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Post by Atticus on Mar 31, 2012 22:24:57 GMT -5
The trio were about dead-center of the ghetto when Zane cocked a smirk and crossed his arms behind his head. "See, nothing to worry about," he stated matter-of-factly. It was only heartbeats after he spoke when a averagely sized Houndoom crept out of the alley way, auburn eyes glistening and silver claws clinking against the pavement. The red-clad twin quickly paused and slung his arms in front of both Emily and Milo instinctively. A crack layered across the houndoom's right horn, which reminded of something, somehow... He quickly rolled a Pokéball out of his belt, ready to send out a Pokémon in case they sought its assistance.
Solitaire eyed the three trainers with a critical eye, dusky fur flicking against the wind and giving him an ominous appearance. Hopefully these sods were carrying something of use on them, such as a packed lunch or some Poke. As he glared them down in an attempt to intimidate them, something nibbled at the back of his mind. This combination of red-clothes and orange-clothes seemed vaguely familiar to him. The faces, the expression, even, all rang a dull bell. Nevertheless, the black hound lifted his snout and bared his fangs almost playfully.
Ellie blinked, brows raised and a broad smile on her face. "Really? Great! My father got me some good deals with some trainers from other regions so some of the new Pokémon I have are types from different regions. They were all born here though, since I got them all as eggs," she gave him the run-down briefly before drawing the tiny Pokeballs between her fingers like cards and released her crew into the Condo. From sharp beams of ruby-colored light appeared a scruffy Pikachu, a large Luxray, a chill Zebstrika, an unusually small and shiny Manectric, a bright-eyed Jolteon, and a cheery Emolga. The blonde trainer rolled on her heels. "What do you think?" she smiled. "You remember Zeke, right?" She handed the Pikachu a sharp pair of triangular sunglasses she'd had in her pocket.
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Post by subtleAssiduities on Mar 31, 2012 22:38:24 GMT -5
Tunes stiffened at the sight of the canine, taking a step back as Zane's arm went out in front of her. She reached for her bag, which, along with her Pokémon, was back at the condo. So there would be no help there. All she had to defend herself was her guitar case.
Gliding out from hiding after the houndoom emerged a lithe Mightyena, slightly smaller than average. Nikki trotted to Solitaire's side and eyed the trainers, then him, regarding his expression curiously. "[What's that look for?]" she muttered under her breath, her red and yellow gaze shifting to the trainers again.
Note's eyes swept through the essembled crowed of electric Pokémon as a wide impressed grin spread across his face. "Wow," he muttered, and with a slight laugh added, "Yeah, I remember Zeke. You've been busy, Ellie. A hell of a lot busier than I've been." It was an admission that he wished he didn't have to make. But since a year and a half ago he hadn't done much training. He had just been so busy with so many things... things he didn't really like to think about anymore.
The door of one of the rooms- his bedroom -creaked on its hinges, and he turned to see Vivian and Tunes' Eevee Chance poking their heads out the door. EV looked bored, and a bit disappointed, and Chance, who was considerably larger since the last time Ellie had seen him, was regarding the electric team curiously.
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Post by Atticus on Mar 31, 2012 23:00:07 GMT -5
The Houndoom glanced over at his companion as she strode in beside him. At her inquiry, he bit his lip. "" he grumbled, brows furrowed. "" Solitaire decided, the fur on his spine bristling, which was hardly noticeable since he was so matted and scruffy to begin with.
Zeke twirled the sunglasses on a finger before tossing them into the air and letting them land onto the bridge of his nose with perfect precision. The golden mouse scampered up Ellie's arm and onto her shoulder, looking at the Pokémon who poked their faces in. An Eevee and a Flareon on acid... Where were all the chicks? The 'chu sighed and sat down on the blonde's shoulder, crossing his hindpaws and holding up his upper body by pressing his palms against his knees. Ellie was so used to Zeke just cruising up and down her arms and shoulders that she ignored the electric Pokémon. "Heh, yeah, I guess..." she admitted sheepishly, scratching the back of her neck. "Only 'cause I'm really intent on taking my dad's place one day. He's getting kind of old and Kantō won't be the same without a Surge, y'know?" she giggled. Suddenly, she heard the door creek and she quickly turned to face the direction of the noise. She let out a little gasp and held back an excited squeal. "Oh, it's Vivian! I missed her," she grinned, squatting down and holding out her hand carefully.
