Alola! Welcome! [First Topic]

If it weren't for the fact that he had been long and close allies with Magnolia, and dare he even say friends, he wouldn't have made this trip from Johto all the way back to the Oasis in the middle of an assignment by the Ranger Union overseas. Oh, don't get him wrong, he was well aware that this was a once-in-a-lifetime event for the island, reintroducing all of the Pokemon back to the people; hell, his heart and hands wouldn't stop shaking in anticipation at the momentous occasion, and the large lumbering creature of electric dusk beside him kept tossing its head onto his tense palms, but dear god was he not used to being around so many faces again. Was he anxious because he wanted to hurry up and leave or to talk to the other three or--

"Fuck."

Did he just say that out loud?

Rayler gave him a questioningly look, a haggard scowl in his permanent glare, not unlike the tall grumpy dark-haired's, nudging into the side of his leg. Damn it, he said that out loud.

Clearing his throat, Elliot hastily pulled a Pokeball out from the table behind him as the Luxray eased himself down onto the ground, tail swishing like a pendulum as red-yellow scrutinized the little Torchic hopping about nearby. "Err, yeah. Anyway."

Shoving the small ball into the redhead's palms, he grabbed another one nearby. "Press the button in the middle to enlarge the ball, and have Torchic touch it. It'll go into the ball, and then you're good to go." How long had it been since he held a Pokeball in his own hands and participated in a full six-on-six battle? Everything about it felt too foreign and left a sour taste in his mouth. But whatever. Just a stupid taste in his stupid foul mouth.

What did the boy mean by a little troublesome? And Rowan realized that the boy never gave his name. This boy was confusing. They continued walking through the reservation in silence for a few moments, Rowan unable to think of how to respond. The boy was just a little too... off. He couldn't figure out why or how. He watched the Pokèmon wander the fields and noticed a small group of Gibles. He knew that he'd just have to have one. He approached the group and knelt down to about their height. Most of them scattered, unused to human presence other than Dr. McKinney. However, one remained. It looked curiously at Rowan, before promptly jumping up and clamping down on his head. It wasn't painful, the land shark was sure of that, but it still threw the taller boy off guard for a moment as he fell backwards onto the ground. He began laughing as he tugged the Gible off of his head. The Pokèmon then merely sat on his chest with an amused look on its face. "Alright, alright. I take it you wanna come with?" he asked, sitting up. The Gible nodded enthusiastically and Rowan looked at the younger boy. "Your turn," he told him.

Fey gave Stella a tired look. "Cute?" She was used to the scary part; that was what most people thought about her, but only her own best friend could find her to be cute. She was about to say something else, perhaps a joke, but the spirit of that joviality died on her lips as another girl approached. The sudden greeting made her jump, her new Mimikyu friend taking a defensive stance in front of her. The girl bent down and put a quiet hand on it to pacify.

"... Hi."

------------

Ronda was running as fast as her legs could take her to the reservation. She was rushing so fast, her breakfast was being eaten as she went. There were no words even spoken as she swished through the entrance and into the place. She had been briefed well enough beforehand about what was going to happen: go in, get a Pokemon, and get out. There was probably more to that, but did she care? Not at all. All she saw was the end goal: a Pokemon. However, she was late and that was very, very bad! She would get the worst Pokemon out there, for starters, but she was also slacking on her training regimen! Punctuality was key, as her father would always say.

Her perceptive eyes found that plenty of others had already found their partners. Normally, not just any would do for her, but she needed something to start her off. Birds were out of the question, most certainly. Her extensive clan would disown her over a Flying-Type. What else was common and around? Ratatta were scurrying away from her, but she knew that she would be unable to grab onto one before they could flee. Not that she wanted a dumb rodent for her first Pokemon. No, it had to be AWESOME! That was when she noticed an orange monkey-looking Pokemon staring at her from the tree. With a playful leap, it took her hat and was behind her.

She blinked. Finally, something worth her while! Ronda made a dive for it, but it got out of the way. Grunting, she got back up just in time to watch it try and make off. Quickly, she barred its path and replied, "Oh no you don't!"

