[center][h3][color=00a651]Gren[/color][/h3]
[color=00a651]Location[/color]: Folio Town
[color=00a651]Activity[/color]: Talking to strangers ([color=darkturquoise]Devon[/color] and [color=6bbedf]Karaha[/color])[/center]

Today was the day. [b]The[/b] day. The day that Gren leaves home and tries to figure out his past. He had everything he needed: enough food to last him at least a week, his lucky rock, and the weird marble his mom said that belonged to him. Everything he needed to go on a journey. But there was one problem: He had no idea where to start. At first he figured he'd go back to the mines where his mom first found him, but he already did that. Nothing but bits of iron and occasionally more hard stones. No one in this town really knew much about him, at least no more than his mother did. Gren tried to visit his friends, see if they had any clue where he should start.

The first person he went to was Honey. Gren and Honey were tight friends, and while Honey wasn't quite as adventurous as he was, Gren could rely on Honey for help. The buneary was having a snack when Gren stopped by his house for a chat. Honey was having a snack when he noticed the green-eyed aron arrived. Hopping out of his seat Honey walked up to his friend, doing their signature greeting: a light headbutt, with Honey tapping Gren's head with both his ears. [color=#ffe4c4]"Gren? What are you doing here? The berries won't be ready for harvest until another three days."[/color] Gren shook his head and crawled into a seat. [color=00a651]"I'm not looking for berries, Honey. I'm trying to figure out who my real parents are."[/color] 

Honey looked at Gren with surprise. It was obvious to both of them that Gren was adopted (Who ever heard of a mawile giving birth to an aron?), but Honey didn't think Gren would go so far to figure it out. He gave Gren a cup of berry juice, who thanked his buddy and finished it in one gulp. [color=#ffe4c4]"That sounds pretty important Gren. I mean... I don't know what to say. I wish I could tell you something, but I wouldn't even know where to start."[/color] Gren nodded sadly. He kinda figured Honey would say that and Gren couldn't blame him. 

Still, Honey wasn't going to let Gren go on such a low note. He went inside his house and came back out with a knapsack full of berries. Sitrus berries, Gren's favorite. [color=#ffe4c4]"I... I guess if you're going to try to find out, you might end up leaving town. I wish I could go with you Gren, I really do, but... You know, I have the farm to take care of, and honestly? I think I'll just hold you back."[/color] Gren looked into the sack with surprise, getting out of the chair to give his friend and affection hug (Which mostly involved rubbing his head against Honey). [color=00a651]"Nah, it's fine dude. I understand and I'm glad that you're going to help me anyways. I know I'll be going pretty far, but it'll be nice to know that when all is said and done, I have someone like you back here at Folio."[/color] Taking the sack and adding it to his own stuff, Gren was about to head off. Before he did he had one more thing to say to Honey. [color=00a651]"But you know, it's not like this is goodbye. I might be gone for a while, but I'll do my best to stay in touch. I'll send letters! And plus, since I'll be traveling around the world, maybe I could send you some berry seeds or something. I know you've always wanted to grow every type of berry. Well... Now it's my turn to help you. Anyways, see you around Honey!"[/color]

Munching on one or two berries, Gren went to his next lead: Kage. The poochyena was in the town of Folio barking at some other poochyenas. He seemed to be in the middle of reprimanding a particularly puny pooch when he saw Gren. He gave the pup a sharp growl and the poochyena ran away. Gren greeted Kage with a headbutt, though Gren made sure not to bump Kage too hard. [color=00a651]"Kage, my mon, what's the word on the street?"[/color] Kage grinned and the two walked out of the alley and into the Town Plaza. While some would call Gren bigger, Kage was physically taller since he wasn't so squat as Gren was. [color=#e0eeee]"I hear there's some mysterious stuff going on in the Trunk. Mon's been seeing strangers come and go, don't even stop by the town. Not many folks worried, but there are curious. What's with the bags? Mom kick ya out?"[/color] Gren shook his head, offering Kage a berry. Never one to say no to free food, Kage gobbled it down while Gren spoke. 

[color=00a651]"Nah, but I might be out of town for a while. You know I've been here for a good few years now, and I've always been wondering who my folks were. You know, my real mom and dad."[/color] Kage didn't show any thought to that. Like Gren, Kage didn't know his parents either. But he was founded by the pack as soon as he could remember, so it didn't really matter to him. So he just shrugged his shoulders as they stopped near a foutain for Kage to wash the Sitrus juice down. Once he finished he sighed. [color=#e0eeee]"I know I can't talk ya out of it, so I'll just be level with ya: I don't think it really matters. Ya got a home here, a loving mother, true friends, and a solid job. Most pokemon can't say that elsewhere. Heck, even if ya find out, maybe ya won't like what ya find, see? Ignorance is Blissey and all that. But... Since ya won't listen to my wisdom, I suppose I could at least help you on your journey."[/color] The poochyena smirked before taking something out of the fountain. It was a map. Gren tilted his head, wondering how and why Kage had that there.

