Testing the Material [Mod/Open]

[Will]

Every road had its occasional bumps. From a slight shift in height to the more obvious pot holes. The fact of the matter was that nothing was perfect. Will understood that, really he did. However, that didn't mean he had to like it. The boy could tolerate such annoyances, but that didn't mean he wouldn't do his best to fix a problem given a choice. However, nothing here seemed to add up. Will had tried to gauge his pokemon's potential for a could two hours. The Cyndaquil's performance had been mediocre to say the least. He hated things that didn't make sense, she should have done better. The fire mouse should have been well versed and hold a slight amount of experience with the attacks, but he still found them lacking. Will would have to correct and fix the inadequacies just to get her up to standard.

The young man's expectations were higher than most, but not out of reach in his opinion. Leer was more of a childish gesture rather than the intimidating glare it was suppose to be. A pokemon would be more likely to burst into a fit of giggles than be cowled. Tackle had too much lag time between the command and the attack, by the time she actually managed to close the distance the pokemon probably would have already dodged. Her smokescreen was utterly useless at the stage she used it. The move could barely cover her form and instead of hiding her, just served to say "I'm right here". And her ember was downright pathetic. A small burst of fire that would only serve to get another pokemon to back off. If it even hit with how inaccurate it was.

This had brought them here, the edge of a clearing in the middle of a forest full of bugs that she should have the type advantage over. He noticed that she seemed edgy, but he ignored it by simply putting her food before her and ordering her to eat. That was another thing, she was picky. The Cyndaquil had almost refused to eat until he fixed her with a glare. There was no reason she should have refused. He made it himself. The food had all the essential nutrients she'd need to keep her strength up and the taste wasn't bad because he'd fed it to other pokemon in the past. Now, there was a tension between them and Will refused to back down to her. The lab had probably spoiled the pokemon. Will knew his skills paled in comparison to what a trained professional could do. But how did she have the nerve, find the sheer gall, to expect everything to stay similar to what she'd been raised by?

Will was different, but he was trying to compromise. The little burnt rat was just making things overly difficult. Poking at the fire that he had lit, he felt his ire peak at the leer she gave him. "Try me," he outright snarled. He sent a glare at her in returned and matched the staring contest with equal venom. The way he carried himself and the blood red curtains that covered his face did nothing to smother the intensity in his piercing green eyes. She looked away first, most likely feeling the frustration that practically oozed off the boy in tidal waves. Will didn't hold the glare a moment longer. A heavy and tense silence settle over their spot. He found himself almost wishing for a bond to hurry and form between them despite the drawbacks it could hold.

[♫~Leap~♫]

Stupidity came down to an art with many people in the world, but no one was better then her. Silly as it may sound... it was true. There was a lot of idiotic things that people did - that was true in every generation - but it was almost sad how many a minute this particular female committed. Being oblivious to anything and everything, thinking everyone in the world was a friend waiting to be made, thinking the cubed root or eight was three instead of two... The list goes one. But there was one particular thing that she was doing at the moment that one would deem "stupid".

Lyra was walking through Yami's Forest.

Again.

Sure enough, red-colored flats were pounding lightly against the forest ground beneath her as the pig-tailed female skipped down the path. Her arms swung in a rhythmic fashion, in front of her head one second, behind her lower back the next while her eyes of milk chocolate took in every single detail to be seen and processed in her mind. Well, if there was any thought process going on in there at all. Again, though that might sound silly at first, other people would likely tell you otherwise. The prospect that no thoughts ran through her mind was the most ideal reasoning for her general lack of knowledge. There were few people in the world as dull as she.

"Harmony~!" The name rolled of the girl's tongue as easy as it ever had, the word more familiar then the name she herself had been given those seventeen years ago. Half or more of the sentences that were uttered by her and directed towards her traveling companion that took the shape of a Marill. So she sang her words, continuing to aggravate her sphere-shaped Pokemon to no end. "Harmony, looky here! It's a big Weedle! Look at it, Harmony! Look at its cute li'l nose! I just wanna eat it up, it's so cute~! Don'cha think, Harmony?" The creature rolled it's eyes, praying that some Fearow - or something of the like - would come, swoop down, pick it up, and carry it away to some place far from the brunette.

Yes, the last time Lyra had been in Yami's Forest had been during the late night hours. Her destination had not, in fact, been the forest, but rather, the minuscule town beyond. However, after the wind had blown away her map - not that it had helped much, regardless, guessing as she struggled to read such a thing - she'd strayed a little to far from the path and ended up lost in the woods late at night. Thankfully, after a few hours, she'd come across a sweet boy by the name of Gold and had spent the rest of the night in his company. The place wasn't so scary when there was someone - and actual person, not a helpless Pokemon - next to you.

It was also less scary during the day.

That was why she was there.

"Ya' know," she stated in the most knowledgeable tone of voice she'd ever be able to muster, "I'm beginnin' ta' wonder why we were ever scared in the first place." Surprisingly, her Pokemon couldn't help but agree. The trees didn't look as menacing as they did in the dark. Light streamed through cracks in the branches, slightly warming the ground wherever it's brilliant glow touched. The ground would need it. There was a slight chill in the air on that particular day, and the female's summer clothing wouldn't help her against the cold. She wasn't shivering yet, but her hands were starting to grow a tad more numb then usual. Instead of taking any precautions, however, she simply shrugged it off and continued her stroll through the bug infested area.

Of course, her concentration easily wandered and focused on something else, far from the path that would lead them out of the forest. A Kricketot. Sure, any other person might have brushed it off as just another bug Pokemon. However, being born and raised in the Johto region where creatures such as this could not survive, these orange and yellow figures were something new to gaze at. Not that her tendency to grow overly excited about anything and everything helped much. With a squeal of utter joy - something she was doing more frequently now adays - the brunette dashed off in the direction of the Pokemon, her Marill following at a slower pace in irritation. When the Pokemon noticed her intrusion of it's personal space, it ran away, heading even deeper into the forest. Rather then turn around and find the path while she had the chance, however, the clumsy girl gave chase, pursuing the poor creature until she lost sight of it.

She pouted, grumbling in a child-like manner, "Aw... The buggy got away..."

