Race into the Night

[Moonlight]

Although she was now capable of commenting, Hannah remained silent as they spoke. Listening once more, what she was best at. Quietly considering their words, the exchange as whole. She could understand his view point, it seemed. Although the situation was not entirely the same, much of it was. Emotions involved. But at the same time, they bore their own differences. And yet, in those differences were more similarities. It was a bit of a paradox.

Nodding after a moment when he suggested they go, though silent. Even with the option to speak, she always chose her words carefully. There was no use in speaking, if there was no meaning. Awkwardness tended to churn out various results, true. But Tyson seemed a bit restless ... Unsure of himself, even. A small sigh escaped her lips, gently scratching behind Topaz's ears before pushing herself up.

A gentle breeze teasing the early spring air as they moved, before interlacing her fingers behind her head. Pale silver gaze taking in their surroundings, noting the PokeMart was at the far corner of the block. When she did 'speak', her voice was quiet. "Perhaps ... Perhaps it is because we do not believe in ourselves," the violet haired trainer finally murmured, hands dropping to her sides. Moisture was becoming apparent in the somewhat chilled air, although not yet misting.

[Australian Chaos]

Tyson turned to Hannah as she spoke up once more, a small smile on his face from the quiet purr rumbling with deep within Topaz, an after-effect of the affectionate scratch Hannah had given her as they set off towards the PokeMart once more. Once again, she seemed to prove very insightful, Tyson suspecting that her nature as a mute lent her a higher level of wisdom, due to spending more of her time simply contemplating things. The quiet, thoughtful part he could relate to...and, if he was honest with himself, he hoped he had a touch of wisdom about him as well.

"Perhaps," he replied simply, absently stroking the snake-like body of Ladon as they closed in on the small shop. "I think that's only part of it...but like I said, your support is appreciated, from all of you," he added, his gaze wandering over Kin and Bane as well, before turning back to focus on the road ahead, as they finally reached their destination.

But Tyson stopped briefly on the threshold when Ryuu gave him a mild nudge. Turning back to the orange Fire-type, he knelt down in front of the Charmander as he gazed out at the approaching storm front, then back at the shop, which...while not crowded...still contained enough humans to set the Charmander on edge. He was still not used to large groups of beings at once.

Eventually, Ryuu's gaze settled on his PokeBall at Tyson's waist. "Might as well head in there for now, Tyson," he said, just a hint of reluctance in his tone, signifying his growing trust and appreciation of his Trainer, even if he tried to hide it behind a stony mask. "I don't want to put up with all those humans," he added, nodding at the store.

Tyson silently stared at Ryuu for a couple of moments, determining whether the Charmader really wanted to return to his PokeBall, knowing that, once the rain hit, he would not be able to come out until it passed. But he eventually sighed, pulling out the PokeBall and expanding it. "Alright, buddy...I'll let you out as soon as the rain clears, though, okay?" he said, getting a nod from the Charmander, before he vanished in a flash of energy, now safely contained in his capsule.

Shrinking the Ball and returning it to his waist, Tyson turned to Hannah. "He doesn't like crowds, sadly. He's still getting used to having company in his life, and places like this are a little...overwhelming," he explained, gesturing to the PokeMart, before heading towards the glass doors, realising that, with her telepathic method of communicating, privacy was pretty much a non-issue...or so he hoped. He still didn't understand the intricacies of psychic powers.

[Moonlight]

Although a small smile curved Hannah's lips upon hearing Topaz's rumbling purr, her sidelong glance at Tyson seemed almost forlorn. The mute had often wondered what it would be like to have a voice of her own, but sadly knew that would not happen. Glancing down at Bane as well, noticing the dual type pup was also glancing at the sky. Although rain bothered him little, due to his inner flame, it had a tendency to make him weary for several days. "Bane ... Do you want to go into your pokeball as well?" the young woman queried softly, causing him to glance up.

One ear twitched after a moment, considering. A faint mist was indeed beginning to fall now, icy pin pricks when it hit what exposed skin there was. As it clung to Bane's sleek pelt, it seemed he grew several shades lighter before it combined to make droplets. Soon darkening his pelt further, if it were possible to do so to such a deep onyx. But making the bone adornments atop his body gleam in the faint light. Nodding in confirmation. "Mmm ... It'd probably be a good idea. It is pretty cold now ..." Bane returned with a sigh, nuzzling her dampening pants leg.

