{Mid air, I woke up beneath the flight deck}

[SIOBHAN]

The girl rubbed her knuckles against her eyes tiredly. She'd been stuck on various modes of public transport for about twelve hours, not counting the minutes spent changing between bus and subway. When she finally disembarked at the stop just outside Stormcloud City, she found that she had aching muscles, stiff joints and a whisper of a headache. Given her luck so far, it'd probably grow.

Sighing, Siobhan took stock of her luggage. There wasn't a lot, actually. Preferring to travel light, she had only taken the essentials -- almost nothing bulky, and definitely nothing that only held sentimental value. No need for cutlery or a sleeping bag. She planned to eat out of cheap packed lunches (who said they can only be meant for lunch?) and sleep in Pokémon Centres. Her backpack was full, yes, but at least it wasn't debilitatingly heavy. Her only other piece of luggage was a small side-slung bag, containing a few important documents (trainer card, identification papers just in case, and some handy high-energy snacks should she need to eat in a hurry).

It was the work of a few minutes to find someone willing to take her closer to the Lab. It didn't seem to be located in any particular town -- just one standalone complex, probably in the middle of a large Pokémon reserve, guessed Siobhan. The next part of the journey was definitely better than previously; sitting in the back of a truck, feeling the wind stream through her hair, she felt her aches and pains ease away. She was almost feeling completely rejuvenated when she got off. Thanking the helpful lady, the girl covered the last kilometre or so on foot, finally arriving at a building. It looked... friendly enough, she pondered, before taking a deep breath and knocking gently on the front door. Here's to a good start!



Words: 317
EXP: N/A
OOC: Aghf, sorry for the shortness... >__<

[BellaMae]

It was a brief moment before someone came to answer the door. An older man, his hair starting to turn gray around the ears, and who was dressed in a lab coat was who answered it. He smiled warmly down at the girl, "Well hello," He said, stepping back and opening the door a little wider, "I don't suppose you're here to get your first pokemon, are you?"

Behind him, a good portion of the lab could be seen. Directly in front at the very back of the room sat a rather large desk, covered with papers and empty coffee mugs, and of course a full, fresh and steaming one. To the left was a huge window, which was actually a sliding glass door, that lead out to a great open pasture of green grass, and was clearly where pokemon were let out to play. To the right, an open room that was obviously a lounge, and a set of grand stairs that lead upward. To the right of the desk, at the far back, a large open archway stood, leading into a dark room.

At the desk sat a woman, who glanced up at the sound of the door opening, and took a quick drink of her coffee, "If that's a new trainer, send her back, Allan!" She called, "I've just enough time to get her started before I've an appointment to keep."

Allan chuckled quietly at the Professor's haphazard appearance and tone. Despite her wild demeanor at the moment, she was a distinguished researcher and an extremely intelligent woman. She just happened to be a bit busy at the moment, and most other moments at that, "Go ahead on back." He told her, "Professor Storm will help you out."

((XD, I was about to say the same thing to you. Haha. I have to go but I wanted to get you guys started.))

[SIOBHAN]

The door creaked open. Blinking away her lethargy, Siobhan flashed a smile at the old man who had opened the door. By his attire, she thought he was probably the professor; about to confirm her assumption, she nevertheless took another long, hard look at him -- and realised that she had better withhold judgment for a while. She could hear, and in fact see, other activity in the room beyond the door, and a reevaluation of the man's demeanor seemed to suggest that he was not in overall charge here. Instead, she simply nodded at his question. There was really nothing much to say, otherwise.

Through the doorway, Siobhan peered curiously at the layout of the laboratory. There was magnificent staircase set in the back, and that was the first thing to catch her eye. The grand structure led into a mysterious dark room; swallowing a question, she swiveled her head, eying the lounge-like setting and the door to the open grassland. "Such a beautiful place," she exclaimed to the man.

"If that's a new trainer, send her back, Allan! I've just enough time to get her started before I've an appointment to keep."

A sharp voice rang out. Startle, Siobhan took an involuntary step back, immediately turning to face the source of the sound. A lady sat at a large, cluttered desk, coffee mug in hand. Apparently, this was the person who had issued the order... Blinking, the girl quickly reorganised her facts. This woman was definitely in charge. Recovering from her shock, she gave her a prim smile, though she doubted that the professor could see her.

