“Sure, I get that. Wanna get started right away, huh?”

"You could say that," Nils agreed. He wasn't champing at the bit, exactly, but he was excited. And as far as he was concerned this had been a long time coming.

As yet more people filed in, Nils took a few moments just to at least pass his eyes over them, registering his fellow participants as familiar faces for later. He reserved his first impressions for later too, although they were definitely starting to form for some people. He took note of what they all had in common, and then turned his attention back to the few in front of him now that a girl, recently arrived, had come over to talk.

She introduced herself as Faye, one more name to match to a face. Nils hadn't had the opportunity to overhear everyone's names yet (though he had caught a few already), but he figured that would come in due time. For now he was happy to chat with Faye, the friendly older boy, and anyone else while they waited, leaving the other corners of the room to themselves. Although he did find it funny that the two people that had most seemed to want to be left to their own had attracted people to them nonetheless.

"Vermillion... hm." Nils attempted to place the city on a mental world map. Other regions seemed far away, and if any smaller town had been mentioned Nils wasn't sure he'd know where or what it was. That being said, the mention of ships still helped him picture Vermillion City. "Oh, that's where that famous cruise ship docks, right?"

He looked at those around him as though he could confirm the answer on their faces, rather than just wait for a confirmation from the Vermillion local himself. After that, it was probably his own turn to carry on the small talk.

"My name is Nils," he told his conversation partners. He smiled and seemed to take a moment to pick his next words before he added with a nod, "I'm from up north, only a couple of towns away. Somehow seems farther, though..."

Descending to flatter land and heading to the coast was almost like crossing into a totally new country after all, especially when winter had passed and the only place still frozen up was Frostford, as usual. And it had been a bit of a walk. Though he didn't name his hometown, it was probably easy for other Evig natives to guess based on Nils' warm and cozy looking clothes.

With the floor open, Nils pulled one hand out of his pocket to gesture passing off a microphone to those closest, miming holding it out to Faye, the beanie wearing girl, or the green-haired youngster. He also listened with genuine curiosity for where others might be from. If the draw of Evig's new league was so great that it could pull in a lot of foreign trainers, that had to mean it was really something special.

Speaking of foreign trainers, at least one of them was really enthusiastic, even more so than Evig natives.

"I think you might be the most eager of us to get started," Nils laughed. The guy, who then introduced himself as David, was acting like a puppy despite how big he was.

As for the question, Nils tipped his head slightly. Honestly he hadn't really planned anything out ahead of time, least of all a route to take once leaving Grand Glory City. There were really only two initial options, Route 1 or 4, but after that? He figured he'd just go where his whims led him. There were places in Evig he'd always been curious about, and there wouldn't likely be a better time for sight seeing. He could get stronger anywhere, really.

And as for the offer... having traveling buddies did sound like it could be nice. And given David seemed a little scatter brained (though maybe he was just more of a night noctowl instead of an early pidgey), being in a group would probably benefit the guy.

"Wouldn't want a newbie to the region to go and get themselves lost, right?" Nils told David, his smile turning more into a small grin of his own. His response wasn't an explicit acceptance, but Nils was certainly open to the idea.

@Lunarlord34@Zapdos@Sanguine Rose@baraquiel@Joshua Tamashii@Gremlin@Shazamrock@Crimson Flame@Zarkun@Xaltwind@Crusader Lord@CitrusArms

While the kids interacted and made small talk in the lobby the sound of clacking of high heels against the slate flooring could be heard within earshot as someone approached them, a woman with vibrant ginger hair and bright amber eyes. She had an air of professionalism and authority about her, someone that could get things done while also having a casual, yet friendly air if her attire was anything to go by. The outfit gave off the vibes of a casual CEO, someone that valued their comfort though did not want to sacrifice their own personal style. However, anyone in Evig would recognize this woman as one of the war heroes of the region during the Cipher Crisis that fought beside Adriane Brand: Evelyn Beck.



"Hello there, looks like everyone has arrived on time." Her eyes scanned each child, the corners of her mouth pointed upwards in a warm smile. "My name is Evelyn Beck, I am the director of the Evig Pokemon League. Now, I know it could get confusing with there being two Evelyns so for the sake of clarity please refer to me as Director Beck. As acting director of the Evig Pokemon League, I would love to extend my heartfelt congratulations to every single one of you for being selected to receive your Pokedex and scour the region fill in each entry. You are doing Evig an important service in surveying the region's population of Pokemon as Professor Kapoc's aides."

"However, as the director of this region's Pokemon League I would be remiss to not also mention my hope that some of you will also take on the gym challenge as well though I can imagine that some of you are here for that exact reason," said the director, the tone of her smile shifted from warm to amused at the fact that she had to promote the league lest it would be overtaken by the excitement of the moment.

The director clapped her hands together as if to punctuate the end of a thought. "Now, I'm sure all of you are excited to get your Pokedex and your starters if you didn't already come here with a partner Pokemon already, so I won't keep you waiting. Please follow me.

The group of children and near young adults were led through the ground floor of the lobby. The air was charged with anticipation for what was to come next. It was going to be one of the key moments of their lives; receiving their starter Pokemon and Pokedex and being set off into the world to carve their own way into the region's history. But before that they would meet the good professor, the man that selected them to be one to carry out the survey of the region's Pokemon though they knew little of him save for the fact that he was one of Adriane and Direction Beck's comrades during the Cipher Crisis. Surely, Professor Kapoc carried the same warmth and grace as their gracious host.

They arrived outside a pair of sliding glass doors that opened when the director placed a key card to a card reader and inside was what looked like the standard, stereotypical sterile lab with white and metallic surfaces and strange devices that not a single one of the could would recognize. "Professor Kapoc? Hello?" The group of hopefuls continued to be led by the lab until they found a man with disheveled, long black hair pulled back into a pony tail slumped over his desk face first with a mug on its sides spilling the dark contents onto the white surface of the desk. They could tell it was the professor because he wore a long white jacket like every professor.

"Oh my god did he finally work himself to death?" The director walked over to the professor and shook him by the shoulder gently. "Professor Kapoc..." In response, the professor snored loudly. The ginger frowned, her brow furrowed in frustration as she shook him hard. "Cedric the trainers are here!"

The professor jolted up with a start, making a sort of noise like SNRK as he looked around the room in a panic. The man had red, sleep deprived eyes or at least eye as half of his face was hidden by long bangs. His face was scruffy with facial hair though if one were to look past the deep bags of sleep under his eyes and that he really should shave, he looked quite young to be a Pokemon Professor. However, this was without a doubt Professor Kapoc, the leading Pokemon researcher in Evig and war hero.



As his dazed eyes focused on the director, a scowl formed on his face. God dammit, you didn't have to shout. He cracked a kink in his neck as he picked up the spilled mug and grabbed a very stained rag to sop up the mess he made.

The director pinched the bridge of her nose as if she was trying to fight a migraine and asked, "Cedric, when did you last sleep?"

"Tuesday." He went to a coffee machine on a counter nearby to refill his mug.

"But it's Monday."

"Exactly."

An exasperated sigh escaped her lips. "Dammit Cedric... The kids are here, so could you get yourself somewhat together?"

Professor Kapoc scanned over the kids with tired red eyes with a look of calm, unbothered by the literal dozen of trainer hopefuls crowding his lab. "Oh... Right, the brats." As he looked over the kids, a look of realization struck him and he turned his attention back to the director. "Where's Adriane?"

Director Beck stood there silently for a few seconds as if processing what he just asked. "I thought she was with you. She's supposed to be here already."

"What the hell, Ev? You two live together how do you not have any idea where she is?"

"Hey! Do I look like her keeper to-?"

The sliding doors opened up and what came rushing in was a dark skinned woman with black braided hair and buzzed sides wearing a red bomber jacket with a white tank top underneath and with black jeans and black boots. Her golden eyes were filled with panic as she panted in a panic while she carried two white flat, wide boxes with a cardboard cup holder holding three to-go cups of something.



"I'm here, I'm here! Sorry I'm late! I went to get donuts from that fancy shmancy place for the kids, because you know, kids like sweets and there was this long line and I knew that I was gonna be late but I'd feel like a dick without bringing donuts if I was going to be late anyway and then my phone died and Basil literally just arrived in the region so I had to go say hi and- She cut herself off and she looked at the direction, her eyes scanned up and down and then a grin formed on her face. "Nice.

Director Beck's face flushed red and she hid her face as she let another exasperated sigh escape.

"Could you two flirt literally any other time?" He turned to look at the poor kids who had to watch this scene and said, "Never meet your heroes, kids."

"Hey! She exclaimed in protest as she placed the boxes down on Professor Kapoc's desk and then turned to the group with a wide, excited grin. "Well it's finally to see all of your faces in the flesh! I'm sure you all know who I am, but for the sake of politeness, I'm Adriane Brand, the Champion of the Evig League and grumpy over there is our very own Pokemon Professor. Have you told them what you research?"

Kapoc shrugged as if to literally shake off the idea. "It isn't pertinent to today or what they will be helping with us." He turned his back on the group though he tilted his head back to see them and said, "Follow me."

Once again, they were led through the lab with the champion and director in tow to another set of glass doors that opened out to a wide open space that could only be described as the world's largest terrarium. There were various environments as if to accommodate as many Pokemon as possible. There were screens that captured all of the other zones, some being icy wastelands, some deserts, some tropical forests, and so on. Everyone was in a zone that looked like a pine forest. This explained why the building was so damn big.

There was a metal table with Pokeballs neatly lined up with name tags in front of them.

"Anyone without a starter will find theirs in a Pokeball labeled under their name. Go greet them." He took a sip of coffee as he waited.

For the kids without a partner, they would have their heart warming moment of meeting their first partner. Those that came with them could just stand there I guess.

---

Evelyn had remained seated, and quiet, througout the entire assembly. Even when the cute little Buneary had approached and coazed the hooded ... Child... To come forward and pet it, and the subsequent Trainer of said pokemon had stepped up and given permission, Evelyn didn't flinch. Didn't budge. Didn't move. Still and calm, like a regal statue, perfectly composed and serene, unbothered by the teeny, tiny trifles of the turmultuous tides around her.

... Yeah, right...

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEE! OH MY GOSH, IT*S SO CUTE!! I-I WANNA HUG IT! I WANNA PET IT! Bu-But no, you mustn't give in, Eve! Keep your cool, stay calm. You can do this. Don't freak out over the adorable little snugglemuffin right infront of you. There'll be time for that later! Right? Right? It's... It's not like they'll leave RIGHT away after we're done here, right?

As she continued to reassure herself with internal monologuing and certainties that were based in nothing else but her onw wishful thinking, the blonde almost didn't register the new arrival until she was nearly almost at the group of gathered youths. As the chic, well-dressed but friendly and somewhat relaxed-looking chic woman arrived, Evelyn could tell from just a mere look. This wasn't a faceless receptionist, or a no-name member of staff. This woman, her posture, her attire, her face, her poise. She was someone important.

