Forums » General Roleplay » Long Summer Daze (Pokemon RP; semi-open)

The naturalist adjusted her glasses when Constance called out her "specialist:" a large and powerful-looking Empoleon! While she had never seen one in person, she recognized the type, and nodded appreciatively. "Perfect. There we are ..." The log tilted--inside, the little Totodile squawked indignantly as its perfect hiding spot was suddenly disrupted. The woman stuck out her tongue and reached back into the hole. Världshav's patting and jostling eventually made the Totodile let go and slide right into the woman's hands. It began to squirm and try to chew on her fingers, though she adjusted her grip to make it as difficult as possible for the naughty creature to get its teeth in her.

Smiling, the woman turned towards Constance. "Oh, yes! I've always been passionate about this work. My name is Annika Jones, and I'm a naturalist here at River Haven." She thought about holding out her hand to shake Constance's, but remembered she was holding the Totodile, who was still trying to bite her. "I have to bring this guy to its nest at Big Pond. Would you like to come with me?"

As soon as the creature was free and clearly in the other woman's hands, Constance reached over and affectionately stroked the Empoleon's upper neck, nodding to him as she murmured. "Never stop being our pillar." Before returning him to his pokeball. Glancing down at the pokeball itself, she slid it back down her sleeve, turning to the woman who now had the rogue totodile in her arms. Seems it was quite the rambunctious creature, as her research indicated. As far as water types go, they were quite aggressive, though largely only if provoked - and they had a most impressive evolutionary line. Still, she watched her with an eager smile upon her lips, Frida slowly setting down next to her owner and looking as icy as ever. The frosty pokemon had a rather noble air around her, very prim and reserved.

"Oh, pleased to meet one of River Haven's nature carers in person...and so soon too!" She herself was reaching out until she noticed the Totodile, shirking before she chimed in. "Professor Constance Hydlein - Director at the Nowe Institute of Pokemon Studies and Development and Research Centre. I'm just on vacation, kind of." She assured her, before nodding to the woman. "Sure, I'd love to! I was just on my way to River Haven before I got a little...distracted."

Annika watched Constance recall her Pokemon--clearly they were very close, and had a strong bond. "Oh!" she exclaimed when the researcher introduced herself. "Well, you've picked a great place for a vacation. Come on, follow me!"

Further down the path was a vehicle that resembled an all-terrain golf cart. It had a short bed in back, which Annika headed to first, where she deposited the Totodile into a pet carrier. It cried, squawked, and jostled its cage, prompting the naturalist to shush it and gently pat the carrier's top. "Soon enough, little one."

Hopping into the driver's seat, Annika patted the spot next to her, inviting Constance in. "River Haven covers a lot of important habitat for Water-types," she explained, "including coastline, marsh, the river, and our ponds. Unfortunately, there has been some ... unpleasantness around Big Pond recently ... and the lives of the local Pokemon are being disrupted."

Speaking of unpleasant things happening down by the Big Pond, guess what happened to be going on there? That's right, a battle, with rather large and intimidating Pokémon, I might add. By the looks of it, it had been going on for a while, and it was unclear who started it. Out currently were an Onix and a Charizard. the Onix belonging to a teen boy, the Charizard belonging to a young woman.

"Johnny, use take down!" he called, his gigantic Pokémon following this order. The Charizard dodged it, causing the Onix to hit the ground.

"Is that the best you can do?" the woman asked, crossing her arms.

(Accidental repost)

Walking along with her new acquaintance, The Professor seemed quite pleased to have already met a member of the local sanctuary, especially considering this meant she could openly communicate with someone that understood her profession a little bit more. Still, watching that poor Totodile getting put in a cage, she couldn't help but wonder what it must have been like. Terrifying but necessary. Science wasn't always a delicate mistress, neither was saving nature.


"So, are you relocating all of the lost pokemon in the area? I'm surprised I wasn't informed about this. I still haven't had the opportunity to meet with the local professor though. That should be quite wonderful. " Constance settled in next to her, glancing over at the vehicle with a chill little smile. "Unpleasantness...? What happened?" she leaned over towards the girl, showing visible concern. "If there is anything I can do, it is my duty as a scientist and friend to all pokemon."

