Foundations [Starter - Complete]

[Miles Valentine]

ooc: omg i am so rusty i apologize!

[/i] he scoffed, taking another drag of the nearly burnt out cigarette, It’s more of a health hazard to sit on your ass at a desk all day.

Within the building were offices and one of those held a Ms. Anita Nguyen who was to be his mentor. Mentor? He grumbled at the word and took one last drag of his smoke before rubbing the butt out on the wall and throwing it in a trash can. Miles didn’t need a mentor - he knew how to live life, how to make and sell and barter. He had been cheating the system since childhood.

Miles would have turned around and left if it wasn’t for one little thing - the free shit he could get inside. Items to sell and trade with, and a pokemon to work with. Miles would never admit to a living soul but he was maybe a tiny, teeny bit excited to have a tamed pokemon. Like any child he was warned of the dangers a pokemon brought, reminded that those who worked with them were often missing fingers and eyes.

Even though the adults warned them of what could happen the children were always mystified by it. Pokemon were this dangerous, exciting thing that kids dreamed out. They played trainers and battled on the playgrounds, they had stuffed ones that they pretended was real. They dreamed of having a companion who was completely devoted to them.

Miles didn’t have those same dreams but he does remember how mob bosses would have their snarling, snapping pokemon at their side for every deal. He remembers how police would patrol with them, and how drug lords would use theirs as backup. Pokemon were powerful allies, one that any leader in any society had by his or her side.

Miles may be crass and self centered and lacking on any real education, but he was still far from stupid. Having a pokemon opened up doors that would otherwise always be locked.

Finally he stepped in and looked at the directory, looking for the name starting with A. There was two and he was no good at reading. He could sound them out slowly to find which one was right but instead he lifted his paper up that had his appointment and compared the word who was HIS person to the names on the list.

Ah, there it is. He headed towards the correct room and stepped in.

“I uh,” his voice was rough and he smelled strongly of cigarettes, “Have an appointment. With Ms. Um. N-guy-een.”[/ul]

[Olive]

A woman whose eyes were hidden didn't even bother to look up as she simply corrected, "Nguyen, as in, 'This is a fight I will win.'" Something of a sarcastic smirk crossed her face as she finally made eye contact with the man. "Miles Valentine I presume?" With a gesture she offered the boy a seat in one of the desks that faced her desk. "Anita Nguyen, Ambassador to the colonies, but I'm sure you already knew that."

With that, the woman retrieved five pokeballs from the desk and placed them in front of Miles before releasing each one by one.

Her eyes seemed to glaze as she looked into Miles'. "I don't know you very well Miles, but from what I've read of your form, these are the Pokemon I feel will suit to your strengths." She moved to the first.

"Abra are extremely intelligent creatures, and many Merchants from the old world used them as employees as they can comprehend math and money, as well as do heavy lifting without actually lifting. Oak actually uses them to transport Pokeballs to and from trainer's with full parties." The Pokemon had remained motionless throughout Anita's speech, perhaps it was sleeping? "Either way, Abra have many uses and can be quite strong if you train them well."

The smallest Pokemon had since toddled towards Abra, it used it tiny feet to poke at the Pokemon in an attempt to wake it. "Seedot, of course, are grass-type Pokemon, and if you wish to pursue a career in selling herbs and the like, this Pokemon would be an asset in finding the needed materials."

Glassed eyes now switched to the third Pokemon in the line-up. "This one, like Seedot, would be quite a help around the shop. Torkoal are great Pokemon for Merchants who don't travel often. They supply an infinite heat source, are in essence giant, mobile furnaces, and can be used as shop watchdogs. By releasing pillars of smoke through the holes in its shell, it can create a sound that resembles a - " a pause corrupted her fluid speech. He's not old enough to remember trains. With a sigh, she continued with a different explanation, "its basically a loud blaring sound. Anyway, " Torkoal wasn't doing much either, mostly it just stared at the two humans in curiosity, "We still don't know much about the herbs and things we can make out of them, but I wouldn't count out needing high temperatures for some things."

Small, rounded feet tapped the floor impatiently as Tyrogue awaited its turn. Anita eyed the Pokemon, smirked, and skipped to the next choice, which caused the rookie to huff and fall to its bum in agitation. "I can't quite put my finger on it, but Sandile seems to connect with your personality quite well." Something of a brow raise crossed the croc's features as its name was spoken, it shrugged the Ambassador off and rolled its eyes at the trainer as Anita continued, "Regardless, I've heard many rumors of underground vegetation existing in large numbers here. Perhaps a Pokemon with the ability to not only dig, but see in thermal vision would be helpful."

"And finally, Tyrogue." Another smirk crossed the woman's face, "This particular one completely lacks any form of patience, but makes up for it with determination. And, assuming you give it a place to train everyday, it will one day be a very strong ally."

Next, Anita gave the man a "Pamphlet" with pictures of all the original starters. She sat back in her chair and gazed into Miles' eyes. "It's your choice trainer."

