So Many Variables [Mod]

[Will]

High in the air, wind howling in his ears and lashing out at his coat in angry attempts to deprive him of it, Will let out a weary sigh. After several hours flying over mile after mile of water, desert, field, and finally forest towards the town where he could officially start his pokemon journey had left Will's shoulders sore and his back stiff. It was already passed mid-day if the sun high overhead was anything to go by. He wouldn't have minded landing and stretching for a moment, but he pushed on. He had already made two stops to confirm he was on the right path. Even if he wanted to stretch the lack of open area for a landing made it a wistful idea, trees practically grew root to root from what he could see from the sky. Or maybe it wasn't as much a wistful idea as he thought with the houses that were coming into view.

A burst of what had to be anticipation flooded through him as Will circled down out of the clouds, banking in large, lazy circles to get a broad view of the town beneath him. Honestly, Vardent didn't seem like anything special. It was a small town that had didn't really try to draw attention to itself. The only reason they might have even gotten visitors was because of the professor that had taken up residence here. A professor that would most likely be doing research at that larger building that Will made his new destination. Still, one couldn't deny the fact that the town gave off a peaceful and even homely feel.

Will angled the two of them downwards at a greater angle and Pidgeot responded obediently. The pokemon and human pair glided towards the ground, aiming for the opening area that presented itself in front of what seemed to be the lab. Will could feel what might have been a few eyes on him from people going about their day, but he didn't blame them for being curious. How often did they see someone just ride into town in the middle of the day?

Pidgeot flapped his wings in broad powerful strokes as they descended further. his talons gliding across the ground as he slowed. With a couple more beats his clawed feet touched down lightly, hopping a few times to adjust the smooth landing with Will's added weight before finally coming to a rest. After dismounting, Will adjusted the bag that hung by his shoulder before being nudged forcefully by the pokemon at his side. "Sorry, sorry, I didn't forget about you," he said soothingly as his hand trailed along the bird pokemon's plumage in thanks for the ride.

"Tell Mrs. Sue we made it. I don't want her to worry," he said taking his hand away from soft feathers. After a moment to make sure that Will had finished the Pidgeot lifted off the ground, clearing the area before shooting off into the sky. No doubt its flight back would be a fraction of the trip here. Where Mrs. Sue was waiting for it, across from his house. Will hadn't even known the lady had such a powerful pokemon. She was quick to take it out of storage when he said his plans of getting here involved a great deal of walking.

The old bat insisted he take her pokemon and fly to Vardent. Will, having no counter arguments to her insistent statements that it was dangerous to travel without a pokemon, was going to accept her help whether he liked it or not as far as she cared. Knowing to choose his battles, Will caved since he'd rather ride the creature than let the crone order it to carry him to the destination kicking and screaming. Will was glad she cared though, he'd hate to be on her bad side. That woman was getting up there in age, but she could still swing with the best of them and make it sting for days afterward.

Repressing the shudder at the unpleasant memories, he turned toward the lab. Will was sure to take his time, trying his best to fix up his appears as much as he could given that he was dressed in a well worn green jumpsuit. After about five minutes of making no progress besides drying off slight, Will finally raised his hand to knock. This was it, everything started here for him. The following journey would give him the experience he needed to make his transition into someone who could go into pokemon research with confidence in what he knew. Or become a pokemon breeder with a high enough skill level to handle more demanding pokemon efficiently. His knuckles completed their path, rapping against the door loud enough to startle him from his own thoughts. Not one to barge in, Will waited, standing patiently in front of the door for it to open.

[Inari]

One could only guess how clean lab had been before the professor had begun her rampage once again. Well, it wasn't a rampage; at least not to her... no she had merely 'misplaced' something once again. What was this time... What had required her to destroy all of the pansage's hard work..? Well simple, she misplaced a paper that she had forgotten she had thrown out so long ago. The professor never said what was on the paper but instead just wore a serious expression as she flung things all over the place to search for it. On the other hand, her little organizer just stared in pure astonishment. Everything, absolutely everything had been ruined... again... The little creature sighed, might as well get back to work. Oh how it glared at her as she began to pull things out from her desk drawer.

