Gold didn't respond immediately. A sign nearby observed the way to Blackthorn City, and once Gold saw it, her kept his eyes away, intent on the ground he walked, as though it didn't exist.

At first Gold's expression was indignant, but after a moment, he relaxed, turning his hat so that the visor pointed backwards again. "Well, it's not that different. New Bark is practically wilderness as it is. There not being a lot of people around is weird." [i]And my feet hurt.[/i]

Clasping his hands behind the back of his head, he admitted, "Not like it's going to be a regular thing though. After this I'm just going to go back home and do whatever until school starts again." Though Gold made that claimed, really, he had know idea what was to come. Most of the kids he grew up with were out and about on journeys with Pokémon partners on their coming of age rituals and all that junk Gold didn't care about at all. He did wince as he recalled the monster kept in a ball in his pocket, but that hardly counted if he was going back home anyway.

"Heytheekidsyounew? WannalearnhowtocatchPokémon?" Gold's heart nearly exploded, the boy crying out in surprise as a young adult pounced on them. "It'sprettyeasyyoujustdothis." He ran off, looking around until he spotted a Rattata sleeping under a tree. Arm flailing, he shot out a Pokéball, which hit the Rattata and encapsulated it. The ball shook, before bursting open, the Rattata Growling indignantly before running off. "Ohwellyouwinsomeyoulosesome. It'seasierifyouweakenit."

"...What is your problem!?" Gold cried. He just couldn't get a break, it seemed. Perhaps man was the real monster.