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Post by Trailfoot on May 3, 2010 2:10:01 GMT -5
Fitz nodded. "That is what I do." He closed his eyes as well, struggling to sleep past the excitement and fear.
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Post by Myridd on May 3, 2010 21:36:32 GMT -5
The next morning
Fitz and Cynthia awoke to find the front door open, and soft voices speaking outside. Fitz, concerned for his sister, went to the door peering out. Gil and Faron were sitting in a patch of grass, on top of Gil's jacket, watching the marshmallow-colored creature and Longsilver fly around in the air. Next to them there was a small fire going, with a metal pan propped above it. The smell of bacon rose into the air. Gil and Faron were obviously unaware that they were being watched as Gil reached out and moved a strand of Faron's dark hair away from her face as he spoke to her. She turned bright red, and looked away.
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Post by Trailfoot on May 4, 2010 13:40:09 GMT -5
Fitz started toward the two, but Cynthia placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let it be. They will let us know when breakfast is ready." She turned to walk back into the house, sitting on the mattress and pulling out an apricorn and a whittling knife.
Fitz blinked. "You make Pokeballs?"
Cynthia nodded. "It's how I earn travelling money, for the most part. I do other work as well, but the skill of making Pokeballs is rare enough that I can usually resupply in any village I stop at, as well as leave with some cash in my pocket." She continued to work, her hands moving with well-practiced ease. "I also find it relaxing."
Fitz glanced out the door again at his sister. "That guy moves fast."
"When you don't know what the next sunrise will bring, you have to." Cynthia finished the Heavy Ball and tossed it to Fitz. "He's had his world ripped away from him. When you've had an experience like that, you learn that if you find something worth pursuing, you pursue it. Hiding from your feelings is a luxury we do not have."
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Post by Myridd on May 4, 2010 23:10:24 GMT -5
A few minutes later, Faron and Gil came back into the cabin. Gil was carrying the frying pan full of bacon.
"Eat up. Its a long walk, and looks like the weather is going to get nasty, and we've got to book passage to Indigo." Gil said as he split the bacon four ways between four plates. He handed Cynthia's hers and Faron walked over to Fitz,handing him a plate.
"Brother! guess what? Longsilver can fly! See? I bet Jill could too." Longsilver hovered behind Faron as she spoke, Skeets was as well. "Gil thinks we are going to have to either catch some pokemon who can swim well, or find a trainer with one who is willing to port us." She sighed, shaking her head a bit. "Turns out no boats go from New Bark to Indigo. Since Indigo is like a no man's land."
On the other side of the cabin, Gil had just finished explaining his plan to Cynthia. "Only trouble is. ." He continued, talking with his hands. "Finding a trainer willing to take us across is going to be tough, but I think its better than the chances of finding a water-type large enough to take us all across, or four individual ones. Unfortunately, it'll be difficult to find a trainer we can trust. . . Considering." His eyes moving to Marshmallow who was apparently having a conversation with the small blue bird.
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Post by Trailfoot on May 11, 2010 19:20:00 GMT -5
Cynthia rose to her feet, collecting her things and taking the plate. "We'll have to move quickly to get to Indigo after we cross the falls, because, while we should be able to find a trainer to get us across, making sure they do not talk to others after would be impossible... at least, not without doing something I would truly prefer to avoid..."
Fitz blinked. "You mean... no. No, not doing that. No."
Jill lifted off, floating over to the Gastly and Longsilver, making soft sounds at both of them while Cynthia responded to Fitz. "I agree with you... but it means that we will have to behave as if we will be betrayed. Given the danger we have already faced, the possibility of treachery must be treated as the certainty of treachery... which means we move fast and with little rest to reach the Plateau." She smiled a bit. "We should, however, be able to take the time to resupply in New Bark. Perhaps a hot bath, too..."
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Post by Myridd on May 12, 2010 13:21:10 GMT -5
The journey to New Bark was a hard, fast paced one. They took turns sleeping for short spurts during the day and always kept a vigilant watch. Gil always seemed able to russel them up something to eat in the morning. The day before they got to New Bark, Faron had been able to make some money from reading the fortunes of a group of traveling trainers. She had promised them all they would catch Pikachus and they had tipped extra for that.
Jill, Longsilver, Marshmallow and the blue bird had managed to stay hidden for the most part. Though Gil tended to keep Marshmallow hidden from his companions as well.
Faron and Gil continued their morning talks, when it wasn't their time to sleep. Including Fitz and Cynthia whenever they were awake. Mostly they talked about fortune telling, and Faron's premonitions. Cynthia noticed, however, that whenever the conversation turned to Gil, he always had a way of making it seem like he answered without really answering at all.
They arrived in New Bark around lunch time. The small town had managed to keep itself together through all of the chaos, and seemed almost exactly as it did during the golden years.
"Oh, hello! You must be new in town!" A small voice came from behind them. When they turned, they saw a small boy with dark unruly hair with large soulful brown eyes. He looked around seven years old and was dressed with a cape tied around his neck. "My name's Hayden! Welcome to New Bark! My momma runs a bed and breakfast if you guys are hungry! I just got back from catching pokemon!" He rambled, than looked from side to side as if being secretive. "But don't tell Momma. She says its too dangerous. But look! I found some pokeballs a trainer left in a room at our place, and he had been gone for a whole week!! So finders keepers, right? I didn't steal them or nuffin!" He held out his hands, and sure enough within his hands were three red and white pokeballs. The classic kind, thought to be out of production for decades now. "But I only have one pokemon. . But if you want, we can battle! You look like trainers! I see a Ghastly! He's one of my favorites, though you don't see them in these parts. Only in haunted places. . . Where Momma won't let me go." He frowned, than suddenly smiled again.