She didn't even have the time to muse that she'd gotten lost there again when a voice, though faint, reached her ears. "Try me," the person, whoever they were, practically growled. The tone of the voice - presumably male - was not all that pleasant. However, anger and joy were as close together as peanut butter and jelly in her mind. To Lyra, it was the voice of yet another playmate... and she couldn't wait to see who it was. Checking to make sure Harmony was at her side, her feet carried her in the direction of the mysterious voice, only to lead her to a beautiful clearing. The girl marveled at the view, letting various "oohs" and "ahs" escape her mouth before her brown gaze rested on a boy sitting at a campfire in the center of the clearing, a displeased Cyndaquil at roughly an arm's length away.

"Ooo~! Harmony, look! He's cute~!" the overall-ed female said, her eyes glittering in delight before she sprinted to the place where her new found acquaintance was seated. "Hey, there! I'm Lyra~! What's your name?"

[Will]

The two of them made quite the pair. Any happening upon them would be greeted with the sight of both stewing in their own rage. The Cyndaquil smoldered slightly, the heat that drifted from her back made the air above her distort and shimmer. The boy combed a hand through his hair with much more force than necessary. Then moved to fish out a cigarette from his pocket. He gave a glance at the pokemon next to him before thinking better of it. In that state she very well might try to set his hair ablaze if he asked. So instead he pulled out the same lighter that he used to start the small fire in front of him. It was cheap and low of fuel, but it still served it's purpose. However, right as he was about to light it the sound of someone else wandering into their little "argument", if one could even call it that, reached his ears.

Glancing at the newcomer, a girl that looked around his age, he dismissed her. His eyes did however linger at the small pokemon that walked close by. He couldn't make out much from the distance though so he turned back to the fire and moved to light his cancer stick. With a deep, satisfying drag the smoke filled his lungs. The nicotine worked its magic and eased his anger slightly as it began to creep into his system. Normally, he didn't smoke in front of others. However, right now he really didn't care. If anything, Will would be slight grateful if his habit made the girl avoid him. Last thing he needed was two females trying to test his patience. Alas, it wasn't meant to be because not a moment later she had barged into his small resting place with the grace that only a stampede of Tauros could mimic.

He fixed his eyes on her from behind his bangs and studied her. Around his age, maybe younger by a couple of years. Brown hair, brown eyes, and dress in overalls. He wondered briefly why overalls, but then remembered that his own state of attire consisted of a green tracksuit. Comfortable and practical, but not the best fashion statements which some people insisted on reminding him. He was digressed. Should he even bother giving her an answer? Generally, people left when met with an uncomfortable silence which Will could easily provide. However, she had gone out of her way to talk to him and to take out his anger on her would be useless in the end. Will would only be reminded of his agitation later when he actually began to work with the Cyndaquil's strength. To use her as a scapegoat would only give him an air of immaturity.

He took another drag and let the smoke drift from his mouth before speaking. "Will," he spoke, restraining any of the anger that tried to leak out. He spared a glance back at his Cyndaquil to see her gazing up at the girl, Lyra she had said her name was. Distracted, the fire mouse traded out its anger for curiosity. Will then chose to look passed the girl at her Marill. Healthy if a bit irritated for some reason William couldn't fathom. Though, with the way this girl radiated cheer Will might have grew annoyed being in her presence for extended periods of time as well. "Nice Marill," he complemented as he shifted slightly to get more comfortable. He looked back at the Cyndaquil and caught her look only for her to pointedly turn away.

"This has gone on long enough," he thought tiredly. So he reached into his back and produced a snack bar. Letting the cigarette hang from his mouth be broke of a portion and held it out as a piece offering. He could tell he caught her attention with the way she stiffened and sniffed in interest. Curious, the pokemon turned around and sniffed at it hesitantly. For a while, Will thought she might bite him, but she accepted it and nuzzled his hand whilst letting out a pleased murmur of her breed's name. Then she scurried closer and settled next to him having accepted his apology. Will told himself that it wasn't a sign of weakness and he ran a hand down her coarse fur. It was merely a middle ground they could both accept.

[♫~Leap~♫]

Reading the emotion's other people had was a skill many could say that they had. Lyra, unfortunately, was not one of those people. The indifferent feel the red-head had given off - if not slightly irascible - would have likely, had it been any other individual in her place, warded them away. The way he held himself seemed to tell the world around him to leave him be and let him go about his business and, on normal circumstances, it would have been easy for one to see this... Had that one not been Lyra, of course. He could be completely ignoring her - even spouting out insults, had he truly wanted to - and she still would not have understood the simple fact that cheery people like herself and people like this boy did not particularly mix well.

But, then again, had that ever stopped her before?

For a moment, no longer then five measly little seconds, the female contemplated whether chasing after the Kricketot from her earlier pursuit would have been the ideal option between that activity and approaching this red-haired wonder. Of course, her child like mind can only imagine, despite the fact that this particular male did not seem like the type who would exactly enjoy her presence, how much fun she would have being around him. After all, that creature was probably long gone by that point in time, and it was better to make do with the actions that had lead up to that point then try and back track and end up all alone.

Putting that aside, something caught the overall-ed figure's attention. A cigarette. Maybe she hadn't noticed the long object until that point, or maybe he had just brought it to his lips while her mind had been wandering here and there. Regardless, it was there, and it's very presence made her feel, very simply... uncomfortable. She hadn't encountered many people who smoked in her life, so it had always been a little odd for her to come in contact with someone who did. The actual smoke the article produced was foul smelly, as well. It felt sticky in her through and she was reduced to holding back a number of coughs that tried to escape her mouth. Not that this made the situation any better for her.

Trying to take her mind off of the vile substance that had begun to fill the air around the two very different trainers, the peppy teen took the moment to study the boy she had so rudely intruded on. After all, it was the least she could do during that moment of odd silence if she wanted to get to know him better. He was maybe a small number of inches taller then herself and looked maybe a year or two older than herself. Eighteen? Nineteen? Maybe even twenty? She highly doubted they both rested at the same age of seventeen, however. Her track of sight was attracted to the orange-colored bangs that hung in front of his face. As to why he would let his hair grow out to a point that it almost obscured his vision, she would never be able to tell, but she had grown to just accepted other people's ways of going about rather then question them to a point that she got herself confused. Green eyes were almost completely hidden behind those very bangs, leaving the girl marveling at how pretty they were.

