[OOC: Once you've bonded with your Pokemon, DO NOT LEAVE THE LAB. Don't post. Rose will give you five Pokeballs, a Pokedex and a Pokegear, and THEN we can move on proper.]
“Well, I think everyone who is going to show up has shown up. I suppose I had better get things started.” Rose patted Simon on the shoulder, winking at Jennifer, who still stood next to Robert, as she made her way forward, clambering up onto the table that held the Pokeballs, balancing precariously on it as she waved her arms, shouting to make herself heard over the crowd.
“Alright people, settle down!” she paused, waiting for the last threads of conversation to die down, smiled sheepishly as everyone stared up at her, then took a deep breath, “Well, this is quite a turnout. I wasn’t expecting so many faces, both new and old…you old ones can go home, I’m not giving you any starters no matter how much you beg me!” she laughed for a moment before continuing, “So, welcome to the world of Pokémon! Most of you already know me, but for those who don’t, my name is Rose Adams. Acting Chamption, Elite Four Member and Pokémon Professor, in that order. In any case, most of you already know that this world, the Anglia Region, is inhabited by creatures known as Pokémon.” She reached into her belt, pulling out a Pokeball of her own, and tossed it into the air, her Empoleon appearing in front of her, towering over the younger trainers. She winced inwardly. She would have called Durant in from the study, but no doubt the poor thing was huddled under the table, terrified at all the noise. She would have to console it after she was done here…they really hadn’t spent as much time together as they should have recently. Ignoring the slight discomfort that had wedged itself in the pit of her stomach, she continued;
“Some people raise Pokémon, whilst others keep them as pets. Others, such as myself, study them. In some regions people have their Pokémon compete in contests, to show off their moves. Whilst the large majority of people become Pokémon trainers, pitting their Pokémon against others in battles, all hoping for that shot to become the Pokémon League Champion. You’ve no doubt met other people’s Pokémon in the past. Now, I think it’s about time you all met yours. If you’d all move back a little way for me, things are about to get a little bit more crowded…”
She stepped down lightly off the table, recalling Empoleon as she did so, idly noticing how the atmosphere in the room suddenly got a lot less tense, “I thought we’d try something a little different this year. Traditionally, the trainer chooses their starter Pokémon. However, as you can see…there are a lot of you. I only have one of each starter, and it’d be a miracle if you all wanted something different as your first choice. So, I’m going to release the starters and let them come to you. You might think is a little unorthodox – it is – but this way, you’ll form much stronger bonds. I’ve never yet met a trainer who doesn’t want a Pokémon, but the same cannot be said in reverse. Now, it’s time to introduce them all to you.”
She rapped on the centre of each Pokeball in turn, moving to one side as each starter was released. She had explained the situation to them beforehand – although a couple hadn’t seemed particularly inclined to listen to her – and they now stood in a line, patiently awaiting her command, studying the trainers arrayed in front of them.
“Alright, then. Choose away!”
---
As his final Commander entered the room – late, unsurprisingly, but sometimes punctuality bowed before necessity, and this was one such time – Tobias said nothing, simply watching the four arrayed in front of him. Watching, and considering.
They were becoming increasingly competitive, suggesting something of an over-familiarity with one another, and with him…but then, how did one become familiar with a masked man? Either way, they seemed to elevated themselves above their positions. They were little more than internal management – figures who were simply good at organising other people. Those who had proven their worth to be slightly above that of the common foot soldier. This newfound arrogance in each of them was disconcerting, and a liability that could prove problematic in the future. Still, he would give them the opportunity to speak their minds and continue to serve him, for he was not an arrogant man: whilst others did not matter to him, they were not tools. They were stores for potential ideas, able to provide an alternate perspective. No man alive was infallible.
Tobias allowed silence to settle over the room for a long, tense minute before he broke it, his voice barely a whisper, “I believe the time has come for us to implement our plans. We have remained in the shadows long enough. I have discerned a pattern to the movements of the Legendary Dogs; Raikou, Entei and Suicune. They are swift, and not without power to call upon, but they are for you to deal with. I shall even allow you to keep your prizes; they matter little, after all. They are but stepping stones. Our ultimate goal is Ho-Oh, which I shall deal with personally. Then shall this world once again a place of worth. From the ashes shall perfection arise. Once the Legendary Dogs are captured, then shall I reveal to you the fullest extent of my plans for this world."
"Before I give you your orders, however, I shall hear your thoughts on the matters at hand. You are, after all, my Elite. No good organisation relies upon one man. Speak, Commanders. Tell me your thoughts of how to best obtain these Legendary Beasts, and of any other matters you feel are significant.”
He settled back into his chair, relaxing his posture slightly. He had not told them yet of the other, more interesting creature that had recently made itself known at Mistheld Loch. But then, they had no need to know…not yet, anyway. What happened next would depend on what they had to say regarding the matters at hand. There were, after all, four of them, and but three Legendary Dogs. Perhaps he would take one of them with him on his errand. It never hurt to have backup, after all…even if one did happen to be the strongest trainer in the region.