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Post by subtleAssiduities on Mar 31, 2012 23:12:29 GMT -5
Nikki again looked from her companion to the trainers. Her lip curled. "[They don't look like they have squat,]" she muttered. "[You think we should... you know, check anyway? Or what?]" She wasn't sure what to make of what he said. If they were familiar, it was hard to tell if it was a good thing or a bad thing. Most people that qualified the two of them as 'familiar' were usually chasing them down the street with something to throw at them.
She lowered her head a bit, allowing her long bangs which covered her left eye to slide aside, and she glowered at the three trainers warily. Until she was sure, she was tense, ready to turn and bolt or face them and attack if necessary. Despite her size she still had a wicked bite and could keep up with Solitaire.
Vivian's ears perked a bit as Ellie knelt. She and Chance exchanged a look, but then the mutant trotted to Ellie and sat in front of her. Chance sank back into the bedroom.
Note smiled a bit. "She missed you, too, apparently," he chuckled, pleased that Vivian had reacted so well to the girls' presence. Though she had gotten better with time, she was still completely unpredictable and a bit skittish... or maybe she just liked to keep Note on his toes. Either way he didn't trust her around anyone but him and Tunes. And now, Ellie.
Though he suspected Vivian had other reasons for being so genial to the trainer.
Her attention finally gained when she noticed her fur starting to prickle with electricity, Firecracker lifted her head and peered over the couch curiously at the group. She stood, letting her front paws dangle over the back of the couch as she looked them over. "[Well, hello!]" she said cheerfully to the collective audience.
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Post by Atticus on Mar 31, 2012 23:51:33 GMT -5
The Houndoom paused, almost completely frozen as he stared down the three humans. Finally, he decided to loosen up a bit. "[Maybe if I can get their scent, that might trigger a memory. But, really, I feel like I'd remember someone who dresses up like this,]" he grunted, a smirk on his face as he reached out his snout. The orange twin recoiled and the red-clad was ready to whip him across the face, but instead called out a Weavile. The Weavile, Asher, flexed his claws as he spotted his opponent. He was about ready to pounce when he noticed the dog's hesitance, and the nick in his horn. "[...Hey, wait a minute. I know you.]"
Ellie's heart fluttered as Vivian approached her calmly. "Hey, do you remember me, girl?" she cooed, slowly reaching out to the red Pokémon and gently stroking the fur behind her ear, trying not to worry that the hybrid would flip and maul her. She must have changed within three years, too, right? Hopefully for the better.
Zeke finally noticed the blue-and-yellow canine on the couch. He leaped off of Ellie's shoulder and landed onto the armrest. "Sorry, babe, didn't you see there!" he grinned, rolling his wrist and bowing to the electric dog. "What's your name, sweetheart? I'm Zeke and this is my crew," he grinned, raising and lowering his eyebrows repeatedly.
Tormund sulked over to the flirty Pikachu and narrowed his red-and-golden eyes. "Crew, hm?" His low voice shook the mouse, who quickly looked over his shoulder at the blue-and-black creature. "Uh, yeah. My crew. I am the leader of this team, Kitty. I'm also the most experienced here!" he bravely repeated. The lion simply flicked his ear and rested a sharp-clawed paw next to the mouse casually. He knew how much the mouse was scared of him, though he had to give him credit for trying to hide it so stubbornly in front of the ladies, even though it got very, very annoying. The Luxray turned to the Manectric and nodded his head. "Do help yourself to ignoring him," he grumbled, which was rewarded a frustrated glare from the Pikachu. "He likes to pretend he's a Ladykiller," he pretended to whisper to her, though made a good effort to make it obvious he intended for Zeke to hear him, "which I suppose is half true. Shield your eyes; one look at him and you're dead."
