Sneakers thumping down the dirt roads that made up so much of the quiet New Bark Town, the sweaty owner felt fresh air as his black and gold cap slipped from his head. Skidding to a stop, Gold glanced around, only to find the nearby area quiet and peaceful. Chest heaving under his red and white hoodie, he went back to scoop up his head wear, brushing it off before slipping it back onto his black hair. Putting his back to rest against a nearby tree, he collapsed against it, catching his breath. "Why don't people keep their pets leashed?" he groaned, so very tired of the morning routine of avoiding the notice of his neighbor's Poochyena. Pulling out a fairly new Pokéapp Gear, the protective shutter opening with the input of a security code, his glance at the current time was interrupted by a ray of the rising sun, poking through the branches and poking him in the eyes. Shifting away, he kept to the shade, playing a quick app game to calm himself. Partway through, he stood back up, glancing around to check his surroundings, spotting a Caterpie in the tree above him. Grimacing, he skittered away, starting his walk back to the center of town, head buried low in a desire to shut himself off from that world around him. His walk through the woods was familiar, but it wasn't as though he truly had much direction. As the woods started to thin, buildings becoming a bit more common, Gold gawked as his Gear vibrated with a new text messages, distracting him and leading to yet another loss. Glaring, he closed the game in frustration before giving the message a read. [b]I wanted to talk to you this morning before you left. Before you come home can you see Professor Elm? It would help a lot sweetie:)[/b] Gold cringed at the smiley face, a little to close to the prior text for his liking. And dated at that. But it wasn't as though he had room to complain. She was more comfortable with talking in person, while Gold didn't feel like talking to her if he didn't need to. [b]Bing bing![/b] Gold jumped a the sound of a bicycle bell came up from his side. "Don't stand in the middle of the road," the police officer said, casually scolding him as he drove by. "Yes [i]sir[/i]," Gold replied, not even trying to concealing his bitterness. Stomach growling, he took a quick stop at the Mart to get a bite to eat, munching on some banana bread as he looked down the side road that he knew would take him to Elm's lab. Another groan escaping his lips, he started down that path, knowing he couldn't simply ignore his mom. He never had, he'd always been obedient, if obstinate otherwise. As he worked himself through the problem, he recalled that the lab, one full of valuable equipment, couldn't be full of Pokémon, right? It would be fine inside...most likely...probably...hopefully... Kicking a nearby stone, he walked on, horfing down his banana bread with anger flaring in his yellow eyes. Crumpling the wrapper in his hands, he stopped in front of the lab the large door looming in front of him. ... ... Gold slipped his hands into his pockets, meandering for a moment. Nervously, he crept up to the door, placing his ear against it, but was unable to hear anything inside. Realizing there might be windows he could peek into, he crept around the side of a building, before coming to a dead stop as he spotted someone else, about his age, already engaged with the lab's windows. "Oi! What are you skulking around for?" called the would be skulker to the red haired one.