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Post by subtleAssiduities on Nov 1, 2017 23:35:14 GMT -5
The scientist looked at Eliza, feeling cornered. "That's not my department, so I couldn't say-"
He was cut off by a grunt as the chikorita managed a strong enough kick to dislodge his arms. The man fumbled the creature, managing not to drop it on its face but lower it in clumsy, gradual stages instead. It shook itself out and waddled after the other chikoritas, first at a stroll and then charging. The other Pokémon scattered, cheeping nervously as they tried to avoid their rougher companion's aggressions.
The cataloging scientist threw up his hands in exasperation, set down his clipboard, and pursued it doggedly. The other chikoritas endeavored to hide behind him as he scurried after it at a hunched over waddle. Chelle couldn't help but laugh. The whole thing was very silly. The conversation about auctions had failed to hold her attention, so she was carefree as ever.
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Post by Atticus on Nov 1, 2017 23:48:33 GMT -5
"What?" She couldn't help the surprise in her voice. 'Couldn't say.' That wasn't reassuring in the slightest! She huffed, trying to keep down her temper by sucking in her lips and avoiding the assistant's eyes. The teenager couldn't hold herself for long enough though, and whirled back to face him hotly.
"How can you not know where they end up? You've never asked? You were just telling me that they've all got personality, but you don't mind where that personality winds up? I can't imagine this kind of information is 'confidential'."
Roy tried to ignore his sister, tight-lipped and round-eyed as he continued to poke at the few chikorita who had stayed near him.
"Well then, then... then we'll be taking that chikorita," she declared, looking at the assistant sternly, her arms crossed against her chest. Lips pursed and eyes narrowed, she added, "It's the least we could do after finding it tearing up the home of a mother and her toddler."
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Post by subtleAssiduities on Nov 1, 2017 23:57:49 GMT -5
The scientist looked ready to sink into the floor. He put his hands up as if that would ward off her verbal assault, but that was all he could think to do.
The second scientist straightened up, holding the haughty chikorita in his hands. He looked at Eliza in surprise; being busy had given him enough of an excuse to not feel chastised, but this was a turn of events that he could not ignore. His gaze turned to the scientist, at a loss.
"Alright," he finally managed; by now, thoroughly intimidated. He cleared his throat and said more steadily, "Alright, miss. If you'd like it, then I'd be happy to give it to you. If you think you can handle it."
Chelle looked up, eyes shining. "We're keeping it?"
"Simon, bring it out, I'll find its ball," the scientist muttered, slipping out of the room like a ratatta escaping a meowth.
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Post by Atticus on Nov 2, 2017 0:05:11 GMT -5
âYes, Chelle, weâre keeping it,â Eliza stated crisply, staring down the scientists with her chin slightly raised.
âI forgot she gets this way,â Roy whispered to the chikoritas by his feet as he stood up and brushed off his pants. Well, he didnât have any complaints! Chelle was clearly getting attached.
The time it took for the scientists to retrieve the chikoritaâs Pokéball allowed the teenager to simmer down and quite frankly become quite embarrassed by her bravado. But she didnât regret it, so she kept her chest puffed, even if her cheeks were beginning to pinken.
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Post by subtleAssiduities on Nov 2, 2017 0:11:20 GMT -5
Chelle let out a delighted squeal that was chorused by a crowd of chikoritas. When the catalog scientist stepped out of the room, she and her siblings followed. Back in the main room, the first scientist retrieved the proper Pokéball and recalled the grumpy Pokémon. He cleared his throat, biding his time as he made a couple notes, and finally said, "I will need a name and contact information for the recipient of the Pokémon."
Chelle grabbed her sister's arm. "Can I have it?" she whispered. She wasn't outspoken like her sister, but even if she were, it was clear that Eliza was calling the shots here. As an afterthought, she added, "Me and Winter can keep him in check."
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Post by Atticus on Nov 2, 2017 0:15:34 GMT -5
Eliza was relieved, but not surprised by her sister’s request. Even though she wanted to get him out of the lab, Eliza had enough on her plate just keeping her siblings in check. It was no coincidence that she and Kitto worked together so well — a Pokémon like that would tire out her little fox in a heartbeat. Winter had already proven that she could deal with him.
“He’s all yours,” she said, guiding her sister towards the scientist gently. She looked back up at him, locking eyes.
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Post by subtleAssiduities on Nov 2, 2017 0:37:21 GMT -5
The scientist did a wonderful job of avoiding her stare. "Alright, kiddo! You just have to answer a few questions on this sheet. Here, take that, and I'll help if you need it..." He handed Chelle a clipboard with a short registration form and contract on it, stating that she accepted full responsibility of the Pokémon, but if it were to be found in poor condition, the laboratory could take it back. She provided her name and contact information before handing it back, and she received the Pokéball in return.
"Congratulations!" the man said, the script he was used to following coming out a little mottled from his residual nerves. "You are now the proud owner of a chikorita! Now, if it gives you too much trouble, please don't release it. Bring it back, if you have to-- or find it another good home." He added the last bit in haste, desperate to avoid Eliza's wrath.