Zeus looked up with curious aquamarine eyes, observing the exchange between Zeke, Tormund, and the female Manectric he'd yet to get acquainted with. He grinned to himself, eyes half-lidded, before resting his chin on his paws again by the foot of the couch. Lucette was curled up by the Manectric's legs, relaxing (uncharacteristically) and giggling at the Luxray and Pikachu.
Saskia was laying by the Manectric, a distance away, with Ciara sitting beside her. "Tor can be such a cock-blocker when he wants to," she muttered to the sparky 'eon beside her. The purple-eyed canine chuckled almost boyishly and shook out her fur. "It's not like it's anything new, though." The Jolteon turned her head toward the door, noticing the little Eevee. "Hi, there!" she called.
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Post by subtleAssiduities on Apr 1, 2012 0:02:21 GMT -5
A startled snarl ripped through Nikki's throat as the sneasle came at them, but as he hesitated, so did she. She grew still, though she remained tense, as she waited for Solitaire to act first.
Vivian relaxed a bit and leaned into her hand, but her eyes were still scanning the blonde as if she was looking for something. Finally, when she did not appear to find what she was looking for, she twitched her ear, pulled away from Ellie slightly, and looked over her shoulder at Note, who couldn't help but smirk. "Know what she wants, Ellie?" he asked.
Firecracker giggled a bit at the exchange. "Oh, is that so?" she asked lightly, in jest. "I'm Firecracker, but you can call me Fire if you like. It's nice to meet you, even if you might have a gaze that kills." As if to prove Tormund's point she looked sideways at the Pikachu, and her tail wagged.
Chance, who hadn't expected to be noticed at all, blinked as he realized that the Jolteon was talking to him and turned, though he remained in the shadows of the partially-closed door. He frowned at her and shifted on his paws nervously. Without EV around, he was still incredibly shy, and he never had liked meeting new Pokémon. Now with EV distracted he felt completely vulnerable, and all he wanted to do was hide.
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Post by Atticus on Apr 1, 2012 0:32:46 GMT -5
Asher narrowed his eyes, his maroon feathers pinned back against his skull. "[You... you were at the fire, weren't you?]" the Weavile suddenly inquired, holding out his claw almost as if charging him for something.
Zane stared at Asher, his brain completely rattled. Beside him, Milo rubbed his thumbs against their respective pointer fingers. "Why isn't Ash attacking?" The older twin furrowed his brows and shook his head, though did nothing in commanding the Ice type to attack. "I don't know..."
If Solitaire had ears, they'd have shot up completely. "[The fire!]" The dark canine seemed to completely forget about picking on the humans and quickly padded over to the Weavile. "[Yeah, that's what it was,]" he seemed to mumble to himself before looking back up at Ash. "[You... You're Ash... I remember I met you after we cleared out the Radio Tower in Goldenrod...]" An excited look suddenly swept over the immature Houndoom's face. "[Hey, Nikki, c'mere! Remember when I disappeared from town for a while? I was with these punks.]"
Ellie looked up at Note, tilting her head to the side like a puppy and raising her brows and Vivian backed away. "Huh? Er... does she want a snack? I have some Pokeblocks, Poffins, and Berries in my knapsack," she smiled lamely.
"[It's nice to meet you,]" Tor replied in his simple, gruff tone. Zeke, now out of his chill-zone, crossed his arms and muttered sheepishly. Zeus raised his head, deciding it'd be best if he made his entrance now. "[It's a pleasure to meet you, Fire. I'm Zeus, and the two you're talking to are Zeke and Tor.]" The Pikachu puffed up, flicking an ear. "[You don't have to introduce me, I can do it myself.]" Tormund's brow twitched and he turned to face the mouse with narrowed eyes. "[Zeus was doing you a favor, so why don't you open up your mind and shut your mouth; both are empty, anyway.]" The sunglasses-wearing Pikachu growled quietly but quickly shook it off, content on not losing his cool. Instead, he just sighed and exasperated, "[Man, why you gotta do this to me?]" to which Tormund only scoffed and smirked.
