Onward to Adventure! [Done]

[Krystal]

The ranger union stresses that it is a legal requirement to carry a pokemon with you for your own protection, that was what all the signs were saying, anyways, and apparently this was the place to get them. Kat was still adjusting to the feel of Featherwing City, and even here, in this quiet area, she was still feeling a bit overwhelmed.

"Come on, Kat, if you can't adjust to life outside of Wetherseed, you might as well turn around and walk back home." She balled her hands into fists as she took in the white edifice before her. It seemed so...artificial...compared to the homes in Wetherseed.

Gathering her courage, she strode up to the door, shifting her pack so that her hand would be free to knock.

She took a deep breath. hand poised before the door...

...and knocked.

It sounded loud to her ears, and she winced, fighting off the sudden sense of regret that she felt.

Maybe no one heard me, maybe I should go back to Wetherseed--No! I have to do this! There's a whole world out there waiting to be explored! Besides, she couldn't risk the chance that her calling might be out there, in the wide world beyond Wetherseed. She knew she wouldn't be able to stand not knowing if there was something more she could be doing. She wasn't going to return to Wetherseed Town until she was absolutely certain that she knew what she wanted to do with her life.

She had a sudden thought that maybe it would be wise to remove her fishing pole from where it was strapped to her back. Nobody seemed to mind it, perhaps catching a glimpse of a woman in tan shorts and a t-shirt with a fishing pole strapped to her back was a common enough sight as to be unremarkable.

((Could I reserve Vulpix, pretty please?))

[KITTYWHISKERS]

NEXIVUS LABORATORIES

"Darling, I'll bathe your skin, I'll even wash your clothes~," sang Professor Hawthorne rather tunelessly as she bent over a large metal bowl. It was full of warm water and bubbles, and a delighted teddiursa was being scrubbed by a large brush. "Just give me some candy~" She beamed at the bear, blowing some bubbles into the creature's face. The pokemon squeaked and giggled, splashing the water in excitement.

"Sometimes, my dear, I think you get covered in dirt on purpose so you can have a bath." She laughed, "You enjoy them ever so much!" She scrubbed at the teddiursa's forehead, trying to remove a particularly stubborn stain. The normal type giggled and beamed, obviously enjoying himself.

"Come on then, out you get." Hawthorne purred, holding out a fluffy sky blue towel for the pokemon to climb into. He obeyed her quickly, spraying her with water and bubbles as she did so. She rubbed the pokemon's fur somewhat dryer and paused as she heard the familiar knock on the door. She swept the betowelled creature into her arms and left the bathroom.

She pulled over the door, holding the teddiursa on her hip. Her lab coat was damp, as was the tips of her hair, and there was a large wet stain on the front of her purple blouse.

"Hello there!" She beamed, gesturing for the trainer-to-be to come inside. "What's your name sweetie? I'm Professor Hawthorne and this little devil is one of the starters I give away." She tickled his tummy with a wicked smile and the Teddiursa fell into giggles. "Are you here for a pokemon?" She asked kindly.

ooc; there are an unlimited number of normal starters, so you don't need to reserve one. :) it's just the specials which are first come, first serve.

[Krystal]

Kat was just about to give up and go home when the door opened, revealing a slightly wet woman and--a stuffed animal?
No, a pokemon, she realized, but not a species she recognized. It certainly wasn't native to Wetherseed, or if it was, she had never seen one before. She wondered, fleetingly, what sorts of creatures she would encounter on her journey. After all, there are hundreds of species of pokemon, aren't there?

"K-Katerina," she stammered when the woman asked her name. "I'm from Wetherseed Town." She watched with interest as the professor tickled the pokemon, and couldn't help but smile when the little guy giggled. He's one of the starters? That means he's going to eventually be given to another person... She wondered if Professor Hawthorne was ever sad to see any of them go, she knew she would be.

"He's adorable," she remarked, fighting the urge to reach out and stroke the creature. He looked soft. "And I think I must be here for one of my own, I doubt I'd be able to do much traveling without one...but...ah... she touched her finger to her lower lip. How does this work? The selection process, I mean, and is there a care sheet I can look at? I've never had a pokemon of my own before, so I don't want to mess up anything if I can help it." She realized then that she was babbling, as she often did when she was nervous about something. Well, this is a big step for me, I don't think my parents ever ventured far from Featherwing City...

