Chapter 1: The Tower on the Cliff

Robin swallows hard, doing her best to keep her head - this was pretty much the best possible reason they could have been invited, given her long term goals. However, she's far too experienced to forget the old adage - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Still, there's no reason to let on to the Professor about her skepticism, which makes it fortunate that Orianne asks the obvious question, as it means she doesn't have to. Of course, there's another question that pops into her mind.

She sits down on one of the chairs and, in the absence of a table or desk to put her feet on, she drapes a leg over the arm of the chair. "Plus, it kinda raises the question, doesn't it - why us? Must be thousands of people looking to be trainers you could make this offer to. What makes each of us special?

Jean-Marie's enthusiasm caught in her throat before she could thank the professor. Ori and Robin were right; this whole situation did seem a little bit too good to be true. The prospect of obtaining an official trainer's license was one nearly too good to refuse, but she had hardly the clothes on her back to offer. Trying not to get her hopes up, she stayed quiet, waiting for the answers to the others' questions.

Benji is a little confused when the others seem reluctant. The professor is offering them something that, as far as he understands, is a pretty good thing, and yet they sound so skeptical. Wasn't being a trainer an advantageous position in society? That's what he always got from the few trainers who crossed through the Samsara's camp. Still, the professor looks unconcerned about their doubts and explains it quite well.

He listens to the man's arguments with interest. It all sounds simple enough, doesn't it? Being a trainer sounds like it brings quite a few perks and his request is quite mild. Helping his investigation? Well, that sounds even more like another perk! If Benji can develop a relationship with the professor, he would likely be closer to finding a solution to his problem. It's a win-win situation, honestly. He should really be grateful for his luck in being in the right place at the right time. "Who shouldn't leave the camp now, Chatura, you old fool?" he thinks to himself, a smirk on his face.

"I think it's more than fair, professor," he says, trying to sound casual as he looks over his new identification. "I... don't know exactly how being a trainer works, but count me in."

Robin hums for a moment. It still seems a little too simple and he's sure that there's more to this that the Professor is keeping from him. However, it occurs to him that that's actually a reason to take him up on the offer - if Robin's not part of this venture, he can't figure it out and turn the tables if and when it does turn out to be a trick. Plus, he need the Professor on his side for his long term project.

Speaking of which...

Robin nods and steps forward, not letting his suspicion show on his face. "Alright, seems fair enough, guess I'm in too. Although," he hesitates for a second, putting on a show of being afraid to impose, "it's not a condition or anything, I'm in either way, but I did have something I was hoping to get your help with. Like I said, if you don't want to, that's fine, but I figure you'd know how to help a guy out," he finishes, letting the goal hang unstated for a moment, allowing the Professor to ask it himself.

Jean-Marie practically snatches the ID off of his desk, more than satisfied with the explanation and failing to muffle her glee. "Absolutely. That is very manageable, we will not let you down." She squeaks, rubbing the ID as if to convince herself of its authenticity. After a moment she settles and turns back to the others.

"I have not had a chance to visit the shrine in the Verdant Rest Forest. At some point I would like to explore it. If we head in that direction, I'd like to stop there for a while."  She pauses, realizing her assumption.

"Oh, are we traveling together? I do not mean to assume. I would not mind having company for at least the beginning of our adventure."

Robin smiles as she takes the dex. "Well, I appreciate it, but it's not a problem, not at all. No, it's more of an opportunity. See, what I'm looking to do is a big thing, but if it works, it'll be a hell of a boost to the region, both the morale and the economy. I'm looking to bring the gym circuit back, with any luck as one of the leaders. Now," she says quickly, before anyone can even think of pointing out the many problems with that, "I know what you're thinking - that's a hell of a lofty goal for someone like me and there's no way I could do that on my own. Well, for one thing, I'm not looking to do it on my own, that's why I'm here, and for another, well," she flicks a hand up, a pristine badge from the old Elstar gym held in her fingers, "let's just say I've got a hell of a reference."

She puts the badge away again, adding a touch of affected worry to her expression. "Don't get me wrong, I know it's not gonna be easy, but I reckon if I have your help, Professor, it may be possible and," she turns to the others, "even in the short time I've known all of you, I think I've seen that you're all pretty strong. The Professor's right - as good as we all are on our own, together we can be unstoppable. We put our minds to it, we can accomplish anything, even on a region level. Whaddaya think?" She finishes with a confident smirk, looking at both the Professor and the others.

Benji listens with relief when the others agree to the request. It isn't really that he worried, but the professor had tracked them for this and the offer was good, so it would be a shame if anyone refused. He is taken aback when Jean-Marie suggests they travel together, though. Not that he wouldn't like that, but he really didn't expect anyone would offer.

Before he can agree - or say anything, really - a pokémon appears out of thin air above his head, and he instantly goes very still. He could see the trail of psychic power oozing from the flying... thing when it levitates electronic devices to the teenagers. He accepts with care the pokédex as it's deposited in his hand, and immediately traces a simple seal of protection around the object, hoping whatever psionic influence the pokémon has on it becomes contained.

He then half-listens to the professor's agreement on traveling together, then Robin's strange supportive speech after he deliberately tried tricking Benji before, but his eyes never leave the Sigilyph. The pokémon keeps floating above them, and not the excitement of an adventure nor the absolutely amazing piece of technology in his hands could distract him from the creature. His mind snaps back after a while, however, when he notices this might be the moment to present his own case.

"I--- uh--- agree with everything," he says, trying really hard to move his focus from the pokémon to professor Elder. "But I would like to talk to you professor. I came here to find you for a... family problem." he explains, finally meeting the older man's eyes. "Personal problems," he finally admits, hoping the others don't take it as an offense. He just hopes for some privacy; after all, he literally just met them.

Jean-Marie also examines the Pokedex quizzically. Her forest upbringing didn't lend itself to deep technological understanding, so anything beyond Pokeball mechanics is a little out of her depth. "Uh, yes, it would be useful to add each other's contact info to help stay in touch." She fiddles with the buttons, finally landing on a manual page. Eventually, she lands on the Contacts page and stamps her foot triumphantly before presenting it to Ori to look at.

Here we go! Robin smiles as he takes a breath before starting. "Missing he is, and from what little I could tell, that's cause he was and is looking to keep it that way. No idea why, but I'm sure he's got his reasons. See, I ran into a friend of his - apprentice or intern or something - cause of a... bit of a misunderstanding about a case they were on," he says, looking uncomfortable - which he is, but is also allowing himself to show it to deflect any doubt about his story towards his excuse, "and, well, he was impressed enough when I got suspicious enough to look into him that I got a little audience. Course, neither of 'em was tripping over 'emselves to come out of hiding and I got no way of contacting 'em again, but I got a few badges as a token of support." He shrugs. "If I had to guess, they figure "either this guy's gonna succeed and help things out or she'll fail and we'll have lost nothing but a few bits of metal."