Now where did I put it? She would mumble and leave a path of destruction whenever she left that spot. It wasn't suprising that her childhood nickname stuck to her. Its such a perfect nickname for her too. 'Tornado'; how absolutly perfect it was as she ended up throwing the lab upside down. Haru grimaced as it began to re-gather scattered papers and thrown around books. Neatly stacking them into little piles. Perfectly grouped for what was what and what went where. This went on to however long it took for her to completely turn everything upside down, literally, before noticing how trashed it had become. What a mess! Her gaze instantly turned to the pokemon as it was flipping a piece of furniture back to it original place.

Help me get this place cleaned up before a new one comes. Professor Pine said as she began to pick up papers only to throw them into a stockpile. If one didn't know better, they'd think she was building a bondfire with how much she just threw on that one spot. She had already forgotten what she had been trying to find; figuring it would pop up sooner or later though now it just irritated when she couldn't find it. Though now she realized that it wasn't very important, nope not at all actually. Just something to pass the time. She was about to say that out loud too before she noticed her pansage glaring at her. She had kicked over one of the largest piles it had finally put together on her desk and, once again, was now mixed back into the mess. Don't look at me like that! Its your fault for putting them there. She puffed and began to 'clean' the lab once again. Or at least that was what she was suppose to do but now she just headed off toward the back where the poke`balls were held.

In a way the Pansage was just happy to have her out of its way. After all she only made things worse when she 'helped'. One could hardly say she tried... At times Haru could've sworn that she was trying to make everything even more difficult than it really was. In any case now it could clean in peace before Pine decided she wanted to come and 'help' clean once again. Professor Pine on the other hand been checking the poke`balls. Making sure there was an even count and none were missing. After all it would just be a pain later to have to tell a new trainer or whoever came that the pokemon they wanted was not currently available. Oh such a pain it would be. Again and again the professor would count them over, not trusting her own mathematic skills. She always thought she counted one too many or one short. Paranoia? Maybe, but all were accounted for whether she wanted that to be true or not.

A sudden loud knock distrubed the pansage from its work. Another one to come and get their first pokemon? Most likely. With that the little pokemon prodded toward the back of the lab. To its relief, she was already returning. She, however, had completely ignored the pokemon's very existence. She entered her 'professional mode' as she walked to the door. Whoever knocked was loud enough to shock her out of any coming thoughts she was having or better yet, to make her stop her senseless counting. Quickly she reached the door and pulled it open. There a boy stood. No not quite a boy more like a guy. Obviously into his late teens. Hello, I'm Professor Pine and thats Haru, She said, noting the pansage's presense with a slick of her head, I'm going to make a really good guess that your here to get your starter.

Instead of waiting for any sort of greeting or answer the professor left the door open for him and began to walk toward the back. Haru only gave a small glimpse at the newcomer before continuing on with his work. He was more worried about the pig-sty Pine had created. Professor Pine didn't look to see if he followed or not, but rather went to the back where she stood next to the rows of poke`balls. Finally turning and awaiting his answer. Alrighty pick any which one and afterward I'll get your starting pack. She tried to give a friendly smile, Make sure to pick the right one since it'll be your very first.

[Will]

Will didn't have to wait long before the door was pulled open. He lowered the hand that had been poised to continue knocking and used it to adjust the strap of his bag as the woman introduced herself. He neither smiled nor spoke, but instead simply inclined his head slightly in greeting while glancing her over through his bangs. Maybe it was just him, but the greeting sounded rehearsed which wouldn't surprise him considering how many eager youths came knocking with shining eyes and bright smiles. The sight most likely lost its novelty after a few months if not weeks. Briefly, as he took note of the pansage she introduced scurrying about behind her, Will wondered if she ever grew tired of her position. Did she ever see what became of the children that held promise and pokemon that she helped raise? Did she care?

Though he wanted to, Will couldn't even bring himself to banish the thoughts completely when she saw through his purpose here in an instant. Instead, they merely turned to using him as an example. With his crueler tendencies there was no doubt he could quite possibly make the pokemon she gave him miserable if he wasn't careful to control the outbursts. Would she be saddened if he turned the innocent creature she raised into a monster that lusted for battle, bloodshed, and the victory that came after? Would she be disappointed if the pokemon cracked under some of the strain he may put it through and never reach its full potential as a result? Will had to crush the sudden rise of anger. How could she, or anyone for that matter, trust so easily?