“Well, I think everyone who is going to show up has shown up. I suppose I had better get things started.” Rose patted Simon on the shoulder, winking at Jennifer, who still stood next to Robert, as she made her way forward, clambering up onto the table that held the Pokeballs, balancing precariously on it as she waved her arms, shouting to make herself heard over the crowd.
“Alright people, settle down!” she paused, waiting for the last threads of conversation to die down, smiled sheepishly as everyone stared up at her, then took a deep breath, “Well, this is quite a turnout. I wasn’t expecting so many faces, both new and old…you old ones can go home, I’m not giving you any starters no matter how much you beg me!” she laughed for a moment before continuing, “So, welcome to the world of Pokémon! Most of you already know me, but for those who don’t, my name is Rose Adams. Acting Chamption, Elite Four Member and Pokémon Professor, in that order. In any case, most of you already know that this world, the Anglia Region, is inhabited by creatures known as Pokémon.” She reached into her belt, pulling out a Pokeball of her own, and tossed it into the air, her Empoleon appearing in front of her, towering over the younger trainers. She winced inwardly. She would have called Durant in from the study, but no doubt the poor thing was huddled under the table, terrified at all the noise. She would have to console it after she was done here…they really hadn’t spent as much time together as they should have recently. Ignoring the slight discomfort that had wedged itself in the pit of her stomach, she continued;
“Some people raise Pokémon, whilst others keep them as pets. Others, such as myself, study them. In some regions people have their Pokémon compete in contests, to show off their moves. Whilst the large majority of people become Pokémon trainers, pitting their Pokémon against others in battles, all hoping for that shot to become the Pokémon League Champion. You’ve no doubt met other people’s Pokémon in the past. Now, I think it’s about time you all met yours. If you’d all move back a little way for me, things are about to get a little bit more crowded…”
She stepped down lightly off the table, recalling Empoleon as she did so, idly noticing how the atmosphere in the room suddenly got a lot less tense, “I thought we’d try something a little different this year. Traditionally, the trainer chooses their starter Pokémon. However, as you can see…there are a lot of you. I only have one of each starter, and it’d be a miracle if you all wanted something different as your first choice. So, I’m going to release the starters and let them come to you. You might think is a little unorthodox – it is – but this way, you’ll form much stronger bonds. I’ve never yet met a trainer who doesn’t want a Pokémon, but the same cannot be said in reverse. Now, it’s time to introduce them all to you.”
She rapped on the centre of each Pokeball in turn, moving to one side as each starter was released. She had explained the situation to them beforehand – although a couple hadn’t seemed particularly inclined to listen to her – and they now stood in a line, patiently awaiting her command, studying the trainers arrayed in front of them.
“Alright, then. Choose away!”
---
As his final Commander entered the room – late, unsurprisingly, but sometimes punctuality bowed before necessity, and this was one such time – Tobias said nothing, simply watching the four arrayed in front of him. Watching, and considering.
They were becoming increasingly competitive, suggesting something of an over-familiarity with one another, and with him…but then, how did one become familiar with a masked man? Either way, they seemed to elevated themselves above their positions. They were little more than internal management – figures who were simply good at organising other people. Those who had proven their worth to be slightly above that of the common foot soldier. This newfound arrogance in each of them was disconcerting, and a liability that could prove problematic in the future. Still, he would give them the opportunity to speak their minds and continue to serve him, for he was not an arrogant man: whilst others did not matter to him, they were not tools. They were stores for potential ideas, able to provide an alternate perspective. No man alive was infallible.
Tobias allowed silence to settle over the room for a long, tense minute before he broke it, his voice barely a whisper, “I believe the time has come for us to implement our plans. We have remained in the shadows long enough. I have discerned a pattern to the movements of the Legendary Dogs; Raikou, Entei and Suicune. They are swift, and not without power to call upon, but they are for you to deal with. I shall even allow you to keep your prizes; they matter little, after all. They are but stepping stones. Our ultimate goal is Ho-Oh, which I shall deal with personally. Then shall this world once again a place of worth. From the ashes shall perfection arise. Once the Legendary Dogs are captured, then shall I reveal to you the fullest extent of my plans for this world."
"Before I give you your orders, however, I shall hear your thoughts on the matters at hand. You are, after all, my Elite. No good organisation relies upon one man. Speak, Commanders. Tell me your thoughts of how to best obtain these Legendary Beasts, and of any other matters you feel are significant.”
He settled back into his chair, relaxing his posture slightly. He had not told them yet of the other, more interesting creature that had recently made itself known at Mistheld Loch. But then, they had no need to know…not yet, anyway. What happened next would depend on what they had to say regarding the matters at hand. There were, after all, four of them, and but three Legendary Dogs. Perhaps he would take one of them with him on his errand. It never hurt to have backup, after all…even if one did happen to be the strongest trainer in the region.
