tobiax

Journey of a Thousand Miles

Tobias gave her a curious look, reaching out his hand slowly as the money was offered. However, as her eyes went blank, he froze.
"I-if you were hungry... you could have asked," he replied, his voice sounding slightly shakey, "I... I would have got you something..."
Tobias was cut off when the Professor stood from admiring the Liepard's coat.
"Well, I didn't know you two knew each other... " Sycamore spoke up before clearing his throat.
He then gestured again, this time towards the elevator.
"Now, Tobias, if I may, I believe we have some business to which we must attend," he announced, then turned to the girl on the couch, "You may come as well if you like," he offered, stretching out a hand.

Journey of a Thousand Miles

The man chuckled heartily at the embrace between the trainer and her Pokemon.
"You two care for each other very much," he noted happily, "That's good. I'm glad I could help you two."
He then remembered that there was someone standing behind him, and swiftly turned to face the boy.
"Oh! I guess you did come for a reason, now didn't you?" he pointed out in a well projected tone, "Well, nice of you to stop by. Can I help you with anything?" he asked.
Tobias was about to speak, raising his hand slightly, when the man spread his arms out.
"Oh! I've forgotten to introduce myself! My name is Professor Sycamore," he announced.
At this, the boy gasped slightly, before standing straight and making himself more presentable.
"P-Professor Sycamore! My name's Tobias," the boy introduced himself, rather hastily.
"Oh, Tobias!" the Professor declared with a large smile, "I was waiting for you," he then paused, looking back at the girl, "Just a moment, then we can get to business."

Journey of a Thousand Miles

Tobias watched with bated breath, unsure of how to feel. The air was tense, and silent, and even the man barely moved until the girl started moving. The man smiled a bit as the girl started to awaken.
"Good, you're awake," he began, but then lurched forth as she began to stand, "Oh! Hold it."
The man slid forward, putting his arms under her and slowing her return to the couch, making sure she didn't hit her head.
"Easy there... Here, drink," he offered, handing the bottle to her, "Now, can you tell me what happened?"

Journey of a Thousand Miles

The man shook his head low. The girl looked absolutely pitiable. Tobias only glanced for a moment, wondering what could be wrong. Soon, they entered the lab together, and the man rested the girl on one of the thin couches in the lobby. The man brushed his hair out of his face, then looked to the boy, who stood idly by.
"Go upstairs, to the third floor," he began, pointing at the slim elevator in the center of the room, "There's a refrigerator with water bottles in it. Go get one."
Tobias barely had time to process what he said. However, he did not hesitate, getting into the elevator, which seemed to be a re-purposed freight elevator with its open structure. The rest of the building was dark, and he didn't pay much attention to it. A few moments later, he returned, a clear bottle filled with water in his hands. Swiftly approaching, Tobias handed it to the man, who supported the girl's head as he opened the bottle and poured the smallest bit of water into her mouth.

Journey of a Thousand Miles

The reaction was immediate. Before Tobias could even catch up, the man took the girl in his arms, looking to the weeping Pokemon.
"It's alright little one. I'll help her," he offered in a hushed tone.
While the thought crossed his mind to pat the Pokemon in a comforting gesture, he decided against it- the creature was distressed, and it might not take kindly to strangers, even strangers that were helping. Slowly he stood, but realized there was hardly any strain at all. This wasn't right. Even with her small size... this was worse than he thought.
Tobias didn't even reach the place where the man had gone when he saw him again, holding no one other than the girl who had saved him, only to rob him herself. The man had a panicked look on his face, and Tobias could only stand aside as he ran by.
"We have to help her!" the man called, prompting Tobias to follow.
The man noticed how dry her mouth was- when was the last time this girl had eaten?

Journey of a Thousand Miles

"Woah," the man blurted, about to say something as the mysterious Pokemon tugged on his coat.
The man followed suit, leaving Tobias to stare curiously for a moment. After a second, though, he began to follow. He wasn't sure what the problem could be. But still, despite what had happened, the Leipard had come to him for help. Tobias clambered after the two, heading back towards the alleys in which he had been attacked.
As the man followed the Pokemon, catchings its phosphorescent glints in the dim alley light, he wondered what the problem could be. However, his problem was soon answered as he saw the a body on the ground not far away. With a gasp, he rushed in, instantly pressing a finger against her neck.

Journey of a Thousand Miles

Tobias heard a strange, echoing, almost yowling sound behind him. However, before he could turn around, the door began to creak open. Standing there was a relatively tall man, who, although he was in a lab coat and slacks, with a loose blue shirt. His eyes had a smokey quality to them, and his hair had an airy drift to it.
"Why, hello young man!" the man announced boisterously, however, his tone turned from one of welcome to curiosity and wonder, "That Pokemon!" he pointed out, prompting the young man to turn around.
Tobias instantly recognized it. It was the Pokemon he had seen behind the girl that had robbed him. As he wondered why it was acting in such a pleading way, the man wasted no time, kneeling down to look at the Pokemon face to face.
"What's wrong?" he asked the creature, his tone intent and curious.

Journey of a Thousand Miles

Tobias sat for a moment at the steps of the yellow stone building, catching his breath. He felt safe here- all he'd have to do was open the door and walk in, and there'd at least be someone else there to help. Letting out a sigh, he unshouldered his backpack and undid the buckle. Reaching in to the slightly open sides, he withdrew a bottle of water, wincing as the plastic pressed against his hands. Rolling his eyes, he unscrewed the cap as the blood began to pool. Carefully, he poured the water over his hands, clearing the rocks and blood from the torn skin.
"Shoot," he mumbled, "Well, so much for a good morning..."
After his hands were clean, he stood, taking a moment to stretch before turning to knock on the door. If Tobias were paying attention, he would likely hear the sounds of a Pokemon approaching from behind, but at the moment, that wasn't on his mind.

Journey of a Thousand Miles

Determined now more than ever to get all his stuff back, Tobias stood, his eyes wet, blurring his vision, obscuring the maroon Pokemon which seemed to be emitting phosphorescent flecks as it moved idly. He looked into the eyes of the girl, his own, green ones set like iron and glinting with resolution. And, for the first time, he answered what she said directly.
"It's not like you did either!" he practically shouted, his voice rife with accusation and frustration.
In a last burst of effort, he bumped into her. She was a bit shorter than him, a lot actually, and so he thought to use it to his advantage. In one last attempt, he reached for his money once again, digging towards her pocket to snatch it back. With a deep breath, he ran, heading down the road again, hoping to make it to the lab with all his things.
If he didn't have his money before he got his first Pokemon, he wouldn't get far enough to where he could actually sustain both himself and his Pokemon on the money he made from defeating other trainers. He wouldn't let that happen. His mind then began to drift back to that girl. She had her own Pokemon, why not get money from battling other trainers in the city, instead of stealing from people. Why would she help him then steal his money anyway?

Journey of a Thousand Miles

Tobias winced hard as he felt a sharp pain dig into his arm. His breath drew in with a hiss, and he glared with a mix of frustration and confusion. Why couldn't she just give him his stuff and let him go?
"Come on, just..." he began, his arm dropping to his side.
He gave a frustrated sigh, what would she even need it for? He was about to sling his other hand around to grab the money, then her knee crashed into his stomach. He couldn't hear what she said as it felt like everything was coming up at once, and his vision began to dim, almost to black. He regained consciousness, his breath sputtering back into his lungs. Still, his knees against the ground, he looked up with moist eyes, and began grasping again at her pockets.
"C'mon... just..." he gasped.