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Post by spikehed on Jan 25, 2018 13:56:58 GMT
"An hour?!" Asa couldn't believe that they had to wait so long to go out and find these kids. Brandy wined in protest as well. Smoother her blouse again, Asa regained her composure. She should have expected this. Police bogged down by protocol. Bureaucracy at it's finest
She turned to Wally and spoke quietly as they walked to the other room. "At least we'll have some time so you can explain all that." She motioned to his waist teasingly.
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Post by DJW on Jan 25, 2018 18:56:48 GMT
"By the time you're done, my first volunteer will be long finished with the video," Jenny says, "and I will have the minimum number of volunteers I require to head out on the investigation! If you'll all follow me, please."
You are lead past a closed door, behind which you can hear the muffled audio of the safety video playing, to a room just next door. Jenny brings your attention to one of the walls, where more than enough fold-out chairs can be found, and then she wheels in a cart with a TV screen that is hooked up to a video player. She presses play, thanks you again, and leaves, turning off the lights and closing the door behind her.
The training video plays. It's pretty standard fare. [Think of any "Being Safe on the Job" video you've ever had to watch in any occupation you've held in the past, but with a law enforcement focus and a bit of a Pokémon twist.]
A one point, Wally leans over to quietly speak to Asa.
"Hey. I didn't mean to just flash a full belt," he says. "I keep forgetting it's illegal here. It's so strange, but they really get angry here if you're caught with more than two. I just ..." He lets out a sigh. "I've practically never been without all six of these guys by my side. I don't know how to choose just two of them. But I've got to do it soon. That was the second time I almost got caught."
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Post by spikehed on Jan 25, 2018 19:10:50 GMT
Asa grimaces at the video, she'd seen plenty of these during her employment at the research facility on Cinnabar. Wally thankfully distracted her with his dillema. "Without knowing what you've got, I can't even give you any advice."
She released the Totodile. It immediately snapped it's jaws playfully at Brandy, who gave a growl in response as she laid at Asa's feet. "I know that I needed a Water to get through the desert and because the next gym is Rock. Totodile uses physical attacks while Brandy uses special, and their types cover well."
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Post by DJW on Jan 26, 2018 3:32:41 GMT
"Oh, yeah, you have to have a Water-type that can generate its own water supply or they won't let you cross the desert. If you have a Pokémon that can fly you over it, they'll let you through whether you have a Water-type or not. I guess I'm going to keep the one I've had the longest and just try my best to constantly rotate the second one. Cute Totodile. He's really energetic."So, if you can't tell, I'm stalling until the new player gets here, lol.
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Post by spikehed on Jan 26, 2018 14:46:30 GMT
"Keeping your cards close to your chest huh? Worried I'll figure out a strategy to beat you if you show them too early... understandable." Asa smirked and rested her chin on her hand as the video droned on. She had always thought it was strange that other trainers desperately clung to their first Pokemon, no matter how effective it was. Looking down at Brandy, who was trying her best to ignore the bolsterous Maw, Asa wondered if she held any underlying feelings for the Fennekin in that way.
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Post by DJW on Jan 26, 2018 19:11:35 GMT
"That's not the case at all," Wally says with a smile. "I'd really enjoy a decent challenge, actually. Again, I'm not trying to toot my own horn, here, but I've beaten the Hoenn, Johto, and Sinnoh Elite Four. I think battles are great, but I've been doing it for so long with the same team of Pokémon that they've just become too strong for most people. But I can't give it up. Battles are just so much fun. And filling up a Pokédex, too. I've wiped and re-completed my Pokédex twice now. I'm on my third time. I wiped it clean again right before I came to Tevorah but I haven't caught anything new yet."
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Post by spikehed on Jan 26, 2018 19:52:36 GMT
Asa seemed a bit taken aback and cowed by Wally's list of accomplishments.
"Oh." The only response she could muster before turning her attention back to the video screen, appearing to have gained a sudden interest in it's content to avoid further conversion which could only show her inexperience compared to the young man sitting next to her.
