Soriana
Newbie Trainer
J'veux ton amour, et Je veux ta revanche...
Posts: 29
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Post by Soriana on Oct 19, 2010 10:42:50 GMT -8
Finally. After wandering around in that seemingly endless stretch of woodland for who knows how long, finally there were signs of civilization: a building which, in Aeron's eyes, resembled a Pokémon Laboratory. And lo! 'Twas perched upon the outskirts of the wilderness, an escape from the perpetual darkness of the dense canopy. After all that weird, mystical mumbo-jumbo she'd gone through with that damn shrine, anything would be preferable to being lost in some creepy forest on the edge of nowhere. Her plan was direct and to the point: enter, collect information and--if available--supplies, leave, and try to find a way back to Sinnoh. Ron approached the lab at a steadfast pace, a determined, unwavering expression flashing across her face. She rapped upon the door three times--a behavior which her parents assured her was a sign of good manners--and entered.
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Post by Taya on Oct 19, 2010 23:44:05 GMT -8
As Aeron entered the laboratory, she would find herself nearly face-to-face with a Gardevoir that had been ready to answer the knocking. When she came in, instead, the Pokemon took a few steps back. "Hello," she greeted the young woman, whom seemed to be only human. "Welcome to The Mystic Laboratory. May I help you in any way?" The psychic Pokemon managed to smile as she said this, her voice quite kind and friendly. She never knew how humans were going to react to a Pokemon, but what other choice did she have? She was the professor, thus, she didn't exactly have a way to beat around the bush.
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Soriana
Newbie Trainer
J'veux ton amour, et Je veux ta revanche...
Posts: 29
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Post by Soriana on Oct 21, 2010 11:55:13 GMT -8
The first thing Aeron did in response to hearing a Pokémon speak was quite rational and inappropriately subtle: she raised an eyebrow. Then, she acquired a soft chuckle, which soon developed into outright laughter. After a few moments, her merriment subsided, and she began to frown. She glanced wildly around the laboratory, looking for any sign of hidden wires or radio transmitting devices. Ron then examined the Pokémon in front of her, searching for zippers, seams, or any other visual discrepancy. When she could not discover what she was sure had to be there, her eyes widened and she took a few steps back.
"What trickery is this?" she shouted, a bit more frantically than she had intended.
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Post by Taya on Oct 21, 2010 22:37:27 GMT -8
Maevia's eyes grew wide just slightly as the young woman before her started laughing. It wasn't a reaction that she had been expecting and the psychic Pokemon had to wonder if the woman was in an okay mental state. She didn't know what might have happened to anyone when they were transported here, if they could pick up any strange side-effects. She certainly hoped that there wasn't any.
Finally, as the woman began to panic, the Gardevoir sighed. "There is no trickery here," she stated, shaking her head. This was one of the worst reactions to her so far. "In this region, humans and Pokemon can understand one another. And, I'll have you know, some Pokemon, even outside of this region, may learn to speak as a human does. You should try not to let it get to you." Her last words were a piece of advice that she was almost sure went without much consideration. It looked like her guest was going to have a hard time coping with all this.
"My name is Maevia and I am the professor of this laboratory. You could possibly relate me to the well-known professors of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh."
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Soriana
Newbie Trainer
J'veux ton amour, et Je veux ta revanche...
Posts: 29
|
Post by Soriana on Oct 21, 2010 22:48:44 GMT -8
The hair on the back of Ron's neck had flattened a bit. She swallowed vigorously, and tried to regain her previous demeanor. "Do not think me a fool. I have heard of Pokémorphs before, you know. But I am not one. I never have been. How can I understand you?"
She moved closer to Maevia--not with aggression, but with curiosity. "And more importantly, Professor," she added with a hint of amusement at the Gardevoir's title, "how can I find my way home?"
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Post by Taya on Oct 21, 2010 23:01:18 GMT -8
Maevia could only shake her head, trying to find a good way to explain it all. "Look, my dear, I am not a Pokemorph and, as you say, you must not be one either. You seem perfectly human to me. As I have said, in this region, which we have come to call Trilotics, all humans and Pokemon are able to understand one another. What reason would I have to mislead you? I am just your average Gardevoir or, I was, before I was chosen to be the professor. I suppose that makes me a tad bit unusual..."
The psychic Pokemon kept her eyes carefully on the young woman, making eye contact. She was stressing that she was telling the truth, in her own subtle way. Making eye contact was nearly impossible to do if you were lying, wasn't it? Her tone certainly didn't sound as if she was lying. No, Maevia's voice was a warm one, not appearing capable of telling lies.
"Even if I knew where your home was, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to tell you where it lies in comparison to here. I arrived here in the same manner that you did. Oh, and I prefer just to be called Maevia. Pokemon do not have last names, so it feels quite odd to by a title."
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Soriana
Newbie Trainer
J'veux ton amour, et Je veux ta revanche...
Posts: 29
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Post by Soriana on Oct 21, 2010 23:29:38 GMT -8
By now, Aeron had relaxed to a point of normal coherence. She'd convinced herself that it was all a dream. A strange, fantastical, wondrous, unbelievable dream. But then, was that not the purpose of a dream? Escapism? Anyhow, she figured, she must have had an unlucky encounter with a Mismagius, or something. It would explain the whole debacle with absolute perfection.
Chosen? Brought here? But... the note. Ron had nearly forgotten about it. It's a conspiracy. Boy, if I find out Team Rocket's behind this, I'm gonna...
Another thing she'd have to get used to was addressing her new professor by her first name. She'd never called Professor Elm anything but that, or the shortened version: Professor.
"Maevia," Ron attempted, "It's... it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Aeron Nerys of Blackthorn City. It's in the Johto region, if that's at all familiar to you."
