[center][h1][color=Ivory]Jaden Locke[/color][/h1][/center]

[i]A gentleman's duty[/i]

While Vix stumbled her way through the grass, Jaden would be silent, simply slowing his pace until he was behind her a bit and then, with nary a word, he would quite literally sweep her off her feet, carrying the small fire type pokemon in his surprisingly solid arms as if it was the most natural thing in the world . . . almost. One could see by his tendency to look to the side that even he found the action to be a bit much and a tad embarrassing(especially in front of two[s]three[/s] other people. That being said, Jaden couldn't just stand-by and watch her struggle like that, and since Vix seemed to be the prideful sort, if her actions were anything to go by, he knew she wouldn't ask for help no matter what.

[color=Ivory]"It reflects poorly on me if I let my team go through hardships like this needlessly, so I'm fine with carrying you through the tall grass, and before you protest, do note that I'm stubborn about this and nothing short of burning or clawing my eyes out will make me put you down.[/color] His tone left no room for question, though his attention would quickly turned away by Alexis' question which seemed . . . oddly specific and, if he was to be honest, rather unsporting of her to insinuate such a stipulation. As taken with Ghost pokemon as she might be, to claim them all as her own, even if he didn't really plan to 'catch' his pokemon per se, seemed like a rather rod declaration. [color=Ivory]"While you're free to travel with me and Vix for as long as our paths converge, I don't think I can truly accept your terms. I plan to ask individuals who seem interesting to join my group, and I see no need to limit my opportunities by handicapping myself any more than I already have. In any case, I also think that while specializing is well and fine, you should be certain to keep in mind your weaknesses and have answers to them, which may include pokemon of other typings. Just my thoughts on the matter."[/color]

Whatever the girl's reaction to his response, he would see shortly behind them being the other trainer he had met, Rasa, and he would've waved to her, but his hands were currently full with a possibly angry and/or embarrassed Vulpix. Thinking of Vix also brought thought sofrth about Alexis' partner, Shadow, and he wondered how he should apologize to the slightly older man for his own partner's actions, as well as if they were mute or not, as the Honedge had yet to speak for as long as he had known him(which was admittedly short, but still). However, his attention would be turned from his new traveling companions when he heard the sounds of crying heading their way. Looking between the boy and the gang of ruffians, he was quick to put two and two together and see that they were accosting the poor lad. However, what really made his blood boil was when the lowlives bragged about stealing a pokemon from the boy and, to make matters worse, began to insult the pokemon inside it, before one claimed that he was the boss of it simply because he held it's pokeball.

Properly enraged by this horrid display, he gently let Vix down before stepping forward to grab a rock from the ground. Taking a second to aim, he drew his arm back, before hurling it strait at the head hooligan's hand in an attempt to make him drop the Pokeball. Afterwards, he would brazenly step forward, hsi ice-blue eyes glaring holes through the lot of them.

[color=Ivory]"Now see here you bottom-feeding neanderthals, I will ask you only once to politely step-down and return to this boy his Partner, as you have no right to separate the two, especially in such an ill-begotten matter. If you refuse, then I'm sad to say that it'll be up to me and my partner to teach you all proper manners, which I'm sure you'll have plenty of time to practice once the authorities throw the lot of you into prison for you misdeeds."[/color] Now, while Jaden might've looked and sounded inspiring to anyone taking just his words into account, one has to remember that he is not only a newbie trainer with but a single pokemon to his name, but he was challenging an entire group of more-than-likely violent criminals while also telling them of his plans to alert the authorities to their activities. As far as plans go, his was neither the brightest nor the most logical, fueled by emotion, righteousness, zeal, and very little else.

[@Feisty-Pants]
[@Shadow Daedalus]
[@Ashevelendar]
[@TalijaKey]
[hr]

[center][color=Darkorchid]Noibat[/color][/center]

[color=Darkorchid]"Boo. . . Ya give in too easily, Z."[/color] Noibat would say, making a face before releasing the dark-type, rolling to aside to let him up. As he asked about where she'd been, she seemed to take a second to ponder the question, before jumping up from her back to her feet without a single misstep, explaining as she dusted herself off. [color=Darkorchid]"I dunno, around? Ya know I like to travel around a bit when the pickings get slim 'round here. What's the matter, didja really miss lil' ol' me that much?[/color]

Noibat would say the last bit, while fluttering her eyes in a mockingly seductive manner, even taking a second to pose before quickly breaking the facade with a burst of laughter, unable to take herself even a smidgen seriously. Following behind Z, she listened to what he had to say, the smile on her face growing much wider as he laid out his plan for the day.

[color=Darkorchid]"I'm always ready ta knock them traders down a peg, or five. Any one of 'em will do, really, the newbies are always really gullible and easy to steal from. Prep the sweet-tooth, Z, we've got some business to do."[/color] With that said, Noibat would(as she always did)start taking the lead, grabbing on to Zorua's hand and dragging him forward towards Route 1, eagerly anticipating all of the stuff she could get from the money she got from selling those stupid pokeballs, as well as the other stuff trainers tended to have on them when they started on their journey.