|
Post by Doomulus on Mar 1, 2013 1:12:50 GMT -5
Stephen's eyes peered off to the left as she told him a bit about herself. "Sinnoh. Sounds like a cold place." It was as though the answer annoyed him, even though he was the one who actually asked about it. Her going on to talk about the color of the cone didn't really help him either; he looked even more irritable, like he was wasting time talking to her. That said, he is also the one who's still standing there listening. One might identify him as strange. Most others might identify him as an ass.
"Where am I, even? This place is dreadful," the young man said, sighing and focusing his eyes on her once more. Deep inside, he was panicking a little. He wasn't leaving a very good first impression, and if she didn't approve of him, she might never tell him where he's supposed to be going. For having lived in Youso for all of his life Stephen is surprisingly dull when it comes to knowing the geography of his own region.
|
|
|
Post by rainexsage on Mar 1, 2013 1:45:55 GMT -5
"Oh, hang on I think I have a map key in here somewhere." Yuki replied, since rude or not if he was in need of assistance she should try to... well assist. It wouldn't be proper to just turn down someone who might be lost. And sure enough she managed to locate her pokesource and the corresponding key after about a minute of rummaging. The pack looked heavy and from the sound of it she was carrying quite a few trinkets in it.
"I do know right now you're on route 2, and if you keep heading in this direction you'll hit... Oxyville." she said as the screen flashed to life in front of her. "And I'm headed in the opposite direction, towards Cadmiumburg. The professor in Namino told me that's where the first gym is."
On the one hand it was a little disappointing that the only person she'd been able to have a conversation with was heading to a different destination. On the other hand said person had really been nothing but rude and looked like he would rather be somewhere else right now. Which begged the question as to why he hadn't just ignored her when she'd waved at him. Maybe he really was just very badly lost and his need to get directions had overridden his need to not talk to her.
"If there's a place you're trying to get to, you can look at mine if you like. I don't think there's much past oxyville unless you want to get to Namino." she offered, holding out the device so he might better be able to look at the screen.
|
|
|
Post by Doomulus on Mar 1, 2013 22:28:20 GMT -5
Stephen eyed the map carefully, looking at the direction he was headed in comparison to the direction he actually intended to go. "...Oh." Realizing his mistake, he quietly handed the Source back to her. Frustration mounted in his expression once more, this time in a slight pout. Standing up straight and firmly, he slowly slicked back his hand along his face and his hair to recompose himself. Instead of assuming a rather agitated stance, he looked as though he was actually relaxed.
He looked to be lost deep in thought for a moment, eyes shut. Crossing his arms, he slowly mulled over his position. The pause he took to think things over was excessive, almost awkward. Stephen announced as he walked over to another side of the path. One simply shudders to imagine what could be going through the Researcher's mind.
Then came the proposal, just as sudden as his pause. "I've been going the wrong way. If it's no trouble for you, I'm just going to go with you to... wherever it is you were going." Truth be told, it wasn't really a proposal so much as him telling her he was going, whether she liked it or not. Before he could describe his intent further, let alone introduce himself, he thought about something else. "Aren't you a Trainer or something? Shouldn't you be challenging me to a fight?" It was a harmless little bit of skepticism thrown in her direction - one that she could take in any way she wanted.
|
|
|
Post by rainexsage on Mar 1, 2013 23:17:10 GMT -5
"Oh um... alright?" she said, a little taken aback. While she could have rationalized his earlier actions as a result of his need to ask for directions, she was well and truly puzzled as to why he would want to walk with her when he didn't have to. Of course it might be kind of awkward to just ignore the person trailing behind you if they were both going in the same direction. But he didn't seem to be the kind of person who might be bothered by that.
Truth be told while she felt obligated to accept, the strange young man made her feel a little uneasy. Aside from his rather rude demeanor there was just something about the way he looked when he was quiet. Like she could hear little mechanical gears whirring away inside his head. Momentarily lost in thought she almost didn't hear his second question.
"Huh? O-oh I'm sorry did you want to battle? We could if you like, I just thought three against one might be a little unfair." she said, gesturing to his solitary pokeball. "And I heard the roads aren't very safe these days. So it wouldn't be very good to knock out your only source of protection."
