Muddy Paths and Rainy Days [Open]

[Will]

Will shuffled through a muddy lesser traveled path toward the village of Chisai. The breeder's travel had not been long, but it had been extremely unpleasant. Everything that had decided to go wrong had. One would even be able to tell that he'd been put through a rough time by his disheveled state. His green tracksuit was muddy and waterlogged, it had begun to stick to him uncomfortably so the teen had unzipped the top. Now, only the stained t-shirt was worn on his torso that refused to dry completely. Will's hair was wild and leaves clung to him desperately as well. All because of beginner mistakes.

The journey had started simply enough. Take a lesser traveled path to avoid annoyances and train diligently. His pokemon had become weary and a brush with a group of wild pokemon had been way too close to uncomfortable so Will ended up choosing to make a tactical retreat. No, not run. Will didn't run, he chose his battles wisely. It had stung his pride that his pokemon were unable to handle a group of pidgey, nothing more than weak birds. However, he had made a mistake in pushing them through training to harshly. He had ended up paying for it.

After that, he discovered his bag had been unzipped and much of his rations had fell out during the retreat. Luckily, the more important items hadn't been lost. He could replace the food. Then even the weather had decided to turn against him. It had rained mercilessly the day after, pelting him with frigid winds as pellets of water struck against his sore muscles. The rain had lessened but never let up fully. There was always a small drizzle or a lingering moisture in the air that made drying himself impossible. All his pokemon aside from Sati had been okay, but Sati made sure that all of them knew she wasn't happy. Granted, the cyndaquil was a fire pokemon. That didn't stop tension from rising within the group.

Will didn't want to chance an encounter either so much of the ire between them only built up. Even now they were still looking to pick a fight. Each of them were following silently, knowing that his temper wasn't something they wanted to be directed at them. That managed to keep them in line. The village peaking out in the distance was a relief. Even though the clouds were beginning to thicken once more, it wasn't as ominous as it could have been with a secure shelter not to far off. A low rumble that soon came did send a flash of annoyance through his mind. The rain might end up starting long before he was there.

Sati, his cyndaquil, was huddled in his shirt. She refused to walk herself, but the warm that she gave off managed to diffuse any budding ire at the laziness. His Oshawott, which he'd ended up naming Varuna, trekked behind him to his left completely unfettered by the moist area being a water pokemon. Lastly, his Venipede which had not earned a name for itself yet, settled and clung to his shoulder. It was too proud to walk and refused to look weak by falling behind so Will had humored him. Getting closer, he wearily brushed the hair from his eyes and fumble to find and light a cigarette. Another rumble sounded from the sky, but he resisted the urge to glare at the clouds. It would not end well if the rain decided to come down moments after he lit the damn thing.

Finally, he pushed past another tree and found himself on the main path toward Chisai. It was faster and if he had to humor some upstart trainer he would if it would get him to the village faster. Heck, his pokemon could use a chance to blow off steam anyway so a battle wouldn't be refused outright. His hair once more fell over his eyes, but this time he slicked it back much more fiercely, forcing it to stay that way. Emerald orbs scanned the area carefully and his ears twitch, at a sound off a little ways, but he didn't slow.

[♥Ginny♥]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,padding:0; margin: 0; background-image:url(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm40/sky_lark2008/Dove-1.png);background-repeat:repeat-y;width: 450px;height:700px;] Dove lay curled on the side of the path near Chisai town. She was unconscious and who knew for how long. Ivory and Thorn stood guard at her side. It was obvious that they where both pretty battered. Ivory had a deep wound on her let shoulder that was still bleeding. While Thorn had several small cuts and scrapes. The worst one being over his right eye it to was still bleeding and his eye was swollen shut. But that was nothing compared to the young girl on the ground. She had so many cuts and bruises covering her entire body. The blood and mud mixed together to make an ugly mix. At the sound of footsteps approaching the two Zorua changed into Arcanine and started to growl at who or what ever was slowly approaching them. They may be week and hurt but they would protect their trainer. After all she had done her best to protect them from the flock of Fearow that had attacked them. When they saw a man who looked to be a few years older than their trainer they puffed their long fur up to make them look larger and used illusion to blow flames in the air. It would look real to the boy and his pokemon. So hopefully it would keep them away. Words: 221 Notes:

[Will]

There it was again. Will had tried to rationalize that the sound had been his imagination at first. Nothing more that the stress of all the occurrences catching up with him. However, it came loud and clear this time. It was the unmistakable sound of growling, a low deep guttural warning that oozed through the air towards him. All his pokemon had tensed in readiness. Each of them were on edge and very eager. Sati had already jumped from him, splashing into mud without a care and heating up in anticipation. Varuna had unsheathed his weapon and held it close to himself defensively. Venipede han't moved, but instead stayed close and tense ready to lunge at anything that tried to sneak up on them.