She felt like she hadn't done what she was about to do in forever. It must have been ages since she visited a Pokémon Laboratory looking for her first Pokémon. Okay, so maybe it had only been a couple of months since she met Rowan, but still.
Ron's mind flashed back a decade, and she saw herself standing with Professor Elm, a Pokéball in her hand. "That Pokéball contains Totodile," the professor had informed her. "Take good care of it. You have no idea how strong a bond between a trainer and a Pokémon can become. You're young yet, both of you."
She smiled bittersweetly. It was only now that she recognized the significance of those words.
"Any supplies you would allow me would be most appreciated. I will find a way to reimburse you in the future--and when I make a promise, I uphold it. I've a pretty impressive track record when it comes to bargains. And Maevia..." It was then that her smile erupted into a playful grin. "If this is any kind of Pokémon Laboratory, I believe I'm to make more than one new friend today."
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Post by Taya on Oct 21, 2010 23:56:46 GMT -8
The Gardevoir gave the young woman her time to gathered herself without saying a word. Maevia always made of a habit of trying not to pry or interrupt anyone's thoughts. She thought such things were quite rude, and only made an exception to cut someone off when she had to, such as when her Pikachu companion got into arguments with a once-resident Igglybuff.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Aeron. I have heard of Johto, though I have not traveled there, myself," she replied. "I do have some supplies which I give out to all of the new trainers in this region, though I do not ask for much of anything in return. I am simply here to help you, not the other way around." Maevia suddenly smiled, " To that, you are correct. We have all the typical starting Pokemon used in all of the other four known regions, as well as a few additional ones that... aren't so typical as starters. If you would like to see them, please follow me."
Maevia promptly lead the way to a peculiar machine near the back of the room, which she seemed to activate by pressing a few buttons. On the machine's monitor a list of available Pokemon showed up, a brief description each of the Pokemon and a picture of each included.
"Here we are," she gestured toward the monitor. "They're all there on the list."
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Soriana
Newbie Trainer
J'veux ton amour, et Je veux ta revanche...
Posts: 29
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Post by Soriana on Oct 22, 2010 0:21:31 GMT -8
Aeron really had to get it into her head that this Gardevoir was, in fact, a Pokémon Professor, and that the same rules applied in this dream--as she was still convinced she was asleep in some field just outside of Solaceon Town, Sinnoh. She supposed she had to treat everything as if it were truly occurring, as Ron knew all too well just how easily dreams could turn into nightmares. But Aeron could not help but feel the least bit of sympathy for Maevia--she seemed just as vulnerable. Although Ron would never admit her own vulnerability openly. It simply wasn't done in her family.
Alas, she couldn't wipe the sheepish smile off her face fast enough. Her immense relief at finding a metaphorical beacon of light in this vast, "empty" wilderness had temporarily softened her heart.
Ron gazed at the monitor adoringly, noticing each Pokémon as it flashed across the screen. So many adventures, so many memories...
A sharp pain sliced through her chest as Chikorita's image entered the scene. Chikorita, as she remembered all too well, had been Ellis's first Pokémon. Ellis Chandler, her oldest and dearest friend, had perished under mysterious circumstances when Aeron was 17. She never had the chance to say goodbye to him, as he was in Kanto when the tragedy unfolded, and she was in Hoenn. Team Rocket was suspected to be behind his death, but nothing ever came to light.
Ron nodded slowly, and clenched her jaw to avoid the tears that would inevitably arrive. "Chikorita. It has to be."
It's time I made my peace.
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Post by Taya on Oct 22, 2010 0:42:47 GMT -8
Maevia confirmed Aeron's choice of Pokemon in the machine and the machine sprang to life in an instant. Lights decorating it all over began to flash and the machine made an interesting whizzing noise. "The pokeball containing one of our Chikorita's will dispense on that small platform there," the professor explain, pointing to a flat surface with a single depression that a tube hovered above. "This machine guarantees that your Pokemon partner is left in the hands of fate, not interfered with by you or I once you have decided upon a species. It chooses at complete random."
As the machine spat out the pokeball or, rather, the pokeball seemed to faze into existence, Maevia had scooped up a small satchel from a box that rested next to the machine and offered it to the trainer. "Here you are. This bag contains some money, a few potions and pokeballs, a pokedex, pokegear, and some other useful items, even including a blanket and a few bottles of water. It should be able to get you through the forest until you can reach Ruelda Town, which rests on the outskirts of the forest. If you grow hungry, there are a few fruit trees and berry bushes which are edible. If you need me, my information is already plugged into your Pokegear so that you may contact me." It was definitely a lot to take in at once, but Maevia could almost sense that this young woman was quite capable of taking care of herself.
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Soriana
Newbie Trainer
J'veux ton amour, et Je veux ta revanche...
Posts: 29
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Post by Soriana on Oct 22, 2010 11:41:02 GMT -8
It felt indescribably perfect to have a Pokéball in her hand. She moved the small sphere around with her palm, tracing her fingers over its smooth surface. When her thumb brushed over the center button, she experienced a sudden rush of energy which coursed through her body. All those years of training, all the places I have explored, the memories I have gained, the wisdom I have acquired, the friends I have made... it's all about to be put to the test.
Ron removed the satchel from Maevia's grasp and placed it over her right shoulder. She looked the Pokémon straight in the eye. "Thank you. For everything." Ron lingered for a few moments, as if trying to determine what exactly the Gardevoir was thinking, and turned toward the door, Pokéball in hand. She closed it firmly behind her, adjusted the satchel slightly, and headed off in the direction of the forest.
It was then that Aeron Nerys remembered something she had read as a child.
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more.
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