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Post by DJW on Jan 27, 2018 2:15:34 GMT
Wally sits and watches the film as well, glancing every now and then Asa's way momentarily as if wondering if maybe something he said caused her to clam up. Soon he decides that that's exactly what he did and mentally kicks himself for saying too much. He decides not to make it any worse by trying to restart conversation and just sits quietly himself.
The video soon wraps up and, not long after that, Officer Jenny returns, turning the lights back on.
"Okay! Does anyone have any questions?"
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Post by spikehed on Jan 27, 2018 2:46:39 GMT
Asa stands quickly, happy for the awkward conclusion time in the room to be over. She stretched and recalled Maw to it’s ball, leaving Brandy gratefully alone again.
"Nope! No questions from me... other than when do we start and what are the missing kids’ names?" With the strength of Wally’s team, she quietly wondered if she even needed to help. At least she’d get to see some high powered Pokémon up close to know what to expect at that level.
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Post by DJW on Jan 27, 2018 18:45:51 GMT
"We collect the first volunteer and then all of us leave right away! Come on! I'll fill you all in on the way to Route 01!"
She dashes out of the room. You have to run after her just to not get left behind. She reaches the first room - the one where the video could be heard already playing earlier - and opens the door. The young man inside stands up in alarm.
He looks to be in his late teens. His hair is a brilliant blonde, swept in stylish waves. His skin is quite flawless, clean shaven, and he is very physically trim, with a pointed chin and delicate features. He sports a stylish burgundy duster in a flattering cut over a pleasantly rugged, off-white buttoned shirt, complete with a bolo tie. A round, stylized image of a Salamence is embossed into the gleaming silver buckle of his leather belt, which is set into the waistline of a pair of straight gray slacks. On his feet are elaborate brogue leather boots, and atop his head a cool, gray Stetson sits at a jaunty angle. A pair of sunglasses hangs from the collar of his shirt.
"Time to go!" Jenny shouts. "This way!"
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Post by spikehed on Jan 27, 2018 19:09:32 GMT
Asa gave the young man a quick look from head to toe. While his clothing was nice, she grimaced at the thought of how high maintenance this addition might be.
"A bit overdressed for a search party, aren't you?" She couldn't help but ask the off-handed question as she followed Jenny out of the building and toward Route 1, with Brandy right on her heels.
"I do like the boots though..." Asa tried to soften her tone. She didn't even know his name and already she had tried to step on him. Thinking of how she had misjudged Wally, she decided to try to at least be cordial this time.
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Post by Infynis on Jan 27, 2018 19:17:03 GMT
Already on his feet due to the suddenness of the door being thrown open, Justin only has to pick up his bag at her words and is ready to be off. He blinks as he steps into the hallway after sitting in the dark for so long, and for a moment considers putting on his sunglasses, but that would look tacky. Looking over the two trainers he says, "See, I told you you'd be able to find someone, officer." He flashes them a friendly smile and then continues, "I still say I could have handled it on my own though."
As he chases Jenny down the hall, he introduces himself to the other two, "I'm Justin Trennody. Nice to meet you!" There's something slightly familiar about the man, but he can't quite put his finger on it. Unfortunately there isn't much time to figure it out, being in such a rush. He does manage to get a playful comment in, in response to the new woman's barb though, "As for the clothes, at least I don't look like I'm about to head out to sea on a fishing boat." Then the smile again.
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Post by spikehed on Jan 27, 2018 19:34:00 GMT
If the comment was meant to be an insult, it was lost on Asa. She looked toward what Wally was wearing and then down at her own outfit with a puzzled look.
Instead of pressing the matter, she let it drop by offering her own introduction. "I'm Asa. This is Brandy." She pointed at the Fennekin expertly weaving between her feet without being kicked or stepped on. "That's Wally." She motioned to the other young man accompanying them.
"What made you sign up for the search?" Asa paused in her questioning after asking that one. She probably shouldn't have inquired, since those types of things tended to be reciprocated and she had no real answer for her own question. It was too late to take back, and she desperately went through a list of reasons in her mind that wouldn't make her sound shallow or cold-hearted.