Her own smile remaining, scratching behind his ears. "Its all right, Bane. I'll let you back out as soon as possible," Hannah assured him, before removing the houndour's storage sphere from her pocket. Maximizing it as she hit the button, before allowing the red flash to engulf her friend. Stowing away her friend's pokeball, before her gaze moved to Kin. Questioning.

The fatherly psychic type chuckled softly, resting his empty hand on his human's shoulder. "I'm all right, Hannah. Just a little tired," the green-starred kadabra said, something akin to a smile audible in his voice.

"All right ... I just don't want to overexert you," the young woman said, though appreciative of her longtime friend. Glancing back at Tyson after a moment as they neared the Mart, noticing that Ryuu was also returned to his sphere now. Smiling slightly. Tyson seemed to be the type of person that she'd enjoy being around for some time.

[Australian Chaos]

As they entered the PokeMart, Tyson took a brief moment to look around, happy to be out of the damp, misty air. Topaz also came up beside him, shaking her damp fur, sending a small spray around, causing Tyson to cringe away. "Topaz! Come on, must you?"

Topaz, for her part, just turned and grinned at him cheekily, obviously wanting to mess with Tyson a little. Even Ladon couldn't help but chuckle at the Persian's antics, although the feel of the mist dampening his skin probably contributed to his good mood significantly...he was usually much more reserved in the crowded Marts.

Rolling his eyes at his Pokemon, but otherwise making no further comment, Tyson turned back to Hannah, he once more sending a quick mental message her way, fast growing more accustomed to this method of communication...almost like his body knew what to do. "So...shall we split up and meet at the counter in about ten minutes?" he suggested, while mentally going over his relatively short shopping list. For him, this was nothing more than a simple re-stock on travel supplies...he had no intention of buying anything fancy or expensive...he preferred to save his money. Income was not exactly steady as a Trainer, after all.

But even as he made the suggestion part of him hoped Hannah would suggest something else...he was enjoying her company, and even for the brief time he knew it would be, didn't really want to leave her side. Now that he had been in her company for a large portion of the morning, he knew it would take some adjusting if he had to go back to travelling alone again. He couldn't care less about Hannah's 'disability', she was nice, and accepting of who he was, and he couldn't ask for more in a friend.

He noticed Topaz looking at him out of the corner of her eye, a wicked gleam in it. Tyson passed it off for now, knowing asking her about it would lead to no answer and a mysteriously evil smile...she got that look in her just before she either play-attacked him, or teased him in some form. He simply ignored her, and silently prepared for whatever prodding she was going to pull once things settled down a little.

[Moonlight]

Hannah chuckled silently as Topaz shook like a wet dog, spraying them both with water. Finding the elegant persian's now mussed pelt, sticking out at all odd angles, even more amusing. That, no doubt, would not hold with Topaz. She could see that journeying with Topaz would no doubt prove very interesting for anyone that happened to become Tyson's companion - The Classy Cat had plenty of cheek and spunk to spare.

Glancing around the surprisingly crowded Mart, though, considering how few people they'd seen outside. Her gaze flicked to Tyson after a moment, before offering a small smile. "I only need to pick up a notebook or two, and a potion, so ... We could just pick those up on the way to the counter, if you'd like," she offered, though her brow quirked as she heard Kin chuckle. It was rare for the psychic to be so easily amused. "What is it, Kin?"

The green starred kadabra simply shook his head, hovering in the open ceiling out of the way. "Nothing at all," he returned smoothly, though the barest trace of a grin was audible in his words. Almost as if he'd been having a private conversation with Topaz and picked up a bit of her humor.

[Australian Chaos]

Tyson briefly considered Hannah's offer, going over his shopping list once more, while looking around the Mart, trying to see over the heads of the milling crowd to see if the Mart's layout had changed since he had left on his journey as a Trainer. While he could not tell for certain, cursing the crowd silently as he tried to observe closer, he guessed that it wasn't, and that meant that everything he needed was on the way to, or at the counter. Since PokeMarts dealt with passing Trainers frequently, their essential needs were usually located close to the counter for easy access, allowing Trainers to just pass through quickly.

Finally reaching a decision, he offered a warm smile to his companion, ignoring Topaz's increasing smirk. "Alright, sounds good...I need a few more things, but it should all be straight on the way to the counter, too. Might be wise to grab a raincoat as well, but they should be by the counter, too," he added, realising that was one thing missing from his gear so far. It had been a rather dry winter in Kanto this year, and until now Tyson had not had any need for it.

