Chapter 01: On The Road Again! (Mod, Arron)

It was at least midday by the time the two wanderers that usually traveled together came into view of the spacious yard and single story building that was supposed to be home to this region's professor. They had chosen to, for now, skip over the town. The sandy-haired youth with the green eyes was at least obligated to introduce himself to the professor of the region, so that's what he would do.

"Says here.. this building serves as both home and lab, so that's good." Saimon spoke as he read the little guidebook he had picked up when they got into the region. Just like a kid from Perter City, to be nose deep in a guidebook. He had on that backpack over his jacket, though the hood hung over the top. His cargo pants were a choice of the day, and those comfortable walking shoes too. HE had two bags. One, a backpack of fair size on his back, the other, a smaller bag strapped over a shoulder so it hung near his left hip. Neither seemed too heavy for him, but perhaps that came from years of hiking and exploring.

He closed that small book and slipped it into his hip bag, looking over at his long time friend with a beaming smile, "Maybe we can make friends? OR at least get directions to all the best shops near town. We'll need supplies." His green eyes gleamed with the thrill of starting yet another adventure. And after so many failed attempts, he could only be enlightened by the chance for another.

Hanging partially in, and out of that hood of his jacket, lay a sleeping form. Too big to snuggle in completely, but just small enough to curl up and make a nice little bed out of the hood and the top of the pack Saimon wore. The Abra had been asleep ever since they left their last region. Likely, she was processing that TM Sai had bought for her before they left. Considering she could only Teleport before, it seemed reasonable to give her at least a means of offense.

Tagging along with the sandy haired young man was another young man with longer, spikier black hair. He Wore a black jacket over a blue shirt, clad in jeans and tennis shoes, as well as A Fairly fancy hat that looked as if it belonged to a bygone era. It was adorned with a large, plume white feather, an artistic choice on his part. Like Saimon, he wore a backpack, but instead of a second bag, he also had a guitar on his other shoulder, his one worldly possession eh insisted on taking everywhere.

He looked up at the building in front of them, then looked to the other young man, nose buried in the book. He cracked a grin and chuckled. "Where would we be if it weren't for you and your travel books eh Sai? I'm all up for making friends or just meeting the professor, helps us get started right?"he asked, flashing him a cheeky wink. He looked at the building again, golden eyes sweeping over it over and over, formulating just what was happening right now. They were starting a new adventure, him and Sai, jumping headfirst into whatever the future held for them, letting them forge their own path. He longed for the day, this day. He was going to make the most of it.

The silence was broken by a third voice, one also looking over the building in front of the group. "So...are you going to just stand here? or are you guys going to get a move on?" The buneary said, giving her trainer a sideways glance. She didn't mean it maliciously, she just wanted to give them a good prod to make sure they were staying on task.

Eliza's voice made Arron blink from staring into space, making him grin and smile down at the little buneary. "Thank you Eliza, shes right, lets go!" he said, giving Saimon a thumbs up, and leading the way towards the lab.

Sai said nothing about Arron's examination, but smiled back at him. That was the general idea. Get a head start on whatever lay ahead of them, get a map of the region hopefully, and get moving! They had Pokemon to see, people to meet, and as a Trainer Arron needed to get those badges. Though, the thought wasn't completely opposing Saimon's mind either.

Then that cute Buneary spoke up, Eliza being just the most adorable thing, even if she denied it. Saimon couldn't understand her, not normally, but Arron's response said enough, and Sai beamed again before adjusting the strap of his pack and following, "Oh yeah, let's not waste time meeting the Professor. I bet he or she will be nice enough."

As they walked into the yard, which was nice and roomy, and Saimon finally set his eyes on the surroundings again, seeming to get lost in it. Gorgeous, even for the beginning of the journey. But as they came up to the front door, he refocused and knocked three times, provided Arron of the feisty Buneary didn't do it first. He looked back, checking on Cerice. Still asleep.. bless her. She'd need to get used to having a new move after this was done. She had even seemed to neglect translating Eliza's words to him through that telepathy in her meditation.