Rising from her seat, calmly and unhurried, so as to not bely any hint of overly childish excitement, Evelyn rose. And then listened. And then followed. Still quiet, still graceful.


They entered the sterile, clean and to-the-letter textbook definition of a Pokemon Lab. Honestly, it was almost impressive just how stereotypical it was. Guess some looks are a classic for a reason... Regardless, Evelyn's attention was immediately brought to the collapsed-looking man on the desk further away in the room. The ginger-haired lady from earlier walked over and gave him a few words, shook him awake and then...

The sound of glass shattering.
Metaphorically, mind you.

This? This man? This man was the Evig region's Pokemon Professor? Not an understudy or assistant? This rude, unkempt, disheveled, probably-foul-smelling guy, with bags under his eyes, hair in his face and ON HIS FACE, who greeted his prospective proteges by calling them brats, was their Pokemon PRofessor!? To say Evelyn's expectations of the man had been thoroughly and utterly dashed, smashed, stepped on and then ground into the dirt, and then spat on, would be an understatement. Luckily, her face was too busy being frozen in a blank and 'I don't even know how to respond to this'-state allowed her to at least conceal her disappointment, for now.

But the cavalcade of chaos didn't end there, as now the two adults entered into a verbal argument... OVer... What, exactly? The young blonde couldn't tell, her world was shook from its foundation again as she watched the seemingly stylish and composed red-head woman devolve into the same level as this... This Primeape...

But the tyrefire didn't end there, oh nooo~ Now the door to the lab flew open and yet another person entered. This one a dark-skinned lady, holding boxes of some kind, and looking like she'd just come from running a marathon. Sweaty and out of breath and gross and... Wait, what!? She'd gone to buy pastries!? What the actual heck?!? What was going on here? Evelyn couldn't help but feel one of her eyebrows begin to twitch, and she had to momentarily close her eyes, take a quiet, long breath through her nose, and let it out just as silently, in order to process this... Disaster.

Well... I guess it'll make for an interesting prologue in my autoibiography, if nothing else...

... She wasn't convincing anyone, not even herself, with that line of thought.

Thankfully, the mayhem seemed to calm down now that the latest bungling buffoon had arrived, and the good Professor finally took charge and led them to where they all had been waiting, hoping and wanting to go since they'd arrived here. Well, most of them anyway.


Arriving in, what could only be described as an excessively large, holding grounds for - what she imagined was pokemon - Evelyn looked around with only her eyes. A forest. That might explain the trees at the lobby entrance... Well, no matter. There were other screens, displaying other biomes and other things to probably observe as well, like the looks on her peers faces or the surrounding areas. But, none of that mattered right now. For Evelyn's eyes had landed upon it. The Table. Yes, THE table, upon which they sat. Neatly arranged and labeled.

"My partner..."

Evelyn's voice was barely a whisper. Her arms had been raised and clutched at her own chest, as she stared intently at the row upon row of tagged pokeballs. She could feel her heart pound faster and louder and faster and even louder with each passing moment. Her throat and mouth began to feel dry, and she could feel a tingling sensation run down the entire length of her spine, causing her to shiver slightly for the briefst moment.

And then, it was time.

They were called, one by one. And Evelyn's name came up. The blonde steeled herself, strode forward confidently and without missing a beat. One leg infront of the other, still gliding, still swaying. Perfect runway model-walking. She didn't spare her compatriots or anyone else even a second glance, just focusing on and approaching the metal surface. Then, she stopped. A moment of pause. Standing before it, taking it all in. And there it was. The ball. The ball with her name on it. She reached out, slowly, calmly, gently. Dainty fingers touched the surface of the red and white sphere, the cool sensation registering in her head. Then her fingers curled slightly, clasping around it, without exerting force or pressure, treating it like onr would an egg.

The stylish young girl then stepped back, and to the side, moving away from the table to give room to the next person. She walked a small distance further, giving herself room and space. Looking down, she again confirmed the pokeball in her hand, as it stared back at her.

It's finally time... It's here... My... Our biggest and most important moment...

She took a deep breath and then--

"Come on out~!"

With a spinning flourish, and upwards arcing arm and a practiced motion that looked like flowing water, Evelyn tossed the ball in a low, short lob. As it neared the ground, the unmistakable sound of a pokeball opening and ejectings its contents, coupled with the trademark bright light, followed shortly therefater. A second passed, and there it was. Formed from the compressed energy from within its container, it stood. A pokemon. Her pokemon. Evelyn stared at it. Gazed. Her golden eyes enarly boring holes into the little creature that had just emerged.

"No... No way..."

her face was pale, the irises of her eyes went small, her face dumbstruck... She was looking at a Joltik. A small bug-type pokemon. A small, electric bug-type pokemon. A moment of silence. The little critter looked around, its curious eyes scanning the area all around, before finally landing sight on its trainer. With happy chittery noises, it began to skitter towards her...

... But there would be none of that for you see, Evelyn h--

"AN ELEC-TRIC TYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYPE!?"

Yes, well, as you can see sh--

"OH. MY. GOSH, YOU'RE SO CUUUUUUTE!"

In a complete breach of character and everything she'd worked so hard to try and make the others view her in a certain way, it was now all out the window. With a bigger smile than you could imagine and face and eyes that shone brighter than the sun itself, Evelyn lurched forward and quickly trotted over to meet her approaching partner. With an excited, but still gentle sweep of her arms, she scooped the little fellow up into her arms, spun around where she stood and held the little bugger closed to her chest, all while laughing and giggling like an excited ... Well... Girl. Because she is one.

To say she was happy with her partner... Well, that much was obvious.

ANd her partner? At first making a surprised noise when he was suddenly swept off the ground, it didn't take long for the Joltik to calm down, let out some happy chitters and then nuzzle its face and head against tis new trainer. It seemed this was a match made in heaven.

Steph knew it!

She had an eye for it, noticing those with competitive fire and spirit much like herself. While he didn't exactly scream that outwardly, there wasn't anyone willing to take on a gym challenge who didn't have at least a little bit of a fire bellowing in their belly. That was what would bring out the best of them when the going got tough and whatnot after all, their desire and stubbornness to grow and be the best.

So it was best to work out who sat where in that regard now, as Steph didn't want to pit herself against someone with no desire to grow stronger or want to take on the gym challenge. She wanted-no, needed strong rivals who were as stubborn or more so than her to grow. Strong willed and whatnot or something, those were the types of traits she was looking for in a rival. Something that could pose a challenge to her, whether it be now or later down the road. Something to challenge her to grow stronger and stronger so she could overcome-and he was gone.

Blinking, Steph sat there with her hand outstretched for a shake for a few more seconds as her gaze switched between her hand, to Jason walking off, back to her hand, to the still walking off Jason, back to her hand and to Jason-oh wait he was entirely gone out of sight now. Now that was just bloody rude wasn't it? She was less insulted by his lack of introduction, and was more so annoyed by his neglect of her handshake but for now she just shrugged it off.

Like he said, he was nervous, and she had kinda interrupted his meditations so she wouldn't take this slight too personal. For now. Not the greatest first impression, but he seemed an alright bloke so would reserve her judgement for later. Besides, she wasn't given much time to dwell on it before they were called into the next room. Did she still have to sign in first? Cause she still didn't do that, and wouldn't unless forced to. Mind you, not like the poor receptionist stood a chance at understanding her....

Regardless, led along by Director Beck, Steph would merge into the small crowd, hands in her pockets and humming softly to herself a nice fanciful tune as they would go on to meet the good old doc. Or uh, not so good old doc. He certainly wasn't old, and Steph was sure he was even less so good. But he was supposedly a world renowned professor and doctor, so uh...he was at least one of the three? Eh whatever, he wasn't really Stephs concern right now.

Instead, she seemed far more concerned with something else while this little sitcom was taking place.

"G'day, nymes Steph, plezshah t' mayt ya." Her first victim on the checklist was Clarissa, walking up to her and shaking her head without much of a choice in the matter with a big beaming grin. Though she wouldn't hang around much longer after, or if Clarissa responded at all, as she moved onto her next target.


"G'day, nymes Steph, noice t' mayt ya." Which was that of Evelyn, the taller girl greeting her rather informally and with that same big friendly grin. Once more she didn't really give much of a choice in the matter of a handshake and would give her the chance to respond or not before moving onto the next person in the character tab.


Which was Jason, who she had already introduced herself to, but she would be damned if she didn't do it again.

"Deednt cahtch ya nyme befoah mr nuhvy tuhvy, noice fohm boy the why...errr of whuytevah ih' was yah weah doin." Not exactly an expert in martial arts or the like, but he looked all disciplined and stuff so it looked good to her! Once more, a hand was offered, a chance to respond was given before she would move on.


Which now brought the rags to the riches, the bogan to the prince. She took a moment longer this time, sizing him up before nodding approvingly and offering a hand to shake.

"Laygue aw cawntests mite? uythah why, nymes Steph, lookin fohwahd t' cawntestin, haeh cawntestin, one aw bawth of em weeth ya." Her grip was much the same for anyone, firm and proper firm. After all, if you weren't crushing each others hands were you even doing it proper? Prince or not, he would get the same treatment, the chance to respond and then be off to her next prey.


Which according to the character tab was none other than Nils. Poor soul.

"Nymes Steph, good t' mayt ya. yah gawnna tyke on the gyms too?" It was his turn to be assaulted verbally by her abomination of an accent, less of a crime than the forced handshake she would give him unless he accepted it I guess. Though she was nothing if not polite and would wait for a response before moving on.


And yes, she would continue to do this even as the group was led along to their starters. She didn't care. None were safe, all would find her introducing herself to them. Speaking of which, it was Audrey's turn. to have eldritch tongue spoken to her.

"G'day mite, nymes Steph, plezshah t' mayt ya." Once more waiting for the response, she mightn't use as firm a grip on Audrey if she seemed uncomfortable by the strength of hers. Not much so, but a little less so. After leaving her poor hand mangled and a response was given though, she would move onto the next person.


A person she would have to kneel down to proper to get a proper handshake, if only to not have the poor girl strain her neck looking upwards at the taller, older girl.

"Hya keeddao, nymes Steph, good t' mayt ya. Hahve any troubles dawnt be afride t' geeve me a ring yayh?" Did Steph even know how to give her her contact info? No, but that could be a later issue hashed out as she offered a hand to Amelia rather than just took hers. She didn't want to hurt a kid and all, so if Amelia wanted to shake her hand or not was up to her but she would await a response before chucking a cheeky wink and hair ruffle before moving onto the next person.


Which was another ankle biter, though this lad seemed to have a lot more gusto and energy to him. Heh, reminded her a bit of one of her younger cousins really, or maybe even herself at that age.