It stared back at her with confusion, giving her just enough time to scoop the thing up. "There! Now you're mine! Let's go get you a Poke Ball!"

Thus, she marched off, appearing before Elliot in a triumphant manner. "I've got one!"

Point out the obvious, would you? He was definitely not uncomfortable or anxious or tense or stressed out or anything of the sort. Elliot wrung his hand, stilling their constant trembles as he listened to the blazing heart bursting in front of him with the squabbles of a Chatot that he didn't have much will to listen to. Internally groaning, he watched the procedure of a trainer obtaining their first Pokemon in front of him. Nostalgic, wasn't it? With an absentminded nod, he mumbled, "If you can keep an eye on it, I don't see why not." Piercing violet flickered about between the younger girl and the Torchic, and before he realized it, she was reaching out towards Rayler with a bare hand. "Wait, damn it, don't--"

The Luxray immediately sprung up, readjusting its legs as it got down in hostility. Leering and growling, lightning crackled around like fireworks, no longer lax nor tranquil. A 'tch' rose out of his throat as he gave a pointed look at the overexcitable teen and her Pokemon. "Next time, ask before touching. Rayler hates it when people do that," Elliot hissed, running his fingers through the blackened mane of fur on top of the Luxray's head. Ears twitching, gleaming eyes true to its title, Elliot spoke hushed words.

He didn't have much time before another newly-indicted trainer approached him. Curling his fingers in and out, he forcibly moved one of his hands away from his partner's to grab another Pokeball. The Chimchar in the brown-haired girl's hands seemed to be struggling and more than confused, but hey, whatever, he had more important matters. "Pokeball enlarges when you touch the middle. Touch your Pokemon. Done," he recited halfheartedly. Whatever, Claire and the others never told him that he had to be nice about this. They'd understand if he was going to be a little high-strung... Well, both of them were too uptight about this, weren't they?

---

Sharp teeth of razors and fins more ragged and jagged than those of the Pokemon with glinting red eyes of knives from the seas, all the more emphasized by how these ones darted away with the speed of sound at the crunch of leaves on the ground at a startle. Yunnan gave the same bubbly laugh as it sprung up (so much like a Spoink... what was a Spoink?) with more height than any would have expected it capable of, only for the bell to fall from its frame. Was it carnivorous? Would it eat humans just like that? Would it? Would it? Would it?

Walking to the pair, moonlight hand lingering in still above, immediately retracted at the sound of cheerful laughter. Blinking once, twice, he joined in a little with the rhythm of before. "How nice," Yunnan mused, crescent of a smile waxing a centimeter more. "My... turn?" A point of the index finger, a tilt of the head to the side, a braid dangling lifelessly in response to the action. He saw splashes of orange surrounding the land-shark, with the vestige of tangerines.

Head feeling heavy, unknown to the clouds for wings nestling on top of him, blue long feathers swaying like antennae not unlike his own strands of hair. One glance, he seemed to have gained a most peculiar hat (not that he noticed). "Could you please tell me more?"

Kari's eyes widened in surprise at the Luxray's hostile reaction, but didn't jump back or yelp in fear. Instead she calmly withdrew her hand so as not to upset him any further. Straightening, she kept a relaxed posture in hopes it would show him she wasn't a threat. She remembered reading somewhere that if you stayed calm and passive, it was easier to tame aggressive Pokemon. She wasn't entirely certain how well it would work, but it was worth a shot. "Sorry about that, I didn't mean to startle you. My name's Kari, it's nice to meet you Rayler!"

She was being particularly nice to it primarily because Luxray was in fact one of her favorite Pokemon. Seeing one in person was absolutely amazing! Spiked black fur and piercing glowing eyes, muscles rippling under it's black and blue pelt. The entire thing radiated a primal ferocity and power that just inspired respect on so many levels.

Sliding her gaze back to his trainer she rolled her eyes and deadpanned. "I wasn't planning on it, I'd never insult him by touching him without his permission like that. I'm not that rude."

Her Torchic however, was much less calm about the situation. His feathers ruffled up in fright as he bounded behind Kari's booted foot, peeking out from behind it with frightened, teary eyes.