Allan -- the man in the lab coat -- chuckled quietly. He seemed to be quite used to the professor's demeanor. "Go ahead on back. Professor Storm will help you out." Nodding at the instructions, Siobhan stepped in, slightly hesitant at first. Her idea of a lab involved a lot more equipment and a lot less... coffee, but apparently, that was rather inaccurate. Feeling slightly uneasy -- it was a rare occurrence; she can't remember very many times where she was ever shy -- she approached the professor.

"Good... afternoon, Professor Storm. I'm here for my starter. Might I ask what types do you have on offer here? I did hear that one requests for one's Pokémon by type; if that is indeed true, I would like to see your Flying-type Pokémon." Pausing, she ran through her mental list. "They should preferably be able to evolve into a size large enough to carry a person. And no Bug-types, please," she stated firmly. No, Bug-types were definitely out of the question.



Words: 448
EXP: N/A
OOC: Camp ;____; Seeya when I get back!

[BellaMae]

Allan smiled gratefully, "Why thank you." He responded, his cheer notably improved at the comment, "We put a lot of hard work into keeping everything going." There was not a single person at the lab who was not dedicated and hardworking. One of an opposite nature such as that would not survive at the lab, and the Professor would not tolerate them either.

He smiled as she slipped past him and made her way cautiously back to Professor Storm. He closed the door behind her and turned about, drifting toward the giant sliding glass doors, which he disappeared through a moment later.

Professor Storm glanced up only momentarily as the new arrival introduced herself, and proceeded to inform her of the type of pokemon she'd like, "Of course, my dear!" She exclaimed, shuffling aside some papers into a haphazard pile on the side of her desk. She repeated this seemingly unorganized action several times, effectively clearing a rectangular area of open space on her desk.

She straightened up in chair, and at that exact moment she visibly relaxed. Reaching down to the bottom drawer on her right, the Professor pulled it open, and withdrew from it a manilla folder. She splayed said folder out on the space she'd cleared upon her desk, and began to file through the pages, her eyes scanning at a seemingly impossible rate. She'd barely had it open for what seemed less than a few seconds before she flipped it closed, and folded her hands gracefully before her.

"Alright dear, I have a few pokemon to offer you that meet your criteria. The first is a Hoot Hoot, who is a normal and flying type. It's evolution is Noctowl, certainly large enough to carry you. It's male, and knows Tackle, Growl, and Foresight." She paused for a brief moment as if to allow the girl time to consider, "Next is a Skarmory. It's a female, steel and flying type. It knows Leer and Peck." Another short pause, "Third, a Pidgey. Male. Also normal and flying type. It knows Tackle and Sand-Attack."

A final pause, which appeared to be the final one, although the Professor's own expression was twisted in one of concentration and consideration, "And I don't know if it would interest you, but I also have a Togepi. However, until you managed to evolve it into a Togekiss, it wouldn't be able to carry you." She lifted her shoulders in a half-hearted shrug. It didn't much fit the girl's specifications she supposed, but she thought she'd throw it in there, simply due to the pokemon's rarity and thereby the fact that it may interest the girl.

The expression of consideration was quickly replaced by a smile, "Do any of those appeal to you?" She inquired.

[SIOBHAN]

Siobhan heard, rather than saw, Allan leave the room. A gentle click as the main door's latch caught, and then a pneumatic hiss from the sliding glass doors. She studied the professor carefully. She seemed to be a rather nice person, in general, though there was a certain strictness to her. It wasn't evident in the state of her desk -- Siobhan had hardly seen a messier work station before, but she preferred to think that it was simply due to the workload of the professor -- but Allan's response to her observation indicated that the professor was a very dedicated person, and would not allow slackers in her lab. The girl watched as Professor Storm shuffled a few stacks of papers around her desk, swiftly clearing out a space on the tabletop. That done, the lady pulled out a thick folder from a drawer and started scanning through it.

Siobhan marveled at the speed. It must be a required skill to survive as a professor, she thought. How else does one keep up with -- with taking care of Pokémon, responding to new trainers, sorting papers, and coordinating with Pokémon Breeders? Surely the starters must all come from somewhere! Or... perhaps the lab breeds its own Pokémon? Are there baby creatures hidden in the building somewhere? Amused by her own train of thought, she hid a small smile by ducking her head on the pretext of fixing her shirt hem and waited for Professor Storm to finish.