But as he made to wander off with Hannah, Topaz trotted into place by his side, as always, but shifted her gaze up to Kin, hovering out of the way of the crowds. "I heard you before, Kin," she spoke up in the universal Pokemon tongue, praying the Kadabra would keep this private...she knew Ladon, who had twisted his head on Tyson's shoulder to listen in, would gladly play along with her, but Kin was a bit more of an unknown. "You see it, too, don't you?" she asked, jerking her head vaguely in Tyson and Hannah's direction while Tyson wasn't looking.

Topaz thought the fact that Tyson seemed to have found a good friend in another human was really nice, but her playful could not help but observe them, and the way they interacted. Tyson shyness made him subtle about it, but Topaz could read him like an open book, and she knew that her human was fast developing a crush on the young woman beside him, if he had not already done so. Topaz could not wait to get him alone later today, probably that night, to give him a long bout of teasing over it. Just seeing him try to stutter and stammer his way out of the conversation was funny enough in itself, but when the topic was something this personal to Tyson...she was going to have a fun evening, she could tell.

[Moonlight]

The young woman nodded in agreement at his words, though offered a wry smile at his mention of a raincoat. It probably was a good idea - Especially considering the mist had turned into a steady beat against the roof of the pokemart. It was clearly coming down regular now, rhythmical and unceasing. With any luck, though, it wouldn't be too cold out. "Mmm ... Probably would be a good idea," the violet haired trainer acknowledged, continuing towards the counter with him.

Her pale silver gaze trailed over the other shelves of merchandise as they passed, idly taking notes of what Kanto stores seemed to carry. While there wasn't a wholly large different from that of her home region, a few unique items seemed to have been exchanged. One thing was for certain, though - Its traditional garments hanging on the back wall were eye catching. From haori and hakuma to kimino, all were clearly of quality and price. The midnight kimino with the white obi seemed to hold her gaze longer than the others, though, before shrugging and continuing towards the front counter after grabbing a tan raincoat from a rack.

She plucked two single subject notebooks from the end of the shelf before they left it, quietly setting them on the counter. Her smile returned upon seeing the designs she'd selected at random; an eevee curled up on a pokemon bed by a fireplace, and two intertwined dragonair in a heart shape. Both really were quite cute, if she was to be honest with herself. Her fingers briefly curled around a small potion bottle, adding it to her small collection of wares before pulling a wallet out of her pocket as the man at the register rang up her items. Handing the smaller ones back to her, she exchanged two ten dollar bills.

Kin had been watching Hannah's interactions with Tyson, though, and was finding some fatherly amusement in the subtleties. "Its hard not to, isn't it?" the psychic continued privately, chuckling softly.

[Australian Chaos]

Tyson gave Hannah another warm smile at her mental acknowledgement of his words, before silently following her through the milling crowd towards the counter, pausing briefly to inspect certain trinkets that caught his interest, or to ponder over the wisdom of buying certain items that seemed to be drawing themselves to him. But he resisted all of these...as a Trainer who did not do a lot of battling, his budget was always very tight, and he simply could not afford most of what appealed to him. He did stop briefly to grab some cans of preserved food, both for him and his Pokemon...he had begun to run low lately, and definitely did not want to start rationing his supplies, or begging Hannah to share.

Speaking of Hannah, Tyson paused behind her as he noticed her eye drawn to the back wall, lined with various garments, most of them extremely exotic...and pricey. She seemed to dismiss them out of hand soon enough, but Tyson had managed to spot the specific one she had laid eyes on, and while he made no move towards them, he did file the information away in his mind for future reference. Despite the fact that such a gift would seem far too forward right now, there was no way he could afford it, regardless. Perhaps, in the future, though...

He quickly snapped himself out of his thought train, pulling the collar of his jumper a little higher up in an attempt to hide his embarrassment, which was attempting to show itself as a minor flush to his cheeks and neck. He had only just met Hannah, and while she was nice, and a wonderful new friend, surely his thoughts weren't thinking that far ahead, this soon? In the end, as he collected a couple of plain, featureless notebooks, along with a small set of pens, he decided to put his thoughts to rest for now, and hope they didn't resurface, preferrably for some time yet. As he collected the raincoat he had been after, along with a few medicinal sprays, he glanced behind him, noticing Topaz looking at him, a strange gleam in her eyes...something had put her in one of her moods...the kind that usually ended in her either pouncing and wrestling him, or giving him plainly teasing stares until he couldn't take it any longer. Now that Hannah, and by extension Kin, had given her a voice, Tyson couldn't help but worry what Topaz was planning. Judging by the way Ladon was craning his neck to look back at her, she was obviously saying something of interest, but keeping it private for now.