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true] While it was generally expected of a professor to be alert in all situations, very few times was Zach on the ball about certain things. This included a variety of subjects: deadlines for papers, remembering when to let the young Pokemon out, remembering when to let his birds out, how cold his coffee had gotten – but always drinking it anyway no matter how lukewarm it got – and, most importantly, when he had guests. The worst part was is they always seemed to come when he was either gone and away and he was forced to juggle around getting back home after a trip whilst tending to a Pokemon owner or, worse, when he was the middle of something “important”. They always seemed to mess up a beat or cause him to miss the killing shot. Other times, he just couldn't hear them over the loud music that he destroyed his eardrums with. However, today was a special case in which he was not busying himself buying groceries or playing some “ill beats”. Seriously, he, himself, wasn't entirely sure what that meant. No, instead, he was sipping on cocoa and just... staring out the window. Contemplating the meaning of life, perhaps. Or day dreaming of a world where things weren't always out to get him. That was the more probable of the two. If the blond had not been doing this, it was very likely that he would have missed the two strangers approaching his door with quite jolly expressions slapped onto their faces. From the looks of it, they both had at least one Pokemon accompanying them each, so they weren't entirely rookies. He swore, if they came asking for a starter Pokemon when they already had one like that one snotty kid had the other day, he'd slap a jerk. Just like he had that kid. Only to be slapped himself upside the head by his own flying-type Pokemon in punishment. A professor does not simply slap his peers out of the blue, no matter how annoying they may be or how deserving of it they were. Steeling himself for another encounter – so early in the morning, too, compared to all those others who came in the afternoon – he made his way to the front door and opened it before either entirely made it there. “Mornin',” Professor Hazel said, using a hand to push his sunglasses further up his nose and then that same one to straighten up his t-shirt a bit on it's way down to fall at his side. “What can I do for you two?”

Arron chuckled as he walked towards the front door, hearing Saimon's words and grinning a bit wider as a result. oh, maybe the professor would be a woman~ Never hurt to have a beautiful, smart woman in charge of research for the region. It almost got him even more excited and pepped to meet the professor. Still, couldn't get his hopes up too much, otherwise it'd be a major bummer if the professor was a man.

And sure enough.

He let out a mental sigh of disappointment. Ah well, doesn't stop this moment from being any less great! He smiled at the professor, giving a slight bow, conveying respect. "Greetings sir! My names Arron Richards, someone trying to make his way as a pokemon trainer. Me and my friend here wanted to introduce ourselves to you!"

"Ahem"

"Ah, my manors. This is my friend Eliza, the first on my team" He said, slapping his forehead a bit and gesturing to Eliza, smiling down at her. he didn't introduce Saimon, didn't need too, he knew that his friend was all to eager to introduce himsel. The buneary remained silent, nodding her head to the professor in greeting.

Saimon was about to ready to wonder if it was a good idea to come to the professor, if they had all the tools to visit the region already. But, why did you HAVE to need Pokemon to introduce yourself to someone? Was that too old school nowadays? All of these thoughts vanished as the door opened, replaced by a bright, intelligent smile on the sandy-haired youth's face.

After Arron had introduced himself and his Buneary, Saimon stepped forwards a step more and offered his hand in greeting, "And I am Saimon Cross. Good afternoon!" HE began with the introduction, and the handshake if accepted, then answered the man's other question promptly, as had Arron.

"I am a Pokemon Breeder registered with the Kanto and Johto regions, sir. Me and my friend here have come to survey and explore this region as well." he spoke in a businesslike manner. They were speaking to a professor after all, time to set a good first impression! "If we're not inconveniencing you, sir, could we ask directions to the nearest town or city after Vardent? And.. if you happened to need any assistance, we're both looking for a little extra work. Money doesn't grow on trees just yet, though I am hopeful." he chuckled at his small joke.

