A slight detour

[sorbet]

Vale decided to use the next few hours to double check a Mudkip’s care needs and his stock, making sure he had what he’d need. He made a point of using this time to let the Pok?mon out of its ball and get to know it. It was almost cute, but maybe eager was a better word. Vale had found himself wondering how much the creature cared about him so much as license to run around the world, but the little guy stayed close enough that he didn’t find himself minding one way or another.

The problem that kept arising for Vale was a name. It was common to name the companions, and seemed to come easily enough for other trainers as far as he could tell. But there wasn’t anything he really liked yet, and thankfully everything he halfheartedly passed by the Mudkip was denied. Fair enough, really. Vale had never been known for his creativity as much as his roots in logic, even before the insomnia ... Right, the insomnia. The insomnia he hadn’t yet explained to the Mudkip, which was important enough to explain. Even if it took a while for him to fully understand, the little guy deserved to know about it. Now wasn’t a good enough time, though. He really wanted to set out to the next town, decide whether or not he was really going to take the Gym challenge, and ...

A soft, “Kip,” broke him from his thoughts. He glanced down at the water-type to see it had stopped moving a few steps ago – how could he not have noticed? Silently admonishing himself for not paying enough attention, he walked back to it, seeing that it was looking at a building. Not really able to pinpoint the reason, he looked it over. It didn’t look abandoned, but it did look aged. He could just hear his mother crooning over the character of the place, but he glanced back down at the Mudkip. It seemed to want to go inside for some reason.

He spent a few moments as it looked up at him, weighing he options. He wasn’t altogether sure of how appropriate it would be for a Pok?mon to waltz about indoors as it pleased, but then again it hadn’t just rushed inside without warning. Maybe that meant it would listen to him. He tried for simple words, and yet still put effort into not talking to it like a child. “Well ... just don’t break anything, okay? If the owner wants, we’ll leave of I’ll return you back to your pokeball.” He got a cheery enough response, and so he lead the way to the building. It wasn’t a home, so he felt free to try the door. His confidence rose as the doorknob turned, and he let himself inside with the Mudkip close behind. As he stepped inside, keeping the door open just long enough to let the little water-type amble on in, he called out. ”Hello?” Only as he closed the door did he turn to take in the inside of the place.

[Cai]

The soft, gentle sound of classical music wafted out of the red brick building the moment its door was opened. The source was a mahogany-crafted old-fashioned gramophone, sitting sedately in one corner of the room playing its soothing music. Ellen Price herself sat behind the tall front desk, a book open in front of her and a small, sleeping Eevee coiled in her lap. She stroked it slowly as she read, her fingers tangling in the familiar brown fur. Her Hariyama wandered across the plush dark green carpet, alerting her to the presence of a newcomer with a muttered "Hyah!". Ellen looked up.

"Oh. Hello there," she replied in her quiet voice, smiling gently at the boy who had appeared in her doorway with a Mudkip skittering at his feet. Her smile broadened. She tended to warm towards Pokémon-carriers much quicker than people who had no evidence of a shared love of Pokémon, and she particularly respected those who allowed their Pokémon to roam outside their Pokéballs. She never kept her own in theirs, preferring the active presence of her companions at her side.

Ellen stood up, leaning her hands on the desk. "Can I help you? Are you here to visit or adopt?" She glanced briefly towards a door off the side of the room which was neatly labelled 'Pokémon Rescue Centre'. The front room led straight out into the homely, tidily kept pens where Ellen's abandoned Pokémon recuperated, but she didn't let just anyone wander through her doors. As if to emphasise this point, her Hariyama stood in front of the door, arms crossed. "Hyuh!"

[/i] it grunted, eyeing the intruder suspiciously.

[/blockquote]

[sorbet]

Vale blinked as he glanced around, trying to take in the furnishings and the sound and the ... nearly eight foot tall fighting-type that he couldn't miss for the world. He blinked when the gentle-looking woman drew his eye, but he caught on well enough to her body language. While he was taking everything in, his Mudkip had already stepped forward with a confident, "Muh!" as if to answer in his place. Vale, on the other hand, was just confused. "I'm sorry; may I ask why a place like this needs to exist in the first place?"

