[h2][center]Slateport City[/center][/h2][h3][center]Intermission[/center][/h3]

A large crowd milled about in the harbor as the S.S. Libra pulled in and the Steel Serpent pulled out. The exuberant child was intensely happy to see land once again after the long voyage and all but fell out of the boat into the storm cleared waters below. All of the city's main attractions, such as it's world renown bazaar styled market, were many meters away and the child was confused as to why they'd all gather hear to see another boat being christened. 

With wood beneath her feat, and ground firmly beneath that, Sarah ran down the boardwalk with arms outstretched like a bird. She wove in and out between people on her way into town. As much as she wanted to play on the beach in the surf and tides, doing so while her pokemon languished in their balls was not something her new-found trainer's instincts would allow, and let all of them out to stretch their legs stubs, and/or slimy bits.

Not know what to do with it, she sheepishly clutched the egg her mother ad left her and nervously looked around for a knowledgeable person to help her. She had done her best to keep it warm and happy in her travels, and the volcano incense she was given as a consolation prize by Matt was a recent addition to that regiment. She was embarrassed to say that she didn't really know how to care for an egg, and it showed on her face. 

As she wandered about Slateport Sarah found herself outside of the Pokemon Fanclub, where an elderly woman sat in a rocking chair on the building's porch. [color=#c0ffe8]"Whatta' you got there, deary?"[/color] the elderly woman asked.

[color=#FFC0EB]"Oh, it's..."[/color] Sarah inspected the egg for some indication of what may lie inside before giving up. [color=#FFC0EB]"An egg,"[/color] she finally said while presenting the egg to the elderly lady.

[color=#c0ffe8]"It seems healthy,"[/color] the elderly woman said as she received the egg. She pressed her ear to it and added [color=#c0ffe8]"A bit light, but well cared for."[/color] The woman then gently pressed the top and bottom of the egg to test its firmness. [color=#c0ffe8]"Still pretty new."[/color] The woman pointed to the splotches of coloration on the egg. Those markings, as well as the texture, and other indicators told what species of pokemon lie inside. [color=#c0ffe8]"Ya'can tell what type it is by the way these rings fade."[/color] she added while pointing to some splotchy edges around some splotchy splotches.

Sarah simply didn't understand breeding at all, or how this old lady could know as much as she does about eggs. [color=#FFC0EB]"It's, uhm, doing okay though, right?"[/color] she asked as her pokemon looked up at her signifying their concern matched her own.

[color=#c0ffe8]"Oh, heavens yes. Just peachy,"[/color] the old lady exclaimed, [color=#c0ffe8]"You're doin' a fine job, miss...?"[/color]

[color=#FFC0EB]"Ro,"[/color] Sarah said with a sigh of relief.  

[color=#c0ffe8]"Miss Ro, our organization could always use more diligent trainers like yer'self. Would'ja like to join?"[/color] 

Sarah nodded excitedly as her egg was returned to her, and the old lady laughed as it in-turn was returned to her bag. The packaged volcano incense was still warm to the touch after hours, and its packaging promised that to be normal, so Sarah placed it at the bottom of her bag beneath the egg. With her spare change of clothes wrapped around it she had a make-shift nest-slash-incubator. 

Her doubts as a new mother were gently alleviated by the approving glance she caught the old lady's whimsical smile passing in her direction as the poke-fan got up to let the five of them in. [color=#c0ffe8]"And, If'n ya want to bring the little lady around once she hatches, I'm sure folks around here would be happy to get a gander at a real live ghost type."[/color] the lady added as she presented Sarah with a registration form. 

[color=#FFC0EB]"Sure thing!"[/color] Sarah said as she hoisted the bag up, and on her back once more. Having now freed her hands to sign the registration form, and exchange contact info, Sarah was registered to the fan club's newsletter. 

The lady responded with [color=#c0ffe8]"Well, I'm sure you got lots to see here in Slateport, but do feel free to pop back in once in a while while though."[/color] the old lady said to the child whom nodded in response. [color=c0ffe8]"It ain't good to keep a young lass like yer'self cooped up too long, so you run along and have some fun now."[/color] the laddy added with a polite wave, and as an after thought tapped one of the printed copies of the newsletter [color=c0ffe8]"Stay in touch!"[/color]

There was so much to do in Slateport City that the child was at a loss for where to start. She surveyed the whole of the city, well, the part she could see from the Pokemon Fan Clubhouse entrance; just looking for anything to jump out at her. [color=#FFC0EB]"Lets see if we can stir up a little fun,"[/color] she said equally to the pokemon still in their balls, and the egg on her back.