[center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/iHwVY5L.png[/img] ☆═━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━═☆ [sup][color=fec5e5][b]interacting with:[/b][/color] everyone, Judas ([@Lord Orgasmo])[/sup] [/center] The computer's startup chime sounded more like triumphant fanfare to her ears. Naoko logged into the device victoriously, only pausing momentarily to grimace at the insecure "pokemon1" password the laboratory staff insisted on. Everything seemed to be working correctly—no random screen flickering, no abrupt shut downs—which seemed almost miraculous given the nearly irreparable state it had started in. Apparently, one of the lab assistants' Poliwag had accidentally used water gun on his work station, soaking everything. Normally, Naoko would have stayed to hear the full story, but there was no time for that today. Even less than she'd realized, now that she'd gotten a look at the time. They better hurry! [color=fec5e5][b]"Alright, Fritz, it's all you."[/b][/color] Naoko gave the excited Porygon a playful salute as it slowly dematerialized and entered the operating system. This was what Fritz did for each and every project they worked on for quality assurance, something she must have seen a million times over, and yet the sense of wonder she felt upon watching it work never waned. There was never any proper visualization of Fritz at work, but Nao had taken to imagining a little desktop version of it hard at work, sifting through folders, rearranging files, and throwing things in the trash icon. It took only seconds before Fritz was beside her again, giving her a firm nod and humming contentedly. That was that then. Their last job, at least for a while. The two of them strolled out of the lab and locked up, punching a code in the keypad to set all the alarms. Technically, their last job had been reassigned to her dad, but Naoko knew it would have bothered her if she didn't finish it herself. She thought of it as a nice parting gift and a sort of closure for her. It was the same with her parents. Naoko had already said her goodbyes to them earlier that morning. They made it brief and nonchalant, as though she was only leaving to go to a store and not a long journey, because otherwise, they knew her mom would change her mind. It was sort of lonely not receiving a proper send-off, but it was for the best. For now, they were onto bigger and better things. As they made their way to the planned meeting spot, Naoko attached her Pokegear to a lanyard and slipped it around her neck. [color=fec5e5][b]"Okay, Fritz,"[/b][/color] she made exaggerated adjusting motions to show her Porygon it was ready and facing front. Fritz inspected her and cooed in approval. Within moments, he disappeared from her side and resurfaced in the screen of her Pokegear, filling it with its familiar pink and blue color. Fritz's digitized eyes blinked several times, as though acclimating to the new view. Nao had always thought it was funny how Fritz preferred to travel like this—the Porygon liked to look around and see everything but absolutely abhorred walking for long periods of time. Clinker was the exact opposite. It loved to roam around and touch everything within reach curiously. The only reason it wasn't out right now was because it was too early in the morning. Although she was already missing its presence, Nao knew it was for the best; with the journey ahead of them, she had no doubt Clinker would quickly exhaust itself with all the new things they'd be encountering. [color=fec5e5][b]"Bet if you walked around with me and Clink more, you'd actually like it,"[/b][/color] Naoko teased. Her Pokegear buzzed and beeped loudly in response, Fritz's way of saying "hell no," coaxing out a peal of laughter from her lips. The town limit and connection to Route 29 wasn't too far from the laboratory, and before long, Nao could see figures dotting the horizon. Fritz beeped happily through her Pokegear, no doubt sensing its friends nearby. It would have happily gone and transferred itself to one of the others' Pokegear, but her dad had reprimanded them about how that was a breach of privacy or something dull like that and so Fritz has since refrained. Instead, it had to wait until Nao's short legs carried them the rest of the way. It took several minutes, but once they arrived, both Nao and Fritz marveled at the sight of the group. She was aware that they would be traveling with a sizeable group, but to actually see everyone come together was another thing. [color=fec5e5][b]"Wow, everyone's really here! Hi, guys!"[/b][/color] In her excitement, Nao couldn't decide who to pounce on first, but eventually settled for Judas. She had heard Zola asking Sam something and she didn't want to hear whatever scheme he was plotting so early in the day. Naoko approached Judas and grinned at Squegg in his leash. As much as she wanted to give the Pokemon a fond pat on the head, she'd learn her lesson after getting one of her older prosthesis damaged by his monstrous chompers. [color=fec5e5][b]"Morning, Jude!"[/b][/color] Nao greeted. [color=fec5e5][b]"I see you've survived another day with Squegg. Congrats!"[/b][/color]