[center][h3][color=0072bc]- Alexander Furst : Fordging Fordward -[/color][/h3]

It was barely the start of a new day as the eve slowly began to seep away as the sun creaked, making its own familiar journey. Most of the pokemon in the day care were sound asleep and one of the caretakers was drowning in slumber with white hair piling over the edge of the couch. He snored in rhythm as a small Cyndaquil was curled up on his chest, joining in the tempo. Others were scattered around the vicinity, as if they were small children taking a nap after recess. Other, much bigger pokemon often stayed outside, as evidenced by the Rapidash, Nidoking, and others.

Eventually there was some occupation of noise in the building as a woman began whistling a tune as she began creating a breakfast for her tuckered out son. The bacon was sizzling as it danced around, but most of the pokemon wern't roused from their slumber. As she prepared this meal, her assistant, a gruff looking Medicham was arranging certain types of food with labels on them. While she seemed to be pissed, the way she moved was enthusiastic.

Eventually the white haired boy began awakening, his arms stretched out as they passed his shoulder length hair. The Cyndaquil showed signs of waking up as it let out a muted growl. Groaning, the boy began to hear the sound of food being prepared in the kitchen, the stray chirping Pidgey, and the snorting and wheezing of one of his favorite friends to play with while working there. Returning his hands, he began to use his right to wipe the gift Mr. Sandman had bestowed to him the other night as he glanced at the cute little fire type resting on his being.

Reaching out, he pet the small girl, smiling faintly as he brought her closer, rubbing his cheek against hers. Eventually, Alex set her in his lap as he began to sit up, grunting somewhat as he scratched his back. That was one hell of a day; getting doggy piled by not only the small pokemon, but the Ursaring too? Despite it being an important day, he would have a good reason for sleeping in till the Miltanks came home.

Of course, he did as he commanded and rejected the sore feeling in his body as he scooped up the small mouse-like pokemon and trudged towards the kitchen. The Cyndaquil was stirring more in his arms, but that was probably because of the strong smell coming from the full course meal his mother was making. The small pokemon began wiggling as the drowsy boy looked over at his mom. [color=0072bc]"Mornin' mum, mornin' Mel,"[/color] he quietly greeted the two, to which the Lucario smiled and gave a wave before getting back to work and going outside.

His mom was just as forward, but it took a little longer... not that he minded. [color=a2d39c]"Good morning sweetie! It's been a while since I've cooked breakfast for you, huh?"[/color] The boy nodded as he slowly walked at a Slugma's pace towards the chairs, continuing to listen to his mother talk. [color=a2d39c]"I know you can cook yourself, but I felt the need to make you one last meal before your big day begins!"[/color] She was almost like a fan girl who couldn't keep to herself, but there was a tinge of sadness in her voice.

The Cyndaquil finally woke up, sneezing before looking up at Alex and raising its arms up like a child, asking to fly up or go for a hug. Alexander uttered a thank you as he went outside, stating he would be back in a moment.

It was a brisk morning from what he discerned as he raised the young Cyndaquil up to the sky, watching her smile as it flared up, embers shooting up from its back before he brought him in for a hug. A lot of trainers had left their pokemon here for the past couple of days since it was a new start; most people would either head to said sanctuary like him or procure their pokemon that they dropped off at the daycare and depart.

He knew one thing though and that separating was the hardest.

Giving the Cyndaquil a tight squeeze, he felt the tiny arms wrap around part of his neck as the fire mouse heaved happily. Afterwards, he put the small one down before going over and watering what looked to be tiny budding sprouts in a newly made botanical garden filled with similar plants. It was rather difficult to tell apart which leaves were connected and which ones weren't a part of the flora. Of course, as he watered, the leaves began to shake as a few Sunkerns began to pop up.

...

The rest of the morning was filled with him caring for the few pokemon as trainers came on by and retrieved each of their pokemon. Soon, the once lively and filled structure was scarce on the creatures, save for a few lingering ones. They were fed breakfast of course and the sounds of child pokemon devouring their food was the only sound. Slowly walking down stairs, Alex finally changed out of his green apron and daycare uniform into his usual wear - shoes darker than the night sky, a gray long coat that extended to his knees, and an unusually designed tank top with red obscuring the middle with pure cyan near the neck and cyan checkers covering the tale of the shirt.

He made sure to prepare almost anything for the journey ahead, even going as far as to pack a sleeping bag into his pack, along with a couple of simple foodstuff for the trip ahead. With a sigh, Alex gave a solemn smile as his eyes went over the group of pokemon. The Cyndaquil noticed him as she was relaxing and waddled over to give his legs a hug.

Heh, pokemon could always read emotions through instinct...

Bending over, he gave the small girl a pat, eventually leading to her getting a belly rub and eventually retreating behind the boy to rub the back of his heel. Mel and Alex' mom gave him a bear hug, keeping him from almost breathing as he rasped out his farewells.