---

((You're totally fine ^^))

[Miles Valentine]

[/b] he said the word in his mind before saying it out loud, “Abra. Anything to help me with math, yanno?” [/ul]

[Olive]

Anita quickly recalled the other Pokemon before she handed the new trainer the Abra's pokeball. "Excellent choice, congratulations." The Ambassador's eyes shifted to the shelves behind the trainer. The walls were lined with hundreds of items, although most seemed to be a stash gifted to new trainers, there were plenty of objects that even the black market trader had never seen before. Relics from the Old World, glowing devices, amazingly crafted awards and trophies, it was a Merchant's paradise.

"Pick any four items you want, but only one Key Item and one Weapon maximum. And nothing over 35₪. These are just items to get you started after all." 

Her hand slid across the desk, upon being lifted, it revealed an X-gear with an installed Holo chip, three minimized pokeballs, and 50₪.

---

The strong woman waited patiently for the new trainer to choose his items before speaking again. "Also, I may have pulled a few strings and found you an old kiosk to work out of." She released a humored scoff, "I say that as if it was difficult." An eyeroll crossed her face, but it seemed to be more at herself than anything else, she spoke faintly, but Miles was still able to make out her words, "Sometimes I forget that I'm now the most powerful woman in the colonies."

With a slight shake of the head and a quiet 'ahem,' the woman gazed into the new trainer's eyes, then glanced at the Abra's pokeball. "That Pokemon is more than a gift, it is a symbol of your responsibility to the colonies," the familiar smirk passed her face again, "Of course, I'm not asking you to risk your life in the wilds, but, when the time arises, I will likely ask you to aid in laying down the foundations of new settlements."

The woman's glassed eyes peered out a nearby window as she continued, "If we as a species are to survive, we need to expand. Commerce," she paused, was that a knowing smirk? Nah, couldn't be, "of all sorts, is important to that expansion."

Pushing her palms against the top of the desk, Anita stood up and moved to the door. "Call me if you ever need me, I can't promise that I'll pick up right then and there, but I will get back to you as soon as I can. Do you have any questions? If not," her grin was exhausted, but one could still tell that it was sincere, "then it was nice to meet you. I'll anticipate our next meeting."

---

You may now select Abra's name, gender, ability, and personality.

[Miles Valentine]

The pokemon were recalled in their pokeballs. Four of the balls were set aside and the one the Abra went in was handed to him. He rubbed his thumb over the smooth, clean surface before stuffing the ball in a pocket on his pants.

Any four items? He turned to look at the walls behind him - how had he not noticed them before? They were full of hundreds of items. Most of the items he did not recognize at all. He knew what a pokeball was, and some of the weapons and tools. Many of the objects were beyond him, he knew not their purpose or their name. How was he to choose four?

He stood up and swaggered over - even if he truly wasn’t confident in what he was doing he was going to look it. He inspected the items and started to grab a few.

First thing he grabbed was a Bedroll. Oh, sure, it was a cheap thing that he could probably buy for himself soon but Miles was tired of sleeping on the ground. He needed some padding for his beauty sleep, damnit! His large hand wrapped itself around the soft material and he shoved it under one arm, holding it secure as if daring someone to take what was now his.

Next he looked at some material he supposed was pokemon food. He had the thing now, so he supposed he should learn how to feed it. First he reached towards the normal sized item labeled corka (not that he could read the label at this moment) but behind the normal sized piece was a Giant Raw Corka. Go big or go home, right?

Lastly he grabbed a long, cylindrical object that he didn’t yet know was called a quiver and stuffed a bundle of things he knew were called bolts. There was maybe forty of fifty bolts that now filled the quiver.

“I’ll buy a crossbow later,” he said. This way he could find one that hits his taste. Maybe he could find some small daggers. Miles looked at the swords, all shiny and sliver and knew that that would never be his style. He wasn’t no fancy fuck with a long ass sword. When he fought he fought up close and dirty. A short, sharp knife that he could keep on his belt or up his sleeve would be more his style. The crossbow would look great for intimidation and it had a slick, easy to use trigger that he wouldn’t have to spend months to learn.

An old kiosk? Cool. Anything to start selling his, uh, herbs at. Her blunt reminder that she was very powerful did not go over his head. She could help him on his own path to power. He would aid her if she asked him, prove his worth and prowess to her.

”Commerce, of all sorts, is important to that expansion.”

Her face twisted again and Miles smirked back. Commerce was key to expansion, without commerce they were nothing but dumb monkeys hitting rocks against each other. She might not like what Miles planned on selling… or maybe she did, maybe that was the sly smirk on her face.

Miles stood up and grabbed his items, holding them tight against his body. Miles had no phone so he had no idea how he would ever call her, but sure. “No questions,” he headed towards the door before lingering in the doorway. “Thanks Ms, um, Nguyen.”

e x i t

————

Abra: Richter, Male, Synchronize, Impish
Items: 50 Bolts (weapon page), Quiver (key item), Giant Raw Corka and Bedroll

[Jenn]

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