Will didn't slow however. Even as the two Arcanine appeared in his field of vision. The breeder let out an annoyed growl of his own, smoke leaking from between his lips as he glared at them. They were in between him and the village. Going around them wasn't an option. Then oddities started to stand out from his sudden jump in conclusion. Arcanine were rarely wild and wandering around these parts and while territorial creatures, they didn't pick needless fights. These two were far to close to a human settlement to be wild. So they had to have a trainer. Perhaps a Officer Jenny doing rounds? Will wasn't sure. The stream of fire that crackled in the air made him hesitated, but he couldn't turn back now.

Things weren't adding up logically. They were posturing. Will didn't think it would do him much good, but his free hand slid to touch the knife in his pocket. Then he saw her. A girl who looked worse than him, lying in a pool of her own blood. That was far from good. It was moist so infection would get to her. She was out cold too and the climate would have her fever twisting her body in knots. Will wanted to leave her. Well, he wanted to take anything valuable then leave her like she was. Corpses didn't need items. Yet, if he just walked into town and got grilled by locals that may be looking for her, no explanation would justify it. "Oh, yeah, I passed a girl bleeding out a little ways from here." That was sure to go over fine.

What was with him and wandering onto people that were hurt? Didn't they have the decency to crawl into a hole and die out of sight? Will would have to at least try to save her if he wanted to get off free. And maybe there was a reward for her return. That would be greatly helpful. How to deal with the Arcanine though, while intelligent that didn't mean they wouldn't jump to conclusions. And with them spouting out torrents of flame so freely...Torrents of flame that weren't weakened by the climate. Fires that looked real, but left none of the tell tell signs afterward. Will had spent weeks working with Sati and her fire attacks. These were empty in comparison even if they looked impressive.

The Venipede on his shoulder buzzed angrily. Sati was barely staying herself while Varuna had taken a more defensive post. Will approached, curiosity hiding any fear. The breeder made sure to stare down the Arcanine. There was no room for weakness with pokemon. His boots made a sloshing sound as they planted in the mud a few feet away from the Arcanine. Taking a steady drag as he studied them, he let the smoke out in a rush of air. "Move. She's going to die out here," and Will sure as hell wasn't going to get blamed for it, Pokemon be damned. His pokemon waited with baited breath, looking for a threat to their partner in order to give a disproportionate retribution. Will had trained them too well if they thought they could take full grown Arcanine.

He'd have to fix that, but one thing at a time. Sharp, emerald eyes waited for the pokemon's response.

[♥Ginny♥]

Ivory watched the boy closely when he stopped she let another flame thrower into the air and growled at it showing her teeth but not approaching him. If he got to close he would easily see there was no heat to the flames. But the boy didn't halt for long. He stopped and studied them. This wasn't good if he knew fire types than he would know they weren't real. Thinking of an idea she turned and grumbled something to Thorn.

Thorn smiled and nodded and in unison turned into Ditto's than quickly turned from Dittio's to Venusaur and used Illusion again to make it look like they used vine whip. they waved in the air ready to attack them. But when the boy spoke to them. Thorn roared and charged a few feet forward.

Ivory realized what the boy said used vine whip to slam it down in front of Thorn though Thorn would know it was fake he would understand and stop. She spoke quickly than stepped to the side to let the boy through.

Thorn didn't like this but Ivory was right they needed the boy to help them to help their trainer. So the two switched back to Ditto's not wanting the boy and his pokemon to know their true form.

[Will]

Another gout of fire flowed from the Arcanine's mouth. This time Will was able to see through it. There was no heat in them. The way the flames dispersed made it easy to see that they were fake. So that meant that this waste a hoax. The suspicion screamed in his mind, but Will quelled it. If this was a trap, he was ready for it. Those wounds didn't look fake, but he wouldn't put it passed some cowards to go through all the measures for a sure gain. Still, Will didn't know exactly what he was facing and he wasn't the type of person to take unnecessary risks. He could have merely put an end to this and used his pokedex, but there wasn't any telling how that would affect the situation.