"Waell ineh' ya a leettle bundle of enuhgy huh? Nymes Steph, tyke ih' ya gawnna gao tyke on the gyms? Hahve t' wahtch eow' faw ya, yah saym full of suhproises haeh." Rather than a handshake, she would offer Archie a fistbump while he responded, though he too would received the dreaded hair ruffle fate much like Amelia before him. Seemed like a good kid, though someone would no doubt have to keep him out of danger.


Not her of course, as she was pretty well aware she would be finding her own danger, but someone. And maybe that someone could be who she was talking to next, or maybe it would be someone else entirely.

"G'day mite, nymes Steph, good t' myke ya acquinetahnce." Faye would be the unfortunate victim of Steph's violation of the English language and firm handshake this time round. Of course in exchange she was given a chance to respond, though if she chose not to then Steph would also simply move onto the next person regardless. Two more to go and all, and we've taken long enough as it was for this gag.


"G'mawnin mite, nymes Steph, lookin fohwahd t' wehkin weeth ya." It was now Davids turn to be forced into a handshake by the overbearingly polite yet informal gal, and be left to have his ears bleeding from her accent as she would give him some time to respond before moving onto her last victim of the pcs. Something about saving the best for last, or maybe just the last in the character tab. Whichever phrase worked best.


"G'day mite, nymes Steph, yah saym loike the type t' tyke on the gyms yayh? look fohwahd t' a biieh' of neeggle and reebbin eh?" One last forceful handshake of a pc and that same grin that hadn't faded once no matter what response she got from anyone previous. It took a lot to damper her spirits, and she seemed far more buoyed by positive reactions than she seemed rocked by negative ones. Care free and whatnot it would seem.


With the pc's out of the way, the npc's weren't safe either as she made a beeline straight for the director and her fellow orange haired compatriot that was Eve once Regan responded to her. She could get her partner after this and all, introducing herself to everyone here now that they were all gathered nicely like this was far more important to Steph.

"G'day meess duyahctah, nymes Steph, lookin fohwahd t' wehkin weeth ya." She didn't linger long after her verbal murder of her eardrums, moving onto the professor no matter how much he wanted nothing to do with this no doubt.


"G'day ya quack, nymes Steph, plezshah t' mayt ya and lookin fohwahd t' wehkin weeth ya too." He would not be spared a hand and shoulder shattering handshake no matter what, though luckily for him all he had to do was respond in some way and she would be off to Adrianne.


"Thees would be ahh fuhst propah maytin ye? Food t' say ya in puhs'n Adrianne, as yah knaow oym Steph, and oym the one whaws gawnna keeck ya butt sao wahtch eow' yayh?"Ooh, confident. Some might even attribute such a comment to arrogance, but Steph didn't seem to mean much by it other than how she viewed it. She was here to become the champ, so no doubt to do so she would have to beat Adrianne. And if she couldn't even get that far? Well she didn't deserve to, and she would just try again till she did.


With the introductions with the people out of the way no, she would make her way over to her designated pokeball seeming quite happy and content with herself. If nothing else, everyone would know her name, or uh if they couldn't understand her, know the oddball that was in their ranks. She wondered what sort of partner awaited her, brief thoughts of something like a Rhyhorn or a Hitmonchamp or the sort coming to mind. Ya know, something big and cool looking. Or something strong looking.

So to see the small shape at first was a little disappointing when she opened up the pokeball, but as the red light gave way to the mon itself, she was pretty chuffed with the little guy as she held him up like it was the Lion King above her head. He wasn't some big scary mon that would strike fear in those who saw him at first glance, but this little Litwick here she could tell at a glance was perfect.

"Sao ya moy pahtnah huh? Plezshah t' mayt ya leettle guy, hope t' geh' alawng weeth ya plaenty alawng the journay, sao lawng as youre weellin t' become the strawngest and the baest weeth me thaht is! Imma cohl ya Dusk, ya saym loike a Dusk t' me. Thaht cool weeth ya?"

Audrey was briefly lost in thought before being startled by a strange red-haired girl. She quickly shook it off. Audrey stared at her as she introduced herself as the director of this league, I mean... I don't really aim for badges, but... why not? Audrey straightened, her smile widening as excitement bubbled up, though her gaze occasionally drifted off as Audrey couldn't stop anticipating what she'd get as a starter I wonder what starter I’ll get? A Dark type isn’t really my vibe, but hey, a Pokémon IS a Pokémon! her thoughts faded as the girl began speaking about something.

She absolutely paid attention to the girl; she realized the girl's importance. Well... everyone's important! Maybe I should just focus, it's more respectful, I guess..? yeah, that's better. She thought before focusing again, Oh wait, I DIDN'T pay attention... need to stop thinking these thoughts gosh darn it! What is she rambling on now??!! Sigh...

Audrey felt her heart racing as the director told them to follow her; she got up from her bench, all her thoughts faded as she rushed to follow Director Beck. BEST DAY EVER!!!!!!!! that was all she could think about, feeling as if the place was quite more beautiful now that she thought about it instead of the past. Forget the past!....how long have we been walking? perhaps she was losing a sense of time, it felt like a bit for her but as she turned back— oh...Gosh why does my sense of time suck? She groaned silently.



At the lab, Audrey happily looked around for the professor, but she couldn't quite spot him. Except for an absolutely sleep-deprived and messy man, she continued to look around for what she imagined as the stereotypical professor with a white coat, clean looks, perhaps male. Just like how the lab looked—white, white, white everywhere.

Where is that guy? Why is there a sleep-deprived man here? She couldn't believe how good of a face she made when Director Beck referred to the man as THE Professor Kapoc?? She sighed, feeling shocked still, but she enjoyed the concept all the more as she thought about it, honestly... Welp!! If he's giving her a starter, then why not! She waited and waited a bit as he talked a bit, The professor kept on unhappily speaking something she didn't pay any attention to...oh wait, should I be listening? Probably. She quickly focused, clearly not wanting to act like a rude person—he's the one giving them starters after all. The doors wooshed open, revealing a black-skinned gal with a box of PASTRIES, COULD THIS DAY GET ANY BETTER?!?!?!?! AND SHE WAS THE CHAMPION??? Oh yeah, Audrey was definitely feeling the butterflies in her stomach.

She quickly straightened her posture to appear better—it's the champion, after all. Audrey quickly followed the professor as he led them somewhere...Walking, walking...I can't wait to get my starter, EEEEEEEKKKKKK!!!!! She grinned.


Stepping foot into the terrarium, her pupils quite literally became stars in awe as she stared at the towering trees and the Pokémon that roamed... A flock of bird-like creatures darted between the towering trees Perhaps fletchling..? while smaller, furry Pokémon scuttled near the roots. I know these! Zigzagoons! "Cool!!!!" she literally screamed when she saw it, checking a tree to see if it was real... and spoiler alert—it was. She tapped the bark to confirm, and it felt real!!! She bounced around the place in pure joy, her heart practically going to explode. She quickly halted, frantically trying to make herself presentable because...

A sound rang in her ears and she quickly turned to see who it was: an orange-haired girl, seemingly just 2 inches taller than her, approached, grabbing her wrist. Audrey decided to be polite, happily listening to what she said. "G'day mite, nymes Steph, plezshah t' mayt ya." ...Whhaaaaaattt? G...gooday m....mate? Plea...sure...to...meet you? I think I got that correctly, hopefully... "Hi! My names Audrey!! Pleasure to meet you too!" she greeted politely before the girl walked off... fascinating! So many different voices, some understandable... In all of her musical career, hearing others perform, that accent was horribly... unique! She looked down at her wrist, where Steph had been grabbing, to see a red mark left behind, I-is... that an IMPERFECTION I SEE?!? she didn't like it... so out of place with her desaturated palette! Audrey sighed.

But quickly, Audrey returned to her excited state as she heard the call to pick out her starter. Taking small steps and a breath of anticipation, she grabbed the Pokéball her new friend was in. "Come on out, new friend!" she cheered as the Pokéball opened, red light zapping into the shape of a small creature. As it cleared, she laid eyes on the trembling, bristly-furred Zorua, "OH MY ARCEUS!!! HIIIIII—" she squeaked as she dove down trying to hug it before falling on the ground—geez... The Zorua looked on edge before dashing away "NOOOOO DON'T LEAVE MEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!" she wailed jokingly before getting up, dusting herself and chasing after the black fox-like thing. Catching and hugging it intensely, she realized it was scared of... her. Audrey regained her composure, letting the Zorua down and apologizing intently to the little Pokémon before it seemed to calm down alongside her... Phew. She took this precious time, lying on the cold grass to think about every choice she made that led her here... nice... She immediately got the perfect name idea, "...Rift." she muttered. Perfect name...!

As he and the other two spoke, sharing stories and hitting it off quite well (I hope), he noticed the ginger haired woman approaching the group, getting distracted for a moment before he slapped himself and immediately started doing push-ups while he listened to her speak and identify herself. "She's one of the region's heroes, she's in charge of the league, and she's older than you," he muttered quietly so no one else would hear. As she finished, so did his push-ups and Jason stands, bushes his hands off, and follows the rest of the group further in. The Pokémon lab was about what the aspiring trainer expected it to be but, not quite matching expectations, was that it was unexpectedly empty, no aids, no other scientists or any of the hustle and bustle he'd come to expect due to his visits to Professor Birch's lab with his uncle. Maybe it's because Evig's whole system is still new? Surely he'll get more staff eventually. Then came the professor and his attitude, with consideration for how new Evig's lab looked to be, was a perfect match for Jason's revised expectations. Well, maybe he expected the man to sleep a bit more, but that wasn't his business.

The following argument between the director and Professor Kapoc did draw a chuckle from Jason as he watched it unfold, he could tell the two of them knew each other well. Just as the aspiring champion was about to ask if it was absolutely necessary for Champion Adrianne to be present, a 'speak of the devil' moment occurred as she came rushing in, spilling a story about going to get donuts and drawing a hearty laugh from Jason at the absurdity of it all, but also of relief that, despite their important positions, the three well known heroes of the Evig region were still pretty normal people.

Jason had had the opportunity to briefly speaking with Adrianne a few months prior and the encounter had already given him the sense that despite her title, she was still just a person, far more normal than most of the region would have attributed her to being, but this confirmed it. Guess when you're a hero to a bunch of people, the idea of you being normal doesn't occur to them anymore.

The Hoenn native attributed his ability to see them as the normal people they were to his being from outside the region, but he didn't voice it, knowing that all around him were Evig natives who saw this trio as an unflappable line of defense should Cipher resurface. Once all the introductions were out of the way, Steph approached him and complimented him on his form, causing Jason to smile as he shook her hand again. "Right, earlier. First, pleasure to meet you, Steph. I'm Jason Connor and I look forward to seeing which of us becomes Champion," he says with a grin before she moves on.