Ciara cocked her head to the side as the Eevee hid. She nudged Saskia lightly with her shoulder. "[Looks like a shy one,]" the Jolteon murmured quietly to the zebra. The older Pokémon nodded her head. The golden canine's eyes flickered to the floor and back to the black-and-white creature. "[Do you think he's the type you approach or leave alone? I certainly don't want to scare him...]" However, the zebra had no answers for her and had laid down, tucking her head between her legs and chest.
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Post by subtleAssiduities on Apr 1, 2012 0:45:15 GMT -5
Nikki made a face and eyed Asher contemptuously. "[What'd they do, kidnap you? What's this about a fire?]" she demanded as she trotted obediently to his side.
Tunes side as she watched the Pokémon. "Obviously we've missed something here..."
Note laughed a bit. "I think she misses Angelo and Austin," he told her, crossing his arms over his chest.
Firecracker looked between the bickering Pokémon with a strange smile. She rested her chin on the back of the couch between her paws. "[Oh, let's not fight,]" she insisted lightly. "[I'm happy to meet you all. Are you new to Relebrity Town?]"
As they stopped talking to him Chance turned, ducking back into the room. He wasn't needed anymore; there was no use being in a room with too many Pokémon anyway. So he jumped onto the bed and curled into a ball.
He didn't close his eyes, however. As a matter of fact his ears were strained forward, listening to what was going on intently.
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Post by Atticus on Apr 1, 2012 1:03:03 GMT -5
Solitaire looked at Nikki, brows raised. "" he muttered to himself beneath his breath. "" Asher nodded and ran back to Zane's side, turning back to the two canines. "[Unfortunately, I don't think there's anyway of informing my partner about this, seeing as... well, they lack the ability to understand what we say,]" he grunted the last part, always having found the verbal relationship between humans and Pokémon rather unfair.
"Oh! Arceus, I'm stupid," she grumbled bitterly, turning to Vivian and presenting her an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, Viv. I can't believe I forgot about that..." She turned to look back at Note. "Well, think we could head to the ranch tomorrow? It's getting kind of late," she noted with a glance outside the window. The sight of the sun falling made something gnaw on the back of her head. I hope the twins come back soon, or at least tell me their okay.
"[We are,]" Zeus nodded, then side glanced at Tor and Zeke. The Luxray had obediently and politely padded away with Zeke silently fuming on the armrest still. "" he inquired, glancing at the blond male.
Ciara watched the Eevee shuffle away, feeling rather awkward. She simply laid down next to her striped friend, curling up into a tight ball. Lucette, feeling equally tired, dragged herself toward the Jolteon and pressed herself against the older Pokémon's downy stomach.
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Post by subtleAssiduities on Apr 1, 2012 1:09:06 GMT -5
Nikki's ears twitched uneasily, one lowering as the other stood erect. "[Nah, I do remember you mentioning that,]" she muttered, her eyes on the humans and their Pokémon. "[So what? We let these guys go?]"
Note smiled and shrugged. "Yeah. Let's do that."
EV's ears perked as Ellie spoke to her. Her tail twitched in what might have resembled a tail wagging.
Fire nodded. "[Yes, we usually travel a lot, but I think Tunes likes here more than traveling,]" she told him.
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Post by Atticus on Apr 1, 2012 1:15:24 GMT -5
"[No,]" Solitaire quickly replied, his long arrow-pointed tail flicking. "[If the female's here, then it's likely that the male is, too. And not the look-alikes. I mean the one with Don.]" Asher scratched the back of his neck. "[You mean Tunes' older brother, Note?]" "[Yeah, whatever. It's not the names of these pink Aipoms I'm looking for, just Don.]"
Ellie grinned and got to her feet. "Cool! Austin's grown up a bit since you last saw him, as you can imagine," she smiled, her statement directed both toward Vivian and Note. Noticing the flick of the mutant's tail, the female lit up. That was the closest Ellie had gotten to an appreciative or delighted gesture out of the formerly-abused Pokémon.