Or vice versa of course, she had to admit for all she knew he might be carrying around a dragonite in there but it seemed unlikely. He didn't have the same self assured countenance she'd seen on seasoned trainers, mostly he just looked bored.
|
|
|
Post by Doomulus on Mar 2, 2013 0:35:06 GMT -5
Stephen shook his head. "No, I don't plan to use this Solosis. He won't be very effective for battli-" The young man made the mistake of taking out his Ball as he was talking. He sprung back and watched as the Ball somehow willed its contents outside. Springing back in surprise, Stephen watched the laser released from the Ball form the shape of a circular Pokemon. An impetuous-looking Solosis popped out, vibrating in place with a quiet hum.
"Is this supposed to be my Pokemon? One that just does whatever it likes without any provocation?" Irritated, Stephen attempted to return the Psychic type to its ball. Every time he attempted to retrieve it, however, the Ball opened soon after to send out the Cell Pokemon again. "Return! Return!" Every time he'd sent the impish cell back, it would be sent back out just a bit closer to Stephen. Eventually it ended up hugging onto his leg, its squishy membrane rubbing against his jeans. Its owner glared down at it with indignation, an indignation that it ignored outright with blissful childishness.
Stephen crossed his arms, turning his attention back to Yuki. "As I said, not very effective in battle. Perhaps not even an effective means of protection; I suspect I'm going to need your aid through this route more than I first thought."
|
|
|
Post by rainexsage on Mar 2, 2013 0:49:37 GMT -5
"Hehe, aw but it's so cute. I think it just wants to be your friend. Even pokemon can get tired of being cooped up in their balls all day you know." she laughed. Apparently finding the little cell pokemon's attempts to cuddle, and Stephen's blatant indignation, amusing rather than worrisome. "There's no harm in just letting it walk...er float for awhile."
Going over to kneel down next to the solosis which was still doing its best to cuddle Stephen's leg despite its lack of arms she studied it with mixed parts curiosity and adoration. It was quite possibly the cutest thing she'd ever seen and she didn't really understand why he'd be so irritated that it liked him. Well, maybe she could understand being irritated that it wasn't listening but it was clearly very young and probably just wanted to play. Vail seemed to pick up on this too because he drifted over in an attempt to make friends.
"You should just be patient, pokemon respond best to trainers who work with them. Not trainers who bark orders. If you keep snapping it's probably just going to keep ignoring you." she said, straightening up. And while her tone was as polite and friendly as ever there was a hint of disapproval. "At any rate we should probably be going. Vail can help keep an eye on your pokemon, and it wouldn't do to be caught out after dark."
It was funny that somehow she'd wound up being his... bodyguard? Escort? She'd never fancied herself particularly intimidating. "Oh, does your pokemon have a name?" she asked, almost as an afterthought. But Solosis was a mouthful and kind of a tongue twister at that.
|
|
|
Post by Doomulus on Mar 2, 2013 1:08:48 GMT -5
"I hardly see the point. I am a scientist, a professional, not a pet owner. Matters like animal husbandry are left in hands like yours." Stephen, though rattled by the presence of the child Solosis, allowed the thing to remain regardless. Though he may have disagreed with Yuki, the little monster was incorrigible and at the very least it wasn't doing anything that caused him any great inconvenience.
The Solosis maintained a stalwart vigil over the territory of Stephen's pantleg, though noting the sudden appearance of a kind-looking blue-haired girl and the Vanillite that followed her, it made a few squishing noises that indicated cheerfulness. "Sol!" It clung onto him as still as it did before, but was just that much more active as the others got closer.
Stephen turned around to face the proper path, looking off to the side at Yuki. "No, no. Nothing frivolous like that - Solosis serves just as well." Rubbing his chin for a moment, he came to a sudden realization. "Ah, how rude of me. My name is Stephen Rickenbacker. If you'd heard me before, you would know that I am a dedicated scientist. And who are you?"
|
|
|
Post by rainexsage on Mar 2, 2013 1:25:39 GMT -5
"I can't say I'm familiar with the name but then again I am new here. My name is Yuki Sato, please forgive my not introducing myself earlier. I tend to forget sometimes." she replied with a small bow, more out of habit than anything. Because had she been a more willful person she might have skimped on her introduction, because the more she got to know the young man the less pleasant he became.
