Rest Stop [Justin]

[Kataya]

Was it really three hours? Odette sighed to herself as she sat by one of the the vendors in the small village she had come to rest at. Really, was it really that long? She sat with Yuuko and Marrika settled comfortably in her lap, swinging arounf on the spinney chair that had been provided at the small island bar of the street vendors.

"Did it take us that long to get here guys?" The two Growlithe stared up at her with equally confused expressions. Why did she care how long it took? With a frown, Odette turned back as her bowl of soup was placed in front of her. It wasn't that she particularly liked soup, but, she was on a budget.

Marrika and Yuuko watched as she sipped at the broth, trying to hide the look of disgust as to not offend the owner of the stand. Yuuko sniffed at the soup himself. Miso....Miso? Odette had said she hated Miso, back around the first night she had received him and Marrika. Silly girl.

Marrika however, found this quite amusing, watching Odette squirm as she sat through eating the soup.

<<Fwahahaha, Squirm my human, Squirm!>> she demanded in a loud bark, making Yuuko stare at her.

<<...Marrika?>>

<<What?>>

<<...Ah...never mind.>> Marrika looked around the island bar. Was there anyone besides them around today?

[Tyger]

Justin let his camera drop to his chest with a mechanical 'thump', probably shifting something that shouldn't have been tampered with. Exhausted as he was from traveling, he wasn't honestly thinking about the camera at the moment. Artemis on the other hand was doing well, the tall Lucario waiting for Justin to catch his breath with his arms crossed. Occasionally he'd grunt, but Justin shot him a glance. You're a Pokemon... and have a super amount of strength. I am not such. He murmured, though it was more of a defensive whine to get the Lucario off his back.

Artemis rolled his eyes and grabbed Justin's collar, starting to pull him into a small shop. Food does sound nice... He murmured, breaking the hold and standing before they got in. Hey we can both have some. He smiled, pointing to his hands and then Lucario's. Close enough, eh? He chuckled before walking in and sitting at the bar, unaware there was a girl in here. Lucario did and looked at her before dipping his head and sitting in the stood next to Justin, peering at the menu. As if he could read... Justin wondered. Hey, Artemis, you can understand speech... does that mean you can read? He asked, and Artemis shook his head.

Huh, we'll have to fix that. I can teach you. He grinned, right as the man came up. They both ordered some soup and began eating immediately. Artemis occasionally looked over at the girl before returning to his food.

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[Kataya]

It didn't take Yuuko long to realize that someone had joined them at the bar (mainly because he had been watching the door for a while now), and his ears perked up. Noticing the Lucario was staring at Odette, he looked back, embarrassed by how Marrika was conducting herself, laughing manically. How immature... He groomed himself in Odette's lap, trying to look busy, unlike Marrika. Marrika perked her ears suddenly finally noticing the presence of another soul or two.

Perfect! It was a dude! Grinning a bit evilly, she came to the conclusion that now was the perfect time to be a matchmaker...and embarrass Odette at the same time. But, it was mostly to embarrass Odette. The Growlithe leaned down, dropping into a hunting crouch while Odette ate her Miso. Yuuko hadn't noticed either, he was too busy sizing up the Lucario across from him. Pffft, not that tough.

<<Surprise attack!>> Marrika barked as she sprung off the counter into Odette. The startled girl was tipped backwards, falling out of the bar chair and toppling down with Yuuko, Miso soup and all.

"Ow!" she cried out as she finally figured out what was going on. The still slightly hot Miso was spilled all over the front of her dress, and she held her tailbone tenderly.

Marrika! What the heck was that for?"she questioned as she looked over to Yuuko, who had skidded across the floor and now sat right at the foot of where the man Marrika had noticed earlier sat. Marrika didn't flinch, instead, she wagged her tail with a certain pride.

"You could have really hurt one of us you know!" Odette challanged And now she'd have to pay for the broken bowl too. Way to go, Marrika.