Of course, her short attention span only allowed her five minutes of lingering on one subject and, in a moment, her mind was wandering elsewhere once again.

"Will."

The word seemed to be uttered out of random, spoken only after what appeared to be much thought going through the other teen's mind. Will? As in the kind that the dead left for their family members and friends? Or, perhaps, will as in "the will to go on"? She stood there, slightly baffled as she tried to think of why he would say something like that. Of course, the perpetual grin that tugged on the corners of her mouth gave away nothing to indicate her mind was scrambling for answers. Then, finally, those answers came to her. Oh, that was right. She'd asked for the pleasure to know his name in her hasty introduction. It was an idiotic thing to do, of course, guessing at both his face and his name would probably slip her mind when she awoke the next morning, leaving her wondering who the boy she'd met in the woods was. "Will," she repeated, testing the word on her tongue. "Will... Will. Will. Will?" He didn't seem like much of a "Will" to her. More like a... Bartholomew.

Yeah, that seemed about right.

She beamed at the fire-type Pokemon that she assumed belonged to the boy when she realized it was staring at her. The Cyndaquil was cute, that was for certain. A Pokemon from Johto, too, she recalled with a pang. Before she could dwell on that thought any longer, she caught the male - no, Will's eyes fixated on the sphere-shaped creature behind her. "Nice Marill," he said, shifting around a bit as he did so. A man of few words, eh? Not exactly the kind of people Lyra could relate to, but she'd go along with it... for then. Maybe, after a bit of small talk, she could get more than three words out of him.

"Thanks!" she practically sang as Will broke off a piece of a snack bar and handed it to his Pokemon. Though it was probably more of a peace offering between two quarreling companions, the girl assumed that it was simply him being kind towards the starter Pokemon. When her head nuzzled against his palm, she did everything but squeal in delight. "You two get along well, huh?" she asked, trying to sound smarter then usual in front of him... and failing. "Harmony and I are best buds, too, ya' know!" To this, a face that screamed "as if" lit the Marill's face, swiftly to be replaced by a pleading look, almost as though it were asking the smarter trainer to put it out of it's misery. "So," she continued, "Whatcha doin' out here in the forest?"

[Will]

William ignored the urge to answer to the free use of his name. The girl insisted on testing it, repeatedly. That wouldn't be so bad if it hadn't been ingrained into his mind since birth to respond to it quickly. People spoke it to get his attention, nothing more and nothing less. This only became more concrete as he grew older. Other children in school didn't want his attention, so he rarely paid them any mind. They spoke his name only when it was needed. Not even his household had escaped the effect. The woman that he had called mother only had errands or scolding for him after his name was called. However, this girl said it for the simple sake of hearing it. The change in tone, emphasis, flow and form.

Will was unaware that one word could be said so many different ways. The way she just called out to him, testing and trying his name with unabashed innocents, was different. He wasn't how to react to it so he simply didn't. The way it baited his habit to answer still graded on his nerves though. The young man wanted to just tell her to shut up, but he couldn't bring himself to crush something that wasn't meant to antagonizing. His ingrained manners stopped him short. That didn't mean he didn't hold a fleeting regret of giving her his name in the first place. Instead, he focused on how she had been put off by his smoking, the unnerved disgust blandly apparent. However, he couldn't find the urge to care.

This girl had intruded upon him, not the other way around. Manners could only go so far in curbing his vile disposition. With the way she insisted on jabbering, he felt the nicotine was a lifeline. Not for him, but for her. The girl latched onto any opening to talk, he was quickly noting. And how did she stay so happy? Was she on drugs or something? Trouncing about and rushing up to strangers. What if William had been some perverse monster in human guise. Someone with unsavory habits that preyed upon the naivety and purity that this girl displayed? Had she no sense of self preservation? Or did she simply put that much trust in the goodness of others?

The Cyndaquil nuzzled up to him before hopping into his lap to give him a concerned look. How the little burnt rodent could see through him so easily he didn't know, but he did admit the creature's quickly developing insight to his thoughts were terrifying. When he mentioned the bond a few moments ago, he didn't expect it to come back and bite him so soon. The girl was different and some how that managed to cut through him. If she really didn't know how dangerous others could be, William wouldn't be the one to show her. More people should be like her. He dreaded anyone becoming as angry at nothing as he was. So he relaxed and started to listen to her once more without even realizing that he'd tuned her out...Just in time to catch the end of her squeal that left his ears ringing.

Her words caused him to look closer at his Cyndaquil. Sati, he had chosen to name her. Did they get along. He did end up naming her, opening up a path for them to grow closer. It was needed. Names meant attachments. They held meaning. Like his. But they were still practically strangers to each other. They still struggled to work together in mundane situations. Angry wordless fights, silent tensions, and venomous glares filled their relationship. Only danger and force need shifted their teamwork into a state of flawless understanding. Gently, he brought a hand to guide Sati's snout to either side and took in the fading blemishes that battles and training had made. Will then let go and turned his head back to take in the other duo in comparison.

They had a completely different dynamic to his eyes. He couldn't read anything deeper into them because he didn't know them. Will didn't know if the difference between them was a good thing or a bad thing. However, he did his best to shake those thoughts off and focus. Letting out another cloud of smoke, to the opposite side of where Lyra stood to avoid hitting and possibly aggravating his pokemon and by extension the girl, with the thick plume he answered without thinking. "Training." Then as an afterthought, he reflected the question back at her. "You?" The more she talked and the more he pretended to listen meant the less answers she'd try to drag out of him.

[Shizuka]

WILD WEEDLE APPEARED!

Weedle || male || Run Away || Bug / Poison || Lv 7 || Poison Sting || String Shot

"Weedle weedle weed!" The little caterpillar cried in terror as it inched through the forest. There was a monster chasing him, the weedle was sure of it! He had gotten lost in the forest of his own birth place, due to his mind being not the most alert, and far from the sharpest. But his aimless wandering had led him to a place that scared the crud outa his tiny body. Literally. After hearing that scary growl, the weedle had scooted away from there as fast as scooting gets you anywhere, and with remarkable stamina, was still scooting quickly once it came within view of...humans! "Weed weedle! (Oh no! Humans! Run Away!)" Maybe it was due to his running away at the sight of anything scary that he came to have such admirable speed and stamina. But at the sight of the humans, the terrified Weedle changed directions and began scooting away, praying that the humans might take no notice of it.

