Shades of Gray [revamp]

[Zorayda]

The teen boy smiled as his hands worked over his pokemon, his black comb zipping across its fur quickly. His sleeves were rolled up and cuffed stylishly, the blue-and-white striped button-up complimenting his jeans and shoes elegantly. A vulpix stood on the table in front of him, its glossy red fur shining with the care its master had given it, and six little blue bows adorned its tails. As the fox stretched and moved to allow her master to reach all parts of her body, one of her tails jingled merrily once in awhile with the shell bell he'd tied on it.

His name was Jace Timbre, a sixteen-year-old young man who had travelled all the way from Ecruteak City to get to New Bark Town. He wanted to get an activation glove and the necessary materials to help capture and restore all of the Shroud pokemon, a recent plague upon Johto and other regions. At the moment, he and his pokemon had stopped to rest and recover in Cherrygrove City.

Jacey, we eat soon?[/b] The fox asked telepathically, its voice childish and feminine. The vulpix was still growing, still young and inexperienced to the world.

Jace Timbre patted the fox's head, grinning so that his gray-green eyes smiled too.

"Yeah, we will, Viola, don't worry," he reassured her, looking at his other two pokemon and reassuring them, too. Rast, the quiet and gentle gastly, blinked up gratefully with his large red eyes, while Rowan the spearow ruffled his feathers indifferently.

"Rowan, will you let me fix your feathers? It seems like you've gotten them dirty again," Jace frowned at the bird, who eyed him sharply.

He says 'Don't even think about it,'[/b] Viola relayed, translating the little bird's thoughts so that Jace could understand. He sighed, ruffling his fingers through his styled black hair to get it perfect again. When was that bird ever going to let him get close? Rowan was a fairly new pokemon, but you'd think after giving him a soothe bell and treating him kindly, he'd lighten up every once in a while...even his gastly, a species notorious for its malicious nature, was nicer than that.

"There, all done," Jace said, standing back with his hands on his hips to admire his work. Viola stood straight and proud upon the table, exuding waves of confidence. Her master smiled broadly at her.

"Oh, Viola, you're so beautiful!" He crooned, scratching behind her ear. Her eyes closed in bliss at his touch. He turned to the others. "Rast, Rowan, you sure you don't want anything?" He queried.

"I want hat," Rast whined in his quiet, raspy voice. Rowan ignored all of them to preen his feathers, his soothe bell chiming gently.

Jace sighed. "I promise, as soon as I see one I can afford, I'll get you one," he told the gastly. "But I'll need to win against some trainers...and lately that's been tough because of all the Shroud Pokemon, you know that," he reminded the ghost gently. Rast's eyes dropped in his ghostly pout.

"Come on, guys, let's get to the Poke Center. I need to make sure you're all in top shape before we travel to New Bark to see Elm...those Shroud Pokemon are vicious," Jace shuddered at the memory of the last pokemon they'd encountered--a particularly nasty hoothoot that had tried to peck at Jace's face.

"Let's go, guys," he said to them, and they all trailed behind to follow him to the nearest Poke Center in the small city.

[Moonlight]

Wind blew through their hair, Selina’s pale electrum-blonde locks blowing around her face as they sloped downwards. Aero’s powerful wings drove the trio downwards as the pidgeot dive-bombed, causing all four of it’s riders to slope backwards in attempt to stay on. The russet and golden-red flying type abruptly pulled level as they neared the water, causing a thin spray to follow him as his talons dragged across it.

The quartet half staggered off of the pidgeot when he landed; disoriented from his elaborate flight patterns. Her amber eyes flicked around her surroundings as she straightened, sighing. Well, they’d reached New Bark Town in one piece, at least. Selina combed her hiplength electrum locks out of her eyes as she knelt besides her companions – A sturdy poochyena, an elegant ralts, and certainly a charming eevee. Koun seemed to have a bit of a headache, though, as he flinched when she lightly patted his head.

