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Post by DataNinja on May 17, 2018 18:53:17 GMT
Donovan manages to set up something at a place recommended when he asks at the Center desk, that's at least a little fancy. Not bank-breakingly, though, which is good... though Donovan's dad just seems happy at the contact in general, and at what the money's being used for, so would probably have covered something fancier.
When it comes time for the dinner itself, the place that they go to is actually fairly quiet, being mid-week, and not too large. It has a cozy feel, but still has a decent selection of food. After the pair places their orders, while they wait for their food to arrive, they have some time to talk.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 10, 2024 12:51:43 GMT
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Post by Robot on May 18, 2018 11:29:29 GMT
Free bread?! What kind of place was so fancy they could just give away bread?! Nana wouldn't even let her have bread sometimes if it wasn't a mealtime. Mica minded her manners, despite the breadcitement, forcing herself to eat properly with manners that had to be cultivated as growing crops in salted earth. Slowly and with great effort. She knew how to do these things, they just didn't come easy to her. It reminded her of the discipline talks with Elisha, and she was filled with determination.
"I know we don't talk talk very much, so I guess I can share first. I was born in Hoenn, in a cabin near a big desert. Least that's what my Gram and Gramps say. We had to rely on the city for a lot of things, which they didn't like. Oh, my grandparents raised me. They aren't my Mom and Dad but they did their best, and their wrinkly faces make them look like Granbull, which is kinda cute." To annotate this, Mica smooshed and played with her cheeks, of course.
"We didn't have a TV till we moved to Vesperia, but Grampa listened to the radio a lot and loved to go to watch live league matches and tournaments. He'd take me sometimes, and I'd get excited about being a trainer. His eyes would twinkle and his wrinkly face would scrunch up in a smile, but then he'd look sad and tousle my hair and say 'It's not for you kiddo.'
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Post by Breakthelevee on May 19, 2018 6:21:37 GMT
Donovan sighed a breath of relief as everything went according to plan. Thankfully nothing went wrong. He could breath, and eat and....his stomach kept doing flips. This would be difficult. Thankfully Mica started talking.
"Out of anyone I've ever met, you're the person I feel is the best fit for being a trainer. More than me at least" He says with a laugh
"Whats Hoenn like? I've only ever lived in Eterna in Sinnoh and then here. I spent my whole life in or near the forest, so it's still strange to be in places like this where there aren't trees. Mom used to tell me a lot about other places, cause she travels for work, she's just been too busy lately. But I'm hoping that things are gonna go her way soon. She used to own a business but it went under. I hope she can open one again one day" He tried drinking water, maybe that would calm his nerves
He took a breath before asking a question that had been nagging him "You don't have to answer but....what happened to your parents?"
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on May 20, 2018 0:18:15 GMT
"I was really young still when we left, but I remember some things. Trumpets were really, really popular. Someone was playing almost everywhere you went. Alongside the battling League there was also a Contest League where trainers made up themselves and their Pokemon nice to earn ribbons. I met Dusty there when I was about four or five."
"I don't mind, it is really important to me, it makes me happy to know it is important to you too." Mica dug out a portfolio. This one was more worn, and not one Donovan had seen before. The edges were peeling a little. It was covered in stickers and childish doodles, plastered in positive words and encouraging phrases like 'Hope' and 'We Love You!'. "This is my family binder. Gran and Gramps wouldn't tell me what happened, so I went and found it on my own.
She slid it reverently across the table to him. Inside are a few baby pictures of Mica with her mother and father. Images of them when they were younger as well. Both wear what is easily recognized as ranger attire. Pages and pages of happy if secondhand memories, which come to a screeching halt with two newspaper clippings on the last page.
"Local Rangers free cable car station from Team Magma control."
"Local heroes involved in tragic accident, officials believe no foul play, family protests otherwise."
"My parents were good people. They would have liked you."
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Post by Breakthelevee on May 20, 2018 0:41:31 GMT
"Oh we had contests too! They took place in Hearthome City on the other side of Mt. Coronet. I always wanted to go to one, I heard they would be right up my alley" Donovan says cheerfully before Mica pulls out the folder.