[♫~Leap~♫]

That Marill wanted nothing more to do with her trainer. And, to be quite honest, who could blame the poor creature? Lyra was a female full of spunk, wonder, and complete oblivion to the world around her. The Pokemon she carried around with her was just the opposite, being highly irritable, smart, and wary of anything that seemed, even if only in the slightest, dangerous. They were two partners that did not mesh well together. However, they were stuck with one another for the time being and the blue sphere would simply have to make due with hanging around the little ball of sunshine they called a girl.

Oh, how much the creature wanted to vomit.

On another note, said trainer watched this Will boy carefully through one eye as she repeatedly said his name for the world to hear. There was something... off about the way he reacted. Almost as though he was slightly irritated by her repeating that four letter word over and over again. Yes, she was not so entirely oblivious to this that she couldn't see the way he reacted to her voice. However, had he intended to say anything - ask her to stop, change the subject, yell at her, for pity's sake - he stopped himself and, instead, watched her as she spoke. Even as she recoiled when she'd noticed the cigarette in his mouth, he said nothing. Was it that he was holding in words to keep himself from sounding rude? Or was it that he honestly could care less about what she did?

Probably a magical combination of the two.

"Er..." she started, smile fading into a slightly confused look. What was up with this boy? Usually, people were either smiling and laughing with her or screaming at her to go away. Usually the latter. "Are ya' okay? Ya' look kinda weird, starin' at me like that..." He didn't actually look strange. However, just the way he watched her wordlessly was beginning to make her feel like the strange one. Was there a second head growing out of her neck that she wasn't aware of? A hand gently rubbed both sides of said body part only to find it as straight and smooth as it had ever been.

Nope. No second head growing that day.

Then, she remembered her hat. Her hat. Oh, yes, that. The mushroom that grew atop her head that usually caught others' attention. Perhaps he was staring at that? He certainly wouldn't be the first. After all, how often would one be walking down the street to see someone wearing a hat so poofy it was about three fourths the size of her head? Gingerly, a deinty hand reached up and plucked the garment off from atop her scalp, her arms then wrapping around it to squeeze it close to her frame. "Oh," she said, that perpetual smile returning to her face once more as she spoke as though finally coming to a realization. "It's ma' hat you were lookin' at, wasn't it? It's okay - I'll put hatty in my back pack so it won't bother ya' no more." And stuff it away she did, unzipping the zipper to the biggest compartment in her back pack and shoving it inside, forgetting to zip the zipper once more.

Chocolate eyes watched as the Cyndaquil at Will's side nuzzled against her master. The fire mouse's eyes were lit with some sort of emotion she couldn't quite read - her oblivious tendancy were probably to blame for this - and, in turn, the creature's master looked at it with an equally hard to read look. Something - an understanding, perhaps? - seemed to pass between the two and the pig-tailed girl began to grow the slightest bit irritated that she oculdn't understand what was going on. "Will!" she shouted when the boy looked at her and let another cloud of smoke escape his lips. What had she wanted to ask him when she let his name leave her mouth? Oh, she couldn't remember. Maybe...? Nah, that wasn't it... Perhaps...

Ah, heck with it.

She'd come up with something else.

"Ya' shouldn't smoke, ya' know," Lyra lectured, wiggling her finger and letting out a tsk, tsk sort of noise. "It's not good for ya'." The answer to her previous question was not at all what she had wanted, nor expected from him. More one word answers? Gotta keep tryin' to get him to open up ta' me, I guess, she decided with more conviction than before. "Training," he said frankly, letting a moment pass before he added, "You?" "Trainin', huh? Ya' know, I'm a new trainer, too! I've never had a Pokemon battle before, though..." She trailed off, trying to imagine the wonders that a Pokemon battle would provide. "What am I doin'?" she repeated after her short little fantasy. "Well, I'm - Oh! Look! It's a Weedle!"

Attention span of a Pacharisu.

Gets them every time.

Sure enough, a Weedle, just like the one she'd been examining before appeared out of no where. It appeared out of breath, almost as though it were running from someone, and let out a cry at the sight of the two trainers. She couldn't recognize either of these two factors, however - couldn't recognize the fact that it'd been running away from something and that it was terrified of both humans. She was to busy squealing over the appearance of a wild Pokemon. "Will, Will! Do ya' think I should try an' catch it? Do ya'?" He only had a few moments to answer, as she'd already come to her conclusion. "Yeah! Yeah! Harmony, let's go!"

Oh, that poor, poor Marill.

Looking over her shoulder, Lyra shot the boy an almost defeated looked. "Will, Will! Ya' gots ta' help me! I don't know how to battle!" Oh, how ridiculously pathetic she must of seemed. "Tell me if I'm doin' it right, 'kay? Harmony! Use your Bubblebeam attack or somethin'!"

HARMONY WAS SENT OUT
TYPE;;
ABILITY;; thick fat.
LEVEL;; ten.
HIT POINTS;; 40/40
MOVE SET;; rollout, bubblebeam, aqua ring, rain dance, sing, and surf.
BATTLE SUMMARY;; HARMONY was sent out. HARMONY used BUBBLEBEAM.

[/size]

[Will]

Honestly, Will considered trying to convey an answer to her first question. As he eyed how the smoke from his lungs twisted and turned, he struggled on making the words sound reasonable. However, in the end it probably wouldn't be worth the effort if it was only going to scare her off. Yet, wasn't what he wanted nothing more than her leave him? The breeder wasn't completely sure. Maybe that wasn't it, perhaps Will just didn't want her to judge how different his thoughts could be in comparison to others. How his mind worked was...not always within the realm of what most considered normal. Some might even consider his thoughts and mindset terrifying. Why had he stared at her? Easy.

She fascinated him. And he hadn't even tried to hide that from showing through his emerald eyes moments ago.