The area they're lead to with many biomes drew an impressed whistle from the Hoenn native as he watches the Pokemon running around. "Man...Professors in other regions got nothing on this set up," the aspiring champ whispers to himself. Kapoc essentially dismissed them to retrieve the pokeball with their name on it from the table and Jason followed the others. He noticed his name and the ball next to it and picked it up, turning the item over in his hand as he moved away from the group to a more open area. "My partner huh..." In Hoenn everyone who started a journey basically got the same starter choices and the groups were much smaller than this, but the size and potential variety made the Hoenn native feel more excited. "Alright, partner, get on out here," he says with as he spins the ball on one finger and than throws it. A light floods from the ball and deposits a Ralts in front of Jason, except instead of the usual green head, it was blue, causing Jason to stare in disbelief.

"Hey Professor Kapoc, you're aware this Ralts is super uncommon right?!" I call over to the three adults.

Regan Calhoun

Regan offered a smile as Jason explained his background, “It’s nice to know I’m not the only foreigner. I’ll be relying on the Association for support, though.” He had his family in the area, on construction. Actually, what he’d said was more vague than that.

Anyway, he started texting his father. “Longsword..?” She watched him curiously for a moment before an approaching figure caught her attention. It was the clacking, really. Heels, from how sharp the sound was. It gave her away from a mile off. Regan turned to look at the bombshell approaching - yep, heels. She was happy enough to listen attentively - despite someone’s pushups - and then follow along as the beautiful woman explained their exact purpose here and led them through the facility.

Once they found the professor, she heard that strange voice from earlier going around the gathering of youths. Maybe she shouldn’t think of it as strange, that is someone’s voice. The accent was so thick, was all. The doors to the lab opened and the region’s Champion panicked her way in, with.. donuts! The Champ’s appearance left her with one particular question, but she supposed it wasn’t important. Who was Basil?

It had all been rather chaotic, but she could tell the three adults were close. The way the director’s personality completely changed when faced with the professor was a big clue. And the super-effective flirting from the champ. And the conversation between the professor and the director. In no particular order.

She raised her hand as they turned to depart, “I’ll take a donut.” As her hand lowered to her side, Steph caught it for a shake and introduced herself. She mentioned something about “the gyms? Not a bad idea, honestly. It’d be a surefire way to show I’m able. ” Her own handshake started out.. well.. surprised, but she quickly resolved herself and returned the firm gesture, before Steph popped off to go bother the adults.

She popped the last of the donut into her mouth as she approached the selection area. Like an outdoor space, wrapped up indoors.. Regan’s gaze wandered only until it found the table with the pokeballs set upon it. The grass she was surprised was here made her steps quiet as she came to search the nameplates. An unassuming, normal pokeball sat waiting, as she stood and gazed for a moment. She reached out, picked it up, and turned in place as she gazed at it, red and white and so much more.

The Ranger-to-be held the ball out, squaring her shoulders and taking a rousing breath, “Come out.” Firm, yet not intimidating. The ball’s lid opened, and the light emerged, pooling to the ground and shaping itself into…

A Tyrunt!

Was that a.. dinosaur? “Whaaaat..?” Regan got down to her knees and sat back on her heels, holding her hand out for the dinosaur to come and sniff. The Tyrunt did a sniff, and then she snapped her hand back as he went to put her hand in his mouth. He gave her an unsure look and, after a moment of hesitance from her, she reached out again, slowly, to pet the top of its snout. The dino cooed, rubbed into her hand, and then climbed into her lap, his tail wagging. “I didn’t know dinos would be so cuddly..”

The aspirant sat back onto her rear, in the grass, getting comfortable with the lizard in her lap and petting him slowly. A moment longer, and she started to rise to her feet, “alright, c’mon. We can’t sit around just yet.”

Valerian wasn’t sure what he was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t this.

He had prepared himself for a formal affair. A dignified handoff. Perhaps some words of guidance from a polished professional in a tasteful lab coat. Instead, well…

Director Beck was professional enough. She dressed the part, and had a way of commanding attention without raising her voice. He liked her. She reminded him of his mother in a way. Someone who could run a country while making it look like a light workout.

Then the professor entered.

Or rather, he was was found. Face-down in a puddle of his own coffee. Hair a mess. Facial hair present.

Valerian stared, then blinked once, slowly. ’This is fine,’ he thought. ’Everything’s fine.’

And then the Champion showed up. Loud. Late. Carrying donuts. Talking a mile a minute like she was doing a stand-up routine. Flirting with the Director. Valerian didn’t know whether to be offended, charmed, or concerned. Probably all three.

By the time they were led into the terrarium, his expectations were thoroughly demolished. But at least it was beautiful. The zones were intricate, the space massive. Something about it actually felt… impressive.

Maybe things were turning around.

And then he saw the Pokéballs.

He found the one labeled Valerian and picked it up carefully. He took a breath. Pressed the button.

Light flashed. A shape emerged.

Small.

Round.

Fluttering Wings.

Legs.

…So many legs.

He froze.

“No. No, surely not—”

The Pokémon hovered in front of him. Bright eyes. Delicate wings. A sparkle of Fairy energy.

A Cutiefly.

“No.”

His lips tightened. His posture didn’t change. But inside? Screaming.

He didn’t say anything at first. Just looked at her. She floated closer and gave a happy little chirp. She was cute. She was polite. She sparkled. She was a Bug.

For a moment, the princely facade fell. “Of course I received a Bug!” he exclaimed. “Of course the universe looked at me and said: Give him the most polite insect imaginable!”

The Cutiefly did not give a damn about Valerian’s freak out, and quietly perched herself on his shoulder.

He sighed. She may have been a Bug, but she was still a Fairy… “Ugh, you’re lucky you’re cute…”

For a moment, Faye wasn't sure she would et a response. Sure, they were chitchatting already but that didn't mean some highenergy girl just approaching and striking up a conversation mid-conversation was something they wanted. But luckily it didn't take long to find out if she was barging in and going to be brushed off or if she was possibly going to make some acquaintances. Acquaintances it was! The first to respond was a fairly tall guy that looked like he just woke up - not far off from how she likely looked - that bounced to his feet as he answered.

"All the way from Kanto?! That's crazy! Cool!!" She blurted out before she could catch herself. Of course, once the words came out, she blinked but didn't bother looking ashamed of her sudden outburst. Instead, she focused on the other boy when he spoke up along the same lines and shrugged. She didn't exactly follow ships and stuff, and cruises were definitely not her thing. Open water, the ocean floor well out of sight - ugh, no thanks! Any number of undiscovered pokemon could lurk in the murky depths, and it would only take a slight upset to cause them to surface and sink a vessel trespassing over their home.

Still, both introduced themselves. Hyper bedhead guy was David. Mellow bedhead guy was Niles. She would do her best to commit the names to memory.

Nils mentioned being from up north and she blinked again. "Oh, you're from Frostford? Well, I suppose you could be from King's Cross, but like I haven't run into you there. Not that that's what makes it impossible but..." She looked him over again, taking in his clothing style, and lightly gestured like that explained it further.

"I'm from King's Cross - if that wasn't, I implied it I guess. Honestly, I haven't been to Grand Glory since...well since my dad came and helped with getting the PokeCenter up and running. That was like four or five years ago and it wasn't nearly as developed as it is now. I'm kinda looking forward to sightseeing here first, get my bearings with my starting partner.

"But! I'd love to have company for that. I think we all would benefit from others travelling with us. Human partners can help us develop into the trainers we want to be." She blinked then finally did blush a little. "I'm sorry. I'm rambling. I kind of do that when I'm excited."

Then the director showed up.

The purple haired trainer turned and fingered the camera on her hip. Could she snap a picture without distracting the rest? Probably, but she definitely wouldn't be listening to what the director was saying. As it were, she had completely zoned out and only barely tuned back in when the woman started leading the way out of the waiting room. Her gaze traveled over the various doors they passed, wondering what may lay inside, before a girl filled with chaotic energy came up and captured her attention and her hand with a rough shake. "Oh, uh, hi. I'm Faye..." she was pretty sure the girl was introducing herself. She caught a word that sounds like name and another that sounded like a name - Steph - so it seemed right. Then the girl was off to ambush the next person.

Upon entering the lab, and her gaze landing upon the professor in such an unprofessional pose, Faye gave into the impulse to snap a picture. A quick lift of her camera, pop the lens cap off with her thumb as she started focusing it, and snapping the picture of him passed out at his desk before the director could start shaking the man awake. Maybe she'd show Mom when she got back home. Or she'd decide to delete it. Regardless, it seemed like a picture worth taking and she never denied herself a picture her brain said 'take'. The camera returned back to resting on her hip once she put the lens cap back into place.

After some bickering, and a rather energetic entrance from the reigning Evig Champ followed by another snide comment by the Professor (Faye was already starting to like them all) they were lead on their way yet again. She couldn't help but let out a soft gasp upon seeing the next room. She kept moving forward, but her gaze was anywhere but on where she was going. Instead the girl spun slowly in a circle, trying her best to take in everything in the room, as she came to a stop. This was amazing. How they manufactured the building to properly accommodate the biomes was something else. Other regions probably did similar things in their own research centers, but this was the first she'd even heard of - let alone set sights on. This whole thing set the stark reality of getting a Pokémon starter: starting her journey to become a formidable trainer that was able to traverse any danger - like getting into Ground Zero. One step closer to ensuring she could document the scars left behind by Cipher and ensure the next wave of trainers was ready to stand against any other threats to the wellbeing of the region. This girl dreamed big, and she was willing to put in the effort to get there.

She glanced between the two she'd actually spoken to, then looked around at the others. Some stepped forward to get their partners while others hung back. She'd seen the one girl with a pokemon already - so that made sense she was one of the ones hanging back. Okay, well...get on with it then. Everyone else is...

The intrepid photographer let out a steadying breath then headed to the table to pick up her partner. She looked at the ball as she headed back to where she had been standing, while others threw bigger fits with more energetic greetings - or complaining out loud as the prince did over receiving a fairy/bug type. She glanced around at the others greeting their starters and the others that had stayed put (because they already had them) before looking at the ball again. "Welp, let's meet my partner, huh?" She tossed the ball up into the air so her partner would land at her feet.

And out popped an Eevee, facing away from her. He tilted his head, then turned and looked up at her. "Vee? Eev eevee!" He sat down and smiled.

Faye wasn't sure what she expected. Others got varying types, things that would be extremely strong or at least gave them a strong start. Her...

She got possibilities. A smile formed on her face as her placid expression melted into joy. Eevee - the unstable pokemon that could evolve into almost any type. The perfect partner for the road ahead of her.

She crouched down and ruffled the fur on the top of his head. "It's nice to meet you, too. I'm looking forward to working with you. How about I call you....Sage. How about that?"

"Eev vee eevee ee!" He hopped up to his feet and nudged his head against her leg.

