The First Steps to Love

[Richard Garris]

Today was the day. After much fighting, tears and arguments his family was finally letting him pursue his dream: to become a traveling merchant and extend the family business into fashion. Admittedly this wasn’t the true purpose, but he knew his family wouldn’t understand his quest for love. The only people he confided in were his sisters, who were supportive and worried at the same time for their youngest brother. Today he started his quest for his one true love, the mysterious red head girl he saw months before in front of this very building.


Richard stood outside The Emissary looking down the sidewalk his true love had walked down the first time he saw her. He sighed dreamily at the memory, recalling the way her hair blew in the wind and the sparkle in her eyes as she had set out on her own adventure. He would follow in her brave footsteps and take his steps into the formidable building that held one of the most powerful woman the town had ever known; Anita Nguyen.


It was time to walk into the building and start his quest. With a firm grip on his bag loosely slung over his shoulder Richard confidently strode through the sliding doors and walked directly to the front desk.

Through a charming smile Richard leaned against the front desk to address the secretary. “Hello, Sunshine. I am Richard Lancelot Garris. I have an appointment to pick a starter pokemon.”

[Olive]

For a moment it seemed the woman didn't even hear the newcomer, she was glued to the files on her desk. Then, without even so much as a glance, she pointed to Richard's left where a door stood. Her voice was completely monotone, "Take that staircase to the Ambassador's office, she's expecting you."

Upon entering the office, Richard would find a larger woman wearing a dark red pantsuit with a tight bun of sleek black hair. She had just sunk into her chair as the man arrived, and gestured for him to take a seat in one of the chairs facing her desk.

"Richard Garris?" she nodded in an attempt to confirm his identity. "I am Anita Nguyen, the Ambassador of the colonies." Without giving much more time for introductions, the woman quickly reached into a drawer and placed five pokeballs on top of the desk. "I don't mean to be rude, but my schedule is cramped today, so we'll have to belay getting to know each other better for a later date." From there, she pressed each button revealing all of Richard's possible starters.

"Let's begin." Her hand moved to the first Pokemon Machop who, immediately after being released, began to stretch and flex his limbs, it even seemed to pose a bit for the new trainer. "I've always believed that the best partners are Pokemon that share interests with trainers. It's more than obvious that you're active, and I wouldn't doubt that you exercise regularly. Machop shares that with you, and would be an excellent guardian in your travels."

Volbeat's eyes narrowed, it cautiously buzzed towards the man, but didn't get too close. It hovered in beside him with an examining eye as Anita continued, "That's Volbeat. He's not the most trusting Pokemon in my supply, but he's quite protective of those he cares about. Not to mention, Volbeat can use their tails to sketch designs in the night sky, in case you ever get lost. And this one's something of a primper, if you ever need help making sure you always look your best that is." Anita seemed to be hinting that she knew more than she let one, but didn't give Richard a chance to respond by moving on to the next  two.

"Both Woobat and Spritzee are considered romantic and lucky Pokemon. Although neither would be as helpful in the wilderness as your other choices, I believe either would help you on a great deal in your true quest." Ah there it was. She knew, but she didn't skip a beat as she finally nodded at the dog who sat quiet and proud, waiting its turn.

"Furfrou reigns from an Old World land known as Kalos. Many richer trainers made them their partners as a show of wealth and status. They are particularly noble, but also vicious protectors of their masters, making this one a great choice for a traveling Merchant as yourself." 

With that, Anita nodded and gave Richard a smirk, "The choice is yours."

[Richard Garris]

Richard nodded his head at the instructions and headed on his way. In his excitement he climbed the stairs two at a time and was at the entrance of Anita’s office in no time. He did a last minute check of his appearance in a nearby window. His hair needed smoothing down and a cuff needed to be adjusted. One more once over and he gave himself a nod.


Knock knock


“Hello Mrs. Nguyen,” Richard called out as he opened the door, “may I come in?”


He had never seen Anita Nguyen in person, but his parents had said that she was a remarkable woman. She did not disappoint. Her suit was well tailored and her hair was in a tight bun. Even when she sunk into her chair it was a gracefully powerful movement.


He sat down at the offered chair. He tried to contain his emotions, a mix of fear and excitement were rush through him; partly from meeting such an amazing person and partly from not knowing what to expect.


“Richard Garris?” she asked. He nodded in response.



"I am Anita Nguyen, the Ambassador of the colonies. I don't mean to be rude, but my schedule is cramped today, so we'll have to belay getting to know each other better for a later date.”



Richard nodded keeping a blank face as he surveyed the pokemon. He hung on every word as Anita described his choices until she introduced the Woobat. The adorable heart-shaped nose and fluffy wings had him sold.



Wait, what had she just said? Helping him on his true quest? He looked up at Anita in shock. The only people he had told were his sisters and he knew they would keep his secrets. How did The Ambassador know? He gave her a meek smile, like a kid caught with their hand in a cookie jar. Clearly there was more to Anita than just an amazingly strong woman.



He started to pay more attention after being caught off guard. Yes the Woobat wouldn’t be helpful in the wilderness, but the heart wants what the heart wants. And having a little extra luck in finding his beloved wouldn’t hurt either.



“I’ve chosen. I would like the Woobat, please Madam.”

[Olive]

An airy chuckle escaped the woman before she nodded and recalled the others. She slipped Woobat's pokeball into the trainer's hand and gestured towards the back of the room. The walls were lined with shelves, likely filled with every item you could buy at the Market, and then some. What a collection.