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true] Well, this encounter was starting off better than most. These days, it didn't seem like anyone had any real manners and whatever manners some did seem to have were so transparently fake it almost pained him. However, while one of the males on his door step looked disappointed for a split second after revealing his face to the two – he was used to that by now, too – their kindness seemed honestly genuine. It made him think of Lena and thinking of Lena made him want to smile, but no one was allowed to see the corners of his mouth turn upward unless it was in the form of a smirk. He had a reputation to uphold and it'd be disastrous if anyone found out he was kind of a softy on the inside. The disappointed one was the first to react, bowing a tad in respect before introducing himself. “Greetings, sir! My name's Arron Richards, someone trying to make his way as a Pokemon trainer. Me and my friend here wanted to introduce ourselves to you.” Nodding a bit, planning to save his own formalities until both were finished, he turned to look at the other human when another noise caught his ear. “Ah, my manners. This is my friend, Eliza, the first on my team.” Crimson eyes landed on the Buneary from where they were hidden behind dark shades, he nodding at it, too, in greeting after it'd done the same to him first. Next, a hand was extended to him and Zach almost snorted in amusement at that alone. “And I am Saimon Cross. Good afternoon!” Shaking his head a bit, he explained, “I don't do handshakes. But here.” Instead, he held out a fist as an invitation for a fist bump, one of the least formal of greetings someone of his profession could get, but what he preferred the most, anyway. “I'm a Pokemon breeder registered in the Kanto and Johto regions, sir,” Saimon continued in a professional manner. “Me and my friend here have come to survey and explore this region as well. If we're not inconveniencing you, sir, could we ask directions to the nearest town or city after Vardent? And... if you happened to need any assistance, we're both looking for a little extra work. Money doesn't grow on trees just yet, though I am hopeful.” “Nah, no problem. Just go north of here. Tiny stretch of land they used to call Route One. North of that, still, is Hikari's Forest. Just go east of there and there's Chisai. Hikari can be a bit of a pain to navigate, but I might have a map if you're really that worried.” In response to the comment on money, he simply said, “And if you need money, you could have just asked. Not to brag, I mean, but sometimes I have more than I know what to do with. Gimme a call if you're ever low on funds; I don't mind sharing.”

Arron blinked a bit as he listened to the professor speak and react to them. He seemed like a really chill dude, he liked it! He cracked a grin and rubbed the back of his neck, bumping fists with him when he got the chance and winking at Saimon, as if trying to convey the feeling he was having of, this was awesome! Not only that, he was offering to help pay for any troubles they might have, this guy was amazing!

This feeling was shared by Eliza, appreciating that he gave her a similar nod in greeting rather then calling her cute or adorable. Showed he was more then just a superficial human, she liked that.

Arron smiled, settling down a bit before rubbing his neck and stitching out. "That's awesome of you! Still though, if you have any tasks or anything you need doing, me and Sai would be happy to help, isn't that right buddy?" he asked, shooting Saimon a grin. He soon returned his gaze to the professor and offered another friendly smile. "If I may ask sir, wheres the closest gym?"

Saimon had to chuckle when Arron took up the fist bumping, considering he never expected it, but he followed through by bumping fists with the professor too if he kept his arm stationary for that long. And then the man was giving them directions, to which Saimon was taking mental notes. He's write them down later, but he was just too excited to worry about it right now, especially from the excitement he felt from his friend. His hood stirred, then a face peered from around Sai's shoulder, looking at the stranger.

When the professor next spoke, Sai immediately shook his head and smiled apologetically at him, "I'm sorry, but we'd rather work for our means, sir." he explained, counting them both even if Arron didn't agree, "We appreciate the offer though, and I will most certainly call if we have questions? Uh.. I'll need a number.. and.. perhaps, an upgrade?" he chuckled, reaching to his belt and producing a Pokedex. It was from Johto, and was terribly outdated. He knew regions like Unova had some impressive gear, but he liked the nostalgia.

"And a map of the region would be extremely helpful, especially if we could get some highlights of important landmarks?" Saimon asked, clearly knowing how to organize. Though, didn't the newer 'dexes have a built in map and all that stuff? That would be useful! Especially if it could be upgraded and updated on the go! Sai beamed at the professor, "I must say I was looking forward to meeting you, sir, and I am glad I have. I will check in with updates to our progress if it pleases you, Professor.. uh.." he chuckled, biting his lip a bit. The Abra watching what was going on made a brief mental inquiry into Sai's head.