Faye stood and smiled as she tucked the pokeball into her pocket. Her gaze passed over the gathering again. Then she moved clear of everyone else in the room, and Sage sat down beside her. She cleared her throat, loudly, to try to draw attention. "Um, hi everyone! I haven't actually introduced myself to all of you yet so - I'm Faye. If you don't mind -" she looked at Director Beck and Professor Kapoc specifically as she said that. "I'd like to hijack the planned progression of the event for a brief moment. I'm a photographer based out of King's Cross, and I was hoping to get a picture of the new trainers with their starters and organizing League members. Is that okay with everyone?" Her attention finally turned off the adults organizing this particular portion of the day and on to all the other trainers starting their journey with her. As if to help prove a point, she held her camera for everyone to see she was serious in wanting to take the picture. She even planned to get everyone positioned properly for the group photograph to ensure she could get the good side of even the sleep deprived Kapoc - or obscured but still captured if they were uncomfortable having their faces shown.

@Sanguine Rose@Shazamrock@Lunarlord34

"All the way from Kanto?! That's crazy! Cool!!"

Faye’s sentiment, and Nils’ similar one about boats got David’s attention, though the enthusiasm of the former seemed to match his current mood more. He would have to talk to her about home sometime. Not now though, there was a different subject at hand.

"I think you might be the most eager of us to get started"

“True!” David couldn't help but laugh at this assessment of himself. “It's not every day you get to see a new continent! Region? Whatever.” He shrugged, more interested in the talk around him than the particulars of what words meant. Up north? Where the heck was that? “A couple of towns away” could be in any number of directions; not that he was ever good with those. And “King's Cross” was unfamiliar also, though at least it was a name. And speaking of which…

I'm kinda looking forward to sightseeing here first, get my bearings with my starting partner.

"But! I'd love to have company for that. I think we all would benefit from others travelling with us. Human partners can help us develop into the trainers we want to be." She blinked then finally did blush a little. "I'm sorry. I'm rambling. I kind of do that when I'm excited."

"Wouldn't want a newbie to the region to go and get themselves lost, right?"

Cool that they wanted to join along - at least that's how David interpreted it for Nils - and his grin grew larger to match. Still, there were a few things that needed to be corrected.

“Don't apologize! Nothing wrong with being excited,” David said to Faye with a smile and a hearty back slap, “and getting lost is part of the fun!” Directed to Nils; lightly, of course. “Oh, this one time, I-”

And then the big shot showed up, and story time was over. It was adventure time! Or would be soon enough. Right now Director Beak was pecking away with Professor Kapow and Brandy, or at least that's what David thought they said their names were. Between the camera and a new girl introducing herself, he was distracted and didn't catch everything. 

"G'mawnin mite, nymes Steph, lookin fohwahd t' wehkin weeth ya."

She seemed nice, even if he couldn't understand her well, so he responded in kind. “Nice to meet you too!” He shook her hand energetically as he spoke. “I dunno what ‘weekin’ is, but you seem cool, so I'll try it!”

Then the professor took everyone to get their Pokemon, and the Kanto native was suitably impressed. Lots of impressive-looking nature places in this place. And the Pokemon, yes that was important. David already had his though, so he respected these initial meetings and focused on something else; the doughnuts the champion left on the table. Grabbing a box, he ate them like potato chips while he listened to his new travel partner.

I'd like to hijack the planned progression of the event for a brief moment. I'm a photographer based out of King's Cross, and I was hoping to get a picture of the new trainers with their starters and organizing League members. Is that okay with everyone?

“Sounds good to me!” David would walk over to wherever the picture was taken and follow Faye's instructions, discarding the now-empty box of sweets as he grinned with everyone who would be starting their new adventure today. And of course, making rabbit ears for whoever happened to be next to him.

This was a great day!

"Oh, you're from Frostford? Well, I suppose you could be from King's Cross, but like I haven't run into you there. Not that that's what makes it impossible but..."

"You got it in one," Nils assured her, though to be fair when it was only between two and Faye was from King's Cross herself, there really was only one answer.

Nils had always been curious about that historic town, and if Faye joined the rapidly forming travel group then maybe they could get a nice tour if they wound up getting over that way. Nils nodded along as David spoke up and answered her, only for the story he was about to tell (Nils would have to remember to ask later) to be interrupted by Director Beck's arrival.

Now things were really getting started. Even Nils couldn't help the feeling of growing excitement as they shuffled into another area of the massive building.

While they moved, the girl whose orange hair rivaled Director Beck's made their move. Even with the large group chattering, it was hard to miss her methodically introducing herself to everyone. By the time she approached Nils, he was surprised to realize that she was not, in fact, speaking another language. The more he listened the more familiar sounds he was able to pick out, and so as she stood in front of him and reached out to grab his hand, Nils was not standing there with just a polite smile plastered on like he understood Steph; instead he really did get the gist of what she was saying, and met her halfway with the handshake.

Cue the second surprise when he felt how strong it was. Nils tightened his own grip to match, his grin turning toothy.

"Nymes Steph, good t' mayt ya. yah gawnna tyke on the gyms too?"

"Nils. Nice to meet you too," he said returning the introduction. Since Steph asked if he was taking on gyms too, she implied what her plan for afterwards was. Though Nils didn't have his travel route mapped out, taking on the gym challenge was definitely part of his plans as well. "I'm aiming for top four at least, so I'll see you out there while we're collecting badges."

His was a more realistic goal than most eager beginners looking to make it to the very top, but even meeting and beating those stationed just below the champion herself was a lofty aim.

When entering the lab they were treated to a surprising scene with the professor, and soon after the region's reigning champion. Nils blinked in surprise, but otherwise stood back and let the scene in front of them play out. With three heroes all in one room, one would expect the vibe to be awestruck, or ecstatic, but it was very... Domestic and humanizing. It wouldn't be surprising if some of the visions the others had in their heads of the three adults were shattering right now. Professor Kapoc himself said something to that effect. Though looks could be very deceiving when it came to someone's strength, Nils knew that very well.

Either way, were more looking forward to the pokemon they'd be gifted. Nils was the same there, though he did help himself to a rawstberry frosted donut once offered, thanking the champion with a bright smile and nibbling on the treat as the group was led to a new area once more.

An amazing forest looking area, with hints that it wasn't the only environment enclosed within the building. Nils couldn't help but let out an impressed whistle. Of course his attention was quickly grabbed by the pokeballs laid on the nearby table, and the confirmation that they were in fact what everyone had been waiting for.

Nils picked the pokeball beside his name tag up in his free hand, feeling the weight of it. All of a sudden he felt his heart start to beat a little faster. Nils wasn't unfamiliar with being around pokemon, but this was going to be a pokemon of his very own, a partner to take on all kinds of challenges with. He flexed his fingers around the sphere, attempting to get rid of the nervous tingles of his anticipation.

Without further ado Nils held the ball out in front of him and released the creature inside. Compared to the majority of other people's partners, the shape that Nils' took was rather big. Its head height came up to Nils' waist. When the light faded a brown four legged pokemon stood in front of him, its two ears flicking as it took in the noises around it, blinked its eyes, and settled its gaze on its new partner.

"Bwaa," it said. Nils found it rather charming.

He didn't need to crouch to address the pokemon. He reached out and laid his palm on the creature's head, petting its dark hair. "Hey hey," Nils said, repeating the earlier greeting he'd made when he first arrived to the building. "Good to meet you, buddy. I hope we'll be fast friends."

After a moment the pokemon seemed to agree. It nuzzled into Nils' hand and brayed contentedly. It also chomped a hefty bite out of Nils' donut when he offered it, and with only a small bit remaining Nils popped the last of it into his own mouth.

The little guy looked like a sturdy, reliable pokemon, and with a temperament that wasn't too timid or too aggressive. It....no, he let Nils pet him for a little longer before he dipped his head towards the forested floor, taking a chunk of grass and dirt (mostly dirt, actually) into its mouth. That hungry, huh?

"He's perfect," Nils said to the professor with a broad smile. The man must have taken those notes on the application into account. Maybe he wasn't really as flippant as he seemed. "Thank you."

There, gratitude out of way. Although Nils would love to know what species exactly his newest friend was, which was where the pokedexes must come in. Most of the morning's suspense had come from wondering what kind of pokemon they'd be presented with, so with that out of the way Nils didn't think it would be much longer before they got their dexes too. In the mean time though he stroked along his own pokemon's back and cast his curious gaze over the rest of the group. Even the most aloof and mannerly looking of the bunch weren't immune to the excitement of getting new partners it seemed, drawing a chuckle from Nils as he watched on, though in the case of the blond boy it seemed his excitement stemmed more from... disappointment? What a shame. Nils glanced back the Professor Kapoc; maybe he hadn't actually considered the applicants and Nils had just gotten lucky. And some luckier still, as the martial artist boy exclaimed he'd got something uncommon.

His attention was drawn back to his fellow participants when Faye suggested a group photo. He patted the side of his pokemon's neck (they'd have to come up with a good nickname together soon) and the two of them shuffled in closer towards everyone else. It really would have been impossible to keep the smile he currently has off of his face if he tried, so despite the wild mane of fluffy hair only partially tied Nils was ready for the camera. It was a good idea, and would be a cute thing to look back on in some months time to see how far they'd come. Hm... how could they get the photo from a digital camera to a phone? Nils didn't know much about actual cameras, so he'd probably have to ask later, but first there was another question that felt more important.

"Are you going to be able to get in the photo too?" He asked of Faye curiously. Maybe she had a tripod in her bag? It would be shame if she couldn't be part of her own photo.

---

Content with hugging her new BFF, Evelyn took a brief moment to let her eyes wander. Specifically, to scan over and observe the others who were present. To be entirely honest, she hadn't paid much attention to any of them over in the lobby, other for Prince Valerian, of course.

... oh, and the neanderthal woman who'd for some unknown, undeterminable and completely unprovoked reason, had come over to her when they were about to leave the Professor's lab, and decided to spout some garbled gobbledigook at her, afterwhich she proceeded to put Evelyn's delicate hand into what was, essentially, a human vice.

They say you the problem with first impressions is that you only get one. True enough, Evelyn's opinion of this ginger-haired girl with the speech-impedement who kept grinning like a loon while crushing peoples' hands, wasn't exactly favorable, to put it mildly.

But the blonde quickly shook the unpleasant experience from her mind, and took note instead of the others. There was the muscly boy who had an Abra, the boring-looking who'd gotten a lot of attention for doing martial arts and phys ed. while waiting - he'd apaprently gotten some kind of... Rare pokémon, which he was noq questioning the Professor about. There was the scruffy-looking boy with an equally scruffy-looking... Horse... Donkey... Equine-pokemon. There were also the girls, like the late arriver who'd gotten some kind of... Bipedal lizard-pokemon...? It looked... Hard... Not exactly the kind of creature you'd wanna hug or pet, but she seemed happy enough with it. There was also the aforementioned red-head-of-doom, who'd gotten... A candle... Yup. Probably some kind of ghost or dark type... Maybe... Oh, and some girl with a weird-looking... Hat? Beanie? What was that? Did this one know nothing of what was in vogue right now!? Anyway, she got some kind of dark-furred... Fox... Thing... It looked... Cute. But a also like it could cause mischief... She didn't know why, but Evelyn didn't fully trust that thing.