Finally, he shook the thoughts before they turned to self doubt. His face betrayed none of the inner turmoil. There was always the chance of the opposite occurring, he couldn't forget that. There were people who changed because of their interactions with pokemon. He might not harbor any disillusions of it happening to him, but that didn't make it impossible either. So with this in mind, Will followed after the professor and let most of those shaken thoughts roll off his shoulders. To keep them out of his mind he preoccupied himself with the lab's interior.

In sharp contrast to the out walls which were neat and clean, the inside was a mess. Papers were everywhere in sight and Will's curiosity on what may be written on them made his mind thirst for the knowledge they could hold. Advanced theories? Notes on more thoroughly examined behaviors? Battle data comparison charts? Oh, how the temptation of just asking to be her assistant and dropping this journey sang in his mind. He might have took a shot if not for one glaring fact. For all the papers that laid scattered about, the lab was empty aside for the professor and the pansage that had dismissed him to attend to the mess. So much so that their footfalls echoed around them.

And that's when he saw them. All in a line laid out before him were fifteen of the finest examples of their types. No longer did he follow the Pokemon Professor. Will made a beeline towards the assembled pokeballs as soon as they came into sight. So many choices, so many variables to choose from. Which should he choose? How should he choose? Each of them had a strong point and equally a weakness. As a breeder he could pick two, but this only made the choices more difficult. Will could cover or outright neutralize a weakness of one with another. Or he could choose to specialize in a certain element like the gym leaders chose to do.

One could logically create a competent team that would always have a chance despite the circumstances with the former. The latter may seem more difficult in theory, but with the advanced knowledge of what they were weak against came the advantage to predict against it. And those two branching decisions branched off further. Power or defense, overwhelming speed or steady endurance, one of each various combination or double the effective of the same strategy? Once the actual elements came to Will's mind his choices had compounded in on themselves. Branches grew out wider which expanded and overlapped with others which then became a full circle of various outcomes. So many variables and he had to choose.

"Alrighty pick any which one and afterward I'll get your starting pack." Will could only nod while in a completely different world. If one could see past the hair that covered his eyes they would see the gears working furiously, taking in future occurrences the normal trainer wouldn't even conceive until they were well on their way. "Make sure to pick the right one since it'll be your very first."

'The right one,' The statement cut through his thoughts like a hot knife through butter. Repeating and repeating as he thought further on his future choice. 'Which one was the right one?' You'd think that will had never tried to comprehend the decision before, but this one one of many times where he found himself stuck. And so he hesitated. A few seconds turned into a minute and a minute into two. Then it reached three and Will wanted to take smoke break. The nicotine would allow his mind to mull over this faster and clearer without becoming nearly as agitated.

Then it hit him. It didn't matter. Despite which one he chose if he got a weak willed one it would still crack. These were only starters anyway. They could be replaced by stronger. He'd keep them if they proved their worth, but they didn't need this much forethought at all. Finally, Will spoke for the first time. "Could I possibly get a Charmander and a Totodile, both female gender if it isn't too much trouble?" He asked respectfully, looking up from the pokeballs. It had taken him nearly five minutes, but he'd come to the decision that would be most logical in his mind. If they were weak, in will or strength, then he could just use them for breeding material afterward with a strong sire.

[Inari]

Professor didn't need to pay much attention as the boy practically stood there for what seemed like an hour. It wasn't anywhere near that long but the woman had grown impatient when the first two minutes flew by. Usually trainers or whomever came already knew what type of pokemon they wanted. Maybe it was something she said? She shrugged that idea away before it even had a second to settle. No she was certain he was just one of those types that could never decide. If something was actually turning in that brain of his, there was no way she could tell. After all, she wasn't even paying attention. More like she was staring at the ceiling. Thankfully she was careful not to show any traces of her boredom. She didn't want to cause this boy's decision to go on longer than it should.