[color=#e0eeee]"This here is a map of the Sand Continent. Now, can't say that this is entirely accurate, as I've never been to these places neither. But it's new, so it's got to have some merit, see? I doubt y'all find what ya looking for in town or even down the Trunk, so this here map ought to lead you to where you need to be."[/color] The map was quite detailed, marking not only the towns, but geographical information like roads, rivers, mountains, forests, and a few landmarks. The fact that everything was spelled correctly was a sure enough sign that Kage stole this, and not make it himself. Gren looked at his friend with a sink eye, asking the unspoken question of where this map came from. [color=#e0eeee]"Oh c'mon now, do ya really think that's all I'm good for? I happen to have a working relationship with people too. This map was made by some Exploration blokes from Sahra. I gave them some dirt about the local area and they gave me this map. C'mon, would I lie to ya?"[/color] 

Yes he would, but Gren decided to believe him regardless. After all, he could certainly use this map if he left town. [color=00a651]"Alright Kage, I'll accept that. But still, no more funny business, you hear? I know you got a checkered past, but we both made sure you're turning over a new leaf. I don't want to come back after all's said and done and hear that you got ran out of town because you're selling salt-water charms."[/color] Gren gave Kage a playful ribbing before they both parted ways. Kage might be shady, but he was a good mon. Maybe not a nice mon, but a good one.

Putting his map into a strap, the next pokemon Gren stopped by was his old friend Masha. He could usually meet her in the plaza at the Kecleon Shop, learning the trade. Sure enough he stepped inside and saw the little mushroom manning the register. She saw Gren and hopped off, giving him a solid headbutt. [color=#f0e68c]"Gren! What'll it be today? I just got a great deal on Big Mushrooms today. How about two per nugget? Or maybe you want to finally get that Rocky Hat you've been eyeing?"[/color] Gren had to admit both of those things sound very tempting right now, but he didn't have any money with him to buy much. Besides that, he got straight to the point. [color=00a651]"Sorry Masha, I'm not here to shop. I'm actually here to ask for you help."[/color] Masha raised an eye at this. Wasn't often that Gren needed Masha's help with anything. Usually it was the other way around. Masha would normally try to charge him or ask a favor, but she had a feeling that this was a bit more important than just lending a hand at chores. [color=#f0e68c]"Sure thing Gren. What do you need?"[/color]

Gren took his sack off his back, digging inside to take out the strange marble. He put it on the ground in front of Masha (On account of the fact that neither of them had hands to hold it) so she could take a closer look. She's never seen anything like it, and it's shine made her immediately wonder how much she could sell it for. Gren knew this and spoke up. [color=00a651]"I'm not selling it Masha. Actually, I was hoping you could help me figure out what it is. See, my mom said that before I hatched, this marble was next to my egg. She thought maybe it belonged to whoever dropped me off. My parents."[/color] Masha looked up at Gren and was quickly able to piece together what he wanted. She immediately got to thinking, but sighed. 

[color=#f0e68c]"Hmm. It's a real shame Gren, cause I've never seen anything like this. I'm sure if I showed it to some merchants they might know, but traders won't come in till a few more days. Even then I've seen everything from bags of soft sand to Ho-Oh feathers (Actually fake), and I've never seen anything like this. Chances are your average merchant might not either. I can certainly tell that it's no ordinary rock though. If I had to guess, it must be some sort of evolutionary stone, like a dawn stone or something. But that's just my guess."[/color]

Gren nodded his head. His third try and he still wasn't any closer to finding out than he was before. He's already guessed that this was some sort of evolutionary stone, but he tried to use it on everyone in town; nothing happened. Masha could see Gren looking down, so she went back behind the counter and tossed a bag of pokedollars. It added up to about ten thousand (10,000). Gren looked up to Masha, curious. [color=#f0e68c]"I managed to sell those fossils you traded me a few weeks back. I was going to give this to you next week after we trade, but I'm guessing from all your gear you won't be in town for much longer. Consider this an advance, for all our business together. You know Gren... I was thinking that maybe it's about time I left town too. My mom and dad started their careers around my age. I think after I get everything settled, I'll head out and see the world too. I don't know what you'll get yourself into, but I know that I'll become the best merchant the world has ever seen. And if that can happen, then I'm sure that you'll be able to figure out more about your mom and dad too."[/color] 

Gren took the coins and his marble off the ground thoughtfully. Masha always seemed like she was scamming him out of a good deal, but she always knew what to say to make Gren feel happy. [color=00a651]"Thanks Masha. Good luck with your business. Maybe we'll catch each other on our own journeys, eh? Anyways, catch you around."[/color]

Three down. Gren wasn't sure who else he could talk to. He figured he could go ask Helix down at the beach, but by the time he'd get there it'd be nighttime. Normally Gren would need to go early in the morning if he wanted to get back home before sunset. Perhaps he'd try to find Robo? He didn't know where he was or what exactly Robo was doing in the desert, but considering how mysterious he was, surely he knew something that Gren didn't. Maybe even something important. But before he could do that, he felt something slap against his forehead. He took it off and noticed it was a piece of paper. It was a ticket for jaywalking. Gren sighed; it was Seraph.