Why so happy? What made her bubble with so much excitement? The optimism drew in his curiosity. His mind wanted to solve the seeming puzzle. Or at least at first. The he had happened to remember, just at that moment, a small excerpt he'd found within the pages of a book. "They say destruction is a form of creation." An innocent quote found a breeding manual. Alone the meaning behind it may seem dark, but in context it was merely relating the flavor of food to how one cooked it. To destroy in a unique way would always yield a unique result.

That's when the interest twisted those two thoughts together. If he were to break her, destroy her in such a way that all that was left were raw materials. What could he make from them? If the consciousness of such a happy person were torn apart, would a different type of happy remain or would that innocents be forever gone? Will had always kept others at an arm's length so he'd never try to experiment on them. They weren't pokemon, people got nervous under pressure and feared not being in control of themselves. William always resisted the temptation and pushed the idea from his mind. This was possibly why he had been self destructive.

However, now that he had a pokemon that curiosity had pushed its way back into the forefront of his mind. What would she yield as a result? Would she even be able to handle the destruction? She'd either grow into something else, more or less, or she would merely remain broken and handicapped. He shook away those thoughts as she babbled about her hat before they could fall further within the realm of darkness. For all he cared, the hat could burn. It held no interest to him.

Why did she talk so much? She got out sentence after sentence, it was a chore to pick them out from one another. He had turned back to Sati only to be startled, tensing slightly and turning back to the girl curiously whilst wondering why she had shouted his name. His eye didn't even twitch when she scolded his habit. However, her jump to the topic of battle had him raise an eyebrow. He could feel where this was going. Would she offer a friendly match? The though of comparing their pokemon excited him. He could see how Sati measured up. Sure, he was very aware the Cyndaquil would hold a type disadvantage to the water pokemon, but things like that happened. The boy could always use his other pokemon as well if need be. He would have to get around to focusing on them as well eventually anyway.

However, instead of what he expected she suddenly pointed out the Weedle that had wandered near them. He sighed, a Marill would be more challenging than a Weedle. At best, the Weedle would provide a decent target and promptly be burned to a crisp. Then again, maybe he'd be able to learn something from watching her battle. That thought was quickly dashed when she revealed her inexperience. Taking a deeper drag he took out his pokedex and examined both the battling pokemon just as she gave out the order for her Marill to use bubblebeam. Looking carefully at their attacks, his mind fiddled with possible strategies that she could used and what could be used against her all at once.

"You're doing fine," he said distracted by the thoughts whirling around in his head. His eyes shifted from the dex one moment then to the Marill and Weedle the next. Even if she was green, he doubted that there was any chance of her losing. Granted, her pokemon might get terribly poisoned if she wasn't careful, but it would still be able to take out the Weedle before succumbing.

[Shizuka]

WILD WEEDLE APPEARED!

Weedle || male || Run Away || Bug / Poison || Lv 7 || Poison Sting || String Shot

Wild Pokemon's HP
11/35
Weedle used Poisen Sting!

Trainer Pokemon's HP
55/50
Until Next Level Up: 100%
Harmony used Bubblebeam!

"Wee--!!!(AHHHHH!!!)" This was not a cry of joy. The pathetic bug screamed in terror when a round blue pokemon was sent out after it, and even more so when its fragile body was blasted by a stream of fierce bubbles that popped and stung his delicate skin. It felt like the battle was already over before it had ever begun. He knew he wouldn't be able to handle another hit like that. "W-weedle...weeedleee...(I can't take this anymore...I'm beat...I'm worn out...)" The weedle gasped. Its body ached all over, but it still had just enough energy to try to fight back. It was hardly a chance, but...just...maybe it might convince the other human to leave it alone. Even if this battle was already over, running away was inevitable, and the only option left was to right. Raising its weary head, it focused the poison flowing through the glands in its head to the sharp stinger on its head, and coiled the muscles in its body, before springing at the Marill with surprising leap ability, aiming its stinger right at the center of the Marill's round body.

[♫~Leap~♫]

Perhaps it was only her who believed this, but it seemed rather odd that the boy merely sat and wathced. And what, one may wonder, did he watched while sitting as though he was not aware that there was anyone else around him? It was very simple, actually. Everything. From the smoke that escaped his mouth and lungs as he listened to her talk on and on to the female herself. He didn't say much at all, making the girl constantly have to wonder if he was even listening at all or if he even remembered that he was not the only human there. Quite a few times in the past five or so minutes - if not more - she had been tempted to wave a hand in front of the boy to see if he was actually off in his own little world.

A world devoid of a girl named Lyra.

However, there was something... intriguing about this particular male. Something that made him stand out for all the rest. And it was not just the fact that he, unlike most others, did not chat along with her, tell her to shut up, or had simply walked away to get away from her. Instead, he sat there, dragging out their conversation with hesitant one word answers. Part of him seemed to want her to leave, whilst the other seemed to want her to stay. But why would he want her to? It wasn't like she was anything special. If anything, she was annoying. Something that he'd want to stay far away from. Of course, she could not actually tell what was going on in his mind. Perhaps he just didn't want to seem rude and would humor her for a while longer until even his cold demeanor gave way to reveal a quite irritated young man.

Regardless, whatever was going on in his head was starting to dig up more and more curiosity from the brunette. What was on his mind? Was he sad about something? Happy he had company? Upset that he was forced to hang around such a bundle of energy as herself? Whatever it was, she wanted to know. She wanted to know so badly, she couldn't keep still. Looking down at her legs, she found them literally wobbling in anticipation and, being able to take it no longer, she skipped closer to the boy with red hair and eyes of emeralds. So close, in fact, that she bent down at the waist to a point that her forehead was a mere foot away from his own. Swallowing a deep breath, the girl began to speak once more.

"Ya' know," she stated, matter of factly, "Ma' mom used ta' tell me it was mean to stare at people like that." The girl's mother was rarely brought up into conversation, guessing as she'd only been allowed roughly ten years before said woman passed away. Seven years ago, that unfortunate death was. Her memory was fuzzy and, the fact that she tried to bury many of those thoughts away only made it that much more difficult trying to remember her family and friends before moving to the Lyeant region. "Ya' wanna tell me whatcha thinkin' 'bout? Don't worry - I won't get all sad if it's that ya' don't wanna hang out with me." It was true. This comment, people saying that they did not want to be in her presence, was thrown her way many a time. It had never fazed her before. Mainly because she brushed it off and only clung to that person that much closer.

