The future meme symbol! And for Nat to be in his mid 20s!!
Send āā ā to meet my museās future self.
āShamanā¦..?ā
The Claydol hits the ground and hits it hard, their screeches are pained and nothing like Natās ever heard before. He finds his hands are shaking ever so slightly as he approaches his Pokemon and rests a hand on their singed body. Fire had never had such a strong reaction against them before, but all it took was one shot from thatĀ Camerupt to knock out his Pokemon. His hands fumbled with the Pokeballs in the pocket of his work apron, he pulls Shamanās from the rest and returns them so they can get the well deserved rest they desperately need. He reaches for his next Pokemon hesitantly, fingers ghosting over Agriaās ball before slipping over it for Empress, his partner. Nat knows that he can put his trust in her, sheās never let him down before after all.
With a toss of the ball, Empress thuds onto the field letting out a screech coming out with the full intent of intimidation. The Camerupt didnāt even flinch, instead it seemed to brace itself preparing for the first move that Nat was going to throw at him. His trainer seemed to confident that what Empress was going to do wasnāt going to do them much good before he would KO his Pokemon again. That grin, the way he held himself, a few years ago it would have drove him to go all out, but now, he was hesitant and hesitance could give his Pokemon a lot of pain.Ā
āEmpress, use Earth Power!āĀ
The ground beneath his feet tremors slightly as it cracks beneath the Camerupt whoās trainer calls for him to back up. By them flew a bird type Pokemon, one he thought he recognized, but only spared it a glance before his attention was returned to battle at hand, one problem at a time he reminded himself. The Pokemon wasnāt fast enough and was caught in the blast, it wasnāt very effective and looked like it barely scratched the other Pokemon. Nat felt his stomach drop, Empress was going to get hurt like Shaman hadā¦..
āā¦ā¦.. use Hydro Pump!ā
The name doesnāt reach his ears but the attack does, and before he can react as aĀ Floatzel rockets past and Empress backs up to keep herself between them and the Camerupt and Floatzel. She doesnāt move towards the Pokemon, doesnāt try to intimidate the new addition to the battle. In fact, sheās paying little mind to them after taking a long hard look. Perhaps a Pokemon they battled before that she remembers? But the trainerā¦.. just jogged right past them. Sheās not very tall and is sort of familiar to him, but he canāt place his finger on it. She takes up position before them to take over the battle for him.Ā
He opens his mouth to protest but she interrupts him with something he canāt hear, but Empress seems to have heard her loud and clear as his Pokemon relaxes a bit stepping back to her trainerās side. Then the battle commences, and Nat doesnāt say a word the whole time.
Anastasia doesnāt linger with him outside the store after the battle finishes, she drops a bouquet off in his hands and pats his arm before returning to the shop leaving the young man confused and a little stunned. Its been a long time since heās been on the sidelines of a normal match let alone a one sided one. The woman turns toward him and her features tug at his heart, because she looks likeā¦. He told himself he wouldnāt do this againā¦
āā¦I promised you my smile and protection.ā
The words leave him speechless, staring at her and the Pokemon, his brain is searching for something to say, anything to say before he looses this chance and doesnāt get to ask her anything. What do you ask someone you had thought long since beyond your reach? She doesnāt seem to need the words as she take the bouquet from his arms and rearranges the flowers humming to herself, so happy so cheerful.
Nat feels like heās going to cry.
āIāll see you around. Nat.ā She claps a hand on his shoulder briefly before turning away.
His heart jumps, and he feels panic setting in,Ā āWait!ā
She does and turns back to look at him, giving him the chance to speak again.
āI thought youā¦. we thought you hadā¦..ā dead, lost, Nat didnāt even know what he thought anymore, no contact for so long, not a single word from her and Draze had gone looking. When nothing had been found, they both expected the worst and Nat had given up hope. Here she was though, CeciliaĀ Annabelle Rowe , his childhood friend alive and kicking. She seemed to be doing just fine on her own as it was too. There was so much he wanted to ask. Why did she leave? Why didnāt see talk to them? Why didnāt she ever come back? Was she happier without them? Fear kicks in reminiscent of the days when they were children and Nat had found himself unable to sleep at the hands of a terrible storm, wanting for the warmth of a hand to settle in his own while he drifted off to sleep.
