"Lookin' sharp, Winter. Lookin' real sharp." 

Making various faces into the mirror, the seventeen-year-old ran a comb through his deep black hair. It was such a tint that one might think he had dyed it black, but they would be mistaken. It was short, but long enough to be spiked. Winter was a few inches short of six feet, so he was about the average height for someone his age. Icy cyan eyes glittered with excitement as he smoothed his clothes. They contrasted greatly with his lightly tanned skin. Today was the day he would finally embark on his journey to become a champion. It was a goal that hundreds of youth had, but less than a handful actually got to taste. But with an older brother living far away as a pokemon breeder, Winter considered himself two steps ahead. 

He was wearing a t-shirt that had a sketch of the Prism Tower in the Kalos region under a black jean jacket with a high cut, and sleeves folded up to his elbows, with dark red lace up boots and slim olive pants. Winter usually liked the flashier clothes, but if he was serious about being a trainer, he would have to wear more mobile clothes. Feeling a tug on his pant leg, the boy looked down at his partner pokemon. "Huh? What'd you want? You know I can't tell what you're thinking when I look into your glowing, soulless eyes, right?" The trainer to-be joked with a smile, causing the tiny phantump to whine. Chartarum's voice sounded like a baby's, which unnerved even Winter the horror fanatic. 

After levitating to his shoulder area, the pokemon let out a cry once more, not because it was distraught, but because it was how ghost types were. With a smile, Winter grabbed his partner by the stump and gently pushed him away. "Aren't you so excited?! We have to meet Rhys today at the soda pop shoppe so we can leave this back water town!" He sang while running to the kitchen, alarm clock beeping as he left the room. It was six o' clock, six hours before the meeting time. Chartarum trailed his master slowly. 

"Okay," Winter admitted, biting into his omelette, "So Slateport is actually a pretty cool city, being by the beach and all. Don't you think?" Stare. "You know, Char-tar-um, you aren't exactly the most loving of pokemon. Can I at least get a nod?" Red eyes seeming to focus, the ghost type seemed unresponsive and Winter sighed, a bit disappointed. Suddenly, the boy heard a rattling. Eyes widening as he realized it was coming from the sink, he didn't notice his pokemon's eyes glow a green. It wasn't from the sink, it was the potted plant that had mysteriously grown and fallen into the sink. "I will never understand you, mister." In turn, the pokemon almost giggled. Almost. 

"And the funny thing is, I actually expected him to be on time." The teen finished, hugging his phantump to his body like it was his only friend. The little girl was confused, but squeezed her inner tube. "Uh... that's sad, mister... But uh, you said you would help me find my mommy...." The teen combed a hand through his hair, clearly not listening to the tuber. "And then, Rhys will probably just pop outta nowhere, and will I forgive him? No. Nuh- uh. Because I'm always expected to hang by his immature hide, no matter what! Plus he still owes me a copy of [i]To Kill a Murkrow[/i]." Cyan eyes narrowing, he took another sip of his lime soda bottle. Just then, he heard his best friend's voice and his eyes lit up. "Awyeah!" He ruffled the random child's hair even as she complained to him, but he wasn't playing attention. 

Being careful not to step on any sandcastles, or small children building sandcastles, Winter snuck up behind the brunette, and convinced his best friend wasn't paying attention, sent a playful punch to his shoulder. "You know, if you and Chrys were planning on hanging out without me, you could have let me know. I stayed up all night!" He complained with a pout. Crossing his arms, the trainer dug into his off-the-shoulder bag until he found his hollocaster. Then, he hit Rhys in the back with it. 'We have these things for a reason, you know! They're not just for looking at naked people!"