Then there was, of course, Prince Valerian, who... For whatever reason, didn't seem overly pleased with his new partner. Evelyn couldn't fathom why. The pink little buzzy-thing was absolutely adorable and would amek your Pokégram page blow up and go viral if you posted pics of it and yourself having a good time. But, he was the prince after all, so he'd probably wanted something a bit more... Regal-looking... At least, so she imagined.

There were others of course, but honestly, Evelyn's attention could no longer be spent on them. Instead, she sat her Joltik down on the ground again, the little critter happily scuttling about her legs, chirping and chittering in an excoted fashion. It was quite endearing.

But, then came the voice. A voice of another girl, who called out over the noise and voices and sounds, calling for...

"A ... Photo?"

Evelyn's eyebrows rose, and her face betrayed a hint of interest. Surely everyone had been far too busy with their own new pokemoin to notice her... Erm... Momentary lapse in composure after releasing Joltik out of his ball... So, yes... Ahem, time to get her act together. Straightening up, brushing herself off - even though there was nothing to brush off - and then adjusting her sidelocks, the glamorous gal listened to what, where and how the camera-wielder wanted people to move, stand and ... Y'know, all the instruction-y bits. Taking great pains to make sure she stood as far away as possible from the hand-mangler, Evelyn struck a gglorious pose for the photo!

... Which she continued to hold... Unflinchingly... Not batting an eye... Perfect stillness.... Until the photo was taken. Joltik, on the other hand, was happy to still circle her legs, and sometimes try to climb them as well.

There were so many people in the lobby that it was impossible for Archie to not be hyped. All these people must be selected not just by Adriane but also the professor and the group of people they work with. He's not going to lie, part of him was disappointed as he thought he was specialy chosen by her idol herself. On the other hand, it's so exciting to meet all kinds of people!

"Woah..." He was in awe when a purple-haired girl showed up with a Buneary, but he was also confused too. How come she got to have her Pokémon already? He thought all of them were up-and-coming Trainers. Archie thought it was unfair but then he thought this girl was also picked by Adriane. In his eyes, his idol could do no wrong and she must've picked her for a reason.

His thoughts were interrupted upon the arrival of a woman. Knowing his history, Adriane gasped when he saw it was Evelyn Beck, one of the people that fought alongside Adriane Brand during the war.

Archie stood up and gradually got closer to listen more to Evelyn who introduced herself as Director of the Evig Pokémon League. When the director said to follow her so she could introduce them to their partner Pokémon, Archie was one of the first kids to rush in and be right behind Beck as she guided them through the ground floor of the lobby.

He tried so hard to contain his excitement, but anyone looking at him could easily tell he was beaming with anticipation. 'I'm gonna be a hero! I'm gonna be a hero!', he thought to himself. 'I wonder what Pokémon I'll be getting? I hope it's something cool, or awesome, or cool and awesome. I can do cute too! Whatever it is, I'm sure it's gonna be all of those three!'

They were then brought into a lab where all this cool thingies and science-y gadgets were. He remembered his Pa's teachings about not touching anything he didn't understand as the director was waking up a guy who seemed to be awake for a week straight- Wait, did Director Beck just called him Professor Kapoc? The Cedric Kapoc? How did this guy go from a renowned war hero to... this?

As the director and the professor were bantering, in came another person who was no other than Adriane Brand herself. Archie audibly gasped. He couldn't believe how he's standing just a few feet away from his idol. The woman who lead the battle against the evil Cipher, Evig's champion of freedom and justice! Archie was practically bouncing on his feet from excitement.

He was also surprised when a red-head girl named Steph, part of their group, approached Archie, said a bunch of words he didn't really understand, and offered her fist to him. While she might've said a bunch of gibberish to him, he understood what a fist bump meant when he saw one. "Heya! I'm Archibald but you can call me Archie. Nice meeting you! Hope we can have a blast out there!" He enthusiastically said as he fistbumped her back and giggled when Steph ruffled his hair.

Professor Kapoc then called Evelyn and Adriane's attentions which made Archie focus on them too. He giddily waved at Adriane hoping she'd recognise him as the professor lead the group to a massive-wait, gigantic terrarium! It was like an entirely different world in here! If not for choosing their starters, Archie would definitely go and explore this area.

As the professor instructed them to approach the Pokéball with their name on it, Archie of course ran ahead of the group and looked at each of the Pokéballs until he found one with his name on it.

"So this is it..." Archie mumbled to himself as he gingerly picked up the Pokéball. He closed his eyes and brought the ball to touch his forehead. His heart was thumping with excitement, but also with nervousness.

Remembering what his Ma taught him, he took in deep breaths to calm himself down. "I hope you're just as excited to meet me as I'm excited to meet you, buddy! Here goes... Come on out!" Archie pressed the button and threw the Pokéball into the air, releasing the Pokémon within.

Within seconds, a bipedal Pokémon materialised in front of Archie, albeit it's back was facing him. The Pokémon was shivering nervously as it looked to the sides in alert from all the people and Pokémon surrounding it before slowly turning around to see Archie. Both the aspiring green-haired hero and the Pokémon stared at each other, unmoving with shock on their faces.

"Heya the-" The Pokémon immediately turned back around and ran away scared, squealing with its hands raised above its head. "W-Wait! Come back! I wanna be your friend!" Of course, Archie ran to follow the Pokémon who he will soon discover to be a Chespin. As of now, the Chespin's frightened cries and Archie's excited shouts could be heard as they ran across the pine forest zone of the terrarium.

Her smile growing bigger, it seemed, the younger child nodded before proceeding to give the Buneary the aforementioned scritches, being sure to be gentle so that she didn't accidently hurt the creature that had come over to comfort her. Amelia couldn't help but giggle as she did so, hoping that her own partner would be as friendly as the Buneary. A few seconds later, she jumped to her feet, looking a bit panicky again.

Sir Lopsalot, for his part, would lean into the scritches provided all the same. A look of happiness was on the Buneary's little face as his left foot began to lightly 'tap tap tap' on the floor, the gentle touch of the child a welcome and almost familiar one in some sense to the little Pokemon. Yet the moments of satisfaction, the sound of a happy little girl's giggle, and the good vibes of the moment would soon fade as the child seemed to jump up to her feet in a panicky manner again. A little jarring on the Buneary's part, but enough to get him to lightly cock his head with a mildly worried look again at her before glancing up at his trainer once more.

Clarissa, in turn, felt a small jolt of surprise as the child popped up again with a bit of more than obvious panicky-ness once more. Even so, she would stand back up again herself withouit any fanfare or panic herself. Her expression for the most part was back to normal now, prior moments of joy aside, though she'd catch her Pokemon's eye and give him a tiny nod. In response, the Buneary would seem to lightly sigh, and would hop back up on his trainer's right shoulder in turn.

"O-oh, I almost forgot! I never introduced myself." She said, still sounding nervous but not as badly as before. She gave the older girl a slight bow before continuing. "My name is Amelia Averyonna and I'm from Florasong Town. It's a pleasure to meet you and your Buneary, Miss."

A rather polite little girl indeed, it seemed, but she had to herself return the gesture in kind as well of course. Even so, the nerbous energy coming off of the girl was certainly something she could pick up with more than just her two eyes and ears as well. Hmm. It...made her worry a little, but that aside they were being formal at this time, yes?

"A pleasure to meet you as well, Amelia. This is Sir Lopsalot, and I'm Clarissa Ryte. My family lives here in Grand Glory City, though just over a year ago we used to live in-"

The psychic wouldn't get to finish her statement before things began to accelerate forward, though, beginning with the arrival of Director Beck. Formal yet casual, an air of warmth about her, and the like. A proper professional indeed, at least as far as Clarissa understood. Well, so it seemed until they made it back into lab and-

"Professor Kapoc? Hello?" The group of hopefuls continued to be led by the lab until they found a man with disheveled, long black hair pulled back into a pony tail slumped over his desk face first with a mug on its sides spilling the dark contents onto the white surface of the desk. They could tell it was the professor because he wore a long white jacket like every professor.

"Oh my god did he finally work himself to death?" The director walked over to the professor and shook him by the shoulder gently. "Professor Kapoc..." In response, the professor snored loudly. The ginger frowned, her brow furrowed in frustration as she shook him hard. "Cedric the trainers are here!"

-...and Professor Kapoc was just as she remembered him, outright so. Her father had last messaged her mother about the long 'working hours' in the lab as of late, but it seemed things were rather bad if the last time he'd slept was the prior Tuesday of all things. Combined with the nagging tone of the Director feeling more like she seen an 'old friend' lecture another, the arrival of the actual region Champion in such a laissez-faire manner, and the way these three seemed to go about things it was more than a little clear that they knew each other well. And that the current Professor perhaps had maybe a few more stories of the past underneath the resting grump-face he hheld than he would want to remember, but that was besides the point. Meanwhile, a somewhat enterprising Sir Lopsalot would certainly help himself to a doughnut, as well as bring his trainer one (and Amelia if she accepted one as well) to boot.

As they were led along further by the Professor, however, Clarissa felt a certain small sense of familiarity ping in her mind. Her father had noted there were reasons for the size of the building, after all, and as the glass doors to the terrarium opened the psychic raised an eyebrow. All sorts of artificial environments to maintain, and on this scale? What kind of Pokemon were they keeping here or studying around these parts to have such a grand area to work with? Either way, the others would head up to the metal table before them to pick up their partner Pokemon while she and the others...stood there?

*munch*

"Bun!"

*munch munch*

Correction, stood there while she and Sir Lopsalot began to eat their respective doughnuts (she had managed to get a simpler chocolate glazed one) and watched further hijiinks ensue before their very eyes. She watched the fashionable girl who had placed herself next to Amelia in the waiting room turn a total one-eighty from composed and spin around with an adorably tiny little bug-like Pokemon of inconspicuous size while squeeing loudly. Understandable. She likewise watched-

"G'day, nymes Steph, plezshah t' mayt ya."

No, she didn't watch in the end. This was because her free hand was grabbed and shaken, the redhead she'd seen earlier in the lobby speaking in some kind of mind-maddening tongue of lovecraftian nightmares peculiar accent all the same. It was odd, done rapidly, and yet somehow...she could make it out? It didn't take a mind reader, and she'd been exposed to odd accents before all the way back at Gateon Port on and off for some years. Etc. But to be glad for it and finding that experience useful? Well this was certianly the day for it.