((Seriously can't cough up anymore words...))

[KITTYWHISKERS]

NEXIVUS LABORATORIES

Hawthorne tickled the tummy of the bear again. "He is adorable, isn't he? Yes, you are! Yes, you are!" She gushed, making a fuss of the Pokemon and making him giggle and squirm. "From Wetherseed? A lovely walk, Penniacre is beautiful this time of year. Not as nice as spring of course, or autumn actually, but it's still a lovely place." She smiled to herself, apparently just broadcasting her own thoughts.

"And I think I must be here for one of my own, I doubt I'd be able to do much traveling without one...but...ah... How does this work? The selection process, I mean, and is there a care sheet I can look at? I've never had a pokemon of my own before, so I don't want to mess up anything if I can help it."

Hawthorne listened carefully to Katerina's speech with a smile. "Oh, it is quite simple, my dear." She walked behind her desk, pulled out a couple of the drawers one-handed as she searched for the booklet she wanted. "This booklet shows all of the pokemon that we offer as starters. There's also a piece of paper which shows the current Specials we have it. There's some information about them in there, but it's rather basic. If you let me know, I'll print off one of the more advanced caresheets for the pokemon you choose. Not many people ask for them, you see." Hawthorne handed the girl the booklet, bouncing the Teddiursa on her hip like a baby.

The Teddiursa let out a wide yawn and the Professor smiled, "You're getting tired, aren't you?" She smiled, cradling the pokemon, "I'm just going to put this little guy to bed, feel free to take a seat and take all the time you need. I'll only be a moment and then I'll be able to answer any questions you have."

[Krystal]

Kat accepted the booklet. "Thank you," she said as she gave the pokemon a small wave. "Sleep well, little guy." She hoped he would find a good home with someone who would love and care for him.

She sat down and began to thumb through the booklet, pausing as she recognized the little guy from a picture in the book. "Teddiursa" she pronounced. Even the name was adorable.

Focus, Kat. She needed to choose one based on what skills she would need to survive. Let's see, Houndour... Well, the scant information she was offered seemed promising, but the markings made it seem a little sinister, in her eyes, at least.

Oh stop it, Kat, you know better than to judge pokemon by their appearances," she berated herself. Let's see, what about a water type? Maybe they could be trained to catch fish? She pursed her lips in thought. So many choices... It seemed as if every one had some sort of practical use, each one was special in their own way.

But her gaze lingered on one for far longer than the others...

Vulpix...

The vital statistics included on the pokemon suggested that it could be picked up and carried if necessary. It was also a fire type, and fire had a practical as well as a protective use: campfires for cooking and warmth, torches to light the way, an effective weapon in battle...

Besides the practical application, it felt right. She would have to see it for sure, but the feeling of appropriateness was there. Still, she scribbled down the names of a couple others. Shinx was also quite intriguing, and Marill, one of the water types that was currently available, but she was certain she had already made her decision.

Setting the pen down, she waited patiently for the professor to return.

[KITTYWHISKERS]

NEXIVUS LABORATORIES

Hawthorne reappeared a little while later, her Audino following her. The creature was wearing a pair of Marigolds and gave the new trainer-to-be a strange, almost fearful look as she entered. She hopped around, picking up as many of the dirty tea cups that littered the room as she could carry and vanished back into the kitchen.

Hawthorne smiled after her, "She's such a strange little creature, that one. She just can't stand how messy I can be!" She laughed a little, before turning back to Kat and noticing that she'd finished looking through the booklet. "Oh, sorry to keep you waiting, dear. Did you find any you'd like to see?"

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[Krystal]

Kat had the list in her hand and was about to read off the names, but the words that came out of her mouth were: "Could I see a Vulpix, please, or, ah, a couple, if they're available?" She looked down at the list again. It didn't seem right to ask for the other pokemon when she had already made her decision, but maybe she was being hasty? After all, the pokemon she chose was going to be traveling with her, into possibly dangerous territory; she couldn't afford to choose the wrong one. Was there even a wrong one? Surely Professor Hawthorne wouldn't offer anyone a pokemon that couldn't protect them? She'd seen the notices posted around town, it wouldn't have made any sense.