"Apologies, sir, but we never got your name." he said, waiting eagerly. At that mental tug, he looked over his shoulder, his features softening from their businesslike fashion and into an adoring one as he looked at the Abra, "This is Cerice, my partner" he introduced her. If he was of an open mind, the professor would feel that same mental tug of telepathy, forming itself into words, <H-Hello..>

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true] … Wow. These two were either such incredibly good actors that even he, with years of practice in sniffing out the intentions of people just by having brief conversations with them, even if he wasn't always correct, but still fairly decent could not pick out some hidden meaning or he wasn't actually scaring anyone away. It was a weird feeling, not being used or looked down on by the people of his region. Again, there came the occasional few with manners and kindness blooming in their heart, but for so many others that warmth had been taken from them gradually or ripped out in one go. It was always weird, being genuinely looked up to or admired. Part of him actually disliked the feeling. Most of him, actually. Underneath his facade, he hated social interaction because he knew he'd always mess it up. But a tinier part sort of reveled in it every singly time, that one part and his reputation being the only things that kept him on his doorstep during these sort of encounters. Each immigrant bumped fists with him upon silent request – to which he offered a sort of smirk that was kind enough to pass off as a weird sort of smile but not warm enough to actually be a full smile – before he stuffed his hands in both pockets and listened to them carry on. “That's awesome of you! Arron said first. “Still, though, if you have any tasks or anything you need doing, me and Sai would be happy to help. Isn't that right, buddy?” Turning to Saimon for affirmation, the other said instead, “I'm sorry, but we'd rather work for our means, sir.” Again, it took a bit to hold in a laugh, but less out of amusement and more out of scorn for his own living habits. “Don't go looking for work from someone you don't know. You're glad I have enough restraint now to turn you down otherwise you might be up to your necks in paper work later.” However, the brown-haired breeder continued, “We appreciate the offer, though, and I will most certainly call if we have questions? Uh... I'll need a number... and... perhaps and upgrade?” A laugh, and then something was being flashed his way that sparked something deep within his gut. Upgrade, he said. And that was one of the older modles from Johto. Red, red eyes stared at it intently, wondering if it was worth it to break the act if only for a moment and tear that thing apart to make it so, so much better. He hadn't had his hands on a piece of technology with the intent of improving it in years. Would he still be any good at it? His mother had called him a prodigy and she knew more people than he could count in a month, but surely even prodigies get rusty sometime and – Before he really knew what he was doing, he snatched it out of the boys hand almost a little too quickly, apologizing briefly, but mind too preoccupied thinking of all the things he could do with such a simple machine. “And a map of the region would be extremely helpful,” Saimon was continuing, “especially if we could get some highlights of important landmarks?” The blond looked up for a moment, wondering if he wanted a physical map or just wanted that put onto the Poke'Dex, as well. It would certainly be easier to just fetch a map out of the back room, but just staring at the crimson block made him wonder if he should just do both while he was at it. “If I may ask, sir, where's the closest gym?” asked Arron and he was suddenly snapped out of his creative daze, gaze flashing to the younger male as he tried to think of the correct answer. “... Don't know what to tell you. Inferia is supposed to have the first gym leader, but the gym's been empty for a while. After the whole thing with... Imum -” the name itself was like acid on his tongue, “- the league's been having a tough time finding replacements. The first actual gym leader you can challenge is Genkei in Aria Village.” After a moment of thought, he added, “If you're heading there and you meet anyone with the last name Hazel, tell 'em I say “yo”.” “I must say, I was looking forward to meeting you, sir, and I am glad I have. I will check in with updates to our progress if it pleases you, Professor... uh... Apologies, sir, but we never got your name.” Zachary blinked for a moment, wondering for a moment what on Earth he was talking about. And then it hit him: he hadn't introduced himself, yet, had he? Idiot! “Oh. Right. Yeah, you can just call me Zach. No need for formalities or anything, it's cool.” Then the breeder turned to the Abra that appeared in his hood not long before, introducing with a soft expression, “This is Cerice, my partner,” only to have another voice echo within his mind. “H-hello...” More rapid blinking. An Abra, huh? He hadn't seen one of those in a while. Come to think of it, he hadn't seen any of the Abra family since... since the battle when... The memory made him clench his teeth in itself. The majority of him was screaming at him to just leave and work on the Poke'Dex. These two were fine gentlemen, but both were unknowingly chipping away at things he didn't like being poked at. However, politeness kept him stationary, his inner struggle hidden perfectly behind a blank stare and dark shades. “Yo,” he said instead, raising a hand to the creature briefly like he would any other person he met by chance.