Half of her wanted to scold him for referring to his pokemon like it was an object. Half of her thought it was none of her business telling other trainers how to raise their pokemon, since he didn't seem inclined to listen to her anyway. And despite everything the Solosis seemed quite happy. Though it could be it just didn't know any better yet. Still for the time being she bit her tongue, and tried to make the best of the situation.
"So if you're a scientist you must have a field of study right?" she asked, as an attempt to make small talk as the two of them started on down the road. "Is that what brought you all the way out here?"
|
|
|
Post by Doomulus on Mar 2, 2013 1:43:25 GMT -5
"Engineering, enhancing technology, working on conveniences. I feel most comfortable working there. I find it all tends to go over the general populace's heads. I rarely see need to run off about it to people outside of the more enlightened communities." Stephen thought carefully about how to answer the second question. Leaving Neon Heights was a good decision on two accounts. Escaping his parents was the biggest factor; he supposed that talking about the other one exclusively couldn't hurt.
He was simply afraid that she just wouldn't understand what he would be talking about. Someone from this, this Sinnoh, might not be able to understand his reasoning for refining his research in the field. The effort used to talk about it could be used more effectively in thinking of solutions to get rid of all of that pesky tall grass they seemed to be walking around now. Still, he felt that saying nothing at all would just be boring.
"Well, you must not have any experience with it yourself, but the field of research and development from within one's own living space is... well, incredibly restrained. There was nothing more I could gain from referring to more and more textbooks." As he spoke, he actively avoided nearby patches of tall grass along the way. "We must go out into the field in order to directly observe all of the world's faults that others simply have no motivation or talent to improve upon."
|
|
|
Post by rainexsage on Mar 2, 2013 1:58:18 GMT -5
"It must be..." she caught herself before she could say that it must be hard to see the worlds faults when his head was so clearly up his own... well it wasn't a polite thought which was why she quickly censored it and changed tack. "It must be difficult trying to travel on your own though." she said, after a moment's pause. "When you don't seem to care much for pokemon, since moving around on the routes means having one is a necessity...." she trailed off, reminded momentarily of her own reasons for leaving and the pokemon that had inspired her to pack up and leave home.
"But I guess you're right there's really only so much you can learn staying in one place. Or from books." She said, coming back to the topic rather abruptly. "I can understand that. So... conveniences then. Does that mean you work on things like new kinds of pokeballs, or maybe new pokesource keys?" she asked, this time looking genuinely curious as opposed to asking out of a sense of obligation and a fear of awkward silences.
|
|
|
Post by Doomulus on Mar 2, 2013 15:59:20 GMT -5
"Please. There are far too many varieties of Pokeball, and Pokesource innovation is best left to those who want to cash in on Pokesource innovation. The model you showed me will be obsolete within a year, replaced by a shiny, more expensive version with little extra bits thrown in." He gestured to the fields around him. "No, I have more ambitions. Have you ever heard of Unova, and its Black City?"
"Modernization at its finest. Everything is digitized, the city glows at its brightest at night, and even its citizens share its ambitions. The city is a marriage of all sorts of innovations: transportation, illumination, computers, and architecture. I intend to see that place one day, but for now, I'm going to do what I can for a rustic little place like this." Stephen's speech left him looking unusually passionate. At the same time, he looked a bit drained. His pace slowed a bit, but the Solosis on his leg didn't feel it. "When are we getting out of this mire of a forest?"
|
|
|
Post by rainexsage on Mar 2, 2013 18:16:53 GMT -5
"Ah I see. It sounds like a cold place." she replied, echoing his earlier statement about Sinnoh though the word cold carried a different meaning here. And yet, it was the first time she'd seen him look excited about something. And it was maybe a little reassuring to know that he did have actual emotions in there somewhere.
"I'm sure I don't know how far it is to Cadmiumburg though. But, you came from that direction didn't you? So, how long did it take you to find me? If you know that then you'll know how long it takes to get back." she said matter-of-factly. "But if you're tired I don't mind stopping to rest. You've been walking longer than I have after all."