How long was this going to be? The woman crossed her arms ever so casually as she waited, quietly tapping a finger against the crook of her arm. She would've eyed the boy if it weren't for the pansage's rustle and bustle to clean. Somehow it seemed that the pokemon was trying to get her attention as it seemed to just glide across the room, stacking, organizing, and all the other such fine things the creature did. Of course the professor never seemed to realize how hard the pokemon worked. Instead she would rather pay attention to her own affairs. One, like what she done with that paper earlier. Something finally clicked in her mind. Now she remembered where that paper had gone to... she had accidentally mixed it in with spam paper that she got through the mail and threw it out. A while ago she had meant to go retrieve it but she never did. An aura of depression began to cloud the air as she remembered her trash had already been disposed of.

Her cloud of depression seemed to hide as the boy finally spoke his answer, one that she was suprised to hear. Charmander and a Totodile... was all she heard at first. Who was this greedy kid? Trying to take not only one but two of her starters. How dare he. She was about to give him one scary glare and one heck of a reprimand until she heard the last part of that sentence. Oh, how embarassing it would've been if she snapped. Hopefully he didn't notice anything with her 'neutral' face. But even then there was soemthing wrong with his request. Though he was a breeder, obviously enough, one couldn't just take two different pokemon. Not only were they counter-oppsites but he also wanted two females. Was he a complete beginner or one who had actually got an idea from such a thing. No matter how interesting that may have turned out, unfortunatly it just wasn't allowed.

I'm afraid that is too much trouble. Since your asking for genders I'll assume your a breeder. She finally took time to look at the boy, For new breeders its required that you get two of the same type and recommended that you get one of each gender. She finally stopped her finger tapping, bringing it up to scratch at her cheek. It would have been something interesting, especially since he was the first to ask such a thing. But rules are rules. She let out a neutral sigh. So your just going to have to pick one or the other. So what'll it be, Charmander or Totodile? The way she spoke gave no hint of a tolerance for waiting much longer. On the other hand, Haru had actually stopped working for a moment to listen in on what was going on. The pokemon understood what the two were talking about and even his curiosity began to show as he finished placing things back into their respective folders. Almost naturally he made his way toward a book-case that had been cluttered with the professor's books. Killing two birds with one stone the pansage tidied the shelves while it listened on.

Professor Pine stood there, her arms still crossed and her finger, which had stopped scratching, was now rested against her neck along with the rest of her hand. Now she was actually noting this boy, analyzing his very being. What he wore, how he acted, even the small silences he had. In a way, the professor like quiet types, it meant less questions and that the others understood more than they gave on. To her he was just like one of those types. Oh how badly she wanted to ask him why he wanted to choose that combination. How badly she wanted to ask but she held it in. She wouldn't allow her 'professional' self be tainted with a question that may have been so simply answered.

[Will]

"I'm afraid that is too much trouble." And just like that Will was shot down. He looked away from the pokeballs to the woman that stood a few feet off. He should have known better. There was always a catch with everything. Perhaps he'd missed the subtext when reading up on starters, but this rather expected outcome did little to ease how annoying the situation it put him in was. Now Will was nothing more to the confused fool to this woman. Though his face was unreadable picture of calm, he seethed on the inside and he awaited the reasoning behind her refusal. The only other movement made was his hand reaching into his pocket to finger the pack of cigarettes that laid within. A pack that he would soon partake in as soon as he was a few feet out of the lab.

"Since your asking for genders I'll assume your a breeder." Yes, he held no interest in being a trainer. The title of "Pokemon Master" seemed empty and without a doubt constant challenges for that title would only wear on his nerves if he did get it. Pine was looking at him now, studying him. Honestly, it made him uncomfortable as he had grown out of the stage where he loved to garner for attention. Now he preferred to drift under the radar. What conclusion would she come too, he wondered. Despite the situation he found another level of respect for her. The woman didn't trust enough to hand pokemon out thoughtlessly.

"For new breeders its required that you get two of the same type and recommended that you get one of each gender." That was the reasoning? 'What a farce offer,' he thought softly to himself as his rage was forgotten. The rules were set specifically for breeders to ease into their chosen profession starting from square one. It allowed no leeway for those with more experience and knowledge in egg groups. Why didn't he realize it before coming here? Children started here. Egg grouping would be far to advanced for most children to have studied and acquired experience with. So instead the lab ruled allowed them to start off simple with the same species of pokemon until they learned more from the more experienced breeder they met along the way.