"Names Clarissa, its a pleasure to meet you as well."

Of course no sooner did the words escape her lips after swallowing her latest doughnut bite in a hurry than Clarissa saw Steph zoom off to literally everyone else she seemed able to interrupt with a jarring, even if seemingly genuine, greeting or introduction of some kind. From here she proceeded to hold up the little, and also adorable, candle Pokemon above her head in a manner that almost seemed to beg for some kind of piece-defining music to be played for it. Or, well maybe a cheeky little jingle instead, hmm? Either way, the psychic's eyes would move onto the others in turn from there.

"OH MY ARCEUS!!! HIIIIII—" she squeaked as she dove down trying to hug it before falling on the ground—geez... The Zorua looked on edge before dashing away "NOOOOO DON'T LEAVE MEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!"

That...was certianly something, as was another boy getting a peculiarly-colored little psychic type according to her own senses, and a girl getting a peculiarly-colored little dinosaur Pokemon to boot. Hmm? The boy was right, weren't such things supposed to be actually 'rare'? She'd read that up before and had her father explain it years ago, but even so had the Professor and co gone rather out of the way for some of these? The well-dressed boy in turn seemed to grimace at the prospect of a bug-type Pokemon, then, though his Pokemon seemed to pay it no mind and perched lovingly on his shoulder all the same. It was a bit heartwarming in her eyes, even if a tiny bit, before yet another girl who had in this case acquired an Eevee (that one she very much recognized, finally, herseslf) called out to them all for a potential group picture of the starting trainers and co.

Giving a small mental shrug to herself after a moment of thought and finishign her doughnut finally, or perhaps moreso having a moment of hesitation at the public photo op she hadn't expected, the psychic would walk over to join the photo taking if the others did so as well. She didn't want to be the only one-...aaaand one of the boxes of doughnuts was gone and now seemingly discarded to the side empty by another boy. Further, the girl who sat to Amelia prior and squeed loudly looked like she was turned to stone, all while her little new Pokemon having a seeming blast trying to get serious zoomies run about its new trainer and trying to climb up her legs on occasion. At least beyond this nothing el-

"Heya the-" The Pokémon immediately turned back around and ran away scared, squealing with its hands raised above its head. "W-Wait! Come back! I wanna be your friend!" Of course, Archie ran to follow the Pokémon who he will soon discover to be a Chespin. As of now, the Chespin's frightened cries and Archie's excited shouts could be heard as they ran across the pine forest zone of the terrarium.

...Clarissa sighed as quietly as she could manage, before using her telekinesis to frankly lift the empty cast-aside doughnut box and crumple it up before dropping it into the nearest trashcan. At the same time, Sir Lopsalot, who had finished his own jelly-filled doughnut, would just lightly slap his tiny forehead with and lightly run a little paw down his own face in silent exasperation at the humans-spooking-their-Pokemon antics for his part.

Their adventure, though, seemed to be about to begin in any case.

@Xaltwind@baraquiel@Shazamrock@Zapdos@Crimson Flame@Zarkun@Lunarlord34@Gremlin@CitrusArms@Remram

Regan Calhoun

@baraquiel

The little dino buddy was an affectionate one. Regan had to wonder how many of this guy there were. He seemed to enjoy her scratching the tough hide on top of his head, raising his head into the sensation.

One of the others asked about taking a picture with everyone, and Regan nodded along, “that sounds like a great idea! It’ll be good to have something to remember everyone by. I think I’ll like to take a good look at it, after I’ve made Ranger.” It’d be good to look back and think about the long journey, and where it all started. Maybe remember her partner as he is now, small and cute.

The others seemed into the idea, even the haughty girl who’d been very excited about her little fuzzy critter. Did she like electric types? She’d squealed about it earlier, it had been rather cute. Aah, but she’d gone back to composure now. If that was how she wanted to carry herself, that was fine, but it was rather tiresome to the fighter. Upper crust types seemed far too mired in rules for her. Putting her abilities to use in some capacity, especially a helpful one, was far too appealing to her to spend time on frivolous things like different forks and spoons.

“Just tell me where you want us to stand. Right, Kaebe?” She hadn’t stopped petting her dino, who hadn’t stopped liking it.

There was a problem, however. They’d never get the picture done if that one, there, couldn’t get his pokemon to calm down. “Kaebe, go offer shelter to that poor thing. Let’s help those two get along.”

The cute little blue dino looked up at her and gave an affirmative huff from his nostrils, before clomping forward, toward the scampering pair. He would wait for their path to come toward him before he’d give a gentle.. woof?.. trying to get Chespin’s attention. It motioned with it’s head for the pokemon to come to him, and then locked eyes with Archie, as Regan walked calmly up behind him.

“Maybe don’t chase your new partner around, kid. If it’s skittish, you gotta chill out.” She knelt and placed a hand on Kaebe’s back, offering a larger shelter to the frightened grass type. “Take a breath, slowly, deep as you can, and let it out slowly, too. Then try again, calmly. Slowly.”

Things proceeded to move... very quickly. Thankfully, it seemed that the girl with the Buneary wasn't too offended by Amelia's late introduction and was in the middle of giving her own when they were interrupted. Everyone was ushered into a separate room by a very well dressed looking lady and they would soon meet the Professor of the region, who appeared to... really be in need of some sleep. Amelia felt bad for the man, wondering if he was being worked too hard and hoping he would be able to get a break soon. She didn't get to dwell on it too much though as they were lead over to where their starter pokemon were waiting and... general chaos broke out as the various trainers went, found their partners and some would react calmly while others had... much more energetic reactions. Like the one boy who was chasing around their starter or the cold girl from earlier suddenly acting warmly towards theirs.

Unlike the others who opened their pokeballs right after finding them, Amelia grabbed her partner's pokeball and retreated to a quieter, less crowded area of the room. Once there, she would take a deep breath before pressing the central button, causing it to pop open and a beam of light to come out before taking shape in front of her. The tiny little forest ghost appeared in front of her with extra sparkles, blue eyes staring at her from behind it's white mask.
".... Tump?" It said, looking up at her curiously.

Amelia was silent and still for several seconds before breaking out into a grin as she reached out and pat her new partner.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. Are you ready to go on an adventure together?" She asked.

"TUMP!" Phantump declared loudly.

It was at this point that the orange haired girl made her way over to Amelia, quickly making her presence known and introducing herself as Steph while also telling Amelia feel free to reach out if she was in trouble. Amelia nodded in response before speaking in a low voice.
"O-okay. Thank you Miss Steph." She said while Phantump eyed Steph, sizing her up. That one would be difficult to scare.

As the group began gather for a group photo, Amelia shyly made her way over, keeping a hold of Phantump who put up a small fight, as they desired to try and scare Faye. Phantump gave up once they realized Amelia's nervousness, deciding to stay close to help her feel more comfortable. Probably by instinct, Amelia made her way over to Clarissa, standing next to the purple haired girl and managing to muster up a small smile for the camera.

@Lunarlord34@Zapdos@Sanguine Rose@Joshua Tamashii@Gremlin@Shazamrock@Crimson Flame@Zarkun@Xaltwind@Crusader Lord@CitrusArms



Upon being called, Professor Kapoc, Director Beck, and Adrianne approached Jason and looked down at the very, very blue Ralts. They exchanged looks as they looked around the room to see a bunch of quite literally sparkling critters that were very much very different from what they were supposed to be. In fact, at least half of the Pokemon in this room were shiny.

The director looked at the professor with a dead panned expression. "...Cedric, why are almost all the starters shiny?" She asked, narrowing her eyes with suspicion.

The professor shrugged indifferently in response and said, "You'd have to take that up with Ruey. She's the one who bred and delivered them."

"I'm more surprised that she got her hands on a shiny Tyrunt, or a Tyrunt at all for that matter. I wasn't even aware she had one to breed. I suggested it as a joke." The champion leaned to her side to get a better view of the very puppy-like rock lizard wagging its tail.

"Well, she's always been a bit... eccentric. And really motivated."

@baraquiel
Meanwhile, as Archie chased the Chespin through the pine forest zone of the terrarium the two of them would accidentally hit something... massive. A three headed draconic beast with black fur that flared into fuchsia collars and blue scales. It stirred and the largest of the heads lifted itself up, its black eyes looked at the boy and his starter, its fuchsia pupils focused on them how a beast would look at its prey. They would get the feeling, almost instinctual, that whatever this thing was that it was incredibly dangerous.

Before the boy or the Pokemon could react, its head lunged at them and... they were both held up their collar or the scruff of their neck by the creature's mouth before they were unceremoniously brought back to the group of trainers and dropped on their butts with a 'plop.' It just stood there, watching them with those menacing eyes as if to tell them to not make trouble.

"Good girl." Kapoc petted the main head of the dragon as if it were the family pet though it did not seem to react much.

Director Beck gave the dragon a wide berth knowing full well what that thing was capable of. "Is it really safe to let Cedric's Hydreigon roam around here? Or any of his Pokemon?"

"It's fine! Probably! It's one of the better mannered ones I've seen, but then again, I can't say I've had the chance to meet many either. There's only like three people in this region insane enough to actually raise one and one of them isn't even from Evig."

Truly, these were inspiring words of confidence.

Anyway! Adriane lit up when Faye asked about taking a group photo. "Come on everyone! Gather around for a photo! I'm not giving you guys a choice! That means you two as well!" She announced with a big grin, pointing to Clarissa and David.

"Do I have to?" The professor groaned before he was jerked by the sudden pull of the champion's arm wrapped around his shoulder

"Come on Cedric, make some memories why don't you?"

Once the impromptu photography session was completed, the professor unhooked the champion's arm from his shoulders the same way someone would get rid of a pest. "Alright, everyone I am going to hand you all your Pokedexes. Well, work phones with the Pokedex app."



"As you know, a Pokedex is an encyclopedia for the Pokemon you can find in a given region. As my assistants, you will be filling out the Pokedex as you all gather data on the returning populations of certain species of Pokemon. Any Pokemon that you catch will be sent here where we will observe for research. For each new species and variant you catch and/or evolve, you will be financially compensated based on the rarity of the Pokemon. Each time you record a Pokemon's location, it will be shared among all of you. Please test it out on the Pokemon you all just received."



























"Now onto the phone itself. These are modified with state of the art military grade tech. You could be below the earth's crust and I'm certain you'd at least get three bars. The lab's phone number and all of your numbers are already installed to ensure you all are able to communicate with each other and myself. Other than that, they're just regular phones so do as you will with them."

Kapoc rummaged through his oversized lab coat pockets and pulled out small sacks of something before he gently lobbed each one at the new trainers. "Oh and take these as a bit of help."



"By the way, you guys aren't my only assistants. We had another group yesterday. They should still be around the city or close by. Anyway, I've done my part. If you have any questions about the league, ask Director Beck and Ms. Brand. Other than that, you are all dismissed."