"Of course Sai, I'd never not want to earn my keep" Arron said, shooting the young man a wink before chuckling at the professors statement of having enough restraint to stick them with paperwork. "Mush appreciated sir! Paperwork makes me too mellow" he said, grinning at the professor as he took a glance at Saimon's old pokedex. Maybe he should offer his own up. "Excuse me man, any chance I can get the same treatment for mine?" he asked, holding his up, giving a small look of pleading.

He blinked a bit more when he started to talk about the gym. Was there something that happened? Did the first gym leader vanish? "Imum?" he asked, blinking and looking to Saimon briefly before turning back to the professor. "If you'd rather not say that's fine, Aria village it is then" he said, giving a reassuring smile. "And if we meet anyone named hazel got it."

When Zach gave his name, the pokemorph grinned, almost a bit too widely, thankfully his fangs didn't show more then they Should've. "Nice to meet you Zach, I look forward to hearing and talking to you as our journey goes, if you don't mind that is" Arron said, tipping his plummed hat to the professor.

The minute Cerice's name was mentioned Eliza looked up to the back of Sai's shirt, she smiled, waving a bit. "Hey Cerice, sleep well?"

The statement about paperwork made the green eyed youth chuckle. He'd done it before, but it wasn't really his calling, so he let Arron's comment stand for both of them. It didn't seem to matter that they'd never been invited inside, either. The two of them were used to the outside as it is. Saimon lost his smile as his 'dex was snatched, but regained it at the apology and nodded. The professor must have just been thrilled to have some tech to work with! And considering Sai didn't know how the newer 'dexes worked, he wouldn't know you could put a mp on it! But the thought was intriguing!

The direction he was giving to the gym were.. odd. But, once again, Arron expressed his concerns quite well, so he merely took the backseat for that question, "last name Hazel. I'll be sure to send the message along!" he chuckled and made another mental note. There were going to get to meet a lot of people!

It helped to focus Saimon, then, when the professor gave his name. He smiled again and nodded, "No formalities? Alright, then you can call me Sai. It's what everyone uses." he added, dropping his own formal tone, since he had hopefully set a good first impression. Cerice, upon hearing a familiar voice, lifted from the hood and floated closer to the ground, though clearly behind Saimon still, as she addressed Eliza, <Y-yeah.. I.. sleep too much>