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Post by Infynis on Jan 27, 2018 19:45:48 GMT
Wally? Justin thought, looking over the other member of the group. Nah, that must just be a coincidence. He couldn't be the Wally. Popping his pokeball off his belt, Justin summons his partner into his arms, almost stumbling for a moment at the Roggenrola's weight. "This is Nike!" The Rock Pokemon chirped in greeting. "As for why I'm helping: there are kids in trouble, right?" Justin says in answer to Asa's question. "That's enough for me!" Again, he flashes her a smile. It seems like he might do that a lot.
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Post by spikehed on Jan 27, 2018 20:01:11 GMT
"Oh! She's cute!" Not everyone would make that comment about a rock-type. Asa tilted her head slightly as they walked along. "I wouldn't have guessed you for having a Roggenrola. I was expecting something a bit more..."
She paused and considered her words, not wanting to come across as insulting again. "Flashy?" Asa glanced to Wally in hopes that she had chosen a less than harsh descriptive word. It sounded like an appropriate choice, to her at least.
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Post by Infynis on Jan 27, 2018 20:50:54 GMT
"Well, I was raising her for Professor Birch," Justin says, of the Pokemon in his arms, "but when it was time for her to go off with a new trainer, she wouldn't leave. She's pretty stubborn. I couldn't just leave her behind." As he talks, be bounces the Roggenrola in his arms, and gives her a look of mock chastisement. "Wait 'til you see her in battle though. I bet she'll give Brandy a run for her money." He speaks confidently, despite never having actually battled with Nike before.
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Post by spikehed on Jan 27, 2018 21:02:04 GMT
The Fennekin seemed to take that statement as a challenge. Her hackles rose and she showed her teeth at both Justin and Nike. Smoke and embers danced off her fur as if she might attack right then.
Asa gave her muzzle a sharp tap with her boot tip, causing her to yip and cower back behind Asa's leg. "I decide when we're going to fight, not you." Her stern voice made Brandy's ears flatten against her head.
Asa didn't seem to be overly concerned about the aggression or the harshness in her reprimand, treating them both as completely normal. "I think you'll need to focus more on getting yourself a water type before fighting us. You can't travel through the desert without one. Luckily, this town has a stocked pond just for that reason."
Holding back a small giggle at a sudden thought, she decided to share. "Maybe you should dress like you're going to sea as well. I'd hate to see your fancy clothes soaked through by splashing Magikarp."
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Post by DJW on Jan 27, 2018 22:13:15 GMT
The group nears the northern edge of town. The beginning of Route 01 is just a hundred feet away.
"Look alive, cadets!" Jenny shouts from the front of the line. "We're heading into wild Pokémon territory!"
Bo, who has been with Asa this entire time, finally says something. "Hey, slow down, guys. I'm getting winded over here."
Wally suddenly stops dead in his tracks. "Oh, geez. Um, I forgot to do something. I'll.. I'll catch up!" He turns around and sprints back toward town.
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Post by spikehed on Jan 27, 2018 22:30:55 GMT
"Bo, how do you expect to make it on an entire trip around the region if you're already out of breath..." Asa shook her head in disgust. She paused in her lecturing at Wally's sudden departure.
"Oh, well... ok." Her stern look persisted as she turned on Justin, as if waiting for him to have some excuse, like the other boys. She huffed and called up to Jenny, "Lead on! Brandy, guard until we reach the area."
At Asa's instructions, Brandy moved out ahead of her by a few paces with her ears perked and tail held stiff in anticipation.
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Post by Infynis on Jan 27, 2018 22:44:36 GMT
Justin raises a meticulously sculpted eyebrow at Asa's shortness, but she does have a point. "You can't blame Bo, he says. "He just hasn't hit his growth spurt yet. He still has little legs." The lightness of his tone says that he indeed isn't annoyed by Bo's request for a slower pace. "It is important that we help these children as quickly as possible though." He reaches out a hand to Bo with a friendly expression, "Here, I'll carry your bag. That should help you keep up."
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