Will's lip quirked up in amusement. The "advantage" was useless to him. Perhaps if his previous choices included opposing genders, she would have see what he was trying to do. Too bad she didn't, the Professor might have praised the creativity despite still having to adhere to her rules. Now she most likely saw him as nothing more than a greedy adolescent prick that sought to take advantage of what was supposed to encourage newer breeders to learn. There went first impressions. Good thing the thought of asking for an assistant position was a thing of the past. Then again, maybe she realized what he was after and simply couldn't bend the rules anyway. The woman had been quite astute so far.

"So your just going to have to pick one or the other. So what'll it be, Charmander or Totodile?" She was still trying to puzzle him out it seemed. Will had to force himself to let go of the cigarette that had found its way out of the box and into his hand before he pulled the appendage from his pocket. He looked away from her and back to the pokeballs in an attempt to ignore the weight of her eyes. He could still feel them, but it was bearable now, less smothering. Had his request insulted her? Maybe she was just the no nonsense type and he had annoyed her with his personality. It wouldn't be the first time he'd put someone off with his demeanor alone.

"A female Cyndaquil please." He answered as soon as the question left her mouth. Will completely disregarded his previously requested pokemon. The decision was easy now. He didn't need a male since the female often reproduced her own species so long as she shared an egg group with the mate. An additional pokemon could also make establishing a group dynamic more difficult earlier on. Two females may fight over having more attention, two males may just forgo orders to challenge each other at petty things, and opposite genders might be distracted by the other. That done he resisted the urge to stretch. With the dull ache from his flight returning a smoke break was sounding more and more appealing.

Did he dare even attempt to inquire further? Natures, personality characteristics, abilities, and preferred move pools were all other factors that could set the equations in his mind. The actual chances the Professor could go into great detail on specifics was unlikely though. Will didn't really feel like wasting her time over small nothings, looking a gift ponyta in the mouth could very well cause a face full of flames. Hearing faint rustling, he noticed the little green monkey pokemon in the background tidying up. Then turned back to the Professor awaiting a confirmation. He didn't know if the Cyndaquil provided on the table was the one he wanted so he didn't move to reach to take it.

[Inari]

Professor Pine raised an eyebrow at the boy. Now he was changing pokemon? Not only that but now he only wanted one... He was either a complete beginner or he was actually experienced with this sort of thing. She would've thought him a trainer but since he still requested for a specific gender she ruled that out. Unless he was just picky about what gender his pokemon but it didn't seem that way. If it weren't for the more 'knowledgable' aura around him, the professor would've just about bitten his head off now. She didn't like people switching between this and that, it got annoying after the first couple of times. Fortunatly for the boy she had given and decided to let him just take the pokemon. Very well, I guess thats acceptable. She sighed, moving along the lines of poke`balls to find the one who held the cyndaquil. Now she couldn't remember which one was the male and which was the female, then again she couldn't even remeber who was where at times...

As she moved along the rows she grabbed at one of the pokemon labeled Cyndaquil and prayed that it was the female one. On that matter she prayed it was actually the cyndaquil... Sometimes the balls would get 'mixed up'. More like she just put a ball in an empty space when she didn't feel like looking for the label beneath. Her hand wrapped around the small ball. She had no need to throw the ball against the wall and instead just pointed downward. A red light transferred out of the contraption and in its place a little green creature stood with a tired look on its face. Professor Pine just stared at the little creature who rubbed at its eye with a three-fingered hand. Tree-treeko... The little creature yawned.

Professor Pine's face reddened a little before summoning the creature back into its ball. That wasn't suppose to be there... She flushed slightly, then gave a hard-look at the pansage who was chuckling ever so slightly behind the bookcase. Haru, how many times do I have to tell you to put the ball in their right spots! She practically growled at the pokemon. The little creature merely shrugged, he wasn't the last one to fix up the balls so he merely diregarded that little note. Professor Pine however didn't seem to realize that it was she who last moved the balls around. She puffed a little before walking over to the spot where 'Treeko' was labeled and switched the ball from her hand with the one that rested there. This was one of the many issues she always had that made her bitter when some new one came to get their first...