“Heh, well, be glad that’s all you’ve got. We’d be a less than dignified splat on the ground with how Aero flies if it hadn’t been for my barrier,” Leta pointed out tactfully, though admittedly looking a little ill as well. The ivory and jade colored psychic type had been a lifesaver what with their transportation’s acrobatics, though. Aero simply began preening himself at their reactions, though, and nudging Eva’s wobbly form over to her human.

“Certainly true, and you do have a good point, Leta,” Selina murmured, though picking up their youngest teammate as she stood again. The younger eevee nuzzled into her hold, ears and tail hanging limply. Even her atypical azure eyes were closed, apparently to keep her world from spinning. Selina chuckled lightly in understanding as she stroked the fennec’s soft umber pelt, motioning to her shadow hound and now levitating psychic companion. “Thank you for the ride, Aero. You may tell my father that we’ve arrived safely,” the young woman said, nodding to the pidgeot. The massive eagle dipped his head, long crest glimmering in the sunlight, before erupting into flight. Gales rose around them briefly, before the giant bird was out of sight. “All right, let’s go. According to that invitation, I’m supposed to go talk to Professor Elm,” she mused, earning an eager bark from Koun.

His crimson eyes danced with excitement, belying his imposing gray and black coat. Muscles clearly rippled underneath them, making the over-aged puppy body seem more like his evolutionary counterpart. Koun’s tail slowly wagged as he trotted along side her, casting Leta a glance before awkwardly shrugging one canine shoulder when the psychic rested on her human’s shoulder. “Koun and Eva say that they’re looking forward to sitting down on something solid and specifically unmoving,” Leta added with a mental chuckle, clearly smiling from her tone.

“Don’t worry, we should be there fairly soon,” Selina assured them, slowly withdrawing one arm from underneath Eva when she reached a bulletin board. A laminated map was pinned to it, showing Cherrygrove City's main attractions and the surrounding area. The young woman paused, half turning when Koun stepped away from her. A low growl reached her ears as she glanced over, arching a brow upon seeing his hackles were raised, and teeth bared.

It was clear whom he was growling at, though. Two men were had approached without their notice, though one chuckled at Koun’s threat to bite. “I don’t think we’ve seen you around here before, sweetie. It’s not very often we see foreign pokemon,” the taller one pointed out, leaning against the bulletin board as he spoke.

“No, you haven’t … You seem a bit out of place as well,” Selina noted tactfully, earning a smirk from the leather clad duo. Out of all their choices, black leather pants and jackets were their choices. Biker men, apparently.

“Pointing out the obvious, much? We’re just enjoying ourselves, waking up this little town,” the second said, though his amusement was much clearer.

“Oh? Why so?” the young woman queried casually, though making move as to get somewhere with more room. Promptly being blocked by the one that just spoke. Her brow furrowed slightly, though otherwise unresponsive.

“Because we’re bored. Besides, you seem like an interesting girl.”

“Your point being?” Selina countered, ducking around him so she was facing the otherwise empty road. Being it was early morning, she didn’t have to worry about many bystanders seeing if their boredom turned into a fight. Though she’d rather not have it get ugly, she was at least prepared.

A hand gently touched her shoulder as she stepped back, startling the human and her pokemon trio. “There you are, sweetheart. I’ve been looking all over for you,” a soft masculine voice said, utterly calm as someone stepped beside her. Selina immediately glanced up, arching a brow.

His longish dark auburn hair hung in a semi-neat but also casual disarray, soft gray eyes fastening on the duo in front of them. One hand was shoved into the pocket of his black jeans, a booted foot casually tapping the cement as he awaited an answer. His longsleeved maroon t-shirt like top was untucked, but that didn’t detract from his appearance, clearly being muscular underneath as well.

After almost tripping on their words, though, the leader of the duo spoke up. “We’re busy. Beat it, pal,” he snapped, glaring at the redhead. Only then noticing his tall alakazam, though.

