Jitters [Starter]

[Angelique Preston]

She hadn't gotten much sleep.

Scratch that: she hadn't been able to sleep at all. Most of the evening had been spent sitting at her dining room table, pencil in hand, the end tapping the blank page of a notebook while she gazed at the far off corner. An idea would come to her and she would jot it down before going back to her zombie like stare, her legs crossed at the knee, a tiny smile assaulting her lips. Excitement didn't even being to explain the buzzing she felt in her chest and stomach.

Imagine her surprise (read: horror) when the sun slipped through the drapes and warmed the farm edge of her table. Her mother would've been sitting there a week ago, probably over by the stove by now or bringing in a bucket of water for the day. It had been a hard choice, moving out, but she knew she needed to. She had her own life to live, her own discoveries to make, her own people to help. Granted, she was more into helping pokemon rather than people, but it was semantics really!

The girl rose, stretched, yawned. Staying up all night wasn't smart, she knew that, but she didn't feel even remotely tired. This was a good thing considering she had an early appointment with the Ambassador. The first, if she remembered correctly.

Changing clothes was easy enough, exchanging one dress for another before slipping her feet into her favorite pair of sandals. She wasn't entirely sure how she should dress, so causal comfortable made sense. Her dress was knee-length, a dull grey-silver color that absorbed the sun instead of reflected it. Usually if she stayed out too long, the tops of her shoulders would sun burn and she'd be in pain the rest of the day. Hopefully this wouldn't be the case today.

Entering the building, she swallowed the nerves that were trying to collect in her throat and slowly exhaled through her nostrils. The girl had never been so nervous before in her life.

"Miss Ambassador, ma'am?"

[Olive]

The desk attendant in pricked her ears up as the trainer walked in. She gave a compassionate smile as the soon-to-be trainer asked for the Ambassador. "Angelique?" she pointed to the doorway to the woman's left, "You can find the Ambassador's office through that door and upstairs. She'll be expecting you, good luck!"

Upon entering the office, the young woman would see Anita Nguyen, The Ambassador, sitting behind a desk writing in some sort of book. She sported a royal blue suit with dangling blue earrings, her jet-black hair was tied into a tight bun, and her glasses sat at the edge of her nose. Always straightforward, even with her fashion choices.

After quite a few moments, the Ambassador slowly pulled her focused eyes to the woman standing in her doorway. A tight smile passed her lips as she motioned for the trainer to sit in one of the chairs facing her desk.

"My apologies, it's been a bit of a busy week. Angelique I presume," it was more of a staement than a question, but the Ambassador didn't really give her time to  respond anyway. "My name is Anita Nguyen. The Ambassador of the colonies," she loosened her tight smile into a smirk - progress - "but you already knew that."

From there, the woman pulled five pokeballs from her desk and released each one onto the area by the girl in the chair.

"Let's begin." 

With those words, Mienfoo scanned the area, spotted the Ambassador, and crawled into her lap. A breathy laugh escaped the woman before she continued, "First we have Oddish." The grass Pokemon had sat itself on the floor and waved its leaves from left to right, obviously in a blissful state of mind, behind it, Flabebe was poking around in its leaves. "Although it may not seem like it now, both of Oddish's final evolutions have been used in aromatherapy for thousands of years, they're one of the oldest species of Pokemon healers that humans ever used. I'm not quite sure what you plan to do as a Pokemon Healer, but you should definitely consider Aromatherapy."

Her gaze moved to the chime Pokemon, "I've chosen a few Pokemon that are known to have healing properties, forgive me if that comes of as too shallow. Chingling evolves into Chimecho, a Pokemon that uses sound to create healing energy, it's honestly quite fascinating, and as a Researcher, I'm sure you'd like to delve into how that works?" As the mentor finished, the little bell hovered to the new trainer's side and shook its body with a curious grin.

-"bding ging"-

Another laugh from Anita. She really did love this part. Her Pokemon always gave her such joy, it was one of the greatest pleasures to see another trainer take on that happiness. 

"Audino, who I'm sure I don't need to explain to you, is rather quiet, or this one is at least. I felt that you and it would have a strong connection as you both have similar personalities. Right Audino?" The Pokemon's eyes widened and its shoulders pushed against its ears upon being called out, but it did give a weak grin and nod in response.

"Next we have Flabebe." A rather apologetic smile crossed the Ambassador's face, "In all honesty, I chose this one because I heard that you like flowers, but most Fairy Pokemon have a strong pull to help people, so I'm sure you two will have that goal in common." NAfter the Pokemon realized Anita was talking about it, a cheeky smile formed on its face as it bounced on top of the Oddish's head, who didn't seem to mind at all.

"And finally, Mienfoo." Ms. Nguyen's hands scratched the mammals head, "This one is the child of one of my very close partners, it's strong-willed, and extremely protective. Still, it's a very calm and focused Pokemon who you'd enjoy the companionship of if nothing else."

"So," Anita's eyes met with Angelique's once again, "who do you choose?"

