Wanderings ((OPEN))

[Aiden Michaels]

Aiden couldn't seem to process the bright colors and alluring scents that greeted him as he entered Fushia City, Kitsu his affectionate Vulpix wrapped around his shoulders and his Pidgey flying overhead. His other pokemon were currently resting in their pokeballs, they didn't want to be out and about as much at Kitsu and Jupiter. The maroon-haired teen looked around with wide aquamarine orbs, taking in the sights as much as possible. He was planning on maybe staying in the town a while and resting up a bit before continuing on his journey, and he was glad now that he had picked Fushia City to be his resting place.

His stomach gave an annoyed growl, reminding him that he had run out of food the day before and hadn't eaten since then. Kitsu yipped softly next to his ear, rubbing against his cheek. He brought a hand up to pet her.

"Alright girl, first things first. Lets go find ourselves something to eat." he spoke gently to the fox-pokemon and she nuzzled him back in response. She jumped down from his shoulders and, with the Vulpix at his heels, Aiden set off in search of a reasonably priced food joint. He had been running a little low on money so he wasn't sure how much he was going to be able to get.

[Balthazar Tenebris]

Balthazar closed his eyes and drank in the welcoming scents that drifted to his nose as he stepped off of Route 15 and made his way into Fuchsia City. Ah, it was nice to be in a city again. He had spent far too long out on the road; his travels had left him feeling weary and grungy. I suppose I've been getting rather careless now that there's no one waiting for me at home. I haven't really had any reason to stay put recently. Huh. If it weren't for the higher-ups, I could probably end up a wanderer again. Something that almost looked like a smile tugged at the edges of his mouth as he lifted his head and gazed upwards into the sky. It was a calm day, a nice day. Peaceful, deceptively so. No. Those days are behind me now.

His face turned down, his eyes on the path ahead once more. I should probably step into the town, at least for a short while. Our supplies are running low, and I'm pretty sure they're getting tired. He glanced over his left shoulder as he thought this. There following closely behind him were two of his faithful companions: his Charizard, Sol, and his Machoke, Vigil. They were the only two of his team who hadn't grown tired and asked for a chance to rest. Still, he thought he saw weariness creeping into their slow, slightly ungainly strides. I definitely need to stop. At least for them. Those two will never admit when they're tired. They'd drop dead before they willing went back into their Pokeballs. He let out a soft sigh. Stubborn creatures.

His eyes began to scan the buildings in the city, searching for the familiar red roof that marked the building he was looking for. It wasn't long before the recognizable building caught his eye; it's bright colours stood out strongly against the dull rock it stood again. "Okay boys, let's go."

He was over halfway there when he realized that he was now walking alone. It seemed that sometime within the past few minutes, both his Pokemon had decided to wander off. Why is it always them? You'd think I would know better by now. Another sigh. He turned his back on the Pokemon Center, his attention now solely focused on finding his lost Pokemon. "They couldn't have gone too far."

A few minutes passed as he checked the nearby area. No sign of them. Where did they get to? Just as a hint of worry was beginning to creep into his heart, he caught a flash of a familiar orange form out of the corner of his eye. He turned. It was Sol, and it looked liked Vigil was with him. All right. It's all right now.

He began to walk over the pair, his gait slow as he tried to think up a few choice words to scold his absentminded Pokemon with. Then, his eyes picked up something else. A person, not much more than a kid. He froze for a second, and then began to walk again with a new vigor in his step. It looked like that person was a trainer, and Vigil had decided to get a little friendly with this stranger's Pokemon. "Vigil, what are you doing? Put that Vulpix down!"

[Aiden Michaels]

Aiden laughed softly to himself as he watched Jupiter swoop up and down toward Kitsu, the female Vulpix jumping playing at the Pidgey whenever he got too close. It was good to see his pokemon having fun. He felt as if this was going to be a good day.

He didn't expect to have some random Machoke come out of nowhere and grab up his pokemon like some little plaything. His swirling sky-blue eyes solidified into icy daggers as he watched his beloved Kitsu struggle in the other Pokemon's grip. Vulpix let out a few yelps as she tried to bite at him, though that would be useless given the pokemon's type.

Aiden knew that a Machoke, and now that he looked around more he saw the Charizard that also accompanied him, was a much stronger pokemon than any of his, and he didn't want to throw his partners into a fight that he knew they couldn't win, but he didn't know what else to do.

Before he could give an order his Pidgey swooped down, flapping his wings furiously in the Machoke's face, trying to distract him long enough for him to let go of the small Vulpix. "Jupiter no!" he called to the pokemon, though he new he was only trying to save Kitsu. Aiden stepped up the Machoke, reaching his hands out toward his captured pokemon as Jupiter retreated. "Please, just give her back."

"Vigil, what are you doing? Put that Vulpix down!"

Aiden's gaze snapped up to see where the voice had come from. It was a man with chin-length black hair. He was striding toward them and Aiden could only guess that these were his pokemon. He looked to be a good deal older than him, about 10 years, and his pokemon were at their final evolutions. Shouldn't he know how to control his pokemon better. The thought made him scowl but Aiden tried to calm his features. There was no telling what kind of man this was or what might happen to Kitsu if he decided he wasn't going to give her back.

[Balthazar Tenebris]

Balthazar slowed his pace as he neared the trainer and the little group of their Pokemon. He was angry, but he was not willing to lose his calm in front of this stranger whom he had just met. He didn't need to make the boy's first impression of him any poorer. So he kept his walk steady and calm, the complete opposite of the feelings that were pounding inside his chest. When he was standing only a few feet behind his own team members, he paused for a half second to take in the scene that was unfolding before him. Vigil was still holding the Vulpix, though he was now facing Balthazar with a confused (and slightly sheepish) look frozen on his reptilian face.

