorlax was just so... big. But she settled herself, shaking her shoulders a bit, and looked at her two pokemon. "Ready, guys?" They both chirped in the affirmative.

"I'll think about it," Alice said after a moment. "If it comes up. I really don't need many more clients." She smiled a bit. "But I can make a few exceptions."

"Heya, big guy," Calypso said warmly to Snorlax. He rumbled back at her, absently scratching at his belly. "Allegra's pokemon need some practice today, so you're just going to work on endurance, okay? No attacking without checking with me first."

Snorlax rumbled an affirmative and settled himself firmly in the middle of the ring.

Bruce smiled.

"Good to know," he said. "Maybe I'll see about stopping by, if I can."

Allegra nodded to her pokemon and got them started working on Snorlax. Not that they did any visible damage, which was both reassuring and to be expected, since Snorlax was a much higher level.

Alice smiled at that. "If you ever want to, let me know. I won't say no to a visit."

Calypso just watched, keeping an eye on all of the pokemon. She would call a stop if she thought any of them needed a break.

Bruce nodded.

"Will do," he said.

Allegra just worked on training with them, giving them time to practice.

Alice smiled a bit. "I have to admit, I don't come into the city often. But we could always go get coffee or tea or something, next time...?"

"We can do that," Bruce said, nodding. "Just let me know when you're available."

Alice smiled. "I will," she agreed. "Should be fun."

"Oh, I'm Bruce, by the way, Bruce Banner. Should have introduced myself earlier," Bruce added.

"Alice James," she said on autopilot, holding out her hand, though her eyes were huge. Because Bruce Banner. One of the Avengers. Definitely higher pay grade than she was used to. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," Bruce said. He looked at her. "Is everything alright?"

"Yup. Just. Y'know. Not expecting to meet an Avenger today, was all." Alice promptly turned red.

"Oh," Bruce said, looking a little sheepish. "Sorry, I, uh, don't think about it a lot." He gave a small grin. "Tony's usually the one everyone flocks to."

"Stark is far too bright and flashy for my tastes," Alice said, wrinkling her nose. "And noisy." What she didn't add was that Bruce was much more her speed.

"That's pretty typical of Tony," Bruce agreed, nodding.

"Sounds like it, from what I hear." Alice smiled. "Offer's still open, if you want to go berry hunting, or just get out of the city for a bit."

"I may just take you up on that," Bruce said, nodding. "I'll make sure to call before I drop in."