As soon as Havoc's feet ascended on to the gangplank his spirits began to lift with him, as if he was literally rising above all his cares in that very moment. It made him glance backwards at the upper end of the gangplank to look down at the ground. In the midst of boarding crowd he saw a variety of young adventurers, including a boy and girl near enough behind him in conversation. They all had a mix of trembling and excitement, the kind one exhibits on a rollercoaster just before the first drop whereas Havoc was all out of excitement. His 'drop' was his escape on foot to the ship. All he had in his heart was relief.

[quote=@Whimsley][color=ec008c]“Hello there! Pleased to meet you. My name is Holly. I’m Professor Palm’s main research assistant.”[/color]

For such an exotic look, Holly spoke more monotonously than you’d expect.

[color=ec008c]“Professor Palm is looking forward to meet all beginning trainers over a complimentary dinner this evening, if you’d be so kind to accept.”[/color]
She smiled, but it almost seemed conceited, or forced. Or maybe she just wasn’t quite sure how to smile.

[color=ec008c]“In the meantime, please make your way to the Terminal Lab in the lower deck. Spaces have been accommodated for all passengers.”[/color][/quote]

Havoc's eyes trailed Holly as she left, noting that she gave near enough the same speech to each succession of adventurers in turn the moment they boarded the ship. Havoc followed those in front of him. Was he a trainer? Technically. That's about as much as he could honestly lay claim to. It's not as if he had any deep desire to be a world champion - he didn't need to go that far, but there were many trainers in these days who raised and groomed their pokemon for all manners of dreams and goals. It was a lot easier to understand rearing and capturing pokemon through these officials means than it was figuring it out in the wild. Afterall, they [i]gave[/i] trainers the first pokemon for free.

[quote=@Whimsley]Following her directions and some signage, you were able to find your bearings and navigate toward the aforementioned Terminal Lab. It was surprisingly clean for being part of an aquatic vessel. Though, it was apparent that the salt had began to take over as it did all things. A white grime was encrusted on the sides of several terminals. They were lined in rows, like slot machines in a casino. Each one had a black, rotating stool to sit in, with just a few people in line for each one.[/quote]

As he waite for his terminal line to open up, Havoc glanced at the other lines, noting the changes in expression for those at the front. Some jumped with joy when they received their pokemon. Others hung their heads in despair. It caused caused to raise an eyebrow, confused at how this could be a disappointing moment. Weren't all pokemon good? Some people even called for a assistance to settle their disputes with the machines, pointing to kids that used the terminal before them. He saw two other kids that looked like brothers scrambling over a single pokeball before being separated. Another child refused to move from his stool, shouting that he "doesn't want a magikarp" to the assistant at the terminal. Eventually, the line in front of Havoc fell away and it was just him and the terminal.


[quote=@Whimsely][@Xan the G]

[color=6ecff6][REGISTER][/color] Read on the screen, just above a thumb print. There was no turning back from here. Did you accept?[/quote]

Havoc paused, hesitantly. His thumbprint and full name would put him right back on the grid, at least for the time being. He wasn't sure what might happen if he registered. At the very least, he might stay safe the rest of the journey by sea. He inhaled deeply and press accept.

[quote=@Whimsley]Blue lines traversed the screen. In patterns, sporadically, dashing in their inconsistency. The cogs in the terminal whirred as the lasers performed their show, before they came to form words on the screen.

[color=6ecff6]Havoc Matsuda

AGE: 15
SEX: M
HEIGHT: 5' 0”
WEIGHT: 123 lbs[/color]

[color=6ecff6][IS THIS CORRECT?][/color]

[color=6ecff6]CALCULATING...[/color]

First, a hex grid of wireframe. Black in the inside, green as the structure, a Poké Ball formed in a pocket below the screen, held by a sort of basic upholder apparatus. A green laser, in the fashion of a 3D printer, began to bring the Pokéball to life. Layer by layer, the second dimension gained another perspective. First green, then a white bottom, a black, middle rim, a white button on the front, and finally the cherry ted top. The button glowed a dark pink and hummed a synthetic tune before fading.

[color=6ecff6]YOUR POKÉMON IS... HOUNDOUR

[WILL YOU GIVE HOUNDOUR A NAME?] [/color]

The screen asked you.[/quote]

Havoc scratched his chin, looking at the image of this pokemon "Houndour". He would forget that very quickly, but the image showed a stoic, fierce looking young pup with a skull covering its scalp. It seemed valiant and serious. Havoc's hand reached for the terminal and began to press letters.

[R-O-O-K-ENTER] - A Rook. That's what the image reminded Havoc of; not the species of bird obviously, but of a unit that would stand rank&file at the side of the king - the chess piece.