"I won't release it," Chelle said boldly. "If it's too mean, I'll send it to my family's ranch. Those Pokémon will put it in its place. Or my aunt. My aunt is a Pokémon behaviorist."
"Then it's in good hands," the scientist said, genuinely relieved. He flashed Chelle a smile and stood straight, looking over her paper to make sure it was filled out properly. "Well, you're all set. I hope you enjoy the Hoenn region-- if that's what you intend to do."
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Post by Atticus on Nov 2, 2017 8:55:33 GMT -5
“We will, thank you,” Eliza said, guiding her little siblings out of the door. When the fresh air hit her, Eliza sighed and rested her palm against her brow. What a show that had turned out to be...
The blonde fumbled for her map, muttering beneath her breath about places to get food and bed.
“So what’d you name him?” Roy asked, coming up beside his little sister.
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Post by subtleAssiduities on Nov 2, 2017 11:03:49 GMT -5
"I don't know," Chelle said, holding the Pokéball up to her face. Inside, she could see the tiny chikorita peering back at her. "Oh! What's that word that dad always says when he says that something tastes mean?" Chelle had thought that 'mean' and 'spicy' were synonymous until she was eight. Every now and then she still got the meanings mixed up, but now no one could tell if she was doing it on purpose or not.
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Post by Atticus on Nov 8, 2017 21:30:47 GMT -5
"Spicy, Chelle," Eliza corrected gently, but the girl just as quickly resumed her quiet muttering as her fingertip drifted lightly across the maps routes.
"H...Hot sauce?" Roy chanced, not quite sure what his little sister was on about.
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Post by subtleAssiduities on Nov 8, 2017 21:44:40 GMT -5
She shook her head. "No, that's not it. It's wa... washi... Wasabi!" She peered into the Pokéball again. "I'll call him Wasabi!"
Satisfied with her decision, she shrank the Pokéball and slipped it into her backpack. Then she turned to Eliza and asked, "So, are we staying in New Bark Town, or...?"
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Post by Atticus on Nov 8, 2017 21:58:31 GMT -5
"Oh, yeah, that sounds way better," Roy agreed, giving Chelle a thumbs up. "Same colour, same spice!"
The dark blond boy looked back at Eliza expectantly. New Bark was pretty small... The only distinguishable feature it had was the Pokémon lab, of which he was certain they wouldn't be reentering for another twenty years. All the other houses, aside from the Pokémon Center, looked clearly residential.
His older sister was muttering about a place to stay, but that was hardly an issue... he had heard from his friends that Pokémon Centers would let trainers crash if they had no where else to go. The boy grimaced. He hoped Eliza wasn't expecting to just stay in New Bark for the rest of the day, just to make sure they had a bed by the time the sun set. That sounded terrifyingly Eliza-like.
"Well... Cherrygrove City is right down route 29, which is right here," the blonde said, beginning to fold up the map. "Where I really want to get to is Violet City, but we might need to toughen up our Pokémon before then. There's a cave between Cherrygrove and Violet City.
Roy tried not to stiffen. He was all for adventure, but that cave better be lit.
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Post by subtleAssiduities on Nov 8, 2017 22:03:03 GMT -5
Now that she was in the thick of it, Chelle was craving adventure. "We can train along the way! I see long grass!" She pointed to the route that led out of New Bark Town. Although she'd never had a Pokémon journey proper, her adventures with Winter beyond the fence had taught her well that Pokémon hiding in tall grass were all too eager to pick a fight; usually a good-natured one. She bounced toward the route, hoping that her siblings would follow. But she didn't go far before checking to assure their proximity.
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Post by Atticus on Nov 8, 2017 23:01:41 GMT -5
Winter was the first to race after Chelle, as Eliza hastily stored her map inside her bag, and Roy took a moment to release his Pokémon.
The Houndour shook himself as he was released from the Pokéball, bombarded by new sights and smells. It took him a moment to remember that the Surge kids had started their journey, and that he was supposed to participate. He looked up at Roy expectantly. Well, at least he was sure Johto must have some interesting food to try out.
("Hey!") Kitto yipped in greeting, getting the lilac dog's attention. ("Welcome to the world outside the fence.")
Dante looked at the older canine and nodded lazily in acknowledgement.
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Post by subtleAssiduities on Nov 8, 2017 23:05:30 GMT -5
Once they were really on the road and walking through grass, Chelle turned seriously toward Winter. "Here's what I think, Win," she announced. "We've got to get Wasabi on the bandwagon with this mission, but I don't think he would behave if I let him out here. So when we get someplace where he can't run off so far, you show him who's boss. Don't be mean-- just don't let him push you around. Okay?"
Chelle had talked to Winter like this since she'd gotten the hang of talking at three. She'd never even stopped to wonder how much of her chatter Winter understood; as far as she could tell, she understood most of it. And she didn't think she was saying too much that Winter wouldn't put together on her own. But she liked them being on the same page; or, if Win didn't understand her, the illusion of being in-sync.
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