He reaches for her questions set back for later and only manages out a small,Ā āDonāt go.ā
Nat Kinkade age 24 [5 years later]
FC: Kaito from Vocaloid
New Manager of āPick a Peck of Flowersā Flower shop, retired Viridian City Gym Leader
It was an ongoing problem lately, nearly every time he made visits back to the Viridian City Gym he was swamped with his old trainers. Their implications of wanting him back were subtle, but they might has well have just came out and said it for what little good it really did. Everyone had voiced their concerns over Nat slipping into early retirement from the Gym, but he just couldnāt find it in him to hold the position any longer. He was tired of it all, tired of listening to bickering trainers and the challengers so full of confidence only to be crushed before Nat had even used his third Pokemon. He wanted to just get away from it all and return home despite there being nothing there waiting for him anymore. Nat had too, with his allergies no longer big physical problem for him returning home he went back to take up the empty spot left at the Flower shop by Annaās disappearance and Audrieās untimely passing.Ā
Heād taken Audrieās old home as his own, a place for him and Draze to make a home out of what they have left. Heās held down the job at the Flower shop since he returned home and quickly reacquainted himself with Anastaia whoād made a wonderful recovery and returned to work alongside him. He had the chance to see Draze often and his Pokemon were happy in their new home despite being unable to battle as frequently as they used to. Time sure had made them much calmer, at least in Agriaās case. This was enough for Nat to live moderately content.
Anastasia fussed around the shop while Nat and Draze lingered out in front of the store while the elder was on a break. Agria strayed from his side to the patches of flowers behind the shop leaving the two trainers to talk between themselves while they had the chance.Ā
āCan you speak to them, say something to make them stop....ā Natās hands rub his arms as a particularly chilly wind blew threw forewarning the oncoming winterĀ āI would but it seems that, they donāt want to listen to their former Gym Leader unless I say Iām coming back.āĀ
This conversation has taken place before, several times, each with Nat suggesting to him that someone needs to say something. He feels like he wasnāt quite as straightforward as he should have been so this time he came straight out and just asked him. He doesnāt want it to feel like visiting Kanto is a hassle or to start getting really anxious when it comes time for him to drop in again. Nat would rather quell the negative effects the City had been stirring in him, however if Draze were to refuse.... No if there was one thing he learned over the years, it was that Draze didnāt say no to him very often.
He sighs,Ā āYou take the time out of your day to visit, and, I just complain the whole time, Iām horribleā he huffs turning a smile to the taller,Ā āhow do you put up with me.ā
Its Drazeās grin that lifts his mood, its little things from years before that still keep him grounded and heās thankful the other sticks around.
āOh no no, I donāt want to hear whateverās about to come out of your mouth, and isnāt it about time for you to return to Kanto.ā The former Gym Leader doesnāt mean to kick him out of town, but he needs to get back to work.Ā
His hand is place on Drazeās shirt collar to drag the other to his level while he brushes his lips against the corner of his mouth,Ā āThank you for taking the time to come see me.ā
With this Natās heart can be content.
Nat Kinkade at 24 [5 years in the future]
FC: Kaito from Vocaloid
New Manager of Pick a Peck of Flowers Flower Shop, retired Viridian City Gym Leader.
How does one lose an almost five foot red alligator? Well just ask Nat as this seemed to be the latest problem the Gym Leader had to face. While visiting Mauville City in the Hoenn region with Strom walking alongside him out of his Pokeball he managed to become separated from the Krookodile. The Gym Leader pales when he canāt see his Pokemon and panic begins to settle in as he starts bombarding people with questions to see if anyone saw him walk off.
āHeās not hard too miss, almost five feet, red, a Krookodile that responds to the name of Strom. Did you see him?ā
Champions outside of Kantoās were unfamiliar to him, their names were all he knew beyond what he hears from their own Champion. Being a Gym Leader and not a Champion or even an Elite Four member gives him very little opportunity to meet other Champions besides the one in his own region. Yet here he was about to greet the Johto Champion and get a chance to maybe strike up a conversation? Mmm, or maybe heāll just get to shake her hand, yeah thatās much better.Ā
He straightens his back and clears his throat,Ā āIām looking for Emilia? ...Is she in?ā
Natās first time in Fortree has him floored, speechless, hearing about the town in the trees isnāt the same as seeing it in person for sure. It was nothing like he had imagined it would be, pathways connected each building built into the branches allowing for easy access from house to house. Nat wants to take it all in, his gaze fixed to the trees as he walks into town until he ends up knocking shoulders with someone the second time in a week too.Ā
Alright friends! Hereās a starter call! Small threads of only a sentence or a few sentences will be written with this starter call! Give this a like, no cap unless I get too many!