Will had turned to look at his traveling companion to moment Lyra had shouted out his name, only to turn and look at her in his own form of the question "yes, what do you want?". Good. She preferred it this way. Her mother had also told her when she was young that not looking someone in the eye when they are engaging in a conversation with you was also quite rude. It didn't help that he seemed to care more about his Cyndaquil more than the girl that still stood at no more than a foot or so away from him. He had a right to - it was his Pokemon after all. There seemed to be a cold rift driving them apart and it appeared that the two were still getting used to one another. - but that didn't mean that she still felt slightly hurt by the fact that his green eyes were not trained on her. But, just then... Was that a glimmer of excitement in those eyes of his?

Lyra would never know, guessing as the art of reading others was not an art she had been blessed with.

Not that the fact that his bangs still covered those eyes of his made it any better for her cause.

A sigh escaped his mouth when the Weedle appeared and she couldn't help but try and fathom as to why. Wasn't he excited just moments before? That was when he pulled out a Poke' Dex, causing the girl to almost explode in joy. Pulling out her own, she ran back to compare her own to his. "Oh, looky!" she exclaimed, jumping up and down, her pig tails copying the motion. "You've gots one, too! Just like mine!" However, an irritated glare and the tap of Harmony's foot brought her back to the battle and she skipped back to her place beside her Pokemon.

A cry of utter and complete horror escaped the bug-type's mouth - wait, a Weedle? Did Weedle even have mouths? She'd seen a few back in a Johto and had never seen any indication that they did... - as the jet of bubbles left Lyra's own Pokemon's mouth. The boy's comment on how she was doing, the only comment he'd made for a while, barely registered in her mind as she watched the attack make contact. As the Pocket Monster gasped for air, exhausted already, the girl let out a squeal of joy. "Harmony, Harmony! Looky! Ya' hit it! You're awesome!" For a moment, the square-shaped mouse looked thoughtful. Praise? That it actually deserved? A tiny smile tugged on it's lip at the thought. It's first battle and it had already -

But the fantasy was ruined in a moment.

A stinger in the form of the Weedle's Poison Sting was fired in the direction of the Marill, hitting it's target dead on.

This battle wasn't over yet.

"Harmony, no!" the brunette cried as the Pokemon was thrown backwards due to the impact. However, the creature managed to struggle to it's feet and, for just a moment, everything looked just fine. Except... Something wasn't right. Marill excelled in defense and number of hit points. Why did Harmony look so tired? The Poke' Dex she had idiotically left on the ground near Will entered her mind and she fumbled to retrieve it, examining her water-type's status upon reaching it. "Oh no..." she muttered, looking absolutely serious for the first time in a while. Suddenly, the girl burst out into tears, falling to her knees in a senseless heap. "Harmony's poisoned!" she wailed through her sobs as said Pokemon looked back at her with annoyance in it's eyes.

"Harmony... I know this might be the end... But you've gots ta' use your Rollout attack, 'kay?" Lyra commanded, still crying as hard as before. Harmony obliged, curling into a ball and flinging itself in the direction of it's opponent.

HARMONY WAS SENT OUT
TYPE;;
ABILITY;; thick fat.
LEVEL;; ten.
HIT POINTS;; 42/55
MOVE SET;; rollout, bubblebeam, aqua ring, rain dance, sing, and surf.
BATTLE SUMMARY;; HARMONY was hit by POISON STING. THIRTEEN POINTS OF DAMAGE subtracted. HARMONY was POISONED. HARMONY used ROLLOUT.

[/size]

[Shizuka]

WILD WEEDLE APPEARED!

Weedle || male || Run Away || Bug / Poison || Lv 7 || Poison Sting || String Shot

Weedle's HP
0/35
Weedle has fainted and is available for capture!

Harmony's HP
42/55
Until Next Level Up: 100%
Harmony used Rollout!

The weedle felt the poison tipped spike on its head sink into soft round-bodied flesh, and knew with a bit of satisfaction that the poison had been injected into the other pokemon through its round stomach. Although in any case, it still knew that this feeling of success was short-lived. By the next attack, it knew that it surely would not be conscious. It had taken so much energy just to launch its tiny body at the other pokemon, but the poison wouldn't spread fast enough to give the wild pokemon any chance at winning this battle. The momentum of his initial jump had given him the ability to bounce back from the Marill's soft round body, but he knew he was only seconds away before the darkness of unconsciousness would soon take over his mind, and he had no idea where he would awaken next. Would he awaken within red and white walls of steel, only to see the world when his trainer pressed that fateful button, or would he awake back in the forest? Or might this be the end, and he would awake in Heaven, if that is, pokemon went to heaven when they died. Would his fainted corpse be left out here in the forest for other wild pokemon to come and eat? Who could say? To his surprise, the next attack didn't come quite yet. It seemed to him that the trainer had broke down into tears over her poisoned pokemon, causing him to wonder if he should feel a bit bad for poisoning her pokemon. No, he decided. He was only doing what he could in his struggle to survive. So the wild weedle cringed, awaiting the next attack; a brutal Rollout attack. Bug pokemon were already weak against rock attacks! And it seemed that this one hurt even more so. But the peace of darkness came as a relief, and now the fallen pokemon could only let fate decide its future.

[Will]

Just what did it mean to grow older? What made that line so defined between a child and an adult? All Will had managed to see as his age increased was the urge to prove himself that grew exponentially in comparison. Specifically, to prove he wasn't a naive child anymore. Yet, that urge had dwindled ever so slightly over the course of time between receiving and developing his pokemon. Much of the drive remained the same, but...different still. Things he thought were big and important became smaller. Then the things that were smaller slowly became more precious and needed.

That uncomfortable feel with Sati was different and scary, but not tainted. She worked harder when he praised her. The fact that she wasn't a prime candidate of superior breeding maintenance mattered less and less because in the end he knew she could outmatch another of the same type in the same skill area because she worked with more passion. This cyndaquil, his starter, wasn't just going through the motions. She fought tooth and nail, burned with the smell of brimstone and fire, for a reason. The core values Will tried to live by were twisting and he had to get a hold of them before they slipped from his grasp.

