When his little sister told him that her friend in Gateon Port had had her Pokemon stolen, he’d had to excuse himself for a moment. The sensation of wrongness was too strong to ignore, made him break out in a cold sweat as his stomach dropped out from under him.
They were back. They were never supposed to be back. But he’d been warned, hadn’t he? To always watch? He thought he had been. Apparently he hadn’t been watching close enough.
After emerging from the bathroom, hoping it wasn’t obvious he’d been dry heaving in there, Michael got the details of the situation and reassured Jovi and her friend that he would get her Pichu back. He got in touch with ONBS immediately after, and within several days they had an informant for him to meet with. He was restless; four days was too long to wait. Who knows what might have happened in that time.
Michael was to meet with the man at Outskirt Stand. He would be purchasing a dozen Quick Balls; that was how Michael was to identify him.
He’d been waiting there for nearly two hours, watching the bar with all the focus he could manage, when some guy walked in and placed the order Michael was looking for.
Within moments and without preamble, he was at the man’s side, saying, “Tell me where they are.” He didn’t have time to waste. He was wearing his Aura Reader and his Snag Machine, ready to raid one of the Cipher resurgence’s bases of operation. As soon as he knew where he was headed, he’d be out of there and on his way.
☀ - to pull my muse into a tight hug ( green @ lance! )
From a darkened corner in the Champion’s chamber, Lance found himself observing the scene with disbelief and sympathy. It was such an unbelievable day. First, one of the wonder duo that made the headlines, Green Oak managed to make it all the way to him. The battle was fierce and intense, which ended in his defeat. Lance thought that he was watching the rise of a new Champion until Red entered the picture. He found himself decimated for the second time that day and could only watch as two kids duke it out like their lives depended on it.
In the end, it was Red’s win. Lance was a bit annoyed that Professor Oak simply barged in here but that feeling quickly changed into anger when he completely ignored his grandson in favor of Red. As the pair disappeared into the Hall of Fame, the redhead became a witness to Green’s breakdown. The kid put on a valiant effort to look like he wasn’t affected but as soon as he thought he was alone, he simply fell to his knees and cry.
It was then that Lance realized no matter how talented of a Trainer Green was, he was still an eleven year old. Achieving the top, only to be knock down not even an hour later... even for him, that would have been a harsh blow. The Elite bit his bottom lip, his eyes shining with uncertainty. He could just leave and pretended he never saw anything to avoid any more blows to his pride but... it wasn’t in him to leave a crying child.
So, Lance slowly emerged from the shadows, quietly making his way to the sobbing kid. He bent down in front of him, waiting until he looked up at him with tear filled eyes before he placed a hand on his shoulder. “I... don’t know what to say, really but... if you just want to vent or some--” His words were abruptly cut off when Lance suddenly had his arms full with a sobbing Green. He was tense at the sudden contact, not knowing what do initially.
But then he felt the muffled sobs against his chest, the way his arms shook as he clung to his shirt, the hair that tickled his chin. Suddenly, he was aware of just how small Green was. Confident, so sure of himself... all of those were gone in favor of pure grief at his defeat.
With a small sigh, he slowly eased his arms down his back, pulling the kid into a proper hug. Lance didn’t say anything, simply letting him cry his little heart out. He didn’t know how long he sat there until finally, the sobs slowed down till it was nothing more than sniffles and hiccups. When he felt that Green was done, he slowly detached himself from the vice grip, looking down at the blotched face. Green looked so lost, like he was seeking some sort of stability in these troubling waters...
“Look...” Lance began, sounding as awkward as he looked. “If you... if you want to just talk, I can... give you my number. I don’t know if I can give you much advice but...” he trailed off into a little shrug. He wasn’t used to dealing with kids like this but he couldn’t leave Green alone. In a way, he reminded him of a time long ago where he wanted some sort of adult he could go to and talk about his worries.
In any case, Lance won’t go back on his word. Green could call him if he wanted to vent or anything else. He didn’t realize that this simple gesture would change the dynamics of their relationship permanently.
“… Nobody saw where they went. Is that what I’m hearing?”
Cheren is met with an uncomfortable silence from both student and chaperone alike. The color begins to drain from his face, but his stony expression does not. It comes as both a surprise to himself and everyone else that he can talk so calmly; this is one of Cheren’s worst nightmares.
When he sighs, his breath wavers and shakes. And then he asks, “Alright, can anyone tell me about the last time they saw them?”
To his relief, a young girl steps forward and points in the direction of the museum. His heart settles back into his chest. They’d just come from the museum, and they hadn’t been in there for too long. Twenty minutes at best. There is no way that three eight-year-old children could have wandered far. And they weren’t unarmed; all of his students carried their Pokemon with them at all times, so they would at least be safe…
Cheren mutters a brief ‘thank you,’ and instructs the chaperones to watch over the remainder of the class. He then breaks out into a sprint towards the museum.
Lacunosa Town isn’t particularly big, thinks Cheren. But I don’t see them being able to leave town… three young children traveling together would raise suspicion in any sensible adult.
Before he knows it, he is at the museum once again ––– a simple yet palatial red-bricked building set between a series of candied colored shrubbery. Cheren opens the single door entrance wide and without looking, steps right inside.
His feet step on something malleable. Fleshy.