āYeah, I remember. She took care of you in Floraroma Town. Though you think I should go dressed like this? Kinda want to wear something nice then just my regular clothes.ā
āYeah, thatās Audrie, she raised me. Mmm, you want to change from what youāre wearing?ā He looks the other over before he shakes his head,Ā āWell if you want to Iām not going to stop you, but you look fine the way you are. Youāre just going for a visit, not out to dinner.ā
āMarina..ā The florist proceeds in slipping down on the wooden planks on the dock. Ā She ends up landing on her butt as the Buizelās head perks up and had used Aqua Jet. The Pokemonās body propels towards Nat and she rubs her bottom, groaning.
āāMarina! Nat!āShe calls out and raise ack onto her feet, trying to gain footing but ends up sliding on the dock.Ā āNat, move, move!āĀ
Nat doesnāt notice what sheās talking about until its much too late and the Buizel is propelling itself right into him. The hit sends him face first onto the dock his bag landing with a light thud on the planks beside him. The Pokemon is fine, rolling a bit behind Nat before getting up and shaking it off, Nat however props himself up on his elbows with a groan. This is oddly familiar, finding himself laying on the planks of the dock, Marina would always greet him in a similar fashion when he came home.
āGood to see you too Marina...ā Nat smiles at Anna before he pulls himself back up to his feet,Ā āMarinaās as excited as ever.ā
More than usually whenever Hisoka decided to head to a Pokemon Center, it was more for the free beds than it was for the actual healing of a pokemon itself. It was nice that this was offered here, it gave her a means of wanting to go into towns for something other than supplies and food.Ā
Her entrance into this specific Center felt odd the moment she stepped foot into it, though. A thought trickling in the back of her head, that something might occur today. It definitely was just that, too, as when she bumped past someone she was called out to. Rounding back towards him, a few glances and a cock of her head before the image became clear.
āNat?ā The tone of her voice rising higher than itās normal pitch, amazement that he was here in the flesh. Perhaps it was a little more amazing for her to be here, he did leave to Kanto so many years ago butā¦ Whoādāve thought.
It was like the past came flooding back from the name alone and Nat could almost kick himself. He felt so dumb for not recognizing the other sooner, they had been friends after all. Years, years ago back in before he had left Sinnoh heād became acquainted with Hisoka when she had first moved into town. Ā She, Anna, and Nat had time to spend together to form a bond of friendship before Nat got on a boat and headed for Kanto. After he had left..... He hadnāt heard from here since then, only saw her a few times when he returned to visit. Heād thought sheād forgotten about him, but she hadnāt, something about that was relieving.Ā
ā.... Hisoka? Its... Its been years, how have you been?ā
Where have you been?
Why didnāt you call or write?
How long will you be here?
Nat had so many questions to ask, so many things he wanted to know and catch up on, but did they have the time? Hisoka had to be on her own travels right? Its the only reason sheād be so far from home, or at least it was the only reason he could think of.
been cheated on | been bullied | told a horrible lie | stolen something of value | overdosed on drugs | been drunk | passed out | cheated | bullied | punched someone in the face | been beaten up | broken a bone | been admitted to hospital | had a near-death experience | been drugged | done drugs | smoked | kissed someone you werenāt attracted to | bled severely | killed someone | had an attempt on your life | made an attempt on your own life | lost someone | loved someone | gone without food for over three days | gone without sleep for over three days | been tortured | been slapped by a parent | been abused by someone who should have loved you |Ā had a panic attack | been in a car accident | had sex | had sex with a stranger | been raped | felt raped | passed out from pain | cried yourself to sleep | spent a whole day in bed | hurt yourself | taken your anger out on yourself | taken your anger out on someone you love | been used | used someone | been terrified | played a cruel game on someone | been dominant | been submissive | been forced to smile | been misgendered | felt too many things at once | laughed when you felt like crying