So the boy threw himself into watching the battle. The Marill was strong. The bubblebeam wounded the bug pokemon, but didn't fell it. Lyra could have tried a sing first to put it to sleep. It would have provided an wide opening for attacks and time. Risky perhaps because it would leave her open as well if the bug shook it off. However, without aggression the Weedle might have merely attempted to slow down the Marill with a string shot. It would have still played out in her favor since Marill were more of a resilient species. It wouldn't need speed to land a decisive blow.

The girl herself, was everywhere. One minute she was beside him and the next she was off doing her thing. She had said something to him a while ago, but it was difficult to tear away his eyes from the Weedle that was getting back up. The bug was also reading an attack that had a chance of causing a lot of trouble for that Marill. If anything Will would have turned to tell, no order, the girl to pay attention. Yet, before he could do that she was back to her Marill's side. The battle's pace got to him. The violence made his blood boil. Through the haze he had to remind himself that he was suppose to be criticizing the patterns. The girl didn't set up an attack, she merely used the Marill's bulk and superior techniques to cause damage. Nothing impressive and with the way the Weedle retaliated, she had payed for it.

Will didn't need her dramatic overreaction to know that the creature had been poisoned. It had already grew paler. Shame. That would be a stinging blow to it's pride. And with a final move the battle was over, leaving Will unimpressed and wanting to see them fight more. A final drag of his cigarette caused the tobacco to dwindle to nothing so he mashed the end against the ground before flicking away the bud. He glanced at the girl and how distraught she was at her pokemon being poisoned. Why was she so panicked? An antidote would make it as good as new. There were even berries that could flush the poison from it's system. Unless, she didn't have one. Then her pokemon very well might die, but it wasn't like it was his so Will couldn't muster the effort to care.

The boy did wonder if she was going to capture that pokemon. She wasn't paying attention, he could snatch up her spoils and make a run for it. What were the chances she'd run into him again? Minimal. Still, Will wasn't a thief and more importantly he hadn't taken down that pokemon on his own. Will had not earned that pokemon. He took what was his. And he didn't need that bug anyway. His pokemon eyed him curiously as if telling him to continue being nice. He almost scoffed at it. Will had been nice. "Use an antidote," he muttered in a unfettered tone. If she didn't have one...then she'd need help. And if he gave help, she'd owe him. Maybe this wasn't such an annoyance after all. "Now, how are things going to play out?" He wondered while pulling out another smoke and lighting it.

[♫~Leap~♫]

It appeared as though she was not getting anywhere fast with this boy. Sad as it might have seemed, it was most certainly the truth. She had done everything she could in her power - which, mind you, wasn't very much - to try and get him to open up to her, but it appeared as though nothing worked. Was she a nuisense? Was he happy to have company? He was hiding all of his emotions so cleverly that she would never be able to tell, even if she was a tad bit better at reading the people around her. Maybe there was nothing she could do to get him to open up and actually talk to her, rather than grunt one or two word answers...

She had never encountered someone like this before. Others were usually so open about their feelings to her - again, they were prone to insulting her, running away, or playing along with her little games. How was she supposed to react? Was she even supposed to react at all? Maybe she should have remained silent for a bit and see what he would do if she clamped her mouth shut and refused to open it. Would he be greatful? That indifferent expression he was giving her would have told anyone else otherwise. He'd probably hold a little bit of relief, but, other than that, he could probably care less whether she was happy, sad, or silent altogether.

And it bothered her.

She didn't understand insults. Sometimes, she could catch glimpses of when others were angry or annoyed with her, but, other than that, she took insults and sarcasm as simple jokes and would change the subject before anyone could tell her otherwise. The only emotion she could truly understand was joy. If someone smiled, she would smile back. If someone was jumping up and down in utter happiness, she'd jump right on along. Sometimes, people wondered if the feeling labeled as "happy" was the only one she was mentally able to access. But that was a lie.

Because, at that moment, the silence the red-haired boy was giving her was making her dowright upset.

He could tell me if he was mad an' stuff, right? she wondered in silence, smile fading for one moment as her milk chocolate eyes scanned his frame over one more time. How come he doesn't wanna talk to me? Does he no like me no more...? The Weedle and the battle at hand was a good distraction, tearing her frivolous mind away from such wonders in a heartbeat. Her first battle! and yet, as she watched the battle commence, he mind was still partly focused on trying to understand why a boy like Will refused to converse to her.

After Harmony was poisoned at the Rollout attack was carried out, the brunette continued to sob on and on, unecessary tears streaming down her face as she watched. Her Partner crashed into her opponent with skill. Though she was still poisoned, the Marill managed to make a successful hit and left the bug-type on the ground, knocked out cold. The trainer didn't even take notice, still crying her eyes out and completely forgetting the fact that a battle had transpired right before her very eyes; a battle she had won. Was she crying not only because of the sad fate her Pokemon would meet if she did not recieve help soon, but also because the boy she had hoped to befriend would not talk all that much to her? The answer was... yes. Being insulted hurt, but being ignored and without even knowing why hurt all that much more.

Harmony simply rolled her eyes, coming back to her trainer with a grunt. After all, she had been the one to be hurt and poisoned in that battle, not the human. Lyra had no reason to be crying... did she? Not in the Pocket Monster's eyes, she didn't. Instead, the sphere-shaped creature trained its eyes on the actually sane trainer, begging him to either put it out of it's misery or get the girl to shut up for it. Whether he caught sight of this or not, it would never be certain as he was already adressing the sobbing teen. "Use an antidote," he said simply, pulling out yet another cigarette and bringing it to his lips. An antidote?

Oh!

An antidote!

"Yeah, yeah! I think I know what you're talkin' 'bout!" she said with a big grin, whipping the liquids from beneath her eyes with her sleeves and beaming like nothing had happened at all. For a moment, she sat there, smiling at him as though she were waiting for him to go on. However, after a minute, it hit her that she needed to search the tan-colored bag she carried for said item. "Oh..." she said, laughing a bit at her own stupidity and shoving a hand into her still open bag. "Oh, I've gots to get one out, don't I?" She pulled out the contents from her bag, completely forgetting about trying to capture the fainted Weedle behind her. M'kay, I've gots some Potions... Some of those Pokemon Ball thingies... Oh, a little blue pendant thingy... A Magical Water or somethin'? Oh, and this golden thingy... Full Heal, right? She frowned, however, trying to see if she had anything else. Nothing. "Come on, I've gots to have one!" she exclaimed, tears forming in her eyes against and her head swinging to look at the green-eyed male almost a few feet away.