A full second later, Cheren makes the connection that he’s stepped on someone’s foot and he locks eyes with the stranger in question, already prepped to unleash a floodgate of apologies –––
“Sorry – I’m so sorry! I honestly should have been looking where I was going, but I’m in a rush as it is, and I...”
She was standing at the edge of Gateon Port, up the steps which led into the rest of the region and its vast desert. Where people parked their vehicles was nearby. She had a sign, cardboard and marker, which simply said “PYRITE??” in block lettering.
It wasn’t uncommon for Clara to hitchhike to get places when outside the city. Maybe people who hadn’t tried it didn’t know this, but a surprising amount of Orre’s residents were ready and willing to give someone in need a lift, if they were heading the same way. She’d yet to have any bad luck, and for that, she was grateful. It wasn’t the safest thing for a teenage girl to do alone, she knew that. But it wasn’t like any taxi service existed, and she could never have afforded a motorbike of her own, even if she figured out how to drive one.
It usually took between a half hour and an hour for someone to pick her up. This time, however, it was taking longer. Probably because of her suitcase. Clara didn’t usually travel with luggage, after all, and many people’s rides simply couldn’t accommodate the extra space required for baggage.
Two hours had gone by. If she wasn’t used to standing long periods for performance, her legs might have been trembling by now. Espi had gotten restless, coming out of her Pokeball to play around, and Oracle had followed suit to keep an eye on her. The three of them must have made quite a sight--a girl trying to get home, an Espeon weaving between her legs while levitating whatever caught her eye, and a Lucario putting those things back on the ground where they belonged.
In all honesty, the blonde was a little confused. The way everyone had ever talked about this Orre region, it was this expansive and open place with lots to explore. And she was all over that! But when she landed, Pyrite Town was it…she was instantly very uneasy. Something about this place just didn’t feel right. But she wanted to stick it out and prove that she could totally do stuff on her own without supervision, because that was always a good idea.
Alarana’s heels clicked along the pathway toward some giant building, what the locals kept calling a Colosseum. So she had to go check it out, because it looked super cool. She couldn’t battle, nor did she want to learn. She was totally happy with having her cute little baby Pokemon just like they were! They were lightweight and fun to snuggle!
Speaking of her adorable little Pokemon, Zuzu her Koffing was nestled in her arms. She loved the smell, and hummed happily to herself as she made her way toward the colosseum. It wasn’t until some strange dude approached her that she was a little more on edge. “Hey there, want a cool Pokemon with a special move?”
She swallowed hard, shaking her head. Taking a couple steps back, she replied. “…Aha…like no thanks I’m happy with what I have…”
The man turned a bit sinister at her refusal…and she took a couple steps back, squeezing her Koffing. She didn’t like this at all. Suddenly, the man called forth a shark looking thing…and it looked so mean. She was trembling, hands gripping to her precious Zuzu for dear life. The man mumbled something, and it was charging her. God it was so fast and she couldn’t run fast enough. It had slammed into her, knocking her backwards, causing her to let out the loudest ear piercing scream she’d ever heard out of herself. It hurt, so bad, and she was crying. After a few moments of her crying, she could see it coming back. “Somebody, like please help me! AHHH!”
She was out and about on the streets again today. Amelie would be waiting for her at the edge of Magenta Plaza in under an hour, but Jeanne was running woefully behind schedule. She would just use her own money, but rent had been due a handful of days ago and her next paycheck had yet to arrive. She needed to find someone with some cash on hand.
Now, what a curious looking fellow he was. That to-the-ground coat, that contraption on his arm...Jeanne wondered if it was expensive. She supposed it would be simple to ask, but where was the use in that? And today was a grocery day. She never missed a grocery day. If that thing was expensive, there’s no telling what his wallet might hold.
While normally far more selective in her targets, he would simply have to do for this evening. So she brushed past him, hand dipping into his coat pocket, and, having relieved him of his wallet and tucked it away into her purse, she continued on her way without faltering a single step. Jeanne had timed it so within a few paces there was an alley on her right, and she switched directions, heading off the main road.
Knowing the area as well as she did, Jeanne wasn’t paying particularly close attention to her surroundings. Her mind had already switched gears, thinking now of what exactly the young girl had said she needed more of last time. Hadn’t Amelie mentioned she had worn through her stockings as well? Then a new pair of those would be on the agenda today, too.
[ to Green - 3.20 PM ] gime 10 m tryin 2 get in witho ppl know
Send “⁇” for a DRUNK text.
[ to Green - 11.12 PM ] - attachment of Goomy and Dratini playing in his office-[ to Green - 11.14 PM ] thrye justs th cutrse. thref mitss u. i tine bits mtsss u
Send “%” for a CURIOUS text.
[ to Green - 4.02 PM ] It’s really quite fascinating how you could communicate not only through words but with symbols too[ to Green - 4.04 PM ] I believe they’re called emoticons. Interesting really.
Send “ツ” for an EXCITED text.
[ to Green - 4.10 PM ] :D[ to Green - 4.11 PM ] I can see why people like using these. It does look like a smile[ to Green - 4.12 PM ] :)[ to Green - 4.13 PM ] It makes the message look less intimidating too[ to Green - 4.14 PM ] ;D
“When I think of goblins… I think of the funniest, most thoughtful man I can think of. And how endearing and adorable he is even while he’s laughing and lugging peanuts at others from the rafters. Some might say that he’s a tad wonky, but that’s just how I like him.”