"Alright dear, I have a few pokemon to offer you that meet your criteria. The first is a Hoot Hoot, who is a normal and flying type. It's evolution is Noctowl, certainly large enough to carry you. It's male, and knows Tackle, Growl, and Foresight. Next is a Skarmory. It's a female, steel and flying type. It knows Leer and Peck. Third, a Pidgey. Male. Also normal and flying type. It knows Tackle and Sand-Attack."

Nodding gratefully, Siobhan ran the starters against her mental checklist. The Hoothoot was by far the most appealing choice. There was something just irresistible about an owl: the embodiment of wisdom itself. If she were a more prideful person, she'd have appreciated the chance to strut through the crowds with a Noctowl on her shoulder, just like the goddess told in ancient tales. But would it be helpful for her journey? She decided to keep it in view and consider the other choices.

The Pidgey was out. It was too common, and from what she had heard, not the best Pokémon there is. She could catch or trade one, if she needed it, but she couldn't see herself ever wanting one. And, of course, there was that one incident with the Pidgeot... Hurriedly pushing the embarrassing memory (it involved a lot of cursing and washing, and the less said about it the better) from her mind, she was just in time to hear the fourth choice.

"And I don't know if it would interest you, but I also have a Togepi. However, until you managed to evolve it into a Togekiss, it wouldn't be able to carry you." The Professor didn't seem all too enthusiastic about this Pokémon, and the girl agreed. She really had no need for the Togepi -- it would benefit a Breeder more than it would benefit her, since she had no use for rare Pokémon. And so it was back to Skarmory and Hoothoot. Skarmory looked fierce and reliable, but somehow she didn't think that she could sit on it comfortably enough. It was a trivial consideration, perhaps, but seeing that she intended to fly quite a lot in her future... With an apologetic grin to the Professor, Siobhan decided to try pushing her luck. "I'm quite leaning towards the Hoothoot right now, but are there no more other choices? Just one or two would be fine -- and I do apologise if I am causing undue trouble. Thank you!" She bobbed her head at the lady, embarrassed.



Words: 682
EXP: N/A
OOC: Asdghgf, sorry for the hassle yet again, and for holding up the battle thread... DX I will get to it! I will!

[BellaMae]

((Nah, don't worry =) It's important you get a first pokemon that you like.))

The Professor leaned back in her chair, relaxing against the great leather back. She crossed one leg over the other, and pulled the file down to rest across her thigh. Helping new trainers get their first pokemon was typically the only moment during the day where she felt like she could truly take a moment and relax. This was not a process to be hurried after all, and it was important that the right decision was made. She did not want people to feel like they had to choose quickly and be out of her hair. They were granted all the time they needed to consider.

Professor Storm inclined her head in a slight nod as the girl responded, and raised an eyebrow as she inquired about more choices. Flipping the file back open, the professor performed her search a second time. She eyes seemed to pause on one or two choices, before she closed the folder once more and returned her attention to the new trainer, "There are a couple more choices I can offer you." She responded.

"I can offer you a Natu, which is female. It's a flying and psychic type. It knows Peck, Leer, and Nightshade, and is actually level 6." The professor's gray gaze rested evenly upon the girl, as if gauging her reaction, "The other is a Swablu, which is Normal and Flying, but will become Dragon and Flying upon evolution. It's male, and knows Peck, Growl Astonish. The reason I didn't offer him to you before is he's a bit different." She paused slightly, a slight smile tugging at her lips, "His right ear is black, and so is his left wing." It was an odd genetic occurrence that could not quite be explained as of yet. As if he were the opposite of an albino in certain parts of his genetics.

[SIOBHAN]

The girl watched with anticipation as the professor took out her file again. Anxiously, she hoped that Professor Storm wasn't offended by her inquiries -- after all, she was only just another trainer about to begin her journey. Who knew how many such newbies the lab receives each day? She was beginning to regret her questions when the professor closed her file and glanced up. Thankfully, she didn't seem too upset; in fact, she appeared more at peace than when Siobhan first entered. She let out a small, relieved sigh. It wouldn't do to get on the bad side of the first important person she met in her travels.

"There are a couple more choices I can offer you. I can offer you a Natu, which is female. It's a flying and psychic type. It knows Peck, Leer, and Nightshade, and is actually level 6." At this, Siobhan perked up; a higher-levelled starter than usual? She would have made up her mind right there and then, if she were out for the position of the Champion. Unfortunately, perhaps, she was not, although the bird tempted her, just as the Hoothoot did. But the professor was not yet done. "The other is a Swablu, which is Normal and Flying, but will become Dragon and Flying upon evolution. It's male, and knows Peck, Growl & Astonish. The reason I didn't offer him to you before is he's a bit different." Here, she paused, eying the girl, smiling slightly. Bemused, Siobhan met her gaze, unconsciously raising an eyebrow. "His right ear is black, and so is his left wing."