“Oh, really? It looked like you two were just leaving. Isn’t that right, Kaz?” the young man inquired casually, though still resting his hand on her shoulder as he nodded to the golden and umber psychic. Pink aura flared around them, puppeteering the bikers down the street in an odd hopping-walk motion. He chuckled softly under his breath, before stepping back when they vanished around the corner. “They’re no longer bored, I don’t think. May I ask your name, miss?”

She quirked a brow, before nodding. “It is Selina, sir … Thank you, though. I’d rather have not had to hurt them,” the electrum tressed trainer returned, also nodding in thanks to Kaz.

“There is no need to use formalities, trust me. Just call me Evan,” he said, offering a smile. “Mind if I walk you to your destination? I didn’t really expect to see anyone at seven AM, so this is a pleasant surprise,” Evan continued, his alakazam partner having returned himself to the storage sphere on the redhead’s belt as he spoke.

The young woman flushed slightly, before shrugging one shoulder. “If you’d like. I’m only going to Professor Elm’s lab, though, so it isn’t far from here. Maybe a day's walk?”

Evan’s brow arched, apparently bemused. “At least allow me to guide you towards the Pokemon Center - It would be my pleasure. And if you do not mind me saying so, it looks as if you’re already an accomplished trainer,” he added, motioning to her companions.

Selina chuckled, shaking her head. “We dabble a bit, yes. But we are just now becoming an official team today. I’m certain you’ve heard of The Phoenix and the cause that he is apparently helping Professor Elm with? I volunteered to come and lend a hand. Dangerous or not, the Shroud should be taken care of before it becomes lethal to people and pokemon alike,” the young woman stated as they began walking, missing his briefly startled expression.

Idle small talk was engaged as they walked, before the young man departed as suddenly as he'd arrived once they reached sight of the main city. Wishing them well, before continuing on. Leaving the arrivals to Johto somewhat bemused, even if having found his company enjoyable.

[Zorayda]

At their master's request, the three pokemon all followed their master, Viola trotting at his heels, Rast floating eerily behind him, and Rowan hitching a ride upon Viola's shoulders. They walked a short distance towards the Poke Center when Jace heard growling.

"Viola? What is it?" For the intelligent little fox had stopped short and was now making low noises in her throat. Rast and Rowan seemed to be acting just fine...but experience with Viola had told Jace that she was more fine-tuned to the area around her, being telepathic.

Bad humans, [/b] she said shortly. Jace looked up at where her nose was pointing and he saw two large biker men speaking to a young, blonde woman. He frowned, noting that they seemed to be intimidating her and pressuring her into something...and with roughened bikers, one never knew what they'd get up to.

He moved forward automatically, intending to go to her and help her out, when another beat him to it. A redheaded young man with a big psychic pokemon persuaded them to leave, though why they did so that abruptly, Jace couldn't figure out...until the young man had recalled his large psychic pokemon back into its ball.

Was that...an alakazam?He though, astonished. He'd only ever seen them in pictures...

Viola's nervous mood had suddenly melted, and Jace could feel her new excited one bubbling over from her mind into his and probably Rast's and Rowans. She took off like a bolt towards the pair of people, causing Rowan to squawk in dismay and flutter into the air.

"V-Viola!" Jace yelped, surprised. He ran after her, but her small frame and fast little paws were much faster than he. He could hear her shell bell jingle with her fast movements. She stopped when she'd finally to where she wanted to go--right in front of the platinum-blonde girl.

Nice human. Viola likes you,[/b] she said to the girl telepathically, sitting on her haunches. Her tongue hung out of the side of her mouth rakishly, and she panted slightly at her small exertion. Jace showed up a few seconds after, his gastly a bit behind and Rowan still chattering angrily in the air.