Then the two pokemon suddenly shifted. He'd never seen ditto before, but he recognized the unmistakable form. No too many pokemon looked like a little pink blob of goo. The breeder knew better though. A Ditto would still be able to reproduce real flames. Weaker than an original's but they'd still be real. There was a nagging sense that he should have known what was going on and it bugged him. The teen did not like having gaps in knowledge. The two then shifted to Venisaur. That was more troubling. Just because they didn't reproduce flames didn't mean they couldn't take on the form. Those vines that were whipping about could possibly cause real physical damage. However, if they were able to damage that meant he had a type advantage on them with Sati. He hoped that the wet area didn't interfere to much if this dissolved into a battle.

However, even though they almost attacked. Even though Sati flared at the chance to counter with a burst of flames, he stayed her. A sharp whistle stopped her short and she simmered down. Then they moved aside whilst taking the form of a ditto once more. Another sharp whistle told his pokemon to stay alert should anything bad happen. Venipede slinked to the ground from his shoulder and they each took a loose triangle formation around him. He edge forward carefully, but with confidence and knelt down to the girl. She was roughed up pretty bad. Should he risk moving her? Will shook his head to clear any doubt, there wasn't much choice. He wasn't a doctor, he didn't even consider himself a experienced breeder yet.

He shifted his duffel bag and set to carefully moving the girl. Gently he picked her up from the ground and placed her on his back. Thank goodness he was in good shape otherwise this would have been a hassle. She was light though, so he stood with ease. There was still a problem. Venipede would fall behind without a perch and he could piggy back off any of his pokemon. Even Sati and Varuna might fall behind if he pushed forward quickly. He hated taking gambles, but if this played out in his favor he was bound to hit a jackpot with something he could use. Twisting the cig with his lips he let out a plume of smoke and returned all his pokemon. Then he started walking and a hurried pace, doing his best not to jostle the girl on his back.

"This better not turn around and bite me." People took advantage of good acts. Will himself took advantage of good acts, carefully but he used it to the fullest nonetheless. He just had to make it to town where a pokecenter with people were located. Locking an arm under her legs he, toyed with the idea of grabbing his knife. In this position he should still be able to stab her in the lung if she tried to hold a blade to his throat. Those pokemon were worrisome as well. He was definitely getting a baseball bat or something he could use as a makeshift weapon. Maybe a walking stick so it'd seem inconspicuous. "Keep up," he said to the pokemon behind him. The town wasn't far.

Will even had to spit out the cigarette so the smoke would stop flitting back into his eye. And there was still nearly half of it left. It was a loss in his book, but it did make breathing easier. This girl better appreciate the sacrifices he was making for her injured ass.

[♥Ginny♥]

Dove moaned softly when the boy picked him up but didn't awaken. Once she was put over his shoulder she fell silent again. She was so week. Dove had thrown herself in front of the group of Fearow's that had attacked her and her pokemon. She didn't know why they attacked. Maybe they had gotten to close to their nesting grounds. Who knows.

Last thing Dove remembered before falling into unconsciousness was grabbing her two pokemon and running. The Fearow pecked and scratched at her. Once in a while getting a scratch at Ivory and Thorn. When Dove though she wouldn't escape she had put Ivory and Thorn down and turned her back to them and spread her arms wide hoping to block and attacks on her pokemon.

As she relived what happened the words mumbled from her. "Run, run ivory, run thorn, ruuuuun," the last one was a almost scream louder than the others but still weak.

When the boy took Dove both Ivory and Thorn changed into Pidgey's and flew above him watching him carefully to make sure that he didn't hurt her more. When she mumbled at them to run the looked at each other with worry.

"She has to be ok Thorn, she risked her life for us," Ivory whispered softly.

Thorn shook his head, "there is nothing we can do her life lies in that boys hands now."

[Will]

Will didn't like the sound that this girl made. Not only was her breathing shallow, but she was also shivering. Then she even started talking to herself, weak words meant to hold more force than they actually did. Whether she noticed or not, it was far from a good sign. Probably delusional from the fever judging by the warmth she was giving off. A flash of light illuminated the ground and thunder boomed soon after. However, that wasn't what startled Will. In that brief flicker of light numerous shadows had appeared on the ground. The breeder didn't want to, but he forced himself to look up just as the first droplets of rain fell onto his skin. They were still about a mile off from town. Normally, that'd be find. Will could walk the distance relatively quickly. However, there were a flock of Fearow that passed over head and one of them cawed at noticing them.