His smile drops as he reads through "Mica..." is all he's able to get out before he chokes up and places a hand on hers from across the table "Mica I'm sure they would have been proud of you too"
He wasn't really sure how to react. He couldn't imagine losing his parents, let alone at such a young age. It was made all the worse that she had to find out on her own, with no one to help her through it....
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6,670 posts
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on May 20, 2018 12:04:57 GMT
"I'm not worried about that." Mica offered Donovan a very small smile. "Mom and Dad loved Pokemon more than anything, treating them with patience and understanding. Granpa probably wasn't surprised when I ran away from home." The girl scratched her chin. "Dusty was always great at holding still, but sometimes I wonder if they knew..." A small focusing breath, and she giggled. "Everything worked out though, because I met you."
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Post by Breakthelevee on May 20, 2018 20:06:14 GMT
"I'm really glad I met you too. I couldn't imagine facing these challenges without you by my side" He says with a smile before continuing.
"So you met Dusty in the desert, but what about Apex? You already had him as well when I met you" Donovan asks "And I don't think I've seen any other Slakoth before, are they common in Hoenn or more rare? Sorry for asking so many questions, I just....Well I'm impressed. You traveled on your own and already had two Pokemon that you got on your own before you were even a Trainer. Meanwhile I've only ever traveled in groups other than in the Forest back home, and I had Rose given to me"
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6,670 posts
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on May 20, 2018 22:19:59 GMT
"I have only known Apex a little over two months? I actually met him here in Vesperia. You'd be surprised how well you can feed and shelter yourself just watching Pokemon do it." Mica stopped to eat some of the free bread. She wondered if it tasted better because it was free, or worse because it was made to be free? Free range food always tasted better.
"I carved Dusty's ball myself from an apricorn tree I found near home. S'how I got Apex's too. Left one day to play and decided I would be a trainer, I only knew I was old enough, not where to go or what to do." She gently scratched her cheek. "I lived off of berries and leaves. Sometimes fish, but they are very hard to get with a stick with a sharp rock tied to it."
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Post by Breakthelevee on May 20, 2018 22:39:43 GMT
Donovan just looked at Mica, entranced "That really is amazing. And it explains why you like my food, because it really isn't all that good." He laughs as he continues to eat "Well now you're a legitimate Trainer and you have a badge."
He poked around on his plate before looking back at her "Have you...have you got back in contact with your grandparents since you've started the journey? You should really tell them you're ok. After what happened to your parents...well they're probably really worried about you. You should call when we're done here" He quickly looked back down at his food and moved it around the plate, not really eating.
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6,670 posts
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on May 20, 2018 22:47:37 GMT
"I... uhm... I would, really! I just can't." The first tinge of embarrassment Donovan had ever seen from the girl and it was over something so important and simple simultaneously. Her natural blush overtook the small bit of makeup on her cheeks. "I don't know their phone number."
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Post by Breakthelevee on May 20, 2018 22:53:22 GMT
"Alright, you know where they live though, right?" Donovan asks, no hint of judgement in his voice "Once we finish eating, I'll look into it and see if I can find a number for them, or something at least."
He smiles at his companion "And if I can't find anything, we can send them a letter with instructions for how to contact you" He places a hand on hers "If you want to that is"
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on May 20, 2018 22:58:05 GMT
"I didn't really think they'd be upset, but I guess making sure wouldn't be bad." She nods. "Yeah, we can look into calling or writing them after supper." Mica was all too happy to be an object of Donovan's distraction, to pull his attention away from Axiom and plates. "I want to get my second badge soon, now that I've gotten my first! Maybe we should work on coordinating better in the future though? Like actually have a plan?"