"Oh! We can battle later. Come this way, Momma's makin' chicken, and Daddy's makin' fish. He's a fisherman, you know. His own boat and everything!" Hayden said excitedly, stuffing his pokeballs back into his pockets, and sprinting off down the road before Gil, Cynthia, Faron, or Fitz had time to speak a word.
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Post by Trailfoot on May 13, 2010 1:45:22 GMT -5
Fitz blinked. "Energetic, isn't he?" He turned to look at the others. "What do you think? Some fish and chicken sound good, especially after the last few days."
Cynthia nodded. "The food and rest do sound good... but more important is the boat. We may be able to hire the child's father to take us past the falls and into Kanto, which would save an enormous amount of time." She turned her eyes on Gil. "What do you think?"
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Post by Myridd on May 13, 2010 15:57:25 GMT -5
Gil nodded, looking thoughtful. "It's worth a shot. Though, I don't know how my conscience will deal with the fact his father might not return? The waters are dangerous. Frankly, I'm surprised New Bark is faring as well as it is."
While they talked, Faron had begun to follow the boy, walking off without the others in sort of a dreamy state. Suddenly she stopped, a look of horror on her face. Oh no. . . And there is nothing I can do. .. She collapsed to her knees and began sobbing into her hands.
As Fitz, Cynthia and Gil quickly made their way to her, the door to the bed and breakfast opened up, and out came a man, short, stocky, but solidly built. His eyes were friendly and filled with concern as he made his way to Faron as well.
He looked up at the group, stepping back from Faron as they approached. "Hello, my name is Kenji. You've met my son. We have rooms for you." He glanced down at Faron, a sad smile on his face. "And some hot tea too. Looks like you guys could use the rest."
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Post by Trailfoot on May 14, 2010 4:42:38 GMT -5
Cynthia knelt next to Faron, looking concerned, but spared a moment to speak to Kenji. "Tea would be good... we'll be in momentarily."
Fitz spoke softly, whispering to Faron. "I'm here, sis... what did you see?"
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Post by Myridd on May 14, 2010 9:24:02 GMT -5
Faron wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands than looked up at her brother. "It. . its. . . its nothing. . . We can't . . Noo. You're better off not knowing, Fitz." She sniffled, and it struck Fitz that this was the first time Faron had refused to share a vision.
Gil knelt down, placing a hand on Fitz's back. "Perhaps the middle of the street would not be the best place for discussion?" He glanced at a few citizens of New Bark who had gathered to see the sobbing girl.
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Post by Trailfoot on May 14, 2010 20:33:55 GMT -5
Fitz nodded, helping his sister to her feet. "Let's get you inside..." He smiled to her reassuringly, swallowing his worry over her refusal to talk about the vision for the moment. "This looks like a place that would have that White Orchard tea you like... maybe even some peppermint leaves. Let's go get some."
Cynthia, meanwhile, glanced at the crowd, giving them the universal "nothing to see here" glare before walking toward the bed and breakfast.
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Post by Myridd on May 15, 2010 11:44:45 GMT -5
Inside the Bed and Breakfast
Faron and Fitz were lead to a small nook with comfortable arm chairs and a red-headed older lady, Hayden's mother, served them both White Orchard tea and scones. Gil made his way to the front desk to speak with Kenji about room arrangements. Cynthia took a step to join him, but was sidetracked by Hayden suddenly attaching himself to her leg. "Hey Lady! You dress funny!"
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Post by Trailfoot on May 15, 2010 18:52:43 GMT -5
Fitz sat, drinking his tea quietly, occasionally throwing his sister a worried glance but letting her think in peace. Every few moments, he glanced out the window.
Cynthia blinked as her leg was suddenly much heavier. "I dress comfortably, and my name is Cynthia. Have you always lived here?"
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Post by Myridd on May 17, 2010 13:22:22 GMT -5
Hayden grinned up at Cynthia, still holding onto her leg. "Yup. Lived here all my life. You smell like the woods. I like the woods. But mama says that girls shouldn't smell like the woods. Cause the woods smell like boys. We have a bath through that door, momma told me to tell you, but to be discreet about it. . . What's discreet mean?" He rambled, and pointed to a door that indeed said Bath
Gil made his way over to Fitz and Faron, a few keys in his hands. "Here." He handed Fitz a key. "I only got two rooms, that's all they had available. But theres two beds in both, and I thought you could use the time with your sister."
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Post by Trailfoot on May 17, 2010 22:00:08 GMT -5
"Bath?" Cynthia perked up. "I do have to say I disagree with your mother... people should smell like what they do, and if a girl spends her time in the woods, why shouldn't she smell like the woods? Still..." She made her way toward the bath. "Discreet means quiet... keep it between you and the people who need to know."
Fitz nodded to Gil, taking the key. "Thanks, Gil. I appreciate it." He looked the key over suspiciously - he's never liked locks - then smiled to his sister. "If that's okay with you."
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