"Will, Will, I don't think I've gots any of those antadite... Antidate... Antidote thingies you were talkin' 'bout!" Her lower lip was beginning to tremble again, and she wailed, "What am I gonna do?"

The Weedle came into her mind just a little bit later, giving him only the time to respond to her previous question. Suddenly, words were spilling from her mouth once more. "Oh, yeah. I beat ya', didn't I, little buggy? I guess I've gots ta' catch ya', don't I?" Pulling out one of those Poke' Balls she had found earlier in her bag, she tossed it carelessly at the poison-type, but focused on her Marill instead of seeing if the capture was actually completed. "Ya' wanna little buggy, buggy to be your friend, Harmony? You and little buggy can have lots and lots o' fun together, ya' know."

Harmony grumbled in response.

HARMONY WAS SENT OUT
TYPE;;
ABILITY;; thick fat.
LEVEL;; eleven.
HIT POINTS;; 42/55
MOVE SET;; rollout, bubblebeam, aqua ring, rain dance, sing, and surf.
BATTLE SUMMARY;; POKE' BALL was THROWN.

[/size]

[Tyger]

The lifeless body of the Pokemon lay in the midst of the trainers, but it took a while for the female to realize what she needed to do. Granted, catching wasn't mandatory, but was a courtesy to those who weren't expecting half dead Pokemon in their way. Many people trip over their pathetic corpses. At least, that's what Spinarak thought.

However, the pokeball was thrown, and Weedle was enveloped by the bright light customary to Pokeball captures. With no life in the Weedle, there wasn't much struggle in the bug, which meant three hearty shakes and then the ping that signaled a successful capture.


Congratulations! You successfully captured the Weedle!
Male | Level 7 | Run Away

The sound of the ball locking was the cue. Without a second's hesitation, Spinarak descended from his tree, inching closer and closer to the pair of humans. However, he wasn't alone. With a screech sure to capture one's attention, another Spinarak had joined the party, both clipping their mandibles quickly, preparing to feast on whatever the trainers had, including themselves. After alot of digestive fluid, that is.

Wild Spinarak Duo Appeared!


Spinarak | Female | Level 6
Ability: Swarm
Poison Sting | Scary Face
HP: 30/30


Spinarak | Male | Level 7
Ability: Insomnia
Poison Sting | String Shot
HP: 35/35

[/blockquote]

[Will]

William didn't often bother with green trainers. Some of them were okay, down to earth and actually seeking to improve. However, most of them were just outright annoying. All bark and no bite usually. Some even expected to defeat others, unaware that a loss was a higher outcome than a win. The dumber ones even jumped into trainer battles before trying to train with their pokemon. Will didn't know how they could stand the embarrassment of shouting out a generic type specific move only for their pokemon to give them a confused look. Then they'd complain and make excuses when they lost. Will couldn't stand that sort. Then there were ones like her, or what he could make out of her. Sure, she was as goofy and new as she could be, but unlike a bunch of other examples she was trying. Will could have been reading it wrong, but she was doing her best to listen to him and improve. Or perhaps commit it to memory.

He could respect the effort. Will himself had taken years to learn most of what he knew. The breeder didn't necessarily like to offer help, but he did understand the desire to become better. Maybe he would cut her a bit of slack. Not too much, but enough to where she wouldn't flounder like the Magikarp out of water she seemed act like. Thankfully, she knew what an antidote was and apparently what it looked like. However, she didn't have one. That might be a problem. Or it would have been if she didn't have the full heal. The breeder barely restrained the urge to palm his forehead. She really was a complete beginner not to know that a full heal could flush out the poison as well. Will stood, Sati jumping to the ground as he moved, with a heavy smoke filled sigh when she started panicking again. He moved closer to her and knelt down, trying to speak as politely as possible while still having a sense of authority to his voice.

"Never panic," he said firmly. Panicking only made things worse. It was an erratic and useless sense of mind that ended up clouding thoughts and making situational analysis more difficult. He placed a hand on her shoulder and grabbed the full heal that had fallen from her back while she had been rummaging through it. "See this? This can also heal poisons," he handed it to her and guided her hand to point it at the puncture where the poison had been introduced to the Marill's bloodstream. Faintly, the breeder was reminded of his own beginning lessons as a child growing up. This was how that old lady had taught him so he tried to pull more from the memory. As a child still new to pokemon, she had to walk him through it. So he did the same for this girl, trying to explain things in the simplest way possible. "Find the wound, and press the button to apply the full heal."

Then he let go to let her do it herself. Standing once more, he looked back to the Weedle that had just been captured. "Nice capture, by the way," a bit rough, but as good as anyone could get when they were new to the ropes. Glancing up at a small sound, he noted the two bug pokemon that had come out. "I got these two," he said simply. The girl would need a bit of time to treat that sting so he'd cover for her. Besides, seeing that battle had been painful and now his blood was boiling for a fight of his own. One where he could crush any opposition.

"Sati." The pokemon had already taken up a position in front of him. "Eruption." He took a drag and watched as the fire burst from the pokemon's back. It grew stronger, from a dull burn to a blazing inferno. William could feel the heat even though she was a good couple of feet in front of him and despite the fact that the flames weren't even pointed in his direction. The breeder would honestly be surprised if the two pokemon could stand up to this. One might wonder why Will was being so merciless, but the breeder certainly did not want to give the two pokemon a chance to poison his pokemon or the girl's pokemon again. Then a massive torrent of fire blasted from the Cyndaquil's mouth to consume the two spider pokemon. She was getting better at aiming it. Not to mention that this was always a good opening move in single or double battles having enough power behind it to strike two pokemon at once.

Held Item:
Level: 21
Type:
Ability: Blaze
HP: 110/110
Move Pool:
Smokescreen
Defense Curl
Rollout
Flame Charge
Lava Plume
Eruption
Sati used Eruption!