This would be a while before he would see them again as he slowly walked out the door and down the stony street. Tilting his head slightly upwards, he squinted and shielded his eyes as he looked at each building, feeling the suns beams all on him every time it peaked from behind the clouds.

[color=0072bc]"It's a beautiful day outside..."[/color]

Too bad his attitude didn't reflect that.
[hr]
Alex was one of the few among the crowd that stuck out like a sore thumb as he listened to the introduction, a frown coming from his face as his cerulean eyes were kept half open during the whole speech. It was like the exposition you got from a half-baked story. Probably a couple of people could notice him yawning a bit during this whole speech over why she created a pokemon sanctuary.

It seemed cliche to him as he hunched his shoulders, slightly drooping over as she explain her dramatic and what he discerned as nigh unrealistic situation. [color=0072bc][i]"Even so, you wouldn't need to catch them to make them a companion,"[/i][/color] he though, grumbling throughout the whole thing as he gained a few irritated looks. He honestly could care less as the woman ended her speech, standing erect once more as the myriads of different aged people rushed forward, procuring a card and a procuring a certain number of pokeballs. Raising an eyebrow as he slowly made his way past them, he managed to snag his card and garner a larger amount of pokeballs from the norm, along with other miscellaneous items like the pokedex.

Of course, as he passed on by, he couldn't help but notice that there were two people chattering rather excessively instead of entering in, prompting some curiosity... of course, it wasn't as much curiosity as the man he took note of outside. Alex had a sneaking suspicion he was using a Ditto to wow the crowd... but he could honestly give two less craps about them. If they were going to be [i]that[/i] oblivious, they might as well just trust that person with their credit card. [color=0072bc]"Good grief,"[/color] he grumbled, taking note of the duo as he blinked.

The conversation was mundane as they both sounded like snobbish brats bragging about their accomplishments. From what he gathered, one of them was rich enough to buy a pokemon and began trash talking the sanctuary. Presumptuous and condescending... great first impressions already green girl. Of course, he was somewhat surprised to see the boy respond in such an an aggressive manner, roasting her more than chestnuts on an open fire. To be quite frank, she deserved that.

[color=0072bc]"One week tops before she keels over and runs back home,"[/color] he spoke to no one in particular as Alex went into the sanctuary, still grasping his new pokedex.

As he entered in, he flipped the item open, staring at it as he lifted it up to identify one of the pokemon. As the small machine began scanning, he recited what he knew about the bird. [color=0072bc]"Pidove, the Tiny Pigeon Pokemon. They usually gather in large flocks around cities and often coos to get some form of food. As a trainer, you mustn't give them complicated commands as they will usually be befuddled and not follow through."[/color] As he finished summarizing what he knew, the pokedex flickered, explaining to him what he learned in trainer school.

[color=0072bc]"You learn something new every day,"[/color] he deadpanned before pocketing the gadget as he shoved one of his free hands into his bag and retrieved a shiny red pokeball. Staring at his own reflection, he began to slowly walk through the sanctuary, taking note of the myriads of people gathering in such an... impressive looking place. He felt serene here as he took in the scenery...

It would be even more peaceful if it wasn't for the cacophony of people speaking at the same time.

The place was occupied with regular and shiny pokemon alike, though the latter were scarce. He noticed that there were groupings of people around the irregularly pigmented pokemon, trying to cajole it into joining them or just throwing a pokeball and pissing off whoever was attempting to get it as a partner. Alex unemotionally blinked as he sung a tune lowly, tossing the pokeball up and down as he seeked his first...

[color=0072bc]"... And suddenly I see that I can't break..."[/color]

... companion.
[hr]
Alex couldn't exactly believe what he was looking at as his blank, mirror like stare was shattered instantly as he uttered the word [color=0072bc]"free,"[/color] before complete silence engulfed his throat. It felt hoarse as he looked, his pupils dilating as he stopped toying with his pokeball. He wasn't frowning apathetically any more as he looked at [i]that[/i] girl in a cute, but somewhat hindering black dress. His trance was instantly broken the moment she moved and decided to head deeper into the large sanctuary.

Blinking for a moment, he was bewildered; it almost felt like a punch to the gut as he just stood there absentmindedly. [color=0072bc][i]"The hell? Is my mind messin' with me? This has to be an fabrication... there's no way that is her..."[/i][/color] Of course, it could be her and this could be his only chance.

Paralyzed, his hand lurched forward, almost as if he wanted to grasp her. Soon his previous demeanor had returned to him. Adjusting himself, he furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at the collar of his shirt, tugging on it as if he was fixing an imaginary tie. Taking one step forward and another, he sped up the progress by heading towards the more dense forested area that would most likely be infested with bugs and other grass pokemon.

He wasn't dissuaded about what he was going to do, but that golden face it was holding threw him off his focus. Stopping for a moment once he was deeper in the part of the sanctuary lacking any sort of human life, he pressed the palm of his hand against his forehead as he began to grind his teeth. [color=0072bc]"Tch, I'm such a dumbass,"[/color] he scolded himself, his eyes burrowing extensively into the tree by him.

