[Episode 1] Littleroot Town

[Kat]

"There...perfect!"

Rose Kahen stepped back to admire her work, resting her hands lightly on her hips. A Mudkip sat before her, tilting it's head in slight confusion. It had just been given a bath - that hadn't been minded so much at all. It was the big orange bow tied around it's neck that was more confusing. "Kiiiip?" it chirped, turning it's head in an attempt to nip at the bow.

The Pokemon Assistant scooped up the tiny pokemon, tickling it under it's chin. "Leave it on. You look absolutely adorable. You'll be adopted today for sure."

It was a busy day for the Littleroot Lab. Not only was it Pokemon Adoption Day...but several trainers were starting their journeys that day as well. They would most certainly be busy, but it would be enjoyable to see so many pokemon going to good homes.

She set the Mudkip down in a playpin with several others of it's species, then turned to her next project - a rather feisty little Treeko. As she picked it up to take it to the sink for a bath, she wondered where the Professor might be...the events would be starting anytime, now...

[Nova]

Outside, a little while off from the Littleroot Lab, a trainer came down the small path, a skip in her step, a song in her throat, and that sparkle in her eye that just blantantly shows the world how much this one loves life. Everytime her worn tennis shoes hit the ground, a small puff of dust went into the air only to whirl around as her feet left the earth again, repeating the same step over and over. It didn't appear as if she was going any place specific, but if she was, she was taking her sweet time getting there, taking in every moment of every day. By just one look, people could tell that this was a girl who loved life. Looks like Nikki was in town.
A few skips past the Lab and she seemed to realize that she'd passed the place she was headed towards. Her head of silver hair snapped to the right and in response, she stumbled a bit, before catching herself and straightening up. Not embarassed in the least, she turned to her right and faced the Lab, a huge grin growing on her face. "Alright!" she exclaimed, clenching her hands into fists, victorious. "I found it!" The time to start a new Pokemon adventure was here! And this was practically her favorite part - finding a new friend and getting to know them. And from the looks of the ribbons and signs, it was Pokemon Adoption Day! Double score!
With a happy leap, she danced her way over to the window and unceremoniously smeared her face against it, peering in. "Uwaaa, looks awesome!" she said to herself, distorting her face against the window and consequently leaving some smudge marks on it. "I wonder what pokemon I should choose this time...Grass, fire, or water?"

[Meggyness]

Just outside of Littleroot Town, a figure observed a family of Zigzagoon. The figure was Professor Birch and it appeared by his five ‘o clock shadow, that he had been away from the lab for a few days. After jotting down notes on his observations of the Zigzagoon, he smiled and closed his notebook. “Wild Pokemon have complex family groups,” the professor noted. He then remembered and put a hand to his forehead, “Oh, what day is it? Pokemon Adoption Day is today! I should have been at the lab hours ago!”

Not far away, in Littleroot Town, inside a large house, a teenager was gathering his last minute preparations for his first Pokemon journey. He was very quiet and had a nervous disposition. Afraid that they would stop him from going out on his own, he was trying his best not to bother his parents. He packed a small bag with a few belongings, clothes, pokeballs, potions, food, books and a bit of money and left his home quietly without a word. Once he was out of his house and well on his way to the lab, his excitement kicked in as a huge grin spread across his face. He was well on his way to getting his first Pokemon!

[Sana Jisushi]

"Ohohoho..." A tall feminine shadow appeared on a hill looking over the town.
"Why are we here again?" asked the voice of a young boy who came up behind her.
"Useless!" She twitched and slapped him.
"Oww."
The woman shook her head and flipped her hair. "There's something interesting there..."

[Kat]

Rose was lost in her thoughts, wondering about the wereabouts of the Professor. Had he lost track or time, or gotten lost? Had he aggravated any herds of pokemon, sending him clamboring for the safety of the nearest tree...?

Perhaps she had better go look for him...

She was snapped out of her thoughts by the sound of something hitting the window, and whipped her head around, startled by the face smeared all over it. After a moment though, she sighed, using her elbow (she was still holding that fiesty Treeko) to wipe her forehead. It was a trainer, no doubt, arriving early for the day's festivities.

"Just a moment, please!" she called towards the person at the window, turning her attention back to the Treeko at hand. The stubborn thing was acting like a Torchic around water...

[Nat aka Merry]

A few doors down from the lab, a front door slammed, breaking what was left of the comfortable silence that had been present throughout Littleroot Town. A young girl flew out of the house and toward the lab as fast as her short legs would carry her. It took all of her self-restraint not to yell out in glee, but who could blame her? Pokemon Adoption Day was finally here! It felt like she had been waiting forever!

Lenora Monaghan reached the lab quickly, and resisted the urge to press her face to the window as Nikki had. Instead, she stood close to the glass and peered in curiously, brown eyes searching for a Torchic, since that was the Pokemon she wanted. 'Where are you?' she thought.

[Nova]

Nikki gave the young girl inside a crooked grin - as best as she could, seeing as her face was still smeared across the window pane. She grinned more, watching the Treeko the girl inside was handling, immediately liking the Pokemon. Perhaps that one would be the one she chose today...
Glancing over at the new and just as excited arrival, Nikki finally tore her face off of the window (and after a moment of staring, wiped it a bit) then grinned at the girl. "Which one do you have your eyes on?" Just a curious question, yanno...To find out if she was interested in the Treeko. Nikki at least wanted a chance to figure out if she would really like to have the Pokemon before letting one else try to get it...And then, the girl may not even want it. But hey!

[Meggyness]

(OOC: I apologize for my lack of posting. I'm pretty busy with college and whatnot.)