Annika laughed and shook her head. "Inform you of what? That our Totodiles have run away from home? No, no--we generally don't outsource unless we really, really need help." She turned the key in the ignition and the cart hummed to life. Soon they were trundling down the trail at a quick clip.

Annika chewed her lower lip thoughtfully when Constance quizzed her about her woes. "Well," she began, "we at the haven have been ... butting heads with the suits over at CollossalCorp. They think they have a legal claim over a tributary feeding into Big Pond, and it's been ... a rough legal battle, and ..."

Annika trailed off when she heard sounds of fighting up ahead. Her brow furrowed and she sped the cart up. When Onix landed, the entire ground shook, and she nearly lost control of the vehicle. As they emerged from the treeline into the grassy area around the pond, she could better see what was going on.

"Hey! HEY! Knock it off!" she cried, braking the cart and hopping out. It was dangerous to get in between two battling Pokemon, especially ones like Onix and Charizard, so Annika approached Joseph instead. Her arms were akimbo, but she didn't strike a very imposing figure. "Excuse me! You can't battle here!"

(Joseph gets next post, then Constance, then me again!)

The woman returned her Pokémon quickly, then thanked the teen for the battle. Joseph returned his as well, not really understanding why the woman even listened.

"Er, excuse me? What do you mean we can't battle here?" he sounded more irritated than he did anything else. "We were just having a battle. There's no harm in that." He turned back to his opponent. "So, what, we're not battling anymore? That's it?" The woman shook her head.

"Sorry, but rules are rules. If we can't battle here, it's best to move someplace else, isn't it?" she asked.

The Professor lost herself in the proceeding explaination, a brow perking slowly as she took it all in, quite surprised by what she'd been hearing. "ColossalCorp? Never heard of them. Still, on the nose name. If they are committing an illegal act, I would very much like to see the united society of pokemon researchers put their full legal force behind this as pioneers in the world of domestic and wild pokemon studies. We can't tolerate someone imposing tyranny over an area this beautiful. It could be a protected sanctuary." Her eyes set themselves upon the world around her, taking in the wildlife for the precious few moments she had...BAM! Onix! How did she miss that?! Watching the colossal earthen creature, she found herself between two battling pokemon.

A battle between two trainers? In a place like this? That would NOT stand in her books. Stepping out of the vehicle, the disheveled, blonde-haired professor adjusted her coat as she would step right up to Joseph in particular, seeing as he was being most vocal. "Maybe you should consider moving in the direction we came from. Personally, I encourage you to train and get better! But, um, sometimes nature just needs a little room to grow." Seeing those trainers, their pokemon locked in battle...it brought a yearning within her heart. Oh, how she missed that whole sordid affair.

Annika glared up at Joseph as he protested, though at least he and his opponent recalled their battlers. The area around the pond was quiet as the local Pokemon hid from the uproar, though a few began to poke their heads back out, recognizing Annika as a friend and bringer of treats.

"This is a protected reserve!" she told Joseph, just shy of wagging her finger under his nose. "Not a place for you to settle a grudge or 'prove' yourselves. If you want to fight, you'll have to take it outside the sanctuary!"

With a huff, the naturalist returned to her vehicle, where the Totodile was squalling and squawking and rattling the bars of the carrier. Annika shushed it as she got closer and picked up the carrier, bringing it towards the edge of the pond. As she passed Joseph again, she said, "Of course if you want to learn something about River Haven and the local populations, you have only to ask." She didn't stop, though. The less time the Totodile was confined, the better.

An hour or two later, Magnus left Jay and Aleukia at the ranch and continued on his way. It was squarely in the middle of the afternoon now, and the summer sun was starting to take its toll on the trainer. His water bottle, which he filled back at the ranch, was already almost empty, and sweat was beading upon his brow. At least his shades were doing their job.

There was a fork in the path ahead. One side pointed back towards Route 34--a long slog from here--while the other led to ...

"River Haven Nature Center, three kilometers? I can swing that."

Cracking his back, Magnus sauntered down the left path towards the sanctuary, which, mercifully, also brought him under the shade of trees.