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Post by Breakthelevee on May 20, 2018 23:41:43 GMT
Donovan nodded "Maybe instead of training on our own every morning, we should coordinate every day or two and work on different tactics that we can only pull off as a team. Stuff that shows off what makes both of us unique, but more importantly what makes us such a good combo"
Looking down, Donovan noticed his plate was totally empty "This was nice. We should do this more often. How about after we get our second Badge we go out to a restaurant again, we can make it a tradition"
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on May 20, 2018 23:48:02 GMT
"It'll be my treat next time, we can't go bothering your dad every time you bump into a stranger you think is cute." Mica teased, tucking the portfolio away and rising from her seat. "I'd really like to make some traditions with you, cause when nothing else makes sense, I know I can count on you."
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Post by DataNinja on May 21, 2018 6:34:06 GMT
The rest of the dinner wraps up smoothly, with idle chitchat as the dishes are collected, Donovan covering the bill. There're even free mints afterwards, clearly this place has everything!
Exhausted from the long day, and lack of sleep last night, the pair make their way back to the Pokémon center to collapse into bed, quickly falling into a sound sleep, which lasts until a good portion of the way into the morning. Taking their time getting up, Mica is able to call up Elisha, and tell her all about how the evening went. The Trainer's teacher sounds less professional and more excited than anything else, bringing back memories of shopping the day before.
After that, the two work to get done what they'd meant to do the previous night, which is try and call Mica's grandparents. Unfortunately, they weren't able to find it listed, but with Mica's address they're able to get a letter sent off.
Eventually, food has been eaten, training has been done, and errands have been finished... and the pair sets off, the sun already past its zenith. Thankfully, from maps, it seems like the road to Hawi is probably going to be a little shorter than it was from the Grass Temple to Ponoca. Unfortunately, it also seems like it's going to be a whole lot of flat... so, that's something to look forwards to. At least if there's anything interesting, the two will probably see it from a long ways off.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on May 22, 2018 20:44:49 GMT
"Wonder what kind of Pokemon like big open spaces like this? I'm used to really small ones that like to hide in really small places, or diggers like Dusty! He was really fun to actually meet though, rolling around in the warm sand with him on my foot." Mica smiled wistfully at the memory. She'd taken a moment to rotate her team again at the center before they'd left, and now it was onwards and upwards, well rested with full bellies and better spirits.
lqndFGKX5d6+8 (Perception; Favored Terrain Bonus, Plains Terrain Talent, Chronicling Current Route, Skill Enhancement)5d6+8
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Post by DataNinja on May 22, 2018 21:04:53 GMT
Off in the distance, not too far after having left Ponoca, really - as there're still a bunch of buildings scattered around here and there in the distances - it seems as if there's something covering the road. Getting a little bit closer, Mica notices that it's really a lot of somethings. There's a herd of bovine Pokémon that seem to have insisted on taking up residence in the middle of the path. A little ways away from the road, barely visible, Mica's able to see a broken portion of fence where it looks like they probably came from.
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Post by Breakthelevee on May 23, 2018 0:41:40 GMT
"Plains like this? I would guess stuff that can run really well. Maybe we'll find a Ponyta or something that we can ride on!" Donovan sounded really excited at the prospect "I've always wanted to ride on a Pokemon. It looks so cool in the movies when the knight rides in on a Rapidash to save the day."
He tapped his chin "I wonder if Aster will let me ride on him when he evolves.....anyways. Pokemon that can run, possibly some flying types? Though maybe not since they don't have trees to roost in. Honestly this is about as far from my comfort zone as I could get, so I have no idea"
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Post by Robot on May 23, 2018 0:55:04 GMT
"SQUAREFACED HOOFDOGS!". Mica shrieked with delight and bolted full tilt for some rather large blotches moving against the backdrop of the landscape in the distance. She left a trail of dust in her wake, you could hardly tell she was the same shy girl at dinner the night before.
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Post by DataNinja on May 23, 2018 1:06:47 GMT
As Mica runs closer, the shapes resolve yet further into mostly pink Pokémon like Enya had, but there are, amongst the herd, several other orange bovines, with thick manes and triple tails flicking about. At her approach, the former group has a mix of reactions between unconcerned and skittish, while the maned Pokémon turn towards her, glowering and snorting.
They don't look necessarily the friendliest... maybe it would be better to go the loooooong way around the herd and continue on that way?
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