"Uhh..." He looked from the girl's face to the boy's, unsure of what to say. "I'm Jace...sorry about Viola, she's...well, she can be a little bit odd sometimes," he apologized, chastising his pokemon at the same time. However, she continued to stare up at the girl expectantly, completely unabashed. Her beautiful honey colored eyes were happy and totally trusting.

[Moonlight]

The young woman paused, startled, as a young vulpix came barreling at them. Sliding into a sitting position, an apparently female voice resonating in their heads. Eva jumped down after a moment, landing next to the equally young pokemon. Daintily sniffing at the fire type, before purring in approval. Selina smiled slightly, offering the young vupline a gentle scratch. Straightening upon hearing another's voice, this one certainly human.

But Viola, as the young man introduced her, was clearly expectant of another gesture of affection still. Chuckling in amusement at its antics, before glancing back up at Jace. "That's all right," Selina said, smiling. "It's nice to meet you, though. And I'm Selina," the young woman added, offering a hand to the young man.

(OOC: Painfully short post ...)

[Zorayda]

((It's all right. XP It's something to go on.))

Viola let the girl touch her and pat her head, eyes half-closed in enjoyment. When the other foxlike pokemon jumped down to greet her, Viola allowed herself to be inspected before giving the young eevee a foxy grin when she'd approved of the vulpix.

-Is this your human?-[/b] Viola directed to the eevee in her own telepathic pokemon language. -She has nice thoughts. I came over because I wanted our masters to meet,-[/b] she said, indicating Jace with a paw. -He's very nice. He takes care of us very well, and now he wants to go see Professor Elm to help with the possessed pokemon in the wild. Where are all of you going?-[/b] She asked, noting the Poke Balls at Selina's waist.

Up with the humans, Jace had taken Selina's hand in a firm grip to shake it. "Nice to meet you! I'm pretty new to being a trainer...none of my pokemon have a lot of experience, yet. But we're going to go see if we can help Professor Elm out with those Shroud Pokemon...over in New Bark Town. I'm from Ecruteak, see, and in order to eventually catch Raikou, I've got to earn my right to fight him." He jabbed a thumb over his shoulder at his spearow and gastly.

"These guys are Rast," he pointed at the ghost, "And Rowan." He pointed at the spearow, which circled down to land upon Jace's shoulder, feathers fluffed in irritation. He angled his beak away from Viola huffily. Rast came around to meet Selina, his shy smile showing his small fangs.

"Hello," Rast said quietly.

[Moonlight]

Eva's fluffy tail swished to and fro as she took in the vulpix, the vulpine and mutation pokemon being surprisingly close in size. Both had small paws, as well as atypical eyes. Viola's, as the human had called her, being a pale amber in contrast to Eva's ice blue. A small purr was audible, rumbling through the feminine eevee's thick tan pelt. "Mmmhmm. We were going to go see Professor Elm as well. He's supposed to be very good with our kind," Eva added brightly, purr growing louder. Glancing up at their humans, whom were talking and generally getting along rather well.

Selina nodded with a smile, though finding that Viola and Eva were getting along so well to be a pleasant surprise. Their steady poke-chatter was quiet, but nonetheless audible. "That's understandable. We tend to dabble as well, but after we heard what was happening here in Johto ... We decided its better to start late as a trainer than not at all," Selina said, glancing over at the two pokemon that Jace was introducing now.

Seemed as if the other fledgling trainer had quite the dream, though. "Well, it seems like you're on the right path," Selina said, accepting his solid handshake. Pausing when he let go, though, as they were both in sight of the exit of Cherrygrove. "Say, since we're going in the same direction, do you want to travel to New Bark together? It wouldn't hurt, if we ran into a Shroud pokemon before we got there. We'd stand a better chance that way," the young woman added as the gastly drifted closer.