[Angelique Preston]

Having taken the offered seat, Angie was reduced to a mere nodding, smiling mess. She looked up to the Ambassador in the same way young boys looked up to their favorite super heroes. She could remember some of the elders weaving stories about vigilantes who helped the poor and about aliens who were fought back by brave soldiers wielding huge swords. They were all fun and good to an adult, but some of those kids actually believed those stories. Angie couldn't fault them; they were pretty awesome stories.

Stories could never add up to the pokemon that were now sitting around her. A tiny shiver of excitement passed through her and she uncrossed her legs, her hands gripping the edge of her seat as each in turn was given a name and a quick overview of how they would help her accomplish her goal. Though she wouldn't admit it, she hadn't thought along the same lines that Ms. Nguyen had. Aromatherapy, for example, hadn't ever touched the gray matter of her brains before it was mentioned. Sound healing? Who knew a thing like that even existed!

There was so very much for her to learn!

What the Ambassador was correct on was the bond that seemed to appear out of thin air between her and the Audino. It wasn't familiar, not really, but the quiet reserved nature of the creature, the quick tight nod after Ms. Nguyen had explained its purpose; Angie thought she had found her soul-mate. Well, not really, but working alongside such a pokemon would make her research into the species as a whole that much easier...or she would assume.

When asked which would be her partner, Angelique's gray eyes drifted away from the Audino and began to take stock of the pokemon around her. While interesting, both Chingling and Oddish were ruled out. She'd feel like a failure if she couldn't use them in the manner that many elders might've used them for on Earth. A protective Mienfoo, especially bred and acknowledged by the Ambassador, would be a good choice, put no matter how she try, her gaze kept being drawn back to the Audino. Had the decision really been made for her before she even walked through the door?

“Audino, I think, would be a good partner to start with. This is...such a hard choice though,” she told the woman, a tender smile gracing her mouth.

[Olive]

A wave of sympathy washed over the mentor's face. She recalled the other Pokemon and handed Audino's pokeball to the trainer. "I can always tell who will be a good trainer by how difficult it is to choose one over another." She smiled, like, an actual smile, but it was released quickly as there was still more to get to. Anita's eyes fled to the shelves behind Angelique.

"As a Researcher, you may choose two trainer items and two survival items under 35 pokecoins, as well as either a Dex or Photo Chip." From there, the Ambassador picked directly at a few other items. "You also get an X-gear with a Holochip, a Mortar & Pestle, a Data Log, and four pokeballs."

---

Once Angelique had chosen her starter items, the elder woman gave her an ominous stare. "I, as well as Oak and R, have sent every new trainer that's crossed through our doors to New Pallet." Her eyes lowered, "I wasn't sure until yesterday.." she shook her head, that wasn't for the new trainer to hear, "If you truly want to train your skills as a healer, be prepared to make your way to New Pallet. In the meantime, I would highly suggest you start training with Audino." 

Anita finally stood from behind her desk. She made her way to the new trainer and extended her hand, "Do you have any questions?"

---

Angelique received Audino! You may choose gender, ability, and 1 egg move

[Angelique Preston]

The pokeball was awkward in her hand. Her brows dipped in mild confusion before she began to toss it back and forth between her palms. A childish thing to do, but she was wondering if the awkwardness came from holding it in her non-dominant hand. When she realized that the red and white sphere felt the same in either hand, cool to the touch with a bit of weight and just as awkward, she quietly gave up. Comfort would come with time, she assumed.

Her second choice was significantly less difficult than the original one. She pursed her lips nonetheless, taking a minute or so to think about her reply before she gave it.

“I think taking some pokemon food and an antidote with me is a good route to go. Hopefully you have those in stock?” She paused, nibbling on her lip as she thought about being out there with only Audino at her back and the wild beyond at her front. What, if anything, would be the best tool for the job?

“Might you have any compasses and tents in stock? Perhaps its not...the best for, ah, adventuring, but at least I won't be lost and Audino and I will be relatively dry and safe at night.” A blush stole over her cheeks, her smile stretching her mouth wide. She probably sounded like a fool, but she hoped that the Ambassador could appreciate a little forward thinking in terms of the comfort of Angie's new companion.

Angelique wasn't entirely sure how far away New Pallet was, but if that was where her skills would be most useful, then that's where she would go. A tight nod of her head was the only reply that the Ambassador received.

“No ma'am, no questions,” Angie replied, extending her hand as well to shake with hers. “It was a pleasure meeting you. Thank you for...well, everything.”

Audino Stats -
Female, Healer, Yawn as Eggmove

[Olive]

A nod and a smile was her response. With that, she moved to her office door and held it open for the young trainer. 

"If you ever need me, don't be afraid to call. Good luck Angelique."

---

Angelique received:
X-gear with Holo Chip! (Dex or Photo Chip)?
Mortar & Pestle
Data Log
Pokeball x4
Antidote
Pokemon Food
Tent
Compass

[THREAD COMPLETE]