"[I'd like to say that I could see why, but I've only seen the inside of the Condominium,]" the shiny Pokémon joked, his sharp tail twitching. "[But even then it looks really nice.]"
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Post by subtleAssiduities on Apr 1, 2012 1:19:55 GMT -5
Nikki's ears perked. "[If Don's here, we're seeing him,]" she said decidedly. "[Hey, Asher, was that your name? You gotta get your human to tell us where Don's trainer is.]"
Note grinned. "Has he evolved?" he asked. The look on Vivian's face assured both him and Ellie that she was wondering the same thing.
Firecracker giggled cutely. "[Oh, it's fantastic,]" she assured him. "[You'd love it, if you got out and explored.]"
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Post by Atticus on Apr 1, 2012 1:27:25 GMT -5
Asher looked back at the dumbfounded trainers. "[I can try. Surely these saps haven't forgotten the fire if I was able to remember it. If you were still a Houndour, that'd help--]" "[I'm not, though.]" Asher rolled his eyes. "[Yeah, obviously. Hey... wait, do you remember pushing the boxes?]" the weasel Pokémon inquired. Solitaire nodded subtly and Asher dashed off and grabbed a small crate and jumped inside of it, waving to Zane. The twin stared at his partner, confusion embedded onto his features.
Solitaire, though usually blunt, was in no way stupid. He quickly caught onto what the Weavile was implying and ran towards the box. From the corner of his eye, he could see the red male stiffening, though didn't bother slowing his pace. Once he reached the box, Ash pretended to be knocked out or asleep and Sol began to nose the box.
Zane stood there, standing dumbly at the demon dog pushing around his Pokémon till a shaky tap registered on his shoulder. "Zane... Zane! That's the Houndour! That's the Houndour from the Radio Tower in Goldenrod who helped us save some of Team Rocket's Pokémon!"
Ellie paused, wondering if she should leave it a surprise or not, but decided that since she'd been stupid enough to leave them behind that she would make it up to them. "Yes, actually. You'd never guess what -- he's a cutting image of his father, 'cept much scruffier."
The shiny Manectric grinned. "[Hm, hopefully we'll catch a glimpse of it tomorrow morning before we leave for the ranch,]" he responded with a casual, but delightful tone to him.
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Post by subtleAssiduities on Apr 1, 2012 1:36:44 GMT -5
Tunes watched the performance with a bemused look on her face. At Milo's statement her eyebrows rose. "Oh, wow," she murmured. "The fire. Yeah. There was a Houndour that started helping..."
Vivian's ears perked straight up, and her tail tip genuinely wagged. Her eyes shined.
Note eyed her with a smile. "That's great. I can't wait to see him. Neither can you, huh, Viv?"
She turned to him, his voice seeming to have cut into her thoughts, and she rose and quickly retreated to the bedroom again. Note smirked.
"[The ranch,]" Fire repeated thoughtfully. As she recollected what he was talking about she perked up again. "[Oh! The ranch! It's almost as great as Relebrity Town."
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Post by Atticus on Apr 1, 2012 1:42:28 GMT -5
Milo seemed to be much more calm after this, except he never recalled seeing the Mightyena before. "Who is this with him?" he inquired, though he knew off hand that neither of them would have an answer for him. He looked at the alley that the two had emerged from and frowned. "I remember the Houndour being such a nice Pokémon; what's he doing in an alleyway out in the ghetto?" he frowned, looking back at his brother and Tunes.
Zane shrugged. "Like I'd know. Now I'm just wondering what he wants, though."
Ellie couldn't help it as her smile grew. Seeing Vivian legitimately wag her tail for the first time since she'd known Note was astonishing and almost peaceful. She felt as if this were one of those moments that had to be captured on camera, for it might be the last time that ever happened. Ellie sure hoped not, but she couldn't help but feel like Viv had just honored her in some way by wagging her tail in her presence.
"[Oh, you've been there?]" Zeus was pleasantly surprised with this information. "[Isn't it wonderful?]" he grinned, his sharp tail wagging slightly.
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