"I know you heard me Vigil." His voice was smooth, emotionless, like ice. "Now put the trainer's Vulpix down. It is not yours." When he heard his words coming out of his mouth, he had the sudden urge to bark out a laugh. He, a Team Rocket member, was scolding his Pokemon for taking a Pokemon that wasn't his. How ironic.

His level gaze flickered over to the unfamiliar trainer. He was definitely young, as he had observed before; he seemed to be late teens or early twenties at the latest. Will he be trouble? He took note of the trainer's other Pokemon: a Pidgey. Unevolved Pokemon. A fairly new trainer, or at least one who hasn't seen much battle. Would most likely be easily defeated in a fight. No real threat. His eyes drifted across the boy's face, taking in his calm, yet slightly angered expression. Not sure whether or not he will pick a fight though. Probably best not to risk it at the moment, unless he has something worth my time tucked away in his other Pokeballs. A Pidgey and a Vulpix aren't worth the effort. Too common.

A small crease formed between his brows. How long had he been staring? It couldn't have been more than a few seconds but, given the current situation, his lack of words might come off as slightly rude or pretentious. His gaze flickered back over the Pokemon. The Vulpix now safely had all four paws on the ground. He may be expecting an apology. I assume the circumstances warrant that action.

A grin, somewhat sheepish, spread itself across his formerly blank face. "I'm terribly sorry about that. Vigil and Sol have always been such absentminded Pokemon. They always go wandering off." He rubbed the back of his head with his right hand, dropping his gaze to his feet as he did so. "I really don't think they meant anything by it. Vigil just gets a bit...excited when he meets new Pokemon sometimes."

[Aiden Michaels]

Aiden let out a sigh of relief at the trainer got his Machoke to release Kitsu. The startled Vulpix quickly ran back to him and he bent down so that she could hop back up to his shoulder. She immediately curled herself around his neck, whimpering softly in slight fear and apology for being taken so easily. "Shh, its alright Kitsu. You're safe now." he murmured to her gently, running his hand over her side to comfort her.

He turned softened blue eyes back on the other man. Something about him put Aiden on edge, but Aiden wasn't much for getting into fights with strangers and the man had apologized for his out-of-countrol pokemon. Aiden had to admit the Machoke haad not seemed as if he where interested in hurting Kitsu.

Aiden gave the other trainer and deep nod, not completely meeting his gaze as he wasn't too keen on strangers. "Kitsu isn't hurt so...I guess its alright. I'm just glad that your Machoke didn't seem to mean her any harm." He said coolly.

[Balthazar Tenebris]

ooc:// Sorry for taking so long to reply. I just got really busy with school work.

bic:// Balthazar allowed the last ghost of tension to be released from his shoulders. It didn't seem like the boy was going to attack. At least, not yet. For now, he didn't need to worry. Still, he doubted the trainer trusted him. Even as he spoke to him, he refused to meet his eyes. Something had to be on his mind. He's either angry, frightened, or just a little shy. I honestly can't be sure which it is. He bit down softly on the inside of his cheek. I should probably just assume the worst. It's always safer that way.

His gaze turned over to his Pokemon. They were still standing in front of the other trainer, watching him, observing him. How long has it been since we last spoke to a trainer that we didn't steal from? He honestly couldn't remember. Maybe they're just a bit confused. This encounter does deviate quite significantly from the norm. Still, I need them to behave. I need to know if he has anything worth my time.

He lifted his right hand and, with a slight flourish of his wrist, snapped his fingers. With the discipline of soldiers, his Pokemon immediately turned and marched straight back to his side. Good. They haven't completely forgotten how to behave after all. Both settled for standing just behind him and slightly off to one side: Sol on his left and Vigil on his right.

"Well, again I'm sorry. I think Vigil just got a bit overexcited when he saw your Vulpix there." A soft smile graced his features, though failed to completely reach his eyes. "See, I have a Vulpix of my own, but he rarely ever gets to see her." He turned to look at his Machoke. "I think he just misses her. Poor guy." His face went back to the other man. "Sorry your -Kitsu was it?- got pulled into all that." His smile stretched. "But, you know how some Pokemon can be. And it's even harder when you're just starting out. My first Pokemon was a handful." He paused, waiting to see if the boy would take the bait. Most trainers' most valuable Pokemon is their starter. Is it the same for him?

[Aiden Michaels]

Aiden's ear twitched as the other man snapped his fingers, his pokemon returning to his side. He had to fight down his natural response to flinch at the random sound and he was successful. He glanced over at the stranger. He held himself well and his pokemon seems very well trained contradicting Aiden's previous thoughts. As the man addressed his Vulpix he couldn't help but reach oup a hand to touch her, making sure she was still there.

The man was trying to make conversation with him. Aiden averted his eyes again, gently biting his lower lip. He wasn't all that good with talking to people, but he also didn't like to be rude. What was the harm in talking?

Aiden looked to him again and nodded his head minutely. "I know what you mean. Piras, my Charmeleon, likes to get into fights a lot. Mostly with Kitsu." he said softly, shrugging his shoulder up a bit as he made mention on the Vulpix across his shoulders.

Aiden felt small, unsure of the situation, but he wasn't one to show such weakness, so he straightened up a bit, slipping his hands into the pockets of his jeans. He wanted to badly to just take the pendant around his neck and jut fiddle with it but that was a sign of anxiety and he wouldn't let himself slip into old habits in front of a stranger.