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true] To his hinting that he'd make them do all his paperwork if he were to accept – well, he doubted that was what they'd think they'd be getting into with how he worded it, but it would sadly be the truth – both laughed a bit to themselves almost in synch. Maybe he was crazy, but these two might have know each other, even if only a bit. Maybe. Oh, what was his mind doing, he hated sarcasm. “Much appreciated, sir!” Arron said with a grin. “Paperwork makes me too mellow.” Though he was distracted, Zach managed to catch the short disappearance of Saimon's smile and felt a bit guilty before the blacked-haired trainer was speaking up again. “Excuse me, man, any chance I can get the same treatment for mine?” So much for guilt, this was his lucky day. He hardly hesitated at all before taking the second Poke'Dex offered to him. “When do ya' want these back?” he asked them both, only sparing them both a quick glance before looking back down at the rectangular-shaped objects he rotated in his hands, wondering how much he could do in how much time. However, a one worded question was enough to bring even that to a halt. “Imum?” Oh no. They were going to make him explain, weren't they? Well, not make, but would they think less of him for refusing to answer a simple question with an equally simple answer? The blond was rarely as thankful for his dark glasses as he was then, praying that they hid the shame and guilt and burning anger that danced in his red irises at the mention of that group. “If you'd rather not say, that's fine. Aria it is, then. And if we meet anyone named Hazel, got it.” “Last name Hazel. I'll be sure to send the message along! the brunette confirmed, but their sudden change in topic did nothing to quench the anxiety. Sure, it was hard, but it was hard for a lot of people, some far more than him. Besides, these two were now living in the Lyeant region. They had a right to know of it's dark past. “... Team Imum. An organization kinda like Team Rocket. Tried to kill everyone. Got pretty darn close, too.” He hoped, prayed the shaking in his voice was only in his imagination. There was no way to simplify it down more than that. He figured he'd spare them elaborate, gruesome stories of cities burried in acid and parties where every guest was incinerated in a sudden fire. Everything arson. “Nice to meet you, Zach. I look forward to hearing and talking to you as our journey goes; if you don't mind, that is,” Arron said, tipping his hat a bit at the end and smiling more than he ever had in his life over something so small. “No formalities?” said Saimon, not missing a beat. “Alright, then you can call me Sai. It's what everyone uses.” … He liked these two. He sent a silent request to Arceus to keep them safe from the evil that had built up like mold across the region.

"Hmm...Well, how long do you think it'll take? I mean, we do need to get on the road, but we can stay for however long it takes right Sai?" Arron asked, looking to his friend with a friendly smile. Not like they were in any major hurry, although getting some new friends might be nice. Despite that, they were in no major rush to leave the city after all, they hadn't really seen anything but Zach's lab so far!

Then the bomb dropped. The professor spoke on Team Imum, Arron's cat's eye gold gaze snapping back to Zach with sudden intensity. "Wow....are you serious?" he asked, turning to face the professor. how could he not be though? His body language screamed of a and experience... He paused for a moment, then offered a small smile. "Thanks for telling us Zach. Even if its not the nicest thing to know...Its still good to know"

"hey, if it keeps you fresh and ready, then sleep to your hearts content" She said, smiling genuinely at the Abra, patting her on the shoulder. An ear perked up at the mention of death, and her eyes shifted momentarily to the professor. Suppose its not an adventure if there's no stories of danger huh?

"Whenever you finish them? We're not going anywhere outside of the region." Saimon replied, It wasn't necessary for them to stay here and make the professor think they were rushing him, "The Pokemon centers have phones, right? We can just make a call in at each town we pass, and when they're ready we'll double back for them." It was the most logical conclusion. Their old 'dexes were useless as is, and there was no harm in exploring the region a bit while they waited. We'll just need a number to call in that case, and then you have as much time as you want to tinker." Sia explained, perhaps seeing the excitement Zach showed when they asked for upgrades.

Ah, Team Rocked. There's a name that stuck in his head. They caused him issues with Cerice before.. And to hear there was an organization in this region who were after bad goals too? Not fun. The fact that they were killing people instead of just capturing rare Pokemon didn't register. IT was all bad in Saimon's book. He wasn't here to stop some organization though, nor ask questions he had no business asking. As Arron spoke to Zach, Sai felt a tug on his mind and then heard Eliza, translated through Cerice's mind. Whoo.. glad that was back up. He turned to watch as the Abra was patted on a shoulder.

Cerice didn't move, merely nodded to Eliza when she spoke and looked up at Sai. The telepathy took no concentration whatsoever, so translating Eliza's speech wasn't too much harder. <Y-yeah.. I'm hungry... Sai? Do you have food yet?> The last was directed towards her Trainer instead of the Buneary. The green-eyes human smiled and nodded, digging into his coat for the Pokemon food he had fixed on the trip here. He pulled out a small wrapped bundle and set it between Cerice and Eliza. Always carry some food to befriend the Pokemon on the road! That was a good motto. "Here you are, dear"

<Thank you, Sai> Cerice sent, then turned to untie that package, displaying the food and sniffing gently. She took a piece and nibble on it, sitting on the ground finally and sighing in contentment. The offer to Eliza was there too.