"You may choose six items from those shelves. I have a limit to one Key Item and one Weapon, and nothing over 35₪"

She then handed the new trainer an X-gear with a Holo Chip, three pokeballs, and 150₪.


---


Once Richard had chosen his items, Anita took out a leather-bound book from her desk. It had no title, but the man could see the author indeed the Rocket Man. Before she opened it her eyes flicked to the trainer, "As you may know, I was both the first Mercenary and Survivor of Mi-aro, but as Ambassador, I have to stay well read and focused on our economics as well. Even with R watching over that part of our government, I still have to make the final calls with everything." 

Her fingers tabbed through the pages until came upon a page titled, "The New Merchant." "I must admit, I'll be of more use to you as you ground yourself in your profession. But for now, I'll be taking a few pointers from R, with my own little twists of course."

With that, she shut the book. Wait.. did she even look at the page..? - "First thing's first. I need you to figure out what  your merchandise is. I'm sending you to New Pallet to observe what shops you can find there and make a decision, but that's all for now."

Finally she stood from behind her desk and moved to the door. She nodded to the trainer, "Any questions?"

[Richard Garris]

As Anita recalled the rest of the pokemon Richard stood up and approached the Woobat. He smiled awkwardly as he brought his hand out, this would be his first time interacting with a domestic pokemon. He scanned Woobat for any body language signalling he could come closer or that it had acknowledged his presence, but the creature just flapped its wings hovering in the same spot.

Richard looked over the creature. Asside from the heart in the center of its black leather nose, the creature was all blue. Its fur looked disheveled, nothing a little brushing couldn’t fix, and its claws at the end of the wings needed clipping. Curiously the creature had no eyes. Would it be able to sense him?

Richard threw himself back as the ball of fluff and wings immediately flew towards him at top speed. He misjudged his steps and tripped over the chair he had just gotten up from. His arms flew up to protect him, fearing the worse.

Not the face! Not the face! he yelled.

Woobat was taken aback by the shouting, her sensitive ears rung at the unnecessary loudness from the human lying on the floor. She could barely see with the noise disrupting her sonar. This was not what she wanted to wake to. She let out a deafening shriek which had the desired effect of shutting it up.

Richard winced and covered his ears. “Ow.” Opening his eyes he saw Woobat flying right above him with its heart shaped nose pointed down. His lips turned up awkwardly, “Umm … hi.”

Inwardly Richard was flustered. He had not intended for his back to be on the floor with his legs dangling on Anita’s knocked over chair. He had no intention of getting attacked by his starter. Nor had he wanted to shout something so embarrassing in the company of The Ambassador. With a beet red face Richard watched the Woobat. He let his arms down at his side in surrender, waiting for her to make the next move.

He wasn’t so bad when he wasn’t screaming, she thought. Her closer inspection showed the muscle tone on her new trainer’s arms. His aura was strong and healthy. He would be a decent partner in a scruff. She nodded her approval; the bat would accept him as her’s. All that was left was to seal the deal.

Richard froze as the little pokemon landed right on his neck, the cold wet nose causing him to shiver. Then there was a sudden pain as the creature started to suck on his neck! Was it drawing blood? Did he end up picking the most dangerous of the bunch? A man-eating Woobat? Richard looked at the ceiling thinking that this was the last sight he would ever see.

With a pop Woobat released her owner. A slight abrasion in the shape of a heart was on his neck. He was her’s now.

“Okay, you. That’s enough of that.” Richard said with a crease in his brow. He had enough of being made a fool. Reaching for the pokeball Anita had just given him he said, “Woobat, return.”

A flash of light came from the pokeball and hit a wall. The woobat had quickly dodged the light and seemed to be snickering in one place.

“Fine. You win.” Richard said moving towards the cabinets Anita had pointed out. The sooner they made it out of here, the sooner he could check the damage to his neck. He began looking through the items, wondering which would be good on his travels. A tent for sure, a blade would be good, a book to log his information and potentially sell it. All that was left was food. He opened the cabinet which held a bag of trail rations and a box that said pokemon food. One more item left.

“Hey! Get out of there!”

The Woobat had stealthily made her way into the food cabinet. The intoxicating scent could easily be smelt from the sealed cabinet door. Food was food and she was starving. Before Richard could grab her, she stole a bite of the delicious smelling corka.

“I guess I’m getting that too then.” He sighed holding the Woobat from the scruff of her fur.

Still holding the Woobat, Richard barely listened to Anita’s words as he ripped a large chunk of the giant Corka to stash in his bag. He wondered what his mentor thought of him now, after that ordeal. He had been a mess, but it was probably a bad idea to ask for another pokemon. The sound of slurping and chewing noises filled the void of Anita’s pause. This creature was a mess. It ate like a slob, chunks of corka littered the floor and on Richard’s pants. He was having second thoughts about this whole adventure thing.

The thud of a closing book brought Richard back. He listened for his first mission and nodded.

“I think I’ll be okay. Thank you for your help.”

With that he let go of Woobat and walked out the door. When he was out of Anita’s sight he paused to brush off the bits of the Woobat’s snack and look at his neck in the window. How would he explain this one to his brothers without being made a total fool?

The bat turned for one last time to face Anita. Whatever she had been looking for, she had found. With a quick flap of her wings she was off after her trainer.

______________________________________________
OOC
Richard Chose:
x1 Shortsword
x1 DataLog
x1 Tent
x1 Trail Rations
x1 Giant Raw Corka (with one bite taken out of it)
x1 Pokemon Food

[Olive]

[Thread Complete - You'll be Pm'd once your items are sent to you]

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You may choose Woobat's name and ability