It made him feel naive to ask it, but he had to. He'd heard of trainers no longer being able to care for their Pok?mon, but surely not in so large a number as to warrant a place like this. The Professor had brought up crime and he'd been prepared enough to be on guard when he set out, but this was a surprise of a different breed. He glanced at the doorway, but really spent his focus on the woman before him. Meanwhile, his Mudkip wandered towards the Hariyama with a cheerful cry.

[Cai]

Ellen looked at the visiting trainer, mildly surprised, but her unfaltering smile covered it. She was a strange individual, disillusioned to the failings of the world, aware of the shortcomings of its people, yet still warm and giving, willing to help and give. Yet she forgot sometimes that there was such innocence for people to not realise that life could be very cruel to its creatures.

"My father founded this centre as a home for all Pokémon in need of help. It is all too common for trainers to keep more Pokémon than they can care for, or to grow weary of those they judge too weak or invaluable to continue training. When this happens, they are left to fend for themselves. I care for those that cannot do this." She dipped her head slightly. "Unfortunately when times grow harder, more Pokémon are abandoned. Under the Eight Diamonds' grip, we saw a great increase in abandoned Pokémon. I fear the same is happening again."

It was true; prospects were grim in Caligo now, because trainers were starting to fear for the safety of their Pokémon. And of those that were stolen, only the strongest were deemed worth a place on teams among their captors, and weaker ones were left out in the cold. There had been more Pokémon brought into the centre in the last week than all of the last month, and Ellen only expected the number to rise.

"It is not all bad news, of course, for those that are brought to my sanctuary often recover quickly, and may be rehomed with suitable trainers in time."

[sorbet]

Vale frowned, trying hard to hang onto the woman's words as his Mudkip ambled over towards the Hariyama, giving a curious cry. He didn't want the Pok?mon to wander off out of sight, but the stranger's words held a valuable enough lesson. It seemed as though the professor wasn't kidding when he said crime was rising, but there was another thing to learn in it. Vale would be have to be careful with the Pok?mon he caught or chose to take with him, keeping in mind that he'd have to care for them. He'd already known this, and yet it meant more here. He waited until she was finished speaking, and found he was mulling over her words for a moment or so more when he shifted weight, choosing his words carefully. "What makes you say that there's going to be another increase?" Once more, he had a slight slither in the back of his mind, almost as if he already knew the answer but not quite.

He glanced after his Mudkip, but only for another moment, before adding, "Is there anything I can do?" He didn't mean it in a bleeding-heart sort of way, but at the same time he couldn't very well just do nothing. He was raised better than that. Maybe there was some Pok?mon that would offer mutual benefit, or a bit of currency he could spare from now to his next trip to the bank.

[Cai]

Ellen looked curiously at the newcomer. "Are you new to the region? We've had a rash of Pokémon crimes recently. It's been all over the news. I suppose it's quietened down in the past few weeks but I can't help but feel something's coming..." she sighed, absently stroking the Eevee, who was now curled in a happy ball on her desk. She sometimes felt the urge to march out of here and take on the criminals who were causing so much distress in the region all by herself, but then rationality would return and she knew the best thing she could do was stay here and work with her rescue Pokémon.

"There's always something you can do," Ellen chuckled softly. "The question is, what are you willing to do? You could come and shovel Mareep poop every Saturday, but judging from the looks of you you're a trainer who shan't be staying in Lacewing very long." She appreciated the well-meaning trainer, and her experienced eye told her that the boy and his Mudkip were very green as trainers, only just brought together by the kindly Pokémon Professor. "Do you want to look at the rescue Pokémon we have? Perhaps when you're a more experienced trainer you could come back and take one on. Once you've practised with that young Mudkip a bit more."