[Tyger]

Camera to the side on the bar, Justin finished his bowl and listened to the silent happy gurgling of his satisfied stomach. Artemis was content, too. His eyes were half narrowed in a dream-like state. However, knowing Artemis, he was still very attentive at everything that was going on. Justin gave him a pat on the head, ruffling the fur at the crown of his head. Pretty good, eh? He grinned. The lonely Lucario broke a smile and gave a bit of a nod.

Nothing could have prepared the full photographer or the dream-stated Lucario for what was about to happen. Artemis was fully aware of everything that happened, but Justin took a moment to turn. When he did, a girl had fallen down, right beside his barstool. Heck, practically against it. Artemis jumped off his stool, landing on the ground on the other side. He was prepared to help the girl up, but Justin was already at that. Instead, Artemis paid his attention to the Growlithe pair. Are one of you hurt? he barked, especially to the one in the girls lap. Well, he had been in the girls lap.

In the meantime, Justin slid out and extended his hand to the girl to help her up. His grin was wide despite his fatigue. Heya, ya alright? I didn't see it but it sure sounded painful. Rowdy bit 'a rough housin' it looks like. He smirked, ready to help her up. Artemis looked over at Marrika. You seem highly pleased. You could have hurt someone, little one. He mused about, stepping to the side of his trainer.

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[Kataya]

Odette had only been on the floor for perhaps a minute before she noticed someone was trying to help her up. She looked up and was met with a pair of bright green eyes, not like many shades she had seen before. She listened to him as he asked her if she was alright, and took his hand with a nod as she got to her feet.

"Yeah, I'm okay, just a little sore. I don't know what's gotten into Marrika.... I guess she decided I'd rather wear my Miso than eat it." she answered, shooting an upset glance in Marrika's direction. Marrika however, was wagging her tail still, showing no sign of remorse for that little knock-over. Yuuko looked up at Artemis and nodded, shaking his fur of the mushrooms and leeks that had fallen into his fur.

<<Yeah I'm good, that just knocked me off guard for a minute.>> He insisted, sitting down and glaring at Marrika. As the Lucario spoke to her, she snorted.

<<Please, I was helping Odette.>> she insisted, looking away with her nose in the air. Yuuko stuck his tongue out at her and scowled before looking back at Artemis.

<<Don't even try to talk to her. I'm convinced she's got Combee's in her brain or something.>> he explained. Odette now got a better look at the man that had helped her up. Blonde hair and pretty tan skin, so he must have been from somewhere pretty warm, or at least that was what she could guess. Well, that and he had a pretty neat accent. Finally realizing she was probably staring, Odette snapped out of it.

"So, cute, helpful, and an accent? Well, thanks for helping me, uh...?" She seemed to wait for him to introduce himself since she after all did not know his name. But it was pretty clear that Odette didn't mind speaking her mind at all.

[Tyger]

Justin let out a sigh, especially when she said she wasn't hurt. A good sigh, nothing bad. A sigh of relief. At least now he wouldn't have to worry about taking her anywhere. He'd never heard of broken tailbone injuries, but he was sure it'd be pretty awful all of the time. Good ta hear! I was about ta give that floor a stern talkin' to. He joked, now crossing his arms like his Pokemon. Although, it was backwards. The Pokemon had gotten it from the trainer.

Helping... as in helping her bruise her ass? You probably won't hear the last of that, especially when she goes to sit down next time. the Lucario grinned, fangs glinting in the light of the shop. Justin listened to the Pokemon chat, oblivious to Odette's staring. However, when she spoke, a highly visible blush crept to his face at the word 'cute'. Not one he heard often, and it tended to be used in only one context. Eh? Oh! Yes, I am. Helpful, that is. And the accent tends ta slip in when I least expect it. Oh! Sorry, my name. Yes, I do have one. It's Justin. Justin Pryce. He introduced himself, giving somewhat of a bow.

This is my trusty sidekick, Artemis. At the sound of his name, Artemis grunted and looked over at the two, engrossed in his own conversation. However, he did tilt his head and close his eyes in respect to the lady and newcomer. Her Pokemon, as well. After that was finished, Justin turned back to Odette. And my lady, you are...? He trailed off in the same fashion she did prior.

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