[color=#98fb98]"It's dangerous for you to walk across the street during a busy day like this!"[/color] While most of the business did occur doing the day, right now the Town Square was hardly what Gren would call busy. And Gren was the type of mon who thinks getting out of bed is a chore. Gren sighed and started to walk away, but Seraph teleported right in front of him. She seemed a bit peeved that he was ignoring her. [color=00a651]"Seraph, please. I don't have time for this right now! I'm trying to figure out who my parents are."[/color] Seraph looked at Gren questionably. [color=#98fb98]"Isn't Miss Nadeshiko your mother?"[/color] Gren nodded his head, then shook it side-to-side. Yes she was, technically, but no she wasn't, biologically. Gren figured he didn't need to explain that to Seraph. [color=00a651]"Yeah but... Look, I mean my real parents. You know, the one who laid my egg. My mom- I mean, Nadeshiko, she's my adoptive mom. And I love her, of course, but I want to know who my real parents are. And... And what happened to them. Why I didn't grow up with them."[/color]

For once Seraph didn't look at Gren with nasty eyes. In fact she seemed quite sympathetic. She stood in front of Gren, thinking, before flipping through her book and handing him a piece of paper. Instead of a ticket however, it looked like a set of directions into the Folio Trunk. [color=#98fb98]"Hmph! Well if that's what you wanted to know, then you could have just told me. Normally we have records of all the families that live in Folio at the library, but since you were adopted, I doubt we have records of whoever your parents are. But maybe there is someone who would know. There's been rumors of a pokemon who can access all the knowledge in the world at the lower levels of Folio's Trunk. A bunch of Osha-wash if you ask me, but could be someone down there who knows a lot of answers to a lot of questions. I'd say that this pokemon is the next smartest person next to the sibyl, and this pokemon doesn't require you making an audience with it. Normally I wouldn't tell you this, since the lower trunks are dangerous, but it looks like you're already ready to go down there anyways."[/color]

Finally, Gren had a lead. A rumor about someone who might not exist, but it was the start for something. Gren didn't expect Seraph of all mon's to help him, but he was glad she was. He went and gave her a hug (Again, just rubbing his head against her, in this instance just her leg) which embarrassed the Karlia. She put her foot against his head and tried to kick him away, but she was too weak to even make him budge, instead having to teleport again to escape his affection. [color=#98fb98]"Stupid baby! Don't be stupid! I don't even know if this rumor is true, and all you might find is a bunch of rocks and a puddle. The only reason I'm even telling you is because I respect the pursuit of knowledge, especially for someone as stupid as you. Hmph!"[/color] She crossed her arms and turned her back on Gren, walking away. Before she left though she did get a last word in. [color=#98fb98]"For a pokemon like you, you'd need all the help you can get. And... And everyone should know who their family is. Even someone as stupid as you."[/color] Then Seraph ran off, leaving Gren to smile as she left. She was mean, but she could also be nice too. She just needs to be more honest with her feelings.

Now that Gren had a lead, all he needed to do now was head into the lower levels of the trunk. But that had it's own problems. Gren was a tough pokemon and could fight, but even he wouldn't be able to go far on his own down there. He'll need to work with a team if he hopes to find that mysterious pokemon Seraph was talking about. So to that end, he'll need to join a team. Gren didn't really know much about the Guild or Exploration Teams, but he knew enough about them that they would do stuff like explore the lower levels of the Trunk for treasure and stuff. Gren didn't think he would explore the mystery dungeons himself, but then again he didn't know what to expect. So now he'll need to go find someone to help him. He would try to go back and ask for his friends for help, but he didn't know any who would actually be capable. 

Honey said it himself that he'd only slow Gren down. Kage was crafty, but the town life suited him better than dungeon crawling. Masha might be interested, but if what she said is true, she'll be busy for the next few days and she might hop onto the next boat to start her trading business. Seraph was right out of the question; she might have helped Gren, but he couldn't tolerate working with her forever. He was certain that Seraph felt the feeling was mutual. That only left a few people he could think off like his mother or Helix, but he didn't want his mother to get involved in his own problems, and Helix might have a hard time traveling across land. But Gren wasn't going to give up so easily: if push came to shove he will enter the dungeons alone.

As Gren was walking through the town square, he noticed a peculiar sight. A Umbreon and Totodile. The Umbreon Gren was fairly certain he's seen before, but he couldn't place a name. He only remembers seeing him, but never spoke to the umbreon. But Gren definitely hasn't seen the totodile before. In fact, he's never seen a totodile excite in pictures and books. Perhaps they were strangers? Maybe they could help him. Of course he can't simply walk up to them and ask "Hey will you join my team to find a mysterious pokemon down in the trunk?" He needed to be polite, introduce himself, chat with them. Eventually, he'll get what he wants as long as he's both patient and persistent. That's what mother taught him. So Gren walked up to the two strangers and introduced himself. [color=00a651]"Hello! I don't think I've ever seen you two in town before. My name is Gren! Mind if I ask what you're up to?"[/color]

Nailed it.