She didn't trust the little ball but still prayed that, that one held the right pokemon. Again she summoned out the next creature in a flash of light. This time, there was no green but thankfully that familiar dark blue-ish green. The pokemon sat there and looked up at the professor. The flush in her face finally drained away. Alright go ahead and make su... before she could continue she took one really good look at the fire-type. The cyndaquil tilted its head in response. The professor's eyes narrowed before she let out a frustrated sigh and went over to the wall to bang her head against. That wasn't the female... it was the male... Why did that boy have to be so picky!? She banged her head against the wall a few times, trying to release the fact that she had mixwed up the pokemon once again before returning back to the miniature crowd. Her forehead was red now but there was no pain thankfully. Quickly the ball's light engulfed the fire-type before the woman turned back to her pansage. Haru... Her voice sounded almost evil, Where di you put that pokemon...

Haru let out a sigh before joining them. Even if he didn't know which one was which the little pokemon had been paying attention to where she had lazily placed the creatures. There was always a pattern it seemed. Reaching up and taking the ball labeled Squirtle, Haru then brought it to his partner. Silently she took the ball, shoving the other into the pokemon's open hand and releasing the creature from its ball. A cyndaquil, finally, and this time it was indeed the female. Alright here is your pokemon. She said, shoving the ball at the returned pansage who then was to pass it on to the new one. While that went, Professor Pine made her way toward the opposite side of the lab to gather the boy's starter pack.

[Will]

The quirk of his lips moved back into an unreadable line. Will was finally reaching the end of his patience with this woman. Those eyes of hers. Those damned sharp eyes. Beneath their weight his body wished to recoil. His mind begged to lashed out with as much venom as it could. Anything to lessen the pressure. He knew he often overreacted in anger, it was easier, but there wasn't a doubt it made him defensive and even foolish at times. He could admit that.

Still, he didn't like the look she gave him. He wasn't a fool. He wasn't a child. Perhaps she had a rough day, yes, he could understand and relate as he'd spend nearly eight to ten hours in discomfort just to get here. What he could not and would not relate to is the professional dismissal. It egged every part of his being to strike her in defense. Though not a child did that deny him the curtsy or patience?

Was it his fault he needed to calculate everything, analyze every outcome? Why should he be scorned for his preparation? It wasn't his fault he was different, dammit! Of course it was, it was always his fault. But wasn't he different? He was trying to change, to grow. Will could have clubbed her int he back of the head with his bag while her back was turned to him and then slapped aside her little weed monkey and yet he didn't. Should that not could for something, anything? The combined pressures was enough to make him scream in frustration, but such an act would be unsightly and unbefitting of the character he tried to portray. He'd bare it, Will would bare everything because in the end he had to. Bottle the overwhelming frustrations and smother the flames of rage.

Then the Professor gave him a confermation and sigh, focusing on the pokeballs instead of him. Will allowed the unnoticed tension in his body to relax ever so slightly. When had his jaw clenched, his shoulders tightened, and nails of his hand dug into his palm he didn't know but not he would relax them. He was overreacting again. The young man couldn't help but frown. 'Please let this journey change me,' he begged silently to the heavens. Will could no longer take the pressures of the world and hold them in. He was tired of it.

He gave a disinterested look at the tired Treeko that formed in the first flash of red. Was she mocking him now? Will could find it in him to care anymore, the sudden rages and keepying his temperment at bay having drained what remained of his energy. In boredom he looked on, her statment amd admonishment tp the Pamsage assistant barely registering to hsi tired mind. The next flash of red light revealed the correct pokemon, but not the gender he'd requested. 'It probably was too much to ask for,' he thought wearily. Will prepared to accept the pokemon and a dismissal, but held his tongue when the professor began to bag her head against the wall instead.

'How...odd.' The young breeder moved to stop her, stretching out a concerned and awkward hand, but froze. His hand half outstretched, he corrected himself and brought it back to his side. No reason to make himself more of a fool in front of her by offering false words of comfort. Yet, such a decision couldn't be right. A normal person wouldn't hesitate to comfort another, right? However, Will was saved from his internal struggle when a pokeball containing the specified pokemon was placed in his hand curtesy of the Pansage.