"...Fuck." That was the best word to describe this shit storm that was about to hit the fan. He pace quickened, hoping that they'd just fly off. Hoping that the caw was just a cry of fear, but they were starting to descend and closing the vast distance from far over head was too quickly for his comfort. Not enough trees were around for cover and the quickest path was a straight line to town where the Jennies and other trainers could fend them off. Rain chose that moment to start pelting the ground and Will cursed his situation. This would have been easy with an electric pokemon on hand. Still, the breeder refused to panic. Will wasn't a coward and he didn't give in to the fear that tried to cut into his mind.

"Change to something fast. Now!" He barked that the two pokemon that weren't his. "Go ahead and make yourselves noticeable!" The breeders tone held a trace of steel formed from lingering desperation. These two pokemon had to listen if they were going to get out of this. They were faster and if they caused a ruckus then that would alert everyone on hand. There was a chance the pokemon wouldn't dare invading a settlement, but with how things had gone so far Will didn't think it would be that easy. Then Will took off. In a dead sprint, he pushed his tired body to muster up every last ounce of strength. Will was no slouch in health, he'd spent years practicing sports. Track had been one of them and right now he might have put the best runner to shame.

His feet beat against the ground. Despite not having his arms to steady himself, the teen managed. He grew laden with water and mud, more and more, by the second. Even so he refused to give up. He should have dropped her, made a break for it himself. However, he wasn't a murderer. He'd never killed a person in his life and the teen was terrified with how heavy such an act might weigh on him. He growled and cursed as a glance back revealed the pokemon still gaining. "Just drop her!" A voice shouted in his head. However, Will didn't even know if they would just ignore the girl and go after him anyway.

"Sati, I need a smokescreen!" The pokemon forced itself out of her pokeball at the tone. She had to cling to him to avoid being left, but gave a whimper instead of doing as ordered. He knew why. Will was too close. For a smokescreen she'd have to heat up and he'd get burned. Get burned and live or wimp out and die like a chump? No contest. "I gave you an order, Sati. FOLLOW IT!" He bit back a howl and instead turned it into a roar of determination. The cyndaquil was clinging to his arm so the girl would just feel warm, but to him who was actually touching her. Well, he could already feel the appendage blistering. However, a thick cloud of smoke rushed out to meet the birds of prey. It twisted and fought against the rain, but Sati had worked on that move so much with him it won out.

Thick and grimy it covered them like a smog, but he could take no more. It would have to do like this. "Hold on." He ground out through gritted teeth. Then he sped up even more. It must have only been a couple of minutes but already the city was right in front of him. He better see some damn support soon. "Why risk my neck for this chick anyway?" He must have been too terrified to think straight. He left people to keep out of the limelight. He should have left her to die. Rationally, this might lead to a reward he noted. Maybe that's why. In the end, self gain. Will let it roll off of him as he continued to run. He'd ponder on it when he was safe.

[♥Ginny♥]

Thorn noticed the Fearow's as well and cried out in fear. Why couldn't they just leave them alone. They where no where near their nesting grounds any more. "We need to hold them back at least for a few minutes. A Charizard should do it. I'll stop here and you keep flying over Dove." With out waiting for a reply Thorn dove to the ground and changed as he landed into a huge Charizard and blew flames at them using illusion. Though the birds weren't really on fire they would think they where for a few seconds. But that was all he needed. He took off flying but continued to use illusion to make the bird type pokemon think there was a circle of fire surrounding them. When he reached Ivory and the boy again he was week and tired and changed back mid flight back to a Zorua falling a few feet in front of the boy.

Ivory watched the birds they had stopped their attack temporarily. When she saw Thorn change back she used her powers of illusion but it was to late. The Fearow's already knew it was just an illusion. And they wouldn't fall for it again. They flew right through the fake flames. Turning into a Pidgeot she dived down for Thorn and grabbed him and continued flying carrying Thorn gently in her claws.

