"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.
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