At this, the girl's eyes widened and she let out an involuntary gasp of amazement. She had never even heard of such a mutation before -- granted, there was mention of oddly-coloured Pokémon in the books she had read before, but they were generally predictable in their colorations and known as "Shinies" -- and the urge to see it, in person, took her by surprise. It didn't hurt that Altarias were generally considered to be suitable Pokémon for flying couriers; their downy feathers cushioned both the goods and the rider. Hoothoot and Natu forgotten, Siobhan all but pounced on the chance.

"I'd love to have the Swablu, if it is alright with you! Thank you, once again," she exclaimed, all but bouncing on the balls of her feet.



Words: 404
EXP: N/A
OOC: Aaaaaaaaaaaah I love you, Bella! <3 This is just awesome!

[BellaMae]

((XD!! Glad you like it =) ))

Although Professor Storm absolutely loved each and every aspect of her profession, there was no doubt that her favorite part was starting off new trainers with their first pokemon. It gave her a sense of nostalgia, and brought back floods of wonderful memories. It made her so happy to see how excited people got, even the most stone-faced of trainers that came in. Getting their first pokemon was a new and special event, and watching their facial expression has become sort of a sport to the Professor.

The smile on the woman's lips only widened at the girl's excited reaction. This was why she loved doing this so much. A quiet chuckle sounded in her throat and she rose swiftly from her chair, "Of course dear!" She exclaimed, "I'm so glad you decided on him. The last trainer I tried to offer him too scoffed at the idea of his odd colors." Some people just weren't into the idea of being different or standing out, whilst the Professor absolutely reveled in it.

She spun about the chair and made her way through a tall archway that stood behind her desk. She was gone but a short moment before she returned with a small black bag, and an accompanying pokeball, "Here you are." She said, the smile still evident on her face as she held out the items.

Name: Swablu
Gender: Male
Level: 5
Abilities: Natural Cure
Attacks: Peck, Growl, Astonish

You also received:
Pokeball x5
Potion x5
Full Heal x4
Town Map x1
Pokedex x1
Berry Bag x1
TM Case x1

((Blah. My rushed posts always sound so lame xO They're just not good writing, XD. Anyways, feel free to use either sprite! I just made the second one real quick incase you wanted it =) ))

[SIOBHAN]

"Of course dear! I'm so glad you decided on him. The last trainer I tried to offer him to scoffed at the idea of his odd colors."

Siobhan was relieved when the professor's smile widened, and nodded sympathetically at the lady's words. She'd make sure that this Swablu will not be rejected again, by her or her other Pokémon. "I'll definitely be careful with him. He'll have nothing to worry about!" Despite her confidence, she was nevertheless worried if she could make good on that promise -- after all, she didn't know anything about the Swablu's personality at all. Still, it didn't hurt to try. She waited nervously when the professor left to collect the starter.

Professor Storm returned with a small bag of assorted items and a Pokéball. Taking them carefully, Siobhan resisted the urge to peek inside the bag or let out the Pokémon there and then, and instead returned the lady's smile. "Thank you, once again, and I hope you have a nice day!" With that and a small wave to the professor, she trotted out of the lab, gently closing the door after her.

It was the work of a few minutes to arrange the items she just received into her backpack (although the Pokédex rather distracted her). With her hands free, the girl finally summed up the courage to let her starter out. Turning the Pokéball around in her hands, she found the button that allowed it to expand, and gave it an experimental toss onto the road. With a sharp crack, a beam of red energy flashed out and released her Swablu. The blue bird blinked at her shyly from the ground.

"Oh! You're very... adorable," exclaimed Siobhan, leaning down to ruffle his feathers. "It's so downy! Mind if I gave you a name?" Rocking back on her heels, she regarded him carefully. "... I know. You'll be called Altair. Is that alright with you?"

The newly-named Altair nodded, looking pleased. With that settled, he flitted up and settled himself atop her head, like a large, downy sunhat. Giggling (and immediately horrified that she should be caught giggling), Siobhan set off towards town with her new friend.




Words: 308
EXP: N/A
OOC: Awesome sprite, Bella! <3 Woot! Now, to the battle thread! :>