[Will]

Will blasted passed the welcoming sign that lay on the outskirts of the city. Despite the rain a few people still lingered outside with umbrellas and ponchos. A couple of Jennies with a full team of pokemon each were already rushing toward him. He took another glance back just as a Pidgeot sped over him into the town. Flames, that Will now knew were an illusion by catching a glimpse of the Zorua were just beginning to fade. It made for a hellishly frightening sight when the Fearow plowed into it and burst out the other end. So much so that even a couple of trainers had called out pokemon. The smokescreen had caught a great deal of the flow leading the assault though. It was perfect sense they barely registered the first volley of attacks.

Some of the more experienced trainers knew they're advantages and electric attacks outnumbered others. The birds started falling in masses. Will slowed next to an Officer Jenny that was about to start grilling him, but he cut her off. "Where's the Center?" She must have just realized just how rough up he and his dead weight were. Will's lungs were heaving, burning as much as his arm did. He couldn't really see the girl on his back, but knew she had started out pale. The Jenny's eyes widened and she could only point in a direction where a red roof peeked out from, at a loss for words. Will let his thanks come out in a rush that drifted back on the wind as he took off again. His arm was starting to give under the light weight the girl was putting on it, but he forced the appendage to not drop her.

Like an uncouth delinquent, Will kicked open the doors. To his utter annoyance, he noticed that there was a line. Seemed that the flow was causing trouble for everyone around here. Amongst shouts, he pushed passed them all coming up on the desk while heaving air. "This girl needs help." He stated plainly. A shove at his side almost threw him off his feet, but he caught himself. The cyndaquil dropped from his arm and flared angrily, but he gave a sharp whistle. The Joy had already rushed to him with a stretch so he sighed and laid the girl on it to be rushed off. He hissed when the same bystander that had pushed him grabbed his burned arm and, losing his temper, swung. Will got a satisfying sight of his fist crashing into the younger boy's - he must have been around sixteen or something - jaw.

He would have continued and had already raised another hand as he sought to pin the boy. Would have if not for the Joy that grabbed him gently. "Sir, you need to calm down. You might be in shock." Will shook his head. He was fine. Just angry. Very angry and his brain buzzed with thoughts that he couldn't focus on. However, he still allowed himself to be led away to a room. The same room that they'd brought the girl to. He eyed her in annoyance, but flinched when something touched his arm. "That's a nasty burn..." He hissed as she continued to rub some paste on it, but bit back the "no shit" that wanted to come out of his mouth.

This was not one of his best days and it wasn't even over yet...However, the days travel and exhaustion from the run soon caught up with him and he found himself drifting off before he knew it. Sati merely jumped on his lap and curled up, comfortable yet vigilant and protective.

(OC: Feel free to have a scene break where your character wakes)

[♥Ginny♥]

Ivory fallowed the boy carrying her fainted partner all the way to the pokemon center where she to was running low on energy. She fell to the ground on the floor of the pokemon center turning back to a Zorua as well. As a Nurse Joy ran up to them she had just enough energy to tell her who their trainer was before fainting as well. The two where taking into the same room as Dove they where placed in seperate containers and had several wires hooked to them.

Dove moaned softly and her eyes fluttered open. At first everything was blurry. It took her a while to realize where she was. When she did fear filled her. "Ivory and Thorn are they ok?" Her voice was week and filled with panic. Her right hand twitched towards her poke'balls. she pressed the button and a sentret popped out and shook her head. "Star keep watch." It wasn't until than that she spotted the boy and a nurse joy. There where a couple in the room. It was also than that she felt something sharp slide into her skin and she whimpered.

Nurse joy smiled softly at the young girl. "It's ok your at the Pokemon Center you'll be fine. Your Zorua's are right beside you. They took some damage but are mostly just exhausted. It looks like you took most the damage."

Dove looked at her and nodded and relaxed closing her eyes for a moment.

[Will]

Will floated in between the waking world and the land of dreams for a few moments before nagging sounds insisted on pulling him out into wakefulness. Will couldn't sleep yet anyway. Still things that needed to get done. If he hurried, the breeder might be able to get in a good target practice session with his pokemon. However, his body felt like lead now that he'd sat down and had gotten comfortable. He turned to inspect his burn and noted that it didn't look nearly as bad as it had felt. The cream the Joy had applied was already numbing the pain.

