The Way Out [Starter]

[Eric Hanes]

no struggle, no progress

THERE IS NOTHING PERMANENT BUT CHANGE

The decision to change his current circumstances came from a dream. He had bedded down, propped himself up against a lone tree still in sight of the lights of the settlement and went to sleep. He'd done it before on old-earth and assumed that it would be just as easy here. It was...to a point, but the ground felt different, the wind smelt different, and he was uncomfortable for most of the night. The dream he had saw him away from this place, a weapon in hand, a shadow at his side, and wide open fields in front of him.

Eric wasn't a person that believed in dreams. He was pretty much an atheist until Arceus actually showed up on the doorstep of humanity. So while old Eric would've risen, stretched himself out, dusted off his clothes and went about the arduous task of finding sustenance for himself, this new Eric sat and wondered for a bit. He wasn't going to become a mystic overnight, sitting down six times a day and praying in whatever direction the sun faced. He wasn't going to be praying period, but listening to a dream didn't seem so far-fetched.

And it wasn't a stupid one where he was flying or doing something totally not possible. Leaving this settlement, striking out on his own and making a name for himself...it wasn't hard. Well, it would be hard, he corrected that thought immediately, but it would better than sitting here and being an eyesore. Eric had no false views on how he appeared to everyone else.

Getting out now was better than later.

He got his shit together, tugged his duffle-bag closed, and slung it over his shoulder as he stood up. Golden eyes blinked in the afternoon sun and he barely stifled a yawn from splitting his jaw. The closest building to him was a little wooden one with a sign, one he couldn't read. His head tilted to the side and he stared at the letters, humming lowly to himself before shrugging his shoulders and walking in. If anything, someone in his place could him how to leave, right?

deltra of gangnam style

[Blue]

The receptionist at a nearby desk looked up at Eric as if confused, then looking down to her clipboard, shifting through some papers. Mr. R didn't have an appointment scheduled for right now, who was this? Given his state of attire and the bag he carried, she could only assume he was trying to get directions and waved him over. "Is there something I can help you with, Sir?" She spoke, flipping to a blank sheet of paper and grabbing a pen, just in case.

"Ohh, looks like someone's going on an adventure." Came a voice from behind the receptionist. The Rocket Man smirked as the others in the room turned to look at him. "I'll handle this. It seems this one is just a little unfamiliar with the process, but I don't always need an appointment to take someone on." He spoke, gesturing for the boy to follow him.

Upon entering Mr. R's office, Eric would see a small room lined with shelves upon all of the wall space. Even a shelf above the door held items in a glass case. Each shelf contained rows and rows of items, some the trainer would have never seen before. In the center of the room, accented by the large window with a large red R, was a dark wooden desk. Mr. R sat down in his chair while gesturing for the new trainer to take the seat across from him.

"Of course, since you've just shown up out of the blue like this, I don't have any Pokemon prepared especially for you. I've got plenty here that went unchosen by other trainers, though, so how about I take a gander at you and pick some out now?" He suggested with a mischievous smirk as he looked down at the desk, opening a large drawer.

"Let's see... A spontaneous traveler... It takes a lot of courage to just get up and go, but how else are we to make the best of life? Ah yes, I think these should do you nicely." He spoke, retrieving five Pokeballs from the drawer and setting them atop the desk. Each one had a little marker on the ball, showing who it contained. "This room is too small to release them, but I will tell you about each one and you can choose from that."

"By the look of that bag, I can only assume you're heading out to be a Survivor. Fantastic." Mr. R guessed, knowing he wouldn't be wrong. "Here's some choices that I think might suit you and help your cause." He added, gesturing to the icon on each ball.

"First we have Eevee. A very simply little Pokemon, but with grand potential. Quite like yourself, I might think. Eevee have eight possible evolutions. Play your card right, and you could have the perfect partner for your own particular.. Style." R nodded. "They're also quite cute."

"Next is Deino. This is a young dragon type Pokemon with great aspirations, though a bit conflicted with itself. It's a very energetic Pokemon, if not a bit nippy, Scratch that, they're very nippy.In fact, they love to bite and will not stop if you're not careful. Still, if you can properly train it, they make great survival companions, even as they evolve."

