Pokémon Gray [roleplay thread]

"Hm... The Union..." The Professor put a hand to her chin. "Um... their headquarters are in Carnation City, I believe, but not just anybody can become a ranger... you have to have lots of qualifications as a trainer, and then I believe there's some tests you have to take at HQ... even then, it's a gradual process to be accepted, 'cause they can't just let anyone do the work they do... but I'm sure you could do it, Elle, if you get that far."

When the rest of them all affirmed, Professor Pine's face lit up. She fixed her glasses and smiled at them, taking a step back among all her mountains of junk. "O-okay... I'm glad I can help... I know, that whatever path you guys pursue, you'll be able to achieve your dreams...!" The cheesiness of her own statement was making her blush, but she carried on. "Um... and... just, good luck, okay? If you're ever in trouble, just give me a call, and I can do what I can. Alright?"

Simon stood up to leave first, scooping the fat Pikachu up in his arms. He groaned from the effort. "Sheesh, what have they been feeding you...?" It only let out a low growl in response.

He shrugged and threw the Pikachu back over his shoulder, holding it in place with one hand. "Thanks for everything, Professor. I'll remember you when I'm rich and famous."

"Ehehe... is that so...? I'm glad..." She shifted her feet. "It wasn't any problem..."

Simon grinned. "See ya then, Professor." He turned, Pikachu still on his shoulder, and walked out into the maze of shelves, back toward the outside world.

As the rest all began to trickle away, however, the Professor had one more thing to say in-between all her goodbyes. "Um... Robin... can you wait a sec, if you don't mind?"

A ghost of a smile appeared on Robin's face as she turned away with the others, ready to go on their adventure. She only took a few steps when she was stopped by the professor. Her heart lurched. Had her stepfather actually tell her that Robin wasn't allowed to go? Biting her lip, the brown haired teen slowly turned to face the eccentric professor. Both of her hands gripped the straps of her backpack. 'Please let me go. I don't want to stay here..' She silently begged, looking up at the adult, almost trying to mentally communicate with her.

Once everyone but Robin had gone, the Professor's eyes began to dart from side to side, suddenly nervous. Or, well... more nervous than before. She stepped closer and held her hand out, as if to touch her shoulder, but quickly snatched her hand back to her chest. Instead she leaned down to whisper. "Um... attacking unarmed men with a Pokémon is illegal, but..." Pine took off her glasses and began to fidget with the temples. "N-nobody would say anything if... he were to get accidentally s-shocked in his home..."

She spun on her heel and immediately went to work shuffling and re-shuffling random stacks of paper, her movements suddenly frantic. "Ahaha, t-t-the g-g-government's gonna be here soon, did y-you know? To cl-close the orphanage... s-so you should get a move on soon, before anyone notices you're gone... w-wouldn't want anybody to, um... catch you. F-farewells can be so teary, don't you think...?"

Pine gave Robin one last glance over her shoulder and gave her a queasy smile. "S-so, um, take care, okay? And keep an eye on Brennan! He might need some help sometimes, so take care of him too, okay? B-b'bye!"

Robin blinked once, twice, three times before understanding what the Professor said. Hurt her stepfather? She had never thought of that, but the idea had an appeal. Thanking the professor for her time and gift, she made her way out of the messy lab. Passing the group of the other kids, she headed down the path to her house. Robin mentally promised to herself to make sure she was there when they headed off. Any place but the home she grew up in was perfect for her. The memories that haunted her at night would be pushed away. And she could focus on her new found dream. To take on the Elite Four.

With Professor Pine's dismissal, Walt began making his way out of the lab. He hadn't gone through this maze earlier though, so he was at a loss as to how to escape these confines. Others had though, she he elected to follow the boy with the obese Pikachu out of the lab. Once they were outside, most of the participants were just standing around. Maybe they had somewhere else to go. When were they leaving, then? "So, when are we leaving?" He might as well ask. He wasn't fully aware of all the details. Were they going to be picked up? Should they just start walking out of town? It was probably that one. He didn't like not knowing all the information. It made things frustrating.

Simon breathed in a lungful of fresh, salty air as soon as he escaped the dusty confines of the lab. Sweet sunlight. After trying to navigate that labyrinth, he hadn't been sure if he'd ever feel it again. It was peeking over the trees now, spilling golden light over the grass and rooftops. Plumeria Town had always been boring, but he figured he'd miss this place, when it was all said and done.

"Whenever," Simon said, his gaze following Robin as she left after them... only to start heading back towards her house. Was she getting cold feet? He hoped not. The girl-to-guy ratio needed to stay the way it was before things got too uncomfortable.

He grinned and held the Pikachu out in front of him. Arceus was it heavy, but the Professor didn't realize how great of a gift she'd given him. Did she realize how much girls were obsessed with these little rats? Yeah, it was a bit fat, and looked like it'd be less than useless in a fight, but a little exercise would do it good... maybe it'd even look a little less grumpy once it was out and about in the sunlight. The Pikachu squinted against the glare and began to squirm feebly around in his hands, but soon gave up and just hung there, limp.

"We're gonna be great partners, you know."

The Pikachu responded with a weak, apathetic spark. Simon just shook his head and tucked it under his arm. "Are we gonna wait around all day or what?"