Will wasn't one for self consciousness, but hopefully the burn wouldn't scar too badly. Even with the healing cream it was still pretty bad looking. The skin was also really sensitive now, so the slightest shift in air seemed to make it prickle uncomfortably. Despite this and the subtle glare the Joy was giving him for not just resting, he shifted his duffel bag from his shoulder. The Cyndaquil nuzzled against him, insisting that he rest, but the breeder ignored her. The worn bag smacked against the ground with a wet sound and he moved to checking over his stuff. Everything seemed fine though.

Then teen then set his mind to calmly inspecting Sati. She tried to protest, but he still her with a simply look. He even called out his other pokemon to inspect them, picking out burrs and other things that had stuck to them. The he set to brushing the cyndaquil's fur. It was a calming and simple task to him and it helped him mull over what he'd do next. Whether he liked it or not he was stuck here with - he glanced over to the girl that was being fussed over they the Nurse - some girl that had gotten in over her head.

Now that they were out of immediate danger, he looked over her while finishing grooming Sati and moving on to Varuna. Around her teens, maybe close to his age. Dark dress and dark hair. She looked the part of a fragile, sickly girl in that bed. "It would be better for your arm if you just relaxed." Will looked back down to his task, barely even registering the Joy woman. "Thanks for your concern ma'am, but I'll be fine," he said simply and politely. Will had seen his fair share of pokemon attacks. Every breeder eventually found themselves on the wrong end of a irate pokemon from time to time.

However, what was starting to really grind on what what left of his nerves was this girl. The little goth looking teen had almost cost him his life. The breeder wasn't even sure why he saved her again. For him to be running around playing hero, it was a waste of time. The only things that mattered where him and what belonged to him. He wanted to scold her fiercely, browbeat her into submission until she compensated him for his trouble. However, such actions would only liken him to the warped opinions that he'd associated with his no good sire. Play polite, act concerned, and he could get through this. He wasn't that bad at acting like he cared.

So Will heaved a sigh and focus on the girl with emerald eyes. "Hey, what happened to you? You were roughed up like that when I found you." His voice was rough, but gentle. It even held a honest underlying curiosity. Now that he thought about it, those woulds could have been inflicted by a fearow. However, he didn't want to jump to conclusions.

[♥Ginny♥]

Dove's eyes flickered back open when the boy spoke. She had begun to drift back to sleep. She imagined she would need allot of rest before she was able to continue her journey. She tilted her head and silently watched the boy check over all his pokemon. And once he made sure they where all ok he began to groom a cyndaquil. She continued to watch silently until the Nurse Joy that had hooked her and her two Zuroa's up to several machines spoke to the boy. "You know she's right I don't know how you got burned but you should really rest and let it heal." Her voice was horse and week. She wasn't even sure if the boy had heard her or not. She turned to the Nurse Joy instead. "Nurse Joy can you check over Star for me? I caught her before we where attacked. Though she was in her poke'ball the whole time I want to make sure she's healed completely from her capture."

Nurse Joy smiled at the girl and called out to someone. A chancy came running in and took the Sentret and headed out to check it over. "You have been roughed up pretty bad you and your friend really need to rest. I'll be back to check in on you and your pokemon shortly."

Dove was about to say she had never met the boy before but the Nurse Joy already left and closed the door behind her before she could say anything. So when the boy spoke to her directly she jumped a little making one of the monitors spike for a second before going back to normal. "Um we where attacked by a huge group of Fearow's shortly after I captured Star. I had just finished healing the worse of her wounds and feeding her when we heard a loud caw. The sky became blackened with Fearow's. I grabbed both my Zorua's and ran. The Fearow's dove at me clawing and pecking at me. I did my best to protect Ivory and Thorn. When I realized we had no chance of escaping I placed them on the ground and turned my back to them and yelled at them to run while I faced down the Fearow's hoping to distract them long enough for them to escape. Last thing I remember was being surrounded by angry Fearow's."

[Will]

Will's eyes hardened slightly when the girl insisted he rest as well. However, he didn't comment. Her restating the obvious wasn't going to heal him faster and he'd already brushed off the nurse so he chose to ignore her care as well. The breeder felt his patience wearing thin much faster than normally. Perhaps it was because of the day he had or maybe he was unused to people beating around the bush (and talking to people in general). Either way, he wanted answers. Reason why he'd been dragged into a situation that nearly got him killed. Sure, it might not have been her fault, but his ire had to be directed at something or quelled soon or he'd might very well end up losing his cool.