"..." He was silent for a moment as the professor moved to the back of the lab. Then Will finally spoke. "Thank you," he said finally, trying to convey as much of his sincerity as he could into the two words. She didn't know how much it ment to him. She probably could care less, but this was a fresh start. A second chance to redeem himself. Will had nothing but heartfelt gratitute to give with his anger forgotten. How he cursed himself at how hollow and empty it sounded, but he was so inexperienced with this sort of thing. Without anger much of what he said lacked emotion unless faked.

"Thank you," he whispered again, more to himself than her. What was this really that swelled inside him. True happiness? An overwhelming sense of relief? He didn't know and it bothered him, but he stayed silent. He'd have to repay her somehow. Everything had a price, after all, and now he was in her dept.

[Inari]

Once Haru had handed the ball to its new master he was off. Off again he was to work anyway. On the other side, Professor Pine had been searching for the box that was suppose to hold the poke`dex that the new breeder would recieve. She rustled and bustled amongst the clutter second desk. This desk was more for analyzation and the such but somehow it was always covered with random items. She had managed to find the map and poke`balls easily enough but the rest was missing... again. Well more like hidden underneath the goliath pile of paper that sat there. It was rare for Haru not to completely clean the lab, but then again he was always so busy cleaning up just the front. Its not suprising that he didn't go for the back when he was nearly finished. Would the day ever come when the lab looked like an actual lab?.. Probably not...

Professor Pine had paid little mind to the boy's thanks. She had heard the same thing many times before, some more sincere than others. It was nothing new but inside she could feel a warmth. A little light of happiness that came with those words of thanks. Afterall, it was also usually the last thing she would hear from those who came to get their first starter. In a way it was kinda sad since she would have to say goodbye to the little starters but it was also refreshing; being able to see someone start anew.

As she threw some things around she had managed to find what she thought was all of the things. Now why weren't they in their pack? One could only guess, there were so many different reasons why... She gathered up the items, all them small enough to make a neat little pile in her hands. It was only these small things that she was actually skilled at keeping neat. It was most likely from doing it so many times anyway. But before she brought them to the boy she checked to make sure they were all there. Lets see... She mumbled to herself, Here's the map, poke`dex, the case, and some poke`balls to start off with... She pondered for a moment, feeling as though she was forgetting something. Tossing the feeling aside, she walked back to the boy and handed him the items. The items had taken up both of her hands anyway so even if she did remember if she missed anything she wouldn't have been able to grab it.

She stood there for a few moments and then it hit her. The license! Thats what she was missing. Even if the boy didn't confirm his own standing as a breeder, it was surely obvious enough that he was. Especially since he hadn't denied it earlier. But there was just one little problem... Where had she left the licenses last?.. Her cloud of depression that had been dissolving was now back. She couldn't remember at all... she was sure that it was last on her desk but she went looking for that one missing paper... all the licenses had 'mysteriously' ended up being mixed in with the different amounts of research and other types of paperwork. Professor Pine just wanted to drop on the floor and relax, if even for a little while. She would go to her chair but somehow it just looked so far away. So much work...

Haru could already tell what his partner had been thinking like some sort of esper, the little pokemon let out a heavy sigh. He leasurly walked to a pile that he had organized just a little earlier. Like a robot he seperated the papers and other things until he found a few of the licenses. There was the trainer, coordinator, and the breeder. But where was connsieur? Oh well, it didn't matter right now as long as he found the breeder. Swiftly, just like an expert, he brought the little thing to its new owner and just held it up for the boy to take. At times like these Professor Pine was so happy to have such a reliable partner. What a lifesavor. She smiled with a bliss, a bliss that only came when she didn't have to go searching for things again. But there was still something missing... She could feel it right on the tip of her tongue but it just wouldn't come. Oh what was it?! This was just starting to get frustrating.

Professor Pine wanted to bang her head against the wall a couple more times just to get the stress out. Though right as she went to go do so the idea finally popped into her head. Potions! Now why couldn't she remeber something as simple as that? Maybe because it was just her. Better yet the very items should be in that one little bag that should've had everything inside it already. Yet everything was out of it... Now its just confusing. She flicked the idea aside before rushing back to the second desk, once again throwing things here and there, until she found the little blue bag. It was seriously deflated from the lack of items but it held just what she was looking for. Maybe lady luck was finally on her side. Yes lady luck made sure she didn't toss those aside with the others. She held the bag gently in her hand as she brought it to the boy. This was originally suppose to hold all of your starter items but they were somehow skattered. She handed the bag to him, With this you can start your journey with your new partner.