"And Shinx, if you don't mind, she added. There, now she couldn't tell herself that she didn't at least explore one other option. "They're all so unique, it was hard to narrow it down." Well, technically she had already narrowed it down, maybe it was obvious that she'd already made her choice.

"Do a lot of people make quick decisions or do you find it takes them awhile?" She asked suddenly. "Well, I suppose most people already have an idea, favourites, that sort of thing. Hmm...

You're babbling again, Kat.

She pursed her lips. "I don't want to seem like I'm making a snap decision," she admitted. She would give all the pokemon she was shown due consideration.

[KITTYWHISKERS]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 400px; padding: 6 6 6 6px; background-image: url(http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g163/spazzy-lil-fishie/Lolsites/salempurple.gif); -moz-border-radius: 40px 0px 40px 0px; -webkit-border-radius: 40px 0px 40px 0px; border: 1px #F2EFEB dashed;] welcome to nexivus laboratories professor maria hawthorne CHARACTER; professor hawthorne MODERATOR; kitty WORDS; 650 NOTES; such a long post @.@ Hawthorne nodded as the girl requested a couple of pokemon, smiling as she thought of the creatures she had in at the moment. Which would suit the girl best..? "Do a lot of people make quick decisions or do you find it takes them awhile?" She asked suddenly. "Well, I suppose most people already have an idea, favourites, that sort of thing. Hmm... I don't want to seem like I'm making a snap decision." Hawthorne smiled, placing a finger to her lips as she thought, "Well, it all depends really... Some people just want to get in and out of here as soon as possible, and don't really care what their pokemon are like. Others take their choice very seriously and struggle to decide which pokemon would be best for them." She nodded and gestured to the back door. She disappeared for a few moments, before returning with a handful of pokeballs and a plastic bag of items. She placed the balls on her desk and passed the items to the girl, "That's for you, dear. Some items to get you started." She placed a finger to her lips again as she peered at the pokeballs, deciding which creatures to release first. She picked up the Vulpix' pokeballs and allowed all three of the creatures to come out at once. They looked a little confused for a few moments, before looking up at the Professor and the new girl. One of them walked over boldly, sniffing at the trainer-to-be's legs. She then put her front paws on her lap and barked in an excited manner, her tails wagging. Hawthorne smiled, "As you can tell, she's a bold little thing. She's extremely curious and doesn't seem to be scared of anything." Two other Vulpix watched the trainer curiously. One shuffled forwards and then retreated a little. Seeing that the first Vulpix had encountered no terrible end by approaching, he walked forwards slowly, sniffing at Kat's shoes. "He's a little nervous at first but with support and encouragement. he'll be an adventurous companion and a decent battler. He's a lovely boy when you get to know him." The third Vulpix watched the trainer from a distance, her eyes milky and blank. "This pup was attacked by her mother before she was adopted by the Ranger Union. She's blind, but she seems to cope quite well due to her sense of smell and hearing. You'd need to patient with her as she's a little cautious and doesn't trust easily, but she's feisty." Hawthorne looked a little sad as she watched the Vulpixes. She allowed them to stay out for a few minutes, in order for Kat to get a decent idea of their personalities. She returned them with a smile, after the blind vulpix had tottered forwards, standing beside the male and sniffing cautiously. Hawthorne picked up the last two pokeballs and let out the two shinxes, a male and a female. Immediately, the female jumped on the male, gnawing at his ears and growling in a friendly way. The male yelped, hissing and batting at the female with his back paws. Hawthorne laughed slightly, "These are some of our shinxes. This one," she picked up the male, stroking his head, "is a tad vain and temperamental, but he can also be extremely sweet." She put him down and the creature rubbed against her legs and sat down, licking his paws and washing his face. The second jumped up, sniffing around Hawthorne's desk, apparently looking for something interesting. She found a half-empty cup of tea and began to lap at it with her tongue. She yelped, and jumped back, hissing at the liquid. Hawthorne laughed, "She's very curious, a real adventurer. She doesn't mind getting dirty if it means she can have some fun." She smiled at the girl, running a hand through her long blonde hair, "Do any of those pokemon take your fancy?" "would you like some tea?" art & template by kitty for pkmn nexivus

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[Krystal]

Kat managed to stammer out a 'thank you', as she accepted the items, pausing for a moment to rearrange the things in her backpack so the bag would fit in it. She would have time to organize them later.