The teen spared an uninterested glance at the chansey and sentret. Both of them mattered little in his mind. One a healer and the other a newly captured asset. Nothing to gain from them. Even the two Zorua barely held his interest. The two pokemon had handled themselves rather poorly in his opinion, relying too much on their illusion abilities and not enough on their brains. Either they were lacking diverse training or just terrified with the situation. However, his head did snap toward the nurse at her assumption. Them. Friends? Far from it. Will didn't have friends anymore. It was easier that way. Less excuses, less confusion, less chance of getting hurt when they eventually just ditched him.

A resounding click signaled them being left alone. It left his eyes analyzing her. Passive, but expecting an explanation. Will's earlier deduction proved to be spot on. She'd gotten caught by angry territorial birdbrained pokemon and they'd hadn't wanted to leave the attack half done. Will listened closely, briefly wondering if she was leaving something out but soon decided that he didn't really care. His question had been answered. So he leaned back with a weary breath and combed a hand through his hair to get it out of his eyes. Red bangs slid back over his head and the rain that still lingered in the follicles kept them from falling back into his eyes. He struggled to think of something else to say while beating down what would be misplaced anger if it leaked out.

"You're lucky. They followed and almost got you while you were knocked out." Will didn't feel the need to elaborate. The girl might have remembered bits and pieces anyway. He took another glance at his arm before looking around the room. He needed to wrap it up, the sensitive skin was starting to itch. Spotting some gauze near her bed, he worked up the strength to move and pushed himself from his seat with a grunt. With unsteady steps he shuffled to it. Forgetting himself, he peeled his soaked shirt off from his lean frame. The teen didn't have shame or much interest in the opposite gender. Carefully, he started wrapping the gauze lightly around his bicep and shoulder.

"We almost didn't make it here." He added as an afterthought as he finished up. His legs wobbled under him and he had to use his good arm to steady himself against the counter. Now, if he could just muster up the energy to leave.

[♥Ginny♥]

"We'll I thank you for your help. If it hadn't been for you who knows what would have happened. I wish I could repay you but I'm a new breeder. I just started my journey a few days ago. I don't have much to give you. I have very little money. What money I do have I need to use for food and items for my pokemon such as potions and antidotes and such. All I can give you is my gratitude." Hopefully the boy wouldn't be to upset when he found out she had nothing to give to him in thanks.

ooc: short sorry
words: 109

[Will]

"Deep breaths," Will told himself repeatedly. He had to get a hold of himself. The teen refused to acknowledge the pain that suddenly cut through him. His stomach twisted into a knot and his knees wanted to give out. Heavy breaths made his ribs ache after such a run, but he needed the air. Even the breeder's arm wanted to rebel and give out. However, Will hid it all under a shell of apathy and bared it with ease. His face remained blank and his posture rigid. Finally, the pain eased and the sudden sense of vertigo washed away. He was probably pushing it.

Still, he pushed off the counter top and touched his arm gently. Barely any pain flared. It still itched a bit, but that was easily ignored. Throwing his shirt over the shoulder that wasn't wrapped he turned toward the girl and absorbed her words. He'd been right, she was nothing more than a fresh idealistic child starting out in an ungrateful world that was bound to take advantage of what remained of her nativity. He couldn't say he hadn't foreseen this outcome either. However, gratitude wasn't good enough. Will couldn't eat gratitude or pawn it for money. It didn't heal his burn or make the memory of risking his life look any less stupid.

"I never asked you for anything." The boy stated bluntly, careful to keep an aggravating biting tone out of his statement. Instead it came out bored. Emerald eyes studied her, picking apart what looked to be a frail girl and trying to see what may lay in the depths of her soul. Will was stuck here for the time being, his schedules and plans already delayed. There was a use for everything and he'd get a use of her anyway. "However, if you want to repay me, may I request a battle when you've recovered?" He asked simply while leaning back against the wall. His pokemon could use the change of pace. They'd barely battled any actual pokemon at all lately, let alone any from an actual trainer.

Will turned to the pokemon under the center's care. His opinion of them was...unimpressed by what they'd done. No one should misunderstand though, he was grateful they'd helped avert the birdbrained pokemon's attention. However, the two seemed lacking discipline. Will wanted to see them at their best. Under the commands of the girl in order to see if she had anything new to offer. If he won he won. If he lost he lost. Winning would reveal a critical analysis of how his pokemon fared under pressure and losing would offer insight to what they was slacking in. No downsides. Either way he lost. Either way he'd grow from it.