Kari then quirked an eyebrow at the tense man in front of her, crossing her arms and asking him, "What's being a ranger like?"

It was blatantly obvious he wanted nothing to do with her, but that never stopped her in the past. Besides, it was entertaining watching him squirm in irritation.

No, scratch that. What was with her attitude? Sure, sure, he was irritated and seeing his partner grow increasingly more violent in response to someone's insensitivity wasn't helping either, but she just had to have a big mouth that didn't know how to be considerate to others, didn't she? Elliot pinched the bridge of his nose, inhaling, exhaling, sulking as he bit back less-than-appropriate words from the tips of his sharp tongue. He could've spat out a flurry of insults, thrown out as many curses as he wanted, or even damned her to hell and back. But he didn't. Instead, he settled on: "Leave me alone." Maybe it wasn't the best choice - he was certain he sounded like an injured Lillipup whining in protest because all it had was a bark and no bite -, but this wasn't worth it.

Old-fashioned as it was, Elliot didn't care. He quickly pulled out a metal ball, similar to the size of a Pokeball, and twisted the top red notch. The sphere shook in his hands, and each little spin needed more energy than the last as it nearly slipped away from his grasp. Once he managed to get it open, Luxray's form enveloped in a white light, retracting inside, the beast materialized and gone. Pocketing it away into his jacket, the dark-haired male gave one last glare towards Kari before storming off.

As he passed by Magnolia and Claire, he grimaced, his attitude deflating like a balloon and silently mouthed the words. They would get the signal. Being around people really wasn't his thing after all.

Finally, after the got used to the weight on her back, Olive decided it was time to leave, or at least find something else to do. It was relieving that she didn't have to go delving into the deeper parts of the sanctuary for her Pokemon. It was just a bird who decided to be a jerk once. It was fine by her, at least it seemed moderately competent to fight.

Walking back towards the exit, the Kalosian girl spotted from the corner of her eye the girl she had spoken with before. This time, all alone, she was stroking a little Fennekin, holding a stick it seemed very fond of. Advancing from the bushes, the black-haired girl clapped her hands with a bitter-sweet smile. "Oh wow, you did it~" Olive spoke, the Murkrow on her shoulder fluttering its wings, eyeing the stick the other Pokemon was holding. A peculiar look lingered on his face, gaze affixed on the piece of wood.

~~~

Poke? Well she didn't have any of that on her. It wasn't just that her family wasn't the most... wealthy around, but she wasn't allowed to handle any sort of large sum. She had a habit of easily giving up anything someone asked for. Sighing with a bright look in her ever-so innocent eyes, reached out her skinny, bare arms for Circus, who was beginning to wander off somewhere else, clearly upset by them stumbling upon a stranger. Stroking her between her long, floppy ears and on the back of her neck, Iulia showed her off to the doll-like person.

"I don't have any money, but they can play with Circus!" she suggested cheerfully, wiggling the pale blue elephant in her arms and hoisting it up proudly as it dangled its plump legs in the air. Suddenly, she gasped, almost dropping the little creature on their face."Do you want to play with Circus?"

Stella was trying to think of how best to inform Fey that yes, she was in fact just as cute as her Mimikkyu friend, and got as far as three words - "Yes, you are!" - but found her own eyes following where Fey was looking before she could think of a good way to explain why. A girl dressed in white, accompanied by an Absol... Her mind came to a conclusion almost instantly.

"Are you a ghost? I've never met a ghost before! You're so pretty!" she exclaimed cheerfully, clapping her hands together in excitement.

Her Purrloin companion, sitting next to her, looked at the newcomer with curiosity, and prepared to take a step forward.

"Oh, no you don't," Stella declared, gently pulling him back. "You might be taking my things, but you don't steal from strangers."

ooc;; sorry for the purely ooc post, but please note that once you get a Pokeball from Magnolia, Claire, or Charlotte (Elliot is now unavailable), you're free to make a new topic anywhere and start exploring and interacting with everyone outside of this topic! Just to clarify this in case people were unsure about what to do after meeting their Pokemon and when you're released from our chains.