In truth she was just as eager to reach the city, albeit for different reasons. She wanted to get Neve, for she had already decided on that name for her snowrunt, to the pokemon center of course but there was one more thing. Noel was waiting in the box for her, and she was eager to see him again. However she had a feeling that if she marched Stephen along he would just complain the entire way.
|
|
|
Post by Doomulus on Mar 3, 2013 0:53:51 GMT -5
"You speak as though I keep track of these sorts of things. No, I've hardly any idea how long it took me to find you." In response to her second remark, he mistook it as a form of concern. To any 'cool, detached mysterious character', this would be the perfect opportunity to shrug it off; something Stephen took pleasure in doing. "No. I have no intention of resting until we reach town. From there, you can do whatever trainers do, exercise at gyms or what have you. I'll be observing the area."
Eventually, the child Solosis's enthusiasm in clinging onto his new Trainer's leg waned, and he unceremoniously plopped to the ground. He struggled to get back up on its... well, un-feet, and return to its rightful place, but it seemed tuckered out.
Stephen looked down at the poor thing after walking a few steps forward, not having realized his passenger had fallen until then. Maintaining his nonchalant pace, he bent cautiously over to have a look at the Psychic type. In confusion, he looked over at Yuki, and back at Solosis. "Is... Did he hit something? What is the meaning of this?" He looked more frustrated than confused. This was a waste of valuable time to be spent traveling.
|
|
|
Post by rainexsage on Mar 3, 2013 1:11:29 GMT -5
"For a scientist you don't seem very well informed on...well a lot of things." she sighed, going over and scooping up the little cell pokemon. "It's tired out because you've just been letting it cling to your leg all this time. Honestly that should be obvious to anyone with eyes."
She turned the little pokemon over, checking to make sure it hadn't hurt itself when it fell. "And you're thinking of a different kind of gym," she added idly, patting the little psychic type once she'd made sure it was quite alright. "But if I spend all day correcting you we're never getting anywhere. Here," she held the tired little pokemon out to him expectantly. "He should be tired enough to be fine with going back into his pokeball now, but if not you're just going to have to carry him the rest of the way."
It was astonishing how she could give what ammounted to a direct order without raising or even changing the tone of her voice. Instead she remained as softspoken and genteel as ever but it was clear she wasn't expecting an argument from this. If only because arguing would waste more of his supposedly precious time.
|
|
|
Post by Doomulus on Mar 3, 2013 2:00:24 GMT -5
Grudgingly, Stephen took the Solosis from her hands. "Do not attempt to reproach me for such simple things. As if I was aware the thing could tire so easily from just hanging on." He took out his Pokeball and actually pressed it rather gently to the Solosis, letting it return. Placing it back inside, his expression grew even more stern. "And you act as if I know or care about what trainers do. Your occupation hardly affects my field, so I feel no need to consider it. I am a researcher, not some sort of prize fighter or a beast tamer."
Stephen was quick to realize what sort of time the two of them would be having from now until the end of his journey. While he had no general worry over his physical safety, he primarily feared that their interactions would only become more unpleasant as time goes on. As it stood now, he couldn't stand her, and it seemed that she felt the same way. Still, he certainly preferred it over languishing at home, and he seems to be staying with her for this long; what could stop him from lingering further?
At any rate, she was his protection for now, and it didn't seem fit to sour things between them even further. Stephen held his tongue as he quickened his pace slightly to match hers.
|
|
|
Post by rainexsage on Mar 3, 2013 14:24:33 GMT -5
She didn't say anything further, apparently content to let the rest of the trip pass in silence though her displeasure radiated out in such a way that it was almost a tangible presence. More than anything right now she just wanted to get somewhere she could have a nice hot cup of tea and something soft to sit on.
Her pokemon seemed to catch the tension in the air between the two, though it was clear he didn't understand it. Vail would occasionally drift back and forth from Stephen to Yuki as if hoping to find some kind of clue as to what was going on. He was however distracted when the town began to come into view. A little community seated next to an oily black lake.
Fairly sure water was never supposed to be that color, Yuki couldn't help but think it was fitting given her company. A dingy little town with a polluted lake and a scientist in tow who probably just wanted to turn the whole thing into a high tech parking lot. Still there was bound to be a pokemon center there and with this happy thought in mind she pressed forward to her next destination.
|
|