[sorbet]

The woman was being honest enough with Vale that he found himself being honest despite himself, more out of respect than anything. He nodded, then listened some more. Vale found himself chuckling along with the proposition, but he agreed softly with the guess at his position. Though, he found himself doubting there was a need to; this woman was smart. Her offer caught his attention and turned his thoughts, but he found himself agreeing. "I'd like that, actually." He turned his attention to the Mudkip. Sure, this proved a safe enough place, but he'd have to be more firm about it staying close. Better to learn this here and now than when it was a harder lesson.

[Cai]

Ellen smiled, pleased, and moved from behind her desk. She clasped her hands in front of her demurely and raised her eyebrows at the Hariyama, who had not moved from his sentry-like position. "Now now, Yakei, this is a friend," she said sternly, and the Hariyama reluctantly unfolded his arms and stepped aside. "OK, come through. Most of the Pokémon in here are very docile and friendly, but please be careful. Some have been badly mistreated and are jumpy." Ellen opened the door, and the chirrup of many Pokémon voices quickly resounded, forming a chatty chorus.

Inside the room was warm, clean and prettily decorated, the gleaming tiled floor covered in many different colours, while the whitewashed walls were decorated with lots of posters and paintings, some expensive-looking, some childlike and homemade. The Pokémon in the pens seemed to light up as Ellen walked in, immediately bounding towards the edges of their enclosures to lean up against it, vying for her attention. "These are Pokémon who are still growing used to being safe and cared for. They're not ready to leave, but they're much better than they were," she commented, giving a pat to an overexcited Quilava as she went.

"Through there are the most recent arrivals. I'm afraid they're in quite bad shape, and it will take time for them to become ready to join these Pokémon," Ellen gestured down a small, airy alcove in which a row of smaller pens were situated, plush bedding and comforting hidey-holes obscuring their residents from view. Ellen turned aside and led the young man the other way. distributing pats and friendly murmurs as they passed through the rehabilitating Pokémon, eventually reaching a grassy patch in which several Pokémon played.

"These are the Pokémon waiting to be rehomed. They're the ones who are free from severe injuries and psychological damage and can be safely placed with caring new trainers." Ellen explained, gesturing at the Pokémon who seemed quite content in their home. "We're always overloaded, you see, so it's best to be able to rehome Pokémon as soon as they're ready." She turned to the trainer again. "I'm sorry, did I introduce myself? My name is Ellen Price. I didn't catch your name..."

[sorbet]

Vale watched the stranger move with a sort of ... what was the word? Not quite elegance, more ... integrity, perhaps. Maybe not so strange in a place such as this as one might think. It was clear that this was her lifework, and it who could rightly deny her pride in it? He had to close his eyes for a moment, pausing in step as he followed her. It’d caught the attention of the Mudkip, who was waiting for the humans to pass before shouldering at Vale’s side, always trying to chirrup back to the other Pok?mon as he passed them.

The new trainer listened as they passed pen after pen, noting the effect the woman had on the Pok?mon. His attention was mostly taken up with listening to the woman, glancing at the pens and Pok?mon and the rest of the fixtures as he listened. Glancing at the contrast in the paintings, he wondered how much of the furnishings were from donations. But he said nothing, not willing to interrupt her for another question he felt he knew the answer to.

When they approached the play area, Mudkip hopped forward with a few chirrups, seeming to wish to play. However, Vale’s attention was on the woman as she turned to him, and he managed a smile. Of course, how could he forget to introduce himself? “Ah, of course. I’m Vale.” He held out a hand, “Or James Parker, more formally.”

[Cai]

"Very nice to meet you, Mr Parker," Ellen smiled, dipping her head. "It's always a pleasure to have caring young trainers visit the centre." She reached over and unlatched the gate of the pen, seeing Vale's Mudkip chirping excitedly, and allowed him access. The Pokémon inside milled forward in high spirits, a Poliwag waddling over and flapping his broad tail while a Furret streaked forwards and chirruped at the Mudkip, her fur fluffed up in pleasure at meeting a new friend.