Smile returning at the ghost pokemon's greeting, noting how shy it seemed. "A pleasure to meet you, Rast," the trainer murmured, nodding to it. Gesturing to the eevee that was socializing with Viola, she proceeded to introduce both her and the wolf pup that was sitting at her feet as Eva and Koun. Leta had chosen to rest in her pokeball, having worn herself out keeping them aboard her father's pidgeot earlier.

[Zorayda]

Viola found that she really enjoyed Eva, from her dainty and feminine charm to her friendly voice. It seemed to suit her, somehow. -Oh, I'm glad! I'm sure Jacey will want to come, too,-[/b] the small vulpine replied, her whiskers twitching with excitement. She then turned her attention to Koun when Selina introduced him. -Nice to meet you, Koun-kun,-[/b] Viola directed to the poochyena, a slight tease slipping into her thoughts.

Rast made a small 'meep'-ing noise at the other trainer's greeting before scurrying behind Jace, intimidated by the attention. Jace laughed quietly at the gastly's behavior as Rast peeked from behind him, red eyes large and reproachful.

"Ah, don't mind Rast, he's a bit different from other gastlies I've ever seen," Jace added.

Jace nodded at the last question Selina posed, a smile easily coming to his face.

"It would be my pleasure!" He replied, brightening. A chance to make a new friend, and possibly someone to battle and trade with? The idea suited him well. "Shall I escort you, then, Miss?" He teased, straightening and holding his arm out, gesturing for her to grab him by the crook of his arm.

[Moonlight]

The young woman laughed softly at Jace's comment, nodding. "Yeah, I can see that. Its okay, though," she added, smiling. The blonde trainer's mismatched gaze settled on the ghost type, Rast, that was hovering behind Jace again, merely curious. To say the gastly was shy seemed to be an understatement.

At his animated agreement, though, the smile curving her lips turned wry with amusement. A faint blush tinged her pale features at his formal wording, flustered as she took his arm. Even if he was just playing, it seemed a little awkward to her. Shifting in surprise when a faint yawn came from the small psychic atop her shoulder, Leta returning herself to her pokeball. Heh. She must have gotten bored.

[Zorayda]

Jace chuckled inwardly, watching the pink blush dust Selena's cheekbones as he jested with her. She would be a lot of fun if it was THAT easy to tease... Viola barked happily and shot ahead of them, stopping to look back at the pair of teens expectantly.

- Come on, let's go Elm!- she 'shouted' at the two trainers telepathically. She chased her decorated tails for a few moments excitedly, not really caring if the other Pokemon thought she was silly. Jace chuckled out loud this time, looking and watching Selena's reaction to his vulpix's antics.

"She's... something else. I love her to pieces for it, though," he said fondly, still holding the girl's arm and gently leading her. Someone watching would probably think that they were a couple, but Jace knew from the start that this girl would most likely only stay a friend. Not because she wasn't lovely and kind, but because he knew that she wasn't really the type of girl he looked for. He did know, however, that it would be the start of a long and great relationship with the girl.

He grinned and they started off towards New Bark, entering into the long grasses as they went.

[Moonlight]

Selina offered a wry chuckle at Viola's overenthusiastic barks and words, finding it impossible not to smile at the vulpix's antics. "So I can see," the blonde trainer agreed, watching the kitsune pokemon skitter from place to place across the empty road ahead of them. Either way, the fire fox was three times as hyper as Eva. Both Koun and the young eevee were trotting alongside the human duo, thrilled at the prospect of having company.

Even if the dark type poochyena was overly protective of his mistress, it was clear he thought Jace wouldn't try anything. The overaged pup's tongue lolled out of his mouth as he moved, gleaming white fangs easily visible in the early morning light. Every so often he'd bark in return to the vulpix, though his comments were far and few in between. But considering the size of Cherrygrove, it didn't take them long to make it towards the edge of town.

Thick trees grew on both sides of the path at first, blotting out about half of the early morning light that filtered through the leaves. The green tinged specks on the tamped dirt path were calming rather than unnerving, however, despite the threat lurking inside the underbrush.