Landon made his way to the lab. His running shoes were fairly new, but broken in enough that they were quite comfortable. He slowed as he approached the lab. An expression of mild disappointment spread across his face. There were already people gathered at the lab. His heart sunk. What if he couldn’t get the Pokemon of his choice? What if there were no Pokemon left? He then realized they had not even opened the doors yet. His disappointment turned back into excitement. Though he was already out of breath from running to the lab, he was ready to begin his adventure.

[Nat aka Merry]

Lenora bounced discreetly from one foot to the other, trying to contain her excitement. This method wasn't working too well, but luckily she was distracted when Nikki spoke. The blonde smiled from ear to ear. "I want a Torchic! They're so cool," she stated, then added, "But I wouldn't mind a Mudkip, so they're my second choice."

She peeked inside a little more, and noticed a distinct lack of Professor Birch. "Is Professor Birch not here? Is that why we haven't been allowed in yet?" Lenora asked, frowning a little. Yes, it could be said that she was being quite impatient, but she could hardly be blamed for it.

[Nova]

Nikki grinned even wider upon hearing that both of the girl's choices were not a Treeko. Nikki WAS sort of jumping to conclusions though, since she might decide she wouldn't want the Treeko after meeting it...But she'd see. If worse came to worse, she'd choose another pokemon that wasn't one of the starter ones. If the lab had any. These many choices notwithstanding, Nikki would be pretty much happy with any pokemon.
Upon the girls' second statement, Nikki returned to pressing her face against the window, squinting and looking around. She knew Professor Birch (mostly through reputation) and indeed, it didn't look like he was inside. Interesting. oo; "I dunno...Probably. But if that's the case, I hope he gets here soon!" Come on, Professor, don't make these girls wait too much longer!!

[Nat aka Merry]

Lenora hopped up and down openly now, obviously restless. "Seriously," she nodded to Nikki's comment. She was ready to start her journey, already! The delay hadn't been part of her initial plan. And Lenora, though young, was the kind of person who stuck to plans.


A little farther away, another trainer was just entering Littleroot Town, headed for the laboratory as well. She wasn't about to get her starter Pokemon - that event had happened some years ago - but wanted to speak to Professor Birch anyway, before taking the Hoenn gym challenge.

Seventeen year old Daytona Wheeler took her time getting to the lab, coming to stand a little ways behind Nikki and Lenora. Judging on the small "crowd" gathered, she ventured a guess, "Is Professor Birch not here?"

[Nova]

Nikki flashed a look at the girl, grinning widely, before returning her attention back inside. What could be taking so looong? ;-;
Oh, new arrival! Looking over her shoulder, she smiled and nodded at the teen. "Not yet, it seems. We've already been here for a few minutes, so hopefully he'll be arriving soon." ^^ Veeery soon, she hoped. Nikki wasn't sure how much longer she could wait!

[Kir]

"Everyones ariving here. Awesome." Eve easily held in her enthusiasm, being turned onto the idea of focusing on pokemon training least by the group of people who seemed to be flocking to the lab and hovering uncomfortably outside. Still, her mother said today was the day all the other new trainers would be going to the lab to start her journey, as many hadn't gotten their first pokemon yet. Her mother also warned her many of the trainers were probably half of her age.

She trudged to the entrance, wondering if she was just supposed to go in or not. She figured she'd be more comfortable inside than submerged in a crowd. With a glance down to Riley, whose shoulder lined up with Eve's hip, the girl then found herself wondering if Riley was allowed in.

"...Duh, you moron." Eve muttered at herself, realizing it was a pokemon lab, why shouldn't Riley be allowed in. She tried to pull open the door but found out it was locked. Perhaps that was why everyone was hovering, or maybe she was in the wrong place. She looked over at some of the other people around the door.

"Hey, is this where I'm supposed to go to start on that Pokemon Challenge thing?"

[Kat]

It didn't look like the Professor would be arriving any time soon. And she couldn't just leave those trainers out there all morning. She wondered though...could she handle Adoption Day all by herself?

One could only hope.

Setting the (now clean) Treeko down into it's pen, she wiped her hands on her apron, then grabbed a lab coat and put it on, tossing her hair so it wouldn't be trapped underneath the white material. There. Now...she just had to unlock the door and hope she wasn't trampled by the stampeding trainers-to-be.

Rose took a deep breath, then unlocked the front door, timidly pulling it open just enough so she could step out. "Uhm...hello there! Welcome to Pokemon Adoption Day. I do apologize for the delay, but the Professor is running late. But if you would please step into the lobby, we can at least attempt to get things started without him." And hopefully he would arrive soon to help out...

[KBRG]

Frank walked along the path from his Pokemon facility to the lab, humming a small aimless tune. Today was an exciting day for more than trainers, to-be trainers, and the professor. It was an exciting day for the man who had raised half of the Pokemon avaliable at the lab. He was aching to know if they would be picked, and if they would go on be top-notch in a tournament. He knew the Pokemon he donated were strong and able, but that didn't garuntee they would be picked. On his way to the lab, he was ready to take the ones not picked back with him. After all, they couldn't all constantly stay at the lab. The professor had better things to do than sit and look after fledgling Pokemon.

Reaching the lab, he was mildly suprised to see that the doors seemed to have only just opened. Wasn't it supposed to start earlier than this? Scratching the small amount of stubble that adorned his chin, the man drew a hand through his short hair and fully reached the lab. Standing in the back and stay unnoticed for a second, he finally let out a remark.

"Goodness, looks like the world is going to be seeing females dominate the field in the next year."

At that he smoothly stepped around all the new recruits (as he fondly refferred to them), and stood next to Rose, a somewhat amused look on his face. And waited, and then realized something was wrong. There was no professor. Casting a look down at Rose (who he knew somewhat from visits and delivering the Pokemon), he curiously asked,

"Where is the Professor?"