As the professor walked back to his lab, he placed a hand on Clarissa's shoulder and leaned in to whisper, "Oh, and Clarissa, be careful about showing off. I really shouldn't be the one to tell you why."

With that he was gone.

Well, what do you do now?

Audrey took a slight breath, staring at her new companion. One that might (hopefully) keep her company on her adventure, the one that kicks it all off.

The others were chatting about some photo; perhaps she'd join? Joining the crowd that waited for a cute-looking gal to snap a pic, she tried steering clear of the untrustworthy—the orange-haired girl and, maybe, the blondie; she just radiated some strange vibes to Audrey. Seems like the grown-ups are talking; should I tune in? the excitable girl mused before realizing they were coming closer to the group because they wanted to take the photo too... nice! Oh, they’re handing out Pokédexes now? Cool... oh WAIT, THEY’RE GIVING OUT OUR POKÉDEXES!!! Audrey squealed in delight, imagining all the possibilities this could unlock.

Wait... these are NOT Pokédexes... Audrey grabbed one and quickly realized, EVEN BETTER! FREE PHONES!!!!!!!!! Yippie! Audrey bounced around subtly as she held onto her brand-new phone... with the Pokédex app, which made it extra handy! Yes, yes, yes! Her phone chimed, registering Rift in its database. A robotic voice announced, "Zorua, the tricky fox Pokémon, a dark type. It changes into the forms of others to surprise them. Apparently, it often transforms into a silent child." OH MY ARCEUS OH MY ARCEUS OH MY ARCEUS OH MY ARCEUS!! BEST POKÉMON EVER!! But... maybe it should stick to being a Pokémon; transforming into humans gives me the creeps. She glanced at Rift, who was stretched out, calming down and resting, even in the midst of the crowd filled with unique and sassy trainers.

As Professor Kapoc continued explaining, Audrey was fascinated by the fact that the Wi-Fi was perpetually strong. "Talk about convenience!" she remarked. As he rummaged through his coat and handed out Pokéballs, including Audrey's, she eagerly snatched it from his hand and stuffed it into her bag. "JUST, CLOSE ALREADY... I always seem to.. UGH! overpack!" Audrey grumbled before successfully zipping it shut, mercifully avoiding any crushed or broken items. As Professor Kapoc departed, Audrey glanced around the room, looking to see if anyone might be up for a conversation. After all, she wanted to mingle and meet some people. "Professor wasn’t exaggerating when he said there’re so many shinies here. Amazing!" Audrey exclaimed before spotting the green-haired child. The girl approached with a cheerful smile. "Hi! I'm Audrey! You seem like the lively type; wanna explore together?" she asked politely, attempting to make eye contact.

@baraquiel

There were some more shennanigans and drama that happened all around her while Evelyn stood, gloriously posing, and waited for the photo to be taken. Thanks to that though, she didn't really pay any attention to the green-haired bratkid who was chasing his new partner around, or the giant, menacing draogn-thing that proceed to plop both said veggie-head and his veggie-pokemon back down with the rest of the group. She also didn't even notice the saucy gossip-fodder of the Region Champion locking arms with the Professor and dragging him over to take part in the picture-taking.

Once that was all done and over with though, Evelyn began to be able to move again, letting out a small, held breath. She leaned down and plucked Joltik back up into her arms, much to the delight of the little critter who'd been tirelessly trying to get back up onto his trainer during the entire photo-session. Walking over to the girl with the camera, Evelyn spoke a few words.

"Give me a call when the photo's ready, alright? I'm Evelyn, by the way."

She was about to give the photographer her contact-information, but the sleep-deprived, oh-so-charming PokéProf managed to escape the Champion's clutches and proceeded to bombard the group with a long-winded spiel about their new duty as his assistants, and their new devices. Ah, yes... That which they'd been waiting for. The final piece of the puzzle. The pokédex. Or, well, rather it was a phone, with the pokédex on it. Quite the difference from what her mom and dad had told her about their own journeys, back when the Pokédex was its own, seperate thing... Technology sure had come a long way.

So, they were each handed their Rotom Phone-dex, and then the good fellow proceeded to toss them each a small pouch. A poch that contained a set amount of pokéballs. Ah, right. They had to scan and capture pokemon, and for those of this group who were going for the whole 'Gym and League'-challenge, this was probably a means to help propel and springboard them. That was.. Considerate... Though Eve had an inkling that this was more standard procedure rather than the good Professor being generous.

After that explanation though, telling them how they could earn some cash and what they needed to do, the lone adult male of the group simply.. Departed... Yup. That seemed about right for the guy. As sociable and pleasant and as a grouchy, ill-tempered Cacturne. Oh well, he had done his part and played his role, and his participation in Evelyn's story was ... For the most part, over. At least in the eyes of Evelyn herself.

Now, most of these other chumps... They were all being buddy-buddy and making small-talk and setting up big plans for whwere to go, if they wanted to travel together in packs and sparking friendly rivalries that would last until one of them one-sidedly defeated the other in every perpetual encounter they ever had, up until the league. For Evelyn's part though... None of that was particularly interesting. the only person among this troupe of mooks she even registered the face of was the girl who took the group photo, and that was about it. Giving Joltik a soft scratch at the back of its neck, she sat it down on the ground again, before retrieving its pokeball and, unceremoniously, recalling the creature to its spherical hold.

With pokédex in hand, she turned to give them terrarium a final glance over. Then did the same with the collection of her peers.

"Well then.... Good luck to you all, I suppose."

Her voice was not loud, not intense or even particularly energetic. She said them in a normal, conversation-level of audability, which probably meant most of the others wouldn't even have heard it. But, with that said, Evelyn proceeded to follow the professor's lead, and decidely left the area just the same way she'd arrived. The young trainer didn't stop or wait for anyone to come up to her or call her over, she just... Left.

After leaving the League Headquarters properly, the blonde would quickly return to her hotel room.


Before one goes on a nation-spanning journey, on foot, there are certain things that need to be done first. Like, swapping out of the clothes you wore to an important, formal meeting, and switching them out for something more practical, but still fashionable! While it was still a bit chilly outside in the early hours, it'd only get warmer from now on. Thus, the blonde decided on one of her standarized outfits. It was a bit simple, but with a good jacket and her visored cap, it'd get the job done! Next, of course, was to call mom and tell her everything.

Using one of the hoel's payphones, with video-link, the blonde called up her parent, introduced Joltik, and excitedly and energetically regaled her matriarch with everything that had happened that day, from the moment she woke up until the time she got back to her room here.

"So, you're heading out now, sweeite?"
"Yup! Just gonna pack up everything I can't bring with and leave it down in the lobby so the shippers can bring it back home to you."
"Oh? Are you sure you'll be okay without all your sets of change?"
"C'mon, I'm not that bad!"
"If you say so, honey... But be sure you stay safe, alright? And make sure to take good care of little Joltik, don't push him too hard or put him in any unnecessary danger, okay?"
"Mom, it's me! It's not like I'm gonna go running off into some deep, dank woods and fall into a cave full of Golbats or anything."
"You'd be surprised how often that can happen..."
"Pfft, whatever. Anyway, I'll be off now, time to work on getting famous! ... Oh, and tell dad I said hi, and love you both."
"Mhm, yeah, I will. I love you too, baby-girl. Go out there and knnock Evig's socks off."
"Yeah! Bye mom!"

Call Ended.

Alrigh! Time to get... Wait, where was Joltik?

Looking around the room, she found the little monster having located a wall-socket, and was now happily sitting there, eating away at the building's electricity. Not sure whether this was a breach of some sort of hotel or public code of donduct, the blonde hurried over in a frazzled state and quickly lifted the little bug away from its meal. In response, the bug... Pouted...? Wait... he could pout? Well, not like a human does... But he sure looked like he was trying to.

"Hey, c'mon! Don't do that. I'm not sure if they'll charge extra if you gobble up the juice in this place."

Joltik, of course, understood none of this and just tilted his tiny head sideways, before chttering happily. Evelyn sighed and put the little troublemaker down again. Then started on the biggest task of the day! ... Cleaning up all the excess and extra clothes she wasn't bringing with her. Suitcases, rollers and bags were all filled. It took... A fair bit of time, but she eventually got it done.

Now, all she ahd to do was grab her trust waistbag, stuff down the things she was bringing with her, and get this show on the road!

... Several minutes later...

Down in the lobby of the hotel, the blonde, fresh-faced trainer approached the front desk. Her rather impressive collection of cargo having been stowed off to the side against one of the walls.

"Hi, I was in room #204. I wanted to check out."
"One moment, please." The faceless recptionist said in an unenthused manner. "Miss Evelyn, right? Yes, everything looks to be in order. We've received the wired payment, so everything's good. We hope you enjoyed your stay at our establishment."
"Yeah, sure. Anyway, I've got some luggage here that's going to be picked up by the Evig-runners Poké-shippers. Can I leave it here with the hotel?"
"One moment, let me check..." WOw, this guy had a knack for being the dullest, most monotone man in the universe. If it wasn't so grating it might've been impressive. "Yes, hotel policies allow for customers to have their luggage safely stored until it can be picked up and moved within 24 hours."
"Great, then I'll leave this stuff under your capable, watchful eyes. Don't lose it."
"Understood, I'll make the required n--"
"'Kay, thanks, bye!"

Evelyn has left the building.





Now out on the streets of the city once again, decked out in her new duds and with the clothes - and other items - on her back, well, wait, Evelyn was finally, finally ready to start her jouney. The first, real, actual, honest-to-goodness step of her very own journey. A journey which she'd write! The tale of Evig's greatest, most famous, most beloved..!

...

...

... Uhm...

W-well, whatever! I can always decide on the details later, right? For now, I just gotta get going! C'mon, girl! Take that first step!

She sucked in some air, closed eyes, let the sounds and smells and sensations all around wash over her. Then, carefully, slowly, measuredly, she took that first, elegant, dainty step onto the pavement outside the hotel.

Click.

An electric tingle ran up her spine. An exhilirating sensation. She was doing it. She was really, truly doing it. The blonde couldn't help but smile to herself.

"Now then... Professor Arbok said we'd get paid for registering pokemon, right?" Eve mused.

True, she could've just set off down Route 1 or 4 right away, and begun her adventures in Evig right there and then. But, she knew better. You didn't just run off down an unfamiliar road without first making sure you had everything you could need. And Evelyn didn't have everything. Not yet, at least. There were a few things she'd like to get before leaving, for both her own and Joltik's sake. Speaking of, her partner was safely tucked back away in his pokeball for now.

Right, well then. The first order of business was...

To go to one of Grand Glory's parks and Catch a Pokémon she could find. Mostly to get a bit of experience when working with Joltik, as well as to see how much the payout for getting a 'new' pokemon entry was.