The woman was on her way without protest, seeming to be a rather obedient citizen for someone who almost destroyed a reserve. Joseph, on the other hand, was just mad.

"I was about to win, anyway. No need to be like that, you know?" He shot her a glare. "You're not my mom." Let's just skip past the part where he remembers his home and what he left behind and all his regret for now... "Why would I want to see some stupid reserve?" he asked, taking a small look at his surroundings. "It's disgustingly beautiful."

Sevio was making good time flying on the back of his trusted Skarmory. A powerful endurance flyer he was, and loved to show how long he could go. Still, half of an overseas trip may have been pushing it, especially with 2 passengers. Still, Skarmory was just as excited as the rest of Sevio's current team to see their old friend at River Haven.

Sevio would appear over Big Pond on Skarmory's back just in time to hear the man scream out about its beauty and make it sound like he was talking trash about the area. Skarmory would take about as kindly to that as a guest would some rude trespasser talking smack about a host's home, and vocalized his opinion with a hostile screech. "Skaarrrr Skaaaaaarrr!!!" Sevio wouldn't be too thrilled either as Skarmory came to land some distance away, tired from the trip and was unable to battle effectively even if it were permitted, "Easy, Skarmory... I know we all can get upset sometimes, but try to let it go, ok?... For Kabutops' sake?" Sevio says calmly as he and his partner, Gallade, climbed off Skarmory's back. Sevio would move to massage Skarmory's neck a little like he knew he liked, calming him down a bit. "Great work getting us this far, Skarmory. Why not take a rest?" Sevio says coaxingly. Skarmory would give a calm and accepting nod before Sevio raised Skarmory's Pokéball and made him vanish in the classic red mass. Sevio would then approach the others as Annika was releasing the Totodile, "Sorry for the rude interruption everyone." Sevio says as he got close, followed by his Gallade, "Gall Gallade." he vocalizes politely with a polite introduction bow.

Annika glared over her shoulder at Joseph, then rolled her eyes and set the carrier down on the bank. "Battles can severely upset the local Pokemon," she said firmly, "as well as damage this 'disgustingly' beautiful place ... and I choose to take that as a compliment, by the way!"

Just then, a Skarmory buzzed them with a screech, making the Totodile squeal in fear and shrink to the back of the carrier. Annika opened the door, but the little water-type didn't want to leave. "Oh, not again ... well, it'll be easier this time." She tipped the carrier up over the shallows and shook it around. Wailing, the Totodile fell out with a splash, then took off swimming at breakneck speed. There was a dense patch of reeds on the more secluded side of the pond that seemed to be its destination.

Annika finally took off her thick leather-and-sharkmail gloves, no longer needing to fear a bite from a very jawesome Pokemon, and turned to face the newcomer. "Hello, welcome to River Haven Pokemon Sanctuary, I ... say, do I know you from somewhere?" She adjusted her glasses and squinted at Sevio and his partner.

(Sorry for posting out of turn but it's been 10 days since the last post and I'm tired of waiting. Sorry Joseph.)

Sevio looked to Annika as she spoke, replying after a few seconds of letting her get a look at him, "Um... Probably. I'm Sevio. An old teammate of ours has been living in the Cove since about this time last year. I remember asking someone if it was ok if he stayed." he says as he gestures to Gallade with the mention of a teammate. He'd step closer and offer his hand for a handshake, "Umm... Annika, right? I think we talked on the phone a month or two ago. We'd have been here a lot sooner, but we've been busy picking something up from the Hoenn region." he says as the scarf clip on Gallade's left shoulder shines with a Galladite. The scarf had a well worn look to it, and draped over Gallade's right shoulder like a section of an old Hero's cape.

After bidding farewell to Sevio and Joseph, Annika got back in her ATV and took off towards the Water Haven Nature Center, the heart and soul of the sanctuary. Located at the heart of the woods, it consisted of two separate buildings on either side of a stream. Both were surrounded by wooden decking, with a bridge that crossed over the stream between. Binoculars were installed along the railing every few feet so visitors could gaze out into the trees.