In the background a Heracross wandered over to a small tree and rubbed against it, seemingly paying no attention to the visitors, and a Gastly phased in and out of visibility randomly, one minute appearing here and the next there. Ellen watched her charges carefully, gauging their response, and scrutinised the young trainer once again. "I don't usually let new trainers take my Pok?mon, because there usually needs to be some extra experience to help recuperating Pok?mon return to full health. But you seem a sensible youngster. Are you interested in adopting?"

[sorbet]

"And you," the new trainer replied before looking out at the Pok?mon in their pen. Vale couldn't believe it, and it was easy enough to just put his hand back by his side as he watched the other Pok?mon. They were .. familiar. All of them, though some more than others. Furret was common and native to Johto, but now it seemed like a warm reminder of home and all he'd left behind. Ghastly, too, was a common enough experience in a town with a ghost-type gym, and he found himself watching it flicker across the room. Both Heracross and Poliwag could also be found in Johto, but Vale wasn't as familiar with their care as the first two.

Ellen Price's words cut through his thoughts, and he glanced at her. He didn't respond right away; it was a big decision, after all. But, as he watched his Mudkip eagerly exchanging greetings and play with the Furret and Poliwag, he gave a slow nod. "I ... think I might." After all, what was the harm in a friend?

[Cai]

Ellen nodded cautiously, and looked at the Pokémon before her. The Gastly and Heracross had showed little interest in the trainer and his Pokémon, which suggested to Ellen that they were less well suited to him than the Poliwag and Furret which were so cheerfully playing with the Mudkip. Ellen found she could well imagine either one of them joining him and being quite content, so she smiled and gestured at them.

"These two seem to be quite attached to you and your Mudkip already," she said, watching them frolic together in the grass. "Perhaps you would like to take one on?" she suggested, watching his reaction carefully. He may be more interested in the Gastly or Heracross, of course, and they could attempt to introduce them to him, though Ellen wasn't sure whether it would be such a harmonious match. "Of course, as you're a young trainer, I would like for you to keep in contact with me and give me regular updates on whichever Pokémon you choose. And if there are any problems you must return here and allow me to evaluate the situation." The more emphatic, vehement side of docile Ellen Price came out when she was talking about her beloved Pok?mon's well-being, and the firece expression in her dark eyes very much said there would be no leeway on her conditions.

[sorbet]

Vale nodded in agreement when Ellen spoke, watching the Mudkip play. If he was to take one, the Furret would probably be smartest as concerned to him. Vale glanced at the woman as she spoke, finding it somehow easier to pay attention to her than with others. "I can understand that." Her terms were reasonable, really, all things considered. "What do you think about the Furret, there?" He realized it might have seemed a strange choice, when put next to a Poliwag. Pushing memories back from the surface, he turned his eyes back to the playing Pok?mon.

[Cai]

Ellen nodded and called the Furret softly. Eagerly, it wiggled over and sat up, bright-eyed and quite literally bushy tailed, the interest in its expression suggesting that it was quite aware it was about to be rehomed at last. "What do you think, Furret?" she asked, patting it on the head. "Do you want to go with this trainer?" It seemed to quiver with excitement, a sign which Ellen took as a fairly distinct yes. Smiling, she turned back to Vale. "Well, Mr Parker, it seems you have yourself a new recruit."

Ellen opened the pen door once again and allowed both the Mudkip and the Furret out. "Now, if you're quite certain this is what you want, please come through to the front once again, and we'll get the paperwork signed." She paused, allowing the trainer time to think. While it seemed the Furret had its heart set on going with the trainer, he was of course by no means obligated to take it. Though if he backed out now, he'd have those sad, melty Furret eyes to deal with...

[sorbet]

The new trainer nodded, watching the Furret. It seemed happy enough, and his Mudkip seemed pleased as it left the pen with a new friend. He had prior knowledge to draw from for caring for the creature, and this woman would be there to call if he needed help. Really, what was there to worry about? Vale offered up a smile, "That sounds fine. Please, lead the way." He watched the Furret as they left, wondering if it was native to Caligo. That seemed likely. It still reminded him of Johto, and maybe that wasn't such a bad thing in a place where everything felt a tinge foreign.