How could he be so emotional, being thrown off my what was probably nothing more than a mere illusion of what he wished for. Shaking his head, he pivoted around, frowning as he began to walk out of the small forest, if not for a groaning sound. [color=bc8dbf]"Ggghh..."[/color]

Alert by the sound, he didn't exactly freak out at it, but his heart was pumping somewhat faster as Alex turned his head around, before swiftly going to the other side. Nothing. At this point he stopped and decided to figure out what he was dealing with. Putting a thumb to his chin, he didn't notice the purple puffs of smoke emanating from behind one of the trees as he began to think.

[color=0072bc][i]"Either I'm going mad, dealing with a Ditto or Zorua, or a Misdreavus."[/i][/color] As he stood there, he felt he knew the way said thing would possibly react, hearing a moan as he rotated his head behind him, giving the tree a frigid stare.

... what transpired next was certainly unexpected.

Something licked his face, catching the teenager off guard. His eyes widened in shock as his whole body felt tingly. Of course, Alex' first reaction was to ward off said creature with a swipe that would hopefully not hit it and possibly scare it off maybe?

The boy managed to hit it...

...

He also swiped at it with a pokeball.

His arm arced over and came crashing down on the mysterious assailants face as a bright red light enveloped the area. Covering his eyes with his other hand, the light eventually faded back to the darkness, leaving the same shiny red pokeball rolling on the ground. Welp, whatever just happened, he knew one thing as the white haired boy glanced at the ball.

This was going to get [i]very[/i] awkward if he managed to c-

[b][color=ed1c24]DING![/color][/b]

The red and white eventually stopped rolling around, coming to a complete stop. If anything, he felt a little bad for whatever pokemon received the blunt end of his... erm... false swipe. Picking it up, he stared at it, engrossed by the possibilities of how said partner would react... or even if it wanted to be his partner after that incident. Deciding not to belay it further, he gave a strong hurl into the air, speaking unexcitedly, [color=0072bc]"alright, let's go..."[/color]

The flash of life emanated from the ball as a spherical gaseous figure materialized; a Gastly. Blinking, the pokemon winced in pain as it looked up at the unsmiling face of the person who managed to take hold of it. Fearful, it retreated behind a tree, peeking behind it nervously as Alex pleaded for him or her to come out.

[color=0072bc]"Hey, I'm sorry for what I did; I swear it was an accident!"[/color]

The Gastly didn't budge.

Kneeling down, the Gastly began to watch as the teen dug through his bag, retrieving what looked to be a round, blue Oran Berry. Setting it on the ground, he began shuffling through his bag before backing away, faintly smiling to encourage the timid ghost. Slowly, it began to weave through the air, slowly, but surely... and quickly nabbed the berry before rushing behind the same tree, munching on it nosily. It felt better after the small treat as it once again turned around, only to see the person holding the same berry in his hand.

It did the same motions, wiggling forward like a Caterpie, but eventually, it stopped a few centimeters short of his hand. [color=0072bc]"Hey, there's no need to be afraid, I won't hurt you."[/color] Unlike before, his voice did have emotion now and it was calm and soothing to the nervous pokemon. If it could tip toe over, that would be the best way the Gastly moving slowly towards the berry and nibbling on it.

Making no sudden movements, Alex steadily brought his hand towards the orbs side, but not before lightly brushing it. While the Gastly felt a little scared, it became reassured before calming down as the boy slumped down near a tree.

[color=0072bc]"Seriously though, that was an accident earlier; I meant no harm,"[/color] he gently spoke, smiling at the creature. The Gastly seemed to understand as it nodded before licking Alex one last time for now; he remained unflinching; solid as a rock, but maintained his unperturbed manner as the tingling sensation faded away. The Gastly blinked for a couple of seconds as it gleefully did a little jig side to side and a flip or two.

Chuckling slightly, Alex stood up to his full height, looking eye to eye with the ghost. [color=0072bc]"Gastly... no, how about Henry... is it alright if I call you Henry,"[/color] he quizzed, only to be greeted with a friendly nod and invasion of his personal space for a mere couple of seconds. [color=0072bc]"Alright then; Henry, do you want to be my partner on this journey of ours?"[/color]

The pokemon responded by getting near his trainers shirt and rubbing it a little.

Alex was sure he could take that as a yes as he attached the ball to the strap inside his jacket, smiling only for a few more fleeting seconds.
[hr]
At this point, he decided what he saw was no illusion and continued searching for that apparition of a girl, the Gastly following suit as it did has his newfound friend requested. There wasn't a semblance of worry, but Henry could see that there was something bothering the boy.

[color=0072bc]"Lynn... Where are you?"[/color] In turn, it let out a few [color=a187be]"Gassss,"[/color] as he too in turn scanned the perimeter. They were both completely silent; maybe if they hollered she would come? Regardless, they continued identifying any traces of life that wasn't a Murkrow or Spinrak as the duo continued their current mission.[/center]