Her heart was pounding in her chest. This was it! She was going to choose a traveling companion!

The Vulpixes were first, and she could not help but stare at them, wide-eyed. The picture in the booklet doesn't do them justice... She thought as one of them came towards her, standing on her hind legs and yipping excitedly.

"Well hello there, little girl," she greeted her, hesitantly reaching out to stroke her fur. "You're so soft!" She tried to give her full attention to the professor, but it was difficult to concentrate on her when the Vulpixes were so intriguing.

She held her hand out to the male when he finally approached her, keeping still so as not to frighten him. "It's okay, little guy. What a handsome boy you are!"

At first, she wasn't sure if the blind one would approach her, but she finally came to stand beside the male. "Hello there, sweetheart," she said, reaching out and gently stroking her. "The poor thing," she said, directing her comment to Professor Hawthorne. "She seems to be in good spirits, despite her blindness. You're a tough cookie, aren't you?"

By the time the Shinxes were brought out, she had already made her decision, but she still laughed at the female Shinx's antics. I wish I could take one of each, she thought as she smiled down at them. It would make this so much easier.

"Do any of those pokemon take your fancy?"

She had been expecting the question, but there was still a lump in her throat as she replied. "They're all adorable, of course, but I think I'd like the first female Vulpix you showed me, the bold one. She's just what I'm looking for." She did feel a pang of guilt due to not picking the blind one, but surely someone else would take her if she didn't?

[KITTYWHISKERS]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 400px; padding: 6 6 6 6px; background-image: url(http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g163/spazzy-lil-fishie/Lolsites/salempurple.gif); -moz-border-radius: 40px 0px 40px 0px; -webkit-border-radius: 40px 0px 40px 0px; border: 1px #F2EFEB dashed;] welcome to nexivus laboratories professor maria hawthorne CHARACTER; professor hawthorne MODERATOR; kitty WORDS; 135 NOTES; short but mehhh. "They're all adorable, of course, but I think I'd like the first female Vulpix you showed me, the bold one. She's just what I'm looking for." Hawthorne beamed at the girl. "That's fine, my dear. I'm glad she's well suited to you." She nodded, returning the Shinxes to their pokeballs and filling her labcoat pocket with spheres. She passed forwards the last pokeball, the one containing Kat's chosen starter. "And there's your new pokemon! All you have to do now is fill in this form and you can be on your way." She handed Kat a clipboard with a simple form attached. "Just for admin purposes, it won't take a moment." Congratulations! You have received a VULPIX! Gender: Female Attacks: Ember, Tail Whip, +1 EGG MOVE. Personality: Bold, curious, adventurous. You may now continue on to Featherwing City! "would you like some tea?" art & template by kitty for pkmn nexivus

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[Krystal]

Kat accepted the clipboard, but her eyes were fastened on the pokeball. "Oh, okay..."

My own pokemon...

She felt like jumping for joy or doing a little dance, but she suspected that it wouldn't be seen in a favourable light, so instead she set to filling out the form. It wasn't too difficult to fill out, and when she was finished she handed it back to the professor. "There, I hope that's acceptable?"

She picked up the pokeball and examined it. The button in the centre opens it, I guess...how do the pokemon even fit in here? It was something she'd always wondered, but they didn't seem to experience any discomfort upon being released. She wondered if Vulpix would enjoy walking around town with her. Was it even safe to let her out? Would she run away on her? On the other hand, how was she supposed to make friends with her if she never let her out of her pokeball? So many things to consider...

"Oh! Can I get a caresheet for her, please? Do they require special food? I have strips of salted meat and trail mix in my pack, and I can hunt and fish. Oh, wait, they have special food for pokemon, don't they? Anyways, I brought a brush with me. Do they like being brushed?" She paused to take a breath, giving the professor a nervous smile. "Yeah, I think I need a caresheet...." She laughed nervously, wondering why no one had seen fit to tell her anything before she left Wetherseed. Well, mother probably would have gone on about corporations anyways...