[Will]

As the little green primate made its way back to cleaning, Will shrunk the pokeball and moved to pocket. However, he thought better of it. The young man instead took another look at the pokeball, perhaps to assure himself that it was really in his hand. After rolling the ping pong sized miniature form in his hand he enlarged it back to its normal size once more. He had already seen the pokemon, but it had only been such a brief glimpse. Will glanced in the direction of the professor to find her looking through various papers to see what laid beneath. It looked as if she might take a couple of minutes to find what she was searching for. Why not take a closer look at his starter while she seemed to be preoccupied? It couldn't hurt.

A dull hum and a brief flash of light accompanied the entrance of a new visitor within the lab. The small female pokemon glanced about through barely opened eyes. Will crouched, his weight resting on the balls of his feet, catching the little creature. She looked up at him as curiously as he started down at her. They didn't speak either. Yet somehow, they seemed to be communicating. It was truly an interesting sight. Will brushed the hair from his eyes, allowing his face to be seen for the first time in order to get a better look. The Cyndaquil squinted at him in response. The pokemon tilted her head one way and Will mirrored the move, both as if asking "So your my new pokemon/human?"

Even though novice to most, Will's eyes still help more experience than others' and he could now make out how fine of a specimen she was. Her coat was a lively color and held a healthy sheen to it. Muscle structure was defined, but by no means bulky. There wasn't the slightest hint of malnourishment or presence of gluttony either. He should probably say something though. She'd need to be able to recognize his voice for the battles that awaited them in the near future. 'What should I say though?' [/i]

Will held out a hand, attempting to let the words flow. Easier not said than done as his conversation skills were about as lacking as his experience traveling. The Cyndaquil was merely taking in his scent, moving closer shyly. The pokemon was nervous. The reddish dots on her back that smoldered slightly were an obvious enough indication of that. Carefully, she pushed her snout into his hand unsure of his reaction. If only she knew. "Guess this is a first for both of us..." He said softly, running a hand over find hairs. Whether it was his tone or gentle treatment, she calmed and a bit of the tension drained out of their introduction.

Maybe he should name it? Will wasn't sure. Not only did he not have a name at the moment, but when you name a pet you were sure to become attached to it. It was a risky choice. One that was better decided on later. Lucky for him, this was around the time Professor chose to walk over. He stood up quickly, but carefully not to startle the Cyndaquil and was barely on his feet in time to accept the load of items.Will fumbled with them a bit, but managed not to drop anything. He was grateful for the natural distraction that she provided for him anyway. The little fire pokemon had dodged the professor easily and now stood next to his leg as Will set about organizing the new items in his bag.

The map went in a folder with his notes and was placed in the main compartment along with the case. The pokeballs he dropped into one of the smaller pockets. Lastly, the pokedex went into his pocket. Maybe he'd rearrange them later, but for now they were fine where they were. Once finished, the professor's pokemon now occupied her spot arm outstretched and hand clenched around a slip of paper. Will took it and looked over for a moment before promptly sliding it into his wallet.

His eyes uncovered, Will got a better look at the professor as she ruthlessly tore through her own work. The red head gave both Haru and Cyndaquil a questioning look at the woman's oddities, but they looked on as if the actions were normal and even expected. When she returned, she held out a bag that looked mostly empty. He took it despite the bag on his hip and felt the weight of something within. It wasn't as if a spare bag would kill him anyway.

"This was originally suppose to hold all of your starter items but they were somehow skattered. With this you can start your journey with your new partner."

"Thanks again," Will said, able to meet her eyes for the first time without his hair in the way. She'd been useful, helpful even. The teen hesitated, struggling for something else he should say. He probably had been a bother to her. There had to be something more that he could say. "Sorry if I took up more of your time than necessary." He was nervous now, the weight of what he was doing finally hitting him with full force, but let himself smile. A real smile, not a forced. "It was an honor meeting you, Professor." And he would never forget it. Then he turned to make his way for the door, not bothering to return the starter and instead beckoning her with his hand to follow. It was now or never.
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[Inari]

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