As Tyson turned back to wait for Hannah to finish up at the counter, Topaz turned back to Kin, smiling brilliantly. "Impossible is more like it. I reckon half the people in the store see the way those two act," she said, only half-joking. "But, knowing Tyson, he'll be one of the last ones to see what everyone else already is, and when he does, he'll avoid it for even longer."

Topaz sighed at her last comment, but even that sigh was laced with amusement. She could read Tyson like a book, having been his companion for as far back as she could remember. She knew that, initially, Tyson would be clueless to his own feelings, but the way he had paused briefly during their walk down the aisle suggested he might be starting to put the pieces together. Once he did figure it out, the Persian predicted that her Trainer would become increasingly awkward, and she hoped that her teasing might convince him to break out of his shell and tell her before he could build it up too solidly. If he clammed up like a Cloyster, there was little chance of ever getting him to open up again.

[Moonlight]

With the transaction finished, Hannah went to sit down on a bench in the front of the store to neaten up her backpack some. Taking out the more mussed supplies and reordering them while waiting on Tyson and his companions, making use of the time. A few minutes later, everything was back in the usual spots. Making use of the space offered in it, at least. But while the humans were busy, both of their pokemon companions seemed to be even more so in their private conversation.

Kin had since taken a seat above Hannah, listening in on the human's thoughts whilst the moments ticked by. Then returning to Topaz's comment, offering an amused nod to the lioness. "It'll be quite something, trying to pull this off - Hannah is much like you say Tyson is, being withdrawn due to her muteness. This is the first time she's shared minds with someone other than her pokemon companions, actually," the kadabra added, pointing out the less obvious fact.

But then, she was also a bit lonely for human company for that same reason. Perhaps with a bit of nudging ... "I wonder ..."



(OOC: It's not too much, but hey! Haitus is off!)

[Australian Chaos]

As Hannah finished up, Tyson moved forward to purchase his items, glancing over to where Hannah had taken a seat to neaten up her supplies as he waited for his supplies to be processed, offering her a small smile, silently telling her he shouldn't be too long.

That thought was banished, however, when he got the final price tag, which caused him to pause...the PokeMarts must have passed through a price rise recently, and while he could afford the items he had gathered, he was stretching his savings. Sighing as he doubled-checked his saved money, along with the total, he shoved several items aside, which was mostly his writing supplies. Writing was a hobby, and as such, was the first thing to be sacrificed when money restrictions bit down...medicine and food were too important.

Nodding as the revised total was more to his liking, Tyson passed over the necesarry cash, getting a few coins back in change, before shrugging his backpack off one shoulder, moving in Hannah's direction while packing everything into his bag...a skill he had picked up in his time both in the Safari Zone and on the road as a Trainer. His bag wasn't perfectly neat and tidy because of it, but he did not really mind, as long as everything was in the corresponding pocket for the packing system he had devised...simple and unelegant, but for him, it worked just fine.

He reached Hannah just as he finished up, shrugging the bag back over his shoulder as he held onto the raincoat, ready to put that on as well, looking out the glass doors to find the rain well and truly coming down. It wasn't absilutely bucketing down, but it was no mere drizzle, either.

He offered a lopsided smile to Hannah, before looking back to the counter he had come from, the discarded items still waiting to be returned to their shelves. "Looks like they've bumped up prices since I last did any shopping," he said simply, before shrugging, turning back to her. "Guess I'll have to start battling again soon, then, but it's the way things work, I guess. So...we ready to go, or should we wait and see if the storm clears?" he asked, taking another glance outside...if the rain let up, then a much more pleasant journey along Kanto's south-eastern coastline was in order. If not...well, Ladon would be happy, at least.

But even as Tyson contemplated this, Topaz was still locked eagerly on her conversation with Kin, Ladon still listening in on every word. "This is the first time she's shared her abilities?" she repeated, mildly surprised. "Well, that settles it, then...there's definitely something going on here!" she added, a note of glee to her voice. Playing matchmaker for these two was going to be so much fun...

But her own little schemes of getting Tyson out of his shell were cut off by Kin's telepathic musing. "Oh? You have an idea, I take it?" she asked eagerly. As much as she loved teasing Tyson...and she was sure teasing Hannah would be good fun, too...she really did think they connected really well, and that it would be nice for her Trainer and friend to find someone special.