[quote=@Smarty Jones] "Riolu! Rio...Riolu!" Riolu exclaimed as he voiced his approval to continue onwards. "Poochyena!" Poochyena called from the Pokèball, agreeing with the plan to continue onwards. James chuckled. "Well, I think that heading to Big Bear might be interesting. As a person from Vermont, the cold shouldn't bother me, nor should the mountains. Have you ever been to Vermont, just out of curiosity?" James said, though he imagined that was most likely a no from Jessica. James had literally people asked him questions like "is Vermont part of Canada?" Or "what country is Vermont in?" James was both surprised and annoyed that some of his fellow Americans clearly didn't know that Vermont was indeed a state. [/quote] Jessie: So... Big bear it is. And on the part of having been to Vermont. No. I haven't. But to be honest... i wouldn't mind checking it out. Of course that now since we're on this pokemon Journey and everything... it'd be a fine opportunity to stroll along over there while we're eventually gonna be on the east coast. *Thinking* I was thinking that we also could opt in for checking out Arrowhead while on the way up to Big Bear. We might come across some Flying types and bug types. Maybe even some water types that are Water/Grass types. It's a perfect chance to get a look at some of that stuff. Big bear... we might see some Ice-types. Steel Types and perhaps Rock/Steel types. It'll be a wonderful experience. Arcanine: *Pouncing around and panting excitedly* Jessie: Looks like my Arcanine is happy. She's just busting with eagerness. Wanting to go for the trip. While on the Road... Jessie: So... James. You came from Vermont. Your home is there. But did you ever feel like you could have perhaps lived somewhere other than Vermont? Maybe like another place to consider home? Wichita, Kansas then Metropolis was my one known home. But then when i dealt with a heavy loss... a Deep and personal one over the last 2 years close to 3... My new home became California. Been there since. However now... i'm on the journey to get my chance in competing in the Pokemon League then getting my chance at nailing the bastards who done away with my Landlord/Benefactor Andre Possleson. He took me in and gave me a home. An allowance and it was like 50-100 dollars a month. But i'd do some errands for him and earn my keep. All he asked was that i went to school and got an education for myself and that i stayed out of trouble for as much as i could. Because i'll tell you. He could frickin' tell that i was troubled and from the shit that i went through... It shook me and numbed me so much... I took to smoking. *Pulling out her pack of smokes* Cigarettes. I was that screwed up and it got to where... i could just shut down and say... the hell with everyone. But while i was going through the pains of what i lost. I dug deep and remembered that i still had a talent of singing. I did some Karaoke and there would be contests. One of them... no. two of them... were with prizes that came with Pokemon. Which are some of the ones i got with me. Charmander... Andre gave to me. Pidgeotto... i caught on my own. but the rest... Won from a contest. I came across a troubled person who also smoked. She's the daughter of a family that didn't give two shits about her. So... she did whatever the heck she wanted. This whole thing makes me think about the hell i went through... The things about it though... It's that... I am learning to flip it and put a positive spin to it. I focus on how to make better with myself. Because i know that i can get past it and make things better. Do i miss my father and Mother... And Brother. You better believe i do. I miss them alot. But i also know that in spite of it all... their passing was a blessing because it reminded me that we're only here for a short time. A very short time. And while alive... we have to make best of what sort of life we happen to lead. Just keep looking forward and keep going. Living. Because when it's your time to die... that's it. It's over. There's no redo's... no takebacks... nothing. You're done. Jessie was getting some things out that she normally wouldn't let off right away. But with them being on the road again... heading towards Big Bear... It was a perfect time as any to just say what came. Just to lay down the confiding line...