Annika parked the ATV in the small shed under the deck and climbed the stairs to the Water Haven offices, located in the smaller of the two buildings. (The larger one was the visitor center, home to various educational exhibits, including several small habitats where injured Pokemon were being rehabilitated.) She flopped in her chair with a sigh and took off her glasses so she could rub her eyes. The Totodile had been returned to Big Pond, but it was only a moment of time before the next crisis. What if a Pokemon got injured? Or a visiting patron? Annika smeared her hand down her face with a groan. "Just fifteen minutes," she said, requesting a respite from the universe. "That's all, just let me sit for fifteen minutes."

14:48. That was how long had passed between Annika's request and the sound of footsteps echoing up the hall. Moments later, there was a curt knock at the threshold of her office. 15 minutes. On the dot.

The man standing there could be described a number of ways: bespectacled, well-groomed, short... But here, it would be most apt to note his black suit, briefcase, and the humorless set of his mouth. Legal assistant or maybe an actuary, and one used to dealing with tough customers if the stern look in his eye meant anything.

"Afternoon, ma'am. Are you Ms. Annika Jones?"

((I am assuming the door was open, and if it wasn't, I'll edit accordingly. Sorry.))

((Yup, the offices are open for people to enter and ask questions! Also, it's worth mentioning that Annika isn't supposed to be the biggest head honcho--there's someone above her, like an executive director, who handles most of the legal battling. Let's call herrrr ... Imani Jeffords.))

During those fifteen minutes, Annika had gone into the little office kitchen to put on some water for tea. As she waited in her office for it to heat up, she heard a knocking at her doorframe. She looked up with a smile, though her lips thinned immediately to a grim line once she saw the fellow's attire. He looked like a legal sort, and legal sorts had given River Haven nothing but grief recently. She quickly forced the smile back into place, as polite as she could manage. "Yes that's me--please, just Annika. How can I help you?"

Just then, the teapot began to whistle down the hallway. She got out of her chair and beckoned for him to follow her to the kitchen. "Sorry! Do you want some tea or coffee?"

((Awesome! You answered my next question before I could ask. ))

There was no way he'd missed the face she'd made, the way his eyes deliberately scanned her and her office, but he paid it no mind. His own face maintained a cool detachment and he gave a brief nod. "Youma." He was about to step in and answer just how she could help him when he registered the shrill whine. He paused a moment, listening intently until Annika offered tea.

"No. Thank you."

Then he would step aside and allow her to pass before falling into step a half-pace behind. If Annika were to look back, she'd see his gray eyes searching the hall and conjoined rooms just as intently as he had her office.

"Is the director of this... educational facility in today? Either way, please direct me to their office or that of the next in line. Otherwise I'll have to bore you with the details of this visit," he glanced at the tea kettle before returning his gaze to her face, "and I'm sure you're eager to get back to work."

---

Somewhere along the edge of River Haven, near one of its tributaries, a group of shady individuals slunk through the underbrush. Though they weren't up to anything yet, they clearly weren't here for a pleasant stroll. At a certain point, one ducked down to investigate some tracks and when they rose, the group split up into three pairs. One went left, one went right, and one continued forward along their quarry's trail.

Above, leaping between the larger trees, a noivern followed unseen.

The offices were telling. Stacks of paperwork lurked in inboxes and on desks, mostly askew, with some loose sheets littering the floor. Some were even inexplicably ripped up. Forms sat ignored or half-filled, and several envelopes of important-looking mail remained unopened. These were the offices of people who very much loved their profession, but clearly didn't have a head for paperwork, nor any kind of secretary to be mindful in their stead.

"Ms. Jeffords isn't in today, no," Annika said, sounding a little too breezy. "She's at the Goldenrod City Hall Meeting." Her heart began to race at the thought of it. Having city hall on their side was going to be important, though it wasn't enough by itself.

Her lips thinned at Youma's faint slight, hesitating as she reached for the tea jar. "You can talk to me about ... whatever it is," she said, choosing a chamomile. She ripped open the paper and tossed the teabag into a chipped, lopsided mug clearly made by someone's kid. "I ... assume this is about ColossalCorp."

There came a pap-pap-pap of little hopping feet, followed by some low, hoarse croaks. A Murkrow barreled into the kitchen past Youma, charging between his legs to reach Annika. "Stop," she quietly scolded as it hopped from side to side, wings flexing.