"This one is Goomy, another dragon type Pokemon. Now, Goomy may seem like a strange choice, as they're widely considered silly and weak Pokemon, but I assure you that this is not true. Goomy can evolve into very powerful and loving companions who will stop at nothing to help and protect you. As long as you can put up with a few slimy hugs, that is."

"And here we have Doduo. This Pokemon is a two-headed flightless bird. At this point in their life, the heads are very calm and sweet two each other. Doduo makes a very nice travel companion. Once they evolve, however, they get a little... Rebellious. Dodrio run at extremely fast speeds, and can be ridden. As long as you can hold on."

"Last is Teddiursa. This small, and frankly adorable, Pokemon may not seem like much of a fighter, now. It's certainly limited in its ability to protect you, but... Once they evolve, they are brilliant guardians, capable of fending off most threats you may come across out in the wilds."

"That's it, then. The choice is yours."

[Eric Hanes]

no struggle, no progress

THERE IS NOTHING PERMANENT BUT CHANGE

The guy was right; Eric didn't even know there was a process to begin with. He didn't speak much with others, preferring to be left to his own devices instead of mingle, so he hadn't been aware that flocks of young adults and teens were leaving the settlement to strike out into this new world. He didn't know it was a thing that was done, a sequence of steps to follow. Eric thought he just had the bright idea to leave and someone in this building could give him the direction.

When told to sit, he hesitated. It wasn't because he was being stubborn or he thought he dude on the other side of the desk would kill him, but, again, he had never kept time with another human being. He was more likely to be scrounging through someone's garbage looking for edibles instead of talking to or with them.

Listening to Mr. R, Eric remained quiet. There wasn't much for him to say. This was all new to him and the balls that rolled onto the table, the little picture detailing what was inside: he hadn't known things like this existed either. He blinked, long and slow, similar to a cat, as his eyes lifted from each picture and looked Mr. R in the face. He was just supposed to pick one of these things? What if he let them out and they ate him? Could he really trust this dude?

No, probably not, but he supposed picking one of these creatures and setting out with them was a hell of a lot smarter than doing it alone. Head tilting to the side, he glanced at the balls again, gave a tiny sigh through his nostrils and pointed to the ball that looked like it would be the most useful (and the easiest to control).

“That one,” he murmured, pointing at the Teddiursa. “What else I gotta know before I get outta here?”

Direct and to the point, Eric could seem cold sometimes, unemotional at best. It wasn't his intention, just the way he spoke and behaved.

deltra of gangnam style

[Blue]

Looking to the ball that Eric had pointed to, Mr. R couldn't help but chuckle at the rather unexpected choice. But of course, he wouldn't have suggested the Pokemon if he didn't think it would both suit the male as well as prove a useful companion. Though, it was obvious that the unanticipated traveler wasn't sure what he was doing. Did he even know about Pokemon? There was so much confusion in his eyes. He'd purposely offered some of the more harmless looking ones, so perhaps the Teddiursa had won the boy over in that category. Reasoning aside, it was a fine choice. Giving an approving nod, The Rocket Man handed over the Teddiursa's ball.

"I'm sure you will make a fine team. And yes, actually, I have some extra items for you, as well. You're really quite lucky in your timing, I've only just had my supply restocked yesterday..." He joked, opening another drawer in his desk to retrieve some items. Upon finding it, Mr. R laid an X-Gear upon the desk, as well as a small chip next to it. "As a survivor, you get an X-Gear, a well as a Holo Chip. My number is reprogrammed, if you ever need to contact me. Though I'd prefer that you text, rather than call." He explained, gesturing to the items.

"Next, we have..." He started, withdrawing some more items and setting them on the desk. "Three Pokeballs and a Tool Bag." He explained. "The Tool Bag will probably be the most useful thing for you. It uses a special technology to allow-- Hmm.. Let's just say: It's bigger on the inside." He added, deciding not to go into all of the technical details. the boy looks confused enough as it was. "Along with that, you will be allowed to choose seven survival items and/or tools that you could find in the Global Market for under 35₪, and one melee weapon." He continued, gesturing to the shelves of items that filled the small room. "Have your pick."

---

Please give your Teddiursa a name, gender, and ability.
Please choose seven survival items/tools for under 35₪.
Please choose one melee weapon.